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As a group of young African immigrants struggle to adapt to life in the United States, an after-school drama program at White Oak Middle School aims to make their lives easier by first making them a little harder. Project X is a program that uses drama, dance, poetry and other creative outlets to help students discuss the tough and sometimes painful problems they face as pre-teen immigrants with language barriers. A final unveiling of their creation will be performed for friends and family at the end of the year at Imagination Stage. Wanjiru Kamau, coordinator of White Oak's African Club said it's important to give troubles to group members to help them find their place at the school. "It comforts those who are uncomfortable, and it discomforts those who are comfortable," Kamau said of Project X. Kamau teamed up with Imagination Stage after she noticed that many African students seemed uncomfortable talking about problems, such as being laughed at by their fellow students about how they look and talk. When most of the kids join the club, they speak little or no English, Kamau said. Each week, the club typically draws five to ten students who are originally from Africa for discussion sessions and the Project X programme. "We are going to express ourselves through our words and our actions, and that's powerful," said teaching artist Meg Green as she introduced fill-in-the-blank poems the students wrote about their identities. One student, Frank Ketchouang, 13, wrote, "I am from the world; I am love," which drew oohs and aahs from the group. Ketchouang has been in the United States for less than a year, said Program Coordinator Chad Dike. When Ketchouang started attending Project X, he had been in the United States for two months and spoke no English. Now he's one of the group's most outgoing members and helps translate instructions from English to Creole for the group's newest member, who is from Haiti. Many people will give up when there's a language barrier, "but these students prove them wrong". Kamau said. "You do have something to give. You are important. When TV, media, etc. are bringing them down, this program is bringing them up." How well the members learn in the Project X program is shown by _ . Answer: their annual creative performances Fix it on your own Did you know that a bowl of rice could save your iPod if you drop it in a swimming pool by accident? Or that the camera on your phone could tell you what's wrong with your TV remote control? The experts at Geek Squad (geelsquad.co.uk) have made a gadget rescue guide.So, let's take a look at some of their useful advice. How to get more juice out of your phone batter If your battery goes dead but you need to get a number or send one last text, try warming it up.That may give you a tiny bit of power.Take the battery from the phone and rub it between your hands.Or warm it under your arm for a few minutes.Then try to start the phone but use it quickly. What to do if your gadget gets wet First, try drying it out with a vacuum cleaner .If a vacuum cleaner isn't at hand, fill a pot or bowl with uncooked rice and put your wet gadget inside.The dry, uncooked rice will absorb all the water and, after a few hours, you should be able to use the gadget.Don't forget to remove the battery and SIM card before you dry it. What to do if your TV remote control stops working If replacing the batteries doesn't work, get the camera function up on your phone and point the remote at the lens .When you press a button on the remote, if it is working, the glass bobble at the front of the remote will light up when you look at it on the screen of your phone.This is because the screen on a phone or digital camera picks up infrared rays , even though your eyes don't.If the glass bobble doesn't light up, the remote is broken.If it does, the receiving device is broken. If your cell phone falls into a sink, you can _ . Answer: put it into the uncooked rice Dear Hamilton, We are fortunate that in such a large, high-pressure office we all get along so well. You are one of the people who keep the social temperature at such a comfortable setting. I don't know anyone in the office who is better liked than you. You can perhaps help with this. The collection of _ towards gifts for employees' personal-life events is becoming a little troubling. Certainly, the group sending of a gift is reasonable now and then. In the past month, however, there have been collections for two baby shower gifts, one wedding shower gift, two wedding gifts, one funeral remembrance, four birthday gifts, and three graduation gifts. It's not only the collected-from who are growing uncomfortable (and poor), but the collected-for feel uneasy receiving gifts from people who don't know them outside the office, who wouldn't even recognize their graduating children, their marrying daughters and sons, or their dead relatives. This is basically a kind gesture (and one that people think well of you for), but the practice seems to have become too wide-ranging and feels improper in today's office setting. Thank you for understanding. Hamilton is expected to _ . Answer: discontinue the present practice Dieters' who eat meals high in protein might lose a bit more weight than those who get less protein and more carbohydrates all other things being equal, a new analysis of past studies suggests. Researchers found that over an average of 12 weeks, people having a highprotein diet lost about 1.8 extra pounds, and more body fat, than those having a standard-protein diet. Wycherley from the University of South" Australia in Adelaide, the lead author on the study says it's possible that the body may spend more energy and bum more calories while dealing with protein, compared to carbohydrates. Another explanation for the link his team observed is that eating protein helps preserve muscle mass and muscle mass bums more calories, even when the body is resting, than other types of mass. He says people in the studies tend to get protein from a variety of animal and vegetable sources. Vegetable sources of protein include beans. It is not obvious why a higher protein-to-carbohydrate ratio might help people lose more pounds----and one obesity researcher not involved in the new analysis questioned whether the trials were strong enough to make that conclusion. "The studies are generally far too short to tell effect," Dr. James Levine from the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, told Reuters Health in an e-mail. But given the limitations of the present evidence, Levine said, "It makes no real difference which of the weight-loss ways one chooses." What can we learn from the studies? Answer: Protein helps keep muscle mass which bums calories. Over thousands of years, human beings have been learning about more and more about this world, and have figured out many ways to avoid risks and make our lives easier. Even in ancient times, we used fire to frighten away animals, built simple boats to cross waters, and armed ourselves with sharpening stones and sticks. Nowadays, with advanced technology and instrument, people know the world better than ever. It's surprising how much people already know about this world and how much we've changed our lives by using the knowledge we have. But if you think we know everything, that's wrong. I guess sometimes we have to accept the limitation on our understanding of the world. No matter how much we're already known about the world, there are things that remain mysterious. I learned this from my pregnancy which ended in the 6th month, due to a placental abruption . I started to see my OB/GYN every month, taking vitamins regularly, doing all the lab tests to make sure we were expecting a healthy baby. All the results looked promising, and we thought we would have a healthy baby girl in January next year. Even in the week before placental abruption, when I was in hospital because of a sudden bleeding, doctors didn't believe there were any bad possibilities after reading my blood tests. Unfortunately it still happened. Later, I asked my doctor "So what caused this?" She said, "I don't know. We probably will never know." After leaving the hospital, I sometimes do feel frustrated for what happened. But I already accept the fact that there are simply things that we do not know. No matter how well you plan and monitor your life there are uncertainties that can not be predicted and thus can not be avoided. _ Her name was Janet. She came to the world in April, and left us 6 months later. Though we never had the chance of meeting her, she is always our beloved daughter. In the late May 2013, during our first OB visit, we saw a little heart beating happily inside its mother. We couldn't even tell that was a baby, but we knew the magic was happening. The first three months was a disaster, Janet showed her power by making her mama throw up every day. Daddy became the cook of the family, and spent hours learning new dishes to please his picky wife. In the 12th week, we saw her again during an OB screening. When the doctor tried to measure her, she suddenly waved her hand to us, as if saying "I know you are spying on me again." Every regular OB check became our favorite experience, when we could hear her heart beating and knew she was enjoying herself. In the 18th week, one day when daddy was singing, she suddenly kicked her mama. We never felt so happy. Since then, she became more and more naughty, doing all sorts of exercise in her warm little house. We started to think about names, decorate her pink room, and shared the news with our friends. For young parents, there are always a lot to learn! Then it was the end of 25th week. A sudden bleeding terrified mama and daddy. After staying in the hospital for three days, things looked all right again, and Janet did not seem to be affected. However, the night after we went out of the hospital, a much worse contraction started which caused placental abruption. When we went back to the hospital, mama survived from an emergency operation, but Janet's heart was no longer beating. Janet, thank you for all the joy you brought to us. We love you and we will miss you forever. Rest in peace! What happened to the baby girl? Answer: She died before she was born
Guide to Stockholm University Library Our library offers different types of studying places and provides a good studying environment. Zones The library is divided into different zones. The upper floor is a quiet zone with over a thousand places for silent reading, and places where you can sit and work with your own computer. The reading places consist mostly of tables and chairs. The ground floor is the zone where you can talk. Here you can find sofas and armchairs for group work. Computers You can use your own computer to connect to the wi-fi specially prepared for notebook computers; you can also use library computers, which contain the most commonly used applications, such as Microsoft Office. They are situated in the area known as the Experimental Field on the ground floor. Group-study Places If you want to discuss freely without disturbing others, you can book a study room or sit at a table on the ground floor. Some study rooms are for 2-3 people and others can hold up to 6-8 people. All rooms are marked on the library maps. There are 40 group-study rooms that must be booked via the website. To book, you need an active University account and a valid University card. You can use a room three hours per day, nine hours at most per week. Storage of study material The library has lockers for students to store course literature. When you have obtained at least 40 credits , you may rent a locker and pay 400 SEK for a year's rental period. Rules to be followed Mobile phone conversations are not permitted anywhere in the library. Keep your phone on silent as if you were in a lecture and exit the library if you need to receive calls. Please note that food and fruit are forbidden in the library, but you are allowed to have drinks and sweets with you. The library's upper floor is mainly for students to _ . A. read in a quiet place B. have group discussions C. take comfortable seats D. get their computers fixed Answer: A. read in a quiet place Have you ever heard the song called "Is there anyone who told you"? It may be impossible for you not to know the song and its singer.It is sung by the famous "Happy Boy" Chen Chusheng, who appeared on Hunan Satellite TV.He caught everyone's attention. Before the competition he was just a farmer's son who had never got professional trainings of any kind. As a child, Chusheng wasn't a good student, but he was very interested in music. He liked to listen to and sing his favorite songs again and again. Like many other parents, his parents also wanted him to go to college,but he failed.Chusheng had no choice but to help his brother repair bicycles and motorbikes.In Sanya, a small city in Hainan Province, Chen worked during the daytime while singing in different bars in the evening. He lived like that until the year 2000. In 2000, Chen went to Shenzhen.He never expected that his first job in this new place would be _ food.He went on working in the daytime while singing in the evenings.His life was hard at that time.In the bar called Star-making Factories he met many famous local musicians.In the following several years, Chen, with his musical dream, attended many music contests throughout the country, winning prizes many times. Today,when we think about his success, we cannot help thinking that if one wants to be successful, he should work harder than others. Where did he work in the evening in Shenzhen? A. In a bar. B. In a factory. C. In a restaurant. D. In a supermarket. Answer: A. In a bar. Every April I am troubled by the same concern -- that spring might not occur this year. The landscape looks dull, with hills, sky and forest appearing gray. My spirits ebb, as they did during an April snowfall when I first came to Maine 15 years ago. "Just wait," a neighbor advised. "You'll wake up one morning and spring will just be here." And look, on May 3 that year I awoke to a green so amazing as to be almost electric, as if spring were simply a matter of flipping a switch. Hills, sky and forest revealed their purples, blues and green. Leaves had unfolded and daffodils were fighting their way heavenward. Then there was the old apple tree. It sits on an undeveloped lot in my neighborhood. It belongs to no one and therefore to everyone. The tree's dark twisted branches stretch out in unpruned abandon. Each spring it blossoms so freely that the air becomes filled with the scent of apple. Until last year, I thought I was the only one aware of this tree. And then one day, in a bit of spring madness, I set out with pruner to remove a few disorderly branches. No sooner had I arrived under the tree than neighbors opened their windows and stepped onto their porches. These were people I barely knew and seldom spoke to, but it was as if I had come uninvited into their personal gardens. My mobile-home neighbor was the first to speak."You're not cutting it down, are you?" she asked anxiously. Another neighbor frowned as I cut off a branch. "Don't kill it, now," he warned. Soon half the neighborhood had joined me under the apple tree. It struck me that I had lived there for five years and only now was learning these people's names, what they did for a living and how they passed the winter. It was as if the old apple tree was gathering us under its branches for the purpose of both acquaintanceship and shared wonder. I couldn't help recalling Robert Frost's words: The trees that have it in their pent-up buds To darken nature and be summer woods One thaw led to another. Just the other day I saw one of my neighbors at the local store. He remarked how this recent winter had been especially long and complained of not having seen or spoken at length to anyone in our neighborhood. And then, he looked at me and said, "We need to prune that apple tree again." The apple tree mentioned in the passage is most likely to _ . A. be regarded as a delight in the neighborhood B. have been abandoned by its original owner C. have been neglected by everyone in the community D. be appealing only to the author Answer: A. be regarded as a delight in the neighborhood A plum tree's purple leaves uses light energy to A. produce philosophy B. create nourishment C. distribute government propaganda D. create noxious fumes Answer: B. create nourishment To help make the most of your experience at Auckland Zoo we suggest: Plan Your Day: Plan your day to learn more about your favorite zoo animals. Don't forget your camera - the best way to capture your visit forever. Keep Safe at the Zoo: Children aged 12 years and under need to be accompanied by a caregiver. To keep the safety of our animals, any throwing games are not permitted in the zoo grounds. The zoo animals are not trained. Do not enter any enclosure , or put any part of your body into an enclosure. There are a number of natural waterways at the zoo, so please take care of your children at all times. General Information: Check out the weather before you come. In winter we suggest you bring a jacket and an umbrella, and in summer, be sure to bring sunscreen and a hat. Every zoo animal enjoys its own specific: well-balanced food. We hope that you enjoy some great food treats on your zoo visit, but please do not feed any of our animals. Our keepers work strictly on _ . Feel free to take personal photos and make videos. However, any commercial photography or filming needs written permissions from zoo management. Not all animals are permitted in the zoo grounds. We welcome people with guide dogs, but they must contact us ahead of time about their visit. Please phone the Zoo Information Center on +64(0)9-360-3805. Smoking is not permitted in covered areas. Auckland Zoo does not allow entry to any unaccompanied children 12 years and under. If the children are found by themselves, the staff do have the right to call the police. When visiting Auckland Zoo, parents should tell their children that _ . A. they could play throwing games B. they couldstay close to the animals C. the zoo animals have been well-trained D. it's dangerous to play near the waterways Answer: D. it's dangerous to play near the waterways
Question: Once upon a time, there was a poor man. One day, after working for hours, he had a rest under a tree in the middle of the field. Just then, he saw a terrible snake coming out of an anthill . The man thought that the snake might be the god of the field. He did not give it anything, so he could not get anything from the field. At once he went to bring a bowl of milk and offered the milk to the snake. "God of the field! I didn't know that you live here. That's why I never gave you anything. Please _ me. " Then he went home. The next day, when the man came, he found a gold coin in the bowl near the anthill. From then on, the man gave milk to the snake and found gold coins. One day the man was so busy that he couldn't send milk to the snake. So he asked his son to take care of the snake. The son brought milk to the anthill and gave it to the snake. The next day, when he came back, he found a gold coin in the bowl. After taking the gold coin, he thought, "This anthill must be full of gold coins. I would kill the snake and take them all." The next day, the son came to the field with milk and a stick. He gave the milk to the snake and hit it with the stick. The snake escaped the stick and bit the boy to death. We may find the passage _ . A. in a research B. in a sports magazine C. in a poster D. in a storybook Answer: D. in a storybook Question: World Expo 2010 Shanghai China is to be staged in Shanghai from May 1 to October 31, 2010. If you plan to visit the Shanghai Expo this summer, China Pavilion is a must - see area for you. China Pavilion, which is called Oriental Crown, is located at the center of the Expo site. Standing 63 meters tall, the China Pavilion takes the shape of an emperor's crown, with the upper layers larger than the lower ones. Covering 160,000 square meters in floor space, the pavilion is made up of a national hall and a regional( ) hall. Buildings on the China Pavilion began on Dec. 18, 2007. The design of the China Pavilion was picked from a total of 344 designs put forward by Chinese from around the world. The pavilion has both traditional and modern features, which helps develop the theme of the 2010 Expo; "Better City, Better Life. For example, it is red in appearance, which covers the traditional Chinese culture, and it is green indoors, with the use of energy - saving techniques. The Shanghai World Expo is expected to attract 70 million visitors from across the globe. It is estimated that 400,000 people will visit the Expo and its 140 pavilions every day during the period, but the China Pavilion is only able to receive about one tenth of the total. How to hold so many people in the pavilion remains a tough task. Luckily, the China Pavilion is built as a permanent landmark. During the Expo, the main structure( ) will be used for an exhibition based on the theme of " Chinese wisdom in urban development" by explaining the values of harmony( ), nature and spirit. The three - story pavilion has three sections. The top floor's "Footprint of the East" will show some of the changes in Chinese cities. There, you can see a film which shows how Chinese cities have changed, especially in the past 30 years. According to Lu Chuan, director of the film, the scenery is like something from Lord of the Rings. On the second floor, "Journey of Wisdom" will explain China's four great inventions. And the ground's " Blossoming" City will display scenes from cities of the future. Which of the following words can be used to describe the China Pavilion? A. Tiny. B. Imagination C. Foreign D. Environment - friendly. Answer: D. Environment - friendly. Question: Women, Race & Class Angela Y Davis PS7.99 Analysing the differences and similarities between the experiences of black and white women, Davis casts new light on the struggle for human rights. The Words to Say it (an autobiographical novel) Marie Cardinal translated by Pat Goodheart PS7.99 Marie Cardinal's groundbreaking book was the first and remains the complete book about the personal experience of psychoanalysis . It reveals her traumatic childhood and institutionalisation , followed by her escape to the cul-de-sac where her analyst lived. There, for many years, she made the journey towards recovery through Freudian psychoanalysis. A worldwide bestseller, translated into eighteen languages, it remains one of the most highly-praised books of our age. Jade Millie Murray PS4.99 Jade Wilson is smart, young, black and ambitious. And she's just been given the chance of a lifetime - a try-out for the Commonwealth Games swimming team. Jade lives with her mum, Jojo, a successful business woman. Jojo is overprotective of Jade, but she has her reasons. As a young model with a wonderful career ahead of her, she fell pregnant with Jade, and, much as she loves her daughter, she's determined not to let anything get in the way of Jade's success. So when Jade starts dating Dicey, there is hell to pay. Will Jade survive her Mum's constant nagging ? And what if she were to get pregnant - would she, could she, do the same as Jojo and give up her career? As things start hotting up with Dicey, Jade is faced with some very tough choices... . The book is very popular with people all over the world. Which book do you buy if you want to read about women's rights? A. Women, Race & Class B. Jade C. The Words to Say it D. Marie Cardinal Answer: A. Women, Race & Class Question: One of China's most popular folk arts is paper cutting . Archaeological finds trace the tradition back to the 6thcentury; it is supposed that the beginnings of paper cutting were even a few centuries earlier. Paper cuttings are used for religious purposes, for decoration and as patterns . Today, paper cuttings are mainly used as decoration. They _ walls, windows, doors, columns mirrors, lamps and lanterns in homes. They are also used for decoration on presents, and are given as presents themselves. They are of special importance at festivals. At the Spring Festival for example, entrances are decorated with paper cuttings which are supposed to bring good luck. Paper cuttings are not produced by machine, but by hand. There are two kinds of paper cuttings; scissor cuttings and knife cuttings. Scissor cuttings are fashioned with scissors. Several pieces of paper--- up to eight pieces---are fastened together. The motif is then cut with sharp, pointed scissors. Knife cuttings are fashioned by putting several layers of paper on a relatively soft foundation consisting of a mixture of tallow and ashes. Following a pattern, the artist cuts the motif into the paper with a sharp knife which he usually holds vertically . The advantage of knife cuttings is that considerably more paper cuttings can be made in one operation than scissor cuttings. In the countryside, paper cuttings are usually made only by women and girls. This used to be one of the skills that every girl was to master and that were often used to judge brides . Professional paper cutting artists are, on the other hand, almost always men who have guaranteed incomes and work together in workshops. Which is the best title of this passage? A. The ways of paper cutting B. The reasons for paper cutting C. The purposes of paper cutting D. Paper cutting Answer: D. Paper cutting Question: "Teenager" is the new term being used in the UK to describe kids at either 8--12 or 10--13 years old. More and more companies are beginning to create products and services for teenagers. The Disney Company sells music and film to teenagers and their parents. You can get everything from lunchboxes and mobile phone covers, to monthly fan magazines and clothing. It's all about sales, which suggests that teenagers must have more money, freedom and influence upon their parents than they've ever had before. Most kids in the UK today get more pocket money than kids did ten years ago. Parents have more money to give their kids than before, since parents are having fewer children. In addition, the divorce rate in the UK is continually rising and parents spend less time with their children than they used to, so many parents try to please their children by buying them presents. It's a bad habit for both parents and kids to get into, but parents are under pressure from commercial marketing and the pleas of their children. UK kids today are very media and computer-literate. A lot of kids have a TV, if not a computer, in their bedrooms. They have easy access to much more information about life and the world. They may have experienced a lot in life as well, since 24% of UK kids live in single-parent families, so people now say that "kids are getting older younger". With such maturity at such a young age, it's no wonder teenagers are able to influence their parents and have more freedom than previous generations. UK teenagers never used to be worried about spending money on clothes. That's changed. Now, they are much more fashion conscious and concerned about their image . Many of them outgrow the bright colors and fashions of kids years ago and go for something darker and more rebellious . Surely none of the above is a good thing. The UK government is certainly concerned, and for that reason has strict laws preventing companies from marketing their products and services at children. What is the purpose of the passage? A. To introduce a new phenomenon . B. To teach a new word "teenager". C. To warn parents to care about their kids. D. To blame today's young people Answer: A. To introduce a new phenomenon .
Question: Danger-junkie orangutans in Borneo climb dead trees and shake then until they begin to fall. They scream with excitement as they cling to the falling tree. Just before the tree hits the ground the orangutans leap to another tree or vine, narrowly escaping death. While no one cab ask orangutans if they enjoy it as a person playing an extreme sport, one animal behaviorist sees this monkey fun as a bit of harmless thrill-seeking. A growing number of scientists agree that animals are conscious and capable of experiencing basic emotions , such as happiness, sadness, boredom or depression. A few scientists even see the possibility for higher animal emotions like love, jealousy and spite. Five years ago, behaviorist and animal-rights activist Dr. Jonathan Balcombe stood on a Virginia hotel balcony watching two crows intimately groom each other in the comfort of an abandoned billboard. He felt that the birds liked what they were doing, even if engaged in a natural, beneficial act, such as picking parasites off the other's feathers. That moment changed the way he would view animals forever and led to a book, "Pleasurable Kingdom: Animals and the Nature of Feeling Good", which is filled with hundreds of examples of animals living it up thanks to developed senses of touch, taste, sight, sound and smell. Balcombe recounts a favorite example of Kenyan hippos having high-end spa treatment in a fresh water spring. They splay their toes, open their mouths wide and wait for a school of cleaner fish to remove parasites and slough off dead skin, he recalls. Balcombe knows that the hippos and the fish both benefit from this arrangement. "My interpretation is that it is also enjoyable for them ," he says. The passage leads us to the belief that _ . A. animals can experience emotions B. animals have a way to adapt to their environment C. animals can copy what humans do D. animals are only eat-or-be-eaten beasts Answer: A Question: If a thing changes through a chemical process, it will have different and new chemical properties, such as A. adding cats to a home B. adding cream to tile C. adding lemon juice to milk D. adding salt to sand Answer: C Question: There was a bookseller .He did not like to pay for anything.One day a big box of books fell on his foot. "Go to the doctor," said his wife,"and show that foot to him." "No,"he said,"I'll wait until the doctor comes to our shop next time.Then I'll ask him about my foot.If I go to see him,I will have to pay." The next day the doctor came to the shop to buy some books.The bookseller told the doctor about his bad foot.The doctor looked at it and promised to help.He took out a piece of paper and wrote something on it."Buy this medicine and put it on the foot before you go to bed every night,"he said. "Thank you,"said the bookseller,"And now,sir,here are your books." "How much?" asked the doctor. "Two pounds."" Oh,good,"said the doctor."I won't have to pay you anything today." "Why?" asked the bookseller. "I look over your foot.I will not pay two pounds for that.If people come to my house,l ask them to pay only one pound for a small thing like that.But when I go to their house,I usually charge two pounds.And I came here today,didn't I? Bye--bye!" The doctor paid the bookseller _ . A. many money B. much money C. nothing D. two pounds for books Answer: C Question: Jack is having a great and relaxing summer.He is visiting his grandmother in Florida .The weather is hot and sunny.He is staying at his grandmother's home.It's very nice and near the beach.He goes to the beach with friends every day.They play volleyball there a lot.He watches TV or reads books in the evening.He is reading an interesting story-book now.The stories are really scary.His grandmother is making dinner now.She wants Jack to help her. What is Jack's grandmother doing now? A. She is cooking dinner. B. She is cleaning the room. C. She is talking on the phone. D. She is watching TV now. Answer: A Question: Mark Thompson, the BBC's director general, is expected to announce on Thursday that the BBC will quit its entire west London home -- possibly selling the land to Chelsea football club -- as part of main plans that will see more staff moved out of the capital to Salford and elsewhere. The move is at the heart of the BBC's long-awaiting cost-cutting strategy which will see nearly 2,000 more jobs going at the public broadcaster, and some original programming,such as daytime shows on BBC2, _ to save money. Several thousand people are employed at the west London sites,including Thompson himself and the bosses of all the BBC's television channels.The employees are expected to be relocated to Broadcasting House in central London, Salford, or elsewhere. The BBC has been broadcasting at various locations in the Shepherd's Bush area since moving into Lime Grove in 1949.It then switched to the Television Centre in 1960,and more modern offices at nearby White City.But it is now open to selling the site, and the broadcaster has had talks about attracting Premier League clubs Chelsea or Queen's Park Rangers as buyers.Both clubs are looking for new homes. Earlier leaks suggest that the BBC will seek to cut spending on sports where the corporation has already decided to share coverage of Formula 1 with Sky TV -- and imports,such as Mad Men and The Killing.BBC4 is expected to focus on "arts and archive ", but Thompson has long ruled out closing any channels or radio stations.BBC1 and Radio 4 will be protected,but there are expected to be some cuts to local radio programs, which will see stations share shows outside breakfast and drive-time hours. The corporation is already committed to remove TV Centre by 2015, but because parts of the building are listed, the football clubs have expressed an interest in the BBC's White City offices instead,which could be knocked down. The White City building is where Thompson and the broadcaster's commercial division, BBC Worldwide, are based. BBC sources say the 2,500 job losses being proposed include the 650 cuts to the World Service already announced, with up to l,000 coming from BBC News.It is understood that some staff who have only just made the move to Salford could see their jobs at risk. Salford is now home to Radio5 Live, children's programs such as Blue Peter, and sports output including Match of the Day. Why is the BBC planning to quit its west London home? A. The BBC wants to earn more money. B. The BBC would like to support British football sport. C. The BBC is planning to save money for new programs. D. The BBC has to cut down its cost. Answer: D
U.S.President Barack Obama said on Friday he can make the case for a second term, and voters will come to see him as the candidate best prepared to serve as president by next year's elections, according to an interview he gave to the U.S. media. In an interview he gave the Associated Press, Obama admitted that the state of the economy could be his biggest obstacle to win reelection . "I think the economy's going to continue to improve, and I think I'm going to be able to make an effective case that... I am the person who is best prepared to finish the job so that we are on track to succeed in the 21st century." Obama said in the video interview conducted in Chicago, where he attended money-raising events the previous night. "I think I can make that case, and I think that, in the debates that take place over the next 18 months, the American people will feel that I deserve a second term," he said. He made the reelection announcement on April 4. According to a survey on Friday, Only 41 percent of people support him, lower than his competitor. Someone said the figure was influenced by economic dissatisfaction. What is Barack Obama's attitude towards his reelection? Answer: Felix, a little mouse, looked outside through the window of a farmhouse. Still nobody came. Maybe today, he thought hopefully. It was only a few days before Christmas and he was watching for a miracle . This farmhouse had been empty too long. It needed a family. Felix's stomach made a noise. He realized that he had eaten nothing since yesterday. He took a bag from his home, and went next door to Farmer Mike's. Farmer Mike's house had been a great place for Felix until the farmer married a wife who had a cat. Felix felt scared when he thought of it. He looked around _ as he moved quietly into the room and was quite nervous when he filled his bag with rice. He was turning to leave when suddenly he felt something unusual. The cat? Without thinking he started to run and luckily escaped the cat's paws . The next afternoon Felix heard some good news: a new family would move into the farmhouse soon. Felix was happy and hoped that the family would come before Christmas. Before long, a car came up to the house, with sandwiches, cheese and chocolate. Felix's Christmas miracle did arrive! The house came alive the next few days. Felix enjoyed every hour of them. However, the day before Christmas when he was drinking hot chocolate with a big smile, he heard about the gift that the children of the family might get for Christmas. What? A cat? The smile froze on his face; his mouth fell wide open. After a long moment, he at last found his voice: "Hey! Whose Christmas miracle is this?" How did the little mouse feel at the end of the story? Answer: Populations living in one place form a Answer: Little Peter is a boy of nine. He began to go to school when he was six, and now he is 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, teaches music in Peter's school. She is 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 a quarter past eight. His aunt was waiting for him at the school gate. "You are ten minutes late for the first class, Peter," Mrs. Black said angrily. "Why are you often late for class?" "Every time, when I get to the street corner , I always see a guidepost . It says SCHOOL--GO SLOWLY!" The first class begins at _ . Answer: (Renee-a beautiful princess; Broo-a blue bear; Nahloo-a magical place) When the Princess Renee heard about Broo, she came down from her castle. She found Broo while he was busy eating honey. "Mr. Bear," the Princess said, "you are welcome in Nahloo. Here we share with each other. We don't take things from each other." Broo thought about it for a moment and realized that he had made a mistake. "Well," he said, "maybe drinking all that milk wasn't the best idea." The Princess continued, "Mr. Bear, you can drink and eat, but you won't feel good because you have never made any contribution to anyone else. I think you'll find that it is better to be full in your heart, not just in your stomach." After saying this, the Princess went back to the castle, leaving Broo alone. One day, Broo was going to take lots of cookies from the rabbits, then he remembered what the Princess said to him. So Broo decided not to eat the cookies. The rabbits were surprised and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Bear. Now these cookies will taste sweeter because they are given by you, my friend. If you like, come back tomorrow and we can have the cookies together." Broo was filled with joy and went through the land. He gave back everything he had taken. In return, he received a promise from everyone to share their food with him. Broo was so delighted that he started dancing in the moonlight with the Princess as his partner. In Nahloo, _ . Answer:
Question: It is the duty of every man to work. The life of a lazy man is of no use to himself and to others. The man who is too lazy to work is the man who is generally most ready to beg or to steal. Every boy, when he is young, should learn how to do some useful work. But it is not enough that a boy should learn some kind of work. He should put his heart and soul completely into his work, and not waste his spare time. "Work while you work and play while you play" is as good a rule for young people as for the old! There is no better help to diligence than the habit of early rising, and this, just like all other good habits, is most easily formed in youth. There is an English saying, "Lost time never returns". This means that everybody must be diligent and make good use of his time. One must study hard when one is young so that one may make great progress, succeed in life and become useful to one's country. Those who are diligent will never become beggars. Therefore, we can say that diligence is the mother of success. From the passage, we know that those who are too lazy to work will _ . A. waste their time B. help others C. become beggars or thieves D. make progress some day Answer: C. become beggars or thieves Question: A cell can photosynthesize if it is A. a ferret's B. a tern's C. a willow's D. a gila monster's Answer: C. a willow's Question: The state of Colorado has four of the 58 national parks in the United States.These have been judged as the best places of all the national parks. Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park This park lies in western Colorado and offers the most impressive views from up in the mountains into the canyons below.While exploring the canyons,you will find that the walls drop nearly straight down into very narrow valleys with snake-like rivers below.Visitors are offered more than 100 camping sites,and a lot of bird species and many animals are native to the area. Rocky Mountain National Park It is the only national park in the north central region in the state of Colorado.Elevations in this park you will find are anywhere from 8,000 feet to 14,259 at the top of Longs Peak.While travelling throughout this park,you will find there are two very different climates because of the fact that the tops of the Rocky Mountains make a difference.With 359 miles of trails for hiking,there are a lot of places for camping,horseback riding and just enjoying the sights of nature. Mesa Verde National Park This is probably the most interesting of all the national parks,offering an extremely interesting trip back in time to 600 A.D.up to 1,300 A.D.This park was declared a protected national park in 1906 because of the cliff dwellings that were found throughout the park area,which was once home to American Indians.Visitors can actually walk through these dwellings,and they may imagine what each room may have been used for so many years ago. Great Sand Dunes National Park The Great Sand Dunes National Park lies in south central Colorado,about 127 miles from Pueblo.This park has the tallest sand dunes in all of North America,with trails for hiking.Natural sandy beaches there are good for people who want to swim around the small rivers and lakes. Mesa Verde National Park has been a protected national park for around _ years. A. 1,000 B. 1,500 C. 100 D. 200 Answer: C. 100 Question: The witch wanted to stop making poisons in her big pot. She wanted to be a cook instead. She could make all sorts of treats, like blueberry sandwiches, orange pizzas, and grape pie. Her best treat she made was strawberry eggs. She wanted the people from town to invite her to parties. She wanted them to ask her to cook for them. Most of all, she wanted them to be friends with her. Her plan was to get them to try her strawberry eggs. They were shaped like eggs but when you would chew on them they tasted like strawberries. They also had medicine in them so they would help people too. They were delicious. Finally the big day came. The witch brought her cart into the town. She was late to town because she got lost. Then her wagon broke and she had to fix its wheel. It was full of the strawberry eggs. The witch started handed them out. At first people were nervous. They did not know the witch well. They knew she was the witch who lived in the woods, all alone. They knew she had made poisons. But once the sheriff tried them, everyone started trying them. After everyone in town had one, they put the witch on their shoulders and cheered for her, even the town's baker. Finally the town's leader asked the witch if she would move into the town. The witch happily said yes and they all had as many strawberry eggs as they could ever want. What was the witch's best treat she made? A. Grape Pie B. Strawberry Eggs C. Orange Pizza D. Blueberry Sandwitchs Answer: B. Strawberry Eggs Question: Sports can help you keep fit and get in touch with nature. However, whether you are on the mountains, in the waves, or on the grassland, you should be aware that your sport of choice might have great influence on the environment. ks5u Some sports are resource-hungry. Golf, as you may know, eats up not only large areas of countryside, but also tons of water. Besides, all sorts of chemicals and huge amounts of energy are used to keep its courses in good condition. This causes major environmental effects. For example, in the dry regions of Portugal and Spain, golf is often held responsible for serious water shortage in some local areas. ks5u There are many environment-friendly sport. Power walking is one of them that you could take up today. You don't need any special equipment except a good pair of shoes;and you don't have to worry about resources and your purse. Simple and free, power walking can also keep you fit. If you walk regularly, it will be good for your heart and bones. Experts say that 20 minutes of power walking daily can make you feel less anxious, sleep well and have better weight control. ks5u Whatever sport you take up, you can make it greener by using environment-friendly equipment and buying products made from recycled materials. But the final goal should be "green gyms". They are better replacements for traditional health clubs and modern sports centers. Members of green gyms play sports outdoors, in the countryside or other open spaces. There is no special requirement for you to start your membership. And best of all, it's free. ks5u The author uses power walking as an example mainly because _ . ks5u A. it is an outdoor sport ks5u B. it improves our health ks5u C. it uses fewer resources ks5u D. it is recommended by experts ks5u Answer: C. it uses fewer resources ks5u
A good way to pass the exam is to work hard every day. You may not pass an exam if you word hard all the time before the exam. If you are getting ready for an English exam, do not only learn grammar rulers . Try to read stories in Enlish and speak English _ you can. Before you start the exam, read the questions carefully. Try to understand the exact meaning of each question before you pick up your pen to write. When you finish you exam, read you answers once more, correct the mistake if there are any and make sure that you don't miss anything out. Only learning rules of grammar _ to passs an English exam. Answer: My parents lived through the Great Depression of the 1930s and I heard stories from both of them about how their lives changed because of it. The same was true of my in-laws whose lives were also affected negatively. For example, my husband's grandfather owned a factory. Owing to the stock market crash, he lost the factory and went back to work in the very factory he'd once owned. He could no longer afford to send my father-in-law to college. My father-in-law worked full time as a pipe fitter and went to school part-time to earn his degree, which took seven years. Somehow, my husband and I never dreamed that we would live through anything similar. However, as they say, history often repeats itself. In 1929, the stock market crashed in the month of October. The same thing happened in 2008. My husband, who had invested all our money in the market, was in a state of shock. Each day the news was more terrible. "We've lost more than half of our wealth," he told me. I just stared at him. "How can that be?" "I thought we had good, solid investments, but it seems I was wrong." "Well, we do have pensions ," I said. "Hopefully, they won't be affected. Since we have never lived a high lifestyle to begin with, I don't think we have to worry." "I did hope to leave our children and grandchildren a generous inheritance ," my husband said. He shook his head in disbelief. "We'll still be able to give gifts. Love is the most important gift anyway." Our children are grown and we always try to be generous to them and our grandchildren. "It just won't be the same." "The world is always changing," I said. "You never know what will happen. The main thing is not to get discouraged. As long as we have our health and can afford the necessities of life, there's no reason to be upset. When you have your health, you can always earn more money." I hugged my husband and he kissed me in return. "I guess you're right," he agreed. "We love each other. We have our health and enough money to live on comfortably. That's all that matters." We had to move out of our house into an apartment. Since few people could afford a house in those hard days, we decided to offer it for considerably less than it would normally be worth. Even so, several buyers changed their mind days before closing. But finally, our home was sold. As we shook hands with the new owners, I told them how fortunate they were. "Not only are you getting a bargain in the price, but this house has good luck. We bought the house from a family who lived in it for nine years. They were a happy family, a husband, wife and five children. It was a cheerful house and we had a good feeling about it. We raised our children here as well." "That's good to hear," the young woman said with a smile. "We have two young children ourselves. And I believe in luck too." We nodded our heads in agreement, understanding each other. "You'll live only six houses from the best primary school in the town and your children won't even have to cross a street," I said. "Our children used to come home each day and have lunch with me." "We like the woods in the back," the young man told us. "We're going to plant a large garden in the backyard." They seemed so young and happy and full of plans. My husband and I had to smile. At least some good was coming out of the economic difficulty. We no longer needed a house. It was good to know that another young family would now be living in what had been a happy, loving home for us. Also, the house needed work that we no longer had the energy to perform. These may be tough times economically, but as for me, I intend to look forward, not back. As Shakespeare said in Macbeth, "what's done is done and cannot be undone." It's the present and future that matter. We can learn from our mistakes and make our lives better. By telling the new owners "this house has good luck", the author intended to tell them _ . Answer: Our first winter in Canada was the happiest we have experienced. We were living in the countryside then and had just arrived from Hong Kong that autumn. One evening in mid December snow began to fall. When we looked out of the window and saw that it was snowing, we all cheered. It was the first snow we had ever seen and we were excited. We could hardly wait for the snow to stop so that we could go out to play. Next morning when we woke up, it was still snowing. We switched on the radio and learned that more than ten inches of snow had falled during the night and that since the roads were blocked there would be no school that day. We jumped up and down for joy and begged mother to let us go outside to play in the snow. She said we could go out after breakfast if we dressed ourselves warmly and promised to come back as soon as we felt cold. When we went out, the snow had almost stopped. The roads , paths, gardens, and playing grounds were all hidden under a white blanket of soft snow. It was the most beautiful sight we had ever seen. Just then, we saw some neighbour's children coming out to play. We ran over to join them. Together we built a snowman and a snow house. After that, we took turns sliding down a hill on a large piece of cardboard. We were having so much fun when supper time came. Mother almost had to force us to go in and eat. The children didn't have to go to school because _ . Answer: It is often said that man has become the enemy of our planet. This is no exaggeration , for reports show that man's greed has done much to destroy the earth. Man, in his greedy desire for financial growth, has polluted the air, land and water, and has robbed our valuable natural resources. Man's industrial plants pour out poisonous waste that pollutes the sea and puts life in the sea under the threat of dying out; at the same time, they release alarming amounts of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other pollutants. Small wonder that the air now is much warmer and more impure than ever before. Of course, this is not just because of man's greed--it is man's pressing need as well. For instance, in developing countries, huge financial foreign debts have forced governments to approve the cutting of forests for agriculture or ranching. As a result, forests are cut down just to meet man's immediate needs. Perhaps unknowingly,man has changed the make-up of the earth's atmosphere. Scientific studies have shown that CFCs used in refrigerators and industrial cleaners are fast destroying the ozone layer--a protective layer in the atmosphere that protects us against the harmful effects of the sun's ultraviolet rays. In fact, documented reports have shown a terrible fact that there are "holes" in the ozone layer over the Antarctic. And they appear to be expanding. Faced with these environmental problems, world leaders have shown deep concern. The UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) has arranged international agreements like the Vienna convention of 1985 and the Montreal Protocol of 1989 to preserve the ozone layer by controlling the production, use and trade of destructive chemicals. There may be some doubt as to how effectual these agreements may be, given that some countries still maintain an "I-don't-care" attitude. Their attitude is probably due to their failure to grasp the importance of the problem. Then, there is no doubt that environmental education on an international scale is greatly needed, so that all countries, great and small--the "haves" and the "have nots"--may realize their responsibilities for our planet. In the meantime, the UNEP seems to have taken steps in the right direction, and it is hoped that in the not so distant future, all nations of the world will join hands in saving mother earth. The holes in the ozone layer are largely due to _ . Answer: Smog is a big problem in many Chinese cities. But it seems that besides wearing a mask, few of us know what has caused the smog and what to do to beat it. Chai Jing, a former news interviewer with CCTV, discussed the questions in her documentary Under the Dome. The 103-minute film was on websites on Feb 28. In the film, Chai visits polluted places and talks to officials and scientists. She thinks that burning too much coal and oil are the main causes of PM2.5 and smog. To solve the problem, Chai suggests that we should clean our coal and oil or replace them with cleaner energy such as natural gas. In her film, Chai also emphasized that everyone can do something to help control smog too. For example, we can live a greener life by using more public transport. Or if we see things that could harm the environment, we can try to stop it. In the film, when she sees a restaurant cooking without any suitable filter facilities , she calls the hotline 12369. The restaurant installed the filter a week later. Chen Jining, the new minister of environmental protection, praised Chai. "This film encourages ordinary people to take notice of the environment. This is what we need in the future." What's Chen Jining's attitude towards Chai's film? Answer:
YOUR KIDS ARE AMAZING --especially compared with everybody else's (who seem to cry all the time). How do you show your love for your kids this holiday season? With toys that are smooth and colorful, interactive and exciting. And with ones that have educational value -- because you are the boss. FLAX ART HOSPITAL PUZZLE AND PLAY SET Here is a toy that doesn't need power, and the kids have to put it together themselves. This 50-piece-puzzle set is made of soft-edged hardwood and makes a complete hospital, with an X-ray room. It also includes eight patients, a car and a driver. $135. TINY LOVE ACTIVITY BALL Sure, it's cool, but this colorful baby toy also develops problem solving and motor skills. It has a head and legs, a magnetic hand and a tail. Suitable for little ones from 6-36 months. $19.95; tiny-love.com. ROBOSAPIEN This small, remote-control robot is really powerful. It performs 67 preprogrammed functions, including throwing, kicking, picking up and dancing. You can even program your own function -- which, sadly, does not include doing windows. $99 robosapienonline.com. MINI PEDAL CAR Want a mini Cooper but can't fit the family inside? Get one for the kids. They can jump into this mini car, which comes in hot orange with a single adjustable seat, and ride away. But it could spoil them for that used car they'll be driving when they turn 16. For ages 3 to 5. $189; minicar.com (click on "gear up" then "mini motoring gear") What can we learn from the passage? A. FLAX ART HOSPITAL PUZZLE AND PLAY SET has a special design for safety. B. TINY LOVE ACTIVITY BALL needs power to order to play. C. ROBOSAPIEN can be programmed to do the windows. D. MINI PEDAL CAR develops problem-solving skills. Answer: A Many of us don't pay attention to the importance of eye care. It's said that if you take care of your body, then you can be healthy. That is why our eyes should be given a lot of care. Natural eye care should be put in a number one place. There are several causes leading to poor eyesight like not enough food, gene and aging . Televisions, computers and reading are also the causes of having poor eyesight. If you happen to work in front of the computer, it is best to take a rest every once in a while. Something dirty can cause redness and they will make you feel uncomfortable. It is bad for your eyes, too. If this happens, the best way is to clean your eyes by using cold water. You must also try your best to protect your eyes from harmful thing. For example, sunglasses are not just fashion but they can also serve as a great way to protect your eyesight from _ . Eating healthy foods will do good to your eyesight. Remember that vitamins A, C and E are good for eyes. Try to eat food groups that have these vitamins. And you should do eye exercises because exercise protects your eyesight, too. If a person exercises regularly and eats the right kind of food, his eyes will stay in good condition for a long time. All above are natural ways of eye care that help us keep healthy eyes. Being happy all the time can be helpful to a person's eyesight, too. In a word, eye care is very important, no matter how old a person is. ,. Which is the best title of the passage? A. Ways of Eye Care B. Ways of Eye Exercises C. Way of Being be Happy D. Way of Being Healthy Answer: A Mrs. King is an American doctor. She is now in China. She works in a Children's Hospital in Beijing. She is also learning Chinese medicine there. She likes Chinese medicine very much. She loves working for children. She works hard in the day and reads English books on Chinese medicine at night. She learns Chinese from the Chinese doctors and her Chinese friends. Now she can speak some Chinese. She can read some Chinese books, too. Her husband Mr. King is a teacher. He teaches English in a junior high school in Beijing. He works hard, too. He works from Monday to Friday. He teaches three classes every day. Sometimes, on Saturdays and Sundays, he teaches other English classes. He wants to make more money . Which of the following sentences is NOT true? A. Mrs. King can speak English and Chinese. B. Mrs. King knows much about Chinese medicine. C. Mrs. King is from America. D. Mr. King sometimes teaches other English classes on weekends. Answer: B Chester City Library offers a range of Library Special Needs Services to people who don't have access to our library service in the usual way. As long as you live in Chester City, we'll provide a wide range of library services and resources including: * Large printed and ordinary printed books * Talking books on tape and CD * DVDs and music CDs * Magazines * Reference and information requests Home delivery service Let us know what you like to read and we will choose the resources for you. Our staff will deliver the resources to your home for free. We also provide a service where we can choose the resources for you or someone instead of you choose the things from the library. You can also choose the resources you need personally. Talking books and captioned videos The library can provide talking books for people who are unable to use printed books because of eye diseases. You don't have to miss out on reading any more when you can borrow talking books from the library. If you have limited hearing which prevents you from enjoying movies, we can provide captioned videos for you at no charge. Languages besides English We can provide books in a range of languages besides English. If possible, we will request these items from the State Library of NSW, Australia. How to join? Contact the Library Special Needs Coordinator to register or discuss if you are eligible for any of the services we provide - Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9am - 5pm on 4297 2522 for more information. What can we learn from the passage? A. Few entertaining resources are offered here. B. People with limited hearing have to pay for captioned videos. C. Books with different languages are available. D. People have to choose what they need by themselves. Answer: C My name is Kitty. I have a very big and nice room and I have a great school things collection. My brother's room is near my room. He is Mike. And he has a big sports collection. I have twenty erasers, ten pencils, nine rulers and eight pens in my schoolbag. My brother has two baseballs, four soccer balls and five basketballs under his bed. How many erasers does Kitty have? A. 10 B. 20 C. 9 D. 8 Answer: B
If you have a chance to go to school in prefix = st1 /America, you should keep the following in mind: If a teacher asks you a question, you are expected to give an answer. If you do not understand the question, you should raise your hand and ask the teacher to repeat the question. It is all right to tell the teacher that you do not know the answer. Then he or she knows what you need to learn. There is no excuse for not doing your homework. If you are absent ,you should call your teacher or your classmates and ask for the assignment. It is your responsibility to find out what homework you have missed. It is impolite to eat, drink or chew gum during class. This is allowed for the break. Removing one' s shoes in the classroom is also not polite. You must not be absent on a test day. If you are seriously ill, you must call and let the teacher know you will not be there for the test. If your teacher allows a make-up test, you should take the test within one or two days after returning to class. It is rude to be late. If you must come in late, be sure to do it quietly by having your books and papers out of your bag, then go to your seat and sit very quietly. In the U. S., it is not necessary to knock before you enter the classroom. Most teachers will give you a low grade if you are often late. Copying another student' s test or paper is never acceptable. It is called cheating. Students who cheat are kicked out in most schools. What is the purpose of the passage? A To introduce some American classroom customs. B To explain how to communicate with others in America. C To introduce some social manners in America. D To help you learn more about American culture. Answer: A. To introduce some American classroom customs. It is said that a person has about 6,000 thoughts every day, Yet, of the 6,000 thoughts you have today, ninety percent of these are the same as the 6,000 you had yesterday and the day before, leaving little room for new thoughts. No wonder life can seem _ at times. Unless you start to think differently, you are to continue to create and repeat the same old reality every day. Is it not time to change your thoughts, enliven your dreams and let reality catch up? Most of our thoughts and actions are habits, and we go thought the same motions each day, with little change in our behaviors or outlook. What would happen if you challenged these habits or customs? What if you were to step out of your comfort zone and explore new ideas or new ways or doing things? Would your life not change as a result? Thought is a form of energy. Does this energy keep you forward or hold you back? You have a choice about the thoughts you think. How many times in the past have you chosen to disregard your positive thoughts and focus on your negative thoughts? At this moment, if you were to be at ease and to focus on your positive thoughts while discounting your negative thoughts, how would your life change? To realize your dreams, pay attention to what is happening around you. Be curious. Notice how your thoughts about yourself, your thoughts about others and your thoughts about what others may be thinking of you influence and what you are able to achieve. Start to think, see and experience things, people, places and events in new ways. Recognize what happens when you begin to think differently about yourself and what you are capable of achieving. _ thoughts per minute you had are the same as yesterday and the day before. A About 40 B Over 5,400 C About 4 D Over 100 Answer: C. About 4 At home, ordering food from a menu is a normal, everyday routine. I don't even give it a second thought. In China, it's a whole other story! Here, ordering is a fun game of trial and error, and the adventure begins before the food is even served! Many restaurants in central Beijing advertise "English language menus", but the translations can just add to the confusion. Although accompanying pictures can be a helpful relief, the translations often make the whole experience even more amusing. During my first few weeks in China I tried some delicious dishes with strange names. As an experiment, my friends and I would order things like "students addicted to chicken gristle " and "red burned lion head". It was always fun to see what landed on our table. Eventually we learned that "lion head" was actually pork, and "students" are "addicted" to diced chicken with green pepper. Recently, I came across a busy restaurant down a narrow side street in a Beijing hutong. It was lunchtime and the small room was packed with people sitting on small stools eating noodles. I was hungry and cold, and the steaming bowls looked irresistible! I sat myself down and called out for a "caidan!" In response, the waitress pointed to a wall at the back of the restaurant. The wall was full of Chinese characters describing numerous dishes. There was only one sentence in English: "crossing over the bridge noodles". I had never heard of the dish and had no idea what it would taste like. I took a gamble and ordered one bowl of "crossing over the bridge noodles". A few minutes later the waitress carried over a heavy bowl full of broth and I quickly dug in. It was the best bowl of noodles I had ever tasted! I have been back again and again and each time I point at the one English sentence - "crossing over the bridge noodles". I always enter a restaurant in China feeling excited and a little nervous. Who knows what the next ordering adventure will reveal? The passage is developed mainly in the form of _ . A examples and statements B comparison and conclusion C causes and effects D time and description Answer: A. examples and statements When I was at university, I studied very hard. But a lot of my friends did very little work. Some did just enough to pass exams. Others didn't do quite enough. Fred Baines was one of them. He spent more time drinking in the Students' Union than working in the library. Once, at the end of the term, we had to take an important test in chemistry. The test had a hundred questions. Beside each question we had to write "True" or "False". While I was studying in my room the night before the test, Fred was watching television. Fred usually worried a lot the night before a test. But that night he looked perfectly calm. Then he told me of his plan. "It's very simple. There are a hundred questions and I have to get fifty correct to pass the test. I'll take a coin into the examination room. I haven't studied a chemistry book for months, so I'll just toss the coin. In that way, I'm sure I'll get half the questions right." The next day, Fred came cheerfully into the examination room. As he sat tossing a coin for half an hour he marked down his answers. Then he left half an hour before the rest of us. The next day, he saw the chemistry professor in the corridor. "Oh good," he said, "Have you got the results of the test?" The professor looked at him and smiled. "Ah, it's you, Baines, just a minute." Then he reached into his pocket and took out a coin. He threw it into the air, caught it in his hand and looked at it. "I'm terribly sorry, Baines," he said, "You failed!" This time Fred expected to get _ . A an excellent mark B a low mark C his usual mark D the pass mark Answer: D. the pass mark Jamie Oliver has been invited by Gordon Brown to prepare a banquet at No.10 for President Barack Obama and other leaders of the G20, offering a cut-price menu to reflect times when trade and industry are far from prosperous and the rate of employment is decreasing. Downing Street sources say Oliver, the well-known chef, will cook using "honest high-street products" and avoid expensive or "fancy" ingredients. The prime minister is trying to avoid a repeat of the embarrassment last year when he sat down to an 18-course banquet at a Japanese summit to discuss world food shortages. Obama, President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and other leaders will be served by apprentices from Fifteen, the London restaurant Oliver founded to help train young people in poverty in order to make a living by mastering a skill. Brown wants the dinner to reflect the emphasis of the London summit, which he hopes will lead to an agreement to lift the world out of recession."To be invited to cook for such an important group of people, who are trying to solve some of the world's major problems, is really a privilege," said Oliver. "I'm hoping the menu I'm working on will show British food and produce is some of the best in the world, but also show we have pioneered a high-quality apprentice scheme at Fifteen London that is giving young people a skill to be proud of." The chef has not yet finalized me menu, but is expected to draw inspiration from his latest book, Jamie's Ministry of Food, which has budget recipes for beef and ale stew and "impressive" chocolate fudge cake. ( ) The menu of the banquet for the leaders of the G20 is supposed to _ . A include all delicious British food B use inexpensive produce with special characteristics C be rich, varied and of high quality D imitate the menu of last Japanese summit Answer: B. use inexpensive produce with special characteristics
There was a beautiful butterfly that was flying around in a park. It was the only one in there. It was pink. It was very pretty. A small boy saw it and wanted to put it in his pocket. He had a naughty look on his face. First he walked slowly to where the butterfly was. The butterfly had been sitting by a flower. When it saw the boy nearby, it started to fly away. The boy quickly started to chase it. He laughed as he ran. It was a game for him. The butterfly was scared. It flew very fast and very high in the air. The boy jumped up. The butterfly would not stay still. He jumped as far up as he could. He tried many, many times but he could not reach the butterfly. The butterfly flew away. The boy could not catch the butterfly. He left the park with a sad look on his face. He wanted to cry but did not. What did the butterfly do when it got scared? A. It bit the boy. B. It stayed still. C. It called the other butterflies over. D. It flew very fast and very high in the air. Answer: D. It flew very fast and very high in the air. Robert was excited that Halloween was coming. He and his mother went to the store to look at costumes so that he could pick one. There was a a witch costume, a horse costume and a costume that looked like a doggy. Robert thought he would get the dog costume because he thought he could make a great woof sound. His mother bought it for him and he couldn't wait to wear it. On Halloween night, Robert was all dressed to go out trick or treating and waited for his Dad to take him out. His father told him that he had talked to the lady who lived next door and she was hoping that her granddaughter could go trick or treating with them. Robert thought it would be okay if she came along and they went to go pick her up. Robert found out her name was Tessa. He was happy to see that she was wearing a costume that looked like a kitten. Their costumes would go well together. They went from house to house getting candy. Some people gave them jelly beans, some gave them chocolate bars and some gave them cookies. Robert's favorite treat that they got was the chocolate bars. When they got home they saw they had both gotten a lot of candy. It was a great Halloween and Robert was very happy. What did Tessa's costume look like? A. a kitten B. a dog C. a witch D. a mouse Answer: A. a kitten An old lady in a plane had a blanket over her head and she did not want to take it off. The air hostess spoke to her, but the old lady said, "I have never been in a plane before, and I am frightened. I am going to keep this blanket over my head until we are back on the ground again!" Then the captain came. He said, "Madam, I am the captain of this plane. The weather is fine, there are no clouds in the sky, and everything is going very well."But she continued to hide. So the captain turned and started to go back. Then the old lady looked out from under the blanket with one eye and said, "I am sorry, young man, but I don't like planes and I am never going to fly again. But I'll say one thing," She continued kindly, "You and your wife keep your plane very clean!" She didn't want to _ . A. take it off B. turn it off C. get on D. talk about it Answer: A. take it off In rainy London, always carry your "brolly" BIG Ben, the Queen, a plate of ham and eggs-no, no, no. If you're looking for a symbol of Britain, only one thing passes the test-the umbrella. Now, I know what you're thinking--we have rain in China and we have umbrellas too. Certainly, I will never forget the way it rained when I lived in Beijing:the sweets became instant rivers and the sky flashed with lightning for hours on end. People dove for cover under bin bags, the shops were emptied of their plastic ponchos within seconds,and I found myself soaked from head to foot, my poorly-chosen skirt and T-shirt now totally see-through. This would never have happened in Britain. For one thing, during my year in Beijing, it only really rained at about 10 times. But although we never get a Beijing-style washout in London, the drizzle that does fall is all but constant. Even when the sky is perfectly blue, you can be sure it's going to cloud over and start drizzling again within the hour. And when it does, there is chaos. Trains stop, drains block, and buses break down as if this was the first time the local authorities had seen this wet stuff coming out of the clouds. So--as with so many things in the UK-it's up to ordinary people to sort themselves out. No self-respecting Briton will ever leave home without his "brolly" ---as the umbrella is affectionately known. A brolly has hundreds of uses, even on rare rain-free days. A real gentleman of London will use his umbrella as a walking stick. A traditional game of cricket can be played using an umbrella as a hat. Nor do you ever have to be afraid of robbers-your umbrella doubles as a defensive weapon. There is no brolly more British than my own. But it's not from London or Manchester or any where in the UK. It was a gift from my Chinese teacher--in Beijing. How fitting that my No. l symbol of Brutishness-like almost everything in Britain-was made in China. The tone of the articles is _ . A. annoyed B. optimistic C. objective D. Humorous Answer: D. Humorous Some people seem easy to understand: their character appears obvious on first meeting. Appearances, however, can be deceptive. I shrug my shoulders when people tell me that their first impressions of a person are always right. For my own part I find that the longer I know people, the more they puzzle me. I read in this morning's paper that Edward Hyde Burton had died. He was a businessman and he had been in business in Japan for many years. Once he gave me a great surprise. Unless I had heard the story from his own lips, I'd never have believed that he was capable of such an action. He was always neatly and quietly dressed in accordance with his age and position. He didn't talk much, but what he said was sensible. You couldn't imagine he'd possibly raise his voice in anger. Here was a man who attracted you because you felt in him a real love for his fellows. He'd tell with point a good and spicy story, and in his youth he'd been something of an athlete. He was a rich man and he'd made every penny himself. I suppose one thing that made you like him was that he was so weak; he aroused your instincts of protection. You felt he couldn't bear to hurt a fly. One afternoon Burton told me a "funny" story in a quiet, dry humour: "There was a namesake of mine, who was the best bridge player I ever met. He seemed to have a fantastic instinct about the cards. He won a good deal of my money by card-playing." "One day he came to me when he lost all his fortune. He came to see me in my office and asked me for a job. I asked him how old he was." " 'Thirty-five', he said." " 'And what have you been doing ever since ?' I asked him." " 'Well, nothing very much.' he said." " 'I'm afraid I can't do anything for you just yet' I said. 'Come back and see me in another thirty-five years, and I'll see what I can do.' " "He didn't move. He went rather pale. He hesitated for a moment and then he told me that he had had bad luck at cards for some time. He lost everything he had. He hadn't a penny. He was down and out. If he couldn't get something to do he'd not survive." "I looked at him for a bit. I could see now that he was all to pieces. He'd been drinking more than usual and he looked fifty." "Suddenly I had an idea." Pausing in his story, Burton turned to me. "When I was young I swam over three miles round the beacon and landed at the river of Tarumi. It's rather difficult on account of the currents round the beacon. Well, I told my young fellow about it and I said that if he'd do it I'd give him a job." "I could see he was rather surprised. He was not in good condition for sports. He looked at me for a moment and then he nodded." "I told him I'd drive round to the river at half past twelve and meet him." " 'Done,' he said." "I wished him good luck and he left me. I had a lot of work to do that morning and I only just managed to get to the river Tarumi at half past twelve. But I needn't have hurried; he never turned up." "Did he fear it at the last moment?" I asked. "No, he didn't fear it. He started all right. But of course he'd ruined his constitution by drink. The currents round the beacon were more than he could manage. We didn't get the body for about three days." I didn't say anything for a moment or two. I was rather shocked. Then I asked. "When you made him that offer of a job, did you know he'd be drowned?" He looked at me with his kind blue eyes, smiling. "Well, I hadn't got a position in my office at the moment." For some time, Edward Burton impressed the author most with his_. A. age and position B. wealth and ability C. sensibility and humor D. kindness and weakness Answer: D. kindness and weakness
China is showing the world its great resolve in the global climate campaign with concrete and self-motivated efforts as well as serious commitment. At the opening ceremony of the Paris climate summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping restated China's plan made in June to cut its carbon emissions per unit of GDP by 60-65 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, and increase non-fossil fuel sources in primary energy consumption to about 20 percent. With a large population, China is facing increasing resource limits, severe environmental pollution and a worsening ecosystem, and its citizens are also becoming increasingly aware of environmental problems. Suffering environmental problems and seeing the efforts as important to transforming its economic growth pattern, the country has much at risk if climate change is left unattended. Actually, climate change efforts are already included in China's medium- and long-term program of economic and social development, and ecological efforts are the clear characteristics in China's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020). Although it is and will be a developing country for a long time to come, China has been actively involved in the global campaign against climate change, now topping the world in terms of energy conservation and use of new and renewable energies. However, China's development rights need to be respected. It is unfair to overstress China's status as one of the world's largest greenhouse gas emitters and regard it as the major part of responsibilities in the global fight against climate change. It is worthy of notice that China's emissions of greenhouse gases per person are far lower than those of developed countries, especially the United States, although rapid economic expansion and its population base have made it one of the biggest producers of the gases. To show its great resolve, Beijing in September also announced the establishment of an independent South-South cooperation fund of 20 billion RMB to help developing countries affected by global warming. While China is eagerly accomplishing its policy commitments, developed countries should stop questioning China's commitment to fighting climate change and pointing fingers, and start shouldering their due responsibilities instead. It can be inferred from the text that _ . A. China will completely use non-fossil fuels by 2030 B. China will carry out its plan by stopping its development C. Chinese emit more greenhouse gases than Americans on average D. some developed countries are not taking on their due responsibilities Answer: D. some developed countries are not taking on their due responsibilities These classmates all had good jobs and made lots of money. They talked happily. Then their talk soon turned to complaining about the stress in work and life. The teacher went to the kitchen and came back with a large pot of coffee and many cups--china ones, plastic ones and glass ones. Some are plain looking, some are expensive and some are lovely. The teacher told them to help themselves to the coffee. When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the teacher said, "Can you notice that all of you took nice-looking expensive cups, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones? You want only the best for yourselves, and that is the source of your problems." "What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you went for the best cups and then began looking at each other's cups." "Now think about this: life is the coffee, and the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold, and do not change the life. Sometimes, by caring only about the cups, we fail to enjoy the coffee. So don't let the cups drive you, and enjoy the coffee instead." In their teacher's eyes, why did they have so much stress? A. Because they cared too much about things that were not important. B. Because they understood the meaning of life. C. Because they knew about life itself and enjoyed it. D. Because they drank too much coffee. Answer: A. Because they cared too much about things that were not important. Today we find that school students hardly spend much time on sports. Is it because they aren't interested in sports? No, they often say they have other important things to do. What are these important things? Tests! They have to spend much time on all kinds of tests at school. So many of them almost become bookworms . Books stop them from going out for sports. Because of the _ from their parents and teachers, the students have to work harder and spend most of their time on books. As for the students, they want to get good results in order to improve their studies. So it is necessary for them to give all of their free time to their studies and stop their school sports. In fact, education can't go without body exercise, because a quick mind hardly goes along with a weak body. If you don't have a strong body, you can never get anything or any great success in your life. In the writer's opinion, students should _ . A. work all day and night B. not have sports C. have sports after studying D. spend all their free time studying Answer: C. have sports after studying As we all know, millions of people worldwide cook their food over smoky fire every day. It is often difficult to find wood for the fire. People who do not have wood must spend large amounts of money on cooking fuel. However, there is a much easier way to cook food using energy from the sun. Solar cooker, or ovens, have been used for centuries. A Swiss scientist made the first solar oven in seventeen sixty-seven. Today, people are using solar cookers in many countries around the world. People use solar ovens to cook food and to heat drinking water to kill bacteria and other harmful organisms. There are three kinds of solar ovens. The first is a box cooker, It is designed with a special wall that shines or reflects sunlight into the box .Heat gets trapped under a piece of glass or plastic covering the top of the cooker. A box oven is effective for slow cooking of large amounts of food. The second kind of solar oven is a panel cooker. It includes several flat walls or panels that directly reflect the sun's light onto the food. The food is inside a separate container of plastic or glass that traps heat energy. People can build panel cookers quickly and with very few supplies. They do not cost much. In Kenya ,for example ,panel cookers are being manufactured for just two dollars. The third kind of solar oven is a parabolic cooker. It has rounded walls that aim sunlight directly into the bottom of the oven .Food cooks quickly in parabolic ovens .However, these cookers are hard to make. They must be re-aimed often to follow the sun .Parabolic cookers can also cause burns and eye injuries if they are not used correctly. You can make solar ovens from boxes or heavy paper. They will not catch fire. Paper burns at two hundred thirty-two degrees Celsius. A solar cooker never gets that hot. Solar ovens cook food at low temperatures over long periods of time. This permits people to leave food to cook while they do other things. According to the passage we can conclude that _ . A. panel cooker is easy to make B. box cooker is easy to make C. box cooker is the most effective oven D. panel cooker is the cheapest oven of the three Answer: A. panel cooker is easy to make Do you have a good memory? Maybe you remember better than all of your friends. But even if you have a short-term memory, it's better than a chimpanzee's , right? Well, you may be wrong. Tetsuro Matszawa, a scientist from Kyoto University, Japan has showed how chimps have far better memories than humans. "We learn that chimps have great memories by doing tests," he told The Guardian "You can do things to improve your memory." How do chimps have better memories than us? Scientists tested four chimps and human volunteers. They showed them five numbers on a computer screen. Chimps and human volunteers had to remember the numbers correctly. But to make it hard, the numbers disappeared after seven tenths of a second. Then they will reduce the time to two tenths of a second. While humans began to make mistake after mistake, the young chimps still did very well. Why do they have better memories? We share 98.8 percent of our DNA with chimps. But during evolution , we lost some of our shared abilities. As humans learned new skills, like language, we had to lose some of our memory skills to make room in our brains. "To get something, we had to lose something," said the scientist. Chimps need good memories to survive . When a chimp looks up at the big tree and pick a banana, he must remember where he saw it as he fights off competition from other animals. What did the scientist's study find? A. Chimps can remember all of their friends. B. Chimps have better memories than humans. C. Chimps do things to improve their memories. D. Chimps can do many things better than humans. Answer: B. Chimps have better memories than humans.
A wet globe that is enormous in mass is likely to have a stone A. layer B. sun C. brain D. labyrinth Answer: A Joe is a taxi driver. Now, after working for a long time, he is very tired. So he lies down on the chair in his car, and wants to have a sleep. But a man comes up to his car, and asks, "Excuse me, what's the time, please?" Joe is a little unhappy ,but he looks at his watch ,and says, "It's 10:15." The man thanks Joe and goes away. Joe says to himself, "Now I can go back to sleep again." But at 10:20,another man comes up and asks the same question, " Excuse me, sir, what's the time, please?" Joe can't sleep again. He has to tell his man the time. In ten minutes, four people come to his car and ask the time. He is very friendly, but he wants to sleep. So he writes "I don't know the time." on a piece of paper and puts the paper outside the window of his car."Now no one will come and ask me the time." But he is wrong! Look, another man is coming up to his car. He is knocking loudly at the window of Joe's car. Joe wakes up. The man says, "It's 10:50 now, sir!" When the man tells him the time, Joe is very _ . A. angry B. happy C. helpful D. friendly Answer: A M: Hi, Ann! Tomorrow will be August 1st. When is your holiday going to start? W: Very soon. I'm going to leave the day after tomorrow. M: How long are you going to be away? W: About two weeks. M: Where are you going? W: I'm going to the beach this time. M: Are you going to stay alone? W: No. I will stay in a hotel with my friends. M: Oh, good. It's hard to find a place to stay at the beach in August. W: That's right. And in a few days, I will swim every day, play beach ball, lie in the sun and just take it easy. M: Don't tell me about that. It sounds so great! W: What about you, John? Where are you going to spend your holiday? M: I don't know. I should think about it. Where will she stay? A. In a hotel. B. At the beach. C. With her friends. D. I don't know. Answer: A New findings suggest that brainy card games such as contract bridge may temporarily raise production of a key blood cell including in fighting off illness. After 90 minutes of play, bridge players had increased levels of immune cells, according to the research reported last week. A researcher, Diamond, studied bridge players from a women's bridge club. She chose bridge players because the game includes skills stimulating a part of the brain called the dorsolateral cortex. Earlier animal research suggests that this part of the brain may play a role in the immune system. The findings are based on blood samples drawn from 12 women players. Their blood samples showed a rise in levels of white blood cells called T cells after they played bridge for 90 minutes. T cells are produced by the thymus gland and used by the immune system against diseases. The T cell count jumped significantly in eight of the bridge players, and slightly in the other four. The findings contribute to the field of neuroimmunology , whose name reflects the fact that the nervous system and the immune system are not considered separate and isolated systems. What isn't clear is whether the help to the immune system from an activity like contract bridge is lasting or temporary. It is also not clear whether the increase in T cells could finally be targeted against special illnesses. Playing bridge can help one to fight off diseases because it can _ . A. raise production of a key blood cell B. make people joyful C. aid digestion D. make break away from the bad habits Answer: A As one comes to some crossroads, he or she sees a sign which says that drivers have to stop when they come to the main road ahead. At other crossroads, drivers have to go slow, but they do not actually have to stop unless, of course, there is something coming along the main road; and at still others, they do not have either to stop or to go slow, because they are themselves on the main road. Mr. Williams, who was always a very careful driver, was driving home from work one evening when he came to a crossroad. It had a "SLOW" sign. He slowed down when he came to the main road, looked both ways to see that nothing was coming, and then drove across without stopping completely. At once he heard a police whistle , so he pulled into the side of the road and stopped. A policeman walked over to him with a notebook and a pen in his hand and said, "You didn't stop at that crossing." "But the sign there doesn't say 'STOP'." answered Mr. Williams, "It just says 'SLOW', and I did go slow." The policeman looked around him, and a look of surprise came over his face. Then he put his notebook and pen away, scratched his head and said, "Well,I'm in the wrong street!" Mr. Williams continued driving at the crossing because _ . A. he didn't see any sign there. B. he paid no attention to the traffic rules C. he didn't have to stop D. he was eager to get home Answer: C
Welcome to your future life! You get up in the morning and look into the mirror. Your face is firm and young-looking. In 2035, medical technology is better than ever. Many people your age could live to be 150, so at 40, you're not old at all. And your parents just had an anti-aging treatment. Now, all three of you look the same age ! You say to your shirt , "Turn red." It changes from blue to red. In 2035, "smart clothes" contain particles much smaller than the cells in your body. The particles can be programmed to change clothes' color1 or pattern. You walk into the kitchen . You pick up the milk ,but a voice says ," You shouldn't drink that!" Your fridge has read the chip that contains information about the milk , and it knows the milk is old . In 2035, every article of food in the grocery store has such a chip . It's time to go to work . In 2035, cars drive themselves. Just tell your "smart car" where to go. On the way , you can call a friend using your jacket sleeve . Such "smart technology" is all around you. So will all these things come true? "For new technology to succeed," says scientist Andrew Zolli ,"it has to be so much better that it replaces what we have already." The Internet is one example---- what will be the next? What is the text mainly about? A. Food and clothing in 2035. B. Future technology in everyday life. C. Medical treatments of the future. D. The reason for the success of new technology. Answer: B. Future technology in everyday life. When water evaporates from Earth's surface into the atmosphere, its molecules enter the gas state. What change in this gas causes molecules to condense into the small water droplets that form clouds? A. The mass is reduced. B. The volume is increased. C. The temperature is reduced. D. The pressure is increased. Answer: C. The temperature is reduced. When will a plant be considered a weed? Experts have a simple answer: when the undesirable qualities outweigh (,) the good qualities. Crops generally produce several hundred seeds from each plant. By comparison, each weed plant can produce tens or even hundreds of thousands of seeds. And some buried seeds can survive up to forty years or even longer. Eradicating weeds means that you have to remove all the seeds and roots so the weeds will die completely. But birds or the wind can reintroduce them to the land. A common way to deal with weeds is to control them enough so that the land can be used for planting. Experts suggest using more methods to deal with weeds. Chemical weed killers or natural treatments like corn gluten can suppress weed growth. Bill Curran is a professor of weed science. He says the most efficient method for suppressing weeds is dense planting. Dense planting of a crop can also act as a natural control. A dense and competitive crop that quickly shades the soil will help suppress many weeds. The weed seeds need light to grow, so cutting off sunlight will reduce weed growth. Other controls include turning over the soil, pulling the weeds or covering them with mulch made of wood, garden waste or other materials. But even mulch has its limits. Natural resource specialists point out that weeds can be transported in mulch. This is also true of soil, grain, hay and animals. Yet animals like sheep or goats eat weeds, so they can provide a biological control. Insects and other organisms can also act as biological controls. Preventing the spread of weeds is an important part of weed management. Farm vehicles should be kept out of areas with weeds. If that is not possible, then clean off the equipment and your shoes when leaving. Some people bum weeds or bury them deep. Experts say the economical way is to make organically rich compost . On the one hand, the process produces heat which can kill many weed seeds. On the other hand, the compost can be added to the soil to help plants grow. How does dense planting affect weeds? A. The crops grow stronger than weeds. B. The crops grow deeper in the soil. C. The crops block sunlight the weed seeds need. D. The crops compete with weeds for shade. Answer: C. The crops block sunlight the weed seeds need. Mayor Boris Johnson Monday outlined plans to make London "the cleanest, greenest city on Earth" by the 2012 Olympics and called for commitments from other world cities at a climate change conference, leaders of the world' s 40 largest cities are meeting in Seoul this week for a summit on combating global warming -- the third to be held since 2005. "What we should do in Seoul is agree that we will stop the endless addiction of mankind to the internal combustion engine ," said Johnson. He said at a press conference the world's cities consume 75 percent of the world's energy and produce 80 percent of the emissions which cause climate change. "The problem of our planet is an urban problem," Johnson said. He said the British capital wants to use the Olympics "to drive the greening and the improvement of our city" and noted that London is committed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60 percent by 2025. Johnson said the key measure was being taken to solve problems relating to housing and commercial buildings, which accounted for 70 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in London. This involved retrofitting -- installing lagging -- in large numbers of public buildings. Johnson proclaimed himself a "passionate cyclist" and said he would push ahead with cycle superhighways around London. London's air quality problem, he said, was caused by vehicle emissions from 8,300 worn and used diesel buses, which could be replaced by low-carbon vehicles. In addition, there were also 32,000 taxis running on diesel fuel, which could be replaced by electric vehicles. Johnson said there would be a few programs in the next few years to produce a "cleaner, greener" bus for the city. "The age of the diesel bus has got to be over in London." Which would be the best title for the passage? A. The third summit on global warming. B. London plans to make the cleanest and greenest city on Earth by 2012. C. Some measures to deal with pollution. D. The problem of our planet appeared. Answer: B. London plans to make the cleanest and greenest city on Earth by 2012. Watch out, Yahoo.There's a search engine out there with super speed and accuracy.It's really cool. Google is the Web's largest search engine.In just two years it has gained a fame for surprising speed and accuracy, sending exactly what you're looking for in a second.The site now does this 40 million times a day--a number achieved without spending a penny on a TV or newspaper ad. Google doesn't need them. In the past six months alone, the site has won a Webby (the online version of the Oscar) for technical excellence, sets a new record for search engines by indexing a billion Web pages. Yahoo still has 10 times the audience, but Google consistently ranks first in customer satisfaction: 97% of users find what they're looking for most or all of the time."You see people smile when they use it, like they've found something no one else knows about," says Danny Sullivan, editor of an online newsletter. No one is smiling more than Larry Page, 27, and Sergey Brin, 26, who seem certain to become billionaires when the company goes public, probably sometime next year.They make a great comedy.When they first met as PhD students, the pair say, they found each other horrible--"I still find him horrible," adds Brin--but were driven together by a computer science project aimed at coming up with better ways of searching the Web. The idea behind Google is that traditional search engines are stupid.They think the connection is based on repetition; if you type in a request for Tiger Woods, say, you'll get websites listed according to how many times those words appear.Not only is this no guarantee of quality, but it's also open to bad use.If you own a Tiger fan site and want to lead more people to it, simply type his name thousands of times in the site's source code. It can be inferred that Page and Brin _ . A. work for Google B. are Tiger fans C. hated each other D. work for Yahoo Answer: A. work for Google
Question: There once lived a young man who thought himself to be poor. One day he went to a wise man to ask how to become rich. The wise man said, "Young man, you are already rich now." "But where is my wealth?" the young man asked. "It is with you. Your eyes are your wealth. You use them to see this world. You use them to see all the beautiful things in this world. Your hands are your wealth. You can use them to work. You can use them to hug your beloved ones. Your legs are your wealth. You can go to any place..." the wise man said. "You call these wealth? But everyone has them," the young man said. "These are wealth. What you have now is not what someone else can luckily have. Would you like to give your eyes to me? I'd like to give you a lot of money to exchange for them," the wise man said. "No, I'm not going to do so! My eyes are important to me!" the young man said. Everyone is rich. We should treasure our wealth, and take care of it. We should not overuse it because once it is gone, it is gone forever. Remember it is our wealth that we do not want to lose. The wise man called _ wealth. A. the young man's eyes B. the young man's eyes, hands and legs C. what someone else luckily have D. our treasure Answer: B Question: I received pictures of my daughter floating on a lake in California. Right there under the sun during the hottest time of the day, she has only her swimsuit to cover her. When I showed it to my students, it was as if I had shown them scenes from a horror movie. "But she will get dark," they said. "That's what she wants," I told them. "We think darker skin is beautiful." They looked at me in disbelief. It was as if I came from the moon. For years, American girls spend their summer trying to get as tanned as possible. In China, on the other hand, girls use umbrellas all year round. What in the world is going on? The pale skin we think looks unattractive is what Asian women want. Both groups want to meet their culture's standard of beauty. In the US, if you can afford to go on vacation in the summer, you head for a river, a lake or a beach, where you try to get as much sun as possible. If you are rich you take a winter vacation in some sunny spot. Your winter tan shows your wealth. In China, once upon a time, the few wealthy were the ones who didn't have to work out in the hot sun. So the whiter the skin, the richer the woman. The folk opera performers who play these ladies wore lots of white makeup . The tradition survives to this day. So it comes naturally that none of my students wishes to follow the Western ways in this regard. But now I am noticing that a new business - the tanning booth - started up in China. I admire those brave enough to define(...)their own idea of beauty, but I do wonder what their grandmothers would have to say to them about it! The writer _ the tanning booth started up in China. A. is not interested in B. doesn't understand C. doesn't like D. has mixed feelings about Answer: D Question: At the middle school level, there are many academic clubs in which students can participate.Students can choose clubs that focus on an area of interest. Mathcounts Club Mathcounts tries to increase excitement towards mathematic achievement. It hopes to provide students with the foundation for success in science, technology; engineering and mathematics careers. Schools select individuals and teams to participate in competitions. Local competitions are held in February with winners progressing to state competitions and then on to the national level. Mathcounts works to challenge student math skills, develop self-confidence and give rewards for their achievements. Envirothon. The Envrothon program focuses on natural resources knowledge and exposes students to diverse environmental issues, and ecosystems .The ecology field competition for five-member middle school teams offers competitions in wildlife, soils, forestry, current environmental issues and aquatics. Students Work and learn in middle school clubs and can compete at the local and state level. Future Problem Solvers Future Problem Salvers is an academic club that uses a six-step process to solve problemsthat may happen in the future. Students who are in the talented and gifted program, who like to "think out of the box," or who enjoy thinking about futuristic problems max like this club. Teams,comprised of four students read future scenes and write up solutions in: a booklet using the six-step process. Teams that score high enough can go to the .state competition and,then to the international competition. Builders Club Builders Club is open to any middle school student who wishes to perform community service. Each Builders Club is co-sponsored by a Kiwanis club. and the middle school. The members learn by doing, and they learn organization; teamwork,and leadership. Builders Clubs can sponsor a "Teacher of the year" program, provide a recycling collection point, organize canned food and clothing drives to support local shelters, adopt a resident at a local senior citizens home; adopt a highway; tutor, etc. Middle school academic clubs offer students a place to explore interests or talents: The clubs they join in middle school can help guide choices in high school and beyond. Students choose Mathcounts Club in order to _ . A. be successful in science careers B. enjoy solving future problems C. perform community service D. study wildlife and soils Answer: A Question: LONDON (Reuters) -- Children are dying for lack of drugs tailored to their needs, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which launched a global campaign on Thursday to promote more research into child medicine. More than half of the drugs currently used to treat children in the industrialized world have not been specifically tested on youngsters. The problem is even worse in developing countries where price remains a major barrier and 6 million children die each year from treatable conditions. In the case of HIV/AIDS, the few existing pediatric therapies developed for children generally cost three times more than adult ones. As a result, clinicians lack clear guidelines on the best drug to use and often have to guess at the correct dose. Fortunately, the WHO has drawn up the first international List of Essential Medicines for Children, containing 206 products considered safe for children. "But a lot remains to be done. There are priority medicines that have not been adapted for children's use or are not available when needed," said Dr Hans, the U.N. agency's director of medicines policy and standards. Medicines that need to be adapted to children's needs include many antibiotics, pain drugs as well as combination pills for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The agency is building an Internet entrance linking to clinical trials carried out in children and will launch a Web site with the information early next year. Testing medicines on children has always been a controversial issue, since good ethical practice requires informed agreement from people participating in clinical trials, which is difficult to obtain in the case of children. As a result, research-based drug companies have been _ of developing child-friendly medicines and general companies have been slow to produce them at lower cost. In an attempt to deal with the issue, both Europe and the United States now have special rules offering extended patent protection for drugs that have been tested on children. Which of the following medicine is not needed to be adapted to children's need according to the passage? A. Pain killers. B. Tuberculosis. C. AID pills. D. Flu pills. Answer: D Question: A gull will build a nest because A. it saw other gulls doing the same B. of something in its genes C. it wants to tidy up the area D. it's mother taught it to do that Answer: B
Question: Can you think of a sentence? It has the word "and" five times, without any words in between? There is one at the end of this story. There was an inn. It was called "The Horse and Cart". Many people came to have a drink and chat with each other after work. It had a sign outside it, and there was a horse, a cart and some letters in the sign. But the sign was getting old, so the owner of the inn decided to have a new one. He went to a painter and asked him to draw one and write "The Horse and Cart" on it in large letters. A few days later, he went to see how the painter was getting on. He liked the picture of the horse and cart very much, but he did not like the writing at all. He said to the painter, "No, no! There's too much room between HORSE and AND and AND and CART!" There was a _ outside the inn. A. blackboard B. house C. painter D. sign Answer: D. sign Question: Perfectionists believe that not only is perfection achievable, but that it should be achieved whenever possible. They always try to make their work better, and often get pleasure from investing time and effort in their projects. They enjoy paying attention to detail and are often hard to please. After all, perfectionists almost always have nearlyimpossible standards for themselves, much higher than what outside parties would generally hope for. Most perfectionists are also highlyorganized. They've perfected their work process along with everything else in their life. They have processes and patterns for handling almost anything that comes their way, from email to new projects and clients to bookkeeping. It can definitely add up to a more effective workday with less wasted time and effort. Perfectionists can be thought of as overbearing by those who don't share their attitude. It can also be upsetting to clients who aren't interested in "perfect" and simply want their project done yesterday. When you strive for perfection, everything takes just a bit longer to get right. Even if you have a more efficient design and development process than many other designers, it is likely that you spend more time on each step than a lot of others do. While most people who call themselves "perfectionists" do so in a lighthearted or positive manner, there are those out there to whom perfection becomes an obsession . They consider anything less than perfect completely unacceptable. This can lead to obsessive behavior and can have damaging effects on their overall quality of life. Just feeling good about a job done to the best of your ability is entirely normal for a perfectionists and isn't something to worry about. But it becomes particularly dangerous when perfectionists feel they are never quite able to attain perfection, and so drive themselves crazy trying to always reach this unattainable goal. These perfectionists often place their entire selfworth on their accomplishments and ability to reach perfection, and since they're never able to reach it, it creates a very negative selfimage and low selfesteem or depression. The good news is that there are trained psychologists who can help those who are nervously obsessed with perfection to overcome their obsession. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of perfectionists? A. They enjoy investing time and efforts. B. They are not easy to satisfy. C. They have special ways of handling emails. D. They set high requirements for others. Answer: D. They set high requirements for others. Question: Recently,I came across an interesting article on the differences between British English and American English. I had a lot of fun reading it and thinking of as many differences as I could as an American. Their cars have "bonnets ", while ourselves have "hoods". They park their cars in a "car park" while we leave ours in a "parking lot". Our "cookies" are their "biscuits", while their "rubbers" are our "erasers". Then there are the food words. Would you want to eat something called "Toad in the Hole" or "Bangers and Mash" or "Spotted Dick"? I'm here to report they are all very tasty. There are American equivalents ,of course. We've got "Shoofly Pie", "Chicken Fried Steak" and "Mississippi Mud Pie". What they call "crisps" is what we call "potato chips" and when we ask for "chips" in England we will get what we know at home in America as "French fries". They find it _ that we call the "toilet" the "bathroom" and they really double over with laughter when we ask for the "restroom". American ladies in England who ask for the "little girl's room" or the "powder room" will be met with blank stares. A "fag" is a "cigarette" in the UK, which can lead to endless confusion for British visitors looking for a cigarette in America. Americans on the other hand are endlessly confused by English signs put up over doorways saying "Way Out". We Americans walk on the sidewalk not the pavement. "Pavement" in America is the actual cement the sidewalk is made of. What do British people call French Fries? A. Chips. B. Crisps. C. Shoofly. D. Mississippi Mud Pie. Answer: A. Chips. Question: Few of us act alone in the real world. Most things are done with the help or ideas of other people. Group projects are great practice for high school, college, and real life, when you will probably have a job that requires working with others. Right now, group projects can be fun and they often allow you to do a bigger, more interesting project than you could alone. With group work, you can actually learn more in less time. Group projects also give you a chance to get to know kids you might not otherwise know or talk with. Group projects are also a great way to practice skills you're not so sure of. For example: working on a deadline, staying organized, or being patient. And if you're a little nervous talking in front of a group, a joint project can help you become more comfortable with it. Maybe your group will pick you to tell the whole class about your project. If so, you'll know your whole group is _ you! One of the most important things about group work is talking and meeting together. It's a good idea to continually check with everybody on their progress to see if anyone needs help. You might think the first step is to figure out who will do what, but actually it's getting to know another a little. Take a few minutes to chat. Even if you know each other well, it can help to take a minute to think about your skills and share your strengths and weaknesses. The second step is to go over ground rules from your teacher and any that you want to create together as a group. What's the purpose in checking others' progress? A. To learn what they will do next. B. To find good topics to talk with them about. C. To help them when they need help. D. To make sure that their work is finished on time. Answer: C. To help them when they need help. Question: Does your school have any problems with discipline ? What happens when students _ ? Here are some examples of bad behaviour: * Playing truant (missing school without permission from parents). * Stealing, smoking, hitting, swearing, running, kissing. * Cheating on exams. * Calling a teacher or another pupil a bad name. * Not doing homework. * Not listening or not paying attention in lessons. * Wearing unsuitable clothes. Here are some of the ways that UK school children can be punished: * Exclusion : a pupil is asked to leave the school and not come back. The pupil has to find a new school or a different method of education. * Suspension : a pupil cannot enter the building or attend lessons until the school has a meeting about their situation. Suspension can last from one to 45 days. The pupil is usually given work to do at home with a special teacher. * Detention : a pupil is asked to stay after school and work for 30-60 minutes before they can leave. * Lines: a pupil has to write a sentence many times (e.g. 100 or more) on a sheet of paper, e.g. "I must not shout in class." Freya MacDonald, a 15-year-old pupil from Scotland, _ when she refused to accept her school's punishment. Her family says that she was given 11 detentions for trivial things such as having fizzy drinks in class and coming into school through a fire door. Freya says that repeated detentions ruined her right to an education under Scottish law and made it difficult for her to learn. So she refused to return until the school respected her civil rights. She wants the headmaster and her teachers to sign a letter to promise this. Hundreds of schools in Scotland were told not to use detention as a punishment because of her legal action. Many UK schools now give parents a home&school contract(,), explaining their discipline and rules. Parents must sign this document to agree that they accept the school's rules and discipline and that they are responsible for their child's behaviour. Which expression can be filled in the blank in the passage _ . A. covered the story B. corrected her behavior C. showed an interest D. made the news Answer: D. made the news
One Monday morning, Paul and his classmates were in science laboratory for their practical chemistry lesson. The students were going to work in pairs to do an experiment. Before they began, the teacher gave them this description of the different stages of the experiment. Stage 1: Prepare the equipment: a test tube, a crucible, a Bunsen burner and tongs. Stage 2: Weigh 5 grams of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and put it in a crucible. Stage 3: Heat 10 ml of hydrochloric acid in a test tube. Stage 4: Pour the warm acid onto the baking soda and continue to heat the mixture. Result: The acid reacts with the bicarbonate to form water, carbon dioxide gas and salt. The hotter the mixture, the quicker the reaction. Continue to heat the mixture until the water evaporates, leaving the salt in the crucible. Paul and his partner followed the instructions and set up their equipment. Paul went to the cupboard to get a bottle of hydrochloric acid. He found that there was only one bottle in the cupboard so he took that. There was no label on the bottle and Paul didn't check with the teacher if it was the right solution. He measured the liquid and poured it into a test tube. Using tongs to hold the test tube, he heated it over the Bunsen burner. That's when things started to go wrong. The liquid in the test tube was not hydrochloric acid. When it was heated, it formed a thick cloud of white gas. Soon the room was full of this strong smelling white gas. All the students started coughing and their eyes hurt. The teacher immediately opened the windows and ordered the students to leave the laboratory at once. She realized that the liquid was a crylamide and that it is poisonous. Fortunately, nobody was injured in the incident. However, it taught the students and the teacher a good lesson. What lesson did the incident teach the students and the teacher? Answer: What's On Stage An acrobatic show:To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the China Acrobatic Troupe will present "The Soul of China", where the seemingly impossible is made real. Chills will run down your spine as you watch breathlessly as performers take their art and their bodies to the edge. Time: 7:30 p.m., September 13-19 Place: Capital Theatre, 22 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District Exhibitions Joint Show: A group ink painting exhibition is running at the Huangshicheng Art Gallery in Beijing. About 50 works by 25 young artists including Ge Yun and Yu Yang are on display. Time: 9:00 a. m.-5:00 p.m. until September 10 Place: Huangshicheng Art Gallery, 136 Nanchizi Dajie, Dongcheng District Oil paintings:The Wanfung Art Gallery will host a joint show of oil painting by 10 young and middle-aged artists. On display are more than 30 of their latest works, which capture the wondrous variety of life in unique styles. Time: 9:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m. until September 15 Place: 136 Nanchizi Street, Dongcheng District Literature museum: The National Museum of Modern Chinese Literature offers an in-depth study of the evolution of Chinese contemporary literature from 1919 to 1949. Time: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., daily Place: 45 Anyuan Donglu, Chaoyang District (Shaoyaoju area) Concerts Beijing rocks:"The Fashion Night of Chinese Rock" is set to bring rock fans out by the thousands next month. Nine Chinese rock bands will perform at the concert, including older generation bands, middle generation and some recent arrivals. The audience will be given a chance to decide what songs they want to hear, which is sure to bring a storm. Time: September 16 Place: The Olympic Center Belgium orchestra:La Petite Bande, the Baroque Orehestra of Belgium, will perform in Beijing at the Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities as part of activities across the world in memory of the 250th anniversary of Bach's death. Time: 7:30 p.m. September 11-14 Place: Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities The most characteristic thing about the Fashion Night of Chinese Rock is that _ . Answer: Chocolate is good for your heart, skin and brain. Usually, people think that chocolate is bad for their health. They describe chocolate as "something to die for" or say "death by chocolate". Now they should bite their tongues! Evidence is showing that some kinds of chocolate are actually good for you in the following ways: A happier heart Scientists at Harvard University recently examined 136 studies on cocoa-- the main ingredient in chocolate-- and found that it does seem to strengthen the heart. Studies have shown heart benefits from increased blood flow. These benefits are the result of cocoa's chemicals, which seem to prevent both cell damage and inflammation . Better blood pressure If yours is high, chocolate may help. Jeffrey Blumberg from Tufts University recently found that people with high blood pressure who ate 3.5ounces of dark chocolate per day for two weeks saw their blood pressure drop quickly. Muscle magic Chocolate milk may help you recover after a hard workout . _ Better for your skin German researchers gave 24 women a half-cup of special cocoa every day. After three months, the women's skin was moister and smoother. The research shows that chocolate helps protect and increase blood flow to the skin, improving its appearance. Brain gains. It sounds almost too good to be true, but research suggests that chocolate may improve your memory, attention span, reaction time, and problem-solving skills by increasing blood flow to the brain. What's the best title for this passage? Answer: Climatic conditions are delicately adjusted to composition of the Earth's atmosphere. If there were a change in the atmosphere -- for example, in the amounts of atmospheric gases -- the climate would probably change also. A slight increase in water vapor , for example, would increase the heat-keeping capacity of the atmosphere and would lead to a rise in global temperatures. The level of carbon dioxide, CO2, in the atmosphere has an important effect on climatic change. Most of the Earth's incoming energy is short-wavelength radiation , which tends to pass through atmospheric CO2easily. The Earth, however, reradiates much of the received energy as long-wavelength radiation , which CO2absorbs and then goes toward the Earth. This phenomenon, known as the greenhouse effect, can result in an increase in the surface temperature of a planet. An extreme example of the effect is shown by Venus, a planet covered by heavy clouds composed mostly of CO2, whose surface temperatures have been measured at 430~C.If the CO2 content of the atmosphere is reduced, the temperature falls. According to one respectable theory, if the atmospheric CO2concentration were halved, the Earth would become completely covered with ice. Another equally respectable theory, however, states that a halving of the CO2concentration would lead only to a reduction in global temperatures of 3degC. If, because of an increase in forest fires or volcanic activity, the CO2content of the atmosphere increased, a warmer climate would be produced. Plant growth, which relied on both the warmth and the availability of CO2, would probably increase. As a consequence, plant would use more and more CO2. Eventually CO2levels would decrease and the climate, in turn, would become cooler. With reduced temperatures many plants would die; CO2would thus be returned to the atmosphere and gradually the temperature would rise again. Thus, if this process occurred, there might be a long-term oscillation in the amount of CO2present in the atmosphere, with regular temperature increase and decrease. Some climatologists argue that the burning of fossil fuels has raised the level of CO2in the atmosphere and has caused a global temperature increase of at least 1degC. But a supposed global temperature rise of 1 degC may in reality be only several regional temperature increases, restricted to areas where there are many meteorological stations. Other areas, for example, the Southern Hemisphere oceanic zone, may be experiencing an equal temperature decrease that is unrecognized because of the shortage of meteorological recording stations. The author refers to Venus primarily in order to _ . Answer: The man who learned to fly It is publicly accepted that it was the Wright brothers that invented the plane, but actually George Cayley knew how to make a plane a century before the Wright brothers took off. If only he'd got the internal combustion engine to work. During the 18thand 19thcenturies, scientists and the public all believed that it was only impossible to fly using an artificial wing, but an act of silly deed to suggest that you could. This did not discourage the English gentleman scientist George Cayley, even though his contemporaries --- including his own son--- were embarrassed by his efforts. In 1799, Cayley carved a silver disc with one side bearing a design for the world's first aeroplane and the other illustrating the earliest published description of the aerodynamic forces on the wing that enable a plane to fly. His three--part essay Aerial Navigation, published in 1809 and 1810, was greeted with skepticism by his contemporaries. But Cayley "didn't give a rat's ass" about what they all thought, according to Richard Dyde of York University in Ontario, Canada, author of The Man Who Discovered Flight--- and with good reason. He had completed a series of experiments to back up his theories and "was convinced that everyone else was wrong". Cayley constructed increasingly excellent model flying machines, and finally invented a full-scale glider, which was flown in 1853 by his grandson, George. This pioneering work would prove inspirational to Orville and Wilbur Wright, who made the first controlled and sustained heavier-than-air human flight 50 years later. Their success was dependent on the recent invention of the internal combustion engine--- a device which Cayley, having realized its great importance, had spent many fruitless years trying to develop. How many years later was George Cayley's glider flown after he first designed a plane? Answer:
To be sure, only children experienced some things differently from those with sisters and brothers. Many feel more pressure to succeed. In the absence of brothers and sisters, only children also tend to look more _ In India, 10-year-old Saviraj Sankpal founded a support group for the tiny minority of only children. Among other things, the group does volunteer work to counter the myth that they are not responsible. "People think we're treated too kindly and ruined," says Sankpal, a computer engineering student. "But I'd like to remind them how lonely it can get." Most only children, however, say they wish for sisters or brothers only when it comes to caring for aging, unhealthy parents. Britain's David Emerson, coauthor of the book The Only Child, says that such a person bears a terrible burden in having to make all the decisions alone. Emerson knows from experience: After his father died, he chose to move his elderly mother from their family home, where she was vulnerable to house breakers, to a new one with more security . "The move was quite hard on her, and she might feel that I pushed her into it," he says. "After all, _ ." In the future, more and more only children will likely face similar choices. With working mothers increasingly the rule, many families are finding they simply don't have the time, money or energy to have more than one child. As only children become common, perhaps the world will realize that the charge made against them is unjust. Emerson decided to move his elderly mother to a new house because he _ . A is the only one who cares about her B doesn't want to leave her alone C wants to share the responsibility with her D is worried about her safety Answer: D Lots of people buy books and products from Amazon, an online seller. They offer and pay over the Internet and the books are shipped through the mail or a delivery service like FedEx. One day, people could get their Amazon deliveries from an "unmanned aerial vehicle"--a timely vehicle that looks like a toy helicopter. And instead of waiting days to get the parcel, it could be at the buyer's home in half an hour or less. The company is working on a fleet of tiny vehicles they call "Prime Air". The vehicles are also known as "octocopters". On their website, Amazon says, "One day, Prime Air Vehicles will be as normal as seeing a mail trucks on the road today." The U.S.'s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is working on safety regulations for unmanned flying vehicles like the Prime Air copters. Those regulations will make sure the copters are able to fly safely where they need to go. Once the FAA has put its rules in place, which could be as early as 2016, Amazon will be ready with its fleet of tiny flyers. The process could take as many as five years. The new delivery service would likely be available only in the United States, at first. The copters the company is testing now can handle packages up to five pounds (2.3kg) and they have a range of 10 miles (16 kilometers). Other companies are also looking at using unmanned flying vehicles to deliver their products. For instance, Domino's Pizza in the U.K. released a video showing a "DomiCopter", delivering a pizza. That video may have been a publicity stunt . In any case, just like Prime Air's octocopters, the DomiCopters don't have clearance to take off just yet. For what purpose does Amazon want to use the Prime Air? A To predict the sales volume. B To check the delivery service. C To shorten the delivery period. D To remind people to order online. Answer: C An emperor was almost eighty years old and knew it was time to choose his successor . Instead of choosing one of his children, he decided on something different. He called all of the young people in the kingdom together one day. He said, "It is time for me to choose the next emperor. I have decided to choose one of you." The kids were shocked! But the emperor continued, "I am going to give each one of you a seed today. One special seed. I want you to plant it and come back one year later with what you have grown from this seed. I will then judge the plants, and the one I choose will be the next emperor!" One boy named Ling received a seed like the others. He went home and planted the seed in a pot, watering it carefully. Every day he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other youths began to talk about their plants that were beginning to grow. Ling kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. A year finally went by and all the youths brought their plants to the emperor. Ling thought he should be honest about what had happened. So he took his empty pot to the palace. When Ling arrived, he was amazed at the plants grown by other youths. They were beautiful, in all shapes and sizes. When the emperor arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted the young people. Ling just tried to hide in the back. Suddenly, the emperor spotted Ling at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered his guards to bring him to the front. Ling was terrified. When Ling got to the front, the Emperor asked his name. "My name is Ling," he replied. All the kids were laughing and making fun of him. The emperor asked everyone to quiet down. He looked at Ling, and then announced to the crowd, "Behold your new emperor! His name is Ling!" Then the emperor said, "One year ago today, I gave you all boiled seeds which would not grow." Whom will the emperor consider to choose from as his successor in his country? A His children. B All of his relatives. C All the young people. D The bravest fighters. Answer: C Body language is quiet, secret and most powerful language of all. It speaks louder than words. According to specialists, our bodies send out more messages than we realize. In fact, non-verbal communication takes up about fifty percent of what we usually mean. And body language is especially important, when we try to communicate across cultures. Indeed, what is called body language is so much a part of us that it's actually often unnoticed. And misunderstandings happen as a result of it. For example, different cultures treat the distance between people differently. Northern Europeans usually do not like having bodily contact ,even with friends. And certainly not with strangers. People from the Latin American countries, on the other hand, touch each other quite a lot. So it's possible that in conversation it may look like a Latino is following a Norwegian all over the room. The Latino, trying to express friendship, will keep moving closer. The Norwegian, very probably seeing _ as rude behavior, will keep backing away, which the Latino will in return regarded as coldness. Obviously, a great deal is going on when people talk. And only a part of it is in the words themselves. And when parties are from different cultures, there's a strong possibility of misunderstanding. But whatever the situation is, the best advice is to obey the golden rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated. Which of the following is true? A people around the world have the same body languages B body language takes up about 50% of our communication C body language is the most important in our communication D body language is important when trying to communicate across cultures Answer: D In my opinion, there is only one legitimate handgun sport and that is aim practice. It is practiced at objects which are properly monitored and usually quite safe. Only certain handguns are true "sporting weapons", seen as such by the sport's lovers. On the other hand, shooting at tin cans and other small objects in one's backyard is not and should not be considered a serious sport. When uncontrolled, it can be a very dangerous practice. Some opponents of handgun control have stated that we are out to stop all hunting and that controlling the handgun would severely affect hunting. That is simply untrue. Handgun control would in no way limit the freedom of the true hunter. Few if any hunters consider the handgun an effective hunting weapon. There are a few hunters who do hunt with handguns, but most states place restrictions on the type of guns that can be used in hunting, the reason is that killing of game should be done in as humane a way as possible. Some small handguns are more likely to wound the animal rather than kill it at once. Only long guns, rifles and shotguns are effective arms of hunting. People must understand that handguns and hunters are separate matters. Because most of the hunters use a rifle or shotgun, there is no reason why their search for game and sport should be affected by handgun control. Mixing the anti-hunting matter with the handgun matter confuses the killing of animals with killing of people. In the writer's opinion, people should use handguns only when _ . A hunters shoot at animals B they aim at a criminal C objects are under control D objects are only small tin cans in the backyard Answer: C
Linda was a sixteen-year-old girl in Canada. She was feeling bad for several days. Her mother took her to a hospital and the doctors found out that she had cancer . Linda's life changed. She began to go to the hospital often for treatment and she also became _ . The hospital and the doctors were good, but Linda did not have hope herself. Linda's mother called a flower shop close to the hospital. "I want some beautiful flowers for my daughter. She is a teen girl with cancer." She told the shop owner. Later, the flowers arrived. Then Linda saw something unusual. It was a card. It read: Linda, I own this flower shop. I had cancer when I was fifteen years old. I am 24 years old now. Good luck. My heart goes out to you. Yours, Alice Linda smiled. She finally felt some real hope. She found the will to live. Little things make a big difference. All of us can give little things like kindness, encouragement and hope to others. Who sent Linda a card? Answer: I used to think education was the most important thing in my life. Recently my attitude has begun to change, although I still hold that it is _ for everyone in the world today. As a top junior student in my college, I was asked to make a speech on how to learn English well. Standing in front of the audience and facing so many freshmen, I was trembling. I didn' t remember any word that I had prepared. I ran out of the conference room without finishing my speech, leaving everyone puzzled. I cried that night in my room, feeling that I was a loser. Studying takes up so much of my time that I feel unable to really develop myself. I am just storing knowledge, yet I fail to communicate with others. I have received many awards in school, but they don't necessarily reflect anything about me. I don't know how to socialize. When I leave school I fear I will be of no use to society. I realize that everyone has his own way of living. I want to change my lifestyle. Of course I will keep studying. Yet I plan to look for a part-time job, which might turn out to be a good chance to get to know society. I still believe that working my hardest makes me happy. I will still stay on in college. But I will not allow it to shelter me from the real world. The author believes the awards she has received _ . Answer: A state statute requires any person licensed to sell prescription drugs to file with the State Board of Health a report listing the types and amounts of such drugs sold if his or her sales of such drugs exceed $50,000 during a calendar year. The statute makes it a misdemeanor to "knowingly fail to file" such a report. Nelson, who is licensed to sell prescription drugs, sold $63,000 worth of prescription drugs during 1976 but did not file the report. Charged with committing the misdemeanor, Nelson testifies that he did a very poor job of keeping records and did not realize that his sales of prescription drugs had exceeded $50,000. If the jury believes Nelson, he should be found Answer: A woman from Japan was telling a friend about her trip to the United States.The woman had visited major businesses and investment companies in New York City and Chicago. "I studied English before I left home,"she said."But I still was not sure that people were speaking English." Her problem is easy to understand.Americans in business are like people who are in business anywhere.They have a language of their own.Some of the words and expressions deal with the special areas of their work.Other expressions are borrowed from different kinds of work such as the theater and movie industry. One such saying is "get your act together". When things go wrong in a business,an employer may get angry.He may shout,"Stop making mistakes.Get your act together." Or,if the employer is calmer,he may say,"Let us get our act together." Either way,the meaning is the same.Getting your act together is getting organized.In business,it usually means to develop a calm and orderly plan of action. It is difficult to tell exactly where the saying began.But,it is probable that it was in the theater or movie industry.Perhaps one of the actors was nervous and made a lot of mistakes.The director may have said,"Calm down,now.Get your act together." Word expert James Rogers says the expression was common by the late 1970s.Mister Rogers says the Manchester Guardian newspaper used it in 1978.The newspaper said a reform policy required that the British government get its act together. Now,this expression is heard often when officials of a company meet.One company even called its yearly report,"Getting Our Act Together." The Japanese visitor was confused by another expression used by American business people.It is cut to the chase. She heard that expression when she attended an important meeting of one company.One official was giving a very long report.It was not very interesting.In fact,some people at the meeting were falling asleep. Finally,the president of the company said,"Cut to the chase." Cut to the chase means to stop spending so much time on details or unimportant material.Hurry and get to the good part. Naturally,this saying was started by people who make movies.Hollywood movie producers believe that most Americans want to see action movies.Many of their movies show scenes in which the actors chase each other in cars,or in airplanes or on foot. Cut is the director's word for stop.The director means to stop filming,leave out some material,and get to the chase scene now. So,if your employer tells you to cut to the chase,be sure to get to the main point of your story quickly. According to the text,the expression "get one's act together" _ . Answer: The Winter Olympics proved no match for television's gold-medal winner, "American Idol". Fox's unbelievable successful contest crashed the Olympics in head-to-head competition on Tuesday night, 27 million viewers to 16.1 million, according to Nielsen Media Research. The Olympics recovered a bit after "Idol" went off the air, but its overall audience of 18.6 million was the least-watched winter Olympics telecast since Nagano's closing ceremonies in 1998, Nielsen said. Since its opening on Friday, the Turin games have been running well below the 2002 Salt Lake City games in viewership interest. Much of that was expected, but Tuesday's rating was the first alarming sign for NBC that increased TV competition has _ . "The competition from 'Idol' is heavier than the Olympics has ever seen," said NBC Sports spokeswoman Alana Russo. It doesn't figure to get any easier, with "Idol" and ABC's "Lost" on the air Wednesday. CBS' "Survivor" and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" offer more competition on Thursday. Even figure skating, the most popular winter Olympics sport for viewers, didn't help much on Tuesday. NBC filled about two-thirds of the hour during which it competed with "American Idol" with tape of the men's figure-skating competition. Through five nights of Olympics coverage, NBC's average prime time rating is 12.7 ( a rating point represents 1,102, 000 households, or 1 percent of the nation's estimated 110.2 million TV homes). NBC said before the games started that it had promised its advertisers a rating of between 12 and 14. If it slips below that, NBC will have to make it up to advertisers with free commercial time. " 'American Idol' is clearly a phenomenon," said Randy Falco, president of the NBC Universal Television Group. "But we expected it and are tracking fight where we planned to be at this point." Between NBC and its networks, about 65 percent of the nation's television homes have tuned in at least some of the games. If the rating slips below 12, NBC will _ . Answer:
Kendall Ciesemier says she's like any other schoolgirl. She keeps herself busy with school, friends and family. There is one thing, though. Not many other 14-year-olds can say they run a successful charity helping children in Africa. In three years, the eighth-grader from the US has raised $100,000 for African AIDS orphans . Kendall knew she had to help the children of Sub-Saharan Africa once their terrible situation was shown on The Oprah Winfrey Show. "I could not imagine how I would go through such a hard time that they would have to go through," Kendall says. She took $360 of her own savings to help a little girl from Zambia that same night. That was just the start. Kendall sold bread and soft drinks with her classmates at her school to raise more money. She also sold "Bow-Wow Bling Bling" dog necklaces to raise more. The money helps children pay for things like shoes and school uniforms. Kendall says, "A uniform to go to school costs $10. Ten dollars. Here, it's not a lot of money, but there, that means too much money. I mean, it could change a whole kid's life." Kendall has had her own health struggles. She was born with a disease called biliary atresia , and had two liver transplants in 2004. "I'm just a girl who wants to help those kids who are in trouble," said Kendall. Which of the following about Kendall is NOT true? A She had been seriously ill. B She is an American schoolgirl. C She sells uniforms to kids. D She runs a successful charity. Answer: C. She sells uniforms to kids. I came across an old country guide the other day. It listed all the tradesmen in each village in my part of the country and it was impressive to see the great variety of services which were available on one's own doorstep in the late Victorian countryside. Nowadays a superficial traveler in ruralprefix = st1 /Englandmight conclude that the village tradesmen still flourishing were either selling frozen food to the residents or selling old things to visitors. Nevertheless. This would really be a false impression. There has been smaller village commerce ,but its vigor is still remarkable. Our local grocer's shop, for example, is actually expanding in spite of the competition from supermarkets in the nearest town. Women prefer to go there and exchange the local news while purchasing, instead of purchasing up at a supermarket. And the shop owner knows well that personal service has a substantial cash value. His prices may be a bit higher than those in the town, but he will deliver anything at any time. His assistants think nothing of bicycling down the village street in their lunch hour to take a piece of cheese to an aged woman who sent her order by word of mouth with a friend who happened to be passing. The wealthier customers telephone their shopping lists and the goods are on their doorsteps within an hour. I also find it satisfactory because a village shop offers one of the few ways in which a modest individualist can still get along in the world without attaching himself to the big groups of industry or commerce. Most of the village shopkeepers I know, are individualists in their ways. For example, our shoemaker stares with a cold look at the pairs of cheap, mass-produced shoes taken to him for repair. Has it come to this, he seems to be saying, that he, a craftsman , work upon them. And he makes beautiful shoes for those who can afford such luxury . What might be the writer's implied idea by writing the article? A An enterprise, big or small, will prosper as long as it takes trouble to satisfy. B Modern collectivized companies have more disadvantages than an individual enterprise C Commercial services can be perfect only through competition between individual and collectivized enterprises. D It is impossible for any large-scale enterprise to provide high quality services. Answer: A. An enterprise, big or small, will prosper as long as it takes trouble to satisfy. Where in the world can you take an hour's train ride, and pass a forest, a London street, a scene from the Wild West, and a burning building that never burns down? There's only one place, and that's Hollywood, in California. The scenes you see from the tourist train are film sets in the Universal Studios, one of the oldest and largest movie companies in the USA. A visit to Universal Studios brings back memories of great days of Hollywood, the films and the stars. But they are only memories. Hollywood isn't quite the same as it used to be. Costs have gone up and confidence has gone down. Movie-makers are afraid to spend their money on expensive new ideas. Instead, they repeat old ones. The film industry is changing fast. Teenagers still go out to the movies. The theatre is a good place to meet friends away from home. But older people mostly stay home to watch series, like Dynasty have become as important to Hollywood as expensive movies. These "soap opera", as they are called, show rich, powerful families living in beautiful homes and wearing beautiful clothes. But the actors and actresses are nearly all middle-aged, like many of the people who watch them. Though it is soap operas that are keeping the film-makers of Hollywood in Business, big films are still being made in America. But more and more of them are made outside Hollywood. New York is the most important new center, but there are many others as well. Movie-makers have realized that they don't need Hollywood any more. Modern cameras and real houses instead of expensively made copies in a studio. Other states, especially Florida and Texas, are working hard to take the film business away from California. They are offering better working conditions and lower cost. But Hollywood is fighting back. The state of California is trying hard to keep its best-known industry. The movie industry in California isn't as successful as before because _ . A young people don't go to movie theatres any more B there is strong competition from other states C its movie companies are in neeed of young stars D the state hasn't put a development plan into action Answer: B. there is strong competition from other states what kinds of things grow A nutritional things B moving things C large things D breathing things Answer: D. breathing things As a girl, I've spent a great deal of my time on earth concerned about my weight. So I do know something about exercise. Let me tell you about the calorie-burning activities I've tried or will try. Salsa I try to maintain my weight through dancing. Dancing improves my coordination and sense of rhythm in addition to burning calories. I'm personally interested in salsa, which I find sexy and expressive . But I have not yet to start classes, because classes are very expensive, and I cannot find a dance partner. Ping-Pong Ping-pong is the national sport of China, so how could I know nothing about it? My father is a ping-pong fan, and a really good player. He's won several informal matches. My relationship with ping-pong has always been on-and-off. I'll get into it for a while, and then lose interest. The reason is because I can't find a good partner. Some stronger can depress you, while someone weaker (or just as weak) can make the game boring. Tae Kwon Do I've recently decided to try tae kwon do as my regular exercise activity. There's a story behind this choice: A few weeks ago, I was sitting on a bus, concentrating on a book. Suddenly, the bus became very quiet except for the sound of a woman's crying. I looked up to see what had happened and overheard whispers that she had just quarreled with a man, and the man slapped her face. No one on the bus dared say anything because the man looked really strong. Even now I feel ashamed I was among the silent. That's why I've made up my mind to learn something that will help me protect others and myself. She has made up her mind to learn Tae Kwon Do mainly because _ . A she wants to lose weight B she wants to protect others and herself C she wants to win some matches D she wants to beat a strong man Answer: B. she wants to protect others and herself
Four most Extreme Travel Destinations in the World Coldest Inhabited Place on Earth: Oymyakon, Russia As the coldest inhabited place on earth, the small Russian town of Oymyakon was once only used as a location for political prisoners. Winter temperature average at about -58 degrees F, the ground is frozen all year long. Popular sports include skiing, ice hockey and ice fishing. Closest Place to Outer Space: Mount Chimborazo, Ecuador Mount Chimborazo stands at over 20,000 feet high. Standing on it will put you closest to outer space that man can ever reach on foot. Its peak is completely covered by glaciers, but this mountain has several routes for climbers. Hottest Place on Earth: Lut Desert, Iran Here, temperatures reach as high as 158 degrees F. Though tourists visit this desert land, it's a destination only for those willing to take on the challenge of surviving the heat and the dry climates. Most Isolated Place on Earth: Tristan da Cunha, United Kingdom Looking for a getaway from the everyday? This is about as far away from it as you can get. The island is home to fewer than 300 inhabitants and has no airport, Tristan da Cunha is accessible only by sea. Oymyakon was once used as a location for political prisoners probably because it _ . is isolated and cold Father of TV Invention of television began in 1922 in Rigby, Idaho, the hometown of Philo Farnsworth. At the age of 16, Philo was a very shy boy. Only his science teacher, Justin Tolman, realized that Philo was a special person. One day after school Mr. Tolman found Philo in the classroom. The boy was making drawings on the chalkboard. "What are you doing?" Mr. Tolman asked with interest, "What are these drawings?" "I want to invent things," Philo answered, "and these are the drawings of one of my first inventions. I have an idea for a way of sending pictures through the air. Please, just let me tell you about it. _ " In the school library Philo had read about a man who had worked on an idea for television, but had failed. Philo was sure that his own idea was better and that he could succeed. Mr. Tolman was not sure and asked Philo many questions about the drawings. Giving facts and figures, Philo answered every question. In 1926, Philo sent his drawings to Washington, along with a letter asking for the patent rights on television. Since then, television has become an important business all over the world. When Mr. Tolman saw Philo's drawing, he _ . did not believe Philo could succeed Nowadays more and more people care about the exploitation of the natural _ , such as oil. Though there're many kinds of resources, with the fast increase of population and the increase of many more factories, the more we use, the fewer there will be left for the future. Oil is getting less and less year after year. It's said that oil can last for only 50 years. Natural gas perhaps will last about 38 years. Oil can be used in many ways and it's difficult to imagine what the modern world will be like without oil. But oil isn't easy to find and get out of the earth. Men must study the rocks. When they think the rocks in a certain place may have oil, a metal tower is built. A machine in the tower cuts a hole down into the ground. At the same time, a steel pipe is pushed down to stop the sides from falling in and to keep out water. At last if the men are right, usually the oil rushes up the sides with great force by the pressure of the gas in the top of the rock, and it rushes high into the air. If the oil catches a light, there will be a terrible fire. So a kind of cover is fixed on the top of the pipe, and the oil can run out through taps . If we are near the middle of the oil field, we can also get gas. Such gas is sent through pipes to towns far away and used in houses and factories like coal gas. Today oil is under pressure as never before. The price of oil keeps rising all the time. In many countries, the governments encourage people to save oil as much as possible. Which of the following can be true according to the passage? Oil is very important in the modern world. One day,Mr.Li was reading a book in his office after school.To his surprise,a ball flew in suddenly and hurt him on the head.He took the ball to the window,but he only saw a group of boy students running away quickly and disappearing in a minute.He sat down again and continued his reading.As it got dark,it was time for him to leave for home.Looking at the ball,he wondered what to do with it.He knew the owner of the ball must be nearby and wished to get it back.He went downstairs and walked to the playground.It was at the center of the playground that he placed the ball with a piece of paper,on which he wrote "Be careful next time!".Then he walked away. The next morning,as Mr.Li opened the office door,he found the same piece of paper on the floor.Some words were added after his words:"Thank you for your kindness.Anyway,you are a clever fellow." According to the passage,we can know that _ . Mr.Li is a clever teacher with kindness Brazil is the greatest football nation in the world. There are 170 million Brazilians. How many of them are football fans? 100 million! All of them think they know all about football. This makes life very difficult for the Brazilian team managers. When things go bad for the Brazilian team, the newspapers would demand that the team manager should leave his job. "If we win, they me in heaven," a manager once said. "If we lose, they put me in hell ." You can't escape football in Brazil. There are football matches on every street and beach. On television, the results of football matches come before the main news programs. There are six television channels in Rio de Janeiro. On Sundays each channel shows a different football match. Brazil is not the richest country in the world, but the government spends lots of money on football. It cost more than one billion pounds to prepare for the 1978 World Cup. That's 10 pounds for every Brazilian man, woman, and child. And many Brazilians don't earn as much as 10 pounds a week. Is it worth it? "Brazil must have a great football team," says one journalist. "If it costs one billion pounds, that's all right. If the government doesn't give us a good team, then it will become unpopular. Football is more than a game in Brazil." Football is more than a game in Brazil. This is certainly true in its largest city, Sao Paulo. The most popular team is Corinthians. Corinthians' fans are the most loyal and emotional in Brazil. When Corinthians win, production in the Sao Paulo car factories increases by fifteen per cent. When they loses, it drops. At one time Corinthians won the national championship for the first time, for four days fans danced and sang in the streets, Why are people so loyal to one football team? What makes a football fan? One man says, "Without Corinthians my life would be sad. Corinthians bring some joy and excitement into my life. We all need that, don't we?" All the following statements about the Brazilians and football are true EXCEPT _ . all the Brazilians know all about football
Paul the pear lived in a bowl on the table. He was a plastic fruit, and no one could eat him. He sat in the bowl with Artie the apple and Gertie the grapes. He watched every day as the group of bananas that hung out in another basket got eaten one by one. He wished he could be taken along to work in a bag and brought along to eat. But day after day, he sat in the bowl with only his plastic friends. One day, a little boy walked over towards him and picked Paul up. Paul was very excited. The boy looked at the pear with hungry eyes. He put him up to his mouth and took a big bite. "Ewwww!!!" said the little boy, and he spit out the fake fruit all over the floor. He put Paul back in the bowl and ran away. Paul smiled to himself about his adventure. What is the pear's name? A. Apple B. Gertie C. Paul D. Artie Answer: C Good morning! I am an English boy. My name is Frank Smith. My telephone number is 451-3175.My pen is blue, and my ruler is white. The girl is Grace Brown. Grace is a nice girl. Her telephone number is 535-9861. Her pen is black, and her ruler is red. Grace and I both like numbers. Numbers are interesting. _ is white. A. Frank's pen B. Frank's ruler C. Grace's pen D. Grace's ruler Answer: B Gwendolyn Brooks wrote hundreds of poems during her lifetime. She was known around the world for using poetry to increase understanding of black culture in America. During the 1940's and the 1950's, Gwendolyn Brooks used her poems to describe conditions among the poor,racial inequality and drug use in the black community. She also wrote poems about the struggles of black women. But her skill was more than her ability to write about struggling black people. She combined traditional European poetry styles with the African American experience. Gwendolyn Brooks once said that she wrote about what she saw and heard in the street. She said she found most of her materials through looking out of the window of her second-floor apartment in Chicago, Illinois. In her early poetry, Gwendolyn Brooks wrote about the South Side of Chicago, where many black people live. In her poems, the South Side is called Bronzeville. It was "A Street in Bronzeville" that gained the attention of literary experts in 1945. Critics praised her poetic skills and her powerful descriptions about the black experience during the time. The Bronzeville poems were her first published collection. In 1950, Gwendolyn Brooks became the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Literature. She won the prize for her second book of poems called "Annie Allen". "Annie Allen" is a collection of poetry about a Bronzeville girl as a daughter, a wife and a mother. She experiences loneliness, loss, death andpoverty . Gwendolyn Brooks said that winning the prize changed her life. Her next work was a novel written in 1953 called "Maud Martha". "Maud Martha" attracted little attention when it was first published. But now it is considered an important work by some critics. Its main ideas about the difficult lives of many women are popular among female writers today. Which of the following can we learn from the text? A. Gwendolyn Brooks' poems focused on black people in Africa. B. Winning the Pulitzer Prize for Literature was important to Brooks. C. Gwendolyn Brooks used to suffer a lot from drugs. D. Gwendolyn Brooks was very strict with herself. Answer: B The story goes that some time ago, a man punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree. Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, "This is for you, Daddy." The man was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found out the box was empty. He yelled at her, stating, "Don't you know, when you give someone a present, there is supposed to be something inside? The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and cried, "Oh, Daddy, it's not empty at all. I blew kisses into the box. They're all for you, Daddy." The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged for her forgiveness. Only a short time later, an accident took the life of the child. It is also told that her father kept that gold box by his bed for many years and, whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there. In a very real sense, each one of us, as humans beings, have been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children, family members, friends, and God. There is simply no other possession, anyone could hold, more precious than this. The father remembered the love of his daughter by _ . A. kissing the gold box. B. putting gold into the box. C. taking out an imaginary kiss from the box. D. keeping the little girl's ash box by his bed. Answer: C If you're training for a marathon, a proper plan for water intake is important. Of course, there's the risk of dehydration . But athletes now know they can also get into trouble by drinking too much. Too much water intake can lower levels of sodium in the blood. The death of a 28-year-old woman following the Boston Marathon caught the attention of many runners and led to new research. Experts advise long distance runners to replace the liquids they sweat out. Their goal is to try to keep someone from not getting dehydrated by more than 2 percent of their body weight. One technique for deciding how much water you need is to get the exact numbers. Runners have to weigh themselves before and after a run to determine how much water they've lost. If their weight drops by more than 2 percent, they have not drunk enough water. Hyponatremia occurs when runners drink so much water that blood salt levels drop off. A study published last year tested 488 runners who completed the Boston Marathon and found 13 percent of them had dangerously low blood salt levels. The first sign that runners may notice is slightly swelling in the hands. They can't get their rings off, and then they might feel sick. They may not remember where they are. In fact, most runners get enough salt to get back to normal levels by eating just one meal after a run. Contrary to the old advice that runners should drink as much as they can to prevent dehydration, the new research has shown that the body is a remarkable machine that actually tells you via thirst when you need water. According the passage, which of the following statements is correct? A. Too much water intake-blood sodium levels \|-dehydration. B. Too much water intake-blood salt levels \|-hyponatremia. C. No water intake-blood sodium levels\|-hyponatremia. D. No water intake -blood salt levels \|-hyponatrenmia. Answer: B
Question: What will man be like in the future--in 5,000 or even 50,000 years from now? We can only make a guess, of course, but we can be sure that he will be different from what he is today, for man is slowly changing all the time. Let us take an obvious example. Man, even five hundred years ago, was shorter than he is today. Now, on average, men are about three inches taller, so we may assume that man will continue to grow taller. Again, as time goes on, we shall have to use our brains more and more. This is likely to bring about a physical change to the head, in particular, the forehead will grow larger. Nowadays our eyes are in constant use. In fact, we use them so much that very often they become weaker and we have to wear glasses. But over a very long period of time it is likely that man's eyes will grow stronger. On the other hand, we are likely to make less use of our arms and legs, which, as a result, are likely to grow weaker. At the same time, however, our fingers will grow more sensitive because they are used a great deal in modern life. But what about hair? This will probably disappear from the body altogether in course of time because it does not serve a useful purpose any longer. Perhaps all these give the impression that in the future man will not be a very attractive creature to look at! This may well be true. All the same, in spite of all these changes, future man will still have a lot in common with us. What does the passage mainly tell us? A. Man's life will be different in the future. B. Future man will look quite different from us. C. Man is growing taller and uglier as time passes. D. Man's organs' functions will be weaker. Answer: B Question: Even after centuries of exploration , the ocean still holds its mysteries. Although we know more today about the world's oceans and creatures living in them than ever before, every once in a while the sea brings up something so strange, so unexpected, that makes the world wonder what it could be. Such was the case when the currents of the Mediterranean Ocean recently washed a 13-foot-long, smelly body onto the shores of the village of Villaricos in Andalusia, Spain. An early report in the Spanish publication Lavante described the strange, horned body as what might seem like a big fish, but _ was already in pieces. Locals joked that it was some kind of Loch Ness Monster. The media jumped right on the creature, of course. Some sites called it a horned sea monster. The popular newspaper Boing Boing called it a dragon. Some people guessed that it might be an oarfish , which is actually a rarely seen kind of big fish that can grow up to 55 feet long. But now the experts have weighed in and we're sorry to report that it's not a dragon, a Loch Ness Monster, or even an oarfish. "That is actually a shark skeleton ," Professor Grubbs from Florida State University told NBC News. "The parts toward the back were confusing me, but those are the lower caudal fin supports. The "horns" are the scapulocoracoids which support the pectoral fins ." Scapulocoracoids are backbones common to many animals. So there we go, another mystery solved. Well, the ancient maps that once described areas of the ocean as places of dragons have yet to be proven true. But it's good to know that the ocean still has a few surprises for us, even in cases where they're just dead, smelly bodies. The main purpose of the text is to _ . A. show the mystery of the ocean B. ask people to protect sea animals C. introduce a rarely seen kind of fish D. show how to find surprises in the sea Answer: A Question: Coffee has a history dating back to at least the 9th century and has been a catalyst for social interaction across cultures and eras. Originally discovered in Ethiopia, coffee beans were brought into the Middle East by Arab traders, spreading to Egypt, Yemen, Persia, Turkey, and North Africa by the 15th century. Muslim merchants eventually brought the beans to the thriving port city of Venice, where they sold them to wealthy Italian buyers. Soon, the Dutch began importing and growing coffee in places like Java and Ceylon (largely through slave labor), and the British East India Trading Company was popularizing the beverage in England. Coffee spread across Europe and even reached America. Where there has been coffee, there has been the coffeehouse. From the 15th century Middle Eastern establishments where men gathered to listen to music, play chess, and hear recitations from works of literature, to Paris' Cafe le Procope where luminaries of the French Enlightenment such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Diderot came to enjoy a hot cup of joe, coffeehouses have traditionally served as centers of social interaction, places where people can come to relax, chat, and exchange ideas. The modern coffee shop is modeled on the espresso and pastry-centered Italian coffeehouses that arose with the establishment of Italian-American immigrant communities in major US cities such as New York City's Little Italy and Greenwich Village, Boston's North End, and San Francisco's North Beach. New York coffee shops were often frequented by the Beats in the 1950's. It wasn't long before Seattle and other parts of the Pacific Northwest were developing coffee shops as part of a thriving counterculture scene. The Seattle-based Starbucks took this model and brought it into mainstream culture. Although coffeehouses today continue to serve their traditional purpose as lively social hubs in many communities, they have noticeably adapted to the times. Rediscovering their purpose as centers of information exchange and communication, many coffee shops now provide their customers with internet access and newspapers. It has become extremely common to see someone sitting at a Starbucks listening to music or surfing the web on his or her laptop. Coffee stores today also maintain a fairly identifiable, yet unique aesthetic: wooden furniture and plush couches, paintings and murals drawn on walls, and soft-lighting combine to give coffee shops the cozy feeling of a home away from home. Today, big business retail coffee shops are expanding quickly all over the world. Starbucks alone has stores in over 40 countries and plans to add more. Despite its popularity, Starbucks has been criticized and labeled by many as a blood-sucking corporate machine, driving smaller coffee shops out of business through unfair practices. This has even spawned an anti-corporate coffee counterculture, with those subscribing to this culture boycotting big business coffee chains. Increasingly popular coffee stores such as The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf are also giving Starbucks some stiff competition. In any case, it seems pretty clear that coffee has weaved itself into the fabric of our consumer-oriented culture. Nowadays, if you come to a coffeehouse, you can _ . A. play chess with other customers B. enjoy delicious dishes from South America C. surf the internet D. watch a TV play Answer: C Question: Research shows that humans switch from selfish to unselfish behavior when they are watched. Do you? A picture of a set of eyes on a computer screen can cause a change in the way people act. Even images of eyes on a charity donation, collection box encourage people to be unselfish, because people put more money in a collection box that has a picture of eyes on it than they do when a flower symbol is on the box. Manfred Milinski from the Max-Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Germany and Bettina Rockenbach of the University of Berlin, the authors of a new study, found that people act better when they are being watched because they feel they will be rewarded for good behavior. Their report also referred to other research showing that this response of behaving well when watched is somehow _ into humans and people respond this way unconsciously, or without realizing it. It is not just humans that act unselfishly when they are being watched. A fish called the grooming fish cleans other fish. When other fish are around, it is gentler. When no other fish are around, however, the grooming fish bites chunks from the fish it is supposed to be cleaning. The researchers suggest that the best way to get people to behave in the correct way is to make them feel watched. This could be the reason for the success of a famous American army poster. On it was a picture of an elderly man staring fiercely and pointing, it appeared, to the person who was looking at the poster. Under the picture was the caption 'I Want You' It encouraged hundreds of thousands of young American men to join the army during the Second World War to fight the Germans and Japanese. According to the report, why does a person behave better when he feels he is being watched? A. He does not want to be shamed by others. B. He needs to show he is a good person. C. He desires others to like him more. D. He feels he will receive some social reward. Answer: D Question: Retail therapy has long been considered as a good way to let off stress. Now, US scientists have discovered not only does retail therapy exist,but that it could be caused by an individual's fear of sudden death. Researchers found materialistic people thought terrorism and war more stressful than others. Psychologists believe the rise of materialism around the world and its treatment effect on extreme stress might be a response to fear of death caused by acts of terrorism, disease and natural disasters. The scientists from Michigan State University said people with possession obsessions often have lower self-esteem than others so are more likely to shop as the result of severe psychological suffering. Ayalla Ruvio,a business professor studying people's shopping habits while rockets fell in Israel, said, "When the going gets tough, the materialistic people go shopping. This stress spending is likely to produce even greater stress and lower well-being. Essentially, materialism appears to make bad events even worse. Dr Ruvio led a two-part study of Israeli citizens living in a town that came under extreme rocket attacks for about six months in 2007. She compared 139 residents of the southern town with 170 from another town that was not under attack to see how their symptoms of post-traumatic stress and shopping habits varied. Dr Ruvio found that, when faced with a deadly threat, those who are highly materialistic suffered much higher levels of stress,while their tendency to shop was increased. Dr Ruvio said, "The relationship between materialism and stress may be more harmful than commonly thought." The second stage of their research surveyed 855 Americans about their materialistic nature and fear of death. They found shopping was used to relieve feelings of stress and anxiety about death but this was in response to fear of a variety of life-threatening events like car accidents, criminal attacks and natural disasters. Why did Dr Ruvio choose to study the two groups of Israeli citizens mentioned in the passage? A. They enjoy the special shopping culture. B. The stresses they face are usually deadly. C. They are in different situation in terms of war. D. They are usually active participants for researchers. Answer: C
My name is Ben. I live with my brother, mother and father in a flat. There are 27 floors in the tall building. My apartment is on the top floor. My father has a car .He parks it in the basement of the building. Our apartment is not in the centre of the city. It is 4 kilometers from the centre. My father works in the city, so he goes to work by train every day. He doesn't often drive his car. He uses his car only at weekends. He takes us into the country or to the beach on Saturdays or Sundays. Our apartment has three bedrooms. There is a bedroom for my mother and father, one for me and one for my brother. There is also a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom in the apartment. We do not have a garden, but there is a small balcony. There are some plants on the balcony. Which floor do Ben's family live on? _ A The 27 thfloor. B The 4 thfloor. C The 9 thfloor. D The ground floor. Answer: A We have proof that you become what you eat. When you know the effects of different types of food, you can use your knowledge well and eat what you want to become. Food has an impact on our physical and mental health. Have you ever heard any of the following advice? Lettuce or milk can make you sleepy. To stop feeling sleepy you should eat peanuts or dried fish. Everyone has their own advice to give, which they have read about or have been told by older relatives. Some of these pieces of advice seem to _ each other. Eating chocolate makes you fat and gives you spots. Chocolate contains the essential minerals: iron and magnesium . What we need to figure out is what type of chocolate to eat to get the benefits and how much of it to eat. We can do this by reading the list of ingredients on the chocolate bar package. Exactly how much real chocolate is in there? And how much of that do we need to eat to get the benefits of the minerals it contains? Future restaurants might be named after the physical or mental state they hope to create. Their menus will list the benefits of each dish and drink. Some restaurants have already started this concept, and list the nutritional content of their dishes on the menus. Let's take the restaurant "Winners" as an example. Their menu would list dishes specifically designed to help you win sports competitions. Or you could choose the Go-faster salad, which is a large bowl of mixed raw vegetables in a light salad dressing, giving you energy without making you gain weight. And what kind of dishes do you think would be on the menu at the "Clever Cafe"? So what's going to happen to hamburgers and biscuits? Will the concept of eating food, because it's tasty, go out of fashion? Of course not! Junk food is also changing. If ice-cream is not good for children, can't we give them fat-free, sugar-free tofu ice-cream? Unhealthy food is going out of fashion, so brands are changing. We are told not to drink cola because of the sugar and caffeine content so cola companies are making sugar-free and caffeine-free drinks. We are told dried fruit is a healthier snack than biscuits so some biscuit companies are making biscuits with added vitamins. The concept of eating tasty food will not go out of fashion because _ . A the junk food companies are changing their brand names B biscuit companies are making dried fruit C junk food will become healthier than before D Cola companies are still making cola Answer: C March 28 is China's National School Safety Day. Earthquakes happen all the time all around the world. It is necessary to know safety tips for earthquakes. Here is the Drop, Cover and Hold ways for personal safety during an earthquake. DROP: Drop down to the floor. COVER: Take cover under or beside a piece of furniture . Protect your head and neck with your arms. Stay away from windows, mirrors and tall furniture. HOLD: If you take cover under or beside a piece of furniture, hold on to it until the ground stops shaking. School tips Stand beside a wall. This will protect you from falling things. Don't stand near windows or under lights. Public area tips When you are in a bookstore or shopping mall, get down beside the counters or in the corner. Protect your head with your arms or bag. Stay away from big billboards . Home tips If you're in the kitchen, move away from the fridge and lights. When you leave, don't use the lift; take the stairs. Which of the following can you choose to cover yourself during an earthquake? A A table B A fridge C A window D A billboard Answer: B A researcher is conducting an investigation to determine if water temperature affects the growth rate of a certain type of fish in a lake. Which unit would the researcher use when determining the mass of the fish? A centimeters B kilometers C grams D liters Answer: C New technology links the world as never before. Our planet has shrunk. It's now a "global village" where countries are only seconds away by fax or phone or satellite link. And, of course, our ability to benefit from this high-tech communications equipment is greatly increased by foreign language skills. Deeply involved with this new technology is a kind of modern businesspeople who have a growing respect for the economic value of doing business abroad. In modern markets, success overseas often helps support domestic business efforts. Overseas assignments are becoming increasingly important to advancement within executive ranks. The executive stationed in another country no longer need fear being "out of sight and out of mind." He or she can be sure that the overseas effort is central to the company's plan for success, and that promotions often follow or accompany an assignment abroad. If an employee can succeed in a difficult assignment overseas, superiors will have greater confidence in his or her ability to manage back in the United States where cross-cultural considerations and foreign language issues are becoming more and more common. Thanks to a variety of relatively inexpensive communications devices with business applications, even small businesses in the United States are able to get into international markets. English is still the international language of business. But there is an ever-growing need for people who can speak another language. A second language isn't generally required to get a job in business, but having language skills gives a candidate the edge when other qualifications appear to be equal. The employee posted abroad who speaks the country's language has an opportunity to fast-forward certain negotiations, and can have the cultural insight to know when it is better to move more slowly. The employee at the home office who can communicate well with foreign customers over the telephone or by fax machine is an obvious asset to the firm. The advantage of employees having foreign language skills is that they can _ . A fast-forward their proposals to headquarters B better control the whole negotiation process C easily make friends with businesspeople abroad D easily find new approaches to meet market needs Answer: B
The thirteen-year-old Andrew is an American boy. He is a middle school student in Washington. Do you know Washington? It's the capital of America. Andrew has some pen friends. Two of them come from China. They are Molly and Simon. Their Chinese names are Zhao Mei and Ma Li. Zhao Mei is a girl and she is in Zhejiang; Ma Li is a boy and he is in Hebei. They are good at English, so they always write to Andrew in English. Andrew wants to know more about China, and he thinks Chinese is useful. He will come to China with his parents for a trip next month. Now Andrew is really happy and he wants to tell his friends about it. Do you want to make friends with Andrew? You can write to him. His e-mail address is andrew008@hotmail.com. Who is in Hebei? A. Zhao Mei. B. Ma Li. C. Andrew. D. No one. Answer: B. Ma Li. Expo 2010 is held in Shanghai from May 1 to October 31.People all over the world are looking forward to it.Here are several golden rules on how to best plan your hip. Rule 1:Do your homework Read everything you call before going.Really study the maps.Know the pavilions.Arrive at the entrance nearest Io the things you want to see.Have a plan.It will make a big difference. Rule 2:Allow plenty of time Expo 2010 is the largest attraction event in the history of the world.It will take many days to see it.Plan to spend from five to eight days or more seeing it. Rule 3:Pace yourself Expo is enormous.The distances are punishing.It is better to spend a day seeing a single area than to man hack and forth all over the site.Remember to wear the most comfortable shoes.Never mind what they look like. Rule 4:Get going in May At many Expos the crowds are smaller in May and in early June than any other time.And beware the last two weeks.During every Expo, people delay their visits and then in early October they suddenly realize."Expo will close soon! I haven't seen it!'' As a result, the last several weeks usually have the most crowded days of the entire Expo. Rule 5:Find out what everyone else is doing-and do the opposite If you don't like large crowds and long lines.do the opposite.Here is all example:Most people go on Saturdays or on holidays, So avoid Saturdays and holidays.Go on weekdays when most people are at work. Rule 6:Turn up Expo 2010 is the largest celebration in China's history-an amazing once-in-a-lifetime event.When it is gone and it will never be seen again.So whatever you do,don't miss it! In Rule 6 "turn up" here means _ . A. don't miss it B. come and see C. make the sound louder D. never be seen again Answer: B. come and see Mr. Hunt came from a poor family. He had three brothers and two sisters. His father worked hard but wasn't paid much. And his mother did all the housework at home. They were both able but they couldn't get enough money for their family. Mr. Hunt was in school for only three years and he had to stop to help his parents though he was good at his lessons. When he was sixteen, he came to the city and began to work in a small factory. He learned from an old worker and became a skilled worker. The old worker liked him and married his daughter to him. The young man did not have his own house and had to live with his parents-in-law. His mother-in-law always thought he was poor and often chattered. So the young man tried to save everything and hoped to have his own house. It was one fine Sunday. The old woman wanted to have a picnic on the top of the hill. She told Mr. Hunt to drive her car. But sometimes she told him to turn left and sometimes to turn right. The young man had to listen to her. At a crossing the lights were red but she made him turn left. The policeman stopped them and told the young man to give his license to him. "If I did wrong, sir," said Mr. Hunt, "It was my mother-in-law's fault . She was driving the car though she sat behind me!" The Hunts were poor because _ . A. they were lazy B. they were too weak to work C. they couldn't make enough money D. they weren't able enough Answer: C. they couldn't make enough money It's important for us to be healthy. But how can we keep healthy? First,you should eat fruit and vegetables three or four times a week. Then eat some tofu every day because it's good for people, both the young and the old. Milk is also necessary ,especially for women. So you should have milk twice a day. It can help you to be strong. Next, doing more exercise is better. You can do morning exercises or evening exercises. After supper you should take a walk. You should eat _ three or four times a week. A. fruit and fish B. vegetables and mutton C. tofu D. fruit and vegetables Answer: D. fruit and vegetables A girl who graduated from a world-famous university wanted to do translation work for authority leaders. She was so happy when she entered the British embassy . She thought it was the greatest happiness in her life as many graduates wanted to get that job while she was one of the few people who got it! But when she started her new job, she realized that it was just a job of answering calls and recording staff members' starting and quitting times. It was unappreciated and was supposed to have no future. However, she didn't feel sad about it. She learnt how to love the job. And she loved it when she was working. The names and phone numbers of the staff members were written down on the notebook so that she could remember them. When the phone calls came in, she picked it up as soon as possible. When someone asked her about who was not in the office, she would answer them the right name and the time when they left. Nobody could do that except her. Her wonderful performance not only received the compliments from the embassy's staff, but also the employees from the local government. And a leader of a famous company in Britain was also impressed by it and invited her to work for him. After that she became a personal translator of an important leader from Britain and appreciated by the foreigners. We cannot choose our destiny , but we can choose the attitude with which we face our life. Maybe the attitude could change our destiny. If we cry to life, life will be gray. If we smile to life, life will smile to us, too. The girl was invited to work for the company mainly because of her_. A. excellent work B. rich knowledge C. friendly attitude D. excellent English Answer: A. excellent work
Question: Plants have family values, too; it seems, with new research suggesting they can recognize close relatives in order to work together. An ability to tell family from strangers is well known in animals, allowing them to cooperate and share resources, but plants may possess similar social skills, scientists believe. Susan Dudley and Amanda File of McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, report they have demonstrated for the first time that plants can recognize their kin. This suggests that plants, though lacking recognition and memory, are capable of complex social interactions. "Plants have this kind of hidden but complicated social life," Dudley said. The study found plants from the same species of beach-dwelling wildflower grew aggressively alongside unrelated neighbors but were less competitive when they shared soil with their families. Sea rocket, a North American species, showed stronger and healthier root growth when planted in pots with strangers than when raised with relatives from the same maternal family, the study found. This is an example of kin selection, a behavior common in animals in which closely related individuals take a group approach to succeeding in their environment, the researchers said. Kin selection also applies to competition, because if family members compete less with each other, the group will do better overall. "Everywhere you look, plants are growing right up next to other plants," Dudley said," Usually it's a case of each plant for itself. But sometimes those plants are related, and there are benefits to not wasting resources on being competitive, and there is not really a cost to not being competitive as long as your neighbor is also not being competitive." Learning and memory appear to be important for kin recognition in animals, but this isn't an option for plants, she noted. Some researchers speculate that plants communicate through their roots, identifying themselves using tiny chemical signatures specific to each plant's family. What's the main idea of the message? A. Studies find plants can recognize, communicate with relatives. B. Kin selection is important for plants. C. Animals can recognize and memorize their relatives. D. Competition asks plants to recognize their relatives. Answer: A Question: Many Americans are turning to Japan, they think, a country of high academic achievement and economic success, for possible answers. However, the answers provided by Japanese preschools are not the ones Americans expected to find. In most Japanese preschools, surprisingly little emphasis is put on academic instruction. In one survey, 300 Japanese and 210 American preschool teachers, child development specialists, and parents were asked about various aspects of early childhood education. Only 2 percent of the Japanese respondents listed "to give children a good start academically" as one of their top three reasons for a society to have preschools. In contrast, over half the American respondents chose this as one of their top three choices. To prepare children for successful careers in first grade and beyond, Japanese preschools do not teach reading, writing, and mathematics, but rather skills such as determination, concentration, and the ability to work as a member of a group. The huge majority of young Japanese children are taught to read at home by their parents. Like in America, there is diversity in Japanese early childhood education. Some Japanese kindergartens have specific aims, such as early musical training or potential development. In large cities, some kindergartens are attached to universities that have elementary and secondary schools. Some Japanese parents believe that if their young children attend a university-based program, it will increase the children's chances of eventually being admitted to top-rated schools and universities. Several more progressive programs have introduced free play as a way out for the heavy intellectualizing in some Japanese kindergartens. Why do some Japanese parents send their children to university-based kindergartens? A. They can do better in their future studies. B. They can make more group experience grow there. C. They can be self-centered when they grow up. D. They can have better chances of getting a first-rate education. Answer: D Question: Are you going into skiing? Is winter your favorite time of year? If you like snow and ice, maybe you should stay at Ice Hotel in Quebec, Canada. But, you can only check in at this hotel during the winter. Why? Because this hotel is built every December. It has 32 rooms and 80 people can stay there each night. The hotel even has a movie theatre, art gallery, and church. Of course, all of these parts of the hotel are made of ice. In fact, all the furniture, art, lights, and even plates and drinking glasses are made out of ice. Because this hotel is so unusual, it is becoming very popular. People from all over the world come to the Ice Hotel to look at the fantastic ice art, drink and eat from designed ice dishes and experience the unique atmosphere. Some couples have even gotten married in the hotel's ice church. But all these guests keep their winter coats on! Because of all the ice, the temperature inside the hotel is always between -2degC and -5degC. Surprisingly, sleeping is not a problem in the freezing cold hotel rooms. Every guest gets a special cold weather sleeping bag and some fur blankets. These keep the room cozy until morning. What can't you do in the hotel according to the passage? A. Watch a movie. B. Get married. C. Eat an interesting meal. D. Go swimming. Answer: D Question: Ordering from BookFirst is easy and safe. SELECTING YOUR BOOKS When you have found a book you would like to order, just click on Add to Basket and it will be added to your shopping basket. To make it easy to keep track of the books you've selected, My Shopping Basket will display your choices wherever you are on the site. When you're ready to place your order, select View Basket. VIEW BASKET This is where you select the postal destination for your order, indicate whether you would like Next Day Delivery in the prefix = st1 /UKand choose gift-wrapping. You can also modify. the contents of your basket by making any changes then selecting Update Basket. Overseas customers ordering three or more books can also request reduced airmail charges here. When you're happy with the contents of your shopping basket, go to the Secure Checkout. THE ORDER FORM After you've completed the order form, you will receive an on-screen acknowledgement. This will be followed by an email confirming the details of your order. We will then inform you when your order has been sent. If this is your first order, we will also inform you of your personal BookFirst account number. RETURNING CUSTOMERS If you have ordered from us before, online, by mail or telephone, you will have already owned a personal account number. You then only need to complete the full order form. Using your account number allows us to find your details from our records (they are not accessible online). The information under RETURNING CUSTOMERS is for those_. A. who have forgotten their BooksFirst account numbers B. who haven't got their BookFirst account numbers C. who have experienced BooksFirst online shopping ever D. who have ever done online shopping before Answer: C Question: 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. Researchers find that when a person tells lies _ . A. his blood pressure increases measurably B. he looks very serious C. he is likely to make some small changes in his behavior D. he uses his unconscious mind Answer: C
Question: Which is most accurate? A. the Earth revolves around a large, bright nuclear reactor B. the sun makes magical reactions that are visible C. the sun makes nuclear reactions that are visible instantly D. the sun makes nuclear reactions that are visible only days later Answer: A Question: My name is Max. I am twelve years old. I have many friends. Most of them are as old as I. Some are older. Some are younger. My best friend is Bill. He lives near me. We go to the same school and we are in the same class. Bill helps me with my math homework. I help him with his English homework. Bill is taller than me. He is quite fat. He doesn't like sports, so he doesn't get much exercise. We both have black eyes, but Bill's hair is longer. I like sports and I play football or go swimming every day. Every Sunday morning Bill and I play computer games. Sometimes I win. Sometimes he wins. ,,2B. Most of Max's friends are _ . A. twelve years old B. older than Max C. younger than Max D. thirteen years old Answer: A Question: Teens don't understand the big fuss . As the first generation to grow up in a wired world, they hardly know a time when computers weren't around, and they eagerly catch the chance to spend hours online, chatting with friends. So what? But researchers nationwide are increasingly worried that teens are becoming isolated , less skillful at person-to-person relationships , and perhaps numb to the cheatings that are so much a part of the e-mail world . "And a teen's sense of self and values may be changed in a world where personal connections can be limitless," said Sherry Turkle . Another researcher , Robert Kraut , said he's worried about the "opportunity costs" of so much online time for youths . He found that teens who used computers, even just a few hours a week, showed increased signs of loneliness and social isolation. "Chatting online may be better than watching television , but it's worse than hanging out with real friends," he said . Today's teens, however, don't see anything strange in the fact that the computer takes up a central place in their social lives. "School is busy and full of pressure. There's almost no time to just hang out," said Parker Rice, 17. "Talking online is just catch-up time." Teens say they feel good about what they say online or taking the time to think about a reply. Some teens admit that asking someone for a date, or breaking up, can be easier in message form, though they don't want to do so. But they insist there's no harm. The researchers argue that _ . A. nothing is wrong with teens' chatting online B. teens may develop a different sense of values C. teens can manage their social connections D. spending hours online does much good to teens Answer: B Question: Spiders can catch prey by doing all aside from A. building webs B. building traps C. hunting D. howling Answer: D Question: A few years ago,my friend Al won the lottery. It changed his life. He did not have a rich family. He was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Instead,my friend was always hard up for cash. He did not have much money. And the money he did earn was chicken feed -- very little. Sometimes Al even had to accept handouts,gifts from his family and friends. But do not get me wrong. My friend was not a deadbeat. He was not the kind of person who never paid the money he owed. He simply _ pennies. He was always very careful with the money he spent. In fact,he was often a cheapskate. He did not like to spend money. The worst times were when he was flat broke and had no money at all. One day,Al scraped together a few dollars for a lottery ticket. He thought he would never strike it rich or gain lots of money unexpectedly. But his combination of numbers was chosen and he won the lottery. He hit the jackpot. He won a great deal of money. Al was so excited. The first thing he did was buy a costly new ear. He splurged on the one thing that he normally would not buy. Then he started spending money on unnecessary things. He started to waste it. It was like he had money to burn. He had more money than he needed and it was burning a hole in his pocket so he spent it quickly. When we got together for a meal at a restaurant,Al paid every time. He would always foot the bill,and pick up the tab. He told me the money made him feel like a million dollars. He was very happy. But,Al spent too much money. Soon my friend was down and out again. He had no money left. He was back to being strapped for cash. He had spent his bottom dollar, his very last amount. He did not even build up a nest egg. He had not saved any of the money. I admit I do feel sorry for my friend. He had enough money to live like a king. Instead,he is back to living on a shoestring--a very low budget. Some might say he is penny wise and pound foolish. He is wise about small things,but not about important things. Why did A1 live a poor life again after he won the lottery? A. Because he lost a lot of money he had won. B. Because he spent much money freely on unnecessary things. C. Because his friend borrowed much money from him. D. Because he gave away a lot of money to others. Answer: B
Mass media are tools of communication. They allow us to record and pass information rapidly to a large, scattered audience. They extend our ability to each other by helping us overcome limits caused by time and space. Mass media can be divided into two groups: print media and electronic media. By print media, we mean books, newspapers and magazines. Electronic media include television, radio and movie. There are a number of ways in which mass media make daily life easier for us. First, they inform and help us keep a watch on our world. They gather and pass on information we would be unlikely or unable to gain on our own. Second, mass media help us to arrange our time and life. What we talk about and what we think about are greatly influenced by the media. When people get together, they tend to talk about certain happenings on the newspapers or on TV. Because we are provided with differing points of view through different kinds of media every day, we are able to comment on all sides of a certain issue. Third, mass media help us to connect with various groups in society. Through mass media, we are able to keep in contact with politicians in the world; with famous actors and actresses, and with our beloved singers. Fourth, the media help to socialize us. We learn about the preferred behavior and values from the people we meet as well as from the media. Through portrayals of people, the media tell us what proper behaviors are. By doing so, they teach us standards of behavior and values, and help us in our daily life. Fifth, the media are used to persuade people. A good example is advertisements through the media. Newspapers, magazines and TV are filled with all kinds of colorful, persuasive advertisements. Though many advertisements may not say openly that they want you to buy a certain product, they describe their products in such a way that you may want to but them. Sixth, the media entertain. All of the media make some effort trying to entertain their audience. For example, even though the newspaper is a main medium of information, it also contains entertainment features. Many newspapers offer their readers at least some of the following: comics, fiction books and puzzle games, televisions and magazines are devoted mainly to entertainment. It is guessed that in the future, the entertainment function of mass media will become even more important than it is now. Which of the following isn't included about mass media in the passage? Answer: sports Keving Rogers used to be my boss.At that time he always told us to sell more.As soon as I could,I left his shop and got a new job in another place.The last time I saw Rogers was more than ten years ago.At least that's what I thought.But now I am not so sure. I was on my way to my office in the centre of town.There is a small park nearby,which I sometimes walk through after lunch.The park was almost empty except for a shabby-looking man on one of those benches .The man looked about fifty years old and was wearing an old gray coat.It was cold and windy,and he was trembling . "It's a long time since I had a meal.Can you help me?"he said.There was something about his voice that sounded familiar.I gave him a few pennies.As he went past me I looked at his face closely.I wondered where I had seen him before.Then it suddenly came to me.Could it possibly be...? No!Impossible,I thought.I watched him walking away.He was the same height as Rogers but looked a lot thinner than I remembered. Yesterday I ran into someone who had worked for Rogers at the same time as I did,and had stayed on longer.I started telling him about the man I had seen in the park."For a moment I thought it was our old boss.But it couldn't have been.Rogers must be the head of a company now."I said. My ex-workmate shook his head,"I thought you knew." "Knew?Knew what?What are you talking about?" "Rogers was sent to prison six years ago.He's probably been out by now.For all I know he is sleeping on park benches and begging money from passers-by." Which of the following happened first? Answer: The writer got a job in another place. Well, it's time for Words and Their Stories. We present more expressions about food from Elenir Scardueli, a listener in Brazil. My mother believes you are what you eat. Then she'd always give us nutritious food. She likes serving us meat and potatoes, which can also mean the most important part of something. Here's another expression about meat: one man's meat is another man's poison--one might like something very much while another person might hate it. My father's a good and honest person. People say he's the salt of the earth. He'd never pour salt on a wound, or make someone feel worse about something. However, sometimes he tells us a story that seems bigger than life. So we have to take it with a grain of salt. My husband makes enough money to support our family. So we say he brings home the bacon. He can cut the mustard, or do what is expected of him at work. Besides, he stands almost two meters tall, so it's easy to find my husband in a crowd. He is a tall drink of water. I take the train to work. It is not a pleasant ride because the train is so crowded that we are packed like sardines. When we fail to see problems at work, my boss tells us to wake up and smell the coffee. We need to pay more attention and fix the problem. I once made a big mistake at the office and felt foolish. I had egg on my face. Over the weekend, my friend invited me to watch a football game on television. But I do not like football. It is not my cup of tea. We hope this has given you food for thought and stay with us next time. Thank you. The phrase "you are what you eat" suggests that _ . Answer: a good diet is important for good health The continental crust floats on top of the mantle because the crust is Answer: less dense than the mantle. Normally and naturally, a daughter is more attached to her mother in comparison to her father or other siblings . The attachment is also due to the fact that the daughter finds it easier to believe in the mother on personal and biological matters at different stages while growing up. The bonding between mother and daughter will increase with their being together and going out on excursions. An excursion is a journey to some far-off place undertaken by people. It is not necessary that such a trip be taken on a lavish scale involving lots of money. It can be as short as an overnight trip to some place to improve bonding. To surprise her daughter with an unexpected excursion, mother can plan a trip to some local spa without the knowledge of her daughter. She can be ready with baggage packed and wait for the moment the daughter comes back from school. Once in the hotel they can enjoy the night together getting refreshing treatments like massage or mud packs. After relaxing spa they can laze in bed, enjoying favourite food or drink and if possible enjoying nature through the window. After a long period of relaxation, going out for a walk together will improve bonding. Going out overnight to enjoy walk at the beach, and relaxing at intervals without the interference of any other person can be a great idea of bonding. Being of the same sex, and often having the same set of likes and dislikes, they can spend time on makeup or applying nail polish. The daughter should never forget to thank the mother for the wonderful time they spent together, and the mother should never hesitate to say a few words of praise to the daughter. Going out for shopping together is a good bonding idea too. It is not essential that lots of money should be spent on shopping. The mother can take the daughter to some shops where she can buy her uniform or some other things. They can jointly enjoy window shopping, expressing love and gratitude for the other. What should a daughter do when being out with her mother? Answer: Show gratitude to her mother.
Have you wondered why you have two eyes and why they are set close together on the front of your face? The reasons are simple and important to the way you see the rest of your world. Your eyes are like two small cameras. A camera catches an image of an object and records it on film.Similarly,when you look at something,each eye takes in what it sees and sends this image to the back of the eyeball.Because your eyes are set close together,they view the world from about the same height but from slightly different angles. Working as a team, the eyes send the images to your brain, which puts them together into a single, centered image. Seeing in stereo means seeing with two eyes working together,which is called stereoscopic sight.This allows you to view the world in three dimensions,or 3-D.Seeing depth helps you to judge the distance between you and the objects you see and to adjust to the changing angle at which you see something as you move closer to or farther away from it.If images are coming from only one eye, however,only two of these dimensions-height and width-can be perceived.A world seen with one eye is thus two-dimensional,as in a photograph. Now consider why your two eyes are on the front of your face.Think of other animals with this same arrangement.They are all animals that hunt,like lions and wolves.Their eyes face directly in front of them.This provides a field of sight about 180 degrees wide,which is called binocular sight.On the other hand,animals that are hunted have eyes on the sides of the head,which provides nearly 360-degree field of sight.In order to stay alive,they need to see things coming from the sides and from behind.However,without stereoscopic sight,they have difficulty determining how far a danger is. With sight both stereoscopic and binocular,humans share with animal hunters the ability to see from side to side and to accurately determine the distance.If you think it would be great to have another type of sight,perhaps with hundreds of tiny eyes like many insects do,think again! Each tiny insect eye sees only a tiny part.Besides,what if you needed glasses? Be glad for the eyesight that you have. According to the passage,an eye is like a camera because both Answer: can record images This tour consists of touring the City, Bay and Surrounds Area of the CBD. Toorak(affluent), CliftonHill(reto), Carlton(little Italy), Fitzroy(bohemian), Kew(Studley Park Boat house), The Yarra River...etc Picture yourself in a Classic Chevrolet Convertible travelling the streets of Melbourne with the wind blowing in your hair and everyone wondering who you are and wishing it was them. Stopping to view The Bay and have your champagne and French pastry on the pier. This is a feeling of luxury, this is unique! Spend a few hours seeing Melbourne and its surrounds from the perspective of a Classic Convertible Chevrolet Impala (either 1965 or 1968).This unique chauffeured tour lasts 2 hours transports you and up to three friends. Choose your own route, or let us choose for you and go to places such as Kew Boulevard along the Yarra - a lovely lush area or maybe the Country area of Warrandyte or the Bay area of St Kilda. You might want to have fish'n'chips at Station Pier or coffee and cake at Brunetti's in Carlton! STOPPING FOR COFFEE AND SNACKS AT CUSTOMERS EXPENSE MORNINGTON PENINSULA TOUR When you think Mornington Peninsula you think of rolling hills and rugged coastline, and a beach on every cove. This tour takes you to an area so diverse of soil, sunshine and rainfall. It has a micro- climate all itself. Its wine and food are unique. There are more than 150 Wineries in the Peninsula. Surrounded by 25 hectares of National Parks it has a mix of rugged coastline, serene wetlands and wild bushland. We start our tour from Melbourne journey to Frankston, Mornington then Red Hill. We travel to a variety of vineyards. Followed by lunch at Montalto Vineyard and Restaurant awarded both a Chef's Hat Rating in the 2009 Age Good Food Guide & 5 red stars in the 2009 Halliday Australian Wine Companion. (5 red stars stand for an outstanding winery regularly producing wines of exemplary quality and typicity!) From here we travel along the picturesque coast line of natural beauty dotted throughout this land of striking contrast. At your leisure we travel back to Melbourne. PHILIP ISLAND TOUR This is our Phillip Island Tour bringing you in touch with wildlife: seals, koalas, penguins not to mention the Island's surfing beaches. Panoramic views of Bass Straight and Cowes. This tour is a very personalized one because there is so much to see and do on this beautiful Island. THE DANDENONGS/YARRA RANGES DELUX TOUR With this Tour we take you to Olinda and Sherbrook Forest which is in the Dandenong Ranges, here we travel the winding Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, which has large lush fern gullies and greenery forest, towering Majestic Mountain Ash and beautiful colourful Rosellas. We stop and visit "The Sky High Observatory" with spectacular views of Mt Dandenong and Surrounds have a cake or a cup of coffee while nestled under the canopy of Australian eucalypts forest and see wildlife in abundance. We continue our journey travelling across to Coldsteam Hills and Yarra Glen, here we have, "The Yarra Valley Wineries".We stop for lunch at either, 'Sweet Water Cafe' or Yering Station After lunch we take in some wine tastings, all at your pleasure before traveling back home via Christmas Hills. What are the similarities between the Mornington Peninsula tour and the Dandenongs Dclux tour? Answer: You can taste some wine. My name is Eric. I know many students like going to the movies and I'm sure that different people like different kinds of movies . Well ,what kind of movies do you like? Last Monday I went to a school and asked some students about their favorite movies. Here are some of their answers. Jack, an 11-year-old boy, likes watching scary movies. He thinks scary movies are scary but exciting .His classmates.Alice,13,can't stand documentaries . She thinks they are boring and they are for parents. But she really likes comedies because they are funny. James, a big boy ,doesn't mind documentaries. But he doesn't like comedies because he thinks they are not exciting! The survey showed that the most popular movies were action movies. Most of the students enjoyed them very much. When did Eric do the survey? Answer: Last Tuesday. Conventional wisdom says that hardship can make us old before our time. In fact, a new study suggests that violence not only leaves long-term scars on children's bodies, but also changes their DNA, causing changes that are equal to seven to ten years of premature aging . Scientists measured this by studying the ends of children's chromosomes , called telomeres, says Idan Shalev, lead author of a study published in Molecular Psychiatry. Telomeres are special DNA sequences which prevent the DNA in chromosomes from separating. They get shorter each time a cell divides, until a cell cannot divide any more and dies. Several factors have been found to shorten telomeres, including smoking, radiation and psychological stresses such as being treated badly when young and taking care of a chronically ill person. In this study, researchers examined whether exposure to violence could make children's telomeres shorten faster than normal. They interviewed the mothers of 236 children at ages 5, 7 and 10, asking whether the youngsters had been exposed to domestic violence between the mother and her partner, physical maltreatment by an adult or bullying. Researchers measured the children's telomeres--in cells obtained from the insides of their cheeks--at ages 5 and 10. Telomeres shortened faster in kids exposed to two or more types of violence, says Shalev. Unless that pattern changes, the study suggests, these kids could be expected to develop diseases of aging, such as heart attacks or memory loss, seven to 10 years earlier than their peers. Shalev says there is hope for these kids. His study found that, in rare cases, telomeres can lengthen. Better nutrition, exercise and stress reduction are three things that may be able to lengthen telomeres, he says. The study confirms a smallbutgrowing number of studies suggesting that early childhood hardship imprints itself in our chromosomes, says Charles Nelson, a professor of pediatrics and neuroscience at Harvard Medical School. According to the text, telomeres _ . Answer: can help prevent DNA from separating To whom it may concern, This letter describes the worst travel experience I have ever had.The problems we had were the result of poor management and thoughtless employees.Your airline should be ashamed of treating its customers so poorly. On January 5, we arrived in Denver from Houston and checked in for our next flight.It wasn't long before the agent announced that our flight would be delayed because of a mechanical problem. The equipment was in Aspen, and they expected it to be repaired soon. Soon shortly turned to much later, and during the delay, weather temporarily closed the Aspen airport.The weather cleared in Aspen and the plane took off very late for Denver.While it was in the air, the agent announced that the plane would be used for the next flight and that our flight was being cancelled. This cancellation struck me as being unfair.There was a mad scramble as the 50 or so passengers scheduled for our flight fought for seats on later flights.When the dust settled, we were wait-listed on the 9'-00 flight the next morning.We had to spend the night in the airport. Coming home was no better.Because of a mechanical problem, it looked like we would miss our connection in Denver.The agent assured us they would hold the Newark flight for us.Needless to say, the flight to Houston taxied out as we pulled into the gate.Arrangements were made for us to take the next flight, so we sat in the airport for 5 hours.When we finally arrived in Houston, our skis were missing.As of this writing, the skis have not been found. Nothing you can do will make us feel better about our flights.If you are a responsible business, however, you will do what you can to see that passengers in the future are treated better. With great displeasure, Phyllis Dooley What happened to Phyllis on her day coming home? Answer: She missed her connection in Denver.
American people like to say "Thank you" whenever others help them. People of many other countries do so, too. It is a very good habit. You should say "Thank you" when someone passes you the salt on the table. When someone walking ahead of you keeps the door open for you, when someone says you have done your work well, or you have bought a nice thing, or your city is very beautiful. "Thank you" is used not only between friends, but also between parents and children, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives. "Excuse me" is another short sentence they use. When you hear someone say "Excuse me" behind you, you know that somebody wants to walk past you without touching you. It's not polite to interrupt others while they are talking. If you want to speak to one of them, say "Excuse me" first, and then begin talking. You should also do so when you want to cough or make any unpleasant noise before others. Let's all learn to say "Thank you" and "Excuse me". You should say "Excuse me" if you want to _ . A cough B make some noise C go first D all of the above Answer: D Dear Lan Lan, I'm now writing to you at Hartsop, a village in the Lake District, a place to have most beautiful scenery in English couple here to spend Christmas with them. This was planned for overseas students to know British way of life by living with British families. We came two days before Christmas and during our stay, we have had everything we expected. Christmas turkey, Christmas cake, Christmas puddings, Christmas parties and Christmas gifts under the Christmas tree. All are exciting and amusing, but above all these, we are deeply touched by the hospitality of the family, Roger and Anne Marie. Anne Marie was a nurse and all these days, she had been busy cooking meals, washing dishes and showing us around. Roger, who was a doctor, knows a lot about China and still wants to know more. He plays us Chinese music and it seems to me he does better in that than we do. In the evenings, we all sit around the fireplace with Tim, a lovely dog, by our side. Like long-time-no-see friends, we talk about all the things that have happened or we hope to happen in our lives. There is always so much to tell and to know. After three months away from home, we are again feeling how sweet a home can be. Roger and Anne Marie are not like most of the other people we have met who always make us feel we are foreigners in a foreign country. They show such kindness to us that they bring us a person-to-person feeling, instead of a British-to-Chinese feeling. They make us believe that though there are differences of languages and cultures, one may always expect to find in every corner of the world the feeling of love and being loved. How I wish Mum and Dad could meet them! How I wish you were here with me! How strange it is that the more I feel at home here, the more I miss my real home and all of you. We always talk about "when we go back home next year..." and soon we will turn this into "when we go back home THIS year..." for the New Year's Day is coming. Miss you. Love Cao Wen It seems that Roger_. A can speak Chinese very well B knows something about Chinese for a long time C once lived in China for a long time D can do everything better than the Chinese Answer: B Have you ever been to a wedding and simply loved the bride's bouquet ? More than likely some part of it was the Hawaiian Wedding Plant. This foreign houseplant can be enjoyed by anyone,not just brides. With a little proper attention and careful planning on location,this foreign houseplant, native to Madagascar, can be brought into the home where it can become an interesting focus. Caring for the Hawaiian Wedding Plant is not much different than that of any other houseplants that may already be in your home. The only difference between this type of houseplant and others is the amount of the basic requirements that this foreign houseplant needs to survive and perform beautifully. During the growing season,this plant requires its wet soil,but when winter rolls around, this plant needs its soil to be kept drier. Hawaiian Wedding Plants should also be put in well-drained soil and placed in a location that receives full sun. That the soil must be kept wet does not mean that it should sit in water, so the soil must drain easily or this plant will not survive. Water the plant daily and feed this plant every two to three weeks with a little fertilizer for acid -loving plants. Prune in early spring,even as early as February. If these needs are met,this plant will stay beautiful. The most special feature of this foreign houseplant is its long lasting blooms combined with its unbelievable sweet smell. The Hawaiian Wedding Plant blooms the heaviest in the spring months,but has been known to bloom in any warm months,so do not be surprised to find blooms most time of the year except maybe _ The Hawaiian Wedding Plant comes from _ . A Hawaii B China C Madagascar D Alaska Answer: C Once a great boxer , Tom Brown, went to a restaurant for dinner. He put his bag near the door, but he was afraid that someone would take it. So he got out a pen and a piece of paper and wrote on it: "The great boxer, Tom Brown, left his bag here. He'll come back in a few minutes. " He put the paper on his bag and went to have his dinner. When he came back, his bag wasn't there. But he found a piece of paper on the ground. It said: "A great runner took away your bag, and he will not come back. " Mr Brown wrote the words on the paper because he _ . A thought the thief would not steal his bag when he read the words B was a boxer C wanted to catch the thief D wanted to get to know the runner Answer: A It was a great day for American girl D' Zhana Simmons when she got a new heart. However, her dream died when the new heart started not to work properly. The doctors had to take it away. She needed another heart transplant . But the doctors couldn't find a proper heart so soon. Then they came up with an idea -- they would use two machines to keep her blood _ in her body. After waiting for about four months, D' Zhana had another heart transplant. It was very successful. When doctors use a man-made heart to keep a patient's life, they usually leave the patient's own heart in the body. "She, we believe, is possibly one of the youngest that had the machines without her own heart," one of D' Zhana Simmons' doctors said. Living without a heart for 118 days -- that's great. When a heart transplant doesn't work, doctors have no time to waste. If they don't get a new heart or some machines to help the patient, he or she will die. The patient's life is in their hands. This story once again shows how important the medical world really can be. I hope that one day I will be a doctor. I hope I can be so quick and helpful to my patients. What's the writer's dream job? A A driver. B A nurse. C A doctor. D A scientist. Answer: C
April 21st in 2006 was the 80th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. She is one of the most famous women in the world. Here are some interesting stories about the Queen. Queen Elizabeth IIis the fortieth monarch since 1066. She has been the queen of Great Britain for 54 years. During her 54-year reign , she has made over 250 official visit to 129 different countries, including China in 1986. She has also hosted more than 90 formal dinners for those important people from foreign leaders. When she visits foreign countries or hosts formal dinners, the Queen often receives presents from foreign leaders. Some unusual presents include animals like jaguars and sloths from Brazil, and black beavers from Canada. The Queen is a great animal lover and she is known for her love of dogs. So far, the Queen has had more than 30 dogs. She is also really fond of horses and good at feeding horses. Her horses have won major races several times. The Queen usually sends a telegram of congratulations to her people who are 100 years old on their hundredth birthday. Perhaps she will send herself on in twenty years. It's not impossible, since all her family members have enjoyed a long life. The Queen's mother died in 2002 at the age of 101. According to the passage, we can guess that jaguars and sloths are two kinds of _ . Snowflakes! You can catch them on your tongue or use them to make a perfect snowball. But have you ever thought about taking pictures of them? Ken Libbrecht did. He is a physics professor from California. Although the weather in California is usually warm and sunny, Ken's hobby is taking pictures of snowflakes. He travels to cold areas like Alaska and Canada to find snowstorms and take pictures of the snowflakes. "They are often beautiful, and every snowfall brings new surprises," says Ken. Ken takes pictures of snowflakes with a high-quality digital camera. He uses a microscope to make the tiny snowflakes larger. To get the best images, Ken built a special photo-microscope just for snowflakes. He collects flakes by letting them fall onto a piece of foam board . The pictures must be taken outdoors, so Ken wears lots of clothes to stay warm. But his fingers often get cold, because it's difficult for him to take pictures of a tiny snowflake with gloves. Each snowflake has shapes and patterns that make it as unique as a person's fingerprint. The hobby of snowflake photography is also unique. Next time a snowstorm blows through your town, take a closer look at the flakes before you gather them into a snowball. See if you can notice their unique patterns. Millions of snowflakes are waiting for you! ,. What's the weather in Ken Libbrecht's hometown usually like? Everyday rubbish could provide a valuable source of energy thanks to a clever new invention. Smelly methane gas expelled from landfill sites containing tones of rotting household waste could be used to produce a valuable energy resource. In Europe alone land fill tips produce 94 billion cubic meters of methane per year but currently only one percent of what could be a valuable source of energy is used, the rest is burnt off to prevent an explosive build up of gas. Methane gas forms when organic matter breaks down and is drawn off from large rubbish tips by pipes sunk into the middle of the waste. Until now this process wasn't possible on small sites because the pipe allowed oxygen to seep in and that stop the breakdown process. Viktor Popov of the Wessex Institute of Technology has now developed a system to modify existing landfill sites by making them airtight while the methane is extracted from sunken wells. The site is covered by a special three-layered skin whose two outer layers are made of clay with a pressurized layer of carbon dioxide gas in the middle. As the methane is sucked out through a central well it is replaced by carbon dioxide from the middle layer rather than oxygen, allowing the breakdown process to continue. Unfortunately there are no plans to use the power of methane even though Popov claims his invention could provide a valuable source of energy over the next 20 years. Which of the following statement is NOT true according to the passage? In a world today of immense technology, population growth and economic flourish, planning for future residential and commercial developments needs careful analysis with well thought through assumptions about effects on the environment and the people of the community. One example of a growing city is Wooster, Ohio, my place of residency, Wooster in the last five years has grown considerably in population, leading to a growth in commercial business. Surrounded by farmland, Wooster's planning commission chose to extend the community into these farm areas in the form of residential and commercial areas. Picture this--corn fields, old trees, clean air, country roads, and wildlife are all part of the area. Within four years, the people living on this farm step outside on their front porch to view an extensive shopping center containing Wal-Mart, McDonald's, Wendy's, TCBY, and a Cinemark movie theatre. The once quiet road is now a city street with traffic lights, busy with automobiles day and night. The air smells of car exhaust and fast food. Some destruction of farmland is unavoidable when a city expands. Instead of expanding outward, planning commissions should consider interior _ of a city. Tearing down unusable buildings could remodel many areas inside the city. In addition, commercialized buildings could extend upwards to avoid unnecessary use of land. Environmentally, commercial expansion is harmful to the land. Besides forms of pollution, wildlife, including both plants and animals, is put at risk. A planning commission could have realized the benefits of environmental protection. Why not preserve the beauty and naturalness of the land while at the same time allowing for growth? With a steady growth of population and the need for more homes and more workplaces, many problems arise when planning for the future. The hillsides, fields and animal habitats need to be preserved while expanding cities. In the future, a world covered with concrete and asphalt could become reality. Serious research and analysis are needed when planning for the future of our home communities and for the entire globe to avoid such a miserable result. It can be concluded from the passage that the author thinks Wooster's planning commission _ . Everyone is familiar with white fat, which serves as an energy warehouse. Many mammals also have brown fat, which has the unique ability to produce heat. Brown fat is sometimes mistaken for a type of gland , which it resembles more than white fat. It varies in color1 from dark red to tan. When the animal is exposed to a cold environment, the color1 darkens. In contrast to white fat, brown fat has numerous nerves which provide sympathetic stimulation to the fat cells. Brown fat is most noticeable in newborn animals, wrapped round the central organs to keep them warm. In human infants it occupies up to 5% of body weight, then declines gradually. Certain quantities of brown fat can be discovered in adult humans, especially when they are exposed to cold temperatures. Most of brown fat in adults is located in the lower neck. Exposure to cold leads to sympathetic stimulation of brown fat cell. As in white fat, sympathetic stimulation promotes hydrolysis of triglyceride , with release of fatty acids. In contrast to other cells, including white fat cells, brown fat cells express UCP1, which gives the cell's mitochondria an ability to produce heat rather than ATP. Within brown fat cells, most fatty acids are immediately combined with oxygen in mitochondria and a large amount of heat is produced. There is only about 50g of brown fat in the neck region and it switches on and off throughout the day as it's exposed to different temperatures or if you exercise or eat. But this capacity is much greater in young children compared with adolescents and adults. The challenge is now to use the knowledge to find out what might switch on brown fat. If it is switched on, we can benefit from it. Brown fat produces lots of heat by burning calories. Unlike white fat, brown fat does not expand our ageing waistlines. And that's why the race is on to find out more about brown fat, and how humans could use it to our advantage, though we would waste energy unnecessarily, and we would sweat a lot and forever be opening windows. Which is the unique factor of brown fat producing heat?
One day, Anna was about to walk into her office, when the headmaster, Mr. Henry stopped her. "Now," he said, "I want you to tell me the truth, my dear." "Naturally," said Anna shortly, fearing that something terrible had happened. "I have had a most serious accusation made against you by Mrs. Bond." "Mrs. Bond?" said Anna, not understanding. Janet Bond was a quiet, little mouse of a child. As far as Anna could remember,she had never had cause to speak an angry word to the girl. "Mrs. Bond," went on Mr. Henry, "tells me that you scolded her daughter yesterday afternoon." "Scolded?" cried Anna. "I don't scold. At least not in school," she added honestly. "Mrs. Bond's story is that Janet was a little late back to school in the afternoon. She said that the child had to spend some time in the bathroom, which meant she set out from home a little late." "Just a minute," said Anna, beginning to understand. "She did come late, very late. I had marked her absent, of course. Then she wandered in, when we'd started our paper--cutting, and I believe I said she was a nuisance . She didn't appear to hear, and was certainly quite cheerful." "Ah, a nuisance." Mr. Henry jumped on the word. "You're sure you only said a nuisance." "I may not even have said that," Anna replied. "It was no more than slight displeasure that I felt and I certainly didn't scold."? "Mrs. Bond said that you called her child a blasted nuisance. Is that true?" "Indeed it isn't," said Anna, "The child or the mother has made it up!" Mr. Henry was satisfied with Anna's explanation. "Just as I thought, my dear, but of course I had to make sure." Mr. Henry thought that _ . A Janet had scolded Anna B Mrs. Bond had not told the truth C Anna would not tell the truth D Anna had scolded Janet Answer: B. Mrs. Bond had not told the truth It was just a windy January day here in the North East of Scotland. When I left home for the office where I worked in the next town, the weather forecasters said, "Windy and cold, but no rain." However, by the time I was about to leave work in the early evening, it was pouring! My office was close to the bus stop so that there was no problem; I just shot out the door and onto the bus. Unfortunately, once I got home to Montrose, I had about a mile to walk from the bus stop to my home. As I stepped off the bus that night to walk home, I struggled to get my tiny umbrella to go up in the strong wind. It was obviously designed for a very light shower. Then, suddenly and to my amazement, I heard my mum's voice. "Quickly! Come under here, before you get soaked! " I nipped under my bigger umbrella and stared at mum in surprise. "What on earth are you doing here in this weather?" I asked her. My mum was eighty-three that year, and although fit and healthy, she did not usually like going out in strong wind and heavy rain. "You said to come round for tea tonight, but I came early before the rain got too heavy. Eric told me that your car was in for a service and I saw your big umbrella lying on the chair. Eric was on the phone, so I just picked it up and came out so that I could meet you and you would not get soaked!'' My mum passed away the following year. This simple act remains in my mind, and reminds me how completely my mum loved me. She would not have gone out in the wind and rain for herself, but, at eighty-three, she never gave a second thought about the bad weather so I would not get wet. The best title for the passage can be _ A I Love Mum. B Nice to Meet Mum in the Rain. C To Keep Me from the Rain. D Mum's Voice in the Rain. Answer: D. Mum's Voice in the Rain. John, a famous musician, took his priceless antique violin and played it in the crowded subway station. The music from the violin was delicately streaming throughout the whole station. However, during the one-hour play, only six or seven people were truly appreciating the charming music. A three-year-old kid was so fascinated by the music that he forgot everything around. John only got 52 dollars for his work that day. However, in normal days, when John is about to hold a concert, one ticket can be sold at more than 100 dollars and it is extremely hard to buy a ticket even at such a high price. Therefore, later, many passers-by in the station that day felt deeply regretful for not recognizing the famous musician and missing such a valuable but cheap music feast. I have a very busy friend who had totally changed after knowing that his wife came down with incurable illness. He cooked by himself for the family and took a walk with his wife every day. Nonetheless, his wife still did not manage to conquer the illness and passed away after three months. After that, he often sighed miserably that due to his past busy life, he had missed a lot of beautiful time with his wife. But now, it is impossible to make up for it. It is no use crying over spilt milk. We have missed a lot of precious things in our life without knowing to cherish them. Actually, I also missed something precious before. The reason why we would have missed those precious things is less than simple: we had thought that we could still own them tomorrow. Nevertheless, tomorrow is actually by no means reliable. There was a famous Buddhist monk saying that in many people's lives, they have only done two things: _ The result is that they were always too late to cherish what they had before they lost it. We would often claim to do something when we grow up, or when we have money or when we become old, etc. However, when we reach the condition we have expected, we could no longer realize our wish, because we have lost it by then. The idea the author would like to get across to us seems that _ . A actions speak louder than words B a bad beginning makes a bad ending C the lost will never come back D each day brings its own bread Answer: C. the lost will never come back One day, Soapy Smith and I visited a shelter for badly-treated women located in a deserted section of the city. No one smiled a greeting, and they appeared uninterested in Soapy. One little girl in particular moved like a wisp in the background. The staff informed me that she had been there for over a month and had not spoken the entire time. Her mother said she had talked at one time but not in recent memory. I didn't want to imagine what could have happened to rob this little girl of the natural curiosity and enthusiasm so natural to childhood. Spreading a blanket on the floor, I sat down and put Soapy on the blanket. As the silent child circled past me, I told the group that Soapy would come to talk to them if they sat on his blanket. Several children did this, including the silent girl. She sat rigidly at the edge of the blanket, legs held stiffly out straight in front of her. She was staring hard at Soapy. It appeared that he kept making eye contact with her. She didn't reach out to him or encourage him in any way. Rather she sat tensely, just staring. Finally Soapy came to a stop about two inches from her. He quietly reached out and laid his chin on her knee. I was astonished. While a common behavior for dogs, this is not a behavior exhibited by rabbits, especially not by this rabbit. The child did not reach out to touch Soapy. Instead, she slowly leaned toward him. When her face was within inches of his, she carefully reached out and circled him with her arms. So softly that no one in the room could hear, she began to talk. Folded around the rabbit, she pillowed her head on his back and whispered to him. Soapy remained motionless. I looked up and noticed that the shelter workers had stopped talking. Every adult in the room froze in place. Time seemed to have stopped. The little girl reappeared when I was preparing to leave. She reached her hands out and looked me directly in the eye. I held Soapy out to her. She wrapped him in a big hug and pressed her face against him. Suspended from my hands as he was, I was concerned that he would begin to struggle. Instead he reached out his head again and laid it on the child's shoulder. His breathing slowed and he closed his eyes. As quickly as it happened, the little girl released her hug and stepped back. As she turned away, I thought I saw the beginnings of a faint smile. The rabbit in his cloud of soft, warm fur had touched something deep in the child -- something that had died from too much hard experience. Soapy's innocence and trust appeared to arouse those very same qualities in the little girl. It seems the language of the heart is simple after all. The author's purpose of writing the passage is to tell us _ . A a moving story about a lonely girl who hasn't talked for years B to pay more attention to those children who have been deserted by their parents C a lot of kind people around us are offering help to those in need D the heart-to-heart communication between animal and human is powerful Answer: D. the heart-to-heart communication between animal and human is powerful On the night of November 14, 1978,a six-year-old Korean boy was flying to the United States. All he knew was that he was on a plane heading for somewhere. The plane landed at Kennedy International Airport, where he was greeted by a family. This young boy was me. I have grown up in a town where there were few Asians, so I stuck out in the crowd. I made friends quickly and they treated me just like anyone else. You may ask if anyone made fun of my appearance. Well, of course, I met that' kind of person. I just shrugged it off. As an adopted child, I have something that others don't have. I have had the benefit of two families. I'm lucky to have got a chance to start a new life. But we must try never to forget our past. Someday I will go back to Korea to find out what kind of culture I left behind. There is only one thing that I regret about being adopted. When I argue with my parents and they realize they are losing the argument, they sometimes wonder what I would be doing if I were back in Korea. I don't understand this because I thought the purpose of adopting someone was to give them a better chance of growing up in a family. Some day when I am older, I want to adopt a girl and raise her the way my parents have raised me, but I would do it better, for I know what went well and what did not. We learn that when the writer was on the way to his new family, _ . A he was with his own parents B he was very happy and excited C he was about ten years old then D he didn't know he was going to be adopted Answer: D. he didn't know he was going to be adopted
All living things on the earth need other living things to live.Nothing lives alone.Most animals must live in a group,and even a plant grows close together with others of the same kind.Sometimes one living thing kills another,or one eats and the other is eaten.One kind of life eats another kind of life in order to live,and together they form a food chain .All food chains begin with the sun,and all food chain become broken up if one of them disappears. All life needs sunlight to live on.But only plants can use sunlight directly.Plants are"factories".They make food from sunlight,water and things in the soil and air. Plants feed all other living things.Animals can only use the sun's energy after it has been changed into food by plants.Some animals feed directly on plants,and others eat smaller animals.Meat-eating animals are only eating plants indirectly. What about human beings?We are members of any food chain.We eat rice,vegetables,fruits and so on.We also eat meat.But men often break up the food chain.They kill wild animals.They also make rivers,lakes and seas dirty.When these rivers,lakes and seas are polluted,the fish in them cannot be eaten.If men eat the fish,they will get strange diseases. Each form of life is linked to all others.Breaking the links puts all life in danger. From the text we can learn that the sun _ . A forms a food chain B makes animals to grow fast C is the beginning of food chains D is directly giving us different food Answer: C. is the beginning of food chains The city of Metropolis has an ordinance that makes it an offense, punishable by fine, for the owner of a dog to permit the dog to run unleashed on a public way. Smythe, a police officer, observed a small dog running loose in the street. As Smythe picked the dog up, Nelson, who was seated in her car lawfully parked at the curb, called out, "Oh, thank you, Officer, for returning Fido." Smythe asked Nelson whether the dog was hers, and when she acknowledged ownership, he asked to see her driver's license. Nelson gave her name and address, but she refused to produce a driver's license. Smythe then told her to produce her driver's license if she did not want to go to jail. Nelson responded by saying, "Isn't this ridiculous?" Smythe took her by the arm and said, "Let's go. You are under arrest." Nelson cried out that Smythe was hurting her but he refused to release her arm, and she struck him with her free hand. Smythe then dragged Nelson from her car, forced her into his squad car, and took her to the police station. The incident took place on the street in front of the apartment where Nelson and her aged father, Joplin, lived. Smythe did not know that Joplin had observed what took place from a window in the apartment. If Nelson's father, Joplin, asserts a claim against Smythe for the intentional infliction of emotional distress, will Joplin prevail? A Yes, if Smythe's acts caused Joplin severe emotional distress. B Yes, if it is found that Smythe's behavior was extreme and outrageous with respect to Nelson. C No, because Smythe did not know that Joplin was watching. D No, because Joplin was not within the zone of physical danger Answer: C. No, because Smythe did not know that Joplin was watching. "I usually put my mobile phone in my bag, and I often feel like it is ringing when there actually is no phone call. Now I always want to keep it in my hand, being afraid that I might miss important calls or messages," Miss Liu tells her doctor. Miss Gu, a news worker, has to take her mobile phone with her all the time so as not to miss any calls from her office or readers. Gradually, she started to experience a great "panic" about her mobile phone. "Every night when I'm about to fall asleep, I often wake up with a start, feeling that my phone is ringing. Although I'm sure that I have turned it off, I still feel that it is ringing, clearly." The above phenomenon is what we call "mobile-phone acouasm ". The mobile phone has now become a "new organ" in a white collar's daily life, and "mobile-phone acouasm" has become a common phenomenon among office workers. According to a report of China Youth Daily, "mobile-phone acouasm " most likely results from people's dependency on hi-tech products. It is associated with certain professions, such as salesmen, consultants and journalists. They use mobile phones almost continuously. Constantly being in the "stand-by" mode, the strong psychological tension gives them acouasm. Meanwhile, a large number of this year's graduates are joining the family of acouasm suffers due to the hard job-hunting experience. "You know that the rings are not from your phone, but you always take it out and have a look. This is subconscious from your body sending you a signal, telling you that you must take a break to reduce your pressure," Professor Sun Li from Huadong Normal University explains. There are many ways to solve the problem. The professor says that the key is to deal with pressure from work. "This is just a kind of self-protection"; the most important thing is to find out the source of your pressure. And then take part in some activities that are not related to your work. You can do anything that can relax your body and mind. What kind of people are more likely to suffer from "mobile-phone acouasm" ? A Those who use mobile phones too often. B Those who like mobile phones very much. C Those who lead a busy life. D Those who lead a free life. Answer: A. Those who use mobile phones too often. About the year 1900, a dark-haired boy named Charlie Chaplin was often seen waiting outside the back entrances of London theatres. He looked thin and hurry. He was hoping to get work in show business. He could sing and dance, and above all, he knew how to make people laugh. But he couldn't get work and therefore wandered about the city streets. Sometimes he was sent away to a home for children who had no parents. But twenty years later, this same Chaplin became the greatest, best-known, and best-loved comedian in the world. Any regular visitor to the cinema, must have seen some of Charlie Chaplin's films. People everywhere have sat and laughed at them until the tears ran down their faces. Even people who don't understand English can enjoy his films, because they are mostly silent. It isn't what he says that makes us laugh. His comedy doesn't depend upon words or language. It depends upon little actions which mean the thing to people all over the word. Acting out without words, of common human situations plays an important part in the dances and plays in many countries. It's a kind of the world language. Chaplin lived most of his life in America and died in Switzerland on Christmas Day 1977, at the age of eighty-eight. There was sadness all over the world at the news of his death. What does Chaplin comedy depend on? A words and language B music and dance C story and background D action, a kind of the world language Answer: D. action, a kind of the world language Living with physical disabilities can be challenging in all kinds of ways.But different from what most parents think, physical disabilities are no barrier to a child enjoying all the benefits that healthy exercise and outdoor play can bring.The importance of exercise has been stressed in recent years as the problems connected with being too fat and poor mental health become ever more widespread.Being physically disabled does not mean that a child cannot be affected by these problems.And being active is a natural and fun way of preventing problems like these from having a bad influence. A swimming pool is one of the best places possible for physically disabled children to enjoy themselves.With proper support,whether from parents or from correctly trained professionals,children can get great benefits from being in the pool.The water provides both support and resistance ,giving a cardiovascular workout as well as making muscles strong.Being able to feel free in a way that is not possible on land is another benefit of swimming. It is possible to play most ball games with a group of children in wheelchairs.Moving and dancing to music is a great social activity for physically disabled children as well as something parents call enjoy with children.A parent or carer can help the child move in time to music or show movements to the child.Playing a modified form of volleyball with a lowered net means that children in wheelchairs can take part and healthy people can sit on chairs to play with them. With some imagination,enjoying activities with a child who is disabled is not a problem.With access to some special equipment,children with physical disabilities do not have to be limited in how they play. What do most parents think of the children with physical disabilities? A They can't really enjoy their lives. B They can't enjoy physical activities. C They have to stay indoors to protect themselves. D They are more likely to become too fat. Answer: B. They can't enjoy physical activities.
American black bears appear in a variety of colors despite their name. In the eastern part, most of these bears have shiny black fur, but in the west they grow brown, red, or even yellow coats. To the north, the black bear is actually gray or white in color. Even in the same litter , both brown and black furred bears may be born. Black bears are the smallest of all American bears, ranging in length from five to six feet, weighing from three hundred to five hundred pounds. Their eyes and ears are small and their eyesight and hearing are not as good as their sense of smell. Like all bears, the black bear is timid and rarely dangerous, but if attacked, most can climb trees or cover ground at great speed. When angry or frightened, they are formidable _ . Black bears feed on leaves, roots, fruit, insects, fish, and even larger animals. One of the most interesting characteristics of bears, including the black bear, is their winter sleep. Unlike squirrels and many other woodland animals, bears do not actually sleep through the winter months. Although the bear does not eat during the winter months, sustaining itself from body fat, its temperature remains almost normal, and it breathes regularly four or five times per minute. Most black bears live alone, except during the mating season. They prefer to live in caves. Baby black bears are born in January or February after a gestation period of six to nine months, and they stay with their mother until they are fully grown or about one and a half years old. Black bears can live as long as thirty years in the wild, and even longer in some nature reserves. Which of the following statements is RIGHT? A. Black bears sleep through the winter months. B. Black bears can live up to 30 years old. C. Black bears are the smallest bears in the world. D. Most black bears live in a group. Answer: B. Black bears can live up to 30 years old. If you were to miss winter how many seasons would you have to wait till you saw it again A. 4 B. 36 C. 12 D. 1 Answer: A. 4 Women turn to online shopping Women have jumped ahead of men for the first time in using the Internet to do their holiday shopping, according to a study published last week in the US. For years men have been more likely to shop on the Internet than women, but during the 2004 holiday season, 58 percent of those making online purchases were women. "It shows how mainstream the Internet is becoming," said Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Internet and American Life Project group, which carried out the study. Rainie said it was only a matter of time before women shoppers caught up with men. This is because women traditionally make decisions about spending. Users were more likely to shop online to save time. Internet users between the ages 18 and 29 were responsible for some of the most dramatic increase in the online gift-buying population this time around. However, three- quarters of the US Internet users did not buy holiday gifts online in 2004. They worried about credit card security, or just compared online prices with off-line prices, then dashed off to the shops to get the best deals. " But even if shoppers don't buy online , websites are becoming promotion tools for stores," said Dan Hess, vice president of ComScore Networks Inc. Hess said that actually most stores' websites can make customers fully believe the security of their credit card numbers. And most are able to ensure that gifts arrive on time. " It's all about making the shopping experience more efficient, more reliable and more comfortable." Hess said. According to Dan Hess, shopping online _ . A. is unsafe B. is convenient C. is a waste of money D. is cheaper Answer: B. is convenient Ever since farmers began to grow grain, they have had to protect their crops from birds. In the 1300's, English farmers hired children to protect their crops. They were called "bird scares". The children chased birds and threw stones at them. Bird scares were replaced in the 1800's by scarecrows. A scarecrow is anything that is set in a field to scare birds away. Often it is a pole dressed like a person. Some farms with small fields still use scarecrows today. Farming became big business in the twentieth century. Scarecrows could no longer protect the huge fields of grain, so farmers used poisonous chemicals on the fields. The poison made the grain bitter. The birds usually would not eat the bitter grain. Although they can prevent crops from being destroyed by insects and birds, some chemicals can be harmful to humans. Therefore, farmers are using fewer chemicals now than they did twenty years ago. Perhaps scarecrows may be seen more often in the fields in the future. English farmers began to hire children to get away birds since _ . A. the twelfth century B. the fifteenth century C. the sixteenth century D. the fourteenth century Answer: D. the fourteenth century Maria is the owner and possessor of Goodacre, on which there is a lumberyard. Maria conveyed to Reliable Electric Company the right to construct and use an overhead electric line across Goodacre to serve other properties. The conveyance was in writing, but the writing made no provision concerning the responsibility for repair or maintenance of the line. Reliable installed the poles and erected the electric line in a proper and workmanlike manner. Neither Maria nor Reliable took any steps toward the maintenance or repair of the line after it was built. Neither party complained to the other about any failure to repair. Because of the failure to repair or properly maintain the line, it fell to the ground during a storm. In doing so, it caused a fire in the lumberyard and did considerable damage. Maria sued Reliable Electric Company to recover for damages to the lumberyard. The decision should be for A. Maria, because the owner of an easement has a duty to so maintain the easement as to avoid unreasonable interference with the use of the servient tenement by its lawful possessor. B. Maria, because the owner of an easement is absolutely liable for any damage caused to the servient tenement by the exercise of the easement. C. Reliable Electric Company, because the possessor of the servient tenement has a duty to give the easement holder notice of defective conditions. D. Reliable Electric Company, because an easement holder's right to repair is a right for his own benefit, and is therefore inconsistent with any duty to repair for the benefit of another Answer: A. Maria, because the owner of an easement has a duty to so maintain the easement as to avoid unreasonable interference with the use of the servient tenement by its lawful possessor.
Question: Once Effendi had a joke with the Prime Minister . He said that the Minister would die the next day. The next day, the Minister fell to the ground from the horse and really died. When the king learned this, he got angry and sent his men to catch Effendi at once. When Effendi was brought to him, the king shouted angrily, "Effendi, since you knew when my Minister would die, you must know the date of your own death. Say it out, or you'll die today." Effendi looked at the king for a while. Then he answered, "But how can I know? I'll die two days earlier than you." The king was afraid that if he killed Effendi, he himself would die after that. He thought he must keep Effendi alive as long as possible, so he let Effendi go. The Prime Minister died because _ . A. Effendi killed him B. Effendi said he would die C. He was badly ill D. He fell off the horse Answer: D Question: There are many types of reports. A report is simply an account of something that has happened. The commonest are new reports. We get them in newspapers, over the radio and on television. Sometimes cinemas also show us newsreels . The main purpose of a newspaper is to provide news. If you examine a newspaper closely, you will find that there are all types of news: accidents, floods, fires, wars, fashions, sports, books, etc. The news covers everything that happens to people and their surroundings. Sometimes there are news items which are very amusing. A news report is usually very short, except when it is about something very important, but it contains a lot of information. It is also written in short paragraphs. The first paragraph is, in fact, a summary of the news item. It gives all the necessary information--what, when, where, how and why. The other paragraphs give full details of the subject. There may also be interviews with people. The words actually spoken by them are within inverted commas . Often there are photographs with the news to make it more interesting. We can learn from this passage that news reports _ . A. are never amusing B. are always written in short paragraphs C. are always written in the first paragraph D. give details of events in the first paragraph Answer: B Question: The best UK cottages for Christmas and New Year _ It's a solid little Victorian gatehouse outside Ballycastle. It has an association with Irish nationalist Roger Casement. Close to the Causeway Coast, the closest beach is five minutes' drive away. It is a good choice for those who want to avoid stairs, since all the main rooms are on the ground floor. Sleeps 2 adults + 2 children, PS730 a week at Christmas or New Year (three nights from PS389), 353 1 670 4733, irishlandmark.com _ It is located in a peaceful island, where a priory was built 1,400 years ago. Guests at Coastguard's Cottage, the latest addition to English Heritage's portfolio of holiday houses, can explore the priory ruins. The attractive whitewashed house is decorated with calming tones and contemporary furnishings and has views of Lindisfarne Castle. Sleeps 6, PS1,600 a week from 19 Dec, 0370 333 1187, english-heritage.org.uk _ It sits on a 350-acre private nature reserve. Surrounded by woodlands, wetlands and wild meadows, it's a heaven for wildlife. You might meet a few animals on a walk around the reserve. Built by local craftsmen using natural materials, it is a light-filled living space with huge windows, a woodburner and other essential for winter evenings -- a home cinema system. Sleeps 6, PS1,430 a week from 29 Dec, 01580 720770 kentandSussexcottages.co.uk _ In snowy winter, the quiet 16th-century cottage near Stowmarket is like a perfect picture on Christmas cards. The inside is also appealing, with a big farmhouse kitchen, antique furniture, comfortable carpets and an impressive fireplace. A good selection of films, music and books are provided. Approached via a single track lane, the cottage sits in three acres of wild meadow, surrounded by plenty of farmland. Sleeps 5, PS1,003 a week from 30 Dec (three nights PS725), 01787 211115, grove-cottages.co.uk Which cottage will you be advised to book if you are a zoologist? A. Victorian gatehouse, County Antrim. B. Lindisfarne retreat, Northumberland. C. Wildlife sanctuary, East Sussex. D. Farmhouse kitchen, Suffolk. Answer: C Question: Today, the paintings by Vincent van Gogh are world-famous and worth many millions of dollars but while he was alive, Vincent van Gogh sold only one painting. He was a lonely, unhappy man who suffered from mental illness, and he died at the early age of 37. Vincent van Gogh was born in Holland in 1853. His first connection with paintings came in 1869, when he got a job in the Goupil Gallery. He worked for this art dealer in London and Paris for four years before he became a teacher in England for a short time. He moved back to France in 1877 and soon began to paint. Vincent van Gogh was influenced by the famous artists that he met in Paris, where he returned to live in 1886. He did not stay long in the French capital. He was attracted by the vivid color1s of the countryside and, in 1888, he moved to Aries, a small town in the south of France. There, he painted his most famous paintings, using strong brush strokes and bright color1s. Vincent van Gogh mainly painted landscapes, but he also produced portraits of local people, such as the doctor and the postman. It was around this time that Vincent van Gogh began to show signs of mental illness. In 1889, following an argument with another artist, he cut off his own ear. For a time, he lived in a mental hospital in Saint Remy. In 1890, Vincent van Gogh moved to a town called Auvers. For two months, he painted feverishly . Then, one day, he went into the fields with a revolver and shot himself. He died from his wounds the next day. Living in Paris helped Vincent van Gogh to be a better artist because . A. he got well again after being ill B. he began to make money there C. he met some famous artists there D. he found many beautiful scenes there Answer: C Question: "I Went Skydiving at 84!" As a young girl growing up in the 1930s, I always wanted to fly a plane, but back then it was almost unheard of for a woman to do that. I got a taste of that dream in 2001,when my husband arranged for me to ride in a hot air balloon for my birthday. But the experience turned out to be very dull. Around that time, I told my husband that I wanted to skydive. So when our retirement community announced that they were having an essay competition and the topic was an experience of a lifetime that you wanted to have, I decided to write about my dream. In the essay, I wrote about my desire to skydive, stating George Brush Sr. did it at age 80. Why not me? I was just 84 and in pretty good health. A year went by and I heard nothing. But then at a community party in late April 2009, they announced that I was one of the winners. I just couldn't believe it. Inspired by this, I decided to realize my dream, even though some of my family members and my doctor were against it. On June 11, 2009, nearly 40 of my family and friends gathered in the area close to where I would land while I headed up in the airplane. My _ , Jay, guided me through the experience. The plane was the noisiest one I had ever been in, but I wasn't frightened--I was really just looking forward to the experience. When we reached 13,000 feet, Jay instructed me to throw myself out of the plane. When we first hit the air, the wind was so strong that I could hardly breathe. For a second I thought, "What have I gotten myself into?" But then everything got calmer. We were in a free fall for about a minute before Jay opened the parachute , then we just floated downward for about five minutes. Being up in the clouds and looking at the view below was unlike anything I have ever felt--much better than the hot air balloon. I was just enjoying it. Skydiving was really one of the greatest experiences of my life. I hope other people will look at me and realize that you don't stop living just because you are 84 years old. If there's something you want to experience, look into it. If it's something that is possible, make it happen. The author mentioned George Bush Sr. in her essay to _ . A. build up her own reputation B. show her admiration for him C. compare their health condition D. make her argument persuasive Answer: D
Allen Iverson, the 31-year-old man, has become the most exciting player in the NBA. At 1.83 meters tall, he is as fast as lightening and no one can stop him. However, Allen used to be the trouble maker that the NBA did not want. Born to a single mother, Allen had a very hard childhood. He grew up on dangerous blocks in the US. Sometimes his house had no electricity, hot water or lights. He sometimes stayed with his friends in his teenage life and a couple of times he even stayed in a shelter . Because of his terrible childhood, Iverson became as tough as his friends . Allen was always a trouble maker. When he was in high school, he was once put in jail for throwing a chair to a white girl. Later on, he was put in jail a second time because of fast driving. When he was on the school basketball team, he didn't like practicing and even laughed at his coach. Because of the troubles he had made, the NBA at first didn't want him. He was a talented basketball player but with bad behavior. Allen realized that he wouldn't win any championship or be the top if he didn't change himself. He looked at himself in the mirror and asked, "Who is Allen Iverson?" In this way he changed himself. Over the years, he has changed and become a leader. "If you're getting older and not getting smarter, something is wrong," said Iverson. On November 6, he was named the Eastern Conference Players of the Week . Now he has become many people's idol. "I've become matured ," he said. " _ " According to the passage, why did Allen become a tough boy? Answer: We know good manners are important. Today I am going to tell you something about manners in different countries. I think you already know that people in different countries usually have different ways of doing things. Something that is rude in one country may be quite polite in another. For example, in Britain you mustn't lift your bowl to your mouth when you are having liquid food. That is considered bad manners in Britain. But in Japan you needn't worry about making a noise when you drink something. It shows that you are enjoying it. In Britain we try not to put our hands on the table at all during a meal. In Mexico, however, guests are expected to keep their hands on the table _ a meal. In Arabic countries we must be careful with our hands. You see, in Arabic countries you mustn't eat with your left hand. This is considered to be very impolite. So, what should you do if you visit a foreign country? Well, you needn't worry. You can ask the native people there to help you and you can just watch carefully and try to do what they do. Which of the following is true? Answer: "A photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically with a smart phone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website" is the definition of "selfie" in the Oxford English Dictionary. In fact, it wasn't even in the dictionary until August of last year. It earned its place there because people are now so obsessed with (......) selfies - we take them when we try on a new hat, play with our pets or when we meet a friend whom we haven't seen in a while. But is there any scientific explanation for this obsession? Well, you should probably ask James Kilner, a neuroscientist at University College London. Through our lifetime we become experts at recognizing and interpreting other people's faces and facial expressions. In contrast, according to Kilner, we have a very poor understanding of our own faces since we have little experience of looking at them - we just feel them most of the time. This has been proved in previous studies, according to the BBC. Kilner found that most people chose the more attractive picture. This suggests that we tend to think of ourselves as better-looking than we actually are. To further test how we actually _ our own faces, Kilner carried out another study. He showed people different versions of their own portrait - the original, one that had been edited to look less attractive and one that was made more attractive - and asked them to pick the version which they thought looked most like them. They chose the more attractive version. But what does it say about selfies? Well, isn't that obvious? Selfies give us the power to create a photograph - by taking it from various angles, with different poses, using filters and so on - that better matches our expectations with our actual faces. "You suddenly have control in a way that you don't have in non-virtual interactions," Kilner told the Canada-based CTV News. Selfies allow you "to keep taking pictures until you manage to take one you're happy with", he explained. According to Kilner, people like taking selfies probably because they think _ . Answer: If you are sitting at a table with people you don't know, it is impolite to smoke without first asking if it will disturb them. At American restaurants and coffee shops, cold water is usually served before you order. You may find the bread and the butter are free, and if you order coffee, you may get a free refill. Most cities and towns have no rules about opening and closing time for stores and restaurants, though they usually do make rules for bars. Especially in big cities, stores may be open 24 hours a day. Serving in restaurants are often large. If you can't finish the meal but would like to enjoy the food later, ask the waiter or the waitress for a "doggie bag" . It may have a picture of a dog on it, but everybody knows you are taking the food for yourself. Tips are not usually added to check. You should leave a tip of about 15% on the table when you leave. In some restaurants, a waiter or waitress often brings your check on a plate, and you can put your money there. Then the waiter or the waitress brings you your changes. If you spend $120 for your meal, you'll probably leave a tip of _ . Answer: Liu Xu is a student from a middle school in Guangxi. Once he was riding home when a robber suddenly jumped out from the roadside. He pulled Liu Xu off his bike and rode away. Liu Xu was scared, but he didn't run after the robber. He found a telephone and called the police at 110. "Safety is the first important in such a situation," Liu said, remembering what his teacher had told him in his first aid class. "It is not safe to run after an adult who is stronger than you." Liu's school has compulsory first aid education. Students must take the class once a week. Teenage safety has become a serious issue recently. According to a survey, about 16,000 teenagers die in accidents in China every year. At Liu's school the first aid classes are to "teach students skills how to protect and save themselves in emergencies ". Students there often learn by role-playing in first aid classes. For example, one student performed as a stranger knocking at a door. Another one stood inside the door and asked several questions before letting the "stranger" in. Then they changed roles and did it again. They learned a lot while having fun at role-playing. The topics of the first aid classes are regularly updated . The students have learned skills for surviving in earthquakes. The teacher also taught the students not to go out at night. If someone tried to do bad things to them, they should quickly run into crowed place. Students in Liu's school must have compulsory first aid class _ . Answer:
Since the Internet came into homes, the daily life has never been the same again. But the thing that worries most of us is that we can get viruses from the Internet. But can we catch viruses on our cell phones? A new study in the journal Science says yes, but the spread of such mobile software that can bring harm to our cell phones won't reach dangerous levels until more cell phones are on the same operating system. Computers are easily attacked by viruses because they share data, especially over the Internet. Of course, nowadays, more people are using their cell phones more and more frequently. They use them for emailing, text messaging and downloading troublesome ring tones, etc.,so it is obvious that cell phone viruses are a threat as well. Scientists used nameless call data from more than six million cell phone users to help model a possible outbreak. And they concluded that viruses that spread from phone to phone by Bluetooth are not much concerned, because users have to be in close physical relation for their phones to "see" one another. However, viruses that spread through multimedia messaging services can move much faster, because they can come in disguise , such as a cool tune sent by a friend. The good news is that to be effective, these viruses need their victims to all use the same operating system, which not enough of us do. Because there is no Microsoft operating system for mobile phones, yet. Thank goodness. We can learn from the passage that _ . Answer: more than one operating system is used for cell phones now When we talk about intelligence, we do not mean the ability to get good scores on certain kinds of tests or even the ability to do well in school subjects. By intelligence we mean a way of living and behaving, especially in a new or upsetting situation. If we want to test intelligence, we need to find out how a person acts instead of how much he knows what to do. For instance, when in a new situation, an intelligent person thinks about the situation, not about himself or what might happen to him. He tries to find out all he can, and then he acts immediately and tries to do something about it. He probably isn't sure how it will all work out, but at least he tries. And if he cannot make things work out right, he doesn't feel ashamed that he failed; he just tries to learn from his mistakes. An intelligent person, even if he is very young, has a special outlook on life, a special feeling about life, and how he fits into it. If you look at children, you'll see a great difference in what we call "bright" children and "not bright" children. They are actually two different kinds of people, not just the same kind with different amounts of intelligence. For example, the bright child really wants to find out about life, and he tries to get in touch with everything around him. But the unintelligent child keeps more to himself and his own dream world; he seems to have a walk between him and life in general. The difference between bright children and non-bright children lies in _ . Answer: their attitude towards life It is estimated that some seven hundred million people, about half the world's adult population, are unable to read or write, and there are probably two hundred and fifty million more whose level is so slight that it is hardly called literacy . Recently the attack on illiteracy had been stepped up. A world plan has been drawn up by a committee of UNESCO experts in Paris, as part of the United Nations Development Decade ,and an international conference of the subject has also been held. UNESCO stresses that functional literacy is the aim. People must learn the basic skills of responsible citizenship, the ability of reading notices, newspapers, timetables, letters, price-lists to keep simple records and accounts, to select the importance of the information gathered, and to fill in the forms. The major areas of illiteracy are in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. In Africa there are at least one hundred million illiterate people, which is eighty to eighty-five percent of the total population. In Europe the figure is about twenty-four million; most of them are in Sothern Europe, with Spain, Italy, Portugal, Yugoslavia heading the list (the United Kingdom has about seven hundred thousand). UNESGO is eager for each country in the world, poor or rich, to wipe out illiteracy. The author implies that this world plan is to _ . Answer: be realized in the years MADRID (Reuters)--Spain' s parliament voiced its support on Wednesday for the rights of great apes to life and freedom. Parliament's environmental committee approved resolution urging Spain to carry out the Great Ape Project (GAP), designed by scientists and philosophers who say our closest genetic s deserve rights limited to humans. "This is a historic day in the struggle for animal rights and in defense of our evolutionary comrades, which will doubtless go down in the history of humanity," said Pedro Poza, Spanish director of the Great Ape Project. The new resolution has cross-party support and it is thought they will become law within a year, making Spain the first nation to extend legal rights to apes. Under the new law, potential experiments on apes in Spain will be forbidden. "We have no knowledge of great apes being used in experiments in Spain, but there is currently no law preventing that from happening," Poza said. Keeping apes for circuses, television commercials or filming will also be forbidden.Housing apes in Spanish zoos, of which there are currently 315, will remain legal, but supporters of _ have said the conditions in which most of them live will need to improve vastly. Philosophers Peter Singer and Paola Cavalieri founded the Great Ape Project in 1993, arguing that "non-human hominids " should enjoy the rights to life and freedom and not to be mistreated. Which of the following expresses the main idea of the text? Answer: The Great Apes Project did a good job. If you need glasses to read this, you are among the majority of Chinese students. That's because most students in China are short-sighted which means they can only see things close up and distant things will be _ . Four-fifths of high school students wear glasses and now more and more children in primary school need glasses, too. This epidemic of poor eyesight has two very simple causes: too much time spent indoors studying and too little time spent outdoors playing. Reading and writing for hours and hours, sometimes in poorly lighted rooms, causes eyesight to weaken. But students have to do this because there is so much pressure on them to succeed in school. And because they spend so much time indoors at school and at home, they have less time to spend outdoors enjoying the sun. The sun, as a consequence, is important in developing good eyesight. Exposure to daylight releases a chemical in the eyes that prevents, or at least delays, short-sightedness. According to a study by Ian Morgan of Australian National University, Australian children and Chinese children have the same level of eyesight before they start school, but once they enter primary school, Chinese children only spend about an hour a day outside, while Australian children spend three to four hours each day in the sunshine. The result is that while about 40 percent of Chinese primary school students need glasses, only three percent of Australian children do. Wearing glasses may not seem like a big deal. For some, wearing glasses can even be an opportunity to make a fashion statement. But poor eyesight at a young age can have serious long term consequences. As you get older, your eyesight can worsen and lead to things like macular degeneration , a condition of the eyes for which there is no cure and which can eventually lead to blindness. With all that in mind, don't you think it's time to give your eyes a break? Try spending a little less time inside and go for a walk in the park, instead. It's the healthy thing to do and your eyes will thank you for it. How should the students protect their eyesight according to the passage? Answer: They should stay longer outdoors.
It is the last day of June today. It is grandma's birthday. Father, mother and I go to see her. My grandma lives with my uncle in a village not too far away. Uncle works there. Early in the morning we buy a birthday cake and some fruit and go to her home by bus. Grandma and uncle are very glad to see us. We give the present to grandma and say, "Happy birthday to you!" She is very happy. Then we sit down to talk. Uncle goes to prepare lunch. The meal is very nice. We all enjoy it very much. At 4 o'clock, we say goodbye and go back home. Grandma lives _ . . Answer: with my uncle It was the first day of second grade, and Sarah had been looking forward to this moment. The night before, she laid out her favorite clothes: a white coat and a bright yellow shirt. When having breakfast, Sarah dropped some food on her shirt, so she had to change into her second-best clothes, blue jeans and a Jonas Brothers T-shirt. After breakfast Sarah rushed to catch the school bus and when she was just reaching the door the bus driver opened it. The door hit right in Sarah's face and blood dripped from her nose. The driver wanted to send her home, but she refused, "It is the most important day of the year! I can't miss it!" Before classes, Sarah went to her favorite swing. When rising high, she saw her best friend little Jack. She let go of the swing and waved to him with one hand. Unfortunately, she flew out of the swing and landed hard on the sand, breaking a leg and an arm. As she lay in the sand, she noticed a shiny thing on the ground beside her. With her good hand she took it. When Sarah' mother rushed into the ward she was surprised by what she saw: her girl was lying in bed with an arm and a leg in the splint , a broken nose, and blood stains on her second-best clothes. Expecting to see her child crying, she was confused when she saw a big, bright smile on Sarah's face. "Sarah, look at you!" her mother cried. "You were hurt so badly and why are you smiling?" "Look, Mommy, I found a diamond!" Sarah laughed. Life can be like that. It can be tough, even painful sometimes. But there are always treasures that make the pain worth suffering. Which of the following can be used to describe Sarah's story? Answer: Every cloud has a silver lining. Who won China's first gold medal at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics? It was Li Jianrou. The 27-year-old finished first in the women's 500m short track speed skating on Feb 13. The race was full of drama. Three athletes fell over because of an accident caused by Elise Christie of Britain in the second turn and Li became the surprise winner. Three-time defending champion Wang Meng of China missed the Olympics after breaking her ankle last month. Li had little experience in the race, where getting off to a quick Start is important. But she kept her cool while everyone else was falling around her. "I feel very lucky," Li said through a translator. She and one of her coaches cried tears of joy after China joined South Korea as the only countries to win the same short track event four Olympics in a row. The Koreans won the 3,000 relay in 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006. "I cried because I was so excited," Li said. "My coach told me this medal is for Wang Meng as well, so I felt very moved." Li's victory made up for the surprising fall of teammate Fan Kexin in the semifinals. In the semis, Fan didn't even complete the first lap of the race, catching her left blade as she skated near the front. She crashed on all fours into the crew of workers who maintain the ice between races. They climbed onto the top of the pads to avoid being injured by Fan's long, sharp blades. Arianna Fontana of Italy took the silver and Park Seung-hi of South Korea earned the bronze. Who made a mistake causing three athletes to fall over in the final? Answer: Elise Christie Where is the smallest negatively-charged particle found in an atom? Answer: orbits around the nucleus A scientist combines oxygen and hydrogen to form water. This combination illustrates that water is Answer: a compound.
Is getting a black belt on your life's to-do list? Then this elderly woman in San Francisco just might be your hero. Just two years before her 100th birthday, Sensei Keiko Fukuda has become the first woman to achieve a tenth-degree black belt --- the highest rank in Judo . Fukuda is now one of only four living people who have earned the tenth-degree black belt. Throughout history, only 16 people have ever achieved this honor. Fukuda began practicing Judo in 1935 and is the only surviving student of its founder, Kano Jiguro. At her teacher's requirement, she learned English to help spread Judo internationally. During a time when getting married, building a family and becoming a housewife were the norms ,Fukuda broke from tradition, continuing Judo instead of getting married. "All I did was Judo ... This was my marriage," Fukuda replied tearfully to the San Francisco Chronicle. "This is when my destiny was set. I just imagined how long the road would be." She described the Jiguro's school as "old-fashioned and sexist about belts and ranks". In fact, an edict that prevented women from achieving any higher than a fifth-degree black belt kept Fukuda at that level for 30 years. She finally got the sixth degree in 1972 when a women's division was created. Fukuda thinks Judo and her life to be "gentle, kind and beautiful, yet firm and strong, both mentally and physically". Fukuda says this kind of beauty is not external . She explained. "I believe this inner beauty is true beauty... All my life this has been my dream." Her dream was turned into reality, and the 98-year-old Sensei Keiko Fukuda continues to teach Judo three times a week at a women's Judo training center. Why did Fukuda pursue Judo all her life? Answer: To look for inner beauty. A few days ago,I went to school with lots of books,hoping to get a locker .Suddenly,it started raining heavily. I hurried to pay for my locker,but I was disappointed when they informed me they only accepted cash. I was $7.00 short,which meant I had to carry the books back home. It would be an exhausting twohour journey back home with all those books. An elderly gentleman nearby noticed my problem. He asked how much cash I needed. When I told him I was $7 short,he quickly took out the money from his wallet. "You don't have to pay me back,"he said. I was speechless;I didn't know whether to take the money or come back with the books the next day. A young student who was working there noticed my hesitation. "He's really nice," said the student. "I was starving this morning and he bought breakfast for me. He always helps people in different ways." The next day,I went to him and thanked him for trusting me and lending me the money. He said he forgot about it and didn't expect I would give it back. "I'm very happy,"he said,"not because I'm getting my money back,but because this is the right way to go--whatever you get from this world,give it back as much as you possibly can. Spread kindness around the world with the smallest things you can do." Later,I found out he wasn't involved with any charity organizations. He has been performing these types of acts for years. Earlier,someone had done something incredibly kind for him and he has been spreading the kindness ever since. He taught me a very important lesson in life--we come to this world with nothing and we will leave with nothing. Whatever we own,it will become somebody else's and whatever we leave,it will become somebody else's. When the old gentleman offered the money,the writer was _ . Answer: hesitant A patient on the brink of death has received the world's first self--contained artificial heart--a battery--powered device about the size of a softball that runs without the need for wires,tubes sticking out of the chest.It is powered by a small battery pack worn outside the body that transmits current through the skin. Two surgeons from the University of Louisville implanted the titanium and plastic pump during a seven-hour operation at Jewish Hospital Monday.The hospital said the patient was''awake and responsive''Tuesday and resting comibrtably.It refused to eve personal details. The patient had been expected to die within a month without the operation, and doctors said they expected the artificial heart to extend the person's life by only a month.But the device is considered a major step toward inlproving the patient's quality of life. The new pump,called AbioCor,is also a technological leap from the mechanical hearts used in the l980s, which were attached by wires and tubes to large machinery outside the body.The most famous of those, the Jarvic-7,used air as a pumping device and was attached to an apparatus about the size of a washing machine. ''I think it's potentially a major step forward in the artificial heart development,''said Dr.David Faxon,president of the American heart Association.However,he said the dream of an implantable,permanent artificial heart is not yet a reality:''This is obviously an experimental device whose long--term success has to be demonstrated."Only about half of the 4,200 Americans on a waiting list for donor hearts received them last year,and most of the rest died. Some doctors,including Robert Higgins,chairman of cardiology at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond,said artificial hearts are unlikely to replace donor hearts."A donor heart in a good transplant can last l5 to 30 years.''he said.''It's going be hard replace that with a machine.'' What can we learn about the Jarvic-7? Answer: It could be used most widely in the l 980s. FreeRice.comis a non-profit website run by the United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP). It aims to provide education to everyone for free and help end world hunger. Join us and have fun with our vocabulary game. For each vocabulary word you get right, we donate free rice through UNWFP to those hungry people. How do you play the vocabulary game? Click on the answer that is closest in meaning to the word. If you get it right, you get a harder word. If wrong, you get an easier word. For each word you get right, we donate 20 grains of rice to UNWFP. How does the vocabulary game help you? This game may make you smarter. While learning new vocabulary, it can help you: Present your ideas better Write better papers, e-mails and business letters Speak more accurately and influentially Read faster because you understand better Get better grades in high school and college Perform better at job interviews Be more effective and successful at your job After you have done FreeRice for a couple of days, you may notice a phenomenon. Words that you have never consciously used before will begin to pop into your head while you are speaking or writing. You will feel yourself using and knowing more words. How does the FreeRice vocabulary program work? FreeRice has a database containing thousands of words at different levels of difficulty. There are words proper for people just learning English and words that will challenge the most learned professors. In between are thousands of words for students, business people, doctors, truck drivers... everyone! FreeRice adjusts to your level of vocabulary. It starts by giving you words at different levels of difficulty and then, based on how you do, designs a proper starting level for you. When you get a word wrong, you go to an easier level. When you get three words in a row right, you go to a harder level. There are 60 levels in all, but it is rare for people to get above Level 50. Sign up now and you will have fun as well as help end world hunger. According to the passage, the purpose of the vocabulary game is to _ . Answer: combine English learning with helping hungry people Everyone has worries. How do you deal with your worries? There is always something you can do to help yourself feel less worried. Sitting there worrying is no fun and it won't solve your problems. Grades at school are often a top worry for kids, If you worry most about grades, ask yourself these questions: * Why are grades important? What do grades mean to me? * How do I get ready for class? Do I go over my notes even when there isn't a test? * Do I have a good place to do my homework? * Have I tried different ways of studying? If your worry is about a fight you had with your friend, you might write down ail the things you could do-write a note to him or her, invite him or her to watch a basketball game, say sorry to him or her and so on. Once you have a list of things you could do, you can choose one thing that could get your friend back. You can ask for help when you're worried. You can find someone to talk to, such as your parents, friends, and teachers, What does the passage mainly tell us? Answer: How to deal with worries,
Question: When I was 16 years old, a boy gave me an important gift. It was a smile. It was the early autumn of my first year at a junior high school, and my old school was far away. As a result, no one knew who I was. I was very lonely, and afraid to make friends with anyone. Every time I heard the other students talking and laughing, I felt my heart break. I couldn't talk about anyone with my problems. And I didn't want my parents to worry about me. Then one day, my classmates talked happily with their friends, but I sat at my desk unhappily as usual. At that moment, a boy entered the classroom. I didn't know who he was. He passed me and then turned back. He looked at me, without a word, a smile. Suddenly, I felt the touch of something bright and friendly. It made me feel happy, lively and warm. That smile changed my life. I started to talk with other students and made friends. Day by day, I became closer to everyone in my class. The boy with the lucky smile has become my best friend now. One day I asked him why he smiled, but he couldn't remember smiling at me!It doesn't matter because all the dark days have gone. I believe that the world is what you think it is. If you think it lonely, you might always be alone. So smile at world and it will smile back. How did the smile change her life? A. She started to make friends. B. She became the best friend with the boy. C. Her parents didn't worry about her any more. D. She realized that she was lonely. Answer: A. She started to make friends. Question: The most frightening words in the English language are, "Our computer is down." You hear it more and more when you are on business. The other day I was at the airport waiting for a ticket to Washington and the girl in the ticket office said, "I'm sorry, I can't sell you a ticket. Our computer is down." "If your computer is down, just write me out a ticket." "I can't write you out a ticket. The computer is the only one allowed to do so." I looked down on the computer and every passenger was just standing there drinking coffee and staring at the black screen. Then I asked her, "What do all you people do?" "We give the computer the information about your trip, and then it tells us whether you can fly with us or not." "So when it goes down, you go down with it." "That's good, sir." "How long will the computer be down?" I wanted to know. "I have no idea. Sometimes it's down for 10 minutes, sometimes for two hours. There's no way we can find out without asking the computer, and since it's down it won't answer us." After the girl told me they had no backup computer, I said. "Let's forget the computer. What about your planes? They're still flying, aren't they?" "I couldn't tell without asking the computer." "Maybe I could just go to the gate and ask the pilot if he's flying to Washington, " I suggested. "I wouldn't know what gate to send you to. Even if the pilot was going to Washington, he couldn't take you if you didn't have a ticket." "Is there any other airline flying to Washington within the next few hours?" "I wouldn't know, " she said, pointing at the dark screen. "Only 'IT' knows. 'It' can't tell me." By this time there were quite a few people standing in lines. The word soon spread to other travelers that the computer was down. Some people went white, some people started to cry and still others kicked their luggage. Why do you think they had not a backup computer? A. Because it was easy down B. Because it was very expensive. C. Because it was not advanced enough. D. Because it was not as big as the main computer. Answer: B. Because it was very expensive. Question: I was an introvert by nature. For as long as I remember, showing a sincere smile when meeting someone had never been easy. When meeting people, instead of being excited, I often felt upset or self-disturbed. But we all know having friends is important. The more friends you have, the more opportunities you get, no matter whether it's a job opportunity, a romantic relationship, or a business partner. So a smile is important to making others feel comfortable. Mother Teresa said, "Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person and a beautiful thing." The smile I'm talking about is not to make a face to someone. I'm talking about those wide smiles you make when meeting old friends. So I've discovered a trick. I call this technique "Oh, it's Jamie!" When I meet someone, I imagine him as an old friend of mine called Jamie. He was my first friend when we were still kids. It's no secret why my smile is as wide as I can possibly make. And the best part, whenever you're friendly to others, they are friendly in return. You're not hearing this from me. A research which was done early by scientists actually backs this claim. So do remember to give it a try. From the text, we can learn that a few years ago the author _ . A. was an easy-going young man B. was really hard to deal with C. was always ready to be alone D. liked making a lot of friends Answer: C. was always ready to be alone Question: Any passenger on the subway who caught a glimpse of me may have already thought that I was strange. In particular this gentleman sitting opposite me was staring at me, at the cheese bun on the floor in front of me, and then back at me; "Next stop, St. Patrick Station" my stop was quickly coming up. I had minutes to either take the cheese bun, which nobody else was claiming(as a passenger probably dropped it by mistake and got off at a previous stop), or leave it there and hope that it didn't go to waste. In those few minutes I felt my pride getting in the way. "What would other people on this subway think of me if I took the Cheese bun? Would they think that I was poor and hungry? Would they think that I'm stealing?" The ignorant thing to do was say "yes" to any of those self-imposed questions, which would only justify my ego. But then I'd get off the subway, walk a block up the street to my office, get settled at my desk, and despite feeling comfortable, warm, and being well-fed myself for the whole day, there would be a weight of guilt and regret weighing on my consciousness. My thoughts were pushing me towards pride and ignorance when the truth was evident:this missing cheese bun is a gift. For a homeless person who is hungry and cold. For me to overcome a little bit of ego and pass along so much kindness. It was clear that the homeless person who would receive this cheese bun needed it just as much as I did. ks5u Just as the doors opened at my stop I grabbed the cheese bun and exited the subway. It felt awesome and I didn't care if people were looking or what they thought. Instead of going directly to my office as usual, I walked a few more blocks up to Queen's Park where I have seen a homeless man sitting outside many times on my walk from the gym to my office. I always wanted to give him something. There he was this morning, wrapped in a sleeping bag. The author grabbed the cheese bun the moment before he got off because _ . A. he thought it a waste to leave the cheese bun there B. it reminded him of a homeless man he had met recently C. nobody was noticing him as they were getting ready to get off D. he valued kindness more than his own pride after a careful thought Answer: D. he valued kindness more than his own pride after a careful thought Question: The crisis at the damaged Fukushima Dai-Ichi Nuclear Power Station in northern Japan has raised worries about radiation risks. We spoke Tuesday with Jonathan Links, an expert in radiation health sciences. He is a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Maryland. Professor Links says workers within the nuclear plant are the only people at risk of extremely high doses of radiation. JONATHAN LINKS: "Of course, we don't know what doses they've received, but the only persons at risk of acute radiation effects are the workers." For other people, he says, there may be a long-term worry. People can get cancer from low doses of ionizing radiation, the kind released in a nuclear accident. Professor Links says scientists can use computers to quickly model where radioactive material has blown and settled. Then they measure how large an area is contaminated. He says if the situation is serious enough, officials could take steps like telling people not to eat locally grown food or drink the water. JONATHAN LINKS: "But that would only be the case if there was a significant release and, because of wind direction, the radioactive material was blown over the area, and then settled out of the air into and onto water, plants, fruits and vegetables." The reactors at Fukushima are on the Pacific coast. But Professor Links says people should not worry about any radioactive material leaking into the ocean. JONATHAN LINKS: "Even in a worst-case scenario accident, the sea provides a very high degree of _ . So the concentration of radioactivity in the seawater would still be quite low." Japan is the only country to have had atomic bombs dropped on it. That memory from World War Two would create a stronger "psychological sensitivity" to radiation exposure, Professors Links says. Next month is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the explosion and fire that destroyed a reactor at Chernobyl in Ukraine. The nineteen eighty-six event was the world's worst accident in the nuclear power industry. A new United Nations report says more than six thousand cases of thyroid cancer have been found. These are in people who were children in affected areas of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. The report says that by two thousand five the cancers had resulted in fifteen deaths. The cancers were largely caused by drinking contaminated milk. The milk came from cows that ate grass where radioactive material had fallen. To get the latest updates, go to www.unsv.com. Contributing: James Brooke The passage mainly tells us _ . A. What measures the Japan Government takes to solve the nuclear crisis . B. Worries and influences caused by the nuclear crisis . C. With great efforts of scientists , the Japan Government has put the nuclear crisis under control . D. To explain that the nuclear crisis has less effect on its neighboring countries. Answer: B. Worries and influences caused by the nuclear crisis .
Dear Frank, Thank you for your email. I'm very glad you are having a good trip now. Ottawa is very beautiful in May. I hope I can have a chance to go there one day. Our summer holiday will start next month. I like my summer holiday, although it's hot at that time in America. In summer holiday, I can swim in the sea and go fishing. It's so cool. And I am going to our hometown near Chicago with my sister, Linda, and my parents agree .Our uncle lives there, so Linda and I can stay with him. We are not going to take a plane. We are going there by train. I am going to fish there. And Linda likes painting. She is going to do some painting there. I'm sure we'll have a good time. Sincerely, Jack In summer holiday, Jack is going to his hometown with _ . A. his parents B. his sister C. his uncle D. his friends Answer: B. his sister Something was crying outside. So I went out to see what was happening. A big cat sat by the door. It must run for a long time as it looked tired and dirty. I let it in my house and took out some food; this poor cat ate all, but still looked starving..., so I got my own cats' fish, and the cat ate that too! My five-year-old son and eight-year-old daughter were interested in the cat. They bathed (......) it and fed it more food. They wanted to keep it. But I didn't agree. It was not because I didn't love it. We already had 2 cats and 2 dogs and our house was not big enough to keep more. Another reason was that I thought maybe it got lost. And its owner must be worried about it. Then I posted notices all over the town in the hope of finding its home. I also bought an ad time on a radio station. Three weeks passed, but there was no response . Finally, I decided to keep the cat. Our house was small, but I would take good care of it as possible as I could. What is the passage mainly about? A. Why the writer didn't want to keep cats any more. B. How the writer found a cat and raised it. C. How the writer's family looked after a cat. D. What the writer did to find the cat's owner. Answer: B. How the writer found a cat and raised it. Long live language. That's the message Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson and city councilor Amarjeet Sohi voiced when they declared Feb. 21 to be International Mother Language Day (IMLD) in Edmonton, the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta. The pair were on hand for the International and Heriage Languages Association's (IHLA) 12th annual Mother Language Day celebrations in an effort to save endangered languages. "Keeping languages alive is important for me richness of our culture and the diversity that strengthens Edmonton," said Iveson. There are nearly 7,000 unique languages spoken worldwide, but according to data from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) half of those languages are at risk of going extinct in just a few generations. For example, there are currently over 3,000 languages spoken throughout Africa. This sounds impressive until you realize that there were over 10,000 languages spoken on the continent before colonization during the 19th century. "People who lose their language experience suffering," said Olenka Bilash, professor of second language education at the University of Alberta. Bilash likened the loss of language to the loss of cultural identity. "As a multicultural society, it is very important to continue to preserve and pass on to future generations the language, culture, traditions and customs that we bring to Canada, " said IHLA president Olga Prokhorova. While the City of Edmonton's citizen and new arrival centre in city hall provides services in 150 languages, Bilash said research shows that "most people are still uncomfortable speaking their own language in public spaces." Bliash hopes the official announcement of International Mother Language Day in Edmonton----which _ International Mother Language Day declared by UNESCO in 1999 ---- will be a step toward encouraging more language diversity in order to preserve the cultures tied to them. "Our words define us; our expressions and vocabulary define who we are as people," said Marueen Kubinec, Alberta's minister of culture and tourism. "Our words are living examples, perhaps the best that there are, of human creativity." Both Bilash and Prokhorova stress the importance of _ . A. mastering more than one foreign language. B. public policy on Canadian traditions and customs. C. protecting languages and cultures from extinction. D. the official announcement of IMLD by UNESCO. Answer: C. protecting languages and cultures from extinction. Special ships that create clouds by sending seawater into the air could be the cheapest way of dealing with climate change, new research has found. The technique, known as "marine cloud whitening", would create clouds above the Pacific Ocean that would have a cooling effect by reflecting sunlight away from Earth. Nearly 2,000 wind-powered ships would cross the sea, getting seawater and sending it up through tall tubes. " When you send saltwater into the air, you create bigger and whiter clouds, and thus reflect more sunlight back into space," said David Young from the group of the study. The paper by Professor Eric Bickel and Lee Lane looked into the costs of the projects. It found that cloud whitening would reduce the effects of climate change this century for no more than PS5.3 billion. This is only a small part of the PS150 billion that leading nations are considering spending to cut CO2 emissions each year. It is also more than 25 times cheaper than the PS140 billion cost of another project which would copy the cooling effect of volcanoes. The authors also compared the cost benefits that reducing temperatures would have. They found every PS1 spend on other ways would have PS15 of benefits, however every PS1 spent on cloud whitening would bring PS2,000 of benefits. These would include the human costs on health and the influence on other fields. David Young said, "Marine cloud whitening could achieve as much for the planet as CO2cuts would, but with much less cost." But he warned that these techniques shouldn't be considered as a long-period way to deal with climate change. " It's important to note that this technique wouldn't reduce CO2emissions or deal with the causes of global warming, but would cover its effects." he said. Compared to other projects, cloud whitening _ . A. has a greater effect on volcanoes B. will bring more benefits C. will benefit man's health most D. can reduce temperatures in a better way Answer: B. will bring more benefits Living with other students can be a wonderful experience. Here are a few tips for student accommodations that can help ensure a great experience and build lifelong friendships: Screen your roommates carefully if you are given a choice. Combining the living spaces of several students into one location can be exciting and rewarding experience for the outgoing students. If you are on the shy side, or prefer a quiet group to study with, pick quieter roommates. Divide the bills evenly. Some students are far less responsible than their roommates and tend to let their part of the finance slide. Dissatisfaction is quick to build when everyone has to pay the bill for a fellow student who can't seem to pay his/her share of the money. Carry your part of the load. Everyone has to clean the bathroom and the kitchen sometime. Don't avoid your part of responsibility. Student accommodations can get messy and it involves everyone to keep them tidy and healthy. Think about someone else before you think about yourself. Put your roommates interests above your own. Life will be far enjoyable when everyone is concerned about the feelings property and studies of each other. Be open and honest. Hostilities and frustrations may cause problems that can't be fixed. Everyone brings different standards and expectations to group living and it's in everyone's best interest to put them into the open. Disagreements can be managed more warmly when your are willing to be both open and listen to others. To be a good member, one should learn to _ according to the passage. A. choose his/her roommates at random B. balance his/her interests with others C. express his/her disagreement openly and honestly D. tolerate different standards and expectations Answer: C. express his/her disagreement openly and honestly
How do you spend a usual holiday at home? My alarm clock wakes me, which reminds me of school. I usually would sleep like a log, but today is a holiday and I have to be at the pool for swimming practice at a quarter to seven. About 30 swimmers show up for practice. An hour later, I ride my bike home. The suburbs are quiet in the morning, with few cars on the street. I know I should be studying German but instead I wander to my room, lie down on the bed and sleep like a log. When I open my eyes again, the first thing I see is the alarm clock. It's 10:40 and I have a basketball class in less than 20 minutes. With the help of a shortcut I arrive on time. About 15 kids and I spend the rest of the morning "shooting hoops ". A bus takes us home,and I see a neighbour walking her dogs. It's past noon. Lunch is "dousha baozi" ,which my younger brother Richard doesn't eat. He devours part of a cake from the fridge. I wonder if I should practise on the keyboard, study German, finish my homework, play chess,read or sleep like a log. I decide to play computer games for an hour and promise myself that I'll work on German later. As the computer games hit higher and higher levels, Richard and I become more and more bored. He has been aching for someone his own age to play with, and I write , he is _ . He is too sleepy. I think I'll turn off this computer and take him to the park. Then maybe I'll call on some of my old classmates. Holidays can be a time to learn, a time to play, a time to grow or a time to sleep like a log. Whatever you choose to do with your time, do something that you'll remember! Which of the following statements is TRUE? A. The writer finally decided to play chess. B. The writer's brother didn't eat anything for lunch. C. The writer's brother wanted very much to have someone his age to play with. D. They found the computer game more and more interesting. Answer: C Happiness is for everyone . You don't need to care about those people who have beautiful houses with large gardens and swimming pools or those who have nice cars and a lot of money and so on . Why? Because those who have big houses may often feel lonely .and those who have cars may want to work on the country roads at their free time . In fact , happiness is always around you if you put your heart into it.When you are in trouble at school,your friends will help you;when you study hard at your lessons,your parents are always taking good care of your life and your health;when you get success,your friends will say"Cingratulations"to you;when you do something wrong,people around you will help you to correct it.And when you do something good to others,you notice them,and you can see that happiness is always around you. Happiness is not the same as money.It is a feeling of your heart.When you are poor,you can also say you are happy,because you have something else that can't be bought with money.When you meet with difficulties,you can say loudly you are very happy,because you have more chances to challenge yourself.So you cannot always say you are poor and you have bad luck.As the saying goes,"Life is like a revolving door.When it closes,it also opens."If you take every chance to get, you can be a happy and lucky person. Happiness is for _ A. those who have large and beautiful house B. those who have cars C. those who have a lot of money D. all people Answer: D Life is filled with challenges. As we get older we come to realize that those challenges are the very things that shape us and make us who we are,it is the same with the challenges that come withfriendship.When we are faced with a challenge,we usually have two choices. We can try to beat it off, or we can decide that the thing presenting the challenge isn't worth the trouble and call it quits.Although there are certainly times when calling it quits is the right thing to do,in most cases all that is needed is commitment and communication. When we are _ to something, it means that no matter how painful or howuncomfortable something is,we will always choose to face it through instead of running away from it.Communication is making a space for discussion and talking about how you feel as opposed to just saying what the other person did wrong. If you can say to a friend,"I got my feelings hurt." rather than"You hurt my feelings."you are going to be able to solve the problem much faster. In dealing with many challenges that friendship will bring to you, try to see them for what they are:small hurdles you need to jump or get through on your way through life.Nothing is so big that it is impossible to get over, and hurt only serves to make us stronger.It is all part of growing up,it happens to everyone,and some day you will look back on all of this and say,"Hard as it was,it made me who I am today.And that is a good thing." According to the passage,if your friend hurts your feelings,you are well advised to _ . A. forget it B. talk to him/her about it directly C. communicate properly with him/her D. run away from it Answer: C I was blind, but I was ashamed of it if it was known. I refused to use a white stick and hated asking for help. After all, I was a teenager girl, and I couldn't bear people to look at me and think I was not like them. I must have been a terrible danger on the roads, coming across me wandering through the traffic, motorists probably would have to step rapidly on their brakes. Apart from that, there were all sorts of disasters that used to occur on the way to and from work. One evening, I got off the bus about halfway home where I had to change buses, and as usual I ran into something,"I'm awfully sorry,"I said and stepped forward only to run into it again. When it happened a third time, I realized I had been apologizing to a lamppost. This was just one of the stupid things that constantly happened to me. So I carried on and found the bus stop, which was a request stop, where the bus wouldn't stop unless passengers wanted to get on or off. No one else was there and I had to try to guess if the bus had arrived. Generally in this situation, because I hated showing I was blind by asking for help, I tried to guess at the sound. Sometimes I would stop a big lorry and stand there feeling stupid as it drew away. In the end, I usually managed to swallow my pride and ask someone at the stop for help. But on this particular evening no one joined me at the stop; It seemed that everyone had suddenly decided not to travel by bus. Of course I heard plenty of buses pass, or I thought I did. But because I had given up stopping them for fear of making a fool of myself, I let them all go by. I stood there alone for half an hour without stopping one. Then I gave up. I decided to walk on to the next stop. What was the problem with guessing at the sound to stop a bus? A. Other vehicles also stopped there. B. It was unreliable for making judgments. C. More lorries than buses responded to the girl. D. It took too much time for the girl to catch the bus. Answer: B 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. The topic of the passage is _ . A. What would life be like without memory? B. Memory is of vital importance to life. C. How is a person's memory different from an animal's or a computer's? D. What is contained in memory? Answer: B
Question: A group of soldiers were stationed in the country near the home of a big landowner, called Lord Hunt. As they wanted to stay on good terms with the landowner, they offered to blow up a large tree _ that had remained after part of a tree had been blown down in the storm. But Lord Hunt asked them not to damage the plantation of young trees that was next to the stump. The officer in charge of the engineers promised him that they would be careful. Lord Hunt was so pleased that he asked the whole group to lunch on the day of the explosion. The day came and just before lunch, the officer checked with one of his men to see if they had put enough explosive in the stump. "I checked the maths," said the soldier "and it comes to 32 kilos." "Are you sure?" asked the officer. "Perhaps you'd better put in a bit more just to make sure." The lunch continued and everyone ate a lot and drank a lot. A little later, the group of soldiers went outside with Lord Hunt to see the explosion. "You just see, Lord Hunt, that tree will fall in exactly the right place without hurting any of your young trees," said the officer. The soldier lit the fuse, then walked quickly away to take cover. After a minute the tree, instead of falling over on its side, rose with the explosion 20 metres into the air, taking with it a huge quantity of earth together with all the young plantation. "Sorry sir, I made a mistake!" said the soldier. "It should have been 3.2 kilos, not 32 kilos." Lord Hunt was so upset that he turned around and walked back to his house. He looked at the house in horror and saw that every single window had been broken by the explosion. He was so upset that he went to the toilet on the ground floor to get over his feelings of shock. When he had finished, he pulled the plug of the toilet and the whole ceiling, which had been weakened by the explosion, fell on his head. When the explosion came, it _ . A. destroyed the tree without harming the plantation B. blew up the tree but left the stump C. was stronger than expected D. blew up the tree in the expected direction Answer: C Question: The first newspaper was written by hand and put up on walls in public places. The earliest daily newspaper was started in Rome in 59 BC. In the 700s the world's first printed newspaper was published. Europe didn't have a regularly printed newspaper until 1609, when one was started in Germany. The first regularly published newspaper in English was printed in Amsterdam in 1620. In 1621, an English newspaper was started in London and was published once a week. The first daily English newspaper was the Daily Courant, which came out in March 1702. In 1690, Benjamin Harris printed the first American newspaper in Boston .But not long after it was first published, the government stopped the paper. In 1704, John Campbell started the Boston Newspaper, the first newspaper published daily in the American colonies . By 1760, the colonies had more than thirty daily newspapers.There are now about 1, 800 daily papers in the United States. Today, as a group, newspapers in English have the largest circulation in the world .But the largest circulation for a newspaper is that of the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun . It sells more than eleven million copies every year. The first regularly printed European newspaper started in _ . A. Rome in 59 BC B. Germany in 1609 C. Amsterdam in 1620 D. England in 1621 Answer: B Question: The China National Opera (CNO) will give a concert to celebrate its 50thbirthday. Different generations of CNO vocalists , like Li Guangxi, Yao Hong and Ma Mei, will present the concert which will feature both songs from famous operas like "The White-haired Girl" and "The Hundredth Bride", as well as arias of such Western opera classics as "Madame Butterfly", "La Traviata" and "Rigoletto". Time/Date:7:30pm, September 7,8 Location: Tianqiao Theatre Tel: 65514787, 83156170 Tickets:60~500 yuan (US $7.3~60.2) _ A concert will be held to feature some recently-composed traditional Chinese music works. The concert, given by the Folk Orchestra of China Opera and Ballet Theatre, will include such pieces as "Memory of Childhood", "Memorial Ceremony for God" and "Wine Song". Time/Date:7:30pm, September 13 Location: Concert Hall at the National Library of China Tel: 68485462, 68419220 Tickets:30~200 yuan (US $ 3.6~24.1) _ A concert of traditional Chinese music will be given on the eve of the Moon Festival which falls on September 21 this year. The concert will feature a number of famous pieces centered on the theme of the moon, such as "Moonlight", "Spring Night on a Moonlit River" and "Lofty Mountain and Flowing River". A number of established traditional Chinese music performers, like Zhou Yaokun and Fan Weiqing, will play solos as well as collaborate with the folk music orchestra. Time/Date:7:30pm, September 20 Location: Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities Tel : 66068888, 66069999 In which part of a newspaper will the article be published? A. Entertainment B. Sports C. Culture D. News Answer: A Question: When you make soap bubbles, what is inside the bubbles? A. Air B. Soap C. Water D. Nothing Answer: A Question: When it comes to relationship, we spend a lot of time discussing their joys, but rarely talk about the pain when they break down. Yet most people have a story about a broken relationship. For Jane Black, a six-year friendship ended when her friend was rude to one of her children. "After quite a few drinks at a party in my house, she said something rude to my child. I ended the friendship face to face at the party," she says. "I didn't realize what I was doing at the time, I was simply standing up for my child, but in her eyes any challenge was a betrayal." When Angela Thompson noticed a seven-year friendship disappearing, she let it go. "I didn't know how to deal with the issue. I didn't sit down for a grown-up conversation; I just walked away quietly." The decision caused a reaction among Thompson's other friends. "The other friends in the circle are the worst people when you are trying to break up with a friend," she says. "They don't want you to stop being friends, because it puts them in a difficult position. You get told to just get it over." Though we have plenty of measures for handling conflict at work or family fight, we still don't have good ways of ending friendships. Do we sit down and properly break up, or just walk away? Psychologist Serena Cauchy has the following advice. Don't blame. Talk about your needs and feeling rather than talking like a Dutch uncle. Do talk about your needs. Talk about why the friendship is not working for you--about how your needs aren't being met. Don't gossip. Negative talk hurts everyone involved and in some cases can make matters worse. Don't be so accessible. If there is a common wish to conclude the friendship, then you can remove it. How did Angela Thompson deal with her friendship when it went wrong? A. She ended it face to face. B. She left it as it was. C. She turned to her friends for advice. D. She made a direct challenge. Answer: B
U.S. billionaire Bill Gates went to watch a game of his friend, U.S. teen player Ariel Hsing, at the ExCel Centre while the girl was playing against Chinese Li Xiaoxia. Gates wore an orange jacket and dark blue baseball cap. He sat in the front row of thespectators' stand andapplauded for every point Hsing scored. "I'm wishing her the best of luck, but the opposite player is really great," Gates said. Hsing was in her third match at London 2012. She had already beaten Mexico's Yadira Silva and Luxembourg's Ni Xia Lian. Hsing is known in the U.S. as a close friend with billionaires Warren Buffett and Gates. She is close enough to call them "Uncle Warren" and "Uncle Bill". Buffett met Hsing when she was only 9. Two years later, he invited her to play against his friends. She has returned several times after that. Earlier this year after winning a position on the U.S. team, she took a few points off Buffett and Gates. When asked whether he has won a point off Hsing, Gates said, "She beat me when she was nine. She has been nice to me." What did Bill Gates think of Li Xiaoxia? A Exciting. B Just so-so. C Great. D Funny. Answer: C The dream of flying into outer space, cherished by the Chinese people for centuries, will soon come true. China launched its fourth unmanned spacecraft "Shenzhou IV" on December 30 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Gansu Province. It was the 27th consecutive( )and successful launch of China - made rockets since October 1996. This launch has made it more realistic for China to send a person into space on its own following Russia and the USA. Qi Faren,leading designer of the spacecraft system, said all the functions designed for manned flights have withstood the test of three previous, successful launches and return landings of the "Shenzhou" spaceships. China launched the "Shenzhou I ", "Shenzhou II "and "Shenzhou III "spacecrafts in 1999,2001 and 2002 respectively. "Shouzhou IV" was to make it a more comfortable place in which astronauts can live and work. All parts of the application system for manned flight are aboard the "Shenzhou IV"craft in all test flights. China's manned flight programme began in 1992. A number of unmanned test flights will be launched before Chinese astronauts are sent into space. Leading scientists in charge of China's manned space programme said the successful launch of the "Shenzhou IV" laid a solid foundation for the country's future task of sending Chinese astronauts to outer space. The spacecraft returned to the earth on January 5, after completing seven experiments in space. Officials at the centre said that" Shenzhou V", a manned spacecraft, is expected to be launched later this year. .China's manned flight programme began in _ . A 1992 B October 1996. C 1999 D January 2003 Answer: A Tough new rules for pubs and clubs - including a ban on drinking games like the infamous "dentist's chair" - will be introduced in Britain this year in a bid to prevent the heavy drinking culture that costs the country billions of pounds a year. Other promotions like "all you can drink for 10 pounds", speed drinking competitions and "women drink free" nights will also be forbidden. But on the other hand, a large amount of offers of cheap alcohol in supermarkets - widely regarded as one of the main sources of Britain's problems with under-age and excessive drinking - will not be affected. Doctors and health experts argue that the government has failed to use its most effective weapon, the taxation of minimum price controls on alcohol. Home Secretary Alan Johnson said he did not want to target responsible drinkers on low incomes, but that the government and the industry had a duty to act on heavy drinking. "These practices have a real impact on society, not to mention the lives of those who just want to enjoy a good night out." he said. The "dentist's chair", where drinks are poured directly into the mouth by others, was made famous by the celebrations of footballer Paul Gascoigne. That game and others that promote mass consumption will be banned from April and publicans will have to ensure free tap water is made available to the drinkers. A second set of rules enforcing compulsory ID checks and making sure smaller alcoholic measures are on sale will come into effect in October. The government says excessive drinking costs Britain up to 12 billion pounds a year and has announced that any pubs that go against the new rule will face severe punishment. Publicans and vendors could lose their licenses, be fined up to 20,000 pounds or face six months in prison. What's the main idea of the passage? A Heavy drinking will be banned in Britain. B 12 billion pounds is spent on drinking. C Drinking in Britain will be banned. D Excessive drinking will be taxed. Answer: A On Saturday nights, A.J.Coston doesn't get a lot of sleep. Usually three or four times a night, a loud bell rings, a red light flashes, and he has to jump out of his bed. That's because he's a weekend volunteer firefighter with Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Station 13 in Northern Virginia. During the week, he lives at home with his mom, dad and sister and does his main job which is going to high school. "I have always wanted to get into firefighting since I was a little kid watching fire trucks go by," he says. "One day on the Internet I noticed that Loudoun County offered a junior firefighter program." He was only 16, but he got it. Fighting fires is dangerous work. Firefighters never stop practicing the skills they need to stay safe. Once Coston learned those skills, he was allowed to work inside burning buildings. "Teamwork is most important," he says. "It's the whole team that puts the fire out." Firefighters feel great about helping people. "My most unbelievable call was probably the time four kids were struck by lightning," says Coston. He will be off to college next fall, building on his dream job. "I'll get my degree in emergency medical care. and then work in a fire and rescue company for a while. I want to be a flight doctor on a helicopter in the end, but I will never forget the days as a firefighter. These are my unforgettable experiences," he says. What do we learn about Coston from the passage? A He doesn't like studying at school. B He will go to college next year. C He dreams to be a great hero one day. D He is only sixteen years old. Answer: B There once was an old man aged 50,who had a lazy son aged 30. The son couldn't earn his own living , and still lived on his old father for food and clothing. The old man was very worried about him. So he took him to the fortune teller to have his fortune told.The father and son both believed what the fortune teller said --the father would live to 80 and the son to 62. After they found out how long they were going to live, the son was very sad. His father comforted him, "Don't be so sad! You are only 30 now, and still have 32 years of good days _ you." "I'm not worrying about my own age. It's your age which causes me great worry," the son said. The father was greatly moved and said, "Don't worry about me so much. I've got 30 years _ me too." "I'm not worried about your age either," said the son. "I have found out that you will die two years earlier than I. So who will I depend on in the two years after your death?" The father was moved when _ . A he thought his son was worried about him B he knew that his son would die ahead of him C his son would earn his own living when he died D he found his son worried about his money Answer: A
It was the last day of July and the long hot summer was drawing to a close As for me.1 was out of spirits,and,if the truth must be told, out of money as well,During the past year I had not managed my finances as carefully as usual;and 1 was now limited to spending the autumn economically between my mother's cottage at Hampstead and my own in town. My father had been dead for some years,and my sister and 1 were the _ survivors of a family of five children. My father was a drawing-master before me He had been highly successful in his profession and my mother and sister were left economically independent after his death. The view of London below me had sunk into the black shadow of the cloudy night, when I stood before the gate of my mother's cottage I had hardly rung the bell.When the house door was opened violently.My worthy Italian friend,Professor Pesca,appeared in the servant's place,and rushed out joyously to receive me. I had first become acquainted with my Italian friend at certain great houses,where he taught Italian and I taught drawing What I then knew of the history of his life was that he had left Italy for political reasons and that he had been respectably established for many years in London as a teacher of languages It once happened that I saved him from certain death by drowning while we were swimming in the sea at Brighton Afterwards he overwhelmed me with the wildest expressions of affection and exclaimed passionately, that he would hold his life at my disposal from then on, and declared that he should never be happy again until he had had the opportunity of proving his gratitude.Little did I think that the occasion to serve me was soon to come. Pesca dragged me in by both hands into the parlor, where my mother sat by the open window, laughing and fanning herself.Pesca was one of her especial favorites,and his wildest strange acts were always pardonable in her eyes. "Now, my good dears."began Pesca."listen to me The time has come I recite my good news.I speak at last...'Hear, hear!"said my mother, humoring the joke"I go back into my life,and I address myself to the noblest of men,who found me dead at the bottom of the sea,and who pulled me up to the top. What did I say when l got into my own life and my own clothes again? I said that my life belonged to my dear friend,Walter, for the rest of my days Now,"cried the enthusiastic little mall at the top of his voice."happiness bursts out of me at every pore of my skin.For I have found a job for you" It can be learned from the passage that Pesca _ was quite close to the mother Dick is seven years old, and his sister May is five. One day, their mother takes them to their aunt' s house to play and she goes to the town to buy some new clothes. The children play for an hour, then at half past four their aunt takes Dick into the kitchen. She gives him a nice cake and a knife and says to him, "Now here is a knife, Dick. Cut this cake in half and give one of the pieces to your sister, but remember to do it like a gentleman ." "Like a gentleman?" Dick asks. "How do gentlemen do it?" "They always give the bigger piece to the other person," answers his aunt. "Oh," says Dick. He thinks about this for a few seconds . Then he takes the cake to his sister and says to her, "Cut this cake in half, May." Dick wants May to cut the cake because he _ . wants the bigger piece There are plenty of beauty schools throughout the country that can help you to start a career in cosmetology . Nowadays, young people may not be able to afford a four-year college. Students can look forward to attending a beauty school program which will only take a few months to complete and start their career right away to earn money. There can be many benefits of going to beauty school. The expense is much less than attending a four-year university. Besides, attending beauty school is mostly a hands-on experience which appeals to many people. Some students don't like sitting all day listening to lectures and then having to study at night. What's more, most beauty school programs keep up with the changing trends and fashion. So you will always be working on different hair types which can be fun and will give you a lot of experience throughout the years of your career. If you are worried about finding a job after graduation, many beauty schools will offer assistance for immediate job placement and give you peace of mind that you will not be _ looking for a job. Most colleges and universities are not equipped to do that because of the large number of graduates each year. Cosmetologists will also make a good salary. The average salary will depend on your location, but you may earn a salary around $3,000 -- $3,500 a month. This is not including tips which could be $600 or more a month. Not only can young people go to cosmetology school, but people of all ages can start this career. As you can see, there are many benefits of beauty schools that can be the perfect opportunity for anyone to become a great cosmetologist. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage? The benefits of beauty schools Satellites play big roles in modern life. Some look downward to monitor environmental conditions on Earth.Others look outward in search of major solar flares that can trouble the transmission of electrical power to homes and businesses. Some spy on our enemies. Others relay communications around the globe. But all of these million-dollar wonders of technology can be knocked out by a collision with space junk ---debris ( )from satellites and other earthly technology orbiting high above the planet. Now,a teen from Jordan has designed a satellite to chase down space junk , collect it and then deal with it. Even bits of space junk as small as dots of paint pose a threat , says Dana. That's because this debris orbits our planet at speeds up to some 28,200 kilometers per hour. Such high speed explains why tiny paint dots have damaged the windshields of space shuttles so badly that they needed to be replaced. Researchers have come up with many ideas for getting rid of space junk. Some have suggested vaporizing small bits with lasers. Others have proposed launching satellites to collect the debris. Dana's design falls into this category. Here's how hers would work : A radar system aboard the satellite would scan and find a piece of space junk.Then,thrusters would change the satellite's orbit so that it could chase down _ . As the satellite closed in on its prey, cameras would keep it on target. At the last minute,a door that leads to a container would open. This container needs to be strong so that it doesn't break apart when the satellite swallows the space junk,Dana explains. Finally,when the trash container was full,it would be lowered toward the earth on a kilometer-long cable and its contents released into the upper atmosphere. There, the space junk would harmlessly burn up just like a meteor does. Meanwhile, her satellite would roll the container back up so that it could collect more trash. According to the Dana's design, space junk in her satellite _ . will be destroyed by heat in the upper atmosphere The airline lost your baggage. The hotel laundry ruined your favorite shirt. The taxi driver asked for more money. When you're abroad, sometimes things go wrong. Now you can do something about it! Use these tips when you want to express an effective complaint in English. No matter how unfair the situation is, it's best to express your complaint politely. In English, you'll sound more polite if you use indirect language. Here are some examples: "I'm sorry to bother you..." Starting a complaint like this puts the listener who may have heard many complaints that day at ease. Use this phrase if the situation isn't that serious. For example, "I'm sorry to bother you, but I wanted a baked potato, not fried." "Can you help me with this?" Everyone would rather be asked to do something than told! So try expressing your complaint as a request for help: "Can you help me with this? My shirt came back from the laundry without buttons." "I'm afraid there may be a misunderstanding." This is a polite way of saying, "Your information is wrong. Please fix it now." You'll most likely use this phrase if you made reservations for a flight, hotel or restaurant, and when you arrive, it's not what you expected. For example, "I'm afraid there may be a misunderstanding. I requested a non-smoking room." "I understand it's not your fault..." Often when you make a complaint, you deal with a person who was not directly responsible for the problem. But the problem isn't your fault, either! This phrase is helpful when you need swift action. Tell the person you're dealing with that you understand they're not at fault and then directly state the problem: "I understand it's not your fault, but the airline promised they would deliver my baggage yesterday." "Excuse me, but I understood that..." Using this phrase lets the person know you're well-informed and doubt they might be trying to take advantage of you. Don't say, "Hey! You're trying to cheat me!" Instead, start indirectly by stating what you know to be true: "I understood that the taxi ride to the airport was only 25 dollars." Then give them a chance to do the right thing. What's the purpose of this passage? To offer advice on giving complaints in English.
In a growing number of English classes, teachers are leaving the classic novels on the shelf and letting students select the books they read. Supporters say that the new approach, called reader's workshop, helps develop a love for reading in students who are bored by classic literature. They argue that the best way to motivate students to read more is to offer them more choices. _ , however. They worry that students who choose trendy, less challenging titles over the classics won't be exposed to the great writing and key themes of important works of literature.Student reporters Donald and Sarah express their ideas about this new approach. Donald thinks that we should turn the page. Students should be allowed to select the books they read in English class. He says he and his classmates are allowed to pick their own books in class. That makes them more focused, and they look forward to class time. Tristin, a classmate of his at Clinton Middle School agrees. "I'm reading books that I want to read, which makes class more fun and interesting," he says. Offering students a choice may also improve test scores. Studies by Professor John Guthrie of the University of Maryland found that students in grades 4 through 6 who had some choices in the books they read showed improved reading comprehension skills during testing. Giving students the chance to decide what they read helps build a lifelong love for reading. Isn't that what we want for our students? Sarah holds a different view. She thinks teachers know more about books than students do. When an English teacher assigns a book, he or she keeps in mind the reading level of most students in the class. Students who choose their own books might be cheating themselves by picking books that are not up to their reading level or that are too difficult. Furthermore, a whole class can discuss a book it reads together. That makes it easier for some kids to understand what they are reading. "The students wouldn't be able to hold a meaningful conversation if they were all reading different books," says Kristin, an English teacher at Fleetwood Area Middle School. "If they read the same book, their conversations would be more in-depth." Donald thinks that the new approach could _ . "If you have not played video games, your childhood should be called 'incomplete'." That's from Zhan Zaozao, 29, the screenwriter of Play to Grow Up, a 40-minute short movie. It tells the story of two men growing up fans of video games and how they find happiness in games. While people think playing games makes one lazy and is a waste of time, Zhan tries to prove that one can make a living out of it. In the movie, the two heroes, Dunzi and Yanjing, who are in middle school, visit a video games room on the street each day after school. But why make a short movie about video games, since there are lots to write about childhood, such as puppy love, sports and study? "Playing games is so important to everyone's childhood from little kids to teenagers, though it's a bittersweet experience," said Zhan. According to him, his teachers and parents didn't allow video games, but they played games "under their noses " anyway. In the movie, the two playmates follow different paths after school. Dunzi opens a small store selling gaming products. Yanjing works as a manager in his father's company, After years of working and facing various problems in life, they get together again, build a video game machine and play on the street. Free, simple and happy. They rediscover the carefree childhood, which they have lost in the adult world. Many consider playing games as a bad influence, but it isn't all true, according to Zhan. "It can change your attitude toward life," said Zhan. "On the other hand, the movie also tells you that, although the world of video games is fun, you must face real life at the end of the day. " The writer writes the text to _ . The Future of Dairy Farming: Robot Milkers The future has arrived at a dairy farm in about an hour by car from WashingtonD.C. A robot is milking cows. It is milking time at Woodbourne Creamery in Mt. Airy, Maryland. The cows are standing in line for a turn at the robot. John Fendrick is the owner of the farm. He inspects the progress of the animals by looking at a computer screen. That is all he has to do."The door opens up, they walk in, and they get milked. The door opens up, and they walk out." The robot does all the work. It uses a laser to find each teat -- the place on the cow where the milk comes out. The robot then cleans the teat and connects a milking tube toit. The robot also tests the milk for possible contamination . If it finds a problem, it rejects the milk. When the amount of milk coming out of the cow slows, the machine knows to stop, and sends the cow on its way. Milking robots are becoming popular among dairy farmers in the United States, Europe and Australia. John Fendrick says the robots have changed life on a dairy farm."You are given the freedom back. So it allows me or the people working for me to actually do other things on the farm." Most dairy farmers must milk their cows two times a day, early in the morning and late at night. The animals are milked every day in good weather or bad. But Mr Fendrick's cows do not follow such a schedule. They stay in the field until they want to be milked by the robot. Some of them come to be milked in the middle of the night. Mr Fendrick doesn't even need to be there to watch his cows being milked. He can watch from his telephone. He can learn when each cow was milked and how much she produced. He can also learn if a cow has not been milked for a long time. The cow milking robot is not low-cost technology. Mr Fendrick paid more than $150,000 for it. But he notes, paying someone to milk the cows is also costly."In three years, I will have paid off the difference with this, and I don't have to be the person who's always on call to milk. The fact is that we have a life, and our cows are able to function without us -- to us, it's well worth the money." And he says that is a good thing."I don't like to milk."With the robot, he can turn his attention to other things. He gets about 475 liters of milk a day, and he never has to touch a cow. The reason why Mr Fendrick doesn't even have to be on the farm is that . Writing one or two articles a day is a fair goal for a human writer. By contrast, the Wordsmith platform can produce up to 2,000 articles a second! Wordsmith is one example of natural language-generation software, often referred to as a robot journalist. To be fair, the software doesn't start from the beginning, like a human writer might. Instead, the software takes a set of structured data and transforms it into readable text. Natural language-generation software, such as Wordsmith and Quill, does its work by identifying trends and highlights in sets of data. The software then searches its own dictionary for the words to express its findings.[:] Why keep human writers around Although this type of software writes faster than any human, it requires sets of structured data to work. That's why it's especially useful for writing earnings reports and other types of "dry" writing. Humans, on the other hand, are good at turning their unstructured thoughts directly into prose. The reports produced by Wordsmith and Quill read naturally, and they can match the tone of human writers. But for now, the robot journalists probably won't steal many jobs or win any Pulitzer Prizes! Current applications of natural language-generation software Financial reports: The software is commonly used by banks or traders to analyze large amounts of financial data and then produce reports in plain English. Health and fitness: The software can turn data gathered from wearable devices or fitness trackers into personalized reports. The writing tone can even be adjusted to sound more encouraging! Sports reporting: The software is often used to turn real baseball, basketball and football statistics into exciting stories. What does natural Language-generation software refer to? Many of you have heard a Cinderella story, but what you may not know is that there are over a hundred different ways to tell the Cinderella story. Each of these stories is written by a different author. The story of Cinderella has many different versions. The version that most people know is the oldest one written in 1697 by Charles Perrault from France. This is the version where the birds help make Cinderella's dress and the mice turn into carriage men and help Cinderella go to the ball in the pumpkin that turns into a carriage. In this version, many of the animals are Cinderella's friends. They help her meet the Prince, who Cinderella marries, and together they live happily ever after. In another version of this story, written in the 1850s by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm from Germany, there are birds that help Cinderella throughout the story. Cinderella's mother is not living at the beginning of the story. She visits her mother's grave three times a day to say a prayer for her. Cinderella's father has given her a brunch when he goes to the festival. She plants the brunch and her tears water the brunch until it grows into a tall tree. The birds now live in the tree and they give Cinderella a dress of gold and silver and slippers of the same colours. Cinderella goes to the festival to meet and dance with the Prince. Later, Cinderella marries the Prince and they have a nice life ever after. Have you read other versions of the Cinderella story? More than one author can tell a story in a different way from their viewpoints . That is why there are many versions of the same story. The common part in the two versions of Cinderella mentioned in this passage is that _ .
Question: Money and Happiness A Guide to Living the good life Author: Laura Rowley Publisher: Wiley (March 1, 2005) Laura Rowley makes us all understand the money-happiness connection in our own lives so that we spend our time and our efforts wisely. She offers insight that every reader can use to make smarter decisions that will lead to living a rich life in every possible definition of the term. The Happiness Makeover How to Teach Yourself to Be Happy and Enjoy Every Day Author: M. J. Ryan Publisher: Broadway (May 10, 2005) Ryan's own desire to be happier first led her to study what is known about happiness from brain science, psychology, and the wisdom traditions of the world. The Happiness Makeover draws on this wide-ranging knowledge and presents a plan that will help you: Clear away happiness hindrances like worry, fear, envy, and grudges Discover happiness boosters like meaningful work, challenge, and gratitude Learn to think optimistically (it is really possible!) Find daily ways to truly enjoy, even relish, the moments of your life Happiness The Science Behind Your Smile Author: Daniel Nettle Publisher: Oxford University Press (July 1, 2005) This is the first book to look thoroughly at what happiness is and how it works. Nettle examines whether people are basically happy or unhappy, whether success can make us happy, why some people are happier than others, and much more. Hormones , health, and Happiness Author: Steven F. Hotze Publisher: Forrest Publishing (April, 2005) Dr Steven Hotze is leading a wellness revolution that advances a new model of health care. In Hormones, Health, and Happiness you are shown how to reach and maintain optional cell, tissue , and organ functioning so that you can enjoy a better quality of life. Which book is the result of the author's own need to know more about happiness? A. Hormones, health, and Happiness B. Money and Happines C. The Happiness Makeover D. The Science Behind Your Smile Answer: C. The Happiness Makeover Question: "Hypotheses ," said Medawarin 1964, "are imaginative and inspirational in character"; they are "adventures of the mind". He was arguing in favour of the position taken by Karl Popper that the nature of scientific method is hypothetico-deductive and not, as is generally believed, inductive. The myth of scientific method is that it is inductive: that the formulation of scientific theory starts with the basic, raw evidence of the senses -- simple, fair, unprejudiced observation. Out of these sensory data -- commonly referred to as "facts" -- generalisations will form. The myth is that from a disorderly collection of factual information an orderly, relevant theory will somehow come out. However, the starting point of induction is an impossible one. There is no such thing as an unprejudiced observation. Every act of observation we make is a function of what we have seen or otherwise experienced in the past. All scientific work of an experimental or exploratory nature starts with some expectation about the outcome. This expectation is a hypothesis. Hypotheses provide the motivation for the inquiry and influence the method. It is in the light of an expectation that some observations are held to be relevant and some irrelevant, that one method is chosen and others abandoned, that some experiments are conducted and others are not. Hypotheses arise by guesswork, or by inspiration, but having been started they can and must be tested thoroughly, using the appropriate method. If the predictions you make as a result of deducing certain consequences from your hypothesis are not shown to be correct then you abandon or adjust your hypothesis. If the predictions turn out to be correct then your hypothesis has been supported and may be kept until such time as some further test shows it not to be correct. Once you have arrived at your hypothesis, which is a product of your imagination, you then move on to a strictly logical and thorough process, based upon deductive argument -- therefore the term "hypothetico-deductive". So don't worry if you have some idea of what your results will tell you before you even begin to collect data; there are no scientists in existence who really wait until they have all the evidence in front of them before they try to work out what it might possibly mean. The hypothetico-deductive method describes the logical approach to much research work, but it does not describe the psychological behaviour that brings it about. The psychological behaviour is a much more complicated process -- involving guesses, reworkings, corrections, and above all inspiration, in the deductive as well as the hypothetic component. However, describing the logical approach is like writing the final thesis or published papers of research work. These theses and papers have been, quite properly, organised into a more logical order so that the worth of the output may be evaluated independently of the behavioural processes by which it was obtained. It is the difference, for example between the academic papers with which Crick and Watson demonstrated the structure of the DNA molecule and the fascinating book The Double Helix in which Watson (1968) described how they did it. From this point of view, the scientific method may more usefully be thought of as a way of writing up research rather than as a way of carrying it out. What is right about the deductive method and the inductive method according to the author? A. They cannot exist in a research at the same time. B. The former one is of greater importance than the latter. C. The latter one is more scientific than the former one. D. The former is closer to the nature of scientific research. Answer: D. The former is closer to the nature of scientific research. Question: Look at the boy. His English name is Mike Smith. His Chinese name is Li Hai. He is from England. He's twelve years old. My name is Hao Gang. Tom is my English name. I'm from Shanghai. I'm thirteen. Mike and I are good friends. We are in Grade Seven. I am in Class 3 and he is in Class 5. Today is Thursday. We want to swim after school. What class is Li Hai in? A. Class 2. B. Class 3. C. Class 4. D. Class 5. Answer: D. Class 5. Question: Riding School: You can start horse-riding at any age. Go riding any day except weekends. But at 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays, there are 10 kilometers of rides across farmland and open countryside. You will need a riding hat. Opening Hours: Any weekday: 9:00 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Phone: (412) 396-6754 Fax : (412)396-6752 Sailing Club: Our Young Sailor's Course leads to the Stage 1 Sailing qualification . You'll learn how to sail safely. Have fun with other course members. Opening Hours: Tuesdays: 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Phone: (412)396-6644 Fax: (412)396-6644 Watersports Club: We have a two-kilometer-long river for boat racing and water-skiing. You will learn to drive boats safely and confidently, but must be able to swim. The club is open every day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with lessons all through the day. Opening Hours: From Monday to Friday: 9:00a.m.-4:00 p.m. Phone: (412)396-6899 Fax: (412)396-6890 Diving Centre: Our experienced coaches offer one-month courses in deep-sea diving for beginners. There are two evening lessons a week. Opening Hours: Monday and Friday: 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Phone: (412)396-6312 Fax: (412)396-6706 Which number should be faxed if you like to experience a new activity in the countryside? A. (412)396-6644 B. (412)396-6706 C. (412)396-6752 D. (412)396-6899 Answer: C. (412)396-6752 Question: Different countries and different people have different manners. We must find out their customs, so that they will not think us ill-mannered. Here are some examples of the things that a well-mannered person does or does not do. If you visit a Chinese family you should knock at the door first. When the door opens, you'll not move before the host says "Come in, please." After you enter the room, you wouldn't sit down until the host asks you to take a seat. When a cup of tea is put on a tea-table before you or sent to your hand, you'll say "Thank you" and receive it with your two hands, not one hand, or they'll think you are ill-mannered. Before entering a house in Japan, it is good manners to take off your shoes.In European countries, even though shoes sometimes become very dirty, this is not done.In a Malay house, a guest never finishes the food on the table. He leaves a little to show that he has had enough. In England, a guest always finishes a drink or the food to show that he has enjoyed it. This will make the host, especially the hostess pleased. In Japan, it is good manners to take off your shoes _ . A. before your visitor enters your house B. before you enter the host's house C. before you visit a family D. before you sit down and receive a cup of tea Answer: B. before you enter the host's house
Any foreigner who has tried to learn Chinese can tell how hard it is to master the tones required to speak and understand.And anyone who has tried to learn to play the violin or other instruments can report similar challenges. Now researchers have found that people with musical training have an easier time learning Chinese.Writing in the online edition of Nature Nenroscieme, researchers from Northwestern University say that both skills draw on the same parts of the brain that help people discover changes in pitch . One of the study's authors, Nina Kraus, said the findings suggested that studying music "actually tunes our sensory system".This means that schools that want children to do well in languages should hesitate before cutting music programs.Dr.Kraus said.She said music training might also help children with language problems. Mandarin speakers have been shown to have a more complex encoding of pitch patterns in their brains than English speakers do.This is because in Mandarin and other Asian languages, pitch plays a central role.A single syllable word can have several meanings depending on how it is _ . For this study, the researchers looked at 20 non Chinese speaking volunteers, half with no musical background and half who have studied an instrument for at least six years. As they were shown a movie, the volunteers also heard an audio tape of the Mandarin word "mi" in three of its meanings: squint, bewilder and rice.The researchers recorded activities in their brain stems to see how well they were processing the sounds.Those with a music background showed much more brain activities in response to the Chinese sounds. The lead author of the study, Patrick C.M.Wong, said it might work both ways.It appear? That native speakers of tonal languages may do better at learning instruments. Why does Chinese learning have something to do with music training? Answer: Because skills to learn the two make use of the same parts of the brain. The speaker, a teacher from a community college, addressed a sympathetic audience. Heads nodded in agreement when he said, "High school English teachers are not doing their jobs." He described the inadequacies of his students, all high school graduates who can use language only at a grade 9 level. I was unable to determine from his answers to my questions how this grade 9 level had been established. My topic is not standards nor its decline . What the speaker was really saying is that he is no longer young; he has been teaching for sixteen years, and is able to think and speak like a mature adult. My point is that the frequent complaint of one generation about the one immediately following it is inevitable. It is also human nature to look for the reasons for our dissatisfaction. Before English became a school subject in the late nineteenth century, it was difficult to find the target of the blame for language deficiencies . But since then, English teachers have been under constant attack. The complainers think they have hit upon an original idea. As their own command of the language improves, they notice that young people do not have this same ability. Unaware that their own ability has developed through the years, they assume the new generation of young people must be hopeless in this respect. To the eyes and ears of sensitive adults the language of the young always seems inadequate. Since this concern about the decline and fall of the English language is not perceived as a generational phenomenon but rather as something new and peculiar to today's young people, it naturally follows that today's English teachers cannot be doing their jobs. Otherwise, young people would not commit offenses against the language. In the passage the author argues that _ . Answer: it is unfair to blame the English teachers for the language deficiencies of the students At one time or another we have all stopped to think about the weather. Some days the weather is good. Some days the weather is bad. Sometimes a day that seems bad turns out better than you thought it would. There are ways of understanding the weather. One way is to study the clouds. No two clouds are ever alike. We can see the different kinds of clouds and watch them for signs of changing weather. To forecast the weather, there are three things about clouds. you should look for: movement, colour, and change. As a rule, the higher the clouds, the better the weather. And the lower the clouds, the worse the weather is likely to be. Fair-weather cumulus clouds* are another sign of good weather. These are clouds we often see on warm summer days. Clouds can tell you if a storm is on the way. If the thick, fluffy cumulus clouds get bigger early in the day, then you know it will rain. If there is a sudden, cool and dark thunder* cloud appears, then a storm is about to break out. Colours in the sky tell us about the weather, too. A golden ring around the moon warns us that a storm is on the way. A watery yellow sunset is a sign that rain may be near. The rainbow* has a message, too. The colours of the rainbow come from the sun rays shining through falling rain. If you see the sun in the east and a rainbow in the west, the rain may be coming your way. If the sun is in the west and the rainbow is in the east, the rain will be moving away from you. The colours of the rainbow come from _ . Answer: sun rays shining through falling rain Robert Spring, a 19th century forger , was as good at his profession that he was able to make his living for 15 years by selling false signatures of famous Americans. Spring was born in England in 1813 and arrived in Philadelphia in 1858 to open a bookstore. At first he make some money by selling his small but genuine of early U.S. autographs . Discovering his ability at copying handwriting, he began imitating signatures of George Washington and Ban Franklin and writing them on the title pages of old books. To make less the chance of detection , he sent his forgeries to England and Canada for sale and circulation . Forgers have a hard time selling their products. A forger can't approach a respectable buyer but must deal with people who don't have much knowledge in the field. Forgers have many ways to make their work look real. For example, they buy old books to use the aged paper of the title page, and they can treat paper and ink with chemicals. In Spring's time, right after the Civil War, Britain was still fond of the Southern states, so Spring invented a respectable maiden lady known as Miss Fanny Jackson, the only daughter of General "Stonewall" Jackson. For several years Miss Fanny's economic problems forced her to sell a great number of letters and manuscripts belonging to her famous father. Spring had to work very hard to satisfy the demand. All this activity did not prevent Spring from dying in poverty, leaving sharp-eye experts the difficult task of separating this forgeries from the originals. After the Civil War, there was a great demand in Britain for _ . Answer: Southern manuscripts and letters A new research has uncovered that culture is a determining factor when people interpret facial emotions .The study reveals that in cultures where emotional control is the standard,such as Japan,the focus is placed on the eyes to interpret emotions. Whereas in cultures where emotion is openly expressed,such as the United States,the focus is on the mouth to interpret emotions. "These findings go against the popular theory that the facial expressions of basic emotions can be universally recognized," said University of Alberta researcher Dr.Takahiko Masuda." A person's culture plays a very strong role in determining how he will read emotions and needs to be considered when interpreting the facial expressions." These cultural differences are even noticeable in computer emoticons ,which are used to convey a writer's emotions by email and text message. The Japanese emotions for happiness and sadness vary in terms of how the eyes are drawn ,while the American emotions vary with the direction of the mouth. In the United States the emoticons:)and:) show a happy face,whereas the emoticons:(and:(show a sad face. However,the Japanese tend to use the symbol ('') to indicate a happy face,and (;;) to indicate a sad face. "We think it is quite interesting and appropriate that culture tends to mask its emotions. The Japanese would focus on a person's eyes when detecting his or her emotions,as eyes tend to be quite subtle ,"said Masuda. "In the United States,where an open emotion is quite common,it makes sense to focus on the mouth,which is the most expressive feature on a person's face." If a Japanese wants to detect whether a smile is true or false,he will probably _ . Answer: look into the eyes
Question: When you finish high school or university, is learning done? The answer is "no". In many countries, people continue learning all their lives. Why is lifelong learning important? How can it help you? Let's look at one example of lifelong learning in Japan. Why is lifelong learning important? You go to school and learn. You take tests. But learning doesn't only happen in school. And learning doesn't stop when you graduate from high school or college. You are learning all the time. For example, learning can happen when you go to a museum. It can also happen when you get a job. You learn when you play a sport or when you take a trip. Learning is life! We never stop learning. Every day, you can improve yourself by learning something new. Lifelong learning in Japan In Japan, life learning is very important. People in Japan like to try new learning activities. Except music calligraphy, flower arranging, and foreign languages are some of their favorite classes. The Japanese take classes to improve their skills and learn new things. Conclusion When we graduate from school, we can continue to learn. Make lifelong learning one of your goals! Some people in Japan take foreign language classes to _ . A. get a job B. learn new things C. get good grades D. finish college Answer: C Question: When July comes, children know they'll have the final exams and the school year will end soon. Boys and girls will have a nearly two months' holiday, and they'll leave school by train or by car to return home to see their fathers and mothers. The summer holiday is the best time of the year for most students. The weather is good, so they can spend most of their time playing outside .If one lives in the country, he can go on a trip into the woods or in the fields. If one lives in a big city, he can go to a park to play. The best place for a summer holiday is the seaside. Some children are lucky enough to live near the sea. But for the others who do not, if they have the chance to stay at one of the big seaside towns for a week or two, they will talk about it all the following school year. Now, what makes children like the seaside so much? I think it is the sand, the sea and the sun, not anything else. Of course, there are lots of new things to see, nice things to eat and interesting things to do. But the feeling of the sand under their feet, the salt water on their skin, and the warm sun on their backs make them happier. Every year, school children have the final exams in _ , and the exam means the school year will end. A. May B. January C. July D. December Answer: C Question: A recent study concluded that about 90% of all large predatory fish such as tuna have disappeared from the world's oceans in the past 50 years. Which of these is most likely the direct cause of this loss? A. Urban development near the coast B. Commercial harvesting from the ocean C. Climate change on Earth D. Acid precipitation over the oceans Answer: B Question: Canada is a the second largest country in the world. But it has a very small population. There are only about 29 million people there. Most Canadians are of British or French origin, and French is an official language of Canada as well as English. About 45% of the people are of British origin, that is, they or their parents or grandparents, etc. , come from Britain. Nearly 30% are of French origin. Most of the French-Canadians live in the province of Quebec . Over the years, people have come to live in Canada from many countries in the world. They are from most European countries and also from China, besides other Asian countries. However, Canada was not an empty country when the Europeans began to arrive. Canadian Indians lived along the coast, by the rivers and lakes and in forests. Today there are only about 350,000 Indians in the whole country, with their own languages. In the far north live the Inuit. There are only 27,000 Canadian-Inuit. Their life is hard in such a difficult climate. Canada is the _ largest country in the world. A. third B. fifth C. second D. 29th Answer: C Question: Green invaders are taking over America. Not invaders from space, but plants! You might not think of plants as dangerous, but in this case they are threatening nature's delicate food chain. The invaders are plants brought here from other countries to make gardens and yards look pretty. Ever since people started to arrive on America's shores, they have carried along trees, flowers, and vegetables from other places. Now there are so many of those plants, they are crowding out the native plants that have lived here since before human settlers arrived. And that's a problem, says Dr. Doug Tallamy. He's insect expert at the University of Delaware. He explains that almost all the plant-eating insects in the United States are specialized, which means they eat only certain plants. Monarch butterfly caterpillars ,for example, dine on milkweed. If people cut down milkweed and replace it with another plant, the butterflies will not have the food source that they need to survive. But the trouble doesn't stop there. When insects can't get the right plants to eat and they die off, then the birds don't have enough bugs for their meals. Tallamy points out that almost all migrating birds depend on insets to feed their young. "We cannot let the plants and animals around us disappear." says Tallamy, "The way to preserve them is to give them food to eat. But when we plant non-native plants, we are _ the food chain, because then we don't have the insects the birds need to live." Fewer of the right plants mean fewer bugs, and fewer bugs mean fewer birds. And that's bad for the Earth, because we need a variety of living things to keep the planet healthy and beautiful. The good news is, garden centers sell native plants. "Just Google 'native plants' and your location, and you can find out which plants really belong where you live," says Tallamy According to Dr.Tallamy, which of the followings about the insects in the US is NOT true? A. Almost all the plant-eating insects in a place eat certain plants. B. Monarch butterfly caterpillars can't survive without milkweed. C. If insects can't eat the right plants, they will find another one. D. The insects' death will greatly affect the migrating birds' survival Answer: C
Today Han Mei's classmates are having an art lesson in the park. Now they are playing near the lake. The boy in black is flying a kite. He is Li Lei. The girl in red is reading a book. Who is she? Ha, she's just Han Mei. Lucy and Lily are twins. They look the same and they are dancing under a big tree. There is a boat on the lake. Mrs. Green and Mrs. Brown are in the boat. They are their teachers. And now the children are drawing pictures on the grass near the lake. The teachers are teaching how to draw pictures. But what is Joe doing? Oh, he is looking for his pencil case. Who is Mrs. Green? A. She is their English teacher. B. She is Joe's mother. C. She is their art teacher. D. She is their music teacher. Answer: C. She is their art teacher. A clique(,) is a group of friends who hang out together and act in similar ways. Cliques are common feature of the teen years. Members of a clique usually have certain things in common. For example, they might all be good students. Membership in a clique is limited. Not everyone who wants to belong can join. Cliques can have a positive or negative influence. Because most teens have a strong need to belong, they want to feel that they fit into a group. Cliques can help them meet this need. Sometimes teens feel unsure of themselves, and they use a clique to gain approval of what they wear or how they act. Cliques can become harmful, however, if they pressure members to behave the same way as the group that may damage their health. Cliques may discourage members from making their own decisions, giving their own opinions, or having other friends who aren't accepted by the clique. Cliques may even pressure members to act in ways that go against their own values and beliefs, such as lying to parents or teachers. Cliques can also hurt people outside the group. For example, members might make fun of a teen who isn't in the clique. If you find yourself under this type of pressure from a clique, here are some actions you can take to improve your situation. * Suggest other activities. Offer ideas that don't involve hurting others or putting anyone at risk. * Find new friends. If staying in the clique is becoming a negative experience, you will be better off with new friends. What is the writer's attitude toward the clique? A. He is very supportive to it. B. He is strongly against it. C. He is not against it, though he doesn't like it. D. He is not against it. However, he has some worry about it. Answer: D. He is not against it. However, he has some worry about it. Every year there is the Spring Festival in China. Usually it is in January or February. It's the most important festival in China. So before it comes, everyone has to prepare things. They buy beef, pork, chicken, fruit and many other things. And they often make a special kind of food called "dumplings". It means "come together" in Chinese. On the day before the festival, parents buy new clothes for their children and children also buy presents for their parents. On the festival eve, all the family members come back to their home. This is a happy moment. They sing, dance and play cards. When they enjoy the meal, they give each other the best wishes for the coming year. They all have a good time. ,. (5) The Chinese usually have their Spring Festival in _ . A. January or February B. February or March C. September or October D. December or January Answer: A. January or February In which organisms could evolution occur most rapidly? A. humans B. fish C. birds D. bacteria Answer: D. bacteria In promising to fuse media as diverse as television, telephone communication, video games, music and data transmission, the era of digital convergence goes better than yesterday's celebrated "information superhighway." Yet achieving this single technology is far from straightforward. There are currently three major television broadcast standards, and they are all incompatible with each other. But this is nothing compared to the many technologies supporting the Internet, each with a different bandwidth and physical media. The problems faced in designing platforms and communication systems that will be accepted across the world can appear insuperable. Even once global standards are assured, however, a further obstacle lies in wait. The Internet is plagued by long, erratic (,) response times because it is a pull-technology, driven by patterns of user demands. Push-technology, on the other hand, reverses the relationship: servers simply send information to passive users, as in television and radio. But if some form of combination between one-way television flow and interactive Internet is to be the basis of our future media, it is hard to see how it could be operated. Moreover, the problem of fusing Internet with television is also one of defining the services offered. Information, entertainment and relaxation appear at first to be quite different needs. Serious doubts remain over whether consumers will be interested in having to make the sort of mental effort associated with computing while also settling down in front of a sitcom . Besides the issue of consumer habits, infrastructurecosts are set to be immense, and will have to be met by national states or the private sector before being passed on to users. Platforms do not necessarily have to be expensive. The mobile phone is a good example of how something that is technologically sophisticated can almost be given away, with its cost recovered through service charges. Users are then coercedthrough clever marketing to upgrade to newer phones with more features to reinforce their dependence. Whatever the outcome, it is obvious that technology will play an increasing part in our everyday lives. Beyond technology, digital convergence embraces the services, industrial practices and social behavior that form modern society. We have in our hands the technology to construct the most sophisticated machines ever built, but if they are unusable, simply because of their operating instructions, then recent lessons have taught us they will not survive. Whatever we design must be simple, reliable and useful. Perhaps this is where artificial intelligence will come in. As far as the cost for digital convergence is concerned, _ . A. the expenses for building the basic facilities are too immense to be met. B. the infrastructure costs should be paid by national states and the private sector alone. C. the cost for building a platform can be recovered by collecting service charges. D. the high cost can be covered by effective marketing to attract more customers. Answer: C. the cost for building a platform can be recovered by collecting service charges.
He says the problem with teachers is, "What will a kid learn from someone who chose to become a teacher?" He reminds the other dinner guests that it's true what they say about teachers:Those who can, do; those who can't, teach. I decide to _ instead of biting his and stop myself from reminding the other dinner guests that it's also true what they say about lawyers-that they make money from the misfortune of others. "I mean, you're a teacher, Taylor," he says to me." Be honest. What do you make?" I wish he hadn't asked me to be honest, because now I have to teach him a lesson. You want to know what I make? I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I can make a C+feel like a great achievement and an A-feel like a failure. How dare you waste my time with anything less than your very best? I make parents tremble in fear when I call them: I hope I haven't called at a bad time. I just wanted to talk to you about something Billy said today. Billy said, "Leave the kid alone. I still cry sometimes, don't you?" And it was the bravest act I have ever seen. I make parents see their children for who they are and what they can be. You want to know what I make? I make kids wonder. I make them question. I make them criticise. I make them think. I make them apologise and mean it. I make them write, write, write. And then I make them read. I teach them to solve math problems that they once thought impossible. I make them understand that if you have brains then you follow your heart and if someone ever tries to judge you by what you make, you teach them a lesson. Let me make this simple for you, so you know what I say is true: I make a great difference! What about you? What's the best title of this passage? A Requirements of a Good Teacher B An Argument Between Two Guests. C A Dinner Conversation D What Teachers Make Answer: C. A Dinner Conversation Did you get a flu shot this year?For the first time,the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US is recommending that all children aged from 6 months to 18 years receive the flu _ . Vaccines battle diseases caused by bacteria and viruses.A weakened form of the germ is introduced into the body.The body makes special substances called antibodies to fight the germs.If the actual germs were to attack,the antibodies would fight.Because there are many kinds of flu viruses,scientists must create a new vaccine formula each year.Researchers must make a prediction. It is like forecasting the weather.Sometimes they are right on,and sometimes they are off.But even when the vaccine does not closely match circulating flu types,it can make the illness less serious. "The flu vaccine is not as effective as the polio vaccine or the measles vaccine," says Dr.William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine."It's not a great vaccine,but it is in fact quite a good vaccine." But a flu vaccine doesn't work for everyone.There are certain people who should be careful about taking it,because the vaccine is produced in eggs.Those who are allergic to eggs should not take it.If you have a fever,you should wait until you recover. Some people are afraid that they might get the flu from the flu shot.Scientists say that it is not possible,because the viruses in the flu shot are inactivated.But some minor side effects such as lowgrade fever and body ache could occur.If they do,they begin soon after the shot and usually last only one to two days. Did you know?Smallpox was the first disease people tried to prevent by putting a virus into a healthy person.In 1796,English scientist Edward Jenner placed some infected material under a boy's skin. By saying "It's not a great vaccine,but it is in fact quite a good vaccine." (in Para.4),William Schaffner means the flu vaccine _ . A is as effective as the polio and the measles vaccines B is worse,compared with the polio and the measles vaccines C does help to make illness less serious D is quite good because it works for everyone Answer: C. does help to make illness less serious Surfers' Paradise, the largest computer chain in Hong Kong and its neighbouring area, is offering a special package for school students for the month of July only! Enjoy: l Free internet connection package l Free basic computer training from our computer school l Free computer peripherals worth $300 Simply purchase a computer from any of our stores and you'll get the free gifts listed above. Show us your _ (so we know you are a school student) and get an added 35% discount off any computer model! Call us at:Main office SHBC International Complex #1-10 Hong Kong 531122 Opening hours: 10 am to 10 pm, 7 days a weekShenzhen Branch Hi-tech prefix = st1 /ComputerCity #10-100 Shenzhen 64875813 Opening hours: 10 am to 6 pm, closed on Sundays and public holidaysGuangzhou Branch 22-24 Baiyun Avenue Guangzhou 60048953 Opening hours: 10 am to 6 pm, closed on Sundays and public holidays The purpose of this advertisement is to sell _ . A peripherals B computers C training services D internet services Answer: B. computers The works of Shakespeare and Wordsworth are "rocketboosters" to the brain and better than the other selfhelp books,researchers will say this week. Scientists,psychologists and the English experts at Liverpool University have found that reading the works of Shakespeare and other classical writers has a beneficial effect on the mind,catches the reader's attention and triggers moments of selfreflection.Using scanners,they monitored the brain activity of volunteers as they read the works by William Shakespeare,William Wordsworth,T.S Eliot and other classical writers. They then "translated" the texts into more "straightforward",modern language and again monitored the readers' brains as they read the words.Scans showed that the more "challenging" articles and poetry set off far more electrical activity in the brain than the modern versions.Scientists were able to study the brain activity as it responded to each word and record how it "lit up" as the readers came across unusual words,surprising phrases or difficult sentence structures.This "lighting up" of the mind lasts longer than the initial electrical spark,shifting the brain to a higher speed,encouraging further reading. The research also found that reading poetry,in particular,increases the activities in the right side of the brain,an area concerned with "autobiographical memory",helping readers to reflect on their own experiences in light of what they have read.The experts said this meant the classics were more useful than selfhelp books. Philip Davis,an English professor who has worked on the study with the university,will tell a conference this week:"Serious literature acts like a rocketbooster to the brain." "The research shows the power of classical literature to shift mental pathways,to create new thoughts,shapes and connections in the young and the old alike." According to the text,reading classical works can _ . A help deal with some physical problems B benefit our mind and thinking C improve our reading skills D help learn more about history Answer: B. benefit our mind and thinking A study now lends support to the idea that meal-time distractions can mask the clues that we really have eaten quite enough. Moreover, it finds, the caloric fallout of not paying attention to what we're eating doesn't necessarily end when a meal is over. Rose Cooperfrom England, and her colleagues gathered 22 men and an equal number of women for an experiment. Each person dined alone, continuously receiving nine small shares of food items. These ranged from cheese twists and potato chips to carrots, cherry tomatoes and sandwiches or sausage rolls. Because the goal was to test the potential impacts of distraction on fullness, the researchers randomly assigned half of the participants to eat in front of a computer--and to gain as many wins as possible at the "card" game. Everyone else was told to focus on the sensory qualities of their meal. According to their instructions, the participants ate all of the food given to them. Yet people who played a computer game during lunch found their meal less filling than the mindful eaters had. Game players also swallow down twice as many cookies, almost an hour later, when they were allowed all the dessert they wanted (in the name of a taste test). The British scientists present their findings in the February American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The real question is why distracted eating should impact snacking. It appears, the scientists say, that memory plays some tricky role in how we register what we eat and the degree to which it satisfies. Interestingly, eight years ago, Britta Barkeling of Huddinge University in Stockholm and her colleaguesreportedsomewhat related findings. Their 18 overweight subjects had no choice other than to get rid of everything but lunch, on one day--because they were blindfolded. Compared to a day when they could view what they were dining on, these people consumed only three quarters as many calories. Yet even hours afterward, they reported being no less full than on the day they had been able to see their plates. Of course dining in the dark isn't practical. And sometimes what we eat doesn't really invite our attention. But there is certainly a growing mountain of data indicating that mindless eating is a waste of resources, a risk to our waistlines--and a costly threat to health. Which is the most effective way to concentrate on your food when dining? A Viewing your food. B Blindfolding your eyes. C Playing computer games. D Eating by oneself. Answer: B. Blindfolding your eyes.
Brothers Ishmael and Isadore were complete opposites. People who knew them both could hardly believe they were from the same planet, let alone the same family. The boys were not unkind toward one another, but their personalities were so different that it was difficult for them to reach a decision they both liked. Their mother frequently played the judge in their disagreement. Ishmael, the older brother,was athletic. He played baseball, football, and basketball.Isadore, the younger brother, hated sports. He was quieter and less active than his brother. He preferred spending his time on the computer, making short videos and writing short articles. Ishmael loved classic rock. He listened to bands like the Beatles. Isadore didn't care much for those bands. He preferred music from Central Africa. Luckily for their parents, both boys enjoyed listening to music through headphones. One other thing the brothers did agree on was that they wanted a pet. Mom had _ getting one, but after both brothers had begged, she finally agreed."We can get a pet, as long as you two take care of it," she said.That means you do the feeding, you do the training, and if it needs to be walked, you do the walking. "No problem, Mom,"Ishmael and Isadore said together. "Good, we all agree," Mom said. "Now, what kind of pet are we going to get?" What will probably happen next? Answer: The brothers can't agree on what pet to get. Electricity sent through a conductor Answer: moves like traffic through a green light Bookstores are second homes for readers. Although many people can now buy books online. many readers still like the feeling in bookstores. They can touch the books and smell the print. In China. there are many special bookstores. Sanlian Taofen Bookstore became the first 24-hour bookstore in Beijing at the beginning of April. Popular Holdings in Shanghai is a film-themed bookstore. It has film books and posters. Eslite Bookstore in Taiwan often has activities like talks with famous writers. At the same time. bookstores outside China can be very colorful. too. Scarthin Books is a small bookstore in the UK. It sells new and second-hand books. There are more than 100.000 books lying on the shelves of the store's 12 rooms. Bart's Books in the US is a good place to enjoy the sunshine while reading books. It's an outdoor bookstore. Bookshelves are on the street. When the store is closed. people can still buy books. They just put money into the door's coin box. Where can you find a cafe. bar and bookstore in just one place? The answer is probably El Pendulo in Mexico. Books line the walls of the store. On the second floor. visitors can order everyday meals in the cafe and drinks from the bar. In order to keep cool. there are green plants and trees inside. Does it look like a park? _ special bookstores inside China are mentioned in the passage. Answer: 3 She is a cute ,quiet girl. As a daughter, she has no secrets from her mother, who is very pleased with her. But these days she has become not so open as before. She has diary that she keeps under lock and key. Her mother cannot help worrying about her: what if she falls in love, which is too early for her age. After all, she is reaching the "dangerous time". These thoughts have caused trouble in the mother's mind. One weekend the girl came to tell her mother that she was going to the cinema with her schoolmate and would return late. This was the first time her mother agreed, and she couldn't help worrying because her daughter had never been away at night before. The mother waited till nine. She decided to go out to meet her daughter. Just at that time the noise of a car pulling up drew her to the window and---there was her daughter, waving goodbye to a boy. Her heart missed a beat. When the girl came in, the mother was watching TV, just like nothing had happened. "Mum, I'm back." "Yeah." "Sorry to be late. Still sitting up?" "Yes. Oh, that ... Who's that boy? " The daughter fell silent for some time. "Ah. It's my monitor . He gave me a lift on his way home. Mum, I'm going to bed." "All right. Go to sleep early." The next morning when the mother went to the daughter's room to do some cleaning, she found her diary left on the bed. After a few minutes' thinking, she at last opened it to the page of the night before. It reads: Mum, It's love that made you ask, but it would show your understanding of me if you hadn't. Which of the following is True according to the story ? Answer: What the daughter did these days worried her mother. A man once said how useless it was to put advertisements in the newspapers. "Last week," said he, "my umbrella was stolen from a London church. As it was a present, I spent twice its worth in advertising ,but didn't get it back " "How did you write your advertisement ?"asked one of the listeners ,a merchant . "Here it is," said the man ,taking out of his pocket a slip cut from a newspaper. The other man took it and read, "Lost from the City Church last Sunday evening a black silk umbrella .The gentleman who finds it will receive ten shillings on leaving it at No 10 Broad Street ." "Now ,"said the merchant, "I often advertise ,and find that it pays me well .But by the way in which an advertisement is expressed is of extreme importance .let us try your umbrella again ,and if it fails ,I will buy you a new one. " The merchant then took a slip of paper out of his pocket and wrote :"If the man who was seen to take an umbrella from the City Church last Sunday evening doesn't wish to get into trouble, he will return the umbrella to No. 10 Broad Street .He is well known ." This appeared in the paper ,and on the following morning ,the man was astonished when he opened the front door. In the doorway lay at least twelve umbrellas of all sizes and colors that had been thrown in and his own was among the number. Many of them had notes fastened to them saying that they had been taken by mistake, and begging the loser not to say anything about the matter If it fails, I will buy you a new one suggested that _ . Answer: he was quite sure of his success .
French lessons in France Whatever your level is, choosing to take French lessons in France is the best way to learn French. Place yourself in the local culture and practice your newly found skills in your free time. You will be taught by native French speakers who have a love for teaching and use excellent teaching techniques. Lessons are interesting and you will speak French on the first day both inside and outside the classroom. Learners * Suitable for all levels from beginners to advanced * Over 18 years old Class Schedule * Classes start on Mondays and run throughout the summer. * Please arrive at the school by 8:15 am on your first day for a short level test. It will help to place you in the right class. * Classes run from Monday to Friday each week. * Classes start at 8:45 am each day depending on your level. * You will have 3 classes per day lasting 55 minutes each. * You will have a short break between classes. Free Time and Tours * The school offers a lot of cultural activities throughout the week. These activities can include cooking lessons, wine and cheese tasting, visits to Paris, cycling, movies and much more. * You will have plenty of free time toexplore the local area and practice your newly found language skills or just relax on this learning holiday with a difference. Other Information * You should bring a small dictionary, pens and paper with you. Get more from your holiday, have fun, meet new people and take home a new language skill that will stay with you forever. What is special about the French courses? Answer: People learn French in and out of class. One observation made by visitors is that Americans frequently prefer to answer with a brief "Yes", "No", "Sure", or the very popular "Yeah" rather than a longer reply. But brief replies do not mean Americans are impolite, rude or limited mentally. Very often, Americans are rushed and may greet you with a hurried "Hi". Indeed, this is a greeting you will hear again and again during your stay in the United States. It is used by everyone. However, those accustomed to longer, beautifully worded phrases may need a little more time before they feel comfortable with American" plain talk". Americans sometimes use plain talk when they are embarrassed. If people praise them or thank them in an especially courteous way, they may be embarrassed and not know what to say in reply. They do not want to be impolite or rude; you can be sure that they liked what was said about them. Except for certain holidays, such as Christmas, Americans do not usually give gifts. Thus, you will find Americans embarrassed as they accept gifts, especially if they have nothing to give in return. They are generally a warm but informal people! The Americans like to _ . Answer: answer with the words like "sure, yeah" Fresher's Week at universities can be a nervous experience. The prefix = st1 /UKhas a well-respected higher education system and some of the top universities and research institutions in the world. But to those who are new to it all, it can be confusing. October is usually the busiest month in the academic calendar . Universities have something called Freshers' Week for their newcomers. It's a great opportunity to make new friends, join lots of clubs and settle into university life. However, having just left the comfort of home and all your friends behind, the possibility of meeting lots of strangers in big halls can make you nervous. Where do you start? Who should you make friends with? Which clubs should you join? Luckily, there will be thousands of others in the same boat as you are worrying about starting their university social life on the right foot. So just take it all in slowly. Don't rush into anything that you'll regret for the next three years. Here are some top tips from past students on how to survive Freshers' Week: ---Blend in. Make sure you are aware of British social etiquette . Have a few wine glasses and snacks handy for your housemates and friends. --- Be _ . Sometimes cups of tea or even slices of bread can give you a nice start in making friends. ---Be sociable. The more active you are, the more likely you'll be to meet new people than if you're someone who never leaves their room. ---Bring a doorstop. Keep your door open when you're in and that sends positive messages to your neighbours that you're friendly. So with a bit of clever planning, Freshers' Week can give you a great start to your university life and soon you'll be passing on your wisdom to next year's newcomers. What is the passage mainly about? Answer: The guide for the Fresher's Week. A lion is hunting antelope. The antelope are fast, faster than the lion expected. To eat today, the lion needs Answer: to catch up to it Which of the following animal features most helps the animal move around in its habitat? Answer: A sea turtle's flippers
Patricia Blues, 29, has a new aim in life: to keep drivers' hands on their steering wheels and off their cell phones. On November 2, 2007, Blues lived through a horrible experience. A motorist dialing a cell phone drove through a stop sign at 45 miles per hour and ran into the side of Blues' car. Blues' 2-year-old daughter was killed immediately in the crash. Blues has since devoted her time top pushing for laws that would prevent this type of tragedy from happening again. Cell phones are not the only distractions that cause accidents. Eating, changing CDs, reading maps, talking to passengers, and just reaching for an object on the floor can be dangerous. Therefore, the emphasis should be on educating drivers to avoid all distractions. However, talking on cell phones might be easier to regulate than eating or changing music. At least 34 states have already passed laws to restrict cell phone use in moving cars. No state has banned it yet, but several US. cities. Worldwide, 13 nations, including Australia, England, Germany, Japan and China have banned drivers' use of cell phones in moving cars. To date, no scientific evidence has been published showing that talking on the phone affects driving safety. But according to a test by some high school students, "driving while on the phone does affect safety and probably shouldn't be done". The tragedy was caused by _ . Answer: the motorist's absence of mind while driving A young woman was driving through the lonely countryside. It was dark and raining. Suddenly she saw an old woman by the side of the road, holding her hand out as if she wanted a lift. "I can't leave her out in this weather," the woman said to herself, so she stopped the car and opened the door. "Do you want a lift?" she asked. The old woman nodded and climbed into the car. After a while, she said to the old woman, "Have you been waiting for a long time?" The old woman shook her head. "Strange," thought the young woman. She tried again. "Bad weather for the time of year," she said. The old woman nodded. No matter what she said, the hitchhiker gave no answer except for a nod of the head or a shrug. Then the young woman noticed the hitchhiker's hands which were large and hairy. Suddenly she realized that the hitchhiker was actually a man! She stopped the car. "I can't see out of the rear screen," she said. "Would you mind clearing it for me?" The hitchhiker nodded and opened the door. As soon as the hitchhiker was out of the car, the terrified young woman raced off. When she got to the next village she pulled up. She noticed that the hitchhiker had left his handbag behind. She picked it up and opened it. She gave a gasp -- inside the bag was a gun. The young woman stopped the car because _ . Answer: she wanted to help "the old woman" out in the bad weather Now children can do many nice things after school. They can read books, ride bikes, watch TV and play games. But boys like playing ball games best. The children near my door often play football in the garden, and sometimes they break my windows. One Saturday afternoon I stay at home and read a book. After a few minutes, I close my eyes and go to sleep. Suddenly a sound at the door wakes me up. Soon a little boy comes in. " Not one of my windows again?" " Oh, no!" answers the boy. " Your window is open this time and our ball is in your bedroom. May I get it, please?" The boys _ . Answer: sometimes break my windows Linda and David have traveled by air from London to Sydney, Australia. Linda has promised her mother that she will ring her to let her know that they have arrived safely. This is something she had done ever since she was a child. David thinks it is not a good idea to ring so far, to spend too much, and to say so little. "If there were an accident. " He says, 'they'd know soon enough. Bad news travels fast. " But Linda has promised that she would ring. "However," she says, "'it doesn't cost much when you just think that it's the other side of the world. It's only six pence per second . " "If you're on that telephone for less than one minute, I'll eat my hat,' David says, "And one minute's nearly four pounds. " "That's no more than you'd pay for a new hat," ''Linda answers. She has asked the man at the hotel desk to get her the number. The telephone rings. Linda picks it up. "Hello, Mum. Is that you ?" She says. "Six pence per second," David reminds her. "Hello, love. " It is Mrs Lee, Linda's mother, speaking from London. "I can hear you very clearly just like you are in the next room. It's a better line than when you called me from your office. Do you remember? I shouted at that time, and still you couldn't hear me sometimes. " "Yes, Mum. "Linda puts in. . "I just wanted to ring to ....... " "I remember how you rang when you went to Betty's house to eat, when you were a little girl. And then when you ..." Mrs Lee is a great talker "Nearly four pounds. " says David. Linda tries to tell her mother that it is time to say goodbye. "Yes, all right, "says Mrs Lee," But you will write, won't you, as you did when you were at work ..." Once again, Mrs Lee talks about the pass. and there is no stopping her. "Four pounds fifty, 'says David. At last, Linda cuts her mother short, promises to write, and rings off. "There! That wasn't long, was it ?" "Four pounds, ninety pence." David answers. "And you didn't even say that we've arrived." Linda does not think it expensive to ring, because _ . Answer: she will speak from one side of the word to the other During the Apollo 14 moon landing, astronauts played golf on the moon. Which of the following would be less on the moon than on Earth? Answer: The weight of the golf ball
Question: American football In almost every big university in the USA, football is a favourite sport. American football is not like soccer. Players sometimes kick the ball, but they also throw the ball and run with it. They try to take it to the other end of the field. They have four chances to move the ball ten yards. They can carry it or throw it If they move it to the end of the field, they win six points. This is called a touchdown. It is difficult to move the ball. Eleven men on the team try to stop the man with the ball. If the man does not move the ball ten yards, his team kicks the ball to the other team.Each university wants its team win. Thousands of people come to watch. They all yell (,)for their favourite team. Young men and women from the cheer Team dance and jump while they yell.Each team plays ten or eleven games each season. The season begins in September and ends in November. If a team is very good, it may play another game after the season ends. The best team plays again on January 1st,the first day of the New Year. Many people go to see these games and many others watch them on television. To win six points the players in a team must _ . A. kick the ball ten yards B. kick the ball to the other team C. move the ball to the end of the field D. throw the ball to the sky Answer: C Question: Tom went to see his grandparents with his father. In the train Tom often put his head out of the window. His father said, "Tom, don't put your head out of the window." But Tom went on putting his head out of the window. His father took Tom's hat quietly and hid it behind his back and said to Tom, "You see your hat is gone." Tom was afraid. His father said, "Well, whistle once. Maybe your hat will come back." Tom whistled. His father put his hat on Tom's head quickly. "Oh! It's wonderful!" Tom laughed and said. He quickly took his father's hat and threw it out of the window. "Now it's your turn to whistle, Dad!" he said happily. At last Tom's father's hat _ . A. Came back B. lost C. In his head D. in Tom's head Answer: B Question: During a lab investigation a scientist heats a solid substance. The scientist observes that the solid has two different melting points. The scientist is able to separate the two resulting liquids. Which statement best classifies the original solid substance? A. It was an atom. B. It was a mixture. C. It was an element. D. It was a compound. Answer: B Question: As weather cools across the United States, a growing number of Americans visit farms. They harvest fruits, enjoy hay wagon rides and walk in the fields. These people are called "agri-tourists." They improve the economy of rural areas and help farmers increase their profits. School children are walking in a corn field _ . The corn is cut into tricky passageways that make it difficult to find a way out. The children are from Yorktown Elementary School in Bowie Maryland. They have traveled to Montpelier Farms in Prince George's County which is also in Maryland. The farm is about 40 kilometers from The White House. Debbie Pierson is the student's teacher. "We go on these kind of field trips so that the children will have a hands-on experience of what it's like to be on a farm," Pierson said. In Loudoun County Virginia, there are farms where grapes are grown for use in making wine. Many of the farms let people visit, and drink the wine that is made there. Bill Hatch owns the Zephaniah Farm Vineyard. He holds wine tastings in his home. "We are doubling the number of visitors to our farm every year. We have an average of 250 people on a weekend," Hatch said. As more people visit farms, more farmers are adding activities in which visitors can take part. Malcolm Baldwin owns WeatherLea Farm and Vineyard in Loudoun County. Six years ago, he began letting people be married at his farm. They can also sleep at the farm overnight. Mr. Baldwin says the money he makes from these activities let him keep his small farm operating. "But without the animals, and without the vines, the wedding business wouldn't be as profitable , because people like to see the vines. They like to see the animals and without which I don't think this will be a popular place," Baldwin said. On Malcolm Baldwin's farms, visitors can _ . A. taste the wine made in the USA B. raise and hunt animals C. do wedding business D. have fun as well as bring him money Answer: D Question: On a summer day, John was sitting on a beach in Hawaii with his parents. The six-year-old child suddenly said he was so lucky because he had so many toys to play with at home. His surprised parents replied that he was lucky, since a lot of kids didn't have any toys at all. "How can that be?" John said, confused, but then he said that he would like to get toys for those children. His parents naturally thought their son was just kidding. But as soon as they returned home, John began using his pocket money to buy toys for other kids and asking his friends to do the same. His parents responded by organizing pizza suppers for other families interested in helping other children that can't afford to buy toys. John thought that he just wanted to cheer those kids up. John's parents started to find a place that would allow children as young as six and seven to volunteer. They finally find a day care center for disabled children to let John and his friends visit. They went and played with these kids, playing around the room as if they belonged there. John and his friends named their work Kids Cheering Kids. John and his friends visited kids at some childcare centers, helping out with a party they organized. They also prepared a performance for children with disabilities. Their activities have drawn public concern. The spirit of helping is as fresh as it was that day in Hawaii. "The whole purpose," John says, "is to make the kids feel better." What do we learn about Kids Cheering Kids? A. It's a children's game enjoyed by John and his friends. B. It's a project started by John to help other kids. C. It's a program performed by John and his friends. D. It's an after-school activity planned by John's friends. Answer: B
Americans can travel almost anywhere they choose. But to protect its people, the government lists a few dangerous places where Americans cannot go. These places are unfriendly countries or countries at war. There, the travelers might not be safe. These countries are listed in a small book called a passport . This passport is a government request for the safety of its traveling people. It is also a government's pledge that the people will obey the rules of the host country. To receive a passport from the government, a traveler must prove that he is an American citizen. An American cannot go abroad without a passport. Only certain close countries such as Canada and Mexico do not ask for passports Stuck inside the passport is the traveler's picture. Children traveling with their parents are included in one parent's book. Thousands of people from the United States visit other countries every year. An American traveler might carry plane tickets, money, clothing and many other things. But the most important thing that he carries in another country is his passport. Why does a traveler need a passport? A. It helps the country to protect the people B. It helps the traveler to know where he will go C. He needs to have his picture taken more often D. He needs something more to carry when he travels Answer: A The house was quiet at 5 am and Tim's mother was asleep. Only the sound of the big freezer broke the quiet. He'd dreamt of the cave last night. The purring of the freezer had been the sea . Tim pulled on a sweater and put some apples into his schoolbag. It was too early for breakfast. He'd eat after he'd been through the cave, sitting on the rocks and staring at the sea. He wished he had a proper pack. His schoolbag would have to do. What else? Sandwiches--but his mother might wake up if he started pulling out bread for sandwiches, she'd want to know why he had to leave so early. , and left a note stuck to the table: Gone to Michael's. Back tonight. Tim. The sky was high and soft and light outside, though the sun still wasn't up. Even the highway up the hill was quiet as he made his way down the street. The wind from the sea was fresh and sweet. The sandhills still breathed heat from yesterday's sun, though the top of the sand was cool. He ran down to the beach impatiently, but there was no one, just dry sand dancing in the early wind and seabirds marching up and down watching the waves. The light changed suddenly. The first rays of sunlight stretched across the sea . The sun was pushing its way over the edge of the world. Over the first rocks, along to the point. Tim glanced back. The beach was still empty. The sun sailed higher in the sky. He could see the cave now, even darker in the morning light. The sand turned silver then dark gold as the water flowed away from it. He had to force himself to go closer. Why was it so much more mysterious now ? But it would be silly to go back now after so much trouble. He needn't go in all the way ... In the story , Tim's mood changed from _ .. A. loneliness to craziness B. anxiousness to excitement C. helplessness to happiness D. eagerness to nervousness Answer: D friends come to visit us in the evening, they spend their time telling us they are in a hurry and looking at their watches. It isn't that our friends are all very busy, it is just that When we haven't got a television. People think that we are very strange. "But what do you do in the evening?",they are always asking. The answer is very simple. Both my wife and I have hobbies. We certainly don't spend our evenings staring at the walls. My wife enjoys cooking and painting and often attends evening classes in foreign languages. This is particularly useful as we often go abroad for our holidays. I collect stamps and I'm always busy with my collection. Both of us enjoy listening to the music and playing chess together. Sometimes there are power cuts and we have no electricity in the house. This does not worry us, we just light candles and carry on with what we were doing before. Our friends, however, are lost---no television!---So they don't know what to do. On such evenings our house is very full ---they all come to us. They all have a good time. Instead of sitting in silence in front of the television, everybody talks and plays games. Both of them are interested in _ . A. learning languages B. traveling C. staying home alone D. watching people play games Answer: B What happens when molten lava comes into contact with a car? A. it freezes into a solid B. it turns into a gas C. it reaches its melting point D. it flies up into the sky Answer: C As summer comes near, many children are really happy to forget about school for a few months. However, they might be taking that goal too seriously. Studies have found that children often forget between one and three months' worth of school learning during the summer months. Spelling and math abilities drop off the most, while reading is not really influenced by the time off. The main reason for this is because most children sometimes read outside of the classroom, whether newspapers, magazines, books, or video game guides. However, their math and spelling skills only get exercised in the school setting. The first purpose of summer holidays was to let farm children have time off to help work in the fields during the growing season, but this reason is no longer a good one since fewer kids actually work on farms today. Some cities in the United States, such as Los Angeles, have moved to a year-round school timetable, which may help reduce the loss of school skills that happens during the long summer holiday. To improve skills and to keep a good level of preparation, headmasters suggest trips to museums, summer camps, holidays with educational value, and visits to libraries to keep kids interested throughout the summer. There are other educational systems that provide holidays while still keeping students' skills up to date. For example, in Japan, students attend class for seven weeks in a row, followed by two weeks of holiday. This continues the whole year. In Italy, students attend class six days per week, but finish at 1: 30 pm each day, so that school does not run their life the way that it does in America, where students attend high school from 7: 45 am until 3: 00 pm each weekday. In areas where there are not enough classrooms--in Afghanistan or Somalia, for example--older students attend classes in the morning while the younger kids go to school in the afternoon. Headmasters fear that the three-month summer holiday stops the flow of learning. Just as students become used to new math problems or new ideas in reading, writing, or thinking skills, they " _ " during the summer holiday. When they go back to school after the long summer holiday, they take up to two months to return to their previous level of skill. So the debate continues: whether to continue holidays or to make changes based on the Los Angeles or the Japanese models. What can we learn about the first purpose of summer holidays? A. It is still widely acceptable now. B. It was popular in some cities. C. It is not a good reason for city kids. D. It was more for teachers than for students. Answer: C
Question: In my city, people have breakfast around seven. We drink warm tea or milk in the morning. Many people have some bread, eggs or hamburgers. Around noon it is the lunchtime. Many people take their food to schools or their work-places. Some people like going to a restaurantor having fast food in a McDonald's. But I think these foods are unhealthy. We can have some meat with some vegetables or rice. Healthy fish slowly replaces beef and pork. It's healthy to drink one glass of water or juice after lunch. At six or seven in the evening, it's time for dinner. At this time, families usually get togetherto have dinner at home. We often have warm food. Sometimes we go to restaurants to eat. The writer thinks drinking one glass of water or juice after lunch is _ . A. good for eyes B. bad for teeth C. healthy D. unhealthy Answer: C Question: Many independent Chinese women like to earn their own bread, even if their husbands are already bringing home the bacon. But a recent survey suggests that such women find more joy from relationships, rather than successful careers. About 73 percent of the 7,000 women surveyed in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou said they would choose to work even if their husbands earned enough for the family. The survey also found that 77 percent define happiness as "enjoying a relationship". But striking a balance between career and family can bring challenges to the woman's career advancement. "In my company, women usually have an equal or even a higher starting salary than men," said Li Hua, general manager of Beijing Chuangjiashe Book Circulation Company. "However, as they begin to climb up the career ladder, women often meet problems along the way, while men can climb the ladder more easily." Both physical and emotional differences can prevent some women from taking tough positions, Li said. But family life is often the main difficulty for Chinese career women. Despite these challenges, however, some experts believe it's reasonable for some women to want to be breadwinners. "In this way, the roles of a family are decided by the parents' abilities rather than their gender ," said Gu Donghui, a sociology professor at Fudan University. Gu says women should have the freedom to decide if they want to stay at home or work to support the family. "Everyone has a different interpretation of what it means to find self-worth". Wang Haibin, an economic expert from Renmin University shares that view: "Traditionally, we tend to regard the family as the cell unit of society. Some members have always been expected to make sacrifices for it. But, it really doesn't matter who earns more. Economic independence and personal choice is essential for both sexes in the family." Who should make sacrifice for the family according to the passage? A. The wife B. Either of them C. The husband D. Neither of them Answer: B Question: This is a picture of Mr. Li's family. The man in the middle is Mr. Li. The woman is Mrs. Li's wife. They have two sons. The child behind Mr. Li is Li Lei. He's thirteen. The boy in front of Mrs. Li is Li Ming. He is seven. Li Lei and Li Ming are in the same school, but not in the same grade. Li Lei is in Grade Two. Li Ming is in Grade One. They are good students. Mr. Li is Li Lei's _ . A. uncle B. mother C. father D. son Answer: C Question: TV is an excellent resource for hearing and listening to English. The pictures help you understand what is being said and TV news is an ideal way to help improve your listening ability because within a short period of time the same news is often repeated. This means that you can watch basically the same news program several times within a day and that every _ program will help you to understand what is being said. These preparatory steps are very important before your listening: Find out which news report you want to listen to, when and on what channel. CCTV 9 is a good choice because this is China's English channel and has regular news reports. * Just watch the news reports for a few days first, before requiring yourself to understand the stories. Give yourself time to get familiar with the newsreaders and their accents. You should also get an idea of the structure of the entire report as well as the structure of a typical news story. * Watch the news in Chinese first. This will tell you what the main news items are and help prepare you for understanding news reports in English. While listening, you should pay attention to a few things that you may try to do: * You can aim at just getting what a story is about. Give a one-to -tow-sentence description after each story. * Put forward a few questions to yourself about a story, and then seek to answer them from your listening. You can do this by stopping the tape as soon as the headline is read to you. * Your may write a full transcript of a story to practice intensive listening. This may bring to notice listening problems that have skipped your attention when you only concentrate on the content. Even though the listening part is over, some follow-up activities will help you reinforce your learning. You may talk about the news with one or more friends. This provides an opportunity to produce a summary or express your thoughts in a brief article. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage? A. The pictures on TV are helpful to your written English and spoken English. B. CCTV 9 is a good choice because there are all excellent foreign newsreaders. C. You may get a general idea about a story by using one or two sentence. D. You may use the whole transcript of a story to practice your writing ability. Answer: C Question: Human muscle cells need nutrients and oxygen during exercise. The human body is able to meet the needs of the muscle cells during exercise by increasing A. digestion. B. excretion. C. secretion. D. circulation. Answer: D
Musa teaches English at Chunmiao Primary School in Wuhan. He had never heard of China's idol of selflessness before he arrived in the country, but this unusual young man from Nigeria is carrying on the good work of China's hero soldier. Musa's week begins with a crowded two-hour bus ride for a flag-raising ceremony at Chunmiao Primary School with old classrooms for the children of migrant workers on the outside parts of Wuhan.An hour later, he steps in front of a room full of expectant students, some of whom recently organized a dance exhibition for their foreign teacher. The dance showed the spirit of Lei Feng (1940-1962), a soldier who was idolized across China for his selflessness. It was especially meaningful to Musa because the students call him "foreign Lei Feng". "I know Lei Feng, he is a good man. Everyone should learn from Lei Feng," he says. Born to a family of diplomats in 1985, he is the second of nine children and the eldest son. Musa was expected to become a diplomat like his father, who worked in Canada from 2007.In 2008, Musa was picked by Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to study in China for a master's degree in sociology . With the hope of joining the foreign service, he then went on to study for a doctor's degree in international relations at Central China Normal University. Musa is called "Foreign Lei Feng" because _ . A. he is doing good deeds as Lei Feng did B. he is teaching English at a primary school C. he is loved and respected by the students D. he helps the students dropping out of school Answer: A. he is doing good deeds as Lei Feng did Hello!This Chinese boy is Li Lei. He's 12. He's in No.3 Middle School. He's in Class 2,Grade 1. His good friend is Jack. He's an English boy. He's in Li Lei's school. He's in Class1.Grade2. Mrs Read is an English teacher in their school.She's an English woman. Jack an Li Lei has a secret ----Jack is their English teacher's son. How old is Li Lei? A. 11 B. 12 C. 13 D. 14 Answer: B. 12 Fifteen years ago.I entered the Boston Globe,which was a temple to me then.It wasn't easy geeing hired.But once you were there,l found.you were in. Globe jobs were for life-guaranteed until retirement.For 15 years I worked there--moving from an ordinary reporter to foreign journalist and finally to senior editor.I would have a lifetime of security.if I struck with it.Instead.I had made a decision to leave.I entered my boss's office.Would he burst into anger? I Wondered.He had a famous temper."Matt.we have to have a talk,"I began awkwardly."I came to the Globe When I was twenty-four.Now I'm forty.There's a lot I want to do in life.I'm resigning.""To another paper?"he asked.I reached into my coat pocket,but didn't say anything.I handed him a letter that explained everything.It said that I was leaving to start a new media company.We were at a rare turning point in history.I wanted to meet the challenge in the change."I'm glad for you."he said,quite out of my expectation."I just came from a board of directors meeting and it was seventy-five percent discouraging news.Some of that we Can deal with.But much of it we can't,"he went on."I wish you all the luck in the world,"he concluded."And if it doesn't work out,remember,your star is always high here." Then I went out of his office,walking through the newsroom for more goodbyes.Everybody was saying congratulations.Everybody--even though I'd be risking all on an unfamiliar venture:all the financial security I had carefully built up. Later,I had a final talk with Bill Taylor,chairman and publisher of the Boston Globe.He had turned the Globe into a billion-dollar business ."I'm resigning, Bill,"I said.He listened while I gave him the story.He wash't looking angry or disturbed either.After a pause,he said,"Golly,I wish I were in your shoes." When the writer decided to resign,the Globe was faced with _ . A. a trouble with its staff members B. a shortage of qualified reporters C. a wonderful business situation D. an unfavorable business situation Answer: D. an unfavorable business situation Peter Rabbit is a character in various children's stories written by Beatrix Potter(1866-1943). Peter Rabbit made his first appearance in 1902 in The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Peter doesn't obey his mother's orders and goes away. Mr.McGregor spots him and runs after him. Peter manages to escape, but not before losing his jacket and shoes, which Mr.McGregor uses to dress a scarecrow . Peter returns home tired and ill. In the Tale of Benjamin Bunny, first published in 1904, Peter's cousin Benjamin Bunny brings him back to Mr.McGregor's garden and they get back the clothes Peter lost in The Tale of Peter Rabbit. But after they gather onions to give to Peter's mother, they are caught by Mr.McGregor's cat. Benjamin's father arrives and rescues them, but also blames Peter and Benjamin for going into the garden. In this tale, Peter displays fear about returning to the garden. In the The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies, first published in 1909, Peter has a small role and appears only briefly. He is grown up and his sister Flopsy is now married to Benjamin Bunny. The two are the parents of six little Flopsy-Bunnies. Peter and his mother keep a nursery garden and the bunnies come by asking him for spare cabbage. In the Tale of Mr. Tod, first published in 1912, Benjamin and Flopsy's children are taken away by Tommy Brock. Peter helps Benjamin run after Brock, who hides out in the house of the fox Mr. Tod. Mr. Tod finds Brock sleeping in his bed and as _ get into a fight, Peter rescues the children. Peter makes cameo appearances in two other tales. In The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, first published in 1905, Peter and Benjamin are customers of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, a hedgehog washerwoman. In The Tale of Ginger and Pickles, first published in 1909, Peter and other characters from Potter's previous stories make cameo appearances. What do we know about Benjamin Bunny? A. He's a father of six children B. He keeps a nursery garden with Peter C. His mother passes away when he's little D. He saves Peter in The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies Answer: A. He's a father of six children Which behavior is an example of an animal adapting to a change in the environment? A. a squirrel climbing a tree B. a rabbit feeding its young C. a frog eating an insect D. a bird migrating south Answer: D. a bird migrating south
A lion is tired very much and sleeps on the ground one day . A cat runs after a little mouse . The mouse runs around and comes to the lion . The mouse sees the lion and he is very afraid . " I' m very sorry . Please let me go . I can help you some day . " The lion sleeps well and feels happy now . He says , "You can help me ? You are too small . But I am happy now . You can go . " The mouse goes . One day , the lion is in a cage . He can't get out . The little mouse sees the sad lion . He bites the cage with his teeth . Soon the lion goes out . "Am I right ? " says the mouse , " A small animal can help a big one sometimes . " The lion can come out of the cage because _ . A he bites the cage B the cage is not strong C the mouse helps him D the cage is open Answer: C. the mouse helps him When you discuss about eating out with your friend, first of all, you must make it clear who will pay for the meal.If somebody suggests having lunch with his friend, he might simply say something like this "I'm afraid it'll have to be some place nearby ,as I have little money." The other person may say. "OK. I'll meet you at Mcdonald's." This means he has agreed that the two will go Dutch, that is, each person pays for himself. He may say "Oh, no. I want to take you for lunch at Johnson's " This means the person is to pay the bill for both of them. Although the other person is pleased with the invitation, there is one reason why he shouldn't accept it by simply saying "Thank you." American customs are much the same as those in other parts of the world. American women used to expect men to pay for all the meals. But today, some of them like to. However, if a woman is asked to attend a dinner or a dance outside, the invitaton itself means "Come as my guest". So, as you see, it is a polite thing to make the situation clear at the very beginning. _ is first of all when you discuss about eating out with your friend. A What to eat B Where to eat C Who will pay for the meal D When to eat Answer: C. Who will pay for the meal This is a page from a college information handbook. It tells you where you can find several different college services and facilities . Where To Find Help In The College Here are the places of some important college services and facilities. Rooms numbered 100-130 are on the first floor and those numbered 200-230 are on the second floor of the main college buildings. Students Services Center Careers 113 The officers can offer you some advice on career choice and applications for higher education. Accommodation Office 114 Mrs. J Mardle is here each afternoon from 1:30 to 4:30 to help students with housing problems. Medical Room 115 Mrs. J Wright, the college nurse, helps you each morning from 9:30 to12:00 am. The college doctor is on duty at the room on Wednesday mornings. Sports office 207 Mrs. B Murie can provide information about sporting and keep-fit activities. Student Union Office 222 A range of services and advice (travel etc.) is provided. Food service 127 Mr G Nunn is the manager and will do his best to help if you ask for a special diet. Library 215 Besides books this also has photocopying, video, audio-visual and computing facilities. Self Access Language Learning Center 203 Students can attend on a drop-in basis from 9:00 am to 4:15 pm. Which of the following statements is NOT true? A You need a reservation in the Language Learning Center. B You are able to watch video programmes in the library. C The college nurse is available for some time before noon. D Student Services Center can help students apply for higher education. Answer: A. You need a reservation in the Language Learning Center. Animals are just like humans in that if they run out of oxygen, breathing is impossible and A They will perish B they will type. C they will program D they will Laugh Answer: A. They will perish Something roared like thunder. The earth shook a little and we heard the rat-a-tat-tat of gunfire. "Father!" Hassan cried. We sprung to our feet and raced out of the living room. "Father! What's that sound? Hassan screamed, his hands outstretched toward Ali. Ali wrapped his arms around us. A white light flashed and lit the sky in silver. It flashed again and was followed by rapid sharp sounds of gunfire. "They're hunting ducks." Ali said in a hoarse voice. "They hunt ducks at night, you know." Don't be afraid. A siren went off in the distance. Somewhere glass broke and someone shouted. I heard people on the street, jolted from sleep and probably still in their pajamas, with ruffled hair and puffy eyes. Hassan was crying. Ali pulled him close, clutched him with tenderness. We stayed huddled that way until the early hours of the morning. The shootings and explosions had lasted less than an hour, but they had frightened us badly, because none of us had ever heard gunshots in the streets. They were foreign sounds to us then. The generation of Afghan children whose ears would know nothing but the sounds of bombs and gunfire was not yet born. Huddled together in the dining room and waiting for the sun to rise, none of us had any notion that a way of life had ended. The end came when Russian tanks were rolling into the very same streets where Hassan and I played, bringing the death of the Afghanistan I knew and marking the start of a still ongoing era of bloodletting. Just before sunrise, Baba's car peeled into the driveway. His door slammed shut and his running footsteps pounded the stairs. Then he appeared in the doorway and I saw something on his face. Something I didn't recognize right away because I'd never seen it before: fear. "Amir! Hassan!" He cried as he ran to us, opening his arms wide. "They blocked all the roads and the telephone didn't work. I was so worried!" We let him wrap us in his arms and, for a brief moment, I was glad about whatever had happened that night. From the last sentence of the passage, we know _ . A the author was glad to see his father come home safe B there was a chance that a world in peace was to come C what happened that night seemed nothing to the author D Baba's arms gave the author temporary comfort and joy Answer: D. Baba's arms gave the author temporary comfort and joy
Meet the "Tutor Kings and Queens" "If you want to be a top tutor, it definitely helps if you are young and attractive. Students look at your appearance," said Kelly Mok, 26, a "tutor queen" at King's Glory, one of Hong Kong's largest tutorial establishments. Richard Eng from Beacon College, a former secondary school teacher, is often credited with being the first of Hong Kong's "star tutors". "In school all the teachers look the same, there's no excitement," he said. The celebrity tutor phenomenon is a result of the huge growth in outofschool tutoring in Asia. It is fuelled by highly pressured examination systems and ambitious parents wanting their children to secure places at top universities and highstatus secondary schools. In societies where success _ good exam results, parental anxiety converts into a "steady stream of revenue " for tutoring establishments, according to a study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The tutoring industry, or "shadow education" as the ADB calls it, has become very widespread in Asia, fed by the growth in universities and the rising proportion of school leavers aiming for university. Hong Kong University's professor Mark Bray, one of the authors of the ADB study, said a staggering 72% of finalyear school students in Hong Kong now go to private tutors. It's not just Hong Kong. Tutoring has "spread and intensified in Asia and become more commercialized," said Professor Bray. In South Korea, 90% of primary school children attend such classes. In China, New Oriental Education and Technology has grown to become one of the largest tutoring schools in Asia with around 2.4 million students this year. In South Korea, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India, tutorial schools use star tutors to attract even more students. According to Kelly Mok, tutors _ . benefit much from their appearances Friends around the word The sun shines on new friends in new places. Some of the places are similar to the places where you live and some are not. But all of these friends love to sing and play. A Friend in Korea Hi, I'm Chang--Yong, and I'm 15 year old. My family lives in an apartment in Seoul, the capital of South Korea. The spring here is warm and beautiful. On special days, I dress in a silk jacket called Hanbok. A Friend in Australia Hi, John is my name. I'm an Aboriginal Australian, Aborigines have lived in Australia for many years. I live with our mother in the country. My favorite season is autumn. It's cool. We often wear T--shirts. A Friend in Tanzania Hello, my name is Manka, and I live in Tanzania. It's always hot here. Most of us live in wooden huts with grass roofs. My father takes care of the cattle. Cattle are very important for us. A Friend in Canada Hi, I am called Kipanik . We live in northern Canada .near the North Pole. It is snowy and cold most of the time here. So I often wear a heavy coat. My family often uses a dog sled to travel through areas covered with snow. On special days,Chang-Yong wears _ . a silk jacket John is 6 years old. He can read and write very well, but he can't tell time. He doesn't say "eight o'clock", "twelve o'clock" or "four o'clock in the afternoon". He says "breakfast time", "lunchtime" or "teatime" His aunt thinks she can teach him to read a clock. "Can you count , John?" "Yes. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve..." "That's fine. Now, if I put the long hand of the clock on 'twelve' and the short one on 'one'-that is one o'clock. If I put the short hand on 'two', what's that?" "Two o'clock. " "Good. And on three?" "Three o'clock. " It is four o'clock in the afternoon, and John's aunt looks at him and asks: "What time is it, now?" "Teatime, Aunt, and I'm hungry. " His aunt teaches him _ . to tell time So you thought the hamburger was the world's most popular fast food? After all, McDonald's Golden Arches span the globe . But no, there is another truly universal fast food, the ultimate fast food. It's easy to make, easy to serve, much more varied than the hamburger, can be eaten with the hands and it's delivered to your front door or served in fancy restaurants. It's been one of America's favourite foods for over 50 years. It is, of course, the pizza. It's kind of silly to talk about the moment when pizza was "invented". It changed over the years, but one thing's for certain--it's been around for a very long time. The idea of using pieces of flat, round bread as plates came from the Greeks. They called them "plakuntos" and ate them with various simple toppings such as oil, garlic , onions and herbs. The Romans enjoyed eating something similar and called it "picea". By about 1000 AD in the city of Naples, "picea" had become "pizza" and people were experimenting with more toppings: cheese, ham, anchovies and finally the tomato, brought to Italy from Mexico and Peru in the sixteenth century. Naples became the pizza capital of the world. In 1889, King UmbertoIand Queen Margherita heard about pizza and asked to try it. They invited pizza maker, Raffele Esposito, to make it for them. He decided to make the pizza like the Italian flag, so he used red tomatoes, white mozzarella cheese and green basil leaves. The Queen loved it and the new pizza was named "Pizza Margherita" in her honour. Pizza went to America with the Italians at the end of the nineteenth century. The first pizzeria in the United States was opened in 1905 at 53 Spring Street, New York City, by Gennaro Lombardi. But the popularity of pizza really exploded when American soldiers returned from Italy after World WarII and raved about "that great Italian dish". Americans are now the greatest producers and consumers of pizza in the world. Why are Mexico and Peru important in the development of pizza? Because one topping was brought to Italy from these countries. " Dreams may be more important than sleep. We all need to dream." some scientists say. Dreams take up about one quarter of our sleeping time. People have several dreams each night. Dreams are like short films. They are usually in color. Some dreams are like old films. They come up over and over again. That may be the dreamer worrying about something. Dreaming may be a way of trying to find an answer. Some people get new ideas about their work from dreams. They may have been thinking about their work all day. These thoughts can carry over into dreams. Too much dreaming can be harmful. The more we sleep,the longer we dream. The mind is still at work when we dream. That is why we may have a long sleep and still wake up tired. Why do some people often dream about their work? Because they may be thinking about their work all day.
Once there was a poor farmer and his farm belonged to a rich man. One day he brought a basket of apples to the rich man's house. On the doorsteps, he met two monkeys dressed like children. They jumped onto the basket to eat the apples and threw some on the ground. The farmer politely took off his hat and asked the monkeys to get off. They obeyed and the farmer went into the house. He asked to see the rich man. A servant took him to the room where the rich man was sitting. "I have brought you the basket of apples you asked for," he said. "But why have you brought a half-empty basket?" the rich man asked. "I met your children outside, and they stole some of the apples." What did the monkeys do when the farmer was on the doorsteps? A They jumped and jumped. B They played. C They ate some of the apples. D They ran away. Answer: D. They ran away. High-quality customer service is preached by many, but actually keeping customers happy is easier said than done. Shoppers seldom complain to the manager or owner of a retail store, but instead will alert their friends, s, co-workers, strangers--and anyone who will listen. Store managers are often the last to hear complaints, and often find out only when their regular customers decide to frequent their competitors, according to a study jointly conducted by Verde Group and Wharton School. "Storytelling hurts retailers and entertains consumers," said Paula Courtney, President of the Verde Group. "The store loses the customer, but the shopper must also find a replacement." On average, every unhappy customer will complain to at least four others, and will no longer visit the specific store. For every dissatisfied customer, a store will lose up to three more due to negative review. The resulting "snowball effect" can be disastrous to retailers. According to the research, shoppers who purchased clothing encountered the most problems. Ranked second and third were grocery and electronics customers. The most common complaints include filled parking lots, cluttered shelves, overloaded racks, out-of-stock items, long check-out lines, and rude salespeople. During peak shopping hours, some retailers solved parking problems by getting moonlighting local police to work as parking attendants. Some hired flag wavers to direct customers to empty parking spaces. This guidance eliminated the need for customers to circle the parking lot endlessly, and avoided confrontation between those eyeing the same parking space. Retailers can relieve the headaches by redesigning store layouts, pre-stocking sales items, hiring speedy and experienced cashiers, and having sales representatives on hand to answer questions. Most importantly, salespeople should be diplomatic and polite with angry customers. "Retailers who're responsive and friendly are more likely to smooth over issues than those who aren't so friendly," said Professor Stephen Hoch. "Maybe something as simple as a greeter at the store entrance would help." Customers can also improve future shopping experiences by filing complaints to the retailer, instead of complaining to the rest of the world. Retailers are hard-pressed to improve when they have no idea what is wrong.ks5u To achieve better shopping experiences, customers are advised to _ . A exert pressure on stores to improve their service B settle their disputes with stores in a diplomatic way C voice their dissatisfaction to store managers directly D shop around and make comparisons between stores Answer: C. voice their dissatisfaction to store managers directly Q: I currently entered college in New York. Since English is not my first language, I sometimes ask a friend to read my essays to help fix the grammar and language. I believe I'm being graded mainly on my ideas, and my friend helps me get my ideas across better in English. Is this OK? -Mariana A: It's good that you want to succeed in your written work at college. Making use of available resources to help you succeed is a smart strategy . But while you may believe that your instructors don't care as much about how you write as they do about your ideas, that' s not a fair assumption. Certainly, your ideas are important. No matter how polished your writing is, it will not disguise a poorly expressed idea in a paper. But as a college student, being able to organize your thoughts clearly-whether you're speaking in class or writing a paper-is critical to show that you've mastered the material in each course. This does not mean you shouldn't ask others to review your written work before handing it in. That's OK. You should not, however, allow a friend or anyone else to rewrite parts of your papers for you. Instead, ask them to simply let you know about any parts of the paper that are unclear and need work. Many colleges have writing centers where tutors will work with you on your writing-without doing the work for you. Regardless of whether you consult with a friend or a tutor, the right thing is for you to talk to your instructors to ask their advice and let them know you plan to seek assistance with your writing. If you ask them in advance for guidance on what's appropriate and what's not for the written work they assign, that will allow you to be as transparent as possible about how you completed your _ -Professor Byron When asking someone for help on your paper, you should ask him _ . A to hand in the paper after reading it B to write the difficult part for you C to make a writing. plan for you D to tell you the part to be improved Answer: D. to tell you the part to be improved Holidays Holiday News Vacancies now and in the school holidays at a country hotel in Devon. This comfortable, friendly home-from-home lies near the beautiful quiet countryside, but just a drive away from the sea. The food is simple but good. Children and pets are welcome. Reduced prices for low season. The Snowdonia Centre The Snowdonia Centre for young mountain climbers has a mountain climbing lesson. The beginners' costs are PS57 for a week, including food and rooms. Equipment is included except walking shoes, which can be hired at a low cost. You must be in good health and prepared to go through a period of body exercises. This could be the beginning of a lifetime of mountain climbing adventure. The World Sea Trip of a Lifetime Our World Sea Trip of 2008 will be unlike any holiday you have ever been on before. Instead of one hotel after another, with all its packing and unpacking, waiting and traveling, you just go to bed in one country and wake up in another. On board the ship, you will be well taken care of. Every meal will be first-class and every cabin like your home. During the trip, you can rest on deck , enjoy yourself in the games rooms and in the evening dance to our musical team and watch our wonderful play. You will visit all the places most people only dream about -- from Acapulco and Hawaii to Tokyo and Hong Kong. For a few thousand pounds, all you've ever hoped for can be yours. What is special about the World Sea Trip of 2008? A You can sleep on a ship and tour many places. B You can have free meals on deck every day. C You will have chances to watch and act in a play. D You have to do your own packing and unpacking. Answer: A. You can sleep on a ship and tour many places. If Confucius were still alive today and could celebrate his September 28 birthday with a big cake, there would be a lot of candles. He'd need a fan or a strong wind to help him put them out. While many people in China will remember Confucius on his special day, few people in the United States will give him a passing thought. It's nothing personal. Most Americans don't even remember the birthdays of their own national heroes. But this doesn't mean that Americans don't care about Confucius. In many ways he has become a bridge that foreigners must cross if they want to reach a deeper understanding of China. In the past two decades, the Chinese studies programs have gained huge popularity in Western universities. More recently, the Chinese government has set up Confucius Institutes in more than 80 countries. These schools teach both Chinese language and culture. The main courses of Chinese culture usually included Chinese art, history and philosophy . Some social scientists suggest that Westerners should take advantages of the ancient Chinese wisdom to make up for the drawbacks of Westerners philosophy. Students in the United States, at the same time, are racing to learn Chinese. So they will be ready for life in a world where China is an equal power with the United States. Businessmen who hope to make money in China are reading books about Confucius to understand their Chinese customers. So the old thinker's ideas are still alive and well. Today China attracts the West more than ever, and it will need more teachers to introduce Confucius and Chinese culture to the West. As for the old thinker, he will not soon be forgotten by people in the West, even if his birthday is. What is the best title for the passge? A Forgotten Wisdom in America B Huge Fans of the Chinese Language C Chinese Culture for Westerners D Old Thinker with a Big Future Answer: D. Old Thinker with a Big Future
Do you like singing or playing musical instruments ? If you say "yes", you can join us! We have piano lessons every Friday evening in our club. We also have guitar lessons on Monday evening. You don't have to pay -- The lessons are all free. Just come and have a try!We also have classes to teach students singing skills on Tuesday evening. If you like singing, you will find them useful. In our club you can meet many students from different classes and you can make friends with them. Come on! Join us! You can't have _ lessons in the club. violin Have you ever thought about why malls, restaurants, and even theaters have music? Well, to understand this, you simply just look back at how you felt when you heard music in these places. Music is known to improve the mood of people. Often music helps us pay attention to what we are doing. Music helps patients feel good and helps them recover faster and better. Depression is a state of mind that most of us experience at some point of time. There are some periods in our life when everything seems difficult. It seems that everything is getting worse and we have no control over our life. Studies have shown that music can be an important mood lifter in such situations. Music also plays a great role in making us feel less nervous or worried. Anxiety can often cause loss of sleep and other illnesses. Music is often known as an international language. We may not know the language another person is speaking, but most of us respond to music in the same way. Music can often be the best way to connect with someone. Music is one of the best ways to improve your moods, but this can depend largely on the kind of music you listen to. While happy music can certainly make you feel better, sad music can further lower your spirits. Listening to classical music can often make you feel a lot more powerful, while soft music can be the perfect way to relax at the end of a long way. If you want to use music to change the way how you are feeling, you need to understand the role of it, learn to recognize the kind of music that lifts your mood and helps you feel better. Once you realize the kind of music you can use, you can use it to change the way you feel. The right kind of music can be the perfect way to help us feel happier. From the passage, we can know that _ . music can be a good way to connect with others Astronomers have determined the surface temperature of stars by studying their colors. What color emission represents stars with the hottest temperatures? blue Whenever we see a button, we are eager to press it because we know something will happen. This is true in most cases, for example on a doorbell and on the "on/off" button on the TV. But some buttons are actually fake, like the "close" button on a lift. Many people are in the habit of pressing the "close" button because they don't have the patience to wait for the lift doors to shut. But lifts' "close" buttons are a complete scam , at least in the US-the doors will not close any faster no matter how hard you press. It started in the 1990s when the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in the US, making sure that all lifts stayed open long enough so that people with disabilities could enter. Only US firefighters and repairmen can use the buttons to speed up the door-closing process if they have a code or special keys. But to normal lift riders, the buttons aren't completely useless. According to psychologists, fake buttons can actually make you feel better by offering you a sense of control. "Perceived control is very important. It reduces stress and increases well-being," Ellen J. Langer, a psychology professor, said, " having a lack of control is associated with depression." Experts have revealed that a lot of buttons that don't do anything exist in our lives _ . For example, many offices in the US have fake thermostats because people tend to feel better when they think they can control the temperature in their workspace. But psychologists found it interesting that even when people are aware of these little "white lies", they still continue to push fake buttons because as long as the doors eventually close, it is considered to be worth the effort. "That habit is here to stay," John Kounios, a psychology professor, said. "Even though I have real doubts about the traffic light buttons, I always press them. After all, I've got nothing else to do while waiting. So why not press the button in the hope that this one will work?" According to John Kounios, people who press fake buttons _ . probably do so to kill time Once there was a poor farmer and his farm belonged to a rich man. One day he brought a basket of apples to the rich man's house. On the doorsteps, he met two monkeys dressed like children. They jumped onto the basket to eat the apples and threw some on the ground. The farmer politely took off his hat and asked the monkeys to get off. They obeyed and the farmer went into the house. He asked to see the rich man. A servant took him to the room where the rich man was sitting. "I have brought you the basket of apples you asked for," he said. "But why have you brought a half-empty basket?" the rich man asked. "I met your children outside, and they stole some of the apples." The monkeys left the basket because the farmer was angry wit h them
Fish species are expected to shrink in size by up to 24% because of global warming, say scientists. The scientists argue that failure to control greenhouse gas emissions will have a greater effect on marine ecosystems than previously thought. Previous research has suggested that changing ocean temperatures would affect both the distribution and the reproductive abilities of many species of fish. This new work suggests that fish size would also be heavily affected. The researchers built a model to see how fish would react to lower levels of oxygen in the water. As ocean temperatures increase, so do the body temperatures of fish. But, according to lead author, Dr William Cheung, from the University of British Columbia, the lower level of oxygen in the water is key. Warmer waters could decrease ocean oxygen levels and greatly reduce fish body weight. On the other hand, rising temperatures directly increase the metabolic rate of the fish's body function. This leads to an increase in oxygen demand for normal body activities. So the fish will run out of oxygen for growth at a smaller body size. The research team also used its model to predict fish movements as a result of warming waters. The group believes that most fish populations will move towards the Earth's poles at a rate of up to 35km per decade. "So in, say, the North Sea," says Dr Cheung," one would expect to see more smaller-body fish from tropical waters in the future." Taking these factors into consideration, the research team concludes that fish body size will shrink between 14% and 24%, with the largest decreases in the Indian and Atlantic oceans. When compared with actual observations of fish sizes, the model seems to _ what's actually happening in the seas. The researchers looked at two case studies involving North Atlantic cod and haddock. They found that recorded data on these fish showed greater decreases in body size than the models had predicted. Dr Alan Baudron, from the University of Aberdeen, UK, believes smaller-sized fish could seriously affect the ability of fish to reproduce. "Smaller fish produce fewer and smaller eggs which could affect the reproductive potential of fish stocks," he said. What's the main idea of the passage? Pingyao, in the center of Shanxi Province, is a famous historic cultural city of China and a world cultural heritage site . It's 90 kilometers south of Taiyuan on the Fen River. People lived in Pingyao during the New Stone Age. Its long period as a country government seat has left Pingyao with lots of historic buildings and sites, with a 2,700-year history. Ninety-nine of _ are under government protection, including Zhengguo Temple, Shuanglin Temple and Pingyao Ancient City. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, businessmen organized commercial groups that did business nationwide. Shanxi Province had some of the most important ones and Pingyao was their center. In 1823, a store, known as Rishengchang(Sunrise Prosperity), traded in bank checks rather than in silver or gold coins. It was the beginning of modern Chinese banking. Branch banks were soon set up in major cities in China and other parts of Asia, leading to great development in Pingyao. Its Lacquer ware became well known. In Pingyao Ancient City are many traditional houses and commercial buildings, 3,797 of which are protected and more than 400 of which are in good condition. Not only do the houses in Pingyao show Shanxi's history and culture, but this large number is valuable for studying its history, customs, and ancient buildings and art. Most of these houses are still used as homes and shops of local people. In 1997, Ancient Pingyao City was listed in World Heritage List as " World Culture Heritage Site". Which of the following about Pingyao is NOT mentioned in the passage? A professor I have worked pretty closely with has been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. It has been devastating for his family and heartbreaking for his students. What made him extraordinary was not only that he was a rising star. He had only recently collected the highest honors for young researchers at the White House. We truly admire him--as someone put it, 'He always has a smile and a kind word for everyone." It is very hard to find someone who is extremely intelligent should be so nice a human being. I decided that we needed him to know _ and also how we are all praying for his recovery. I bought him a simple card which read, 'Healing thoughts and wishes coming your way." I met all the students he worked closely with and got them to sign on it. Each student in his laboratory signed and also added a message. 'We love you so much", 'We miss you! We need you back here--recover soon"... These were some of the messages that were written. Most of the students were really glad we were doing this and said it was a very good idea to give it to him. He is still undergoing intense treatment, and along with his family is trying his best to stay optimistic and hopeful. I didn't see a trace of self-pity or sadness when I met him last week. Instead, he paid attention to every word of my presentation and asked me several questions related to my work. I was amazed at how much he gave his 100% on that day in spite of being in pain because of chemotherapy( ),he did not know if he even had another month to live. "I am trying to focus on staying positive, hoping to be back this summer," he said. Needless to say, I saw an expression of joy and hope on his face as he opened the card. He said he was truly touched to see the messages from the students he worked closely with. There is one thing I learnt from last week: It is so important to tell people how much they mean to us and what an inspiration they are before it becomes too late. My professor, in spite of being too sick to teach classes, has managed to continue being a great teacher, introducing his last valuable message to us. When the writer visited the professor at hospital, what surprised him was that the professor _ . Dear Sir, Good day! I want to become a pilot , because my cousin is a pilot . I think he is great. He is cool when he wears his pilot uniform. If I become a pilot , my parents will be proud of me and I can travel around the world . I am in the third grade in a university. I'm tall with medium build; I'm quite healthy and strong. I like playing sports .If I have a chance to become a pilot, I will have a great time flying in the blue sky. I believe I can be a good pilot .The problem is that I can't afford my dream .You know, to be a pilot needs a lot of money. My parents are both workers. They don't have much money. Could you help me find a sponsor ( ),sir? And how can I get a scholarship ? I am _ your help, sir? If you have time, you can e-mail me at www,cn,com . Your help will mean a lot, sir. Once again good day and thank you. Yours Wei If one wants to help Wei ,he can _ him . See a cellphone cover that you like on Taobao? Forget about placing an order, paying the bill online and waiting for days for it to be delivered to you. In the near future, you'll be able to get it in minutes just by hitting "print" on your computer. You might find it hard to believe that you could actually "print" an object like you would a picture. But it is not that hard to understand how it would work. Just as a traditional printer sprays ink onto paper line by line, modern 3D printers spread material onto a surface layer by layer, from the bottom to the top, gradually building up a shape. Instead of ink, the materials the 3D printer uses are mainly plastic, resin and certain metals. The thinner each layer is--from a millimetre to less than the width of a hair--the smoother and finer the object will be. This may sound like a completely new technology, but the truth is that 3D printing has been around since the late 1980s. Back then, it was barely affordable for most people, so few knew about it. Last year, though, saw a big change in the 3D printing industry--printers became much cheaper. For example, 10 years ago a desktop 3D printer might have cost PS20,000, while now they cost only about PS1,000, according to the BBC. Taken out of the factory and introduced to more diverse and common uses, 3D printing can create just about anything you can think of--flutes , bikinis, jewelry, aircraft parts and even human organs. In fact, scientists from Cornell University in New York have just made an artificial ear using a 3D printer, according to Science Daily. The fake ear looks and acts exactly like a natural one. However, as 3D printing becomes more common, it may bring about certain problems--such as piracy. "Once you can download a coffee maker, or print out a new set of kitchen utensils on your personal 3D printer, who will visit a retail store again?" an expert in 3D printing told Forbes News. Even more frightening, what if anyone in the world could use a 3D printer to print out a fully functioning gun? What is the best title of the passage?
Instead of a normal court hearing, the trial on Wednesday appeared more like a prepared drama. Hundreds of reporters waited outside the court, in the hope of learning "shocking" information about the case, which includes well-known military singer Li Shuangjiang's son, who gang-raped a woman with another four men on February. The case was not a public hearing because it includes teenagers, whose privacy must be protected under law, but many details had been exposed by the lawyers before the trial. Lawyers of all five suspects and the woman's lawyer made a lot of debate on the Internet before the trial, making the case more confused. Wu Ming'an, a law professor from the China University of Political Science and Law, said it was a pity to see such a "performance" by the lawyers. "It can be understood that the two parties freely spoke their opinions, but it's not professional or wise to see lawyers do the same," Wu said. "Instead, the lawyers should guide and persuade their clients to calm down, especially for such a non-public and sensitive case." China has no clear rule to manage lawyers' behavior before trials, "but it should be general knowledge that the lawyers of the two sides cannot _ too many details, particularly in a case that includes teenagers", Wu added. Yi Shenghua, a lawyer who has been following the case, said it does more harm than good to both parties for such detailed information to be exposed before the trial. "It's OK for lawyers to speak, but what is said must be reasonable and legal. Although judgments should not be affected by public opinion, it's hard for them not to be," he said, suggesting judicial authorities should speak out if the case goes wrongly. Trials must be conducted based on evidence, while lawyers should protect their clients' rights instead of adding fuel to the flames, Yi said. In my eyes, the most important aspect of the case, lies in how to make lawyers do their work more professionally and reasonably. Why was the case not a public hearing? Answer: Because teenagers' privacy must be protected under law. Our village carpenter , John, came one day and made a dining table for my wife. He made it just the right size for the space between the two windows. When I got home that evening, John was drinking a cup of tea and writing out his bill for the job. My wife said to me quietly,"That's his ninth cup of tea today. "But she said, in a loud voice,"It's a beautiful table, dear, isn't it?" "I'll decide about that when I see the bill. "I said. John laughed and gave me his bill for the work. I read: One dining table 10 November, 1998 Cost of wood $17. 00 Paint $1. 50 Work, 8 hours ( $1 an hour ) $8. 00 Total $36. 50 When I was looking at the bill, John said, "It's been a nice day, hasn't it?Quite sunny. " "Yes. "I said. " I'm glad it's only the tenth of November. " "Me, too. "said John. "You wait -- it'll be a lot colder by the end of the month. " "Yes,colder -- and more expensive! A dining table will be $20 more expensive on November 30, won't it, John?" John looked hard at me for half a minute. Was there a little smile in his two blue eyes?I gave his bill back to him. "If there isn't too much trouble, John," I said,"please add it up again. You can forget the date..." I paid him $26. 50 and he was happy to get it. The writer thought John would ask for _ if he made a dining table on the last day of November. Answer: $56. 50 Q My daughter is a junior in high school and has been on an individualized education program since fourth grade. She plans to go to college and intends to finish with a master's degree. Her performance is fairly good, but test scores are very low. She has held many leadership and volunteer positions. We have been advised to have her write an essay about how her learning disability is a barrier that she has overcome. Will that help or hurt her chances for admission? --Deborah AFirst let me answer the question on low standardized test scores (ACT/ SAT). There are hundreds of colleges that are "test optional" which means students can choose not to release their test scores in the application process. Admission decisions at these colleges for students who do not submit their test scores are made based on other factors. A list of test optional colleges can be found atfairtest.org. It is important, however, to make sure that the college is the right fit academically regardless of the test optional policy. You also asked if your daughter should write about her disability and if this would hurt her chances of being admitted. Please know that colleges do not deny admission based on disability. "Disclosing" a learning disability in a personal statement within the college application can certainly help. By writing a personal statement, students can potentially demonstrate, for example, their understanding of the challenge they face. They might also demonstrate an improved grade trend in that subject area, and show interest in more complex courses in spite of this disability. More importantly, a student disclosure can show self-confidence, motivation and an understanding of the disability. --Ms. Kravis What is Ms. Kravis' attitude toward one's declaring his/ her learning disability? Answer: Supportive There were times when it was only schoolchildren who felt sick before they got their grades.But now teachers in prefix = st1 /Germanyare scared, too, as they are being graded by their students. Many teachers are opposed to it.They don't mind being evaluated.But they are upset because the results are then being posted on the Internet and accessible to millions of Internet users.On the website www.spickmich.deduring the past four months students have posted evaluations of 100,000 teachers. The teachers are graded on categories such as "motivated", "good instruction," "easy examinations", or even "sexy." Many teachers think that their privacy has been violated. The creators of the website say that the students are only being offered the chance to provide teachers with some feedback about their classroom instruction.Bernd Dicks, who founded the website with three friends, says that the students are largely quite satisfied with their teachers.On a grading scale of one to six, the teachers' average grade is 2.7 and it has been improving lately.He often says the impression is that students are bullying their teachers.But there is also bullying of the students by teachers. "Teachers must also learn to live with criticism," he added.But still, the website is not totally immune from manipulation , as one teacher near the northern city of Hanover recently proved.He registered himself on the website as a student and then rated his own teaching colleagues highly.Within a few days, seven of his colleagues were listed in the top 10 rankings of Germany's best teachers. Many teachers are opposed to the website because_. Answer: their privacy has been violated In April 2014, the world's oldest known message in a bottle was discovered floating in the Baltic Sea. It had spent 101years lost in the ocean! The message was finally sent to the author's granddaughter. A German fisherman named Konrad Fischer found the brown bottle near Kiel, Germany. He said he nearly threw the bottle back into the water after pulling it out of a fishing net. Then he noticed something inside. The bottle in good condition contained a Danish postcard with two German stamps, dated May 17, 1913. Although dampness had made most of the writing illegible , the readable part of the message asked whoever found it to return it to an address in Berlin. It even contained two stamps to pay for postage. From the address, researchers found that the postcard was written by a man named Richard Platz, who was 20 years old when he wrote the message. While he was hiking on the Baltic coast with a nature appreciation group, he threw the bottle into the sea. Then the researcher began a research for any living s of his. Sure enough, they were able to find his 62-year-old grandfather, Angela Erdmann, who still lives in Berlin. "It was almost unbelievable," Erdmann said upon being presented with her grandfather's bottle and message, as quoted in The Local. "That was a pretty moving moment. Tears rolled down my face." Erdmann never knew her grandfather, who died in 1946, but says that the discovery of the bottle has made her want to learn more about him. The bottle remained on display at the International Maritime Museum Hamburg until May 1. After that, the researchers examined the postcard and tried to figure out the meaning of the rest of the message. Previously, the oldest message found in a bottle spent nearly 98 years at sea and was discovered in April 2012, according to Guinness World Records. Why did Richard Platz throw the bottle with the message into the sea? Answer: He wished the finder would send the postcard to his home.
A shopkeeper sent his son to learn about the secret of happiness from the wisest man in the world. The boy walked a long way, and finally came upon the beautiful castle where the wise man lived. On entering the main room of the castle, the boy was quite surprised: tradesmen coming and going, people chatting in the corners, and a small orchestra playing soft music. The wise man talked with everyone, and the boy had to wait for two hours before it was his turn. The wise man listened carefully to the boy's explanation of why he had come, but told him that he didn't have time just then to explain the secret of happiness. He suggested that the boy look around the palace and return in two hours. "Meanwhile, I want to ask you to do something," said the wise man, handing the boy a teaspoon that held two drops of oil. "As you wander around, carry this spoon with you without allowing the oil to spill." The boy began to walk up and down stairs of the palace, keeping his eyes fixed on the spoon. After two hours, he returned to the wise man. "Well," asked the wise man, "Did you see the Persian tapestries in the hall? Did you see the garden that took the master gardener ten years to create?" The boy was embarrassed, and replied that he had observed nothing. His only concern had been not to spill the oil. "Then go back and observe the wonders of my world," said the wise man. The boy picked up the spoon and returned to his exploration of the palace. This time he observed all of the works of art on the ceilings and the walls. When he returned, he described in detail everything he had seen. "But where are the drops of oil?" asked the wise man. Looking down at the spoon he held, the boy saw that the oil was gone. "Well, there is only one piece of advice I can give you," said the wise man. "The secret of happiness is to see all the wonders of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon." When the boy arrived at the castle, he _ . A received a warm welcome from the wise man B had already missed his chance to talk to the wise man C was shown around the palace by the local people D didn't expect to see so many people around Answer: D. didn't expect to see so many people around Some fish may contain harmful chemicals, which can be the result of both natural causes and water pollution. Mercury is a poisonous chemical, which occurs naturally in oceans and the Earth's crust , but also comes from man-made sources, such as farm chemicals, burning garbage, oil, coal, etc. Polyclilorinated bipheuyls (PCBs), a group of chemicals, can also be found in some fish. These man-made chemicals were used in many industries until 1977, when they were banned. PCBs were released or leaked into (lie tar and water and have bear transported around the globe. How do mercury and PCBs end up in fish and the food supply? When they arc released into the air, they attach themselves to particles .These particles settle on the ground and in the water and are eventually eater by micro-organisms. Small fish cat the micro-organisms, and large fish eat the small fish and on up the food chain. Because they can negatively affect your health, the U.S. Eavirotunental Protectioc Agency advises that kids younger than 15 years old avoid fish that cortain high levels of mercury and PCBs. These include shark, swordfish, king rrnackerel, and tilefish. There are also many types of fish that are good for you, but arc in danger of being wiped out because of ovcrfishing. Sonic are being fished in the wild so much that they cannot reproduce enough to survive.Others re being farmed in ways that are not environmentally friendly. These fish include red snapper.Atlantic salmon, bluefnn tuna. and king crab. Despite these problems, there are several fish that are both healthy and sustainable , such as Alaskan salmon, American catfish, Pacific cod, and several fans-raised fish and shellfish. Which of the following is true of PCBs according to the text? A They are transported by human beings around the globe. B They have been widely used in &c world since 1977. C They are hard to be cleared out from nature. D They arc a kind of man-made fish food. Answer: C. They are hard to be cleared out from nature. Our surroundings are being polluted faster than nature and man's present efforts cannot prevent it. Time is bringing us more people, and more people will bring us more industry, more cars, larger cities, and the growing use of man-made materials. What can explain and solve this problem? The fact is that pollution is caused by man--by his desire for a modern way of life. We make "increasing industrialization" our chief aim. So we are often ready to offer everything: clean air, pure water, good food, our health and the future of our children. There is a constant flow of people from the countryside into the cities, eager for the benefits of our modern society. But as our technological achievements have grown in the last twenty years, pollution has become a serious problem. Isn't it time we stopped to ask ourselves where we are going--and why? It makes one think of the story about the airline pilot who told his passengers over the loudspeaker, "I've some good news and some bad news. The good news is that we're making rapid progress at 530 miles per hour. The bad news is that we're lost and don't know where we're going." The sad fact is that this becomes a true story when spoken of our modern society. People crowd into the cities because _ . A they want very much to find well-paid jobs B they are anxious to enjoy the achievements of our society C they have become tired of their homeland D they have a strong wish to become industrial workers Answer: B. they are anxious to enjoy the achievements of our society At a talk to some businessmen earlier today, one fellow asked me, "Would you give money to a homeless person, even when you know he's going to use it to buy alcohol?" I replied, "If all I was giving was money, it'll be one thing.But for me, whenever I do give money, that's just the wrapping .The real gift is hidden inside - it's love.And l haven't ever found any reason to limit gifts of love " By the end of the night, I decided to get some pizza.In front of me in line was a homeless-looking man.He was counting the few dollars bills in his hand, over and over again, until it was his turn to order.Just then, he told the young woman behind the counter, "I'II have the full cheese pizza." "Full?" she countered."It's really big." she added, although what she really meant to say is that it'll be too expensive for him."Yeah, the full " "$18.65," she submitted.The bills he was counting weren't going to make it.I wasn't intending to get the whole pizza for him.But thinking back to my conversation with the business man, l realized that money was really just the wrapping. I made my move."Can you charge that pizza with my order" I said to the cashier."Really?'' the homeless-looking man said."Really?" the young woman behind the counter repeated."Yes, really." That confused man and I had a sweet silent moment.To his silent question of why I was doing it, I added, "Just pay it forward for someone else." And he said, "Well, you know what? I was actually treating those five homeless guys out there." He was actually paying it forward, in the first place! What an unexpected fortune to get a chance to be a part of a man's act of kindness. What made the author decide to help the man? A The request from the homeless-looking man. B His sympathy for the homeless-looking man. C His recalling the talk with the businessman earlier that day. D The urgency from the young woman behind the counter. Answer: C. His recalling the talk with the businessman earlier that day. Few people would question the value of taking part in sports for young people. With proper training, supervision, protective equipment and techniques, and a proper emphasis on winning, sports can develop a healthy body and spirit and a life-long interest in being active and fit. Without such measures, childhood sports can lead to injuries and even paralysis or death. Even in the best conditions, no activity can be risk-free. But most serious dangers are preventable. Cyclists and football players can reduce their risks by wearing helmets, hockey players by wearing masks; basketball and tennis players by wearing eye guards; baseball players by wearing batting helmets. Besides, risks to individual players can often be found, and thus prevented, through a properly performed medical exam before a child plays. For accidents that may not be preventable, having an emergency plan and first-aid equipment, and someone trained to use the equipment, can be lifesaving. Still, each year, according to the American College of Sports Medicine, more than 775, 000 children under 14 are treated in emergency rooms for sports injuries, nearly half of them preventable. An estimated 300,000 athletes experience exercise-related head illnesses each year, and almost all of them should have been avoided. Further, from half to three-fourths of sports-related concussions are never even diagnosed; the injured are often sent back to play too soon and put at risk of another more serious brain-damaging concussion. To help reduce these risks, the National Center for Sports Safety, with the National Athletic Trainers' Association, offers a three-hour online safety course for coaches for $28 at www. SportsSafety. Org. Which of the following is true according to the passage? A All the accidents can be prevented. B All the accidents cannot be prevented. C Lives can be saved so long as there is proper equipment. D Lives cannot be saved even if there is proper equipment. Answer: B. All the accidents cannot be prevented.
Which of the following is a living component of a desert in California? Answer: On June 30, 2009, a Yemenia airplane from Paris to Comoros, Africa, crashed into the Indian Ocean. There were 153 people on the plane, including some French officials. Though people have been searching since the plane went down, the result looked unpleasant, for most of the passengers might be in bad luck. But a 13-year-old girl called Bahia Bakari was discovered in the water, where she had been staying afloat by holding a piece of wreckage( ) from the plane tightly for over 13 hours. When they found her, the girl was too weak to catch the lifebuoy( ) thrown to her, instead, a Comoran police officer jumped into the water to pull the child onto the boat. Bahia Bakari was injured, especially her collarbone( ).Her father was pleased to see his daughter although his wife had gone away in this _ . He said that his daughter could hardly swim. It was really a miracle for her to escape in this way. In her daddy's warm arms, the girl could soon remember what she had experienced. "I was thrown out of the plane and then I saw the plane fall into the water. Next I found myself in the water. I couldn't swim very well and I caught something but I didn't know what is was," said the girl. "She is really a lucky young girl," said Alain Joyandet, France's minister for International Cooperation. The Yemenia airplane took off in _ . Answer: Jerry put some salt into some tap water and stirred it up. What has Jerry made? Answer: When companies do business overseas, they come in contact with people from different cultures.These individuals often speak a different language and have their own particular custom and manners.These differences can create problems. For example, in France, business meetings begin promptly at the designated time and everyone is expected to be there.Foreign business people who are late are often left outside to cool their heels as a means of letting them know the importance of promptness.Unless one is aware of such expected behaviors, he may end up insulting the people with whom he hopes to establish trade relations. A second traditional problem is that of monetary conversions .For example, if a business deal is conducted with Russia, payment may be made in rubles.Of course, this currency is of little value to the American firm.It is, therefore, necessary to convert the foreign currency to American dollars.How much are these Russian rubles worth in terms of dollars? This conversion rate is determined by every market, where the currencies of countries are bought and sold.Thus there is an established rate.although it will often change from day to day.For example, the ruble may be worth 0.75 on Monday and 0.72 on Tuesday because of an announced wheat shortage in Russia.In addition, there is the dilemma associated with converting at 0.72.Some financial institutions may be unwilling to pay this price, feeling that the ruble will sink much lower over the next week.As a result, conversion may finally come at 0.69.These "losses" must be accepted by the company as one of the costs of doing business overseas. A third unique problem is trade barriers.For one reason or another, all countries impose trade barriers on certain goods crossing their borders.Some trade barriers are directly related to exports.For example, the United States permits strategic military material to be shipped abroad only after government permission has been obtained.Most trade barriers, however, are designed to restrict import.Two of the most common import barriers are quotas and tariffs . In France, if business people arrive late, they _ . Answer: Green is an important color in nature. It is the color of grass and the leaves on trees. It is also the color of most growing plants. Sometimes, the word "green" means young, fresh and growing. For example, a greenhorn is someone who has no experience. In the 15th century, a greenhorn was a young cow or an ox whose horns had not yet developed. A century later, a greenhorn was a soldier who had no experience in war. By the 18th century, a greenhorn had the meaning it has today--a person who is new in a job. Someone who is good at growing plants is said to have a green thumb . The expression comes from the early 20th century. A person with a green thumb can make plants grow quickly and well. Green is also the color used to describe the powerful feeling , jealousy . The green-eyed monster is not a dangerous animal from outer space. It is an expression used about 400 years ago by the British writer William Shakespeare in his play "Othello". It describes the unpleasant feeling when someone has something he wants. For example, a young man may suffer from the green-eyed monster if you get a pay rise and he does not. In most places in the world, a green light means to move ahead. In everyday speech, a green light means agree to continue with a project. A person with a green thumb is a person _ . Answer:
Question: Facebook means never having to say goodbye. The social media web site has earned a reputation for reconnecting old friends. Last week,a guy whom I hadn't seen since my bachelor party five years ago sent me a friend request. I accepted and waited for "Easy E" to send me a greeting of some kind. He had sought me out,after all. I learned from his profile that he was in a relationship and had a son. However,I'm pretty sure we won't ever write wall--to--wall,let alone e--mail each other. But he'll remain a friend of online until one of us makes a point of removing the other from his official list. My pool of friends consists of family members,college buddies,co--workers from past and present,and friends of friends. There are 35 in all. If I spent some time uploading old e--mail addresses,I'm confident that I could increase my friend count actually. A person could make a mission out of reconnecting with childhood friends,former classmates,distant cousins, and those one would like to get to know better. And some people can even handle hundreds of on--screen relationships,keeping up with the daily happenings of their small army of companions. After all,there are worse fates than having too many friends. Thanks to e--mail,the inability to schedule face--to--face meetings no longer means a friendship must come to a close. But even with e--mail,people will lose touch if one or both parties stop writing back. That's normal. People move from school to school,job to job,city to city. You never have to feel guilty for breaking away. Every day,the masterminds of Web 2. 0 find new ways of making human communication easier. However,convenience Call be a crutch . Some things shouldn't be simplified. When it comes to friendship,there can be no shortcts. Which of the following statements is NOT true? A. There are 35 people in the author's list of friends right now. B. The author communicates with all the 35 friends by e--mails. C. The list of 35 fiends doesn't include the old e--mail addresses. D. It is not difficult for the author to increase his friend count. Answer: B Question: Why College Is Not Home The college years are supposed to be a time for important growth in autonomy and the development of adult identity. However, now they are becoming an extended period of adolescence, during which many of today's students and are not shouldered with adult responsibilities. For previous generations, college was decisive break from parental control; guidance and support needed help from people of the same age and from within. In the past two decades, however, continued connection with and dependence on family, thanks to cellphones, email and social media, have increased significantly. Some parents go so far as to help with coursework. Instead of promoting the idea of college as a _ from the shelter of the family to autonomy and adult responsibility, universities have given in to the idea that they should provide the same environment as that of the home. To prepare for increased autonomy and responsibility, college needs to be a time of exploration and experimentation. This process involves "trying on " new ways of thinking about oneself both intellectually and personally. While we should provide "safe spaces" within colleges, we must also make it safe to express opinions and challenge majority views. Intellectual growth and flexibility are fostered on debate and questioning. Learning to deal with the social world is equally important. Because a college community differs from the family, many students will struggle to find a sense of belonging. If students rely on administrators to regulate their social behavior and thinking pattern, they are not facing the challenge of finding an identity within a larger and complex community. Moreover, the tendency for universities to monitor and shape student behavior runs up against another characteristic of young adults: the response to being controlled by their elders. If acceptable social behavior is too strictly defined and controlled, the insensitive or aggressive behavior that administrators are seeking to minimize may actually be encouraged. It is not surprising that young people are likely to burst out, particularly when there are reasons to do so. Our generation once joined hands and stood firm at times of national emergency. What is lacking today is the conflict between adolescent's desire for autonomy and their understanding of an unsafe world. Therefore, there is the desire for their dorms to be replacement homes and not places to experience intellectual growth. Every college discussion about community values, social climate and behavior should include recognition of the developmental importance of student autonomy and self-regulation, of the necessary tension between safety and self-discovery. What's the author's attitude toward continued parental guidance to college students? A. Sympathetic B. Disapproving C. Supportive D. Neutral Answer: B Question: Musicians wanted We want four good musicians for our rock band. Are you a musician? Can you sing? Can you play the piano, the guitar or the drums? Do you want to be the best musician? If you want to join us, please send an e-mail. Our e-mail address is rockband2009@pep. corn.cn. Or you can call Mr. Liu at 790 -4566. Teachers needed Are you an art teacher? Can you paint( ) or draw well? Are you good with children? We need two teachers for our art club. Please find Mrs. Wang for more information or call 628 -1183. How many musicians do they want? A. Two. B. Three. C. Four. D. Five. Answer: C Question: My name's Molly. I'm a lion. I am three years old .My favorite food is meat and I like to eat little animals .I like the forest ,but I live in the zoo now, I live in a big cage. I can't run and I can't see my parents,I don't like the zoo or the cage. Every day I get up in the cage ,I have breakfast,lunch and dinner in the cage. I sleep in the cage .I really want to run in the forest and live with my parents. Molly wants to _ . A. have a dinner B. sleep in the cage C. run in the forest D. play sports in the zoo Answer: C Question: A class with tens or even hundreds of thousands of students might sound like a teacher's bad dream. But a big idea in higher education these days is the massive open online course, or MOOC. Some universities offer free, non-credit MOOCs available to anyone in the world. Others charge for courses and provide credits. The idea is still developing. So far, most massive open online courses are in computer science, technology, mechanics and engineering. For example, students around the world are taking a free course called "Building a Computer Search Engine." Two computer scientists, Sebastian Thrun and David Evans, are offering this course throughudacity.com. There are no education requirements for the course. The students watch short videos. Then, says Mr. Evans, they take informal quizzes after the videos each week for six weeks. DAVID EVANS: "Quizzes are part of the lecture to keep students engaged and keep them thinking, for students to be able to check that they understood what we covered. Those are not graded and students try those as often as they wish. They can repeatedly watch the videos and take the quizzes whenever they want." Students receive homework. They join online groups to exchange questions and answers about the course. The teachers hold office hours to answer questions that the students have voted to send them. They also present their own questions and observations to the students in order to help them make a deeper impression of the course. The students take a final examination to show where they rate in the class Everyone who finishes the course receives a grade and proof of completion. Top students get letters documenting their work. Mr. Thrun started Udacity, which supports free MOOCs.Udacityhopes to make a profit in the future by connecting possible employers with interested students. On his Stanford homepage he says he wants to " _ " education. "Education", he says, should be free, accessible for all, anywhere and any time What can we know about MOOCs from the passage? A. Not all of them are free. B. They are bad dreams for teachers. C. They are popular among high school students. D. All of them are about computer science and technology. Answer: A
Baby bats start doing what after at least a month after birth? Answer: scavenging If you're tired of the Mediterranean and don't want to head to Disney again, perhaps it's time for a summer holiday in space. Russia has declared plans for its first floating hotel, 217 miles above earth, and it is something of an offering with good service. Hosting just seven guests in a four cabins, the accommodation will boast huge windows with views back to earth and tasty microwave meals will be served instead of the ones often used by astronauts. Just getting there will be an adventure in itself--it will take two days aboard a Soyuz rocket--and it won't exactly be a _ holiday: A five-day stay will cost youPS100, 000 toPS500, 000 for your journey. The hotel is due to open by 2016 and, according to those behind it, will be far more comfortable than the International Space Station (ISS) used by astronauts and cosmonauts. In the weightlessness of space, visitors can choose to have beds that are either vertical or horizontal. Tourists, who will be accompanied by experienced crew, will dine on food prepared on Earth and sent up on the rocket, to be reheated in microwave ovens. Many kinds of delicacies will be available. Iced tea, mineral water and fruit juices will be available, but alcohol will be strictly prohibited. Toilets will use flowing air instead of water to move waste through the system. Waste water will be recycled. Sergei Kostenko, chief executive of Orbital Technologies which will construct the hotel, said: "Our planned module inside will not remind you of the International Space Station. A hotel should be comfortable inside, and it will be possible to look at the Earth. The hotel will be aimed at wealthy individuals and people working for private companies who want to do research in space." The hotel can also be used as an emergency bolthole for astronauts aboard the International Space Station if there is a crisis. Which can be the best title of the passage? Answer: Russia declares the design for its first space hotel Sam wanted a phone, so he asked his Mom if he could have one because phones are very expensive. Sam told his Mom that he could do extra chores for money to buy one. Sam's Mom told him that a phone is very expensive, much more expensive than the toys he normally buys with his chore money. But Sam still really wanted a phone. Sam's Mom came up with an idea and told Sam to pray for one. Since she could not help him, maybe God could help him. That night Sam prayed before bed and asked if he could somehow have a phone. The next day Sam was playing bat and ball with his brother John and sister Lucy. He saw something shine from the ground. He found a phone lying there. He ran and took it to his Mom who checked the phone, and after a quick clean found the phone worked. She told Sam that someone must have lost the phone and she'll call them to tell them they have found the phone. Sam sat in the kitchen as Sam's Mom called the number in the phone. A lady called Pat answered. After telling the lady the story of Sam and his praying, the lady was so touched that she told Sam's Mom to give the phone to Sam. What did Sam want? Answer: Phone On April 20,2013, a big and powerful earthquake attacked Ya'an, Sichuan Province. A great many buildings and houses _ a lot of people were killed and even more people lost their homes in the earthquake . Death toll from the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit Ya'an in southwestern China's Sichuan Province has risen to 188 (as of 18:00 pm, April 22, ), according to latest calculations by local Civil Affairs Bureau. At least 11,826 were reportedly injured in the quake while 25 are still missing, the bureau said. Experts are anticipating much less casualties in the quake than that from the 8.0 magnitude quake hit Wenchuan on May 12, 2008, also in Sichuan Province, which killed more than 80,000 and injured over 300,000. Energy released from Wenchuan earthquake would be 30 times of that from Ya'an quake, according to Zhang Xiaonan, an expert with China's Geophysical Union. Dai Junwu with Harbin-based seismological bureau expects the death toll at less than 1,000, and economic losses from the quake could reach up to 100 billion yuan. Police and expert teams have already rushed for rescue in the quick stricken areas, and the State Council has banned unauthorized rescue efforts and individual vehicles from going to the quake zone to avoid congestion . Rescue efforts were carried "timely and orderly", said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang who flew to the quicken-stricken area on Sunday, the second day of the quake. He was quoted as saying that "the current priority is to save lives". Which one is NOT true according to the passage? Answer: Zhang Xiaonan expected the economic losses from the quake could reach up to 100 billion yuan. History is full of cases where dreams have been a pathway to creativity and discovery.A striking example is provided by Dr.Otto Loewi,a pharmacologist and winner of a Nobel Prize.Loewi had spent years studying the chemical transmission of nerve impulses .A tremendous breakthrough in his research came when he dreamed of an experiment three nights in a row.The first two nights he woke up and wrote down the experiment quickly and untidily on paper.But the next morning,he couldn't tell what the notes meant.On the third night,he got up after having the dream.This time,instead of making notes he went straight to his laboratory and performed the crucial experiment.Loewi later said that if the experiment had occurred to him while awake he would have rejected it. Loewi's experiment gives some insight into using dreams to produce creative solutions.Inhibitions are reduced during dreaming,which may be especially useful in solving problems that require a fresh point of view. Being able to take advantage of dreams for problem solving is improved if you "set" yourself before retiring.Before you go to bed,try to think intently about a problem you wish to solve.Bury yourself in the problem by stating it clearly and reviewing all relevant information.Then use the suggestions listed in the previous section to catch your dreams.Although this method is not guaranteed to produce a novel solution or a new insight,it is certain to be an adventure.About half of a group of college students using the method for a week recalled a dream that helped them solve a personal problem. If Loewi had thought of the experiment while awake,he would have _ . Answer: thought it was a bad idea
Glastonbury Festival: Time and place: 22nd~26th June, Pilton, Somerse. Recognized as the best summer festival season, Glastonbury is one of the biggest and oldest festivals in the UK. Last year's 40th anniversary was their best ever, even though the supergroup U2 canceled last minute because of Bono injuring his back. Latitude Festival: Time and place:14th~17th July, Henham Park, Suffolk. Now in its sixth year, this festival is the choice for more families. It is providing visitors with a range of entertainment to accompany the music, including comedy, show, theatre and literature. Shrewsbury Folk Festival: Time and place: 26th~29th August, West Mids Show Ground, Shrewsbury. Announced as one of the best folk festivals in the UK, this festival is only in its sixth year. It takes place over the 4 days of the August bank holiday weekend, and moved to Shrewsbury in 2006. Download Festival: Time and place: 10th and 12th, June, Donington Park Derby. It is a three-day rock music festival held every year. The name Download was chosen for the festival for two reasons. Downloading was a dirty work in the music industry at the time because of file sharing and rock is seen as a rebellious type of music. When and where is the rock music festival held? Answer: Cambridge graduates are the most employable in the world,according to a global league table.The ancient university is the best at producing graduates who are'ready to work',a poll of major employers found. Oxford slipped to fourth place in the rankings having taken top spot last year.Harvard and Yale--part of the US'Ivy League'of universities--were second and third respectively. Five British universities were ranked in the top 20--one more than last year--and 12 were in the full list of 150. But the UK as a country came third--behind the US and Germany--when companies were asked to name the best nation for producing work--ready graduates. The table--the Global Employability University Ranking published by the International New York Times--also showed that universities in Asian countries were rapidly _ on their western counterparts . Asian universities claimed 20 percent of the top 150 places in 2014 compared with only 10 percent when the tables were first published in 2010. The other British universities in the top 20 were University College London,in 14th place,Imperial College London,in 15th,and Edinburgh,18th. The table showed the gap between a small number of top UK universities and less famous institutions. Laurent Dupasquier,managing partner at Emerging,a French human resources consultancy,said:"The top tier players.global brands (which tend to be all American and British).continue to lead,while other Anglo--Saxon universities,those that are mainly regional players,tend to develop less well,with an average of five places lost in comparison with last year." "Like the Premier League ,the champions have an international community of students and think internationally,unlike their more locally oriented counterparts." The table was made following a survey of 2,500 major companies in 20 countries.Employers were asked to rank universities against a range of criteria including their production of graduates who are ready to work and their links with business. The study claimed that'the days of ivory towers are over'. What can we learn about the UK universities from the text? Answer: HARTLAND, Wis. (AP) -- Lauren Panos was surprised when she walked into her ninth-grade English class in the fall and saw there were no boys. Her parents had not told her they had enrolled her in a new all-girls class at Arrowhead High School in Hartland. Panos still isn't sold on the idea. "All the girls there, they can talk out of turn," the 14-year-old said. "We are bored of tasks and it's really upsetting." More public school systems are looking at separating boys and girls, whether for certain classes or by total schools, after the federal government opened the door last fall. Supporters say separating students by sex helps them learn better and allows boys and girls to explore subjects they may not otherwise take. "Boys just make a bigger trouble in the class," Panos' classmate, Alyson Douglas, 15, said "I likes not worrying about boys causing _ ." Presently, nationwide, at least 253 public schools offer single-sex classes and 51 schools are entirely single sex, according to the National Association for Single Sex Public Education. In1995, just three public schools offered single-sex classes. Critics of same-sex classrooms argue that proven methods of improving education should be carried out instead of one that divides boys and girls. "Too many schools feel they can carry out a social experiment with students' education with really the weakest of theories," said Emily Martin, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Women's Rights Project. Single-sex schools are an "illusionary silver bullet," said Lisa Maatz, director of public policy and government relations for the American Association of University Women. They distract from real problems and do not offer proven solutions such as lower class sizes and enough funding, she said. "I would suggest that for many of our kids and families, especially in Milwaukee, it's a question of choice," Spence said. "We have a series of choices in Milwaukee and I just think this should be one additional choice." The passage is probably taken from _ . Answer: House Rules 1. Please clean up before leaving. 2. Showers to be taken before 11 p. m. 3. No staying out 'after 10p. m. unless allowed by me. 4. You may have incoming calls on my mobile phone but no out going calls. 5. Bed time is 11 p. m. 6. Dinner is at 7p. m. unless noticed. . (If you don't have dinner, you must let us know before 6 p. m. ) 7. Keep noise to the least. 8. No smoking in the bedroom. CB4 1LT _ 112 Kendal Way Chesterton Cambridge _ My mobile number is 07870 347980 Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the rules? Answer: In a writing signed by both parties, Paul Plannah, a renowned architect, agreed for a fee of $25,000 to design and supervise construction of a new house for Phoebe Threedee, a famous sculptor, the fee to be paid upon completion of the house. Plannah and Threedee got along poorly, and, when the design plans were about two-thirds complete, they had a heated argument over the proper location of a marble staircase. Hoping to avoid such encounters, Plannah, without Threedee's knowledge, assigned to Donna Drafty, a newly licensed architect practicing solo, "all of my rights and duties under my design and construction supervision contract with Threedee." Drafty expressly promised Plannah to carry out the work to the best of Drafty's ability."For this question only, assume that Threedee, on learning of the assignment, refused to allow Drafty to proceed as architect and brought an action against Plannah to compel him to resume and complete performance of the contract. Is Threedee entitled to such relief? Answer:
It is raining money ! Imagine this . A big bag full of money falls from the sky and lands right next to you . What would you do with the money ? This is the question faced by British seven-year-old Damian in the film " Millions ." Damian and his brother moved to a new place with their dad , after their mother passed away . Damian tries to make new friends , but he feels lonely . When Damian is watching some trains one day , a bag full of money falls out of the sky and lands at Damian's feet . The bag has 265,000 pounds in it ! He can't wait to tell his brother , nine-year-old Anthony . But Anthony doesn't want to tell their dad . Soon the money brings trouble . They have different ideas about what to do with it . Damian is kind-hearted . He wants to give money away to the poor . But Anthony wants to use it all to make more money ! As a kid , he also wants to buy a lot of fun toys ! But they have only one week to spend the money before Britain starts using euros ! They also find out where the money came from ! The terrible owner wants it back ! At the same time , their father works hard to give them a bigger house . What will they do with the money ? Watch the film to find out . Together with the two kids , you'll learn that true wealth has nothing to do with money ! How much time do they have to spend the money ? Answer: Only one week . Levi Strauss was born in Bavaria in Europe in 1829. He to the United States of America when he was seventeen years old. His brothers sold cloth, and he worked for them even though he could not speak English very well. At this time many people were moving to California because gold was discovered there. Strauss went to look for gold, too. Strauss took a lot of cloth with him to San Francisco. He thought that he could make tents out of the cloth and sell them to people working in the gold fields. But when he got there, he saw that people had a greater need for clothes than tents. Clothes did not last very long in the gold fields. At first Strauss made pants out of . They were very strong ---- much stronger than other pants. Soon everyone was wearing them , so he decided only to make pants. He opened a small store and made a lot of money from selling pants. After a while, Strauss found a material even stronger than canvas. It came from a town in France called Nimes. The French called the material serge de Nimes, which means "cloth from Nimes". The Americans called it denim. Strauss also bought some cloth from Genoa, a town in Italy. To Americans this name sounds like "jeans", so they called his pants jeans. The cloth that Strauss used was always blue, so people also called his pants blue jeans and blue denims. Other people called them Levi's. Levi Strauss jeans are some of the best-selling jeans in the world today. They last a long time and are very comfortable. 59. The story is about _ . Answer: the man who first made jeans You'd expect the home of the Bakewell pudding to know a thing or two about keeping its visitors cosy and well-fed,and in this attractive market town,you're never more than a few steps away from a tea room or pub. And to walk off all the cake and ale, the spectacular Peak District is on the doorstep. Eat/drink The Manners is a traditional stone-built pub a few minutes' walk from the town centre, serving well-executed pub fare such as local venison with root veg and red wine sauce, and apple and plum crumble. Wyes Waters (Unit 8, Granby Road)is a charming little cafe with gingham table cloths and a great-value menu of homemade pies, sandwiches and cakes. Shopping Bakewell's thriving Monday market is always popular and its attractive cobbled courtyards and market square are home to independent shops and galleries. And of course, no visit to Bakewell is complete without a visit to the Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop which will gift-wrap and post sweet treats to anywhere in the world. Out of town, the excellent Chatsworth Estate farm shop is the place to stock up on Derbyshire specialities such as oatcakes, handmade chocolates from family-run business Holdsworth, and bottled ales brewed on the estate. Stay On the river in the centre of Bakewell, One Castle Street (doubles from PS90 B&B), is a quaint B&B in a Grade II listed building, where substantial breakfasts will set you up for a day exploring. Alternatively, three miles out of town, Haddon Grove Farm has 11 attractive holiday cottages in converted farm buildings (from PS490 for a four night December break in a cottage for four). There's a communal games room and indoor heated pool, making it a perfect winter escape for families. Cottages sleep between two and 10. According to the passage,Bakewell is_. Answer: a market town famous for its Bakewell pudding Fighting racial stereotypes on US campuses often begins by putting students of different ethnic backgrounds together -- under one dormitory roof. Sam Boakye was a freshman at Ohio State University and the only black student on his floor. He was determined to get good grades -- in part to make sure his white roommate had no basis for negative racial views. "You're pushed to do better, to challenge the stereotype that black people are not that smart," he told theNew York Times. Several recent studies have found that having a roommate of a different race can reduce prejudice , diversify friendships and even promote students' academic performance. In a study by Ohio State psychology professor Russell Fazio, black freshmen who came to college with high test scores earned better grades if they had a white roommate--even if the roommate's test scores were low. Another study on student interaction by Duke University suggests that freshmen with roommates of a different race were the most likely to diversify their friendships. "Just having diversity in classrooms doesn't do anything to increase interracial friendships," said Claudia Buchman, an author of the Duke study. "But living together with a different-race roommate does lead to more interracial friendships." There are, however, some problems with such room assignments. Fazio's study found that three times as many randomly assigned interracial roommates weren't living together at the end of the semester, compared with white roommates. Interracial roommates also spent less time together, had fewer joint activities and were less involved with each other's friends than white pairs. As for Boakye, this is not the case. "A lot of white students come without much exposure to diversity, so when their first interaction with a black guy isn't bad, they will make more black friends. I think I made a good impression on my freshman roommate. I saw him this year, and he said, 'Hey dude, you're not the only black friend I have.' That felt good." We can conclude that Boakye _ . Answer: got along well with his white roommate Hello! My name is Kate Green. I'm a student in No. 14 High School. I have classes from Monday to Friday. I have many things to do after class. On Monday and Wednesday, I help my friends with their English. On Tuesday and Thursday, I make model planes. On Friday afternoon, I have a good rest at home and do my homework. Now it is 8:30 in the morning. I am having a math class. I am listening to the teacher. My friends Li Lei and David are writing something. All of us are working hard. ,. Kate _ on Friday afternoon. Answer: has a good rest at home and does her homework
Maybe you don't think animals have certain mental powers which human beings do not have. But the truth is that some of them have instincts, and besides this, I am sure they can feel certain things we humans cannot. A personal experience showed me this. Some years ago, I had a dog named Howard. From the time when he was a puppy, he was timid, so we named him Howard, sounding like "coward"! He was especially afraid of thunderstorms. At the first flash of lightning or crash of thunder, he would run whining into his house and hide under a table. I often went for a walk with Howard. Once, as we were walking along a road, it began to rain. I quickly ran to a bus stop for shelter. The bus stop had a roof supported by metal poles. Soon after I had got there, Howard caught my trousers in his teeth and tried to pull me away. At first I was puzzled and a little angry at his behavior. But I decided to humor him and walked away from the shelter into the rain and started to go home. When I was about two hundred metres from the shelter, there came a flash of lightning and soon after, there was thunder which nearly deafened me. Howard stopped walking and began whining. Thinking he was afraid, I bent to pick him up. As I straightened up, I glanced at the bus shelter we had just left. I was shocked to see that two of the poles were bent and the roof was lying on the ground, broken. The shelter had been struck by the bolt of lightning! The author named his dog Howard mainly because of _ . A. his timid characteristic B. one of the author's friends Howard C. his loud sound D. his strange behaviors Answer: A. his timid characteristic Robert Spring, a 19th century forger , was as good at his profession that he was able to make his living for 15 years by selling false signatures of famous Americans. Spring was born in England in 1813 and arrived in Philadelphia in 1858 to open a bookstore. At first he make some money by selling his small but genuine of early U.S. autographs . Discovering his ability at copying handwriting, he began imitating signatures of George Washington and Ban Franklin and writing them on the title pages of old books. To make less the chance of detection , he sent his forgeries to England and Canada for sale and circulation . Forgers have a hard time selling their products. A forger can't approach a respectable buyer but must deal with people who don't have much knowledge in the field. Forgers have many ways to make their work look real. For example, they buy old books to use the aged paper of the title page, and they can treat paper and ink with chemicals. In Spring's time, right after the Civil War, Britain was still fond of the Southern states, so Spring invented a respectable maiden lady known as Miss Fanny Jackson, the only daughter of General "Stonewall" Jackson. For several years Miss Fanny's economic problems forced her to sell a great number of letters and manuscripts belonging to her famous father. Spring had to work very hard to satisfy the demand. All this activity did not prevent Spring from dying in poverty, leaving sharp-eye experts the difficult task of separating this forgeries from the originals. According to the passage, forgeries are usually sold to _ . A. sharp-eyed experts B. persons who aren't experts C. book dealers D. owner of the old books Answer: B. persons who aren't experts I was never tired of heating their story.As a little girl,I'd sit beside my mom with their wedding album spread across my lap,slowly turning the pages of 8 x l 0 glossy black and white photographs.I'd trace my fingers along their faces,along that white wedding dress. "Tell me again,"I said . "Tell me again about you and dad." And she'd smile and her eyes would crinkle and she'd get that loving look and then she'd repeat once more Their Love Story. I'd smile too and stare at that photo of my non looking SO beautiful and my dad so tall and handsome. "Your dad was tall and really good--looking as he stood by his classroom door greeting his students.Besides coaching,he taught history and social studies.I often stole a few looks since my classes were nearby.That year I had many conversations with ' Mr.Kehoe',sometimes when he had lunch duty,sometimes when I had cheerleading practice.He was appointed cheerleader sponsor and I'd been a cheerleader for four years. We were married that November during the Thanksgiving holiday.1 went from a graduate one year to a teacher's wife the next! But part of the story that I loved most,that all my life I thought was magical and wonderful and amazing and exciting and oh--so romantic. So,what do you think ?Did God speak to me?" I'd catch and hold my breath,then exclaim,"Oh,yes !God told you that you'd marry Dad!" Now can you see why I loved heating Their Love Story ?And SO their wedding.Then their marriage.Then their family.Three babies in three years,then a fourth. Then,what else would you expect after heating the Voice of God--years and years and years of Happy Moments! Now it's come to this:60 years of marriage ! The author enjoyed listening to her parents 'love story because of A. their happy marriage B. God's blessing for them C. a romantic beginning D. a girl's curiosity Answer: A. their happy marriage You have a nice salary, but you still feel short of money. At the end of each month, you often ask yourself, "Where has all my money gone"? To help you better run your salary, here come some money-saving tips. First, you need to set goals to encourage yourself to save money. For example, you plan to have a good dress in one year, to have a car in two years' time or to buy a house in five years. Second, form money-saving habits and stay away from the ones that waste money. Learn to keep a diary of how much you spend and what it's for. Think twice before using money on expensive skin care products . The best way to keep your skin in good condition is enough sleep. Third, pay attention to your daily things. Leave no more than one light on when you leave home. Buy vegetables from a market where vegetables are less expensive and fresher, not a supermarket. When going to a supermarket, take a notebook with you. Write down what you want to buy. Fourth, save your social life. Take the dishes that haven't been eaten up away for next day when you have dinner in a restaurant. When it's your turn to offer a meal, invite your friends to your home, and cook the dinner yourself. If you are to attend a party and an expensive present is needed, ask several friends to go together to share a present. The passage is mainly about _ . A. four ways to save money B. how to set goals to save money C. where to keep money D. how to live well with little money Answer: A. four ways to save money I was catching a later flight to St. Louis, then on to Minnesota. A couple of seats in front and the aisle over sat a very pretty lady. She smiled back at me, I smiled at her noticing her pretty dress. The rest of the flight was uneventful, but as I was getting off the plane I noticed her again standing by the prompters seeing what flight she was to take and what gate. I stood beside her looking for my gate, and flight number. I commented to her that I had seen her on the flight and she had on a pretty dress. She said "Thank you", I asked what flight she was taking? She said to "Phoenix". I looked and she had a two-hour _ , I also had a two and a half hours layover and asked her if she would like to go to the cafeteria for something to eat or drink. She said "Sure". We introduced ourselves on the way, and she told me that her name was "Phyllis". I laughed and said "my name is Phyllis also". As we sat in the booth she began telling me that she had been told she was dying of cancer and had less than 6 months to live. She was on her way to visit her children and grandchildren before she began taking treatment. She then told me that she had never flown before and she had prayed a specific prayer. She was afraid she would get lost at the airport and not be able to find her way to the gate, and didn't know what she was going to do for the two hours she was there. She prayed, that someone would meet her at the gate and stay with her until she left the airport. She then asked me "Are you an Angel God has sent"? No, I assured her I was no angel, but did God use me to answer her prayer? Yes. What's the lady's attitude to the writer? A. Pitiful B. Negative C. Doubtful D. Grateful Answer: D. Grateful
Many stars can be seen in the sky at night. Which statement best explains why the Sun appears brighter than the stars seen in the night sky? Answer: The world's greatest detective, Sherlock Holmes, is back on our screens. The new BBC TV series of Sherlock was broadcast in the UK on Jan 1. But the history of Sherlock dates back 127 years. Since the creation of Holmes in 1887, he has been taking us on adventures one after another. The Sherlock series is a playful drama, covered in crimes and mystery. It gives us a modern Sherlock for a new generation, who solves cases with the help of the Internet, cell phones and GPS. People look to Sherlock for both adventure and inspiration . Each case sends us on a mysterious journey with Holmes. The stories give life and color to our imagination: as he checks the crime scene, we join him and become detectives too, looking out for hidden clues. Yet Holmes is no Superman. He cannot fly, or turn invisible . But his powers are within all of us: reason, logical thinking and paying attention to detail. While an artist's painting is his art, Sherlock's art is his intelligence . He is human, and this is what makes Holmes a true hero for all of us. In the new series of Sherlock, most people thought Holmes was dead. But he returns after two years of hiding in the shadows. Now the whole city of London is in danger. What can Holmes possibly do? Uncover the mystery yourself by watching the new series! The writer wrote the passage to _ . Answer: A shiny aluminum screen can be placed on the windshield of a parked car. This screen helps to keep the car cool because it Answer: Communications technologies are far from equal when it comes to conveying the truth.The first study to compare honesty across a range of communication media has found that people are twice as likely to tell lies in phone conversations as they are in emails.The fact that emails are automatically recorded--and can come back to puzzle you---appears to be the key to the finding. Jeff Hancock of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, asked 30 students to keep a communications diary for a week.In it they noted the number of conversations or email exchanges they had lasting more than 10 minutes, and confessed to how many lies they told.Hancock then worked out the number of lies per conversation for each medium.He found that lies made up 14 per cent of emails, 21 percent of instant messages, 27 per cent of face-to-face interactions and an astonishing 37 percent of phone calls. His results to be presented at the conference on human-computer interaction in Vienna, Austria, in April, have surprised psychologists.Some expected emailers to be the biggest liars, reasoning that because deception makes people uncomfortable, the indirect contact of emailing would make it easier to lie.Others expected people to lie more in face-to-face exchanges because we are most practiced at that form of communication. But Hancock says it is also crucial whether a conversation is being recorded and could be reread, and whether it occurs in real time.People appear to be afraid to lie when they know the communication could later be used to hold them to account, he says.This is why fewer lies appear in email than on the phone. People are also more likely to lie in real time---in an instant message or phone call, say---than if they have time to think of a response, says Hancock.He found many lies are spontaneous responses to an unexpected demand, such as: "Do you like my dress?" Hancock hopes his research will help companies work out the best ways for their employees to communicate.For instance, the phone might be the best medium for sales where employees are encouraged to stretch the truth.But, given his result, work assessment where honesty is a priority, might be best done using email. According to the passage, why are people more likely to tell the truth through certain media of communication? Answer: It is not clear who first fried potatoes in hot oil. However, it is widely agreed that French fries were prepared as early as the 1700s in Europe. Most people believe that it was the Belgians , instead of the French, who invented "French"fries. They think that French fries got this name from the cooking word "to french" --- to cut green beans into long thin strips . When Thomas Jefferson traveled to France, he enjoyed the deep-fried potatoes very much and brought them home with him. Ever since he served French fries to his guests at a Whitehouse dinner in 1802, the dish has become very popular in America. In the summer of 1853, an American Indian called George Crum worked as a cook at Moon Lake Lodge, a hotel in Saratoga Springs, New York. He was good at making French fries. One evening, a dinner guest found Crum's French fries too thick and sent them back to the kitchen. Crum then cut and fried some thinner French fries, but _ . This time, the cook got angry. So he decided to play a trick on the guest. He finally made fries that were too thin to eat with a fork. To his surprise, the guest loved the browned, paper-thin chips. The browned chips, then called Saratoga Chips, became one of the most popular dishes of the hotel. Soon they were being sold, first in local restaurants, then throughout New England. The French fries were believed to be introduced to America in _ . Answer:
Is it okay to keep exercising when you have a cold? What about the flu? With winter viruses going around, it's important to know how to alter your training if you do catch a germ or two. "The guidelines are pretty easy," says Dr Lorenzo Masci from the Alphington Sports Medicine Clinic. "Anything above the neck --- so if you've got a cold for example, a runny nose or a sore throat --- then you should probably cut down your exercise by half and do 50 percent of what you normally do." "If you've got anything below the neck, like muscle pain, joint pain or fever, you shouldn't really exercise at all until those general symptoms settle down," Lorenzo says. He points out that a cough would also fall into this more serious category. "For example, if anyone comes in with a fever and a runny nose, I'd tell them to stop exercising until the fever and the muscle ache settles. Then they can start their training again at 50 percent once all those symptoms settle, even if they've got a bit of a runny nose or a sore throat." "The reason we tell people to stop exercising is because if you exercise when you're unwell it can make the illness worse and prolong it." There is a second reason Lorenzo advises his patients to stop exercising when they have "below the neck" symptoms. In the event you have an illness which affects your heart, exercise can sometimes actually lead to death. Lorenzo advises to take zinc and vitamin C as a way of preventing colds. But he admits that this is controversial --- some studies have shown that these supplements can improve immune function while other studies have cast doubt on the issue. The good news is that if you exercise regularly, you're likely to improve your immune function. "If you exercise too much, it can predispose you to coughs and sniffles," he points out. This is often the case for excellent athletes who train every day, such as triathletes . "But what we do know is that if you exercise at a moderate level, your immune system improves such that you're probably at a lower risk of developing coughs and colds." How many guidelines does Dr Lorenzo mainly suggest on doing exercises when people catch a cold? Answer: Two. Which of the following might use Chia to fuel it? Answer: Bird You may feel curious about students in other countries: Do they also have so much homework? What do they do in their free time? On April 8, a report came out on the life of high school students in China, Japan, South Korea and the US. It surveyed around 6,200 students from the four countries last year. You will find the answers to many of your questions in this report. Who studies hardest? Chinese students spend the most time studying. Nearly half of Chinese students spend more than two hours on their homework every day. That's much more than students of the US(26.4%), Japan(8.2%) and South Korea(5.2%). Who sleeps most often in class? Japanese students fall asleep in class most often. About 45% of them said they sometimes doze off in class. In South Korea is 32%; in the US, 21%; and 5% in China. South Korean students don't like taking notes. About 70% said they write down what the teacher says in class, many fewer than in Japan(93%), China(90%) and the US (89%). Who is the most distracted ? American students are the most active in class, but also the most distracted: 64.2% said they talk with friends in class; 46.9% said they eat snacks in class; and 38.9% said they send e-mails or read unrelated books in class. What do they do after school? In their free time, most Chinese students study or surf the Internet. Most American students go out with their friends. Most Japanese students do physical exercises. Most South Korean students watch TV. What is the article about? Answer: It is an article about the students' study and life in four countries. Mr. Black works on a big farm. His wife Mrs. Black works in a school Mr. Black is nearsighted. But he doesn't like wearing glasses when he has meals. Mr. Black has a son. His name is Tony. He is in Class One, Grade Eight of No.2middle School. He likes talking very much. He often talks about his school and his friends at table. Mr. Black is angry, he always shouts, "Don't talk when you have meals." And Mrs. Black also says to him, "Be a good boy, Tony." One day, when they are having supper, Tony finds there is a fly in his father's bowl. Then he wants to tell his father about it,"Dad, there is ..." His father looks at him and says,"Stop talking!" After supper, his father asks him , "Well , my boy, what is it?" "There is a fly in your bowl, and it is in your stomach now."says Tony."Why don't you tell me earlier?" shouts his father angrily. Mr. Li eats a _ . Answer: fly When war broke out between Spain and the United States, it was very necessary to communicate quickly with General Garcia, who was somewhere in the mountains of Cuba -- No one knew where. The President must secure his cooperation, and quickly. What to do! Someone said to the President, "A fellow by the name of Rowan will find Garcia for you, if anybody can." Rowan was sent for and given a letter to be delivered to Garcia. How he took the letter, in four days landed by night off the coast of Cuba from an open boat, disappeared into the jungle, in three weeks came out on the other side of the Island, and had delivered his letter to Garcia, are things I have no special desire now to tell in detail. The point I wish to make is this: Rowan was given a letter to be delivered to Garcia; Rowan took the letter and did not ask, "Where is he?" He was loyal to a trust. He acted quickly and concentrated the energies: do the thing -- "Carry a message to Garcia!" My heart goes out to the man who, when given a letter for Garcia, quietly takes it, without asking any idiotic questions, but delivers it. This man is wanted in every city, town and village -- in every office, shop, store and factory. The world cries out for such: he is needed, and needed badly -- the man who can carry a message to Garcia. What did Rowan do when given a letter to be delivered? Answer: He started out quickly.
Dear Lee, As I told you, I'll be gone until Wednesday morning. Thank you so much for taking on my "children" while I'm away. Like real children, they can be kind of irritating sometimes, but I'm going to enjoy myself so much more knowing they're getting some kind human attention. Remember that Regina (the "queen" in Latin, and she acts like one) is teething. If you don't watch her, she'll chew anything, including her sister, the cat. There are plenty of chew toys around the house. Whenever she starts gnawing on anything illegal, just give her one of those. She generally settles right down to a good hour-long chew. Then you'll see her wandering around whimpering with the remains of the toy in her mouth. She gets really frustrated because what she wants is to bury the thing. She'll try to dig a hole between the cushions of the couch. Finding that unsatisfactory, she'll wander some more, discontent, until you solve her problem for her. I usually show her the laundry basket, moving a few clothes so she can bury her toy beneath them. I do sound like a parent, don't I? You have to understand, my own son is practically grown up. Regina's food is the Puppy Chow in the utility room, where the other pet food is stored. Give her a bowl once in the morning and once in the evening. No more than that, no matter how much she begs. Beagles are notorious overeaters, according to her breeder, and I don't want her to lose her girlish figure. She can share Rex (the King's) water, but be sure it's changed daily. She needs to go out several times a day, especially last thing at night and first thing in the morning. Let her stay out for about ten minutes each time, so she can do all her business. She also needs a walk in the afternoon, after which it's important to romp with her for a while in the yard. The game she loves most is fetch, but be sure to make her drop the ball. She'd rather play tug of war with it. Tell her, "Sit!" Then, when she does, say, "Drop it!" Be sure to tell her "good girl," and then throw the ball for her. I hope you'll enjoy these sessions as much as I do. Now, for the other two, Rex and Paws... (letter continues) If the sitter is to follow the owner's directions in playing fetch with Regina, at what point will he or she tell Regina "good girl"? For hundreds of years, Japan has been hit, from time to time, by enormous tsunamis. These awful sudden risings of the sea are caused by earthquakes or underwater volcanic action. The story of the boy Yuuki is the story of such a disaster. Yuuki lived with his family in a sea-side village, below a small mountain. One day, as he played on top of the mountain, he felt an earthquake beneath his feet. It was not strong enough to frighten anybody and passed quickly. Soon after, however, Yuuki noticed the sea darken and begin running away from the shore very fast, leaving behind wide stretches of beach that had never been exposed before. With a gasp, Yuuki remembered reading that just before a terrible tsunami, the sea suddenly and quickly rolls backward. He ran to the beach, warning the villagers who had gathered to admire the huge new stretch of beach. "Get back!" shouted the boy. "There is terrible danger!" But no one listened. They laughed at him and continued playing in the new sand and watching the sea roll backward even more. Desperate, Yuuki could think of only one thing to do. He lit a tree branch, raced to the rice fields and began burning the stacks of harvested rice. Then he called out, "Fire! Fire! Everyone run to the mountain! Now!" When everyone reached the mountain-top, a villager cried out, "Yuuki is mad! I saw him set the fire." Yuuki hung his head in shame, but said nothing as the villagers cursed him. Just then, someone cried, "Look!" In the distance what seemed to be a huge dark line was speeding towards the shore. As it got nearer the people realized the long thin line of darkness was the returning sea, towering like a mountain. The villagers watched in terror as the water struck the shore, smashing over their homes then tearing out the land as it receded. On the mountain everyone stared speechlessly at the destruction below. "I'm sorry I burned the fields," said Yuuki, his voice trembling. "Yuuki," village-chief answered. "You saved us all." The villagers cheered and raised Yuuki into the air. "We were going to celebrate our rice harvest tonight," said one, "but now we'll celebrate that we're all still alive!" ,(A, B, CD),. What were the people planning to do before the tsunami struck their village? A "talk show" is a show organized mainly around talk. Television talk shows have been around since the dawn of radio. Thus the start of talk shows' golden age can be considered as 1948, even though television wasn't common in American homes until the 1950s. From 1949 to 1973, nearly half of all daytime programming was talk. Why are there so many talk shows? A talk show costs less than $100,000 per episode to produce whereas many of today's TV series cost more than $1 million an episode. Thus , if successful, it can produce handsome profits . Still, it takes a lot of work . Since 1948, hundreds of talk shows have come and gone, with only a few having true staying power. There are several types of talk shows , but while the styles might vary, the format is limited. What we are most used to is the informal guest-host format, in which shows'hosts welcome famous people or other talk -worthy persons for an informal discussion. The second most common format is the public issues show, in which hosts interview people in the news or experts in a given field. Shows that follow this format include both morning news programs and "issue" talk shows: The Museum of Broadcast Communications' Bernard M. Timberg notes two governing principles of all successful talk shows: The host is everything :The host has a high degree of control over their show, from subject matter to comedic atmosphere . They are also the show's brand and are responsible for it. The host can attract and refuse guests, organize their program and , in many cases, name a successor when they retire. Right here, right now: The second rule is that a talk show must be experienced in the present tense, whether it is broadcast live or taped in front of an audience earlier in the day. They should feel fresh, as if they are happening in the moment, even if the show is a 10-year -old rerun. What is the key to talk shows' success according to the second principle? Londoners are great readers. They buy vast numbers of newspapers and magazines and of books --- especially paperbacks, which are still comparatively cheap in spite of ever-increasing rises in the costs of printing. They still continue to buy "proper" books, too, printed on good paper and bound between hard covers. There are many streets in London containing shops which specialize in book-selling. Perhaps the best known of these is Charring Cross Road in the very heart of London. Here bookshops of all sorts and sizes are to be found, from the celebrated one which boasts of being "the biggest bookshop in the world" to the tiny, dusty little places which seem to have been left over from Dickens' time. Some of these shops stock, or will obtain, any kind of book, but many of them specialize in second-hand books, in art books, in foreign books, in books on philosophy, politics or any other of the countless subjects about which books may be written. One shop in this area specializes only in books about ballet! Although it may be the most convenient place for Londoners to buy books, Charring Cross Road is not the cheapest. For the really cheap second-hand books, the collector must _ , to Farringdon Road, for example, in the East Central district of London. Here there is nothing so impressive as bookshops. The booksellers come along each morning and pour out their sacks of books onto small hand carts. And the collectors, some professionals and some amateurs, have been waiting for them. In places like this they can still, occasionally, pick up for a few pence an old one that may be worth many pounds. According to this passage, Charring Cross Road _ . What is the main source of energy for the water cycle?
When I was in medical college, I went camping with some of my friends. The season was summer; therefore, we chose to go to the seaside. After arriving there, we rent a room and left our luggage there. We finished lunch and then decided to rent a boat because the sea and the weather were beautiful. We started to row, but about one mile out, the weather suddenly changed. Although the weather was not good, we didn't want to give up, but finally my friends and I agreed that we should go back. We tried to change the boat's direction, but as soon as we changed it, the oarlock broke. Therefore, we were unable to turn back. We had to wait for help because we couldn't do anything. After seeing the change of weather, we shouldn't have continued to row, but it was too late. We regretted it. The sea changed a lot, the waves got very high, and the boat began to shake like a cradle . One of my friends started to cry; another started to vomit . Three hours passed, and nobody came to help us. We were just praying. Fortunately, after five long hours of waiting, two big boats came to rescue us and we escaped. If they hadn't come to get us, we would have crossed the border between Turkey and Greece because the border was very close. This story is the most exciting story of my life because we could have died, but luck was with us and we escaped. One of his friends started to vomit because _ . Answer: the boat shook too much Mary's mother waited for her in the car. Mary knew that she would be late if she didn't hurry , but she didn't care. It is her birthday today. Ten minutes later, Mary opened the car door. Her mother said, "Don't forget to go home with Cindy today." Mary felt a little disappointed . She really hoped to have a party today, but her mother had to work late tonight. She promised Mary that they could have a party next week. "I won't forget," replied Mary. When she arrived at school, she got out of the car and said goodbye to her mother. It seemed that her mother didn't care. Mary walked into the school. She hoped her friends would remember that she turned eight today. "Hi, Mary. Happy birthday," said Julie. Mary smiled and asked, "Julie, can you come to my party next week?" Julie said, "I am sorry Mary, but I can't." During the day, things didn't go much better. All of her friends said they could not go to her party next week. At the end of the school day, Mary felt very sad. Evening came and Cindy's mother drove Mary home. When Mary opened the door, the house was dark. Her mother didn't even get home yet! She felt very sad. "Surprise!" All the lights in Mary's house came on. Her mother and all of her friends were there! There were many gifts in the living room. Then, she ran into the kitchen. Her mother prepared her favorite meal and a big chocolate cake. "Thank you, Mom!" Mary said, happily. Why didn't Mary's mother seare when Mary said goodbye to her? Answer: Because she didn't want Mary to know about the party. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were going abroad for their holiday. They had a lovely dog called Blackie, but they could not take it abroad with them, so they had to look for a good place to leave it while they were away, and at last they found a place which looked after dogs very well while their owners were away. They left Blackie there just before they started for their holiday. At the end of their holiday, they came back to Sydney very late at night, and as they thought that the place where Blackie was staying might be closed at that late hour, they decided to wait until the next morning. So the next morning Mr. Brown got into his car and drove off happily to meet Blackie. When he got home with the dog, he said to his wife, "Do you know, dear, I don't think Blackie enjoyed his stay at that place very much. He barked(,) all the way home in the car as if he wanted to tell me something." Mrs. Brown looked at the dog carefully and then answered, "You are quite right, dear. He was certainly trying to tell you something. But he wasn't trying to tell you that he hadn't enjoyed his stay at that place. He was only trying to tell you that you were bringing the wrong dog home." The dog barked on the way because it _ . Answer: didn't know Mr. Brown When an ant dies, other ants take it out of the nest, often within an hour after its death. This behavior interests scientists and they wonder how ants know for sure--and so soon--that another ant is dead. One scientist recently came up with a way to explain this ant behaviour. Dong-Hwan Choe is a biologist, a scientist who studies animals and plants. He found that ants have a chemical on the outside of their bodies that signals to other ants, "I'm dead--take me away" when it is dead. But there's a question to answer: As we know, if an ant is dead, it stops moving. But when an ant is sleeping or knocked unconscious, it is also not moving. However, other ants don't move the living ant out of the nest. How do they know this ant is not dead? Choe found that ants have another chemical on their bodies, which tells nearby ants something like, "Wait--I'm not dead yet" when it is not dead. Choe suspects that when an ant dies, the chemical that says, "Wait I'm not dead yet" quickly goes away. When other ants detect the "dead" chemical without the "not dead yet" chemical, they move away the body. To test his theory , Choe and his team put different chemicals on ants. When the scientists used the "I'm dead" chemical, other ants quickly moved the treated ant away. When the scientists used the "Wait--I'm not dead yet" chemical, other ants left the treated ant alone. Choe believes this behavior shows that the "not dead yet" chemical _ the "dead" chemical when picked up by other ants. And that when an ant dies, the "not dead yet" chemical fades away. Other nearby ants then detect the remaining "dead" chemical and remove the body from the nest. Understanding this behavior can help scientists figure out how to stop ants from invading new places and causing problems. What can we learn from the passage? Answer: When an ant dies, it can tell others using a certain chemical. Most children, even the youngest of children, are delighted to be around cats and dogs. But these pets carry plenty of germs and allergens , prompting researchers to ask: Are cats and dogs really safe for children? A study finds that, contrary to many parents' fears, owning cats or dogs does not increase a child's risk of developing allergies, and in fact, may actually protect them. The study's lead author, Dr. Dennic Ownby of the Medical College of Georgia, says that even he was "very surprised" by the results. Ownby and colleagues followed more than 470 children from birth to age 6 or 7, comparing those exposed to cats and dogs during their first year of life to those who were not. By using skin-prick tests for detecting common allergies, the researchers found that, contrary to what many doctors had been taught for years, children who had lived with a pet were not at greater risk. Even more remarkable, children who had two or more dogs or cats had an even greater reduction, up to 77 percent, in risk of allergies. Researchers suggest this protective effect may be the result of early exposure to lots of bacteria that are carried by dogs and cats. Exposing young children to these bacteria helps" exercise" their immune systems early in life so that they're better able to resist allergic diseases later. There's something very important in that first year of life when the immune system is developing that we can retrain _ away from an allergic response, said Dr. William Davis. And while researchers are not encouraging parents to buy dogs or cats just to reduce a child's allergy risk, they say if a family already has one or more animals, there's no need to get rid of them. Why do the researchers feel "very surprised" by the results of the study? Answer: Because the results are contrary to their expectation.
International students studying in the UK The UK has a long history of welcoming international students to study in its universities and colleges. In the UK last year there were over 104,000 international students. Choosing which university or college to go to was like a life-changing decision. Do as much research as possible so that you choose the right course for the right reason. How to apply for higher education All applications for higher education courses are made using our online application system, which is available 24 hours a day. You fill in the application form online and it does not need to be completed all at once. Please see the When to Apply page to check the dates by which we should receive your completed application. Choosing a higher education course to study Try to do a lot of research when deciding which courses to apply for. You will probably want to find out even more before you accept an offer of a place on a course. When you accept an offer of a place, make sure that all of your questions have been answered. Ask teachers if there is anything to prepare before the course starts. They may suggest that you look at certain books on the course reading list or that you improve your computer skills. Other help and advice Unistats is a website that can help you to research subjects and universities before deciding where to apply. You can compare subjects, compare universities and explore useful information about getting a job after graduation. Unistats has statistical information on universities, colleges, subjects and teaching style. Yougo is a student-only networking site where you can meet other applicants online and talk about what you hope to study and the university you hope to attend. If you have any questions, please call us at 0044-330-333-0230. Unistats is a website that works to help students _ . A. select the best university and subject B. meet other teenage students online C. study further after finishing a course D. compare colleges at home and abroad Answer: A Which upgrade to a school will most likely reduce the school's consumption of nonrenewable resources? A. solar-collection panels B. high-speed computers C. wireless Internet connections D. biodegradable carpeting Answer: A We are all busy talking about and using the Internet, but how many of us know the history of the Internet ? Many people are surprised when they find that the Internet was set up in the 1960s. At that time, computers were large and expensive. Computer networks didn't work well . If one computer in the network broke down, then the whole network stopped. So a new network system had to be set up. It should be good enough to be used by many different computers. If part of the network was not working, information could be sent through another part. In this way computer network system would keep on working all the time. At first the Internet was only used by the government, but in 1970s, universities, hospitals and banks were allowed to use it, too. However, computers were still very expensive and the Internet was difficult to use. By the start of the 1990s, computers became cheaper and easier to use. Scientists had also developed software that made " surfing " the Internet more convenient. Today it is easy to get on-line and it is said that millions of people use the Internet every day. Sending e-mail is more and more popular among students. The Internet has now become one of the most important parts of peoples' life. _ made "surfing" the Internet more convenient . A. Computers B. Scientists C. Software D. Information Answer: B American middle school students don't seem to care that they're worse at maths than their counterparts in China's Hong Kong and Finland. "I don't need it," my student says, "I'm going to be a basketball star." Or a car mechanic, or a singer. Middle school students' maths skills were tested by the International Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. The United States ranked 28th out of 41 countries tested. After all, when was the last time you used algebra ? But maths isn't just about training Americans to become scientists. It has its own value. It helps you see patterns and develops your logic skills, and it teaches you to concentrate and to separate truth from falsehood. Maths helps you make wise financial decisions, so you can avoid false claims from advertisers, politicians and others. It helps you determine risk. For example, after an airplane crash, studies show that people are more likely to drive than to take a plane in spite of the fact that they are much more likely to be killed or injured while driving. Planes are not like criminals who repeat the same crime over and over. One plane is not more likely to crash just because another plane recently did. In fact, the most dangerous time to drive is probably right after a plane crash because so many people are on the road. It is not possible to really understand science and the scientific method without understanding maths. A rainbow is even more beautiful and amazing when we understand it. The precision of maths helps us think in a very special way. How do we bring the learning of maths back to life? I don't have the big answer. I try my best to help pupils find answers to some maths problems. When I can get one to say, "Wow, that's great," I feel the joy of a small victory. This text is most probably written by _ . A. a student career guide B. a researcher on students' problems C. a specialist in students' studies D. a maths teacher Answer: D Last Friday my friend Deborah asked me if I would like to learn how to make tofu. I couldn't think of any good reason not to be interested in, so I said, "Yes". The next day I met her and another three nice people at the Hodo Soy Beanery Oakland. I enjoyed the trip. I got a lot from the trip. The following is what I learnt. Tofu has a history of 2,000 years. Although the word "tofu" is from Japanese, the food maybe comes from China. There are two main kinds of tofu: soft tofu and firm tofu . In some parts of Asia, people use tofu as a kind of meat. Douhua is one kind of soft tofu. It is a popular breakfast food in China. Because it is very soft, people can't eat it with _ , but with a spoon . People often eat it as a snack and often add spring onions and gravy to it. In Malaysia, people usually eat douhua with white or dark sugar water. ,. How many people went there with the writer? A. One. B. Two. C. Three. D. Four. Answer: D
Little Tommy was doing very badly in math. His parents had tried everything--tutors , cards, special learning centers--in short, everything they could think of. Finally they took Tommy to a catholic school. After the first day,little Tommy came home with a very serious look on his face. He didn't kiss his mother hello. Instead,he went straight to his room and started studying. Books and papers were spread out all over the room and little Tommy was hard at work. His mother was surprised. She called him down to dinner and as soon as he finished eating, he went back to his room, without a word. In no time he was back _ as hard as before. This went on for some time,day after day while the mother tried to understand what was happening. Finally,little Tommy brought home his report card. He quietly put it on the table and went up to his room and hit the books. His mom looked at it and to her surprise, little Tommy got an A in math. She could no longer hold her curiosity . She went to his room and asked,"Son, what was it? Was it the nuns ?" Little Tommy looked at her and shook his head,"No." "Well then,"she asked again,"WHAT was it?" Little Tommy looked at her and said,"Well, on the first day of school,when I saw that man nailed to the plus sign ,I knew they weren't joking." From the passage, we can infer that _ . Answer: Sometimes people call each other " scared cat" , but have you ever thought about this expression? When a cat is frightened, its heart starts beating faster, its muscles get tense, and there are changes in the chemicals in its blood-stream. If the danger continues, this animal will do one of the two things. It will defend itself, or it will run away as fast as it can. Something like this also happens to people. When we are excited, angry, scared, or aroused by other emotions, our bodies go through many physical changes. Our hearts beat faster, and our muscles get tense. All of these changes make us more alert and ready to react. We, too, get ready to defend ourselves or run. Human beings, however, have a problem. If we give way to our feelings and let them take over, we can get into trouble. Have you ever said something in anger - and regretted later? Have you ever shouted at a teacher or told somebody you were lonely and then wished later you had kept your mouth shut? It isn't always wise to express your feelings freely. Does this mean that it's always smarter to hide our feelings? No! If you keep feelings like anger hidden away or bottled up inside, your body stays tense. Physical illnesses can develop, and you can feel disturbed badly inside. _ can actually be bad for your health. Feelings that you keep all bottled up inside don't just go away. It's as if you bought some bananas and stuck them in a cupboard. You might not be able to see them, but before long you'd smell them. And if you opened the cupboard, chances are you'd see little fruit flies hovering all over them. They'd be rotten. You can try to treat emotions as if they were bananas in the cupboard. You can hide them and you can pretend they don't exit, but they'll still be around. And at last you'll have to deal with them, just like those bananas. The best title for this article is Answer: Useful Information in Australia Useful Numbers All the telephone numbers are useful and free. . Fire/ Police/ Ambulance --000 Telephone information--12455 . Medical Care--1300369359 Taxi--1800421113 Surfing the Internet With so many Internet tearooms and public libraries, it's easy to surf the Internet in Australia. Also it's very cheap for you to surf the Internet. . Public libraries offer free Internet every day even during public holidays. . Many travel managers provide connection which is cheap or free. Post Service All post offices around the country offer post services so you can receive mails as you travel around the whole country. . Post offices are usually open from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. . It costs 50 cents to send a standard letter in Australia. Public Holidays On public holidays all shops are closed across Australia, so are banks and post offices. . New Year's Day--1st January . Australia Day--26th January . Christmas Day--25th December Mr. Green lives alone in Australia and he isn't in good health. He needs a nurse to look after him. What should he do? Answer: The weekend is usually a period of time for resting. But today's Chinese students can hardly rest during the weekend. According to a survey, 25%of the Grade 8 students in Beijing have classes on the weekend. Over 38% of the middle school students have less than eight hours' sleep, because of the hard study. Nan Weitong is a Grade7 student in Hubei. The girl has to get up at 6:30 am on Saturday. Then she has a whole day of classes. On Sunday, she has classes for math and English. She says her classmates all work very hard. However, some students are much luckier. They don't have to go to school on weekends. Zhang Qian, a Grade 9 student from Jinan, is one of them. On the weekend, she usually gets up at 8:00am. Then she spends some time on her homework. After that, she goes shopping or watches TV. Zhang Qian said her mother once wanted her to try extra classes. "But my teacher said it was unnecessary. Learning well at school is enough," Zhang Qian said, "I feel pretty lucky." There are _ of the Grade 8 students in Beijing have classes on the weekend. Answer: I made a pledge to myself on the way down to the vacation beach cottage. For two weeks I would try to be a loving husband and father. Totally loving. No ifs, ands or buts. The idea had come to me as I listened to a talk on my car radio. The speaker was quoting a Biblical passage about husbands being considerate towards their wives. Then he went on to say, "Love is an act of will. A person can choose to love." To myself, I had to admit that I had been a selfish husband. Well, for two weeks that would change. And it did. Right from the moment I kissed Evelyn at the door and said, "That new yellow sweater looks great on you." "Oh, Tom, you noticed," she said, surprised and pleased, maybe a little puzzled. After the long drive, I wanted to sit and read. Evelyn suggested a walk on the beach. I started to refuse, but then I thought, "Evelyn's been alone here with the kids all the week and now she wants to stay with me." We walked on the beach when the children flew their kites. So it went. Two weeks of not calling the Wall Street firm where I am a director; a visit to the shell museum though I usually hate museums. Relaxed and happy, that's how the whole vacation passed, I made a new pledge to keep on remembering to choose love. There was that went wrong with my experiment, however. Evelyn and I still laugh about it today. Last night at our cottage, preparing for bed, Evelyn stared at me with the saddest expression. "What's the matter?" I asked her. "Tom," she said in a voice filled with sorrow, "do you know anything I don't?" "What do you mean?" "Well...that checkup I had several weeks ago...our doctor...Did he tell you anything about me? Tom, you've been so good to me... Am I dying?" It took a moment for it all to sink in. Then I burst out laughing. "No, honey," I said, wrapping her in my arms. "You're not dying; ." From the story we may infer that Tom went to the beach cottage _ . Answer:
Question: Five years ago, I was sent to a better middle school. For me, everything there was new and strange. After I had been there for two months, there was an important test in the middle of the term. It covered all my courses. In that test, I didn't get a good grade, but most of my classmates got an A. It made me upset for a long time. I felt everything in the world was changing. I thought my classmates were all better than me. During those days I was very unhappy. One day, my aunt, after talking with my teachers, talked to me. She told me to think about what I had done in the past and what I should do in the future. I was shocked by her words. I thought about what I had done during the past months, and I found I had done nothing to improve my grades. I thought I should work harder. After that, I paid more attention to the teachers' talking in the classes, and I asked my teachers or my classmates when I didn't understand something. I studied very late at night when I met with difficult problems. Most of all, I came to understand the importance of taking notes in class. As a result, I did better in some tests. About three months later, the most important test came at the end of the term. _ From then on, I have tried to do my best when I do something because I know if I want something, I should work hard for it. What did the writer's aunt do to help him out? _ A. She punished him for not working hard. B. She helped him find out the reasons for his poor performance. C. She forced him to work harder. D. She asked his teachers to talk with him about his problems. Answer: B. She helped him find out the reasons for his poor performance. Question: A woman Vicki once knew a young person named Susan at church. Susan always seemed happy, although Vicki knew she had faced struggles in her life. Her long-awaited marriage had quickly ended in divorce, but her whole face seemed to smile. One day Vicki asked Susan,"How is it that you are always so happy, you have so much energy, and you never seem to get down?" With her eyes smiling, Susan said,"I know the secret!" "What secret is that? What are you talking about?"Vicki asked. Susan replied,"The secret is this: I have learned there is little I can do in my life that will make me truly happy. I must depend on God to make me happy and meet my needs. When a need arises in my life, I have to trust God to supply according to HIS riches. I have learned most of the time I don't need half of what I think I do. He has never let me down. Since I learned that secret, I am happy." Vicki thought first, "That's too simple!" But upon reflecting over her own life, she remembered how she thought a bigger house would make her happy, but it didn't! She thought a better-paying job would make her happy, but it didn't. When did she realize her greatest happiness? Sitting on the floor with her grandchildren, playing games, eating pizza or reading a story, this is a simple gift from God. After hearing Susan's words , Vicki _ . A. sold her big house and quit job B. changed her idea about happiness C. still doubted about her life D. found a simple gift from God . Answer: B. changed her idea about happiness Question: It's hard to make friends if you stay at home alone all the time. Be outgoing , get out of the house and do things with other people. It's easier to make friends when you follow these: Show people what you are good at. Talk about the things you like and you do best. People will be interested in you if there is something interesting. Look people in the eye when talking with them. That way, they'll find it easier to talk to you, or people may think you're not interested in them and stop being interested in you. Be a good listener. Let people talk about themselves before talking about yourself. Ask lots of questions. Show an interest in their answers. Make friends with the people you really like, not just with those who are easy to meet. Be friendly to people. That way, you'll have a bigger group of people to choose and more chances for making friends. Linda is talkative . But she doesn't like listening to other people. Linda should _ . A. show off to other people B. be a better listener C. look people in the eye D. make friends with other kinds of people Answer: B. be a better listener Question: Many years ago, my dad was diagnosed with a serious heart condition. He was unable to work a steady job. He would be fine for a while, but would then fall suddenly ill and have to be admitted to the hospital. He 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 ended up working with the seriously ill children. He would talk, play, and do arts with them. One of his kids was a girl with a rare disease that paralyzed her from the neck down. 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, put the paintbrush in his mouth and began to paint. He didn't use his hands at all. All the while he would tell her, "See, you can do anything you set your mind to." At the end of the day, she began to paint using her mouth, and she and my dad became friends. Soon after, the little girl was sent home because the doctors felt there was nothing else they could do for her. My dad also left the children's hospital for a little while because he became ill. Some time later after my dad had recovered and returned to work, 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, and my dad - who died just a few months after the little girl gave him the picture - loved every single child in that hospital. The article mainly conveys the message that _ . A. it's better to give than to receive B. volunteering is a worthwhile thing to do C. love can sometimes bring great results D. a sick person should not focus on his disease Answer: C. love can sometimes bring great results Question: For some years the big drugmakers have been worrying about an approaching "patent cliff"--a fall in sales as the patents on their most popular pills expire or are struck down by legal challenges, with few new potential _ to take their place. This week the patent on the best-selling drug in history expired--Lipitor, an anti-cholesterol pill which earned Pfizer nearly $11 billion in revenues last year.In all, pill like Lipitor with a combined $170 billion in annual sales will go off-patent by the end of 2015. What is supposed to happen now is that lots of copycat firms rush in with "generic" (ie, chemically identical) versions of Lipitor at perhaps one-fifth of its price.Patients and health-care payers should reap the benefit.Pfizer's revenues should suffer. The same story will be repeated many times, as other best-selling drugs march over the patent cliff But generics makers may face delays getting their cheaper versions to market.Ranbaxy, a Japanese-owned drugmaker, struggled to get regulators' approval for its generic version of Lipitor, and only won it on the day the patent expired.More importantly, research-based drug firms are using a variety of tactics to make the patent cliff slope more gently. Jon Leibowitz, chairman of America's Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is concerned by drugmakers filing additional patents on their products to put off the day when their protection expires. Another tactic is "pay-for-delay", in which a drugmaker facing a legal challenge to its patent pays its would-be competitor to put off introducing its cheaper copy. In the year to October the FTC identified what it believes to be 28 such settlements. American and European regulators are looking into these deals. However, legal challenges against them have been delayed, and a bill to ban them is stuck in Congress. To encourage generics makers to challenge patents on drugs, and introduce cheaper copies, an American law passed in 1984 says that the first one to do so will get a 180-day exclusivity period,in which no other generics maker can sell versions of the drug in question, as Ranbaxy supposedly won with Lipitor. However, Pfizer is exploiting a loophole in the 1984 law, which lets it appoint a second, authorised copycat--in this case, Watson, another American firm.According to BernsteinResearch, under the deal between the two drugmakers Pfizer will receive about 70% of Watson's revenues from its approved copy of Lipitor.More unusual, Pfizer has cut the price of its original version, and will keep marketing it vigorously. So Ranbaxy faces not one, but two competitors. All this may raise Pfizer's sales by nearly $500m in the last half of 2015 compared with what they would otherwise have been, says Tim Anderson of BernsteinResearch, with revenues then falling after the 180 days are over. Others fear that Pfizer's tactics , if copied, will make the 180-day exclusivity period worth far less, and thus discourage generic firms from challenging patents in the first place. How many tactics are adopted by patent-holders in the passage? A. Two B. Three C. Four D. Five Answer: B. Three
I spend a lot of time backpacking and hiking the outdoors and there are two pieces of equipment that are with me on each trip: an Adventure Medical Kits Weekender and an Adventure Medical Kits Suture Syringe Kit. Both proved very helpful on my most recent adventures to the Wrangell in Alaska. On that day, we were "blessed" with rain, making our water crossing on the Dixie Pass very difficult. Our party of 12 had almost reached our destination when I slipped, severely gashing my knee open in the process. While I could not see the wound at first because of the rain pants I was wearing, I knew _ was severe. Blood was running freely and I made those standing nearby aware of the damage. They quickly came over to assist, pulled my pack off and removed the Weekender First Aid Kit and Suture Kit from it. Fortunately, one of my partners is a doctor called William, who has often performed this type of work in the operating room, not out in the wild. I seriously think he was more nervous about all this than me! I, of course, was more than happy that I did not have to stitch myself up. As a marine, I've had to do it before. Fortunately, the sky had cleared up about two hours before, so we had great sunlight to work with. The doctor worked quickly with the assistance of another fellow camper acting as a nurse and placed seven stitches into my knee once the wound had been cleaned up. Later that evening we used a syringe we set aside loaded with Iodine to clean the wound and then bandaged it again. The doctor was very impressed with the kits contents! I've already ordered another Suture Syringe Kit. I have to say the kits are worth their weight in gold! Thanks for the contents in the kits! What is mainly discussed in the passage? Answer: How first aid kits saved a backpacker in Alaska. Ten Chinese PhD students are demanding that Beijing Normal University Professor Yu Dan be away from her television show on CCTV10. They argue that her on-air explanations of Confucius's Analects (<<>> ) are "incorrect and misleading". Yu is known for explaining Confucius's Analects to a TV audience. But some complain that her explanations are unfaithful to Chinese tradition. But Yu doesn't seem to worry too much about her critics, saying, "It's a matter of personal choice. Some like KFC, while others like McDonalds." STEALING some online gamer's password might seem less harmful than credit card theft. It does keep the victim from wearing himself out all night playing. But it is not all that nice, says 19-year-old Zhang Qiwen, in Shanghai. Last August, Zhang accidentally downloaded a Trojan while playing Warcraft. The Trojan is a type of virus used by hackers to steal people's passwords. Overnight the Trojan transferred all the "gold" (game credits) from Zhang's private account to an unknown account. Zhang hopes the police will find and punish the thief, who can also pocket some cash since the stolen "gold" can go on sale online. New England's largest indoor public garden has opened here in a historic park, and officials expect it to become a center for learning about plants as well as a top attraction for visitors. The glass-walled Roger Williams Park Botanical Center, which opened on March 2, offers a tropical garden, an orchid garden, and a Mediterranean room with a collection of citrus trees. The center also has two classrooms and will offer gardening classes provided by the University of Rhode Island. Roger Williams Park, named for the city's 17th-century founder, also has a zoo. The park already attracts more than 2 million visitors a year, and Providence Mayor David Cicilline said that he expects the new center will attract more and more visitors to Providence. You are very likely to read the passage in _ . Answer: a newspaper Ryo Desmidt is in his first year at a kindergarten in Hong Kong and seems like an especially gifted child.He is three years old.Since he was ten months old,his mother,Momoe,has been taking him to a language center five times a week where he is taught to listen, speak and interact in English, Mandarin and Japanese.He attends a language school in the city that offers courses for children as young as a few months old. Some parents will even pay a tutor to speak in a particular language for an hour in the belief their baby will absorb this.This is just one of the many examples of how parents in Hong Kong are trying to get ahead of the game by giving their children a competitive edge in the race for limited school places. With a large expatriate community and an increase in mainland Chinese parents wishing to send their kids across the homer to school.Hong Kong's world class educational system is undere siege with applications.And this pressure is being felt by parents,many of whom are starting early and going to extraordinary lengths to outshine thousands of other applicants for limited pre--school opportunities,believing it will give them an advantage when it comes to securing a primary school place. At this time of the year,parents go into a crazy queuing for application forms at schools acroos Hong Kong.According to Fung Kai Kindergarten in the city's Sheung Shui district,around 2,000 people camped out overnight to apply for only 240 available spaces on October 7--police were even called in to deal with complaints about people cutting the queue. In Hong Kong,where formal pre--school education begins at the age of three,many prospective parents begin mapping out education plans before their children are born.Desmidt,an expat mother living in Hong Kong,revealed she started looking for potential kindergartens and playgroups during her pregnancy. Why is it harder to apply for Hong Kong's schools? Answer: More kids in mainland are studying there. People cannot reach an agreement on the use of science and technology. For example, will radiation from electronic equipment destroy the environment? Should medical scientists change gene structures to prevent genetic disease or to create "more perfect" human beings? While people are arguing about these and others, technology continues to influence our everyday lives--the home, health and education, entertainment and communication, and so on. Some people carry on active social lives with computers --their own or the ones in public places like cafes, social centers, libraries, and so on. Communicating with others in chat rooms, computer users can get to know people they might never meet in traditional ways. With live online video connections, two people with cameras in their computers can see and talk to each other from separate places. With modern telephone technology, most people stopped writing lettters--especially personal letters and notes. But now, writing to communicate has returned in electronic form, or e-mail, which is a way of sending messages from one computer to another. For some computer users, the wish to communicate intelligently or creatively with others makes them want to write better. Computer technology has also made it possible to run a house electronically. From turning lights on and off to starting the coffee and cooking the hot meal, computers are taking care of people at home. Many modern machines have computer chips that allow their owners to program them. For instance, you can "instruct" a microwave oven how to cook a dish. Most entertainment equipment operates with computer technology too. Computers can even start cars automatically so that on cold winter mornings you can get into a warmed-up vehicle and drive off. Although much of the technology in our everyday lives has good effects, there are some uses that raise questions. For example, are interactive media ( i.e., a combination of television, telephone, and computer) going to control minds, cause people to forget about family life and personal relationships? What effects will the genentic engineering of food have on people's health? High-tech medical treatments can make a person live a much longer life, but can they improve the health and happiness of human beings? Only time will tell, but, in the meantime, science and technology will continue to move forward. We can know from the passage that _ . Answer: technology never stops changing our everyday lives 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. Which number should you call if you lose something on the Metro? Answer: 202-962-1195
For eighty four days old Santiago had not caught a single fish. At first a young boy, Manolin, had shared his bad fortune, but after the fortieth luckless day the boy's father told his son to go in another boat. From that time on, Santiago worked alone. The boy loved the old fisherman and always helped him with money and food. Usually, they would talk about the fish they had taken in luckier times or about American baseball after supper, while at night, alone in his cottage, Santiago dreamed of lions on the beaches of Africa, where he had gone years before. _ On the eighty-fifth day, Santiago set off to fish before dawn. Two of his baits were fresh tunas the boy had given him, as well as sardines to cover his hooks. Then he set his lines which went straight down into deep dark water. As the sun rose he saw other boats in toward shore. A bird showed him where dolphins were chasing some flying fish. This time Santiago saw tuna jumping in the sunlight. A small one took the hook on his line. Pulling the fish aboard, the old man thought it a good fortune. Toward noon a marlin, a common fish in the sea, started eating the bait which was one hundred meters down. Gently the old man played the fish, a big one, as he knew from the weight on the line. At last he struck to settle the hook. The fish did not come out of the surface. Instead, it began to pull the boat to the northwest. The old man followed it. _ It was cold after the sunset. When something took one of his remaining baits, he cut the line with his knife. Once the marlin leaned suddenly, pulling Santiago forward on his face and cutting his cheek. By dawn his left hand was cramped . The fish had headed northward; there was no land in sight. Hungry, he cut pieces from the tuna and chewed them slowly. That morning the fish jumped. Seeing it, Santiago knew he had hooked the biggest marlin he had ever seen. Then the fish went down and turned toward the east. Santiago drank a little water from the bottle during the hot afternoon. Close to nightfall a dolphin took the small hook he had rebaited. He lifted it aboard, careful. After he had rested, he cut meat from the dolphin and kept also the two flying fish he found in its stomach. That night he slept. He awoke to feel the line running through his fingers as the fish jumped. Feeding line slowly, he tried to tire the marlin. After the fish slowed its run, he washed his cut hands in sea water and ate one of the flying fish. At sunrise the marlin began to circle. Faint, he worked to bring the big fish nearer with each turn. _ The fish was two feet longer than the boat. No fish like it had ever been seen in Havana harbor. An hour later, he sighted the first shark, a fierce Mako, and it came in fast to chase after the dead marlin. The old man struck the shark with his harpoon. The Mako rolled and sank, carrying the harpoon with it and leaving the marlin bloody. He knew the smell would spread. Watching, he saw two sharks closing in. He struck at one with his knife and watched it sliding down into deep water. The other he killed while it tore at the flesh of the marlin. When the third appeared, he thrust it with the knife. The other sharks came at sunset. At first he tried to beat them with the tiller from the boat, but his hands were bleeding and there were too many in the sea. In the darkness, as he steered toward the harbor of Havana, he heard them hitting the boat again and again. But the old man thought only of his steering and his great tiredness. He had gone out too far and the sharks had beaten him. He knew they would leave him nothing but the stripped skeleton of the big marlin. All lights were out when he sailed into the little harbor and beached his boat. He could just make out the white backbone and the upstanding tail of the fish. _ In his cottage he fell on his bed and went to sleep. Why does Santiago let the marlin lead his boat instead of pulling the big fish up? Answer: His experience told him not to do so before the fish was tired out. Sometimes people add to what they say even when they don't talk. Gestures are the "silent language" of every culture. We point a finger or move another part of the body to show what we want to say. It is important to know the body language of every country or we may be misunderstood. In the United States, people greet each other with a handshake in a formal introduction. The handshake must be firm. If the handshake is weak, it is a sign of weakness or unfriendliness. Friends may place a hand on the other's arm or shoulder. Some people, usually women, greet a friend with a hug . Space is important to Americans. When two people talk to each other, they usually stand about two and a half feet away and at an angle, so they are not facing each other directly. Americans get uncomfortable when a person stands too close. They will move back to have their space. If Americans touch another person by accident, they say, "Pardon me." or "Excuse me." Americans like to look the other person in the eyes when they are talking. If you don't do so, it means you are bored, hiding something, or are not interested. But when you stare at someone, it is not polite. For Americans, thumbs-up means yes, very good, or well done. Thumbs-down means the opposite. To call a waiter, raise one hand to head level or above. To show you want the check, make a movement with your hands as if you are singing a piece of paper. It is all right to point at things but not at people with the hand and index finger . Americans shake their index finger at children when they scold them and pat them on the head when they admire them. Learning a culture's body language is sometimes confusing. If you don't know what to do, the safest thing to do is to smile. If you talk with an American friend, it's polite to _ . Answer: look at the other person in the eyes In our life, we have rarely expressed our gratitude to the one who lived those years with us. In fact, we don't have to wait for anniversaries to thank the ones closest to us and the ones so easily overlooked. If I have learned anything about giving thanks, it is this: give it now! While your feeling of appreciation is alive and sincere, act on it. Saying thanks is such an easy way to add to the world's happiness. Saying thanks not only brightens someone else's world, it brightens yours. If you're feeling left out, unloved or unappreciated, try reaching out to others. It may be just the medicine you need. Of course, there are times when you can't express gratitude immediately. In that case, don't let embarrassment sink you into silence and speak up the first time you have the chance. Once a young minister, Mark Brian, was sent to a remote parish of Kwakiutl Indians in British Columbia. The Indians, he had been told, did not have a word for thank you. But Brian soon found that these people had unusual generosity. Instead of saying thanks, it is their custom to return every favor with a favor of their own, and every kindness with an equal or superior kindness. They do their thanks. I wonder if we had no words in our vocabulary for thank you, would we do a better job of communicating our gratitude? Would we be more responsive, more sensitive, more caring? Thankfulness sets in motion a chain reaction that transforms people all around us-including ourselves. For no one ever misunderstands the melody of a grateful heart. Its message is universal; its poems transcend all earthly barriers; its music touches the heaven. Who do we easily forget to express our thanks to according to the writer? Answer: Our family members and good friends. Go, known as Weiqi in China and Baduk in South Korea, was viewed as the last game where humans can defeat machines. Lee Se-dol, one of the greatest Go players, has won 18 world championships for 21 years of his professional career. AlphaGo, a computer program developed by Google's DeepMind, beat the European Go champion, an achievement that was not expected for years in October, 2015. The match between Lee and AlphaGo was seen as a representative game between humans and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The match of the century drew great attention from news organizations, Go fans and the general public across the world as well as in South Korea. Go originated from China more than 2,500 years ago. It involves two players who take turns putting markers on a net-shaped board to gain more areas on it. One can occupy the markers of the rival by surrounding the pieces of the other. Go is considered to be a lot more complex than chess where artificial intelligence scored its most famous victory to date when IBM's Deep Blue beat grandmaster Gary Kasparov in 1997. But experts say Go presents an entirely different challenge because of the game's incomputable number of move options. In other words, the computer must be capable of human-like "intuition" to win. "I was very surprised because I did not think that I would lose the game," said Mr. Lee.He said AlphaGo's early strategy was "excellent" and that he was shocked by one unconventional move it had made that a human never would have played, which he believed directly resulted in his loss. AlphaGo is proud of a deep learning capability to learn for itself and discover new strategies by playing games against itself and adjusting neural networks based on a trial-and-error process known as reinforcement learning. In spite of his loss, he did not regret accepting the challenge. "I had a lot of fun playing Go and I'm looking forward to the future games," he said after AlphaGo won 3-0 in a five-game match. "Playing against a machine is very different from an actual human player. Normally, you can sense your rival's breathing, their energy. And lots of times you make decisions which depend on the physical reactions of the person you're playing against. With a machine, you can't do that", Lee said. Where can we most probably read this text? Answer: In a science magazine Three months after the government stopped issuing or renewing permits for Internet cafes because of security concerns, some cafe owners are having financial concerns of their own. The permits were stopped suddenly three months ago by the government until new safeguards could be put in place to prevent misuse of the information superhighway, but for cafe owners it's a business breakdown with no fix in sight. "I handed in a request to open up an Internet cafe and received the conditions," said the businessman Obeidallah. "I rented a place in the Sharafiah district at SR45,000 and prepared the place with equipment that cost me more than SR100,000. When I went to the local government after finishing everything, I was surprised to find that they'd stopped issuing permits for Internet cafes." Having an Internet cafe without Internet is much like having a coffee shop without coffee. "I'm avoiding closing the place, but it's been more than three months with the situation ongoing as it is." Obeidallah said. "Who will bear the losses caused by the permit issue?" The decision took many cafe owners by surprise. "I asked to open an Internet cafe, and I was handed a list of all the things that were needed to follow through, such as a sign for the place, filling out forms," said Hassan Al-Harbi. "I did all that was asked and rented a place. And after the Haj vacation I went to the local government and they surprised me, saying that there are new rules that forbid the issuing of any more Internet cafe permits and that one can't even renew his permit. I've lost more than SR80,000," Al-harbi added. As for the government, officials say a method to deal with it is on the way. But security concerns come before profit . The government's decision led to the fact that many cafe owners_. Answer: suffered heavy financial losses
People think what I do is so wonderful because I interview stars.And I have to admit that when I first started working at Sassy in 1987 I was excited about that part of my job for the first couple of months,anyway.Then I noticed how stars would fool me around for months.I could never get enough time with a star to find out anything interesting,and some acted just simply rudely.I started hating the way I was treated,and I was really disappointed to see that these people I had worshipped before were pretty ordinary.So I decided I would just tell the truth instead of keeping up their myths .If the star was a bad guy,I would say so.If I thought anyone was stupid,I did not hold back that information. I thought readers would appreciate that kind of honesty.Surprisingly,many of them hated me for it.I have gotten so many attacks on my character.In their eyes,being famous is everything,even more desirable that being truly creative and talented. Why do we need stars?In fact,the media created stars to satisfy our basic need for gossip .Over time,talking about people we have never met and we are never likely to meet has become what we are crazy about.Thus,some people are more interested in the personal lives of the stars than in the lives of their own family and their own friends.That is why it is so ridiculous when a star wants to discuss only his or her work in an interview--as we care.We want the dirt on their personal lives. There is another reason we worship stars.As a whole,our society is not as religious as it once was.It seems that people need something to fulfill them the way religion once did.Star worship exists as an unfulfilling desire for true heroes. We make them stars,but then their reputation makes us feel unimportant,and we truly feel better about ourselves when they die.I am part of this whole process.No wonder I feel soiled at the end of workday. We worship stars because _ . we need true mental heroes to support us Mr. Brown lives in America and has a big factory there. He is busy all the time. But when he takes his holidays, he always goes traveling and has been to about thirty countries. One summer he went to visit Moscow. There he heard the workers were paid much less than those in his countries. And most factories couldn't work because they were short of money. He thought he would save much money if he invested in a factory there. The Russians knew it and warmly met him and he was invited to visit a modern factory. He went to the workplaces, watched carefully how the machines worked. The workers worked hard when he went in. Soon it was time to have lunch. Mr. Brown went in the dining -room. Meat, eggs, milk and bread could be bough there. It seemed that they weren't short of anything. Mr. Brown came up to an old worker and sat down next to him. Are you satisfied with your life, sir? Asked Mr. Brown. "Of course," the worker answered and went on drinking. "What do you have now?" "I live in beautiful villa ," answered the man. "I have a new fridge, a new color television and I drive a new car to my factory." "What's your next wish, then?" "To buy a pair of strong shoes!" Mr. Brown often spends his holidays _ . outside his country In eighteen seventy-seven,the American government decided to move the Nez Perce Indians from their land. The government had set up a reservation for them in Idaho. Chief Joseph did not want to leave the land. It was holy ground. It contained the bones of his father and mother. But,like his father in earlier times,Chief Joseph knew it would be hopeless to stay and defend the land. There were too few Indians to win a war against the white men. And so in June of eighteen seventy-seven,the Nez Perce left their home in the Wallowa Valley. They left quickly. They were able to take only a small part of what they owned,and just a few cattle and Appaloosa horses. When the Indians reached the Snake River,the water was very deep and ran very fast with melted snow from the mountains. Chief Joseph and his people made boats from sticks and dried animal skins to cross the river. While the Indians were busy,a group of white men came and stole some of the cattle waiting at the edge of the river. The other chiefs demanded that Joseph call a meeting. Two of the chiefs,White Bird and Toohoolhoolzote,spoke for War,but Joseph held different opinion. Some of the young men in White Bird's group were very angry. That night,they rode into the countryside and killed eleven white persons. During all his years as chief,Joseph had tried to keep the peace. Now he saw there was no hope. Although he and his young men had taken no part in the killings,he knew that the white men would blame all of the Indians. Chief Joseph said,"I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of the white men." Many Nez Perce fled. Chief Joseph remained,because his wife was about to have a baby. After she gave birth,he and his family joined the others in White Bird Canyon to the south. Joseph wanted to lead the people to safety in the flat lands of Montana. But the United States army quickly sent horse soldiers to follow them. They were extremely tired when they reached White Bird Canyon. An Indian--carrying a white flag--walked forward to meet them. A soldier shot him. With that shot,war between the Nez Perce and the United States began. After some of the young men in White Bird's group killed eleven white persons, _ . the United States army wanted to revenge Check out our tsunami facts and learn some interesting information related to these great walls of water that can cause so much destruction. Find out what causes tsunamis and read about some recent examples of tsunamis that have occurred around the globe. The Japanese word for tsunami means harbor wave. Tsunamis are sometimes called tidal waves but this term has fallen out of favour because tsunamis are not related to tides. Tsunamis are huge waves of water that are usually caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. As a tsunami approaches the shore, water may move back from the coast. If it is shallow enough the water may be pulled back hundreds of metres. If you are in the area, you can know that a tsunami is on the way when you see this phenomenon. Regions in tsunami danger zones often have warning systems in place to give people as much time as possible to move to a safe place. When tsunamis hit shallow water (often near the coast) they slow down but increase in height. An earthquake in the Indian Ocean off Indonesia in December 2004 caused a tsunami that killed over 200,000 people in 14 countries. In March 2011, the Tohoku earthquake off the eastern coast of Japan caused a tsunami that was a major factor in the death of over 15,000 people. The tsunami waves created by the Tohoku earthquake reached a height of over 40 metres in some areas, wiping out coastal towns and causing a number of nuclear accidents. What do we learn from the text? When hitting shallow water, tsunamis will rise higher. People should listen to music for no more than one hour a day to protect their hearing, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests. It says 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults are at risk of permanently damaging their hearing by listening to "too much, too loudly". It said audio devices , concerts and bars were causing a "serious threat". WHO figures show 43 million people aged 12-35 have hearing loss and the number is increasing. In that age group, the WHO said, half of the people in rich and middle-income countries were exposed to unsafe sound levels from personal audio devices. Meanwhile 40% were exposed to damaging levels of sound from clubs and bars. The proportion of US teenagers with hearing loss went from 3.5% in 1994 to 5.3% in 2006. "What we're trying to do is raise awareness of the problem that is not talked about enough, but has the potential to do a lot of damage that can be easily prevented," said Dr Etienne Krug, the WHO's director for injury prevention. The full report argued: "While it is important to keep the volume down, limiting the use of personal audio devices to less than one hour a day would do much to reduce noise exposure." Dr Krug said: "That's a rough recommendation, it is not by the minute, to give an idea to those spending 10 hours a day listening to an mp3-player. But even an hour can be too much if the volume is too loud." Which of the following ideas would Dr Etienne Krug agree with? Safe noise exposure is based on the limitation to both volume and time.
I'd just got in a taxi at the railway station when suddenly I found one of my suitcases missing. Just then, I saw a young fellow about 30 walking away with it, opening it and drawing out the valuables. "Stop thief! Stop thief!" I shouted and threw open the car door and rushed out to him, followed by the driver and half a dozen passers-by. Very soon the thief was cornered at the turn of the road. My driver caught the thief by the neck and put his hand into his trouser pocket, drawing out money, credit card, telephone book and so on and put them back into my suitcase. Half an hour later, the car was running at full speed on the express highway. I sat back and breathed a long sigh of relief . But as I pulled out those stolen things from the suitcase and started to check them, I became dumbfounded . Before my eyes were 200 yuan instead of 100. And a blood test report of a 58-year-old woman appeared. I suddenly realized that the taxi driver must have mistaken the thief's belongs and put his into my suitcase. The pitiful and begging look of the poor young man flashed across my mind again. My heart began to sink. Two years has passed since then. But this event keeps coming back to me. Was the young man a habitual robber or a dutiful son who had been driven to desperation to find money to save his mother's life? My heart aches for him. How I wish I had gone back that summer afternoon to return the 200 yuan and say sorry to him. For the first time in my life, I realized that hate and love are very close. Why was the writer dumbfounded when he opened his suitcase? A. Because he was now searching a different suitcase. B. His own blood test report has changed into an old woman's. C. An old woman had put her savings into his suitcase. D. He was facing things that did not belong to himself. Answer: D. He was facing things that did not belong to himself. Teenagers with a bedroom television tend to have poorer diet and exercise habits and lower grades in school than those without one, US researchers said on Monday. While many studies have examined TV viewing habits of young people, researchers at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health said little had been known about the effects in particular for older teenagers of having a bedroom TV. They questioned 781 teenagers, aged 15 to 18, in the Minneapolis area in 2003 and 2004. Of them, 62 % reported having a television in their bedroom. Not surprisingly, those with a bedroom TV were more likely to watch it a lot, clocking four to five more hours in front of a television per week, the researchers said. Many more teens with a bedroom TV were classified as heavy TV watchers than those without one. Girls with a bedroom television reported getting less exercise -- 1.8 hours per week compared to 2.5 hours for girls without a TV. They also ate fewer vegetables, drank more sweetened drinks and ate meals with their family less often. Boys with a bedroom TV reported having a lower grade point average than boys without one, as well as eating less fruit and having fewer family meals. "It is clearly important not to allow your child to have a TV in the bedroom," said Daheia Barr-Anderson, one of the researchers. "When you upgrade your TV in the living room and you have this smaller TV that's out of date but still usable, you should really resist putting it in one of your children's bedrooms," she said in a telephone interview. According to researchers, teenagers with a bedroom TV may have all of the following problems EXCEPT _ . A. getting low grades at school B. disliking taking exercise C. not having a healthy diet D. easily becoming sad Answer: D. easily becoming sad When Scotsman Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876, it was a revolution in communication. For the first time, people could talk to each other over great distances almost as clearly as if they were in the same room. Nowadays, though, we increasingly use Bell's invention for taking photographs, accessing the internet, or watching video clips, rather than talking. Over the last two decades a new means of spoken communication has appeared: the mobile phone. The first real mobile telephone call was made in 1973 by Dr Martin Cooper, the scientist who invented the modem mobile handset . Within a decade, mobile phones became available to the public. The streets of modem cities began to feature sharp-suited characters shouting into _ . In Britain the mobile phone quickly became the same with the "yuppie", the new type of young urban professionals who carried the expensive handsets as status symbols. Around this time many of us said that we would never own a mobile phone. But in the mid-90s, something happened. Cheaper handsets and cheaper calling rates meant that, almost overnight, it seemed that everyone had a mobile phone. And the giant plastic bricks of the 80s had changed into smooth little objects that fitted nicely into pockets and bags. Moreover, people's timekeeping changed. Younger readers will be amazed to know that, not long ago, people made spoken arrangements to meet at a certain place at a certain time. But later Meeting time became approximate under the new order of communication: the Short Message Service (SMS) or text message. Going to be late? Send a text message! It takes much less effort than arriving on time, and it's much less awkward than explaining your lateness face to face and the text message has changed the way we write in English. Traditional rules of grammar and spelling are much less important when you're sitting on the bus, hurriedly typing "Will B 15mm late - C U @ the bar. Sorry! -)." Alexander Graham Bell would be amazed if he could see how far the science of telephony has progressed in less than 150 years. If he were around today, he might say "That's gr8! But I'm v busy rite now. Will call U 2nite." What does the passage mainly tell us about? A. Alexander Graham's invention. B. SMS as a new way of communication. C. New functions of the mobile telephone. D. The development of the mobile phone. Answer: D. The development of the mobile phone. The Cuban iguana is a species of lizard of the iguana family. It is the largest of the West Indian rock iguanas, one of the most endangered groups of lizards. This species with red eyes and a thick tail is one of the largest lizards in the Caribbean. The Cuban iguana is primarily _ ; 95% of its diet consists of the leaves, flowers and fruits from as many as 30 plant species, including the seaside rock bush and various grasses. However, Cuban iguanas occasionally consume animal matter, and individuals have been observed eating the dead flesh of birds, fish and crabs, The researchers wrote that quite a few people on Isla Magueyes could have caused this incident. The Cuban iguana is distributed throughout the rocky southern coastal areas of mainland Cuba and its surrounding islands with a wild population booming on Isla Magueyes, Puerto Rico. It is also found on the Cayman Islands of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, where a separate subspecies occurs. Females guard their nest sites and often nest in sites half destroyed by Cuban crocodiles. To avoid the attack from them, the Cuban iguana often makes its home within or near prickly-pear cacti . In general the species is in decline, more quickly on the mainland than on the outlying islands. One of the reasons for their decline is habitat destruction caused by the over consuming of farm animals, housing development, and the building of tourist resorts on the beaches where the animals prefer to build their nests. Although the wild population is in decline, the numbers of iguanas have been sharply increased as a result of captive-breeding and other conservation programs. .Why does the Cuban iguana build its nest near prickly-pear cacti? A. To keep itself cool. B. To get the food easily. C. To stay away from people. D. To avoid crocodiles' attack. Answer: D. To avoid crocodiles' attack. Apparently everyone knows that global warming only makes climate more extreme. A hot, dry summer has caused another flood of such claims. And one of the players that benefit the most from this story is the media: the idea of "extreme" climate simply makes for more exciting news. Consider Paul Krugman writing breathlessly in The New York Times about the "rising incidence of extreme events." He claims that global warming caused the current drought in America's Midwest, and that supposedly record-high corn prices could cause a global food crisis . But the United Nations's latest assessment tells us precisely the opposite--there has an overall slight tendency toward less dryness in North America. Moreover, there is no way that Krugman could have identified this drought as being caused by global warming without a time machine since climate models estimate that such detection will be possible by 2048, at the earliest. And, fortunately, this year's drought appears unlikely to cause a food crisis, as global rice and wheat supplies are plentiful. Moreover, Krugman overlooks inflation :Prices have increased six-fold since 1969.So, the inflation-adjusted price of corn was higher throughout most of the 1970s. Finally, Krugman forgets that concerns about global warming are the main reason that corn prices have skyrocketed since 2005.Nowadays 40 percent of corn grown in the United States is used to produce ethanol ,which raises the price of corn -at the expense of many of the world's poorest people. Bill Mickbben similarly worries in The Guardian About the Midwest drought and corn prices.He confidently tells us that fierce wildfires from New Mexico and Colorado to Siberia are "exactly" what the early stages of global warming look like. In fact, the latest study on global wildfire suggests that fire incidence has declined over the past 70 years and is now close to its preindustrial level. When well--meaning campaigners want us to pay attention to global warming, they often end up making overstatements. And exaggerated claims merely fuel public distrust and unconcern. That is unfortunate, because global warming is a real problem, and we do need to address it. In what way do the media benefit from extreme weather? A. They can give voice to different views. B. They can make themselves better known. C. They can choose from a greater variety of topics. D. They can attract people's attention to their reports. Answer: D. They can attract people's attention to their reports.
frozen rainfall falling leaves the northern hemisphere a carpeted A. grey B. yellow C. white D. off white Answer: C My mother only had one eye. I hated her, as she was such an embarrassment for me. She ran a small shop at a market, selling anything for the money we needed. One day, my mom came to my school. I threw her a hateful look and ran out. The next day, my classmates shouted, "Your mom only has one eye! '' and they _ me. My face turned red. I wished that my mom would just disappear from this world, so I said to her, "Mom, why don't you have the other eye? You make me a laughingstock." She didn't say anything. Maybe it was because my mom hadn' t punished me, so I didn' t think that I had hurt her feelings very badly. I decided to study hard so that I could leave her for the rest of my life. I made it at last. Now I'm living happily as a successful man in another country. Many years later, I received a letter, which said, "I think my life has been long enough now, but would it be too much to ask if I wanted you to visit me once in a while? I' m sorry that I am an embarrassment for you. You see, when you were very young, you got into an accident, and lost your eye. As a mother, I couldn't stand watching you having to grow up with only one eye, so I gave you mine. I was so proud of my son that was seeing a whole new world for me, in my place, with that eye. I was never angry with you for anything you did. I miss the time when you were still young around me. You mean the world to me. I love you." I can't help crying with the letter in my hand. How did the mother lose her eye? A. She had an accident. B. She was born with one eye. C. One of her eyes was broken. D. She gave one eye to her son. Answer: D It's easy to get lost in a _ city. Here are some tips to help you find the way and get to your destination . Take a map with you when you go to a new place. If you lose your way, look at the map, you'll find the place where you want to go. If you still can't find the place on the map, ask the police for help.They will tell you the right way to go. Remember the name of your hotel and the street where it is. If you can't find the way back, take a taix. I hope these tips can help you. What should you take with you when you go to a strange city? A. A taxi. B. A map. C. A watch D. A dictionary. Answer: B In 1988, Mary Anderson was at the Miami airport checking in for a flight to Norway to be with her husband when she was told she wouldn't be able to check her luggage without paying a $100 surcharge . Mary had no money as her new husband had left for Norway and she had no one else to call . " I was completely desperate and tried to think which of my things I could manage without ," says Mary . As tears ran down her face , a voice behind her said , "That's okay, I'll pay for her ." Rather surprised , Mary turned around to see a tall man whom she had never seen before . He had a gentle and kind voice that was firm and decisive . Although this happened twenty years ago , Mary still remembers the authority that radiated from the man . Mary was pleased to bring her luggage to Norway and told the stranger she would give his money back . The man wrote his name and address on a piece of paper and gave it to Mary . She thanked him repeatedly . When she finally walked off towards the boarding gate, he waved goodbye to her . That man turned out to be Barack Obama . Mary paid the money back to Obama the day she joined her husband . At that time he had just finished his job as a poorly paid community worker in Chicago , and had started his law studies at Harward University . In the spring of 2006 , Mary's parents heard Obama was considering a run for President . They wrote a letter saying that they would support him. At the same time , they thanked Obama for helping their daughter 18 years earlier . And Obama replied , " I want to thank you for the lovely things you wrote about me and for reminding me of what happened at Miami airport . I'm happy I could help her then , and I'm delighted to hear that your daughter is happy in Norway . Please send her my best wishes . Sincerely , Barack Obama, United States Senator ." Why did Mary feel completely desperate ? A. She had missed the only flight to Norway . B. Her new husband abandoned her suddenly . C. She didn't have the money to buy a ticket . D. She had no money to pay for the surcharge . Answer: D To the Editor, I have been reading your newspaper,the Hometown Gazette, for the past two years, ever since I moved to Smithville. We moved here from New York City, so I am accustomed to reading excellent newspapers such asThe New York Times . In fact, we still havethe Timesdelivered on Sundays. The entire family enjoys reading the recipes in the magazine, as well as the Styles section. The Times is great, butthe Gazetteis another story. I've never read an article that doesn't contain at least three or four spelling or grammatical errors. For instance, in last week's issue you misspelled the word "secretary", used a singular verb with a plural noun, and used "it's" as a possessive . And that was just in the lead story! In case you never went to elementary school, "it's" means "it is ".It's also a possessive adjective! It's a pity that this tiny little hick town has only one newspaper, because I'd like to have an alternative to the rag you publish. I find it hard to believe your news stories. If you can't spell correctly. How can you get your facts right? I've been meaning to get this off my chest for some time. Please cancel my subscription . And buy yourself a dictionary. Sincerely, Jane Z, Jones Which statement of the following is not true according to the passage? A. The writer once lived in New York City, so he was used to reading the Times. B. The entire family enjoys reading the Styles section in the mafazine. C. The writer has long been planning to express his dissatisfaction with the local newspaper D. It is obvious that the editors of the newspaper are not very careful about their work. Answer: A
Are you a creative person? You may answer, 'No, but I really want to be.' In fact, everyone has creativity. Some realize it, but others don't. Creative people never follow others blindly. They are good at watching and thinking. They have sharp eyes like a hunter. Moreover, creative people can get useful information from others' findings. Besides, creative people should have _ like a camel. On their long way to success, they have to say goodbye to leisure ( ). They must overcome difficulties and persist without complaint. Creative people are adventurers and explorers. They use their creativity to make miracles one after another. Of course, you are creative boys and girls. You have unlimited creativity. Believe in yourselves. You can also create miracles. Which does NOT belong to the personalities of creative people? Answer: Technological change is everywhere and affects every aspect of life, mostly for the better. However, social changes are brought about by new technology are often mistaken for a change in attitudes. An example at hand is the involvement of parents in the lives of their children who are attending college. Surveys on this topic suggests that parents today continue to be "very" or "somewhat" overly-protective even after their children move into college dormitories. The same surveys also indicate that the rate of parental involvement is greater today than it was a generation ago. This is usually interpreted as a sign that today's parents are trying to manage their children's lives past the point where this behavior is appropriate. However, greater parental involvement does not necessarily indicate that parents are failing to let go of their "adult" children. In the context of this discussion, it seems valuable to first find out the cause of change in the case of parents' involvement with their grown children. If parents of earlier generations had wanted to be in touch with their college-age children frequently, would this have been possible? Probably not. On the other hand, does the possibility of frequent communication today mean that the urge to do so wasn't present a generation ago? Many studies show that older parents - today's grandparents - would have called their children more often if the means and cost of doing so had not been a barrier. Furthermore, studies show that finances are the most frequent subject of communication between parents and their college children. The fact that college students are financially dependent on their parents is nothing new; nor are requests for more money to be sent from home. This phenomenon is neither good nor bad; it is a fact of college life, today and in the past. Thanks to the advanced technology, we live in an age of bettered communication. This has many implications well beyondthe role that parents seem to play in the lives of their children who have left for college. But it is useful to bear in mind that all such changes come from the technology and not some imagined desire by parents to keep their children under their wings. What is the best title for the passage? Answer: Where have all the boys gone?You may be able to find them in the gym, at work or hanging out, but there's where boys are underrepresented, and the problem seems to be getting worse. These days, at high school graduation ceremonies, there are a lot more girls than boys. In fact, every year, 10 percent more girls graduate from high school than boys. "I think that there's a tendency to focus on boys as problems at this point, rather than recognize that boys have problems," says Joanne Max, PhD. Experts say the problems start in grade school, where there's often an emphasis on sports instead of reading, for example. "I think that with boys there's some idea that it's not masculine to read," says Rob Jenkins, an English professor. There's also a shortage of male teachers as role models. "I think boys need role models, so if you're a boy and you don't have a dad in your home and then you have one male teacher and it's your athletic coach then I don't think you have a message that education is very important," says Carol Carter, another expert. In addition, classrooms often have too little activity and too much passive listening, which is not conducive to boys' learning. Experts say parents can fight back in many ways. Read to your sons early and often; show by your actions that you value their education. Ask them about their schoolwork, offer help, drop by their classroom and finally, appeal to their competitive spirit: challenge them to do better and help them understand that their future depends on it. Carol Carter's words implied that _ . Answer: 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. The last advertisement of New Year Harbin trip offers NO information about _ . Answer: We've all seen them: perfectly toned famous people on late-night television telling us that we too can develop rock-hard abdominal muscles . It's easy! Just pay $149.99 for the Torso Track or $149.75 for the Ad-Doer and watch those unwanted inches leave your waist. Americans spend tens of millions of dollars on various products to firm up their fat around the waist. And did they work? Not necessarily. Independent studies have concluded that most of these products -- no matter who approved them or how expensive they are -- shape your midsection no better than old-fashioned stomach crunches . Some can even cause injury -- like the $518.99 Body Shaper-Q8SP, which left electrical burns on some researchers at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. Others, like the popular Ab-Doer, typically burn less energy than a gentle walk, according to a study to be published in September by the American Council on Exercise. The fact is that many Americans don't have the biological makeup to develop an obvious abdominal muscles. They are either unable to get the necessary muscle mass or they can't lose enough fat to make a difference. Even if the underlying muscles are well developed, all it takes to hide it is one-sixteenth of an inch of fat. That's enough to exclude most healthy women as well as plenty of guys who do crunches every day. So what works best? In its new study, the exercise experts researched on the results of the popular Ab-Doer. A lengthy TV advertisement promises that just 10 minutes a day performing such movements as "Body Boogies" and "Good Mornings" will "help form those muscles the fun and easy way without diets." Steven Loy, professor at California State University, Northridge, tested the promise by measuring the electrical activity produced by the abdominal muscles during three Ab-Doer movements. He and his colleagues then compared the results with those produced during traditional exercises. They determined that the muscles were no more active, and in some cases less so, when exercisers were using the Ab-Doer. Taking a broader approach, researchers at San Diego State University compared 13 abdominal exercises for their ability to develop the central abdominal muscles. They concluded, in a report published in May, that the most effective exercises kept turning the body and worked the muscles the entire time. Among the winners: the bicycle movements -- so called because it looks as if you are riding a bike while lying flat on the floor -- and exercises performed on the "Captain's Chair", a product typically found in gyms that helps hold the body in the air while you raise your legs up toward your chest. Researchers suggested that a varied routine of the different exercises could deliver the best results. According to the author, it's difficult for many Americans to get visible firm abdominal muscles mainly because _ . Answer:
A mother had two daughters. She loved them very much, but two girls would fight with each other from their earliest years. As they grew older, they became total strangers. They had no contact with each other when they were adults. This caused the mother great pain. Then, later, she had an idea. She decided to write a letter to them. In this letter, she told them how much she loved them, and how she wanted them to love each other in this way. She also gave them news of herself and some guidance on how to live happier lives. When the letter was ready, she wrote out one copy for each daughter, but these copies were special. Each copy contained only every second sentence of the original letter: the copy for one daughter had only the even sentences, and the other daughter's copy contained only the odd sentences. Neither contained the fullness of the mother's message. When the two daughters received their letters, they were puzzled. To understand the half-letter, they would have to put the two letters together and read them as one, which meant they must approach one another again in love and respect. But they each blamed the other for not helping them when trying to read the half-letter. For a long time, the mother waited in vain. Then one day, when the mother had almost given up hope, there was a knock at the door. There they stood, together. "We've come home," they said at the same time. "We've finally put our letters together, and we've come to say how much we love you, Mum." Then she hugged them both, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks, and welcomed them back home. Why did the two daughters visit their mother at last? Answer: They felt grateful for the mother. A famous teacher was speaking to the students at our school. He began his lesson by holding up a PS100 bill. Then he said to the three hundred students, "Who would like to have this PS100 bill?" The students began to put up their hands at once. Then he said, "I am going to give this bill to one of you, but first, let me do this." He then made this bill into a ball. Then he said, "Who wants it?" Hands went into the air. "Well," he said, "What if I do this?" and he dropped it on the floor and stepped on it. He picked up the dirty, crumpled bill and said, "Who still wants it?" _ "My friends," he said, "You've learned a valued lesson today. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it didn't go down in value. It was still worth PS100. Many times in our lives, we're dropped, crumpled, and stepped on by the chances we take and the things that happen to us. We feel as if we are worth nothing. But remember, no matter what has happened to you, you will never lose your value. You are always valuable to those who love you. Your value doesn't come from what you drop or whom you know,but WHO YOU ARE . You are special and valuable. Don't ever forget it! The story happened _ . Answer: when the teacher gave the students a speech Consumer electronics once again topped the list of the most wanted gifts this holiday season. "Seventy-six percent of consumers who plan to buy holiday gifts say that they will spend money or buy at least one technology product; definitely a solid vote of confidence for technology." Steve Koenig is with the Consumer Electronics Association. He says the group's latest research also shows that Americans this year are spending more on technology products. " " From tablet computers to smart phones, American shoppers have been lining up to get the newest and coolest electronic devices on the market. There are more choices today than ever before. "It's kind of hard to make a decision." Tablet computers are one of the best-selling products this year. Brian Tong is Senior Editor of CNET.com. The website reports on tech news and examines the latest electronic products. He says the Apple iPad Mini is one of the most popular tablets. Its starting price is $329. One of Apple's biggest competitors is the Google Nexus 7. It starts at $199. " is more powerful than what's in the iPad Mini, but also it offers you a lot of things like maps that work better than Apple's maps. But Brian Tong says there is one reason why people may like the iPad Mini more than the Nexus 7. "If you just want to read books and surf the Internet, you don't really need to get an iPad Mini, but if you want the largest robust group of apps that's where the iPad and Apple's ecosystem shines the most." Elman Chacon is with the electronics store Best Buy. He says another hot product this season is smart cameras. They connect to the Internet through WiFi. This makes it easy for users to email or upload photographs directly from the camera. "You can literally take a picture and upload it into your Facebook in a matter of seconds. These things are pretty cool because they do a lot of things." Streaming media boxes also connect to the Internet. People are able to watch web content such as movies and YouTube videos on their televisions. Another popular item is wireless speaker systems. The newest ones work with any device that has Bluetooth technology, including smart phones, laptops and tablets. According to Brian Tong, why may people prefer the iPad Mini to the Google Nexus 7? Answer: Because it has more functions. Has a doctor ever given you a note to take to the chemist for some medicine? Are you able to read the note easily? Some doctors write clearly , but most doctors do not. Chemists have more chances to read doctors' notes, but sometimes doctors write so badly that even the chemist can't read them. One day a lady wrote to a doctor inviting him to have dinner at her house. The doctor wrote an answer, but he didn't write clearly and the lady couldn't read it. "What shall I do?" she said to her husband, "I don't know whether he is coming or not. I don't want to give him a telephone call and say that I can't read his writing." Her husband thought a moment, then he had an idea. "Thank you," said his wife. "That's a very good idea." She went to the chemist's shop and gave the doctor's note to the chemist. The chemist looked at it very carefully. Then he said politely, "Could you wait a moment, madam?" He went to the back of the shop. After a few minutes he returned carrying a large bottle. He gave the bottle to the lady and said, "Three times a day and one spoonful at a time." The lady wrote a doctor a letter because _ . Answer: she wanted to invite him to dinner A letter to Edward,a columnist Dear Mr. Expert, I grew up in an unhappy and abusive home. I always promised myself that I'd get out as soon as possible. Now, at age 20, I have a good job and a nice house, and I'm really proud of the independence I've achieved. Here's the problem: several of my friends who still live with their parents wish they had places like mine--so much so that they make mine theirs. It started out with a couple of them spending the weekends with me. But now they seem to take it for granted that they can show up any time they like. They bring boyfriends over, talk on the phone and stay out forever. I enjoy having my friends here sometimes--it makes the place feel comfortable and warm--but this is my home, not a party house. I was old enough to move out on my own, so why can't I seem to ask my friends to respect my privacy ? Joan Edward's reply to Joan Dear Joan, If your family didn't pay attention to your needs when you were a child, you probably have trouble letting others know your needs now. And if you've gathered your friends around you to rebuild a happy family atmosphere , you may fear that saying no will bring back the kind of conflict you grew up with--or destroy the nice atmosphere you now enjoy. You need to understand that in true friendship it's okay to put your own needs first from time to time. Be clear about the message you want to send. For example, "I really love your company but I also need some privacy. So please call before you come over. " Edward 62. The second letter suggests that Mr. Expert _ . Answer: advises Joan on how to refuse people
Question: Rock and roll music developed in the United States in the early nineteen-fifties. It was based on the music called rhythm and blues that was performed by African American musicians. Early rock and roll singers developed their own kinds of music. Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, the Beach Boys, and Bob Dylan were the most popular rock and roll musicians in the early 1960's. All were American. Then, in 1964, a new rock and roll group from England invaded America: the Beatles. Some people say the Beatles' music shook America like an earthquake. The Beatles changed rock and roll forever. Their early songs were influenced by American rock and roll musicians, including Chuck Berry. But the Beatles looked different and sounded different from any musical group before them. The Beatles released their first album in the United States in 1964, when all of the top five records in America were by the Beatles. In 1967, they released an album called "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." It was one of the first "concept" albums. That is, all the songs were linked by a common story or idea. The popularity of the Beatles led the way for more rock and roll bands from England to become popular in America. The Rolling Stones was the most important of these bands. The Rolling Stones is one of the few groups from the 1960's that is still performing and recording today. In 1965, the group recorded one of its most famous songs, "Satisfaction". The musical instrument most linked to rock and roll is the guitar. Experts say Jimi Hendrix was one of the most influential guitar players in rock and roll during the late 1960's. His "Purple Haze" was liked by many people. By the 1970's, rock and roll music became known as rock music. It expanded into many new forms. For example, there was country rock, hard rock, acid rock, and heavy metal rock. Punk rock, jazz rock, and glitter rock. In the middle 1970's, experts say rock music regained some of the energy of early rock and roll. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band became popular with their album "Born to Run". Springsteen's music was like the lively rock and roll music of the early nineteen-sixties. Many of his songs were about social issues. He sang about the effects of unemployment and the war in Vietnam. The main topic of this passage is _ . A. the history of American music B. the famous rock and roll groups C. the new forms of rock and roll music D. the development of rock and roll music Answer: D. the development of rock and roll music Question: Two American scientists told the people in industrial nations that they would be much healthier if they ate more of the same kind of foods eaten by humans living more than 10,000 years ago. The scientists say that the human body has changed very little since human first appeared on the earth,but the way we live has changed greatly. Our body has not been able to deal with these changes in lifestyles and this has led to new kinds of sicknesses. These new sicknesses were not known in ancient times. So they are called "diseases of civilization ".Many cancers and diseases of the blood system,including heart attacks and strokes are examples of such diseases. Scientists noted that early stoneage people used very little alcohol or tobacco ,probably none. Ancient people also got a great deal of physical exercise,but a change in food is one of the main differences between life in ancient times and life today. Stoneage people hunted wild animals for their meat ,which had much less fat than farm animals. They also ate a lot of fresh wild vegetables and fruits. They did not use milk and other dairy products ,and they made very little use of grains . But today,we eat a large amount of dairy products and grain foods. We eat six times more salt than stoneage people. We eat more sugar. We eat twice as much fat but only one third as much protein and much less vitamin C. People today probably do not want to live as people thousands of years ago did,but scientists say that we would be much healthier if we ate as those ancient people did,cutting the amount of fatty,salty and sweet foods. From this article,we know that _ are not good to our health. A. protein and vitamin C B. milk and grain foods C. a huge amount of fatty,salty and sweet foods D. wild animals ,vegetables and fruits Answer: C. a huge amount of fatty,salty and sweet foods Question: My husband and I recently had the chance to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary in Morocco, Our daughter had very kindly given us the trip as a gift a few weeks ago. One day, we were walking around in the lively and crowded streets, having a good time. I was looking at all the amazing places and architectures, and all the beautiful faces of the people around us. While I was excited about all the beautiful things around me, my husband walked into a shop. I was left standing alone in the street. The women in this country are never alone. After fifteen minutes, I started feeling a little uneasy. A street man dressed in torn, ragged clothes was coming towards me. To tell the truth, I thought the worst at that moment. I thought he was a beggar who was coming to ask for money. As he was passing, he stopped and touched my shoulder. He looked directly at me and the enormous love shining through his eyes made me relaxed. He then asked, "D' accord? D' accord?" I nodded yes. And with his smile, calmness and those incredible peaceful loving eyes, I was moved for days, and my mind was filled with the memory of such a kind person. For me, it was a reminder that we can all talk a good talk , but it is the action that matters. Usually, I tell others that we should be loving towards everyone. That day, I felt sorry as I did not walk my talk . But this stranger in rags gave me the most special reminder. He showed me the beauty that anyone can receive care and concern, at any moment, from the most unlikely sources. Who paid for the trip? A. The author's daughter B. The author C. The author's husband D. The man in rags Answer: A. The author's daughter Question: Decisions, decisions! Our lives are full of them, from the small ones to the life-changing. The right to choose is central to everyone. Yet sometimes we make bad decisions that leave us unhappy or full of regret. Can science help? Most of us know little about the mental processes that lie behind our decisions. Luckily, what psychologists are finding may help us all make better choices. Here are some of their amazing discoveries to help you make up your mind. Consider your emotions. You might think that emotions are the enemy of decision making, but in fact they're a part of it. Whenever you make up your mind, your brain's emotional center is active. University of Southern California scientist, Antonio Damasio, has studied people with damage to only the emotional parts of their brains, and found that they were unable to make basic choices about what to wear or eat. Damasio thinks this may be because our brains store emotional memories of past choices, which we use to help the present decision making. However, making choices under the influence of an emotion can greatly affect the result. Take anger, for example. A study by Nitika Garg of the University of Mississippi and other scientists found the angry shoppers were more likely to choose the first thing they were offered rather than considering other choices. It seems anger can lead us to make quick decisions without much thinking. All emotions affect our thinking and motivation , so it may be best to avoid making important decisions under their influence. Yet strangely there's one emotion that seems to help us make good choices. The American researchers found that sad people took time to consider the various choices on offer, and ended up making the best choices. In fact many studies show that people who feel unhappy have the most reasonable view of the world. According to the text, what may help us make better decisions? A. To think about happy times. B. To make many decisions at a time. C. To stop feeling regretful about the past. D. To learn about the process of decision-making. Answer: D. To learn about the process of decision-making. Question: A footprint in a rock may have been from A. new rock formation B. a random break C. an optical illusion D. very long ago Answer: D. very long ago
What is the color1 of the universe? Astronomers had not answered this question, until two months ago. That is when two American astronomers reported on their study of all the light in the universe. They said that the universe would appear to the human eye to be a light greenish color1, called turquoise . Karl Glazebrook and Ivan Baldry of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, reported their finding in January. They presented the research at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society. They said that finding the color1 of the universe was not part of their serious scientific research. They did it for fun. However, earlier this month, the scientists admitted to making a mistake. They said their finding was much more color1ful than it should have been. They now say the light from our universe is closer to white. It is more like a milky or creamy white color1. Their study attempted to show what people might see if they could observe the universe from far away. The scientists found the average color1 by combining light from about two-hundred-thousand star systems. Their information came from an observatory in New South Wales, Australia. These scientists and color1 engineers attempted to reproduce the result. Mark Fairchild of the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York was the first person to identify a mistake. He discovered a mistake in the computer software program used by the Johns Hopkins scientists. When the mistake was corrected, the results changed. The new color1 of the universe is much less color1ful. It is very close to white. The scientists have apologized for the mistake. They are now working with the Rochester Institute of Technology to produce more images of the color1 of the universe. They also asked for suggestions for a name for the new color1 of the universe. If we divide the passage into two parts, where can we draw the dividing line? Answer: Between the 2nd and the 3rd paragraph. We can not live a modern life without traveling. The fastest way of traveling is by air. With a plane one can travel in one day to places which it took a month or more to get to a hundred years ago. Traveling by train is slower than by plane, but one can see the country he is traveling through. Modern trains have comfortable seats and dinning-cars. They make even the longest journey enjo yable. Some people prefer to travel by sea when possible. There are large luxury liners or river boats .They are not as fast as trains or planes, but traveling by sea is a very pleasant way to spend a holi day. Many people like to travel by car. They can make their own timetable. They can travel hundred s of miles a day, just as their wish. They can stop wherever they want to see something interestin g or to enjoy a good meal at a good restaurant, or to spend the night at a hotel. That is why peopl e choose traveling by car for pleasant trips, while they usually take trains or planes for business.According to the passage, the fastest way of traveling is _ . Answer: byplane Maybe you are an average student. You probably think you will never be a top student . However, anyone can become a better student if he or she does his or her best. Here are some tips to help you. Plan your time carefully. You should plan your time for such things as eating, sleeping and dressing. Then make a good, regular time for studying. But don't forget to set enough time for entertainment . Keep your _ quiet and clean. The study should have a desk, a chair and some study materials , but no games, no radio and no television ! When you sit down to study, you can put your heart into it. Make good use of your time. Listen to everything that the teacher says. Listening carefully in class means less work later. Taking notes will help you remember what the teacher says. After you get home from school, go over your notes . Review the important points. If you know what your teacher is going to discuss next day, read the material. It will help you study better. Develop a good attitude to tests . The purpose of a test is to show what you have learned about a subject . It helps you know what you are not good at. The world will still go on even if you fail in a test , so don't be too worried . How many tips are mentioned in the passage? Answer: Five One morning Julie took her dog, Rosie, for a walk. Rosie loved to walk outside. She loved to walk any time - morning, afternoon, or night. She liked to smell everything. This morning she smelled something new. It was another animal. It was not a squirrel. It was not another dog. Maybe it was a tiger! Rosie sniffed around until she saw the other animal. It was not a tiger. It was a cat. The cat was watching Rosie. The cat was afraid Rosie would try to bite her, so she climbed up a tree. Rosie tried to follow her, but she could not climb up. Instead, she barked at the cat in the tree. Julie did not want Rosie to scare the cat. She called Rosie away from the tree. The cat watched them walk away. When they came back, the cat was gone. Rosie remembered the cat. She started digging in the dirt under the tree. But there was no cat there. Julie and Rosie went home for breakfast. What animal did Rosie smell? Answer: a cat Which organ in a frog has a function similar to the function of lungs in a bird? Answer: skin
People visit other countries for many reasons.Some travel on business;others travel to visit interesting places that are only found in other countries,such as the Taj Mahal in India. Wherever you go, and for whatever reason,it is important to be safe.While the majority of people you will meet when traveling are sure to be friendly and welcoming, there are dangers--theft being the most common.Just as in your home country, do not expect everyone you meet to be friendly and helpful.It is important to prepare for your trip in advance, and to take precautions while you are traveling. As you prepare for your trip, make sure you have the right paperwork.You don't want to get to your destination only to find you have the wrong visa,or worse,that your passport is about to _ .Also, make sure you travel with proper medical insurance, so that if you are sick during your travels,you will be able to get treatment.If you want to drive while you are abroad,make sure you have an international driver's license. Buy a guidebook and read about the local customs of the country you are going to.Also, try to learn a few basic words and phrases. When you get to your destination, use official transport.Always go to bus and taxi stands; don't accept rides from strangers who offer you a lift.If there is no meter in the taxi, agree on a price before you get in.If you prefer to stay in cheap hotels while traveling,make sure you can lock the door of your room from the inside.If you are traveling with valuables such as jewelry, or a lot of cash, you should ask about a safe for storing them in.Finally, remember to smile.Smiling is the friendliest and most sincere form of communication, and is sure to be understood in any part of the world! Which of the following details about the passage is true? A. People mainly travel to other countries for business reasons. B. It is important to be prepared , as well as cautious, when you travel. C. You should carry your insurance with you so that you can rent a car. D. You should store your valuables in the front desk of a hotel. Answer: B Plants can't communicate by moving or making sounds, as most animals do. Instead, plants produce volatile compounds ---- chemicals that easily change from a liquid to a gas. A flower's sweet smell, for example, comes from such volatile compounds to attract insects such as bugs and bees. Plants can also discover volatile compounds produced by other plants. A tree under attack by hungry insets, for instance, may give off these chemicals in order to let other trees know about the attack. In response, the other trees may send off their chemicals to keep the bugs away ---- or even chemicals that will attract the bugs' natural enemies. Now scientists have created a quick way to understand what plants are saying: a chemical sensor called an "electronic nose". The "e-nose" can tell such compounds as plants make. When plants are attacked, scientists say, the e-nose could help quickly decide whether plants are being eaten by insects. But today, the only way to spot such insects is to inspect individual plants by observing them. This is a challenging task for managers of greenhouses, including those that can house thousands of plants. The research team is working with an e-nose that can recognize volatile compounds. Inside the device, 13 sensors chemically react with volatile compounds based on the interactions , and then the e-nose will give off electronic signals that the scientists can analyze by using computer software. To test the e-nose, the team presented it with healthy leaves from cucumber, pepper and tomato plants, all being common greenhouse crops. Then scientists collected samples of the air around damaged leaves from each type of crop. These plants had been damaged either by insects or by scientists who made holes in the leaves with a hole punch . The e-nose, it turns out, can identify healthy cucumber, pepper and tomato plants based on the volatile compounds they produce. It could also identify tomato leaves that had been damaged. But even more impressive, the device could tell which type of damage ---- by insects or with a hole punch ---- had been done to the tomato leaves. With some fine-tuning , a device like the e-nose can one day be used in greenhouses to quickly spot harmful bugs, the researchers say. A device like this can also be used to identify fruits that are perfectly ripe and ready to pick and eat, says Natalia Dudareva, a biochemist at Purdue University in West Lafayette, India, who studies smells of flowers and plants. Hopefully, scientists believe, the device can bring large benefits to greenhouse managers in the near future. What did the scientists do to find out if the e-nose worked? A. They fixed 13 sensors inside the device. B. They presented it with all common crops. C. They collected different damaged leaves. D. They do tests on damaged and healthy leaves. Answer: D Which location gets the most sunlight? A. northern Canada B. northern Russia C. Brazilian rainforest D. Sahara Answer: D Time Temp Glasses Are you a person who wants to know the time and temperature during the day? You might like Temp Glasses. These special glasses show the time above your right eye and the temperature your left eye. It is surely easier than wearing a wristwatch, and you never have to guess the Tature. Alarm Fork Do you eat too quickly? Do you eat too much? How can the Alarm Fork help you? Aren't you is ? Well, this special fork has two lights: one green and one red. When the green is on, it's OK to eat a piece of food. The fork "knows" when you eat a piece, and soon the red goes on. Wait for the green light before you eat another piece. Smell This Sow do you know if your breath smells nice, or if it smells bad? It's difficult It) know, because it's very hard to smell the air that comes out of your own mouth. Smell This is useful for this ion. Smell This covers your nose and your mouth. Docs your breath smell nice, or do you need a piece of gum ? Banana Suitcase Has this ever happened to you? You put a banana in your bag lunch in the morning, and when pen the bag at noon, the banana looks like someone drove a car over it. If you put your banana Banana Suitcase, this will never happen. It keeps a banana safe, delicious, and looking like a m! A person who wants to lose weight may be interested in _ . A. Time Temp Glasses B. Alarm Fork C. Smell This D. Banana Suitcase Answer: B More than one in four children alive in Britain today will celebrate their 100thbirthday, official figures showed. The special figure shows a huge social change, with today's children likely to survive far longer than their parents or grandparents. Of the 12.4 million children aged 16 and under, 3.3 million(27%)will become someone who is a hundred years old or more. In a class of 30 children, eight can live to be 100. And the rest of the children are likely to get to an old age, even though they will not make it to three figures. Experts warned that children may live to 100, but that they will not get their State pension until they are 70 or beyond. The State pension age is rising to 66 for both men and women by 2020, and the Government has warned it will continue to rise. Laith Khalaf, a pension expert, said, "Living to an old age is lucky if you can afford it, but a _ if you can't. Those without enough savings will be depending on the State pension which will be changed." It also increases the possibility of millions of people surviving until their 100thbirthday with a poor quality of life because of poor health and little money. Millions of older people have no pensions, no savings and no plans about how they are going to pay for their retirement other than to carry on working. If the older population demands more resources ,then it has to come from their own wealth or the government. Laith said, "Millions of people will be spending over a third of their lives in retirement. It is high time that we reformed the State pension system. We want to make it fair for future generation." What kind of life will people living to 100 probably face? A. A high quality of life because of the development of technology. B. A low quality of life because of bad health and limited money. C. A high quality of life because of the increase in food price. D. A low quality of life because of the present government. Answer: B
The New York Times announced Wednesday that it intended to charge frequent readers for access to its website, a step being debated across the industry that nearly every major newspaper has so far feared to take. Starting in early 2011, visitors to NYTimes.com will get a certain number of articles free every month before being asked to pay a standard and fixed fee for unlimited access. Subscribers to the newspaper's print edition will receive full access to the site. But executives of The New York Times Company said they could not yet answer fundamental questions about the plan, like how much it would cost or what the limit would be on free reading. They stressed that the amount of free access could change with time, in response to economic conditions and reader demand. Still, publishers fear that money from digital subscriptions would not make up for the resulting loss of audience and advertising income. NYTimes.com is by far the most popular newspaper site in the country, with more than 17 million readers a month in the United States, according to Nielsen Online, and analysts say it is the leader in advertising income, as well. That may make it better positioned than other general-interest papers to charge--and also gives The Times more to lose if the move produces an opposed result. The Times Company has been studying the matter for almost a year, searching for common ground between pro-and-anti pay campaigns--a debate mirrored in dozens of media-watching blogs-- and the system will not go into effect until January 2011. Executives said they were not bothered by the possibility of absorbing barbs for moving cautiously. "There's no prize for getting it quick," said Janet L. Robinson, the company's president and chief executive. "There's more of a prize for getting it right." What is the main idea about the passage? Answer: Some friends are playing hide-and-seek at Mr. Green' home. They play in Mike's room. It's time for Lily to find her friends. Lily first finds Sally.Sally is behind the door. Then, Lily sees Bob. Bob is under the table. Mike is under the table, too. Now it's time to find David and John. David's hat is on the sofa. Is David under the sofa? No, he isn't.John's schoolbag is on the chair, but he isn't there."Where are they?"Lily thinks.Shh! Don't let her know. They are under the bed! Where are the friends? Answer: The _ film Titanic has brought millions of dollars and thousands of people to the theaters and continues to touch people today in their homes. Why is this film so successful? It is a combination of many different things. Among these are many different elements. Looking at some of these elements will show how the director and others involved were able to create an emotionally charged movie that appealed to millions. The film uses one thematic element called - The Truth of Human Nature. The two main characters seem to represent noble people. Most of the other characters in the film are shown as non-tolerant, rude and cold-hearted people. The element of focusing on the two main characters' love and emotion seems symbolic of an ideal state. There are also social problems addressed. This is done in a few different ways. The most noticeable way is that the lower class people remain locked in the basement as the ship goes down. Throughout Titanic, the lighting is very important. The poor, lower class people are always shown in very warm-coloured light that gives them a sense of life and happiness. On the other hand, the rich, upper class are always shown in a flat light portraying the feeling of hardness and coldness. By using these techniques, they show the issue of class segregation , and they create stereotypes. The main characters are able to break free of these stereotypes and be together. This is the solution to the segregation problem. As you can see, Titanic took a lot of thinking and preparation to film in a manner that would create emotion and bring to the surface the issues and story of the great ship. The writer mainly talks about _ in this passage. Answer: It feels like every time my mother and I start to have a conversation, it turns into an argument. We talk about something as simple as dinner plans and suddenly, my mother will push the conversation into World War 3. She'll talk about my lack of bright future because I don't plan to be a doctor. And much to her disappointment, I don't want to do any job related to science, either. In fact, when I was pushed to say that I planned to major in English and communications, she nearly had a heart attack. "Why can't you be like my co-worker's son?" she _ all the time. Her coworker's son received a four-year scholarship and is now earning 70,000 dollars a year as an engineer. I don't know what to answer except that I simply can't be like Mr. Perfect as I've called the unnamed co-worker's son. I can't be like him. I am the type of the person who loved to help out in the community, write until the sun goes down, and most of all, wants to achieve a career because I love it, not because of a fame or salary. I understand why my mother is worried about my future major. I've seen my mother struggle to raise me on her small salary and work long hours. She leaves the house around 6:30 am and usually comes home around 5 pm or even 6pm. However, I want her to know that by becoming a doctor, it doesn't mean I'll be successful. I'd rather follow my dreams and create my own future. Which of the following statements is probably TRUE about the writer? Answer: Ashley and Chris work in the same department designing postcards. Chris had a college degree in art and deeply felt that the degree of his designs was excellent. His last postcard showed the depth of a desert's beauty and delights. "It's just a picture of the desert," Ashley said. "Not deep at all." "Some people desire seeing beauty," Chris replied. "Mine delivers that". Ashley laughed and said, "well, that depends on what you think beauty is." Days later, someone delivered a letter to Ashley. The letter said, "You are worthy of the bad things that will come your way. You will know the taste of defeat, and I will destroy you." Ashley suddenly felt very cold. It was as if the room temperature had dropped 30 degrees. "Who would do such a shocking deed?" she wondered. "I will not let a simple letter defeat me." Just then, Chris came into the room and offered Ashley a piece of his sandwich. "Try some," he smiled widely. "It's delicious." "Are you trying to poison me?" Ashley asked. Chris's answer was delayed from confusion. "What's your problem?" he asked. The next day, Ashley brought a bat to use to defend herself. When Chris saw her bat, he joked, "Defend and win one for the team." Ashley took no notice of him. She spent the whole day reading self-defending books and placed her work on delay. "You can't delay your work. Our job demands us to do our work on time," Chris said. "We must meet the demands of our job." "You're not the boss," Ashley replied. "Don't make demands of me." Because Ashley failed to do her work, she was fired. Chris glanced at Ashley's empty desk and smiled. What kind of work did Chris and Ashley do? Answer:
Above a stove, where a pot of water boils, is a hood. The steam from the pot rises to the hood and A gathers up B burns up dry C freezes solid D makes zero sense Answer: A An environment group called the Food Commission is unhappy and disappointed because of the sales of bottled water from Japan. The water, it angrily argues in public, has traveled 10,000 " _ " before it reaches Western customers. "Transporting water half-way across the world is surely the extremely stupid use of fuel when there is plenty of water in the UK." It is also worried that we are wasting our fuel by buying prawns from Indonesia (7,000 food miles) and carrots from South Africa (5,900 food miles). Counting the number of miles traveled by a product is a strange way of trying to tell the true situation of the environmental damage done by an industry. Most food is transported around the world on container ships that are extremely energy-efficient. It should be noted that a ton of butter transported 25 miles in a truck to a farmers' market does not necessarily use less fuel on its journey than a similar product transported hundreds of miles by sea, Besides, the idea of "food miles" ignores the amount of fuel used in the production. It is possible to cut down your food miles by buying tomatoes grown in Britain rather than those grown in Ghana; the difference is that the British ones will have been raised in heated greenhouses and the Ghanaian ones in the open sun. What is the idea of "food miles" does provide, however, is the chance to cut out Third World countries from First World food markets. The number of miles traveled by our food should, as I see it, be regarded as a sign of the success of the global trade system, not a sign of damage to the environment. The Food Commission is angry because it thinks that _ . A UK wastes a lot of money importing food products B some imported goods cause environmental damage C growing certain vegetables damages the environment D people waste energy buying food from other countries Answer: D Check out our tsunami facts and learn some interesting information related to these great walls of water that can cause so much destruction. Find out what causes tsunamis and read about some recent examples of tsunamis that have occurred around the globe. The Japanese word for tsunami means harbor wave. Tsunamis are sometimes called tidal waves but this term has fallen out of favour because tsunamis are not related to tides. Tsunamis are huge waves of water that are usually caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. As a tsunami approaches the shore, water may move back from the coast. If it is shallow enough the water may be pulled back hundreds of metres. If you are in the area, you can know that a tsunami is on the way when you see this phenomenon. Regions in tsunami danger zones often have warning systems in place to give people as much time as possible to move to a safe place. When tsunamis hit shallow water (often near the coast) they slow down but increase in height. An earthquake in the Indian Ocean off Indonesia in December 2004 caused a tsunami that killed over 200,000 people in 14 countries. In March 2011, the Tohoku earthquake off the eastern coast of Japan caused a tsunami that was a major factor in the death of over 15,000 people. The tsunami waves created by the Tohoku earthquake reached a height of over 40 metres in some areas, wiping out coastal towns and causing a number of nuclear accidents. In the Tohoku earthquake over 15,000 people died mainly because of _ . A the earthquake itself B the tsunami caused by the earthquake C the lack of warning systems D the nuclear accidents caused by the tsunami Answer: B Mo was waiting in the corridor outside her class. She was feeling sick. She had two exams that day and physics was first .She really hated physics. It was her worst subject. Terry Looked back at her from the front of the line, and then looked away quickly. Mo thought she looked guilty. She didn't have a problem with physics she didn't have a problem with anything ... _ ! "Hi, Mo, it's your favorite exam today, "said Nima, laughing as she joined the line .Terry was looking at Mo again. "So what's wrong with her?" asked Nima."I thought you were friends." "Yes, so did I," said Mo." But she hasn't spoken to me for two weeks now. She promised to help me review for the physics exam too, but then she's ignored all my calls and texts .And when I rang her house, her mum just told me she was busy. She's forgotten who her friends are!" said Mo angrily. "Are you listening to me?" Mr. Reed was talking to the class and the other students were going into the exam room. Mo gave Nima a worried look and followed them. Mo couldn't answer question number five. She looked up and saw Terry sitting two rows in front of her. Mo couldn't believe it! Terry was holding her phone on her knee under the table and reading from it. Is that how Terry always got such good grades? She felt really angry at Terry, but she didn't know what to do. She thought about telling the teacher, but what would everyone else think of her? "Stop writing and put your pens down" said Mr. Reed as he started to collect the exam papers. Oh no, Mo hadn't answered two of the questions. She was going to fail again! Mo wanted to talk to Terry at lunch time, but she couldn't find her anywhere. The next exam was history. That was Mo's favourite subject but she wasn't feeling good. Mo went to the library to study, but she couldn't concentrate. She didn't know what to do about Terry. She thought about telling a teacher, but everyone would hate her if she did that. "It wasn't fair!" she thought. "Terry was getting good grades by cheating all that time." thought Mo. Just then, Mr. Reed walked past her table. "Mr. Reed." Mo was sitting behind Terry again in the history exam that afternoon. Mo was feeling terrible. Why had she told Mr. Reed? But it was too late now. And anyway, Terry didn't want to be her friend! Mr. Reed wanted her to look at him and nod if she saw that Terry was cheating in the exam. She was working on the last question when she saw that Terry had her phone under the table. Without thinking, Mo looked up and nodded to Mr. Reed. Terry was too busy looking at her phone and she didn't hear him as he walked silently up to her table. Mr. Reed didn't say anything. He just picked up her exam paper, tore it in half and pointed to the door, to tell Terry to leave the room. Terry was crying as she walked to the door. Everyone was staring at her and Mo felt really guilty now. Why did she tell Mr. Reed? Mo was walking towards the school gate, when she heard footsteps behind her. It was Terry. "Mo, please wait! I want to talk to you." Mo could see that Terry had been crying, her face was pale and her eyes were red. Mo couldn't say a word. "Listen," said Terry. "I'm really sorry I haven't answered any of your calls, but we're having a terrible time at home. My dad had a heart attack two weeks ago and he's in hospital. He had a big heart operation today and I was very worried about him. I know it was stupid, but I was reading texts from my mum to see how the operation was going, but Mr. Reed caught me with my phone. He thought I was cheating. He believes me now, but I have to take the exam again. I'm sorry I didn't tell you what was happening. I haven't forgotten that you're a good friend'. Will you forgive me? " At the end of the story Mo probably felt _ A confident and optimistic B glad and inspired C sad and angry D regretful and guilt Answer: D There was once an octopus who lived under the ocean. His name was Fred. Fred had never seen the world above the ocean before. He had spent all of his life under water with his friends, a blow fish named Joey, a sponge named Pam, a star fish named Elaine, and another octopus, Stacey. So you can imagine his surprise when he found a treasure chest that had been lost by a ship that had sunk. Inside the chest were things that were completely new to him. Among these was a whole bunch of food items, such as a bottle of ketchup, a coffee mug, a cherry pie, a sandwich, and more. When Fred found these things, he wanted to keep them all for himself. So when he returned to his friends, he didn't tell them what he had found. When his best friend Stacey asked him where he had been, Fred lied and said that he had only gone for a swim. But Stacey didn't believe him. Later on, when Fred was sound asleep in his bed, Stacey visited his room to see what he had been up to. She went digging around in his room for something interesting. When she found the treasure chest, she was amazed at what was inside. But she was also upset at Fred for lying to her, so she woke up him in the middle of the night to yell at him. Fred understood his mistake and apologized to Stacey, and then they shared the food. What did Fred do when his friend woke him up? A He yelled at her B He apologized C He kicked her out D He lied some more Answer: B
When parents talk about school safety these days, they're usually referring to the increase in violence at schools. But research shows that school-age children are actually nine times more likely to suffer an injury while doing sports than to be the victim of violence while at school. Accidents can be prevented if parents are on the lookout for potential dangers. To help you keep your kids free from harm, here are some safety tips: a. Teach your child never to talk to strangers or accept rides or gifts from strangers. Remember, a stranger is anyone you or your child doesn't know well or trust. b. Be sure that your child walks to and from school with a _ , friend or neighbor. c. Teach your kid, whether walking, biking or riding a bus to school, to obey all traffic signals, signs and traffic officers. Remind him to be extra careful in bad weather. d. When driving your kid, deliver and pick them up as close to the school as possible. Don't leave until they are in the schoolyard or building. e. If your child rides a bike to school, make sure he wears a standard helmet . Research shows that a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 85%. f. Teach your kid to arrive at the bus stop earlier, stay off the street, and wait for the bus to come to a complete stop. g. Be sure that your kid knows his or her home phone number and address, your work number, the number of another trusted adult and how to call 911 for emergencies . Which of the following statements is Not True according to the text? A Kids should be taught never to talk to strangers. B Kids should obey the traffic rules. C Kids should be taught to call 911 for anything. D Kids should stay off the street while waiting for the bus. Answer: C Speakers of different languages not only describe the world differently but think about it differently too, according to a new study. Researchers used a cartoon cat Sylvester to study how language was reflected in the gestures people made. Dr. Sotaro Kita of the University of Bristol's Department of Experimental Psychology , showed the cartoon to a group of native English, Japanese and Turkish speakers and then watched their gestures as they described the actions they had seen. He found speakers of the three different languages used different gestures to describe the same event, which appeared to reflect the way the structure of their languages expressed that event. For example, when describing a scene where the cat swings on a rope, the English speakers used gestures showing an arc trajectory and the Japanese and Turkish speakers tended to use straight gestures showing the motion but not the arc. Dr. Kita suggests this is because Japanese and Turkish have no proper verb to express the English meaning "to swing". While English speakers use the arc gesture as their language can readily express the change of location and the arc-shaped trajectory, Japanese and Turkish speakers cannot as easily express the idea of movement with an arc trajectory so they use the straight gesture. Dr. Kita said, "My research suggests that speakers of different languages cause different spatial images of the same event in a way that matches the expressive possibilities of their own languages. In other words, language influences spatial thinking at the moment of speaking." 69. After watching the gestures of speakers of the three different languages, Dr. Kita concluded that _ . A Japanese and Turkish people couldn't express the meaning of "swing" B English was obviously better than Japanese and Turkish C no word in Japanese and Turkish could express some ideas of English D every language had its own special way to describe things Answer: D Livescribe Echo Smartpen, $79.99 This pen not only records audio, but also records whatever the user writes and even draws. This translates to almost two hours of full audio, or 32000 pages of written text. When using a Livescribe notebook, a college or high school student can easily edit notes without the disturbance of a laptop or tablet. This is perfect for the classrooms that don't allow the use of electronics. Best of all, it allows users to quickly deliver their notes to a computer or laptop. Logitech Bluetooth Keyboard, $107.53 It is a great choice for those who own many different devices and want to use a keyboard over the ones that come with the device. It works on tablets, PCs and even smartphones. It offers four different settings for each device, so changing from one to the other is as easy as turning a knob . It even has a cradle to hold a tablet at the perfect angle, so typing is much easier and faster. ILUV Syren Pro, $ 93.84 It is weather resistant and has a powerful sound engine that works in a full 360 degrees. This allows it to be used outdoors, next to pools and in other activities that are too risky to use other speakers. It offers Bluetooth support and works with iPhones, iPads and many other devices. With its top-mounted controls and wireless capabilities, it can be operated remotely. Cobra JumPak $92.88 It can not only charge phones, but also do the same for most cars. It contains a built-in LED flashlight and a 7500mAh battery, as well as a USB port for charging phones. Best of all, it can be stored inside a backpack, so it is perfect for emergency situation and can even be stored in car console . Cobra Jumpak is suitable for _ . A a college student having to write long papers. B a typist owning many different devices C a music lover listening to music in a noisy environment. D a person having to use a cellphone for many hours each day. Answer: D Mr. Smith drives his car to meet his friends at the station. When he finds there is still quite some time to go before the train arrives, he wants to take a short sleep. He is going to sleep when a young lady comes and asks him the time. Mr. Smith opens his eyes and answers, "Half past eight." With a "Thank you" the woman leaves. In a short time, this happens three more times, so Mr. Smith writes "I don't know the time!" on a piece of paper and puts it on the window of his car. But only a few minutes later, an old man comes and wakes him up. "Hi, young man. I can tell you the time. It's nine o' clock." Mr. Smith wakes up _ times. A three B four C five D one Answer: D Americans have used colors to create many expressions they use every day. We say you're 'in the pink' when we are in good health. It is easy to understand how this expression was born. When my face has a nice fresh, pink color, it is a sign my health is good. The color green is natural for trees, it is an unnatural color for humans. When someone doesn't feel well, someone who is sick, for example, we say he 'looks green'. When someone is angry because he doesn't have what someone else has, we say he is 'green with envy'. Some people are 'green with envy' because someone else has more dollars, or 'green backs'. Dollars are called 'greenbacks' because that's the color of the backside of the money. Blue is a cool color. The traditional blue music of American blacks is the opposite of red hot music. It is slow, sad and soulful ( ). To be blue, of course, is to be sad. The color black is often used in expressions. People describe a day in which everything grows wrong as a 'black day'. A 'black sheep' is the member of a family or group who always seems to be in trouble. If someone meets a 'black cat', something unlucky might happen to him. Not all the 'black' expressions have bad meaning. A company 'in the red' is losing money. If someone tells you to put someone 'in black and white', they want you to write it down. I was really _ when I saw his nice new car. A red B blue C green D black Answer: C
"Let the world know China and let China know the world." I can't remember exactly where I have seen this slogan in Beijing. Considering the simple fact of the wish people have for learning foreign languages and the number of people going abroad each year, everyone can tell how hard China and Chinese people are trying to know the world. But I didn't know how equally important and urgent it is for the world to know China until I came to the UK. In the self-introduction during our first class in a PhD course, when I told them I wanted to finish the degree as soon as I could and then go back to China, the British students looked at me in both surprise and disbelief. Their idea is that everybody who comes to the UK, including the Chinese, will stay here to look for a better life and that this is the only place where one can find a better life. When I asked my friend for advice about buying a new car, she looked at me, asking in surprise, "A new car?" Later I found out that her surprise was because of the popular image of Chinese students: either too poor or too economical. When we Chinese students for the first time joined the monthly performance hour of the department and sang some traditional songs and gave a short humorous introduction, all the teachers and students were surprised. To them, Chinese students are so serious and shy. These ideas have been because of the fact that Chinese students are sometimes not seen among the students. So "let the world know China" should no longer remain an empty slogan. It is something we all should do, home and abroad, and something we should do with confidence and openness. The British students think Chinese students were serious and shy because Chinese students _ . Answer: When the famous dancer Fred was interviewed for a job by a Hollywood producer , the movie Expert turned him down, saying,"Can't sing. Can't act. Dances a little." Here's another stupid mistake. When the great scientist Albert Einstein was at school, his teachers considered him rather dull. And a final story, the famous Polish pianist Paderewski was told by a teacher that he'd never be a success as a performer because the middle finger on each hand was too short. What lessons can be drawn from these three experiences? First, true genius cann't be suppressed .For some reason or other it works its way out. Second, early judgments of a person's abilities may be unfair or just wrong. Third, when there is a real determination to succeed, obstacles fall by the wayside. The famous motto "ad astra per aspera" can be translated as " To the stars through hardships". Astaire, Einstein and Paderewski proved their critics wrong. The writer of the passage thinks that the reader _ . Answer: While children are dogs---loyal and affectionate --teenagers are cats. It's so easy to be a dog owner. You feed it, train it, and boss it around. It puts its head on your knee and gazes at you as if you were a Rembrandt painting. It bounds indoors with enthusiasm when you call it. Then around age 13, your adoring little puppy turns into a big old cat. When you tell it to come inside, it looks amazed, as if wondering who died and made you emperor. Instead of dogging your doorsteps, it disappears. You won't see it again until it gets hungry--then it pauses on its sprint through the kitchen long enough to turn its nose up at whatever you're serving. when you reach out to ruffle its head, in that old affectionate gesture, it twists away from you, then gives you a blank stare, as if trying to remember where it has seen you before. You, not realizing that the dog is now a cat, think something must be desperately wrong with it. It seems so antisocial, so distant, sort of depressed. It won't go on family outings. Since you are the one who raised it, taught it to fetch and stay and sit on command, you assume that you did something wrong. Flooded with guilt and fear, you redouble your efforts to make your pet behave. Only now you're dealing with a cat, so everything that worked before now produces the opposite of the desired result. Call it, and it runs away. Tell it to sit, and it jumps on the counter. The more you go toward it, wringing your hands, the more it moves away. Put a dish of food near the door, and let it come to you. But remember that a cat needs your help and your affection too. Sit still, and it will come, seeking that warm, comforting lap it has not entirely forgotten. Be there to open the door for it. One day your grown-up child will walk into the kitchen, give you a big kiss and say, "You've been on your feet all day. Let me get those dishes for you. " Then you'll realize your cat is a dog again. What is the chief purpose of writing this passage? Answer: Different countries have different customs in giving presents. In China you must never give a clock to a Chinese person, because the sound of the word for "clock" is similar to the sound of "death". Also, don't wrap(......) a present in white, black or blue paper, because they are the colours for funerals . Don't give a knife, because something sharp can cut a friendship. In Russia if you give flowers as presents, you have to give an odd number of them (one, three, five, etc.) because even numbers of flowers are for funerals. In Germany if you are invited to dinner, flowers are good presents to take to your dinner hostess , but don't take her red roses because it means you are in love with her. Don't take thirteen of anything because it's an unlucky number. Don't take an even number of anything, either. Don't wrap your presents in white, brown, or black paper. What presents can you take to your dinner hostess in Germany? Answer: In a cab, a woman seemed in such a hurry. She constantly rushed the cab driver to drive quickly. She was so absorbed in her own thoughts of getting to the airport as soon as possible that she was not aware they were going by a different route. All of a sudden, a young man got inside the cab. He took her handbag in which she had put her visa, passport, and all the money for the trip. The cab driver, who was _ the robber, left her in the exactly middle of a dark street. She thought that she was rather unfortunate in the very situation. During the very night, she was told a piece of shocking news. Tears came down her cheek. Flight 360, the plane that she should have got on board, had crashed. Had she not lost her important belongings, she could surely have lost the thing far more precious----her life. Sometimes bad things really happen. There are times when nothing seems to go our way. So what should we do about it? We must get rid of all these frustrations and start all over again in the faith that we will get what we deserve. Don't waste your time and energy on things that can't be changed. Continuous worrying will only affect your health and you'll be doing much more damage than what was previously done. What if it was the other way round? What if we never ran out of good luck? There was a man who won the lottery. He became greedy and wasted all his money on everything he could get his hands on. But when he one day made it to the front page of the newspaper again, it was a different story. He had been killed because of his riches. If you attain good luck, you can never be too secure about it. Life is so unpredictable. You never know what will happen next. Live one day at a time. We sometimes subject ourselves to unnecessary emotional trouble. But please don't forget: sometimes misfortune can be the source of happiness. Live for the moment. Do what must be done for the present and the future will turn out just fine. Believe me. And believe in yourself. As Captain Planet always says, "The power is yours!" From the passage, we learn that _ . Answer:
India first, college can wait! It was an opportunity 19-year-old Jodi Sagorin felt she couldn't pass up. The California student had received an admission letter to New York University, but she wanted to follow a calling to volunteer in India. When she got an offer to do just that, she decided there would be no better time to do it. "It matches everything I'm interested in," she said. "It's just one of those things; it was meant to be." Last month, Sagorin packed up her belongings and headed over to Uttar Pradesh as an intern for Drishtee, an organization that works for the economic and social development for the needy in India. During her stay in India -- for up to seven months -- Sagorin will help with programs involving micro-finance, entrepreneurship , healthcare and women's empowerment. Since her younger days, Sagorin had read inspiring stories of change makers throughout the world and decided she wanted to get involved somehow. She decided volunteering would be the path she'd take and NYU could wait. She wanted to make a difference even when others said it wouldn't be possible. When Sagorin broke the news about deciding to put off college, her parents felt pride, nervousness, fear and excitement. "We're really proud of her of wanting to do this," said Mike Sagorin, her father. "We're a little concerned about a 19-year-old girl going out there by herself and hope she'll be safe." Sagorin and her family researched everything they could about the organization and bought more than a dozen books about the country. Before her trip to India, Sagorin raised $3,500 to pay for her travel and living expenses, along with some to donate to the people she would work with in India. She has promised to send various levels of gifts -- from a personal postcard to a personalized video touring the Taj Mahal -- to those who _ money towards her trip. (Visit Sagorin's blog at ifyouneverdid. com for more information.) Which statement shows that Sagorin's parents supported her decision? Answer: They helped her to get more information about India. Electricity bills can be highly expensive and the power we consume comes at an even greater cost to the environment when you consider that over 85% of the electricity produced in the United States comes from fuels. Whether you're concerned about cleaning up the environment or you simply want to reduce your electricity bill,residential wind power generators could be a solution. Producing wind power at home will not work for everyone. If you live in a over-populated residential area,there may be certain laws and zoning requirements that prohibit the use of windmills .If you live on 1 acre of land or more,you probably won't have any issues but you should investigate carefully to make sure that wind power generators are both legal and practical where you live. Even if there are no laws or regulations prohibiting wind power generators you still need to be in a location that gets enough wind on a regular basis. Some producers of wind generators recommend that you live in an area with wind speeds that average at least 10 mph. Newer models have been developed recently that can operate with wind speeds as low as 4 mph but maximum efficiency is achieved at higher wind speeds. Before you fix a wind powered system,you will have to determine your power requirements. Will you be using it to charge a small battery for a boat or vehicle or will you need enough power to run your entire household and be completely off the grid ?Once you know what your power requirements are,you can start shopping around for a system that can meet those needs. Wind power generators are a great solution for a lot of people.They're an ideal solution for remote locations where it would be impractical or simply too expensive to tap into the grid.They are quiet and totally clean,producing no pollution. They require no fuel and very little maintenance. Residential wind power offers a lot of benefits but it's not for everyone. You'll have to have some money up front to pay for the system and equipment;however,you could save quite a bit of money if you're able to do much of the work yourself. You'll also need to live in an area that gets enough wind to make the equipment worthwhile. You'll need to do your homework before you make a purchase,but wind power generators could be a great solution for producing clean, low-cost energy. What attitude might the writer hold towards residential wind power generators? Answer: Supportive This is a song millions of Americans will hear this New Year's Eve. It is called Auld Lang Syne (<<>> ). It is the traditional music played during the New Year's celebration. Auld Lang Syne is an old Scottish poem. It tells about the need to remember old friends. The words "auld lang syne" mean "old long since". No one knows who wrote the poem first. However, a version by Scottish poet Robert Bums was published in 1796. The words and music we know today first appeared in a songbook three years later. The song is played in the United States mainly on New Year's Eve. The version you are hearing today is by the Washington Saxophone Quartet. As we end our program with Auld Lang Syne. I would like to wish all of our radio friends a very Happy New Year! This is Buddy Thomas. ,. Where is this passage from? Answer: A radio program. Alan worked in an office in the city. He worked very hard and really looked forward to his holiday. He usually went to the seaside, but one year he saw an ad. in a newspaper "Enjoy country life. Spend a few weeks at William Farm. Good food, fresh air, horse riding, walking, fishing..." "This sounds like a good idea." he thought, I'll spend a month at William Farm. I'll go horse riding, walking and fishing. It'll be different from the seaside." Four days later, he returned home. "What's wrong with William Farm?" his friend Jack asked him, "Didn't you enjoy country life?" "Country life was fine," Alan said, "But there was another problem." "Oh, what problem?" "Well, the first day I was there, a sheep died, and we had roast mutton for dinner." "Fresh meat is the best." "I know, but on the second day a cow died, and we had roast beef for dinner." "Lucky you!" "You don't understand," Alan said, "On the third day a pig died and we had roast pork for dinner." "A different roast every day." Jack said. "Let me finish." Alan said, "On the fourth day a farmer died and I didn't want to stay there for dinner." From the passage we know that _ . Answer: Alan came back home because he was afraid of the fourth dinner FORBES CHINA's annual celebrity list is based on income and appearances in magazines, newspapers, TV shows and online. Stars from the mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong are included. And here are some of the winners: Jay Chou Taiwan singer, actor and director unveiled his 12th studio album, Opus 12, last December (Another "12''). New flick in the works: The Rooftop, being filmed in Taiwan and the mainland, which he stars in and also directs. 3. Andy Lau Now in his 50s, the evergreen Hong Kong star of song and film stayed popular last year with the movie Blind Detective. Lau's sixth film with Hong Kong actress Sammi Cheng is in the works. Jackie Chan Hong Kong movie industry icon last year released what may be his last action film CZ12, or Chinese Zodiac, which he wrote and directed. 5. Zhang Ziyi Popular actress had hit romantic comedy last year with My Lucky Star, which she also produced. Appears in this year's star-laden The Grandmaster kung fu movie, directed by Hong Kong's Wong Kar-Wai and also starring Tony Leung. 7. Yang Mi Actress was named most popular female singer in mainland China last year in a joint CCTV-MTV event. Last year's flicks included Love in the Buff, Beijing Love Story and Wu Dang. Has endorsement deals with Pepsi and cosmetics brand Wetcode. 8. Huang Xiaoming Actor turned up in several successful films last year, including Love in the Buff, An Inaccurate Memoir and White-Haired Witch. Promotes Baleno, Tissot, Olay. 10. Lin Chi-ling Taiwan TV hostess, model and actress. Most recent success: romantic comedy Say Yes, which took in more than $30 million in China. Which film is romantic comedy? Answer: My Lucky Star
Around six weeks ago, Kaileen came running into the house, just getting off the bus from school. She was all excited about a story about homeless pets because of Hurricane Katrina and all that was going on to help them. She said that this information came from her animal newspaper (your KIND News). Kaileen has a great love and compassion for animals, so her excitement did not surprise me. Her next ideas, however, did. She said that we should go around right then to our neighbors and collect all their change to send to the animal shelters . I thought this was a school project, but in fact, it was not. This was what Kaileen wanted to do on her own! Well, it warmed me all over. To see your child so willing to help others just lets you feel that maybe you had done something right in raising her. Anyway, I told her to make a card and send it out to our neighbors first. With the help of her older brother, Kaileen soon made a lovely card that asked our neighbors to help these pets by giving their spare change. She gave them a few days and a date she would come by to pick up any donations . Well, I had to go out and buy a donation box. Kaileen collected $279.50!!! I just thought you would like to know how KIND News had touched a little one's heart and given her the idea to show her compassion for animals. Thank you -- we really enjoy your paper. From the passage we learn that KIND News _ . Answer: Decomposers are organisms that obtain their food from dead organisms. Which of these would be classified as decomposers? Answer: Drunken driving -sometimes called America's socially accepted form of murder--has become a national epidemic . Every hour of every day about three Americans on average are killed by drunken drivers,adding up to an incredible 250,000 over the past ten years. A drunken driver is usually referred to as one with 0.10-blood alcohol content or roughly three beer glasses of wine or shots of whisky drunk within two hours. Heavy drinking used to be an acceptable part of the American manly image and judges were in most courts,but the drunken killing has recently caused so many well-publicized tragedies,especially concerning young children,that public opinion is no longer so tolerant. Twenty states have raised the legal drinking age to 21,reversing a trend in the 1960s to reduce it to 18. After New Jersey lowered it to 18,the number of people killed by 18-20 years old drivers more than doubled,so the state recently upped it back to 21. Reformers,however,fear raising the drinking age will have little effect unless accompanied by educational programs to help young people to develop 'responsible attitudes' about drinking and teach them to resist peer pressure to drink. Though new laws have led to increased arrests and tests in many areas already,to a marked drop in accidents,some states are also punishing bars for serving customers too many drinks. A bar in Massachusetts was fined for serving six or more double brandies to a customer who was 'obviously drunk' and later drove off the road,killing a 9-year-old boy. As the accidents continue to occur daily in every state,some Americans are even beginning to speak well of the 13 years national prohibition of alcohol that began in 1919,which President Hoover called the 'noble experiment'. They forgot that legal prohibition didn't stop drinking,but encouraged political corruption and organized crime. As with the booming drug trade generally,there is no easy solution. Which of the following best shows the writer's opinion of drunken driving? Answer: Dear Sir, I am writing to you about my stay at your hotel. My wife and I arrived on Saturday, May 15thand stayed for a week. Though we were treated well and found the service excellent, we think there are one or two things we should bring your attention. 1. We hoped for a nice holiday from our busy work lives, and your ad said "comfortable and quiet". We want to have a chance to enjoy ourselves. However, we were always waken up by the noise every morning. Is it really necessary for the workers to start their repair work so early? 2. We hoped to swim in your "wonderful pool". To our disappointment , we found that it was closed for the whole time of our stay. I hope you do not mind my writing to you about these things, but I would be happy if you could give me some explanation . As I said at the start, it is a pity, and your service is so good in other places. I hope to hear from you soon. Yours sincerely Tom Green What kind of letter is it? Answer: Halloween falls on October 31st, the last day of the Celtic calendar. Halloween was referred to as All Hallows Eve and dates back to over 2000 years ago. The American tradition of "trick-or-treating" probably dates back to the early All Souls' Day marches in England. During the festivities, poor citizens would beg for food and families would give them pastries called "soul cakes" in return for their promise to pray for the family's dead relatives. The act of giving out soul cakes was encouraged by the church as a way to replace the ancient practice of leaving food and wine for homeless ghosts. The practice, which was referred to as "going a-souling" was finally taken up by children who would visit the houses in their neighborhood and be given sweets, food, and money. The tradition of dressing in costume for Halloween has both European and Celtic roots. Hundreds of years ago, winter was an uncertain and frightening time. Food supplies were often not enough because people were afraid of the darkness and would stay at home without doing businesses. On Halloween, when it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world, people thought that they would meet with ghosts if they left their homes. To avoid being recognized by these ghosts, people would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for their fellows . On Halloween, to keep ghosts away from their houses, people would place bowls of food outside their homes to satisfy the ghosts and prevent them from trying to enter their houses. The best title for the passage is _ . Answer:
Sports and amusing activities have given benefits to people. Besides the entertainment that they offer, health, emotional and personal aspects have also been developed through sports and amusement. It's amazing how one can say that he just found his purpose in life through sports. Some people may even devote their lives to a certain sport. Whether being seen as an amusing activity, a pastime or a way of life, sports and amusement are worthy of everyone's praise. A large number of sports and amusing activities have become very popular both in the past years and at present, such as baseball, basketball, golf, computer and online games, fitness, motor sports, tennis, and so on. Computer and online games have become very popular at this age. Young people are mostly the fans of this amusement. Entertainment is what it gives. A lot of online games are there to be played. Some are for sale while others can be downloaded for free. Fitness is in much the same rank. Women are the major customers who take this activity into their lives. The goal for reshaping their bodies to improve their looks is getting more and more attractive. Considering the lovely points of being healthy and fit, all seem to hash through the lines. No one wants to get behind. This is also a way of giving love to ourselves. We cannot always pass money by. Taking sports or amusement, you'll have to pay for it sometimes. The cost for learning and enjoying sports changes from one to another. Some sports cost very little while others are costly due to expensive equipment and tools to use. Choosing a sport, however, requires health considerations. Some people are not allowed to play volleyball and similar activities due to having asthma . Playing may make a person tired easily and will trigger an attack of asthma at once. Women customers take part in fitness mainly_. Answer: to look more attractive Change is natural part of language development.The words you like to use are probably a little different from those that your grandparents used when they were young.A study carried out by a British company found that the use of e-mail has had a bad influence on the standard of written English. According to the research,computer users today are too busy to hit the "shift" buttons on their keyboards----e-mails are often written in lower case,that is to say, with no capital letters for names or the beginning of sentences. Spelling mistakes are generally accepted even in formal e-mails.And nouns are often used as verbs (e.g. Please bookmarkthis site. ) With the development of the Internet,e-mail and mobile phone messages,a new language has developed within just a few years--we call it Weblish.The latest oxford EnglishDictionary has included many new words showing the changes in our communication culture. While some language experts are concerned about the future of English and want to do something,John Simpson,chief editor of the dictionary says,"The standards may be different now but it has certainly encouraged writing and communication,which means a faster development of language change.There are a large number of words that either come from the Internet or have been given new meanings by the Internet." According to the passage,John Simpson probably agrees that _ . Answer: the Internet has brought great changes to English. It snowed heavily last winter in northern China.Big snows came to Beijing,Hebei,Shanxi,Ningxia and Xinjiang.For many cities,it was the biggest snowfall in 50 years.The snow made traveling hard.Many schools had to close for days. Jia Aizhen,14,lives in Taiyuan,Shanxi.Her math teacher asked them to have a test on Wednesday.Because of the snow,they had the test later on Sunday. "It was good because we had more time to study for the test,"said Jia.She enjoyed the snow from the window at home. "I felt quiet and relaxed to see the white snowy world." Kang Xinyi,13,and Wang Doing,13,are classmates at Shijiazhuang No.43 Middle School in Hebei.Their school stopped on Wednesday.Kang said the snow outside was 40em deep . "It was so good we didn't have to go to school!"said Kang. Kang,Wang and another friend had a snowball fight and made a snowman .They also helped clear snow off the streets. "I never saw such a big snow,"said Wang."Last year we only made a small snow panda,but this year our snowman is 1 meter tall!" "If the snow didn't _ for traveling,we would hope it would never stop!"said the girls. Because of the snow,many students had to _ . Answer: stop going to school On the island of New Zealand, there is a grasshopper-like species of insect that is found nowhere else on earth. New Zealanders have given it the nickname weta, which is a native Maori word meaning "god of bad looks". It's easy to see why anyone would call this insect a bad-looking bug. Most people feel disgusted at the sight of these bulky ,slow-moving creatures. Wetas are natural creatures; they come out of their caves and holes only after dark. A gaint weta can grow to over three inches long and weigh as much as 1.5 ounces. Giant wetas can hop up to two feet at a time. Some of them live in trees, and others live in caves. They are very long-lived for insects, and some adult wetas can live as long as two years. Just like their cousins grasshoppers and crickets, wetas are able to "sing" by rubbing their leg parts together, or against their lower bodies. Most people probably don't feel sympathy for these endangered creatures, but they do need protecting. The slow and clumsy wetas have been around on the island since the times of the dinosaurs, and have evolved and survived in an environment where they had no enemies until rats came to the island with European immigrants. Since rats love to hunt and eat wetas, the rat population on the island has grown into a real problem for many of the native species that are unaccustomed to _ presence, and poses a serious threat to the native weta population. .The strange thing about wetas is that they can produce pleasant sounds by _ . Answer: rubbing their body parts The Moon orbits Earth at a speed of approximately one kilometer per second. The Moon is kept in orbit by which of the following? Answer: gravity
In which structure is the Sun located? A. Milky Way Galaxy B. Andromeda Galaxy C. Cat's Eye Nebula D. Horseshoe Nebula Answer: A. Milky Way Galaxy Laughter Yoga is one form of yoga. Madan Kataria, a doctor in Mumbai, India invented it. He believed that people had forgotten how to really laugh. Through his research he made an interesting discovery. The human mind does not know the difference between forced laughter and real laughter. Forced laughter can also lead to a feeling of happiness. And then Kataria had the idea for a group of people who would laugh together. He gathered a few of his friends together. They met in a public park in Mumbai. That small group grew and grew! And this is how people began to do Laughter Yoga. People doing Laughter Yoga usually meet together in a Laughter Club. Kataria's friends formed the first Laughter Club in 1995. Today, there're over 5,000 Laughter Clubs in 53 countries. But what exactly do people do in a Laughter Club? People in Laughter Yoga meetings usually do a series of exercises. The exercises include body movement, correct breathing, and of course, laughter! At the beginning of the meeting, people may have to force themselves to laugh. But by the end, everyone is usually laughing in a real way! Each meeting is a little different. But there are common exercises groups may do. Experts say that the exercises help blood move around the body faster. They also say that Laughter Yoga helps people deal with the bad things in their lives. They say that a person may go into a Laughter Club meeting feeling sad, angry, or worried. But then, people act happy. After a time, forced laughter becomes real laughter. This is one reason why people may enjoy laughter Yoga so much Before 1995, people did Laugter Yoga _ . A. to make friends B. to laugh at each other C. in a public park D. in a Laugter Club Answer: C. in a public park The Danish capital is a year-round destination. Here are some of the city's best annual events. Roskilde Festival (July) The Danes love the outdoors and they love rock music; the Roskilde Festival is where they combine these passions for a weekend of drunken celebration. The four-day event is held about 30 minutes from the city completely, which means you can either go in for the full festival experience, or you can travel from the city to the festival each day. There are also day tickets if you don't have the power for the whole collection of facts. Kulturnatten (October) For something a little more high brow there's the Night of Culture. For one night only some 300 venues in the city stage theater performances, art exhibitions, concerts and poetry readings. Father Christmas Congress (July) One of the more bizarre fixtures in Copenhagen's calendar, the event is held in July--the slow season for Santas--at the Bakken amusement park, some 20 minutes north of the city. The most interesting of the event is a procession of Santas from all over the world along Stroget. Parents should be prepared for some embarrassed questions from the kids. Tivoli Gardens (November/December) These pleasure gardens make for a great day out any time of the year but to see them at their most attractive, visit from mid-November through December, when they are transformed into a fairy tale of lanterns and Christmas markets. There's also outdoor skating, a Christmas entertainment and the very Danish 'Nissekobing' village, home to more than 100 mechanical fairies. If you are free in October, you can go to _ . A. Roskilde Festival B. Kulturnatten C. Father Christmas Congress D. Tivoli Gardens Answer: B. Kulturnatten Dear Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, Most people don't really know what pressures a typical teenager has to go through. Sure, our parents and grandparents were once teens, but things are so different now. It has never been to tougher to a teenager. It had never been more important to be in the "right group" or to have the "right brand" of shoes. And those are the easy things to deal with. We also face problems with family, friends, relationships and school pressures. When it gets to be too much, I turn to my friends. One friend I could not live without is Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul. Your books have been so inspiring to me and have helped me to deal with and understand the problems I go through. For example, I went through a confusing time with my friends when we got to junior high. I had known these friends since kindergarten, and when we began junior high it seemed like some of them began to change. We started hanging out with different groups, and we slowly grew so far apart that it seemed as if we had never been friends. I felt confused and hurt. Sometime during this period I read the story Friends Forever in Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II.I felt so much better after reading it. It was like a weight had been lifted from me when I realized that many friendships went through changes and that we weren't the only friends to experience _ People change, but that doesn't mean we have to lose the friendships we once shared. My friends and I still spend time together when we can and care about each other a lot. That things are different doesn't mean I have to forget about all the good times we had. I will always keep the memories in a safe place in my heart. Sincerely, Peter According to the author, parents and grandparents A. didn't have to overcome difficulties when in their teens. B. don't fully understand the pressures of being a teenager now C. can easily deal with things such as choosing friends and shoes. D. don't need to give help to teenagers with pressures and problems Answer: B. don't fully understand the pressures of being a teenager now Every year 2.2 million tons of oil are spilled into the ocean. Actually, this only amounts to a small percentage of the total 1.6 billion tons of oil shipped around the world each year. However, this spilled oil has terrible effects on ocean life, including the coastlines where the oil washes up onto shore. Some of the largest spills in history were caused by oil tankers running into each other or by an oil tanker sailing into shallow water and hitting the bottom of the ocean. After these spills, officials try to discover who or what was at fault to help prevent similar accidents in the future. One of the worst oil spills in history occurred along the Alaskan coastline in 1989. In this accident, 42,000 tons of oil spilled from a tanker which resulted in terrible damage to this sensitive natural area. In this spill, the tanker's captain, who was tired from overwork and drinking alcohol, had gone to take a rest. He gave control of the ship to the third mate. The third mate was unfamiliar with the path the ship took, and he ran the ship onto Blighe Reef. Blighe Reef is a natural underwater rock wall near the Alaskan coast. Damaged by the reef, the ship leaked oil out into the ocean. More than 1,600 kilometers of coastline were affected by the oil spill. Some scientists who studied nature in the area guessed that 580,000 birds and 5,500 otters died when the oil from the spill covered their skin. As well, smaller shellfish and other sea creatures were later eaten by seals, whales, and other animals. The most oil ever spilled was actually dumped on purpose as an act of ecological warfare. The term ecological warfare means to fight by doing harm to nature in the area under attack. In 1990, prefix = st1 /Iraqsent soldiers intoKuwaitand set off the Persian Gulf War. As part of theIraqwar plan, 9,000,000 tons of oil were let out into the Persian Gulf byIraq. This oil covered 1,500 square kilometers of water in the Persian Gulf. The oil also damaged 650 kilometers of the coastline of bothKuwaitandSaudi Arabia. In some places, oil floating on the water was measured to be 43 centimeters thick. Water birds, water plants, and baby fish were all seriously affected by the oil. The long-term effects of this act on the food chain in the area are bound to cause problems far into the future. The creatures affected by the oil spill near Alaskawere_. A. birds and otters B. shellfish C. seals and whales D. all of the above Answer: D. all of the above
A close friend of mine lives with six hundred wild animals on the Greek Island of Kyklos.Ever since he left school (where I first knew him),he has travelled all over the world collecting animals for his very own zoo.He hoped to collect at least two examples of every sort of animal on his island before the Great Flood. But the flood that my friend was afraid of was a flood not of water, but of people. I expect you have heard of my friend: he writes books about his travels,and about the wild and wonderful animals that he collects. The money from the books helps to pay for all the food that these animals eat. My friend told me that when he was out looking for water last week,(there is not enough water on the island,though there is plenty all round it,)he found oil.He needs money for his travels,and for his zoo,and a little oil would buy enough water for a lifetime;but he knows that if he tells anybody else about it,it will be the end of his zoo, and his life's work. So,if I know my friend,he will not tell anybody (but you and me)about what he found--because oil and water do not mix. The flood,of which my friend was afraid, was _ . A. a flood of too many people B. a great flood of water C. a flood of too many animals on his island D. a flood of oil Answer: A. a flood of too many people "Sleep-disordered breathing" is a term for a group of conditions that can interfere with nornlal breathing while people sleep.These include snoring,mouth-breathing and sleep apnea .Sleep-disordered breathing can do more than just leave people feeling tired the next day.It can also affect people's health.In children the effects can include behavioral and emotional problems. In a new study.1ed by Karen Bonuck at the Einstein College of Medicine.researchers asked parents about their children's breathing from when they were babies up to about age seven.The study finds sleep-disordered breathing is associated with a fifty percent increase in outcomes including hyperactivity ,aggressiveness and problems relating to other children. Ms.Bonuck says the more serious the breathing problems,the more serious the behavioral issues were likely to be.Other studies have:linked sleep with children's behavior,but this study was extensive enough to:reject other possible causes. How well do you sleep?A popular belief is that sleep gets worse with age.But. in another new study,those who reported the fewest problems with the quality of their sleep were people in their eighties. Researchers did a telephone survey of American aduhs.Michael Grandner at the University of Pennsylvania medical school says the original goal was to confirm that aging is connected with increased sleep problems.The survey did find an increase during middle age,worse in women than men.But except for that,people reported that their sleep quality improved as they got older.At least they felt it did. Mr.Grandner says."Even if sleep among older Americans is actually worse than in younger adults,feelings about it still improve with age." In the study,health problems and depression were linked with poor sleep.But,based on the study.Mr.Grandner says older people who are not sick or depressed should be reporting better sleep."If they're not.they need to talk to their doctor."he says.He says heahtlh care providers generally dismiss sleep complaints from older adults as a normal part of aging. Sleep-disordered breathing makes it hard for people to have _ while sleeping. A. mouth-breathing B. snoring C. sleep apnea D. normal breathing Answer: D. normal breathing Jayne Fisher watched anxiously as her 17-year-old daughter Katie pulled her lamb into the Madison County Junior Livestock for sale. Katie was battling cancer. This was her first chance in months to be outdoors having fun, away from hospitals and treatments, and she had come with high hopes for earning some money for her treatment. She had _ a little on her decision to part with the lamb, but with lamb averaging two dollars a pound, Katie was looking forward to it. So the bidding(began. That's when Roger Wilson, the auctioneer , had a sudden inspiration that brought some unexpected results. "We sort of let everybody here know that Katie had a situation that wasn't too pleasant," is how he tells it. He hoped that his introduction would push the bidding up, at least a little bit. Well, the lamb sold for $11.50 a pound, but things didn't stop there. The buyer paid up, then decided to give the lamb back so that it could be sold again. That started a chain reaction, with families buying the animal and giving it back, over and over again. When local businesses started buying and returning, the earnings really began to pile up. The first sale is the only one Katie's mom remembers. After that, she was crying too hard as the crowd kept shouting, "Resell! Resell! " Katie's lamb was sold 36 times that day, and the last buyer gave it back for good. Katie ended up with more than $16,000 to pay her medical expenses----and she still got to keep her famous lamb. What is the best title of the passage? A. Battling cancer B. A warm-hearted auctioneer C. Bidding from the heart D. A wise lamb Answer: C. Bidding from the heart When talking about picking a right school, a mother and teacher gave some pieces of advice. In the latest issue of Youth magazine, the mother shared the school advice she gave her daughters with young people across the country. "I've told my daughters many times that I don't want them to choose a name," the mother said. "I don't want them to think, 'Oh, I should go to these top schools.' We live in a country with hundreds of excellent universities. So the first question is: what's going to work for me?" "When it was time to prepare for picking schools, nobody around me believed I could get into Xiamen University. But through hard work I finally made it," she continued. "So, my second piece of advice is: believe in yourself, no matter what other people might say. Once your goal is set, you only need to try your best to make it come true." "The last piece of advice is not to be worried even if your dreams don't come true. As I've said above, there are so many good universities out there. So it's important for everybody to understand that you can always find a university that gives you a great education." The best title of the passage may be " _ ". A. Colorful University Life B. Best School Education C. A Report on University Building D. Advice on School Picking Answer: D. Advice on School Picking In the past few years development in medical technology has made it possible for people to live longer than in the past. New medicines and machines are being developed every day to extend life. However, some people, including some doctors, are not in favor of these life extending measures, and they argue that people should have the right to die when they want to. They say that the quality of life is as important as life itself and that people should not be forced to go on living when conditions of life have become terrible. They say that people should be allowed to die with dignity and to decide when they want to die. Others argue that life under any conditions is better than death and that the duty of doctors is always to extend life as long as possible. And so the argument goes on and on without a final answer. The best title for this passage is _ . A. The Right to Live B. The Right to Die C. The Doctor's Duty D. The Right to Live or Die Answer: D. The Right to Live or Die
Li Ting, Zhang Lin and Wu Jun are students of Class 1, Grade 7 in Sunshine Middle School. Li Ting is a pretty girl. She has big eyes and a small nose. Her hair is long and black. She likes dancing and singing. We all like listening to her songs. She hopes to be a singer when she grows up. Zhang Lin is a tall and helpful girl. She is good at all her subjects. She always helps her classmates with their homework. She is very clever and almost knows about everything. Her classmates all call her encyclopedia . Wu Jun is a strong boy. He enjoys playing sports. He plays football and basketball very well. He is a member of the School Sports Club. His dream is to be a football player like Raul. Li Ting and Wu Jun are _ . A in different classes B in different schools C classmates D sister and brother Answer: C. classmates Being able to count at least ten people as friends makes us happy, but those with five or fewer are likely to be miserable, researchers say. Their study of hundreds of men and women also found t hat people who feel satisfied with their lives always have lots of close friends and regularly make new ones. While it is not clear whether our friends make us happy or we make friends because we are happy, the researchers say it is clear that we should maintain our friendships. Psychologist RichardTunney said, "Whatever the reason is, actively working on friendships in the same way as to maintain a marriage is a prerequisite to happiness. "Dr. Tunney, of Nottingham University, quizzed more than 1,700 people about their satisfaction with their lives and the state of their friendships. Those with five friends or fewer had just a 40 percent chance of being happy. In other words they were more likely to be unhappy than happy. Ten was the first number at which people were more likely to be happy than unhappy. The happiest people were those with dozens of friends, according to the study, which was carried out for the National Lottery . For women, this meant having 33 friends;for men, the number was 49. Dr. Tunney said,"People who were extremely satisfied with their lives had twice the number of friends of people who were extremely dissatisfied. " Women tended to have fewer friends than men but formed tighter relationships. Interestingly, the study found that childhood friends are no more likely to make us happy than people we become close to later in life. Lottery winners, however, have a differentopinion on life. They are always happier than others despite spending their time with asmall circle of old friends. This could be because they trust people they've known for along time. What's the best title for this passage? A The Secret to Happiness Is to Make New Friends B Having at Least 10 Good Friends Makes People Happy C Why Most People Like to Make Friends Regularly D Men's and Women's Friends Are Different Answer: B. Having at Least 10 Good Friends Makes People Happy If a bird is green, another bird can realize that by A noticing it B visiting it C touching it D killing it Answer: A. noticing it Charlie studied in a famous college for four years. He studied hard and did well in all his subjects. He hoped to become a good teacher. This year he left the college and began to work in a middle school. He likes his students and is strict with them. He does his best to make his classes lively and interesting. One day he carefully explained a chemical reaction to the students of Grade 2 in the chemistry lab. "Be careful, everyone," he said loudly. "Before I make the experiment,there're twenty five atoms of carbon ,but after I finish it, there're twenty four atoms of carbon left!" He stopped to watch the classroom and hoped his students would go on explaining it. But the young men looked at each other and nobody answered him. He had to ask, "What happens? What makes the atom lost?" The classroom was very quiet and none of the students looked at their teacher. "Who can tell us where it has gone?" Suddenly a soft voice came from the back row, "We did not see anybody leave the lab!" Charlie hopes _ ,so he does his best to make his classes lively and interesting. A all his students could understand him B his students wouldn't be afraid of him C his students carefully watched him making the experiment D his students could do well in chemistry Answer: D. his students could do well in chemistry Below is an introduction to Top 5 Teen Magazines from the US and the UK. J-14 Marked to preteen and teenage girls ages 11-19, J-14 --a shortened name of "Just For Teens" --is packed with features like teen gossip, quizzes, fashion advice, posters, and celebrity interviews in every issue. Some of the magazine's most popular features include: "Hot Topic", "Life's Big Questions" and "Real Life". Throughout the year, J-14 publishes several editions, such as "Summer Entertainment Guide", "Back-to-School Special" and the annual "Best of Year Special and J-13 Teen Icon Awards" issue. Teens who have a passion for pop culture would love a subscription to J-14 magazine! Twist Twist covers the latest fashion and stytles with lots of photos and easy-to-follow how-tos, giving teens both instruction and inspiration to experiment with what works for them. Body image and relationships are popular topics of interest to teens, and the magazine offers tips on building strong self-esteem. Additional content in every monthly issue inculdes reader polls, teen celebrity gossip, news and interviews. During the yaer, Twist publishes several special editions about seasonal fashion and major teen events, like prom and back-to-school. The magazine publishes a "Best of Year" issue every December. Teens who love fashion and celebrity news would love a subscription to Twist magazine! Discovery Girls First published in 2000, the magazine often addresses the topics of school, sports, and friendship. Content in the magazine is created by girls, which gives it the authentic opinions of its target audience. Each bimonthly issus features quizzes, fashion advice, and games in addition to some regular sections that appear in each magazine. Mant of the following sections that appear in every issue also feature content submitted by readers: "The Worst Day", "Embarrassing Moments", "The Great Debate" and "Mailbag". Young girls and teens would find a friendly, identifiable voice in each issue of Discovery Girls, and parents would approve of giving a gift subscription to this award-winning magazine! Boy's Life First published in 1911, Boy's Life is written for young males ages 6 to 18 and is distributed in two editions. One edition is printed for the youngest members 6-to-10-year-old Tiger Cubs and first-year Webelos Scouts. The other is for ages 11-18 and is aimed at second-year Webelos Scouts through 18-year-old Boy Scouts. A central focus of Boy's Life is encouraging physical activity among boys, like camping, hiking, swimming, and kayaking. Each month, the magazine features articles on history, the outdoors, science, and much more. Fitness, technology, and video game and biik reviews are other common topics Boy's Life often addresses. A subscription to Boy's Life magazine would make a great gift for active young boys! Seventeen Seventeen magazine celebrates teens where they are in life while also providing age-appropriate advice to the complex issues young women face every day. The magazine organizes its content into five sections, such as "Your Body", a range of fitness motivation and encouragement about positive body image, "Love & Guys", advice columns and tips on understanding relationships with the opposite sex, and "Your Awesome Life", personal development tips about hot topics like building confidence and selecting a college, plus inspirational stories about teens. Special editions include the "Back-to-school Issue" in August and "The Freebie Issue" in May. Teens who want to look good, feel great, and be their best would enjoy a subscription to Seventeen magazine! What content does Boys 'Life mainly center on? A Sports. B Games. C Beauty. D Education. Answer: A. Sports.
Question: There once was a little girl named Odette who lived in a wooded forest. One evening she was getting a ride home from school in her grandpa's truck she saw smoke rising from a fire far in the distance. Odette was worried about the fire and the danger facing all the animals that live in the forest. She immediately rushed home and waited for her mother, a doctor to come home. While she was waiting for her mother to come home she ate some popcorn and talked to her grandpa about the smoke. Odette's grandpa, Harvey told her that fires are almost always put out by hard working fireman. Odette feels better knowing that brave firefighters are out there bravely trying to save the forest and the animals that live there. She grabs her favorite stuffed animal, a monkey and says a prayer for her treasured forest and then falls asleep on the couch. She wake up to the friendly face of her smiling mother who tells her that the fire is safely put out. Who is the main character in the story? A. firefighter B. girl C. doctor D. grandpa Answer: B Question: Music can be a great power to change people's lives. Regina del Carmen Sanchez, 14, always believes this. The girl from Kansas City, US, leads a hard life. She lives in a small house with her mom and grandparents. Her mom gets a very low pay. But it doesn't stop Sanchez's love of music. She wrote her first song Keep Your Head Up when she was 12. It described the bad situation at her home, but it also sent the message of hope: "My house is old and poor, but it beats being homeless... Love yourself and never give up. You'll see a better life if you keep your head up..." It took Sanchez several months to finish the song. Sometimes during a break in class, when lyrics came into her head, "I would have to write them down right then," she told the local newspaper The Kansas City Star. Jeremy Lillig was a spokesman for Bright Futures, a charity fund. When he saw the video of the song, he was _ He shared it through social media . The fund has provided money for poor students in Kansas City. Now Sanchez often plays the song in public. "I want to help people understand what is happening in the world in an easy way," she said. There are _ people in Sanchez's family. A. three B. four C. five D. six Answer: B Question: About us Summer Camps offer many programs that develop athletic skills, teamwork and healthy habits to kids. We create a safe and noncompetitive environment for learning and making friends. Our counselors are required to complete much training. Directors and head counselors are certified in CPR and First Aid and so on. Full-day Camp (ages 6-13) A typical camp starts with soccer, kickball, basketball or field games. After lunch, the kids do three activities. Depending on location, there are swimming, science and nature, arts and crafts, rope courses. Li'1 Rascals Day Camp (ages 3-5) Preschoolers get all the fun of full-day camp in half the time. Activities include arts and crafts, sports, games and relays. Each week has different themes. All participants must be able to be taught to use a patty . Specialty camps (ages 14-16) These specialty camps build many athletes. Our experienced staff will help your child be excellent in his or her favorite sport. Tennis Basketball Soccer Dance Cheerleading Fee: $120 Contact Information Call: 068-990-3224; E-mail: summercampsforkids@hotmail.com or Write to: 125 Seventh Avenue South New York, NY 10014 What the parents from last year say about the camps: "All the activities were perfect. My son definitely wants to return next year and I will recommend the camp to others." --Kate "I think this is one of the best camps that my children have attended. The counselors and directors are enthusiastic and friendly. The programs are excellent and it is the only camp that they ask to go back to." --Jack "My children had an excellent time at your camp. I was very impressed by both your friendly, helpful counselors and directors and the excellent way that the entire camp was organized and run. I will consider next year! Many thanks." --Mary How did the parents feel about the camp? A. Satisfied. B. Bored. C. Excited. D. Terrible. Answer: A Question: Inside the pleasingly fragrant cafe, So All May Eat(SAME) in downtown Denver ,the spirit ofgenerosityis instantly noticeable :donation box stands in place of a cash register. Customers here pay only what they can afford, no questions asked.A risky business plan, perhaps, but SAME Cafe has done one unchangeable thing in the Mile High City for six years: Open only at midday, the restaurant allows poor local customers who cannot pay to work as volunteers instead. They can act as waiters and waitresses, and dishwashers, or look after the buildings and equipment for the cafe. It's based on trust, and it's working all right", says co-owner Brad Birky, who started the cafe in 2006. Previously volunteering at soup kitchens, the Birkys were dissatisfied with the often unhealthy meals they served there. "We wanted to offer quality food in a restaurant where everyone felt comfortable, regardless of their circumstances," Birky says. SAME's special lunch menu changes daily and most food materials are natural and grown by local farmers. The cafe now averages 65 to 70 customers (and eight volunteers) a day. And the spirit of generosity behind the project appears to be spreading. In early 2007,one volunteer who had cleared snow for his meals during t he long winter said goodbye to the Birkys, He said he was going to New Orleans to help with the hurricane clearing up," says Birky. The author's attitude towards running such a cafe is _ A. unfavorable B. doubtful C. cautious D. approving Answer: D Question: The League of High Schools is pleased to invite student freethinkers to our 2007 Student Leadership Meeting July 15 -17 at our office building in Manhattan, New York. This yearly meeting has been successfully held for the past three years. The event brings together student activists from around North America for a busy weekend of workshops, networking, lectures, and a lot of fun. We encourage every school to send at least one representative (if not more) and we are keeping the costs down to help make this possible. Any individual student activists who are interested are also welcome to attend. Registration ,rd5m and food for the entire three day event will cost only $ 39 for each student. We' ve booked you single rooms at Travelodge, New York. For any information about the hotel, please call 88643911. This time we are making a special offer providing some money for travelling to make sure each group can send a representative even if it lacks the money to do so. Email Anna Porter at apor- ter@ leaguehighschool. net or call 46935040 to get more information about this travel support. The registration form can be found at http://www. freethought. org/SLM2007. pdf. For more information about registration you may call Lucy Becker at 36904560 or email her at lbecker @ IeaguehighschooL net. So don't wait! Send in your registration.' What is new about this year' s meeting? A. There is wireless Internet service. B. Individual students are welcome. C. It offers money to some groups. D. The cost for registration is low. Answer: C
It is natural that young people are often uncomfortable when they are with their parents . They say their parents don't understand them .They often think that their parents are out of touch with modern ways , that they are too serious -- too strict with their children and that they seldom give their children a free hand . It is true that parents often find it difficult to win their children's trust and they often forget how they themselves felt when they were young . For example , young people like to act _ without much thinking . It is one of their ways to show they have grown up and that they can face any difficult situation . However , older people worry more easily . Most of old people plan things ahead , at least in the back of their minds , and do not like their plans to be upset by something unexpected . When you want your parents to let you do something , you will have better success if you ask before you really start doing it . Young people often make their parents angry with their choices in clothes and in music . But they do not want to cause any trouble ; it is just that they feel cut off from the older people's world , into which they have not yet been accepted . That's why young people want to make a new culture of their own . And if their parents do not like their music or hairstyle or clothes or their ways of speech , this will make the young people very happy . Sometimes you are so proud of yourself that you do not want your parents to say "yes" to what you do . All you want is to be left alone and do what you like . It is natural enough , after being a child for so many years , when you were completely under your parents' control . If you plan to control your life , you'd better win your parents over and try to get them to understand you. If your parents see that you have a high sense of responsibility , they will certainly give you the right to do what you want to do . Why do young people like to have clothes and music in their own way ? Answer: Because they want to try something new and look different from the older people . "There's going to be one less boy in the room!" The words rang in my ears as the criminal pointed his gun against my head. The floodgates opened and tears ran down my face. No one in the courtroom moved. Everyone was held silent with fear. A few seconds passed and the criminal put down his gun, turning his back on me. "Cut!" the director shouted with joy. One take! We had done the scene in just one take. Then all the people who acted in the film went off for lunch. I got my food and joined them, and the criminal, who had moments before been so scary, took his seat beside me and told us many funny jokes. A table of adults surrounded me, but I was never uncomfortable talking with strangers. I worked with these people and they worked with me. We talked, we laughed, we got to know each other and sometimes we became friends. At the end of the day we all went our separate ways, but we had been drawn close by working together to make this play. After the show was broadcast, my friends asked if I had been scared of the criminal. At first this sounded funny. He was, after all, a kind and intelligent man. Then I realized that they didn't see that side of him. Television and films are about creating an alternate life that appears real even if for a while. We had been successful in doing that. Even my friends, who knew the real me, were drawn in the make-believe world of our story. Acting has helped me to feel comfortable in my own skin and in communicating with others. I feel relaxed during interviews and when leadership opportunities come. Change is not threatening to me, and I am grateful for the chance to learn and to grow in knowledge and experience in my life. Why could the author understand his friends' questions? Answer: The actors performed so well that the audience accepted the story as true. If you think that running marathons will help you live a long and healthy life,new research may come as a shock.According to a recent scientific study,people who do a very _ workout are as likely to die as people who do no exercise at all. Scientists in Denmark have been studying over 1,000 joggers and non-joggers for 12 years.The death rates from the sample group suggest that people who jog at a moderate pace two or three times a week for less than two and a half hours in total are least likely to die. The best speed to jog at was found to be about 5 miles per hour.The research suggests that people who jog more than three times a week or at higher speeds of over 7 mph die at the same rate as non-joggers.The scientists think that this is because strenuous exercise causes structural changes to the heart and arteries .Over time,this can cause serious injuries. Peter Schnohr,a researcher in Copenhagen,said,"If your goal is to decrease risk of death and improve life expectancy,jogging a few times a week at a moderate pace is a good strategy .Anything more is not just unnecessary,and it may be harmful." The implications of this are that moderate forms of exercise such as tai chi,yoga and brisk walking may be better for us than "iron man" events,triathlons and long-distance running and cycling.According to Jacob Louis Marott,another researcher in the study,"You don't actually have to do that much to have a good impact on your health.And perhaps you shouldn't actually do too much". What can be inferred from the text? Answer: Proper exercise contributes to good health. Man is the most intelligent animal created by God because God has given him language which other animals do not have. Communication makes life extremely convenient and easy. Language plays a very important role in life as any emotion can be easily and effectively conveyed through language to anyone. But all this is applicable and beneficial only to human beings. What about animals? How do they communicate with each other? We all know that animals do not have the ability to use language as a medium for communication. But they do have other means of conveying messages to other animals, of which use of body language is the most important one. The messages can be of many types like conveying food location, danger alarms, appreciation of good deeds like helping other animals in dangerous situations, etc. There are two main types of communication in animals: verbal communication and non-verbal communication. Sound is one of the most common types of verbal communication in animals, and majority of the species use it as the medium to convey messages. Bats have to rely on sound waves to communicate. They mostly rest in the morning and become active at night to search for food and do other tasks. All the birds communicate through their chirping. Mammals generally make use of sounds to give calls to other members of their community. Whales are the perfect examples, which use sound waves for communication. They have a whale song, which they repeat after regular intervals. Facial Expressions This kind of communication is mostly found in dogs. When they are angry, they show their teeth and raise their ears. On the other hand, when they are frightened, they pull their ears behind and open their mouth. Also, in birds, when the parent bird brings food for the offspring, the begging expression can be observed on the offspring's face. Gestures and Body Movements This type of communication is common not only in animals, but in human beings too. All human beings, although they use language for communication, tend to use gestures and body movements as well while communicating. Honey bees are the most enthusiastic creatures on earth because they dance to communicate. Some bees dance in the hive so that other bees get signals of the location of the honey comb. A deer waves its tail to warn others of coming danger. Our life is more convenient and easier owing to the fact that _ . Answer: we can communicate with each other through language Visiting Joshua Tree National Park, California Joshua Tree National Park is nearly 800,000 acres large and surrounds parts of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts in South-central California. Although deserted at first sight, the park is full of wildlife and provides a variety of entertainment activities from hiking to climbing. Within a three-hour drive, Joshua Tree National Park takes at least a full day to visit. Things to do Hiking opportunities within the park include several choices, from 12 self-guided nature routines to all-day back-country hikes. Joshua Tree NP has nine camping grounds, and back-country camping is also allowed. Rock climbing is a popular activity in the park, which has 10 mountains greater than 5, 000 feet in height. When to visit Joshua Tree NP is open 365 days a year, although the best time to visit is October through April, when temperature is milder. The peak season is when the wild flowers bloom, and the summer months are the least crowded. What to bring In addition to your camera and telescope, be sure to carry lots of water. Park and guiding maps can be picked up at any of the three visitor centers. Fees Parking fees: You can buy a seven-day vehicle permit for $ 15, a single entry permit for $ 5, or Joshua Tree National Park annual pass for $ 60. Camping fees: They vary by camping ground What can be inferred from the text? Answer: The camping fees at the nine camping grounds are different.
A beautiful and very successful actress was the star for a new musical show. Her home was in the countryside, but she did not want to go back there every night, so she bought an expensive house in the centre of the city, got some beautiful furniture and got a man to paint the rooms in new colours. It was very difficult to get tickets for her show, because everybody wanted to see it. So she decided to give the painter two of the best seats. She hoped that this would make him work better for her. He took the tickets without saying anything, and she heard no more about them until the end of the month, when she got the painter's bill . At the bottom of it were these words: " Four hours watching Miss Hall sing and dance : 3 pounds," with this note: " After 5 p.m. I get 15 shillings an hour instead of 10 shillings." . It can be learned from the text that one pound is _ shillings. 20 The bus driver and his passengers were being hailed as heroes last night after rescuing a woman from her burning car following a crash on the Bluff Highway. The 60-year-old woman was taken by ambulance to Southland Hospital after firefighters battled for 30 minutes to cut her from her car. Acting Senior Sergeant Brock Davis of Invercargill, said emergency services were called to the scene of the crash at the crossroads of Motorimu Rd and State Highway I shortly before 5:00 p.m. yesterday. Mr. Davis said a Mitsubishi car driven by a 30-year-old man traveling north on the highway and the woman's southbound Suzuki Alto collided . The man suffered slight injuries in the crash, he said. Invercargill Passenger Transport Ltd driver Bill McDermott and his passengers--New Zealand Aluminum Smelters Ltd workers were first on the scene and alerted emergency services. The scene at the spot was disordered, Mr. McDermott said. "There was a car on its side and a guy wandering around who was quite excited," he said. "We stopped, got out and found a lady trapped in her car ...... then we noticed flames in the engine bay and the smell of petrol." Mr. McDermott took a fire extinguisher from the bus, doused the flames, and several other workers controlled traffic. However, he said his actions were "no big deal". He was not willing to take any credit for helping the woman. "The praise goes to all the guys that jumped off that bus." Invercargill Senior Station officer Alan Goldsworthy, who was an officer in charge at the scene, said there was a possibility the car could have burst into flames if Mr. McDermott and the smelter workers had not helped. "They should acquire a good pat on the back." he said. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage? _ The woman driver was driving north before the accident. Can you imagine being savagely attacked by a dog? What if the attack was so severe that your nose, lips and chin were completely destroyed? How would you feel about yourself? Would you be able to look at yourself in the mirror? And how do you think other people would treat you? Isabelle Dinoire is someone who can answer all of these questions honestly and openly. Last November Isabelle was attacked and mauled by her own dog. The attack was so severe that her lower face was damaged; it seemed, almost beyond repair. She was rushed to hospital and became the first person ever to have a face transplant. With such severe injuries doctors offered Isabelle little hope that they would be able to repair the damage to her face using conventional surgery. Shortly after being admitted, she came to the attention of Dr Bernard Devauchelle who, unlike other surgeons, believed there was an alternative: "We found ourselves saying, yes, it's clear this woman needs a transplant," he said. Two days after the operation she saw her face in the mirror for the first time. She said "I was scared to look at myself, but when I did it was already marvelous and I couldn't believe it. I thought it would be blue and swollen but it was already beautiful." Now, less than a year after her 15 hour operation, she's trying to rebuild her life and there is no doubt how she feels about her new face: "I have been saved. Lots of people write saying that I need to go on, that it's wonderful. It's a miracle somehow." Although there were ethical questions raised about their decision to carry out the procedure, the doctors who operated on Isabelle are quick to defend their decision. One of them said "Was it possible for her to live without a face? It's easy to say we shouldn't have done the operation, but her life has changed, she goes shopping, goes on holiday, she lives again." It can be concluded from Isabelle Dinoire's remarks that _ . she was satisfied with the result of the operation Every day at noon, when it was time for recess, Mrs. Snooter would honk a loud horn. This was the signal that told her third grade class to go outside and start playtime. The students in Mrs. Snooter's class always tried to get to the front of the line in order to make sure they were the first outside. As soon as the doors opened, the whole class would race to the seesaw at the back of the playground. However, it was not an easy race. There were many things between the door and the seesaw that needed to be passed, and Mrs. Snooter's third grade class enjoyed the excitement that they added to the race. First, the students had to pass the kindergartener's sandbox. This may sound simple, but the kindergarteners would often trap students by digging large holes in the sandbox. If students jumped over the holes, they might have sand thrown in their eyes. If a student could pass the sandbox test, the next problem was the jungle gym. The fifth grade class came to recess before Mrs. Snooter's class and would hang out on top of the jungle gym. They thought they were cool because they were the oldest kids in the whole school, and would not let any other classes come near the jungle gym. It was difficult, but some students in Mrs. Snooter's class would make it past. Finally, there was a long run to the seesaw. Only a few students would still be racing at this point, and they would run as fast as they could. Every day, there was one boy who would push himself a little harder than the other students. Most of the time, he was the winner of the race, and would play on the seesaw with his friends. What was the first thing the class had to pass? the sandbox With only fish and birds for company, Eric Erden has been rowing across the Pacific Ocean to Australia in his 23-foot-long boat since he left California on July 10, 2009. This is the first part of Eric's trip around the world using only his own energy. He will row, bike, and walk without help from any motors at all. His plan includes climbing the tallest mountain on each of the six continents he visits, to honour the memory of a fellow climber. He says he is doing this to show kids that they can achieve any goal, but he also hopes to have some great adventures along the way. Storms and huge waves regularly force him in the wrong direction and even threaten to overturn his boat. "Sometimes I really feel scared," says a somewhat embarrassed Eric. "But that's part of the journey. I knew this wouldn't be easy when I started." Protein bars give him energy, and he boils water to heat freeze-dried meals on a one-burner stove. A sun-powered machine removes salt from ocean water so he can drink it, but when that fails he sometimes tries to collect rainwater in a bucket. He's not bothered by any of the hardships. Eric sees the world as a laboratory where there is much to learn. And when his trip around the world takes him across land, he enjoys meeting people -- especially children. He has already visited several schools and shared his story. How does Eric mainly get drinking water? He uses a special machine to make seawater fresh.

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