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Parents are the closest people to you in the world. They love you just because you're you. And they would do anything for you. Like a lot of middle school students, Zhang Li has a problem. She and her parents don't get on well. "I really want to be my daddy's good girl. But it seems he just doesn't understand. He talks to me but doesn't listen to me," said Zhang Li, a student from Grade Three. Do you and your parents also have problems? Well, why don't you take a walk and have a walk on Saturday? May 15 is International Day of families . On that day, people around the world give thanks for good things about families and work on family problems. A study last year showed that 1500 Beijing families had the same problem as Zhang's family. The children, 12 to 15 years old, didn't like talking with their parents much. They weren't happy at home. Of course, lots of other children feel that way. But you and your parents will be much happier if you can be friends. Here are some ways to have a good talk with your parents: find a good time to talk, like when you're eating dinner, going out for a walk or watching TV. Tell them something you're interested in, or ask them about their lives when they were young. They love to talk about _ ! Listen to them carefully, and look at them in the eyes. Be honest, your parents will trust you more. And a trusting family is a happy family. The purpose of _ is to let people in the world think more about families and family problems. Answer: What do people drink in Western countries? They drink coffee, of course. Tea is the drink of us Chinese. Think again. In the West, tea is seeing to be cool again. In Western countries like the UK, coffee used to be the fashionable drink. Jenny Northam, a 28-year-old English woman, remembers that ten years ago tea was unfashionable. "At that time young people didn't like tea. We thought drinking tea was uncool and old-fashioned. Tea was _ something we only drank when visiting grandparents." Several years ago US _ Madonna, who lived in Britain, published a children's book _ called The English Roses. She launched the book with a tea party. Since Madonna is the "Queen of Cool", she took a big part in making tea fashionable. The British tradition of afternoon tea was fashionable again. In Britain, hotels accept bookings for afternoon tea weeks in advance. The trend had also taken off in the US. In New York and Los Angeles, more and more cafes are serving tea. The tea craze is not only down to Madonna, of course. People drink tea because they connect it with the idea of living life at a slower pace. People drink coffee and tea at different times. Coffee is seen as the drink of people in a hurry; tea of those who like to spend their time. ,. The man who wants to spend his time with his friends, perhaps he will drink _ . Answer: In making a pizza, which process involves a chemical change? Answer: J.K. Rowling had reused her magic and brought Dumbledore back to life. A spokesperson for the author confirmed Rowling had sent a letter and a package to a Texas teenager who optimistically found strength in the words of a Harry Potter film after witnessing the murder of her family. Fifteen-yiear-old Cassidy Stay lost both parent s and four _ to a gunman in Texas last month. Cassidy was shot in the head and survived the gunshot wound only because she played dead. Authorities had called her survival a miracle. Cassidy had seen the unimaginable tragedy, but was still thinking about happiness. At the memorial( ) for her family, Cassidy gave a speech in front of the media saying she believed her family was "in a much better place." Quoting the words of Dumbledore, the wise headmaster of Hogwarts, she said, "Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." The same day Cassidy gave her speech, a Facebook page called "We want J.K. Rowling to meet Cassidy Stay" formed and quickly draw public attention. The creator of the page claimed to know a friend of Cassidy's who "confirmed that J.K. Rowling did write Cassidy a personal letter under the name of 'Dumbledor'. She also sent a wand, an acceptance letter to Hogwarts with a school supply list, along with the 3rdbook with Rowling's autograph." What is the best title of the passage? Answer: Newspapers in Great Britain vary greatly in their ways of carrying the news. There are serious papers for those who want to know about important happenings everywhere, both at home and abroad. There are popular newspapers for those who prefer entertainment to information. The London newspaper that is best known outside Great Britain is probably the Times. It began in 1785, and is well accepted for believable news and serious opinions on the news. It calls itself an independent paper, which means that it does not give its support to a particular political party. Its leading articles give the opinions of the editors, not those of the owners of the paper. Letters to the editor are printed in the newspaper. These parts of the Times are always interesting. Most of the letters are serious subjects. But from time to time there will be long letters on the subject which is not at all serious, perhaps on a new fashion of dress, or the bad manners of the young people, compared with manners of thirty years ago. ks5u The Times is an independent paper because_. Answer:
When we meet another person for the first time, we are actually flooded with new information. Almost at once, we notice his appearance, style of dress, and manner of speech. Furthermore (besides), as we listen to what he has to say and observe the things he does, we begin to form some ideas of what kind of person he is and what he intends to do. As you know from your own experience, though, we do not only gather these separate pieces of information. Instead, we go further and combine them into a unified picture. In short, we form an overall impression of each person we meet--an impression that can be favorable (making people like) or unfavorable. But how precisely (exactly) do we perform this task? How do we combine so much different information into a clear first impression with such quick speed? A great deal of research has been performed on this question, and results point to the following answer: we perform this task through a special type of averaging . Expressed very simply, our impressions of others seem to represent a weighted average of all information that can be gathered about them. That is, they reflect a process in which all information we have about others is averaged together--but with some facts, or input receiving greater weight than others. As you can readily see, this makes good sense. For example, in forming an impression of a new boss you would probably be affected to a much greater degree by how this person gives you orders (whether respectfully or not) than by the color1 of his or her eyes. The fact that not all information about other persons affects our impressions of them to the same degree, raises an important question. Just what kinds of input receive the greatest weight? Again research provides some revealing answers. Research has shown that first impressions are generally more affected by _ . A the way others speak B appearance and style of dress C all information we have D certain types of information at hand Answer: D. certain types of information at hand Looking back on China's road to outer space, people can easily find it has not been very smooth. In the past years, Chinese people have made hard and determined efforts to realize the dream their ancestors had for thousands of years. After China's first satellite into the Earth's orbit in 1970 came four flights of unmanned Shenzhou missions from 1999 to 2002. The country carried out its first one-piloted space flight in October, 2003, making China the third country in the world to have independent human spaceflight ability after the Soviet Union and the United States. Then came another breakthrough on October 12, 2005, when Shenzhou 6, China's second human spaceflight, was launched, with a crew of two astronauts. What's more, the landmark spacewalk done by Zhai Zhigang, one of the three boarding Shenzhou 7, launched on Sept. 25, 2008, leads the country further in its space exploration. Meanwhile, China's moon exploration project, started in 2004, has also been progressing satisfactorily. Fifty years after the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the world's first man-made satellite, China's first circumlunar satellite Chang'e 1 took off on Oct.24, 2007, which became another milestone in China's space achievements after the above-mentioned manned flights. Chang'e 1 was expected to fulfill four scientific goals, one of which was to probe mineral elements on the moon, especially those not existent on Earth. It's said that the lunar regolith is abundant in helium-3, a clean fuel that may support the Earth's energy demands for more than a century. Nearly 3 years later, Oct. 1, 2010 witnessed the blasting off of Chang'e 2, China's 2nd unmanned lunar probe, marking another step forward in moon exploration. This time the aim is to test the key techniques of Chang'e 3 and Chang'e 4, as a preparation for a soft lunar landing in the future. With great expectations, people all over the world are looking forward to China's greater space achievements. Altogether how many astronauts have made successful spaceflight by Shenzhou spaceship by now? A 4 B 5 C 6 D 7 Answer: C. 6 As with any house guests, indoor plants require a certain amount of basic, regular attention if they are going to feel at home. The first consideration when purchasing plants is to make reasonably sure that they are suitable for the condition in which they are going to be housed. A general rule for most plants being brought indoors for the first time is to ensure that they have reasonable temperature of not less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit, a position out of cold air, safe from pets and not exposed to strong sunlight. Plants love company. When plants are growing together, they create an atmosphere of damp around themselves which is far more beneficial than hot dry conditions. A group of plants will also present a more pleasing picture and provide an opportunity for a creative arrangement. There is no secret to this. Just rely on your natural feeling for harmony. Watering and feeding plants are probably the two areas of care that are the least well understood, but, again, if you follow a few simple rules, your plants should do well. Cold slightly warm water is therefore the answer. It is usually better to pour water on to the soil on the surface of the pot rather than put the water into the pot holder at the bottom. Avoid giving small amount of water at regular intervals- it is much better to wet the soil right through the pot in one go and then to allow it to dry noticeably before giving it a further watering. The majority of indoor plants will be in active growth from March until October, and during this time, the established ones will benefit from regular feeding. This may mean feeding with a weak liquid fertilizer at each watering or at intervals of a week or ten days with fertilizer at a standard strength. It is important, however, to ensure that plants are not fed when growth is inactive, when the soil in the pot is dry, or too soon after the plants has been potted up. What's the benefit of plants growing together? A It provides owners good company. B It makes it convenient to look after them. C It helps the air around them slightly wet. D It allows owners to draw a pleasant picture. Answer: C. It helps the air around them slightly wet. How would you like to have been born without any ability to feel pain? There are such people. One of them is being studied by doctors at a hospital in New York City. He is a 22-year-old clerk who really does not know the meaning of pain. But he wishes he did. Not long ago a packet of matches flared up in his hand. Luckily the burn was not serious. It caused large blisters but still did not bother him. He said the burn felt like a fly crawling(......) on his fingers. It has been the same story as far back as he can remember. He has never had headaches or sore muscles. Bee stings, cuts and bruises do not hurt. Being free from pain is not as wonderful as you may think. The young man has had to have rotted teeth pulled because he never felt toothache warnings. A sudden attack of appendicitis could be deadly. Life without pain is as risky as trying to run a cruise ship without fire alarms. The selection as a whole points to the fact that _ . A fire can cause serious injuries B life is happier without pain C teeth can be pulled painlessly D pain serves a useful purpose Answer: D. pain serves a useful purpose 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. What does the writer mean by saying "However,convenience call be a crutch"? A The masterminds of Web 2. 0 also sell crutch on line. B Taking a crutch is a new way of making friends on line. C Convenience is dangerous for human communication. D Convenience is not really good for human communication. Answer: D. Convenience is not really good for human communication.
Have you ever had a day when everything seemed to go wrong, and nothing seemed to go right? Not too long ago I was having one of those days. I was discouraged, weary, and plain sad. My focus was on me. After all, no one else was experiencing the same trials I was. I expressed my upset state to my mother, hoping for some pity. Instead, she said, "I heard Jamie was having a difficult day too. Why don't you make her some cookies and take them to her this afternoon?" I didn't really want to, but decided that I didn't want to go back to my other problems just yet. I made the cookies and arranged them on a little plate. Then I made a card with a sunflower on it and wrote a small note of empathy. That afternoon I dropped by my friend's house. I went to the door and rang the bell. Soon, Jamie came to the door and looked at me in surprise for the unexpected visit. Before she could say anything I rushed, " I heard you were having a hard day and decided to bring you something. I hope your day goes better." The look that came over Jamie's face was one that I could never put into words. It was as if a darkened sky was suddenly lit with the golden rays of the sun; it was as if in that small act, her day was brightened. I got back into the car and for some amazing reason; I felt a lot better myself. That day I experienced the truth that James Barri attempted to describe, " Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves." Which of the following is the best title for the passage? Answer: It's a sunny and warm Sunday morning. My parents, my sister and I are all at home. My parents don't have to go to work, and my sister and I don't have to go to school. We are all in the yard . Look! My father is cleaning his bike. He often goes to work by bike. The bike ride takes him about ten minutes. My mother is watering the flowers. The flowers make our yard very beautiful. We all like the flowers. My sister is playing with a dog. It's her pet dog. The dog is very smart. My mother often takes the dog out for a walk after dinner. What am I doing? I'm drawing. I like drawing very much. I want to join the art club at school. It's a nice day and we're busy in the yard. We are very happy today! . How's the weather today? Answer: Rick is a good man.He makes birthday cakes in a shop.His cakes are great and have very good prices,so many people buy his cakes.He makes friends with lots of his customers .They all like him very much.One evening.he wants to go home,but many of his old customers come in.Rick smiles to them,"I am sorry.It is late today.If you need cakes,please come tomorrow."One of them takes out a nice cake and says to him,"You make so many great cakes for us.This birthday cake is for you.Happy birthday, Rick." His customers give him _ . Answer: There are four hats. They are red, yellow, green and white. They are Mike's, Bill's, Tom's and John's. Tom's hat is not yellow, green or red. John's hat is not green. And Mike's hat is not yellow or green. What color are their hats? ,. Is Tom's hat white or green? Answer: Three--quarters of a million tourists flock to the white beaches every year,but this booming industry has come at a price.Poisonous smoke rising from open fires,rubbish made up of plastic bottles,packets...it'S a _ from the white sands,clear waters and palm trees that we associate with the Maldives ,the paradise island holiday destination set in the Indian Ocean. of its 200 inhabited islands,which are spread across an area of"35,000 square miles,99 are good resorts .So many tourists come every year,more than double the local population.Of these,over l 00,000 travel from the U K.The capital,Mal6,is four times more densely populated than London.Given these facts,it'S hardly surprising that the Maldives has a waste disposal problem. Y ears a90,when the tourists left,the government had to deal with a stream of rubbish.Their solution was to turn one of the islands into a dumping ground.Four miles west of Mal6 is the country's dumping ground,Thilafushi.What you are seeing here is a view of the Maldives on which no honeymooners will ever clap eyes.Each visitor produces 3.5 kg of waste per day.The country dumps more than 330 tons of rubbish on the island every day. Now,since many waste boats,fed up with waiting seven hours or more,directly offload their goods into the sea,the government of the Maldives has banned the dumping of waste on the island.S0,the waste boats ship the rubbish to India instead. What is the main cause of the waste disposal problem? Answer:
Question: TWENTY-FIVE years ago director Stephen Spielberg captured the hearts of Western audiences with his family classic.E.T.Now his Hong Kong director Stephen Chow is trying to do the same trick in China. Chow's latest movie CJ7(<<>> ),in cinemas now,is a heart-warming story about a poor migrant worker and his son.When a strange alien enters their lives,father and son learn a lesson about the value of family.Chow hopes his movie will help to make family films more popular in China. Family films have been the main part of the Hollywood market for the last 40 years.They have given audiences movies like E.T., Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park.However, there are few of these movies in China, where expensive history films are more popular. A family film is not simply a children's movie.It is a film that is not only suitable for children, but appeals to the whole family. According to Raymound Zhou,a famous film critic,these films are rare in China because "very few families go to the cinema together".Because of this,there is little demand for movies that appeal to the whole family. However, in the West,it is common for the family to sit down and watch a movie together.Tim Bridges, from London,says:"I love it at Christmas when I sit down and watch a movie with my family." All family films contain similar messages about being honest, remaining positive and learning there is more to life than money.According to the American movie reviewer,Dave Johnson, this is because "When parents watch a movie,they want their children to be learning good values". Just like when the alien in Spielberg's E.T.phones home to make contact with his family, Chow will hope Chinese audiences are tuned in and ready to receive his family movie message. What is implied but not stated directly in the passage? A. Families in China should go to the cinema at Christmas. B. It's good for children to watch family films. C. Chinese families don't like family films. D. The movie CJ7 has nothing in common with E.T. Answer: B. It's good for children to watch family films. Question: Why are ferrous metals magnetic? A. The shiny reflective coating B. They are very heavy. Their weight. C. The iron contained inside of them D. The copper in all of them Answer: C. The iron contained inside of them Question: Cycle Company manufactured a bicycle that it sold to Bike Shop, a retail bicycle dealer, which in turn sold it to Roth. Shortly thereafter, while Roth was riding the bicycle along a city street, he saw a traffic light facing him turn from green to yellow. He sped up, hoping to cross the intersection before the light turned red. However, Roth quickly realized that he could not do so and applied the brake, which failed. To avoid the traffic that was then crossing in front of him, Roth turned sharply to his right and onto the sidewalk, where he struck Perez, a pedestrian. Both Perez and Roth sustained injuries."If Roth asserts a claim against Bike Shop based on strict liability in tort, will Roth prevail? A. Yes, if the brake failed because of a defect present when the bicycle left the factory of Cycle Company. B. Yes, because the brake failed while Roth was riding the bicycle. C. No, if Roth contributed to his own injury by speeding up. D. No, if Bike Shop carefully inspected the bicycle before selling it. Answer: A. Yes, if the brake failed because of a defect present when the bicycle left the factory of Cycle Company. Question: Telephone: 2706030 Address: 9020 Bridgeport road Open: Mon. to Fri. 7:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sat. 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. NEW YORK MUSEUM Telephone: 7364431 Address: Vanier Park, 1100 Chestnut St. New York, America's largest museum specializing in American history and part of our native people Open: Mon. to Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Monday free) Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. LANSDOWNE PARK SHOPPING CENTER Telephone: 3562367 Address: 5300 No. 3 Road Open: Mon. Tues. and Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Wed. Thurs. and Fri. 9:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. SKYLINE HOTEL Telephone: 2785161 Address: 3031 No. 3 Road (at Sea Island Way) Hangar Den: Wed. to Sun. Lunch from 10:30 a.m. Coffee Shop: Mon. - Fri. 6:00 a.m., Sat. 6:30 a.m. and Sun. 7:00 a.m.; Mon. - Wed. to 10:00 p.m., Thurs. - Sun. to 11:00 p.m. You do not have to pay on Monday if you go to _ . A. Skyline Hotel B. Lansdowne Park Shopping center C. New York Museum D. Garden Restaurant Answer: C. New York Museum Question: In the earliest stages of man's development he had no more need of money than animals have. He was content with very simple forms of shelter, made his own rough tools and weapons and could provide food and clothing for himself and his family from natural materials around him. As he became more civilized, however, he began to want better shelter, more efficient tools and weapons, and more comfortable and more lasting clothing than could be provided by his own neighborhood or by the work of his own unskilled hands. For these things he had to turn to the skilled people such as smiths, leather workers or carpenters. It was then that the question of payment arose. At first he got what he wanted by a simple process of exchange. The smith who had not the time to look after land or cattle was glad to take meat or grain from the farmer in exchange for an axe or a plough . But as more and more goods which had no fixed exchange value came on the market, exchange became too complicated to be satisfactory. Another problem arose when those who made things wanted to get stocks of wood or leather, or iron, but had nothing to offer in exchange until their finished goods were ready. Thus the difficulties of exchange led by degree to the invention of money. In some countries easily handled things like seeds or shells were given a certain value and farmer, instead of paying the smith for a new axe by giving him some meat or grain, gave him so many shells. If the smith had any shells left when he had bought his food, he could get stocks of the raw materials of his trade. In some countries quite large things such as cows or camels or even big flat stones were used for trade. Later, pieces of metal, bearing values according to the rarity of the metal and the size of the pieces, or coins were used. Money as we know it had arrived. Exchange of goods became difficult because _ . A. man became more civilized B. there was not a marketplace for farmers and smiths to exchange their goods C. farmers hadn't enough grain or meat to provide for skilled workers D. more and more goods which had no fixed exchange values appeared on the market. Answer: D. more and more goods which had no fixed exchange values appeared on the market.
John works in a market. It's near a secondary school. Every day, students come to buy things there. In the morning , John gets up at six and then has breakfast. He goes to work by bike. He gets to the shop at about six thirty. The market opens at seven. They sell things like food and drinks. They have school things, too. So there are often many people in their market from morning to evening. John has supper there. At seven in the evening the market is closed. John works for about _ hours a day. A six B eight C twelve D fourteen Answer: C China Earthquake Leaves 5,000 Homeless Beijing--An earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale left 5,000 people homeless, killed at least one person and injured 39 others in southwest China on Thursday, with more accidents expected. By late Thursday, 4,900 people were declared homeless after the quake destroyed their homes in a mountainous area lying on the border between Yunnan and Sichuan provinces. The dawn quake left one dead and 39 injured, destroyed 268 houses and damaged 1,132 other buildings so seriously that they were considered uninhabitable . Another 2,400 houses suffered less serious damage. The center of the earthquake was near the scenic Lugu Lake, a tourist place, where the local school was badly damaged. In the beginning people thought that the economic losses would add up to about 180 million yuan (22 million dollars). Governments in Yanyuan and the neighboring Yunnan country of Ninglang have joined forces in the rescue efforts and tents, clothes and medicine are badly in need of for the earthquake victims. The mountainous place, heavy rain and several aftershocks all prevented rescue efforts on Thursday. The rain could cause more badly damaged homes to fall down. More dead and injured are expected" as rescuers have yet to reach many faraway areas". It is very hard for rescue workers because most houses are scattered around the mountains, which are inhabited by Yi and other ethnic minority groups . The quake hit the area at 5:10 a.m. Beijing time (2,110 Wednesday GMT).Earthquakes regularly affect _ , with two quakes measuring 5.0 and 6.2 on the Richter scale killing at least three people and injuring more than 1,500 in Ninglang in November 1998. The area is about 100 kilometers from the historic Yunnan town of Lijiang, which was struck in 1996 by an earthquake that killed more than 250 people and injured 14,000. (Reports from China Daily,May 25,2001) After reading the passage we know _ . A the biggest earthquake happened in China in Ninglang in 1998 B there will be no more than 2 persons dead in the earthquake C the earthquake took place in the places where minorities live D the total losses will add up to no more than 180 million yuan Answer: C What would you do if you had an accident in your daily life? It is important for you to get some knowledge about first aid in your daily life. If a person has an accident, he / she needs medical care before a doctor can be found. When you give first aid, you must know three things: First, when a person stops breathing , open his / her mouth to see if there is food in his / her mouth. Second, if a person cannot breathe, try to start his / her breathing at once, using a mouth-to-mouth way. Third, if a person is hurt badly, try to stop the bleeding at once. And then take him / her to a doctor, because if a person loses one third of his / her blood, he / she may be in great danger. Many accidents may happen at home, and everyone should know some first aid to deal with common injuries. When a person _ by an animal, wash the wound with cold running water before he / she is taken to see a doctor. When a person is burnt, wash and cool the area of the skin under the cold tap for a while, then put a piece of dry clean cloth over the burn. If a person is badly burnt, take him / her to the doctor. If a person cuts his / her finger, clean it and put a piece of clean paper round the cut. In the future we should learn more about first aid and try to spread it. Which can be the BEST title for the passage? A How to give first aid B How to stop the bleeding C How to deal with different cuts D How to deal with common injuries Answer: A Whoever has made a voyage up the Hudson River must remember the Catskill Mountains. They are a branch of the great Appalachian family, and can be seen to the west rising up to a noble height and towering over the surrounding country. When the weather is fair and settled, they are clothed in blue and purple, and print their beautiful shapes on the clear evening sky, but sometimes when it is cloudless, gray steam gathers around the top of the mountains which, in the last rays of the setting sun, will shine and light up like a crown of glory. At the foot of these mountains, a traveler may see light smoke going up from a village, In that village, and in one of the houses (which, to tell the exact truth, was sadly timeworn and weather-beaten), there lived many years ago, a simple, good-natured fellow by the name of Rip Van Winkle. Rip's great weakness was a natural dislike of all kinds of money-making labor. It could not be from lack of diligence ,for he could sit all day on a wet rock and fish without saying a word, even though he was not encouraged by a single bite. He would carry a gun on his shoulder for hours, walking through woods and fields to shoot a few birds or squirrels. He would never refuse to help a neighbor, even in the roughest work. The women of the village, too, used to employ him to do such little jobs as their less helpful husbands would not do for them. In a word. Rip was ready to attend to everybody's business but his own. If left to himself, he would have whistled life away in perfect satisfaction but his wife was always mad at him for his idleness . Morning, noon, and night, her tongue was endlessly going, so that he was forced to escape to the outside of the house , the only side which, in truth, belongs to a _ What would be the best title for the text? A Catskill Mountains. B A Mountain Village. C Rip Van Winkle. D A Dutiful Husband. Answer: C When do you think of a forest, what do you see? Just trees? Or do you see many other things, such as singing birds, colorful plants and wild flowers? The forest is a whole world of its own. It is full of many different living things . But even though they are all different, they have one thing in common: they all need each other in order to live on .The trees feed the forest "people" by making food in their leaves; by using sunlight to join water and minerals from the soil and air. Their deep network of roots joins the soil together and stops it from dying out, making it possible for living things to live in it. Human beings are like the living things in the forest. We need one another in order to live. We need the farmers to grow our food, railroad and truck drivers to bring it to our shops and clerks to sell it to us. We need people to prepare our food and cook it and others to take our waste things away. Then, of course, we need doctors, nurses, government leaders, mailmen, telephone operators, and many others. We also need other human beings in another way. We need people for friendship, to talk over our problems, exchange ideas. Think how lonely and unhappy you would be if you lived all alone. Life is a matter of giving and taking. We need to help other people as much as we need other people to help us. Think what a good feeling you have when you have done something for someone else. You know, being a volunteer is so great! ,. According to the passage, everyone needs _ . A friends B fruit C vegetables D food Answer: A
It seems that the Great Wall is the place to rock . There will be two parties held on the Great Wall this month. Great Wall I The latest Great Wall party is sponsored by the Club and Elektrobeat and held at Jinshanling. Local DJ Mark, as well as guests Slab from Australia, Usami and Bobby from Hong Kong will sing at the party. All drinks are priced at 20 yuan($ 2.4). Tickets: 200yuan($ 24), including bus ride there and back plus entrance fee to the Great Wall. T/D: 8p.m. to 2 a.m., Sept. 20. Pre-sale tickets are to be booked at: Public Space: 6416-0759; Neo Lounge: 6416-1077. Buses: Leave at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20 from Neo Lounge, 99 Xinfuncun Zhonglu, Sanlitun, Chaoyang District. For more info: www. elektrobeat. com Great wall II The other party at the end of this month at Jinshanling will be started with live performances by Askar, Brain Failure, Longkuan, Supermarket, Mr. Zhou, Beijing Talking and the Yi band. Dance till dawn to the wonderful sounds of DJs Ben, Mickey Zhang, Will, Cheese, Gao Hu and Huang Weiwei. T/D: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., Sept. 27. Tickets: 350 yuan ($ 42) or 300 yuan ($ 36) for groups of 10 or more, 500 yuan ($ 60) at the door and VIP tickets 800 yuan ($ 72), transportation included. Buses: Depart from the north gate of Wbrkers' Stadium at noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., Sept. 27. For more info: contact Li Zhenhua at lah@msgp. Org or call 133-2119-1731. What day of the week is September 27? Saturday. Jerry was a unique manager because he had several waiters who had followed him around from restaurant to restaurant. The reason the waiters followed Jerry was because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation. Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jerry and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?" Jerry replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, 'Jerry, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.' I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live life." I reflected on what Jerry said. Later, I left the restaurant industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life. Several years later, I heard that Jerry did something you are never supposed to do in a restaurant business: he left the back door open one morning and was held up at gun point by three armed robbers. While trying to open the safe, he forgot the password, nervous. The robbers panicked and shot him. Luckily, Jerry was found relatively quickly and rushed to the local hospital. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Jerry was released from the hospital with fragments of the bullets still in his body. I saw Jerry about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, "The first thing that went through my mind was that I should have locked the back door," Jerry replied. "Then, as I lay on the floor, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live, or I could choose to die. I chose to live." "Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked. Jerry continued, "The doctors and nurses were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the emergency room and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. I knew I needed to take action." "What did you do?" I asked. "Well, there was a big, strong nurse shouting questions at me," said Jerry. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. "Yes," I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, "Bullets!" Over their laughter, I told them. "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead." Jerry lived thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. The author left Jerry's restaurant because he _ . wanted to start business on his own Today is Sunday, March 20. We, sixteen boys and seventeen girls, go to school early, but we have no lessons. Our teacher takes us to the zoo. We are very excited about the trip. We get on a bus, it goes fast and at half past nine we get there. How beautiful the zoo is! There're a lot of trees, some hills, and a big lake. The sun is shining and the flowers are coming out. There are all kinds of animals in it, elephants, monkeys, birds, fishes and many other animals. The birds are singing in the trees and the fishes are swimming in the lake. We like to watch monkeys. They are playing on the hill or having oranges, apples and bananas. There are many rules in the zoo. We mustn't do this and we mustn't do that. But we all have a good time. At one in the afternoon we leave the zoo. _ students and a teacher go to the zoo by bus Thirty-three On 15 September 1918 Lee Duncan, an American soldier, rescued a half-starved shepherd and her five puppies from a bombed dog's kennel on the battle fields ofprefix = st1 /France.Duncanchose two of the dogs, a male and female, while members of his group took the mother and the others back to camp. The only survivors over the next few months were the two pups Duncan had claimed, naming them 'Rin Tin Tin' and 'Nannette' after tiny French puppets the French children would give to the American soldiers for good luck. When the war ended, Duncan made special arrangements to take his pups back to his home in Los Angeles, but during the Atlantic crossing, Nannette became ill and died, shortly after arriving inAmerica. In 1922, Duncan and Rin Tin Tin attended an LA dog show, his dog performing for the crowd with an impressive high jump. After the show,Duncanreceived $350 for Rin's performance. That was the beginning of Rin Tin Tin's later involvement in many films and television series It happened that Warners had difficulty shooting an exterior scene with a wolf as they got into a low budget. Duncanquickly approached the director and told them that his dog could do the scene in one take. True to his word, Rin did the scene in one take. As a result, he and his dog were hired for the entire shoot of "Man From Hells River". The film was a hit and Rin Tin Tin became a box-office star. It was the first American dog movie star. It made 26 pictures for Warners while starring in his own live 1930s radio show "The Wonder Dog". At the peak of his popularity, Warners kept 18 trained stand-ins to reduce any stress on their dog star. The star dog was worthy of the honor of having its private _ to prepare daily lunches for him. As a band was playing classical music it slowly consumed a lunch of tenderloin steak. Which of the following can replace "chef"? cook There are many colours in nature. But do you know that a colour has weight? I think you'll say "no". But I am afraid you are wrong. If you don't believe, you may do a small experiment . First, put two objects with the same weight into two boxes. Then cover the boxes. Wrap one box with a red piece of paper, the other with a white piece of paper. Now hold the boxes with your hand one by one. It is certain that you will think the red one is a little heavier. Why does it happen? A scientist found that different colours have different weight in a man's mind. So he did many tests and at last he got the result. That is to say, every colour has its own weight in our mind. The heaviest colour is red, then blue, green, orange, yellow and white. The scientists told us that colours also have smell. Can you smell the colour? Of course not. Then why did the scientists say so? That is because every colour represents a kind of light wave ------ a certain wavelength . It reaches our brain through organs According to this discovery, scientists say that people accept the colour they like, and _ the colour they hate. So your body and mind will be healthy by using the colours you like. Or you'll be nervous or even get ill. If you stay in a room with red windows, wallpapers and furniture for two hours, you'll feel you have been there for four hours. But if the room is blue, you'll feel you have been there for only one hour. Another example, if a person walks out of a red room and into a blue room, his temperature will fall. That means our body temperature will change when we see different colours. According to the passage, how long will you feel if you stay in a red room for an hour? Two hours.
Every year, a handful of new words enter the world's collective vocabulary, but only one has the honor of being named Oxford Dictionaries' Word of the Year. And this year's top honor goes to "selfie". The frequency of the word selfie used in the English language has increased by 17,000 per cent since this time last year. This figure is calculated by Oxford Dictionaries using a research program which collects around 150 million English words currently in use from around the web every month. To qualify, a word need not have been invented within the past 12 months but it does need to stand out or become notable at that time. Selfie is defined by Oxford Dictionaries as: "A photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smart phone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website." Oxford Dictionaries said the earliest known usage is an Australian online forum post in 2002. A man posted a picture of injuries to his face when he tripped over some steps. He apologized for the fact that the picture was out of focus, saying that it was not because he was drunk but because it was a selfie. Judy Pearsall, editorial director for Oxford Dictionaries, said: "Using the Oxford Dictionaries language research program, we can see a phenomenal upward trend in the use of selfie in 2013, and this helped to win its selection as Word of the Year." She also added: "Social media sites helped to popularize the term, with selfie appearing on the photo-sharing website Flicker as early as 2004, but usage wasn't widespread until around 2012, when selfie was being used commonly in mainstream media sources." Selfies have taken the world by storm. Everyone from the first family to ordinary people has taken the time to pose for a selfie. Celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Lawrence, and Jennifer Aniston have all showed their new haircuts with selfies this year. Selfie was added to the Oxford Dictionaries online in August, but not yet in the Oxford English. What can we learn from the passage about the word Selfie? A Social media sites helped to popularize the word Selfie. B The frequency of the word "selfie" has increased to 17,000 % since 2004. C Celebrities and the first family have all showed their new haircuts with selfies. D The earliest known usage of "selfie" was a man who was drunk. Answer: A According to the latest research in the United States,men and women talk such different languages that it is like people from two different cultures trying to communicate.Professor Deborah Tannen of Georgetown University has noticed the difference in the style of boys' and girls' conversations from an early age.She says that little girls' conversation is less definite than boys' and expresses more doubts.Little boys use conversations to establish status with their listeners. These differences continue into adult life,she says.In public conversations,men talk most and interrupt other speakers more.In private conversations,men and women speak in equal amounts--although they say things in a different style.Professor Tannen believes that,for women,private talking is a way to establish and test intimacy(,).For men,private talking is a way to explore the power structure of a relationship. Teaching is one job where the differences between men's and women's ways of talking show.When a man teaches a woman,says Professor Tannen,he wants to show that he has more knowledge,and hence(,)more power in conversation.When a woman teaches another woman,however,she is more likely to take a sharing approach and to encourage her student to join in. But Professor Tannen does not believe that women are naturally more helpful.She says women feel they achieve power by being able to help others.Although the research suggests men talk and interrupt people more than women,Professor Tannen says,women actually encourage this to happen because they believe it will lead to more intimacy and help to establish a relationship. Some scientists who are studying speech think that the brain is pre-programmed for language.As we are usually taught to speak by women,it seems that the brain must have a sexual bias in its programming,otherwise male speech patterns would not arise at all. There are in little girls' conversation than in boys'. A fewer doubts B more demands C more doubts D fewer uncertainties Answer: C An 11-year-old boy who has been compared to Spanish Impressionist , the great Pablo Picasso, is holding his first exhibition at Llangollen's Gardening Show this weekend. Hamad al-Humaidhan, who was born in Kuwait but now lives in Bath, Britain, had no previous knowledge of art history when he first picked up a brush. But he began to paint his favourite football player, Cristiano Ronaldo, using Picasso's trademarks --bright colours and impressionistic forms. His father said, "I've got lots of books about Picasso and I showed them to Hamad but he didn't know anything about Picasso --it's just naturally the way he sees it and he just loves to paint." His first painting of Ronaldo, done when he was just nine, was sold at auction in Bath for PS650, which drew the attention of local art businessman Steve Turner. "A colleague sent me some pictures of Hamad's work and I just couldn't believe the size of it and how the colours blended together," he said. "He had talent and I thought Picasso had been reborn.""I've shown his work to private art collectors. They liked them very much and everyone was eager to buy, so the first six paintings have been _ . I bought two of them myself. The next set of his works will go on show for the first time at Llangollen, which will be the first opportunity for the public to see his amazing talent." Hamad enjoys maths at school but ranks painting higher. "I think I prefer painting! It makes me relaxed and when I feel tired I just pick up a paint brush," he said. "I just close my eyes and see how it's going to look and then I just paint it --I paint every day. I just love the colours and I want people to enjoy my paintings." Now Hamad is nervously waiting for the opening of his exhibition. From the text, we can learn that Hamad _ . A began to learn painting when he was a boy B has read many books about art history C likes Cristiano Ronaldo very much D knows a lot about Picasso Answer: C By now, we are all aware that social media has had a tremendous influence on our culture, in business, on the world-at-large. Social media websites revolutionized the way people communicate and socialize on the Web. However, aside from seeing your friends' new baby on Facebook, or reading about Justin Bieber's latest conflict with the law on Twitter, what are some of the real influences? Social networks offer the opportunity for people to re-connect with their old friends and acquaintances, make new friends, share ideas and pictures, and many other activities. Users can keep pace with the latest global and local developments, and participate in campaigns and activities of their choice. Professionals use social media sites like LinkedIn to enhance their career and business development. Students can work together with their peers to improve their academic and communication skills. Unfortunately, there are a few downsides too to social networking. If you are not careful, immoral people can target you for cyber bullying and disturbance on social sites. School children, young girls, and women can fall victim to online attacks which can create tension and suffering. If you are a victim of cyber bullying, do not take it lying down, but try to take appropriate legal action against the attacker. Many companies have blocked social networks as addicted employees can distract themselves on such sites, instead of focusing on work. In fact, studies show that British companies have lost billions of dollars per year in productivity because of social media addiction among employees. Also, what you carelessly post on the Net can come back to trouble you. Revealing( ) personal information on social sites can make users vulnerable to crimes like identity theft, stalking, etc. Many companies perform a background check on the Web before hiring an employee. If a potential employee has posted something embarrassing on social media, it can greatly affect their chances of getting the job. The same holds true for our relationships too, as our loved ones and friends may get to know if we post something undesirable on social networks. Social media has its advantages and drawbacks as each coin has two sides. It is up to each user to use social sites wisely to enhance their professional and social life, and exercise caution to ensure they do not fall victim to online dangers. The main purpose of this passage is to _ . A share experiences in using social media B provide some advice on social problems C raise public awareness of social problems D remind people to wisely use social media Answer: D Being safe in your everyday life needs knowledge. you remember the following information,your life will be much safer. * Always notice the environment around you. You shouldn't walk alone outside late at night. Make sure where the public phones are. If anything dangerous happens,you can find them easily. Your bag should be carried towards the front of your body instead of putting it on your back. When a bus is full of people,it is easy enough for a thief to take away the things in the bag on your back. If you are followed by someone you don't know, cross the street and go to the other way, let the person understand that you know he or she is after you. Next,don't go home at once. You are safer in the street than you are alone in your home or in a lift. *If you have to take a bus to a place far away, try to get to the stop a few minutes earlier before the bus leaves. On the bus,don't sit alone. Sit behind the driver or other people. Don't sleep. When you are followed by someone on your way home,you should _ to make yourself safe. A run home B find a lift and go in C turn back and walk towards him or her at once D cross the street and go to the other way. Answer: D
The top ten hottest English words in 2015 Selfie is "taking a photo by yourself", Now "taking a selfie" is generally a way of self-expression. Budgetwife is the opposite of budget husband . By name, you can see that the economy strength of budget male is not strong as the "diamond man" , but he is both economically and emotionally reliable. Phubbing refers to impolite behavior that in social situations people don't pay attention to the people around, but just look at their mobile phones, we can call it "down". People are called phubber "down" . Bromeo are male girlfriends. He is one of your most loyal friends, will support you in every situation. "Fangirl" or "fanboy" refers to those who are crazy about something or a star, even to the point of sanity. Gayriage refers to two people of equal gender form of marriage. Two men to get married, the marriage is called gayriage. Mompetition, it is the competition between mothers, comparing whose child is more beautiful, more smarter, more fashionable. It can be compared two or more mothers, and the children being compared can be adult. Social bubble , which means that some people seem to know many people, but only few people could be friends. After "financial bubble", "housing bubble", personal bubbles begin to hit career people. Today's career people meet many problems except _ . Shakespeare's Birthplace and Exhibition of Shakespeare's World Welcome to the world-famous house where William Shakespeare was born in l564 and where he grew up. The property remained in the ownership of Shakespeare's family until 1806. The House has welcomed visitors traveling from all over the world, for over 250 years. Enter through the Visitors' Centre and see the highly-praised exhibition Shakespeare's World, a lively and full introduction to the life and work of Shakespeare. Stand in the rooms where Shakespeare grew up. Discover examples of furniture and needlework from Shakespeare's period. Enjoy the traditional English garden, planted with trees and flowers mentioned in the poet's works. pThe Birthplace is within easy walking distance of all the car parks shown on the map: nearest is Windsor Street (3 minutes' Walk). The House may present difficulties but the Visitors' Centre, its exhibition, and the garden are accessible to wheelchair users. [?]The Shakespeare Coffee House (opposite the Birthplace). Where is the nearest parking place to Shakespeare's Birthplace? In Africa, listening is a guiding principle .It's a principle that' been lost in the constant chat of the Western world .From my own past experience , I noticed how much faster I had to answer a question during a TV interview .It is as if we have completely lost the ability to listen .We talk and talk , and we end up frightened by silence . Everywhere, people on the African continent write and tell stories. Even the nomads who still live in the Kalahari Desert are said to tell one another stories on their daylong wanderings, during which they search for roots and animals to hunt. A number of years ago I sat down on a stone bench outside the Teatro Avenida in Maputo, Mozambique, where I worked as an artistic consultant. It was a hot day, and we were taking a break, hoping that a cool gentle wind would move past. Two old African men were sitting on that bench, but there was room for me, too. In Africa people share more than just water. Even when it comes to shade, people are generous. I heard the two men talking about a third old man who had recently died. One of them said, "I was visiting him at his home. He started to tell me an amazing story about something that had happened to him when he was young. But it was a long story. Night came, and I decided that I should come back the next day to hear the rest. But when I arrived, he was dead." The man fell silent. I decided not to leave that bench until I heard how the other man would respond to what he'd heard. Finally he, too, spoke. "That's not a good way to die--before you've told the end of your story." What separates us from animals is the fact that we are storytelling creatures and we can listen to other people's dreams, fears, joys, sorrows, desires and defeats--and they in turn can listen to ours. Many people make the mistake of confusing information with knowledge. They are not the same thing. Knowledge involves the interpretation of information. Knowledge involves listening. Many words will be written on the wind and the sand, or end up in store. But the storytelling will go on until the last human being stops listening. Then we can send the great record of human out into the endless universe. Who knows? Maybe someone is out there, willing to listen... It can be inferred from the passage that if you are in Africa, you will _ . Modern Foreign Language Teacher A successful, popular school in central South London has a new vacancy for an MFL Teacher of Spanish to start immediately after the Christmas holidays. We required a specialist Spanish teacher; therefore Spanish should be your major language. Besides this, you need to make the lessons interesting and you should also have teaching experience. Please contact Robert Eagle at 88143425. General Manager We are seeking a General Manager for our new workshop facility in Doha, Qatar. The successful individual should possess a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, along with 19 to 15 years' work experience in the Oil & Gas, Petrochemicals, Fertilizer or Marine industry and CNC machinery tools and equipment. A minimum of five years'; experience in a senior managerial capacity is essential. Candidates that have work experience in Gulf countries or in the Middle East are encouraged to apply. Please contact Brian Gambles at 88146725. Finance Manager The successful individual will be able to demonstrate substantial commercial experience working within a corporate, blue-chip environment. You will be able to interact with and present confidently to senior management. The business offers an excellent working culture and genuine opportunities for significant career advancement and development. Please contact Mr. McMahon at 88147959. HR Manager We are looking for an HR Manager to join our project team who will be responsible for a new HR and Payroll project. A minimum of three years' HR management experience is required for this position. The successful individual will need to have managed HR teams and supported Payroll. If you have the relevant experience and are available for a new assignment, contact Matt Ridley at 88146550. Who should you get in touch with if you want to be a Spanish teacher? A study published in September suggests there is a surprising way to get people to avoid unhealthy foods: change their memories. Scientist Elizabeth Loftus of the University of California at Irvine asked volunteers to answer some questions on their personalities and food experiences. "One week later," Loftus says, "we told those people we'd fed their answers into our smart computer and it came up with an account of their early childhood experiences." Some accounts included one key additional detail. "You got sick after eating strawberry ice-cream." The researchers then changed this detail into a manufactured memory through leading questions --- Who were you with? How did you feel? By the end of the study, up to 41% of those given a false memory believed strawberry ice-cream once made them sick, and many said they'd avoid eating it. When Loftus published her findings, she started getting calls from people begging her to make them remember hating chocolate or French fries. Unfortunately, it's not that easy. False memories appear to work only for foods you don't eat on a regular basis. But most importantly, it is likely that false memories can be implanted only in people who are unaware of the mental control. And lying to a patient is immoral , even if a doctor believes it's for the patient's benefit. Loftus says there's nothing to stop parents from trying it with their overweight children. "I say, wake up --- parents have been lying about Father Christmas for years, and nobody seems to mind. If they can prevent diseases caused by fatness and all the other problems that come with that, you might think that's more moral lie. Decide that for yourself." What is the biggest concern with the method?
Experts believe that there are about 40,000 different types of jobs in the world. Choosing the right one is a difficult task. "Finding a job" is not the same as "choosing a job". Many young people end up in a job that they are not suited to do. "Chance" may play a more important part than "decision". So here are a few steps to help you think about jobs. First, it is important to recognize what kind of person you are and what special qualities make you different from everyone else. The most important thing is to know your interests and skills. But the point is that there is a difference between an interest and a skill. If you like art and enjoy looking at pictures, it is an interest. But if you can draw a horse that looks like a horse rather than a big dog, that is a skill. The best job is one that uses your skills in doing something together with your interests. As well as this, it is an advantage if you believe that a particular job is worth doing in the world. To examine your skills and abilities still further, ask yourself this question: in the following three areas--skills with people, skills with information or skills with things -- which are your best skills? After that, the next step is research. To find out as much as possible about different kinds of work, go to the library and read books, magazines and newspapers. Ask your friends about the work they do. If you are interested in banking, it is better to talk to a bank clerk of twenty-four, rather than a bank manager of sixty-four. Do not ask your parents' friends for information. A younger person will be able to describe a normal day at work and tell you about the interesting or boring things when you first start working. Finally, trust your own ideas and your own thinking! It is your own life, so find something that you enjoy doing. What is the first step to find a job that suits you well? Answer: The first step is to completely know yourself and your special qualities which make you different from everyone else. At last, the mid-term exams are over. You've done the hard work, but you can't relax. You have to prepare for the next exams. Do you hate exams? If you do, you are not alone. Students in other countries hate them as well. Luckily for them, British students have fewer exams than Chinese students. And they only have them once a year. Every summer they take a test in each subject. Each test lasts about an hour. These exams _ , even if a student does really badly they still progress to the next grade. When the results come out, they are then placed in an end-of-year report. The report is sent to the child's parents. It describes how the student studied at school. This report is private, so only the teacher, the student and his or her parents see it. This means that the students don't know how other students scored in the test. Some students choose to tell each other, but others keep it secret. Parents' meetings are held twice a year, at the end of winter term and then at the end of the summer term. Children go along with their parents to meet their teachers privately and discuss their performance at school. For British students, the school life is _ than that of Chinese students. Answer: more relaxing My life began much like most children before my father left us. I grew up without knowing what a father was and no one was there to teach me how to behave and how to tell right from wrong. Because of this, I developed problems with alcohol and spent seven years as a boy in the street, before ending up in a rehab clinic when I was 20. Inside I met my counselor , Bill, and he taught me a lot of things. The main thing was the gift of giving. It was the night before an important test and I was very nervous. Bill saw this and suggested that we should go out for a walk. As we walked and talked, Bill suggested we should go for a coffee. I told him I was broke, and when I got paid, I would pay him back. He stopped then and looked at me in a serious but loving way and said, "No, you won't." He told me that I didn't owe him anything and he was doing this because he wanted to. He then told me something that has followed me to this day, "One day you'll be around someone and they'll need a coffee, and you'll be able to buy it for them. That's how you can pay me back." I'm a primary school teacher now; far away from the life I had ten years ago. My job is simple and I buy young people coffee now. Bill taught me how to do that. The author got into some bad habits because _ . Answer: he didn't have a father to teach and love him One fine day, an old couple around the age of 70, walked into a lawyer's office. Obviously, they were there to file a divorce. Lawyer was very puzzled, after having a chat with them, he got their story. This couple had been quarreling all their 40 over years of marriage nothing ever seemed to go right. They hang on because of their children, afraid that it might affect their up-bringing. Now, all their children have already grown up, have their own family, there's nothing else the old couple have to worry about, all they want is to lead their own life free from all these years of unhappiness from their marriage, so both agree on a divorce. While they were signing the papers, the wife told the husband. " really love you, but I really can't carry on anymore, I'm sorry." "It's OK, I understand." said the husband. Looking at this, the lawyer suggested a dinner together, just three of them, wife thought, why not, since they are still going to be friends. At the dining table, there was a silence of awkwardness . The first dish was roasted chicken, immediately, the old man took the drumstick for the old lady. "Take this, it's your favorite." Looking at this, the lawyer thought maybe there's still a chance, but the wife was frowning when she answered. "This is always the problem, you always think so highly of yourself, never thought about how I feel, don't you know that I hate drumsticks?" Little did she know that, over the years, the husband had been trying all ways to please her, little did she know that drumsticks were the husband's favorite. Little did he know that she never thought he understood her at all, little did he know that she hated drumsticks even though all he wanted was the best for her. That night, both of them couldn't sleep, toss and turn , toss and turn. After hours, the old man couldn't take it anymore, he knows that he still loves her, and he can't carry on life without her, he wants her back, he wants to tell her, he is sorry, he wants to tell her, "I love you." He picks up the phone, started dialing her number. Ringing never stops. He never stop dialing. Little did she remember, he had heart problems. The next day, she received news that he had passed away. She rushed down to his apartment, saw his body, lying on the couch still holding on to the phone. He had a heart attack when he was still trying to get through her phone line. As sad as she could be, She would have to clear his belongings and she saw this insurance policy, dated from the day they got married, beneficiary is her. Together in that file there's this note: "To my dearest wife, by the time you are reading this, I'm sure I'm no longer around, I bought this policy for you, though the amount is only $1,000,000 I hope it will be able to help me continue my promise that I have made when we got married, I might not be around anymore, I want this amount of money to continue taking care of you, just like the way I will if I could have lived longer. I want you to know I will always be around, by your side. I love you." If the story is to be continued, what is likely to be written next? Answer: The wife's feelings Sand and iron particles that are similar in size and color are mixed together in a beaker. What would be the best method of separating the particles? Answer: Use a magnet to separate them.
Question: Have you heard of "Kong Nao"? A new word appears on the Internet recently. In fact, it refers to some passengers who behave badly by plane and could endanger flight safety. On December 11, on the airline flight from Bangkok Thailand to Nanjing, two tourists conflicted with an _ The male tourist poured garbage in the aisle and said something bad to the flight attendant. The female tourist threw a whole cup of hot water over the flight attendant. At last the plane was forced to turn back. On January 10, 2015, a passenger on Flight MU2036 opened an emergency exit without permission because of dissatisfaction with the flight delay. At last the plane was forced to turn back. These things not only affect the normal order of flight but also have a bad international influence. The improvement of living standards means more Chinese can take a plane. But many of them don't behave well in public. A report by Living Social website in March 2012 even listed Chinese as the world's second worst tourists after Americans. If you want to change those bad behaviors and become a civilized passenger, remember to avoid the followings: Don't spit in public or throw away trashes here and there. Never cut in line or snatch bus seats. Don't laugh or speak loudly. Don't take off shoes or smoke in public. *Say something polite and do something civilized. Whenever and wherever you are, you need to respect others. In this way, you'll win compliments for yourself. _ were reported the worst by Living Social website in March 2012. A. Chinese B. Thais C. Phuketers D. Americans Answer: D Question: An ant was drinking at a small river and fell in. She tried her best to reach the side, but she couldn't move at all. The poor ant got too tired but was still doing her best when a big bird saw her. What a luck! The bird threw a piece of wood in the water. With it the ant reached the bank again. While she was resting and drying herself in the grass, she heard a man coming up. He was walking without shoes on his feet and with a gun in his hand. As soon as he saw the bird, he wanted to kill her, and he would certainly do so, but the ant bite him on one of his feet and at the moment the bird flew away at once. What did the man with a gun wear on his feet? A. A pair of shoes B. A pair of socks C. Nothing D. Some clothes Answer: C Question: Hannah was born and raised in a poor framily. She wore hand -me -downs from her older sisters.For Christmas she usually got used toys and books .As a chilld ,she wanted to have the beautiful clothes ,cars ,and homes that she often saw on TV and in magazines. Five years after college,she became a manager.Her dream came true.She had her own company near Central Park.She took skiing vacations in the winter and travelled by ship in the summer .At the age of 30,Hannah was on top of the world. Then she had her usual health check-up.Her doctor told her that she had a serious illness.Her doctor guessed that she had less than a year to live. He advised ,"If you have any once -in -a-life time plans,do them now." Hannah spent her last months in her company.She was looked after by hospice workers.Her family and friends often visited her .The moment before she died ,she opened her eyes and said,"If you have your health,you have everything." What did Hannah often get for Christmas when she was a child? A. Beautiful cars. B. New magazines. C. Her sisters'clothes. D. Used toys and books. Answer: D Question: A very new, young officer was at a station. He was on his way to visit his mother in another town, and he wanted to telephone her to tell her the time of this train , so that she could meet him at the station in her car.He look in all his pockets, but found that he did not have the right money for the telephone, so he went outside and looked around for someone to help him. At last an old soldier came by, and the young officer stopped him and said, "Have you got change for ten pence ?" "Wait a moment, " the old soldier answered. He began to put his hand in his pocket, "I'll see whether I can help you. " "Don't you know how to speak to an officer?" the young man said angrily. "Now let's start again. Have you got change for ten pence? " "No, sir," the old soldier answered quickly. The young officer wanted to telephone his mother to tell her _ . A. that he was going to visit her B. where his train would leave for C. what time his train would arrive at the station D. that he was then at the station Answer: C Question: It was Christmas Eve. When everyone went to bed, Bunny couldn't fall asleep. He still couldn't think of what he wanted as a special Christmas present. He wondered how Santa -- Father Christmas would know what to bring him if he didn't know himself.,. . As he was sitting up in bed, Bunny heard a big noise on the roof and a sound downstairs. It was Santa Claus, he realized. Bunny jumped out of bed and ran down the hall to the stairs. He hoped to take a look at the old man before Santa left for his next stop. By the time Bunny was at the bottom of the stairs, everything was silent again. Lots of presents were put under the Christmas tree, but Santa was gone. A little disappointed , Bunny turned to climb back upstairs when he heard a cry. "Hello," said Bunny. "Is somebody there?" He was answered by another cry. Bunny looked around the big pile of presents to see what was making the noise. Right under the tree was a funny looking brown animal with big feet and sad eyes. It also had antlers on its head. Bunny almost mistook it for a dog. "Are you a reindeer?" asked Bunny. "Yes," replied the brown animal with antlers. "My name is Ralph." "And you were pulling Santa's sled ?" "I was until I got air-sick," replied Ralph. "Santa had to leave me here and go on with the other seven reindeer." "Isn't it a bit unusual for a reindeer to get air-sick? I mean, isn't flying what reindeer are famous for?" "Not me, I'm afraid. It makes me scared. I always feel sick when it comes to flying," replied Ralph. "But everyone wanted me to pull Santa's sled, so when it was my turn I gave it a try. I'm afraid I just wasn't _ for the job. Now I'm stuck here and I don't know how to get back to the North Pole." "Well, if you like, you can stay with us as a friend," said Bunny. As he made the offer, Bunny suddenly realized the special present he wanted from Santa was a new friend! Why couldn't Bunny fall asleep on Christmas Eve? A. He wanted to take a close look at Santa Claus. B. He was waiting for his special present from his father. C. He was thinking about what present to get from Santa. D. He was woken up by a noise on the roof of his house. Answer: C
Question: If someone hears a crunching sound while walking under a tree, which of these likely happened? A. dead leaves fell down B. a mouse ran away C. a duck started quacking D. a dog was barking Answer: A Question: What does pencil lead contain? A. aluminum B. stable carbon C. sunlight D. mineral water Answer: B Question: Reality TV is a type of programme. It means that real-life people, not actors, are followed and filmed in a real situation, or game. Reality TV is very popular in the UK. At their best, these programmes give us a good look into the lives of different people in Britain. At their worse, they are a very cheap way to make programmes and sometimes involve people behaving very badly. Here's a selection of some of the UK's reality shows. Shattered A group of young people live in a house for a week and must stay awake. Each day there are tests to see how well they can work even though they are totally tired out. They must leave the house if they fall asleep. Viewers vote on those who stay in the house and text their comments every day. Come to Dine with Me Each week four people prepare dinner in their homes for the other competitors. Each competitor then gives the cook a grade out of 10 for the food and entertainment . The winner gets a $1,000 cash prize. Sometimes the food is terrible and the competitors are very rude to each other. World's Strictest Parents Badly-behaved British teens are sent abroad to live with a super strict family for a week. The teenagers have to follow the rules of their host family and go to the local school. After seven days the teenagers return home and their parents tell us if their behaviour is better. There is often a lot of crying and shouting in this show but it can be pretty funny too. Which statement about Reality TV is NOT true? A. Real-life people are in it. B. We can see a real situation in it. C. It usually costs less money to make Reality TV. D. Anybody can be in Reality TV. Answer: D Question: Qian Xuesen is one of the greatest scientists who devoted all their lives to China's science and technology. In 1911, he was born in Hangzhou, eastern China. Qian received a mechanical engineering degree in 1934 in Shanghai and went to the United States on a scholarship to study aeronautical engineering at MIT at the age of 23. As a student at MIT, and later as a scientist and teacher at the California Institute of Technology, Mr.Qian played a central role in early United States' efforts to develop jet aircraft and rocketry technology. Mr. Qian served on the United States government's Science Advisory Board during World War II. His teacher and colleague, the Caltech physicist Theodore von Karmon, praised him as "a brain whose work will change the world greatly". In the 1940s Qian wrote an article for a famous magazine on a winged space plane that led to develop NASA's new space shuttle. In 1955 he came back to his motherland from the US. Under his leadership, China produced its first missile called Long March, and in 1970, launched its first satellite. He was considered as the father of the country's first ballistic missiles, first satellite and the Silkworm anti-ship missile. In 2009, he died in Beijing. What did Qian Xuesen do in Shanghai? A. He got a mechanical engineering degree. B. He became a great scientist. C. He studied aeronautical engineering. D. He wrote a suggestion for a winged space plane. Answer: A Question: I was brought up in the British, stiff upper lip style. Strong feelings aren't something you display in public. So, you can imagine that I was unprepared for the outpouring of public grief at a Chinese funeral. My editorial team leader died recently after a short illness. He was 31. The news was so unexpected that it left us all shocked and upset. A female colleague burst into tears and cried piteously at her desk. Somehow we got through the day's work. The next day was the funeral. Our big boss stepped forward to deliver a eulogy and was soon in tears. She carried on, in Chinese of course, but at the end said in English: "There will be no more deadlines for you in heaven." Next came a long-term colleague who also dissolved in tears but carried on with her speech despite being almost overcome by emotion. Then a close friend of the dead man paid tribute, weeping openly as he spoke. Sorrow is spreading. Me and women were now sobbing uncontrollably. Finally, the man's mother, supported between two women, addressed her son in his coffin. She almost collapsed and had to be held up. We were invited to step forward to each lay a white rose on the casket. Our dead colleague looked as if he was taking a nap. At the end of the service I walked away from the funeral parlor stunned at the outpouring of emotion. In the UK, families grieve privately and then try to hold it together and not break down at a funeral. Here in China it would seem that grieving is a public affair. It strikes me that it is more cathartic to cry your eyes out than try to keep it bottled up for fear of embarrassment, which is what many of us do in the West. Afterwards, a Chinese colleague told me that the lamenting at the funeral had been restrained by Chinese standards. In some rural areas, she said, people used to be paid to mourn noisily. This struck me like something out of novel by Charles Dickens. But we have all seen on TV scenes of grief-stricken people in Gaza and the West Bank, in Afghanistan, Iraq and the relatives of victims of terrorist bombings around the world. Chinese grief is no different. I realized that it's the reserved British way of mourning that is out of step with the rest of the world. It is implied that _ . A. Chinese express their sadness quite unlike other peoples B. the English might cry noisily for the dead in Dickens' time C. victims of terrorist bombings should be greatly honored D. English funeral culture is more civilized than the others Answer: B
Which characteristic is shared by Earth and the Moon? an orbit created by the force of gravity The date was like any other day in his life. After school Bill walked past the shop on the street corner. He stopped to look at the front row of shoes, and he felt sorry for himself. He really wanted to have a pair for his birthday. He sadly walked away and thought of what to tell his mother. He knew she would give him anything if she could. But he also knew very well she had little money. He decided not to go home at once, because he looked worried and he didn't want to make his mother worry about it. So he went to the park and there he sat on the grass. Then he saw a girl in a wheelchair . He found that the girl moved the wheels with her hands. Bill looked at her carefully and he was surprised to see that the girl had no feet. He looked down at his own feet."It's much better to be without shoes than without feet," he thought. It was not right for him to feel sorry and sad. He went away and smiled. He thought he was luckier in life. Bill didn't go home at once because _ . He didn't want to trouble his mother As a child, I remember listening to a song called "Wonderful, Wonderful Copenhagen." When I visited the city last year, that song kept running through my head. It got me wondering: Just what is wonderful about Copenhagen? It's not a place filled with world-famous tourist sites. But it does have a charm that makes you want to _ . You can sample the food, visit the castles and museums, and learn about the life of the Danes. Stoget, the world's longest pedestrian mall, runs through the center of the old city. This string of lively street and squares _ I happily explored the mall, looking in the windows of shops and cafes. I followed Stoget from the square in front of the city hall to Nyhavn. Here, old houses painted bright color1s look out over a picturesque harbor filled with sailing ships. Denmark's beloved storyteller Hans Christian Andersen lived here when he wrote his first stories. From Nyhavan, I continued heading north. I wanted to see Copenhagen's symbol, the statue of the Little Mermaid . She was set up in honor of Hans Christian Andersen's famous story. As I continued my city tour, one thing impressed me all the bicycles. I learned that half the population of Copenhagen rides bikes every day. Only 20 percent of Copenhageners own cars because there is a 180 percent tax on them. That certainly keeps the city free of traffic jams and heavy pollution! It's easy to join all the bicyclists pedaling through the streets, too. The city provides free bicycles that anyone can use. The cycling around the castles and parks made a relaxing end to a full day. As darkness fell and the parks' lights began to twinkle, I watched families enjoying themselves. So what is wonderful about Copenhagen? Just about everything. Which of the following is TRUE? The government of Copenhagen does encourage people to ride bicycles. Have you ever heard of a mobile phone company called Nokia?And do you know that there's a mobile phone throwing competition in Finland every year? In order to recycle old mobile phones,the town of Savonlinna in southeast Finland holds a Mobile Phone Throwing Competition every year.And people can have a little fun from the games. While _ cannot throw their own phones,the competition organizers provide hundreds of mobiles to choose from. Then people throw as far as possible from the throwing area.Last year's winner Ere Karjalainen set a world record with his 101.46m throw.As a prize,he got a chance of drinking and practiced again as hispreferred training methods. Those without a strong throwing arm can enter the freestyle competition.During the competition,the style of the throw are judged rather than the distance. A three person jury gives scores from one to six,and the thrower with the highest number of points wins.This Year's competition will be held on August 24.Sign ups( ) are still being accepted for five dollars per person or twodollars for children 12and under.Once all the day's phones have been thrown,they are taken to a recycling center. Which of the following statements is NOT true? _ Those who throw the farthest will win the freestyle competition. A latest national survey has found that over half of China's netizens are suffering from various mental problems although some 62 percent of them claim at the same time that they are happy on the whole anyway. This is the result of China's first White Paper on Netizens' Health Conditions issued on Wednesday by 39.net, China's largest authoritative website on health sciences. It is the first most comprehensive health survey on netizens' health situation ever conducted in China in ten years' time. The white paper came out after two months of online and offline research that involved over 150 thousand netizens, covering topics and questions on health knowledge, mental situation, sense of health, and living habits. According to the white paper, more than 70 percent of China's netizens say they are suffering from mental problems such as bad memory, anxiety, depression, and a lack of confidence. And a similar 72 percent of them also say they are often suffering from diseases like insomnia, dizziness, joint degeneration and achings. Meanwhile, another 53 percent of netizens believe that white collar employees who have bigger work pressures are more likely to catch mental problems. The white paper adds, doing almost no sports and spending long time surfing online lead to the above mentioned health problems among netizens. Only 9 percent of netizens take up sports on weekends while over 40 percent stay home, surfing. And only 16 percent netizens can assure more than eight hours' sleeping daily. At present, China has a netizen population of 162 million, with a monthly consumption of 186 yuan, or about 25 dollars, on Internet surfing. All the following factors have been mentioned to cause the health problems among netizens EXCEPT _ . shopping online
In white shirt, blue pants, black cloth shoes and two pigtails, Jingqiu gives off an air of great "pure beauty" in Zhang Yimou's new movieUnder the Hawthorn Tree, which tells the story of the sad romance of Jingqiu and a handsome young man named Laosan set at the end of the "cultural revolution" (1966-- 1976). Before it was released, moviegoers foresaw what this "pure beauty" could be. Director Zhang complained of how long it had taken him to find the right girl for the part of Jingqiu -- a character so innocent. She believes that simply lying on the same bed as a man will make her pregnant. It was 18-year-old Zhou Dongyu who stood out from the crowd. According to Zhang, Zhou has "eyes that are clear like a fountain on a mountainside". Born to an ordinary worker's family, the Shijiazhuang girl was in her final year of high school and working hard for a place in an art college. "If you have fair skin and clear eyes, as Jingqiu does, it is easy to look pure. Girls today wear so many jewels and make-up--that's the reason Zhang was not interested," said Du Yanlai, 17, of Chengdu. While some teenagers consider such "pure" beauty _ , others believe that it speaks of something soulful. Purity is all about an innocence that shines through from within, thinks 16-year-old Tan Mengxi of Nanjing. "Being pure can be simple, not having complicated thoughts and being inexperienced. However, it doesn't mean an ignorant or native person. So, a person is pure in his or her nature if he or she is always enthusiastic and able to deal with difficult matters independently. This purity doesn't pass with time, "she said. The main idea of the passage is _ . Answer: What shows that animals learn behaviors by watching their parents? Answer: A story happened when the telegraph was the fastest method of long-distance communication. One day, a young man went to an interview for a job as a Morse code operator . Answering the ad in the newspaper, he went to the office address. When he arrived, he walked into a large, busy office filled with noise, including the sound of the telegraph. An office worker asked him to wait until he was called to go into the inner office. Seven other people were already in the waiting area for the interview. The young man sat down and waited with them. After a few minutes, the young man stood up, crossed the room to the door of the inner office, and walked right in. Naturally the other people wondered what was going on. They were sure that the young man made a mistake and would be refused. A few minutes later, however, the boss came out of the inner office with the young man and said to the other people,"Gentlemen,thank you very much for coming, but the young man has got the job." The other people were surprised, and one of them said, "Wait a minute. I don't understand. He was the last to come in, and we never even got a chance to be interviewed. Yet he got the job. That's not fair!" The boss said, "I'm sorry, but all the time you've been sitting here, the telegraph has been sending out the following message in Mores code: 'If you understand this message, then come right in. The job is yours.' None of you heard it or understood it. This young man did. The job is this." The young man got the information about the job from _ . Answer: Eight-year-old Jesse Abrogate was playing in the sea late one evening in July 2001 when a 7-foot bull shark attacked him and tore off his arm. Jesse's uncle jumped into the sea and dragged the boy to the store. The boy was not breathing. His aunt gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while his uncle rang the emergency services. Pretty soon, a helicopter arrived and flew the boy to hospital. It was a much quicker journey than the journey by road. Jesse's uncle, Vance Folsenzier, ran back into the sea and found the shark that had attacked his nephew. He picked the shark up and threw it onto the beach. A coastguard shot the fish four times and although this didn't kill it, the shark's jaws relaxed so that they could open them, and reach down onto its stomach, and pull out the boy's arm. At the Baptist hospital in Pensacola, Dr Lan Rogers spent eleven hours reattaching Jesse's arm. "It was a complicated operation," he said, "but we were lucky. If the arm hadn't been recovered in time, we wouldn't have been able to do the operation at all. What I means is that if they hadn't found the shark, well then we wouldn't have had a chance." According to local park ranger Jack Tomosvic, shark attacks are not that common. "Jesse was just unlucky" he says, "Evening is the shark's feeding time. And Jesse was in the area without lifeguards. This would never have happened if he had been in the area where swimming is allowed." When reporters asked Jesse's uncle how he had had the courage to fight a shark , he replied, "I was mad and you do some strange things when you're mad." In which way did the boy's uncle help with the operation? Answer: On Tuesday,a new study published in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation:Heart Failure revealed that women who ate five or more dishes of baked fish a month had a thirty percent lower risk of heart failure in comparison to women who ate less than one dish a month. Researchers examined the diets of 84,493 women,whose ages ranged from 50 to 79.The women who had eaten lots of baked fish like salmon ,were more healthy than those who mostly ate tuna or white fish. Eating baked fish also appeared to provide a protection against high blood pressure. The study also found that those women who ate more baked fish were likely to have a lower weight,exercise more and eat more fruits and vegetables in comparison to those who ate fried fish. Researchers noted that past research had discovered the fatty acids in fish probably decreased the risk of high blood pressure by improving blood pressure along with heart and blood functioning. This study showed the link between eating fish and heart failure risk but it was not designed to show cause and effect. This study also showed that just by eating one dish of fried fish a week led to a 49% greater risk of heart failure,and eating fried fish led to lower fiber intake and higher calorie intake. The American Heart Association suggested eating a minimum of two dishes of fish especially fatty fish each week. Compared to the women who ate fried fish those who ate more baked fish could _ . Answer:
Robots are being used for the first time in hospitals. "Robot-nurses" perform a variety of tasks such as delivering medicine, food and laboratory samples to sickrooms and taking away waste. Patients aren't treated by robots, as this is still done by medical staff. The idea is to employ robots to transport supplies between departments. "Nurses often have to break off from what they are doing to gather supplies," says Peter Seiff, who makes the robots called TUGs. Research shows any interruption in medical work can lead to errors --- a nurse may forget whether she has given medicine and may give a patient double the dose or none at all. The robots vary in size according to what job they perform, but normally take the shape of a metal box on wheels, with a box on the side containing their software. After being programmed, the robots are able to find their way around a hospital unassisted. They also contain scanning technology to create electronic pictures or a "memory" of routes on their hard drives to help them go through passages, doors and other obstacles. Each robot is also monitored at the producer's headquarters in case it runs into any difficulties. Trials show TUGs reduce the time it takes for a patient to receive medicine, and stop drugs from going missing. A study at the University of Maryland Medical Centre in the U.S. found that when three TUGs were used over the course of a year, the average length of time from the drugstore receiving a prescription to the patient receiving it dropped from 74 minutes to 30 minutes and saved nurses 6,123 hours finding medicines. It also cut the number of medicines that went missing to zero. "The biggest complaints we receive from patients is that the nurses don't spend enough time with them. Anything that frees nurses is a _ ," says Katherine Mulligan, director of nursing at the hospital, "The TUGs allow nurses to spend more time focusing on patient care. Nurse satisfaction has improved." Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? A. Robots can help nurses save a lot of time. B. All robots have the same size. C. Robots are unable to find their way by themselves. D. Robots cannot get help if they run into difficulties. Answer: A Does solving a math problem give you a headache? Do you feel nervous when you sit a math exam? For most students, math can be tough but scientists have proved that math problems can actually trigger physical pain. Scientists came to his conclusion with an in-depth experiment, which was published in the Public Library of Science One journal. They began by finding out how much participants fear math. Those involved were asked a series of questions such as how they feel when they receive a math textbook or when they walk into a math lesson. Based on their answers, participants were divided into groups. One group was made up of people who were particularly afraid of math and participants in the other group were more comfortable with the subject. Both groups were then given either math tasks or word tasks. When a math task was going to come next, a yellow circle would appear but when a word task was soon to come, a blue square would be shown. Using a brain-scan machine, scientists noticed that whenever people from Group One saw a yellow circle, their brain would respond in a way similar to when their body is feeling pain. It was like the pain they would fee, for example, if they burnt their hand on a hot stove. But they reacted less strongly when they knew that they would be faced with a word task. However, scientists saw no strong brain response from people in the second group. Math can be difficult, and for those with high levels of mathematics-anxiety (HMA), math is associated with tension, apprehension and fear. "When you are really thinking about the math problems, your mind is racing and you are worrying about all the things that could go wrong," explained Ian Lyons from University of Chicago, US, leader of the study. "The higher a person's anxiety of a maths task, the more he activated brain regions associated with threat detection, and the experience of pain." More interestingly, the brain activity disappeared when participants actually started dealing with the math tasks. "This means that it's not that math itself hurts; rather, the anticipation of math is painful," Lyons said. Based on the study, scientists suggested that things could be done to help students worry less and move past their fear of math, which might mean they perform better in tests. Which is the best title for the passage? A. Math pain in your brain.. B. Physical pain affects math performance. C. How to overcome math fear D. Unknown truth about pain. Answer: A Mr. and Mrs. Green were going on their vacation with their children, and they had to arrive at the airport before 11:40 the next morning. "It takes us thirty minutes to get there in a car," Mr. Green said, "so we must get ready before eleven o'clock. Don't be late." At ten fifty, all of them were busy doing something, but Mrs. Green wasn't. She sat quietly in a chair in the garden and enjoyed the good weather. Mr. Green and the children were surprised, but Mrs. Green said, "Don't worry! Before I went to bed last night. I made all our clocks and watches twenty minutes ahead . Now we can get to the airport early." What time was it when Mr. Green and the children were busy doing things? A. It was ten fifty. B. It was eleven ten. C. It was ten thirty. D. It was eleven forty. Answer: C As humans travel in space, which gas is provided in the atmosphere of the spacecraft and which gas is removed from the atmosphere of the spacecraft? A. Oxygen is provided. Carbon dioxide is removed. B. Carbon dioxide is provided. Oxygen is removed. C. Carbon dioxide is provided. Nitrogen is removed. D. Oxygen is provided. Nitrogen is removed. Answer: A One bitterly cold day,a snowstorm blew into our area. Needing firewood,I quickly set out with my best friend,Bruce,to look for a tree to cut down. I was glad to have Bruce along with. Cutting down a tree in a snowstorm can be dangerous. So it was important to have a friend who could warn me of danger. When I chose a big tree about 23 meters tall and prepared to cut it down,my best friend suddenly warned me,"Don't cut down that tree!It's too close to the power line!"I wasn't sure about it. So I decided to _ his warning. I wanted to finish the job quickly and go home. So I began cutting down the tree. When the tree fell,there was no longer any doubt that my friend was right. The tree caught the power line,bringing it to the ground. I considered cutting the tree off the line. After all,electricity can't travel through wood,so I could safely remove the tree. As I reached out my finger to touch the tree,pain ran up my arm and through my head. I was shocked! After I returned home and told my mother what had happened,she quickly called the power company. The workers from the power company soon arrived on the scene. One of them asked if I had touched the tree,and when I told him I had,his face turned pale. "You should have been killed," he said. So why am I still alive?It was my boots that saved my life. Within two hours,the workers removed the tree. Soon _ . Even though she was glad I wasn't hurt,my mother was still serious. After all,I shouldn't have brushed off my friend's warning. Through this experience,I learn it's important to listen to people who offer a different perspective. time to listen might actually save a lot of time and trouble. It certainly would have kept me from getting the "shock" of my life. The author wrote the passage mainly to _ . A. give an account of one of his terrible experiences B. make us know it's important to listen to people who offer a different perspective through his experience C. tell us not to cut trees down any more D. remind us to be careful while we are working Answer: B
Children lie on couches or sit on floors, nearly hypnotized by all kinds of messages coming from the television. This scene has become all too familiar. Increasingly, young children are adopting a watching-TV lifestyle, at s stage in life when activity is important to their growth. Furthermore, family time is being destroyed by too much TV time. Here are some facts you need to know: Research shows that children spend between five and six hours per day watching TV, and they go to bed before having any communication with other family members. Time spent in front of a screen is reducing the amount of time children spend sleeping. The more time a youth spends in front of a screen, the more likely he or she is to be overweight. Experts offer the following advice to parents on how to stop their children from becoming addicted to television: Do not put a TV in a child's bedroom. Make meal time, family time -----turn off the TV during a family meal time. Better yet, remove the TV from the eating area. Make TV time active time by doing simple exercise during advertisement breaks. Help your kids be clever TV watchers by teaching them to recognize a sales trick in advertisements . Create family memories by planning fun activities instead of always watching TV with your family. * _ . Limit your own TV watching to less than two hours per day. The best way to learn is to follow; this is especially true for children. Which of the following is one piece of advice given in this passage? A Parents should teach children to judge TV advertisements. B TV should be removed from homes that have children. C The family should watch TV together while eating. D Parents should not allow children to watch TV. Answer: A. Parents should teach children to judge TV advertisements. Long long ago there was a poor man. He had an orange tree in his garden. On the tree there were many oranges . One day he found one of his oranges was much bigger than the others . It was as big as a football . Nobody had seen such a big orange . The poor man took the orange to the King. The King was so happy that he gave the man a lot of money for it . When a rich man heard of it . He said to himself, "It's only an orange. Why did the King give so much money for it ? I'll take my gold cup to the King. He'll give me more money ." The next day when the King received the gold cup. He said to the rich man "What a beautiful cup ! I'll show you something wonderful ! Please take this great orange." The poor man had an orange tree _ . A beside his garden B outside his garden C in his garden D near his garden Answer: C. in his garden Have you ever had that fantasy to visit the moon, grab a rock and throw it into space so it would float forever? Soon, if you have got the cash, you can! Enter the Artemis Project. This new and exciting project is a private one that will "establish a permanent, self-supporting manned lunar base," which translates into a community on the moon for people to live in. "It's not a question of whether it'll work, but rather how long it will take." according to Gregory Bennett, the founder of the Artemis Project On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the moon. That moment became a great achievement in both the space community and for humanity itself. Despite the significance of occasion, almost certainly when viewers saw images of his weightless, bouncing figure they thought, "That looks like fun!" So the Artemis team is taking realistic approach to a human fantasy: they are marketing the project of a lunar base as pure entertainment. Veronis, Suhler & Associates are investment bankers for the communications and media industry. Their research found that Americans spent over 40 billion dollars to be entertained in the movies, through home videos and television in 1999. California investor, Dennis Tito, recently took a trip to the International Space Station, after donating $20 million dollars to the Russian Space program. Wealthy celebrities like Canadian director James Cameron and the brothers of rock band Oasis have also voiced their interest to visit the big ball in the sky. In the same report by Veronis, Suhler & Associates, consumers spent close to 4 billion dollars on video-game software alone. So, for $1.42 billion dollars the Artemis Project is a drop in the entertainment bucket. University student, Al Dharsee says, "I would certainly go to the moon, if given the opportunity, so that I could look at the earth and laugh. But with the way we treat our own planet, I don't think we deserve to set foot on any planets or moons for that matter. However, if you're one of those ready to book a flight, don't pack your bags quite yet, your flight is not scheduled to depart for at least a couple of decades. What does Al DHarsee imply? A Most planets deserve to be employed. B Human beings may destroy the moon. C It costs too much to destroy the environment. D The trip to the moon doesn't appeal to him. Answer: B. Human beings may destroy the moon. Mike was the kind of guy you love to hate. He was always happy and always had something interesting to say. If someone asked him how he was doing, he would reply, "Couldn't be better!" He was really a care-free young man and never felt tired. Mike used to say, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, 'Mike, you have two choices today. You can choose to be happy or you can choose to be upset.' I choose to be happy. Each time something happens, I am always ready to learn a good lesson. I choose to learn from life." I tried to understand what he said. Indeed life is all about choices. Every situation is a choice. The bottom line is: You're living your life and you make it either happy or sad. Several years later I had a car accident and my legs were seriously injured. When I was lying on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or choose to die. I chose to live. People like to say, "Choose the one you love and love the one you choose." Why not choose the one we love and live happily? Which can be the best title for the passage? A Life Is Difficult B Life Is Different C Life Is Colorful D Life Is Full of Choices Answer: D. Life Is Full of Choices I no longer run for the mail the way I used to. I remember, prior to the e-mail age, the sense of heightened expectation as the hour of mail delivery approached, wondering what slender , handwritten treasures would appear in my box. I once received a letter from a long-lost friend and swelled with such joy that I ran the mail carrier down and shook his hand, as if he had done a heroic deed in conveying the missive to me. I first learned to love the mail as a young boy. The first thing I ever received that was personally addressed to me was from my friend Duane. We had been the closest of 9-year-old boys. Then he moved away, to Massachusetts. The parting was difficult, but boys didn't cry. Within the week, however, there was a letter in my mailbox. It was from Duane, and it read, "I'm OK, but I miss you." That first conveyance to me of a written word from a great distance had all the significance of the first Morse code message: "What hath God wrought." It was at that moment that I became a letter writer, quickly discovering that the more letters I wrote, the more I received. I wrote letters through elementary school, high school, college, and beyond. It got to the point where I could comfortably expect to receive a letter a day. _ - something toward which my thoughts began to move upon waking. What quickened my blood, of course, was the element of surprise: From whom would the letter be today? And what would the news be? And then, seemingly in the blink of an eye, the earth shifted. E-mail had arrived. Despite being fascinated by the new technology, I promised myself that I would never stop writing letters by hand. However, I had no control over the habits of others, and slowly, inexorably , and then with quickened pace, the letters disappeared from my mailbox, having been replaced with electronic "messages" , a totally different beast --in contrast to letters, all e-mails look alike. The author used to run for the mail mainly because _ . A he took great interest in mail delivery B he was looking forward to receiving letters C he tried to keep mail delivery from approaching D he wanted to thank the mailman for his heroic deed Answer: B. he was looking forward to receiving letters
Baths and bathing have long been considered of medical importance to man. In Greece there are the ruins of a water system for baths built over 3,000 years ago. The Romans had warm public baths. In some baths, as many 3,000 persons could bathe at the same time. Treating disease by taking bathing has been popular for centuries. Modern medical bathing first became popular in Europe and by the late 1700's has also become popular in the United States. For many years frequent bathing was believed to be bad for one's health. Ordinary bathing just to keep clean was avoided , and _ was often used to cover up body smells! By the 1700's doctors began to say that soap and water were good for health. They believed that it was good for people to be clean. Slowly, people began to bathe more frequently. During the Victorian Age of the late 19th century, taking a bath on Saturday night became common. In the United States ordinary bathing was slow to become popular. During the 18th and early 19th centuries, many Americans were known as "The Great Unwashed!" In one American city , for example, a person was only allowed to take a bath every thirty days! That was a law! Frequency of bathing today is partly a matter of habit. People know that bathing for cleanliness is important to health, Doctors know that dirty bodies increase the chance of diseases. As a result, in the United States, people generally bathe often. Some people bathe once a day at least. They consider a daily bath essential to good health. A water system for baths was built by _ over 3,000 years ago. the Greeks When sound waves with large amplitude are compared to sound waves with small amplitude, which of the following is true? Sound waves with large amplitudes have more energy and sound louder. The 18-meter-tall Rubber Duck arrived in Beijing on Friday. It was placed on waters in the International Garden Expo Park, where the Yongding River passes through. The Rubber Duck exhibition was designed by Dutch artist, Florentijn Hofman. It was part of the activities of Beijing Design Week, which ran from September 26 to October 3 in 2013. The Rubber Duck stayed in the park until September 23, then moved to the Summer Palace, a famous Beijing tourist spot, where it was on display until October 26. The duck is made of over 200 pieces of rubber. It was guarded not only by staff, but also by 10 volunteers wearing yellow T-shirts and hats with a rubber duck logo. Sun Yidong, a volunteer who guided visitors to the duck, said the art brought energy to the traditional Chinese park. "Seeing the giant Rubber Duck makes me feel like I'm a kid again." Sun said. Because of the rain on Friday, there were not too many people coming to see it. The Expo workers said they expected more people to come and visit the duck on weekends. Zhao Yan said she had been following news about the duck since 2007, when the duck began its journey. "I even considered going to Hong Kong to see it. It's great that the duck is in Beijing," Zhao said. Before arriving in Beijing, the Rubber Duck traveled to 13 cities in nine countries. "The aim of the Rubber Duck is simply to bring everyone back to their childhood again," said Zeng Hui, a leader of the Beijing Design Week Organizing Committee Office. "It can be a toy for adults." ,. Why weren't there too many people going to see the Rubber Duck on Friday? The weather was not good. This is a photo of Mr. Black's family. The man with glasses is Mr. Black, the father. The woman is the mother. They have a son and a daughter. The son is behind(....) Jack and Kate are in the same school, but they are in different grades. Jack is in Grade Three and Kate is in Grade One. They are good students. Mr. and Mrs. Black have _ . a son and a daughter Animals United Animals United is a 3D German cartoon which is directed by Reinhard Klooss and Holger Tappe.It is a story about animals that get together to find water.Along their journey, lots of funny things happen, and of course, they have a lot of adventures. The animals in the grasslands in Africa are waiting for the coming flood.However, this year's flood seems to come later than in other years.The animals become upset and worried.At the same time, some animals from other places come to the grasslands to look for peace.However, the situation seems worse because the water is becoming less and less.So they decide to look for the river. Finally, they find the reason why they don't have any water to drink.A dam has been set up so that humans can have a better life.After a long fight with humans, they let the world know that animals are in danger. This film is about environmental matters.The humans are the bad and the animals are the good.This film is to give humans a warning that they must not destroy the homes of animals or damage nature in order to improve their own life.Humans should know that animals also have their own world. The story of the cartoon film mainly tells us _ . humansshouldcareabouttheenvironment
HK's family affair The 32nd Hong Kong Art Festival, to be held early next year, will be based on the theme of "family". The art festival, considered to be Asia's best, was launched in 1973. "We hope that people from Beijing and from all over the world will go to Hong Kong to enjoy the multiple performances in our art festival," Douglas Gautier, the festival's management director, told a press briefing in the capital. In the 34 days of the festival, which runs from February 8 to March 7, 2004, the audience can choose from 111 performances of 51 programmes staged by 700 foreign performers, 450 local artists and 160 actors from the mainland. Programmes vary from classical music, jazz, world music, Western and Peking opera, drama and dance to outdoor spectaculars. The programmes include Beethoven's only opera Fidelio, Shakespeare's drama Romeo and Juliet, the ballet Mozartina and African dances, to name just a few. The lineup includes the English Touring Theatre, Prague Chamber Orchestra, Zurich Ballet, the Spanish National Dance Troupe, as well as Europe Galante, the Petersen Quartet, pianists Angela Hewitt, and arc-Andre Hamelin, and saxophonist Jan Garbarek. In an effort to increase attention, hotels and airlines are offering discount packages along with art festival ticket sales. For more information, please check _ The press briefing must have been held _ . A. in Hong Kong B. in Europe C. in Beijing D. in Zurich Answer: C. in Beijing FROM dogs and cats to pandas and penguins, lists of adorable animals can be very varied. However, when it comes to scary animals, the answers are often more or less the same - snakes and spiders are among the most dreadful ones for the majority of us. However, most of us have never been bitten by a snake or a spider. So does this mean we are born with a fear of certain things? Scientists have been actively looking into it for a long time. For example, studies have suggested that babies find live animals much more interesting than stuffed ones. This interest continues even if those animals are snakes and spiders. A study published in Psychological Science in 2008 seemed to show that snakes did have a different impact on babies. When scientists presented babies with animal videos along with random sounds of happy or frightened human voices, they found that babies looked at snakes for longer than any other animal however the voices sounded. Now, a team from Rutgers University in New Jersey, US has tried to challenge the idea that babies are born with a fear of snakes and spiders. According to the BBC, the researchers measured babies' physiological responses as they watched videos of snakes and elephants paired with both fearful and happy voices. Scientists then set out to surprise the babies to see how they would react. They presented them with an unexpected bright flash of light as they watched a video. As the BBC explained, a surprise like this would be more intense if the babies were already scared, just like when we watch scary films and jump more if we are already scared. However, according to their findings, published recently in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, babies' surprised responses were not bigger when watching a video of a snake, even when it was shown with a fearful voice. Their heart response was also lower, which also made it seem that babies were not scared. "Children do not have an _ fear of snakes," concluded the study. Even if previous studies had suggested that babies have different responses to snakes, it isn't necessarily related to fear. "It's possible that paying more attention to something might make fear learning easier later on. It leads to fear learning," said research co-author Vanessa LoBue. She further explained that it was a good thing that humans didn't have an inborn fear of snakes because it would make a young infant's desire to explore new things less strong. Instead, we have evolved to quickly learn to be afraid of something if it turns out to be dangerous. How did babies react when the researchers from Rutgers University surprised them while they were watching a video of a snake? A. They paid more attention to the snakes when they heard a fearful voice. B. Babies' heart responses changed slightly when they heard a fearful voice. C. A fearful voice didn't make their surprised response become more intense. D. They became more scared when they experienced an unexpected bright flash of light. Answer: C. A fearful voice didn't make their surprised response become more intense. Scientists think that many animals cannot see colours. The world is black and white to them. Scientists want to find out if dogs can see colours. When the scientists give the dogs food, they show them a certain colour every time. The dogs get ready to eat when they see this colour. The scientists then show the dogs another colour. Again the dogs get ready to eat. The colours are all the same to them. Colours are not all the same to monkeys. For example, if we put food in a red box, and do this every day, a monkey will always go to the red box to get food. If we put food in a blue box, the monkey won't go to it. If we put food in a blue box and do this every day, a monkey will always go to _ . A. the red box to get food B. the blue box and put food in it C. the blue box to get food D. the red box and put food in it Answer: C. the blue box to get food All the wisdom of the ages, all the stories that have delighted mankind for centuries, are easily and cheaply available to all of us within the covers of books but we must know how to avail ourselves of this treasure and how to get the most from it. The most unfortunate people in the world are those who have never discovered how satisfying it is to read good books. Readingis pleasure of the mind, which means that it is a little like a sport: your eagerness and knowledge and quickness make you a good reader. Reading is fun, not because the writer is telling you something, but because it makes your mind work. Your own imagination works along with the author's or even goes beyond his. Your experience, compared with his, brings you to the same or different conclusions, and your ideas develop as you understand his. Every book stands by itself, like a one family house, but books in a library are like houses in a city. Although they are separate, together they all add up to something, they are connected with each other and with other cities. The same ideas, or related ones, turn up in different places; the human problems that repeat themselves in life repeat themselves in literature, but with different solutions according to different writings at different times. Books influence each other; they link the past, the present and the future and have their own generations, like families. Wherever you start reading you connect yourself with one of the families of ideas, and in the long run, you not only find out about the world and the people in it; you find out about yourself, too. Readingcan only be fun if you expect it to be. If you concentrate on books somebody tells you "ought" to read, you probably won't have fun. But if you put down a book you don't like and try another till you find one that means something to you, and then relax with it, you will almost certainly have a good time -- and if you become, as a result of reading, better, wiser, kinder, or more gentle, you won't have suffered during the process. For a reader, the most important is to _ . A. buy some cheap books easily. B. get benefits from the books. C. collect and treasure the books D. promote good books. Answer: B. get benefits from the books. It is sometimes said that strange flying objects have been seen high up in the sky. People call these strange objects Unidentified Flying Objects(UFOs). These UFOs caused a lot of interest. Some of the reports about them are difficult to believe. Some have been explained in scientific ways. Others have never been explained. Here is an account of UFOs from a report. Dennis Burdens, who wrote an article, tells us that he once saw a UFO himself. He was having dinner one night with a friend near Tripoli, Libya, and after dinner the two men walked across a yard to his room to look at some papers. Burdens noticed that the moon looked strange that night. "It wasn't the moon," was the reply. They watched the light and saw that it was moving. It seemed to be an object rather like a big plate. In some ways it looked like smoke with a light on it, but it wasn't smoke because it didn't change its shape. It was moving in a regular way. That is to say, it didn't go suddenly faster or more slowly, and it didn't go higher or lower. So the two men decided that there must be men in it. After that, Burdens said that he felt eyes looking at him. He was being watched in the darkness. When it was nearer, they noticed that the bottom parts were brighter than the top. The bottom was yellow and the top red. Then the object suddenly turned away and left Libya, moving very fast. On a later day Burdens talked to other people about it, and he found some who had seen it. They all described it in the same way. Could they all be mistaken? A UFO was seen one night _ . A. when they were walking across a yard to Burdens' room B. while they were looking at the light C. when Burdens noticed the moon appearing strange D. while they were having dinner Answer: A. when they were walking across a yard to Burdens' room
Mr. and Mrs. Harris had always spent their summer holidays in a small hotel at the seaside near their hometown. One year, however, Mr. Harris made a lot of money in his factory, so they decided to go to a foreign country and stay at a really good hotel. They flew to Paris, and arrived at a 5-star hotel late in the evening. They thought they would have to go to bed hungry, because in that small hotel where they used to stay in the past, no meals were served after seven in the evening. They were surprised to be told that the hotel served dinner until ten. "Then what are the times of meals?" asked Mrs. Harris. "Well, Madam, we serve breakfast from seven to eleven, lunch from twelve to three, tea from four to five, and dinner from six to ten." "But that hardly leaves any time for us to see the city!" said Mrs. Harris. What did Mrs. Harris think of the times of the meals in the hotel? She thought they would have to spend too much time on meals instead of travelling. A mother, who wished to encourage her son's progress in playing the piano, bought tickets for a performance by the great Polish pianist Ignace Paderewski.When the evening arrived, they found their seats near the front of the concert hall and eyed the impressive Steinway waiting on the stage.Not long after they arrived, the mother came across a friend in the hall and they began to talk with each other.Meanwhile the boy slipped away and could be found nowhere. At eight o'clock, the lights in the concert hall began to fail, and then the spotlights came on.Only then did they notice the boy who was up on the piano bench, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star".Seeing this, his mother was shocked and embarrassed.But before she could bring her son back, the master appeared on the stage and quickly moved to the keyboard. He whispered gently to the boy, "Don't quit.Keep playing." Learning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in the bass part.Soon his right arm reached around the other side and performed a delightful accompaniment .Together, the old master and the young boy performed so wonderfully and harmoniously on the stage and they held the attention of the crowd with their beautiful music. In all our lives, we receive helping hands from time to time--some we notice; some we don't.Equally we ourselves have countless opportunities to offer helping hands--sometimes we want our assistance to be noticed, sometimes we don't.Little of what we all achieve is without learning from others and without support from others.We are supposed to hand out what we have received. Seeing the boy playing the piano, the great master _ . encouraged him to continue Which of the following can be found on the moon? Non-volcanic Mountains A thing with cells is going to expand, but first requires nourishment The moon will show a different type of this each week. fullness
The Beijing Youth Daily on Thursday called attention to the struggles of traditional operas in China. The newspaper said the number of unique traditional Chinese opera styles had decreased to 286 from 368 in 1959, with three disappearing every two years on average. Altogether, 74 opera styles had only one troupe left, and most were at the risk of fading away. Xie Boliang, a professor at the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, said, "It is well known that people should be held accountable for soil erosion, but why do we feel at ease when traditional operas fade away?" Overwhelmed by modern culture and entertainment such as movies, TV programs and pop music, traditional Chinese operas have been severely marginalized. Despite being included on the state-level Intangible Cultural Heritage list, some operas still have no place to perform. Because of the market slump and low salaries, more traditional Chinese opera practitioners are finding other work, as are many directors and playwrights. Sun Jiazheng, chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, said traditional operas are important carriers of Chinese culture, and should be preserved. The State Council issued a circular in July calling for the promotion and protection of traditional Chinese operas, saying that it would allocate financial support and extend preferential policies to opera troupes and schools. The passage might come from _ . a news website Producing money requires both artistic and technological skills. Dollar bills are made so that they are interesting to look at but very hard to copy. In total, there are sixty-five separate steps required to make a dollar bill. The money making process begins when. a yearly order is sent by the Federal Reserve Board. That order will then be divided in half. Half will be done here in Washington, D. C.and the other half will be done in Fort Worth, Texas. Next, the Bureau orders special paper which is actually cloth since it is 75% cotton and 25% linen. This paper is made so that it can last a long time. And, it is made with details that make it hard to copy. For example, bills contain security threads. These narrow pieces of plastic are inside the paper and run along the width of the bill. This special paper is also made with very small blue and red fibers. Once the money is printed, guillotine cutters separate the sheets into two notes, then into individual notes. The notes are organized in "bricks," each of which contains forty one-hundred-note packages. The bricks then go to one of twelve Federal Reserve Districts, which then give the money to local banks. Ninety-five percent of the bills printed each year are used to replace money that is in circulation, or that has already been removed from circulation. You may know that America's first president, George Washington, is pictured on the one- dollar bill. But do you know whose face is on the two, five, ten, twenty, fifty and one hundred-dollar bills? They are, in order. President Thomas Jefferson, President Abraham Lincoln, Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, President Andrew Jackson, President Ulysses Grant and statesman Benjamin Franklin. The average life span of a one-dollar bill is twenty-one months. But a ten-dollar bill lasts only about eighteen months. The one hundred-dollar bill lasts the longest, eighty-nine months. One popular question is about the two-dollar bill. This bill is not printed very often. This is because many Americans believe two-dollar bills are lucky, so they keep them. During money production, we must consider all EXCEPT that it must _ . be done by the president's order Cardinals incubate their young Interactive television advertising,which allows viewers to use their remote controls to click on advertisements, has been pushed for years. Nearly a decade ago it was predicted that viewers of "Friends", a popular situation comedy, would soon be able to purchase a sweater like Jennifer Aniston's with a few taps on their remote control. "it's been the year of interactive television advertising for the last ten or twelve years," says Collin Dixon of a digital-media consultancy. So the news that Cablevision, an American cable company, was rolling out interactive advertisements to all its customers on October 6th was greeted with some skepticism. During commercials, an overlay will appear at the bottom of the screen, prompting viewers to press a button to request a free sample or order a catalogue. Cablevision hopes to allow customers to buy things with their remote controls early next year. Television advertising could do with a boost. Spending fell by 10% in the first half of the year. The popularization of digital video recorders has caused advertisers to worry that their commercials will be skipped. Some are turning to the Internet, which is cheaper and offers concrete measurements like click-through rates-especially important at a time when marketing budgets are tight. With the launch of interactive advertising, "many of the dollars that went to the Internet will come back to the TV," says David Kline of Cablevision. Or so the industry hopes. In theory, interactive advertising can engage viewers in a way that 30-second spot or not. Unilever recently ran an interactive campaign for its Axe deodorant , which kept viewers engaged for more than three minutes on average. The amount spent on interactive advertising on television is still small. Magna, an advertising agency, reckons it will be worth about $138 million this year. That falls far short of the billions of dollars people once expected it to generate. But DirecTV, Comcast and Time Warner Cable have all invested in it. Yet there are doubts whether people watching television, a "lean back" medium, crave interaction. Click-through rates have been high so far (around3-4%, compared with less than 0.3% online), but that may be a result of the novelty. Interactive ads and viewers might not go well together. By saying "It's been the year of interactive television advertising for the last ten or twelve years"Colin Dixon means_. Interactive television advertising has not achieved the anticipated results. Which of the following processes is an important part of star formation? nuclear fusion
Peter Woolf and Will Riley, both 55, greet each other with a large hug whenever they meet. They're now really good friends, but they weren't ten years ago. Before the men ever had a proper conversation, they had a serious physical fight. Peter hit Will over the head with a heavy pot, and then they both rolled down the stairs of Will's North London home before Peter hit him again with a pot. Will was knocked out and bleeding from the back of the head, but he refused to give in to Peter-a desperate heroin addict with a 30-year habit who had broken into Will's home to steal whatever valuables he could then sell to buy drugs. It was 5 p.m. on March 2002, when Peter forced the front door of Will's five-storey Georgian home in Islington. And when Will walked into his bedroom to get something, he was shocked to find an unpleasant-smelling man in front of him. "I asked him what he was doing in my house, and he said he was a neighbor who had heard a noise and was worried," says Will. "I was sure he was a thief, so as he went past me, I grabbed him and pushed him to the floor. "I managed to get him downstairs and out into the street after pulling his jacket down to trap his arms. I was shouting, 'Thief! Thief!' Someone had heard me shouting and called the police, who arrived within minutes." The police put Peter into the back of their police car. He soon began a three-year sentence in London's Pentonville Prison on a charge of breaking and entering. Despite having spent 18 years of his life in prison, Peter somehow remained hopeful that he could clean himself up, stop taking drugs and go on to do something useful on his eventual release. A few weeks later, Will received a telephone call from police officer Kim Smith, who explained that a trial in restorative justice was about to take place and he wondered if Will would like to meet Peter, who was waiting for sentencing. Will met Peter again. He says, "I thought I might be able to help him change _ ." Will saved Peter's life. "We're great friends, we get on extremely well, and when we meet, we talk about everything," says Will. "Peter's a fine man." According to the text, Will is _ . Answer: First aid is emergency care for a victim of sudden illness or injury until more skillful medical treatment is available. It may save a life or improve certain vital signs including pulse, temperature, a clear airway, and breathing. In minor emergencies, first aid may prevent a victim's condition from turning worse and provide relief from pain. First aid must be done as quickly as possible. In the case of the seriously injured, a few minutes can make the difference between complete recovery and loss of life. First-aid measures depend upon a victim's needs and the provider's level of knowledge and skill. Knowing what not to do in an emergency is as important as knowing what to do. Improperly moving a person with a neck injury, for example, can lead to permanent spinal injury and paralysis . Despite the variety of injuries possible, several principles of first aid apply to all emergencies. The first step is to call for professional medical help. The victim, if conscious, should be reassured that medical aid has been requested, and asked for permission to provide any first aid. Next, assess the scene, asking other people or the injured person's family or friends about details of the injury or illness, any care that may have already been given, and pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or heart trouble. The victim should be checked for a medical card that describes special medical conditions. Unless the accident scene becomes unsafe or the victim may suffer further injury, do not move the victim. First aid requires rapid assessment of victims to determine whether life-threatening conditions exist. One method for evaluating a victim's condition is known by the acronym ABC, which stands for: A---Airway: is it open and clear? B---Breathing: is the person breathing? Look, listen, and feel for breathing. C---Circulation: is there a pulse? Is the person bleeding extremely? Check skin color and temperature for additional indications of circulation problems. Before we administer first aid to a victim, it is very important for us _ . Answer: Have you ever had an embarrassing experience? Last week we asked readers to tell us about embarrassing experiences. We received thousands of letters! Here is a selection. Tony: My most embarrassing experience happened when I had just left university. I had just started teaching in a Liverpool secondary school. One morning my alarm clock didn't ring. I woke up at half past eight and school began at nine. I quickly washed, dressed, jumped into my car and rushed to school. When I arrived, the students had already gone into class. I didn't go to the office, but went straight into class. After two or three minutes the students began laughing, and I couldn't understand why! Suddenly I looked down and understood. I had put on one black shoe and one brown shoe! Henry: The most embarrassing experience I've ever had happened two years ago. After seeing a film, my wife and I had lunch in our favorite restaurant in town. Then we decided to take a walk along the street. The street was very busy and we started holding hands. Suddenly my wife saw a dress in a shop window and stopped. I started looking at some watches in the next window. After a minute or two I reached for my wife's hand. There was a loud scream, and a woman slapped my face. I hadn't taken my wife's hand!I'd taken the hand of a stranger! Henry and his wife held hands _ . Answer: Full of happiness and sadness, the year 2015 is coming to an end and we invite you, the foreign friends to share your stories with our millions of readers all over the world. We will choose some of the best and give prizes to the writers. _ Foreigners with some experiences about China during the past year. You may have visited for just a few days, stayed longer here or just met with Chinese in your own countries. What to write? Anything about China or Chinese people that happened to you. It can be Chinese food, buildings, tradition or anything you think worth writing about. How to join? E-mail your writing to readers@chinadaily.com.cn. Rules: At least 200 words and one photo about your story. More words and photos are encouraged. Please write the information, such as who, what, where and when, below your photos. Prize: A mobile phone. Deadline : December 26th, 2015. This passage comes from _ . Answer: Sue and Linda usually go to school by car. They drive past a cinema, a supermarket and a food shop. The food shop is next to the supermarket. Jack and Michael usually go to school by bus. They go past a bank and a post office. The bank is next to the post office. Mary usually goes to work by bike. She rides a bike past a police office, a library and a swimming pool. How many people are there in this passage? Answer:
The phone ID flashed, "Emergency Vet". "Oh no" I whispered. I could not lose Merlin now. Ron and I had tried to have children for a long time with depressing results. I threw myself into my work. Any maternal feelings I had were spent on Merlin. I couldn't wait to get home from work each night. I wanted to pick up that warm bundle of loving fur and nestle him. I wanted to sing "Rock-a-bye Merlin", as I did every night as he would put his paws around my neck. Merlin was my comfort especially at times when I wondered if God was listening. But last night something had changed. Not only did I sing "Rock-a-Bye Merlin", but I asked, "What will I do after you're gone?" Although Merlin was 19 years old, a senior in the age of a cat, he didn't look or act that way. I didn't want to accept the fact that he was nearing the end of his lifetime. My job at the law firm was so demanding and stressful that I couldn't imagine getting through the day without Merlin waiting to greet me at home. I dialed the vet's number. I asked for my husband but he already left. Then I took a breath and asked the question that no one wants to ask, "Is my Merlin still alive?" The nurse said "yes." Ron came home and said that Merlin had almost no red blood cells left. White blood cells were replacing them. Merlin would need expensive transfusions most likely on a monthly basis. We both knew Merlin was running out of time. I asked Ron to drive me to the vet so I could say goodbye to my little boy cat but he was beat tired and it was late. Ron said if Merlin was still alive the next morning then he would take me to the vet. _ Merlin had survived the night. After driving to the vet, I went into the examining room. The nurse brought Merlin and placed him on an examining table on his side. His eyes were tightly shut. I thought he died already. I carefully edged my hand to reach his body. His body felt warm, but when I spoke his name there was no response. No response to his name or that I was there and that I loved him. I was extremely sad. In that examining room I felt helpless. I wondered how many people in an examining room felt as helpless as I did. Feeling driven to prayer I yelled, "God this isn't good enough. I need to see my Merlin the way I remember him, I need a miracle and I need it now!" At that moment, God granted a miracle. Merlin's favorite compliment entered my mind. I said, "Merlin, You are Beautiful and You are Gorgeous, do you hear me?" One eye opened. I said "Gotcha". I kept repeating those words. Merlin opened the other eye and, one limb at a time, got up. He was waiting for that phrase. He wanted to hear that he was beautiful and gorgeous again. Then I experienced another miracle. There was no sound in that examining room until Merlin started walking to me. From out of nowhere, or maybe from heaven, I clearly heard a song we sung in church often: "It Is Well With My Soul." I remembered thinking, "Yes, it is well with my Soul. I got to see my little boy cat one more time." Merlin walked to me. He put his face in mine, which he had never done before. He rubbed a circle around my face twice. Merlin said goodbye with his face and marked me for life. Ron appeared shocked that Merlin was up and had walked to me. I said to Merlin, "Tell God you are a good boy and how much we love you" and then handed him back to the nurse. Tears of gratitude poured forth in memory of a miracle. You see for nineteen years God spoke to me through a special cat named "Merlin." On Merlin's last day, God proved he heard me when he granted a miracle. That miracle gave me time to say goodbye. Which of the following can be the proper title? Answer: People usually think it is very easy to cook instant noodles . They usually put the noodles into the boiling water and add in the MSG, together with the other things like eggs or vegetables. However, have you ever wondered if this is the correct way of cooking them? Do you know what is on the surface of the noodles? People use something like wax to cover the noodles when they make them, so that the noodles can join together nicely before they are put into the _ . Many people enjoy eating them without thinking of this. But a report said the wax covered on the noodles was very bad for our bodies. They said it needed about 2-3days to clear away the wax in our bodies after we ate it. So it is dangerous to have too much wax stayed in our stomachs. But it is not difficult to wash away the wax. Before you cook the noodles, wash them with hot water and then pour away the water. Do it like this twice, and you can wash the wax away. Then and you can cook the noodles as usual. What's the right way to cook the instant noodles? Answer: Bamboo is one of the nature's most surprising plants. Many people call this plant a tree, but it is a kind of grass. Like other kinds of grass, a bamboo plant may be cut very low to the ground, but it will grow back very quickly. A Japanese scientist recorded one bamboo plant that grew almost 1.5 meters in 24 hours! Bamboo grows almost everywhere in the world except Europe . There are more than 1,000 kinds of bamboo that grow around the world on both mountains and plains. Not all bamboo looks the same. Some bamboo plants are very thin. They may only grow to be a few centimeters wide while others may grow to more than 30 centimeters across. This plant also comes in different colors, from yellow to black to green. Many Asian countries have been using bamboo for hundreds of years. They often use bamboo for building new buildings. As a matter of fact, the cables hold up the hanging bridge across the Min River in Sichuan are made of bamboo. The bridge has been in use for more than 1,000 years, and is still holding strong. In Africa, engineers are teaching poor farmers how to find water using bamboo. These African countries need cheap ways to find water because they have no money, and their fields often die from no rain and no water. It seems that bamboo is one of the best things they can use. Bamboo pipes and drills can help to make the poor thirsty fields be watered. How is bamboo like grass? Answer: Teenagers in the UK and the US get to watch some wonderful TV shows. Why not have a look at a few of them yourself and take the chance to practice your English at the same time? Modern Family Network: ABC Number of seasons: 3 The TV drama features two families, modern and traditional. The first is a typical American family with 3 adolescent children. Claire is a traditional mom, while Phil, the father, wants to be friends with his three children; he can name all the songs in the hit film High School Musical. The second family is made up of a 60- year-old man, Jay, his attractive young Latin American wife, Gloria , and her 11-year-old son, Alex. Jay is 30 years older than Gloria and everyone thinks they are father and daughter. 2 Broke Girls Network: CBS Number of seasons: 1 Max Black is a cafe waitress and babysitter in Brooklyn, New York; Caroline Channing is the daughter of a Manhattan millionaire. Neither of them ever imagined making friends with the other. But when Caroline loses all of her fortune after her father goes to prison, she applies for a job as a waitress in the same cafe and has to learn from Max. Problems are unavoidable, but luckily, kind-hearted girls can always make things work out. They turn out to be great at helping each other out in their endless struggle against strange customers and picky bosses. Gradually a friendship develops. True Blood Network: HBO Number of seasons: 4 Vampires live on in countless books, movies and television shows. If the Twilight series got you interested in vampire myths, then look no further than True Blood for another exciting adventure. Sookie Statckhouse is a small-town waitress. She is also telepathic . A meet with Bill Compton in a bar turns her life upside down. Bill is a vampire and that night Sookie saves him from a murder attempt. Sookie then becomes involved in a series of murder cases. The love between Sookie and Bill adds a touch of romance to a thrilling story. Merlin Network: BBC Number of seasons:4 King Arthur is one of the most important mythical figures in England. But the BBC tells a slightly different story from the legend. Instead of focusing on Arthur, it is Merlin, the wizard who helps Arthur all the way through his adventures, who takes the lead role. Rather than the wise old wizard who instructs Arthur in the legend, the TV dram turns him into a handsome young man. Merlin meets Arthur in the kingdom of Camelot and believes that he is an arrogant bully . Arthur, likewise, has a less than great opinion of Merlin. The series focuses on how a friendship grows between the two. The love between _ is something of a Shakespearean, tragic element, in the sense that not only is love forbidden, but also that love and death are joined. Answer: Ally was at home, sitting in her chair. She was drinking orange juice. Orange juice was her favorite drink, because she loved its sweet taste. Ally's sister was sitting on the carpet. She was drawing a pair of pink socks. Ally's sister loved the color pink, because she thought it was cute. Ally's brother was also sitting on the carpet. He was drinking coffee with lots of sugar in it. He loved sugar because it made him feel energetic. All of the sudden, there was a knock at the door. Ally's sister answered it. When she opened the door, she saw an alligator wearing a suit and tie! Ally's sister screamed, and closed the door. "Please," the alligator said, "Don't be afraid. I want to draw with you." Ally's sister opened the door, and the alligator came inside. He sat on the carpet, and started drawing his own pair of pink socks. Ally's sister sat down, and joined him. Why did Ally love orange juice? Answer:
In the world ,soccer is the most popular sport. This is because many countries have wonderful teams for the World Cup. The World Cup is held every four years. To remember 2002 FIFA World Cup ,children from different countries and more than 60 children from Japanese schools came together and spent three weekends drawing a big picture called "Dream World Cups "in Japan .The children drew animals, flowers and people playing soccer under a blue bright sky. They wished each soccer team good luck by drawing the flags of all the countries that would take part in the World Cup in Japan and South Korea.The picture was put up in a park near a playground in Yokohama .Some soccer teams would have games there. Are you a soccer fan ?The World Cup makes more and more people interested in soccer. Teenagers like playing and watching soccer .Many of them love some soccer stars so much that they get the pictures of their favourite players on the walls of their rooms. That is the way to show their love for the World Cup as children in Japan.As Chinese teenagers,if we stick on to our soccer dream,it will come true.Let's take action now. In "Dream World Cup",the children drew the flags of some countries _ . A to show their love for their owe country. B to tell the people their stories C to show their good wishes for the soccer teams. D to show their new ideas about football Answer: C. to show their good wishes for the soccer teams. A good way to pass an exam is to work hard every day in the year. You may fail in an exam if you are lazy for most of the year and then work hard only a few days before the exam. Do not remember only grammar when you are learning English. Try to read stories in English and speak in English as often as you can. A few days before the exam you should go to bed early. Do not study late at night. Before you start the exam, read carefully over the exam paper. Try to understand the exact meaning of each question before you pick up your pen to write. When you have finished your exam, read your answers again. Correct the mistakes if there are any and make sure you have not missed anything out. It is _ to go to bed late at night before the exam. A useful B important C not helpful D difficult Answer: C. not helpful There would be a school party on Friday evening. The girls were talking about what they were going to wear. "I'm going to wear a black dress, so everybody will notice me," said Emily. "How about you, Linda?" "I'm not sure. Maybe jeans, an old shirt, and a hat. People will notice me more than you!" Linda said. "What are we going to do about the boys?" asked Jane. "Do you remember the last school party, last year? They just stood there, and we girls had to dance by ourselves!" "I hear that some of the boys learned how to dance this summer. Maybe it'll be better this time," said Mary. The party was held on Friday evening. Groups of students arrived. The music began. The girls stood in a line on one side, and the boys on another side. Mr. Green, their teacher, tried to get them together, but failed. After a while, Tim said, "I don't want to stand here the whole time. The party is only for two hours. It'll be over soon." He started to dance. All the others watched him. Then David asked Emily if she wanted to dance. Then Jack and Linda. Then, all began to dance. Soon there were more dancers than watchers. The girls wanted people to _ . A buy them some dresses B teach them how to dance C notice them D invite them to the school party Answer: C. notice them In an ideal world,people would not test medicines on animals. Such experiments are stressful and sometimes painful for animals,and expensive and timeconsuming for people. Yet animal experimentation is still needed to help bridge vast gaps in medical knowledge. That is why there are some 50 to 100 million animals used in research around the world each year. Europe,on the whole,has the world's most restrictive laws on animal experiments. Even so,its scientists use some 12 million animals a year,most of them mice and rats,for medical research. Official statistics show that just 1.1 million animals are used in research in America each year. But that is misleading. The American authorities do not think mice and rats are worth counting and,as these are the most common laboratory animals,the true figure is much higher. Japan and China have even less comprehensive data than America. Now Europe is reforming the rules governing animal experiments by restricting the number of animals used in labs. Alternatives to animal testing,such as using human tissue or computer models,are now strongly recommended. In addition,sharing all research results freely should help to reduce the number of animals for scientific use. At present,scientists often share only the results of successful experiments. If their findings do not fit the hypothesis being tested,the work never sees the light of day. This practice means wasting time,money,and animals' lives in endlessly repeating the failed experiments. Animal experimentation has taught humanity a great deal and saved countless lives. It needs to continue,even if that means animals sometimes suffer. Europe's new measures should eventually both reduce the number of animals used in experiments and improve the way in which scientific research is conducted. Which of the following is mentioned as an alternative to replace animal experiments? A Statistical studies. B Computer models. C DNA planted in animals. D Tissue from dead animals. Answer: B. Computer models. Rock singer Wu Tong says mixing musical styles is not only creative, it also shows that people can live together harmoniously. The track Linglong Tower was Wu's most popular piece when he performed in Tianjin, a city with a long tradition of quyi or narrative music. Honored as the "Shakespeare of the Asian," Cao Yu was one of the greatest playwrights of 20th-Century China. "Sunrise", Cao Yu's second play, was published in 1936. Following his first work "Thunderstorm," In 1937, the young playwright's third play, "The Wilderness," was released. In 1940, Cao Yu completed the writing of his fifth play, "Peking Man," A winner of the 2011 L'Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards, Professor Reng Yonghua says she could not have done it without the backing of her family. As a mother of two daughters, 12 and 14, Reng said she is lucky to have been supported by her family. Joan Chen, Gong Li, Zhang Ziyi - who's the next of their ilk? Most agree 24-year-old Liu Yifei is the likely contender to become an internationally Chinese actress.Born to a French-language professor and a dancer, Liu received training in dancing, singing and piano as a little girl. She moved to the United States at 10 and spent four years in New York City's Long Island. Wang Zhiming grew up in a family of instrument makers, but he is the only one who could actually play a violin.Wang, 51, has been making violins for more than 30 years. He grew up around violins and musical instruments. He is the third generation of instrument makers in his family, following his grandfather and father. , . Cao Yu's second play _ was published in1936. A Sunrise. B Peking Man C Thunderstorm D Wilderness Answer: A. Sunrise.
Tom likes to talk much but his father doesn't want him to speak when they have their meals.One day,when they have supper,Tom wants to say something,but he doesn't say.His father sees it and asks him,"Well,my boy.What's it?""Are flies good to eat,Father?"asks Tom."No,"says his father,"Why do you ask that?""You have one on your food and you have swallowed it." Tom wants to say something about _ at the supper. Answer: There was a famous church in London. It was 110 meters high. The center of the church was like a bell. The ceiling of the church was painted by a famous artist. A platform was built so that the artist could put up the ladder on it and paint the ceiling. The platform was about 70 meters over the ground. One day the artist was working hard and had nearly finished one popular corner of the ceiling. _ Suddenly, his assistant shouted, picked up a small bowl of paint and started to paint the artist's work on the top. The artist was very angry and rushed forwards to stop him. "What do you think you are doing?" he shouted angrily. "Are you mad?" His assistant replied, "I saw you walking backwards to have a better look at your painting. But you didn't notice that you had reached the very edge of the platform. You were in great danger. I wanted to make you move forwards. If I had not made you run forwards, you would have fallen backwards off the edge of the platform. The story happened in _ . Answer: Dear sir, Your shipment of twelve thousand 'Smart' watches was received by our company this morning.However we wish to make a number of complaints concerning the serious delay in delivery and your failure to carry out our specific instructions with regard to this order. It was stressed from the beginning that the delivery date had to be less than six weeks from the first order, in order to meet our own customers'requirements.While we understand that delays in production are occasionally unavoidable,we must point out that the major reason why, the order was placed with your company was because we were assured by you of its speed of delivery, and that your existing stocks were sufficiently high to ensure immediate shipment.Late delivery of the goods has caused us to disappoint several of our most valued customers,and _ have a negative effect on the potential future orders. The second complaint concerns the difference in colour between the watches we ordered and those delivered.It was stated clearly in the original order that watches in combinations of green/purple and orange/purple only were required.However only half the watches in the delivery received are of the colours specified.Our Hong Kong agent assures us that she stressed to you the importance of following our instructions precisely, since we consider there to be only a limited market in this country for watches of other colours at the present time.Any watches that are not of ate specified colours will,of course,be returned to you. We are also somewhat concerned about the rather poor quality of the goods received,since it is obvious that the watches that finally arrived have been produced from inferior materials and have been manufactured to a lower standard than those in the sample.We have also found that a number of the watches do not appear to be functioning.Whether the latter problem is due to poor manufacture,damage during transportation or bad batteries is not yet clear, but we should like to point out that we feel this matter to be only your responsibility. As a result of the above problem,therefore,we feel that the most suitable course of action is to return to you unpaid any of the goods considered unsatisfactory, and to subtract any resulting costs from our final settlement.We shall also, of course, be forced to reconsider whether any further orders should be placed with your company. We look forward to your prompt reply. Yours sincerely, John Smith The manufactures of"Smart''watches were given the order because_. Answer: E-Cooking Games Thanks for visiting E-Cooking Games!We offer many different types of free online food games for kids. You can find games where you can bake your own cakes, make your own hot dogs, pies and a lot more .You will also find more than just food games. You will find games where you can play makeup games, car games, adventure games and more. All of the games on our website can be played for free. We are constantly adding new games, so you should keep checking back daily. We take pride in all of the cooking games and other food games we add to our website and make sure that we have games that will interest everyone, either boys or girls who enjoy baking up delicious treats. Here on our site, we have great online games with many different recipes that any little baker will love. These games will keep you playing for hours at a time. You can click each game to get a brief description. You can also sort the games by using the menu on the left side of the page. The menu has the games sorted by categories and from there you can choose the free cooking game you want to play, or if you don't want to play a cooking game, you can choose another type of game. If you are looking for games that will let you decorate your own cakes, we have those for you. If you are feeling a bit competitive and want to race, we can help you with that also. Do you want to cook sushi? Well, let us get you started with that. We have many free cooking games you can play. Get something to drink, kick back and get in that kitchen and cook some food! We can learn from the passage that_. Answer: The Los Angeles Zoo has many public programs that aim to teach the public about animals and natural protection. Safari shuttle While you're here, take the Safari shuttle for a quick trip from one end of the Zoo to the other. All day long, seven days a week (from 10 am to 5 pm), the Safari Shuttle picks up passengers, circles the Zoo, and returns to the main flamingo exhibit near the front entrance. You can get on and off the shuttle as often as you like. Food Safari Cafe (at the Zoo entrance) offers Starbucks coffee, fresh-baked cookies, and ice cream. Gorilla Grill is the spot for toasted food, kids' meals, snacks, and ice cream. La Casita serves a variety of Mexican food and refreshments . Silverback's Cafe offers sandwiches, salads, bread bowls, cold beer, and refreshments. Hour The Zoo is open from 10 am to 5 pm every day of the year except Christmas Day. Special summer long hours are until 6 pm. from July 1 to September 7. Please remember, the Zoo starts putting animals in for the night at 4 pm during regular hours, and at 5 pm. during summer hours. Admission Prices Adults (aged 13 and above): $ 9 Seniors (aged 62 and above): $ 6 Children (aged 2 to 12): $ 4 Children (under 2): free Items Not Allowed on Zoo Grounds Alcohol, Glass bottles, Pets, Bicycles, Skateboards, and In-line skate. If you are planning a picnic while visiting the Zoo, please do not bring any glass items or other things that are easy to break. Also for the safety of the animals, no plastic bags are allowed within the Zoo. How much does it cost if a couple with their one-year-old twins visit the Los Angeles Zoo? Answer:
Parents are the closest people to you in the world. They love you just because you're you. And they would do anything for you. Like a lot of middle school students, Zhang Li has a problem. She and her parents don't get on well. "I really want to be my daddy's good girl. But it seems he just doesn't understand. He talks to me but doesn't listen to me," said Zhang Li, a student from Grade Three. Do you and your parents also have problems? Well, why don't you take a walk and have a walk on Saturday? May 15 is International Day of families . On that day, people around the world give thanks for good things about families and work on family problems. A study last year showed that 1500 Beijing families had the same problem as Zhang's family. The children, 12 to 15 years old, didn't like talking with their parents much. They weren't happy at home. Of course, lots of other children feel that way. But you and your parents will be much happier if you can be friends. Here are some ways to have a good talk with your parents: find a good time to talk, like when you're eating dinner, going out for a walk or watching TV. Tell them something you're interested in, or ask them about their lives when they were young. They love to talk about _ ! Listen to them carefully, and look at them in the eyes. Be honest, your parents will trust you more. And a trusting family is a happy family. Zhang Li and her daddy don't get on well because _ . A her daddy doesn't talk to her B her parents don't love her. C she doesn't like her parents D they can't understand each other Answer: D "I love the music-player function of 3G cellphones, " Xiaomei, a Chinese senior high school girl living in Japan, said happily. "Recently, I logged on to a website and downloaded some new Japanese songs with lyrics onto my 3G cellphone, "the girl said. "You know, it's amazing! Just like with KTV, _ 's voice can be switched-off leaving just the background music and lyrics. When no one is around, I practise singing songs like crazy. " Xiaomei's 3G cellphone almost made her a super star among her classmates. 3G was first introduced into Japan in 2001. After a slow start, it's now widely used there. High school students top the list of user groups, according to a major service provider in Japan. After years of effort, China is finally catching up. In January, China issued a 3G license to three operators--China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom. In 2009, the operators announced plans to expand the use of 3G cellphones. What is 3G? 3G wireless networks give users faster Internet connections. The Internet connection speed of 3G can be up to 15 to 20 times faster. This allows music and games to be downloaded more easily. E-mail can also be accessed faster. It has made watching movies and video-conferencing possible on a mobile phone. How do I use 3G? First, you must have a 3G cellphone. This year, products made by different cellphone companies will gradually appear in the marketplace. China Mobile and China Telecom users can continue using their old phone number and SIM card. China Unicom, however, has not yet decided on this matter. How much does it cost? The three operators have said that 3G fees will be similar, or slightly lower than today's 2G cellphones. According to a 3G student package, calls within the China Mobile network will cost 0.13 yuan per minute, while the fees go up to 0.23yuan per minute for calls between China Mobile and other networks. The main idea of this passage is _ . A how popular 3G is in Japan B how cheap 3G fees will be C what 3G is and why it has become more and more popular D how 3G spreads from Japan to China Answer: C Marry is eight years old now. This autumn she begins to go to school. She likes her teachers and has some friends. She studies hard and is good at her classes. So we think she's a good girl. It's Sunday today. It's fine and after breakfast the girl and her parents are going to the zoo. She likes to watch the animals very much. Now they're standing at the bus stop and waiting for the bus. She sees her friend Jim and his grandpa there. "Good morning, grandpa!" says the girl. "Are you going to the zoo, too?" "Yes, we are," says the old man. Then he says to Mary's father, "You have a polite daughter. How old is she?" "Eight, grandpa." answers the girl. "Eight?" the old man says with a smile. "But you're shorter than my stick!" "How old is your stick, then?" says the girl. Mary's parents and the girl are going the zoo because _ . A they like to watch the animals B it's fine today C the zoo is near their house D Jim and his grandpa are going there, too Answer: A Mary had some troubles, so she went to see the doctor. He was a new doctor, and did not know her. So he first asked her some questions. One of the questions was, "What is your age?" "Well..." Mary answered, "I don't quite remember, doctor, but I will try to think." She thought for a while and then said, "Yes, I remember now, doctor. When I married, I was twenty-two years old, and my husband was thirty then. Now he is sixty, I know, and that is twice thirty. And so I am twice twenty-two. That is forty-four, isn't it?" Mary should be _ . A forty-four B forty-five C fifty D fifty-two Answer: D Parents in three Midwestern states will soon know just how good or bad their kids' driving is when their children take the car for a spin . Starting today, American Family Insurance is offering customers with teen drivers free cameras that record what happens when a sudden change in the car's movement occurs. The cameras record the action inside and in front of the car in 20-second audio-video clips . The clips are then transmitted to Drive Cam, a prefix = st1 /San Diegocompany that analyzes the clips for risky behavior. Among things the analysts look for is the response time of the drivers and if they are paying attention to the road. Parents can receive a report on their kids' driving and view the clips on a home computer. Car accidents are the leading cause of death among U. S.teens, according to the NHTSA(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). "There will be fewer accidents," Rick Fetherston, vice president at American Family said of the new system. American Family will test the system out by offering it for free for one year to 30.000 families in Wisconsin, Indiana and Minnesotato see whether the system results in fewer accidents. If the system is proven to prevent accidents, customers who volunteer to use it might see their insurance premiums drop. The company would not be viewing the videos or individual score cars, unless there is an accident. Bruce Moeller, president of Drive Cam, says his company's system is already being used by companies with lots of cars. "Some of our customers are reporting a 30% to 90% reduction in their risky driver events," Moeller says. But a lawyer in Minneapolissays. "If I felt I needed a camera in the car to watch over my kids, I shouldn't be letting them drive." American Family tested the system in two high schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Megan Ireland, 17, said the camera caught her stopping too late and taking turns too fast. The student at Prior Lake High School in Savage, Minn., said she didn't like it because she felt it invaded her privacy but has warmed up to the system. "Now I don't really have a problem with it because it's made me a better driver," she says. "For real." The camera is being offered to _ by _ free of charge now. A teen drivers; a company called Drive Cam B insurance companies; a San Diegocompany C families with teen drivers; an insurance company D American Family Insurance; the NHTSA Answer: C
United States President George W. Bush is expected to issue a directive in the next few weeks. It will give the US Air Force a green light for the development of space weapons, US media reported last week. This would potentially start a new global arms race, some experts have warned. To keep that from happening, last Wednesday the White House explained that it was not considering putting weapons in space. It said it was making a shift inprefix = st1 /USspace policy to allow for protection of satellites. But some defense analysts and arms control advocates argue that the policy will pave the way for the US to put both defensive and offensive ( ) weapons in space. "No one should be fooled," said Theresa Hitchens, an American weapons expert. The USis now restricted by a 1996 directive signed by President Bill Clinton. Plans for space weapons were vetoed by the Clinton cabinet. The directive emphasized the peaceful use of space , in agreement with almost unanimous ( ) global opinion. The USmilitary has placed importance on space and has sent up numberous satellites for troop communications and to provide intelligence and data to guide bombs to their targets. The US Air Force wants to develop space- based weapons that could strike targets anywhere in the world within 90 minutes of receiving the order to open fire. These new weapons under development cover a wide range. They include hunter- killer satellites and orbiting weapons. And they use lasers, radio waves, or even dense metal tubes, known as " Rods from God", dropped from space to do the damage. There are many barriers to the setting up of this kind of program, experts say. First is the coast. It is estimated that the budget may be US $220 billion to US $ 1 trillion . The technical difficulties of developing reliable space weapons are also a problem. And, the program will draw strong criticism from around the world. Experts worry about starting a space arms race. The author's attitude towards the coming space weapon development is _ . Answer: critical Learning English grammar and English vocabulary can be hard enough, but trying to understand English sayings can be more difficult. Some are just hard to figure out and others don't make any sense at all. Here are four funny English sayings that you can use every day. I'm happy as a clam . Think of a clam. It doesn't have to do anything. It just sits on a beach or on the bottom of the ocean all day doing nothing. It never has to work. That sounds like happiness, doesn't it? If someone asks, "How are you today?" you can answer "I am happy as a clam" to let him or her know what a great mood you are in. I wouldn't touch that (or him/her) with a ten-foot pole. Maybe there is a person who you don't want to be friends with or even talk to. Well, this saying means that you dislike him or her so much that you don't want to touch or go near him or her, even within ten feet! You don't have a leg to stand on. This saying doesn't mean that the person you're talking to has no legs. It means that his or her argument is incorrect. He or she doesn't have a leg to stand on because he or she has no facts to support what he or she is saying. This saying is a good way to tell people that you think they're wrong. Break a leg! This saying actually means the opposite of what it sounds like. If you tell this to a person, you're wishing him or her good luck!The saying comes from a superstition that whatever you say aloud, the opposite will come true. We can learn from the passage that _ . Answer: if we say "Break a leg" to someone, we give him or her a good wish Back in time, dog sledding was the only method of transportation in frozen parts of the world. You, too, can participate in this time-honored tradition after looking into dog sledding adventures and tours. Alaska Dog Sledding It offers two dog sledding tours in Alaska, the Golsovia Dog Trip and the Iditarod Dog Trip. On both trips, you will learn how to drive your own dog team. The Golsovia Dog Trip lasts six days. The Iditarod Dog Trip is held just before the internationally famous Iditarod race so that participants will be able to attend the Iditarod events. For more information, please see: Alaska Dog Sledding Greenland Expedition Specialists Travel through the shining ice and snow on the land of East Greenland via dog sledding. During this dog sledding vacation, you will be camping during the cold of winter and will take part in caring for the dogs and the camps. They also organize and guide kiting trips, sea kayaking trips and mountaineering vacations. For more information, please email: info@ expedition-greeland. com VICAAR Have you ever really wanted to see the North Pole? You can do it by dog sled. VICAAR offers two types of dog sledding trips to the North Pole. You should pay for clothing on the trip, permit of your North Pole visit, travel to the center of VICAAR, and more. But the cost of equipment is offered free. This trip is not for those who do not care for challenging conditions and exercise. VICAAR also offers other types of trips to both the North and South Poles. For more information, please see: VICAAR Panoramic Journey Travel to the Terelj National Park in Central Mongolia and live with local people during your dog sledding adventure. Along the way, see wolf, deer and other wildlife of the area. Panoramic Journey also offers an extreme dog sledding adventure that will take you to the outside of Siberia. Panoramic Journey offers horseback trips as well as dog sledding adventures to exotic locations in Mongolia and tours of Bhutan. For more information, please see: Panoramic Journey Which of the following statements is true according to the passage? Answer: Iditarod Dog Trip is a training chance for participants in the Iditarod race. Windmills dot the landscape,producing a renewable energy source.Our pioneer ancestors established windmills as a means of bringing water to the surface.To tell the truth,the history of wind energy is very long.Since early recorded history,people have been _ the energy of the wind.Wind energy drove boats along the Nile River as early as 5000 BC.By 200 BC,simple windmills in China were pumping water,while well-designed windmills were grinding grain in Persia and the Middle East. New innovations and curiosity helped spread interest in windmills and wind power.Middle Eastern citizens used them for food production by the 11th century.Merchants along trade routes returned to Europe and shared the idea.Windmills caught on,especially in Holland,and the Dutch improved their use.Here,windmills drained lakes and other bodies of water.In France,the windmill pumped irrigation water.Elsewhere in Europe,windmills were used to grind grain. By the 19th century,settlers in the United States realized the importance of the simple windmill.Pioneers pumped water for livestock and farming.As estimated six million windmills dotted America's landscape by the end of the 1880s.Charles Brush,the US inventor,invented a windmill capable of producing electricity in 1888.And now the machines are called wind turbines.As late as the 1920s,Americans used small windmills to provide electricity in rural areas without electric service.When power lines began to transport electricity to rural areas in the 1930s,local windmills were used less and less,though they can still be seen on some Western farms. In the 1970s,oil shortages pushed the development of alternative energy sources,paving the way for the re-entry of the windmill to produce electricity.In the early 1980s,wind energy really took off in California,partly because of State policies that encouraged renewable energy sources.In the 1990s,the push came from a renewed concern for the environment in response to scientific studies indicating potential changes to the global climate if the use of fossil fuels continues to increase.Wind energy is an economical power resource in many areas of the country. Wind energy isn't a new phenomenon,but using wind turbines to create and use electricity is a trend that continues to sweep across the globe. According to the passage,Charles Brush _ . Answer: was a pioneer in producing electricity from wind This brief book is aimed at high school students, but speaks to anyone learning at any stage of life. Its formal, serious style closely matches its content, a school-masterly book on schooling.The author, W.H.Armstrong, starts with the basics: reading and writing.In his opinion, reading doesn't just mean recognizing each word on the page; it means taking in the information, digesting it and incorporating it into oneself just as one digests a sandwich and makes it a part of himself.The goal is to bring the information back to life, not just to treat it as dead facts on paper from dead trees.Reading and writing cannot be completely separated from each other; in fact, the aim of reading is to express the information you have got from the text.I've seen it again and again:some-one who can't express an idea after reading a text is just as ineffective as someone who hasn't read it at all. Only a third of the book remains after that discussion, which Armstrong devotes to specific tips for studying languages, math, science and history.He generally handles these topics thoroughly and equally, except for some weakness in the science and math sections and a bit too much passion regarding history to his students, that was a hundred times more than my history teachers ever got across.To my disappointment, in this part of the book he ignores the arts.As a matter of fact, they demand all the concentration and study that math and science do, though the study differs slightly in kind.Although it's commonly believed that the arts can only be naturally acquired, actually, learning the arts is no more natural than learning French or mathematics. My other comment is that the text aged.The first edition apparently dates to the 1960s--none of the references seem newer than the late 1950s.As a result, the discussion misses the entire computer age. These are small points, though, and don't affect the main discussion.I recommend it to any student and any teacher, including the self-taught student. What is a shortcoming of Armstrong's work according to the author? Answer: It lacks new information
Mr Green is a teacher of English. He comes from America. He teaches English in China. He speaks English quite well. He reads a lot of books and his wife Mrs Green often writes books for the students. He gets up at five in the morning. He leaves home at ten to six. He begins the first lesson at 8:00. He teaches English every day except Sunday. At ten to twelve he finishes his lessons. Ten minutes later he has lunch. In the afternoon he often plays games with his students at about four o'clock. Sometimes he teaches his students in his room. Supper time is at about six. After that he reads newspapers and watches TV. At about ten to eleven he goes to bed. He watches TV or reads newspapers _ . after supper Baroness Thatcher, Britain's greatest post-war prime minister, died at the age of 87 after suffering a stroke (a disease related to blood vessels in the brain), her family announced on 8 April 2013. Her son, Sir Mark, and daughter Carol confirmed her death that morning. zxxk Margaret Thatcher, daughter of a businessman and mayor of Grantham, was educated at the local grammar school, and at Oxford, where she got a degree in chemistry, and upon graduation she worked for four years as a research chemist. She then qualified as a lawyer in 1954. As Miss Margaret Roberts, she stood twice in parliamentary elections for the Conservative Party , before being elected (after her marriage) to the House of Commons in 1959. When the Conservatives returned to office in June 1970, she was appointed secretary of state for education and science. After the Conservatives lost power in 1974, she was appointed to the Shadow Cabinet , and was elected leader of the Conservative Party in 1975. Baroness Thatcher became prime minister on 4 May 1979 and went on to earn the nickname "the Iron Lady", becoming known for her strong responses to the political and economic crisis, which Thatcher's supporters think are good for Britain, while her opposers argue that her policies destroyed British manufacturing. Lady Thatcher governed Britain from 1979 to 1990. She will go down in history not only as Britain's first female prime minister, but as the woman who changed Britain's economy in addition to being an awesome rival on the international stage. zxxk Lady Thatcher was the only British prime minister to leave behind a set of ideas about the role of the state which other leaders and nations try to copy and apply. Why did Lady Thatcher get the nickname "the Iron Lady"? Because she took strong measures to deal with the crisis. Lying in the sun on a rock, the cougar saw Jeb and his son, Tom, before they saw it. Jeb put his bag down quickly and pulled his jacket open with both hands, making himself look big to the cougar. It worked. The cougar hesitated, ready to attack Jeb, but ready to forget the whole thing, too. Jeb let go of his jacket, grasped Tom and held him across his body, making a cross. Now the cougar's enemy looked even bigger, and it rose up, ready to move away, but unfortunately Tom got scared and struggled free of Jeb. "Tom, no!" shouted his father. But Tom broke and ran and that's the last thing you do with a cougar. The second Tom broke free, Jeb threw himself on the cougar, just as it jumped from the rock. They hit each other in mid-air and both fell. The cougar was on Jeb in a flash, forgetting about Tom, which was what Jeb wanted. Cougars are not as big as most people think and a determined man stands a chance, even with just his fists. As the cougar's claws got into his left shoulder, Jeb swung his fist at its eyes and hit hard. The animal howled and put its head back. Jeb followed up with his other fist. Then out of the corner of his eye, Jeb saw Tom. The boy was running back to help his father. "Knife, Tom" shouted Jeb. The boy ran to his father's bag, while Jeb stated shouting as well as hitting, to keep the cougar's attention away from Tom. Tom got the knife and ran over to Jeb. The cougar was moving its head in and out, trying to find a way through the wall Jeb was making out of his arms. Tom swung with the knife, into the cougar's back. It howled horribly and ran off into the mountains. The whole fight had taken about thirty seconds. How did Jeb try to hold the cougar's attention? By keeping shouting and hitting This year's World Food Prize will honor two leaders of hunger-fighting groups based in the United States. The winners are David Beckmann of Bread for the World and Jo Luck of Heifer International. They will share the prize of 250,000 dollars. The World Food Prize usually goes to researchers or top policy officials. This is the first time it will recognize the work of nongovernmental groups. Heifer International provides donated animals and training to farmers in 50 countries. Jo Luck remains president until next year. Under her leadership, the group's budget grew from less than 10,000,000 dollars to more than 130,000,000 dollars. Jo Luck, "People pass on their gifts of not just animals but also gifts of training and leadership. We have seen cases where we have been gone 5 and 10 years and we go back and they have developed roads and built schools, and they have other communities receiving the animals and the training. You just give them those resources and that training and opportunity, and you cannot hold them back." She told the story of a woman from a poor village in Zimbabwe. A family member helped send her to school in the United States with earnings from a donated milk goat. She received a doctoral degree. Jo Luck, "That is what a goat did. That is one example. The animal is only the catalyst . That is the beginning of many other things that follow." David Beckmann became president of Bread for the World in 1991. He is an economist and a Christian clergyman . Bread for the World organizes people from religious and non-religious groups to write, call and visit members of Congress . The purpose is to support measures to improve the lives of the poor. David Beckmann points to big increase in American development assistance. He said, "I think that would not have happened without the support of hundreds of thousands of people and churches that are part of Bread for the World and that keep the pressure on their members of Congress." The prize committee also credited his efforts with helping to increase aid to needy families in the United States. Why does Jo Luck receive the prize? Under her leadership, Heifer International helps farmers in 50 countries. My neighbor Mr. Black is seventy years old. He always complains about how fast things have changed, and he often says that life was better in the past than today. Now cities are full of cars. Some families even have two or more cars, so parking is becoming a big problem. The traffic in some cities is very bad. Some car drivers drive too fast, so there are more traffic accidents. Yesterday Mr. Black's old friend died because a car hit him. He is very sad now. Most families own computers now. Now more and more children use the Internet now. The number of children using the Internet is becoming bigger and bigger. Mr. Black's grandson is a high school student. He often plays computer games on the Internet till midnight. He feels tired in the early hours of the morning and spends less time doing homework. His English teacher told Mr. Black that his grandson failed another test. Mr. Black got very angry with his grandson. Families aren't what they used to be. A lot of families have broken up. If the husband and wife have problems with their marriage, they will _ . And mothers used to stay at home and take care of their children, but now parents are both busy working. No one has time to look after children at home. And people talk less to each other than before. They are too busy to talk, too busy to eat, too busy to think. Mr. Black thinks that life was simple and happy, but now it has changed a lot. _ died because of a car accident. Mr. Black's friend
A superstar is someone who is usually famous in sports, or films, or popular music, someone like the singer Michael Jackson. In the nineteen eighties, Michael Jackson made a record album called "Thriller". It quickly became the most popular recording in the history of music and it made Michael Jackson a superstar. The word "super" means more than usual or very wonderful. And of course, a star is a person who is very famous. So people who are famous and skilful in sports, films or music are called superstars, such as Li Ning. One of the most famous sports superstars in the United States is the boxer Muhammad Ali. After he won a gold medal in the Olympics and became the heavyweight boxing champion, he was known as one of the greatest and most famous boxers in the sports history. At that time Muhammad Ali was even better known than the president of the United States. He was a true superstar. nearly everyone knew his name. But like the stars in the sky, a superstar may fade away as the years go by. These days people know little about Muhammad Ali. Superstars, loved by millions of people today, may be forgotten tomorrow. According to the passage, what would happen to superstars at last? They will be little known as time passes by BEIJING -- China's education authority will tighten the widely criticized policy of "extra credits" for the national college entrance examination to ensure a fairer chance for all exam-takers. Under the policy, high school students who win awards in national Olympic competitionscould get ''extra credits', up to 20 points for the national college entrance exam. Students with talentin sports and students who are from ethnic groups can also benefit from this policy. The extra creditshave increased these students' chances of being admitted by famous universities. Some parents werefound to have helped their children fabricate award experiences or falsify qualifications to getextra credits. "It has harmed education equality," the ministry said. Xiong Bingqi, vice-chief of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, said the policy isdesigned to help students who have special talents but may be weak in academic performance tohave a chance to receive higher education. It will still be needed but it is time to make the rulesfairer," he said. The ministry said it will reduce the range of competitions whose winners can get extra credits,and limit the winners, privileges. The new policy will apply to students who begin high school in 2011, it said. Chen Lei, a mother of a 10-year-old girl, said she welcomed the ministry's policy adjustmentas she does not want her daughter to become an Olympic competition _ . But not all the Chinese parents welcomed the new policy. "It is like a thunderbolt for me. My 13-year-old son has spent so much time studying Olympic math, and participated in so manytechnological competitions during vacations. It is useless now," said Dong Wen, a 43-year-oldmother. A student said, "Many students have changed the current study plan, and they can abandon thecompetition. I will be interested in learning the courses which can improve my abilities." Yuan Guiren, minister of education, told China Daily that the reform is an attempt to consider the overall quality of an applicant. "But the country will not stop the national college entrance examination as it is still the most objective way to evaluate talent in China," he said. Which person in the passage was strongly against the new policy? Dong Wen A Chinese actor's divorce from his wife has social media buzzing, with posts about the subject gaining over five billion views. WangBaoqiang announced online on Sunday that he was divorcing his wife, Ma Rong. He alleged that his marriage broke down after his wife had an affair with his agent, and that she had also transferred the couple's joint assets. The topic has sparked a debate about relationships and divorce, and it seems Wang's predicament has struck a chord with many -- which could explain the number of views, which are high even by Chinese standards. What exactly are they saying? Chinese netizens seem to have rallied around Wang, with topics like #WangDon'tCry# #WangWeSupportYou#, quickly trending after news of the divorce spread. Statistics by Weibo showed that 87% of netizens' posts condemned Ma for her affair, saying it had shattered her family. Some have even published her home address online. "Wang is a hardworking man from a rural area. She cheated an honest man. I hate these kinds of people,"said one commenter on weibo. But why are they so interested? No other celebrity divorce or marriage has ever caused such a big stir on Chinese social media. On the surface, this might seem like just another Chinese celebrity split. But what is it about this one that's got all of China ruffled up? Some people feel that this divorce seems to fit a certain trope -- of a beautiful but ordinary girl marrying a rich but less good-looking man. It is not uncommon to hear the belief that a couple has to "match" at every level -- be it in status, or physical appearance -- for a relationship to work out. "The concept of being evenly matched is still one that is widely believed in China," Dr Mu Zheng, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology at the National University of Singapore told the BBC's Yvette Tan. It's also making people talk about divorce. A lot of social media discussion has also centred around divorce, and in particular how people can protect themselves. Wang has alleged that his wife transferred and hid some of the couple's assets. They're a wealthy couple -- their assets, according to Chinese media, include nine flats, a BMW car and various luxury goods. As a result, people are debating the importance of protecting individual assets, even after marriage. Attitudes towards divorce are fast changing in China, and divorce rates are on the rise. State newspaperGlobal Timessays a total of 3.84 million couples in China divorced in 2015, an increase of 5.6% from 2014."People are getting much more open to the idea of divorce now, especially as Chinese people become more educated and open-minded towards both marriage and divorce," says Dr Mu. Which statement is not true? People are getting more open to divorce just because of the increasing level of education. Many Western people are not used to sitting on the floor any more. In Japan, however, sitting upright on the floor is common in different situations. For example, meals are traditionally had when people sit on the tatami floor around a low table. Also during the tea ceremony and other traditional events, one sits on the floor. The formal way of sitting for both men and women is kneeling upright. People who are not used to sitting in this style may feel uncomfortable after a few minutes, and their legs may go numb. However, foreigners are not usually expected to be able to sit in this style for a long time, and an increasing number of Japanese people themselves aren't able to do so, owing to a more westernized lifestyle. In other situations, men usually sit cross-legged, while women sit on their knees laying both legs to one side. The former sitting style is considered wholly male, while the latter is considered completely female. The most important guest sits on the honored seat which is set farthest from the entrance. If there is a tokonoma in the room, the guest should be seated in front of it. The host or the least important person is supposed to sit next to the entrance. Of course, there are other things to be considered in each particular case. What is the passage mainly about? How and where to sit in Japanese homes. I suddenly heard an elephant crying as though frightened. Looking down, I immediately recognized that something was wrong, and ran down to the edge of the near bank. There I saw Ma Shwe with her three-month-old calf struggling in the fast-rising water, and it was a life-and-death struggle. Her calf was floating and screaming with fear. Ma Shwe was as near to the far bank as she could get, holding her whole body against the rushing water, and keeping the calf pressed against her huge body. Every now and then the rushing water would sweep the calf away. There was a sudden rise in the water and the calf was washed clean over the mother's body and was gone. Ma Shwe turned quickly to reach it and pressed the calf with her head and trunk against the rocky bank. Then with a huge effort, she picked it up in her trunk and tried until she was able to place it on a narrow shelf of rock. Just at this moment, she felt back into the river. If she were carried down, it would be certain death. I knew, as well as she did, that there was one spot where she could get up the bank, but it was on the other side from where she had put her calf. While I was wondering what I could do next,I heard the sound of a mother's love.Ma Shwe had crossed the river and got up the bank and was making her way back as fast as she could,roaring all the time,but to her calf it was music. The moment the author got down to the river bank he saw _ . Ma Shwe was holding the calf against the rushing water
The Water World Swimming Pool is open every day from eight o'clock in the morning until half past seven in the evening. It costs two dollars sixty to enter the pool. There is a special cheap price for students with a student card. The price is one dollar forty. But you must bring your student card with you. On Wednesday morning the pool is only open to mothers and babies. So mothers can enjoy themselves in the water with their babies. Please leave your older children at home on Wednesday morning. The new Water World Cafe will be open up on June 22nd. From the cafe you can watch the swimmers or enjoy a drink after you swim. Please call 2105369 for more information. We look forward to seeing you at the Water World Swimming Pool. From the cafe you can watch the swimmers or enjoy a drink after you swim _ . A. on May 21 st B. on May 22nd C. on June 23rd D. on June 21st Answer: C. on June 23rd A bus traveled 280 kilometers between two cities. It left the first city at 3:00 p.m. and arrived at the second city at 7:00 p.m. What was the average speed of the bus during the trip? A. 4 km/h B. 40 km/h C. 70 km/h D. 280 km/h Answer: C. 70 km/h Tommy:Hello, Tina. Tina: Hello, Tommy. Tommy: I can't find my cat . Tina, do you see it? Tina: No, I don't. Is it under the chair? Tommy: No. Tina: Is it behind(......)the door? Tommy: Let me see. My schoolbag is here. Where is my cat? Tina: Hey, Tommy. Look,it's on your bed. Tommy: Yes. Thank you,Tina. Mimi,come here. What is behind the door? A. Tina's cat B. Tina's schoolbag C. Tommy's cat D. Tommy'sschoolbag Answer: C. Tommy's cat Dear MSN, I live in San Diego. I'm single and would like to meet people near me. Can I do this on the Internet? Searching in San Diego Dear Searching, On the Internet, you could easily go looking for love in all the wrong places, but here are lots of great ways to meet singles near you. The Web is a good place to start. MSN also has international sites for Europe, Australia and South America. There are several California-based MSN web communities where you can meet like-minded people near you as well as city-specific chat rooms for real-time interaction . Hope for some clever friends. What about a little more excitement in your online interactions? Try the "Gaming Zone!" I also tried MSN Search, looked under the "Personal" heading and found "Relationships". Clicked on that, then found "Ads & Personals", by "Region" and found San Diego specific personal from there. Try it! Also, give "IRC" (Internet Relay Chat) and "Usenet Newsgroups" a shot. Many a net romance has started and then developed in these off-the-Web communities. If you'd rather make friends F2F (face to face), the Web has some helpful dating and redating tips. Searching has written this letter with the purpose of _ . A. getting help from MSN with his computer B. winning the heart of a love from the web. C. meeting single people online D. looking for love in all the wrong places Answer: C. meeting single people online We get it: You're tired. You're busy. And your shoes are away over there. Excuses are OK sometimes, but not every day--and especially not today. So put on your sneakers, get up off the couch, and let us kick your excuses to the curb . "I...dislike...panting !" Being really out of breath may mean you're trying too much too soon, which will kill your confidence. But you don't have to be _ to get a workout. Being active doesn't have to mean high-intensity. It's just about moving. "I hate exercise." It may seem unbearable, but you just have to get started. Exercise releases endorphins (your brain's own feel-good chemicals), which can be habit-forming. What' s the best exercise? The one you'll do regularly. So you may hate running. Don't run! Ride your bike or just dance. Even cleaning your room is active. As long as you're moving and getting your blood pumping, it counts. So get creative. "I don't have time." You may not have lots of time to spare when you're busy with schoolwork, but we bet you can find 10 minutes. Bonus: An activity break will send oxygen to your brain, making you super-alert and more creative too. Famous thinkers like Aristotle and Steve Jobs liked "walking meetings," and you can follow in their footsteps by moving around while you brainstorm about a tough task or memorize your English vocabulary. "I never see results!" Even if you train with the help of a professional, you won't see results right away. But you will feel them almost immediately. Don't focus on how your body looks--focus on how you feel. Keep a journal of when you exercise (or don't) and how you feel that day: Stressed? Focused? Tired? When you start noticing the amazing effects of exercise, you'll have no excuses. Steve Jobs is mentioned to prove that doing exercise _ . A. is good for one's figure B. is good for one's health C. makes one much happier D. makes one more productive Answer: D. makes one more productive
Question: Have you ever had the strange feeling that you were being watched? You turned around and, sure enough, someone was looking right at you! Parapsychologists say that humans have a natural ability to sense when someone is looking at them. To research whether such a "sixth sense" really exists, Robert Baker, a psychologist at the University of Kentucky, performed two experiments. In the first one, Baker sat behind unknowing people in public places and stared at the backs of their heads for 5 to 15 minutes. The subjects were eating, drinking, reading, studying, watching TV, or working at a computer. Baker made sure that the people could not tell that he was sitting behind them during those periods. Later, when he questioned the subjects, almost all of them said they had no sense that someone was staring at them. For the second experiment, Baker told the subjects that they would be stared at from time to time from behind a two way mirror in a laboratory setting. The people had to write down when they felt they were being stared at and when they weren't. Baker found that the subjects were no better at telling when they were stared at and when they weren't. and they were no better at telling when they were stared at than if they had just guessed. Baker concludes that people do not have the ability to sense when they're being stared at. If people doubt the outcome of his two experiments, said baker, "I suggest they repeat the experiments and see for themselves." The purpose of the two experiments is to _ . A. explain when people can have a sixth sense B. show how people act while being watched in the lab C. study whether humans can sense when they are stared at D. prove why humans have a sixth sense Answer: C. study whether humans can sense when they are stared at Question: Once upon a time there lived two friends in a small village. Jay and Victor had been friends since they were little children. Now they were studying in a school which was far away from their village. They had to cross a river, climb hills and go through sandy areas on their way to school. One rainy day, the two friends went to school as usual. They were chatting while walking. Perhaps they were discussing something important, but the two had different opinions, which led to a big argument. Things got so bad that Jay suddenly hit Victor. Then Victor looked at his friend and wrote in the sand, " Today, my best friend hit me." They both continued walking without saying anything . Later, they reached a river. Victor was not a good swimmer. By accident, he fell into the river and was going to be carried away by the water. Jay saw this and jumped into the river at once. With difficulty he pulled victor out of the river when Victor became safe, he wrote on a stone, "Today, my friend saved my life." Jay, who was watching all this, asked,"So way did you write it in the sand when I hit you, and why did you write on a stone when I saved your life?" Victor replied, " we should soon forget the wrong done by our friends as words in sand get _ easily, but if they do something good for us, we should always remember their kindness, just as words in stones are kept forever." Then the two friends walked on as if nothing had happened. This passage mainly want to tell us _ . A. we shouldn't go to school if the school is far from our home B. we should remember the good things others have done for us, and forgive others easily C. good friends shouldn't argue with each other. D. we should turn to our friends for help when we are in danger. Answer: B. we should remember the good things others have done for us, and forgive others easily Question: 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. By comparing tomatoes raised in Britain and in Ghana, the author tries to explain that _ . A. British tomatoes are healthier than Ghanaian ones B. Ghanaian tomatoes taste better than British ones C. cutting down food miles may not necessarily save fuel D. protecting the environment may cost a lot of money Answer: C. cutting down food miles may not necessarily save fuel Question: Four students are talking about the future after class. Deng Yu: In 2050, China will be richer than it is now. Beijing will be getting ready for the 40thOlympic Games in 2050. We will see the blue and clear sky and smell the fresh air. There will be more pandas living happily in China. I believe that 2050 will be the year of China. Liu Yan: A holiday to the moon will no longer be a dream. We can also travel far to other planets and talk with spacemen. We might also eat something like pills instead of today's meals. Everyone will enjoy a longer life. Sun Wei: Robots will be more popular. They will do what people don't want to do. We'll build new homes on other planets. By then, I'll be sixty years old. Zhang Lan: By the year of 2050, cloning will have been used in many ways. It will bring back animals which disappeared many years ago. There will be no pollution. The whole world will be one big family. There will be no wars. We'll live a much easier and better life. _ thinks that people can spend their holidays on the moon in the future. A. Deng Yu B. Zhang Lan C. Sun Wei D. Liu Yan Answer: D. Liu Yan Question: Most people around the world are right-handed. This also seems to be true in history. In 1799, scientists studied works of art made at different times from 1,500 B.C. to the 1950s. Most of the people shown in these works are right-handed, so the scientists guessed that right-handedness has always been common through history. Today, only about 10% to 15% of the world's population is left-handed. Why are there more right-handed people than left-handed ones? Scientists now know that a person's two hands each have their own jobs. For most people, the hand is used to find things or hold things. The right hand is used to work with things. This is because of the different work of the two sides of the brain. The right side of the brain, which makes a person's hands and eyes work together, controls the left hand. The left-side of the brain, which controls the right hand, is the centre for thinking and doing problems. These findings show that more artists should be left-handed, and studies have found that left-handedness is twice as common among artists as among people in other jobs. No one really knows what makes a person become right-handed instead of left-handed. Scientists have found that almost 40% of the people become left-handed because their main brain is damaged when they are born. However, this doesn't happen to everyone, so scientists guess there must be another reason why people become left-handed. One idea is that people usually get right-handed from their parents. If a person does not receive the gene for right-handedness, he / she may become either right-handed or left-handed according to the chance and the people they work or live with. Though right-handedness is more common than left-handedness, people no longer think left-handed people are strange or unusual. A long time ago, left-handed children were made to use their right hands like other children, but today they don't have to. The best title for this passage is _ . A. Scientists' New Inventions B. Left-handed People C. Which Hand D. Different Brains, Different Hands Answer: C. Which Hand
Question: A Nobel Prize is considered by most people one of the highest international honors a person can receive. As you know, the prizes were started by a Sweden called Sweden Alfred Nobel. Alfred Nobel was born in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, and lived from 1833 to 1896. Alfred Nobel was a chemist and inventor. He made two important inventions, so he became very rich. Although he was rich, Nobel was not a happy man. He never married or had children. Also, he was a sick man in large part of his life. Nobel died at the age of sixty-three. When he died, he left a fund of $9,000,000. The money was to be used in giving prizes to those who made outstanding achievement in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and the promotion of the world peace. The first Nobel Prize were given on December 10th,1901, five years after Nobel's death. Many famous people all over the world have been given Nobel Prizes for their achievements. Albert Einstein was one of them. Each prize has three parts. The first part is a gold medal. Second, a winner of a Nobel Prize is given a diploma saying that he has been given the prize. The third part of the prize is a large amount of money---about $40,000. Often a prize is given to just one person, but not always. Sometimes a prize is shared. It might be given to two or more people who have worked together. It is also sometimes true that a prize is not given at all if there is no outstanding achievement. In 1972, for example, not a Nobel Prize was given. It is the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm that decides whether to give the prize or not. A Nobel Prize is given to _ each year. A. just one person B. one person C. not always one person D. three persons Answer: C Question: Now, are you changing your living habits to have a l _ life? Here are some strategies for you. Strategy One Each week, choose one day when you don't eat meat. Meat takes up lots of energy because it takes a long time to produce. And animals must be fed on farmed plants, which could be used to feed many more people. Strategy Two Only buy the amount of food you need. When you buy food, go local rather than imported , and get fresh vegetables instead of frozen. Strategy Three Make sure you keep the things such as paper and plastic bottles separate so that they can be recycled. There are places where you can recycle batteries. Make sure you find them. Strategy Four Take showers rather than baths and reduce your shower time by two minutes. This will save water and give you an extra two minutes in bed. Strategy Five Buses and trains are better than cars, but walking or cycling is better still. It's also better for your health and cheaper. It can even be quicker than sitting in a car at rush hours in a busy city. For long distances, coaches are better than trains. Strategy Six Try to buy good, long-lasting products even though they may cost a little more. A small screen TV is better than a big screen. Keep your electronic products one year longer than you would usually have. What's the purpose of the passage? A. It helps to know walking is one of the low carbon lives. B. It helps to realize how important it is to have a low carbon life. C. It advises to save water and electric to have a low carbon life. D. It advises to kick some bad habits and have a low carbon life. Answer: D Question: Dear World, My son starts school today. It's going to be strange and new to him for some time. And I wish you would treat him gently. You see, up to now, he has been king of his own room. He has been boss of the backyard. I have always been around to treat his wounds, and to comfort his feelings. But now things are going to be different. This morning, he's going to walk down the front steps, wave his hand and start his life. So, World, I wish you would take him by the little hand and teach him the things he will have to know. Teach him there are heroes, leaders and friends in this world. Give him quiet time to think over the mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and flowers on the green hill. Teach him to believe in his own ideas, even if everyone else tells him he is wrong. Teach him to stand and fight if he thinks he is right. Teach him never to put a price on his heart and spirit. Teach him gently, World, but don't love him too much, because only the test of fire makes fine steel. This is a big order, World, and see what you can do. He's such a little fellow. Which is the best title of this passage? A. A great moment is coming! B. How to teach my son. C. A mother's letter to the world D. Don't be rude to my son! Answer: C Question: When we think of paper, we think of newspapers and books. But there are many other uses. Only half of the world's paper is used for books and newspapers. Paper is very good for keeping you warm. You have perhaps seen homeless men asleep on a large number of newspapers. In Finland, it is sometimes - 40degC in winter. The farmers wear paper boots in the snow. Nothing could be warmer. Each year, more and more things are made of paper. We have had paper cups and plates for a long time. But now we hear that chairs, tables, and even beds can be made of paper. With paper boots and shoes, you can also wear paper hats, paper dresses, and paper raincoats. When you have used them once, you throw them away and buy new ones. The latest use of paper seems to be paper houses. These are not small houses for children to play in, but real, big houses for people to live in. You can buy a house with three rooms for about 500 dollars. You can put it up by yourself in a few hours, and you can use it for about five years. Before we began to use paper to make chairs, tables and beds, _ . A. we could buy paper boots and shoes in paper shops B. we could wear paper hats and paper dresses C. we had already had paper cups and plates D. we had no paper cups and no paper plates Answer: C Question: Which object is made to reflect light? A. telescope B. window C. mirror D. eyeglasses Answer: C
Sandra usually gets up at six in the morning. She usually has breakfast at six thirty. She goes to school at around seven o'clock. School starts at seven thirty. Sandra learns many subjects at school: math, English, science, history, art, music and PE. Her favorite subject is music. It's relaxing, and the music teacher is fun. Sandra has four classes in the morning. At eleven forty she comes home for lunch. She has lunch with her grandmother. In the afternoon, she isn't very busy. She has only two classes. After school she does her homework and plays with other kids. In the evening, Sandra's parents come home from work at five o'clock. The family have dinner at six. After that they usually listen to music or watch TV. Sandra goes to bed at nine thirty. Her grandmother goes to bed at nine, and her parents go to bed at around ten o'clock. The family don't _ in the evening. Answer: play chess BBC London Tributes continue to be paid at home and abroad to Margaret Thatcher after her death at the age of 87. David Cameron, the present Prime Minister, said she had been a "great Briton" while US President Obama called her a "great champion of freedom and liberty". Her funeral is expected to be held next week. Thatcher, Britain's first female premier, was in power from 1979 to 1990 and won three successive general elections. She died "peacefully" after suffering a stroke on April 8th 2013. She will not have a state funeral but will be accorded the same status as Princess Diana and the Queen Mother. The Union Jack above Number 10 Downing Street has been lowered to half-mast to pay tributes. "In an era in which politicians are all too often greeted with indifference, it is easy to forget that Britain was once led by a woman who inspired passion." says Nick Robinson, a well-known BBC political editor. After cutting short a trip to Europe to return to London, Cameron described Thatcher as "the patriot prime minister" and "greatest peacetime" leader. While acknowledging that she had "divided opinion", Cameron said she had "taken a country that was on its knees and made it stand tall again." "Thatcher loved this country and served it with all she had," he added. Her other successors in No 10--- Sir John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown --- paid tribute to her strength of character and political purpose while Labour leader Ed Miliband said Thatcher had been a "unique figure" who "reshaped the politics of a whole generation." But critics and her opponents questioned the economic and social impact of her policies, ex-Labour leader Lord Kinnock saying her economic policies had been a "disaster for Britain" at the time. Among international reaction, Obama said "America has lost a true friend" while German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would "never forget her part in overcoming the division of Europe". Nick Robinson said Thatcher, who had suffered poor health for several years, would always be a divisive politician but one who inspired "passion" among her critics and supporters. She was in power when the UK won a war following Argentina's invasion of the Falkland Islands in 1982,but during her later years in office, she was increasingly at odds with other senior figures in the Conservative Party. According to the news, we can infer that the Union Jack is _ . Answer: the national flag of England Passage 1 The Information Highway is the road that links computer users to a large number of on-line services: the Web,e-mail,and software,to mention just a few. Not long ago,the Information Highway was a new road,with not many users. Now,everyone seems to want to take a drive, with over 30 million families connected worldwide. Not surprisingly, this well-traveled highway is starting to look like a well-traveled highway. Traffic jams can cause many serious problems,forcing the system to close down for repair. Naturally,accidents will happen on such a crowded road,and usually victims are some files,gone forever. Then,of course,there' s Mr. Cool,with his new broad-band connection,who speeds down the highway faster than most of us can go. But don' t trick yourself:he pays for that speeding. Passage 2 Want to know more about global warming and how you can help prevent it?Doctor Herman Friedman,who is considered a leading expert on the subject,will speak at Grayson Hall next Friday. Friedman studied environmental science at three well-known universities around the world before becoming a professor in the subject. He has also traveled around the world observing environmental concerns. The gradual bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef,which came into the public eye in 2002,is his latest interest. Signed copies of his color1ful book,which was p ublished just last month,will be on sale after his talk. The Information Highway _ . Answer: appeals to a large number of users The London Pass is the final sightseeing package that has been specially tailor-made for visitors to the city. It allows holders to make the most out of their trip, saving them both time and money. With the London Pass you will get the following: Free entry to your choice of over 60 popular attractions, tours, sights and museums A useful 160 page guidebook about the attractions plus helpful tips about the city Ability to skip the lines at the selected attractions to save time Optional travel card to cover all of your transport needs The London Pass Saves You Money London can be an expensive city, and its tourist attractions are no exception. However, going sightseeing with a London Pass, you could make some great savings. Take a look at the normal gate price for some popular London attractions: Tower of London PS19.00; Thames River Cruise PS19.00; Windsor Castle PS17.00; London Bridge Experience PS23.00; St Paul's Cathedral PS15.00. Visiting those five attractions will cost well over PS89. With a London Pass, these and many more attractions won't cost you a penny. The London Pass Saves You Time London is a popular destination, therefore, attractions and sights do get very busy. Waiting in line can sometimes take hours from your sightseeing experience--that's why London Pass holders get to skip the queue at key attractions such as Tower of London, Windsor Castle and London Bridge Experience. Also, the map of London and the information about the city's public transportation system available in our guidebook help plan the perfect sightseeing _ to maximize your time in the city. Practical Information Adult ticket: PS43.00 Address: Charing Cross Road, London Tel: 01664 485020 With a London pass, you are expected to spend _ when visiting Tower of London and Windsor Castle. Answer: nothing When Abraham Lincoln was just a boy, he had to help his father to look after their farm. It was hard work and there wasn't anything interesting for him. Abraham wanted to go to school, but there was no school there. He was sad most of the time. Mrs. Lincoln loved the boy very much. She tried her best to make Abraham happy. One morning she got up early and went to the town. It was a long way, so it took her a long time to get there. She bought something there and went back. It was late in the evening when she got home. The next morning Mrs. Lincoln said to Abraham,"Today is your birthday, so we're going to have a party."She put some food on the table, and then brought out a present. "A book!"Abraham cried. It was an old book, but he liked it. A smile came on his face. He looked up at Mrs. Lincoln and said,"Thank you, Mom." On the farm most of the time little Lincoln was _ . Answer: unhappy
What is a disadvantage of using moving water to produce electricity? A Power is produced inexpensively. B Air pollution is produced. C Oil spills may occur. D The local ecosystem may be disrupted. Answer: D. The local ecosystem may be disrupted. LONDON (Reuters Life!) ---- Forget about talking your children into considering life as a doctor or a teacher and start training them for the talent show. A survey of British parents showed the aspirations of their children are greatly different from what they dreamed about when considering who they wanted to be when they grew up. Although astronaut still remains fairly high on the list of careers kids dream about these days, others like doctor and teacher have been taken the place of by the desire to win good name and money as a sporting hero, pop star or actor. The parents of children aged 5 to 11 said the choice of lawyer had dropped by only one place on a top 10 list to sixth, while teacher had dropped to ninth from top in the last 25 or more years. The survey for British TV channel "Watch" found a great difference between the genders of today's young people when compared with their parents' dreams 25 years or more ago. Playing professional football, being an astronaut and joining the firefighting service topped the boys' choices, while girls are more likely to be dreaming of taking to the stage as a pop star or actress or joining the medical profession. When asked what they would like their children to do for a living, today's parents still like the academic professions , with law and medicine scoring highly, while being a boss came third. Parents also praised job happiness above wealth when it comes to their hopes for their children. Nearly 70 percent of the parents surveyed thought that they failed to follow their dreams when it came to their career, with 37 percent thinking it was caused by a lack of aspiration and not having the necessary conditions. From the passage we know that most parents still hope that in the future their children can take up _ . A jobs such as musicians, singers and dancers B jobs related to academic professions like lawyers and doctors C jobs in which they will not be endangered D jobs which will be well paid only Answer: B. jobs related to academic professions like lawyers and doctors The Internet will open up new vistas , create the global village----you can make new friends all around the world. That, at least, is what it promised us. The difficulty is that it did not take the human mind into account. The reality is that we cannot keep relationships with more than a limited number of people. No matter how hard the Internet tries to put you in communication, its best efforts will be defeated by your mind. The problem is twofold . First, there is a limit on the number of people we can hold in mind and have a meaningful relationship with. That number is about 150 and is set by the size of our brain. Second, the quality of your relationships depends on the amount of time you invest in then. We invest a lot in a small number of people and then distribute what's left among as many others as we can. The problem is that if we invest little time in a person, our _ with that person will decline until eventually it dies into "someone I once knew". This is not, of course, to say that the Internet doesn't serve a socially valuable function. Of course it does. But the question is not that it allows you to increase the size of your social circle to include the rest of the world, but that you can keep your relationships with your existing friends going even though you have to move to the other side of the world. In one sense, that's a good thing. But it also has a disadvantage. If you continue to invest in your old friends even though you can no longer see them, then certainly you aren't using your time to make new friends where you now live. And I suspect that probably isn't the best use of your time. Meaningful relationships are about being able to communicate with each other, face to face. The Internet will slow down the rate with which relationships end, but it won't stop that happening eventually. The author holds the view that _ . A the Internet helps to keep in touch with friends far away B the Internet determines the quality of social relationships C the Internet greatly increases the size of social circles D the Internet is of no value in social communication Answer: A. the Internet helps to keep in touch with friends far away What is the role of decomposers in a food chain? A They consume other organisms. B They break down dead organic matter. C They use the Sun's energy to make food. D They convert inorganic matter into organic matter. Answer: B. They break down dead organic matter. Once upon a time, there was a boy named Freddy. And Freddy loved his mom very much, and his mom loved him very much too. One day, Freddy went outside to ride his bike. On the way out, his mother told him, "Remember to wear your helmet," and Freddy grabbed his helmet and met his friends outside. When he was putting on his helmet, his friends told him, "Helmets are for girls! You're not cool if you wear a helmet!" Freddy thought about what his mom told him, but he wanted to be cool like his friends, and he took off his helmet. Freddy and his friends went on a long adventure, and they rode all the way to the top of the largest hill in their neighborhood. Looking down, Freddy was scared. He had never ridden down this hill before. His friends said, "What are you, scared?" Freddy did not want to come off as scared. He hopped on his bicycle, and down he went. Freddy started speeding up, going very, very fast. He pressed his brakes, but oh no, his brakes weren't working. Freddy, speeding down the hill, did not know what to do. He got to the end of the hill and slammed right into a tree. He awoke the next day in the hospital. At the hospital, his mother was there. Freddy opened his eyes and told his mom the whole story. He told her how we would never do that again, and how he would always wear his helmet. His mom gave him a big kiss on the forehead, and Freddy knew his mother was right in the beginning. She didn't have to say it. In the end, Freddy learned that it's important to not care what other people think, and those that think you're not cool because you wear a helmet are the ones that aren't cool in the first place. In which two places is this story located? A Neighborhood and Hospital B Neighborhood and Shopping Mall C Hospital and the Zoo D Restaurant and Shopping Mall Answer: A. Neighborhood and Hospital
The huge explosion in Tianjin is only a symptom of a much bigger problem plaguing China today ! Laws are often not enforced , or are enforced half-heartedly. The law clearly prohibits storage of dangerous goods and chemicals within a certain radius of residential areas, and there must be strict adherence to rules on storage and transportation, etc. The fact that this accident occurred so close to residential areas, resulting in devastating damage to homes and serious injuries to residents, shows that the law was not strictly enforced. Whoever approved the siting of that logistic plant in that particular area has a lot to answer for. Often, officials come to take action only after lives are lost. Another case in point is the unfortunate death of a young mother in the escalator accident in a shopping mall recently. Problems with elevators and escalators have been around for ages, and residents have made countless complaints, but to no avail. After the accident, city officials fan out all over the country checking on escalators for faults, and many escalators have been shut down for repairs. This kind of action is a kneejerk reaction to a serious disaster! There are many disasters waiting to happen. And all are due to weak or non-existent enforcement. For instance, it's well known that many residents add an extra floor to the roof-top of their apartment bocks, endangering the safety of the block, while others dig into their ground floor units to create an extra basement living area, hacking away concrete slabs and cutting steel bars which are the basic foundation of the building, seriously jeodardizing its safety. Neighbors complain, city officials come round and leave, saying they can't do anything as the owner wouldn't open his door for an inspection! They would often leave a note on the owner's door telling him to stop construction, but true to form, the owner just ignores it. This is the kind of enforcement we see so often in China. What is urgently needed in China is a complete overhaul of the enforcement practice, with every official held accountable for his failure to enforce the law strictly! Why wait till lives are lost before acting? How did the author develop the passage? A. Topic-Argument-Explanation. B. Opinion-Discussion-Description. C. Main idea-Comparison-Supporting examples. D. Introduction-Supporting examples-Conclusion. Answer: D. Introduction-Supporting examples-Conclusion. NEW YORK---Booksellers and technology companies are diving into the world of digital books. Sony Corp is selling the Reader Digital Book for $299, while giant online shopping company Amazon.com offers the Kindle for $399. The digital books are light, easy on the eyes and let readers carry around as many as 200 titles in hardware that weighs less than a pound. But to some people, there's something missing. "It's , I guess, the feel of holding a book that someone really put a lot of effort into writing," said Katy Farina, 21. Farina, a college student who was browsing at a bookstore, said, "It feels real, while the reader separates you a little bit from the story." Harry Howe, a professor, said he might use an e-book reader in search of materials while away from home, but not for reading a novel. "It's just not a physical experience that I'm yet comfortable with. On the other hand, I didn't grow up reading things on websites." Farina said she would like a reader for travelling because she would not have to transport so many books. "To put 10 books on your Sony reader or on your Kindle is a lot better than carrying 10 books," she said. Neither Sony nor Amazon would say how many machines they have sold, but enough people are interested in trying them out. An Amazon official at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week said the Kindle sold out on its first day in 6 hours. And for people hesitating between paper and e-books, Sony does offer a compromising -- an optional paper cover. "I think it's a clever move." Said Howe. According to the passage, Farina _ . A. dislikes e-books B. likes e-books very much C. never uses e-books D. prefers e-books when traveling Answer: D. prefers e-books when traveling 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 Why did the author feel confused and hurt when he got to junior high? A. Because he was afraid that he had lost his friends. B. Because he and his friends weren't in the same school. C. Because he was too busy to be with his friends. D. Because his friends refused to hang out with him. Answer: A. Because he was afraid that he had lost his friends. The worldwide increase in the use of cellphones has caused concerns regarding possible harmful effects caused by cellphone radiation. People are particularly concerned that the radiation will put cellphone users at a higher risk of suffering from cancer. However, studies of the association between cellphone use and the risk of brain cancer have reached different conclusions(some, but not all, studies showed increased risk). Researchers conducted a study to examine if cellphone radiation affected regional activity in the human brain. The study, conducted between January 1 and December 31, 2009,included 47 participants. Cellphones were placed on the left and right ears, and brain imaging was performed to measure brain glucose metabolism twice: one with the right cellphone activated for 50 minutes("on" condition) and once with both cellphones deactivated("off" condition). An analysis was conducted to check the association of metabolism and cellphone radiation. The scans were compared to assess the effect of cellphone use on brain glucose metabolism. The researchers found that whole-brain metabolism did not differ between the on and off conditions. However there were regional effects. Metabolism in some brain region was higher (about 7 percent) for cellphone on than for cellphone off conditions. This indicates that the regions expected to absorb more cellphone radiation were the ones that showed the larger increases in glucose metabolism. These results provide evidence that the human brain is sensitive to the effects of acute cellphone radiation. However, how cellphone radiation could affect brain glucose metabolism is unclear. Concerns have been raised by the possibility that cellphone radiation may _ brain cancer. Results of this study provide evidence that acute cellphone radiation affects brain metabolic activity. However, these results provide no information as to their connection regarding possible carcinogenic effects (or lack of such effects) of chronic cellphone use. Further studies are needed to assess if these effects could have long-term harm. What does the passage mainly talk about? A. The current situation of cellphone use. B. To phone or not to phone. C. The link between cellphone use and brain cancer. D. Long-term harmful effects of cellphones. Answer: C. The link between cellphone use and brain cancer. Jack Brown, an office worker, lives in Washington. He inherited a million dollars when he was 23, but he wasn't happy at all.When his college friends were looking for their jobs, he didn't have to. Jack decided to keep living a simple life like everyone else. He gave $ 10,000 of his money to a charity to help poor children live a happy life. Today he is 36. He still wears cheap shoes and clothes and drives a small car only, but he is very happy. Up to now Jack has helped some children from poor countries all over the world, by sending them each $200 a month. The money is used for the children's study, food, medicine and clothing. Jack receives a report each year on the children's progress They can write to each other, but usually the children do not speak English. When Jack first heard about these children, he wanted to help them. "It was nothing special,"he said."Until I went to these countries and met the children I was helping, I didn't know anything about their life." Once Jack went to meet a little girl in Africa, he said that the meeting was very exciting. "When I met her, I felt very,very happy,"he said."And I saw that the money was _ . It brought me happiness. I want to do everything I can to go on helping these children." Jack learns about the children's progress by _ . A. going to visit them B. getting a report each year C. staying with them D. talking to them in English Answer: B. getting a report each year
People sometimes like to read stories of dogs very much. They think that dogs are much cleverer than cats, sheep, cows or other animals in their homes. One of my best friends, Bob, has a dog named Jack. Every Sunday afternoon, Bob and Jack have a walk in the park nearby. Jack likes these walks very much. One Sunday afternoon, I stayed in Bob's home for a long time and we talked happily. Soon it was time for them to take a walk in the park. Jack was worried about it. He walked around the room several times and then sat down in front of me and looked at me. But I still paid no attention to him. I went on talking with my friend. At last, Jack could not wait any longer. He went out of the room and came back a few minutes later. He sat down in front of me again. But this time, he held my hat in his mouth. Suddenly, I understood what Jack meant. Jack _ . Answer: Nanjing and Hangzhou summer camps offered We are looking for hard-working and open-minded English teachers to join the Nanjing ( Jiangsu Province) and Hangzhou ( Zhejiang Province) summer camps ! Both of the summer camps will run from the beginning of July to the end of August. You will be expected to teach spoken English to Chinese students of different ages. We encourage you to bring your own culture to the classes to make things more interesting. The information of the Nanjing camp: * Working hours: 40 hours per week, 5 working days per week. * Salary: about 7, 000 RMB per month. * Accommodation: free (single room). The information of the Hangzhou camp: * Working hours: 5 hours per day ( = 50 min./class x 6 classes), one day rest per week. * Salary: 20,160 RMB in total (420 RMB per day = 70 RMB/class x 6 classes). * Accommodation: free (shared room). The requirements of the summer camps: * Native English speakers (US, England, Canada, Australia, New Zealand). * A university degree. * Teaching experience. Please send us your resume , copies of certificates and passport if you are interested in the camps. E-mail: teacher1324@ sina. com. cn For more information you can visit our website at http://www. English summer camps. com. cn. Look forward to hearing from you soon! Compared with the Nanjing camp, the Hangzhou camp _ . Answer: Few of us haven't read Cinderella , the story of a young woman living in poverty who meets the prince of her dreams. Some might not want to admit it, but there is a hidden Cinderella in everyone's heart--we all wish we could achieve recognition or success after a period of obscurity . Mary Santiago has that secret dream, too. Her story is featured in Another Cinderella Story, a film set in a US high school. Mary is shy but loves to dance. Compared with other girls, she is invisible. However, her world changes completely when a famous teenager pop singer, Joey Parker, appears. Joey is everything the rest of the boys in her class are not--kind, handsome and desirable. Mary and Joey's paths cross at a ball. They meet and fall in love with each other. But when Mary has to rush back home, she leaves behind her MP3 player, which becomes the only clue Joey has to find the girl of his dreams. Of course, there is a wicked stepmother, who turns out to be Dominique Blatt and she takes in Mary after her dancer mother dies. Dominique treats Mary like a maid and does everything she can to make sure Mary doesn't get into the top dance school. Her two daughters are equally determined to stop Joey falling for Mary, even if that means embarrassing her. The story, though it mostly follows Cinderella, does add a few modern day twists to the classic fairy tale. Refreshingly, the film, unlike many high school films, does not focus on looks, although the actors are all beautiful. There is also a lot less materialism in Another Cinderella Story than in many similar movies. "The movie takes the Cinderella fairytale as its jumping off point," writes movie critic Amber Wilkinson, "The focus is firmly on following your dream." The passage is mainly about _ . Answer: On a wet Wednesday evening in Seoul, six government employees gathered at the office to prepare for a late-night patrol . The mission is to find children who are studying after 10 p. m. and stop them. In South Korea, it has come to this. To reduce the country's addiction to private, after-hours tutoring academies(called hagwons), the authorities have begun enforcing a curfew --even rewarding citizens for turning in violators. But cramming is deeply anchored in Asia, where top grades have long been prized as essential for professional success. Before toothbrushes or printing presses, there were civil service exams that could make or break you. Chinese families have been hiring test preparation tutors since the 7th century. Nowadays South Korea has taken this competition to new extremes. In 2010, 74% of all students engaged in some kind of private after-school instruction, sometimes called shadow education, at an average cost of KRW 2, 600 per student for a year. There are more private instructors in South Korea than school teachers, and the most popular of them make millions of dollars a year from online and in-person classes. When Singapore's Education Minister was asked last year about his nation's reliance on private tutoring, he found one reason for hope, "We are not as bad as the Koreas. " In Seoul, legions of students who failed to get into top universities spend the entire year after high school attending hagwons to improve their scores on university admission tests. And they must compete even to do this. At the prestigious Daesung Institute, admission is based on students' test scores. Only 14% of applicants are accepted. After a year of 14-hour days, about 70% gain entry to one of the nation's top three universities. South Koreans are not alone in their discontent. Across Asia, reformers are pushing to make schools more "American"--even as some U. S. reformers make their own schools more "Asian". In China, universities have begun fashioning new entry tests to target students with talents beyond book learning. And Taiwanese officials recently announced that kids will no longer have to take high-stress exams to get into high school. In South Korea, the apogee of extreme education, gets its reforms right, it could be a model for other societies. The problem is not that South Korea kids aren't learning enough or working hard enough, but that they aren't working smart. When I visited some schools, I saw classrooms in which a third of the students slept while the teacher continued lecturing, seemingly undisturbed. The government has repeatedly tried to humanize the education system, but after each attempt, the hagwons come back stronger. But this time, its reforms are targeting not just the dysfunctional symptom but also the causes. It is working to improve normal public schools by putting teachers and principals through rigorous evaluations--which include opinion surveys by students, parents and peer teachers--and requiring additional training for low-scoring teachers. At the same time, the government hopes to reduce the pressure on students. Admissions tests for high schools have been abolished. Middle schoolers are now judged on the basis of their regular grades and an interview. And 500 admissions officers have been appointed to the country's universities, to judge applicants not only on their test scores and grades but also other abilities. The six government employees were asked to _ . Answer: A judge was working in his room one day when a neighbour ran in and said, "If one man's cow kills another's, is the owner of the first cow responsible?" "It depends," answered the judge. "Well," said the man, your cow has killed mine. "Oh," answered the judge. "Everyone knows that a cow cannot think like a man, so a cow is not responsible, and that means that its owner is not responsible either." "I am sorry, Judge," said the man. "I made a mistake. I meant that my cow killed yours." The judge thought for a few seconds and then said," When I think about it more carefully, this case is not as easy as I thought at first. "And then he turned to his clerk and said, "Please bring me that big black book from the shelf behind you." When the neighbour heard this, he told the judge that _ . Answer:
Donald was not very good at math. He couldn't understand the teacher's explanations. Even when the teacher explained something a second time, Donald Still couldn't understand it. "Never mind." Donald told himse1f, "I'm quite good at other subjects. I'll cheat in the math exam to get a good grade, then I won't be in trouble. " "I'll sit next to the boy who does best in math," he thought, "and copy down this answers." The day of the exam came, and Donald sat next to Tommy, who was always at the top of the class in math. Donald carefully copied Tommy's answers onto his own exam paper. At the end the exam, the teacher collected the papers and graded them in time. Then she said, "well, boys and girls, I've decided to give a prize to the student who got the highest grade. It's difficult for me to decide who I'll give the prize to one of them." The students were surprised when they heard this. They said, "That's not fair. They got the same grade." "That's true." the teacher said, "However, Tommy's answer to Question 18 was 'I don't know' while Dona1d's was 'Neither do I ' ." We can infer<) _ . Answer: the teacher may criticize Donald Hello, everyone! My name is Peter. I think a good friend is like a mirror. I'm tall and have short hair. My best friend Jack looks similar to me. I'm quiet and like reading books. He likes reading, too. So we often spend time together reading and studying. I like sports. I play basketball very well and he is good at playing basketball too. I don't think it's easy for me to make friends because I'm quieter than most of the other boys. But I think friends are like books--you don't need a lot of them as, long as they're good. Read and answer the questions(, ) Does Jack like reading? Answer: Yes, he does. What is the role of decomposers in a food chain? Answer: They break down dead organic matter. For most families, a long car journey is the _ of any trip.But for the Zapps, their 83-year-old vehicle has been a home for the past 11 years, as the couple travel around the world on a never ending trip of a lifetime, covering 142,000 miles over four continents. Herman and Candelaria Zapp, who got married to each other in 1996 and to their journey in 2000, Set off from Patagonia, Argentina, heading for Alaska. They came back to Argentina in2004,but settled there only for a couple of weeks, before deciding the open road is the only way to live. They have been traveling ever since, with a trip around South America between 2005 and 2007, then central America, the U.S. and Canada until 2009.The car was shipped to Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea as they traveled those countries and they are currently in the Philippines on a tour of South East Asia. As a proof that life is possible in such a mobile style, the family of the two slowly grew to a number of six.They became, over the years and while on the road, parents to four children, Pampa (eight), Tehue (five), Paloma (three) and Wallaby (one). Remarkably, each of their kids has a different nationality. "My grandfather knew that we wanted to travel and to never stop so he gave me the old Grdham-Paige car he used on his farm," Herman said. Each night the six Zapps either sleep in or around a tent set up next to their car, but more often than not they find a friendly local who will put them up for the night.The only hard rule the couple have to stick by, is the 40mph speed limit the 83-year old car is restricted to. Their trip is supported with the money coming from selling books they write about the places they visit. Where do the Zapps keep their kids? Answer: They let the'kids travel with them. I was loading my truck to go to the market when I hurt my left eye. The pain was like a hot sword being shoved through my head. I fell down on my hands and knees, and I knew it was bad. I was taken to the Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, and the doctors operated on me several times but couldn't save my left eye. When they told me the news, I wanted to die. Even after I got my fake eye, I couldn't shake the sadness. To make matters worse, I lost my job as a transportation officer because of my lost eye. But one morning, I woke up and the TV was on, and there was a 16-year-old girl who had been badly burned on her face and legs. Her situation was much worse than mine. She wore a big smile and seemed to look right at me and said, "You can't ever give up." At that moment, I thought, "This is just an eye. Get over it." And I did. It's been almost 12 years since my accident, and there's nothing I can't do now that I used to do. And although I didn't get my old job back, I got my license again. I read a story once. In that story, a man was feeling bad because he had no shoes until he met a man who had no feet. No matter how terrible your problem is, remember there's always someone somewhere who's worse off. So cheer up and smile at life! Because of the accident, the writer _ . Answer: lost one of his eyes
My students often tell me that they do not have "enough time" to do all their homework. My response often is "You have as much time as the president." I usually carry on a bit about there being twenty-four hours in the day for everyone, and suggest that "not enough time" is not an acceptable explanation of not getting something done. Once in graduate school, I tried to prove to my professor that I was working hard. His answer was "That's irrelevant .What's important is the quality of your work." That led me to a new idea: the quality of the work, which is perhaps best explained in a sign: "Don't work harder. Work smarter." If you can't get more time, as few of us can, the only solution is to improve the quality of your work. That means improving ways to get more out of the same time. That should lead us to an analysis of our work habits, which for students should be read as "study habits". Then as a smart student, you will seek to improve those skills that you use in study, chiefly reading and writing. If you can, it will pay off in all your subjects. As to improving reading, one suggestion is to take a quick nap when you feel reading puts you to sleep, which later helps you read better. The second solution is to speed up. But there are other issues. First, you need to find a place where you can work without unnecessary disturbances. Second, you need to take control. Success depends on realizing that you have to take active control over what you are doing. Third, you might as well get hold of a good book on reading and master the reading skills that pay off in all your classes. Talking about advice on good writing habits, you simply have to master the writing skills. Increasing your efficiency in both reading and writing will pay off immediately in terms of the quality of your work and in terms of the time spent doing it. Then you will be able to do better work in less time. And maybe you will find time to play golf with the president. According to the author, the students do not have enough time to get their work done mainly because _ . Answer: they lack good learning habits Betty and I are best friends.Our birthdays are on the same day,so every year we have a birthday party together.But this year,we had a costume party instead. While we were writing the invitation,my mum came in and asked."Why not invite John?"John had been in our class for only a few months,but he was always getting better grades in math than anyone else in class.I wrinkled my nose and said,"Mum,he wears the same pants to school every day.How can he even afford a costume?"Mum said nothing.The next day,mum gave me an envelope with a shopping certificate in it."I thought it would be nice of you to give this to John,"Mum said.But how?We didn't want to make John embarrassed.We discussed it for a long time.Finally,Betty and I had a good idea. On the day of our party,kids arrived,dressed differently.John arrived,in an old sheet ,but still in the same brown pants as usual.We danced,ate snacks and played games in groups.Before eating the birthday cake,Betty said in a loud voice,"Now it's time for the great prize game.It's the following riddle..."It was a math game.None of us was surprised when John came up with the right answer first and walked off with the envelope. Everything went on well as we planned.John wore a new pair of pants and a new shirt the next week.He felt happy.So did we. When we helped others,we need to find a proper way,or we may hurt them in another way. How did John get the prize during the party? Answer: By winning the math game. Dear Editor, I have just returned home after studying for a year in Germany. But it seems that my parents don't understand me now. They expect me to be the same person I was before I went abroad, but I'm not! Why can't they let me be myself? Jimmy Hi, Jimmy, As far as I know, people who have lived abroad often find that the adjustment to returning home is more difficult than their adjustment to living in a foreign culture. Why? We expect to have some problems when we go to a new place, speak a different language and learn the rules of a different culture ... But home? ... we know that place! Your parents expect that the same person who boarded the airplane one year ago will be returning. Especially if they have never been abroad themselves, your parents probably won't understand the changes that living abroad can cause in a person. On the other hand, you may have maintained an ideal mental image of your loved ones while abroad, an image that is broken into pieces when you return. Remember you have been living a different lifestyle in your host country, and you have probably become very independent while staying there alone. Now that you're home, you will be expected to conform again to the lifestyle of your family. As a result, you may be upset about your parents' involvement in your life. Communication is the key to overcoming this problem. Tell your parents how you are feeling. Share with them information about cultural re-entry , and ask them to be patient. This does not mean that you have to forget your experience and give up everything you've learned! Learn to find a balance between the old and new, just as you did when first adjusting to your host country's culture. The editor thinks that both Jimmy and his parents _ . Answer: have unrealistic expectations of each other Alexander von Humboldt was born in 1769 in Berlin, Germany. As a young boy, he wanted to learn about the world. Humboldt followed his dream. In 1799, he traveled with a friend to Central and South America. On their trip, Humboldt and his friend saw and did many things. They sailed down the Amazon River. They watched dolphins play in the ocean. They explored the rain forest and climbed mountains and volcanoes. They were able to make the first maps of the northern part of South America. Humboldt set a world record for mountain climbing. He also made a discovery. During his climb, Humboldt became very sick. He found out that the higher he climbed, the less oxygen there was in the air. This made it more difficult to breathe. Later, this became known as mountain sickness. Science was another part of Humboldt's interests. He wanted to write about all of the new things he saw. He described the new plants, animals, and rocks which had never been seen by scientists before. Humboldt also studied the way of life of the local people. He learned how the native people along the Amazon River used plants in their daily lives. For example, they used a strong poison from a vine to make poisoned arrows. The natives used these arrows for hunting their food. The Amazon Indians also used a native plant to treat malaria , a serious illness. The plant grew wild, but after it was dug up, it was never replanted. Humboldt warned the natives that the plant was in danger of dying out. He looked for ways to preserve the plant and to make it grow strong. Although Humboldt took many risks during his trip, he lived to be 90 years old. In his lifetime, he made many discoveries and shared them with the world. As a tribute to Humboldt, there are rivers and mountains named after him. We can tell from the text that Humboldt was _ . Answer: ambitious It is physically impossible for a well-educated, intellectual, or brave man to make money the chief object of his thoughts; as physically imposssible as it is for him to make his dinner the principal object of them. All healthy people like their dinner, but their dinner is not the main object of their lives. So all healthy-minded people like making money--- ought to like it and to enjoy the sensation of winning it; but the main object of their lives is not money; it is something better than money. A good soldier, for instance, mainly wishes to do his fighting well. He is glad of his pay--- very properly so, and justly grumbles when you keep him ten months without it; but still, his main notion(,) of life is to win battles, not to be paid for winning them. So with doctors. They like fees no doubt--- ought to like them; yet if they are brave and well-educated, the entire object of their lives is not fees. They, on the whole, desire to cure the sick, and --- if they are good doctors , and the choice were fairly put to them--- would rather cure their patient and lose their fee than kill him and get _ . And so with all other brave and rightly trained men; their work is first, their fee second, very important always, but still second. The following statements are true EXCEPT _ . Answer: Soldiers and doctors are brave and well-educated
Reflecting on the past about those decisions or actions that can't be reversed and being occupied with thoughts of "What if?" is no way to live. But there are a few things in life I'd probably do differently if I had the chance. I once majored in architecture -- something I had been crazy about for as long as I could remember -- and then I suddenly had a change of heart. I made an appointment with my adviser, and told him I was no longer certain I wanted to pursue a career in architecture. "Don't give up on your childhood dream!" "He's right," I thought. "I should just stick it out and I shouldn't disappoint the little girl who once loved architecture." It was awful. I was _ , holding on to a childhood dream that had long since faded. When I talked with a friend about it a year later, he asked: "Right now, what do you want to do with your life?" That's when I came to the realization that dreams change over time and that you should give up the childhood dream if it's not what you want as an adult. Luckily, it wasn't too late. After some serious thought, I changed my major to journalism. It wasn't something I had always imagined myself pursuing -- but at that moment, it was what I wanted. We grow up, and sometimes our dreams change -- and that's perfectly OK. You just need to ask yourself every once in a while, "Is this still what I want?" If the answer is no, move on and start chasing a new one. Why didn't the author change her major immediately? A. Changing a major was uncommon B. Her advisor forced her not to do that C. She thought it a betrayal of her younger self D. She didn't want her childhood dream to fade. Answer: C Most people today think of chocolate as something sweet to eat or drink and can be easily found in stores around the world. It might surprise you that chocolate was once highly treasured. The wealthy people of Spain first enjoyed a sweetened chocolate drink. Later, the popularity of the drink spread throughout Europe. Chocolate remained a drink that only wealthy people could afford to drink until the eighteenth century. During the period known as the Industrial Revolution, new technologies helped make chocolate less costly to produce. Farmers grow cacao trees in many countries in Africa, Central and South America, but these trees are difficult to grow. They require an exact amount of water, warmth, soil and protection. After about five years, cacao trees start producing large fruits called pods, which grow near the trunk of the tree. The seeds inside these pods are harvested to make chocolate. Growing cacao is very hard work for farmers. Today, chocolate industry officials, activists, and scientists are working with farmers. They are trying to make sure that cacao can be grown in a way that is easy for the farmers and safe for the environment. The market value of the yearly cacao crop around the world is more than five billion dollars. Chocolate is especially popular in Europe and the United States. Each year, Americans eat an average of more than 5 kilograms of chocolate per person. Specialty shops that sell costly chocolate are also very popular. Many offer chocolate lovers the chance to taste chocolate grown in different areas of the world. What made it possible to produce chocolate inexpensively? A. A warm climate. B. Official aid. C. New technologies. D. Scientific protection. Answer: C A puppy feels hunger and moves straight to its female parent's nipple. This behavior is A. learned B. instinctive C. reactive D. predatory Answer: B Tom was not old, but he did not have much hair. His wife, Grace, had thick, beautiful, black hair. They had one daughter. Her name was Jane, and she was four and a half years old. There was a photo of her father in the living-room, and a few days ago, Jane looked at it for a long time and then said to her mother, "Mummy, why had Dad got very little hair? " Grace laughed and said, "He's got very little hair because he thinks a lot, Jane. He' s a clever man." Jane looked at her mother's thick, black hair for a few seconds , and then she asked, "Mum, why have you got a lot of hair? " Jane wanted to know why her mother had _ hair,too. A. black B. beautiful C. less D. lots of Answer: D In 1826, a French man named Niepce needed pictures for his business. But he was not a good artist. He invented a very simple camera. He put it in a window of his house and took a picture of his garden. That was the first photo. The next important date in the history of photography was in 1837. That year, Daguerre, another Frenchman, took a picture of his reading room. He used a new kind of camera in a different way. In his picture you could see everything very clearly, even the smallest thing. This kind of photo was called a Daguerreotype. Soon, other people began to use Daguerre's way. Travelers brought back wonderful photos from all around the world. People took pictures of famous buildings, cities and mountains. In about 1840, photography was developed. Then photographers could take pictures of people and moving things. That was not simple. The photographers had to carry a lot of films and other machines. But this did not stop them, for example, some in the United States worked so hard. Mathew Brady was a famous American photographer. He took many pictures of great people. The pictures were unusual because they were very lifelike. Photography also became one kind of art by the end of the 19thcentury. Some photos were not just copies of the real world. They showed our feelings, like other kinds of art. The Daguerreotype was _ . A. a Frenchman B. a kind of picture C. a kind of camera D. a photographer Answer: D
There are three branches of medicine. One is called "doctor medicine" or "scientific medicine". Scientific doctors try to observe sickness, look for logical pattern, and then find out how the human body works. From there they figure out what treatments may work. This kind of medicine is believed to date from the 4thcentury BC. Although nowadays it is successful, in the ancient this approach probably did not cure many patients. The second kind of medicine is called "natural cures" or "folk medicine", in which less educated people try to cure sickness with various herbs. These folk healers also use observation and logic, but they are not so aware of it. They try things until they find something that seems to work, and then they keep doing that. Folk medicine flourished long before the development of scientific medicine and was more successful in ancient times. The third kind is called "health spas" or "faith healing". Sometimes this may be as simple as touching the holy man and being immediately healed. Other times, a magician may make you a magic charm, or say a spell , to cure you. Some religious groups organize healing shrines for the sick. In these places people rest, get plenty of sleep, eat healthy food, drink water instead of wine, and exercise in various ways. They also talk to the priests and pray to the gods. If you are feeling depressed or you have been working too hard, going to these places may be just the right thing to make you feel better. Doctor medicine _ . A has a longer history than folk medicine B has been practiced for around 2,400 years C bases its treatments on observation and logic D was very successful in curing sicknesses in ancient times Answer: B. has been practiced for around 2,400 years There are four people in my family. They're my grandfather, my parents and me. My grandfather exercises every day. He never uses the Internet. He eats vegetables three times a day, but he hardly ever drinks milk. And he watches TV every night. My father is a taxi driver. He's very busy. He never exercises, but he sometimes use the Internet. He watches TV on Saturday and Sunday evening. He often eats vegetables and drinks milk. My mother is a housewife . She watches TV every day. She never use the Internet. She sometimes eats vegetables, but she drinks milk three times a week. Exercise? Of course she does. She exercises every day by doing housework. I'm a middle school student. I go to school from Monday to Friday. I often exercise. But on Saturday and Sunday, I don't exercise because I have too much homework to do. I watch TV only on Sunday evening. But I use the Internet twice a week. I drink milk every day, but I don't like vegetables. My mother often says to me, "Why do you eat so much meat, Mike? It's not good for your health." But I like it very much. What does Mike's father do? A He often eats vegetable. B He sometimes use the Internet. C He is very busy. D He is a taxi driver. Answer: D. He is a taxi driver. One day newly wedded Nancy lost her ring while helping to plant potatoes. Friends were called and the field was searched long but _ . Later, when the potatoes were harvested, Everyone looked out for the ring but it remained lost. Another year came round and all the farmers working in the field kept their eyes open. The following year was the same. And year after year, whoever had business in the field always had Nancy's ring in his mind. Then the farm changed hands but it went no farther than to cousins. So the memory of the lost ring remained alive until thirty-eight years had passed. Then came a spring day when a man was ploughing the field behind a pair of horses. Even after thirty-eight years he still looked out for the ring, and knew just which part of the field Nancy had lost it in. At this time, when he came there, he found it .He picked it up, put it carefully into his pocket, left his horse, and ran all the way down to the village and placed it into Nancy's hand. How did Nancy come to lose her ring? A She lost it while helping to harvest tomatoes in the field B She lost it while watering the plants in the field. C She lost it while working in the field. D She lost it while helping to plant potatoes in the field. Answer: D. She lost it while helping to plant potatoes in the field. If you think by examining someone's facial expressions you can judge if he has good or bad luck in the stock market, think again. A study published in the journal, Science, has shown that body language provides a better signal in judging whether the observed subject has just gone through an intensely positive or negative experience. To test highly intense faces, Dr. Hillel Aviezer and his colleagues presented test groups with photos of dozens of highly intense facial expressions in real-life situations. In one study, they compared emotional expressions of professional tennis players winning or losing a point. To discover exactly how people view images, the researchers showed different editions of the pictures to three groups of participants: 1 ) the full picture with the face and body;2) the body with the face removed; 3) the face with the body removed. Remarkably, participants could easily pick the losers from winners when they judged by the full picture or the body alone, but they only had a 50:50 chance of being right when judging by the face alone. Strangely, the participants .who viewed the full image believed that it was the face, not the body, that revealed the person's emotions. In an additional study, the researchers performed the same series of tests, asking viewers to examine a wider range of real-life intense faces. Again, viewers were unable to tell faces in positive situations from negative situations. The researchers also "planted" faces on bodies expressing positive or negative emotions. Sure enough, the researchers discovered that the emotion of the same face on different bodies was determined by the body on which it appeared. "These results show that when emotions become extremely intense, the difference between positive and negative facial expressions no longer seems clear," says Aviezer. "The findings challenge classic behavioral models, in which the boundary between positive and negative emotions is clear." Aviezer adds, "The results may help researchers understand how body and facial expressions interact during emotional situations. For example, individuals with autism may fail to recognize facial expressions, but if trained to read important body language signs, their performance may significantly improve." What can we conclude from the study? A One cannot judge someone's emotions by facial expressions. B The boundary between positive and negative emotions is clear. C It's easier to tell positive emotions from negative ones if they're tenser. D Body language is a better choice to judge intense emotions. Answer: D. Body language is a better choice to judge intense emotions. Almost every child is scared of something, from monsters in the cupboard to dogs in the park. But the fact that such fears are common and normal doesn't mean they can be taken lightly. Kids experience fears and phobias much more strongly than adults. And the influence of the fear can be physical as well as psychological . It can build up so they almost seem scared of everything--a kind of childhood anxiety. Dr. Creswell says: "Your child may always seem to expect the worst to happen and lack confidence in his or her ability to deal with any challenge." So don't make the same old mistake of treating them as if they're silly for being a"scaredy cat". Handling the fears is essential. Children can be born nervous and, if you have such a baby, you'll tend to prevent them from getting worried. So if they fear dogs, you'll keep them away from dogs, but in fact that can just confirm to the child that dogs are scary. What is worse, keeping your child away from what they fear can turn that feeling into a phobia. Instead, you should encourage them to get in touch with the thing they fear, in a safe and supportive environment. Dr. Andy Field, a researcher of childhood fears, says: "You shouldn't force, for example, a dog anxious child to go up to a dog. But you can approach it yourself, show them there is nothing to be afraid of, stroke( ) it, and talk about the dog being friendly. Once your child dares to stroke a dog-one that's good with children, of course---then you should encourage them to carry on until they feel calmer, and reward them for'being brave'." Children's fears are usually taken lightly because _ . A they will not develop into phobias B their influence is psychological C they exist widely in the world D they will disappear gradually Answer: C. they exist widely in the world
Which of the following breathes? Answer: a zebra Orcas, or killer whales, are the largest of the dolphins and one of the world's most powerful animals feeding on meat. They feast on marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, and even whales, employing teeth that can be four inches (ten centimeters) long. They are known to grab seals right off the ice. They also eat fish, squid , and seabirds. Though they often frequent cold, coastal waters, orcas can be found from the polar regions to the Equator . Killer whales hunt in deadly groups, family groups of up to 40 individuals. There appear to be both permanent and temporary group populations of killer whales. These different groups may hunt different animals and use different techniques to catch them. Permanent groups tend to prefer fish, while temporary groups target marine mammals. All groups use effective, cooperative hunting techniques that some are similar to the behavior of wolf packs. Whales make a wide variety of communicative sounds, and each group has various noises that its members will recognize even at a distance. They use echolocation to communicate and hunt, making sounds that travel underwater until they meet objects, then reflect back, showing their location, size, and shape. Killer whales are protective of their young, and other adolescent females often assist the mother in caring for them. Mothers give birth every three to ten years, after a 17-month pregnancy. Killer whales are immediately recognizable by their special black-and-white coloring and are the intelligent, trainable stars of many aquarium shows. Killer whales have never been widely hunted by humans. [(The following aspects about killers whales are mentioned except _ . Answer: weight Welcome to Adventureland! Everyone loves Adventureland! The parks and exhibitions were built for you to explore , enjoy, and admire their wonders. Every visit will be an unforgettable experience. You will go away enriched, longing to come back. What are you going to do this time? The Travel Pavilion Explore places you have never been to before, and experience different ways of life. Visit the Amazon jungle village, the Turkish market, the Tai floating market, the Berber mountain house and others. Talk to the people there who will tell you about their lives, and things they make. You can try making a carpet, making nets, fishing... The Future Tower This exhibition shows how progress will touch our lives. It allows us to look into the future and explore the cities of the next century and the way we'll be living then. Spend some time in our space station and climb into our simulator for the Journey to Mars! The Nature Park This is not really one park but several. In the Safari Park you can drive among African animals in one of our Range Cruisers: see lions, giraffes, elephants in the wild. Move on to theOcean Park to watch the dolphins and whales. And then there is still the Aviary to see... The Pyramid This is the center of Adventureland. Run out of film, need some postcards and stamps? For all these things and many more, visit our underground shopping center. Come here for information and ideas too. If you are interested in knowing about what people's life will be, you may visit _ . Answer: the Future Tower One girl decided to study judo although she had lost her left arm in a car accident. The girl began lessons with an old Japanese judo instructor. The girl was doing well. So she couldn't understand why, after three months of training, the instructor had taught her only one move. "Instructor," the girl finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?" "This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the instructor replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in her teacher, the girl kept training. Several months later, the instructor took the girl to her first tournament. Surprising herself, the girl easily won her first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, her opponent became impatient and charged. The girl skillfully used her one move to win the match. Still amazed by her success, the girl was now in the finals. This time, her opponent was bigger, stronger and more experienced. For a while, the girl appeared to be _ . Concerned that the girl might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. She was about to stop the match when the instructor intervened . "No," the instructor insisted, "Let her continue." Soon after the match restarted, her opponent made a serious mistake: she dropped her guard. Instantly, the girl used her move to pin her opponent. The girl had won the match and the tournament. She was the champion. On the way home, the girl and her teacher reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the girl gathered the courage to ask what was really on her mind. "Instructor, how did I win the tournament with only one move?" "You won for two reasons," the teacher answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. Second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm." The girl's biggest weakness had become her biggest strength. The girl won the championship because of _ . Answer: her skills When Colonel Harland Sanders retired at the age of 65, he had little to show for himself, except an old Caddie roadster, a $105 monthly pension check ,and a recipe for chicken. Knowing he couldn't live on his pension, he took his chicken recipe in hand, got behind the wheel of hisvan ,and set out to make his fortune. His first plan was to sell his chicken recipe to restaurant owners, who would in turn give him aresidual for every piece of chicken they sold--5 cents per chicken. The first restaurateur he called on turned him down. So did the second. So did the third. In fact, the first 1,008 sales calls Colonel Sanders made ended in rejection. Still, he continued to call on owners as he traveled across the USA, sleeping in his car to save money. Prospect number 1,009 gave him first "yes". After two years of making daily sales he had signed up a total of five restaurants. Still the Colonel pressed on , knowing that he had a great chicken recipe and that someday the idea would _ . Of course, you know how the story ends. The idea did catch on. By 1963 the Colonel had 600 restaurants across the country selling his secret recipe of Kentucky Fried Chicken (with ll herbs and spices ). In 1964 he was bought out by future Kentucky governor John Brown.Even though the sale made him a multi-millionaire, he continued to represent and promote KFC until his death in 1990. Colonel Sanders' story teaches us an important lesson: _ Answer: It's never too late to make a change in your life .
For more than two days in September 1974, the people of Honduras shut their windows, locked their doors and covered in their homes. Fifi was outside, and they were frightened. By the time Fifi had left, 8,000 people were dead, Fifi wasn't a pet dog as the name suggests. It was a hurricane, one of the most destructive natural phenomena in the world. Why do we give human names to storms and hurricanes? We didn't always. Two hundred years ago, many hurricanes in the Caribbean were named after the saint's day on which the storm occurred. Later, storms were known by the name of the city where they came ashore. Meteorologists then tried naming storms after the latitude and longitude where they occurred. Finally, in 1953, hurricanes started getting people's names --specifically, female names. Male names were added in 1979. There are six sets of names for what the experts call "Atlantic tropical cyclones"( ). Each list is used every six years and consists of 21 names, starting with every letter but Q, U, X, Y ,Z. the names alternate between male and female. A storm won't get a name until its winds reach 39 mph or about 62.4 kph, at which point it becomes a tropical storm. At 74 mph or 118.4 kph it's declared a hurricane. The 126 names on the list are used only for storms that form off the Atlantic coast of the US. There are separate lists for the Pacific. So what happens if a hurricane should cross from the Atlantic to the Pacific? It's happened before. The storm just gets a new name and sometimes a new sex. Max Mayfield is the director of the National Hurricane Centre, headquartered in Miami, Florida. He is in charge of picking new names for storms off the Atlantic coast. He doesn't do it alone, though. His _ in two dozen other countries in the Caribbean, Central America and North America vote on what names will replace retired names. Which of the following is true according to the passage? A There were no hurricanes two centuries ago. B The Caribbean is a state of the United States. C The Caribbean is a place where hurricanes occur often. D Fifi was formed off the Pacific. Answer: C Police Officer Tidwell left the station after 8 a.m. on Sunday. He was looking forward to his day of rest. By habit he took a short cut down the path behind prefix = st1 /Digby Hall Road. Suddenly he saw a man climbing down a drain-pipe from an open bedroom window of number 29. Quietly Tidwell walked into the garden. The man had just reached the ground when he felt his arm grasped. "It seems an unlikely adventure. Would you mind explaining? " said the officer. The man was frightened, saying, "I know what's on your mind, officer, but it is a mistake. " "It's part of my job to take an interest in unusual events. I think you've just left this house in a manner other than the customary one. " Tidwell took out his notebook and a pen. "Name, address and your job and then, please, tell me your story." "Charlie Crane, Lorry Driver, from Nottingham, 51 Brecon Street. My story..." "Yes, What were you doing, Mr. Crane?" "Well, I had a breakdown yesterday and had to stay here until it was fixed. Bed and breakfast. The landlady is Mrs. Fern. She gave me breakfast at seven, and I was out here in the right way and down at the lorry park. It was only when I felt for a cigarette that I realised I'd left 80 pounds under the pillow. It's my habit to put my money under the pillow at night." "I see. Have you paid Mrs. Fern?" "I'd paid her last night. So I came back, but it's Sunday, and she'd gone back to bed. Could I wake her? I rang the bell and knocked on the door for ten minutes before I came here and found my bedroom window still open. Up I went, then, up this pipe. The money was still there. I hope you believe it because..." "Mr. Crane, what are you doing here? I thought you'd gone an hour ago." It was Mrs. Fern, speaking from the kitchen window. The police officer questioned the man because _ . A he had seen the man doing something strange B the man had fallen and needed attention C he thought he recognised the man D the man had tried to escape from the house Answer: A Alice Wilder, a 17-year-old student at Northwest School of the Arts in North Carolina, considers herself a feminist . She is one of 26 bloggers for SPARK, an international group founded in 2010. The group fights the use of the female body as a marketing tool in the media. Alice found out about SPARK when the organization launched a campaign demanding Seventeen Magazine feature a more diverse group of models. She applied to be a blogger for the group in May and won one of the positions. Each month, Alice pitches (...) her girl -and women - centric blog post ideas via online chat to an editor at SPARK. So far, she has written about topics such as female actresses, choosing what to wear, and dealing with anger. Alice said she hopes large companies and media stop editing images of women. Increases in bust size, decreases in waist size, smoothing and whitewashing skin are what Alice notes. "We want them to know that these images are bad for our development," Alice said. "Three out of four teen girls feel bad about themselves after reading a fashion magazine for three minutes," she said, according to SPARK's research. Alice first felt it necessary to advocate for women in the fifth grade, after seeing a girl's T-shirt with writing on the front that read: "Who needs brains when you have these?" "I was raised with this idea that if you don't like something, you can change it," Alice said. So Alice started following feminist bloggers. Alice juggles class work with blogging and creating videos and serves as editor-in-chief of her school's newspaper. It is amazing that she can handle everything well at the same time. She's also focused on creating projects that aim to inspire girls - like designing a "girl power bathroom" at her school. The newly designed third-floor restroom is completed with pastel paint color1s and inspirational quotes from women around the world. "Sisterhood is powerful," Alice said. "It can make you feel less alone." This article is mainly about _ . A what being a feminist means in today's American society B Alice Wilder's participation in feminist activities C how girls and women fight for their rights in the US D the ways that the US media misleads girls Answer: B Now we can see a man and his wife at the breakfast table. They are not speaking to each other. They haven't spoken to each other at the breakfast table for years. The husband is reading his newspaper. We can't see his face. The wife looks very worried as she gets a cup of tea ready for him. Today she is using a new kind of tea for the first time. The husband picks up his cup. He isn't interested. He tastes his tea. Suddenly he puts down his newspaper. Something is different! Can it be the tea? He takes another taste. It's wonderful. He smiles. He looks at his wife and says in surprise, "Doris, when did you cut your hair?" Doris is pleased. She answers, "Two months ago." Doris asks, " Herbie , when did your hair begin to become white?" He answers, "A long time ago." Doris says, "We have been together for many years, but we never cared about each other." Now they aren't worried any longer. Breakfast is different. Has a new kind of tea changed their lives? Which of the following statements is true? A They are good friends. B They have just got married. C They like to talk about their hair. D They are no longer young. Answer: D If you want to walk over a lake, which of these is necessary? A happy dogs B freezing temperatures C meowing cats D hot lava Answer: B
Question: A deer, shark, human and rose share which common activity? A. eating cheese B. marrying C. defecating D. building ships Answer: C Question: One night my wife and I were going to dinner at a friend ' s.As we went towards the house, I noticed a car pulling out from the sidewalk.Just ahead, another car was waiting to back into the parking space.But before he could do so a yellow car came up from behind and sneaked into the space. While my wife went ahead into our friend' s house, I stepped into the street. "Hey," I said, "this parking space belongs to that guy." I gestured towards the man ahead, who was looking back angrily.At that moment I was feeling pretty manly. " Mind your own business!" the driver told me. "No," I said."You don' t understand.That fellow was waiting to back into this space." Things quickly heated up, until finally he jumped out of the car.My God, he was extremely large.He grabbed me and shook his rock of a fist at me.I tasted blood.I was terrified. Almost in a panic, I ran to my friend ' s front door.As a former Marine , as a man, I felt ly embarrassed as my wife and friends asked me what had happened.All I could say was that I had had an argument about a parking space.They were sensitive and let it go at that. Perhaps half an hour later, the doorbell rang.For some reason I was sure that the huge man had returned for me.My blood ran cold.My hostess got up to answer it, but I stopped her.I knew I had to face up to my fear. I opened the door.There he stood."I came back to apologize," he said in a low voice."I am ashamed of myself.The Brooklyn Navy Yard where I've worked for ten years is closing.Today I got laid off.I' m not myself.I hope you' ll accept my apology." I remembered that after I closed the door, I stood there for a few minutes alone with tears in my eyes. What did the author do when a yellow car drove into the parking space? A. He beat the driver. B. He blamed the driver. C. He asked the driver to apologize. D. He ran to his friend' s house for help. Answer: B Question: Hello, you guys! Do you want to make e-pals via the Internet and have fun? Here's some advice for you to follow. First take a look at . Click on international pen-pal sites to find some of our favorite international e-pal and pen-pal web sites. Don't forget: some e-pal services cost money and some are safer than others. Remember to read a web site safety warning before you join! KidFu ( m)says it is the safest place online for kids to chat, play games and make friends. Get your parents to help you register and then you can write things about yourself or read what other kids have written. There're also chat monitors that make sure that the online chat rooms are safe and friendly. KidFu costs money, but the first month is free. If you join e-PALS ( you can choose a pen-pal from over 65,000 kids from 191 countries. You can also find information about how teachers can get pen-pals for their pupils. Or if you want to start sending e-mails right now, go to Europe Pages( ). Lots of young people have written their names, interests, home countries and their e-mail addresses. Just click on a name and start writing! Well, however, there are tips that you should keep in mind: never be absorbed in the line for too long, so stay there not more than 2 hours once. Never go out with your pals without your parents' permissions. Let your parents know about what you are doing. Then, have fun! The advantage of Europe Pages is that _ . A. you can start sending your e-mails immediately B. you can choose more pen-pals from many countries C. it is free and you can find names of different countries D. it is the safest one among all the web sites Answer: A Question: Drinking wine in moderation improves the IQ and may boost mental agility in old people,according to Japanese researchers. A study of the effects of alcohol on the middle aged and elderly found the average IQ of men who drink wine (whether made from grapes or rice) was 3.3 points higher than that of men who do not imbibe. Similarly,the IQ of women drinkers showed an improvement of 2.5 points over their teetotal sisters.The findings are part of an ongoing study by Japan's National Institute for Longevity into the links between human intelligence and what we eat and drink. The tests measured general knowledge,powers of judgment and concentration in drinkers and non-drinkers over 40,all living in Aichi prefecture,central Japan,and sharing the same income level-roughlyPS50 000 a year--and educational background.All were university graduates. But while wine-drinkers appeared to be brighter,the same was not true of those who drank deer,shochu (a local gin) and whisky. "The benefits of wine and sake (rice wine) in raising IQ could be due to substances they contain,such as polyphenol,which are believed to slow the ageing process," Hiroshi Shimokata,head of epidemiology research,said. It was premature to conclude,he added,that drinking wine or sake slowed the deterioration of brain functions in the elderly,or warded off senility.The research does,however,suggest that this is one way to stay mentally alert longer. But there is a sobering caveat:drinking too much may make you dimmer."People who drink more than 540 milli-litres (a little over a pint) of sake or wine a day had lower intelligence quotients than those who did not drink at all,"Hiroshi Shimokata said."Moderation is very important." Which one is the topic of the passage? A. Drinking wine in a large amount improves the IQ of old people. B. Drinking wine in a reasonable amount raises the IQ of old people. C. Drinking wine in moderation does good to any one. D. Drinking wine helps improve the IQ of women. Answer: B Question: Smith was a landlord . He loved money very much and never gave anything to anybody. Soon he became rich. One day the weather was fine. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and the sun was very warm. The landlord was walking along a river with his friends, when, all of a sudden, he slipped and fell into it. He cried, "Help! Help!" One of his friends held out his hand and said, "Give me your hand and I will pull you out." The landlord's head went under the water and then came up again, but he did not give his hand to his friends. Then another of his friends tried but the same thing happened. Just then a farmer came over and saw all this. He knew the landlord very well. He said to the others, "Let me try." He held out his hand and said to the landlord," Take my hand and I will pull you out." Hearing this, the landlord took the farmer's hand, and in a minute the farmer pulled the landlord out of the water. All the others got very surprised at this and asked the farmer, "Why did he give his hand to you but not to us?" The farmer said, "You don't know your friend very well, When you say 'give' to him, he does nothing, but when you say 'take', he takes." Smith was a _ . A. doctor B. farmer C. landlord D. waiter Answer: C
Question: Where would a hare live? A. in the zoo for its safety from sharks B. a field for sustenance C. space for its low gravity D. a desert for its high temperatures Answer: B Question: What's going to happen in the future? Will robots control our planet? Will computers become smarter than us? Not likely. But here are some things that scientists say are most likely to happen in 10 to 30 years from now, according to the BBC.2-1-c-n-j-y Digital money We used to pay with cash for everything we bought. Now when we use a credit card to shop online, money is spent without us seeing it. That means we are already using digital money. Using a card is much easier than searching our pockets for change. It is also safer than carrying a lot of cash. When ATM cards were first introduced, they were not accepted everywhere. But now it's hard to live without them. It's reported that people in Sweden completely stopped using cash last year, and the US might be next. Bionic eye It's no longer something only in a science fiction movie. People who are blind may have a chance to get their sight back--by wearing bionic eyes. A blind eye can no longer sense light, but a bionic eye can use a camera to "see" the environment and send data to the mind. Now the bionic eye only allows patients to see lights and unclear shapes. A high resolution image could be just a few years away. Self-driving cars Unlike a human driver, a self-driving car won't get distracted by phone call, the radio or something outside the window. Sensors and cameras on the car would allow it to stick reduce the number of road accidents. You could even take a nap while the car driver itself. Many vehicle companies are now planning self!driving cars. "By 2040, driverless vehicles will be widely accepted and possibly be the dominant vehicles on the road," said Jeffrey Miller, professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage, US. Which of the following can be predicted from the passage? A. There would be a number of self-driving B. The blind could use cameras to see things around. C. We would live a hard life with digital money. D. Robots would control the world. Answer: A Question: Today Newtown is a very clean place. But many years ago, there were millions of rats in Newtown. They attacked the cats and dogs. Sometimes a lot of them knocked down a man or woman walking home at night. The rats were very big in size and they hurt many people. The government ordered everybody to kill rats. Most people were lazy, so they did not kill many. Then the government decided to pay some money for each dead rat. That made the people very happy. They killed thousands of rats every day. A government officer put all the dead rats in a big pile . Sometimes a man brought hundreds in one day. After two weeks there were not many rats in the city, but people still brought many rats to the government office. The government officer thought that people were stealing dead rats from the pile. He ordered his men to dig a deep hole and put the rats in it. Soon there were no more rats, and the government did not pay any more money. From the passage we can see that the government officer _ . A. was a very rich man B. was clever C. was afraid of rats D. liked to live in a clean house Answer: B Question: Scientists say there are seven kinds of food that people should eat every day. They are: (1) green and yellow vegetables of all kind; (2) citrus fruits and tomatoes; (3) potatoes and other fruits and vegetables; (4) meat of all kinds, fish and eggs; (5) milk and foods made of milk, like cheese and ice-cream; (6) bread or cereal , rice is also in this kind of foods; (7) butter, or something like butter, with fat . People in different countries in the world eat different kinds of things. They also eat in different kinds the day. In some place people eat once or twice a day; in other countries, people eat three or four times a day. Scientists say that these differences are not important. It doesn't matter if a person eats dinner at 4 o'clock in the afternoon or at eleven o'clock at night. The important thing is that every day a person must eat something from each of the seven kind of food. The most important thing is that we must find some way to help the hungry people and make the people have right kinds of food , make them and healthy In different countries people _ . A. eat the same kinds of food B. cook their food in the same way C. eat different kinds of food D. eat the food in the same way Answer: C Question: If something has a membrane within another thing, it is likely A. a marker B. a dark hole C. a house D. able to cry Answer: D
One of the requirements of every graduation ceremony speaker is that they offer some advice. Well, get ready, here it comes. Soon you will be leaving the company of those who think they have all the answers -your professors, instructors and counselors-and going out into what we like to call the real world. In time you will meet up with other people who think they have all the answers. These people are called bosses. My advice is: humor them. A little later you'll meet additional people who think they have all the answers. These are called spouses . My advice is: humor them, too. And of all goes well, in a few years you will meet still another group of people who think they have all the answers. These are called children. Humor them. Life will go on, your children will grow up, go to school and someday they could be taking part in a graduation ceremony just like this one. And who knows, the speakers responsible for handing out good advice might be you. Halfway through your speech, the graduate sitting next to your daughter will lean over and ask, "Who is that woman up there who thinks she has all the answers?" Well, thanks to the reasonable advice you are hearing today and that I hope you will all pass on, she will be able to say, "That is my mother. Humor her." What is the best title for the passage? A The Requirement Of Speakers B How to Offer Advice C Humour them! D To Hell with them! Answer: C To switch or not to switch, that is the question.Google's announcement of its Nexus One smartphone happened over a week ago and I'm still receiving lots of e-mails from readers asking the same question: Should they give up their iPhone for the Nexus One? Some people with iPhones, disappointed by American Telephone&Telegraph's inadequate service and the high monthly cost, are wondering if they have really got something to replace it.Does the Nexus One offer the functions that Apple has led them to expect? I'm on the fence myself, even though I never thought I'd be interested in anything but the iPhone.From my experience using the Nexus One, and from talking to people who have made the change, it's not necessarily about the differences between the iPhone and the Nexus One.The phones are extremely similar in design and general feel.Instead, the decision can be made based on the software services you use on your desktop. My friend Chad Dickerson received a pre-launch Nexus One from Google three weeks ago.He said Google's phone feels connected to certain services on the Web in a way the iPhone doesn't."Compared to the iPhone, the Google phone feels like it's part of the Internet to me," he said."If you live in a Google world, you have that world in your pocket in a way that's cleaner and more connected than the iPhone." Personally, the phones work perfectly with their own software, but both of them don't make an effort to play well with other services. In Chad Dickerson's opinion, the Nexus One is _ the iPhone. A better than B worse than C as good as D as bad as Answer: A Your particular relationships with your parents, not God or genes, determines your academic performance. In my case, it was my father who made the difference. I had three sisters and my father never showed much interest in their success. He took no notice of the school reports of one of them. They all made it to university. But this was largely because of my mother's encouragement. However badly I did, and it was usually very bad, he always told me I was clever and that I could do well. When I was eight and remained at the bottom of my class, he tried to coach me in Latin and maths. His main goal was to show me that, if I could make myself concentrate on the dull tasks, I could do them. He chose the head of my house at public school with great care. He found a man who made a huge effort to teach _ with which he started when I was 13. Together, they convinced me to take exams seriously. But the most important factor was that I knew my dad loved me. He expressed this in many kind letters. When we were together, he would take me in his arms. He encouraged me to think for myself and to enjoy what I enjoyed. He once watched me eating a huge amount of chocolate and said, "Eat as much as you like -- you won't always enjoy it that much." So I started working hard. I agreed with his own clever ways. And I started to enjoy the learning of knowledge and the expression of ideas. Although exams gave little opportunity for that, I could sort of see _ . A lot of parents do not realize how important the emotional aspect of the relationship is. It determines their child's performance. I recently heard a parent discussing what school their child might get into. "I don't know how bright he is," she said. Many parents are troubled by their children's marks at school. Their relationship with the child is almost wholly built around this. It was not at all like that with my dad. Until I was eight, he did not seem to worry about marks. And, after that, it was never exam performance that he was concerned with. Rather, he concentrated on my self-perception . He constantly showed me that I was not stupid by pointing out things I had said that were signs of intelligence. It meant I had a reasonable self-regard. I kept failing exams. But, my father thought there was a difference between my failing one exam and whether I would be a success or failure in life. According to the writer, which of the following influences your school performance most? A Your interest in your success. B The effort your teacher makes. C Opportunity or luck that you have. D Your emotional relationship with your parents. Answer: D Clyde, a small-clawed otter, was moved from Auckland Zoo to Wellington Zoo two months ago. The zookeepers hoped he and the other otter Bonnie might start a family together. But only two days after he arrived, Clyde went missing. He had dug his way under one of the walls and was nowhere to be seen. The zookeepers set up cages inside the zoo, with plates of Clyde's favorite fish in them, hoping to catch him. Two days went by and still there was no sign of Clyde. At last a couple saw Clyde at their house --- a whole kilometer away in Newtown. Clyde was hiding in an out-of-reach hole outside their laundry. The zookeepers arrived and set up some more traps to try to catch him. But Clyde is a pretty smart otter. Twice he managed to get the fish out of a trap without being caught. Five days after he'd escaped, Clyde's days on the run came to an end when he was finally caught in one of the traps. It was no good putting Clyde back in his old home---he'd only dig his way out again. So he and Bonnie were put into the zoo hospital. There was no chance of their escaping from there. Meanwhile, the zookeepers were working hard to make Clyde's old home safer. They put an iron barrier underground to stop him digging their way out. Then Bonnie and Clyde went home again. But a month after his first escape, Clyde was out again. Once more the zookeepers came hurrying to catch Clyde. They found him by following the bubbles he made in the river nearby. Nobody knew how Clyde had escaped. But this time he was only out for an hour. So---back he went to the hospital again. Poor Clyde. It seemed that he wasn't happy at Wellington Zoo, even though he and Bonnie were getting on well together. The keepers didn't like seeing him unhappy, so they planned to look for a home for him somewhere else. Where is the passage most likely to have been taken from? A A news report. B An advertisement. C A book review. D A research paper. Answer: A June and I were both poor when we were young. At that time, June always said, " If I got rich, I would buy a bigger apartment and a new wardrobe ." Of course, she said this just for fun and she never imagined that she would really become rich. A few years ago, June was surprised and excited when she came into a fortune from her uncle, who had been single. After receiving it, she made a shopping list. On it she wrote down all the ways she could use to spend the money. Every time I told her not to spend all of the money and to save some, she would always say impatiently , " I know, I know!" One day, when I was in June's home, she passed a piece of paper to me. "I thought over your suggestion for several nights. I've decided how to use the money. I hope my money will be helpful to those who need help," she said. I was pleased to hear what she said. Then I took the paper and only saw the two words written by her: Charity and Family. I smiled and played a joke on her, "Don't you want to move to a new apartment? That is what you have been dreaming of." "Actually, I have been looking forward to it, but now it doesn't seem so important to me anymore," she answered with a smile. When I was about to put the paper on the table, I found there were still a few words. June had written: and a new wardrobe. How did the writer probably feel after seeing June's shopping list at first? A Relaxed. B Worried. C Happy. D Impatient. Answer: B
One Tuesday evening in the beginning of the fall 1996 semester at Shippensburg University, sirens sounded. These sirens were not in celebration; they were a cry to the university that something was wrong. A house, only one block away, was on fire. Nine of the university's students lived there. From the minute the word got out that help was needed, it seemed like everyone showed up. The victims of the fire were offered endless invitations for housing for the night. The very next day, everyone to do their part in helping them. Flyers were posted with items that were immediately needed, just to get these students through this next couple of days. Boxes for donations and money jars were placed in every residence hall . As a residence director,I went before the students in my hall to ask them to do what they could. I knew that college students don't have much, but I asked them to do their best: "Every little bit will help." I really didn't think they could do much. I was proved wrong. At the hall council meeting the night after the fire, my residents decided to have a wing competition, where each wing of the building would team up to see who could bring In the most donations. I announced that the wing who won would receive a free pizza party. Thursday evening we announced over the PA system that we were beginning the wing competition. Within minutes, the place exploded. The single large box that I had placed in the lobby was over-flowing. We quickly grabbed more boxes, and we watched in amazement as they, too, filled to the brim. Members of the resident assistant staff and I began to count the items. I was astonished by what I saw, and I was inspired by these kids. When we came to the final tally , the winners turned to me and announced that they would like to donate their winnings as well. They wanted the victims of the fire to have their pizza party. Tears welled up in my eyes. I had watched these students jump to action, work tirelessly and donate all that they could. And then, as if that were not enough, they handed over their reward's was touched and so very proud of them. At first, the residence director thought _ . A it was impossible to expect the college students to donate anything B it was easy to collect a lot of donations from the college students C the college students would donate not much D the college students would donate all the items they had Answer: C 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!" Looking round Mr. Williams, the policeman was surprised because _ . A he met a mad man B he realized that he himself was mistaken C Mr. Williams dared to speak to him like that D Mr. Williams would not apologize to him Answer: B As the population of the planet increases, so does the number of homes, businesses, parking lots, schools, airports and roadways. All these structures use electricity and need to be lighted. Humans demand these lights. They want their homes more comfortable and they want their streets safe. The problem is that researchers are finding that all the light is having a negative effect on humans and wildlife as well. Less than 10 years ago I drove to a thinly populated section of my town, lay down in the middle of the road and watched an attractive meteor shower . The area was short of homes, street lights and traffic. If I did that today, I wouldn't be able to see the meteor shower as well. Due to the increase in street lights, I would surely be run over by a car. Nowadays scientists are finding light pollution can be almost as bad as carbon dioxide pollution. If you've ever taken a flight at night, the view is beautiful, but you must remember that all the light you see wastes electricity. The crew of the space shuttles see an even bigger picture of how extensive the wasted electricity is worldwide. One of the saddest parts of light pollution is that most of it is unnecessary and most of the outdoor light that we use is wasted. One only needs to look at a row of street lights to see how much of the light shines upwards and lights the sky; a total waste of electricity. Additionally, somewhere electricity needs to be produced, and the production of electricity creates pollution by releasing greenhouse gases. This affects the air we breathe and our quality of life. Scientists are also studying the effects of light pollution on wildlife. Thousands of birds die each year when they crash into highly lighted buildings, as they become puzzled by the light. It has been long known that tiny baby sea turtles become lost and follow lights on the shore instead of heading towards the sea. Fortunately, light pollution is one of the easiest sources of pollution that can be corrected without a negative effect. Following some guidelines and a little searching on Google can give you many ideas on how to reduce your contribution to light pollution. What can be inferred from the text? A We are almost at a loss how to deal with light pollution. B Global warming results in light pollution in some way. C Astronauts can't see clearly in space nowadays. D Some animals use natural light to direct their movements. Answer: D An article published recently in the scientific journal Nature is shedding new light on an important, but so far little has been appreciated, aspect of human evolution. In this article, Professors Dennis Bramble, and Daniel Lieberman suggest that the ability to run was a decisive factor in the development of our species. According to the two scientists, humans possess a number of anatomical features that make them surprisingly good runners. "We are very confident that strong selection for running,which came at the expense of the historical ability to live in trees-was helpful in the origin of the modern human body form," says Bramble, a biology professor at the University of Utah. Traditional thinking up to now has been that the upright body form of modern humans has come about as a result of the ability to walk, and that running is simply a by-product of walking. Furthermore, humans have usually been regarded as poor runners compared to such animals as dogs, horses or antelopes. However, this is only true if we consider fast running over short distances. Even Olympic athlete can hardly run as fast as a horse can gallop, and can only keep up a top speed for fifteen seconds or so. Horses and antelopes, on the other hand, can run at top speed for several minutes, clearly outperforming us in this respect. But when it comes to long-distance running, humans do astonishingly well. They can maintain a steady pace for miles, and their overall speed compares favorably with that of horses or dogs. Bramble and Lieberman examined twenty-six anatomical features found in humans. One of the most interesting of these is the nuchal ligament . When we run, it is this ligament that prevents our head from pitching back and forth or from side to side. Therefore, we are able to run with steady heads held high. The nuchal ligament is not found in any other surviving primates , although the fossil record shows that Homo erectus, an early human species that walked upright, much as we do, also had one. Then there are our Achilles tendons at the backs of our legs, which have nothing to do with walking. When we run, these tendons behave like springs, helping to push us forward. Furthermore, we have low, wide shoulders, virtually disconnected from our skulls (the bony part of the head), another anatomical adaptation which allows us to run more efficiently. But what evolutionary advantage is gained from being good long-distance runners? One assumption is that this ability may have permitted early humans to obtain food more effectively. "What these features and fossil facts appear to be telling us is that running evolved in order for our direct ancestors to compete with other carnivores (animals that eat meat) for access to the protein needed to grow the big brains that we enjoy today." says Lieberman. The passage does NOT tell us that _ A early humans had an advantage in obtaining food thanks to the running ability B fossils help us better understand human evolution. C our Achilles tendons are an adaptation for running efficiently D big brains may have been evolved for running long-distance Answer: D I was on holiday in a strange place.One morning I got up early and went off into the forest looking for beautiful birds.But I lost my way,and don't know how to come back.I took a cell phone with me,but it didn't work there.It was night and I was frightened because I was alone and there were full of dangerous animals.I climbed up to a tree and was afraid of sleeping.Next morning I was tired.I thought what I should do to save myself.I tore my clothes into small pieces and tied them to the trees that I passed.At last my friend found me according to the pieces that I left.I was saved.That is an unforgettable experience in my life. Who saved the writer? A His father. B His friend. C His mother. D None. Answer: B
Lady Bird Johnson was born Claudia Alta Taylor in nineteen twelve. The Taylor family lived in the small town of Karnack, Texas. Claudia's father, Thomas Jefferson Taylor, owned two stores as well as thousands of hectares for cotton production. Her mother, Minnie Taylor, died when Claudia was only five years old. A woman who worked for the Taylor family gave Claudia her nickname. Alice Tittle said the small child was "as purty as a lady bird." As first lady, Missus Johnson became an energetic activist for educational and environmental issues. She helped support Head Start, a public program aimed at giving educational and health services to young children from poor families. She started the Society for a More Beautiful National Capitol. Its aim was to improve the beauty of Washington by planting trees and flowers in public areas and parks. Missus Johnson understood that these improvements were also linked to important issues such as pollution, public transportation, mental health, and crime rates. Lyndon Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson had a difficult four-year term. The president faced strong opposition about the United States involvement in the war in Vietnam. In nineteen sixty-eight, President Johnson surprised the nation by announcing that he would not seek reelection as president. The Johnsons left politics and returned home to Texas. Mister Johnson died of a heart attack in nineteen seventy-three. Lady Bird Johnson continued her tireless work to improve the country's natural environment. She created the National Wildflower Research Center in nineteen eighty-two. The center helps to educate people about the environmental importance and value of native plants. Missus Johnson died in two thousand seven at the age of ninety-four. Her memory lives in the many fields of wildflowers that color the roads of America. What happened to Claudia in 1917? Answer: People who are cheerful and relaxed are less likely to suffer from colds. It's possible that being full of vim and vigor helps the body fight illnesses, say the researchers from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh. "We need to take more seriously the possibility that a positive emotional style is a major player in disease risk," says psychologist Sheldon Cohen, the study's lead researcher. In a previous study, Cohen and his colleagues found that people who tended to be cheerful and lively were least likely to develop sniffles, coughs, and other cold symptoms . Those findings were interesting, but they didn't prove that a person's attitude affects whether he or she gets sick. Instead, it was still probable that a person's underlying personality is what matters. Evidence suggests, for instance, that certain people are naturally more likely to be outgoing and optimistic, with high self-respect and a sense of control over life. This would mean that who we are, not how we feel, finally decides our chances of catching colds. To figure out which mattered more (personality or emotions), the CMU team interviewed 193 healthy adults. The researchers talked to each person over the phone every evening for 2 weeks. They told the researchers about the positive and negative feelings they had experienced that day. The results showed that everyone in the study was equally likely to get infected. Their symptoms, however, differed depending on the types of emotions that they had reported over the previous 2 weeks. Among those who reported good moods and had been infected with the flu virus, for example, 28 percent developed coughs and stuffy noses. On the other hand, those symptoms struck 41 percent of people who had been less positive. Scientists argue about whether negative emotions or positive emotions have a stronger effect on how healthy we are. For now, it can't hurt to look on the bright side more often than not! What is the text mainly about? Answer: Which is a major difference between the life cycles of different types of plants? Answer: A young and handsome executive was driving down a neighborhood street. He thought he saw something. Then he slowed down, watching out for children rushing out from between parked cars. As his car passed, no kids appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into his door! He slammed on the brakes (make his car stop). The angry driver then jumped out of his car, caught the nearest child and pushed him up against a parked car, shouting, "Who are you and what was that all about?" The little boy was full of apology, "Please,Mister... Please, I'm sorry...I didn't know what else I could do. I threw the brick because no one else would stop." With tears dripping down his face, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. "It's my brother," he said. "He fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up." Now weeping, the boy asked the executive, "Would you please help me to get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me." Touched beyond words, the executive tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the boy back into the wheelchair, then took out his fancy handkerchief and dabbed (a light touch) at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay. "Thank you and may God bless you." The grateful child told the stranger. Shaken up for words, the man simply watched the little boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home. God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, he has to throw a brick at us. Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention! After knowing the reason why the boy threw the brick at his car the executive must feel _ . Answer: This Mother's Day will be the 8thyear I have spent without my own mother. She _ less than a month before Mother's Day in the year 2000. She had been ill for almost two years, and I didn't cry when she died, or at her funeral, but on that first Mother's Day without her. On that day, I realized that this person I loved and depended on was gone forever. She still lives in family memories, in the thoughts of her friends and co-workers, in the values she had instilled in her children, and in the lovely flower gardens that she had so carefully tended. She loved her gladioli and irises. Each fall she would dig the bulbs out of the soil and carefully wrap them in paper. The bulbs would be stored until the following spring when they would be replanted. It seemed like a lot of effort to me, but each year her flower garden was more glorious than the year before. She put the same hard work into caring for her family, instilling in her children a sense of justice and fair play, compassion, and strong moral values so that we blossomed. Share anecdotes about your mother's life at your Mother's Day party. Too often, we avoid speaking of those loved ones who have passed away, fearful that we will unearth sad feelings. It doesn't have to be that way. Sharing fond memories and stories of the life we shared with her can be a healing process that binds the family together. My mother passed away when her oldest grandchild was only eight years old. Children will enjoy sharing pictures and stories of the grandmother they may have never known or have little memory of. Sharing anecdotes to pass on to the next generation will give children a feeling of family history and continuity, and may be one of the best ways to honor our mothers and grandmothers who have gone before us. In order to show honor to our mothers and grandmothers we can _ . Answer:
Extracurricular School Activities Many schools today provide various extracurricular activities. Some activities are before school, some are after school, and a few may even take place on weekends. Many parents like their children to take part in these activities. Yet some parents are still a little _ it. Actually, these activities have many advantages for students. It is a wise choice for parents to allow students to get involved in extracurricular activities at school. It can help students to develop many working skills, people skills, and more. When students get involved in extracurricular activities, they get involved in different interests. These activities allow them to develop various interests that they may have. It also helps to raise the self-esteem of students. Many students feel worthless or there is nothing they are good at. Everyone wants to find something that they are really good at, and extracurricular activities provide the opportunity for them. Students can also learn relationship skills. They need to get involved in social activities and learn how to act properly in social situations. These activities give them a chance outside of school to do this, while they are still supervised by adults. Of course, while there are many excellent benefits of extracurricular activities for students, you need to consider how much is too much. It can be a great choice to get involved in a few different activities, but too many activities can have negative effects. If students take part in too many activities, they often have problems in their studies. They may not get enough rest. They may not have time to relax. It's important for students to set some limits to extracurricular activities. Students can pick out a couple of their favorites and make sure they can handle them. Some kids feel like they have to take part in many activities to be a success, and this is not good to them. When students get involved in extracurricular activities, there are certainly excellent benefits that they'll enjoy. They are doing it for their future success. It's important that students don't try to "do it all". The writer may agree that _ . A extracurricular activities are bad for students' studies B extracurricular activities help students get enough rest C students should have a few different extracurricular activities D students have to take part in many activities to be successful Answer: C. students should have a few different extracurricular activities As we know, there are differences between western culture and Chinese culture. We can see differences when we pay attention to the words that are used. Let's look at the words about describing animals. Most phrases in Chinese about the dog. For example, " a homeless dog", "a running dog", and " a dog catching a mouse", have negative meanings. But in western countries, dogs are considered honest and good friends of humans. In English, people use dogs to describe positive behavior. For example, "You are lucky dog" means you are a lucky person. And "Every dog has its day" means _ . To describe a person's serious illness, they say "sick as a dog". The word "dog-tired" means " very tired". The words about animals are used in positive or negative ways in different cultures. We can learn about many differences in cultures by comparing how certain words are used. What 's the best title of the passage? A Dogs B Western Culture C Chinese Culture D Different Countries Have Different Culture Answer: D. Different Countries Have Different Culture A drinking water reservoir for a small town develops a blue-green algae bloom. The town hires a company to eliminate the problem. Which of the following should the company investigate first as a likely source of the problem? A a pit where granite is ground up into gravel B a neighborhood where lawn chemicals are used C a junkyard where old cars are salvaged for parts D a grain elevator where corn and soybeans are stored Answer: B. a neighborhood where lawn chemicals are used Wang Bing is a 12-year-old boy. He likes sports very much and does well in sports. One afternoon, he comes out of the classroom and sees his father waiting for him at the school gate. He is very glad and he runs to his father. "Dad, please don't wait for me after school next time. I can go home by myself . I have grown up." says Wang Bing. "Let's go," says the father, "I'll cook supper and you can do your homework at home: Mum is still at work."On their way home, Wang Bing sees some boys skating in a park. "Can I go and learn skating. Dad?" asks Wang Bing. "I'm sorry, my boy. You must go home and do your homework," answers his father, "but I can buy you an ice-cream." Then his father buys an ice-cream for him. When Wang Bing wants to eat it, a fly flies to the ice-cream. "Drive off the fly,' says his father, "it's very dirty ."But Wang Bing says with a smile. "You don't let me skate, but can you let him skate for a while ?" On the way home, Wang Bing wants to _ . A eat an ice-cream B play basketball C go swimming D learn skating Answer: D. learn skating Jamie Oliver, a lively Britain guy, loves to share his secrets. In his first television show,The Naked Chef, Oliver taught everyone to make simple but delicious food. In Jamie's Kitchen, he taught young people how to prepare meals. His next show,Jamie's School Dinners, is about changing the food that students eat. Oliver saw that some schools in Britain were serving junk food--food that is easy to eat but unhealthy. Although it can be delicious, junk food is not very good for children. It is sometimes bad for their health, because it doesn't give them the energy they need at school. They sometimes can't think well or feel down, and they sometimes put on weight. Some of the junk food that Oliver wants to change is canned spaghetti, chicken nuggets, French fries, soda, and muffins. He encourages schools to serve fresh and health meats, vegetables and fruits. He helps the school cooks to make healthy dinners without junk food. People liked Oliver's idea of bringing quality food to schools. Thousands enjoyed his television show. But Oliver wanted them to do more than just watch. At hisFeed Me Betterwebsites, he collected over 270,000 signatures from people. Oliver sent these signatures to British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Then Blair promised to help change the school kitchens, teach school cooks to make healthy food, and spend more on school dinners. Thanks to Jamie Oliver, my children will be able to enjoy more healthy meals at school. What are Jamie Oliver's secrets about? A Cooking and eating. B How to be a good cook. C Exercising and sleeping. D Where to buy healthy food. Answer: A. Cooking and eating.
The words "timetable" and "schedule" make most final year students want to eat their own vomit. Unfortunately, the harsh reality is that final year students must develop a timetable. If you don't have a schedule or plan for studying, you will have no way of allocating your valuable time when the unexpected arises. A well-thought-out timetable can be a lifesaver. It is up to you to learn how to develop a schedule that meets your needs. Change it if necessary, but most important, follow it . All timetables should be made with the idea that they can be changed. A good one will keep you from wandering off course. A good timetable should make every hour count--every class ,social event and other activity you engage in .You must focus on the other "free time" available and how you will use it .Make a weekly schedule and divided each day into one-hour increments. Indicate times for classes, socializing, and work time. Also block off a period for sleeping every day. In the precious hours left over, plan time for study. This gives you a rough road map of the time available. Of course, you can change your schedule as circumstances need. The timetable you develop should guide you in how to distribute the available time in the most productive manner. Sticking to your schedule can be tough, but don't dribble away valuable time. Avoiding study is the easiest thing in the world. It is up to you to follow the schedule you've prepared. A good deal of your success in high school and with any future study depends on this simple truth. Remember, there is a learning curve. You learn the most in the first 30 minutes of study; after that, it progressively deteriorates. After four or five hours of studying the same material in the same way, you are learning virtually nothing. The solution is to keep switching subjects and study styles. What does Paragraph 2 talk about? Answer: Connie Lau hates smoking. "It smells awful, and it's so bad for you. It breaks my heart to see my friends smoking. I try to get them to give up smoking." She says. So why does Connie walk into convenience stores and try to buy cigarettes? She is testing to see if stores will sell cigarettes to a kid who is younger than 18. "You have to be 18 to purchase cigarettes, and I'm 16, so if they sell to me, they're breaking the law," Connie says. Connie isn't a vigilante ; She works with local police in her town of Castro Valley, California. Officers drive her to stores, and she goes in alone to try to buy cigarettes. If the person behind the counter sells her a pack, an officer comes in and writes the business a ticket for breaking the law. Most stores obey the law and don't sell her cigarettes. The law requires that customers show ID if store employees ask them to. "When they ask your age, you can't lie," Connie says. "Most stores don't sell to me. In a year, we've visited almost 150 stores and had only 15 sales." Working undercover can be scary, even with police nearby. Connie said one cashier refused to sell her cigarettes and then got angry when he found out her age. He threatened to call the authorities. "To calm him down, the police went in to explain that I was undercover," she says. Most teens wouldn't think of going undercover for the police. What's Connie's motivation ? For starters, she can't stand smoking. But she also believes it's important for young people like her to try to make a real impact in their communities. In her view, teens can do more than get good grades in school, do chores at home, and do well in out-of-class activities. Every time she stops the sale of cigarettes to children, she's helping to uphold the law. "A single teenager can make a big difference," Connie says. "For the most part, when stores get caught, they learn their lesson and don't do it again." Connie goes to convenience stores to _ . Answer: When you're a junior in high school, three little letters quickly become larger than life: SAT. At the start of my junior year, I realized that the environment was packed with competition. Surprisingly, this pressure didn't come from adults. It came from the other students. Everyone in my grade had college on the brain. To get into the college of our choice, we all believed, we had to outcompete and outscore everyone else with less sleep, because time for sleeping was time you didn't spend studying for the SAT. I let myself get swept up in the pressure. My new motto was, if I wasn't in every single honor level class, I wasn't doing enough. I was bad-tempered and I couldn't focus. I stopped talking to my friends and my mom, and I couldn't figure out who I was. I didn't have the confidence to know that my own passions and unique skills were what would make me stand out to colleges. That's when I realized: I am not my SAT score. Trying to stick to what I thought colleges wanted masked who I really am. I decided to rely on my strengths and get away from the crazy pressure I was putting on myself. Instead of forcing myself into higher levels of math, I took on an extra history class. I learned how to love what I was doing and not what I thought I was supposed to do. I learned to shine as an individual, not a faceless member of the crowd. And I found that not only was this better for my happiness, but it also made me more effective and efficient when I studied. To me, individuality means having the confidence to decide who I am and who I want to be, and a number on a page is never going to change that. I am more sure of myself, and more ready to apply for college, than ever. At the start of the junior year, the author decided to study for the SAT _ . Answer: I can still remember it as if it happened yesterday. I was a college freshman and had stayed up most of the night before laughing and talking with friends. Now just before my first class of the day my eyelids were feeling heavier and heavier and my head was drifting down to my desk to make my textbook a pillow. A few minutes' nap time before class couldn't hurt, I thought. Boom! I lifted my head immediately and my eyes opened wider than saucers. I looked around with my heart beating quickly trying to find the cause of the noise. My young professor was looking back at me with a _ , boyish smile on his face. He had intentionally dropped the pile of textbooks he was carrying onto my desk. "Good morning!" he said, still smiling. "I'm glad to see everyone is awake. Now let's get started." For the next hour I wasn't sleepy at all. It wasn't from the shock of my professor's textbook alarm clock either. Instead, it was from the attractive discussion he led. With knowledge and good humor, he made the material come alive. His insights were full of both wisdom and loving kindness. And the enthusiasm and joy that he taught with were contagious . I left the classroom not only wide awake, but a little smarter and a little better as well. I learned something far more important than not sleeping in class that day too. I learned that if you are going to do something in this life, do it well, do it with joy, and make it an expression of your love. What a glorious place this world would be if all of us did our work joyously and well! What a beautiful world we could create if every doctor, teacher, musician, cook, waitress, poet, miner, farmer, and laborer made their work an expression of their love! Don't sleepwalk your way through life then. Wake up! Let your love fill your work and your soul. Life is too short not to live it well. What did the author want to do just before his first class of the day? Answer: A toothpaste commercial states that a brand of toothpaste has a higher concentration of fluoride than any other toothpaste available. The commercial is most likely inferring that the advertised toothpaste Answer:
Question: In the West, advertisements are the fuel that makes mass media work. Many TV stations, newspapers, magazines, radio stations are privately owned. The government does not give them money. So where does the money come from? From advertisements. Without advertisements, there would not be these private businesses. Have you ever asked yourself what advertising is? Through the years, people have given different answers to the question. For some time it was felt that advertising was a means of "keeping your name before the public". And some people thought that advertising was "truth well told". Now more and more people consider it in this way: Advertising is the paid, non-personal, and usually persuasive presentation of goods, services and ideas by some certain sponsors through various media. First, advertising is usually paid for. Various sponsors pay for the advertisements we see, read, and hear over the various media. Second, advertising is non-personal. It is not face-to-face communication. Although you may feel that a message in a certain advertisement is aimed directly at you, in fact, it is directed at large groups of people. Third, advertising is usually persuasive. Directly or indirectly it asks people to do something. All advertisements try to make people believe that the product, idea, or service advertised can benefit them. Fourth, the sponsors of the advertisement must show their names. From the advertisement, we can see if the sponsor is a company, or a single person. Fifth, advertising reaches us through old and modern mass media. Included in the old media are newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and films. Modern media include emails, matchbox covers, and boards on top of buildings. According to the passage, which of the following statements about advertisements is NOT true? A. The sponsors are always mentioned. B. Advertising must be honest and humorous. C. There is the description of things advertised. D. Advertising is directed at large groups of people. Answer: B Question: Tales From Animal Hospital David Grant David Grant has become a familiar face to millions of fans of Animal Hospital. Here Dr Grant tells us the very best of his personal stories about the animals he has treated, including familiar patients such as the dogs Snowy and Duchess, the delightful cat Marigold Serendipity Diamond. He also takes the reader behind the scenes at Harmsworth Memorial Animal Hospital as he describes his day, from ordinary medical check-ups to surgery . Tales From Animal Hospital will delight all fans of the program and anyone who has a lively interest in their pet, whether it be cat, dog or snake I ! $ 14.99 Hardback 272 pp Simon Schuster ISBN 0751304417 Isaac Newton: The Last Sorcerer Michael White From the author of Stephen Hawking: A Life in Science, comes this color1ful description of the life of the world's first modern scientist. Interesting yet based on fact, Michael White's learned yet readable new book offers a true picture of Newton completely different from what people commonly know about him. Newton is shown as a gifted scientist with very human weaknesses who stood at the point in history where magic ended and science began. PS8.99 Hardback 320 pp Fourth Estate ISBN 1857024168 Fermat's Last Theorem Simon Singh In 1963 a schoolboy called Andrew Wiles reading in his school library came across the world's greatest mathematical problem: Fermat's Last Theorem . First put forward by the French mathematician Pierre de Fermat in the seventeenth century, the theorem had baffled and beaten the finest mathematical minds, including a French woman scientist who made a major advance in working out the problem, and who had to dress like a man in order to be able to study at the Ecole Polytechnique. Through unbelievable determination Andrew Wiles finally worked out the problem in 1995. An unusual story of human effort over three centuries, Fermat's Last Theorem will delight specialists and general readers alike. PS12.99 Hardback 384 pp Fourth Estate ISBN 1857025210 Which of the following best explains the meaning of the word "baffle" as it is used in the text? A. To encourage people to raise questions. B. To cause difficulty in understanding. C. to provide a person with an explanation. D. To limit people's imagination. Answer: B Question: Battle of the Books Each year in April, the "Battle of the Books" teams from each school meet for the Semi-Battle competition. The top three teams from each division go on to the Final Battle to compete for gold, silver and bronze medals. The gold medal winners go on to compete in the Regional Championship. Battle of the Books Rules and Goals Goals: Students: Have fun reading good books from a wide variety of authors and genres . Educators: Encourage reading, foster friendly competition, and nurture the love of books in young people. Rules: One team of six students from grades 7 or 8 will represent each school. 1. Each team will have a spokesperson. While the team is encouraged to discuss possible answers, team answers will only be accepted from the spokesperson. 2. The Semi-Finals will consist of three rounds of play, and the Finals will have one round. Each round features a Regular Battle and a Lightning Battle. 3. Regular Battle questions will be addressed to teams alternately , regardless of the last correct answer. There will be 12 Regular Battle questions per round. When asked a question, teams will have 20 seconds to provide the book's title and author. 4. Five points will be given if the team correctly identifies the exact title, and three points will be awarded for correctly identifying the author's surname. The author's first name does not need to be identified. 5. The Lightning Battles will be featured at the end of each round. Lightning Battles consist of a 2 minutes, 30 seconds time period during which each team is asked up to 12 questions. These questions concern details of the books and will not require teams to identify titles or authors. Each correctly answered Lightning Battle question will be worth three points. PLEASE NOTE: A warm-up practice question will be given to each team at the beginning of its first Semi-Battle and at the beginning of the Final and Regional Final Battles. There may be no assistance from the coordinators and audience members. Teams will not be punished for incorrect answers. Any team demonstrating poor sportsmanship will not be invited back. What information can we get from the text? A. Teams are given 20 minutes to answer a question. B. A competitor gets 18 points for 6 correct titles. C. Each round ends with the Lightning Battles. D. A correct first name will be given 5 points. Answer: C Question: A new study suggests that listening to music in the office improves the speed and accuracy of tasks such as data entry, proof reading and problem solving. In an office-based experiment, 88 per cent of participants were found to produce their most accurate work when listening to music. The study also found that 81 per cent completed their fastest work when music was played. And it matters what type of music you listen to. For instance, if you're doing your tax returns, then classical music is the most effective as it improves maths skills. Listening to Jessie Jor Justin Bieber could also improve your speed, with 58 per cent of participants completing data entry tasks faster while listening to pop songs. During proof-reading, dance music, such as David Guetta, had the biggest positive impact with participants increasing their speed by 20 per cent compared to tests undertaken with no music at all. Dance music also had a positive effect on spell-checking with a 75 per cent pass rate compared to 68 per cent when no music was played at all. The research, undertaken by Brighton-based Mind lab International, suggests that silent offices may be the least productive. 'The Music Works experiment revealed a positive _ between music and productivity - overall it showed that when listening to music, nine out of 10 people performed better,' said Dr David Lewis, chairman of Mind lab International. Supposing you are an office worker doing tax returns, what kind of music can improve your working efficiency? A. pop music B. dance music C. classical music D. rock music Answer: C Question: Dear Uncle Horton, We just want to let you know what a great weekend we had with you while we were in Boise. You are a fantastic guide and it was so nice of you to have taken us out for a tour of the city. The sights were beautiful and our two girls loved the Discovery Centre very much. They are still talking about it. We are not sure when we'll meet again, but we hope it won't be too long. Please let us know of any plans you might have to visit New York. We would love you to visit us and we hope to have the pleasure of taking you around New York City. Thanks again for a truly great weekend. Much love, Dick and Kate Dear.Mum, Happy Mother's Day! Since I have my own kid, I have got to know how hard mothering is. Thank you for being so patient with me through my ups and downs. I hope I can be as good a mother to Lily as you are to me. Thanks for being such a good mum. Whether you come to visit me or we talk on the phone, l always feel we're so close. You're always my best friend. I hope you know how much I love you! Helen ,. What does Helen think of her mum? A. Quiet. B. Patient. C. Strict. D. Serious. Answer: B
We all think that we know what happiness is. We all seem to be making great efforts towards this goal of happiness but what is it really? It is an agreed fact that all the creatures want happiness and are afraid of pain and sadness. The question, however, is "what is real happiness?" What really is called happiness? The desire for happiness has no meaning without understanding the real nature of happiness. Some thinkers say, "Happiness does not lie in objects of enjoyment; happiness or unhappiness lies in imagination." To prove their belief, they give examples like the following one: A man has a two-storey house; on the right is a five-storey building and on the left a cottage. When he sees right, he feels unhappy and when he sees left he feels happy. As such happiness does not lie in possession of sensory objects, but in imagination. They advise people to look towards those who have fewer possessions and be happy. If you look towards people having more wealth and possessions, you will always be unhappy. It is unreasonable to hold this point of view. It is unkind to regard one happy by imagining that one is better than the poor and the unhappy. "If you want to be happy, look towards the poor". We know that those poor people cannot satisfy even their basic needs. This attitude satisfies the sense of pride of possessions, but this can never be called happiness. Unless we really find where happiness lies, we cannot really be happy. Some ask people to do this and do that and say, "This way your desires would be satisfied. You would get the desired objects and become happy." People holding these views regard happiness as satisfaction of desires. But it is not possible to satisfy one's desires because there are countless desires of countless people and the material things are limited. Then new desires arise as soon as the previous ones are satisfied. Therefore, desires, which are changing all the time, can never be satisfied. Happiness is a characteristic of a good life, that is, a life in which a person fulfills human nature in an excellent way. People have a set of purposes which are typically human: these belong to our nature. Happiness is also a condition that must be prepared for, cultivated , and defended privately by each person. People who learn to control inner experience will be able to determine the quality of their lives and come to being happy. Happiness lies in the distribution of easiness among others. Happiness stands for forgiveness and justice. Happiness is the name of struggle and courage. Happiness may be founded in seeking of true knowledge and rule of wisdom. Happiness may be shared in service and duty. This life is combination of joys and sorrows, and honest efforts should be done to make this life journey full of happiness, love, peace and harmony. According to the passage, people who think happiness lies in imagination will try to achieve happiness by _ Answer: looking towards those with fewer possessions On a hot summer day, ice-cold watermelons serve up a delicious treat. Sure, the rosy flesh quenches your thirst . But now there are more reasons than ever for people to reach for a slice of watermelon. Meet Dr Alison Edwards. She is a scientist at the Agricultural Research Service. Scientists are people who come up with new ideas called theories . They usually do scientific research to test their new theories. That's how they find out if a new idea is a good one, or if the new idea will bring an even better idea. At her lab, Dr Edwards recently learned more about the secrets of why watermelons are good for you! Dr Edwards has known for a long time that watermelons have vitamin C. But recently she learned that watermelons also have lycopene . It is something that gives tomatoes and watermelons their rosy red colour. What's so special about the lycopene in watermelons? Dr Edwards says that watermelons and tomatoes both have lots of lycopene. It seems that your body can use the lycopene from watermelons more easily than the lycopene from raw tomatoes. In fact, the lycopene from tomatoes is more easily absorbed inside your body once they have been cooked. To make full use of tomatoes, we'd better _ . Answer: cook them first How does acid rain most likely affect forests? Answer: Trees become less healthy over time. A little boy selling magazines for school walked up to a house that people seldom visited. The house was very old and the owner hardly ever came out. They boy's parents told him to stay away from the house, a lot of other neighborhoods children were told the same from their parents. As he was ready to walk away, the door slowly opened. "What do you want?" the old man said. "Uh, sir, I am selling these magazines and I was wondering if you would like to buy one." The old man stared at the boy. The boy could see inside the old man's house and saw that he had dog figurines on the fireplace mantle. "Do you collect dogs?" the little boy asked. "Yes, I have many collectibles in my house. They are my family here. They are all I have." The boy then felt sorry for the man, as it seemed that he was a very lonely soul . Then the old man was ready to close the door and said, "No, boy, I don't need any magazine of any kind, now goodbye." The little boy was sad that he was not going to make his quota with the sale. He was also sad for the old man being so alone in the big house. The boy went home and then had an idea. He knocked on the door again and this time the old man came right to the door. "Boy, I thought I told you no magazines." "No, sir. But I want to give you a gift. The boy handed him the figurine and the man's face lit up. "It's a Golden Retriever, and I have one at home, this is for you. The old man was simply stunned ; no one had ever given him such a gift and shown him so much kindness. From that day on, the old man started coming out of the house and _ people. He and the boy became friends; the boy even brought his dog to see the man weekly. Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to the text? Answer: The boy felt sorry only because he was not going to make his quota with the sale. An example of camouflage could be Answer: A sting ray covering itself in sand
Many years ago, children who had good manners kept quiet if their parents were talking with other persons. Today, well-mannered children have more freedom. Sometimes good manners in one place are bad manners in other place. Suppose you are a visitor in the prefix = st1 /landofMongolia. Some friends ask you to eat with them. What kind of manners do they want you to have? They want you to give a loud "burp" after you finish eating. Burping will show that you like your food. In some countries, if you give a loud burp, you are told to say, "Excuse me, please." In many places people like to eat together. But in some parts of Polynesia, it is bad manners to be seen eating at all. People show their good manners by turning their back on others while they eat. What are good manners like in an East African town? The people try not to see you. They are being polite. You may see a friend. He may not see you at all. If you're polite, you will sit down beside him. You will wait until he finishes what he is doing. Then he will talk to you. Suppose you visit a friend in Arabia. You should walk behind the tents until you come to his tent. If you pass in front of the other tents, you will be asked into them. The people will ask you to eat with them. And it is bad manners if you say no. In Arabia it is bad manners _ . Answer: The home computer industry has been growing rapidly in the United States in the last ten years. Computers used to be large, expensive machines that were very difficult to use. But scientists and technicians have been making them smaller and cheaper while at the same time they have been made easier to use. As a result, their popularity has been increasing as more people have been buying computers for their homes and businesses. Computers have been designed to store information and compute problems that are difficult for human beings to work out. Some have voices that speak to their operators. Stores use computers to keep records of their inventories and to send bills to their customers. Offices use computers to copy letters, record business and keep in touch with other offices. People also use computers in their homes to keep track of the money they spend. One important new use of computers is for entertainment. Many new games have been designed to be played on computers. People of all ages play these games. People also buy home computers to watch movies and listen to concerts at home. They have become very popular indeed. In recent years, computers have become _ . Answer: Do you like sitting on the edge of your seat? How about falling off it laughing? If so, "Rush Hour 1" is the perfect movie for you. Although it didn't get the best reviews, it is perfect for those who like a good comedy. Just as in the first "Rush Hour," Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) and LAPD Detective James Carter (Chris Tucker) are partners. This time, they are on vacation in China and Carter is looking for a good time, but they are on the job again when a bombing at the American Embassy kills two customs agents. Lee and Carter go to look for a suspect named Ricky Tan. For Lee this is a serious case because Tan killed his father. Will Carter and Lee be able to capture Tan? Another reason to see this movie perhaps is for the thrilling action, which includes karate fights with Jackie Chan. One of my favorite scenes shows Carter and Lee in a massage parlor when everything goes crazy. "Rush Hour 2" is, of course, really funny with Chris Tucker in the lead role. Chan and Tucker have many clever jokes and remarks. Some of the jokes aren't enjoyed by the critics, but most will find them entertaining. With no doubt, the movie was great. I was filled with anxiety about what was going to happen next. Many critics say that sequels are not as good as the original but this one is great. I especially enjoyed it because the special effects are minimal so everything looks as though it actually happened. The lighting effect is great as well as the sound. So, if you are looking for a great action movie that leaves you at the edge of your seat and makes you laugh quite a bit, you should rush to see "Rush Hour 2." In Rush Hour series, the following are usually included EXCEPT _ . Answer: Our room was on the second floor but you could still hear the roar of the ocean and see the stars at night. I used to take long walks along the water. The food in town was wonderful and the people were very friendly. The area was very quiet and peaceful, and fairly deserted. The last evening of our vacation, however, we all heard strange footsteps following closely behind us as we were walking up to our room in the holiday centre. We turned around and noticed a fairly young man moving very rapidly across the beach and getting closer to us. He was tall and wore a baseball cap. We didn't have any cell phones on us. I never saw Dad as worried as he was then and knew that something was terribly wrong. The sense of fear started to _ Mom and me. We had had such a good time in town. Now, the night was rapidly turning into a dangerous situation. We could hear the man's footsteps getting closer. Dad's face was almost pale. The so-called intruder had moved nearer and nearer when all of a sudden, the nearby vending machine started going crazy and spitting out cans of soda! The noise actually scared the intruder and he ran out of sight. My parents were shaking, but we all turned around to see who had put money into the vending machine downstairs, and actually saved us, but no one was around at all.Not a soul. It's one vacation I will never forget. What helped them get out of the trouble? Answer: To understand the marketing concept, it is only necessary to understand the difference between marketing and selling. Not too many years ago, most industries concentrated primarily on the efficient production of goods, and then relied on "persuasive salesmanship" _ . Such production and selling focuses on the needs of the seller to produce goods and then convert them into money. Marketing, on the other hand, focuses on the wants of consumers. It begins with first analyzing the preferences and demands of consumers and then producing goods that will satisfy them. This eye-on-the-consumer approach is known as the marketing concept, which simply means that instead of trying to sell whatever is easiest to produce, the makers and dealers first find out what the consumer wants to buy and then go about making it available for purchase. This concept does not imply that business is benevolent or that consumer satisfaction is given priority over profit in a company. There are always two sides to every business transaction--the firm and the customer--and each must be satisfied before trade occurs. Successful merchants and producers, however, recognize that the surest route to profit is through understanding and catering to customers. A striking example of the importance of catering to the consumer presented itself in mid-1985, when Coca Cola changed the flavor of its drink. The non-acceptance of the new flavor by a significant portion of the public brought about a prompt restoration of the Classic Coke, which was then marketed alongside the new. What does the restoration of the Classic Coke best prove? Answer:
A kindergarten teacher decided to let her class play a game. The teacher told each child in the class to bring along a plastic bag containing a few potatoes. Each potato will be given a name of a person that the child hates, so the number of potatoes that a child will put in his/her plastic bag will depend on the number of people he/she cannot forgive . So when the day came, every child brought some potatoes with the name of the people he/she hated. Some had 2 potatoes; some 3, while some had up to 5 potatoes. The teacher then told the children to carry the potatoes with them wherever they go (even to the toilet) for one week. With days passing by, the children started to complain because of the unpleasant smell let out by the rotten potatoes they were carrying. Those children who have 5 potatoes really began to feel the weight of the heavier bags. After one week, the children were happy to hear that the teacher had finally ended the game. The teacher asked: "How did you feel while carrying the potatoes with you for one week?" The children started complaining of the trouble that they had to carry the heavy and smelly potatoes wherever they go. Then the teacher told them the hidden meaning behind the game. The teacher said: "This is exactly the situation when you carry your hatred for somebody inside your heart. The burden of hatred will pollute your heart and you will end up carrying an unnecessary burden with you wherever you go. If you cannot _ the smell of rotten potatoes for just one week, can you imagine what a burden it would be to have the hatred in your heart for your lifetime?" What is the main idea of the story? Answer: It's best to learn to forgive and forget. Frogmore House has been a royal place since the 18th century and is today used by the Royal Family for private entertaining. It is especially linked with Queen Charlotte, The wife of George III, and her daughters, whose love of botany and art is reflected throughout the house. Unfortunately, parts of a visit to Frogmore are unsuitable for wheelchair-users. For information about access, please telephone 020 7766 7324. _ 18, 19, 20 May 10:00 - 17:30 (last admission 16:00) 28, 29, 30 August 10:00 -17:30 (last admission 16:00) Please telephone 020 7766 7305 for admission prices. _ 3 August - 30 September every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10:00- 15:00. Adult: PS 10.50 0ver 60/Student (with valid ID) : PS 8. 80 Child ( under 17) : PS5. 80 Child ( under 5) : Free Price includes a guided tour of the house. _ 17:30 - 19:00. ~ 25. 00 per person. Price includes a guided tour, a copy of the official guidebook and a glass of champagne. The maximum group size for all visits is 10 people. Please note that there is no access for private cars. To make a group booking, please telephone 020 7766 7315. For more information including BSL (British Sign Language) interpretation, please telephone 020 7766 7326. If a visitor to Frogmore knows little about English Sign Language, he or she can dial _ for help. Answer: 020 7766 7326 How to Tell Time Like a Man Our digital watch has two sides...tough and tougher.Get it now foran unbelievable 59! Your watch shouldn't cost more than your car.It should look and feel like a power tool and not a piece of flashy jewellery.Wearing it shouldn't make you think twice about swinging a hammer or changing a tire.A real man's timepiece needs to be ready for anything.But that's just my opinion.If you agree,maybe you're ready for the StauerCenturion Hybrid.Use your Promotional Code below and I'll send it to you today for ONLY 59. 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When you use your Promotional Code Stauer Centurion Hybrid Watch 199Promotional Code Price Only 59or two payments of 29 Order now to take advantage of this fantastic low price. 1-800-333-2057 Your Insider Promotional Code:CNW342-03 Please use this code when you order to receive your discount. Smart Luxuries-Surprising PricesT From the passage,we learn that the watch . Answer: is able to track directions When we talk of plants, most of us will think of things that grow from the ground and have green leaves, but there are plants that do not look or act like other plants. Some of these belong to a special class of plants called fungi. Fungi may appear almost everywhere. They commonly grow in wet places where they call get food and water easily. Because fungi do not have green leaves to make their own food, but fungi must take their food from animals, other plants or water. Some fungi live on dead or rotting wood, while others grow on living trees or in dirt or moss . Mushrooms are the best-known fungi. There are many kinds of mushrooms appearing in all shapes and sizes. For example, cauliflower mushrooms are found in forests from July to October.They can grow to be as heavy as fifty pounds! They grow at the foot of trees Squirrel's bread is another kind of wild mushroom Its appearance and use Call explain its name. These fungi look like small golden cakes Squirrels can easily eat them or carry them off to their hole to eat later. The mushrooms found in food stores are carefully grown by people who know they are safe to eat. People are warned never to touch of taste wild mushrooms because some of them are deadly. Even less dangerous ones cart still make a person very sick.. Where does Fungi not grow? _ . Answer: On dry wood On Wednesday evening in New York, Apple broke the news that Steve Jobs had died. Since then, praise and respect have poured over the world like rain. He changed industries, redefined business models, fused technology and art. People are comparing him to Thomas Edison, Walt Disney and Leonardo da Vinci, and saying it will be a very long time before the world sees the likes of Steve Jobs again. After all, there are other brilliant marketers, designers and business people. Many of them have studied Steve Jobs, tried to absorb his methods and his philosophy. Surely they can recreate some of his success. But nobody ever does, even when they copy his moves down. So how did he become a visionary who changed every business he touched? Actually, he has given us clues all along. The story of Steve Jobs boils down to this: Don't go with the flow. If Mr. Jobs saw something that could be made better, smarter or more beautiful, nothing else mattered. Apple has attained its current astonishing levels of influence and success because it is sensitive. It is incredibly focused. It has had amazingly few failures. And that is because Mr. Jobs didn't buy into focus groups, groupthink or decision by a committee. At its core ,Apple existed to carry out his vision. He focused on every button and every corner .He lost sleep over the cardboard of the packaging and the color1 of the power cord. He wanted to sell a smart phone that had no keyboard, when physical keys were what had made BlackBerry the most popular smart phone at the time. Eventually, of course, most people realized that he was just doing that Steve Jobs thing again: being ahead of his time. Mr. Jobs is gone. Everyone who knew him feels that sorrow. But the ripple of that loss will widen in the days, weeks and years to come: to the people in the industries he changed. Apple has obtained great success because _ . Answer: it was under Steve Jobs' control
Researchers believe the mobile phone system makes young people less thoughtful and more likely to make mistakes elsewhere in life. Hitting a few keys and then seeing the desired word appear in full trains children to be fast but inaccurate when doing other things, according to Australian scientists. They warn that this could have _ throughout the country, especially as more than 9 out of 10 16-year-olds now own a mobile phone as well as 40 percent of primary schoolchildren. In a new study, Professor Michael Abramson, a researcher at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, analyzed the mobile phone use of children aged between 11 and 14 and their ability to carry out a number of computer tests. A quarter of the children made more than 15 voice calls a week and a quarter of them wrote more than 20 text messages a week. When researchers studied the way in which the children handled IQ-type tests they found that increased mobile phone use appears to change the way their brains work. Prof Abramson said, "The kids who used their phones a lot were faster on some of the tests, but were less accurate. "We suspect that using mobile phones a lot, particularly tools like predictive texts for SMS (Short Message Service), is training them to be fast but inaccurate. "Their brains are still developing, so if there are effects then potentially it could have effects in the future. "The use of mobile phones is changing the way children learn and pushing them to become more impulsive in the way they behave." Experts concerned about the possible impact of mobile phone radiation on developing brains have given a warning over children's use of them. But Prof Abramson says the amount of radiation given off when texting is a mere 0.03 percent of that given off during voice calls - suggesting radiation is not to blame for the brain effects. Instead, he thinks predictive texting could be doing the damage. The study was published in the journal Bioelectromagnetics and disagreed with previous studies which suggested that text messaging encourages children's language skills and did not damage their ability to spell. Which of the following is the best title for the passage? Answer: Text messaging is making children more impulsive Do you know how to write an English letter? It is different from the Chinese letter. When we write a letter in English, we should write the date on the top of the right corner. Sometimes we write the _ ---the number of the house and the names of the street, city and country. Then we can begin the letter at the left corner. We always use words like "Dear sir", "Dear Mr/Miss/Mrs ..."to begin the writing. At the end of the letter, we usually use expressions as "Yours", "Yours ever" or "Yours sincerely". Then sign the writer's name. It is also different to write an English envelope. You should write your name and address on the top of the left corner and write the receiver's in the middle or on the bottom of the right corner. The inside address includes _ . Answer: all of the above Believe it or not, if you do not use your arms or your legs for a long time, they become weak. When you start using them again, they slowly become strong again. Everybody knows that. Yet many people do not seem to know that memory works in the same way. When someone says that he has a good memory, he really means that he keeps his memory in practice by using it. When someone else says that his memory is poor, he really means that he does not give it enough chance to become strong. If a friend says that his arms and legs are weak, we know that it is his fault. But if he tells us that he has a poor memory, many of us think that his parents are to blame, and few of us know that it is just his own fault. Have you ever found that some people can't read or write but they have better memories? This is because they cannot read or write and they have to remember things; they cannot write them down in a little notebook. They have to remember days, names, songs and stories; so their memory is the whole time being exercised. If you do not use your arms or legs for some time, _ . Answer: they will become weak and won't become strong until you use them again Hello, I'm Kan. I like different kinds of food. I like hamburgers, ice cream, salad and orange juice. For breakfast, I often have some milk and hamburgers. I don't like dessert. My favorite football star, Ronaldo eats lots of healthy food. He likes eggs and vegetables for breakfast. For lunch, he eats hamburgers, potatoes, chicken, oranges and apple juice. For dinner, he likes meat and French fries. He doesn't have dessert. " I like football better." He says. Ronaldo eats _ for dinner. Answer: meat and French fries What's the meaning of "dark horse"? It's someone who wins when no one expects it. Han Xiaopeng took China's first gold on snow. He became an Olympic "dark horse" by winning the gold medal in men's freestyle aerial skiing at Turin in Italy. He made two almost perfect jumps for the highest score. Han had never won a world gold medal before, let alone in the Olympics! "I never thought this would happen," said the 23-year-old. "I feel like I'm in a dream." It's China's second gold medal at the Turin Olympics. But more important, Han's gold was the country's first ever in a snow sport. In 2002, China's Yang Yang won the gold for speed skating at the winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, US. That Han's win was unexpected doesn't mean that he didn't work hard. Han grew up in Jiangsu Province. Before he started his training on snow, he used to be an acrobat at a circus. In 1995, a coach found his talent . The coach, Yang Er'qi, said Han had the agility and courage to be a ski jumper. When Yang first took the 12-year-old to northern China, the boy couldn't swim, skate or ski. But he wasn't afraid of the high platform and kept on training. Han almost left the sport after hurting his knee months before the Salt Lake Games. In that Olympics he only got 24th. "I was hopeless at that time, but my family and the coach stood firmly behind me, helping me through," he recalled. Han Xiaopeng worked so hard that he won the gold medal in the Olympics at last. Because of his success, more and more people in China are becoming interested in skiing. We are proud of him and we hope he will have another big success in the next winter Olympics. Where did Han Xiaopeng take China's first gold on snow? Answer: In Italy.
Dear Deidre, I am 17. Further education is not for me. I want to be out seeing the world in the army. My mum and dad say they will cut me off and have nothing to do with me if I go into the military. They have other plans for me. My friends all laugh at me and say I won't ever get on. I know I am not the fittest guy in the world but I thought that would come with the training. I am now asking myself if I should just give up my lifelong ambitions and get the sort of job my parents approve of. I don't want to look back with regrets but sometimes I think maybe they are right and know more than me. Samson Dear Samson, It's your life and your future. Your parents mean well, and may be fearful of what could happen to you if you are posted to a danger zone, but you must decide this by yourself. At least talk to an army recruitment office about what is involved and about how fit you need to be. Do your research. Find out everything you can about what choices you will have. Then go for it. Start a sensible eating and exercise plan right away. If you are motivated you can get reasonably fit in a few weeks. Tell your parents and friends you want to give it a try. If you still feel it's right for you, then apply. If it isn't for you, at least you won't regret for the rest of your life. Parents and friends may say, "I told you so", but you will know that you've followed your dream and made up your own mind about the sort of career for you. Talk to At East which is an independent and confidential organization providing advice and support for those who are in the military and those who would like to be. They can explain when you are allowed to leave and how much attention you have to give. Deidre Why do Samson's friends laugh at him? A. He has no independent opinion B. He can't break away from his parents. C. He is not fit enough to join the army D. He is in trouble now. Answer: C. He is not fit enough to join the army The day my fiance fell to his death, it started to snow, just like the bottom hadn't fallen out of my world when he fell off the roof. His body, when I found it, was lightly covered with snow. It snowed almost every day for the next four months, while I sat on the couch and watched it pile up. One morning, I shuffled downstairs and was surprised to see a snowplow clearing my driveway and the bent back of a woman shoveling my walk. I dropped to my knees, crawled through the living room, and back upstairs so those good Samaritans would not see me. I was _ . My first thought was, how would I ever repay them? I didn't have the strength to brush my hair, let alone shovel someone's walk. Before Jon's death, I took pride in the fact that I rarely asked for help or favors. I defined myself by my competence and independence. How could I respect myself if all I did was sit on the couch everyday and watch the snow fall? Learning how to receive the love and support that came my way wasn't easy. Friends cooked for me and I cried because I couldn't even help them set the table. "I'm not usually this lazy," I swept. Finally, my friend Kathy sat down with me and said, "Mary, cooking for you is not a burden. It makes me feel good to be able to do something for you." Over and over, I heard similar words of comfort from the people who supported me during those dark days. One very wise man told me, "You are not doing nothing. Being fully open to your grief may be the hardest work you will ever do." In many ways I have changed for the better. I have been surprised to learn that there is incredible freedom that comes from facing one's worst fear and walking away whole. What's the author's purpose in the passage? A. To talk about her hardest work in her life. B. To talk about her real love between her and her fiance. C. To tell us to walk out of hardest work confidently and bravely. D. To tell us the importance of friendship. Answer: C. To tell us to walk out of hardest work confidently and bravely. Recently hand-foot-mouth disease has spread across China. In the past three months, there have been about 41,846 cases in 30 provinces and regions. The number is increasing. Eighteen Chinese children have died of the disease so far this year. What causes the disease and why is it dangerous? Hand-foot-mouth disease is a common childhood illness. It mainly affects children under the age of 10. It gets its name from the rash that develops on the hands and feet. It can also cause blisters in your mouth. A child who has the disease will usually have a fever, a runny nose and sore throat. He or she doesn't want to eat or drink because of pain in the mouth. Hand-foot-mouth disease is mostly not serious. The fever and rash clear within a few days. But in some cases, the virus affects the heart, lungs or brain. This puts the child's life in danger. A virus causes hand-foot-mouth disease. The disease spreads easily where a lot of young children are together, such as in a child-care center. Sometimes it can also affect teenagers and adults. In order not to pass on the virus, good hygiene is important. We should wash our hands as often as possible. Especially we should wash our hands before meals and after going to the toilet. Hand-foot-mouth disease _ . A. is a kind of cancer B. isn't dangerous at all C. can cause death D. will disappear soon Answer: C. can cause death Little Mark is only 6, but he has an IQ of 200, a genius among geniuses. _ His parents must keep him intellectually simulated while making sure he is like any other little boy. Mark has been attracted by the way how the world works since he was a baby. When he was 3, Mark was reading fluently, mostly self-taught. His parents haven't been able to keep him away from books since. "I tried many times to stop him reading. We worry about his crazy fond of reading because he constantly wants to read every-thing whatever it is." A psychologist at the Centre for gifted children tested Mark and gave him an IQ of 200. The average child of Mark's age has an IQ of 100. At 200, Mark is a genius-even compared with other child geniuses. "With children like Mark you can tell that's a bright child as soon as they walk in. They just have this sort of intensity, and maybe they're not so good at communicating with people," the psychologist said. "He will never fit perfectly into a class where he's with children of his age."But Mark's mother worries about the "socially isolated" labels. "Nobody wants their child to grow up with that image. I want him to communicate with others freely, but not to be frustrated academically, so it's really hard to find a balance," she says. Helen Dudeney from the Talented and Gifted Children Association says Mark is one in a million with such a high IQ. She points out that geniuses are still rare and difficult for the public education system to handle. "The lack of coping comes because teachers aren't trained in teaching gifted children," says Dudeney. Helen believes it's also extremely important for them to be recognized and supported in their talents. Mark's parents are trying to figure out how best to help Mark. At the moment, there are few options. Mark finds first year work boring and simple, but he must learn to complete the work. His mother says, "We just want to be happy. Just to have a happy childhood and want to go to school every day." By saying "But his intelligence comes at a cost. ",the author means that _ A. Mark must pay for his intelligence at a high price B. Mark's intelligence brings him negative effects at the same time C. Mark's intelligence results from his parents D. Mark's parents make Mark clever at all costs Answer: B. Mark's intelligence brings him negative effects at the same time Hi Suzie, I have a big problem again! You know that I love to cook. Everyone says that I am the next "celebrity chef". I never miss favourite cookery shows on TV. I always like to try new recipes. Curry is one of my favourite meals. I love all the spices and that is the problem! I am in the kitchen when the telephone rings. I answer the phone and chat for five minutes to my friend Kate. I go back to my curry, but I don't remember that the spices are already in and I add more. My curry smells delicious, but when we eat it everyone looks at me. The curry tastes very bad. My mum says, "Why is it so hot?" Then I remember about the spices. I'm off for a hamburger. Love, Mike What does Mike do to show that he likes cooking so much? A. He goes to restaurants to try all kinds of dishes. B. He learns how to cook from his parents. C. He watches shows on TV and tries new recipes. D. He puts spices into the food to make it tasty. Answer: C. He watches shows on TV and tries new recipes.
"ONE in every 50 Shanghai women has cancer, a total of more than 140,000 women currently living in the city, and cancer statistics are based on citizens with permanent residency ," officials from the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention said ahead of International Women's Day on Friday. However, they said the city's rate of cancer in women was rising slowly along with its rising number of elderly people. Early screening for breast, colorectal and cervical cancers can help prevent 30 percent of cancer cases. Breast, colorectal, lung, gastric and thyroid cancers are the five most common cancer forms among women, with breast cancer accounting for 16 percent of Shanghai's new cases each year and colorectal cancer 13 percent. Cervical cancer, although only the 12th leading cancer in women in Shanghai, is particularly common among women between 25 and 54 years old. Dr Zheng Ying, director of the center's tumor prevention and control department, said , "breast, colorectal and cervical cancers accounted for 32 percent of female cancers". He added, " However, the three types of cancer can be detected and treated properly through early and regular screening. Our main target of women's cancer prevention education this year is breast cancer, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer."The prevention and control of colorectal cancer will be a new public health project this year with the city government promoting a community-based screening program. Experts say women over 20 should examine their breasts every month and have annual clinical checks after the age of 35. Women over 50 should have mammograms(X) every two years. For cervical cancer, women over 20 should be checked every three years. Women over 50 years old should have annual medical checks. Zheng said anyone with a family history of the three types of cancer should be aware of the need for more frequent examinations and early screening. According to the passage, how many Shanghai women have cancer now? A about 2800 B about 2600 C about3000 D about2700 Answer: A Whether it is Mozart or Miley,your choice of music could determine whether you will perform well al your work. A new study suggests that listening to music in the office improves the speed and accuracy of tasks such as data entry,proof reading and problem solving. In an office-based experiment,88 pet cent of participants were found to produce their most accurate work when listening to music. The study also found that 81 per cent completed their fastest work when music was played. And it matters what type of music you listen to.For instance,if you're doing your tax returns,then classical music is the most effective as it improves maths skills. Listening to Jessie J or Justin Bieber could also improve your speed,with 58 per cent of participants completing data entry tasks faster while listening to pop songs. During proof-reading,dance music,such as David Guetta,had the biggest positive impact with participants increasing their speed by 20 per cent compared to tests undertaken with no music at a11. Dance music also had a positive effect on spell-checking with a 75 per cent pass rate compared to 68 percent when no music was played al a11. The research,undertaken by Brighton-based Mindlab International,suggests that silent offices may be the least productive. "The music experiment showed that when listening to music,nine out of 10 people performed better,"said Dr.David Lewis.Chairman of Mindlab International. "Proper music enables people to quickly process and keep information,regulate their behaviors,make good choices,solve problems,plan and adjust to changing mental demands,"a senior investigator of Mindlab International explains. "While many schools are cutting music programs and spending more and more time on test preparation,our findings suggest that musical training may actually help to set up children for a better academic future."added D r.David Lewis. What does the passage mainly talk about? A The positive relationship between music and efficiency. B The speed and accuracy of problem-solving tasks. C The comparison of different kinds of music. D The experiment on productivity of office staff. Answer: A It is sometimes reported that strange flying objects have been seen high up in the sky. People call these strange objects Unidentified Flying Objects(UFOs). These UFOs caused a lot of interest. Some of the reports about them are difficult to believe.Some have been explained in scientific ways. Others have never been explained. Here is an account of UFOs from a report. Dennis Bardens,who wrote an article,tells us that he once saw a UFO himself.He was having dinner one night with a friend near Tripoli ,Libya ,and after dinner the two men walked across a yard to his room to look at some papers.Bardens noticed that the moon looked strange that night. "It wasn't the moon,"was the reply. They watched the light and saw that it was moving.It seemed to be an object rather like a big plate.In some ways it looked like smoke with a light on it,but it wasn't smoke because it didn't change its shape.It was moving in a regular way.That is to say,it didn't go suddenly faster or more slowly,and it didn't go higher or lower.So the two men decided that there must be men in it. When it came nearer to Libya,Bardens said that he felt eyes looking at him.He was being watched in the darkness. When it was nearer,they noticed that the bottom parts were brighter than the top.The bottom was yellow and the top was red.Then the object suddenly turned away and left Libya,moving very fast. On a later day Bardens talked to other people about it,and he found some who had seen it.They all described it in the same way.Could they all the mistaken? A UFO was seen one night _ . A when they were walking across a yard to Bardens' room B while they were looking at the light C when Bardens noticed the moon appearing strange D while they were having dinner Answer: A Each spring brings a new wildflower blooming in the fields along the highway I travel daily to work. There is one particular blue flower that has always caught my eye. I've noticed that it blooms only in the morning hours. The afternoon sun is too warm for it. Every day each year for about two weeks, I see those beautiful flowers. This spring, I started a wildflower garden in my yard. I can look out of the kitchen window while doing the dishes and see the flowers. I've often thought that those lovely blue flowers from the fields would look great in that bed alongside other wildflowers. Every day I drove past the flowers, thinking, "I'll stop on my way home and dig them." "Gee, I don't want to get my good clothes dirty..." Whatever the reason, I never stopped to dig them. My husband even gave me a tool one year for that expressed purpose. One day on my way home from work, I was saddened to see that the highway department had cleared up the fields and the pretty blue flowers were gone. I thought to myself, "Way to go, you waited too long. You should have done it when you first saw them blooming this spring. " A week ago we were shocked and saddened to learn that my oldest sister-in-law has a cancer. She is 20 years older than my husband and unfortunately, because of age and distance, we haven't been as close as we all would have liked. I couldn't help but see the connection between the pretty blue flowers and the relationship between my husband's sister and us. I do believe that God has given us some time left to plant some wonderful memories that will bloom every year for us. And yes, if I see the blue flowers again, I'm sure I'll stop and transplant them to my wildflower garden. How long might the blue flower bloom in spring? A The whole day. B The whole season. C About one week. D About two weeks Answer: D Since her husband died, Mrs. Jackson has lived alone in their big old suburban house, The house was bought by her husband almost fifty years ago. For the sake of safety , her son has tried hard to ask her to sell the house and buy a new and small one in the town , But Mrs. Jackson doesn't like the idea. She says that she has to look after her husband's old house. But recently she often hears stories about unknown people stealing things around here. That was a cold day before Christmas Eve. Around four o'clock in the afternoon, Mrs. Jackson was enjoying the Christmas music when someone knocked at the door. She heard the sound but didn't move. Another knock. Who could it be? Mrs. Jackson was a bit afraid. She decided not to answer the door but keep waiting. One minute another minute and yet another minute. Nothing happened and no more knocks , She walked quietly to the door, and listened. She heard nothing but the wind outside. She slowly unfastened the door and peeped through the crack . She then gave a surprised cry and threw the door wide open! At the door she saw a tall, beautiful Christmas tree! In the tree stood a Christmas card with these words: Merry Christmas! Your new neighbor Why didn't she move when she heard the knock at the door? Because _ . A she was enjoying the Christmas music B she thought it might be an unknown person C it was not her son D she hadn't decided to answer the door Answer: B
What could be used to fill a beach ball? A Aluminium B Iron C Oxygen D Water Answer: C Learners of English, especially self-taught learners may have trouble in understanding speeches by native speakers. The following ways might help improve their listening ability. First of all, do things step by step. It is not good to listen to something beyond your level. Better choose a suitable course and start with the first book. Go on to the second book only after you are sure you understand the first one. Secondly, stick to one course of study. Don't change books often. Never let your attention be attracted by another course just because it seems to be more "fashionable". Thirdly, listen to the English news program over the radio from time to time. Better go through the news stories in the Chinese-language newspaper first. That will make it easy for you to understand the English news on the radio. Fourthly, if you have time, listen to some interesting stories in "Special English from the V.O.A. or other listening materials of the same level as that of your textbook". In this passage, V.O.A. stands for _ . A a book B a magazine C a text-book D a radio station Answer: D Have you ever wanted to travel back through time and see what life was like at the beginning of man? Well, museums can make history come alive. And one museum in particular can take you on an exciting journey from the beginning of human culture to the present day. It is the British Museum. Being one of the largest museums in the world, it is home to over 7 million objects from all the world's continents. While most of us may not have the chance to visit London, we can catch a glance of the treasures it holds in Beijing. From December 10 to Februry 10, more than 100 cultural relics will be on show in the Palace Museum. Named "Britain and the World", a range of pencil sketches, watercolor paintings, sculptures and many other objects have traveled to China. There are several Chinese objects on show. But "the British Museum got them before 1830 mainly by trade," said Ma Jige, deputy director of the Exhibition Department of the Palace Museum. In fact, there are more than 23,000 Chinese relics in the British Museum, including national treasures like gems, artwork and ancient bronze ware objects. The museum is famous for its exquisite Chinese paintings. Picture of Lady Officials by Gu Kaizhi, a top painter of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (AD 317-420), is there. The British Museum also holds 13,700 Buddhist records from the Dunhuang Grottoes in Gansu Province. We can learn from the article that _ . A the British Museum is the largest museum in the world B the Palace Museum houses over 7 million objects from all over the world C part of the British Museum's collection is available in the Palace Museum D the two museums will be combined into one Answer: C Something that died millions of years ago can still be relevant A because we drive cars B because they are in our memories C because we still see them D because we miss them Answer: A 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. Finally the girl decided to walk to the next stop, hoping _ . A to find people there B to find more buses there C to find the bus by herself there D to find people more helpful there Answer: A
Country music is one of the most popular kinds of music in the United States today because it is about simple but strong human feelings and events-love, sadness, good times, and bad times. It tells real-life, stories and sounds the way people really talk. As life becomes more complicated , it is good to hear music about ordinary people. Country music, sometimes called country-western, comes from two kinds of music. One is the traditional music of the people in the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern Unite States. The other is traditional cowboy music from the west. The singers usually play guitars, and in the 1920s they started using electric guitars. At first city people said country music was low class. It was popular mostly in the South. But during World War II, thousands of Southerners went to the Northeast and Midwest to work in the factories. They took their music with them. Soldiers from the rest of the country went to army camps in the South. They learned country music. Slowly it became popular all over the country. Today country music is also popular everywhere in the United States and Canada--in small towns and in New York City, among black and white, and among educated and uneducated people. About 1, 200 radio stations broadcast country music twenty-four hours a day. English stars sing it in British English, and people in other countries sing it in their own languages. The music that started with cowboys and poor southerners is now popular all over the world. Before World War II country music was popular mainly in_. birds lay Now came great news! It came from a neighboring state, where the family's only surviving relative lived. It was Sally's relative -- a distant relative by the name of Tilbury Foster, seventy and single. Tilbury now wrote to Sally, saying he should shortly die, and should leave him thirty thousand dollars, cash; not for love, but because money had given him most of his troubles, and he wished to place it where there was good hope that it would continue its evil work. The _ would be found in his will, and would be officially handed over provided that Sally should be able to prove to the executors . As soon as Aleck had partially recovered from the strong emotions created by the letter, she sent someone to the relative's home and subscribed for the local paper. For the rest of the day Sally made confusion with his books, and Aleck could not keep her mind on her affairs, not even take up a flower-pot or book or a stick of wood without forgetting what she had intended to do with it. For both were dreaming. "Thirty thousand dollars!" All day long Aleck was absorbed in planning how to invest it, Sally in planning how to spend it. There was no romance-reading that night. The children took themselves away early, for their parents were silent, disturbed, and strangely unentertaining. Two pencils had been busy during that hour -- note-making; in the way of plans. It was Sally who broke the stillness at last. He said, with excitement, "Ah, it'll be grand, Aleck! Out of the first thousand we'll have a horse and a buggy for summer, and a cutter and a skin lap-robe for winter." Aleck responded with decision and calmness. "You can spend a part of it. But the whole of the capital must be put right to work. "Why, yes. Yes, of course. Have you got it invested yet?" "No, there's no hurry about that; I must look around first, and think, er..., I've turned it over twice; once in oil and once in wheat." "Why, Aleck, it's splendid! What does it amount to?" "I think -- well, to be on the safe side, about a hundred and eighty thousand clear, though it will probably be more." "My! Isn't it wonderful? Good heaven! Luck has come our way at last, Aleck!" Then they went up to bed, but they left the candle burning in the sitting room. They did not remember until they were undressed; then Sally was for letting it burn; he said they could afford it, if it was a thousand. But Aleck went down and put it out. A good job, too; for on her way back she hit on a scheme that would turn the hundred and eighty thousand into half a million before it had had time to get cold. What do we know about Sally and his wife after receiving the letter? Range At present,there are five network firms---China Telecom,China Unicom,Jitong Communications,China Netcom and China Mobile---that are allowed to operate IP services in China.Each company has its advantages in service. Charge As the Ministry of Information Industry co-ordinates,the charges of IP calls of the five companies are the same,0.30 yuan per minute for DDD calls.4.80 yuan per minute for IDD calls,2.50 yuan for calls from the mainland to Hong Kong,Macao,and Taiwan,and 1.50 yuan from Shenzhen to HK,Zhongshan and Zhuhai to Macao.IP callers don't enjoy discounts on holidays. China Telecom has the widest coverage.All cities in China with telephone access and most countries in the world are open to China Telecom's IP card. China Unicom's IP card can reach 29 cities nationwide and more than 130 countries and regions worldwide.Jitong IP can access 12 cities in China and over 70 countries and regions worldwide. China Netcom's IP card can reach 14 cities in China and 149 countries and regions in the world. China Mobile's IP card is open to only six cities nationwide but can access more than 200 countries and regions worldwide. Voice quality China Telecom realizes its IP service by the public Intermet,therefore net congestion and voice delay may sometimes disturb conversations.The other four companies have their private data networks,which help to increase transmission speeds and improve voice quality. Other services China Telecom,Jitong and China Mobile offer account transfer services.Users can transfer the remaining sum of money on one card to another card. Jitong and Netcom Link their services with bank cards.One can enjoy IP's service without an IP card.Bank card users can make IP phone calls with their bank card numbers,so they needn't buy new IP cards and remember the new numbers again and again. As for customer service,China Telecom,China Unicom and China Mobile provide free hot line service,while Jitong and Netcom charge for their services. When enjoying IP service,_. Some teachers are unforgettable. They lead by example and never lose their smile. They change lives. Eileen Madden is one of them. . "It's a joy to get up early every morning to be the first one here," say the 55-year-old Holy Ghost School third grade teacher. Madden arrives shortly after 6 am to prepare her classroom and work on the school breakfast program. "My family all went to St. Teresa's School," she says. "I always said, 'One day, I'm going to come back and get one of those big desks.'" With a watchful eye always on the lookout for "one of those big desks", Madden returned to St. Teresa after graduating from college and taught second grade at the Olneyville neighborhood elementary school until it was burnt in a fire in 1990 and had to be closed. Madden then went to Holy Ghost School where she started as a second-grade teacher and then moved up one grade level. "I take care of setting up and serving breakfast," she says. "In winter it is still dark when I arrive here." Madden praises Holy Ghost School Principal Carol Soltys and the school's workers for their continued support. "It's a family," she said. Her class is small this year with 15 students, including some from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Haiti, Guatemala, Nigeria and Ghana. Madden admits that she's encouraged by her former students, now grown-ups, who want their own children to enjoy a similar experience in a safe, good environment. "They tell others, 'I send my child to Eileen Madden's School, '" she adds. What is implied in the passage?
Yesterday the police were joined by more than 20 volunteers in the continuing search for the two missing teenagers, Vicky Gray and Tom Hunter, and their guide, Gavin Jones. The police said that they had disappeared during an adventure tour of Cape York Peninsula. This was the second day of the search and the police were now very worried about the safety of the three missing people. The police said that the search had covered a wide area, but the rainforest was thick and their work was made harder by the recent rain. Later on Chief Inspector Roger Fleet said, "The travelers had a radio with them. If they had been in trouble, they would have called us." The three travelers left Cooktown very early on Saturday morning in aToyota car. They took a small dirt road that runs down to the Daintree River, a dangerous river full of crocodiles . Chief Inspector Roger Fleet said the tourists wouldn't have got into trouble if they had stayed on the main road. A photo of Vicky and Tom was found by a policeman under the "Be Careful about crocodiles" sign near the river. Why was the photo left behind? This is just one of the unanswered questions. Other questions are: Why was the photo left behind? Why was theToyotaparked and locked at the edge of the rainforest? The police said that the travelers had left a map of the area behind. Why? Why had someone drawn a cross on the point where the car is? Is this a sign? What does it mean? If anyone can give information or has seen these three young people, contact the local police in Cooktown. This article is probably taken from _ A. a newspaper B. a magazine C. a storybook D. a guidebook Answer: A Once an Englishman named Jack Brown went to Russia for a holiday. He stayed there for several months and then came home again. Some of his friends visited him a few days after he got back. "I had a very dangerous trip while I was in Russia," Jack said to them. "I wanted to see a friend of mine in the country and the bad weather made me very late. So I was still traveling through a forest in a sleigh when the sun went down. It was a long way from my friend's house when about twenty wolves began to follow my sleigh. It was very dark in the forest. There was thick snow on the ground. It was cold, and there were no houses for miles and miles. First I heard the wolves. The noise was terrible! The horses heard them, too. They were frightened and began running faster. Then I saw long, gray forms among the trees, and soon the wolves were near us. They were running very fast, and they didn't seem to get tired like the horses." "What did you do?" one of Jack's friends asked. "When the wolves got very near," Jack answered, "I put up my gun and shot the first wolf. The sleigh was moving about, but I hit the animal and killed it. Then all the other wolves stopped and ate it, so our sleigh got away from them for a few minutes." "Then they finished their meal, and I heard them coming again. The moon was shining brightly on the snow now, and after a few minutes I saw them running among the trees once more. They came nearer again, and then I shot another of them, and the others stopped once more to eat it." "The same thing happened again and again, and my horses became more and more tired and ran slower and slower until, after about two hours, only one wolf was still alive and following us." "Wasn't it too fat to run?" one of his friends asked. In the sentence: "They finished their meal", "meal" here means " _ ". A. the food Jack had brought with him B. the meal prepared by Jack's friend C. the wolf which had been killed by Jack D. the dead animals on the way Answer: C The production of coffee beans is a huge, profitable business, but, unfortunately, full-sun production is taking over the industry and bringing about a lot of damage. The change in how coffee is grown from shade-grown production to full-sun production endangers the very existence of, certain animals and birds, and even disturbs the world's ecological balance. On a local level, the damage of the forest required by full-sun fields affects the area's birds and animals. The shade of the forest trees provides a home for birds and other special that depend on the trees' flowers and fruits. Full-sun coffee growers destroy this forest home. As a result, many special are quickly dying out. On a more global level, the destruction of the rainforest for full-sun coffee fields also threatens human life. Medical research often makes use of the forests' plant and animal life, and the destruction of such species could prevent researchers from finding cures for certain diseases. In addition, new coffee-growing techniques are poisoning the water locally, and eventually the world's groundwater. Both locally and globally, the continued spread of full-sun coffee plantations could mean the destruction of the rainforest ecology. The loss of shade trees is already causing a slight change in the world's climate, and studies show that loss of oxygen-giving trees also leads to air pollution and global warming. Moreover, the new growing techniques are contributing to acidic soil conditions. It is obvious that the way much coffee is grown affects many aspects many aspects of life, from the local environment to the global ecology. But consumers do have a choice. They can purchase shade-grown coffee whenever possible, although at a higher cost. The future health of the planet and mankind is surely worth more than an inexpensive cup of coffee. Where does this text probably come from ? A. An agricultural magazine. B. A medical journal. C. An engineering textbook. D. A tourist guide. Answer: A The energy crisis has made people aware of how the careless use of the earth's energy has brought the whole world to the edge of disaster. The over-development of motor transport, with its increase of more cars, more traveling, has contributed to the near-destruction of our cities and the pollution not only of local air but also of the earth's atmosphere. Our present situation is unlike natural disasters of the past. Worldwide energy use has brought us to a state where long-range planning is vital. What we need is not a continuation of our present serious state, which endangers the future of our country, our children, and our earth, but a movement forward in order to work rapidly and effectively on planetary problems. This country has been failing back under the continuing exposures of loss of morality and the revelation that lawbreaking has reached into the highest place in the land. There is a strong demand for morality to turn for the better and for some devotion that is vast enough and yet personal enough to enlist the devotion of all. In the past it has been only in a way in defense of their own country and their own benefits that people have been able to devote themselves wholeheartedly. This is the first time that we have been asked to defend ourselves and what we hold dear in cooperation with all the other people of this planet, who share with us the same endangered air and the same endangered oceans. There is a common need to reassess our present course, to change that course and to employ new methods through which the world can survive. This is a priceless opportunity. To grasp it, we need a widespread understanding of nature if the crisis we and the world are facing is no passing inconvenience, no byproduct of the ambitions of the oil-producing countries, no environmentalists' only fears, no byproduct of any present system of government. What we face is the result of the invention of the last four hundred years. What we need is a transformed life style. This new life style can flow directly from science and technology, but its acceptance depends on a sincere devotion to finding a higher quality of life for the world's children and future generation. Which of the following has nearly destroyed our cities? A. The loss of beliefs and ideas. B. More of law-breaking. C. Natural disasters in many areas. D. The rapid growth of motors. Answer: D My father suffered a disease once, but he was an optimist .He wanted to dosomething to keep himself busy, so he became a volunteer at a children's h}pital. Sometimes oneor two kids would die. At this time he would tell the heart-broken parents of the children that hewould be with their children in heaven and that he would look after them there. There was a girl with a disease that paralyzed her from the neck down. She couldn'tdo anything. My dad decided to help her with his true love. He started visiting her, bringingpaints, brushes and paper. He began to put the paintbrush in his mouth to paint. He didn't usehis hands. He would visit her whenever he could and paint for her. "You can do anything onceyou make up your mind to do it,"he said. Finally, she began to paint using her mouth, too. Later, my dad recovered and returned to work. He worked at the volunteer counter in thehospital. One day, he noticed the front door open. In came the little girl who had been paralyzed. She was walking! She hugged my dad tightly and gave him a picture she had done using herhands. At the bottom it read: "Thank you for helping me walk again!" After that my father often said love was more powerful than doctors. Which words best describe the writer's father? A. Patient and funny. B. Strong and serious. C. Busy and hard-working. D. Kind and optimistic. Answer: D
I watch documentaries, not movies.I read history books, not fiction.I use every free moment to accomplish one of the tasks on my never-ending checklist, and I am completely filled with thoughts of productivity.An hour sleeping is an hour wasted.And like the rest of 21st century America, I like it.But this fixation on productivity is increasingly destroying character and transforming men into robots. New York Times columnist David Brooks warned American University students of this cultural decline in a speech."We cut off all things spiritual and emotional in a competitive urge to stand out", he said, "The pressure to succeed professionally, to acquire skills, to do the things you need to do to succeed in an information age economy really became the overwhelming pressures, and it sort of _ the thinking about character and morality." Many students happily go to college, viewing it as a next step on their rise to professional achievement.Forcing as many success-building activities into their schedules as they can, they enjoy keeping busy with little sleep."Today's outstanding kids are likely to spend their afternoons and weekends shuttling from one skill-improving activity to the next," Brooks wrote in an article, "We fear failure more than we desire success." A century ago, college was about character building.Today, our characters are in decline.We are experts on economics, material things and professional skills.We fail to discuss and understand relationships, emotions and all things spiritual. Philosopher Karl Popper divided the world into two categories: Clocks and Clouds.Clock problems are those that can be taken apart, examined and solved through deductive reasoning .Clouds cannot be taken apart.Cloud problems represent whole systems that need to be understood in a different way. "When we have a Cloud problem, we try to turn it into a Clock problem," Brooks said.And in a reason-centered culture, adding titles to one's resume becomes a trend.At American University, 85 percent of seniors (and 89 percent of business majors) graduate with at least one practical experience which is often helpful to a student's future career, but can sometimes draw focus away from academics. To prevent the death of man's character, Brooks urges rediscovering our human natures through falling in love.And by love he means love for a task, job, or another person."Synchronicity is key to happiness," he said.Rather than crazily increasing our long lists of accomplishments, we need to lose ourselves in what we do, and success will come on its own. The purpose of this passage is to _ . bring awareness to character building Sir Emest Shackleton was not only a great explorer, but also an intelligent man. He once found himself and two of his men at the top of an icy mountain ridge . They had no way to get down to its side. Their destination had been the tiny Whaling Station of strummers, near the South Pole. Shackleton knew if they didn't get down from the ridge, no one would ever hear from them again. Shackleton knew there was only one thing to do. He explained that they would all have to slide down. He instructed the two men to wind their ropes into a coil .Then each of the men sat down on a coiled and slid down the icy slope into the darkness. When they found themselves at the bottom, unhurt, Shackleton said, "You know, we shouldn't do that kind of thing too often." The laughter broke the tension all the men were feeling. They arrived later than expected, but safely at the Whaling Station. They did not get _ when they got to the bottom. hurt Rose has four cousins.They are Ann, Betty, Peter and Bill.Pose is the oldest of them.Betty is thirteen years old.She is two years younger than Pose and one year older than Peter.Bill is nine.Ann, the youngest is seven. Betty and Peter are good at running.But Peter runs faster.Pose and Ann like to play basketball.Rose plays better than Ann.Bill is the best singer of them five.Rose an Betty study in a middle school.Ann, Peter and Bill study in a primary school.These five children all work hard at their lessons.But Betty works the hardest. Who are middle school student? Rose and Betty Sometimes people give us nicknames in order to be mean or make fun of us,which can really hurt. Four Eyes. Metal Mouth. Dumbo. Slow Poke. Crater Face. We've all heard kids calling nasty nicknames like these. Maybe you've even used similar nicknames on other kids,or been stuck with one yourself. A playground _ or cut usually disappears after a couple of days,but the pain and the anger coming from being called a cruel nickname can last a lot longer than that. If you've ever picked on another kid by making up or using a tease nickname,or if you've ever been on the receiving end of one,you know that names like Fatso,Smelly and Short Stuff can be very hurtful. Plus,they have a habit of sticking to us like glue ! People use negative nicknames as a way of keeping someone out of a group,of gaining power over someone,or of making themselves feel more important. You may know a kid in your class who always comes up with nicknames for the other kids. This student likes to feel cool by acting like the "official nicknamer ". This can give a student a feeling of power,but that power comes at the cost of making other kids feel bad. Kids who give others hurtful nicknames are often trying to cover up the fact that they really feel bad about themselves. Like other kinds of insults ,a cruel nickname can be used to make a kid feel being left out or angry. Sometimes they're even nastier than most ways of being mean,because they can be so hard to shake off. A kid often gives other kids nicknames in order to . show off his power An Apple's Words I am an apple. You can find me growing in many places in the world. I am like my cousins, pears and bananas. I am more round than a pear, and bananas are longer than I. I am delicious , so people all over the world like to eat me. I cost very little money and I help make people healthy. There is a saying in English : . Don't you think I'm great? The banana is the apple's _ . cousin
Is bicycling hard to learn? Different people have many different answers. It is strange enough that the same person may also have a different answer as time goes by. Five years ago when I was in Junior Grade One, I got interested in bicycling because I thought my uncle was very cool when he rode his bike. He could ride a bike with only one wheel. He could also sit on the bike and keep it standing straight, without moving for a long time. I thought it was easy to learn to ride a bike, so I decided to learn from my uncle. He told me how to ride. When I fell off the bike the first time, I was afraid to try again. It was too hard for me to learn. Then my uncle helped me by holding the bike for me and not to let go. With his help, I was able to ride longer and longer. "You can do it by yourself now, young boy!" I heard his voice far behind me. What's the best title of this passage? A. Bicycling isn't interesting B. Bicycling is dangerous C. Is bicycling easy or hard D. Is bicycling good or bad Answer: C. Is bicycling easy or hard For years scientists have been worried about the effects of air pollution on the earth's natural conditions. Some believe the air inside many houses may be more dangerous than the air outside. It may be one hundred times worse. Indoor air pollution can cause a person to feel tired, to suffer eye pain, headache and other problems. Some pollutants can cause breathing disorders, diseases of blood and even cancer. Most scientists agree that every modern house has some kind of indoor pollution. People have paid more attention to the problem now. It is true that when builders began making houses and offices they did not waste energy. To do this they build buildings that limited the flow of air between inside and outside. They also began using man-made building materials. These materials are now known to let out harmful gases. As the problem became more serious, scientists began searching for a way to deal with it. They discovered a natural pollution control system for building--green plants. Scientists do not really know how plants control air pollution. They believe that a plant's leaves absorb or take in the pollutants. In exchange the plant lets out oxygen through its leaves and tiny organizations on its roots. Scientists suggest that all buildings should have one large plant or several small plants inside for every nine square meters of space. Studies of different plants show that each absorbs different chemicals. So the most effective way to clean the air is to use different kinds of plants. Having green plants inside your house can make it a prettier and healthier place. The indoor air pollution is caused by _ . A. the limit of the flow of air between inside and outside B. the building way that the builders want to save energy C. the building things that are made of man-made materials D. the man-made building materials and the limit of air-flow Answer: D. the man-made building materials and the limit of air-flow More than half a century ago, there were 4, 000 drive-in movie theaters in the United States, and watching a movie from your car was a popular way to spend an evening. But with the number of drive-ins reduced to just a few hundred, outdoor movie has been popping up across the nation. Going to an open-air theater has become a modern summer pastime for an increasing number of movie fans. In recent years, outdoor movie screenings have come up in parks, vacant lots and shopping malls around the nation. On average, about 1,000 people attend each movie night. It attracts a lot of young professionals, young workers and residents nearby. For some, the outdoor movies bring back the memories of the drive-in theaters of their youths. But for the majorities, they think it is comparable to the atmosphere of drive-ins, as they can bring friends, food, good wine, and watch the movie together. The returning of Americans' love affair with outdoor movies makes Stephen Bastas ever busier. His seven-member crew sets up screens in various locations mostly in the Washington area every day throughout the summer. They are doing pretty well and they hope to continue the trend. And it looks like they are going to. That's because many fans say there is nothing like watching a movie on a breezy summer evening under the stars. How does Stephen Bastas feel about the future of outdoor movie? A. Optimistic. B. Amazed. C. Worried. D. Disappointed. Answer: A. Optimistic. "Folk singers are more like poets than singers," Li Yahe, a music businessman, once told China Youth Daily. That saying perfectly describes Zhang Lei, the 34-year-old champion of the fourth "Voice of China" singing competition, which ended on Oct 7. Critics thought Zhang's success as a victory for folk singers. The Voice of China used to attach great importance to singing skills and vocal techniques, which are not necessarily what folk singers are good at. "Folk songs are more about emotions and storytelling," said Li. Folk is one of the oldest musical styles. It dates back to ancient times, when people sang about their everyday lives and the society around them. A powerful comeback Folk music became popular again in the Western world in the 1960s. During social revolutions, many young Westerners turned to the simple rhythms of folk. Pioneers included US singer Bob Dylan, whose songs are reflections of some social issues like the Vietnam War. Singers at that time used traditional folk instruments like the banjo, the upright bass, the mandolin and the piano. In the late 1970s, folk music was introduced to Taiwan. The rise of singers like Lo Tayu and Chyi Yu popularized folk music, particularly among young Chinese people. At that time, folk tunes were based on simple song structures, with pleasant chord progression and pretty lyrics, just like during old times. But they focused more on the dreams and sorrow of youth than on politics. This continued to be the case when the folk "wave" swept Chinese mainland in the 1990s. Folk pioneers Sadly, _ didn't last long in China. Folk gave way to pop in the late 1990s, when people started living more fast-paced lives. But that didn't mean folk music had disappeared from the music world entirely. "The drop in the popularity of folk songs is because the business mode of the music industry is outdated, not because of the music itself," folk singer Song Ke once said. He was right. Recent years have seen folk songs gaining popularity, with the appearance of singers like Li Jian and Song Dongye. "The popularity of the Internet has shocked the traditional profit model in music industry," Lu Zhongqiang, manager of 13-Month, a music recording and publishing company, told Tencent Entertainment. "Not-so-well-known music starts showing its strength when the production of mainstream music is declining," he added. Which would be the best title of the passage? A. The History of Folk Music. B. Folk Music Pioneers C. The Folk Music Industry. D. The Voice of China Answer: A. The History of Folk Music. Making an advertisement for television often costs more than a movie. For example, a two - hour movie costs $6 million to make. A TV commercial can cost more than $6 000 a second. And that does not include cost of paying for air time. Which is more valuable, the program or the ad? In terms of money - and making money is what television is all about - the commercial is by far the more important. Research, market testing, talent, time and money ---- all come together to make us want to buy a product. No matter how bad we think a commercial is, it works. The sales of Charm went up once the ads began. TV commercials actually buy their way into our head. We, in turn, buy the product. And the ads work because so much time and attention are given to them. Here are some rules of commercial ad making. If you want to get the low middle - class buyer, make sure the announcer has a though, manly voice. Put some people in the ad who work with their hands. If you want to sell to upper - class audience, make sure that the house, the furniture, and the hair style are the types that the group identifies with. If you want the buyer feel superior to the character selling the product, then make that person so stupid or silly that everyone will feel great about himself or herself. We laugh at commercials. We don't think we pay that much attention to them. But evidence shows we are kidding ourselves. The making of a commercial that costs so much money is not kid stuff. It's big, big business. And it's telling us what to think , what we need, and what to buy. To put simply, the TV commercial is a form of brainwashing. It is believed by the writer that _ . A. few people like to watch TV commercials B. TV commercials are a good guide to buyers C. TV commercials often make people laugh D. people do not think highly of TV commercials Answer: D. people do not think highly of TV commercials
Here is a report from Xinghua Daily Newspaper. Computer games are very popular not only with the young people but also the adults. In some ways, they will take the place of the traditional games such as cards, chess and so on. Because you only need a computer to play computer games. But in the past, if a man wanted to play chess, he must look for another one. In fact, computer games themselves are so interesting and exciting for us. The games can bring you happiness and excitement. They have been used in too many places such as schools, business, hospitals and so on. Now there are many educational games for the students. They are helpful to the students. They can make the students learn more and better by changing the study ways. When the students play the educational games, they use their brains, eyes, ears and hands. The students will be active to get knowledge while playing. But now the students shouldn't spend too much time on the computer games. Otherwise, it may _ their study. We have gone into the computer age. And learning too much knowledge through the computer is becoming true. Who likes computer games? A. Only the young. B. Only the adults. C. Both the young and the adults. D. Nobody. Answer: C. Both the young and the adults. Jimmy doesn't 1ike school and is always looking for excuses not to go.If he coughs,he asks his mother to write a note saying he has a cold . If he has a headache,he asks his mother to take him to the doctor during school hours.He spends more time at home than he does at school. Even when he is at school.he looks for excuses to go home early. One day he came home from school in the middle of the morning.His father was of course surprised to see him back so early. "You're home early.Jimmy,"he said"Is the school closed today?" "No.Dad,"Jimmy said."It's open.But I came home early." "How did you do this?"his father asked him."What did you say to the teacher?" "I told her that I had a new baby brother and I had to come home and help you.'' "But your mother has had twins." his father said."a boy and a girl. You have a baby brother and a baby sister." "Yes.I know, Dad."Jimmy said"I'm saving my baby sister for next week." What excuse did Jimmy give to the teacher to go home early? A. He had a headache. B. He didn't want to go to school. C. His father was busy with his work. D. He had a baby brother to look after. Answer: D. He had a baby brother to look after. I'm fat. I'm too skinny. I'd be happy if I were taller, shorter, had curly hair, straight hair, a smaller nose, bigger muscles, longer legs. Do any of these statements sound familiar? Do you often put yourself down? If so, you're not alone. As a teen, you're going through a ton of changes in your body. And as your body changes, so does your image of yourself. Lots of people have trouble getting used to it and this can affect their confidence. Some people think they need to change how they look or act to feel good about themselves. But actually all you need to do is change the way you see your body and how you think about yourself. The first thing to do is recognize that your body is your own, no matter what shape, size, or color it comes in. If you're very worried about your weight or size, go to your doctor to check that things are OK. But it's no one's business but your own what your body is like-finally, you have to be happy with yourself.Next, find which aspects of your appearance you can change and which you can't change and need to accept-like their height, for example, or their shoe size. If there are things about yourself that you want to change and can do this by making goals for yourself. For example, if you want to get fit, make a pan to exercise every day and eat nutritious foods. When you hear negative comments coming from within yourself, tell yourself to stop. Try building your confidence by listing three things in your day that really gave you pleasure. It can be anything like the way the sun felt on your face, the sound of your favorite band, or the way someone laughed at your jokes. . The passage is mainly about _ . A. how to adjust to the changes of your body B. how to build confidence by changing your body C. how to keep an attractive body image D. how to find pleasure in your day Answer: A. how to adjust to the changes of your body if members of a species are born then the species what increases? A. water B. community C. understanding D. food Answer: B. community There are many things we can do in our daily life to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas sent out. Probably the most important is to share what you have learned with your family and friends. Use the family car less. Walk or cycle whenever possible. Take a bus. Try ride sharing. Use less energy in the house by turning down the heat when you are away or sleeping and turning off lights and electrical equipment you aren't using. If your family needs a car, make sure to buy a fuel-efficient one. An average car sends out nearly 60 tons of carbon dioxide during its lifetime, compared to between 22 and 30 tons from a fuel-efficient car. Encourage your family to use the car more efficiently : for example, check the air in the tires. Underinflated tires can increase fuel use by 8%. Turn the car off instead of letting it run when it is stopped. Idling uses more gas and sets free carbon dioxide into the air, Reuse, recycle and compost (... ) your waste. It takes much less energy to reuse or recycle a product than to make a new one. Correctly composting your food and yard waste removes the methane that they would cause at the landfill site. Buying less is al- ways the best. Plant trees. Trees take in carbon dioxide, reduce pollution, provide shade, and look great. Which of the following does the writer suggest that we should not do? A. Share cars with other people if possible. B. Make sure our car tires are well inflated. C. Compost our home waste at the landfill site. D. Buy less products even if we can afford. Answer: C. Compost our home waste at the landfill site.
Every human being has a unique arrangement of the skin on his fingers and this arrangement is unchangeable. Scientists and experts have proved the uniqueness of finger-prints and discovered that no exactly similar pattern is passed on from parents to children, though nobody knows why this is the case. The ridge structure on a person's fingers does not change with growth and is not affected by surface injuries. Burns, cuts and other damage to the outer part of the skin will be replaced in time by new one which bears a reproduction of the original pattern. It is only when the inner skin is injured that the arrangement will be destroyed. Some criminals make use of this fact to remove their own finger-prints but this is a dangerous and rare step to take. Finger-prints can be made very easily with printer's ink. They can be recorded easily. With special methods, identification can be achieved successfully within a short time. Because of the simplicity and economy of this system, finger-prints have often been used as a method of solving criminal case. A suspected man may deny a charge but this may be in vain. His finger-prints can prove who he is even if his appearance has been changed by age or accident. When a suspect leaves finger-prints behind at the scene of a crime, they are difficult to detect with the naked eye. Special techniques are used to "develop" them. Some of the marks found are incomplete but identification is possible if a print of a quarter of an inch square can be obtained. Scientists and experts have proved that the pattern of a human being's finger skin _ A is similar to his mother's B is valuable to himself only C is like that of others with the same type of blood. D is different from that of all others Answer: D I keep hammering _ because I keep seeing people who don't do it. 1. Look up English to Elvish. 2. Look up the Elvish word in the best Elvish dictionary you have, and, preferably, find out the context in Tolkien's language dictionary. 3. Change the word to suit rules of grammar: singular or plural, mutations, verb tenses, etc. You cannot leave out any of these steps. If you do, you're almost certain to have errors. Why you have to do step 2: Languages never match up one- to-one. English and Elvish are closer than usual, but there are still problems. And English has strange idioms: why are there no baths or beds in public bathrooms or restrooms? You can't translate literally . You have to understand the meaning behind each word. In Elvish this is even more true, since our dictionaries contain more or less questionable reconstructions, and words that Tolkien later threw away or replaced. Find the best one you can. Consider the word "fair". We tend to use it to mean "just". Tolkien tends to use it to mean "beautiful". In Elvish, these are two entirely different words. So when you look up "fair", you'll have to go to the Elvish dictionary to see that you've got the right one. Consider the nightmare of He left the bar. Is "left" the opposite of "right" (which also has two meanings) ? Is "bar" extruded steel , or something to do with law? You have to know what words mean in both languages. And you'd be amazed at how many people ignore step 3, forgetting that language is more than a string of words, and there are rules about how to fit those words together. You can't simply look up the word "I" and use it everywhere. Sometimes you need "me" or "my". There's a reason it takes a while to learn a language: you have to learn the rules. It drives me completely mad when people give a questionable translation they insist is right because "it's in the dictionary". A dictionary is a tool, a resource. but its entries should not be mistaken for a finished product. They are raw materials. According to the author, you have to do step 2 because _ . A you have to understand the meaning behind each word B Elvish and English are quite different in forms C there are no baths or beds in public bathrooms D Elvish has some words which are hard to find Answer: A Are you reading this while sitting in an office cubicle ? If so, please take a moment and glance around you. Are there photos of your last vacation hung on the wall? One of your kid's drawings? A yellowed print of a favorite cartoon? If so, you are doing something good for both yourself and your organization. Newly published research suggests working in an environment that offers little privacy can lead to emotional exhaustion and burnout . But personalizing one's workplace is an effective protection against such unwanted outcomes. "Individuals may take comfort from the items with which they surround themselves at work, and these items may help employees to keep emotional energy high in the face of stresses that come from their work," writes a research team led by Gregory Laurence of the University of Michigan-Flint, Michigan, in north central U.S. In the Journal of Environmental Psychology, Laurence and his colleagues describe a study featuring 87 white-collar employees at a large, urban university in the Midwestern United States. Research assistants noted whether they worked in a private office (with a door that can be closed) or a cubicle. They also counted the number of items each worker had brought from home to decorate his or her workspace - a list that included photographs, posters, artworks. Not surprisingly, Laurence and his colleagues found a connection between the amount of privacy an employee enjoys and his or her rate of burnout. "High privacy conditions tend to serve as strong protectors against unwelcome interferences and distractions ," they noted, "contributing to a work environment supporting reduced emotional exhaustion." But this link disappeared when those employees had personalized their cubicles. Employees who had turned their workspaces into areas that reflect their interests and personalities reported the same (relatively low) level of emotional exhaustion, no matter whether they worked in an office or a cubicle. The research confirms "the calming effect" of having your own stuff around you. So if you're feeling exhausted at work, relief could be as simple as hanging a few of your kindergartener's colorful creations on your cubicle wall. The participant of the research _ . A come from the university of Michigan-Flint B all suffer high levels of emotional exhaustion C may work in a private office or in a cubicle D like personalizing their homes with little items Answer: C There's a small town in the central part of England called Gotham. Some say it's a town of fools. Others say all the villagers are wise. Let me tell you about the people of Gotham so you can decide for yourself. Long ago, England was ruled by a cruel king named John. One day, the people of Gotham heard that King John and his men would soon be riding through their town.This worried the villagers, for they knew the greedy king would demand food and accommodation for his men. What's more, if he saw anything to his liking, he would surely take it. A town meeting was called. After much discussion, the townspeople decided to cut down a number of huge trees to block the roads leading into Gotham. When King John and his men reached the outskirts of the village, they could not pass. Angry, King John ordered his men to go into the town and punish the villagers. When the king's officers finally made their way over the trees, they found a village of fools. Some say that was because the people of Gotham had a plan--they had decided to act like fools since they had never heard of anyone being punished for being a noodlehead. Others say that's just the way they were. In the village, the king's men encountered a man riding a donkey. The man was bent over because he carried a huge bag of grain on his own shoulders. He looked exhausted. One of the king's men approached him and asked, "Why, in heaven's name, are you carrying that bag? Why don't you just put it behind you on your donkey's back?" "You see," replied the man from Gotham, "my donkey is feeling poor today. It's bad enough that she has to carry me, so I decided to lighten her burden by carrying the bag myself." The king's men said, "But sir, don't you see that if you're riding on top of the donkey, she's still carrying the weight of the bag?" The man didn't reply. He just looked at the king's men as if they were crazy and went on his way. The king's officers giggled at the foolishness of the man. Before long, they passed a pond where they found a number of villagers in the midst of a great argument. Two of them were holding a big eel. "Quiet down," commanded one of the king's men. "What's the problem here?" One of the villagers stepped forward and said, "Last year we took all the extra fish we [caught and put them in this pond so they would multiply. But this year when we came back, all we caught was this one huge eel. Obviously it has eaten all of our fish! Since then, we have argued long and hard over how to punish this bad eel. But we have finally agreed on the perfect punishment. We are just about to drown the eel in this very pond!" The king's officers couldn't believe their ears. Drown an eel whose home is in the water? These men were sillier than the first man they met! Before long, they reached the center of the village, where they were in for another surprise. There they found the rest of the townspeople building a towering stone wall. When the soldiers inquired what was going on, one of the villagers replied, "Every spring a cuckoo comes to live in our village. It always brings warm weather. When it leaves, the cold weather returns. Last year we decided that if we could get the cuckoo to stay here all year, we would always have warm weather. We built this stone wall, but it obviously wasn't high enough because the bird flew away. This year we're determined to build it so high that the cuckoo can't escape." The king's officers had heard enough. They couldn't bring themselves to punish such stupid people. They returned to King John and told him all about the fools of Gotham. Whether it's fair or not, the people of Gotham have been known as fools ever since. What do you think? Were the villagers of Gotham wise or foolish? This story is most like _ . A a news article B a folktale C realistic fiction D historical fiction Answer: B One day last November, Tom Baker stopped out of his house into the morning light and headed across the rice fields toward the bank of the Rapti River. Tom, a 32-year-old school teacher in the farming village of Madanpur, was going for his morning bath. As he approached the river, the head of a tiger suddenly appeared over the edge of the river bank. Before he could turn to run, the tiger was upon him. It jumped on his shoulder and threw him to the ground, its huge jaws attacked his head in a killing bite. Peter Smith was also on his way to the river and saw the attack. He screamed. The tiger lifted its head and roared at him. Peter ran. From the window of his house John Brown heard the tiger roar and ran out to see it attacking a man. He screamed, too, and all the villagers ran out shouting as the tiger dropped its victim and ran off. When the villagers reached the river bank, Tom was already dead. For the villagers, the horror of the incident intensified by the tales of man-eating tigers that has once run around in the countryside, killing hundreds. When did the attack take place? A Early in the morning B At noon C Late in the afternoon D At five before dark Answer: A
An old lady went to the shop last Sunday. She passed a bank and saw a car near the door. A man got out of it and went into the bank. She looked into the car. The keys were in the lock . The old lady took the keys and followed the man into the bank. The man took a gun out of the pocket and said to the clerk, "Give me all the money." But the old lady didn't see this. She went to the man and put the keys in his hand and said, "Young man, you are foolish. Never leave your keys in your car. Someone is going to steal it. " The man looked at the old lady for a few seconds. Then he looked at the clerk. He took the keys, ran out of the bank, got into his car and drove away quickly without any money. The old lady saw _ on the car. A a gun B a bag C a lot of money D the keys Answer: D. the keys LOS ANGELES - Jesus Ibarra was puzzled by the elderly man. He was obviously much older than other students at prefix = st1 /CentralAultHigh School. And he was an Anglo on a campus where most students are Latins, Blacks, and Asian - Americans. "I asked myself what he was doing here," said Ibarra, 21, of Los Angeles. "I thought he was a visitor. The first time I talked to him, I asked a question in English, and he answered in Spanish. I thought he was white and Jewish. I never imagined that he would speak Spanish." Jacob Blitzstein surprised his fellow students all the time. He isn't some _ man, though he wears his neat gray beard and conservative (traditional) clothes. Blitzstein is warm and gregarious (enjoys being with others). He likes to hear a good joke and loves to tell a good story. He is determined, especially when it comes to realizing his dream. Recently, that dream came true. At a graduation ceremony attended by two of his children and three grandchildren, Blitzstein, 81, graduated from high school. After Principal Lanny Nelms handed him the diploma and announced his age, Blitzstein waved to the audience and cried. And why not? He's probably the oldest CentralHigh Schoolgraduate since the school opened in 1974. According to theLos Angelesdistrict spokesman, although no records of such things are kept, Blitzstein is the oldest graduate he's ever heard of. Earning his diploma took 10 years, during which the retired store owner suffered heart attack and ill health, and lost his wife and two brothers. He kept to his task for a reason. "School is the best medicine you can have," he said. "You have something on your mind - a goal." With his diploma in hand, Blitzstein states that _ . "You know something ? I'm going to college," He told a visitor recently. He has checked out West Los Angeles and Santa Monicacommunity colleges and hopes to move from there to a four-year school. "It's not a joke," he said. "If I live to the year 2008, maybe I'll be a doctor." What does Blitzstein mean by saying "he's not through yet?" A It's a dream from which he can't wake up. B He will continue his studies and there is a long way to go. C He can't believe that he can get the diploma. D He doesn't think he'll pass the examination. Answer: B. He will continue his studies and there is a long way to go. Here's a story about a very interesting family. A young man once went into town and bought himself a pair of trousers. When he got home, he went upstairs to his bedroom and put them on. He found that they were about two inches too long. He came downstairs, where his mother and his two sisters were washing up tea things in the kitchen. "These new trousers are too long." He said. " They need shortening by about two inches. Would one of you mind doing this for me, please?" His mother and sisters were busy and they said nothing. But as soon as his mother had finished washing up, she went quietly upstairs to her son's bedroom and shortened the trousers by two inches. She came downstairs without saying anything to her daughters. Later on, after supper, the elder sister remembered her brother's trousers. She was a kind-hearted girl, so she went quietly upstairs without saying anything to anyone and shortened the trousers by two inches. The younger sister went to the cinema, but when she came back, she, too, remembered what her brother had said. So she ran upstairs and took two inches off the legs of the new trousers. Who is the last to shorten his new trousers ? A his young sister B his mother C his elder sister D himself Answer: A. his young sister A new study has found some secrets of people's understanding of large numbers. Researchers studied a group of people who were born deaf and never learned any spoken language or a formal sign language, but they have developed a gesture system to communicate with people around them. The gestures let them express approximate amounts, but not exact numbers. "Up to three, they're fine," says Elizabet Spaepen, a researcher at the University of Chicago and an author of the study. "But past three, they start to fall apart." In one test, Spaepen would knock her fist against a study participant's fist a certain number of times and then ask them to respond with the same number of knocks. "If I were to knock four times on their fist, they might knock on my fist five times," she says. The finding offers a clue to just how much language affects our understanding of numbers. That has been a big question since 2004, when other researchers published data on two tribes in the Amazon whose members also lack words for big numbers. "What they have are words that mean one and two," Spaepen says, "and then they have a word to mean many." Members of the Amazonian tribes also had trouble matching numbers larger than three or four. But some scholars felt that these earlier studies failed to prove that language was the reason. They pointed out that the tribes lived in groups that didn't use money and had no need for exact numbers. The new research appears to answer that criticism. "It proves that the kinds of problems in understanding numbers that we found in the Amazonian tribes are not due to just the cultural or environmental circumstances," says Peter Gordon of Columbia University, one of the researchers involved in the earlier studies. According to the passage, the new study _ . A ignored the cultural influence on the participants B is doubted by many people C has found it is harder to learn numbers than learning a sign language D has shown that our understanding of numbers is influenced by our mastering of language. Answer: D. has shown that our understanding of numbers is influenced by our mastering of language. He was an old man who fished alone in a small boat on the sea and he had gone eighty-four days now without taking a fish. In the first forty days a boy had been with him. But after forty days without a fish, the boy's parents had told him that the old man was now salao, which is the worst form of unlucky, and the boy had gone with another boat which caught three good fish the first week. It made the boy sad to see the old man come in each day with his boat empty. The sail looked like the flag of failure forever. The old man was thin with deep wrinkles in the back of his neck. His face was terribly brown because of the strong sunlight on the sea every day and his hands had the deep scars from dealing with heavy fish on the lines. But none of these scars were fresh. Everything about him was old except his eyes and _ were the same color as the sea and were cheerful. "Santiago," the boy said to him as they climbed the bank from the sea. "I could go with you again. We've made some money." The old man had taught the boy to fish and the boy loved him. "No," the old man said. "You're with a lucky boat. Stay with them." "But remember how you went eighty-seven days without fish and then we caught big ones every day for three weeks." "I remember," the old man said. "It was papa who made me leave. I am a boy and I must follow him." "I know," the old man said. "It is quite normal." "He hasn't much faith ." "No," the old man said. "But we have. Haven't we?" "Yes," the boy said. "Can I offer you a beer on the Terrace?" "Why not?" the old man said "Between fishermen." In the story the old man was the boy's _ . A grandfather B friend C boss D host Answer: B. friend
Letter to the Editor A heated debate is currently going on in our town. Should we allow the cinema to be constructed in the Havenswood Shopping Center? There is just one large area left to build on, and the theater would use up all of that space. Some people are excited at the idea of finally having our own movie theater. Others would rather travel ten miles to the nearest theater to keep our quiet town the way it is. They say it is enough to have Marvin's Movie Video Rentals. After all, Marvin's store keeps thousands of the latest videos. There are certainly benefits to renting videos. For one thing, you can plan your own schedule when it is convenient for you. You can relax on your sofa, and take a break whenever you need one. You can also talk to others without bothering any strangers seated nearby. In addition, it is a less expensive way to view a movie, especially if more than one person is watching the video. On the other hand, seeing a movie in a theater is an experience all its own. First, you can see the movie on a wide screen as the filmmaker intended. To be viewed on a television screen, a film must be changed in some way to make it smaller. One is the "pan-and-scan method, which involves removing some of the details in the picture. The other way, called "letterboxing, keeps the image the way it is on the big screen, with one annoying exception; because the big-screen style is wide, the same picture on a television screen must be long and narrow. Another problem is sound. The sound from a television cannot compare with the sound system in a theater. Your experience of a movie improves when you can clearly hear all of the sounds. Furthermore, at home, viewing companions often talk during a movie, which makes you miss out on what's happening in the film. Besides, having a movie theater will not mean that you can't still go to Marvin's! You will just have a choice that you didn't have before. Isn't it time for Havenswood residents like me to enjoy a little progress? Who is the author probably? Answer: A new Long March Twenty-one people from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland began a new Long March on October 15. They will walk about 8,000 kilometers from Ruijin, Jiangxi to Wuqi, Shanxi. They hope to get 20.2 million Yuan to build 101 schools and help poor children go back to school. They hope to finish the march by August 16, 2012. The football team The Chinese under-17 football team is No. 1 in Asia. They won the Asian U-17 Championship(U-17)in Japan on Saturday. They beat the Democratic People's Republic of Korea by 1:0. After 85 minutes, Wang Weilong got the only goal. They took the cup for the first time in 12 years. Liu leaves China Chinese actor Liu Ye left for the US on Monday to make a film called Meteor(<<>> ). He is going to act with the Hollywood film star Meryl Streep. His former classmate Zhang Ziyi sent Liu a message to encourage him. Liu was worried about his English, and worked hard on it before he left. People know him from films like last year's "Mei Ren Cao". From the news,we know that the twenty-one people began a new Long March to _ . Answer: Which term describes Earth's orbit around the Sun? Answer: Are your children liked by their teachers? All parents want their children to impress(...) their teachers and succeed in school. You can get your children to impress their teachers by following these easy steps. Make sure they're prepared. Teachers are impressed by children coming to school prepared to learn. Make sure they have everything they need--pencils textbooks, erasers and so on. Require them to be active in class. Teach them to ask teachers questions when they don't understand something. Some children think teachers are bothered by questions, but most teachers are impressed when children take the initiative in asking questions. They should take part in class discussions, giving their opinions politely. Keep your children healthy. If your children are tired and hungry, they won't be ready to learn. Children need at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night. Feed your children a solid breakfast and prepare a healthy lunch. Provide them with fruit and other healthy foods--apples or bananas are better for them than cookies. Make sure that your children do their homework. If they really don't understand it, discuss it with them patiently. Don't help them do their homework. Teachers can always tell who it is that does the work. Teach your children good manners and habits. Children need to arrive at the school punctually, and be polite to their teachers and classmates. Parents need to teach these skills at home. Nothing is sweeter than children who say "please" and "thank you", and these are children their teachers are certain to love. The passage mainly tells us that being parents, you should _ . 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 You can do the following except _ Answer:
Busy senior managers need no longer waste time in showering themselves-an Australian company has invented a suit that can be worn while they wash. The suit has been specially designed so that it can be cleaned under the showerhead. There is no need for soaking ,dry cleaning-or even soap. The Japanese market has taken a liking to the "shower suit",described as "revolutionary" by its owner Australian Wool Innovation (AWI),which is the research and marketing body that represents Australian wool-growers. Orders have been placed for 170,000 of the woolen suits. The suit could be worn in the shower,although it was probably better to hang it on a clothes hanger and carry it instead,AWI corporate affairs spokesman Stephen Feighan said."The idea is that you hang it up and then...you give it a spray ,and it's dry the next morning," Mr Feighan said. A Japanese researcher working for AWI invented the suit by combining three technologies. The secret is the best lining ,which allows the suit to dry quickly.The shower suit attracted busy corporate people,particularly those who often traveled or stayed up late,Mr Feighan said.The airline industry was also interested. Mr Feighan confessed he had not worn one of the suits yet,or tried to wash it in the shower,because they cut to fit Japanese figures.AWI believes that the shower suit will spread from the Japanese market through Europe and India. Mr Feighan hoped the suit,made from local wool,would be available in Australia in 12 to 18 months' time. The suit draws the attention from all the following groups EXCEPT _ . A. corporate people who are always on the go B. people on occasional business trips C. the airline industry D. people burning the midnight oil Answer: B. people on occasional business trips A person can eat a seed if they are consuming raw A. soup B. elk C. fish D. duku Answer: D. duku It was the small hours of the morning when we reached London Airport. I had cabled London from Amsterdam, and there was a hired car to meet, but there was one more unfortunate happening before I reached my flat. In all my travels I have never, but for that once, been required by the British customs to open a single bag or to do more than state that I carried no goods liable to duty. It was, of course, my fault; the extreme tiredness and nervous tension of the journey had destroyed my diplomacy. I was, for whichever reason, so tired that I could hardly stand, and to the question, "have you read this?" I replied with extreme foolishness, "yes, hundreds of times." "And you have nothing to declare?" "Nothing." "How long have you been out of this country?" "About three months." "And during that time you have acquired nothing?" "Nothing but what is on the list I have given you." He seemed momentarily at a loss, but then he attacked. The attack, when it came, was utterly unexpected. "Where did you get that watch?" I could have kicked myself. Two days before, when playing water games with a friend in the bath, I had forgotten to take off my ROLEX OYSTER, and it had, not unnaturally, stopped. I had gone into the market and bought, for twelve shillings and six pence, an ugly time piece that made a strange noise. It had stopped twice, without any reason, during the journey. I explained, but I had already lost face. I produced my own watch from a pocket, and added that I should be grateful if he would confiscate the replacement. "It is not a question of confiscation," he said, "there is a fine for failing to declare dutiable goods. And now may I please examine that Rolex?" It took another quarter of an hour to persuade him that the Rolex was not contraband . Just when I let out a sigh of relief, he began to search my luggage! When did the writer arrive at London Airport? A. In the early morning. B. Late at night. C. At noon. D. Late in the morning. Answer: A. In the early morning. Blogging has become something of a big thing in the last few years. Just like the Internet was 10 years ago, blogging is popular with an underground culture, that is doing it for love and passion . Blogging is a way of collecting links to webpages and sharing thoughts and ideas with people online. Blogs are basically online diaries which are created for sharing information and ideas. Dominic, a fifth-grade student, writes: "The blogs give us a chance to communicate between ourselves and encourage us to write more. When we publish on our blog, people across the whole world can reply by using the 'comments' link. In this way, they can ask questions or simply tell us what they like. We can then know if people like what we write and this will tell us where we can improve. By reading these comments, we can discover our weaknesses and our strengths. Blogging is a chance to exchange our opinions with the rest of the world rather than just people in our immediate environment." Blogging is sweeping the Internet. A recent report states that at least three million Americans have created blogs, with similar numbers being seen worldwide. Two years ago, Andrew Sullivan decided to set up a Web page himself and used "Blogger. com" to publish some daily thoughts to a few hundred readers. He worked hard at the blog for months for no reward. But the result is that he is now reaching almost a quarter of a million readers a month and making a lot of money. This, at least, is the idea: a publishing revolution is coming. "Blogger.com" could be to words what Napster was to music--except this time, it'll really work. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage? A. Blogs are mainly online chatting with others. B. Blogging is important in the past few years. C. Dominic wants to get a chance to be a writer. D. Blogging makes us exchange our view only with friends. Answer: B. Blogging is important in the past few years. The street food stands are very popular in Korea . They take their name from the two kinds of hot foods they sell : Dukbokgi and Odeng . Dukbokgi is a spicy hot food made of rice cakes and some vegetables . These rice cakes are finger-shaped . They are white , and they are about ten centimeters in length . They are mixed with sliced vegetables in a pan with a spicy red dressing . Fifteen minutes later , they are ready to eat . Odeng is made of ground fish . It comes in many shapes : some are square , others are round , and still others are stick style . You can buy big or small ones . At these food stands , you can also eat Odeng , which has been boiled in a pot . It is served on a long stick so can eat it easily . The food sold at these stands is not expensive , compared to what other foods in Korea cost . Each Dukbokgi and Odeng costs about twenty to fifty cents , depending on the owner . Each food stand has its own recipes for its food ; for example , some like to add sugar or other special ingredients in the food . Usually , there is just one owner , but if the food stand is big , there may be two or three owners . When I was an elementary school student , I used to stop at street food stands every day after school to eat street food because I like it so much . What's the best title for the passage ? A. My favorite food B. How to make popular food in Korea C. The most popular food in Korea D. Street food stands in Korea Answer: D. Street food stands in Korea
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 would be the best title for the passage? Answer: Grown-ups know that people and objects are solid. At the movies, we know that if we reach out to touch Tom Cruise, all we will feel is air. But does a baby have this understanding? To see whether babies know objects are solid. T. Bower designed a method for projecting an optical illusion of a hanging ball. His plan was to first give babies a real ball, one they could be expected to show surprise in their faces and movements. All the 16 to 24-week-old babies tested were surprised when they reached for the illusion and found that the ball was not there. Grown-ups also have a sense of _ . We know that if we put a box in a room and lock the door, the box will still be there when we come back. But does a baby realize that a ball that rolls under a chair does not disappear and go to never-never land ? Experiments done by Bower suggest that babies develop a sense of object permanence when they are about 18 weeks old. In his experiments, Bower used a toy train that went behind a screen. When 16-week-old and 22-week-old babies watched the toy train disappear behind the left side of the screen, they looked to the right, expecting it to re-appear. If the experiment took the train off the table and lifted the screen, all the babies seemed surprised not to see the train. This seems to show that all the babies had a sense of object permanence. But the second part of the experiment showed that this was not really the case. The researcher substituted a ball for the train when it went behind the screen. The 22-week-old babies seemed surprised and looked back to the left side for the train. But the 16-week-old babies did not seem to notice the switch . Thus, the 16-week-old babies seemed to have a sense of "something permanence," while the 22-week-old babies had a sense of object permanence related to a particular object. The passage is mainly about _ . Answer: One Sunday, my family had gathered at my parents' house to feast upon Mom's wonderful cooking. During the normal dinner chatter , I noticed that my father was slurring his words. No one mentioned this during dinner, but I felt compelled to discuss it with my mother afterward. We decided that there was something seriously wrong and that Dad needed to see the doctor. Mom phoned me two days later. "The doctor found a brain tumor . It's too large at this point to operate. Maybe they can do something then, but _ ." Even with the treatment, my father's condition worsened, and the doctor finally informed us that this condition was terminal . During one of his stays in the hospital, we brought our baby daughter Chelsey with us when we visited him. By this time he had great difficulty speaking. I finally figured out that he wanted Chelsey to sit on his stomach so he could make faces at her. Watching the two of them together, I realized I was living an experience that would stay with me forever. Though grateful for the times they could share, I couldn't shake the feeling of a clock ticking in the background. On the visit to my parents' home during what we all know was my father's last days, my mother took Chelsey from my arms and announced, "Your father would like to see you alone for a minute." I entered the bedroom where my father lay on a rented hospital bed. He appeared even weaker than the day before. "How are you feeling, Dad?" I asked. "Can I do anything for you?" He tried to speak, but he couldn't make out a word. "I'm sorry, but I can't understand you," I said. With great difficulty he said, "I love you." We don't learn courage from heroes on the evening news. We learn true courage from watching ordinary people rise above hopeless situations. In many ways my father was a strict, uncommunicative man. He found it difficult to show emotion. The bravest thing I ever saw him do was overcome that barrier to open his heart to his son and family at the end of his life. What does the writer attempt to tell us? Answer: Have you been asked for money by some disabled beggars while you're enjoying shopping?Do you have any pity on them who are so poor and lonely or do you just feel afraid of their terrible shapes?As one of the most special groups,disabled people's living conditions--not only their material conditions,but their mental world,really need improvement. The treatment for disabled people should go like this:First,don't look down upon them.Don't be afraid of looking at the terrible shapes of the disabled.Try to treat them _ .Because they are a part of the society ,we can't discard them.The second is to help them as much as we could.If you can be a volunteer and do some work for the disabled people,that would be very nice.That does help not only to the disabled people but also to yourself because you will feel good after your kind action. If every one of us gives a little love,the world will become a beautiful wonderland! Which of the following statements is TRUE? Answer: A week ago, I read When Money Talks, Listen! by Rich Ezzo. It took only about an hour to read, and that included one trip to the coffee maker and about 10 distractions from Alex, our cat, who thinks he is the center of the universe. When I first received a copy, I thought it was a get-rich-quick type of publication. There is nothing wrong with that kind of book, but my mind just doesn't chase after dreams of wealth. I figure that if God ever wants me to be rich, he knows where to find my purse. When I began reading When Money Talks, Listen!, I was overjoyed to find that Rich Ezzo isn't money hungry either. He, too, is hungry for things far more important than money. I absolutely love this e-book. Why did I wait a week to write the review ? simple. I wanted to see if the impact it had on me could keep up. After reading the last word of the e-book, I totally agreed with the subtitle which promised to forever change the way we thought about money. I had so many thoughts running around my mind that I had to install a stop light to stop some while others made their way into the picture. I had a mental traffic jam, which only goes to show how slow the traffic usually is. It has been a week and the impact is the same. I guarantee this is an e-book you'll want to read. I urge you to visit the author's website, MysterMoney. Com, and to download the e-book. You won't regret it. Which of the following is true according to the passage? Answer:
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, one eats and the other is eaten. Each kind of life eats another kind of life in order to live, and together they create a food chain . Some food chains are simple, while others are not. But all food chains begin with the sun, and all food chains become broken up if one of the links 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, others eat smaller animals. Meat-eating animals are only eating plants indirectly. What about humans? We are members of many food chains. We eat rice, vegetables, and fruits and so on. We also eat meat and drink milk. But we often break up the food chains. We kill wild animals and also make rivers, lakes and seas polluted. When these rivers, lakes and seas are polluted, the fish in them can not be eaten. If we eat the fish, we will get strange illnesses. Each form of life is linked to all others. Breaking the links puts all life in danger. Which of the following would be the best title for this passage? I learned a long time ago that hair has meanings--plenty of meanings. Growing up in the 1960s, my friends and I struggled without parents' control over the length and style of our hair. At the time, hair represented our need to break free from adults in our lives. Long hair represented our freed inner selves. My clients are often surprised when I asked them questions about their hairstyle--why they choose it, how else they've worn their hair, how they feel about it, and so on. However, while it may seem to be a simple topic, even today our hairstyles still have many psychological and emotional meanings. Understanding some of those meanings can lead to understanding of many different aspects of a person's mind. How we view our hair, for example, can show something about how we view ourselves. Our hair can show physical and emotional wellbeing, desirability, and even social and financial status. When it becomes dull or fragile, it can communicate emotional and physical diseases. But hair can also show unrecognized and often unspoken daydreams about oneself and one's world. One woman--a successful professional--wore her long hair in a thick bun . But one day she showed me that tangled hair was kept in the bun. She said that she never brushed out the tangles because the hair showed her secret image of herself as a helpless, disturbed woman, like Ophelia in the play Hamlet. Another woman came to therapy in a huge shirt and huge pants that she believed they could hide the weight she had put on since the birth of her child. She talked about how much she hated her body and how helpless she felt about doing anything about it. But her hair was always beautifully coloured and decorated. When I pointed out that she seemed to have a different relationship with her hair from she did with her body, she said that her hair had been thinning and that she was trying to make it look as good as she could. I pointed out that what she was doing with her hair and her body was kind of contradictory, and wondered if she had any thoughts about that. She was surprised. But as we talked about her contradictory attitudes towards different parts of her physical self, we began to open up all sorts of other thoughts and ideas about her inner self. And interestingly, as we continued opening those internal doors, changes started to happen. She started eating differently and exercising regularly. One day some months later, she appeared in my office in skinny jeans and a tight sweater, and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. "I decided to see what would happen if I stopped trying to hide myself, " she said with a big smile. "And...? " I asked. "People keep smiling at me in the street. My husband hugged me this morning for the first time in ages. And I feel good! " Besides, selfrespect in both men and women can be damaged by thinning hair;they may feel alone even though they are really not. Given our cultural focus on physical appearance, youth, and health, hair loss can be unpleasant for both men and women. The market is filled with hairenhancing treatments, but there are those who have decided to be against the system and change to the "bald is beautiful" position. But it is much harder for women to take the "bald is beautiful" approach to hair loss. We tend to try to hide it in one way or another. But no matter what approach you use, it is important to remember that the thickness of your hair has nothing to do with your value in the world. Remember that you have nothing to be ashamed of if you have thinning hair. Thinning hair may not be something you can change, but it doesn't have to control how you represent the person who lives underneath it. The author mentioned stories of two women in order to _ . Visiting a pub is one of Britain's oldest forms of entertainment. The idea for the first public houses was brought to Britain thousands of years ago by the conquering Roman army. The first pubs served only wine, but after the discovery of hops in the fourteenth century, pubs began to serve mainly beer, as they do today. Today, there are 61,000 pubs in the United Kingdom. One of the oldest, Fighting Cocks in ST. Albans, Herts, is located in a building that dates back to the 11thcentury. Modern pubs are often owned by English breweries and serve only their owner's products. British pubs are required to have a license, which is difficult to obtain, and operate between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. every day except Sunday, when they must close at 10:30 p.m. The drinking age in Britain is eighteen, but fourteen-year-olds may enter a pub unaccompanied if they order a meal. Children may enter a pub with their parents until 9 p.m., which lets families enjoy reasonably priced pub meals together and allows pubs to continue in their traditional roles as community centers. Customs in British pubs differ from those in American bars. In Britain, you must go to the bar to order drinks and food and pay for your purchase immediately, there is no table service. Bartenders are called "landlords" and "barmaids" and they do not expect frequent tipping. To tip a landlord or barmaid, it is customary to tell him to "buy himself one". He or she may or may not take your tip on your offer. At the end of a visit, a polite customer will return his glass to the bar. Which of the following is not allowed in Britain? If you were asked what your body is made of, probably you would say that it is made of flesh and bones and covered with skin. You also know something about the blood which flows through it, and that there is a very important part which we call the brain. But the flesh and the bones make up the largest part of the body, and there is a good deal to be learned about them. You know the general appearance of both flesh and bone from the parts of animals which you see in the butcher's shop. Bone is hard, and of a white color; indeed, it looks more like a piece of wood or stone than a part of a living animal. But bone is a real part of the living body, and it grows and is nourished just as the body is. If a man breaks the bone of his arm or his leg, it is firmly bound up, to prevent the broken parts from moving out of the proper places, and in time then bone grows together again and becomes quite strong. The bones are fastened together by various kinds of joints . They form the framework of the body, and give it strength to retain its proper shape. This framework is called the skeleton . Some animals, such as worms and slugs, have no skeleton; and others, such as shellfish, have a kind of hard covering or skeleton outside. The most important part of the skeleton is the backbone. It is so important that naturalists divide all animals into two classes,--- those which have a backbone and those which have none. All the higher animals, including man, have a backbone, or vertebral column as it is called. They are therefore called vertebrate animals. The others are called invertebrate animals. From the passage, we know higher animals are called _ . As I stood outside with my two dogs yesterday , it was so cold that my nose and face felt frozen ( ). Of course, that doesn't matter to Ricky and Lucy. They have a habit that they must find a place to fight with each other no matter how cold or hot it is. As cold as it was, I was excited thinking about how wonderful this special cold really was. Then the sun broke through the clouds and memories of summer's really hot days came through my mind. I could remember standing in heat of the afternoon, with sweat pouring down my head and the hot, burning sun against my face. I told myself then and there that in the cold of the winter I would wish I had this heat. Because of the special cold, I enjoy the heat more. So I realized that without the extremes in my life, I would never _ the days When things just right. without the extremes, life would be boring. For example, heath problems remind us that we need to pay more attention to how we live. Now, I want to start finding a reason to be happy, even if it's simply the fact that I'm still alive in the world. ,. The writer felt so cold that she wished _ .
"Hello"-it's one of the first words we learn as babies, yet it's one of the last ones we think to use as adults. That's regrettable , because saying hello is more than just saying hello-it is the respect of another's worth. How might the world change-how might we change-if we used this word well? To find out, l spent one month saying hello to every person I met. Here's what I've learned. It can improve productivity. In one of the few studies ever done on this subject, Allan Allday, an assistant professor of special education at Oklahoma State University, had middle school teachers greet their students individually each morning. This exchange of greetings raised the kids' productivity. School went from impersonal to personal , and that led to more class participation and better grades. Environments influence friendliness, One study found that people in the city were less likely to shake hands with a stranger than those in the countryside. And researchers say, pleasure environments generally encourage more smiles and hellos than unpleasant ones. My experience was similar. Whatever the reason, my hellos were answered far less often than the ones in the countryside. Similarly, people in vacation areas, like the Jersey Shore, were far friendlier than those hurrying to work in the centre of the city. It's a form of health insurance . It's impossible to say hello without smiling. And smiling has been shown to lower blood pressure , make people feel happier and improve happiness. It seems that saying hello creates a similar influence. So maybe we can make the world a better place by saying hello. After a month of doing it. I feel lighter and more connected and I have a better sense of _ . From the passage, we learn that _ . Answer: A few days ago we - that's me and the husband - took a cab to the station. Chat with the driver fell to the wrong of cyclists, and the misunderstanding of the road rules. So far as the rules of the road go, there seems to be one basic principle: when you are driving a car you hate bikes, when you are riding a bike you hate cars (and I guess walkers hate everyone). There is an obvious difference of viewpoint built in here. It wasn't until I started to drive a car (almost 20years after I had first rode a bike) that I actually realized that you could not see a cyclist at night without lights. In fact I now want to shout at late night cyclists without lights(like motortists once did at me): "You'll get killed, sunshine, I can't see you." The problem is that cyclists do ride headlong into danger. It's not just not having lights. It's biking on pavements (and so threatening to injure a load of innocent walkers in the process) and biking down one-way streets the wrong way. I admit that I do bike the wrong way down a one-way street sometimes. My feeble defense is that I try always to do it as if I know I was doing wrong. That is slowly, with an apologetic look on the face, and ready to get off at any minute. I can't bear the guys (usually, but not always it is guys) who do it as if they owned the place, and at high speed. So cyclists are not entirely innocent. But they are among the disadvantaged groups, because the bottom line is that a car or a lorry can kill a cyclist and not the other way around. When the writer biked the wrong way down a one way street, she felt _ . Answer: There was once a young mouse that lived in a hole in a wall. One day, the young mouse woke up from his sleep and looked out of the hole. As he looked out, a fantastic smell came to his nose. "Cheese!" the mouse said happily to himself. "I'll go and get it now and have it for breakfast." But then he remembered his parents' words. His parents were very clever mice and often said to their son, "Always wait before you go for a piece of cheese." So the young mouse waited quietly. Then he heard a quiet "Miaow" and he knew the cat was there. He stayed in the hole and said to himself, "I'm glad I listened to my parents and learned to wait." The next day, he looked out again. He put his nose out of the hole, and the beautiful smell of cheese came to his nose again. He could see the cheese. It was only a few centimetres away. But he sat still and waited quietly. This time he did not hear any cat's noise. Instead he heard a very quiet "Woof, woof." "It's a dog!" he thought. "If the dog is there, the cat won't be there. I expect the dog has chased the cat away, so I'm safe." The mouse ran out of the hole and started eating the cheese. He did not see the cat, which caught him and ate him. When the cat finished her meal, she said to herself, "I'm glad I listened to my parents and learned a second language." What was the cat's meal? Answer: What is Bay? The simple answer is that it is a global trading platform where nearly anyone can trade practically anything. People can sell and buy all kinds of products and goods. Including cars, movies and DVDs, sporting goods, travel tickets, musical instruments, clothes and shoes- the list goes on and on The idea came from Peter Omidyar, who was born in Paris and moved to Washington when he was still a child, At high school, be became very interested in computer programming and after graduating from Tuft University in 1988, He worked for the next few years as a computer engineer. In his free time he started Bay as a kind of hobby, at first offering the service free by word of mouth. By 1996 there was so much traffic on the website that he had to upgrade and he began charging a fee to members. Joined by a friend, Peter Skill. and in 1998 by his capable CEO, Meg Whitman, he has never looked back. . Even in the great. com crashes of the late 1990s,abay has gone from strength to strength ,. It is now one of the ten most visited online shopping websites on the Internet eBay sells connections, not goods, putting buyer and seller into contact with each other. All you have to do is lake an e-photo, write a description, fill out a sales form and you are in business: the world is your market place. Of course for each item sold eBay gets a percentage and that is great deal of money. Every day there are more than sixteen million items listed on eBay and eighty percent of the items are sold. Why did Peter create eBay after graduating from university? Answer: John likes chocolates very much, but his mother doesn't give him. They are bad for his teeth, she thinks. But John has a very nice grandfather. The old man loves his grandson very much. And sometimes he buys John some chocolates. Then his mother lets him eat them, because she wants to make the old man happy. On Sunday evening, it is John's seventh birthday. He says, "Please, God , make them give me a big box of chocolates for my birthday,"His mother says, " God can't hear you. Don't shout ." " I know, "says the clever boy with a smile . " But my grandfather is in the next room, and he can!" What day is John's seventh birthday? Answer:
A person seeking out natural resources would start looking in a pond English is the native or official language of one-fifth of the land area of the world. It is spoken in North America, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. In South Africa and India it is one of the official languages. More people study English than any other language. In many countries, the textbooks in universities are in English. Many university classes are taught in English even though the native language is not English. English is the language of international communication. It is the language of international business, research, and science. More than three-fourths of the world's mail is written in English. More than half of the scientific research journals are in English. Most other languages have borrowed many English words. Why did English become the international language? In the middle of the nineteenth century, French was the international language. The Britain became very powerful in the world. England started colonies in North America and India in the seventeenth century. By 1900 England also had colonies in other parts of Asia, Africa and the South Pacific. The people in the colonies had to use English. Slowly it became more important than French internationally. After the Second World War, the United States became very powerful, and even more people began to learn English. Is English a good international language? It has more words than any other language. The grammar is simpler than in other major languages. However, English spelling is difficult. Foreigners all have trouble spelling English. So do native speakers! Since 1880, people have invented over fifty artificial (not natural) languages. No one speaks them as a native language. However, none of them has ever become popular. Some people don't want to study English, but it is the international language. There is no way to change that now. The author concludes that _ . English is the international language whether you like it or not It was my first day of high school, and I was late. My next class, Spanish, scared me. I just could not speak that language. As the bell rang, I ran to the classroom. At the door, a hand reached out and shook mine firmly. I looked up. A man with large glasses smiled. He introduced himself as Profe, which means teacher in Spanish. Right away, his warm smile and welcoming words eased my fears. That year, I enjoyed his classes a great deal because I learned more than just Spanish. I admit I only speak a little Spanish. But I try to live out the life lessons I learned from Profe. Every day Profe stood outside his classroom before and after class to give his "hand hug". After school his room was always filled with students and he would talk to and chat with them--even those not in his class. He taught me that every person is worth your time. One time, I was rejected by my friends, Profe told me, "Linda, life gives you ashes. But learning its lessons will turn those ashes to jewels." Therefore, I learned to look at my troubles differently and not to fear any difficulty. In my senior year, I became president of one of the school's clubs, so I was very busy. Many times I didn't even have time to buy lunch. He served me by giving me his food as well as advice. He lived out what he taught us to do: serve others. The author William Arther Ward wrote: "The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." Thank you , Profe, for inspiring me. What can we learn from the passage? The writer benefited a lot from Profe's class. We are going to see the ruins of Machu Picchu in the mountains of the Andes.Machu Picchu was forgotten for centuries but discovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, a professor from Yale.It is said to be one of the most beautiful ancient sites in the world. The Incas built the ancient civilization of Machu Picchu between the 12th century and the early 16th century.They spoke a language called Quechua but had no writing system at all.They kept records on various coloured strings with knots called quipu. The Incas proved to be wonderful architects.They built most of their buildings with huge stones but without using any cement to stick them together.However, the huge stones fit together so perfectly that you cannot force a sharp knife between two blocks.They also built bridges, tunnels through mountains and channels to bring water to their cities--just as the Romans did.The Incas turned the mountains into farmlands and planted corn and potatoes, and raised animals like llama and alpaca for food. Now Machu Piccu has become a major tourist site in Peru, attracting people from all over the world. The Incas built the following like the Romans except _ according to the passage. roads LAST week, the College Board announced that it was revising the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) in an effort to make it more acceptable to test-takers, teachers, college admission officers and the public more generally. Test-takers who receive lower scores than they have hoped for are likely to be concerned about their academic future. It's no wonder that it's hard to discuss the test without negative feelings. The SAT isn't perfect. Like any test, it can be misused, and may reflect unequal educational opportunities. Even before the announcement of the SAT's redesign, experts were discussing the test's limitations. Writing in The New Yorker, Elizabeth Kolbert described its questions as limited: "Critical thinking was never called for, let alone curiosity or imagination." But the SAT provides an effective measure of a person's ability to reason through verbal and mathematical materials, a skill required in college. Although there are conflicting reports on the issue, a study published in the journal Educational and Psychological Measurement in 2011 found that the SAT can meaningfully add to the prediction of a student's first-year college academic performance, above his grades in high school alone. The fact that the SAT can help predict this is, to me, an astonishing achievement that cannot be ignored. We cannot afford to ignore tests because they fall short of perfection or make us uncomfortable. But there's a better way to make the SAT more acceptable in the long run: We should expand the types of tests we use so as to more fully reflect what students can do. What if, in addition to the SAT, students were offered new tests that measured more diverse abilities? For future artists or musicians, there are tests that measure creative thinking --a largely ignored ability by the SAT. For future engineers, there are tests that measure their sense of space. And new measures of "personal intelligence" -- the ability to reason about a person's motives, emotions and patterns of activities -- may also tell us something important about students' self-knowledge and understanding of others. Why is it difficult for the test takers to discuss the test without negative feelings? They may not get satisfactory scores and it influences their admission to college.
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. What is the purpose of this article? Answer: Address: 9020 Bridgeport Road Open: Mon. to Fri. 7:00a.m. --- 2:30p.m.and 5:00 p.m. --- 9:00p.m. Sat. 7:00a.m. --- 11:00a.m. and 5:00p.m.--- 9:30p.m. Sun. 11:00a.m. --- 2:00p.m. and 5:00p.m.---9:30p.m. NEW YORK MUSEUMTelephone: 364431 Address: Vanier Park, 1100 Chestnut St. New York America's largest museum specializing in American history and part of our native people. Open: Mon. to Fri. 9:00a.m.---5:00p.m. (Monday free) Sat. 9:00a.m.---1:00p.m. LANSDOWNE PARK SHOPPING CENTERTELEPHONE: 3562367 Address: 5300 NO.3 Road Open: Mon. Tues. and Sat. 9:30a.m. ---5:30p.m. Wed. Thurs. and Fri. 9:30a.m. ---9:30p.m. Sun. 11:00a.m. --- 5:00p.m. SKYLINE HOTELTelephone: 2785161 Address: 3031 NO.3 Road ( at Sea island Way) The Hangar Den: Wed. to Sun. Lunch from 10:30a.m. Coffee Shop: Mon. --- Fri. 6:00a.m. ; Sat. 6:00a.m. and Sun. 7:00a.m. Mon. --- Wed. to 10:00p.m.; Thurs. --- Sun. to 11:00p.m. If you want to go out for lunch on Tuesday you can call up the number _ . Answer: Johnson wanted to purchase a used motor vehicle. The used car lot of Car Company, in a remote section away from town, was enclosed by a 10-foot chainlink fence. While Johnson and Sales Representative, an employee of Car Company, were in the used car lot looking at cars, a security guard locked the gate at 1:30 p.m., because it was Saturday and the lot was supposed to be closed after 1:00 p.m. Saturday until Monday morning. At 1:45 p.m., Johnson and Sales Representative discovered that they were locked in. There was no traffic in the vicinity and no way in which help could be summoned. After two hours, Johnson began to panic at the prospect of remaining undiscovered and without food and water until Monday morning. Sales Representative decided to wait in a car until help should come. Johnson tried to climb over the fence and, in doing so, fell and was injured. Johnson asserts a claim against Car Company for damages for his injuries."If Johnson's claim is based on false imprisonment, will Johnson prevail? Answer: While firing off pictures of a curious five-month-old fox, photographer Simon Czapp soon realized his subject had quite an interest in photography herself. The clever fox was so curious about the camera equipment that she climbed right on top of it. And while she was supposed to be the subject of the shoot, the fox stood on the shutter release button and took her own _ . Mr Czapp visited the New Forest Wildlife Park to capture images of new arrival Jessie. She has been at the animal park in Ashurst, Hampshire -- home to wolves, deer and other animals in 25 acres of ancient woodland -- after being abandoned by her mother. Mr Czapp said, "Jessie was very playful and curious and not at all camera shy. Soon after I arrived she was chewing my shoes and everything seemed to be a game to her. Then she started exploring the camera I had set up on a tripod . She balanced her front paws on it and at one point knocked it over." He put the camera back on the tripod and Jessie soon jumped back up. At one point she had all four paws on the camera and was keeping her balance. Mr Czapp added, "She jumped up there several times and I realized it could make a good picture. As I was leaving with the public's viewing window behind me, I thought I heard the camera go off but didn't think much of it. But when I checked the memory card afterwards, I was amazed to see Jessie had actually taken two pictures of me photographing her. I couldn't believe a fox had gained an advantage over me! Jessie is a lovely little fox. There were some lovely photos of her but she obviously thought the photographer was worthy of a picture too!" What do we know about Jessie from the passage? Answer: People People is America's No.1 magazine about fascinating people.It's a guide to who and what's hot in the arts,science,business,politics,television,movies,books,music and sports.It is published weekly. Publisher:The Time Inc.Magazine Company Cover Price:$211.47 Our Price:$117.00 Issues:53 issues/12 months Lucky Lucky is the shopping magazine with the best buys,and the fashion tips you'll need before you hit the stores.What makes Lucky really special is that it gets you the information you need before anyone else has it. Publisher:Conde Nast Publications Inc. Cover Price:$35.40 Our Price:$15.00 Issues:12 issues/12 months Parents The most trusted magazine for parents who want to raise smart,loving and self-confident children.Each issue has age-specific child-development guidance,advice on your child's health and safety,and the best ways to encourage your child's learning. Publisher:Meredith Corporation Cover Price:$42.00 Our Price:$9.97 Issues:12 issues/12 months Entertainment This magazine covers movies,television,music,Broadway stage productions,books,and popular culture.Unlike _ like People,its main concentration is on entertainment media and reviews.It's intended for a more general audience. Publisher:The Time Inc.Magazine Company Cover Price:$199.50 Our Price:$38.95 Issues:57 issues/12 months According to the passage,what makes Lucky so special? Answer:
You may have heard adults say they are uncomfortable in the morning without a cup of coffee. One reason they may feel that way is that coffee contains caffeine . Caffeine occurs naturally in coffee, tea, and cocoa beans, which are used to make chocolate. But now food makers are adding it to many products, from potato chips to water. The US government is especially worried about the problem. That's why the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is studying the health effects of caffeine on young people. Studies show that too much caffeine can make people nervous and unable to sleep. What's more, caffeine is habit-forming. Those who consume it regularly and stop suddenly may experience headaches and feel tired. One of the biggest concerns is the large amount of caffeine added to so-called energy drinks, like Red Bull. A 12-ounce can of cola has about 35 milligrams of caffeine. A similar serving of Red Bull contains more than three times that amount. The Institute of Medicine is also working on caffeine-safety measures. "Teenagers should not drink beverages that contain caffeine. They should be aware of caffeine's effects on health and on how the brain works. Take, for example, teenagers who consume caffeine to stay awake and study for a test. They will remember less of what they just studied," said Stallings, a member of the institute. Companies that make products with added caffeine claim they do not advertise them to kids. However, there is no law to stop children from buying them. So the FDA needs to set limits on caffeine, especially in energy drinks. As for added caffeine in foods, the government should just say no. If not, the amount of caffeine should be printed on food labels to remind consumers. The government must do that. Doctors say kids should avoid caffeine. If you need extra energy, try these natural boosters: eat right, exercise, and get plenty of sleep. What is the US government particularly concerned about? Answer: The gray wolf used to live in most of the northern United States, including Colorado. In fairy tales, wolves can be pretty mean, but in real life, wolves are shy animals that are afraid of people. They are predators of deer, elk and antelope. But as more people settled in the country, they killed off many of them, so wolves started eating the cattle and sheep that the settlers brought with them. Because the settlers needed those cattle and sheep for their own families, and because many people are afraid of wolves, people started killing wolves until they became endangered. Many places would even offer money to anyone who would kill a wolf. The last wolf in Colorado was shot 50 years ago. Now, the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife would like to see wolves reintroduced into their natural homes. This is happening already in Minnesota, but not in Colorado yet. There are lots of deer and elk in the Colorado mountains for them to eat now. In fact, many people feel that having the wolves back would be a help to the deer and elk herds . Without enough natural enemies, the herds get too big. Also, wolves and other predators usually catch the oldest or the sickest deer, so maybe they could help keep the other deer from getting sick and dying, too. But for ranchers , will the wolves come after cattle if there are plenty of deer to eat? It's hard to know. In Minnesota, they offer ranchers money to pay for animals that are known to have been killed by wolves. That way, the wolves have a chance, but the ranchers don't lose too much money. www.ks5u.com If you want to find out more about how to help wolves come home, click here. According to the passage, what can we learn about gray wolves? Answer: Before the opening of the Cape Cod Canal in 1914,the only way ships could leave Boston was on a route around Race Point--the northern tip of Cape Cod.However,navigation during the 18th century was a nightmare,because the floating cross current around Race Point caused countless accidents.So building a lighthouse to lighten the place was very necessary. As early as 1808,the people of Provincetown requested a lighthouse on Race Point,but it took Congress eight years to react when they finally paid $ 8,000 on April 27,1816 to build a lighthouse --Race Point Light,which was located in the town of Provincetown,Massachusetts.It was first built of stone 25 feet high with no foundation and its light was 30 feet above the sea.It was equipped with one of the nation's earliest revolving lights. Actually,there were two other lighthouses on Cape Cod,but they were hit by a storm in October 1841.In the following year,Race Point Light was examined by I.W.P.Lewis,who realized the light's importance.He said,"The light should be useful to all ships leaving Boston.However,its _ power is so weak that people would hardly be able to differentiate it from the lights set on the ships which stay in the bay,or close by.It hasn't played its role as a lighthouse well." The result was that old lighthouse was destroyed and a new iron lighthouse with a proper foundation was put up to take its place.The new lighthouse was 45 feet high.Although the original keeper's house was in good repair,it was destroyed too and a new one was built.Today the lighthouse has been automated and Race Point Light is still an active aid to navigation. You can park at Race Point Beach and walk about 45 minutes to the lighthouse.Sunset at Race Point Light is one of the Cape Cod's most popular scenes.And at times whales can be seen in the lighthouse.For reservations to stay one night in the keeper's house at Race Point call(508)487-9930. What can be learned from the passage? Answer: In our old neighborhood, neighbors chatted over fences. Newcomers were welcomed with chocolate and bread. It had been easy to find friends there. Our new community was different. It seemed that family roots grew deep. Deep as the Mississippi river that flowed past the tiny river town. We'd moved to decrease my husband's commute to work. Only thirty miles. After living there for six months, I was ready to move back home. I was lonely for a friend. My three boys were lonely. My husband, Lonny, fared okay, but he spent his days at work. Lonny noticed my sinking disposition. "Shawnelle, you look unapproachable," he said. He and I were sitting in lawn chairs. Samuel, our three-year-old son sat in his own little chair. "What do you mean?" "Body language. You placed our chairs fifteen yards away from everyone else." "It doesn't matter. I'm not going to have friends here. " Just then Samuel looked up. "Mom's right, Dad. And we just want to go home. " That's when I knew that I needed an adjustment. I didn't want my boys to learn that the way to work through a tough time was to use a wounded and bitter attitude. Over the next few months I smiled when I didn't feel like it. We signed up for reading programs at the library and frequented parks and the bike path along the river. One afternoon Samuel and I clambered up the stairs to the library activity room. A woman who I hadn't seen before sat at an oblong table with a tiny boy. "Hi," she said. "I'm Tammy. Do you need a seat? There's one right here." I sat down next to Tammy. Soon class was over, and I still had a lot to say. "Why don't you come over later?" Tammy asked. "I live on a farm. There's plenty of room for the kids to run. " We went. And since that day, we've been back a million times. When I look back, I'm grateful for that tough time. I learned to persevere. I'm glad I didn't give up. And as for my boys, they learned a lesson too. "Keep moving forward," is what I tell them. "Your heart will follow." What lesson did Shawnelle teach her kids? Answer: Ali is from a Middle Eastern country. He now stays in the USA. He smokes a lot of cigarettes every day. He has smoked for nine years. Ali says, " I tried to quit smoking in my hometown, but it was impossible. My brothers smoke. All my friends smoke. At parties and at meetings, almost all the men smoke. Here in the United States, not as many people smoke. It will be easier to change my habit here." Many smokers are like Ali: they want to stop smoking. The smokers know that smoking is bad for their health. They know it can cause cancer and heart disease. But it is difficult for them to give up smoking because cigarettes have a drug in them. The drug is nicotine . People who smoke a lot need nicotine. When a person first begins to smoke, he usually feels terrible. The nicotine makes him sick. In a few days, the smoker's body is used to the nicotine, and he feels fine. Later, the smoker needs nicotine to keep feeling fine. Without nicotine, he feels bad. It is very hard to quit smoking, and many people who quit will soon smoke again. At a party or at work they will decide to smoke "just one" cigarette. Then they will smoke another cigarette, and another. Soon they become smokers again. Maybe there is only one easy way to quit smoking: never start. Many smokers want to stop smoking because they _ . Answer:
Nature Love Yolanda loves nature. She loves trees, flowers, grass, singing birds, the sky, and even the wind. She spends a lot of time lying on the grass, looking at the sky, and listening to the birds. One of Yolanda's favorite things to do is to look at the shapes of the big, fluffy clouds. "That one looks like a flower. And that one looks like a boat. There's one that looks like my dog!" she says to herself. She is always surprised and happy to find a new shape. Yolanda's most favorite thing to do is to look at the flowers and bugs that visit her place. She watches and studies all the butterflies, bees, ants, spiders, and even worms that are in her backyard. Yolanda has a wonderful backyard. Her mother has a big, beautiful garden that she helps to take care of. This is how Yolanda is learning to grow and take care of plants. The garden makes the whole yard look beautiful and smell wonderful. And the garden brings in all kinds of amazing birds and insects. Yolanda has lots of pictures of the birds and bugs that come into her backyard. She feels like a kid scientist. Someday, she wants to become a real scientist. Then she can learn all about plants, bugs and nature. What is one of Yolanda's favorite things to do? To look at the shapes of the clouds. Hello Kitty, the Japanese white cat with no mouth,has a lot of fans around the world. A new home for Hello Kitty was opened in China in the summer of 2014. The Hello Kitty Theme Park was built in Anji, Zhejiang Province and this is the first Hello Kitty Park in China.Anji is known for its natural beauty. It has large forests and many bamboo groves . So the new Hello Kitty Park will be both a playland and a natural park. Children and visitors will enjoy the fun of games and learn about the environment at the same time. There are five gardens in the park. Each of them has a different theme of the five natural elements: water, wood,fire, metal and earth. Visitors to the amusement park will be able to enjoy 3D Games, watch Hello Kitty films and food service. Children can have lots of interesting activities here. Now you see,Hello Kitty's new home was so interesting. So come and see it by yourself. Which of the following is not true according to the passage? More natural park will be built in China. One day a poor man was cutting a big piece of wood near a river. Suddenly his old axe fell into the water. He felt very sad because he lost his only axe. Then all at once a beautiful fairy came out and asked the man what was the matter. "I have lost my axe, "he said. It fell into the water when I was cutting the wood. The fairy showed him a gold axe and asked, "Is this yours?". "No," said the man. The fairy then showed him a silver axe and asked again, "Is this yours?" "No," again answered the man. Then she showed him the old axe. "Yes, that is mine,"called out the happy man. "I know that well enough," said the fairy."I only wanted to see if you would tell me the truth, and now I'll give you the gold axe and the silver axe besides your own one." The fairy helped the man because he was _ man. an honest Do you know Australia ? Australia is the largest island in the world . It is a little smaller than China . It is in the south of the earth .Australia is big , but its population is not large . The population of Australia is nearly as large as that of Shanghai . The government has made enough laws to fight pollution . The cities in Australia have got little air or water pollution .The sky is blue and the water is clean . You can clearly see fish swimming in the rivers . Plants grow very well . Last month we visited Perth , the biggest city in Western Australia , and went to a wild flowers' exhibition . There we saw a large number of wild flowers we had never seen before . We had a wonderful time .Perth is famous for its beautiful wild flowers .In spring every year Perth has the wild flowers' exhibition .After visiting Perth, we spent the day in the countryside . We sat down and had a rest near a path at the foot of a hill .It was quiet and we enjoyed ourselves . Suddenly we heard bells ringing at the top of the hill .What we saw made us pick up all our things and run back to the car as quickly as we could .There were about three hundred sheep coming towards us down the path . Australia is famous for its sheep and kangaroos . After a short drive from any town , you will find yourself in the middle of white sheep . Sheep , sheep , everywhere are sheep . In Perth you may visit a wild flowers' show in _ . October Once an old man was walking in a street with his horse. It was raining hard. The old man was cold because he was walking in the rain. He wanted to stay in a restaurant. It was a quarter past three in the afternoon. The old man got to a small restaurant. A lot of people crowded in it. The old man couldn't come near the fireplace. He thought and thought.At last he said to the waiters, " Take some fish to my horse." The waiter and the other people were very surprised. The waitered said, "A horse doesn't eat fish." The old man told the waiter, " The horse is _ . It can sing, dance and does all kinds of things. It can eat fish, too." So the waiter took some fish to the horse. All the people in the restaurant rushed out to see the horse eat fish except(......) the old man. Now the old man sat beside the fire. After a while the waiter returned and said. "Your horse didn't eat any fish." The old man said, "All right, take the fish back and put it on the table. I'll eat it." The old man felt very cold because _ . he was travelling in a heavy rain
London Photography Mystery Tour Here's the tour that's voted "3rd best tour in London" on the Best Things to Do on Trip Advisor! Hairy Goat is the best rated and most original tour company in London. Do you like walking around a city and discovering something that makes a great photo? It can be statues, elaborate doors and lamp posts, hidden gardens, headstones or interesting architectural features. We all know where the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Cathedral and Trafalgar Square are, but London is full of quirky and interesting photo opportunities and maybe you need someone to lead you to them. You won't know where you are going until we get there, but I promise there will be something you won't have noticed before. The tour is ideal for team events, families, groups of friends and school or college classes. Bring: A fully charged camera and plenty of memory cards or film, a drink and wear comfortable walking shoes. Dress for 3 hours walking outside. Prices: All tours are to be booked and paid in advance. Please call or email for details. PS40 per adult (18yrs and over). PS35 per child (12-15yrs) and fulltime students (student ID required) All tours to be booked and paid in advance. Please follow the links on the website or call Corinna on +44 (0) 7540 832771 Meet: Meet in front of the Royal Exchange Building at Bank Tube Station. Take exit 3 or 4 from the tube station. When: see the website for scheduled dates For more information call Corinna on 07540 832771. Duration: 3 hours, at a comfortable walking pace Finish: by a tube station within the city, location varies daily If you are interested in participating in London Photography Mystery NIGHT Tour, please note, Night tours start at different times and locations each month. Which means of transport will the participants take? Answer: Mark was walking home from school one day when he noticed a boy ahead of him. He had tripped and dropped all of the books he was carrying, along with some clothes, a baseball bat and a glove. Mark knelt down and helped the boy pick up the things. Since they were going the same way, he offered to carry some things for the boy. As they walked, Mark discovered the boy's name was Bill. He loved video games, baseball and history, but he was having trouble with some of his subjects. They arrived at Bill's home first. Mark was invited in for a Coke and to watch some television. The afternoon passed pleasantly with some laughs and talk. Then Mark went home. They continued to see each other around school, had lunch together once or twice, then both graduated from junior school. Three days before graduation, Bill asked Mark if they could talk. Bill reminded Mark of the day years ago when they had first met. "Did you ever wonder why I was carrying so many things home that day?" asked Bill. "You see, I took away all my things from school. I had stored away some of my mother's sleeping pills . I was going home to kill myself. But after we spent some time talking and laughing, I realized that if I had died, I would have missed so many good time. So you see, Mark, when you picked up those books that day, you did a lot more. " Which of the following is NOT true? Answer: If you were to walk up to Arthur Bonner and say, "Hey, Butterfly Man," his face would break into a smile. The title suits him.,and he loves it. Arthur Bonner works with the Palos Verdes blue butterfly, once thought to have died out. Today the butterfly is coming back -- thanks to him. But years ago if you'd told him this was what he'd be doing someday, he would have laughed, "You're crazy." As a boy, he used to be "a little tough guy on the streets". At age thirteen, he was caught by police stealing. At eighteen, he landed in prison for shooting a man. "I knew it had worried my mom," Bonner said after he got out of prison. "So I told myself I would not put my mom through that pain again." One day he met Professor Mattoni, who was working to rebuild the habitat for an endangered butterfly called El Segundo blue. "I saw the sign 'Butterfly Habitat' and asked, 'How can you have a habitat when the butterflies can just fly away?'" Bonner recalls. "Dr. Mattoni laughed and handed me a magnifying glass , 'Look at the leaves.' I could see all these caterpillars on the plant. Dr Mattoni explained, 'Without the plant, there are no butterflies.'" Weeks later, Bonner received a call from Dr. Mattoni, who told him there was a butterfly that needed help. That was how he met the Palos Verdes blue. Since then he's been working for four years to help bring the butterfly back. He grows astragalus, the only plant the butterfly eats. He collects butterflies and brings them into a lab to lay eggs. Then he puts new butterflies into the habitat. The butterfly's population, once almost zero, is now up to 900. For their work, Bonner and Dr. Mattoni received lots of awards. But for Bonner, he earned something more: he turned his life around. For six years now Bonner has kept his promise to stay out of prison. While he's bringing back the Palos Verdes blue, the butterfly has helped bring him back, too. Bonner came to know the Palos Verdes blue after he _ . Answer: Mrs.Green was eighty,but she had a small car,and she always drove to the shops on Saturday and bought her food.She didn't drive fast because she was old,but she drove well and never hit anything. Sometimes her grandchildren said to her,"Please don't drive your car,grandmother.We can take you to the shops." But she always said,"No,I like driving.I've been driving it for fifty years,and I'm not going to stop driving." Last Saturday she stopped her car at some traffic lights because they were red and then it did not start again.The lights were green,then yellow,then red,then green again,but her car didn't start. "What am I going to do now? "she said. At this time a policeman came and said to her kindly,"Good morning.Don't you like any of our colours today? " Mrs.Green drove her small car to the shops to get something _ a week. Answer: A difference between the oceanic crust and the continental crust is that the oceanic crust is Answer:
In many English homes people eat four meals a day: breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner. People have breakfast at any time from seven to nine in the morning. They eat porridge, eggs or bread, English people drink tea or coffee at breakfast. Lunch comes at one o'clock. Afternoon tea is from four to five in the afternoon and dinner is at about half past seven. First they have soup, and then they have meat or fish with vegetables. After that they eat some other things, like bananas, apples or oranges. But not all English people eat like that. Some of them have their dinner in the middle of the day. Their meals are breakfast, dinner, tea and supper and all these meals are very simple. . Many English people eat _ meals a day.. Answer: If you have failed in the past to try to make big changes in life, try again now, one tiny step at a time. Every year it's the same. As December comes to an end, you think about the new year and all the ways you want to improve your life. But as you start to write down your hopes for the new year, you think about the last year. You excitedly write down all the changes you are going to make, but by the end of January those ideas get lost in your busy life. Here's a suggestion: Forget the too big, hard-to-achieve goals and just think about the small ones. "We often think that we have to do everything in big steps, even though it's so hard for us to reach it." said Robert Maurer, who recently wrote the book One Small Step Can Change Your Life. "What we try to do is to begin with such a small step that we can't find any excuse not to do it." "Kaizen", a Japanese word, is used to mean to change behavior and attitudes . During World War II, American factory managers were able to _ by trying small, continuous improvements instead of sudden changes. After the war, the idea was brought to a rebuilding Japan. It made Japan develop fast. The Japanese called it "kaizen", which means "improvement". Maurer studied the idea and did some experiments with it. "Kaizen" could possibly help people succeed in doing everything. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? Answer: To get an extra 14 years of life, don't smoke, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly and drink alcohol in a proper amount.That is according to a study published this Monday in the Public Library of Science Medicine Journal. After tracking more than 20,000 people aged 45 to 79 years in the United Kingdom from about 1993 to 2007, Kay-Tee Khaw of the University of Cambridge and his colleagues found that people who adopted these four healthy habits lived all average of 14 years longer than those who didn't. "We've known for a long time that these behaviors are good things to do, but we've not seen this benefit before, "said Susan Jebb, head of Nutrition and Health at Britain's Medical Research Council."The benefit was also seen regardless of whether or not people were fat and what social class they came from." Study participants scored a point each for not smoking, regular physical activity, eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day and moderate alcohol intake. Public health experts said they hoped the study would inspire governments to introduce policies helping people to adopt these changes.But because the study only observed people rather than testing specific changes, it would be impossible to conclude that people who suddenly adopted these healthy behaviors would surely gain 14 years. "We can't say that any person could gain 14 years by doing these things, "said Dr.Tim Armstrong, a physical activity expert at the World Health Organization."The 14 years is an average across the population of what's theoretically possible." "Most people know that things like a good diet matter and that smoking isn't good for them, "Susan Jebb said."We need to work on providing people with much more practical support to help them change." What can be inferred from the passage? Answer: Come to Austria Soll is a village in the mountains in western Austria. And the Post Hotel is clean and not expensive. It is opened by a local family. From the hotel you can see the whole village, the forests and the mountains. Temperatures in summer are usually 20degC to 25degC in the daytime, but much cooler by evening. Enjoy Thailand When you visit Bangkok in Thailand, don't miss the early morning river boat trip to the Floating Market outside the city. There you will find many kinds of fruits and vegetables. And you can pay for them when you sit in your boat. Don't forget your hat: the sun can be strong and it may be as hot as 40degC at noon. Visit Hawaii! Maybe the most beautiful place in Hawaii is Kauai. You can visit its long, sandy beaches in the south and west of the island, and mountains and forests in the north, but don't be surprised if it rains in the centre of the island. Daytime temperatures there are usually around 24degC to 26degC by the sea, and only a little cooler by late evening. If you go to Bangkok,you can _ . Answer: Last weekend three students went to London, and they visited many places. Did they enjoy the trip?Let's listen to them. "It was a fine day. I went to London with my friends Emily and James. We visited many places. The guide was very kind and funny. I really had a great time in London!"David said. "The train was so fast. It only took us half an hour. I read many books about London. When I saw it with my eyes today, I felt so excited!I took many photos. And I also bought some gifts for my sister. "Emily said. "We went to the science museum. All kinds of model robots are my favourites. I learned a lot about robots. The food in London was kind of expensive, but very delicious. All in all, it was a great trip." James said. What does David think of the guide? Answer:
Sharks are among the oldest animals on Earth. There are hundreds of kinds of sharks. Most are about two meters long. The dogfish shark, however, is less than twenty centimeters in length. A shark has an extremely good sense of smell. It can find small amounts of matters in water, such as blood, body liquids and chemicals produced by animals. These powerful senses help sharks find their food. Sharks eat fish, other sharks, and plants that live in the ocean. Sharks grow slowly. About forty percent of all sharks lay eggs. The others give birth to live young. Some sharks carry their young inside their bodies as humans do. Some sharks are not able to reproduce until they are twenty years old. Most reproduce only every two years. And they give birth to fewer than ten young sharks. For this reason, over-fishing of sharks is of special danger to the future of the animal. Sharks are important for the world's oceans. They eat injured and diseased fish. Their hunting activities mean that the numbers of other fish in ocean waters do not become too large. This protects the plants and other forms of life that exist in the oceans. People hunt sharks for sport, food, medicine and their skin. Experts say the international market for some kinds of sharks has increased because many parts of a shark are valuable.Collectors pay thousands of dollars for the jaws of a shark. Shark liver oil is a popular source of Vitamin A. The skin of a shark can be used like leather. In Asia, people enjoy a kind of soup made from shark fins. Experts say a fisherman can earn a lot of money for even one kilogram of shark fins. Sharks are among the oldest animals on Earth, but some sharks are in danger of disappearing from Earth. If too many sharks in one area are killed, that group of sharks may never return to normal population levels. . Which of the following words best describes the situation sharks are in? A. Good. B. Endangered. C. Powerful. D. Expensive. Answer: B. Endangered. Vanilla is my best friend. She is a lovely girl with two big, beautiful eyes. But she always hides them behind a pair of black glasses. One day, though, I nearly ended our friendship. I remember that day clearly. We were sitting in class. The teacher was giving us our results for a Chinese test. I had done badly. I felt so sad that I wouldn't talk to anyone. At lunchtime, I even stayed in the classroom alone. Suddenly, I heard a voice. It was Vanilla. "You look very unhappy," she said. "What's wrong?" I looked up at her, but said nothing. I knew Vallina had got a good mark in the test. I thought she was making fun of me. I stayed silent , but Vallina didn't go away. She kept asking me questions: "Is it because of the exam? Do you want me to show you the right answers?" I looked away from her. When I looked up again, Vanilla had gone. And so had my exam paper! I didn't know what to do. I looked everywhere for me paper, but couldn't find it. In the afternoon, Vanilla came up to my desk and gave me my exam paper back. I looked at it and got a big surprise. Vanilla had written the right answer next to every one of my mistakes. My face went red. Vanilla had been trying to help me all along. How mean I had been to her when she was being so nice. I wanted to hug her, but all I did was to hold her hands and say, "Thank you." That afternoon, Vanilla and I walked home together. I felt so happy that I had to thank her again. We were still best friends. Vanilla really came to the writer to _ . A. make fun of her B. find out what had happened to her C. help her D. show her the right answers Answer: C. help her When thinking about placing a human being in space, one of the most important questions was how to design special clothing needed to protect a person from the dangers of the space environment. The cold of space will freeze skin in a short time. The fierce heat of the sun can cause serious burns. The lack of atmosphere can cause gases in the body to expand and even burst. With no oxygen to breathe, a human being will die in only a few moments. Radiation from the sun is another risk in space. So is damage from small pieces of rock and objects like meteoroids . In 1933, an American flyer, Wiley Post, designed one of the first successful devices to protect a pilot at extreme heights. It was a large device that looked like a can surrounded the pilot's head. Astronauts in the American space agency (NASA) flew the first American space flights in the early 1960s. The clothing was similar to that invented by Wiley Post. Today, astronauts wear very different protective clothing. It lets them move, do useful tasks, and stay outside their spacecraft in comfort and safety for several hours. The spacesuit is called the shuttle extravehicular mobility unit or EMU. It was designed to _ longer and to permit more movement than earlier spacesuits. The EMU has a number of parts that an astronaut can link together by using only one hand, which makes it possible for each astronaut to select the parts that fit correctly. Nowadays, NASA scientists are also considering the kind of spacesuits that would be needed for exploration on the planet Mars. Because of the gravity on Mars, spacesuits may have to be designed to be lighter than suits used in orbit or on the moon. The equipment may also have to protect astronauts from dust carried in the winds on Mars. And, they must be easy to repair and keep clean during a longer flight to and from the red planet. The best title of the passage might be _ . A. Space exploration B. Astronauts' flights C. The Advantages of Spacesuits D. The Development of Spacesuits Answer: D. The Development of Spacesuits It is believed in some ways that the daughter is father's lover. But my experience has taught me in a different way. For a long time, my father has been a very vague figure to me. He was a man of few words, tall but slim and nothing else. When I was in primary school, my father was never there to pick me up, and he never came to any of my parent-teacher meetings. He was always busy doing projects. I remember when I was in middle school and my head was badly hurt in a PE class. During my operation, my father was nowhere to be found. This hurt me most. At that moment, I considered my father as a cold-blooded man who did not care about me at all. But things seemed different at my high school graduation ceremony, where I was chosen to represent my class and give a speech. My father, once again, told me he had a business trip in a place outside the city and would be unable to show up . "Don't come. I will be very nervous if I see you," I told him. I remember my speech went smoothly. After the ceremony was over and I was about to leave. I suddenly noticed a familiar looking man sitting in a corner of the hall. It was my father! I was so surprised that I rushed to him with tears running down my face. "Well done," he said. His eyes were also filled with tears. Later, I found out that my father had managed to finish his work by staying up late, and he drove for eight hours to get back. He had been sitting in the corner because he didn't want me to see him. My father remembered every word in my speech. For much of my life, I described my father was a cold-blooded man who only cared about his work. But when I thought deeply about _ , it was obviously not true. At my graduation ceremony. I could feel my father's deep love. The fact is that seeing is not believing, and seeing may not be the fact if we don't perceive the world with our hearts and minds. There's no doubt that life doesn't lack love, but sometimes our eyes have trouble seeing it. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? A. The writer's father was in the hospital during her operation. B. The writer's father attended her high school graduation ceremony. C. The writer's father sometimes picked her up when she was in primary school D. The writer's father went to parent-teacher meeting when she was in primary school. Answer: B. The writer's father attended her high school graduation ceremony. As traditional Chinese art, paper cutting has a long history. The first and earliest paper cutting was found in China 1,500 years ago. But this traditional art is at risk of disappearing now. Luckily, Voyo Woo, a Chinese immigrant in America, is trying to bring this art back to life. One Saturday in 2014, Ms Woo held a paper cutting show at a shopping center near Washington. She got much fun and peace doing it. She hoped more people would enjoy it. Ms Woo began to study the art of paper cutting as a 14-year-old girl in her hometown in China. She said all the students at school had to learn paper cutting. But she had a deep love for it. So her teacher spent more time teaching her after class. Later, she won the second prize in a national painting and art competition. Ms Woo went to America after she finished collage in 2008. Soon after that, she took part in an activity to promote Chinese paper cutting. And then she was invited to show the art in many important activities."It is important to promote this art to Americans or anyone who is interested in it.Maybe it will make this art more popular."Woo said. From the art of paper cutting, people can know about Chinese cultural values, history and stories of people's life. Ms Woo uses the art as a tool to show Chinese culture to people who know little about it. Chinese art is not only for Chinese, but also for people all over the world. In the passage, the writer thinks the art of paper cutting is _ now. A. very popular in America B. very popular in China C. for people who know about it D. in danger of disappearing Answer: D. in danger of disappearing
According to new research,there could be a social hierarchy attached to where people stand in the lift.More senior men stand at the back,young men in the middle and women of all ages at the front. Most people know that awkward feeling when you shuffle into an elevator with other people and try not to make eye contact. But new research suggests it may be down to a subconscious power struggle being played out as you make your way up or down. A study found that people decide where they stand based on a micro social hierarchy,established within seconds of entering the lift. Rebekah Rousi,a Ph.D.student in cognitive science,conducted all ethnographic study of elevator behaviour in two of the tallest office buildings in Adelaide,Australia. As part of her research,she took a total of 30 lift rides in the two buildings,and discovered there was an established order to where people tended to stand. In a blog for Ethnography Matters,she writes that more senior men seemed to direct themselves towards the back of the elevator cabins. She said,"In front of them were younger men,and in front of them were women of all ages." She also noticed there was a difference in where people directed their gaze half way through the ride. Men watched the monitors,looked in the side mirrors(in one building)to see themselves,and in the door mirrors(of the other building)to also watch others. Women would watch the monitors and avoid eye contact with other users(unless in conversation)and the mirrors,she writes. The doctorate student concluded it could be that people who are shyer stand toward the front,where they can't see other passengers,whereas bolder people stand in the back,where they have a view of everyone else. Which of following best summarizes the main idea of the passage? A. Women are more attentive than men in the lift. B. Both women and men like to watch the monitors in the lift. C. The shyer you are,the more likely you are to stand at the back in the lift. D. Why where you stand in the lift reflects your social status. Answer: D. Why where you stand in the lift reflects your social status. The expression "keeping up with the Joneses" was first used in 1913 by a young American Arthur Momand. He told this story about himself: he began earning $125 a week at the age of 23. That was a lot of money in those days. Young Momand was very proud of his riches. He got married and moved with his wife to Long Island, outside New York City. But just moving there was not enough. For when Momand and his wife saw that their neighbors belonged to a country club they too joined a club. And when he saw that rich people were expected to ride horses, Momand went horseback riding every day. Momand and his wife also hired a servant and gave grand parties for their new neighbors. It was like a race, but one could never finish this race because one was always trying to keep up. Momand and his wife could not do that. The race ended for them when they could no longer pay for their new way of life. They moved back to an inexpensive New York City apartment. Momand later said that his experience had been a cruel awakening for him. However, he was able to see the funny side of it. He looked around him and noticed that many people do things just to keep up with their neighbors. He decided that this would make good stories for many papers across the country. He called it "Keeping up with the Joneses", because "Jones" is a very common American name. "Keeping up with the Joneses" came to mean keeping up with the people around you. Momand's stories appeared in different newspapers for over 28 years. People never seem to tire of keeping up with the Joneses. That is one reason why they read the "right" books, go to the "right" universities and eat in the "right" restaurants. But no matter what one does, Mr. Jones always seems to be ahead. By saying "It was like a race"(in Para 3), the writer means _ . A. it was just a suitable place for the horse race B. Momand and his wife kept themselves busy C. Momand's neighbors also gave parties one after another D. Momand tried to compete with their neighbors in his way of life Answer: D. Momand tried to compete with their neighbors in his way of life Every morning Molly gave her father the lunch bag before he set off for work. One morning,besides his usual lunch bag.Molly handed him a second paper bag. "Why two bags?"her father asked. "The other is something else, "Molly answered. "What's in it?"asked her father. "Just some stuff.Take it with you."Molly replied. Not wanting to discuss the matter, put both bags into his briefcase, he kissed Molly and rushed off.At midday he opened Molly's bag and took out the contents:three small stones, a plastic dinosaur,a tiny seashell,a small doll,and 13 pennies...The busy lather smiled,finished eating, and swept the desk clean into the wastebasket.Molly's stuff included. That evening,Molly ran up behind him as he was reading a newspaper. "Where's my bag,Daddy?"asked Molly. "What bag?"her father responded. "The one I gave you this morning, "said Molly. "I left it at the office.Why?"said her father. "I forgot to put this note in it, "Molly said. "and besides,Daddy,the things in the sack are those I really like-I thought you might like to play with them.You didn't lose the bag,did you, Daddy?" "Oh,no, "he said,lying."I just forgot to bring it home.I'll bring it tomorrow." While Molly hugged her father' neck, unfolded the note that read, love you. s he "I Daddy. " Molly had given him her treasures--all that a 7-year-old girl held dear. Love in a paper bag,but he missed it--not only missed it,but had thrown it in the wastebasket. So back he went to the office.Just ahead of the night guard,he picked up the paper bag. He put the treasures inside and carried it home carefully.The bag didn't look SO good,but the stuff was all there and that was of great importance. After dinner,he asked Molly to tell him about the stuff in the sack. It took a long time to tell.Everything had a story or a memory. "Sometimes I think of all the great times in this sweet life, "he thought. We should all cherish the moment with the people we love.That's what really matters. It's so simple and so easily forgotten. How did her father deal with the bag after he opened it? A. He kept it in the drawer. B. He took it back home. C. He threw it into the wastebasket. D. He put it on his table. Answer: C. He threw it into the wastebasket. One night, a little before nine o'clock, Dr Johnson was answering a telephone call. He was asked to go and give an operation to a very sick boy at once. The boy was in a small hospital in Glens Falls, sixty miles away from Dr Johnson's city - Albany. The boy had hurt himself in a traffic accident. His wife was in danger, but his family was so poor that they could not pay the doctor anything. After he heard all this, Dr Johnson was driving carefully. He thought that he could get to the hospital before 12 o'clock. A few minutes later, the doctor's car had to stop for a red light at a crossing. Suddenly a man in an old black coat opened the door of the car and got in. "Drive on", he said. "I've got a gun ." "I'm a doctor," said Johnson, "I'm on my way to a hospital to operate on a very sick..." "Don't talk," said the man in the old black coat, "Just drive." A mile out of the town he ordered the doctor to stop the car and get out. Then the man drove on down the road. The doctor stood for a moment in the snow. After half an hour, Dr Johnson found a telephone and called a taxi. At the railway station he learned that the next train to Glens Falls would not leave until 12 o'clock. It was after two o'clock in the morning when the doctor arrived at the hospital in Glens Falls. Miss Clarke, a nurse, was waiting for him. "I did my best," said Dr Johnson. Miss Clarke said, "The boy died an hour ago." They walked into the waiting room. There sat the man in the old black coat, with his head in his hands. "Mr. Shute," said Miss Clarke to the man, "this is Dr Johnson. He had come all the way from Albany to try to save your boy." Dr Johnson was late because _ . A. there was something wrong with his car B. a strange man made it hard to drive C. a strange man drove his car away D. the train to Glens Falls was late Answer: C. a strange man drove his car away The Diaoyu islands have a long history as part of China's territory , belonging to the country since ancient times. They are located to the northeast of China's Taiwan Island, The total landmass of these islands is about 5.69 square kilometers. Since the Japanese government "bought" the Diaoyu Islands, the tension between China and Japan about the islands has gone up. Several major Shanghai travel agencies have decided to stop organizing tours to Japan and advised Japan-bound tourists to make other plans, becauese of the Diaoyu Islands issue . The Shanghai China CYTS Outbound Travel Service Co. Ltd. stopped the tour to Japan and will gradually stop receiving tourist bookings to Japan after the National Day holiday, according to Liu Xin, the company's manager. The Shanghai branch of the China Travel International Ltd. also said it was advising people who wanted to visit Japan to change their plans. In fact, tourists had already begun to ask for cancellation of their tours to Japan because they were worried about their safety. Last year, more than 100,000 tourists from Shanghai went to Japan on organized tours. That made Japan the second most popular tour place for travelers from the city, only after Thailand. What's the main idea of the passage? A. The Diaoyu Islands belong to China since ancient times. B. The Japanese government "bought" the Diaoyu Islands. C. Tourists canceled the tours to Japan becauese of the Diaoyu Islands issue. D. Last year, many tourists went to Japan on organized tours. Answer: C. Tourists canceled the tours to Japan becauese of the Diaoyu Islands issue.
American Schools American schools begin in September after a long summer holiday. There are two terms in a school year. The first term is from September to January, and the second is from February to June. Most American children begin to go to school when they are five years old. Most students are seventeen or eighteen years old when they finish high school. High school students take only four or five subjects each term. They usually go to the same classes every day, and they have homework for every class. After class they do many interesting things. After high school, many students go to college . They can go to a small one or a large one. They usually have to give a lot of money. So many college students work after class to get the money for their studies. How many subjects do the high school students have each term? What forms craters on planets? "BANG!" the door caused a reverberation .It was just standing there, with Father standing on one side, and I on the other side. We were both in great anger."Never set foot in this house again!" stormed Father.With tears welling up in my eyes, I rushed out of the flat and ran along the street. The street lights were shining rather desolately .I wandered aimlessly. A young father who held a child in his arms walked past me.I felt as if I saw my childhood from another space: happy and harmonious. But now... I don't know whether it is because I have grown up or because dad is getting old.We differ in our ways of thinking.He always imposes his opinions and codes of behavior on me.Whenever I do something wrong, he never admits it.We are just like two people coming from two different worlds.It feels like there is an iron door between us that can never be opened. I wandered the streets, without a destination in mind.My heart was frozen on this hot summer night.As I walked on there were fewer and fewer people on the streets, until I had only the street lights to keep me company.When I finally reached the high-rise apartment block in which I lived, I saw that the light was still on. In fact, it was nothing.Perhaps, dad was throwing away some of his old stamps.Perhaps he thought they were useless.I never had the courage to tell him that I liked collecting stamps.I can't stand his outrageous words: " I can throw you away, let alone these old papers." All the lights were off except father's. Dad was always like this.Maybe he didn't know how to express himself.After shouting at me, he never showed any mercy or any moments of regret.After an argument he has the habit of creeping up in my sleep and then tucking me underneath the covers. This was how he always was.He has been a leader for so long that telling everyone else what to do has become his second nature. The light was still on."Am I wrong?" I whispered, maybe... With the key in hand, I was as nervous as I had ever been.At last, I decided to open the door.As soon as I opened the door, tears ran down my cheeks.I suddenly realized that the iron door that I had imagined between us did not exist at all.Love - is second to none. What made the writer think of his childhood? It keeps your insides from falling out. It helps you warm up when you are cold, and it can cool you off when you are hot. It lets you feel things by touch. What is this? Your skin , of course! What does you skin ask for return for all the wonderful things it does? Just a little care! So let's learn how to take care of our skin. Like the heart and stomach, your skin is an organ .In fact, it is the largest organ in your body.Unless there's a problem, you may not think about your skin very much.But skin has an important job to do. Your skin is protecting you.Your skin keeps you from getting sick.When you take care of your skin, you are helping your skin do its job.Taking care of your skin today will help you have no problems in the future. Clean skin is happy skin! One simple way to take care of your skin is to keep it clean.Keeping your hands clean is very important.When washing your hands, use warm water.Wet your hands, and then use soap.You should wash your hands carefully everywhere. You'll also want to use warm water, but not too hot, when you take a bath.Use soap to clean your body.Don't forget under your arms and behind your ears! Your face needs attention, too.It's a good idea to wash your face once or twice a day with warm water. Why does the writer think we should try to take care of our skin today? What contributes more, though less than some believe, to the lung damage caused by smoking?
Hi, I am Grace. I have some nice photos. The first is the photo of my family. The boy is my brother, Bill and the girl is me. And these are my parents. Now we are in Bill's room. We can see his model phone on the bed. His brown trousers are also on it, under his phone. The second is photo of my friend. Her name is Helen. She's 14. And we are the same age. Helen has hat. But the hat is on the floor. It looks like my black cat. In the third photo is my cousin, David. He is in the library. He has some books on the desk. They are all about dogs. Do you know why? In the first photo we can see _ people. four One day Trudy saw an advertisement in a magazine. It offered a packet of 100 mixed stamps for $10. Trudy wanted to start a stamp collection so she ordered the packet. One hundred mixed stamps seemed a good way to begin a collection. She sent a postal order to the stamp company with her order, and waited excitedly for the stamps arrived. Trudy checked the mail every day for four weeks but the stamps didn't arrive. So Trudy decided to write to the company. "Dear Sir/Madam," she wrote, "a month ago I sent you a postal order for $10 as payment for 100 mixed stamps. They haven't arrived. Please send them by return of mail." another month passed. The stamps still didn't arrive and she didn't receive any replay to her letter. She asked her father for advice. Her father said, "You must write a stronger letter. Make the stamp company worry that you will report them to the authorities." "Dear Sir/Madam," she wrote in her second letter. "I am writing to complain about your poor service. Two months ago I sent you a postal order for $10 as payment for 100 mixed stamps. I didn't receive the stamps. A month ago I wrote to inform you of this. I still haven't received the stamps, and you haven't replied to my letter. If I do not receive the stamps within seven days. I shall report this matter to the authorities." Two days later Trudy received the stamps in the mail. Trudy received the stamps _ after she sent the second letter. two days All things change except barbers, the ways of barbers, and the surroundings of barbers. These never change. What one experiences in a barber's shop the first time he enters one is what he always experiences in barbers' shops afterward till the end of his days. I got shaved this morning as usual. A man approached the door from Jones Street as I approached it from Main--a thing that always happens. I hurried up, but it was of no use; he entered the door one little step ahead of me, and I followed in and saw him take the only empty chair, the one headed by the best barber. It always happens so. I sat down, hoping that I might sit in the chair belonging to the better of the remaining two barbers, for he was a bit ahead. I watched the probabilities with strong interest. When I saw that No. 2 was gaining on No. 1, my interest grew to solicitude . When No. 1 was gradually losing the race, my solicitude rose to anxiety. When No. 1 caught up again, and both were about to finish and say "Next!" first, my very breath stood still with the _ . But when I saw that he had lost the race by a single instant, I rose angrily and quitted the shop, to keep from falling into the hands of No. 2; for I have none of that firmness that enables a man to look calmly into the eyes of a waiting barber and tell him he will wait for his fellow-barber's chair. I stayed out fifteen minutes, and then went back, hoping for better luck. Unfortunately, all the chairs were occupied now, and four men sat waiting, silent, and looking bored, as men always do who are waiting their turn in a barber's shop. I sat down and waited. At last my turn came. A voice said "Next!" and I give in to No. 2, of course. It always happens so. I smiled and said that I was in a hurry, and it affected him as strongly as if he had never heard it. He explored my hair with his claws and suggested that it needed trimming . I said I did not want it trimmed. He explored again and said it was pretty long for the present style. I said I had had it cut only a week before. He stopped for a moment, and then asked "who cut it?" I stared at him from the mirror and replied "You did!". Then a dog-fight attracted his attention, and he ran to the window and stayed and watched it... What is likely to happen next? The author lost his temper. Maggie was very glad that James was not a frequent visitor to the house. So far as the children were concerned, they had a mystery about him that stirred their imagination. He stirred Maggie's anger, however, so that she often said to her husband, "It's mercy that brother of yours doesn't come oftener." In fact James came once a year, unexpectedly, around eight o'clock in the evening, and he stayed for six hours of close discussion with his brother. His arrival was a signal to the children that their bedtime would be delayed. Not that he ever spoke to them or played with them. He took no notice of them, as if he was unable to see children, at least until the time came for him to go. Instead, after his first greeting and a careless kiss, James took no notice of Maggie either, except to add, "You'll be getting on with the supper, Maggie." Such was his regard for her. Maggie paid him back in her own way. She kept the children up, the four of them, to keep her company, she said, but of course they sang and made a noise and broke the endless sound of James's voice. Very late, they dropped off to sleep in their chairs. Then, when James was about to go, Maggie woke them up and so more or less forced him to part with four shillings before he left. That gave her some satisfaction, for James, though rich, was mean. He always went home by the last train, just after two o'clock. Maggie's children secretly stared at their uncle. They could not forget that he had, in their mother's words, "lost two wives and taken a third, " They wondered about those two unfortunate lost ladies. They asked each other what their fate had been, and if neither could ever be found again. James never brought his third wife with him nor ever mentioned her. The children decided that he must be so frightened of losing her that he never allowed her outside the door. Maggie felt pleased when _ . James gave some money to the children I learned how our attitudes made a big difference in our everyday lives from my friend Mary. She doesn't have any pets. I happened to see her outside on a -30 degree morning walking a dog. I felt sorry for Mary, out there walking a dog that's not hers in such cold weather. I thought maybe she was saying to herself, "Yeah, this is why I don't have any pets! I hate walking dogs." Later that day I saw Mary and said, "I saw you out there walking a dog this morning. Are you unhappy because you had to walk it on such a cold day?" To my surprise, she said that she enjoyed getting out there and walking the dog and that she got good exercise because of the dog. She also said she had talked to her brother, the dog's owner, who was on holiday in Orlando, Florida with his family. He said his children were enjoying Disney World and the resorts . His four-year-old son had breakfast with Mickey Mouse and said it was the best day in his life. Mary said, "If I can help my brother and his family have a wonderful time relaxing for a week, knowing that their pet is being loved and cared for, what more could I ask for?" She added, "It's worth it for me to make the sacrifice so that they can go and have fun." I learned a lesson from Mary. What lesson did the author learn from Mary? Helping others is also a kind of enjoyment.
If you have no special plans for your free time, why not spend your time helping others? Don't listen to people who say that young people today often think only of themselves. It is not true at all. More and more young people in the United States volunteer(,) to spend their school holidays working for others. And they don't do it for money. Here are some of their stories. Alice Hamiton, 17 I'm going to help the Forest Centre build new hiking paths in the mountains. It sounds terrible. I'll spend the whole summer living in a tent and breathing the clean mountain air. I'm going to sleep under the stars. It will be nice, and I'll be able to do something good at the same time! Jason Moore 18 This summer, I'm going to volunteer with Special House Program.They build good, low-cost houses and sell them to families that are not very rich. They'll teach me what to do, so I'll help people and also have a chance to learn how to build houses. Trish Anderson, 16 I'm going to teach kids who have trouble in reading. I'll work for a program called Reading For Life. Every day, I'm going to help kids choose and read books that they like. I want to be a teacher, and I love children and reading, so this is going to be a great experience for me. ,. From the passage we know Jason Moore _ . A likes reading B is 18 years old now C isn't very rich D is good at sports Answer: B. is 18 years old now When my grandfather died, my 83-year-old grandmother, once so full of life, slowly began to fade. No longer able to manage a home of her own, she moved in with my mother, where she was visited often by other members of her large, loving family. Although she still had her good days, it was often hard to arouse her interest. But one chilly December afternoon three years ago, my daughter Meagan, then eight, and I were visiting her, when she noticed that Meagan was carrying her favorite doll."I, too, had a special doll when I was a little girl," she told a wide-eyed Meagan. "I got it one Christmas when I was about your age. I lived in an old farmhouse in Maine, with Mom, Dad and my four sisters, and the very first gift I opened that Christmas was the most beautiful doll you'd ever want to see." "She had an exquisite(,), hand-painted face, and her long brown hair was pulled back with a big pink bow. Her eyes were blue, and they opened and closed. I remember she had a body of kidskin, and her arms and legs bent at the joints." GG's voice dropped low, taking on an almost respectful tone. "My doll was dressed in a pretty pink gown, decorated with fine lace. ... _ -- my parents must have had to sacrifice so much to afford it But how happy I was that morning!" GG's eyes filled and her voice shook with emotion as she recalled that Christmas of long ago. "I played with my doll all morning long. And then it happened. My mother called us to the dining room for Christmas dinner and I laid my new doll down gently on the hall table. But as I went to join the family at the table, I heard a loud crash." "I hardly had to turn around -- I knew it was my precious doll. And it was. Her lace skirt had hung down from the table just enough for my baby sister to reach up and pull on it. When I ran in, there lay my beautiful doll on the floor, her face smashed into a dozen pieces. She was gone forever." A few years later, GG's baby sister was also gone, she told Meagan, a victim of pneumonia . Now the tears in her eyes spilled over -- tears, I knew, not only for a lost doll and a lost sister, but for a lost time. Subdued for the rest of the visit, Meagan was no sooner in the car going home than she exclaimed, "Mom, I have a great idea! Let's get GG a new doll for Christmas. Then she won't cry when she thinks about it." My heart filled with pride as I listened to my sympathetic little daughter. But where would we find a doll to match GG's fond memories? Where there's a will, as they say, there's a way. When I told my best friends, Liz and Chris, about my problem, Liz put me in touch with a local doll-make. From a doll supply house I ordered a long brown hair and a kidskin body to copy the outfit GG had so lovingly described. Liz volunteered to put the doll together, and Chris helped me make the doll's outfit. Meagan wrote the story of the lost doll by giving examples. Finally our creation was finished. To our eyes it was perfect. But there was no way it could be exactly like the doll GG had loved so much and lost. Would she think it looked anything like it? On Christmas Eve, Meagan and I carried our happily packed gift to GG, where she sat surrounded by children, parents, aunts, uncles and cousins. "It's for you," Meagan said, "but first you have to read the story that goes with it." GG no sooner got through the first page than her voice cracked and she was unable to go on, but Meagan took over where she left off. Then it was time to open her present. I'll never forget the look on GG's face as she lifted the doll and held it to her chest. Once again her tears fell, but this time they were tears of joy. Holding the doll in her frail arms, she repeated over and over again, "She's exactly like my old doll, exactly like her." And perhaps she wasn't saying that just to be kind. Perhaps however impossible it seemed, we had managed to produce a close copy of the doll she remembered. But as I watched my eight-year-old daughter and her great-grandmother examining the doll together, I thought of a likelier explanation. What GG really recognized, perhaps, was the love that inspired the gift. And love, wherever it comes from, always looks the same. What happened to GG's baby sister? A She envied her sister all her life. B She felt guilty for breaking GG's doll and decided to go. C She left home at a young age. D She died of some disease at a young age. Answer: D. She died of some disease at a young age. I'm a Chinese girl. My name is Li Ying. I'm twelve. I'm in No. 1 Middle school . Chen Hong is my friend . She is nine. Mr Wu is my Chinese teacher and Miss Zhao is my English teacher. My English teacher is _ A Miss Wu B Miss Zhao C Mr Wu D Mr Wang Answer: B. Miss Zhao Just as some people think that certain numbers are lucky or unlucky, others believe that we can use numbers to understand our personalities, or predict what will happen to us in the future. Numerology is a way of using numbers to describe a person's character, and to make predictions about future life events. Numerologists use the numbers 1-9, 11 and 22 -- also known as the "master" numbers -- to help a person understand his or her personality, life goals, and destiny. Numerologists consider yourLife Path number to be the most significant because this number describes your character. To find this number, add together all the numbers in your date of birth. For example, a person born on April 25, 1985 would add the month (4), to the numbers of the date (2+5), plus the numbers of the birth year (1+9+8+5). In this case the total is 34, so this person's life path number is 7(3+4). Numerologists believe that people with this number are peaceful and affectionate but can also be very reserved. Your Expression numberdescribes your talents and predicts how you should use these to fulfill your destiny in life. Numerologists assign a number between 1 and 9 to each of the letters in your name. These numbers are then added together in the same way as before to find your Expression number. Numerologists can also do calculations to predict when the most challenging periods of your life will be. Numerologists also believe that the day a person is born is important. Each day of the month has a character description. People born on the fourth are said to be responsible, honest, and stubborn. People born on the fifteenth have very strong attachments to family and home. Those who celebrate their birthday on the thirtieth are artistic, creative, and imaginative, and often make good writers. If we calculate the numerical value of our name and birth date, numerologists believe that we can learn more about our personalities. They also believe that we can predict our destinies, how our lives will progress, and what challenges we may face along the way. To the numerologist, numbers can be used in many more ways than we think. If a person was born on November 8, 1995, what is his Life Path number? A 7 B 8 C 9 D 11 zxxk Answer: A. 7 In 1918, after four years of war which had left millions of people dead, the people alive began to look for a better and happier world. The cinema supplied an answer. For little money, people could forget their unhappy lives and dream of better ones. In the years between 1918 and 1939, going to the cinema became the most popular family free-time activity. Hollywood in America, made more films than any other film center in the world. The warm climate and long hours of sunlight meant that film-making was easy and quite cheap. This was also a rich part of America and there were many businessmen who wanted to make money from the film industry. At first short cowboy films were popular because they added excitement and adventure to people's lives. Later comedy films were made so that people could laugh and forget their troubles. Charlie Chaplin was probably the most liked of all comedy actors. Which, according to the writer, is true? A Hollywood made more films than some film centers in the world. B Many businessmen came to Hollywood in order to make films. C Hollywood was not the biggest producer of films in the world. D No other film center made more films than Hollywood did. Answer: D. No other film center made more films than Hollywood did.
A student notices that an inflated balloon gets larger when it is warmed by a lamp. Which best describes the mass of the balloon as a result of this change? Answer: Which is the correct order of the metamorphosis of a butterfly? Answer: Which outcome is most likely if a person consumes more Calories than needed for daily activities? Answer: Lin Dehua, boy, 13 School should make our lunchtime longer. Now, our lunchtime is short. Many of my classmates have some homework to do after lunch . But if they do not get a good rest, they won't have enough energy for the afternoon. So I would like to have some time to take a nap after lunch . That way we will learn well in the afternoon. Zhang Huilin, girl,13 Food in our dining hall is not nice at all. There is always pork, fish, and cabbages. The soup is always cold. I think we should have different kinds of food every day. And why can't we have hot soup every day ? I am _ what we eat ! Zheng Chuyu, boy,14 We want more time for sports activities. Students all need time for ball games. But there are only two hours for us to play ball games a week. I think school should be over before 4.30 p.m. every day and then we can go to the playground. I like badminton. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy ! Which is NOT true ? Answer: "Cool" is a word with many meanings. It means a little cold at first. As time changes, the word gets many different meanings. We can use "cool" when we talk about something wonderful or somebody looking smart. For example. When you see a beautiful and expensive car in the street, you can say, "It is cool." You may think the popular singer Jay Chow is cool. You can also use the word to mean something new and surprising. Here is an example. One day a teacher took the students to a farm and then asked them to write something about the visit. One of her students just wrote, "The farm is so cool." Because he thought "cool" was the best word to show what he saw and felt. It also shows some people don't have enough words. Without "cool", they seem to have no other words to use. Can you think of any other words like "cool: with so many meanings? If you can they are also very "cool". The best title is _ . Answer:
I had been rather proud of myself when my friends and family got the ticket,whether it was for speeding,parking or stop sign violations .It was something that happened to others. But last Friday I joined _ . I was asked to do a new project last week. On Friday morning on my way to work,I suddenly remembered that I had spent the past six weeks without considering that I had a week's vacation planned during that time. I was very disappointed with myself for not remembering it. The truth is that I was not paying enough attention to my driving and I did not come to a complete stop at the stop sign in front of a school. I was so distracted that I didn't even notice I had a policeman on my tail with his lights flashing. Finally I looked in my mirror and caught on. The policeman was rude and took my papers. Fortunately,I had everything up to date and since I had never had a ticket before,there was nothing for him to do but write me a ticket. While I was sitting there in the seat of "shame",I felt bad. If I had been that distracted and a child had run onto the road,perhaps I would have not reacted as well as I could have. It was a wake-up call. People at work asked me if I tried to talk my way out of it. Frankly,it never occurred to me. I felt guilty. Now I no longer have a clean driving record. Please be careful out there,as a moment's distraction can lead to tragedy. What made the writer unable to focus on her driving? Tree House The Tree House program is for students with an English or bilingual preschool background. Foreign teachers further develop students' natural English speaking skills from 1st through 6th grades in a total immersion environment. The program is theme-based with different units or themes per semester. Each unit includes a theme-related storybook, song, dialogue, writing and phonic exercises, grammar component, poem, and integrated activities. Step Ahead Step Ahead is a standalone course that takes children in 3rd grade with no prior English knowledge and by 6th grade, transforms them into confident, near-fluent English communicators. Our program has a strategic balance of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Regular lessons are broken into phonics, reading, grammar patterns, conversation, songs, and homework preview Jump Into English, Kids World, Kids Club Our Jump Into English, Kids World, and Kids Club courses are a great way to develop good English habits at younger ages. Jump Into English is for 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds and is a cost-effective alternative to English preschool. Kids Club and Kids World are for students in 1st and 2nd grades and are full of singing, dancing, games, and fun activities to help young children learn English more easily. Theme-based and Honors Courses We have theme-based courses to help learners prepare for specific areas of the General English Proficiency Test (GEPT) and to develop the performance skills they will need in some of our exciting activities. When learners graduate from our Tree House and Step Ahead programs, they can continue to excel in English through our Honors programs. The purpose of the passage is _ . Do you have bright ideas? Ideas of inventions that change society or, at least, make life easier for somebody? Perhaps we all do sometimes, but we don't often make the idea a reality. Recently, in Britain, there was a competition called British Designers for Tomorrow. The competition encourages young people to carry out their bright ideas. There were two groups in the contest: Group One was for schoolchildren under 16; Group Two was for schoolchildren over 16. And there were eleven prize-winners, altogether. Neil Hunt, one of the prize-winners, was called"Sunshine Superman."It's important when people study the weather to be able to record sunshine accurately. We need to know how many hours of sunshine we have and how strong it is. Most sunshine recorders only record direct sunlight. Neil's is more accurate and this is very important for research into the way of using solar power. You can do so much with animated cartoon. Look at Simon West's idea for animated road signs. He uses pictures which appear to move as you go nearer to or farther from them. This isn't a new idea. But it is new to use these pictures on road signs."We found that people were more likely to see moving signs,"said Simon. So now, you can really see rocks falling, trains moving, horses running or a car falling over the edge of a cliff . Quite a warning! The ideas in the competition were so inventive that we are surprised that British industry doesn't ask more schoolchildren for suggestions. Perhaps this will be the start of"pupil power!" The writer holds that people seldom _ . Some materials are electrical conductors. Which material best conducts electricity? Don't you want to go to school? You could tell your parents you're ill. But last Monday, students from Shanghai and Zhejiang had an even better excuse: a typhoon ! Typhoon Khanun hit East China on September 11. In Shanghai, all the school were closed the next day, Monday. It was the first time that Shanghai had to close schools because of bad weather. But some students still came to school that day. " I didn't get the notice that the school was closing," said Shen Sheng, a Junior 2 student from Shanghai Aiguo School. " But it was nice that we could play in school rather than study." The school kept Shen and other 20 students safe inside and let them play sports like table tennis. But the storm wasn't all fun games. Typhoon Khanun killed 14 people. In Zhejiang, it _ about 8,000 houses. More than one million people had to be taken to safer places. Every year, typhoons hit different places around the world. Most happen in July, August and September. This year 15 typhoons hit China. Khanun was the strongest. Typhoons bring strong winds and rains. The winds can blow away houses and cars. The rains are bad for farmers' fields. Typhoon also kills people. Earlier this month, Typhoon Talim hit East and Central China. It killed at least 124 people. Shanghai had to close all the schools that day because of _ .
New York: When the first plane struck 1 World Trade Center at 8:48 am on Tuesday, the people in 2 World Trade Center who saw the instant damage to the other tower realized clearly what they, too, must do: get out fast. Katherine Ilachinsiki, who had been knocked off her chair by the blast of heat exploding from the neighboring tower, was one of those. Despite her 70 years of age, Mrs Ilachinsiki, an architect working on the 91 floor of 2 World Trade Center, the south tower, went for the stairs. Twelve floors above her, Judy Wein, an executive , cried sharply and set off too. But others up and down the 110 floors, many without seeing the damage across the way and thus unclear about what was happening, were not so sure. And the 18 minutes before the next plane would hit were ticking off. Most people had no idea about what was the best thing to do, formal announcements inside the south tower asked people to , assuring them that the building was sound and the threat was limited to the other tower. Some left, others stayed. Some began to climb down and, when met with more announcements and other cautions to stop or return, went back up. The decisions made in those instants proved to be of great importance, because many who chose to stay were killed completely when the second plane crashed into the south tower. One of those caught in indecision was the executive at Fuji Bank USA. Richard Jacobs of Fuji Bank left the 79 floor with the other office workers, but on the 48 floor they heard the announcement that the situation was under control. Several got in the lifts and went back up, two minutes or so before the plane crashed into their floor. "I just don't know what happened to them," Mr Jacobs said. From the passage, we know that the south tower was hit by the plane _ . Answer: at around 9:06 A young man from a village called Nawalapitiya married a young woman from Maiyuwa, a small village. They lived with the man's big family-his parents, his brothers, their wives and children. The family kept an elephant, in which the woman soon took a great interest. Every day she fed it with fruit and sugar. Three months later, having quarreled with her husband, the woman went back to her parents' home. Soon the elephant refused to eat and work. It appeared to be ill and heartbroken. One morning after several weeks the animal disappeared from the house. It went to the woman's home. On seeing her, the elephant waved its trunk and touched her with it. The young woman was so moved by the act of the animal .So she went back to her husband's home. The word "disappeared" in the reading means " _ ". Answer: ran away This is Jim's room.It's a nice room.There are some pictures on the wall .There's a desk and a chair in his room.There is a sofa and a bookcase,too.The desk is between(......)the bed and the bookcase.His schoolbag and pencil box are on the desk.There are some pencils,a pen and a ruler in the pencil box.Jim's sofa is near the bookcase.His baseball is under the bed. There is _ in his room. Answer: a chair, a desk ,a sofa , a bookcase, a bed and some pictures There was once an old tree. The children from all around the neighborhood loved to climb the tree. The children also liked to sit under the tree, hang on it and play games around it. Animals liked the tree as well. Birds, cats and all kinds of lizards would climb the tree too! Rabbits, dogs, frogs and and many ground animals loved to play around the bottom of the tree. One day the children learned the tree was going to be cut down. This made the children, and maybe the animals, very sad. Why was it being cut down? Was it too old? Too weak? Maybe it was dying? The children learned it was because the tree was sick. The children were very sad to hear about this. They wondered where they would play from now on. The tree was their favorite place and they didn't want to see it go. One little boy, named John, went home to tell his parents the story. His parents could tell he was sad so they told him something that made him very happy. What was it? He wondered. Was a jungle gym going to be put in? A mall, maybe a park? In fact, even better than that, a new tree would be planted in its place. John was so happy he rushed off to tell his friends. "Big news!", he shouted. "My parents told me a new tree is going to be planted here over the old one!" All his friends cheered in excitement, now knowing they wouldn't lose their favorite spot. John and his friends went to celebrate by getting ice cream. His friends liked chocolate and vanilla but John got strawberry. Why was the tree being cut down? Answer: It was sick. New research finds a link between poverty and poor decision making. The findings may explain why poor people sometimes make bad choices that continue their hardship. Earlier studies have found the poor less likely to escape poverty. But there has been little research on why the poor make decisions that make their lives harder. Until recently, it was economists who studied poverty, not psychologists. Eldar Shafir, a psychologist in Princeton University says now scientists from both fields work together. Mr. Shafir and his team did two experiments. One took place at a shopping center in New Jersey. Another was carried out among sugar cane farmers in rural India. The New Jersey experiment involved individuals with low paying jobs and others belonged to the middle class. All the volunteers were asked what they would do if their cars needed repairs. The volunteers were given two imaginary situations. In the first, the car repairs cost $ 150. In the second, $ 1,500. "And what we found is that the poor and the rich performed equally well on almost all the tests. " Not so when the researchers raised the repair costs to $ 1,500. "Now the poor performed significantly worse. " The poorer lost about 13 IQ points on average. This is about the loss experienced when a person has not slept for one night. The scientists then wondered if the same person reacted differently when he was rich and when he was poor. The Indian sugar cane farmers earn most of their money once a year, when the harvest comes in. But the money often does not last through the year. "So they find themselves basically rich after the harvest when the income comes in and poor just before the harvest. The researchers gave them tests similar to the ones taken by the people in New Jersey. They tested the Indian farmers before the harvest and after. And the results were much the same as with the mall shoppers. "They performed much more slowly and with many more mistakes when they were poorer than when they were richer. " Mr. Shafir says the results support 50 years of research that shows all humans have limited mental power to deal with things in life. "And so the insight here is that, having not enough of something in a way makes it harder to make good decisions for everything else. " What do the two experiments have in common? ( ) Answer: They got similar findings.
My name is Lily. I'm a junior high school student from Guangzhou. Last winter holiday, I visited Hong Kong for the first time with my mother and her workmates. Before we went through the entrance of the Customs and Excise Department (,CED), we had to wait for more than four hours there. All the passengers must show their permits to the workers at the CED one by one. So there were a large number of people waiting in lines at the entrance hall. It took us a long time to walk along the metal pipes which divided the big hall into many different parts. So the entrance hall looked like a huge puzzle. Everyone should finish walking through the puzzle if they wanted to pass the entrance. I waited patiently and walked slowly after others. I just could see the back of their heads. It was difficult for me to breathe because too many people were there. At last I passed it but I was too tired to say a word. Last month I visited Hong Kong again. But this time I didn't spend much time waiting at the entrance of the CED because I got an Electronic Exit Permit with an "Electronic Brain" in it. When I passed the port of Hong Kong, I just needed to use it to touch the button at the entrance. It can save much time for people. I plan to visit Hong Kong again sometime in the future. Who did Lily go to Hong Kong with last winter holiday? Answer: Her mother. Zipped into a bag, it looks like a large umbrella. Unfolded, it goes along the street like any other bicycle. It's the "A-bike", the brainchild of British inventor Sir Clive Sinclair, who made history in the 1970s by developing the world's first pocket calculator. He described his new invention as "the world's smallest, lightest foldable bicycle". "My original thought was that if you could have a bicycle that was dramatically lighter and more firm than the ones that exist today, it would change the way in which bicycles are used,"said Sinclair. The mini-bike, showed in Singapore last week and set to go on sale worldwide in 2005 at a price of nearly US$300, is built for riders as heavy as 112 kilograms and is height-adjustable . It takes about 20 seconds to fold or unfold. Its wheels are a quarter the size of those on a regular bicycle, but Sinclair promises a smooth ride for most cyclists. "You require no extra energy to ride the A-bike and it can go up to 15 miles per hour (24 kilometers per hour)," he said. Constructed mainly of plastic, the 5.5-kilogram bicycle folds into a package of less than 0.03 cubic meters . Sinclair also invented the first pocket TV in 1984 and the futuristic C5 electric tricycle in 1985. He said he hoped the bicycle would attract common citizens, officials, campers or anyone needing transport for a short trip and he said the next step for the A-bike was to add an electric motor in a few years. The most important character of this kind of bike is its _ . Answer: foldable structure Man has always wanted to fly. Some of the greatest men in history have thought about the problem. One of these, for example, was the great Italian artist, Leonardo da Vinci. In the sixteenth century he made designs for machines that could fly. But they were never built., Throughout history, other less famous men have wanted to fly. An example was a man in England 800years ago. He made a pair of wings from chicken feathers. Then he fixed them to his body and jumped into the air from a tall building. He did not fly very far. He fell to the ground and broke every bone in his body. The first real step took place in France in 1783. Two brothers, the Mongolfiers, made a very large "hot air balloon". They knew that hot air rises. Why not fill a balloon with it? The balloon was made of cloth and paper. In September of that year, the King and Queen of France came to see the balloon. They watched it carry the very first air passengers into the sky. The passengers were a sheep and a chicken. We do not know how they felt about the trip. But we do know that the trip lasted 8 minutes and that the animals landed safely. Two months later, two men did the same thing. They rose above Paris in a balloon of the same kind. Their trip lasted twenty-five minutes and they traveled about 8 kilometers. In fact, the Englishman who tried to fly _ . Answer: lost his life How far would you be willing to go to satisfy your need to know? Far enough to find out your possibility of dying from a terrible disease? These days that's more than an academic question, as Tracy Smith reports in our Cover Story. There are now more than a thousand genetic tests, for everything from baldness to breast cancer, and the list is growing. Question is, do you really want to know what might eventually kill you? For instance, Nobel Prize-winning scientist James Watson, one of the first people to map their entire genetic makeup, is said to have asked not to be told if he were at a higher risk for Alzheimer' . "If I tell you that you have an increased risk of getting a terrible disease, that could weigh on your mind and make you anxious, through which you see the rest of your life as you wait for that disease to hit you. It could really mess you up." Said Dr. Robert Green, a Harvard geneticist. "Every ache and pain," Smith suggested, "could be understood as the beginning of the end." "That 's right. If you ever worried you were at risk for Alzheimer's disease, then every time you can't find your car in the parking lot, you think the disease has started." Dr. Green has been thinking about this issue for years. He led a study of people who wanted to know if they were at a higher genetic risk for Alzheimer's. It was thought that people who got bad news would, for lack of a better medical term, _ . But Green and his team found that there was "no significant difference" between how people handled good news and possibly the worst news of their lives. In fact, most people think they can handle it. People who ask for the information usually can handle the information, good or bad, said Green. The study led by Dr. Green indicates that people _ . Answer: can accept some bad news Mr. Jones and Mr. Brown worked in the different office . One day Mr. Jones said to Mr. Brown ,"We are going to have a small party at our house next Wednesday evening . Would you and your wife like to join us ?" Mr. Brown said ,"Thank you very much . That is very kind of you . We are free that evening . I think , but I will telephone my wife and ask her . Maybe she wants to go somewhere else that evening ."So Mr. Brown went to the other room and telephoned . When he came back , he looked very sorry . "What is the matter ?"said Mr. Jones ."Did you speak to your wife ?" "No ,"answered Mr. Brown ,"She wasn't there , my small son answered the telephone . I said to him ,'Is your mother there , David ?'and he answered ,'No , she is not in the house ,''Where is she then ?'I asked .'She is somewhere outside .''What is she doing ?''She is looking for me .'" Mr. Brown spoke to _ on the phone . Answer: David
Which is the thickest layer of Earth? A. crust B. inner core C. mantle D. outer core Answer: C The five Shakespeare Houses in and around Stratford - upon - Avon offer you an authentic experience of the prefix = st1 /Stratfordworld in which the famous dramatist was born, lived and died. Intimately connected with William Shakespeare or his immediate family, these original houses are now owned and cared for by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. OPENING TIMES September - May Mon - Sat : 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Sunday: 10:30 am - 4:00 pm June - August Mon - Sat : 9:00am - 5:00 pm Sunday: 9:30am - 5:00 pm BEST VALUE TICKETS THE THREE IN - TOWN SHAKESPEARE HOUSES Adult PS8.50 ChildPS4.20 FamilyPS20.00 ALL FIVE SHAKESPEARE HOUSES Adult PS12.00 ChildPS6.00 FamilyPS29.00 CHILDREN AND STUDENTS TICKETS Under 5: Free Between 5&16: Child rate 17 and over: Adult rate 17 and over and in secondary education: Family ticket GROUP VISITS Groups of 20 or more visitors qualify for a 10% discount on ticket prices. For more information telephone 01789 201806 or 201836. SPECIAL VISITS The Houses are open out of hours by special arrangement. They offer a unique setting for functions, dinners, receptions and other events. For more information telephone 01789 201808. EDUCATION GROUPS We welcome visits by organized groups. One member of staff is admitted free with every 10 pupils or students. Additional adults and helpers will be charged at the adult rate. Pupils of primary and secondary schools will be charged at the child rate (valid student ID may be requested). Education groups of 20 or more visitors also qualify for a 10% discount on admissions. For more information telephone 0178 201806 or 201836. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT The Education Department at the Trust organizes many special projects, day schools, courses and lectures. If you would like further information telephone 01789 201805. Which of the following is true according to the passage? A. Shakespeare lived in all the five houses. B. The Houses are open longer hours in October than in July. C. To attend lectures concerning Shakespeare, contact 201808. D. You can visit the Houses after 5 pm if you contact the Trust in advance on 01789 201808. Answer: D Hello, I'm Lily. I am a student of No. 6 Middle School. I like singing and dancing. I can sing pop music very well. I like eating meat, because I think it's very delicious. I am good at English, because I like it very much. My mother is a shop assistant. She likes listening to Zhang Xueyou's songs. She always goes shopping with me. She's good at maths. When I have problems with maths she often helps me. My father is a manager. He always goes to the park with me. My father is good at Chinese and he also likes pets very much. My sister is a student of fourteen years old. She's a small famous singer in the city. She likes singing and dancing. She can sing very well. Is Lily's father good at Chinese? A. Yes, he is. B. No, he isn't. C. Sorry, we don't know. D. Maybe. Answer: A An apprenticeship is a form of on-the-job training that combines workplace experience and classroom learning. It can last anywhere from one to six years, but four years is typical for most. An apprentice spends most of the time in a workplace environment learning the practical skills of a career from a journeyman--someone who has done the job for many years. The rest of the apprentice's time is spent in a classroom environment learning the theoretical skills the career requires. Being an apprentice is a full-time undertaking. One of the advantages of apprenticeship is that it does not cost apprentices anything. The companies that hire them pay for school. What's more, it offers apprentices an "earn while you learn" opportunity. They usually start out at half the pay of a journeyman, and the pay increases gradually as they move further along in the job and studies. Near the end of the apprenticeship, their wages are usually 90 percent of what a journeyman would receive. Apprenticeship also pays off for employers. It can offer employers a pool of well-trained workers to draw from. Despite the advantages, apprentices are usually required to work during the day and attend classes at night, which leaves little time for anything else. Sometimes, they might be laid off if business for the employers is slow. Once they have completed the apprenticeship and become journeymen, they receive a nationally recognized and portable certification and their pay also increases again. Some journeymen continue employment with the companies they apprenticed with; others go onto different companies or become self-employed contractors. Which of the following is NOT the advantage of apprenticeship? A. It saves lots of money for apprentices to learn the skills. B. It brings apprentices some earnings before they get a job. C. It allows apprentices to earn the same wages as journeymen. D. It helps employers take on more qualified workers. Answer: C One spring, when I was 10, during one of my father's layoffs, I could tell my mother was dispiriteD.I decided to cheer her up by buying her a special Mother's Day gift. One day after school I rode my bike to the Agins, which, I learned years later, was known for its high-end fashions and style.I introduced myself to Sylvia Agins, telling her I was looking for a Mather's Day present. "Do you think she'd like a purse?" she askeD.I told her.I thought she might. She took out an Italian handbag made of leather. She asked me what I thought, and I told her that my mom would like it. "How much money do you have?" she asked. "Twelve bucks," I said. "You're in luck," she told me. "It's only $11. You have a dollar left over for the card." She gift-wrapped the purse and thanked me for my business, and I rode off home with the package under my arm. When my mother opened the gift the next Sunday morning, she asked in an accusing tone, "Where did you get this?" "I bought it at the Agins. It cost me $11." I said. My mother was shocked into silence. It wasn't until many years later, when I learned that the purse was worth several hundred dollars, that I appreciated just how wonderful Sylvia Agins had been to me. I always felt bad that I never had a chance to properly thank her. "You know, my son, what really amazes me to this day," my mother saiD."Letting you have the purse for just a few dollars was unbelievable enough. But the fact that she let you leave the store with a dollar for the card was a touch of kindness that I'll never forget. " The author bought his mother a purse to _ . A. surprise his mother B. make his mother happy C. show his ability of making money D. thank his mother for buying him a bike Answer: B
Does technology influence the purity of Chinese language? Yes! Many Chinese use messenger tools such as MSN or QQ, listen to music on MP3 players and blog on the Internet using ADSL ,but most people don't know the Chinese meanings of the abbreviations, as many English letters have become part of the local lexicon . some parents are so crazy about English letters that a couple tried to name their baby "@", they say the character used in email addresses reflects their love for the child. While the "@" is obviously familiar to Chinese e-mail users, they often use the English word "at" to pronounce it , which sounds like ai ta, or "love him", to Putonghua speakers. "Nowadays, more and more English abbreviations are being used in Chinese, making them an important part of the modern language," said Hou Min, a professor at Communication University of China. "The abbreviations are very popular because they can be used easily," Hou said. "As more Chinese people learn foreign languages, especially English, in recent years, using abbreviations has become a trend among some educated people," she said. Some language scholars fear _ will influence the purity of Chinese and cause confusion in communication. This passage mainly talks about _ . Answer: Harper Lee, whose 1961 novelTo Kill a Mockingbirdon the racial troubles of the American deep south, has died at the age of 89. Until last year, Lee had been _ .To kill a Mockingbirdsold more than 40 million copies around the world and earned her a Pulitzer prize, remaining a towering presence in American literature. Another novel,Go Set A Watchman, was controversially published in July 2015 as a "sequel" to Mockingbird, though it was later confirmed to be Mockingbird's first draft. But from the moment Mockingbird was published to almost instant success, the author consistently avoided public attention. Lee had lived for several years in a nursing home near the house in which she had grown up in Monroeville, Alabama--the setting for _ of her famous book. Her neighbor for 40 years, Sue Sellers, said, "She was such a private person. All she wanted was privacy, but she didn't get much. There was always somebody following her around." James Naughtie, BBC Books Editor, commented on the novels of Harper Lee: "I think she stands, particularly among American readers, as someone who shone a light into a very dark place. She was writing at a time when people were beginning to lift the lid on everything in the South which they'd chosen not to understand. That all changed in the 1960s. So I think her status for writing that book in its extraordinarily direct way will remain. Which best describes Americans' attitude towards racial troubles before the 1960s? Answer: A skunk produces a bad what? Answer: Pater and his adult daughter, Carmen, encountered Tertius, an old family friend, on the street. Carmen said to Tertius, "How about lending me $1,000 to buy a used car? I'll pay you back with interest one year from today." Pater added, "And if she doesn't pay it back as promised, I will." Tertius thereupon wrote out and handed to Carmen his personal check, payable to her, for $1,000, and Carmen subsequently used the funds to buy a used car. When the debt became due, both Carmen and Pater refused to repay it, or any part of it. In an action by Tertius against Pater to recover $1,000 plus interest, which of the following statements would summarize Pater's best defense? Answer: If you love books, then"Three Cups of Tea"will be your favorite. It will take you on an adventure to one of the highest mountains in the world. You will learn how the people and children there lived and how the writer, Greg Mortenson , helped build an education system. While climbing K2 in Pakistan, one of the world's most difficult mountains to climb, Greg Mortenson became ill and got lost. He got help in a small village. The people of the village took good care of him, feeding him and letting him sleep in a villager's house. They also gave him their best food: sweet tea. When Mortenson was fine, he found that the children of the village worked and studied outdoors. Their teacher came only three times a week and they didn't have blackboards. They used sticks to write on the ground. The day he left the village, he told them he would come back and build a school. His school would have both boys and girls. Later on, he came back and helped build a school, so the kids were able to study in the classroom with real writing instruments. That was in 1993. Today Mortenson is going to build 80 schools in Central Asia. He started a foundation called the Central Asia Institute to raise money for these schools. He has helped more than 18,000 girls receive education so far. From the passage we know that_had more chances to receive education in Pakistan mountains in the past. Answer:
On Sundays my father always wore that dull gray apron - the one with the race cars all over it. The ritual began after breakfast when Dad always announced: "Go ahead everyone. I'll take care of the dishes!" With that my mother disappeared into the folds of the Sunday paper. Off came the suit coat he had worn to church that morning. Up went the shirtsleeves. On went that apron. For the next hour Dad did the dishes, singing ballads like "I Had a Hat When I Came In" and "Who Put the Chow in Mrs. Murphy's Chowder?" I suppose it was strange for a boy's father to wear an apron - even one with race cars - but I never thought much of it until the day that Dad broke with tradition. It was the last Sunday in August. My father seemed in an expansive mood as we walked home from church together. "Tommy," he said letting my name roll off his tongue. My mind raced ahead of his words: The birds and the bees? A new bike? A part-time job? "There comes a time in every boy's life when he must take on responsibilities." This was important. I might even get to back the car out of the driveway. "Responsibilities?" I asked. "Yes. It's time you took a greater role in the household." Power tools? Boss my baby brother? "Starting today, I want you to do the dishes on Sunday morning so your mother and I can work the crossword puzzle together." "The dishes!?" "Anything wrong with taking over the dishes, son?" I started to say something about a man's job or woman's work, but I knew immediately that my protests would fall on deaf ears. I didn't taste a bit of breakfast that morning. Dad seemed in a jovial mood as he described an exceptional Yankee game seen through the eyes of Mel Allen on the radio last night. "Mickey Mantle drove the ball right over the center field wall," he said. "Just a straight line climb in right out of the stadium." He looked out the window as if trying to pick the ball out of the cloud formations. I tried to imagine Mickey Mantle wearing an apron. Suddenly, everything grew quiet. My sister began to clear the table. My brother was scraping the last of the egg from his plate. And then that ancient family ritual that had filled so many Sunday mornings came to an end. My father announced: "Let's go read the paper, Hon." "Aren't you doing the dishes?" my mother asked in puzzlement. "Your oldest son has generously offered to fill the position." My brother and sister stopped cold. So this was what my life had come to. A dark angel sat on my left shoulder and reminded me that I could hit a baseball farther than anyone in my class. I could bench-press my weight. I knew three declensions in Latin, the language of Caesar. Ask me to run through a rainstorm. Command me to ride the roller coaster - backward. These things I would do. But I could never do those dishes. There was nothing left but to refuse. People often say there is a special chemistry between a father and a son. He came back into the kitchen just as I was about to storm out. He had loosened his tie and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt - ready to relax. In his right hand was the old apron. "I want you to have this, Tommy. It'll keep your clothes from getting wet." And before I could mount a protest, he had put the thing on me. "Thanks, Son. Your mother and I appreciate this." With that he disappeared into the Sunday paper. I looked down at the plastic. It had seen better days. I could see my dad reaching for the dishes. The dark angel flew off. Soon I was singing about Mrs. Murphy's chowder. The words came out of nowhere. And out of nowhere I knew the kind of man I wanted to be. Which of the statements is Nottrue? A. The author would rather run through a rainstorm than wash dishes at first. B. Mickey Mantle would wash dishes for the author. C. Father set a good example to the author. D. The author understood his father at last. Answer: B. Mickey Mantle would wash dishes for the author. Did you know that vegetables can grow in the climates they are not used to? Cool climate vegetables like asparagus are now able to be grown in places as hot as Hawaii. In Hawaii, marine engineers have been able to actually let you believe such vegetables that they are living in cooler climates. In that way they grow faster and taste better. What these engineers have been using is very simply cold sea water. How did they use it? They place pipes in the soil and cold water flowing through them cools the earth. This causes plant growth and enables gardeners in tropical climates to grow crops from cooler climates. Also some of these pipes are exposed to the air and they make the air "wet" and thus water the gardens. What especially makes people happy about this process is that nothing to the natural conditions is being used. Another new use for cold ocean water is to cool buildings. Engineers believe that for example the entire west coast of the prefix = st1 /United Statescould be air-conditioned using seawater. What is the report mainly about? A. How to grow vegetables in hot areas. B. How to grow crops in tropical climates. C. How to cool the soil. D. How to use sea water. Answer: D. How to use sea water. Public caught up in argument over safety of genetically modified or simply GM products, report Zhang Lei and Zhong Nan in Beijing. More than 300 people gathered to enjoy a bowl of porridge made from genetically modified food on Saturday, an attempt to quell public fears about the safety of the product. The first China Golden Rice Tasting Event was held at Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuhan, Hubei province, sparking another round in the nationwide debate about the safety of GM crops, often called "Frankenfood" by opponents. Similar events have been held in more than 28 cities since May, the university said. Both the pro and anti camps have posted conflicting comments on the Internet, with each providing evidence to back up their beliefs, but the exchanges are becoming increasingly bitter. Jiang Tao, a senior engineer at the Center for Agricultural Resources Research at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, who is in favor of GM foods, was annoyed about what he called "amateurs" spreading rumors. "Just look at the people who are opposed to GM foods; can you find anyone from a related field in the scientific community?" he asked. Jiang also accused the anti-GM lobby of repeatedly using outdated or inaccurate data to support an "incorrect" stance. Chen Yunfa, an independent researcher into the Yangtze River Delta economy, recently wrote a commentary on the Internet news portal Eastday in which he criticized the actions of the 61 scientists, saying they had gone "beyond their proper duty". He suggested that large multinational corporations might be behind the letter and similar incidents, prompted by a desire to freeze China's patent hybrid rice technology out of the market. To support his contentions, Chen said that GM rice, first produced by scientists in the US, still hasn't gained official approval from the US government. However, the US authorities have actually granted licenses to six varieties of GM rice. The commercial planting of two varieties - anti-herbicide (BAR) transgenic rice LL RICE 06 and LL RICE 62 - produced by the French pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Aventis, was approved in 1999 and a license for cultivation for edible use was granted in 2000. The public outcry for GM labeling and boycotting has hindered the advancement of the technology. Concern about GM foods has been fueled by studies like the one published by French professor Gilles-Eric Seralini in September 2012. Seralini claimed that his research involving rats proved that the GM corn fed to them caused tumor growth. Furthermore, there is growing concern that the pesticides used on GMOs are contributing to the decline of the world's honey bee population, leading to honey bee deaths by infecting the brains of the insects with toxins. Therefore, some experts recommend the labeling of non-GM foods so that consumers can make that decision without a regulatory burden being placed on GMOs. However, we should be cautious about anything that may risk humans' life. Only time will tell. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage? A. Those who are for GM products and those who are against keep arguing fiercely by holding conferences. B. People are failing to show evidence to support their pros and cons, although they hold a firm belief of their own. C. Some people think those against GM foods have a good knowledge of GM technology and are spreading rumors. D. GM food may be just a way for some multinational corporations to drive China's patent hybrid rice out of the market. Answer: D. GM food may be just a way for some multinational corporations to drive China's patent hybrid rice out of the market. This is a photo of Ben's family. He has a big family. Look! Ben's grandparents are on the sofa. They are workers. They are old, so they don't work now. Ben's father is a doctor. He works in a hospital. He often drives his car to work. Ben's mother is a teacher. She teaches English in our school. The man in white is Ben's uncle. The young woman in red is Ben's aunt. They are office workers. Ben's family live in Beijing now. Ben and I are classmates. We are good friends. ,. What do Ben's parents do? A. They're doctors. B. They're teachers. C. His father is a doctor and his mother is a teacher. D. His father is a teacher and his mother is a doctor. Answer: C. His father is a doctor and his mother is a teacher. When I was young,I liked to play jokes on people I knew, especially on my parents and friends. One day my mother was cooking and I was playing with my younger brother Tony. Suddenly I ran to my mother and said: "Tony fell from the open window!" She was very worried and ran out of the kitchen. Then I said: "Don't worry, I'm just joking." My mother shouted at me, "If you do it again, I'll hit you." Another day I went swimming with my friends in the sea. I wanted to play a joke on them. In the beginning I swam fast and I called out "Help!". All my friends came to help me. However, they found that I was joking. But half an hour later I wasn't joking. I was so fast, soon I got tired and couldn't swim on in water. I tried my best to call my friends for help, but this time nobody came to help me. In the end they found I was telling the truth. They came and saved my life. They took me to the hospital. This is the best lesson in my life. From then on I haven't joked on anyone. In the beginning, all his friends came to help him because he _ . A. swam fast B. called for help C. would sink in water D. couldn't swim on in the water Answer: B. called for help
In the U.S.,the public has tended to believe that all motorcycles are ridden by wild,irresponsible lawless young men. There are several things about motorcycling that the average citizen dislikes.A cyclist's appearance has something to do with this dislike.Motorcyclists frequency look dirty;in fact,they are dirty.0n the road there is little to protect them from mud,crushed insects and bird droppings.For practical reasons they are often dressed in old clothing which looks much less respectable than the clothing of people who ride in cars.For the same reason motorcyclists usually wear dark color1s.Perhaps this helps to explain why they are sometimes suspected of having evil natures. In old plays of long ago,evil characters usually wore black. In cowboy movies the"bad guys"usually wear black hats while the"good guys"wear lighter color1s.Something else about their appearance makes an unfavorable impression. In their practical,protective clothing they look very much like the men on military motorcycles in the movies of World War II--cruel enemies who roared into peaceful villages filling people's hearts with fear. Probably the machine itself also produces anger and fear. Motorcycles are noisy,though some big trucks are even noisier.But trucks are big and carry heavy loads;they are accepted(if not really welcomed)because they perform a needed service,making America move.Motorcycles,on the other hand,make all unpleasant noise just to give their riders pleasure.That is what is commonly thought.In the woods motorcycles,frighten animals.Roaring along quiet streets, they wake sleeping families and make babies cry. Of course the danger of motorcycling,also helps account for many people's low opinion of the sport.Its defenders, however,claim that careful cyclists are in less danger than commonly behaved. A cyclist must drive as if everybody around him wanted to kill him.He must pay careful attention to his driving.From that point of view,a man on a motorcycle is safer than,a man in a car. It Can be inferred that _ there existed different opinions towards motorcycling sport It's a Sunday morning. Mary doesn't need to go to school. She says to her mom, "I need some clothes. Can we go to Nice Girls' Store?" "Well, what do you need, Mary?" Mom asks her. "My skirt is small, so I want to buy a skirt. And I need a pair of sports shoes, too," Mary says. "I see. Let's go and see now." In the store, Mary sees a blue skirt. It's nice .So she asks the _ ,"How much is it?" The clerk says, "It's twenty dollars." "OK. Let me think about it. Thanks." Mary asks her mom, "What do you think of that blue skirt, Mom?" " _ s nice, but I don't think blue is nice on you. What about this green skirt, Mary? " "Oh, it's nice! " Mary says. They take it at a good price. Only 12 dollars! They buy a pair of green sports shoes, too. It's 32 dollars. How much are the skirt and the sports shoes? $44. I was loading my truck to go to the market when I hurt my left eye. The pain was like a hot sword being shoved through my head. I fell down on my hands and knees, and I knew it was bad. I was taken to the Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, and the doctors operated on me several times but couldn't save my left eye. When they told me the news, I wanted to die. Even after I got my fake eye, I couldn't shake the sadness. To make matters worse, I lost my job as a transportation officer because of my lost eye. But one morning, I woke up and the TV was on, and there was a 16-year-old girl who had been badly burned on her face and legs. Her situation was much worse than mine. She wore a big smile and seemed to look right at me and said, "You can't ever give up." At that moment, I thought, "This is just an eye. Get over it." And I did. It's been almost 12 years since my accident, and there's nothing I can't do now that I used to do. And although I didn't get my old job back, I got my license again. I read a story once. In that story, a man was feeling bad because he had no shoes until he met a man who had no feet. No matter how terrible your problem is, remember there's always someone somewhere who's worse off. So cheer up and smile at life! By writing his story, the writer most probably wants to _ . advised us to be positive about life prefix = st1 /West Virginia--Public schools are using a dance video game to help get students in shape. In these schools, students are often told to turn off their video games and get some exercise. The schools have found a new way for their students to work out while playing a new video game. West Virginiais one of the heaviest states in the country. About half of its fifth-graders are considered to be overweight, and their parents are worried about that. To get them moving on a healthier path, the state's public schools are using a video game called "Dance Dance Revolution". To use the game, players should stand on a special mat in front of a TV screen. Following arrows on the screen, players must move their feet to the specific symbols on the mat. Players must move quickly, touching symbols on the mat at just the right time. With each song, they get more exercise. "It we can get children to change their behavior at a young age, they will hopefully grow up to be healthy and active adults," said Carl Callison of Mountain State Blue Cross, a health care company. West Virginiais ranked among the top three heaviest states. About a third of West Virginians are considred to be obese. Even more are considered to be overweight. Extra weight can lead to serious health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, some cancers, and many other health issues. "One out of three children born in West Virginia today will have diabetes by the time they grow up," said Nidia Henderson, a manager for the public employees' insurance program. "That's a terrible thing and not acceptable." All ofWest Virginia's 157 middle schools are using the video game. School officials hope that all public schools in the state will use the game within the next three years. However, officials emphasize that the game is not meant to _ physical education and health classes. The game will be part of physical education classes and after-school programs. Which is the best title for the text? Dancing for health To Jim, Hi, Jim. I'm a Chinese girl .My English name is Betty. I'm a student. I live in Nanjing with my parents. Nanjing is a big city in China. I like playing table tennis and running. I like listening to music, too . My favourite food is rice and fish. My dad is a doctor and my mum is a worker. To Betty, Hi, Betty. I'm a boy. My name is Jim Hand. I'm a student, too. I live in London with my parents and my sister. London is big , too. It's in England. My sister likes reading books, but I like watching TV. She can type and write Chinese. I can draw and sing very well. My parents are both teachers. Betty's favorite sport is _ . playing table tennis and running
Question: Elsie Comer is nearly 92, but she can still play a game of Words with Friends on her iPad and claims that the Apple product has changed her life. Mrs. Comer, who lives in a house close to Manchester Airport, admits to playing the hugely popular puzzle game at a time and also uses her iPad to track the planes that fly overhead and explore the world with Google Earth. "It's been a wonderful ,way to keep in touch with my family, " she said. "I use it nearly all the hours of daylight. 2-3 hours in the morning. then again in the afternoon. " I live near the airport , so I love being able to look at the Flight Tracker and see where the planes that fly overhead are going. I also really like Words with Friends . and have 16 games going at a time. Mrs. Comer taught painting when she left school. She did own a laptop. But struggled( ) with it. "She had a laptop before, but the problem was that she couldn't see the cursor , and that she also has shaky hands that struggle with the mouse. " said her 63-year-old daughter, Jean Holt , from Citheroe. "I was in America visiting my daughter, and I played with an iPad and decided to buy one for my mother. Mrs. Holt loaded the iPad with apps gradually so her mother could learn how to use them. "She uses it several hours a day, and is determined to keep up with everything new, so she reads the news, sends emails, and uses FaceTime to make video calls to us all." she said. ELSIES FAVORITE APPS Words with Friends-a free Scrabble-like puzzle app Flight Tracker-allowing her to see the details of planes that fly over her home FaceTime-used to make video calk to her family around the world iMessage-used to send text messages to mobile phones Solitaire-a classic card Same Why does the writer write this passage? A. To tell us the secrets of how Mrs. Comer keeps healthy. B. To describe how co use Apple apps in our daily life. C. To explain Mrs. Corner makes a living alone. D. To prove iPad has good effect on Mrs. Comer's life. Answer: D. To prove iPad has good effect on Mrs. Comer's life. Question: Are you a problem shopper? The answer is "Yes", if you or someone else thinks that you sometimes get carried away with shopping. In other words, do you or does someone else think you are occupied in extreme shopping? If people have regrets later about their shopping, or have an "out-of-control" feeling about the quantities of what they buy or the amount of credit they use, they may be considered to be problem shoppers. Extreme shopping can lead to a more serious problem - addictive shopping. Addictive shoppers feel driven by the desire to shop and spend money. They experience great tension which drives them to shop and spend money and they feel a "rush" during the time they are occupied with the shopping activity. Extreme or addictive shopping may result from long-time unpleasant feelings, of which anxiety, pain and shame are common ones. When we feel bad inside, we often do something to make ourselves feel better. In this case, we often go shopping. A few people shop to relieve their boredom or emptiness. For some people, the motivation is a desire for status, power, beauty or success. Some love to shop as it makes them feel valued in the eyes of the shop assistants. Others shop simply because it makes them forget, at least temporarily, tension, fear or unhappiness in their life. Besides, shopping malls are designed to encourage continual shopping. For instance, there are some malls where you can't see clocks displaying the time because they don't want you to become too aware of the time you spend there. What's more, food courts, coffee shops and restrooms are provided, so you don't have to leave the mall because of your physical needs. Therefore, once you become aware of how market forces work, you will certainly come to control your shopping behavior. For example, how much time you will spend and what areas you will visit can be decided before you enter the mall. Keep a written account of what items you will buy and how much money you will spend. Make a plan for what you are going to buy before you feel the urge to shop and then stick to it. That is vital for gaining self-control. Which of the following people may not be problem shoppers? A. Those who cannot control the amount of credit they use. B. Those who feel sorry for their shopping. C. Those who are occupied in too much shopping. D. Those who just walk around the shopping malls. Answer: D. Those who just walk around the shopping malls. Question: As motorways become more and more blocked up with traffic, a new generation on flying cars will be needed to ferry people along skyways. That is the conclusion of engineers from the US space agency and aeronautical firms, who _ future commuters traveling by "skycar". These could look much like the concept skycar shown in the picture, designed by Boeing research and development. However, such vehicles could be some 25 years from appearing on the market. Efforts to build flying vehicles in the past have not been very successful. Such vehicles would not only be expensive and require the skills of a trained pilot to fly, but there are significant engineering challenges involved in developing them. "When you try to combine them you get the worst of both worlds: a very heavy, slow, expensive vehicle that's hard to use," said Mark Moore, head of the personal air vehicle(PAV) division of the vehicle systems program at Nasa's Langley Research Center in Hampton, US. But Boeing is also considering how to police the airways and prevent total pandemonium -if thousands of flying cars enter the skies. "The neat, gee-whiz part is thinking about what the vehicle itself would look like," said Dick Paul, a vice president with Phantom Works, Boeing's research and development arm. "But we're trying to think through all the consequences of what it would take to deploy a fleet of these." Past proposals to solve this problem have included artificial intelligence systems to prevent collisions between air traffic. Nasa is working on flying vehicles with the initial goal of transforming small plane travel. Small planes are generally costly, loud, and require months of training and lots of money to operate, making flying to work impractical for most people. But within five years, Nasa researchers hope to develop technology for a small plane that can fly out of regional airports, costs less than $100,000(PS55,725), is as quiet as a motorcycle and as simple to operate as a car. Although it would not have any road-driving capabilities, it would bring this form of travel within the grasp of a wider section of people. The new technology would automate many of the pilot's functions. This Small Aircraft Transportation System(Sats) would divert pressure away from the "hub-and-spoke " model of air travel. Hub-and-spoke refers to the typically US model of passengers being processed through large "hub" airports and then on to secondary flights to "spoke" airports near their final destinations. The best title for this text would be _ . A. Developing Skycars B. The Traffic Jams in the Sky C. How to Guide Flying Cars in the Sky D. What Flying Cars Will Look Like Answer: A. Developing Skycars Question: The Internet joins millions of computers all over the world, and it's used by people all over the world. It was invented in the 1960s in the USA. The American government needed a network of computers for its army. Then in the 1970s scientists and businesspeople also wanted to use the Internet to send and receive messages. For some years, they weren't allowed to use US network, and when they were allowed to, the messages were in very simple text without photos. The World Wide Web was invented by a British scientist named Tim Berners-Lee in 1989. He wanted to send documents to other scientists. So he developed the World Wide Web. This allowed him to send and receive scientific documents with text, drawings and photos. In the 1990s, more and more people began to use the Internet and the World Wide Web. So, what's the difference between Internet and the World Wide Web? The Internet is the hardware .It allows us to communicate with other people. The World Wide Web is the software. It allows us to create , see, and read multimedia documents. The web is made up of millions of documents called web pages. These pages are held in computers all over the world. Many people have a favourite website with a number of web pages on the same subject. Email is a way of using your computer to send and receive messages. It's cheaper and quicker to use email than send normal mail. New users call normal mail "snail mail" because it's so slow. It took 50 years for 100 million people to listen to the radio. It took 15 years for 100 million people to watch television. By the year 2000, it had taken only about three years for 100 million people to use the Internet. What will happen next on the Internet? According to the passage, which of the following is not true. A. Tim Berners-Lee developed the World Wide Web. B. At first, the message were in very simple text without photos. C. Web pages are held in computers all over the world. D. The World Wide Web allows us to communicate with other people. Answer: D. The World Wide Web allows us to communicate with other people. Question: Teens want structure in their lives, which means they want their lives well-planned. To begin building structure, teens need love and trust. They need to know their parents arc there to give them needed love and support .Teens want to be sure that nothing can prevent parents from shouldering their responsibility for them -- not their growing maturity ,misbehavior, nor anger at something they have done. Teens want parents to keep control while allowing them to make some decisions. There are some ways you can help your teens create reasonable structure and remain close. One way is to spend time together. Parents often mistake their teens' increased interest in friends for a disinterest in the family. Teens would like to spend more time doing things with their parents, but watching TV is not counted as spending time together. As your teens mature, it is important for you and your teens spend time alone together, one to one. Your teens need time to talk to you alone without any other family member present. Talk with your teens about their interests and concerns. Make sure you really show interest in what is happening. When talking with your teens, give full attention and do not stop them. The way to help your teens become adults is to let your teens into your world. Sharing your emotions and concerns with your teens is important. Avoid causing needless worry. Trust your teens. Don't expect the worst. Hope for the best. Telling your teens you don't like their friends will cause the teens not to bring their friends home. If something should go wrong, believe that your teens didn't do it on purpose. It is very important that you treat your teens with respect. Teens need the same respect adults show for total strangers. Don't talk down to your teens. You need to be supportive o f your teens. What may be a small problem to you may be troubling to your teens. Teens don't have the experiences that adults have had. Let the teens know that you understand how much it hurts when something happens that is upsetting or hurtful to them. As they mature, they can look back at some problems they had and laugh at having been upset by something that now seems unimportant. The most important things to remember are: talk with your teens, listen to their worries and offer suggestions when needed. This will help your teens to live a well-organized life. To help teens organize their lives , parents should _ . A. invite their teens' friends home. B. leave their teens' problems alone. C. share their feelings with their teens. D. pay little attention to their teens' daily lives. Answer: C. share their feelings with their teens.
Question: An astronaut's work may sound exciting, but living in space isn't as fun as you think. The website www.space.com lists the disadvantages of living in space. Here are some of them. When astronauts work outside the station during spacewalks, they have to wear special gloves. The gloves are very tight. They can hurt the astronauts' fingernails and even make them fall off. In space, you don't have many choices in what you eat. It's hard to get fresh fruits and vegetables. It is not OK to eat bread because it leaves crumbs . Crumbs could fly around everywhere. In space, it is impossible to have a good shower because water can fly all over the ship and break the machines. Astronauts have to use a special water-shooting gun and a washcloth. Astronauts lose their bone strength quickly during their stay in space. So far, there is no way to solve this problem. They do exercise while they're in space to try to keep their bones strong as long as possible. Perhaps the hardest part of life in space is the feeling of loneliness. Astronauts sometimes have to spend weeks and even months away from Earth. They miss their friends and families. People often think the life in space is _ . A. terrible B. lonely C. hard D. fun Answer: D. fun Question: Have you ever seen a movie called " The Choir Boys"(<<>> )?The French movie tells the story of a group of naughty boys who learn music from a dedicated teacher. In Shanghai, there is also a group of children learning music. But their story is a bit different. The musical group, "Shepherds' Kids" , was founded by the Shanghai Jiuqian Volunteer Center. There are about 40 students in this group. Their parents are migrants working in Shanghai. " The music courses are free," said Zhang Yichao, founder of the group. "We just want to make the children's lives more colorful." The kids learn singing, dancing and musical instruments. Their teachers are volunteers from high schools. Learning music is not an easy job, especially for these migrant workers' children. "I never know the musical stave before," said Hua Delong, 13. "Sometimes it was really hard to study." Tang Yue is a volunteer teacher at the center. She is a student from Shanghai Ping'he Bilingual High School. "These kids face difficulties bravely," said Tang. "Sometimes they have to help their parents do housework and have little time to practice, but I never hear them complain." Their hard work has paid off . Today many people know the group. They have even performed as a choir for foreign pop stars. Li Luo, 14, told " Teens" how appreciative she was of the group. "I had little fun before. I seldom watched TV. Study seemed the most interesting thing in my life. "Shepherds' Kids has given me a new life." In Hua Delong's opinion, learning music is not an easy job because _ . A. he didn't know the musical stave before B. he had little fun before C. the music courses are not free D. he seldom watched TV before Answer: A. he didn't know the musical stave before Question: A new study has found no evidence that sunscreen, commonly used to reduce the risk of skin cancer, actually increases the risk. Researchers from the University of Iowa based their findings on a review of 18 earlier studies that looked at the association between sunscreen use and melanoma . They said that they found _ in studies that had reported associations between sunscreen use and higher risk of melanoma. Most health experts believe that by protecting the skin from the harmful effects of the sun, sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer, which is increasing in incidence faster than any other cancer in the United States. But questions have been raised about sunscreen and whether it may have the opposite effect, perhaps by allowing people to remain exposed to the sun longer without burning. The researchers said that among the problems with some earlier studies is that they often failed to take into account that those people most at risk for skin cancer--people with fair skin and freckles , for example--are more likely to use sunscreen. As a result, it may appear that sunscreen users get cancer more often. The studies, which generally relied on volunteers to recall their sunscreen use, were also unable to prove how well the products had been applied, said the new study. People with fair skin and freckles _ . A. seldom use sunscreen B. are more in danger of skin cancer C. can be free from the harm of the sun D. often expose themselves to the sun Answer: B. are more in danger of skin cancer Question: 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?" In America, the "close" buttons on lifts _ . A. are fake for the convenience of disabled people B. work only when people press them hard for a while C. were specially designed to give people a sense of control D. cannot speed up the process of closing the door in any case Answer: A. are fake for the convenience of disabled people Question: Alice needs some money for a Mother's Day present. She tells her father about her problem. "I'll pay you to do some housework. You can clean up the yard ," her father says. "You can also wash my car and Mum's. Both of them need to be washed because they're really dirty." Alice works on the yard and washes her father's car. "Too bad! You didn't have time to wash Mum's car," Dad says when he pays her. The next morning Alice wakes up early. First she washes her mother's car. Then she goes to the flower shop. She also buys her mother's favourite bread on her way home. After breakfast Alice asks her mother to go to the garage . She opens the gate. "Wow!" Alice's mother says. "My car is _ ." "Open the door," Alice says. Alice's mother opens the door. There on the seat she sees a bunch of flowers. "Happy Mother's Day!" Alice says. What is this story about? A. It is about what Alice buys for her mother on Mother's Day. B. It is about what Alice does for her mother for Mother's Day. C. It is about why Alice's father gives her money to buy presents. D. It is about what Alice does at home each week for her mother. Answer: B. It is about what Alice does for her mother for Mother's Day.
Question: Which environmental problem was directly caused by the invention of the automobile? A. storage of nuclear waste B. increase in air pollution C. increased use of pesticides D. flooding in the Midwest Answer: B. increase in air pollution Question: If you want to avoid making impulse and unnecessary purchases,then just keep your hands away from tempting products. According to new research,individuals who touch possible items in stores are more likely to have an increased desire to purchase them than those who keep their hands off the products. Suzanne Shu and Joann Peck,marketing professors at the University of Wisconsin's business school conducted studies on the connection between touch and feelings of ownership and the effect of perceived ownership on the value placed on an object. For one of the experiments,the experts placed two products,a Slinky toy and a coffee mug in front of the volunteers who were undergraduate students. About half of the participants were allowed to touch the products,while the other half were asked not to touch them. The volunteers then were asked to express their sense of ownership of the products and to report how much money they were willing to pay for each. The results showed that those students who were allowed to touch the objects,reported significant increased levels of perceived ownership. They also expressed a desire to pay more money to obtain the products. The investigators also discovered that a sense of very pleasant feelings when touching products,determined how much money consumers were willing to pay. However,if the object did not feel pleasant to the touch,it significantly decreased the amount the buyers were willing to pay. Researchers said that many stores have already followed the right path. But what can be done while shopping online,when touching of an item is not possible? In this case,the experts say,just picturing in mind that they are touching it and then owning it,will cause greater feelings of ownership,and thus the consumers will be more likely to make a purchase. When you touch an object,you immediately feel some kind of a connection to it,according to the researchers. That connection stirs up an emotional reaction. And that emotion can make people buy something they would never even consider buying if they had not touched it. It can be inferred from the text that _ . A. there were noticeable differences between the students who touched the products and those who did not. B. stores have used the method of allowing customers to touch products. C. buyers won't buy the items if they don't like them even though they have touched them. D. a Slinky toy and a coffee mug were used to attract the participants' attention. Answer: B. stores have used the method of allowing customers to touch products. Question: Do you feel a little sleepy after lunch? Well, that's normal . Your body slows down then. What should you do about it? Don't drink coffee! Instead, take a nap . It's good to have a daily nap. First of all, you are more energetic after napping. You remember things better and make fewer mistakes. Also, you can learn things more easily after taking a nap. A nap may improve your self-confidence and make you more active. It may even cheer you up. But, there are some rules you should think about taking a nap. First, take a nap in the middle of day. Next, a 20-minute nap is best. If you sleep longer, you may fall into a deep sleep. After waking from a deep sleep, you will feel worse. Also, you should set an alarm clock. That way, you can fully relax during your nap. You won't have to keep looking at the clock so you don't sleep too much. Now, the next time you feel sleepy after lunch, don't get stressed. Put your head down, close your eyes, and take a nap. After taking a nap, you may feel more _ . A. stressed B. energetic C. sleepy D. friendly Answer: B. energetic Question: The heart, veins, arteries, and capillaries make up which organ system? A. reproductive B. muscular C. excretory D. circulatory Answer: D. circulatory Question: In less than 60 years the people of my tribe have gone from being an independent nation, to cultural prisoners, to welfare recipients . Is it any wonder that there are so many problems facing indigenous Australians today? When I was growing up in Kowanyama there were 15 people in my class, I am the only one who has gone to university. I'm also the only girl in my class who did not have a child at 15. Of the boys in my class, seven have been incarcerated, two for murder, five for robbery and rape. Only three of us are not alcoholics. Four of my classmates have committed suicide. Life as a young aborigine is not easy, in any setting. The story of my fellow students is a lesson in the magnitude of the problems that young indigenous people in Cape York face. The two issues that are central to changing this story are education and health. There is a huge gap between what we get in communities and what other kids get in cities. One of the problems facing education in remote indigenous schools is that teachers tend to be just out of training and stay for only a year or two. Not one teacher stayed for the whole of my nine years at school--not even the principals. This seeming lack of commitment makes you feel they don't care. We need to review the curriculum in these communities because it is pitched at a very low level. I have had to draw the conclusion that governments and educationalists see us as less than white people. Education should be uplifting, not serve to reinforce lack of self-esteem and the heart-wrenching low expectations that our race suffer from. We need a massive reassessment of,education policies and an equally massive investment in education. We have spent so long listening to some white fellows telling us we are stupid, lazy no-hopers that the majority of my people actually believe it. The relationship between poor education and poor health is clear. People whose self-esteem and pride have been destroyed by a substandard education system and a social system that creates an addiction to passive welfare have little reason to live healthy lives. Our health is getting worse. The policies that determine the delivery of health services are deeply flawed by a bureaucracy that does not want to hear our voices. Health services are often confined to the clinic. It is problems and challenges such as these that led me to stand in last October's ATSIC election. ATSITC is more than the board of commissioners and the Canberra bureaucracy. ATSIC is also people who are from community and work hard for community. We recognize that governments cannot solve our problems for us. As young people we are trying to take responsibility for our future. I ask the Prime Minister, not that he fixes these problems for us but that he and his Government see us as equal partners in the huge task of rebuilding our families, communities and Cape York Peninsula. He demonstrated his commitment by engaging his Government at the family and domestic violence summit. My view is that the level of domestic violence and child abuse sums up all that has been wrong with Aboriginal policy. .We need a new relationship to address this frightening reality in our lives. Aboriginal people are reluctant to admit that young girls and women are being raped by their own people because of the blanket of shame. * I am asking you to help lift that blanket. I stand here as a proud Aboriginal woman, a Kokoberra woman as well as a criminologist, and I thank you for your time and attention. Tania Major, 22, is an ATSIC regional councilor and a trainee manager at her home community of Kowanyama on Cape York. This is an edited version of an address she is scheduled to give at a meeting between the Prime Minister and Cape York leaders (full text at smh. com. an). Which of the following words can best describe Tania's tone? A. regretful B. depressed C. serious D. Humorous Answer: C. serious
BEIJING - By the end of 2011 China-made supercomputers will say goodbye to foreign microchips and start using their own "Chinese core ", according to one of the country's leading scientists, Hu Weiwu. Hu told reporters on Saturday that the "Dawning 6000" supercomputer, developed by the Institute of Computing Technology of CAS and the Dawning Information Industry Company (DIIC), will adopt Loongson microchips for the first time as its core parts. It will have a computing speed of more than 1,000 trillion operations a second. Making supercomputers with Chinese microchips is one of the nation's major science and technology projects. Three organizations - the Institute of Computing Technology of CAS, Jiangnan Institute of Computing Technology and the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) - have their own supercomputer projects. According to their schedules, all three institutions will need to meet the target of using domestically developed microchips by the end of this year. Hu said the new supercomputer will use fewer than 10,000 Loongson microchips, and will also be more energy-efficient. Tianhe-1A, developed by NUDT in Hunan's provincial capital Changsha, is the fastest supercomputer in the world. However, Tianhe-1A largely runs on 14,336 CPUs made by Intel, and 7,186 GPUs (processing units) from Nvidia, two US chip-makers. Hu said there will be difficulties ahead as there is little _ equipment specially developed for these supercomputers. "We have enough supercomputers in China but still can't make full use of them," He said. Hu added that although the China-made CPUs have improved since they were first produced in 2002, they have a long way to go to compete with US chip-makers such as Intel. What will raise the speed to more than 1,000 trillion operations a second.? Answer: Loongson microchips Born in a landowner family, Modest Mussorgsky learned his first lessons in piano from his mother. When he turned nine, Mussorgsky had already started performing for family and friends. The very next year, he was admitted to St. Peter's School and then went ahead to publish a piano piece called Porte-enseigne Polka, which was funded by his father. The family tradition of military service was carried on by Mussorgsky, as he joined the Cadet School of the Guards at age of 13. There he continued to take piano lessons with the General's daughter. He graduated from the school in 1856. While in service, he developed friendship with Alexander Borodin and Alexander Dargomyzhsky, the famous Russian composers who had a deep impact on his musical career. Mussorgsky decided to devote his life to music in 1858, he joined Mikhail Glinka's opera A Life for the Tsar. He produced a four-hand piano sonata in 1860 which was his only movement in sonata form. By this time, he had finished his studies. In the same year, he began to work on an opera called Salammbo on which he spent three years of his life. But, his musical career came to a standstill after his mother died in 1865. This led him into alcoholism. In 1867, he finished Night on Bald Mountain which was his most famous composition. During 1868-1869, he composed an opera describing the life of the Tsars which was rejected by Mariinsky Theatre. Later, he made a few changes to the opera and the new version was accepted in May, 1872. His alcoholism made him drift away from his circle of friends and worsened his situation in later life. His later year's compositions include Sunless and Khovanschina. Though his physical condition improved for some weeks, he soon passed away on March 28, 1881, a week after his 42nd birthday. While in service, Mussorgsky _ . Answer: made friends with some famous composers. Live Music--Late Night Jazz Enjoy real American jazz from Herbie Davis, the famous trumpet player. Heis known to play well into the late hours, so don't expect to get much sleep. Place: The Jazz Club Dates : 10 - 25 July Price: $ 100 -- 150 Time: 10:30 p.m. till late Tel: 4668736 Scottish Dancing Scottish dancing is nice and easy to learn. The wonderful dance from Britain will beshown. Place: Jack Stein's Dates :12 -19 July Price: $150 Time: 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Tel: 4021877 Shows in Shanxi Museum There are 12,000 pieces on show here. You can see the whole Chinese history. Place: Shanxi Museum Dates: Jun 1 - Aug 15 Price: $ 60 ( $ 30 for students) Time: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tel : 4886888 Weekends: 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. What is Jack Stein's most likely to be? Answer: A theater. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is launching a new campaign called Hay Fever, which aims to teach rabbit owners how to correctly feed their rabbits. Many rabbit owners wrongly take Bugs Bunny's advice and feed their rabbits an incorrect diet, according to the British animal charity. Rabbits do not naturally eat root vegetables, such as carrots, nor do they naturally eat lettuce , the charity said. The charity said that people were using these foodstuffs as major parts of a rabbit's diet, when in fact they can cause health problems. Just 8% of owners knew what to correctly feed their rabbits, according to statistics. This might explain why 11% of rabbits are suffering from tooth decay and a further 11% from digestive problems, according to research at the University of Bristol, commissioned by the RSPCA. "We want all pet rabbits to be eating hay as their main food," said Rachel Roxburgh, an animal scientist for the charity. "People also think their rabbits should eat carrots because that's what Bugs Bunny does. But he's a cartoon, real rabbits don't talk, and they shouldn't be eating carrots too often either." The RSPCA suggests giving rabbits daily handfuls of hay, around the same size as the rabbits themselves. They can also feed on grass, but not lawn clippings . To vary their diet and give them a treat, dark green vegetables are advised, including broccoli, kale and cabbage on a daily basis, as well as regular parts of commercial nuggets . What do you feed your rabbits? Are you guilty of giving them one too many carrots? What is Rachel Roxburgh's attitude toward rabbit owners? Answer: Disapproving. Christopher Reeve was born in September, 1952. He was in his first school play when he was eight and he started to act in TV shows and films while he was still in college. He made many successful films and TV shows but he is most famous for his Superman films. Unfortunately, disaster came in 1995 when he fell from his horse and broke his back. The doctors did not expect him to live. However, he made amazing progress. At first, he couldn't breathe without a machine, but he learnt to breathe on his own. He would never walk again but he started a new life with great courage. The second year after his accident, Christopher returned to film making. He also raised a lot of money to promote medical research into back injuries. He made speeches all over the USA about his experiences. This not only drew public attention to research into back injuries but also encouraged a lot of people living with all kinds of problems. From their home, Christopher and his wife Dana spoke about their life after the accident. Could you say something about your life after the accident? "Four days after the accident, I came to understand my situation. The doctors said I was not going to pull through. Those days were terrible. But my wife Dana said, "You are still you and I love you. Be confident in yourself." And that saved my life. Since that moment I have never thought of giving up." What do you think of your family? "Great! Dana is so wonderful.We have always got on really well.My parents often quarreled with each other when I was young.But they've got closer since the accident." How do you spend your time? "I spend most of my time on charity work to improve the life for all disabled people.I think they need my help. With the progress of new medical research, I'm confident that people like me would be able to walk again one day. So you can see _ !" Christopher Reeve died on October 10, 2004. But people all over the world will always remember him as a superhero. Which of the following words can best describe Reeve? Answer: Brave
A week ago, Columbus Middle School asked the parents of their school to choose a sport for their child to play. Here's some information about the sports. Sports 1: Basketball We expect that this will be the most popular of the four sports. So students should sign up as soon as possible. Students will take a private bus to and from Kwun Tong Sports Park. Each student will have to pay $ 10 each time for the cost of the bus. There will be four basketball courts available for our use with one teacher watching over each game. Sports 2: Gym We will use St. Peter's Park. There are two reasons for choosing this park. First, it is not very busy and crowded before 6:00 p.m. Second, it has lots of trees with plenty of shade. Students must bring along two bottles of water to prevent from being thirsty. All the activities here are free. And there will be a teacher on duty for each activity. Sports 3: Hiking Hiking will be at Kowloon Peak. The activity will start at 2:30 p.m. and finish 90 minutes later. There will be 15 students in each group. And three teachers will be with the students. This sport will cost $ 75 per hour. Students should take plenty of water and sunglasses. Sports 4: Swimming The Kowloon City Swimming Centre is a 10-minute walk from our school. Four teachers will go to the pool and watch the students from the poolside. We will only be able to use the pool for one hour (2: 45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.). Only students skillful at swimming can take up this activity. The pool will have two lifeguards on watch. Girls must wear swimming suits. The cost is $ 15 per visit. According to this passage, _ will probably have the most students. A gym B hiking C swimming D basketball Answer: D. basketball The surface of Earth is constantly changing. Which of these findings provides the best evidence that the crustal surface of Earth has changed over time? A Some rock layers are very thick. B Some species have become extinct. C Marine fossils are found in mountain areas. D Igneous rock is found on all tectonic plates. Answer: C. Marine fossils are found in mountain areas. Climbing to the Top The year 2013 is the 60th anniversary of the first successful climb to Qomolangma. Do you know why so many people wanted to reach the top of the world? It was breathtaking. It was wonderful and a bit of frightening. It was Qomolangma, the highest mountain in the world. For many years, it has attracted tens of thousands of people who tried to climb its dangerous slopes. During May's 60th anniversary of the first successful climb, nearly 600 people from around the world, including a 5-year-old Italian boy, tried to reach the "roof of the world". China Central Television(CCTV) also sent a team to join the adventure. It broadcasted a special program, called "Standing at the world's third pole in 2013", from May 18 to 24 to cover the Chinese climbing Qomolangma. Over the last century, the 8848-metre-high peak has proven a great challenge for mountaineers. Those who try to stand on top of the world do so at great risk from extremely cold, avalanches , and falling ice. At 8,500 meters, the air contains just one-third of the oxygen at sea level, requiring most climbers to use oxygen tanks. Some of those who climbed the mountain paid the highest price---175 people have lost their lives on the slopes. On May29, 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay from Nepal became the first men ever to reach the top of the mountain. Nearly half a century later, the sons of the two pioneers, Peter Hillary and Jaming Tenzing Norgay, followed in their fathers' footsteps. In 2002, they also successfully reached the roof of the world. Over the last 60 years, more than 10,000 men and women have tried to climb the mountain and more than 1,200 have succeeded. The first Chinese climbers reached the top of the mountain in 1960. Despite the dangers, many different people are drawn towards the challenge. But why do they suffer such hardship and take such risks to climb Qomolangma? "I don't think climbing the mountain is blindly risky. Instead, it's a chance to challenge oneself," said Chen Qi, a reporter of CCTV. Com, who was among May's mountaineering team. "Only when you are surrounded by the mountain can you understand the love of nature and the true meaning of life." Which sentence is right according to the passage? A Nearly 600 people lost their lives on the slopes of Qomolangma. B The first men ever to reach the top of the mountain are from different countries. C The first Chinese climbers reached the top of the mountain in 1953. D More than 10,000 men and women have succeeded in climbing to the top of the mountain. Answer: B. The first men ever to reach the top of the mountain are from different countries. Do you know the girl in a hat with flowers on it? Her name is Yinzi. She is a nice Japanese girl, my new friend. She is in our class, studying Chinese. I like Yinzi. I don't know Japanese, and Yinzi doesn't know Chinese. We know some English. We are the same age. In the same class we have the same interests . We like to sing Chinese, Japanese and English songs. I help her to ride a bike and fly a kite. She helps me to swim and jump. We like playing football, but we can't play in the school because the playground is small. Yinzi and the other girls in our class will go to the swimming pool on Monday, and I want to go with them. The Japanese girl knows _ . A some Chinese B some English C little Japanese D A and B Answer: B. some English I think it's really very good to be a doctor. On the one hand, you can save people; on the other hand, they share their experiences of life with you. I've been a doctor in Los Angeles. To be frank, my work is terribly busy but interesting. I can always meet patients in different conditions. One 'of my patients is a successful businessman. Cancer has changed his _ on life. " Happiness is like a cookie in a boy's hand, " he said. "If a young kid gets the cookie, everything will be good. With no cookie, life loses its color. When a boy becomes a man, the cookie may turn into money, a new car, or a beautiful house. " "It took me many years to understand that the cookie never makes you happy for long. If the cookie is in front of you, you may care for it. But sometimes you may not get a chance to eat it, and then you are busy trying not to lose it. Having the cookie is not what life is about. After having cancer, for me, the cookie starts to lose its meaning. It is the most important that you can live a happy life with or without the cookie, " he said. ,. What does the "cookie" mean in a young kid's eyes? A Money B A new car C A beautiful house D Happiness Answer: D. Happiness
"Enough" with the multivitamins already. That's the message from experts behind three new studies that tackled an often debated question: Do daily multivitaminsmake you healthier? "We believe that the case is closed - supplementing the diet of well-nourished adults with (most) mineral or vitamin supplements has no clear benefit and might even be harmful," concluded the authors of the editorial summarizing the new research papers. They urge consumers to not 'waste' their money on multivitamins. "The 'stop wasting your money' means that perhaps you're spending money on things that won't protect you long term," editorial co-author, Dr. Edgar Miller said, "What will protect you is if you spend the money on fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, low fat dairy, and things like that. Exercising would probably be a better use of the money." The strong message was based on a review of the findings from three studies that tracked multivitamins link to cancer protection, heart health, and brain and cognitive measures. The first study looked at vitamin supplementation's role in preventing chronic disease. The next study looked at whether long-term use of multivitamins would have any effect on slowing cognitive decline. The third study looked specifically at multivitamins and minerals role in preventing heart attack. "The three studies found no difference in rates of chronic disease, heart attack and the need for hospitalization between vitamin-takers and placebo -takers." Dr. Edgar Miller stated. One expert agreed some nutrient-deficient people may still benefit from multivitamins. "There might be an argument to continue taking a multi(vitamin) to replace or supplement your not healthy diet," Dr. Edgar Miller added. He also notes that vitamins can benefit people with celiac disease and those who are pregnant. Which of the following is NOT Dr. Edgar Miller's opinion according to the passage? If more pollution is released into the air, what happens to the planet's temperature? The Couch Surfing network is an online community stretching across the globe with over one and a half million members. The basic concept is to provide a platform for travelers to contact people who are willing to put them up free of charge. Travelers connect with potential hosts online and, if they like each other, exchange details to make farther arrangements. Basil is one traveler from Switzerland who is currently couch surfing with a Chinese host in Beijing. "I thought staying in hostel is nice but you mostly meet foreigners and speak English. If you use Couch Surfing you have chance to meet people living here and really get a chance to know the life of the place you visit. " Basil was speaking during a regular meeting of Beijing network of Couch Surfing with a membership of almost 2,000. Although some people may have concerns about meeting complete strangers and giving them full access to your house, Beijing group member Fred Sharp from California says that the Couch Surfing community is one that generally attracts trustworthy people. "I have never had a problem with guests. I'd say that this Couch Surfing community worldwide is a fairly trustworthy community like I say, always be cautious, make sure that you read everyone's profile that you're considering hosting, and if it doesn't feel right just say' no', it's OK. " Originally launched in the US as a non-profit organization in 2004, Couch Surfing is growing fast across the world. China is no exception with around 30,000 members and hundreds more signing up each week. One of them is Beijing resident Hai Yan who joined in November 2009. She says the first time she hosted a guest was a very positive experience. "My first guest was from Italy. He was very kind and helpful. He bought me a present from Italy, a handbag. It's a famous brand!" As the organization grows from strength to strength, hotel owners across the world will be watching very closely and possibly thinking twice about raising their prices too high. According to Fred Sharp, _ . Scientists will put some robot fish into the sea near Spain this year. These robot fish will help people find out the pollution in the water. If the robot fish are able to finish their work successfully, the team of scientists hopes the fish will be used in rivers, lakes and seas around the world. The robot fish are about 1.5 meters long. There is a detector in their bodies. It can find the pollution in the water, and then the robot fish will eat part of it. They can "swim" for eight hours in the sea freely and send back information to people on the beach. After their energy runs down, they will go back to the beach by themselves. There are five robot fish altogether. Each costs about 29,000 dollars. They are part of a three-year project between engineering company BMT Group and Essex University in southeastern England. ,. (2,10) What will the robot fish do if they swim in the water? We answer some questions this week in our series on getting into an American college or university. The first question is about our recent discussion of English language test. Vo Ngoc from Vietnam would like to know about the TOEIC, which is designed to measure skills of English as spoken in the workplace. The Educational Testing Service administers the TOEIC. It says the test measures the language skills of people working in an international environment. American colleges and universities accept scores from the TOFEL and often the IELTS. If you miss our report on these tests, you can find it at our website www. unsv. com.. Tahir Mahood from Pakistan asks how to improve his English before taking these kinds of tests. Well, you can start by looking for ways to use English as much as you can Watch American movies and TV shows and read books in English Look for English speakers to talk to. The Internet has many free materials for Engiish learners. Visitors to www. unsv. com. for example, can read, listen and watch programmes on many different subjects. The U.S. Department of Education recent launched a free website designed to help immigrants learn English. The site is called USA Learns at www. usalearns, org, like www. chinadaily. cn, intended for English learners in China Next,a question from Turkey:Hasan Eker asks about getting a postdoctoral position in the U. S. This is work generally done by a person who recently earned a PhD. The National Post-doctoral Association in Washington has information about international postdocs on its website www. Nationalpostal.org. And, finally, we have questions from Iran, Afghanistan and Indonesia about how to pay an education through jobs. There're rules that restrict the kinds of jobs that foreign students can have while studying in the U. S. A person wb.o wants to learn. English can go to the following EXCEPT.
Have you seen the movie Changjiang 7(CJ7)?The story is about a boy called Dickey. He lives a poor life with his father. His father doesn't have any money to buy toys for him. One day his father finds him a strange toy from a junkyard . Dickey names it Changjiang 7 (CJ7). It is an alien dog. It can do many things that humans can not do. Dickey takes it to school to help him in many ways. CJ7 is a popular movie. Xu Jiao,born on August 5,1997 in Ningbo,Zhejiang,plays Dickey. On April 21,the girl won Best New Performer at the Hong Kong Film Awards for her play in CJ7.Now Xu Jiao becomes a new film star. She is well-known especially among young kids. Many of them want to own such a helpful toy as CJ7. Xu once said it was difficult to play a boy. "To get an idea of what a boy is like," she said,"I watched boys and I also studied and played with them a lot." CJ7 is the name of _ . Answer: a toy When I was four years old, I wanted nothing more in life than to play the piano. My best friend Betty had a piano. But Betty hardly played it at all. She would rather play hide-and-seek. It didn't seem fair. One day my mother came to pick me up from Betty's house. "Watch this!" I told her. Then I ran to play a song I had learned that morning. I was so proud of what I'd learned. "That's nice, Jenny," she said. "But we can't afford a piano." When I turned six, my mother bought me a recorder . The problem was that I didn't love the recorder. When I played the recorder, I didn't feel anything special inside. I asked my mother if we could have a piano. "We still can't afford one," she said. "One day, I promise." In the sixth grade, my mother traded in the recorder for a real clarinet . I like the clarinet more, but it still wasn't a piano. It wasn't the music that was inside of me. One day, when I was in the seventh grade, my mother cut an ad out of the newspaper. We drove to a stranger's home in Providence, Rhode Island. The woman had a beautiful, dark wood piano from Russia. It was called an upright piano because it was tall. It was so shiny that it looked like it was wet. "We'll take it," my mother said. "It has a nice sound." After that, I played the piano every single day.When I left for school in the morning, I would leave the sheet music open on the piano. When I got home, I would walk straight to the piano and sit down and start playing the sheet music. I even played if I stayed home sick. I had finally found the music inside of me. Do you struggle with music? Have you been given an instrument to play, but you just can't play it? Maybe you think you're just no good or that you don't have any musical talent. Don't get discouraged. It's not true! We all have music inside of us, even if it's just what we listen to. Now it's up to you to find the right way to set that music free. Which of the following is TRUE? Answer: Jenny enjoyed playing music with the right instrument. Lisa was running late. Lisa, 25, had a lot to do at work,plus visitors on the way: her parents were coming in for Thanksgiving from her hometown. But as she hurried down the subway stairs, she started to feel uncomfortably warm. By the time she got to the platform, Lisa felt weak and tired-maybe it hadn't been a good idea to give blood the night before, she thought. She rested herself against a post close to the tracks. Several yards away, Frank, 43, and his girlfriend, Jennifer, found a spot close to where the front of the train would stop. They were deep in discussion about a house they were thinking of buying. But when he heard the scream, followed by someone yelling, "Oh, my God, she fell in!" Frank didn't hesitate. He jumped down to the tracks and ran some 40 feet toward the body lying on the rails. "No! Not you! " his girlfriend screamed after him. She was right to be alarmed. By the time Frank reached Lisa, he could feel the tracks shaking and see the light coming. The train was about 20 seconds from the station. It was hard to lift her. She was just out. But he managed to raise her the four feet to the platform so that bystanders could hold her by the arms and drag her away from the edge. That was where Lisa briefly regained consciousness, felt herself being pulled along the ground, and saw someone else holding her purse. Lisa thought she'd been robbed. A woman held her hand and a man gave his shirt to help stop the blood pouring from her head. And she tried to talk but she couldn't, and that was when she realized how much pain she was in. Police and fire officials soon arrived, and Frank told the story to an officer. Jennifer said her boyfriend was calm on their 40-minute train ride downtown-just as he had been seconds after the rescue, which made her think about her reaction at the time. "I saw the train coming and I was thinking he was going to die." she explained. The passage is intended to _ . Answer: tell us about a subway rescue One day, Susie was unhappy when she came home from school. "What's the matter, my dear?" asked her mother, drawing her to her side and smiling. "All our class must hand in compositions tomorrow. We must write 12 lines at least. But I can never write one. I'll have to go to school without a composition, for I won't copy one from a book, or ask you or papa to write one for me." "That's right," said her mother. "You'll be happier with a poor composition, if it's your own, than with a fine one written by somebody else. But cheer up. Run into the garden and play. I'll call you in half an hour. Don't think about your composition now. Just have a good time." It seemed just a few minutes to Susie before she heard her mother calling her. She went into the house immediately -- her hands full of sweet flowers, and her face red with exercise. Then her mother asked her to sit by the window with a nice piece of paper and a pencil, and write something about what she could see. "Never mind your composition; do this to please me, and we'll talk about that later." Although Susie thought her mother's request was strange, she knew she always had a good reason for everything she did. So she did as her mother requested. As she looked out, she first saw the western sky and some bright, sunset clouds. "Oh, mother, what a sunset!" "Don't talk. Just write." The pencil began moving rapidly across the paper. She wrote about the sunset clouds, the look of the distant hills, the streets, the river, the garden with its flowers, and the birds flying past the window. She forgot all about the terrible composition! Just as she had reached the bottom of the page, her mother came in and said with a smile, "Well, Susie, how does that composition come on?" "Composition! You told me not to think about it, and I've never thought of it once. I've had such a nice time writing about what I could see from the window." Mrs. Smith took the paper and read what Susie had written. She said, "There, Susie, that's a very nice composition, really." "A composition! Is that a composition?" Susie asked in surprise. "Yes, my dear, and a very good one, too, if we find a title for it," replied her mother. Then she added, "I'm sure it will please your teacher, as it does me. You see, it's easy enough to write a composition if you have anything interesting to write about." What might happen the next morning? Answer: Susie would hand in her composition happily. As We Speak by Peter Meyers, Shann Nix The world is full of brilliant people whose ideas are never heard. This book is designed to make sure that you're not one of them. Whether you are speaking to a large audience or in a one-on-one conversation, the way in which you communicate ideas, as much as the ideas themselves, can determine success or failure. In this invaluable guide, you'll learn to master principles that you can apply in a wide variety of situations. Triple Your Reading Speed by Wade E.Cutler This fourth edition of the book does just that--with tests that make it fun and simple to acquire the skills that will give you an advantage in school and on the job. The method helps you to break old habits that may be slowing you down, and develop strategies for increased comprehension in less time. The Memory Book by Harry Lorayne, Jerry Lucas Unlock the hidden power of your mind through Harry Lorayne and Jerry Lucas's simple memory system, and you can become more effective and more powerful. Discover how easy it is to remember things; learn foreign words with ease; read with speed and greater understanding; shine in the classroom and shorten study hours. How to Become a Straight-A student by Cal Newport Most college students believe that straight A's can be achieved only through cramming and painful all-nighters at the library. But Cal Newport knows that real straight-A students don't study harder--they study smarter. A breakthrough approach to completing academic tasks very well, How to Become a Straight-A student reveals for the first time the proven study secrets of real straight-A students across the country and turns them into a simple, practical system that anyone can master. Which of the following books focuses on discovering your unknown potential? Answer: The Memory Book
Question: Reading newspapers has become an important part of everyday life. Some people read newspapers as the first thing to do in the morning, others read newspapers as soon as they have free time during the day so that they can learn what is happening in the world. Sometimes, we do not have enough time to read all the news carefully, so we just take a quick loot at the front page. At other times, we may be in such a hurry that we only have a few minutes to look at the headlines of te passage. Newspapers can be found everywhere in the world. We can get many different kinds of newspapers in big cities, but in some mountain villages we can see few newspapers. Some newspapers are published once a week, but most of the papers are published once a day with many pages, some even published twice a day! You know different people enjoy reading different newspapers. Some like world news, and others prefer short stories. They just choose what they are interested in. Today newspapers in English have the largest numbers of readers in the world, The English language is so popular that many Chinese students are reading English newspapers such as China Daily or 21stCentury. Also they bring us more and more information with internet. According to the passage, besides newspapers, people also get information from _ . A. magazines B. advertisements C. e-mails D. internet Answer: C. e-mails Question: This is my world now; it's all I have left. You see, I'm old. And, I'm not as healthy as I used to be. I'm not necessarily happy with it, but I accept it. Occasionally, a member of my family will stop in to see me. He or she will bring me some flowers or a little present, maybe a set of slippers--I've got eight pairs. And then they will return to the outside world and I'll be alone again. Oh, there are other people here in the nursing home. Residents, we're called. The majority are about my age. I'm 84. Many are in wheelchairs. The lucky ones are passing through--a broken hip, a diseased heart, something has brought them here for rehabilitation . When they're well they'll be going home. The help here is basically pretty good, although there's a large turnover of staff. Just when I get comfortable with someone he or she moves on to another job. I understand that. This is not the best job to have. I don't much like some of the physical things that happen to us. I don't care much for a diaper . I seem to have lost the control acquired so diligently as a child. The difference is that I'm aware and embarrassed, but I can't do anything about it. I've had three children, and I know it isn't pleasant to clean another's diaper. My husband used to wear a gas mask when he changed the kids. I wish I had one now. Why do you think the staff insists on talking baby talk when speaking to me? I understand English. I have a degree in music and am a certified teacher. Now I hear a lot of words that end in "y". There is little need for anyone to position their face directly in front of mine and raise their voice with those "y" words. Sometimes it takes longer for a meaning to sink in; sometimes my mind wanders when I am bored. But there's no need to shout. I'd love to go out for a meal or travel again. I'd love to go to my own church, sing with my own choir. I'd love to visit my friends. Most of them are gone now or else they are in different "homes" of their children's choosing. I'd love to play a good game of bridge, but no one here seems to concentrate very well. My children put me here for my own good. They said they would be able to visit me frequently. But they have their own lives to lead. That sounds normal. I don't want to be a burden. They know that. But I would like to see them more. One of them is here in town. He visits as much as he can. Something else I've learned to accept is loss of privacy. Quite often I'll close my door when my roommate--imagine having a roommate at my age--is in the TV room. I do appreciate some time to myself and believe that I have earned at least that courtesy . As I sit thinking or writing, one of the aides invariably opens the door unannounced and walks in as if I'm not there. Sometimes she even opens my drawers and begins searching around. Am I invisible? Have I lost my right to respect and dignity? I am still a human being. I would like to be treated as one. Back to my semiprivate room for a little semi-privacy or a nap . I do need my beauty rest; company may come today. What is today, again? The afternoon drags into early evening. This used to be my favorite time of the day. Things would wind down. I would kick off my shoes. Put my feet up on the coffee table. Pop open a bottle of Chablis and enjoy the fruits of my day's labor with my husband. He's gone. So is my health. This is my world. The best title for the passage would be _ . A. The Disadvantages of Growing Old B. If Only I could be getting better C. The Elderly: A Forgotten Generation D. The Place That Changed My Life Answer: C. The Elderly: A Forgotten Generation Question: One in 400 children in the United States has diabetes . And the most difficult thing for the young diabetic patients is that many of them don't have a clear idea when they need to take insulin(a drug used in treating diabetes).The parents of one Long Island boy found the perfect solution--Hero, a specially trained dog that can discover when a diabetic is in trouble and find help. Johnny Pion, eight years old, is a poor kid that was told he was a diabetic in 2008. He can't do without insulin. His blood-sugar levels should be closely checked. He even can't go out to play without his mom or dad fearing he might need help. With Hero in her new home, Johnny's parents may worry a little less. They received the news about Hero on the newspaper. The dog cost around $20,000. With the help of friends and family, the Pions brought Hero home from Warren Retrievers in Virginia. Mary Campbell. Hero's trainer, said the dog could discover the slightest changes in blood sugar by her sense of smell."Humans have 5 million smell receptors ; dogs have 5 billion smell receptors,"she said. When the dog discovers something's wrong, she'll rub her head against Johnny's legs. If he doesn't answer her, Hero knows to look for Johnny's mom and dad. Hero even could ring up 911. On their first night, Johnny's was comfortably sleeping in his own bed with Hero and not with his parents for the first time. Night time is very important because blood sugar goes unchecked while sleeping. Now Hero is a round-the-clock nurse. Hero can help Johnny because she _ . A. cost around $20,000 B. never sleeps during the night C. has 5 million smell receptors D. can discover the changes of blood sugar Answer: D. can discover the changes of blood sugar Question: I have heard having a good sense of humour often helps in breaking the ice. Also people remember you because of your humour. But I think I don't have a very good sense of humour. Could you suggest how to build on this? ----Radha Karnik This is a great question that is unfortunately difficult to answer. I can only give you my views on this topic, which may or may not be correct. I know that my sense of humour developed over time. When I was younger I was not funny at all, now I can easily make people laugh. At the same time, sometimes I say things that I think are very funny but others do not. Improving wit and humour, I believe, is an ongoing process. Now, there are various forms of humour and everyone has their individual style. Overall, I believe being fluent in a language is very important for being witty or funny. The way we play around with words adds the "funny" tag to an otherwise normal sentence. Also, seeing irony is very important. I think humour is often the link between two unrelated things. In my experience, laughing frequently and appreciating other people's jokes and wit are very important. Within these, finding humour in everyday normal situations is the key. I often notice what is going on around me and say funny things in my head and laugh to myself. That serves almost as practice for when I am in a group. I watch comedy shows and movies and I am sure that has some effect on helping me improve my sense of humour. And last, having confidence that you are witty is important. There will always be someone wittier or funnier than you, which is fine. Just work on building your own style. Remember, if you are trying to be funny and witty in order to break the ice at a business function, be careful. In those situations, humour has to be mild and politically correct. Yours, Brad Radha Karnik's problem is that he doesn't _ . A. have friends B. have a good sense of humour C. understand others' humour D. know the functions of humour Answer: B. have a good sense of humour Question: Everybody loves to play board games sometimes, but it is surprising to know how long this pastime has been in existence. Some of the earliest board games are over 5,000 years old. The oldest is probably Senet, an American Egyptian game which has been found in burials from before 3000 BC. The game involves an element of luck, and so it was thought by the Ancient Egyptians that those who won the game were protected by God. For this reason, games of Senet were often buried alongside the dead body, to be used on the dangerous game board is set out as a grid of three by ten rows, and uses two sets of at least five pawns. The actual rules are unknown, although some historians have proposed rules which were used in the Senet sets available today. The Royal Game of Ur, also known as the Game of Twenty Squares, is another ancient game which dates back to the First Dynasty of Ur, in 2600 BC Mesopotamia. It was played with two sets of seven counters, one black and one white, and three four-sided dice . Although the ancient rules are unknown, a stone tablet has been found which describes a reliable record of how the game was played in 177-176 BC. Both Senet and The Royal Game of Ur probably came into existence long before the game backgammon ,which itself has a long history. The game of Nard, which existed in Iran in around 3000 BC, used two sets of fifteen counters, four dice and same board as the one used in backgammon today, although the initial starting positions and rules are different. Similar games were played in Ancient Rome and India. The text is meant to introduce _ . A. a common origin of board games B. several kinds of earliest board games C. the unknown rules of board game D. the newly discovered board games Answer: B. several kinds of earliest board games
Do you have bright ideas? Ideas or inventions that change society or, at least, make life easier for somebody? Perhaps we all do sometimes, but we don't often make the idea a reality. Recently, in Britain, there was a competition called British Designers for Tomorrow. The competition encourages young people to carry out their bright ideas. There were two groups in the contest: Group One was for schoolchildren under 16; Group Two was for schoolchildren over 16, and there were eleven prize-winners altogether. Neil Hunt, one of the prize-winners, was called "Sunshine Superman". It's important when people study the weather to be able to record sunshine accurately. We need to know how many hours of sunshine we have and how strong it is. Most sunshine recorders only record direct sunlight. Neil's is more accurate and this is very important for research into the way of using solar power. You can do so much with animated cartoon. Look at Simon West's idea for animated road signs. He uses pictures which appear to move as you go nearer to or farther from them. This isn't a new idea. But it is new to use these pictures on road signs. "We found that people were more likely to see moving signs," said Simon. So now, you can really see rocks falling, trains moving, horses running or a car falling over the edge of a cliff. Quite a warning! The ideas in the competition were so inventive that we are surprised that British industry doesn't ask more schoolchildren for suggestions. Perhaps this will be the start of "pupil power!" What's the use of Simon West's animated road signs? Answer: To warn people to be careful while working. Malnutrition remains a serious problem for India. But a new study shows that India's leading causes of death now also include diseases related to obesity such as heart disease. India's National Family Health Survey shows that more than twenty percent of Indians living in cities are overweight or obese. And in the northwestern state of Punjab, that is true for almost forty percent of women. Aradhna Tripathi is a business professional in New Delhi. She said, " Eating is the most important thing in any Indian household and how you show your love and gratitude for a person is through the kind of food you serve him. And the kind of lifestyle we are leading is one of the reasons why we have the number of obese people increasing every day. But Aradhna Tripathi says she has decided to lose weight. Her mother and grandmother are also diabetic . In fact, the International Diabetes Federation says India is now the diabetes capital of the world. Researchers say Indians store more body fat per kilogram than Europeans. That means obese Indians are even more at the risk of diabetes than other people. Doctor Anoop Misra at Fortis Hospital in New Delhi says the risk of diabetes is crossing social and economic lines. _ But Doctor Misra is hopeful that the spread (,)of obesity can be slowed. And he says it must start in schools by giving all Indian children the same instruction on physical activity and diet. The World Health Organization says China is also moving up in obesity rates. The estimate has reached about five percent countryside and as high as twenty percent in some cities. What is this passage mainly about? Answer: Obesity has become a big killer in India. Alderbury International Festival Society FESTIVAL 22ND MAY-9TH JUNE 2012 Art Displays of paintings, drawings and photographs from Europe and Asia are all part of the Festival programme, with a total of more than 400 pieces of work to be seen. Early century advertisements will be on display at this year's festival. Copies of these advertisements are to be sold at the box office. Music There will be a huge rang of music in this year's festival from 14thdance music to modern jazz. Many famous musicians will be visiting the Festival as well as at least two internationally famous bands. Lunchtime concerts-Every day of the Festival! All lunchtime concerts begin at 1:00p.m. and last about 55 minutes, except on Monday, 26 of May, which is to be held in the Guildhall. All tickets are priced at PS2.00. How to get the tickets Telephone reservations: 63362/6641 from 1stApril Payment for tickets reserved by telephone must be received at the Festival Box Office within 3 days. The tickets will then be sent by post. One can buy tickets in person from 1stMay. The Festival Box Office will be open as follows: Monday to Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday(during the Festival only )9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. It is not possible for you to buy a ticket in person at _ . Answer: 5:30 p.m. on Sunday According to some predictions, human beings will die out in 2012. Nearly all people think it's impossible, but there are some more earthquakes in recent years. Animals can predict the weather or other natural events. It may sound strange, but farmers living in the countryside think so. For hundreds of years , they have observed animals. "Animals ' behavior can be connected to future weather conditions or events." They say. For example, if cows lie down, a rainstorm is coming. There are many traditional stories connecting animals and natural events. Many people think that these stories don't have scientific evidence( ) at all. Scientists, however, are beginning to take another look at some of these ideas. A Japanese earthquake researcher named Kiyoshi Shimamura noticed an increase in dog bites a short time before earthquake hit. Then he did research on twelve public health centers in Kobe, Japan. These health centers treated people after the 1995 earthquake . He got some interesting information about the month before the big earthquake: treatment for animals' bites had increased . In fact, aggressive behavior in dogs, such as biting and barking loudly , jumped 60 percent. There are also other changes in animals' behavior before the earthquake. For example, fish began swimming together in large groups , but only in the middle of the water and not near the edges. Birds flew away from their nests for many days, leaving their eggs unprotected . These animals' behavior suggests that animals may be able to predict natural events better than people. Which of the following animals behave strangely before an earthquake according to this passage? Answer: All of the above. We live in central Phoenix, near the canal. Every day I used to see a homeless old man and his scruffy little dog hanging out down there. I would tell my husband we should give him food for the little dog. It wouldn't have been a problem; we have our own "mini farm" of animals! But he would say "OK!" and then blow the idea off because of our business. Being in Phoenix, Arizona, you can just imagine how hot it gets here, but his winter was really chilly! I had just come from KFC with take-out food for dinner. As I was turning by the canal, the man and his dog were sitting right there all bundled up. Even the doggy had a coat on! Not even thinking about it, I pulled into the parking lot along the canal and piled up a plate of chicken with all the fixings for the man and his little buddy. I gave it to him with a soda and a bottle of water for the little dog. He said, "Thank you, sweetie. You are an angel." And there were tears welling up in his eyes! I told him he was so welcome, and then went home. When my husband dug into the KFC gag, he asked, "Were you hungry, or what?" I told him what I did and he said, "Only you!" Then he told me I had done a good thing. A few weeks later, we were walking along the canal and found the man walking to me, with his little dog. He asked whether I would mind adopting the dog. With tears in eyes, he said it had gotten too hard for him to care for the dog. He added that he was planning on heading to Washington State but his dog wouldn't have been up to it, so he hoped to give it to me. "Only you! In this city, you are the only person I can believe in!" Now, every time I watch and pat the puppy lying near the fireplace, I will recall the old man's words and wish him good luck. What did the author's husband feel when she told him what she had done? Answer: Delighted.
Sunny countries are often poor. A shame, then, that solar power is still quite expensive. Eight19, a British company by Cambridge University, has, however, invented a novel way to _ this. In return for a deposit of around $10 it is supplying poor Kenyan families with a solar cell able to generate 2.5 watts of electricity, a battery that can deliver a three amp current to store this electricity, and a lamp whose bulb is a light-emitting diode . The firm thinks that this system, once the battery is fully charged, is enough to light two small rooms and to power a mobile-phone charger for seven hours. Then, next day, it can be put outside and charged back up again. The trick is that, to be able to use the electricity, the system's keeper must buy a scratch card--for as little as a dollar--on which is printed a reference number. The keeper sends this reference, plus the serial number of the household solar unit, by SMS to Eight19. The company's server will respond automatically with an access code to the unit. Users may consider that they are paying an hourly rate for their electricity. In fact, they are paying off the cost of the unit. After buying around $80 worth of scratch cards--which Eight19 expects would take the average family around 18 months--the user will own it. He will then have the option of continuing to use it for nothing, or of trading it in for a bigger one, perhaps driven by a 10-watt solar cell. In that case, he would go then through the same process again, paying off the additional cost of the upgraded kit at a slightly higher rate. Users would therefore increase their electricity supply steadily and affordably. According to Eight19's figures, this looks like a good deal for customers. The firm believes the average energy-starved Kenyan spends around $10 a month on oil--enough to fuel a couple of smoky lamps--plus $2 on charging his mobile phone in the market-place. Regular users of one of Eight19's basic solar units will spend around half that, before owning it completely. Meanwhile, as the cost of solar technology falls, it should get even cheaper. What should the user do when the electricity in the battery is used up? A Buy a scratch card. B Recharge it outside. C Buy another solar cell. D Return it to the company. Answer: B. Recharge it outside. If we are to help students develop reading skills in a foreign language, it is important to understand what is involved in the reading process itself. If we have a clear idea of how "good readers" read, either in their own or a foreign language, this will enable us to decide whether particular reading techniques are likely to help learners or not. In considering the reading process, it is important to distinguish between two quite separate activities: reading for meaning (or "silent reading") and reading aloud. Reading for meaning is the activity we normally engage in when we read books, newspapers, road signs, etc.; it is what you are doing as you read this text. It involves looking at sentences and understanding the message they convey, in other words "making sense" of a written text. It doesn't normally involve saying the words we read, not even silently inside our heads; there are important reasons for this, which are outlined below. Reading aloud is a completely different activity; its purpose is not just to understand a text but to convey the information to someone else. It is not an activity we engage in very often outside the classroom; common examples are reading out parts of a newspaper article to a friend, or reading a notice to other people who can't see it. Obviously, reading aloud involves looking at a text, understanding it and also saying it. Because our attention is divided between reading and speaking, it is a much more difficult activity than reading silently; we often stumble and make mistakes when reading aloud in our own language, and reading aloud in a foreign language is even more difficult. When we read for meaning, we do not need to read every letter or every word, nor even every word in each sentence. This is because, provided the text makes sense, we can guess much of what it says as we read it. We can infer from the passage that the author will continue to _ . A discuss in detail how to read aloud B introduce some more reading activities C tell how good readers read in their own language D explain why we needn't say the words when reading for meaning Answer: D. explain why we needn't say the words when reading for meaning 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 writer and his brothers and sisters built _ . A a snowman and a cardboard house of their own B a snowman and a snow house for themselves to live in C a snowman and a snow house with their neighbors' children D a white blanket on the roads Answer: C. a snowman and a snow house with their neighbors' children Dewar, a developer, needing a water well on one of his projects, met several times about the matter with Waterman, a well driller. Subsequently, Waterman sent Dewar an unsigned typewritten form captioned "WELL DRILLING PROPOSAL" and stating various terms the two had discussed but not agreed upon, including a "proposed price of $5,000." The form concluded, "This proposal will not become a contract until signed by you [Dewar] and then returned to and signed by me [Waterman]." Dewar signed the form and returned it to Waterman, who neglected to sign it but promptly began drilling the well at the proposed site on Dewar's project. After drilling for two days, Waterman told Dewar during one of Dewar's daily visits that he would not finish unless Dewar would agree to pay twice the price recited in the written proposal. Dewar refused, Waterman quit, and Dewar hired Subbo to drill the well to completion for a price of $7,500. In an action by Dewar against Waterman for damages, which of the following is the probable decision? A Dewar wins, because his signing of Waterman's form constituted an acceptance of an offer by Waterman. B Dewar wins, because Waterman's commencement of performance constituted an acceptance by Waterman of an offer by Dewar and an implied promise by Waterman to complete the well. C Waterman wins, because he never signed the proposal as required by its terms. D Waterman wins, because his commencement of performance merely prevented Dewar from revoking his offer, made on a form supplied by Waterman, and did not obligate Waterman to complete the well. Answer: B. Dewar wins, because Waterman's commencement of performance constituted an acceptance by Waterman of an offer by Dewar and an implied promise by Waterman to complete the well. At the age of ten I could not figure out what this Elvis Presley guy had that the rest of us boys did not have.I mean,he had a head,two arms and two legs,just like the rest of us.About nine o'clock on Saturday morning I decided to ask Eugene Correthers,one of the older boys,what it was that made this Elvis guy so special.He told me that it was Elvis'wavy hair and the way he moved his body. About half an hour later all the boys in the orphanage were called to the main dining-room and told we were all going to downtown Jacksonville,Florida to get a new pair of Buster Brown shoes and a haircut. _ . If the Elvis hair cut was the big secret,then that's what I was going to get. A11 the way to town I told everybody, including the matron from the orphanage who was taking us to town,that I was going to look just like Elvis Presley and that I would learn to move around just like he did and that I would be rich and famous one day, just like him. When I got my new Buster Brown shoes, I could hardly wait for my new hair cut and now that I had my new Busier Brown shoes I would be very happy to go back to the orphanage and practice being like Elvis. We finally arrived at the big barber shop,where they cut our hair for free because we were orphans .I looked at the barber and said,"I want an Elvis hair cut. Can you make my hair like Elvis?"I asked him,with a big smile on my face."Let's just see what we can do for you,little man,"he said.I was so happy when he started to cut my hair.Just as he started to cut my hair, the matron signed for him to come over to where she was standing.She whispered something into his ear and then he shook his head,like he was telling her"No".Then he told me they were not allowed to give us Elvis hair cuts.Then I saw my hair falling onto the floor. In the author's eyes,Elvis Presley was _ . A disgusting B admirable C ambitious D dynamic Answer: B. admirable
Paul had just left college and was offered an interview for a position in a company in New York. As he needed to move from Texas to New York if he got the job, he wanted to talk about the decision with someone before accepting it. But his parents had died. He remembered that his father had suggested he should turn to an old friend of his family if he needed advice. The older man said, "Go to New York and have the interview. But I want you to go on a train and I want you to get a private compartment . Don't take anything to write with, anything to listen to or anything to read, and don't talk to anybody except when you order the meal. Call me when you get to New York and I will tell you what to do next." At first, Paul followed the advice closely. The trip took two days. As he had brought along nothing to do, he quickly became bored. He realized he was being forced into quite time - he could do nothing but think. About three hours outside New York City he broke the rules, asked for a pencil and paper and kept writing down the thoughts until the train arrived in New York. Paul called the family friend from the train station. "Thank you, Uncle I know what you wanted. You wanted me to think. And now I know what to do.""I guessed you could understand my idea, Paul," came the reply, "Good luck." Now, years later, Paul runs a company in New York. And he always spends a couple of days being alone with no phone, no television and no people to think quietly. We can know from the passage that _ . A. Paul had worked in Texas for three years. B. the older man advised Paul to go by air C. Paul broke the rules before arriving in New York. D. Now Paul runs companies both in New York and Texas. Answer: C. Paul broke the rules before arriving in New York. Earlier, we explained how to begin a search for schools by going to one of the American educational advising centers around the world. We also discussed the rules for entering in the prefix = st1 /United States. And we talked about programs that can be completed online. But if your goal is to come to the United Statesto study, then it is time to make a list of colleges or universities that interest you. Be sure to choose more than one. Directors of foreign student admissions say students should apply to at least three schools. Some students want to attend a small college. Others want to go to a big university. If a really big university appeals to you, then there are ones like _ State. That university in Columbus, Ohio, in the Midwest, has almost fifty - two thousand students. There are students this year from around one hundred fifty countries. Ohio State provides international students with an application on its Web site. You can pay the application charge online with a credit card. Or you can print the forms and mail them with the payment. Many colleges and universities have their applications and also their catalogs online. You should start on your applications at least two years before you want to begin studies. Completing a college application can take some time. But answering all the questions is not enough. Another important step is taking admissions tests. The SAT is the college entry test that American high school students most commonly take. Another one is the ACT. Colleges and universities may also require international students to take the TOEFL - the Test of English as a Foreign Language. If you have a general question for our Foreign Student Series, write, to special @ voanews. com. What will the author most probably talk about next? A. SAT. B. ACT. C. FSS. D. TOFEL. Answer: D. TOFEL. To have a positive impact of the environment A. use Styrofoam plates and bowls B. use more paper towels C. drive a car that guzzles gas D. salvage plastic bottles instead of throwing them away Answer: D. salvage plastic bottles instead of throwing them away We all want to protect our planet, but we're mostly too busy or too lazy to put up big change that would improve our lifestyle and save the environment. Here are some tips you can take to improve our environment. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs . It is true that these bulbs are more expensive, but they last much longer and they can save energy and in the long term your electricity bill would be reduced. Donate. You have lots of clothes or things you want to throw away. If they are still usable, give them to someone who needs them. You may also choose to give them to associations . Turn off your devices. When you do not use a house device, turn it off. For example, if you don't watch TV, turn it off. Turn off the light when you leave a room. It's an easy habit to take up which will help you save a lot of money. Walk or cycle. Driving is one of the biggest causes of pollution. If you want to use your car, ask yourself the following question: do I really need my car? Walk or use your bike if the journey is a short one. In which part does the writer tell us to reduce pollution? A. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs. B. Donate. C. Turn off your devices. D. Walk or cycle. Answer: D. Walk or cycle. The French Revolution broke out in 1789. At the time France was in a crisis. The government was badly run and people's lives were miserable. King Louis XIV tried to control the national parliament and raise more taxes. But his effort failed. He ordered his troops to Versailles. The people thought that Louis intended to put down the Revolution by force. On July 14, 1789, they stormed and took the Bastille, where political prisoners were kept. Ever since that day, July 14 has been the French National Day. Louis tried to flee the country in 1792, to get support from Austria and Prussia. However, he was caught and put in prison. In September 1792, the monarchy was abolished _ . In the same year, Louis was executed. A few months later his wife, Marie also had her head cut off. The Revolution of France had frightened the other kings of Europe. Armies from Austria and Prussia began to march against France. The French raised republican armies to defend the nation. The Revolution went through a period of terror. Thousands of people lost their lives. In the end, power passed to Napoleon Bonaparte. What's this passage about? A. France. B. King Louis. C. The French Revolution. D. Europe. Answer: C. The French Revolution.
Question: 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. What happened to Linda after she read the card? A. She became hopeful about life. B. She wanted to work with Alice. C. She thanked her mother a lot. D. She was still unhappy. Answer: A. She became hopeful about life. Question: The Come-back Coffeehouse The sign in the window read"Carl's Coffee Shoppe,"spelled the old-fashioned way.Hallie shook her head and wondered how many times she had suggested an alternative.She entered the shop and saw only one person. "I could help with the books,Dad",Hallie offered,"There's not much you could do."Her father signed."How about if you clean the counters instead?"His statement made her feel like a little girl instead of a senior in high school.Hallie sprayed some cleanser and ran a cloth over the worn countertops,After she had washed a few of the old eggshell-color1ed cups,she began her homework.At closing time,Hallie's parents sat beside her."You know the shop has not been profitable lately,"Mr.Rhodes began."We need to decide if it is even worth keeping it open.""We're going to visit Uncle Harold over spring vacation."Mrs,Rhodes continued."He can look over the books and tell us what our options are.You and Aunt Tess will run the shop for the week." By spring vacation Hallie was ready for an adventure.Hllie's parents gave some instructions,and said good-bye.Hallie stared absently out the window at the passersby:young people on their way to work,and kids on their school vacation.They were not the same people that her grandpa Carl had served.Suddenly Hallie had an idea.She confided in Aunt Tess,who approved.The two eagerly set to work. At the end of the week,Hallie was coming out from the kitchen when she saw her parents standing in the shop,confused.She smiled as her parents staredat the teens around the counter and the young families seated at the tables. "Welcome back!"Hallie swept her arms to present the restaurant'scheerful new decoration.Bright,attractive coverings spread over the tables,and modern posters hung on the walls,while,color1ful mismatched dishes contributed to the pleasant atmosphere." I brought board games from home,"Hallie added excitedly,"and the bookstore down the street donated the posters.When we talked to our friendsabout what we were doing,they were happy to give us some dishes."Hallieheld her breath as she waited for her parents'reaction. "Everyone certainly seems to like the changes,"noted Mrs.Rhodes. "Speaking of changes,"Mr.Rhodes said,"I see our name has changed,too." "Do you mind?I changed our name to'Come-Back Coffeehouse'to make the shop sound welcoming,as in'Please come back again'..." A smile spread across her father's face."The new name is fitting."Thanks to you,this place certainly has made a comeback!" What did Hallie do after her parents left? A. She advertised for the shop. B. She made the shop more attractive. C. She invited her friends to the shop. D. She turned the shop into an activity center. Answer: B. She made the shop more attractive. Question: I can still remember the first day when I met my best friend. She had just moved into the neighborhood and her grandmother brought her down to meet me. I hid behind my mother and she hid behind her grandmother, scared to look at each other. Soon, we lost the shyness and started playing with each other, bike riding to each other's house and having sleepovers. In 7thgrade she was going through family problems. However, every summer we would always sit at each other's house and watch movies on TV and talk about all the boys we liked. It was last year when I noticed the problem. She suffered from clinical depression , and had to go to a hospital during the day. I was very sorry for her at first. But with the late night calls, and meeting each other halfway up the street at midnight, we still stayed in touch. I wanted to be there for her since her new best friend left her, and I knew I still cared about her like a sister. Yesterday she came to me and said this. "I never knew what a best friend was until you were the only person that would stop me from cutting myself; the only person that ever made me feel better about myself and my problems. You didn't know this but I was trying to kill myself that very night you called me and I was crying. I owe you so much, and you didn't even know you were helping me. " We both cried. And I guess a kind of lesson from my life so far is to never give up your friends. Even if they aren't as cool as others, or people think they are crazy, they need someone there. If you leave them, you will only be very sorry. So if friends need you, and you care for them, you should be always there for them. What would have happened to her friend if the author had not cared about her? A. She would have lost her new best friend. B. She would have killed herself that night. C. She would have run away from her family. D. She would have stayed in hospital for a long time. Answer: B. She would have killed herself that night. Question: Look at this picture! It's a picture of a room. What can you see in the picture? I can see an apple on the table. Can you see an English book on the table? No, I can't. Where is it? It's in the schoolbag! The schoolbag is on the chair next to the bed. What is next to the table? Oh, it's a bookcase. Some books are in it. Look! What's that under the chair? It's a cat. A ball is beside the cat. The ball is mine. It is a volleyball. I like playing volleyball very much. You can't see _ in this room. A. a book B. a chair C. a dresser D. a schoolbag Answer: C. a dresser Question: It was 1504,and Columbus was making another trip to the New World. Columbus and his men needed fresh water and food after three months at sea. They saw an island and went on shore. On the island there were unfriendly Indians who refused to give food to them. Columbus' men were afraid of the Indians, but he had a clever plan. He used sign language to tell the Indians about his mysterious power to turn off the light in the sky. He knew about a lunar eclipse the next night because the information was in his almanac . Columbus told the Indians, " Tomorrow night I'll turn off the light in the sky." But they didn't believe him . When the eclipse began the next night ,the Indians became very frightened . They begged Columbus to turn on the light again , and they quickly gave him all the food and water he wanted. Immediately Columbus and his men hurried back to the ship and sailed away in the moonless night. The Indians _ Columbus and his men. A. were glad to see B. were kind to C. welcomed D. were not kind to Answer: D. were not kind to
"Indeed," George Washington wrote in his diary in 1785, " some kind of fly, or bug, had begun to eat the leaves before I left home. " But the father of America was not the father of bug. When Washington wrote that, Englishmen had been referring to insects as bugs for more than a century,and Americans had already created lightning-bug .But the English were soon to stop using the bugs in their language, leaving it to the Americans to call a bug a bug in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The American bug could also be a person, referring to someone who was crazy about a particular activity. Although fan became the usual term, sports fans used to be called racing bugs, baseball bugs, and the like. Or the bug could be a small machine or object, for example, a bug-shaped car. The bug could also be a burglar alarm, from which comes the expression to bug,that is,"to install an alarm". Now it means a small piece of equipment that people use for listening secretly to others' conversations. Since the 1840s,to bug has long meant" to cheat" , and since the 1940s it has been annoying. We also know the bug as a _ in a computer program or other design. That meaning dates back to the time of Thomas Edison. In 1878 he explained bugs as"little problems and difficulties" that required months of study and labor to overcome in developing a successful product. In 1889 it was recorded that Edison" had been up the two previous nights discovering' a bug' in his invented record player." The passage is mainly concerned with _ . A the misunderstanding of the word bug B the development of the word bug C the public views of the word bug D the special characteristics of the word bug Answer: B Erica is a nine-year-old girl. Today is a beautiful day for Erica. Her uncle will come from Australia today. Her uncle is twenty- seven. He lives there for three years. He will bring a big surprise for Erica. The school is over. And Erica puts her books in the bag and goes out of the classroom. She is running home and thinking about her uncle. She wants to know the surprise. "Is it a surfboard? That is fun! I can learn how to surf!" "Are they Australian nuts ? Oh, I can eat nuts all day!" "Or maybe he brings a kangaroo( )? That is not good. I don't have a place in my room for a kangaroo... " Erica gets home at four o'clock. Her parents are there, and her uncle is there! She is very happy to see him. "Uncle, uncle," she calls, "What surprise do you have for me from Australia?" "Well," her uncle smiles and answers, "I have for you an Australian uncle. " Which of the following is TRUE? A Erica lives in Australia for three years. B Erica is a student. C Erica's uncle comes home after four. D Erica gets a beautiful gift from her uncle. Answer: B Proverbs are quite common in spoken English. We do not normally put them in a composition or letter. Sometimes it is helpful if you know what common proverbs mean. Here are a few examples: Once bitten, twice shy. If a dog bites me, I shall be twice as careful in future when I see it. This proverb is also used to apply to many things and not only to dogs. If you have been cheated at a shop, you will not go to the same shop again. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. If I am a hunter, trying to catch birds, it is better to catch one bird than to see two birds in a bush but not be able to catch them. Thus this means that what you have already got is better than the chance of being able to get something bigger in the future. Too many cooks spoil the broth(soup). When too many people do something together, they get in each other's way and cannot do a good job. To pour oil on troubled waters Is to try to calm things down. Oil is lighter than water. If a ship is in trouble at sea, another ship may come to help it. The second ship can send small boats to rescue people. However, it may first pour oil on the sea to make the sea less rough. Don't be a dog in a manger . Means " Don't be selfish." In a stable , the manger is the place where the horse's food is put. Sometimes a dog will sleep in the manger and bard when a horse comes to get its food. The dog does not want to eat the hay in the manger but it will not let the horse eat it. He's sitting on the fence. Means that somebody will not say whether he is in favour of a plan or against it. He is sitting on a fence between two opposing sides, perhaps waiting to see which side will win. He who pays the piper calls the tune. A piper is a musician . The man who employs or pays a musician can say what tunes the man will play. Thus this means that if a man provides the money for a plan, he can say how it will be carried out. You can't get blood out of a stone means that you can't get something out of a person who has not got any of the things you want. For example, you cannot get a million dollars from a poor man. Mrs Chen wanted to buy a new dress. Her husband suggested that she buy it from a shop near their home. Mrs Chen disagreed because she had been cheated by that shop. Then she said: " I won't go there again because _ ." A a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush B I am sitting on the fence C Once bitten, twice shy D too man cooks spoil the broth Answer: C Scientists have categorized trees based on whether they keep or lose their leaves each year. Another logical way to categorize trees is based on the A types of nutrients needed to grow. B amount of oxygen that is released into the air. C color of leaves that are produced. D type of fruit that is produced. Answer: D I grew up in a family that ate dinner together every evening. Although my parents enjoyed wine, they rarely drank during the week and always in moderation .As for myself,1 wasn't interested in alcoholic drinks and neither were my high school friends. So when I arrived on campus for my first year of university life, I was a bit shocked. Many different events had been organized for the freshmen, but they all had one thing in common-alcohol, and plenty of .it wanting to be left out, I joined a few of the events. But I always returned home early, feeling disappointed. Your personality, interests and experiences didn't matter at all, only how many alcoholic drinks you could absorb before passing out . It seemed shallow to me. I wanted to get to know my new coursemates, not how fast they. could down a pint of beer. Gradually, however, I realized that real friends don't judge you by how much you can drink and there were other ways of making friends. I joined a photography society, took a first aid course, and every weekend l went cycling with a coursemate. I found that by engaging in these activities and sharing the fun of learning new skills together in a group ,I formed much stronger bonds with my new friends than even the strongest alcoholic drinks could encourage. Another valuable lesson I learned is that it's perfectly okay to say "No" if you don't want to drink. However, in many Western societies, especially the UK, binge drinking has become the norm. Many people who drink don't necessarily want to, but they give in to the peer pressure -they're afraid to say "No". How did the author finally make real friends at university? A By saying "No" to alcoholic drinks. B By staying away from group activities. C By giving in to the peer pressure. D By joining people with common interests. Answer: D
Nuclear radiation has a certain mystery, partly because it cannot be detected by human senses. It can't be seen or heard, or touched or tasted, even though it may be all around us. There are other things like that. For example, radio waves are all around but we can't detect them or sense them without a radio receiver. Similarly, we can't sense radioactivity without a radiation detector. But unlike common radio waves, nuclear radiation is not harmless to human beings and other living things. At very high levels, radiation can kill an animal or human being outright by killing masses of cells in important organs. Even the lowest levels can do serious damage. There is no level of radiation that is completely safe. If the radiation does not hit anything important, the damage may not be serious. This is the case when only a few cells are hit, and when they are killed outright. Your body will replace the dead cells with healthy ones. But if the few cells are only damaged, and if they reproduce themselves, you may be in trouble. They reproduce themselves in an unusual way. They can grow into cancer. Sometimes this does not show up for many years. This is another reason for some of the mystery about nuclear radiation. Serious damage can be done without the knowledge of the person at the time that damage has occurred. A person can be irradiated and feel fine, then die of cancer five, ten, or twenty years later as a result. A child can be born weak or easy to get serious illness as a result of radiation absorbed by its grandparents. Radiation can hurt us so much that it can _ . Answer: A and C I have two good friends .They are Peter and Gina .Here are two photos .The first one is a photo of Peter's family , and the next one is a photo of Gina's room . In the first photo , you can see four people . They are Peter's parents , Peter and his sister .Peter's father is a teacher . And his mother is a teacher too .Can you see the boy on the bed ? That's Peter . A red hat is on his head .Who is the girl ? Oh , she is Peter's sister . Her name is Nancy . In the next photo , you can see a tidy room . It's Gina's room . A blue desk , a yellow chair , a green bookcase and a white bed are in it . A computer and some CDs are on the desk .Her red schoolbag is on the chair .A dictionary is on the bed . Gina's room is very clean and tidy . .Where is Peter in the first photo ? Answer: He is on the bed What do playing a guitar, banging a drum, and dropping a pebble in the water have in common? Answer: They all cause vibrations. 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. It can be known from the passage that the car accident happened _ . Answer: in the afternoon Have you had this experience? You are watching a movie. A man is shooting on the screen. The picture is so real that you think he is shooting at you. Or a car is speeding on the screen and at one point you are afraid that it will hit you. Three-dimensional(3D)movies use special technology to make pictures seem more real and exciting than two-dimensional ones. The popular movie Avatar uses 3D technology. So far we can only see 3D movies in the cinema with a special screen and projector .But soon, we will be able to watch them in our living rooms. Last month, Woods Company told reporters that it plans to bring 3D televisions to homes in the near future. The company is also hoping to make other products with 3D, like laptops and PS3 "The 3D train is on the track, and we are ready to drive it home," said the President. 3D movies and TV programs are fun to watch, but do you know how they are made? It is much easier to understand if we do an experiment. Hold one of your fingers up at arms length and close one eye. Then try closing the other eye. As you switch between open eyes, you should see your finger "jumping" left and right against the background. This happens because our two eyes are about 4cm away from each other. The separation causes each eye to see the world from a different angle. The brain puts these two views together. What you see becomes three-dimensional. 3D movies are made using two video cameras at the same time, which creates two different images. When the movie plays in a cinema, two projectors put the two images on the screen. With a pair of 3D glasses, the two images are separated and each image only enters one eye. Your brain puts the two pictures back together, and the pictures on the screen become three-dimensional. In which page of a newspaper can you most probably read this passage? Answer: Science

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