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The 115m Christmas Bird Count is officially underway. The count is an annual investigation of local and migratory birds and it's organized by the National Audubon Society. From December 14 to January 5, volunteers will gather in more than 2,000 locations in North, Central and South America to count the birds in their area. Each count takes place in a circle about 24 kilometers wide. The volunteers follow specific routes within the circle and record the number of individual birds and the different species they see there in a single day. The results are sent to the National Audubon Society and later published on Audubon's Christmas Bird Count website. The data collected during the bird count is a key source Of information for ornithologists, scientists who study birds. This information is used to develop conservation programs to protect bird habitats and the environment /n general. Data from the bird count was also used to determine that three species-the Western screech owl, the rusty blackbird and the Newfoundland red crossbill - should be added to Canada's list of species at risk. The annual bird count was created to protest another Christmas tradition at the very beginning .in the United States in the 19th century, people would often hold "side hunts" on Christmas Day. Teams of hunters would compete to see who could kill the most birds or other animals that day. In December 1900, Frank Chapman, an American ornithologist, suggested that instead of hunting birds, people should count them. Twenty-seven people in 25 locations joined in the first Christmas bird count Last year, more than 70,000 volunteers took part. This year, counts are scheduled to take place in 17 countries, ranging from the Arctic to the Antarctic, with most located in Canada and the United States .instead of taking place only on Christmas day, counts are now held on different days for different areas. How long will the 115th Christmas Bird Count last? A About 3 weeks. B A single day. C About a month. D About 2 weeks. Answer: A When Nancy Lublin got $5,000 from her grandpa in 1996, she never once considered taking a vacation or paying off student loans .Instead, the 24-year-old New York University law student began thinking about helping low-income women get better jobs. "If a woman goes for a job interview poorly dressed, she won't get the job." Lublin says. " but without a job, she can't afford suitable clothes." So with the money Lublin founded "Dress for Success" and began collecting women's clothes which were still in good condition but which their owners no longer needed. "So many women have clothes lying around that they will never wear again," one of Lublin's assistants says "Nancy's idea is so simple and yet so important to women." Many women come to Lublin's office before going to a job interview. Here, they receive a suit, shoes and any other things they need. Since it was set up, more than 1,000 women have turned to "Dress for Success" for help. Many of them have won jobs. Some have round jobs after being out of work for many years. Jenny, a 32-year-old woman who was recently hired as a law-firm office manager , says, "I made a good impression because of "Dress for Success" Dress for Success attracts many women because they _ A prefer buying clothes at a low price B like to wear different clothes. C need to look smart when looking for a job. D like the design of the dresses Answer: C Ice Age Cave Art of Southwest France May 2 1,2013--May 27,2013 Day 1 U.S.--Bordeaux,France Leave the U.S. for Bordeaux to start our prehistoric exploration . Day 2 Bordeaux--Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil On arriving in Bordeaux,join the group to Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil,France's prehistory capital. Check into Les Glycines hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner here. Day 3 Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil Begin at the Combarelles cave,believed to have been used by Cro-Magnon man between 14,000 and 12,000 years ago. After lunch in a restaurant in the rock,enjoy a guided tour of the National Prehistory Museum,containing one of the largest prehistoric collections. Our day ends at the cave of Font-de-Gaume. Discovered in 1901,it remains one of the most exciting places in the world,with many drawings of horses,deer and so on. Day 4 Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil Journey through Black Perigord,starting with a tour of Sarlat. After lunch in town,visit Bernifal. Discovered in 1898,it offers its visitors various paintings. Day 5 Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil At the Rouffignac cave,get on an electric train to explore the nearly 10 kilometers of cave--a real underground maze of prehistoric drawings and several surprising handprints. Pause for lunch in a local farm house,then continue to Abril Castanet. Day 6 Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil After checking out of Les Glycines,travel to Cougnac cave,containing the oldest paintings in a site open to the public. Enjoy lunch in this beautiful town on the Dordogne river. As you leave Rocamadour,visit the Abrides Merveilles,then continue to the popular Chateau de Mercues. Day 7 Toulouse--U.S Check out of the Chateau de Mercues,and travel to the Toulouse airport for your return flight to the U.S. On Day 3,the tourists will have lunch in a place which _ . A is carved in the rock B lies in the museum C is full of drawings around D was discovered in 1901 Answer: A Cuba's former leader, Fidel Castro,died at the age of 90,according to a November 25 announcement on Cuban state television. The death marks the passing of a controversial figure who made a major impact on international affairs during his long rule. The Cuban government declared nine days of official mourning. On Monday, thousands of Cubans lined up near Havana's Plaza of the Revolution to pay their final respects to their leader. On Wednesday,Castro's ashes will begin a three-day journey across Cuba to Santa Ifigenia cemetery in Santiago de Cuba. Castro was born into a middle-class family on August 13 1926. He spent his childhood alongside the laborers on his father's plantation . In 1945, Castro entered the University of Havana as a law student. He later joined groups that sought to end dictatorships in Latin-American countries. On July 26. 1953,Castro staged an unsuccessful revolt against Batista's government. He and his brother Raul were captured and imprisoned for two years. After they were freed, the brothers went into exile in Mexico, On November 25, 1956,Castro set out once again to overthrow Batista. His revolution grew in strength. On New Year s Day 1959, Batista fled from Cuba. Castro took absolute power on January 8. The U.S. viewed Castro's relationship with the Soviet Union as a threat. In 1961,President John F. Kennedy approved the invasion of Cuba by 1,500 Cuban exiles. They landed on April 17 at the Bay of Pigs, but with little U. S. military support. Cuban troops smashed the attack within a few days. In October 1962,Castro confronted Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis, during which he allowed the Soviet Union to place nuclear-capable missiles in Cuba. By that time, the U. S. had cut all relations with Cuba. After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991,Cuba lost its economic support. To fuel the economy, the Cuban government allowed outside investment in hotels and resorts, but that created inequality. Meanwhile, Castro continued to crack down on any opposition. After undergoing intestinal surgery in 2006,Castro handed Cuba's presidency to Raul. The transition of power became official in 2008. Where did many Cubans line up to pay their final respects to Fidel Castro on Monday? A In Cuban Television Station. B Near Havana's Plaza of the Revolution. C In Santa Ifigenia cemetery. D Along the streets of Santiago de Cuba. Answer: B NEW YORK-- Picking a Christmas tree takes most people a few minutes, or a couple of hours if they head for the woods. Dave Murbach needs 11 months. Almost every day of every year, Murbach's thoughts turn to vision of a perfectly shaped evergreen tree that will take everyone's breath away. Murbach is the man responsible for finding the towering tree that makes more attractive Manhattan's Rockefeller Center each Christmas season. "I'm always looking for a tree," the center's chief gardener says. "I look for it even when I go to the beach in the summer. It' s like a homework assignment hanging over your head." And if he gets it wrong, there's nothing hiding it. "Every day it's up, 400,000 people go by, and 2.5 million people watch the lighting celebration on television,"he says. This year's tree, a 74-foot Nomy spruce from Richfield, Ohio, flown to New York on the world's largest cargo plane, was lighted on December 2. The arrival of the tree leads in the Christmas season in New York -- a tradition dating back to 1931, when the workers building Rockefeller Center put up a small tree with ornaments . The search for the next year's tree starts soon after the old tree is chopped up for wood chips and horse-jumping logs. Murbach has three standards: The tree must be at least 65 feet high, at least 35 feet across and leaves dense enough not to see through. That's not as simple as it sounds. Though forests are full of evergreens, few get enough sunlight or space to fill out. And branches in snow regions often break under the weight, making trees unbalanced. Back at the office, he sorts through hundreds of letters from people offering their trees, many addressed simply to "Mr. Christmas Tree Man." Though there was occasional anxiety attack and sleepless night, Murbach knows the effect the tree has on people: "It's for bringing people together, attempting to bring together people you love. That's what I hope it sets off." But Murbach says he's always too worn out to celebrate Christmas. Murbach spends a lot of time _ that are exhibited in Manhattan's Rockefeller Center each Christmas season. A taking care of Christmas trees B deciding on the perfect evergreens C sorting the letters from people D deciding the TV programs Answer: B
Ocean Park If you love the sea, Ocean Park is the place for you! Situated on the south side of Hong Kong Island, this 870,000 square metre educational theme park provides many opportunities to learn about marine life. To start with, the park boasts the Atoll Reef, one of the world's largest aquariums, with about 2,500 fish from nearly 300 different species. What makes this aquarium special, however, is not just its size, but also its design. The Atoll Reef is built with an observation passageway that circles the aquarium on four different levels. This lets visitors view sea life from a variety of depths and angles. Then there's the Shark Aquarium, a tank with more than 200 sharks from more than 30 species. Like the Atoll Reef, this unique aquarium is designed to make sure guests get the most out of their visit. Shaped like an underwater tunnel, guests can watch as sharks swim overhead and dive at them from every side. There's also the Sea Jelly Spectacular, an aquarium that houses more than 1,000 jellyfish of all shapes, colours and sizes. And at the park's Dolphin University, visitors can go on educational tours and watch the training of dolphins up close. The park's most popular attraction is the Ocean Theatre, a huge outdoor pool where dolphins and sea lions entertain the visitors. Sometimes a killer whale even takes part in the performance! Although Ocean Parks focus is on the water, the theme park has plenty of other activities, too. For people seeking excitement, there are rides like the Abyss Turbo Drop, a roller coaster ride that takes passengers on a 20-storey drop straight down. There are also exhibits like the Dinosaur Discovery Trail and Bird Paradise. Finally, no trip to Ocean Park would be complete without visiting the park's most popular animals--four giant pandas that were given as a gift from China's central government. What makes the Atoll Reef so special? Answer: Scientists from England's Newcastle University have discovered that bacteria have the ability to detect smells, according to a study by the university on Sunday. The team of scientists, led by Dr. Reindert Nijland, discovered that bacteria can detect certain types of smell- producing chemicals, including ammonia that is produced by other bacteria. Once they sense the smells from other kinds of bacteria, the bacteria will gather together to form a colony and form a layer of slime in order to force the competitors out of their area. The response decreases as the distance between the two bacterial colonies increases. That slime, also known as biofilm, is one of the primary causes of infection on many medical implants . Biofilms also slow down ships and are believed to cost the marine industry millions of dollars annually. However, they can also be used to clean up spilled oil floating on the sea, as they grow strong on it. "This is the first evidence of a bacterial 'nose'able to detect potential competitors," Dr. Nijland said in the August 15 statement, which confirms that bacteria possess qualities similar to four of the five senses that humans enjoy (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell), the others being touch, taste, and sight. "The fact that bacteria formed slime when exposed to ammonia has important significance for understanding how biofilms are formed and how we might be able to use them to our advantage," he added. Their findings were published in Sunday's edition of biotechnology journal, and could change the way scientists look at how each of the senses developed over time. "It was thought for a long time that smell existed only in complex living creatures," Dr. Nijland said. "Now we see that bacteria are able to do the same, so the indication is that the ability may have developed even earlier." We learn from the text that biofilms _ . Answer: A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said, "I am blind, please help." There were only a few coins in the hat. A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words. Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy heard his footsteps and asked, "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?" The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way." What he had written was, " Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it." Do you think the first sign and the second sign were saying the same thing? Of course, both signs told people the boy was blind. But the first sign simply told people to help by putting some money in the hat. The second sign told people that they were able to enjoy the beauty of the day, but the boy could not enjoy it because he was blind. The first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people they were so lucky that they were not blind. The man _ when he saw the blind boy. Answer: The US will seek to expand its own oil production in an attempt to reduce dependence on imported oil and bring down fuel prices , President Obama says . New contracts for exploration will be signed in non-protected areas of Alaska and in the Gulf of Mexico. In his weekly speech , the President insisted the US could reduce its need for imported oil and improve safety. Using his speech to tell Americans that he understood their concerns about rising prices, President Obama focused particularly on the price of fuel, which has risen in recent months. US consumers have historically enjoyed cheap fuel , but have seen prices rise in recent months even though US oil production in 2010 reached its highest level for seven years. Although the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 was serious, Mr Obama said the Gulf remained a key part of the country's future energy supply. The President's proposals come after Republicans introduced a series of proposals that would expand and speed up oil and gas production. The White House has criticized the Republican proposals for safety reasons , but Mr Obama was clear in his speech that he felt safety and environmental standards could be maintained even though production might rise. " I believe that we should continue to expand oil production in America --even as we increase safety and environmental standards ,"he said. "As a nation, we should be investing in the clean, renewable sources of energy that are the solution to high gas prices." Mr Obama has previously called for a step-change in energy policy, saying the US must move towards getting 80%of its electricity from clean energy sources by 2035. What can we learn from the text ? Answer: It is good to keep animals in zoos. Zoos are places for people to see many different kinds of animals from all over the world. Without zoos, most people would never see a real tiger or bear. Secondly, zoos look after the animals very well. The animals are always given food and cleaned on time. In the wild, it is not always possible for an animal to find food, so sometimes it goes hungry. Thirdly, Zoos protect the animals. They give them safe place to live in. In the wild, some kinds of animals are in danger. If there is no zoos, there would be fewer kinds of animals in the world. However, some people think it is unnatural and unfair to keep wild animals in cages. Some cages are too small for many animals such as bears and tigers. They always look not happy in cages. Wild animals should look for their own food. Anyone would not feel happy if he isn't allowed to go outside his home and animals don't like it either. According to the last sentence, we can say _ Answer:
One day Mr. and Mrs. Black were driving to a party . Mr. Black drove the car very fast. "Please don't drive so fast." Mrs Black asked his husband to drive more slowly ."If you drive so fast , maybe we'll have some trouble.""Oh , no , Don't be worried , my dear . "said Mr. Black with a smile ."You know I'm good at driving . You won't be in danger . And there is little time . If I don't drive fast , we'll be late for the party." A few minutes later , his wife , Mrs. Black , said to him,"If you don't slow down ,We'll be in hospital." Just at this moment a car came out of a side road and crossed in front of their car . Mr. Black stopped their car quickly . It nearly hit that car: "Oh , dear , I'm sorry for that . You are right , my dear,"said Mr Black . "I'll never drive fast later . Now let me drive slowly . "Then car drove very slowly to the party . Of course they were very late for the party. What happened to them a few minute later ? Answer: their car nearly hit another car Death is natural, but do you have any idea of the process of dying? Modern scientists divide the process of dying into two phases --- clinical or temporary death and biological death. Clinical death occurs when the vital organs, such as the heart or lungs, have ceased to function, but have not suffered permanent damage. The organism can still be revived . Biological death occurs when changes in the organism lead to the "breaking up" of vital cells and tissues. Death is then unchangeable and final. Scientists have been seeking a way to prolong the period of clinical death so that the organism can remain alive before biological death occurs. The best method developed so far involves cooling of the organism, combined with narcotic sleep. By slowing down the body's metabolism , cooling delays the processes leading to biological death. To illustrate how this works, scientists performed an experiment on a six-year-old female monkey called Keta. The scientist put Keta to sleep with a narcotic. Then they surrounded her body with ice-bags and began checking her body temperature. When it had dropped to 28 degrees the scientists began draining blood from an artery. The monkey's blood pressure decreased and an hour later both the heart and breathing stopped: clinical death set in. For twenty minutes Keta remained in this state. Her temperature dropped to 22 degrees. At this point the scientists pumped blood into an artery in the direction of the heart and started artificial breathing. After two minutes Keta's heart became active once more. After fifteen minutes, spontaneous breathing began, and after four hours Keta opened her eyes and lifted her head. After six hours, when the scientists tried to give her a penicillin injection, Keta seized the syringe and ran with it around the room. Her behavior differed little from that of a healthy animal. How did the scientists put Keta into clinical death? Answer: By putting her to sleep, lowering her temperature and draining her blood. "On a spring night, we offer book lovers a desk and a light. You can stay here as long as you want to." This is the slogan of Sanlian Taofen Bookstore in Beijing. Earlier this month, Sanlian Taofen Bookstore became the first 24-hour bookstore in the city. It hopes to encourage more people to read books. Bookstores are the brain of a city. Although many people can now buy books online, many readers still like the feeling in bookstores. They can touch the books and smell the print In China, most cities are home to at least one bookstore. Some have special themes . Popular Holdings ( ) in Shanghai is a film-themed bookstore. There are film books and posters inside. Other bookstores have colorful activities. Eslite Bookstore in Taiwan has activities like talks with famous writers as well as holding gallery shows . People come here not only for reading but also to communicate with others. Which of the following can best describe people's feeling in bookstores? Answer: Touchingthebooksandsmellingtheprint. Do you know Su Bingtian? He is a Chinese runner. He was born in Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province on August 20th, 1989. When he was a child, he liked running in the school running team. His parents supported him in practicing running and they often encouraged him to run. Though it's very hard for him to win every race, he never gives up. He tries his best to run well every day. He took part in the regular match in November, 2004 for the first time. After that, he won many first prizes in all kinds of matches. On May 31st, 2015, in Saturday's Eugene Grand Prix, the 1.72 meters-tall runner finished third in 9.99 seconds, behind American Tyson Gay in 9.88 seconds and Mike Rodgers in 9.90 seconds. Su Bingtian becomes beats 10-second barrier as the first Asian-born. China's Zhang Peimeng, who raced to his personal best of 10.00 seconds in 2013, is considered the closest to beating the barrier. Now Su Bingtian broke his record. "I am so proud of my result. I can write my name into history now and I will work harder and run faster," said Su Bingtian. Now let's congratulate to Su Bingtian! We hope Su Bingtian will have a better future and good luck to him! What did Su Bingtian like when he was a child? Answer: running It's hard to imagine life without the Internet. How greatly it has changed our lives in the past 15 years since it was widely used. At the same time, however, the Internet has also caused some traditions to fall away . E-mail is quicker and cheaper. Getting a handwritten letter from a friend has become a rare pleasure. Who would like to pay 60 yuan for 12 songs in a plastic case if you can find music in the Internet for free? When almost any fact can be found within seconds through Google and Baidu, personal memory becomes less important. The Web can remember it for us. When was the last time you watched the world out of a window? When was the last time you read a favorite book once again? When was the last time you sat in the cinema with your family? More and more people lose themselves in the Internet. They show less interest and spend less time in the outside world. You've spent the past few years talking with your friends on QQ, or reading about his or her QQ square, so meeting a friend is no longer as important as it once was. Have you ever found yourself doing homework with one eye on a QQ Space window? A growing number of people say the Internet is stopping young people from fixing their attention on anything for a long time. When you surf the Internet, it feels like something you're enjoying and nobody knows it. But when you realize just how many people are watching your every move, it might just make you mad. Many people have realized their personal information can be found easily in the Internet even they don't want to. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? Answer: People get fewer handwritten letters from their friends now.
Running is becoming popular these days. Many of us run for our health. Doctors say many of the health problems come from these bad habits: eating too much, drinking too much, smoking too much and not having enough exercise. Doctors tell us, "Eat less, don't smoke, and exercise more." Running is good exercise because it helps build a strong heart. It also helps most people lose _ . One 68-year-old woman runs three times a week. She runs to lose weight. "I love to eat," she says. Running is good for our health in other ways, too. Many runners say running makes colds and other small health problems go away. "Running is my doctor," says one man. Running can also help people to relax. So today men and women of all ages enjoy running. What do doctors tell us to keep healthy? Spring is coming.People in different countries like different outdoor activities.Leo,a reporter from Learning English in interviewing some students.Here is what they have said. Mary (13, America) I want to go out of the city to a beautiful field. It's happy to smell beautiful flowers, touch green grass and take some photos. And I like to have a picnic in the field, It's interesting! Jim (14, Canada) The weather turns warmer and they days become longer in spring. It's a good time to go camping. It would be fun to sleep in a tent. I enjoy the comfortable weather too. Tony (13, England) In spring, I like going cycling alone. It can not only make me enjoy the beautiful season but also help me became stronger. I can write something about what I see on the way. Wang Fang (12, China) I'm good at making all kinds of kites. And in spring. I like flying kites with my family or my friends in the park. One of us holds the kite. and another one catches the line. It's exciting to see the kite flying high in the sky. Which one is WRONG according to the passage? China's air pollution problems are more serious these days. But just try to remember that the air pollution shouldn't stop you from enjoying life in China. Here are some tips for you to keep the smog away. Watch the weather report. As you can see, it will give you an _ of pollution, but my general rule is: if it's above 80, wear a face mask and limit time to spend outside; if it's below 80, go outside and enjoy the day, open all the windows to get some much-needed fresh air and exercise. But do not exercise outside if the pollution is high. I went running once when it was around 120, and I was ill and missed several days of work. Get a house plant that cleans the air. A house plant can make your home beautiful and clean the air. I have some plants and just yesterday, I bought another plant. At that time I didn't know it could clean the air. I just got it because it could make me feel better. Never open the windows. No matter how hot and wet it is inside, just wait until it is a nice day to air your apartment. Just stay at home and do some things you like. You can go outside and play football if the pollution is _ . 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 The most important thing is _ . A Christina from Spain On the last day of the year, the 31stof December, people wait till 12 pm. Everybody must have 12 grapes to eat at midnight. At each sound of the clock, we must eat a group. But we can't ever finish eating the grapes on time! Usually when people still have some grapes in their mouths, they look at each other and start to laugh. This tradition started in Spain long ago. One year, when there were a lot of grapes, the king of Spain decided to give grapes to everybody to eat on New Year's Eve. B Cordon from Britain On New Year's Day in Britain, people have parties. At 12 o'clock, the music stops, and we listen to the radio. On the radio we hear Big Ben, the famous clock in London. Then everybody sings a song about friendship and kisses their friends. We say "Happy New Year" to each other. It's lucky if a tall man with dark hair is the first person to come to the house in the new year. So I go and visit as many friends as I can. They all give me a drink. C Angela from Brazil In all cities in Brazil, we have a big party on New Year's Eve, especially in Rio de Janeiro. People in this city go to the beaches to watch fireworks . We put flowers in the sea and think about things we want for ourselves or others. We usually wear white clothes for good luck during the New Year. This article mainly tells us _ .
Question: Fri, Jun. 1 Nightlife Back to the Age of Innocence This performance, organized by the group Lifetime Wharf, will celebrate Children's Day and commemorate the lost childhoods of office workers. Five bands will perform: DH & Chinese Hellcats, DUDE, Candy Monster, Residence A and Island Mood. Where: Yugong Yishan Livehouse, 3-2 Zhangzizhong Lu. Dongcheng District When: 8 pm Admission: 60 yuan pre-sale. 80 yuan at door Tel: 64042711 Sun. Jun. 3 Movie Chinese Girlby Guo Xiaolu The indie film Chinese Girl directed by Guo Xiaolu, is about the life of a girl who lives in the countryside. The lead actress, Huang Lu, will attend the screening and answer participants' questions afterwards. Where: UCCA, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District When: 7pm Admission: 15 yuan (10 yuan for students, free for VIP) Tel: 57800200 Mon, Jun. 4 Script Reading Scripts written by students from the 166thMiddle School of Beijing will be performed. They include:Love Sleeping Beauty, Lucky Ferris Wheel Production, Jane Eyre, Our Self-study Class and Farewell -- Bing Xin. Where: Penghao Theater, 35 Dongmianhua Hutong, Dongcheng District When: Until Jun. 5, 7: 30 pm Admission: 80 yuan (40 yuan for students) Tel: 64006472 Thu, Jun. 7 Movie Invictus This film is directed by Clint Eastwood and stars Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman, both of whom were nominated for Academy Awards. Where: China Film Archive, 3 Wenhuiyuan Lu, Haidian District When: Until Jun. 8, 7:30 --10 pm Admission: 120 -- 480 yuan Tel: 66550000 Which of the following does NOT agree with what is said in the above advertisements? A. The movie "Invictus" will be on until June 8. B. The scripts written by the students include Love Sleeping Beauty. C. Chinese Girl is about the life of a girl who lives in the countryside. D. Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman were the directors of the film Invictus. Answer: D Question: The USA is a land of immigrants. Between 1815 and 1914, the world witnessed the greatest peaceful migration in its history: 35 million people, mostly Europeans, left their homelands to start new lives in America. Why did these people risk everything by leaving their homes and families? First, what forced emigrants to make the decision to leave? One major cause for European farmers to leave was the rise in population which in turn led to land hunger. Another was politics. There was an increased taxation and the growth of armies, and many young men fled eastern Europe to avoid being forced to join the army. Physical hunger provided another pressing reason. Following the collapse of the economy of southern Italy in the 1860s, hundreds of thousands decided to start a new life in America. Religion also encouraged millions to leave the Old World. In short, people chose to leave their homes for social, economic and religious reasons. As a result, by 1890 among a total population of 63 million, there were more than nine million foreign-born Americans. But what were the attractions? First of all, there was the promise of land which was so scarce in Europe. Next, factories were calling for workers, and pay conditions were much better than back home. Men were needed to open up the West and build the long railroads, and new towns needed settlers to live in and to develop business. There was the space for religious people to practice their faith in peace. This immigration meant that by around the 1850s Americans of non-English had started to be more than those of English. As we know, there were losers. To start with, there were those unwilling immigrants, the slaves who had been used as a source of cheap labour. Nor should we forget the equally unlucky American Indians. By 1860 there were 27 million free whites, four million slaves and a mere 488,000 free blacks. Nowadays, the USA is still seen by millions as the Promised Land. As always, it remains an attractive place to those who think it will offer them a second chance. What is the topic of this passage? A. The USA is still seen by millions as the Promised Land. B. The USA is a land of immigrants. C. Religion encouraged millions to leave the Old World. D. About one-eighth of non-native born Americans live in the USA in 1890. Answer: B Question: "Be nice to people." This sounds like a platitude ,but I'll never forget my father's words. I was 10, and I had been unkind to someone. He said, "There is no point in being unkind to anyone at any time. You never know who you're going to meet later in life. And by the way, you don't change anything by being unkind. Usually you don't get anywhere." "Remember you can do anything you want to do. Don't let anyone say, 'You're not smart enough, it's too hard, it's a foolish idea, no one has done that before, girls don't do that.' "My mom gave me that advice in 1973. And it allowed me to never worry what others were saying about my job direction. "Always do the best job you can do at whatever you're given, even if you think it's boring." Jerry Parkinson, my boss at P&G, told me this in 1979. Here I was fresh out of Harvard Business School(HBS), and I was told to decide how big the hole in the Ivory shampoo bottle should be: 3/8 of an inch or 1/8 of an inch. I did research, focus groups and I would come home at night wondering how I had gone from HBS to this. But later I realized any job you're given is an opportunity to prove yourself. "Don't be greedy . If you're constantly in the neighborhood of good things, good things will happen to you." Tom Tierney, who was my boss at Bain in 1981 and is now on the eBay board, told me this. It's true that you get ahead by praising other people. Finally, in 1998, I was in New York watching the ticker as eBay went public. My husband is a surgeon .I called him and told him the great news. And he said, "That's nice. But Meg, remember that it's not brain surgery." What's the main idea of the whole passage? A. Advice in life really makes a difference to us. B. We should be nice to people around us. C. People can succeed by praising others. D. Too unkind persons will get nothing from life. Answer: A Question: Centre for Early Childhood Development & Research (CECDR) Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi June 20, 2014 The CECDR has been given permission for an ICSSR research project entitled "The Uttarakhand Disaster and Lives of Young Children & Pregnant & Lactating Mothers: An Exploratory Study of Impact, Coping & Interventions". The CECDR requires a Research Officer for the same. No of Posts - Research Officer: 1 (One) Duration - Two years (24 months) Salary - Rs. 20,000/- pm (fixed) Essential Qualifications - Post-Graduate Degree in Psychology / Social Work / Sociology / Anthropology / Child Development / Education with a Good Academic Record. Desirable: a) Previous research experience including of leading a research team b) Familiarity in working with MS Office and Statistical software c) Good conversational skills (Hindi and English, knowledge of languages spoken in Uttarakhand would be an added advantage) d) Willingness to Travel at least 15 days in a month in Uttarakhand Candidates fulfilling the above required qualifications may apply on plain paper along with their latest CV. The applications should reach "The Director, Centre for Early Childhood Development and Research" latest by July 20, 2014 either in person or by post to: Director, Centre for Early Childhood Development and Research, 1st Floor, Child Development Centre, Schools Complex, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi- 10025. Prof Zubair Meenai Director Centre for Early Childhood Development and Research Advertisement for the post of Project Assistant Applications are invited on plain paper for the post of Project Assistant (One), Rs. 14,000/- per month in an Indian National Science Academy (INSA) sponsored project entitled, "Role of small G-protein in Leishmania donovani infection", at Deptt of Biotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi-110025 under the guidance of Dr. Abdur Rub (Principle Investigator). The post is purely temporary and will continue till the continuation of the project (3 yrs). Essential qualifications: The candidates must be possessing Master Degree in Biotechnology /Biochemistry /Bioinformatics with at least 60 % aggregate. Desirable: Research experience in the field of Leishmania infection/ cell signaling/drug development etc. How to apply: Applications along with updated CV and self attested copies of the relevant documents in support of educational qualification and experiences must reach to Dr. Abdur Rub (Principle Investigator), Room No. 418, Fourth Floor, Deptt of Biotechnology, Srinivasa Ramanujan Block, Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University), New Delhi-110025 by post/personally latest by 5th July 2014. Both of the posts advertised above are _ . A. dangerous B. alternative C. temporary D. permanent Answer: C Question: A trip to the library can change your life.That is the idea of the Get It Loud in Libraries project,which challenges the habit of speaking in a low voice.The sweet tones of singer Diana Vickers rang out recently,surrounded by books as well as fans,at Lancaster Library.Plan B,Adele,Florence and the Machine,Speech Debelle,and the Thrills have also performed for the project. This fiveyear project aims to increase access to libraries while developing youth talent and has attracted more than 8,500 visitors,5,000 of whom are firsttime library users. "I think it's wonderful,"Vickers says."I've been playing in front of big crowds and I'm excited about close environments where you can be close to your fans." As a child growing up in nearby Blackburn,she says that her school library was a "second home"to her.When she was young she lovedPeterRabbitandMr.Menbooks,and later her favorites includedLittleWomenandTheLovelyBones. Attracted by the stage,the young who would once never have been to a library have been returning to borrow books and CDs.The project's founder,Stewart Parsons,has worked in libraries for 25 years.He feels that the concerts have made libraries something that the young want to be part of.A mother,Lauren Zawadzki,sent him a text message after a concert:"Your work is great!!!Both Izaak and Dom have been reading in the library for the last half hour...You should be proud.They would never have suggested that before the concerts." Parsons hopes that the activity is changing the way people view libraries."My big worry is that libraries trail behind slightly;they shouldn't.This is about bringing libraries up to date.The beautiful thing is that people are reconnecting with the library in a way they haven't done before." What can we know about Diana Vickers from the passage? A. She once worked at a library. B. She doesn't like being close to her fans. C. She liked reading in her childhood. D. She complains about the noisy environment. Answer: C
Mitchell and his brother, Graham are biking to the store to buy lemons. They want to make a lemonade stand for their friends. In order to do this, they need to buy lemons, sugar, and cups from the store. While they are at the store, they run into their friends Jimmy and Justin. Jimmy and Justin are also brothers. Mitchell and Graham stop to talk to their friends for a bit before they go back to their shopping. After filling up their basket with the items they need to make lemonade, they go to the front of the store to pay. Once they get home, they start making lemonade and set out their table by the sidewalk. They talk to a few of their neighbors as they walk buy and some of them buy some lemonade. After sitting outside for some time, they think about making a sign to let the neighbors know that they have lemonade for sale. Mitchell gets the markers and Graham gets the sign. They work together to make the sign. After putting the sign in front of the table, they find people want much more lemonade. Later Jimmy and Justin stop by and buy some lemonade. Mitchell and Graham talk to their friends about things that Jimmy and Justin would need to do to make their own stand. After their friends leave, Mitchell and Graham count their money and choose to split the money. Each of the boys put the money in their piggy banks. What are the names of Mitchell and Graham's friends? Answer: Jimmy and Justin Kindergartens may teach you very important things you need to know. Dancy, a 5-year-old boy, saved his father's life with the skills he learned. The boy's father became seriously ill on the way home from a father-son shopping. He couldn't speak and could hardly move, but he tried hard to stop the car safely. At that point, Dancy used his father's phone to call his mother for help. The 5-year-old boy tried his best to give her useful information and he was able to tell where they were. Just as he had learned in the kindergarten, Dancy read the letters he saw on a nearby store sign: "F,U,R,N,I,T,U,R,E." But that wasn't enough for his mother to find them. Then he added that they were near a bridge. Finally, his mother understood he was talking about a store called Furniture 22 on New Jersey's Route 22. The mother called 911 and the father was saved in time. "He just thought his dad needed help," Dancy's mother told the reporter. She also pointed out that her husband was a hero, too. "It is surprising for him to get off the highway and get himself and his child to safety even when he was so sick," she said. Shine, head of the kindergarten, felt proud of his pupil. "Dancy's spelling skills helped him seize the moment," he said. "And that's the real value of education." When the father became seriously ill, he and his son were _ . Answer: on the wayhome I have a rule of travel: never carry a map. I prefer to ask for directions. Foreign visitors are often puzzled in Japan because most streets there don't have names. In Japan, people tell landmarks in their directions instead of street names. For example, the Japanese will say to travelers, " Go straight down to the corner. Turn left at the big hotel and pass a fruit market. The post office is across from the bus stop." In the countryside of the American Midwest, usually there are not many landmarks. There are no towns or buildings within miles. Instead of landmarks, people will tell you directions and distance. In Kansas or Iowa, for example, people will say, " Go north two miles, turn west, and then go another mile." People in Los Angeles, California, have no idea of distance on the map. They measure distance by means of time, not miles. "How far away is the post office?" you ask. "Oh," they answer, "it's about five minutes from here." You say, " Yes, but how many miles away is it?" They don' t know. People in Greece sometimes do not even try to give directions because visitors seldom understand the Greek language. Instead of giving you the direction, a Greek often says, " Follow me." Then he will lead you through the streets of the city to the post office. Sometimes a person doesn't know the answer to your question. What happens then? A New Yorker might say, " Sorry, I have no idea." But in Yuchatan, Mexico, no one answers " I don't know." People in Yucatan think that " I don't know" is impolite. They usually give an answer, often a wrong one. A visitor can get very lost in Yucatan. However, one thing will help you everywhere---- in Japan, in the United States, in Greece, in Mexico, or in any other places. You might not understand a person's words, but maybe you can understand his body language. He or she will usually turn and then point in the correct direction. Go in that direction and you may find the post office. In which place do people tell distance by means of time? Answer: Los Angeles. On January 11, 2007, as students sat and listened, a very important guest speaker named Richard, spoke to the students in the lecture hall. He not only showed the potential within young adults, but encouraged them to work hard at their lessons. Richard was a young child when his mother died and his father walked out. He was forced into many different foster homes where he felt unhappy. He did not know that his life was taking a turn for the worst. His uncle, after getting out of prison, got him into drugs and alcohol. His uncle taught him that his place in life was either to be in prison or die trying to be "a man." His uncle's teaching almost started affecting him until a very important person came into his life: a teacher. This teacher taught him there is a place in the world for everyone and it isn't related to drugs. Richard is now a Harvard University graduate and has a great and loving family. Why? He was taught to have respect not only for others, but for himself. After the meeting, it was hoped that the students realized within them there is a potential, and within everyone around them, is knowledge. As Richard reminded them, "Knowledge is power." When he was young, Richard lived a(an) _ life in foster homes. Answer: unhappy Many schools have established successful home visit programs. Home visits by teachers let parents and children know how much teachers care. Also, it is a way for teachers to learn more about their students , get the parents to pay more attention to their children's education and bridge cultural gaps that might exist between students and teachers. Most teachers report that their home visits have a lasting effect on the child, the parents and on parent--teacher communication. The Head Start program has used home visits for many years. Head Start teachers are required to make at least two home visits for each student, regardless of their ability, during each school year in addition to regular parent-teacher conferences at school. Many U.S. kindergartens also require home visits by teachers before school starts. The visit approach varies from school to school and usually depends on the funding the source. In some schools, teachers prefer to visit in pairs. They feel more comfortable that way and sometimes need a translator in order to communicate with a child's parents. Other teachers visit one-on-one with parents. Some interact with both the child and the parent. Many teachers may bring along learning activities for the child that also involve the parents participation. Normally, visits can last from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the teacher and the activities. When teachers get to know their students and their students' families, the parents become more active in their children's education. Home visits, not unnecessary as some people think, can give teachers the ideas they need to help all students succeed. The effect of home visits is that _ . Answer: teachers can learn more about how to help students.
When the cells in an organism divide and reproduce, the organism can grow. Which cell organelle contains the genetic material for reproduction? Answer: Those people, those things, such as bursts of light rain in the lake left ring watermark four scattered to each other to melt each other's impact; just like the quiet shining star, not very bright, but clearly made. They do not know how much to spend with me during the bright day and silent night. In my memory, the third year is not gray, because I still remember seeing sunrise and sunset with my friends, and it's that nice. Youth is the eye lotus spring, third year is spring season that this eye bubbled. I, however, strongly smell in the bubble years of the Problem tests. I do not exclude these, but _ . Unfortunately, after the college entrance examination, even the pressure would become the memories, and be my third year living memory of the dead evidence. In the time before we are so powerless, the only left on just the eye springs, and we have no regrets of the promise, I hope day after day, year after year, when I return to this page, people still have remembered the beauty. I have read one another frightening words: Some people say that once you start to like the memories of those, you will get old. I only admit mature, do not believe they have been growing old. My friends are growing up day by day, and were young and mature, how can I grow old ahead of time? "Heaven Rain in green and so on, and I am waiting for you, the moonlight was recovered, the faint opened the outcome." Jay's sad voicehas been completely different from the business for the time sentimental ; Bard will be the years the pace of a camel carved into the blue and white porcelain in that respect. Our future? Friends ah, I will time the other end, waiting for you. From the passage we can smell that the writer _ . Answer: How do people traditionally manufacture things? They usually start with a sheet of metal, wood or other material and cut, drill and shave it to create a desired shape. Sometimes, they use a mold made of metal or sand, pour liquid plastic or metal into it and let it cool to create a solid part. Now, a completely different method is gaining popularity. On Oct. 9, 2013, London Science Museum kicked off its new exhibition, 3-D: Printing the Future, with over 600 3-D printed objects on display, including space probes , toy dolls and even human organs - basically any product you can think of, reported Live Science. You might find it hard to believe that an object can actually be "printed out" like a picture. But it is not that hard to understand how it works. Just as a traditional printer sprays ink onto paper line by line, modern 3-D printers spread material onto a surface layer by layer, from the bottom to the top, gradually building up a shape. Instead of ink, the materials the 3-D printer uses are mainly plastic, resin and certain metals. The thinner each layer is - from a millimeter to less than the width of a hair - the smoother and finer the object will be. And objects always come out in one piece, sparing you the trouble of putting different parts together afterward. For example, 10 years ago a desktop 3-D printer might have cost PS20,000 (200,000 yuan), while now it costs only about PS1,000, according to the BBC. In fact, 3-D printers have been around for some time, but until recently they hadn't been very popular since few people could afford them. Last year, though, saw a big decrease in the price of 3-D printers. However, as 3-D printing technology becomes more commonplace, it may trigger certain problems. One of them is piracy . "Once you can download a coffee maker, or print out a new set of kitchen utensils on your personal 3-D printer, who will visit a retail store again?" an expert on 3-D printing told Forbes News. Even more frightening, the world's first 3-D printed gun was successfully fired in the US in May of this year, which means that 3-D printing could potentially give more people access to weapons. What is the author's attitude toward 3-D printing technology? Answer: Americans get really annoyed when people drive badly, smoke in no-smoking zones, or don't pick up after their dogs, but the rude behavior that annoyed them most is workplace discrimination, according to a survey. The survey found workplace discrimination featured highly on the "Terrible Ten" list of rude behaviors. In the survey,615 people from two companies in Baltimore and the University of Baltimore were asked to rank 30 examples of rude behavior ranging from text messaging when talking to someone, taking other people's food from the office fridge, to snubbing people. Dr Forni, who conducted the survey, said he was surprised discrimination topped the list above other more usual bad habits in the workplace such as colleagues brushing their teeth in the water fountain. "When a worker felt they weren't chosen for a project because they did not speak English as well as others, or felt they weren't promoted because of their national origin, age or sexual preference, they were really upset," he said. "The American workplace is the most diverse in the world and the American worker is very sensitive to any kind of treatment that seems to be unfair." Aggressive--behavior typical of rush hours--came second in the list with taking credit for someone else's work rounding out the top three, followed by treating service providers as inferiors. Forni said it seemed from this survey that people were starting to focus more on the big issues. He said people were far more forgiving when family or friends behaved in a way seen as rude than work colleagues. "With the long hours that are so common today in the workplace, the real determinant of our ability to have a good or bad day is linked to the people we work with," he said. Which of the following is NOT the reason why a man was refused for a job? Answer: Six years ago, a Miami woman walking through the hall of an office building casually noticed two men standing together. Several minutes after her leaving, the men murdered a person working in the building. Police investigators determined that the woman was the only witness who had seen the two suspects, and could possibly describe them. In an interview with police, her memory of the men proved disappointingly unclear. Several days later, psychologist Ronald P. Fisher was brought in to get a more complete description from the woman. Fisher's interview produced a breakthrough--the woman reported a clear picture of one of the suspects. She then recalled several details about his appearances. This information gave police important leads that enabled them to arrest the suspects and close the case. Police investigators found the help from Fisher because of his rich knowledge in conducting the so-called cognitive interview, a kind of memory-rebuilding process. In its original form, the cognitive interview focuses on guiding witnesses through four general recalling techniques: thinking about physical surroundings and personal feelings that existed at the time of past events, reporting everything that comes to mind about those events no matter how broken or unconnected, retelling events in kinds of time orders, beginning to end, end to beginning, forward or backward, and accepting different views while recalling events. Usually, an interviewer begins the cognitive approach by encouraging the witness to take an active role in recalling information rather than giving answers only to someone else's questions. The witness first describes what happened in his or her own words, with no interviewer interruptions. The interviewer then goes further with specific techniques, such as having the witness tell the details of what happened from different aspects. Experiments with police detectives trained in this demanding interview method find that they get nearly 50% more information from witnesses than before training, while error rates remain about the same. The cognitive interview helped the woman to recall more by _ . Answer:
It was wonderful to travel around Taiwan. I still remember my last trip to Taiwan. First, I visited National Palace Museum in Taiwan. It was built in 1962. It was completed in 1965. In this museum, you can find lots of exhibitions. It is said that the museum keeps about 600,000 artworks. The workers of the museum said they changed exhibitions every three months. Yinke was the second place I visited. The town is like 19th century European houses and has a lot of small streets as in old England. _ was a great experience to visit Keelung. The Keelung coasts are very famous for their wonderful scenes. There is also a seafood market. You can buy fresh products there. I then arrived at Danshui. The most interesting place of Danshui is the Lovers Bridge. The bridge connects one side of the river with the other side. It is about 40 meters long. However, only one person can cross it at a time. I like Taiwan and I want to visit Taiwan again if I have time. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about National Palace Museum in Taiwan,? In northern Scotland there is a long, deep lake called Loch Ness. More than 200 meters deep, it is the largest lake in the UK. People say a big monster lives in its dark, cold waters. It weighs more than 1,000 kilos and is at least ten meters long. Some people say it has a head like a horse. Others say it looks like a snake. Many people travel to Loch Ness to look for this strange monster, but only a few people have seen it. At least, they say they have seen it. The Loch Ness Monster is a famous legend . The first story about a monster in Loch Ness was told over 500 years ago, but the legend of the monster spread widely only in the twenties century. In 1933, a husband and wife reported that they saw a big monster in Loch Ness. Several people have taken photos, but at least one of them was a hoax . During the 1960s, a team was formed to look for the monster. They took many photos and made movies, but they were never able to find a monster. There is no real fact that a monster lives in Loch Ness, but there is also no fact that one doesn't live. One thing is true about Loch Ness: there are a lot of tourists there. When was the first story about the monster told? Two flowers are both roses. One rose is larger and has more fragrance than the other rose. What advantage will one of the roses most likely gain because of this difference? Hello! My name is Zhao Na. I'm nine years old. I am in Rizhao Middle School in Shangdong. My English name is Julia. I like green. My telephone number is 1238-6517. I have a good friend. She is English. Her name is Helen Smith. Her Chinese name is Wang Min. She is ten years old. She likes red. Her phone number is 2816-3018. Helen and I are in the same school. Wang Min is a(n) _ girl. My teachers suggested that I see a speech specialist in school. I never really gave much thought to my speech. If other people understood what I was saying, then that was good enough. I didn't mind repeating myself many times. Before testing me, the speech specialist asked me what I thought of having good speech. I told her I thought it was not important. "Well, when you are in an interview for a job, and they don't know what you are saying, what are they going to say to you? Nice meeting you, bye," she said. Maybe good speech was important. I took part in 20-minute classes each week with the specialist. After she tested me, she told me that I spoke too fast, and didn't give enough eye contact . I learned that when I made eye contact with someone, it meant that I was talking to that person, and I could also see what he or she thought about what I was saying. When my first speech class started, I found that I had been speaking too fast to be understood. Every time I spoke too fast, the specialist stopped me and told me to start again. At first, I got stopped after almost every other sentence. After a while, I felt my speech slow down. I wasn't sure if people could understand me better, but my friends stopped asking me to repeat myself. Speech is an important skill to have. If you do have good speech, that's a good thing, but if you don't have it, it is never too late to improve. What did the writer think of having good speech before the classes?
The most enjoyable way to discover Liverpool is by boat.The first thing to do is to take a ferry (boat) across the River Mersey. It's the best way to find out about this city's long and interesting history. The Liverpool Ferry,which is the oldest ferry service in Europe, started more than 800 years ago. In the l8th century Liverpool became an important city for international business across the Atlantic Ocean.Ships sailed from Liverpool to the United States and Africa.The place to learn more about Liverpool's importance is the Maritime Museum. Liverpool was important because of its industry and trade in the 18th century.In the 20th century it became famous for music.The boys in the rock group,the Beatles,all came from Liverpool.The city is very proud of them.It named its airport John Lennon International Airport after one of the Beatles.Tourists can take a bus tour to visit some of the places the Beatles mention in their songs, like Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields.They can also visit the Cavern Club--the group first played there in 1961.The Beatles Story is a museum and gallery.Here you can find out more about these world--famous musicians. But there's more to see and do in Liverpoo1.At the Walker Art Gallery you can see the best art in the North of England.If you like modern art,the place to visit is the Tate Gallery.But above all,it's the friendly and welcoming people of Liverpool who make this a city you should visit when you come to Great Britain. If you want to know more about Liverpool's importance in history, you should _ . Answer: Hi! Let me tell you something about my beautiful house. There is a small garden in front of it. There are many beautiful flowers in the garden. Behind my house there is a big tree. Some birds always sing in it early in the morning. Near the tree, you can see a _ . Our new car is in it now. My house is a two-storey building. On the first floor, there is a large living room, a dining room, a kitchen and a bathroom. I like watching TV in the living room. On the second floor, there is a small study and two bedrooms. I love to play computer games in my study. It's a nice house. I like it a lot. The small garden is _ the house. Answer: When you're an employee of a company, no matter the size, it's common to see co-workers promoted, or transferred to a different department. But there is another way to move around--by creating a new position for yourself. I did this several years ago, though I wasn't actively looking for a different job. In 2007, I was hired at the Transamerica Life Insurance Company, as a customer service representative in the distributions services department. I processed requests for distributions from our annuity policy holders around the country. Someone might have forgotten to sign a form, for example, or might have omitted security information. To solve the problem, I'd mail the person a letter. The company had been through several combinations, so in our department alone we had a collection of about 140 templates for letters related to distributions. The longer I worked with the letters, the more I saw how they could be improved. Some had overlapping information and could be combined. Some had incorrect grammar or needed updating. I also noticed that industry terminology wasn't standard across all the versions. When I told my department supervisor about this in 2008, she agreed that the letters needed _ . She said I should stop what I'd been doing and start the new work. In a relatively short time, I was able to make numerous improvements and reduce the number of letters to 70. It was an informal job change until a managers' meeting several months later. At that meeting, a vice president who was unaware of my new work mentioned that the division's entire stock of 1,700 letters should be reviewed. My manager told her that she knew the perfect person for the job--me. The position was still considered temporary when I took on the extra tasks, but I was able to show that the work had value, and I was officially promoted and given a raise in November 2009. Which of the following problems with the letters is NOT mentioned in the passage? Answer: At Carl Hayden High School in Phoenix, Arizona in the United States, four poor Mexican boys worked together on a strange electric machine. They were encouraged by their teacher Allan Cameron to build the machine. It only cost them $800 to build it. They used pipes , cameras, computer parts, and whatever they could find. All the other students wondered what it was. The machine was like a very small submarine . It could move around in a swimming pool. The boys could control its movement from outside the pool. Carl Hayden High School had been invited to a competition of high schools and universities. The schools were from the United States and Canada. The school that could build the best machine would be the winner. Many students came from schools that gave them lots of money and support. The Carl Hayden boys had hardly any support and very little money. Students from eleven schools traveled with their machines to the University of California, including students from the famous university, MIT. When students saw the machine made by the Carl Hayden boys, some of them laughed. Its name was "Stinky" because it had a very strong smell. But when the competition started, _ saw that "stinky" was no joke. It did better than all the other machines, including the ones from MIT, and it took first place in the competition. Since then, the boys from Carl Hayden High School have become famous. People have even offered them money for college, and a movie producer has asked them if it is OK to make a movie to tell their story. What would be the best title of the passage? Answer: Seeds from a prickle bush can be moved across a continent if Answer:
The search for life in the universe took a step forward last month with the opening of the Allen Telescope Array in Hat Creek, California. The telescopes were partly made possible by a gift of twenty-five million dollars from Paul Allen. The total cost of the project is already fifty million dollars. At present, there are 42 radio telescopes working at the Hat Creek observatory. The signals they receive are combined to create what is equal to a single, very large telescope. The telescope will be used to observe objects like exploding stars, black holes and other objects that are predicted but have not yet been observed. Seth Shostak of the SETI Institute says this is the first telescope whose main purpose is to search for signals from intelligent life in space. The SETI Institute is based in Mountain View, California. The organization supports the search for other life forms in the universe. What makes the Allen Telescope Array unusual is that it can collect and study information from a wide area of the sky. In addition, the 42 telescopes can study information about several projects at the same time. That means studies of large areas of the sky can be made faster than ever before. Some officials think the Allen Telescope Array will be completed in three more years. 350 individual radio telescopes are planned. The new abilities of the Allen Telescope Array will make searching for stars similar to the sun much faster. An earlier search by SETI, Project Phoenix, studied about 800 stars to a distance of 240 light years. The project ended in 2004. With the Allen Telescope Array, astronomers hope to gather thousands of times more information in the search for life beyond our planet. With the help of the Allen Telescope Array,_. Answer: astronomers can gather more information than before from other planets Globalization means that people,ideas,technology,money,services and many other things are moving between countries and changing the way people think and act. Not everyone thinks the same way about globalization. Some people think it is bad,and some people think it is good. Some believe that globalization helps rich people get richer and makes poor people poorer. These people say that globalization helps big companies like Coca-Cola and McDonald's destroy local businesses. However,the people who think globalization is a good thing argue that globalization helps poorer people to become richer. They also think that it doesn't destroy local cultures. These people also believe globalization helps prevent wars. This is because countries with economic connections will try hard to keep good relationships so that their economies aren't destroyed. Whether you think globalization is good or bad,it affects the world in two areas:jobs and cultures. Globalization has had a very strong influence on jobs all over the world. For some workers,such as engineers,lawyers and bankers,globalization has been a good development. These workers are able to successfully compete globally and have seen an increase in their pay. But for those who work in factories or in the aervice industry(at hotels,shops and restaurants),it has not been good. Workers from poorer countries are trying to get these types of jobs. They will do the same job for less money. This decreases the pay for that job,so people get paid less to do it. Cultures have also been affected by globalization. Foods such as Japanese noodles,Inaian curry and French cheeses have spread around the world. We can also see an increase in the use of Chinese characters in tattoos . Some people get these tattoos but they don't really know what the characters mean. Globalization also affects the film industry. Most people have seen American movies. But because of globalization,Korean. Indian and Japanese movies have become more worldwide. No one knows the future of globalization. Most experts agree that it will continue to grow and have an increasingly greater influence on people's lives in the future. Globalization helps people in the world _ . Answer: Enjoy foods from different countries I attended a birthday party in 1991. My teacher was then 59 years old. But her fellow teacher said that we were celebrating her 39thbirthday! We were all surprised and puzzled. After the party I was told by the fellow teacher that American women have a special saying about birthdays. If a woman is over 40, or even if she is 80, her birthday is always the 39th. If she is in her thirties, her birthday will be the 29th. And in her twenties, it's the 19th. They usually have their "real" birthday when they are below 20. This shows that American women, especially elderly women, are very sensitive about their ages. But my teacher always says, "We want to be younger," so about the age of Western women, my advice is that if you don't know it, don't ask about it; if you really know it, don't mention it. The writer must be from _ . Answer: Eastern countries Plastic is everywhere because plastic is an extremely useful material. It is cheap, strong and lightweight. What's more, it can take on nearly any form or shape, from soft and stretchy to hard and glasslike. Plastic, however, is far from perfect. It may even be bad for us. Studies now suggest that poisonous chemicals can get out of some types of plastic, get into our bodies, and cause a variety of health problems, including cancer, birth defects and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder . Two types of chemicals in particular have raised special concern lately. They are called phthalates and Bisphenol-A , BPA for short. Not all plastic products contain them. But the ones that do are surrounded by controversy . That's because experts disagree on how dangerous these chemicals are. Plastic is a single word, but plastic isn't just one thing. What all plastics share in common are plasticizers -- special chemicals that allow the material to be changed into nearly any shape or texture. Plasticizers are added to plastic during the manufacturing process. Phthalates and BPA are two types of plasticizers that work in different ways. Phthalates add softness to things like shampoo bottles, raincoats and rubber. They are also used in perfumes and makeup. BPA, on the other hand, gives a hard, clear, almost glasslike feel to products such as infant bottles. BPA also appears in food and soda cans, DVDs and other unexpected places. How do these chemicals get into us? When plastic is heated in the microwave or dishwasher, chewed on or scratched, the chemicals can seep out of the plastic. Even though we can't see them, we eat them, drink them and breathe them in. Scientists and parents are especially worried about young children, who tend to chew on everything, including plastic. Dozens of countries, including the European Union, Japan, Canada and Mexico have already banned phthalates from products made for children younger than three. California and Washington have done the same. And a number of other states are considering similar rules. As for BPA, Canada became the first country to ban the chemical from baby bottles. A dozen states are considering it. Phthalates and BPA can get into us _ . Answer: through mouth or nose The world has a fast growing population and people need more land for houses, factories, highways, and so on. The farmland is decreasing with each passing day. How to meet the need of feeding the growing population? One way is to introduce some high-output gene into a crop to enable it to produce more. Biologists over the years have discovered genes which can raise output of the crops, resist pests, improve taste, etc. However, in many western countries there is widespread concern over the safety of"Genetically Modified"(GM) foods, because they think there may be serious problems of environment, health, safety, morality and so on. As a scientist I must admit GM foods involve great risks to humans. In fact in Europe they're called "Frankenstein foods" by many. Frankenstein is a character in a novel. He was a very clever scientist. He created a monster , which eventually killed him. Soybeans can be made into many foods. However, it's hard to _ . Therefore, it's very important we have to make sure the soybean, if genetically modified, is free from any poisonous matter harmful to human beings. For this we need very good testing. We do have some testing on some animals, but no completely satisfactory testing has ever been made so far. They're entirely new, and their problems are entirely unknown. It takes time to develop persuasive tests to know whether they're harmful to us or not. We may not be able to tell what may happen if we take GM foods. Some of them may be resistant to antibiotics . Then many of the medicines we have today will have no effect on people eating GM foods. A more likely case is the GM foods may contain genes some people are allergic to. GM products have already come into our lives but most people even know nothing about it. At least we have to be clear about what we are eating. The China Consumers Association is calling for labeling on GM foods so that consumers will know before they buy them. The chief purpose of developing GM foods is to _ . Answer: feed the fast growing population
When he took office, George W. Bush, son of former president George Herbert Walker Bush, became the first son to follow his father into the White House since John Quiney Adams followed John Adams in the early 19th century. Bush was born on July 6, 1946, in New Haven, Connecticut, the first child of George Herbert Walker Bush and Barbara Pierce Bush. Although George Herbert Walker Bush began his career in the oil industry, he finally served as a congressman , and vice president and president of the United States. At the age of two, Bush moved with his parents from Connecticut to Odessa, Texas, where his father took up the oil business. After a year in Texas, the family moved to California for business reasons. A year later, the family returned to Texas and settled in Midland, where Bush lived from 1950 to 1959. In 1959, again for business reasons, the family moved to Houston, Texas. In 1961 Bush left Texas and went to Andover, Massachusetts, to attend Phillips Academy, aboarding school that his father had also attended. At Phillips, Bush played basketball, baseball, and football. He was best known for being head cheerleader. In 1964 he enrolled at Yale University in Connecticut.His father and grandfather had also attended Yale. At Yale, Bush was considered an average student, but he was popular with his classmates. Bush graduated from Yale with a bachelor's degree in history in 1968. Then he joined the Air National Guard and remained in the Guard until 1973. After earning his MBA from Harvard in 1975, Bush returned to Midland. Like his father, he first entered the oil industry as a "landsman ". However, Bush's oil companies never enjoyed great success. He took more interest in politics. He helped his father to become president and in 1994 he himself was elected governor of Texas. In the summer of 1999, Bush began to run for the president of the USA and on January 20, 2001, George W. Bush, hand raised, took the oath of office to become the 43rd president of the US. Which of the following is NOT true about George W. Bush? A He once studied at a university that his father and grandfather had also attended. B Young Bush lived with his family in Texas from 1948 to 1961. C He once ruled over an American state before he entered the White House. D He once served at the Air National Guard for about five years. Answer: B. Young Bush lived with his family in Texas from 1948 to 1961. When Mary Moore began her high school in 1951, her mother told her, "Be sure and take a typing course so when this show business thing doesn't work out, you'll have something to rely on." Mary responded in typical teenage fashion. From that moment on, "the very last thing I ever thought about doing was taking a typing course," she recalls. The show business thing worked out, of course. In her career, Mary won many awards. Only recently, when she began to write Growing Up Again, did she regret ignoring her mom," I don't know how to use a computer," she admits. Unlike her 1995 autobiography, After All, her second book is less about life as an award-winning actress and more about living with diabetes . All the money from the book is intended for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), an organization she serves as international chairman. "I felt there was a need for a book like this," she says." I didn't want to lecture, but I wanted other diabetics to know that things get better when we're self-controlled and do our part in managing the disease." But she hasn't always practiced what she teaches. In her book, she describes that awful day, almost 40 years ago, when she received two pieces of life-changing news. First, she had lost the baby she was carrying, and second, tests showed that she had diabetes. In a childlike act, she left the hospital and treated herself to a box of doughnuts . Years would pass before she realized she had to grow up ---again---and take control of her diabetes, not let it control her. Only then did she kick her three-pack-a-day cigarette habit, overcome her addiction to alcohol, and begin to follow a balanced diet. Although her disease has affected her eyesight and forced her to the sidelines of the dance floor, she refuses to fall into self-pity. "Everybody on earth can ask, 'why me?' about something or other," she insists. "It doesn't do any good. No one is immune to heartache, pain, and disappointments. Sometimes we can make things better by helping others. I've come to realize the importance of that as I've grown up this second time. I want to speak out and be as helpful as I can be." We can know that before 1995 Mary _ . A had two books published B received many career awards C knew how to use a computer D supported the JDRF by writing Answer: B. received many career awards Here are four pieces of news from China Daily: SHANGHAI---The Huachen Group, which has put 83 million yuan in the development of the commerce market since its official registration late last year, recently held a meeting in Shanghai to show the use of its newly opened tourism business payment network. The network aims to serve tourists from all over the world, but especially from Europe and the United States where credit cards are popularly used. After opening the www.ehinaeonet.com website, netizens can get information about hotels and tourism services on tourism page. Hotels and services can be reserved and payment made through credit cards. The network opened in February in Beijing. SYDNEY---The Sydney Olympic flame will travel underwater on Australia's Great Barrier Reef during the torch relay following a successful test. Scuba diver Wendy Craig, a marine biologist, will carry the torch on three-to-four-minute underwater journey at Agincourt Reef on June 27, creating Olympic history, organizers said yesterday. Burning at 2,000 degrees, the torch is expected to remain alight three meters underwater because of a special kind of technology which creates a "fierce flame"--- too powerful to be drowned out by water. Charles Tegner, managing director of torch creator, said the flame would burn like a flame from oxygen-producing chemicals. BEIJING---The election of a new leader in Taiwan cannot change the fact that Taiwan is part of China. "Taiwan Independence" in whatever form will never be allowed, according to a statesman of China's central government. "We should listen to what the new leader in Taiwan says and watch what he does. We will observe where he will lead Cross-Straits relations. We are willing to exchange views on Cross-Straits relations and peaceful reunification with all parties, organizations and people in Taiwan who favor the one-China principle," says the statesman, from Taiwan Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee. HAIKOU---Customs officers in Haikou, capital of South China's Hainan Province, recently stopped a boat loaded with 781 cases of foreign-brand cigarettes being smuggling into China. The cigarettes are estimated to be worth more than 1.8 million yuan, said a customs officer. They discovered the smuggling boat as they were going around the northern sea area of Yangpu Port. The smuggled cigarettes cases, packed into two containers, were _ to avoid being examined. The boat was registered in the coastal city Xiamen in East China's Fujian Province. All eight suspects aboard the boat were kept by the police in Haikou. Which is the best title for the third piece of news? A Ready to Fight B No Good End C Wait and See D Peace Comes First Answer: C. Wait and See It's going to be a busy day at Betsy Ross house in Philadelphia on Thursday. She won't be there, since she died in 1836, but hundreds of tourists will be going through her house. You see, Thursday is Flag Day in the United States. The unofficial holiday commemorates the adoption of the stars-and-stripes design of the American flag by the Continental Congress 235 years ago, on June 14, 1777. According to lore, the Ross House is the birthplace of the nation's flag. That's open to debate, but it's a story that schoolbooks still tell. Betsy Ross was a _ , busy sewing cushions for chairs in Philadelphia, which was the focus place of the American revolution against British rule. The Declaration of Independence by the colonists was signed there, and so was the new nation's Constitution after independence was won. Widowed when her husband, a member of the local militia, was killed in a gunpowder explosion, Betsy Ross often mended the clothes of the rebels' leader and future U.S. president, George Washington. According to what some say in history and others a stretch of what really happened, Washington asked Ross to design and sew the new nation's flag. The story was promoted by Ross grandson, who wrote that Betsy Ross had "made with her hands the first flag." She became a role model for girls - a shining example of women's contributions to the nation's history. Most research indicates that Ross did sew the first flag. She's credited with substituting artful five-point white stars for six-pointed ones in the upper-left blue field. But many other accounts indicate George Washington brought the design to Ross and simply asked her to stitch it together. In a letter, Washington wrote: "We take the stars from Heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her. And the white stripes shall go down to posterity as representing liberty." Which statement is true according to the passage? A Betsy Ross was one of the people who signed The Declaration of Independence B All are in agreement that Ross designed the first American flag C It is almost certain that Ross did sew the first American flag D It is George Washington who designed the stars and stripes flag Answer: C. It is almost certain that Ross did sew the first American flag For several days I saw little of Mr. Rochester. In the morning he seemed much occupied with business, and in the afternoon gentlemen from the neighborhood called and sometimes stayed to dine with him. When his foot was well enough, he rode out a great deal,and all my knowledge of him was limited to occasional meetings about the house, when he would sometimes pass me coldly, and sometimes bow and smile. His changes of manner did not offend me, because I saw that I had nothing to do with the cause of them. One evening, several days later, I was invited to talk to Mr. Rochester after dinner. There was a smile on his lips, and his eyes were bright, probably with wine. As I was looking at him, he suddenly turned, and asked me, "Do you think I'm handsome, Miss Eyre?" The answer somehow slipped from my tongue before I realized it: "No, sir." "Ah, you really are unusual! You are a quiet, serious little person, but you can be almost rude." "Sir, I'm sorry. I should have said that beauty doesn't matter, or something like that." "No, you shouldn't! I see, you criticize my appearance, and then you stab me in the back! You have honesty and feeling. There are not many girls like you." I thought to myself that he might have too. He seemed to read my mind, and said quickly, "Yes, you're right. I have plenty of faults. I went the wrong way when I was twenty-one, and have never found the right path again. I might have been as good as you, and perhaps wiser. I am not a bad man, take my word for it, but I have done wrong. It wasn't my character, but circumstances that were to blame. Why do I tell you all this? Because you're the sort of person people tell their problems and secrets to, and because you're sympathetic and give them hope." It seemed he had quite a lot to talk to me. He didn't seem to like to finish the talk quickly, as was the case for the first time. "Don't be afraid of me, Miss Eyre." He continued, "you don't relax or laugh very much, perhaps because of the effect Lowood school has had on you. But in time you will be more natural with me, and laugh, and speak freely. You're like a bird in a cage. When you get out of the cage, you'll fly very high." The passage wants to tell us that _ . A Mr. Rochester tries to communicate more with Mr Eyre B Mr. Rochester is a man who has bad temper C Miss Eyre is critical of Mr. Rochester D Miss Eyre appreciates Mr. Rochester very much Answer: A. Mr. Rochester tries to communicate more with Mr Eyre
When you think about math, you probably don't think about breaking the law, solving mysteries or finding criminals. But a mathematician in Maryland does, and he has come up with mathematical tools to help police find criminals. People who solve crimes look for patterns that might reveal the identity of the criminal. It's long been believed, for example, that criminals will break the law closer to where they live, simply because it's easier to get around in their own neighborhood. If police see a pattern of robberies in a certain area, they may look for a suspect who lives near the crime scenes. So, the farther away from the area a crime takes place, the less likely it is that the same criminal did it. But Mike O'Leary, a mathematician at Towson University in Maryland, says that this kind of approach may be too simple. He says that police may get better clues to the location of a criminal's home base by combining these patterns with a city's layout and historical crime records. The records of past crimes contain geographical information and can reveal easy targets -- that is, the kind of stores that might be less difficult to rob. Because these stores are along roads, the locations of past crimes contain information about where major streets and intersections are. O'Leary is writing a new computer program that will quickly provide this kind of information for a given city. His program also includes information about the people who live in the city, and information about how a criminal's patterns change with age. It's been shown, for example, that the younger the criminal, the closer to home the crime. Other computer programmers have worked on similar software, but O'Leary's uses more math. The mathematician plans to make his computer program available, free of charge, to police departments around the country. The program is just one way to use math to fight crime. O'Leary says that criminology -- the study of crime and criminals -- contains a lot of good math problems. "I feel like I'm in a gold mine and ," he says. "It's a lot of fun." O'Leary is writing a computer program that _ . Answer: provides the crime records of a given city At first sight, you would think the collection of hundreds of color1ed shards could be a work of abstract art. But the objects are the contents of the stomach of a sea turtle that lost its battle with plastic pollution. Environmentalists examined the stomach of the turtle found off the coast of Argentina. What they found is the symptom of the increasing threat to sea turtles from a human addiction to plastic. Sea turtles often mistake plastic items for jellyfish or other food. Ingesting ocean pollution can cause a digestive blockage and internal cuts. The result can be dangerous, followed by death. Humans produce 260 million tons of plastic a year. When those products are pulled into the sea's currents, the plastics are just broken into smaller pieces which are consumed by marine life at the bottom of the food chain. An examination of a green turtle found off Florida discovered that, over the course of a month, the animal's faeces had contained 74 foreign objects, including "four types of balloons, different types of hard plastic, a piece of carpet-like material and two 2-4 mm tar balls." "The oceans have become on giant refuse bin for all manners of plastics. All sea turtle species may be seriously harmed. " according to the biologists Colette Wabnitz, from the University of British Columbia. "The symptom of this growing crisis can be seen inside and on sea turtles as well as their oceanic and terrestrial habitats. It is urgently necessary to directly confront the source of plastic pollution, redesign packaging and rethink the very idea of 'throwaway culture'." Almost all marine species, from plankton to whales, have ingested plastic. But, even in small quantities, plastic can kill sea turtles, the biologists said. Fifty out of 92 turtles found dead, stranded on the shorelines of Rio Grande do Sul state in Brazil, had ingested a "considerable amount of man-made _ ". What's the passage mainly about? Answer: Sea turtles suffering from plastic pollution. You may feel curious about students in other countries: Do they also have so much homework? What do they do in their free time? On April 8, a report came out on the life of high school students in China, Japan, South Korea and the US. It surveyed around 6,200 students from the four countries last year. You will find the answers to many of your questions in this report. Who studies hardest? Chinese students spend the most time studying. Nearly half of Chinese students spend more than two hours on their homework every day. That's much more than students of the US(26.4%), Japan(8.2%) and South Korea(5.2%). Who sleeps most often in class? Japanese students fall asleep in class most often. About 45% of them said they sometimes doze off in class. In South Korea is 32%; in the US, 21%; and 5% in China. South Korean students don't like taking notes. About 70% said they write down what the teacher says in class, many fewer than in Japan(93%), China(90%) and the US (89%). Who is the most distracted ? American students are the most active in class, but also the most distracted: 64.2% said they talk with friends in class; 46.9% said they eat snacks in class; and 38.9% said they send e-mails or read unrelated books in class. What do they do after school? In their free time, most Chinese students study or surf the Internet. Most American students go out with their friends. Most Japanese students do physical exercises. Most South Korean students watch TV. In the report, who studies hardest? Answer: Chinese students. It is a plain fact that we are in a world where competition is going on in all areas and at all levels. This is exciting.Yet,on the other hand,competition breezes a pragmatic attitude.People choose to learn things that are useful,and do things that are profitable.Today's college education is also affected by this general sense of utilitarianism . Many colleges students choose Business,Law not Computer Programming as their majors convinced that these professions are where the big money is.It is not unusual to see the college students taking a part--time job as a warm--up for the real battle.I often see my friends taking GRE tests,working on English or computer certificates and taking the driving tests to get a license.Well,I have nothing against being practical.As the competition in the job market gets more and more severe,students do have reasons to be practical. However,we should never forget that college education is much more than skill training.Just imagine,if your utilitarianism becomes the main trend on campus,leaving no space for the cultivation of students' minds,or development of their soul.We will see university is training out well--trained spiritless working machines.If utilitarianism controls society,we will see people lost in the money--making adventures;we will see humanity losing their grace and dignity,and that,would be disastrous.I'd like to think society as encouraging and people regard profit or fame only as a horse that pulls the courage.Yet without the driver picking direction,the courage would go straight and may even end out in a dangerous situation. A certificate may give you some advantages,but not broad horizons,positive attitudes and personal integrity ,which are the wealth you cannot acquire through any quick fixed way. Although in today's world,the highest level of competition may not be that of skills or expertise ,but vision and strategy, your intellectual quality largely determines how far you can go in your career. In the author's opinion, _ . Answer: college education should value the cultivation of students' minds The other day Mitch went to the store to buy his mother a big turkey. Inside the store there was food all over! Mitch could not believe his own little eyes. From the first time Mitch woke up this morning he knew that he'd be a big man someday, and getting a big turkey for his mother was the way in which he could show that he is a big man. The store had all kinds of food from chocolate bars to yummy radish. Mitch ran for the turkey section of the store with much force. "Turkeys are good, yummy yummy in my tummy, I want to eat a big old turkey and then go to the bathroom several times!" Mitch would cry out to strangers he met in the turkey section of the store. Then, four and a half seconds later, Mitch turned into a giant Walrus named Ted! No one knew how this could have happened, but the Walrus knew. A few years later, Mitch the now giant Walrus named Ted joined the circus and became a rich man with green in his heart. He could not think of anything else but making more money at his circus. One day Ted the giant Walrus, also known as Mitch the happy boy, remembered that his mother still wanted a big turkey for her late night breakfast. Now that Ted was a giant walrus making money hand over fist, he could buy his mommy a big old turkey for their night time breakfast. Ted the walrus also remembered that he had earlier built a time machine. Ted the giant walrus used his time machine to go back in time to buy his mother who was now a dog named Herbert. Ted's mother, Herbert loved the big turkey, but there was a small problem. Herbert the dog didn't have any teeth! Who was Ted the Walrus before he was a giant walrus? Answer: Mitch.
Question: If you want to know how crazy people can be about their pets, you might remember that Helmsley left $12 million to her little Maltese dog when she died last year. The dog's name is Trouble. And apparendy Trouble is still alive. Of course, I would hang on,too, if someone left me $12 million. Look! Top-shelf dog food, soft pillows everywhere, drivers walking me in nice leafy parks. I would live to be 110 in dog years. The dog's story is still fresh in my mind the other night when I leave a steak house after a superb meal. Then I notice a woman carrying a small bag out of the door behind me. Once outside, she walks over to where a man is holding a tiny dog hke it's a baby. The dog looks like a Maltese, too, barking and annoying, with a cute haircut, And now I am treated to an absolute astonishing sight. Because now the woman reaches into the bag and begins pulling out little pieces of meat, which she puts on a plastic spoon and feeds to the dog. This is no cheap steak house. It's actually, way out of my league --I'm there only because it's a special occasion. I can tell you this: if I walked out of the place with any leftover steak, it sure wouldn't go to a dog. Not at those prices. So now the woman is Spoon-feeding the dog and the man is just standing there, holding this dog and looking as if this is the most normal thing in the world. And the dog is calmly chewing these pieces of steak as if he's a little king. And this dog is in no hurry. He's having a great time. A few minutes go by, and now the dog finishes all of his steak. At this point, I hear the woman say to the man "Think he's still hungry?" And she glances behind her at the restaurant, as if she might go back in there to get more steak for the dog. Watching all this, I'm afraid I'm going to shout, "Are you out of your mind? Feeding all that pricey steak to that little dog? Did you see what our American life is like today? We're all going to be eating dog food if this keeps up!" Seeing the dog.is being treated to expensive steak, the author becomes extremely _ A. indifferent B. annoyed C. concerned D. envious Answer: B. annoyed Question: The riches in the world are not found in the famous gold and diamond mines,where many men and women are digging for them.Most riches in the world are found in the cemeteries and grave yards,buried with people's dreams,aspirations,and unfulfilled potential.Why is it so? Countless men and women died without ever having the courage to follow their own paths.Maybe because they were afraid to violate some kinds of social norms, maybe because they were afraid to be alone,or maybe simply because they preferred to settle for the familiar.They went to the graves,with a song that would never be heard,a piece of poetry never be written, a dance step never be initiated and a heart full of dreams and aspirations,leaving behind a life full of potential yet no legacy. Michael Jordan,one of the greatest athletes once said,''I can fail,but I cannot afford not to try." Life remains a beautiful journey if we learn to take that step and to work that path.Every challenge and defeat in the process becomes a light post that sharpens the vision and shapes the direction forward. "In my world nothing goes wrong,"said the great Indian sage Nmaja Dhahta Majraj.We must learn to trust the greatness within all of us and know that each of as is here to bring our unique contribution to the universal monument.If each of us learns to dance to the music we only can hear, society as a whole will evolve naturally and spiritually toward love,peace and happiness,and will be void of jealousy,envy and discrimination. And Henry David Thoreau would say, "If a man does not keep pace with his companions,that is because he hears a difierent drum.''And one truly believes that the path to success and happiness passes through the dancing to such a unique drumbeat.Therefore,do not die with the music still playing inside you. How is the passage organized? A. Topic--Argument--Explanation B. Topic--Examples--Conclusion C. Introduction--Comparison--Discussion D. Introduction--Explanatton--Examples Answer: D. Introduction--Explanatton--Examples Question: Which is a nonrenewable natural resource that is used to make electrical energy? A. coal B. wind C. water D. thermal Answer: A. coal Question: Caffeine not only gives us a daily jump start, but new research suggests it also can strengthen long-term memory. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, nearly 90 percent of people worldwide consume about 200 milligrams of caffeine each day. That' s equivalent to about one strong cup of coffee a day. Writing in " Nature Neuroscience" , Johns Hopkins University researchers say their findings show that caffeine strengthens certain memories for up t0 24 hours after being taken in. " We've always known that caffeine has cognitive-enhancing effects , but its ,particular effects on strengthening memories and making them resistant to forgetting has never been examined in detail in humans, " said senior author of the paper Michael Yassa. " We re- port for the first time a specific effect of caffeine on reducing forgetting over 24 hours. " Conducting a double-blind trial, the researchers worked with a test group of people who didn't regularly consume caffeinated products. Five minutes after studying a series of images, the test subjects were given either a placebo or a 200-milligram caffeine tablet. To check the caffeine levels of their test subjects, the research team took saliva samples from them before they took their tablets and again one, three and 24 hours after- wards. Both groups of test participants ( those who took the placebo and those who took the caffeine tablet) were tested the following day to see if they could recognize the images they' d seen the previous day. The test included showing the test subjects another series of images that included some new images , those that were shown the previous day, as well as other images that were similar, but not the same as those they had viewed earlier. The researchers found that more members of the group who were given the caffeine tablets were able to correctly identify some of the new images as " similar" to previously viewed images rather than incorrectly identifying them as the same. "We also know that caffeine is associated with health and longevity and may havesome protective effects from cognitive decline like Alzheimer' s disease . " said Yassa. How did the test subjects show the caffeine ' s memory-strengthening effects? A. By recognizing images they ' d seen the previous day. B. By taking the caffeine tablets instead of placebos. C. By identifying the new images as the same. D. By telling the differences between new images. Answer: A. By recognizing images they ' d seen the previous day. Question: Which of the following changes shape of an object? A. spinning liquid mercury B. blowing on gases C. ripping paper D. cutting water Answer: C. ripping paper
How to Memorize Things Quicker Than Other People? The following is my advice for you. Step 1: Preparation To improve your memorization, pay close attention to which environment you choose. For most people, this means choosing an area with few distractions, though some people do advance greatly by learning in public areas. Figure out what is most conducive to your learning so that you can get started. Next, start drinking some tea. I could link you to many scientific studies that confirm green tea as a natural catalyst for improving memory. Mechanically speaking, our ability to recall information comes down to the strength between neurons in our mind. The more you exercise the repetition, the stronger it is, resulting in the ability to memorize. As we get older, poisonous chemicals will damage our neurons, leading to memory loss. Green tea contains compounds, however, that block this poison and keep your brain cells working properly a lot longer. Step 2: Record what you're memorizing This is especially useful if you're trying to memorize information from a lecture. Use a tape recorder to track all of the acquired facts being spoken and listen to it. If you're trying to memorize a speech, record your reading of the speech and listen to the record. Obviously, this is most helpful for auditory learners, and it's also useful because it ensures that you're getting more context from a lecture that will help you learn the information faster. Step 3: Write everything down Before you start trying to recall everything from memory, write and re-write the information. This will help you become more familiar with what you're trying to memorize. Doing this while listening to your tape recorder can also help you keep a lot of the data. This is most useful for experiential learners. Step 4: Section your notes. Now that you have everything written down in one set of notes, separate them into sections. This is ideal for visual learners, especially if you use color1 coding to distinguish between subjects. This will help you break everything down and start classing the information being recorded in your brain. Step 5: Apply repetition to cumulative memorization For each line of text, repeat it a few times and try to recall it without looking. As you memorize each set of text, be cumulative by adding the new information to what you've just learned. This will keep everything within your short-term memory from fading. Keep doing this until you have memorized that section and you are able to recall the entire thing. Do not move on to another section until you have memorized that one completely. This is mostly visual learning, but if you are speaking aloud, then you are also applying auditory. Step 6: Teach it to someone (or yourself) The most effective method for me when I was in school was to teach the information to someone else. You can do this in a variety of ways. You can lecture the knowledge to someone sitting right in front of you (or the mirror, if you can't convince anyone to sit through it) and explain everything from your memory. If what you've learned needs to be recited word by word, then do this in front of someone as well in order to get a feel for what it will be like to recite the text to the intended audience. Adding the new information to what you've just learned can _ . A. encourage you to memorize each set of text B. help to recall what you remember without looking. C. prevent what you remember by short-term memory losing D. help to teach what you are to memorize to others Answer: C 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. Qian Xuesen was a _ , when he was at MIT. A. scientist B. physics C. student D. teacher Answer: C Four hundred and three babies are crying loudly. Do you know how to make them quiet in 41 seconds? There is an amazing new product on sale in prefix = st1 /Japanwhich does exactly this. It is an LP (a long-playing record) of sounds from inside a mother's body, which a hospital doctor recorded. In tests with the record she played the LP to 403 crying babies. After 41 seconds not one baby was crying and 161 of them were sleeping. The record began as an experiment by Professor Hajime Minooka of the Nippon Medical University near Tokyo. He was looking for something natural that helped new-born babies go to sleep. The sound of the mothers' heart-beat and other body sounds are the things the babies heard inside their mothers. They feel safe and happy when they hear these sounds again. And they go to sleep. Hospitals in Osaka and Tokyoare using the LP. 10, 000 young couples are using it too. Toshiba Music Company who makes and sells the records is very happy. One and a half million couples marry every year inJapan. Many will have babies, so the LP will definitely be a hit! It can be inferred from the passage that _ . A. The LP will be a popular thing in the future B. Hospitals in Osaka andTokyowill make a lot of money C. New-born babies are sensitive to music D. More babies will be born inJapan Answer: A People in different countries have different ways of doing things. Something that is polite in one country may be quite impolite in another. In Britain, you mustn't lift your bowl to your mouth when you are having some soup. But it's different in China. And in Japan you even needn't worry about making a noise when you have it. It shows that you are enjoying it. Making a noise is considered as bad manners (,) in Britain. If you are a visitor in Mongolia, what manners do they wish you to have? They wish you to give a loud "burp" after you finish eating. Burping shows that you like the food. In Britain, you should try not to put your hands on the table when you're having a meal. In Mexico, however, they hope you keep the hands on the table during a meal. But Arabians consider you must be very careful with your hands. You mustn't eat with your left hand. Arabians consider it very bad manners eating with left hands. So, what should you do if you are on a visit in another country? Well, you can ask the local people to help you or just watch carefully and follow them if you are on a visit in another country. What's the main idea of the passage? A. People in different countries have different ways of doing things. B. British people are very polite. C. You mustn't eat with your left hand. D. Don't worry about making a noise when you have soup. Answer: A The London Pass is a sightseeing city card which gives you entry to a choice of over 60 popular tourist attractions in the city.It makes sightseeing easy and affordable by giving you access to top sights in the city with one card. With the London Pass you don't have to queue to buy tickets,or stand in line to get into the attraction.The London Pass acts as your ticket into every one of the 60 attractions included.It saves the trouble of carrying around cash for tickets and allows you to budget your spending as you've already made the one-off payment.As well as this,you can feel like a VIP with the London Pass as you are granted Fast Track Entry into a handful of London's most popular attractions. The London Pass is available for 1,2,3 or 6 days--so choose the duration of Pass that best matches your trip.Your London Pass is valid for use on continuous days for the duration you have selected and is activated upon entry at your first attraction,through a bar code recognition system. London is packed with top restaurants featuring world--class chefs serving a variety of cooking delights.However, dining out can be expensive.With the London Pass you can make great savings at over 145 restaurants,with discounts of up to 50%off or special offers such as a free bottle of wine or ice cream sundae. So if you are planning a trip to London,do yourself a favour and check out the London Pass.You may have a more enjoyable trip. With the London Pass,you can _ . A. stay in hotels free of charge B. buy entrance ticket in advance C. travel to each sightseeing in London D. enter the attractions through Fast Track Entry Answer: D
Kindergartens may teach you very important things you need to know. Dancy, a 5-year-old boy, saved his father's life with the skills he learned. The boy's father became seriously ill on the way home from a father-son shopping. He couldn't speak and could hardly move, but he tried hard to stop the car safely. At that point, Dancy used his father's phone to call his mother for help. The 5-year-old boy tried his best to give her useful information and he was able to tell where they were. Just as he had learned in the kindergarten, Dancy read the letters he saw on a nearby store sign: "F,U,R,N,I,T,U,R,E." But that wasn't enough for his mother to find them. Then he added that they were near a bridge. Finally, his mother understood he was talking about a store called Furniture 22 on New Jersey's Route 22. The mother called 911 and the father was saved in time. "He just thought his dad needed help," Dancy's mother told the reporter. She also pointed out that her husband was a hero, too. "It is surprising for him to get off the highway and get himself and his child to safety even when he was so sick," she said. Shine, head of the kindergarten, felt proud of his pupil. "Dancy's spelling skills helped him seize the moment," he said. "And that's the real value of education." Dancy called _ for help when his father couldn't speak. A 911 B his mother C Shine D the reporter Answer: B How many times do you check your Moments or Facebook page in a day to see whether your latest post has got another "like" or "thumbs up"? Although you might be embarrassed to admit how many times you do this, don't worry. Psychological findings have shown it's completely normal. In fact, the pleasure we derive from getting a "like" is equal to that of eating chocolate or winning money, and we can't help wanting more. According to the findings of the UCLA Brain Mapping Center, which observed 32 teens aged between 13 and 18, the feedback circuit in the teens' brains are particularly sensitive, and the "social" and "visual" parts of their brains were activated when they received "likes" on a social network. The research also showed that though the thumbs up might come from complete strangers, the good they derive from it worked equally. So does it mean we should try our best to win as many thumbs up as possible? Not necessarily so if we know the reasons behind our desire for attention. In "Why do people crave attention" by M. Farouk Radwan, he explained several cases in which people naturally longed for attention. Radwan said people who were an only child, who were used to being the center of attention in their house, may try to reproduce these conditions. Feeling "overlooked and unappreciated" might also lead you to be eager for attention. Other times, the state of being jealous or wanting to cover your mistakes may also contribute to such longings. In fact, too much desire for attention can create anxiety, and in turn ruin your happiness even when you get it. So what can we do about it? The answer is quite simple. "If people could adopt goals not focused on their own self-esteem but on something larger than their self, such as what they can create or contribute to others, they would be less sensitive to some of the negative effects of pursuing self-esteem," wrote psychology professor Jennifer Crocker in the Journal of Social Issues. Who will NOT naturally expect attention according to Radwan? A People who are living with their parents. B Those who lack social recognition. C People who are the focus of attention. D Those who want to blanket what they've done. Answer: A The elephant was lying heavily on its side, fast asleep. A few dogs started barking at it. The elephant woke up in a terrible anger: it chased the dogs into the village where they ran for safety. That didn't stop the elephant. It destroyed a dozen houses and injured several people. The villagers were scared and angry. Then someone suggested calling Parbati, the elephant princess. Parbati Barua's father was a hunter of tigers and an elephant tamer . He taught Parbati to ride an elephant before she could even walk. He also taught her the dangerous art of the elephant round-up -- how to catch wild elephants. Parbati hasn't always lived in the jungle. After a happy childhood hunting with her father, she was sent to boarding school in the city. But Parbati never got used to being there and many years later she went back to her old life. "Life in the city is too dull. Catching elephants is an adventure and the excitement lasts for days after the chase," she says. But Parbati doesn't catch elephants just for fun. "My work," she says, "is to rescue man from the elephants, and to keep the elephants safe from man." And this is exactly what Parbati has been doing for many years. Increasingly, the Indian elephant is angry: for many years, illegal hunters have attacked it and its home in the jungle has been reduced to small pieces of land. It is now fighting back. Whenever wild elephants enter a tea garden or a village, Parbati is called to guide the animals back to the jungle before they can kill. The work of an elephant tamer also involves love and devotion. A good elephant tamer will spend hours a day singing love songs to a newly captured elephant. "Eventually they grow to love their tamers and never forget them. They are also more loyal than humans," she said, as she climbed up one of her elephants and sat on the giant, happy animal. An elephant princess indeed! The passage starts with an elephant story in order to explain that in India _ . A people easily fall victim to elephants attacks B dogs are as powerful as elephants C elephant tamers are in short supply D the man-elephant relationship is getting worse Answer: D Give this memory test a try. Mix up 52 playing cards. Now look at the top seven for a second. Can you remember them in order? Players at the World Memory Championships can. In fact, the 2002 champion , Andi, memorized the order of 1196 cards after looking at them for only an hour! And a German girl, Lara, only ten years old, memorized 75 faces and names in fifteen minutes! In 1987, a Japanese man, Mr. Tomoyori, wanted to prove that his memory was the best in the world by remembering by heart pi (p), a number in math which starts 3.14159...This number never repeats itself or ends. He recited pi to 40,000 decimal places . It took the fifty-five-year-old man more than twelve hours to say the numbers, but he did it without making a mistake! To remember pi, Mr. Tomoyori connected each number with a sound. He then made up stories to help him remember the words he made from the sounds. In an interview after his achievement, he said, "I decided to go ahead and memorize the value of pi up to one thousand places. But it wasn't easy - in fact, it took me three years. To get to 40,000 decimal places it took me about ten years." Unluckily for Mr. Tomoyori, his record was broken in 1995, when another Japanese man, Mr. Goto, memorized pi to 42,195 places. Who remembered the greatest numbers according to the passage? A Andi. B Lara. C Mr. Goto. D Mr. Tomoyori. Answer: C A father and his little son are going home. The boy is five years old. He is interested in(---) all kinds of things and he is always asking questions. "What's the meaning of the word 'drunk '?" asks the boy. "Well, my son," his father answers. "Look, there are two policemen. To a drunk man's eyes, there are four." "But, Dad, there is only one policeman." From the passage , we know _ drunk. A the boy and his father are B the boy is C the boy's father is D the policeman is Answer: C
"Mind your own business." we're told."Don't talk about others behind their backs."The problem with this advice is that,not only is it unrealistic,it's also counterproductive . Common sense holds that gossip hurts people's feelings and damages relationships.But recent research shows the opposite--that strong communities and relationships between people would be impossible without gossip. Gossip is a way for people to let you know the limits of social behavior."If you move into a community and your neighbor tells you how the former homeowner never dealt with his rubbish properly,his gossip is letting you in on something,"says Dr.Ralph Rosnow of Temple University."Gossip says:these are the boundaries and you are crossing them.You're not _ the rules and you'd better get back in line." Seen this way,gossip is a way to communicate criticism without conflict ,giving you a chance to change your behavior without losing face. On the other hand,what about ill-willed gossip,the kind that puts other people down? Gossip is hearing something we like about someone we don't and,in nearly every country in the world,gossip magazines have huge numbers of readers.According to researchers,however,this kind of gossip also has a good side because it helps us put our own problems in perspective ."If we read bad news about well-known people,or get the frightful details of our neighbors' bad situation over a cup of coffee,our own problems begin to pale in comparison ,"says Dr.Jack Levin of Northeastern University. However,that doesn't mean that gossip is necessarily a good thing,either.Researchers found that people who gossip a lot tend to feel like they're under a lot of stress.This might be because while they're busy talking about other people,they're also busy thinking what other people are saying about them. It could be learned from the passage that _ . in a way gossip helps us deal with our own problems. Mr. White sold kinds of machines to farmers, which he thought was not really a very exciting job, but he had always been interested in traveling on business. He had a big car, and usually enjoyed driving it long distances, but he was also quite satisfied to go by train sometimes, especially when the weather was bad. He was a little frightened of driving in the rain or snow, and it was less tiring to sit comfortably in a train and look out of the windows without being worried about how to get to the next place. One of Mr. White's problems was often where to stay when he reached some small places in the country. He did not expect timely and wonderful food, but he found it annoying when he was given a cold room, and when there was no hot water after a long and tiring journey. Later one winter evening, Mr. White arrived at a small railway station. The journey by train that day had not been at all interesting, and Mr. White was cold and tired and hungry. He was looking forward to a simple but satisfying meal by a brightly burning fire, and then a hot bath and a comfortable bed. While he was walking to the taxi stand, he said to a local man who was also walking there, "As this is my first visit to this part of the country and I was in too much of a hurry to find out the hotels before I left home, I would very much like to know how many hotels you have here." The local man answered," We have two." "And which of the two would you advise me to go to?" Mr. White asked then. The local man scratched his head for a moment and then answered,"Well, it's like this, whichever one you go to, you'll be sorry you don't go to the other." On a rainy day, Mr. White preferred to travel _ . by train Peter is a tall boy. He is 1.8 meters tall. He lives in Canada. On Sunday morning he likes to go to see his friend. Her name is Alan. She is a girl. She has a good garden . There are many trees and rose in the garden. They are apple trees oranges trees and other fruit trees. There are lots of fruits on the trees. There are many birds in the garden, too. They are happy. The birds sing in the trees. Peter and Alan listen to the birds and sing songs with them. They draw pictures of birds. It's lunch-time. They are hungry. They go to a restaurant. Peter would like some dumplings. Alan wants to have a bowl of noodles. They order them for lunch. Here are many _ in the garden. fruit and flowers In general, it's hard to spend enough time in both concentrating on lessons and taking part in social activities. But I wanted to succeed in both. I knew this would be a challenge but I didn't realize how difficult it was until my classes in the high school began. I got on well with other girls. After school, I often had ice cream with them first instead of finishing my homework before it was time to hand it in. I always finished it the next day between classes. I knew it wasn't very good and the grades that I get showed I was not hard-working enough. I realized that I needed to find some kind of balance. So I created a timetable that would divide my time between studying and relaxing. It was a good idea but I was only able to follow it for a few days because it made me under too much pressure. Later, I tried another plan. Each week I listed everything that I had to get done during the week and the time by which I had to get it done. Then under the things I had to do, I made another list of things that I could do if I had time. It worked really well. Ever since I have never missed any important things. At the same time, I enjoyed my spare time a lot. Planning my time has been challenging, but I continue to do it. I'm glad that I've learned to balance things and it has helped prepare for what is coming after graduation. At first, when did the writer always finish her homework? Between classes the next day. One day a famous teacher was walking with his student. On the way, they saw a lake. They stopped and the teacher told the student, "I'm thirsty. Get me some water from that lake." Just when the student reached the lake, a cow was walking in the lake. So the water became very dirty. He thought "I can't give the dirty water to my teacher!" He came back and told the teacher, "The water is very dirty. We can't drink it." After about half an hour, the teacher asked the student to get some water again. So he went back to the lake. But the lake was still dirty. So he told the teacher the same thing. After some time, the teacher asked him to go back again. But this time, he found the water was clear. The mud in the water came to the bottom. So he got some water. The teacher looked at the water and said to him, "You did nothing to make the water clear. You just let it be. Your mind is also like that! When it is bothered , just let it be. Give it some time." How many times did the student go to the lake? Three times.
Do you know Xishuangbana? It's a very beautiful place. It lies in Yunnan. The Dai people live there. Their homes are wonderful. The houses are very big and have long legs to hold them up. Sometimes those legs are over two metres tall. It can be very hot in Yunnan. But the Dai people do not need air conditioners to keep cool. Their houses usually have two floors. One half of the second floor is the living room. The living room has a balcony. The other half of the second floor is their bedroom. There is a long corridor between the living room and the bedroom. You must always take off your shoes before you go into a Dai family's house. They like to keep their houses clean. The bed is made of bamboo . The family's tables, chairs and cupboards are all made of bamboo too. It often rains in Yunnan. Pigs and chickens live on the first floor, because it is a good place to stay _ . You may find the things except _ in a Day family's house. Answer: A girl who graduated from a world-famous university wanted to do translation work for authority leaders. She was so happy when she entered the British embassy . She thought it was the greatest happiness in her life as many graduates wanted to get that job while she was one of the few people who got it! But when she started her new job, she realized that it was just a job of answering calls and recording staff members' starting and quitting times. It was unappreciated and was supposed to have no future. However, she didn't feel sad about it. She learnt how to love the job. And she loved it when she was working. The names and phone numbers of the staff members were written down on the notebook so that she could remember them. When the phone calls came in, she picked it up as soon as possible. When someone asked her about who was not in the office, she would answer them the right name and the time when they left. Nobody could do that except her. Her wonderful performance not only received the compliments from the embassy's staff, but also the employees from the local government. And a leader of a famous company in Britain was also impressed by it and invited her to work for him. After that she became a personal translator of an important leader from Britain and appreciated by the foreigners. We cannot choose our destiny , but we can choose the attitude with which we face our life. Maybe the attitude could change our destiny. If we cry to life, life will be gray. If we smile to life, life will smile to us, too. What was once the girl's greatest happiness in her life? Answer: If substances are combined by pouring them together, they'll mix, such as Answer: As air begins to chill, it may push out Answer: Why is pink or purple a color for girls and blue or brown for boys? The answer depends largely on cultural values as well as personal experiences. To the Egyptians, green was a color that represented the hope and joy of spring, while for Muslims, it means heaven. Red is a symbol of good luck in many cultures. In China, children are given money in a red envelope to bring good fortune in the New Year. For many nations, blue is a symbol of protection and religious beliefs. Greek people often wear a blue necklace hoping to protect themselves against evils . People's choice of colors is also influenced by their bodies' reactions toward them. Green is said to be the most restful color. It has the ability to reduce pain and relax people both mentally and physically. People who work in green environment have been found to have fewer stomach aches. Red can cause a person's blood pressure to rise and increase people's appetites . Many decorators will include different shades of red in the restaurant. Similarly, many commercial websites will have a red "Buy Now" button because red is a color that easily catches a person's eye. Blue is another calming color. Unlike red, blue can cause people to lose appetite. So if you want to eat less, some suggest that eating from blue plates can help. The next time you are deciding on what to wear or what color to decorate your room, think about the color carefully. Which of the following would be the most proper title for the text? Answer:
There is a new type of small advertisement becoming increasingly common in newspaper classified columns.It is sometimes placed among "situations vacant", although it does not offer anyone a job, and sometimes it appears among "situations wanted", although it is not placed by someone looking for a job, either.What it does is to offer help in applying for a job. "Contact us before writing your application", or "Make use of our long experience in preparing your curriculum vitae or job history", is how it is usually expressed.The growth and apparent success of such a specialized service is, of course, a reflection on the current high levels of unemployment.It is also an indication of the growing importance of the CV, with the suggestion that it may now qualify as an art form in its own right. There was a time when job seekers simply wrote letters of application."Just put down your name, address, age and whether you have passed any exams", was about the average level of advice offered to young people applying for their first jobs when I left school.The letter was really just for openers, it was explained, everything else could and should be saved for the interview.And in those days of full employment the technique worked.The letter proved that you could write and were available for work.Your eager face and intelligent replies did the rest. There is no doubt, however, that it is increasing number of applicants with university education at all points in the process of engaging staff that has led to the greater importance of the CV. The new type of advertisement which is appearing in newspaper column _ . A informs job hunters of the opportunities available B informs employers of the people available for work C divides available jobs into various types D promises to offer useful advice to those looking for employment Answer: D. promises to offer useful advice to those looking for employment Everyone dreams of seeing the world. But some people take that dream to the extreme. In 2000, Canadian Jean Beliveau was suffering from a mid-life crisis . He thought a good walk might help. So, he decided to go for one... around the whole world. It took him 11 years and 54 pairs of shoes. He ate insects in Africa, survived a puma attack in South America, and fell in love for nine days in Mexico. Jean has successfully overcome his mid-life crisis and is now writing a book about his 75,000- kilometre journey. A Russian man, Vladislav Ketov, is currently cycling around the globe. So far he's ridden through 93 countries. And he's been at it for 20 years. Why so long? Two reasons. Firstly, he's not just going through countries, he's actually riding along the coast of every continent. Secondly, he set off without any money. He has to draw portraits of the people he meets along the way to carry on with his trip. Of course, he is planning to write a book on his eventual return, too. Then there's Ezra Cooley. He set out in 2006 with the idea of riding his horse around the world. Why? "I've always wanted to accomplish something," Ezra said. So far he's only ridden across the United States and part of Australia. He recently took a year off to write a book about his trip. Circling the globe has a long history. In 1901, Captain Voss (from Canada) set off around the world in a 12-metre dugout canoe . Even more impressive, the canoe, which Voss bought from a Native American woman, was built in the early 19th century. He armed the canoe with a Spanish cannon for protection. The journey took three years and, of course, Voss wrote about his trip in a book. What led Jean Beliveau to travel around the world? A His love for wild animals. B His depression in middle age. C His wish to travel around Mexico. D His dream of writing a book travels Answer: B. His depression in middle age. I want to tell you some things about Tom's weekend. He is my good friend. At the weekend, Tom usually gets up late. He has breakfast. Then he reads an English book and listens to the radio for about one hour. After that he starts to do his homework. At about 11:30, he often cooks lunch for his family. In the afternoon, he usually plays volleyball with his friends. Sometimes he goes to the library in the afternoon. He loves his weekend very much. The text is about _ . A Tom's weekend B Tom's family C Tom's hobbies D Tom's school Answer: A. Tom's weekend About the year 1900, a dark-haired boy named Charlie Chaplin was often seen waiting outside the back entrances of London theatres. He looked thin and hurry. He was hoping to get work in show business. He could sing and dance, and above all, he knew how to make people laugh. But he couldn't get work and therefore wandered about the city streets. Sometimes he was sent away to a home for children who had no parents. But twenty years later, this same Chaplin became the greatest, best-known, and best-loved comedian in the world. Any regular visitor to the cinema, must have seen some of Charlie Chaplin's films. People everywhere have sat and laughed at them until the tears ran down their faces. Even people who don't understand English can enjoy his films, because they are mostly silent. It isn't what he says that makes us laugh. His comedy doesn't depend upon words or language. It depends upon little actions which mean the thing to people all over the word. Acting out without words, of common human situations plays an important part in the dances and plays in many countries. It's a kind of the world language. Chaplin lived most of his life in America and died in Switzerland on Christmas Day 1977, at the age of eighty-eight. There was sadness all over the world at the news of his death. Twenty years later, Chaplin became the best _ . A singer B dancer C actor D comedian Answer: D. comedian The medical term for a broken bone is a fracture.But there are different kinds of fractures.A single fracture is when a bone is broken in just one place.You may have heard the term hairline fracture.This is a single fracture that is very small,like the width of a hair.A complete fracture is when the bone comes apart.When a bone is broken in more than two places or gets crushed.the name for it is a comminuted fracture.Still another condition is called a bowing fracture.This happens with a bone that bends but does not break.It happens mostly in children.Ever heard of a greenstick fracture? This is when a bone is bent and breaks along only one side,like a young stick of wood.Another kind of break is an open or compound fracture.This is when the bone breaks the skin. This is very serious.Along with the bone damage there is a risk of infection in the open wound. A lot of things happen as the body reacts to all injury like a broken bone.You might suddenly feel lightheaded.You might also feel sick to your stomach.People who are seriously injured can go into shock.They might feel cold,dizzy and unable to think clearly.Shock requires immediate medical attention.But while broken bones can be painful,they are generally not life-threatening. Still,broken bones should be treated quickly because they can restrict blood flow or cause nerve damage.Also,the break will start to repair itself, so you want to make sure the bone is lined up correctly. X-rays are taken to see the break.Treatment depends on the kind of fracture that is identified. A doctor sets a broken bone to make sure it is in the correct position.Severe breaks may require an operation to hold the bone together with metal plates and screws.Then,a hard _ may be put around the area of the break to hold the bone in place while it heals.Casts are usually worn for one to two months.In some cases,instead of a cast,a splint made of plastic or metal will be secured over the area to restrict movement. How many kinds of fractures are mentioned in this passage? A Four. B Five, C Six. D Seven. Answer: C. Six.
Cell Phones Are the New Cigarettes When you get in your car, you reach for it. When you're at work, you take a break to have a moment alone with it. When you get into a lift, you play with it. Cigarettes? Cup of coffee? No, it's the third most addictive thing in modern life, the cell phone. And experts say it is becoming more difficult for many people to curb their wishes to hug it more tightly than most of their personal relationships. With its shiny surface, its smooth and satisfying touch, the cell phone connects us to the world even as it disconnects us from people three feet away. It affects us in ways its inventors in the late 1940s never imagined. Dr. Chris Knippers, an expert at the Betty Ford Center in Southern California, reports that the overuse of cell phones has become a social problem not much different from other harmful addictions: a barrier to one-on-one personal contact, and an escape from reality. Sounds extreme, but we've all witnessed the evidence: the person at a restaurant who talks on the phone through an entire meal, ignoring his kids around the table; the woman who talks on the phone in the car, ignoring her husband; the teen who texts messages all the way home from school, avoiding contact with kids all around him. Is it just rude, or is it a kind of unhealthiness? And pardon me, but how is this improving the quality of life? Jim Williams, an industrial sociologist based in Massachusetts, he points to a study by Duke University researchers that found one-quarter of Americans say they have no one to discuss their most important personal business with. Despite the growing use of phones, e-mail and instant messaging, in other words, Williams says studies show that we don't have as many friends as our parents. "Just as more information has led to less wisdom, more acquaintances through the Internet and cell phones have produced fewer friends," he says. If the cell phone has truly had these effects, it's because it has become very widespread. In 1987, there were only 1 million cell phones in use. Today, almost 300 million Americans carry them. The number of cell phones is far more than that of wired phones in the United States. Which idea does the example of a woman talking on the phone in the car support? Answer: A little boy selling magazines for school walked up to a house that people rarely visited. The house was very old and the owner hardly ever came out. When he did, he would not say hello to neighbors or passers-by, but simply glare at them. The boy knocked on the door and waited, sweating from fear of the old man. As he was ready to walk away, the door slowly opened. "What do you want?" the old man said. "Uh, sir, I uh am selling these magazines and, uh, I was wondering if you would like to buy one." The old man just stared at the boy. The boy could see inside the old man's house and saw that he had dog figurines on the fireplace. "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. "Well, I do have a magazine here for collectors. It is perfect for you. I also have one about dogs since you like dogs so much." The old man was ready to close the door and said: "No, boy, I don't need any magazines of any kind, now goodbye." The little boy was sad for the old man because he was alone in the big house. Then he thought of a little dog figurine that he had got some years earlier from an aunt. The boy headed back down to the old man's house with it. 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. I know that. I wanted to bring you a gift." The boy handed him the figurine and the old man's face lit up. The old man was surprised and said: "Boy, you have a big heart. Why are you doing this?" The boy smiled at the man and said: "Because you like dogs." From that day on, the old man started coming out of the house and greeting people. He and the boy became friends. This simple nice act changed both of their lives forever. How did the boy feel when he first knocked on the old man's door? Answer: Benin is one of the smallest African states. It lies in West Africa on the Gulf of Guinea, to the south of Burkina Faso and Niger, between Togo on the west and Nigeria on the east. Benin used to be called Dahomey and was controlled and ruled by France from 1893 to 1960, when it became independent. In 1963 the army general Soglo overthrew the first president Maga. Soglo set up an army government and called himself head of state in 1965, but was overthrown and replaced by a civilian government in 1967. In December 1969 Benin had another change of power with the army again taking over. In May 1970, Maga and two other men set up a new government, with each of them acting as president in turn for two years. However, half a year after Maga turned over power to the second man Ahomadegbe, the three-man government was overthrown by the army once more and General Kerekou became president. In November 1975 Kerekou changed the name of the nation from Dahomey to Benin, Benin being the name of a 17th century kingdom covering the same place. Kerekou also announced that Benin would be a People's Republic based on Marxism-Leninism. Choose the right order in which the following people ruled in Benin. (Ah="Ahomadegbe;" Ke="Kerekou;" Ma="Maga;" So=Soglo) Answer: We can achieve knowledge either actively or passively . We achieve it actively by direct experience, by testing and proving an idea, or by reasoning. We achieve knowledge passively by being told by someone else. Most of the learning that takes place in the classroom and the kind that happens when we watch TV or read newspapers or magazines is passive. Conditioned as we are to passive learning, it's not surprising that we depend on _ in our everyday communication with friends and co-workers* Unfortunately, passive learning has a serious problem. It makes us tend to accept what we are told even when it is little more than hearsay and rumor . Did you ever play the game Rumor? It begins when one person writes down a message but doesn't show it to anyone. Then the person whispers it, word for word, to another person. That person, in turn, whispers it to still another, and so on, through all the people playing the game. The last person writes down the message word for word as he or she hears it. Then the two written statements are compared Typically, the original message has changed. That's what happens in daily life. The simple fact that people repeat a story in their own words changes the story. Then, too, most people listen imperfectly. And many enjoy adding their own creative touch to a story, trying to improve on it, stamping it with their own personal style. Yet those who hear it think they know. This process is also found among scholars and authors:A statement of opinion by one writer may be re-stated as fact by another, who may in turn be quoted by yet another; and this process may continue, unless it occurs to someone to question the facts on which the original writer based his opinion or to challenge the interpretation he placed upon those facts. The author mentions the game Rumor to show that _ . Answer: Do you like Hunan TV shows ?What do you think of them ? A popular TV show may have 70,000,000 TV viewers . A TV show can make something or someone well-known overnight . That's why more than 10,000,00 women and girl of 4-89 years old watch Hunan TV's "Super Girl" show. These "game" shows put ordinary people on TV to play a game for prize and money .These game shows can make anyone a star , and he or she can also get lots of money , so many people watch the shows . "Super Girl" is the first show of this kind in China. It's so close to you. Everyone can join in it . For the show, many girls stop their classes. "They hope they can be superstars someday. But the best way to success is to learn more and work hard," said some directors . Many girls don't have their classes but join in the show because they _ . Answer:
Indoor public spaces such as restaurants, workplaces, hospitals and public transport are supposed _ from Jan 9 in China. On that day five years ago, China approved the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. However with the deadline days away, the government still hasn't come up with a clear message for the ban. An editorial from "China Daily" urges China to speed up its effort to ban smoking in public indoors. Referring to numbers from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the articles says if China fails to reduce tobacco consumption, the number of people killed by cigarettes will double by 2025 and three times by 2050, which is about 1.2 million now every year. This would cut the productivity of the work force and places a heavy burden on the country's healthcare system. The article says China has let an opportunity slip to change these statistics for the better. The momentum , however was not strong enough to make the country's public places smoke free. The editorial suggests that China should strengthen its effort to tax heavily smokers as there are no national regulations on banning smoking in public areas. What is the main idea of this passage ? Answer: China should speed up effort to ban smoking in public indoors. It was a wet, rainy day during the school holidays. Lily looked out of the window and thought about her parents. They were on a long holiday. They said Lily was too young to go. So Lily was staying with her Aunt Bella. Today Lily was unhappy. She was all alone --Aunt Bella was out shopping. Lily decided to go to the top floor. Maybe there was something interesting. She arrived at the top. There was an old door. Lily opened the door and walked in. The walls were changing colours. A sofa wasn't on the floor! It was in the air. Suddenly she heard a sound "Whoooosh" and after a minute she saw a boy appear . "Hi," he said. "I am the genie . Who are you?" "I'm Lily," she answered, "but you don't look like a genie." The boy looked at her. He said, "Hocuspocusinversus!" And then suddenly Lily was in the air. "OK! I believe you," she shouted. "Get me down!" "So, how many wishes do you want?" the boy said. Then she told the cool genie she was lonely. She told him about having no friends. The cool genie just nodded his head . When Lily finished her story, she felt better. The genie said, "Well, I must go now!" Then suddenly he was gone. Lily went downstairs and found a postcard from her parents. It said, "Dear Lily. Miss you, back next week, love Mom and Dad." Then the front door opened and she heard Aunt Bella arriving with her shopping. The next day Lily decided to say "Thank you" to the genie. She went to the top floor and opened the door. But there was nothing there except a dark old room with a few boxes. Why was Lily unhappy? Answer: Because she was lonely. Everywhere I go, people are speaking on their cell telephones regardless of their surroundings . This happens when people are walking around a lake or through town, or even driving. I have even seen a person attempting to speak on her cell phone while ordering ice cream at Dairy Queen, thus speaking to two people at once. As the over-spending of technology increases, people begin to take less joy in the simple pleasures of life--joys that don't cost money--from observing clouds, playing with children to thinking or reading. And it is not just telephones that take the responsibility; too much value is placed on items from computers to cars. Many things are purchased merely to show off. Do you really need a cell phone that plays games, shows movies and takes pictures? No, cell phones should be purchased to use in urgent situations.You do not need to use your telephone when you are at someone else's house or in a restaurant. Technology and possessions do not bring joy. While some technology is necessary, it can get ridiculous . Each possession just makes us want more, while simple pleasures can be enjoyed now and then. Instead of spending our time buying a third television or looking into the newest cell phone models, we should be acting more productively to improve the world by volunteering, for example. Or, we should reconsider playing computer games or taking pictures on our cell phones and read a book or imagine what shapes the clouds are in the sky instead. The author mentions cell phones at the beginning just to show _ . Answer: people are fond of personal items. What will you do if you get five million ? Different people give different answers. Sally If I get five million, I want to do business. I will do a lot of things for my family. For me nothing is more important than my family. I will buy a new house for them and travel around the world. Joe If I have five million, I will use the money to do everything I like. First, I will use two million to open my own shop. And I will use another two million to buy some new houses. In the future, the houses which I buy will become more expensive, and I will sell them to other people. Finally, I will use one million to buy some presents for my family and my best friends. Anna If I have five million, I will put three million in the bank and spend two million. I will visit Paris, London and New York. I will eat delicious food, play games, and build a house with a swimming pool. Jack I will buy an island if I have five million. Then I will be the king of the island. I will invite my friends to my island. ,. What will Joe do with the last one million if he gets five million? Answer: He will buy some presents for his family and his best friends. Mr Smith teaches English in a university . He is often very busy with work. When it's summer or winter holidays, he goes out to take vacations to relax. Usually he goes to France because he thinks it's an interesting country. And he can speak French very well. But last month he said to his wife , "I'm not visiting France this time. I want to go to a different country. I _ Japan. But I can hardly speak Japanese, so I'm going to study it for a month before I go." He studied pretty hard for a month, and then his vacation started. Ten days later, he came back. His wife asked him, "How about your short vacation in Japan? Did you have any trouble with your Japanese there?" "No, I didn't," answered Mr Smith. "But the Japanese did!" Mr Smith goes out to _ when it's summer or winter holidays. Answer: have a rest
Any diet on which you eat fewer calories than you need to get through the day -- like an 800-calorie-per-day diet can be dangerous. Diets that don't allow any fat also can be bad for you. Everyone needs a certain amount of fat in their diet -- up to 30% of total calories -- so no one should eat a completely fat-free diet. Don't have diets that restrict certain food groups, either. A diet that requires you to say no to bread or pasta or allows you to eat only fruit is unhealthy. You won't get the vitamins and minerals you need. And although you may lose weight, you'll probably gain it back as soon as you start eating normally again. Some people start dieting because they think all the problems in their lives are because of weight. Others have an area of their lives that they can't control, like an alcoholic parent, so they focus on something they can control -- their exercise and food intake. People who diet may get lots of praise from friends and family when they start losing pounds, which makes them feel good. But eventually a person reaches a weight level -- and doesn't lose as much weight as before because the body is trying to keep a healthy weight, so they aren't any happier. Some people may find it hard to control their eating, so they stick with _ for a little while, but then eat tons of food. Feeling guilty about the binge, they use laxatives . Eating too little to maintain a healthy weight or eating only to throw up the calories are both eating disorders, which are harmful to a person's health. Which of the following statements is true? Answer: An improper diet may cause eating disorder. As societies develop, their members start to see things not so much according to what they need, but according to what they want. When people have enough money, these wants become demands. Now, it' s important for the managers in a company to understand what their customers want if they are going to develop effective marketing strategies . There are various ways of doing this. One way at supermarkets, for example, is to interview customers while they're doing their shopping. They can be asked what they prefer to buy and then the results of the research can be studied. This provides information on which to base future marketing strategies. It' s also quite normal for top managers from department stores to spend a day or two each month visiting stores and mixing freely with the public, as if they were ordinary customers, to get an idea of how customers act. Another way to get information from customers is to give them something. For example, some fast food restaurants give away tickets in magazines or on the street that permit customers to get part of their meal for nothing. As well as being a good way of attracting customers into the restaurants to spend their money, it also allows the managers to get a feel for where to attract customers and which age-groups to attract. Another strategy used at some well-known parks such as Disneyland is for top managers to spend at least one day in their work, touring the park dressed as Mickey Mouse or something like that. This provides them with a perfect chance to examine the scene and watch the customers without being noticed. The text is designed for _ Answer: managers If a flag is adjusted at great heights Answer: something is pulled Justin Bieber used to be an ordinary Canadian boy, but his life totally changed in 2008. With his great musical talent, this 17-year-old boy has become a superstar in the music industry. Justin Bieber was born in Straford, Ontario and was raised by his single mother. Bieber learned to play musical instruments when he was very young. In 2007,he took part in a local singing competition in his hometown, and he did it just for fun. He never took singing lessons before but surprisingly he placed second in the competition. Then,with the help of his mother, he uploaded videos of him singing on a website and they successfully attracted the attention of viewers. His videos got popular through word of mouth and some of them have received up to 10,000,000 views. Justin Bieber would have never gotten a career in the music business without his videos. Scooter Braun, a former marketing executive of So So Def Recordings, had watched Bieber's videos and he was impressed by the boy's talent. Braun then contracted Bieber and he flew the boy into Atlanta 7 months after the first video was posted. Bieber showed his talent in singing as well as his ability in playing musical instruments. He then got a record deal. In 2009,Justin Bieber released his first single "One Time" while he was recording the debut album .The single "One Time" tells a story about love. This song had success not only in Canada and the US, but also in the international market. Then he released his debut album "My World 2.0"in 2010 and the song "Baby" became the lead single. This album successfully entered the Top Ten Charts in seven countries. In June 2010, he started his first world tour in Hartford, Connecticut. One month later, he started recording his second album. Justin Bieber's career in music began to take off when _ . Answer: his singing videos were uploaded to a website It is Sunday afternoon. Mary goes to do the shopping with her mother. Her mother wants to buy some food for supper. Mary wants to buy a new skirt and some school things. They come to a shop. "What does your shop sell?" Mary asks, "A lot of things." The girl in the shop says. "You can buy food, drinks, clothes in our shop and school things, too." Mary and her mother go in. There are many people in the shop. Mary looks at a nice white skirt. "How much is the skirt?" Mary asks the girl in the shop. "It's eighty yuan." "That's too dear." "What about the green one? It looks nice. And it's only thirty yuan." "OK, thanks a lot." "You are welcome." After that, Mary buys some school things, too. Here mother buys a lot of food, like bread, cakes, meat and fish. They get home very late. The green skirt is _ . Answer: nice and cheap
In Britain and other countries,young people sometimes take a"gap year",a year off between high school and college.This idea never gained a big following in America.Recent news reports have suggested that interest may be growing,though there are no official numbers. Charles Deacon,.Dean of Admissions at Georgetown University in Washington,D.C.,estimates that in the current first-year class of 1,600 students,only about 25 decided to take a year off.He says this number hasn't changed much over the years. Mr.Deacon says the most common reason for taking a"gap year"is to have a chance to travel,but he says international students may take a"gap year"to meet requirements at home for military duty. Some high school graduates see a year off as a chance to recover after twelve years of required education,but it can also give students a chance to explore their interests.Students hoping to be doctors,for example,could learn about the profession by volunteering in a hospital. Many colleges and universities support gap-year projects by permitting students to delay their admission.Expels say students can grow emotionally and intellectually as they work at something they enjoy. The Harvard admissions office has an essay on its Web site called"Time Out or Bum Out for the Next Generation.''It praises the idea of taking time off to step back,think and enjoy gaining life experiences outside the pressure of studies.It also notes that students are sometimes admitted to Harvard or other colleges partly because they did something unusual with that time. Of course,a gap year is not for everyone.Students might miss their friends who go on directly to college,and parents might worry that their children will decide not to go to college once they take time off.Another concern is money.A year off,away from home,can be costly. Holly Bull's job is to specialize in helping students plan their gap year.She notes that several books have been written about this subject.She says these books along with media attention and the availability of information on the Internet have increased interest in the idea of a year off, and she points out that many gap-year programs cost far less than a year of college. What can we learn from the passage? Answer: Parents might disagree with the program,concerned about their children's future. Hello, everyone! My name is Bob. I have a good friend. His name is Paul. He is a yellow dog. I like him very much. Every morning Paul runs with me, and we play in the park every afternoon. Paul is very fat. He likes eating beef hamburgers for breakfast. For dinner, he likes fish. Paul likes red. He has two red hats. Look! They are on my bed. But Paul is lost now. Please help me. My telephone number is 312-3216. My E-mail address is _ . Thanks. Bob writes the passage to _ . Answer: ask for help The bell rings and in a few moments. the most disordered part of the day begins-lunch. Food begins to be dished out. and some students are eager to see their friends. while others cannot bear the thought of what is about to happen. Anxie0, builds for many as they think today will be just like any other day. Press repeat and this happens every day. But Bridport Elementary in Bridport introduced a system to solve this classic scene of loneliness and meet new friendships. There's hardly room for the question, "Will you save me a seat?" at Britiport Elementary where students are guided to assigned tables and given the. opportunity to open their hearts and minds to a new friend. The school's president Kilbourne had observed too many days in which the same kids were left alone, while the others were always accompanied by friends. Something had to change. The school gives a new system- in which students line up to pick a numbered stick before getting their food. Each stick has a number that's linked with a table, showing where they will eat lunch for the day. This system was used five months ago. Today, if you walked into the cafeteria. you wouldn't find any numbers or any sticks. Kilbourne made a promise to the students that the system would eventually disappear if she saw that students learned to value inclusivity and friendship. People really saw a change. A girl was walking around by herself with her lunch in her hand. and four tables asked her to join them. At another table. a kindergartener was sitting alone for just a few moments before two sixth graders came over to sit with him. and actively included him in conversation. Now we are left wondering: how can lessons learned from the cafeteria be used elsewhere? Students and adults all over the country could benefit from an approach in which every person is always welcome at the table in any situation. What inspjred the president of Bridport Elementary to introduce the system? Answer: Students had no one to communicate with in a crowd. People say teenagers are no good. They make too much noise in shopping malls; they drive carelessly up and down America's main streets. And at least some of the time those things are true. But we shouldn't forget that there are hard moments in the life of a teenager too. I watched such a moment not long ago at a woman's funeral which happened in a church. A teenage grandson stepped forward. Softly he began:"I want to share a few values that Nana taught me. She never failed to see light in any situation. When our family dog would attack her, what would Nana say? Oh, what beautiful markings that dog has." That was Nana. "She was a strong woman who often lived in the shadow of my grandpa, who was a successful businessman in this city. But she was the one behind the scenes who provided the strength and support for Grandpa's career," he said, with a voice now trembling. "That was Nana's way." Finally, in a voice breaking free of sorrow, he looked up and said, "Nana taught me courage. She put up a fight to the end, when she died peacefully, which is how she lived her life. That was Nana's way, and I hope I can carry on in the same manner." There are no hearts as sensitive as those of teenagers, because everything is happening to them for the first time. The trouble with teenagers is that they haven't learned to be controlled. When that boy rose to speak about the woman who had been his dearest friend, his honest voice dragged each of us out into the open where we could no longer hide. I was moved and learned a lot. The writer wanted to tell the readers _ . Answer: theadultscouldlearnsomethingvaluablefromtheyoung When my family moved to America from a small village in Guangdong, China, we brought not only our luggage, but also our village rules, customs and culture. One of the rules is that young people should always respect elders. Unluckily, this rule led to my very first embarrassment in the United States. I had a part-time job as a waiter in a Chinese restaurant. One time, when I was serving food to a middle-aged couple, the wife asked me how the food could be served so quickly. I told her that I had made sure they got their food quickly because I always respect the elderly. As soon as I said that, her face showed great displeasure. My manager, who happened to hear what I said, took me aside and gave me a long lecture about how sensitive Americans are and how they dislike the description "old". I then walked back to the table and apologized to the wife. After the couple heard my reason, they understood that the problem was caused by cultural differences, so they laughed and were no longer angry. In my village in China, people are proud of being old. Not so many people live to be seventy or eighty, and people who reach such an age have the most knowledge and experience. Young people always respect older people because they know they can learn from their rich experience. However, in the United States, people think "growing old" is a problem since "old" shows that a person is going to retire or that the body is not working well. Here many people try to keep themselves away from growing old by doing exercises or jogging, and women put on makeup, hoping to look young. When I told the couple in the restaurant that I respect the elderly, they got angry because this caused them to feel they had failed to stay young. I had told them something they didn't want to hear. After that, I changed the way I had been with older people. It is not that I don't respect them any more; I still respect them, but now I don't show my feelings through words. Which of the following is TRUE? Answer: From this experience, Jack learned more about American culture.
Imagine this: You're working on a school paper on your laptop. Your screen is full of open programs, including documents, Web pages and MSN chat. Suddenly, a friend sends you a link to a video and demands that you watch it. He says it's about cats, it's funny and you're going to love it. But you can't help thinking, "I don't have time for this right now." You start to feel even more stressed out than you already did about your paper. While you don't want to disappoint your friend, you need to keep working. This is a common dilemma in an age of multitasking. I often find that my focus is so easily distracted that when I need to work I become quite annoyed in response to these types of links. At the same time, when they're from good friends, I can't just ignore them. Usually, I say something like "Cool, I'll look at it later." But this often disappoints the other person, _ Other times, I'll just say "OK", wait a while and then send a second message saying "That was great!" While this approach is simpler that ignoring the other person, it seems ridiculous to life to avoid making a social faux pas . The problem is that new technologies offer a good many new possibilities, both positive and negative. On the one hand, the Internet connects you to millions of people whom you can make friends with and learn from. On the other hand, it offers just as many ways to waste time. When you're signed on to MSN chat, the other person can't see that you have three papers to finish before the end of the week---so you better believe they're going to send you a video of monkeys dancing to music. Online chat is convenient, but the advantage of face-to-face communication is that you can see exactly what other people are doing. If they are really good friends, you should feel blessed to give them your full attention without worrying about what's going on in that other window or program. What will the author do to respond to his friend's request for watching the video? He will put it off or tell a white lie. On Thanksgiving Day, a teacher asked her class of firstgraders to draw a picture of something they were thankful for. She thought that these children from poor families actually had little to be thankful for. And she found most of them drawing pictures of flowers or tables with food. The teacher was very surprised to see the picture Douglas handed in. It's a hand,a simple hand. But whose hand? The class were very interested in the strange picture. "I think it must be the hand of God that brings us food," said one child, "A farmer's," said another, "Because he grows beautiful flowers. " Finally when the others were at work ,the teacher went over to Douglas' desk and asked whose hand it was. "It's your hand, Teacher," he said quietly and shyly. She remembered that she had often taken Douglas, a dirty lonely child, by the hand while having a class break. She often did that with the children. But it meant so much to Douglas. Perhaps this is everyone's thanksgiving,not for the material things we get,but for the chance,in whatever small way, to give to others. why did Douglas draw a simple hand? He wanted to show his thanks to his teacher Trip 1 Black bear Count There have been fires in this area in the last few years and the Office of the National Park is not sure how many black bears are still living. Some bears have been seen since the fires, and the Office has asked for young people to help count them. The entire trip will last three hours. Bookings necessary. Cost: Free When: May 8 Trip 2 Garland Valley Bring your drink and lunch for this walk in a beautiful area of the Blue Mountains. Garland Valley is close to the town of Garland but is part of the National Park. Many wild animals live in this area, including many rare birds. This is a great walk for bird-lovers. The trip lasts four hours. Bookings necessary. Cost: $15 When: May 8, May 15 Trip 3 Flashlight Adventure Put on your warm clothes, bring a flashlight and a pair of glasses, and come for a night walk along the Dungog Valley, part of the National Park. A guide will lead the tour. Many of the animals you will see on this trip. The guide will tell you about the lives of the animals you see. Numbers are strictly limited on night trips, so be sure to book early. This walk lasts two and a half hours. Cost: $12 When: May 8, May 15, May22 Equipment to be needed: Please bring enough water and food for all walks. Wear good walking shoes---no high heels. Wear a hat for day walks. Dress warmly for night walks. Children must be with an adult. Make sure your flashlight works well and bring extra batteries for night walks. Follow all instructions from guides during the walks. The mountains are a dangerous place. Bookings: Bookings for the above trips can be trade by telephone (893 m 4847) or on the Internet at www. Blue mountain tour. com Which of the following is NOT necessary for the three trips? A sleeping-bag. To be a good teacher, you need some of the gifts of a good actor; you must be able to hold the attention and interest of your audience; you must be a clear speaker, with a good, strong, pleasing voice which is fully under your control; and you must be able to act what you are teaching, in order to make its meaning clear. Watch a good teacher, and you will see that he does not sit still before his class:he stands the whole time he is teaching; he walks about, using his arms, hands and fingers to help him in his explanations, and his face to express feelings. Listen to him, and you will hear the loudness, the quality and the musical note of his voice always changing according to what he is talking about. The fact that a good teacher has some of the gifts of a good actor doesn't mean that he will indeed be able to act well on the stage, for there are very important differences between the teacher's work and the actor's. The actor has to speak words which he has learnt by heart; he has to repeat exactly the same words each time he plays a certain part, even his movements and the ways in which he uses his voice are usually fixed beforehand. What he has to do is to make all these carefully learnt words and actions seem natural on the stage. A good teacher works in quite a different way. His takes an active part in his play:they ask and answer questions, they obey orders, and if they don't understand something, they say so. The teacher therefore has to meet the needs of his audience, which is his class. He cannot learn his part by heart, but must invent it as he goes along. I have known many teachers who were fine actors in class but were unable to take part in a stage-play because they could not keep strictly to what another had written. The main difference between students in class and a theatre audience is that _ . the students must take part in their teachers' plays Making a film takes a long time and is very hard work. Writing the story for the film may take many weeks. Shooting the film often takes at least six months. Actors and camera men work from very early in the morning until late at night. Each scene has to be acted and re-acted, filmed and re-filmed, until it is just fine. Sometimes the same scene has to be acted many times. The film studio is like a large factory, and the indoor stages are very big indeed. Scenery of all kinds is made in the studio. Churches, houses, and forests are all built of wood and cardboard. Several hundred people work together to make one film. Some of these people are the actors and actresses. The director of the film, however, is the most important person in a film studio. He decides how the scenes should be filmed and how the actors should act. Most people go to see a film because they know the film stars are in it. Sometimes the film may be very poor. It is best to choose a film made by a good director. Some famous directors make their films very real; people feel that they themselves are among the people in the films. Which of the following statements is NOT true? All of the people in film making are actors and actresses.
I was off to go back to work one evening and my two children were busy sewing things on the sewing machine. My 11yearold daughter was, in the midst of her project, going to help her older brother in making a little cushion . I left, and in a few hours returned to find a mess in the kitchen, front room, and both children sitting in front of the television. Having had a long day, I was very short with my greeting to them and then I noticed the material my daughter had used. It had been bought to make a baby blanket, and now had chunks cut out of almost every piece of cloth. Not stopping to listen, I _ at the children and explained how angry I was at what had been done. My daughter listened to me sheepishly, not trying to defend herself at all, but the pain could be seen written across her face. She went back to her room quietly, and spent some time in there alone before she came out to say good night and once again apologize for the mistake she had made. A few hours later, as I was preparing to go to bed, there on my bed lay a beautiful, little cushion made out of the forbidden cloth, with the words"I LOVE MOM". Alongside it was a note apologizing again, and the innocence in which she had taken the cloth. To this day, I still get tears in my eyes when I think of how I reacted and still feel the pain of my actions. It was I who then sheepishly went to her and apologized for my actions. I display with great pride the cushion on my bed, and use it as a reminder that nothing in this world is greater than a child's love. When writing the passage, the author probably felt _ . Answer: regretful Christmas, Easter and birthday parties can be difficult times for grandmothers and parents as they rush around trying to arrange the perfect celebration or making everyone as happy as possible! What's better than a birthday party that makes your grandchild smile throughout or a celebration that impresses relatives and close friends? That is why Granny Look has supplied in this section, one of the most comprehensive guides to making these special occasions that happen perhaps once a year a real success. From a selection of Advent calendars to party planning or Christmas-stocking fillers we have all the possibilities covered so that your children and grandchildren will really have a memorable time with attractive gifts and original ideas. Bring that festive spirit to all those traditional days, and ensure you are always ready for any possibility. Granny Look's extensive links are bound to make every special occasion an entirely different experience from the year before and allow everyone to feel entertained and content. CHRISTMAS-STOCKING FILLERS Look no further! Granny Look helps the family to prepare in time for FATHER CHRISTMAS. Give SANTACLAUS some ideas. He can fill all the children's Christmas-stockings with goodies! Unique Christmas gifts for children -- stocking fillers. A Granny Look favorite! ADVENT CALENDARS All children love the build-up to CHRISTMAS! What is better than choosing one of Granny Look's selection of Advent Calendars! Here you will find a list of websites to buy traditional or fun Advent calendars for children at Christmas time. A Granny Look favorite! BIRTHDAYS LOOKING for a SPECIAL BIRTHDAY GIFT? Explore Granny Look's selection of PRESENTS, PARTYPLANNING, PARTY TOYS and PARTY GAMES for your Children and Grandchildren's BIRTHDAYS. Plan and organize the KIDDIE'S PARTIES ahead of time!! Don't forget the PERSONALISED INVITATIONS! CHRISTMAS LOOK and BOOK now!! Granny Look's selection of CHRISTMAS GIFTS for children. Some guides to "What's on in your area"... for the kids, PANTOS, SHOWS, THEATRES... at Christmas time! UNIQUE Christmas gifts for Children. Spend QUALITY TIME with your Children's Children this FESTIVE SEASON ! From the text, we know that "Granny Look" is _ . Answer: a website that helps you to prepare for special occasions A squirrel eats all of the acorns in a tree. The tree is empty, and the squirrel is still hungry, so Answer: the squirrel leaves Online shopping is growing fast in China, and more and more Chinese are buying books online. At the same time, traditional bookstores are facing new challenges. A bookstore in Beijing is going out of business . All of its books are on sale. Bookstore owner Wang Jian says hot sales of books on the Internet pushed him to change the way he did business. China has the highest online book buying rate in the world. More than years ago, dangdang.com became the first online bookseller, and now becomes very important in the Chinese online book market. Facing this challenge, the Xinhua Bookstore also built its online store a few years ago. Zhang Jian, CEO of the Xinhuabookstore.com, says now they are enlarging their online services. A "price war "is taking shape between traditional bookstores and online bookstores. Faced with the low-cost advantage of online bookstores, traditional ones can do nothing but lower their prices. At the same time, online bookstores are also starting price wars between each other. Now some traditional bookstores are trying their best to attract buyers in their own way. They exhibit books better and provide a very relaxed reading environment in the bookstore. Even though, traditional bookstores can hardly compete with some of the advantages of online bookstores, for example 24-hour service. What is the passage about? Answer: The challenges traditional bookstores face. 2.26-meter-tall Yao Ming made his NBA debut on October 23, 2002 and got 6 points for the Houston Rockets in the game. The next day, he got 13 points in another game. Most people think that Yao Ming is a born basketball player. But Yao said, "When you watch it on TV, it looks very easy. But when you are playing in the NBA, it is really not so easy." He said that joining the Houston Rockets was a new start and a new challenge. "I hope that through very hard work I can make everyone happy and help the Rockets win more games," he said.Yao Ming speaks some English. Both he and his teammates can understand each other. They don't think there is a language problem. While Yao Ming faces this new challenge, the people of Houston have shown great interest in him and they hope Yao Ming will bring new energy to the Rockets. The team has started having lessons to learn more about China, and many people who work for the Rockets have learned to speak some Chinese. From the passage we can know that Yao Ming _ . Answer: will work hard for his team
A woman was having some trouble with her heart, so she went to see a doctor. He was a new doctor, and did not know her, so he first asked some questions about her, and one of them was, "How old are you?" "Well," she said, "I don't remember, doctor, but I will try to think." She thought for a moment and said, "Yes, I remember now, doctor! When I married , I was eighteen years old, and my husband was thirty. Now my husband is sixty, I know, and that is twice thirty. So I am twice eighteen. I think I am thirty-six,is it right?" What did the doctor first ask the woman? A Some questions about her. B "How are you feeling now?" C "What's the trouble with you?" D "How old are you?" Answer: A Last year, the management set up new rules to encourage employees to cut down on unnecessary printing fees. However, there has been a rash of abuses of the printing policy. Therefore, in order to control the cost, the management has decided to put forward more stringent regulations that are required to be followed by everyone, including the management. Starting today, the management staff will meet to discuss and begin drafting up the new policy. We will post new rules outlining the new printing policy as soon as it becomes available. Once it is completed, please read it carefully. Anyone in violation of the new rules will be considered behaving in a disorderly manner and will be punished accordingly. Your cooperation and self-discipline is highly requested. Thank you. The Management Team 2014.8.14 NEW PRINTING POLICY Effective as of 08/18/2014 Due to the fact that our costs have far exceeded our budget, we had to get to the root of the problem. Shockingly, most of our costs came from printing. A further, detailed look made us realize that too many of our 1,000 employees were wasting paper by making unnecessary copies. This, of course, has increased our paper usage, but it has also resulted in our using more of the very expensive ink cartridges as well as the repair work that has followed. Over the past month, this has occurred at a rate that is not acceptable. Therefore, the following rules will go into effect immediately starting tomorrow for everyone in all departments. This problem is serious, so anyone caught in violation of the rules below will be punished, suspended, or even dismissed. Your full cooperation is requested. (1)All departments will be assigned an access card. It will record the date and time to keep track of the number of copies your department staff makes. Managers in each department are responsible for keeping track of who uses the card by keeping a record book. (2)For bulk copies over 100, you must get advance approval from your department head. (3)Any department believed to be making unnecessary copies will be approached. Upon investigation, a warning may result in the person being accused. (4)A second warning may result in suspension without pay or, in this worst case, being dismissed from your position. (5)Each department may pick up an access card from the reception desk after filling out a form. *With second warning, your manager and the general manager will meet to discuss the proper handling of the situation. For whom is the notice intended? A Only the management staff of the company. B Employees who had previously received a warning. C All staff members in the company. D The managers who wrote the policy. Answer: C Over time, the custom of kissing developed as a way for adults to express their love and affection for one another. The roots of this form of affection can be traced back to primitive times, when mothers fondled their children, much as mothers do today. Much later, in the sixth century, society apparently accepted the custom of kissing between adults as an expression of their affection. Not surprisingly, France first accepted kissing in courtship . There, figure dancing was popular, and each dance was sealed with a kiss. The custom of kissing swept from France through Europe to Russia, where Russian nobility loved to imitate the French. Eventually, the kiss was incorporated into marriage ceremonies, and today lip locks couples into sweet matrimony. The custom of kissing today, as well as in ancient times, serves to pay _ to another. Early Romans kissed each other on the mouth or on the eyes to greet one another in a manner they thought to be dignified. One Roman emperor even ranked a person's importance by the body part he was allowed to kiss. He allowed important nobles to kiss his lips, less important ones to kiss his hands, and the least important ones to kiss his feet. In Russia, the highest sign of recognition from the Crown meant a kiss from the Tsar himself. Today, natives of many African tribes pay homage to their Chief by kissing the ground over which he has walked. What's mainly talked about in the passage? A The way to express love and respect. B The expression of affection. C The custom of kissing. D The function of kissing. Answer: C Susan Boyle was once a Scottish church volunteer. She decided to enter a competition named "British got Talent" at the age of 47years. On April 15th 2009, when Susan got up to sing, the audience was shocked by her age and simplicity. Middle-aged women were not the usual type of competitor on the show and the audience was even more surprised when she said before starting to sing that she wanted to become a professional singer. To them she looked well past such possibilities. However, she amazed everybody with her wonderful voice and became an overnight singing star. It was reported that the audience all stood up and clapped warmly and that within 9 days, 100 million people had watched her performances and interviews on the Internet. This was a lot of progress for an unemployed woman who lived along with her cat. Most of her life had been spent looking after her mother who had died aged 92, two years earlier. She had never been married or in her words, "been kissed". Susan had learned difficulties and had only once been employed as an assistant cook. Even though Susan did not win the "British got Talent Show" and came up second, two years later, she already released two successful albums. Many people are touched by her story because Susan Boyle is like each of us in one way or another--full of weakness, often disappointed and _ by others. However, unlike many of us who usually give up too soon, she had the determination to fight for her dream. Susan Boyle launched her successful music career at the age of 48 and you too can still achieve your dream. Just take courage. What does the writer intend to tell us? A Failure is the path to success. B It is never too late to start your dream. C Entering TV talent show leads to success. D Some singers succeed late in life. Answer: B Today, we are talking about money. I can share a bit about my history with money and my new view when it comes to using _ I made a web page with links to posts about our financial journey where you can look for more details of where we've been and how we got where we are now. It was a big part of my story in the past and was a huge part of our downsizing journey. We got out of debt and stayed out of debt. So I feel eager to share the benefits of being on this side. It takes planning and more careful thought whenever a dollar is spent now than it did when I had a wallet full of credit cards. I now like to think all of my dollars having a job. So many of us work for money and don't consider that money should work for us, too. Make your dollars do the job of helping you live the life you want. Each time money is spent or saved, it should be going toward something that you purposefully want for your life. Last week I was out and I spent $20 on food in 3 days. It made me angry because afterward I thought about eating is not at all what for my life. On the other hand, there are times I spend $20 while out with my family and it doesn't bother me one bit. An afternoon out with my kids during which we stop for ice cream, and do something fun together has a completely different feel to it. In the end, I want the dollars I spend to have purpose like I can enjoy life while still planning and saving for the future. You can learn about the writer's history with money _ . A by making a web page B by reading posts about their financial journey C by going on a financial journey D by writing to him Answer: B
Liz Parle can't drive. "I did try to learn," says the 24-year-old, Birmingham-born cafe owner, "but I failed my test a few times." Then she moved to London, where running a car can be a nightmare. Instead she cycles everywhere. "It's cheap, keeps me fit, and is of course better for the environment." _ In Britain, the percentage of 17- to 20-year-olds with driving licences fell from 48% in the early 1990s to 35% last year. The number of miles travelled by all forms of domestic transport has remained unchanged for years. Meanwhile, road traffic figures for cars and taxis, having risen more or less every year since 1949, have continued to fall since 2007. Motoring groups put it down to oil prices and the economy. Others offer a more fundamental explanation: the golden age of motoring is over. "The way we run cars is changing fast," says Tim Pollard, associate editor at CAR magazine, "Car manufacturers are worried that younger people in particular don't like to own cars like we used to in the 70s, 80s, or even the 90s, they were owning things for shorter periods. As hi-tech research and development budgets try to keep pace with the iPhone generation, Pollard says carmakers are also coming to terms with less possessive buyers. This has led to a different ownership and rental schemes such as Streetcar, Zipcar and Whipcar. In response, the latest deals from the big carmakers are very unlike your usual deals. "Peugeot , for instance, has launched a European project called Mu," says Pollard. "You become a member and can then rent whichever Peugeot best suits your mobility needs that day. So you can borrow a truck to move house at the weekend.' Other car manufacturers are studying similar ideas. Less younger people are having driving licences because _ . Answer: We are often asked to make a speech in life. Most of us are afraid of it and don't do a good job. Here are some simple steps to make your speech a successful one. First of all, find out everything you can about your subject and at the same time find out as much as you can about your audience. Who are they? What do they know about your subject? Put yourself in their shoes as you prepare your speech. Then try to arrange your material so that your speech is clear and easy to follow. Use as many examples as possible. Never forget your audience. Don't talk over their heads or talk down to them. When you are giving your speech, speak slowly and clearly, look at your audience and for a few seconds from time to time to give your audience chances to think over what you've said. Just remember: be prepared, know your subject and your audience, say what you have to say and be yourself so that your ideas will bring you and your audience together. When he is giving his speech, the speaker should _ . Answer: Most Americans get what money they have from their work; that is, they earn an income from wages or salaries. The richest Americans, however, get most of their money from what they own -- their stocks, bonds, real estate, and other forms of property, or wealth. Although there are few accurate statistics to go by, wealth in American society appears to be concentrated in very few hands. More than 20 percent of everything that can be privately owned is held by less than one percent of the adult population and more than 75 percent of all wealth is owned by 20 percent of American adults. The plain fact is that most Americans have no wealth at all aside from their homes, automobiles, and a small amount of savings. Income in the United States is not as highly concentrated as wealth. In 1917 the richest 10 percent of American families received 26.1 percent of all income, while the poorest 10 percent received 17 percent, mainly from Social Security and other government payments. The most striking aspect of income distribution is that it has not changed significantly since the end of World War II. Although economic growth has roughly doubled real disposable family income (the money left after taxes and adjusted for inflation) over the last generation, the size of the shares given to the rich and the poor is about the same. By any measure economic inequality is great in the United States. The reality behind these statistics is that a large number of Americans are poor. In 1918, 14 percent of the population was living below the federal government's poverty line, which at that time was an annual income of $ 9 287 for a nonfarm family of two adults and two children. In other words, about one out of seven Americans over 31 million people was officially considered unable to buy the basic necessities of food, clothes, and shelter. The suggested poverty line in 1981 would have been an income of about $11, 200 for a family of four. By this relative definition, about 20 percent of the population or more than 45 million Americans are poor. Why is economic inequality still great in the US in spite of the economic growth? Answer: This is Linda's room. It's a nice room. It's very clean . I can see a brown bed. A photo of a boy is on the wall . Can you see a brown desk? Yes, it's in the room, on the left . A green chair is on the floor. Some books and blue pens are on the desk. Linda's lamp is on the desk, too. It's a pink lamp. Where is Linda? Is she in the room? No, she isn't. She is at school. Linda's _ is (are) NOT in the room. Answer: In recent years, Jimmy Carter, the 39thpresident of theprefix = st1 /United Stateshas shared with millions of readers the stories and insights gained from a lifetime of public service. Carter' range of experience is immense: as a farmer and father, sailor and statesman, homebuilder and humanitarian, president and peacemaker, he has brought to an extraordinary life a common touch, and his sense of hope and humanity have been an inspiration to many. Carter now shares his insights in a uniquely personal way. For years an author in prose , the former American president for the first time gives voice to his thoughts in poems. Jimmy Carter had been a _ before he became President. Answer:
As a music teacher for twenty-seven years.I have always known that music touches the soul .It can break through all kinds of barriers to reach students in a very special way.It can be the means for each child to find their light. A few years ago 1 was blessed with the chance to teach pre.school students one afternoon a week.One of my most memorable students was Vanessa.She was five years old.had trouble walking and could not speak.We mostly sat on the floor for our music lessons and Vanessa 1iked to sit on my lap.One of her favorite songs was John the Rabbit.It was a call and response song where I sang the call and the students clapped two tirues while singing the repeating phrase"Oh yes".Vanessa 1iked to put her hands together with mine and clap with me.We performed that song during every class Vanessa and l clapping together.She never said or sang a word. One day late in the school year when the song was finished,Vanessa turned around,looked at me in the eye,clapped her tiny hands two times and said the words"Oh yes!"I opened my mouth and could not speak.Through music we had made a connection. Several years later l came across Vanessa on the street in town. I stopped my car and waved to say hello.She waved back with a big smile on her face and then clapped her hands two times mimicking the song we had performed in our music class.This lovely little girl through her connection with music left an impression on me that will last forever, Every child has the ability to learn and grow.1t is up to us educators to discover the way to reach each and every one of our students. we all must find each child's light. The author thinks music _ . Answer: can connect heart to heart In Britain,it's bottoms up from the week before Christmas till the last firework explodes in the sky announcing the new year,.The last Friday before Christmas popularly known as'Mad Friday'--is one of the busiest periods for the country's pubs and clubs. But it's not just the bars that get busy.Ambulances and A&E departments around Britain get packed out too.Head injuries,,cuts,falls...it's easy to end up hurting yourself or others when self-control disappear and your head is spinning due to alcoho1.Revelers have been warned by the health authorities about the dangers of deadly drinking but drinking crazily seems to be part of the festivities for some. The charity Alcohol Concern is running a campaign of restriction by encouraging people to have a dry January. Jackie Ballard,the charity's Chief Executive,believes the campaign has been successful in recent years.She says:"More than two-thirds of people even six months later are drinking at reduced levels having had a month off drink.But also a study has shown the impact it has on people's health reducing their blood pressure and blood sugar levels." The study by the University of Sussex followed up nearly 900 participants in Alcohol Concern's Dry January campaign and found out that 72%of them had kept harmful drinking sessions down and 4%were still not drinking. Moderation seems to be the key to everything.The official recommendation for women is not to regularly drink more than 2 to 3 units of alcohol a day.The limit for men is 3 to 4 units of alcohol--no more than a pint of 5.2%ABV lager,beer or cider. The last Friday before Christmas is called."Mad Friday"because _ . Answer: people go out and drink a lot Trees are useful to man in three important ways: They provide him with wood and other products; they provide him shade;. and they help to prevent droughts and floods. Unfortunately, in many parts of the world, man has not realized that the third of these services is the most important.In his eagerness to make money from trees, he has cut them down in large numbers, only to find that without them he has lost the best friends he had. And besides, he is usually too careless to plant and look after new trees. So the forests slowly disappear. This does not only mean that man will have fewer trees. The results are even more serious: for where there are trees, their roots break up soil allowing the rain to sink in and also bind the soil, thus preventing it from being washed away easily;but where there are no trees, the rain falls on hard ground and flows away, causing floods and carrying away the rich top-soil. When the top-soil is gone, nothing remains but worthless desert. Two thousand years ago,a rich and powerful country cut down its trees to build warships, with which to gain itself an empire .It set up the empire, but, without its trees, its soil became poor and grew weak. When the empire fell to pieces, the home country found itself faced by floods and starvation . In many parts of the world, forests slowly disappear because _ . Answer: all the above There are several ways to break the technology code that teenagers have written among themselves. The following are ideas to help parents understand the sometimes confusing world of the teens. SocialNetworking Sites: Sites like MySpace and Facebook _ all generations and are a good way for a parent to understand what social standards your teen is living with. There are many ways to help you take part in your child's online activities. You also can be from an onlooker who keeps a bird' s-eye view of his cyber world to an active member of his social group. MMORPG: Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game comes in the form of games. A child can easily become addicted to them if no limits are set. To fully understand the attraction behind MMORPG, you can make your own account and character to explore the digital world. Playing the online games may seem strange at first to your teen, but experience has led me to only positive feedback from young people who can communicate with adults about their gaming experiences. Text and Instant Messenger: The ways of teenage communication have produced a whole new language, such as "LOLZ" (laughing out loud) and "PSOS" (parent standing over shoulder). Learning the basic shorthand of teens can open up a whole new world of communication, not only talking to your teens, but being able to listen on their terms as well. You may just find yourself texting faster and ending your correspondence with TTYL (talk to you later). To teens, texting anyone looks cool, even Mom and Dad. Email: Emailing your child is easy. This, of course, cannot take the place of face-to-face communication, but it provides another way for your child to reach you. Another benefit is that your child cannot act like he didn't hear you. If you are standing beside your child, he is most likely to text his friend _ . Answer: PSOS A woman in blue jeans stood at the window of expensive shop. Though she hesitated for a moment, she finally went in and asked to see a dress that was in the window. The assistant who served her did not like the way she was dressed. Glancing at her scornfully , he told her the dress was sold. The woman walked out of the shop angrily and decided to punish the assistant the next day. She returned to the shop the following morning dressed in a fur coat, with a handbag in one hand and a long umbrella in the other. After searching out the rude assistant she asked for the same dress. Not realizing who she was, the assistant was eager to serve her this time. With great difficulty, he climbed into the shop window to get the dress. As soon as she saw it, the woman said she did not like it. She enjoy herself making the assistant bring almost everything in the window before finally buying the dress she had first asked for. The shop assistant _ . Answer: told her a lie
Alex stared through the cabin window at the darkness. Soon his dad would call him. And he didn't want to go. He wished he hadn't come to the lake for the weekend. "We're ready," Dad said as he came in from the porch. " Grab your rod." Alex turned away from the window and slowly picked up his fishing rod. "Have fun!" Mom said. "Sure," said Alex, trying to make his voice bright. "We should have done this before." Dad said. "Let's catch a big one!" Dad picked up his tackle box, rod, and bait can from the porch. He clicked on the flashlight. They walked down the hill toward the lake in the narrow beam of light. The only thing Alex could see was the circle of weeds and rocks at their feet, lit by the flashlight. Insect voices filled his ears---clicks, hums, buzzes, whines. Hundreds of bugs waited in the darkness to attack. "Ow!" he blurted as he felt a sting on his arm. "Mosquitoes," Dad said. "I have brought some spray to keep them off." When they reached the boat, Alex stumbled as he climbed over the side. "I don't like this much," he said. "It's so dark." Dad squeezed his shoulder. "Don't worry. It's not as dark as you think. After a while your eyes will get used to the night." Suddenly something rushed past Alex's head. He gasped. "What was that?" "Probably a bat," Dad said. How could Dad act as if it were nothing! "Will bats be flying around our heads the whole time?" "This is their time to be out catching insects," Dad explained. "They won't hurt you. They're too busy grabbing dinner." He pushed the boat off the gravel and jumped in. Alex gazed back at the cabin. A square of light from the window glowed in the darkness. Dad rowed to the middle of the lake and stopped. "We'll just let the boat drift. Keep the flashlight in the bottom of the boat. The fish won't bite if they see light flashing around. When we've done baiting our hooks , we'll turn the light off." Leaning down to get closer to the light, Alex tried to thread a worm on his hook, but he couldn't seem to work his fingers right. So what if the worm was only partly on the hook? He didn't want to fish anyway. He didn't even want to be there. What does the sentence 'We should have done this before' mean? Answer: Ellis Island is located in New York. Harbor Ellis Isl and is open daily year-round from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p. m. , with extended hours during summer. It is closed December 25. There is no admission charge to Ellis Island; donations are gratefully accepted. At Your Fingertips Park information (212)363-7620 Emergencies (212)363-3260 Ferry boat information (212)269-5755 Lost and found (212)363-7620 Dining, gifts, & audio tour (212)344-0996 Transportation Statue of Liberty a nd Ellis Island Ferry: Boats leave from Battery Park, Manhattan, and from Liberty State Park, New Jersey. They run about every 30 to 45 minutes beginning at 9:15 a. m. (ferry schedule subject to change) Hours: May vary; call the number below Closed: December 25 Ferry fees: (Includes Liberty and Ellis Islands) adults, $7; senior citizens, $6; children(age 3 to 17), $3. (group rates are available for 25 or more adults) Ticket & schedule information: (212)269-5755 Which number would you call if your friend were suddenly ill? Answer: Some of the world's most significant problems never hit headlines. One example comes from agriculture. Food riots and hunger make news, but the trend lying behind these matters is rarely talked about. This is the decline in the growth in yields of some of the world's major crops. A new study by the University of Minnesota and McGill University in Montreal looks at where, and how far, this decline is occurring. The authors take a vast number of data pointing for the four most important crops; rice, wheat, corn and soybeans. They find that on between 24 and 39% of all harvested areas, the improvement in yields that took place before the 1980s slowed down in the 1990s and 2000s. There are two worrying features of the slowdown. One is that it has been particularly sharp in the world's most populous countries,India and China. Their ability to feed themselves has been an important source of relative stability both within the countries and on world food markets. That self-sufficiency cannot be taken for granted if yields continue to slow down or reverse. Second, yield growth has been lower in wheat and rice than in corn and soybeans. This is problematic because wheat and rice are more important as foods' accounting for around half of all calories consumed. Corn and soybeans are more important as feed grains. The authors note that we have preferentially focused our crop improvement efforts on feeding animals and cars rather than on crops that feed people and are the basis of food security in much of the world. The report qualifies the more optimistic findings of another new paper which suggests that the world will not have to dig up a lot more land for farming in order to feed 9 billion people in 2050, as the Food and Agriculture Organization has argued. Instead, it says, thanks to slowing population growth, land currently ploughed up for crops might be able to _ to forest or wilderness. This could happen. The trouble is that the forecast assumes continued improvements in yields, which may not actually happen. What does the author try to draw attention to? Answer: My father often talks about his definition of success. He tells us that it isn't measured in money or material things, but in love and joy. While my brothers and I were all raised together under the same roof, I wonder how different we can be sometimes. Four kids, four different life paths, personalities and ambitions. We must follow a different path to let our light shine, and that's what makes us so unpredictable and unique. In today's world, expecting every child's education to be the same, progress at the same rate and be measured against the narrow standards of performances is not just outdated, it's also harmful to young people. I experienced this disconnect firsthand after graduating from college. I had many opportunities in front of me, but they didn't test my limits and my creativity to pursue my passions. At first, I took a job at a big consulting firm. However, I couldn't shake my passion for music. I had followed the somewhat predictable path of a college graduate, but I was crazy about how to become an artist. Now I am a nine-time Grammy Awards winner who has sold multiple Top 10 Albums. Imagine what it would look like if our schools were set up to help people discover and pursue a personal passion instead of a predictable path? The good news is that a number of individuals and organizations are finding new ways to innovate in education. The goal is to create more student-centered environments that help young people not just do better in school but also discover what they love. We can't live lives of joy if we can't discover what we love doing with our lives. So let each person discover the power and uniqueness of his or her own passion. What does the writer's father think success should be measured in? Answer: Ahmad is the founder of Copia, which she describers as "match com meets Uber for food recovery." Conipanies use the Copia app to report when they have leftover food,what kind, and how much . When recipients such as shelters, soup kitchens , and agencies first register with Cupia, they indicate how many people they need to feed,on what days , and what kind of food they'll take. Cupia makes a profit from the fees that companies pay to remove leftever food; the companies receive a tax write-off for their food donations. How did Ahmad create Copia? Aa a senior at UC Berkeley, the found nearly 50 million Americans are at risk of going hungry every day, white more than 133 billion pounds ofeatable foud are deserted each year. Ahma d started a student group that recovered food from the campus and distributed it Lo local nonprofits. As rewarding as this was,the inefficiencies bothered her. One day , she got a call from the dining hall manager, who had 500 sandwiches left over from m event. She rented a car,loaded it with the food, and called nonprofits, She found takers for only 25 sandwiches and ended up giving out the rest eU a nearby park. "I remember thinking how cool it would be if people who had food could say, 'Hey, we have stuff, ' and people who needed it could speak up, and then we could connect the two. " After she graduated , Ahmad launched Copia carlier this year, it operates in 40 cities in Northem California and has served over 700,000 people. Its biggest success--and challenge-- 10 date was this past Super Bowl: Copia recovered muro than 14 tons of food, which fed more than 23,000 people. Despite her busy schedule, Ahmad tries to do me food pickup a week."When you get to theshelter,"she says ," If you wouldn't have eaten." And that's when I'm like, ' This is why I do what I do.' What is Ahmad really proud of? Answer:
Hello, I'm Allan Peterson. I'm an English boy. But I am in China. I have a good friend. Let me tell you something about him. His name is Li Ming. He is a student. He is in class Two, Grade One, No.5 middle school. We are classmates. Li Ming is 14 years old. He likes basketball and English. We often play basketball after school. what does Li Ming like? A He likes basketball and English. B He likes baseball and English. C He likes basketball and Chinese. D He likes baseball and Chinese. Answer: A Science is a major topic in our culture. Since it touches almost every field of our life, educated people need at least some knowledge with its structure and operation. They should also have an understanding of the scientific subculture in which scientists live and the kinds of people they are. An understanding of general characteristics of science as well as specific scientific ideas is easier to obtain if one knows something about the things that excite and discourage the scientist. This book is written for the person whose knowledge with science is not complete; for the person who has been presented with science as a musty storehouse of dried facts; for the person who sees the chief objective of science as the production of tricks; and for the person who views the scientists as some sort of magician. The book can be used to add to a course in any science, to come with any course that attempts to give an understanding of the modern world, or simply to provide a better understanding of science. We hope this book will lead readers to a broader view on scientific attitudes and a more realistic view of what science is, who scientists are, and what they do. It will give them an idea and understanding of the relationship between science and our culture and an appreciation of the roles science may play in our culture. Besides, readers may learn to appreciate the relationship between scientific views and some of the values and philosophies that are deep in our culture. We have tried to present in this book a correct and up-to-date picture of the scientific world and the people who populate it. That population has in recent years come to include more and more women. This increasing role of women is not just the only event but, rather, part of the trend obvious in all parts of society, as more women enter traditionally male-controlled fields and make influential contributions. We have also tried to make the book entertaining as well as informative. Our method is usually informal. We feel, as do many other scientists, that we shouldn't take ourselves too seriously. As the reader may observe, we see science as a delightful pastime rather than as a cruel and unpleasant way to earn a living. The book mentioned in this passage is written for readers who _ . A are scientists making influential contributions B want to have a little understanding of science C want to break the male-controlled world D have a misunderstanding about science Answer: D Dear Michael, I'm very glad to be your pen-friend. My name is Li Tian, and my English name is Leo. I'm from Wuhan. It's in the middle of China. I'm in the Number 3 Middle School. There are 55 students in my class, and 28 are boys. From Monday to Friday, we have Chinese, math, physics and P.E. in the morning. I like Chinese and physics, because they're interesting. I don't like math. It's too boring. At noon, I have to have lunch at school because my home is far from my school. We usually have two classes in the afternoon. After school , I like watching TV and listening to the music. I also like playing football, but not the American football. Please write to me soon. Yours, Leo There are _ girls in Leo's class. A 55 B 28 C 27 D 50 Answer: C Over 60%of pupils in South African schools choose English for learning and teaching, but only 7%of pupils speak English as their home language, a recent South Africa survey shows. Out of the country's 12.2 million pupils only 851,536 speak English at home, yet 7.6 million pupils choose English as their favorite language of learning and teaching. Zulu is the most widely spoken home language, spoken by over 3.1 million pupils. However, less than a third of them choose to be taught in Zulu. The same thing is true of Pedi-speaking pupils, only a third of such pupils choosing to be taught in their home language. Besides English, Afrikaans is the only language that has more pupils choosing it as their language of instruction than it has pupils who speak it at home. In primary schools, most pupils will choose African languages. As early as grade four, many would choose English or Afrikaans in their lessons. The rising number of English-learning pupils is mainly caused by social and cultural reasons. English is the most common spoken language in official and public life in South Africa, the survey reports. In April 2011, the leaders of higher education and training said that they would take some steps to improve the university teaching and prevent the continuing _ of African languages. They suggested that in future every South African university student could be required to learn at least one African language in order to complete their studies at school. What is the survey in the passage mainly about? A The use of native languages in South African families. B The language choice and use among South African pupils. C The progress in South Africa's language teaching education D The spread of English at schools in South Africa. Answer: B When my father married my mother in 1943,he gave my mother a 1937 crown coin and told her to keep it in the back of her purse and not spend it.This would mean that she always felt that she was protected and would always have money if she really needed it. When I was married in 1970, my husband who had heard this story,obtained a 1937 crown for me and I have always kept it in my wallet,and I have always had enough for my needs. A friend recently fell on hard times,partly through external circumstances and partly through poor planning.Friends and I have loaned her money,paid her bills,even given her food.tried to teach her budget techniques,and none of them has been a solution.She has just slipped deeper and deeper into financial trouble and depression. Last week she looked pale and unwell,very depressed and hopeless.I then thought about how the crown, a reminder of another care and love,had protected me,so 1 went to the bank for a $100 dollar bill.I told my friend the story and asked her to keep the $100 in the back of her wallet.It turned out that she didn't have a wallet,so she put the money in a little pencil case where she kept her coins.She immediately felt better."I feel rich,and thank you for being a good friend",she said,and we were both a bit teary. The reason for passing this on is not to praise any generosity on my part,but to show the power of "random acts of kindness".I went home and remembered a little wallet I had that I'd never used,and thought,"I'II give that to my friend".I opened it,and inside,found $100. The universe is very just and if your heart is open the reward always comes. The writer and her friends did the following to help the friend in trouble except _ . A paying her bills B giving her food C teaching her budget techniques D working for her Answer: D
The 2016 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, is a major international multi-sport event. The host city of the Games will be Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as announced at the 121st IOC Session held in Copenhagen, Denmark, on October 2, 2009. They are scheduled to be held from August 5 to 21, 2016, making them the first Summer Olympics to be held during the host city's wintertime. This will mark the first time a South American city hosts the event, and also the first time a Portuguese-speaking country hosts the event. "The world has recognized that the time has come for Brazil," said President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. There have been questions about Rio's bid because of the high level of violence which so often scars the city's image, but in one glorious moment that was all set to one side for a truly Brazilian party. In his speech earlier, President Lula had promised, "Rio will deliver an unforgettable Games. You will see for yourselves the passion, the energy and the creativity of the Brazilian people." "It will not be just Brazil's Games but South America's. It will serve to inspire the 180 million young people on the continent. It is time to redress the balance. It is time to light the Olympic flame in a tropical country." Rio plants to stage all the competitions inside the city, bringing "dynamics to the Games and facilitating the athletes' interaction," according to the bid website. The 2016 Summer Olympic programme features 28 sports and a total of 42 disciplines. Which of the following is NOT true about the 2016 Olympics? A. It will be the first time for the Olympics to come to South America. B. It will be the Games of the 30th Olympiad. C. They will be held in the host country's wintertime. D. They will be the first Olympics in a Portuguese-speaking country. Answer: B At London College, the boys can go to the city in the afternoon. But they must return to the school before six. And Bob doesn't often obey the rule. One afternoon, Bob walked to the city and went to the cinema. When he got to the school, it was eight o'clock. He was a little worried. He ran quickly to the gate. It was closed. He went round the school building to another door. That one was closed, too. Then he saw an open window on the ground floor. It was the head teacher's office. Bob looked into the room, and no one was there. He quickly climbed up and jumped into the room. Just then he heard a voice. He looked around and hid under the sofa. One minute later, Mr. Scott, the head teacher, came in. He turned on the light and sat down on the sofa. Then he began to read. Bob lay under the sofa and looked at the head teacher's feet for an hour. He could not move. At last the head teacher stood up and walked towards the door. "Thank goodness, he didn't find me under the sofa." thought Bob. Then the head teacher stopped. He turned his head and spoke to the sofa, "Would you mind turning off the light when you leave?" he said and left the office. Bob _ the sofa. A. lay under B. lay on C. sat on D. sat under Answer: A Dear Mrs. Smith, I was a student of yours in Grade Six, and I hope you still remember me. I'm writing this letter because I want to let you know that the school year with you was important and special to me. It made a great contribution to my life. I know I was very quiet in your class, and you never said much to me. But you did something that made a big difference in my life. You see, all through my first years in schools. I hated to read. Books were just words that had very little to do with me, and I was bored by them. I'll never forget the first day of Grade Six when you took out a thick book and began to read the story to our class. Your voice seemed to change with the people in the story, and you drew pictures in my mind as you read aloud. Since that day, I couldn't wait until after lunch when you would read to the class. You read us all kinds of wonderful books. During the summer after my year in your class, I missed hearing the stories you would read. So one day I picked up a book and read it all on my own. I found out that I could make the words interesting, too. Now, I love to read! Thank you for opening the world of books for me. Yours, Linda This letter is about a girl saying " _ " to a teacher. A. Happy Teachers' Day B. Thank you C. Goodbye D. Sorry Answer: B 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 leave the kitchen for when he is cooking? A. Because he wants to answer the telephone. B. Because Kate arrives at home at that time. C. Because he need to get some more spices. D. Because he watches a show about cooking on TV. Answer: A Russia and the United States have completed the largest spy exchange since the Cold War.On Friday, at an airport in Vienna, Austria, an American plane and a Russian plane landed, parked side by side and exchanged _ . The United States freed ten admitted Russian agents.The men and women were arrested in late June and pleaded guilty on Thursday. In exchange, Russia freed four Russians serving prison sentences on charges of spying for the West.The men include Igor Sutyagin, an armed researcher who always denied the charges.Some considered him a political prisoner. The United States deported nine Russian and an American citizen born in Peru.Some raised children while living quiet lives as married couples. Russia's Foreign Ministry praised the exchange, saying, "The action improved Russian-U.S.relations." The group was accused of trying to gain information on American nuclear weapons, foreign policy and politics for the SVR -- Russia's foreign intelligence service. The ten were only charged with plotting to act as undeclared foreign agents.They were not charged with the more serious crime of spying, so the extent of their success as spies is not clear. One of the Russians, Anna Chapman, drew attention with her looks and stories of her New York party life.Hr lawyer, Robert Baum, said she had not passed secret information to Russia or received any payment.He also said, "She was accused of communicating with a Russian official through a laptop to laptop communication, without the government specifying the nature of the communication." The way both countries are handling the issue suggests that _ . A. neither side is interested in starting a fight B. neither side is in need of spies now C. the two countries are finding faults with each other D. the two countries are in a cold war now Answer: A
As summer arrives, it's important to drink more, to keep us cool. Let's look to see what drinks are popular in the US. Sports drinks and fruit drinks are quite popular. But there are two main drinks that Americans enjoy most: water and soda. Around 10.9 billion gallons of water is drunk each year, and 12.8 billion gallons of soda. Soda is the most popular drink. It's fizzy and enjoyed with friends. Perhaps it is the drink of choice for parties. However, if you are playing sports, soda is not a good drink. The fizzy and sweet drinks may make you uncomfortable while exercising. The best drink for sports is water. That's because it has no calories and keeps you fresh during sports. Besides, doctors tell us that drinking water each day is healthy. For many kids, juice or milk are their favorites. These drinks are healthy and give kids vitamins and energy during the day. Adults usually choose between tea or coffee. Which of the following is TRUE? Ridgewood is a small, quiet town 20 miles from Manhattan. It is a typical suburban town, perfect for raising children away from the fast pace of the city. However, some Ridgewood kids feel as upset as if they were on the city's busy streets. In addition to hours of homework, Ridgewood's children are occupied with afterschool activities -- from swimming to piano to religious classes. Out of desperation one day, the town decided to schedule another activity. This one was called "Ridgewood Family Night -- Ready, Set, Relax!" Instead of schedules filled with sports, music, or overtime at the office, some of the town's 25,000 residents decided to take the night off and stay home. For a few months before Family Night, a committee of volunteers worked hard to spread the word. Younger students took "Save the Date for Me" leaflets home to their parents. The mayor issued a statement, and schools and clubs agreed to cancel homework and meetings so families could relax and be together. The tension between a hope for a more relaxed lifestyle and the knowledge that the benchmark for success has been raised in recent years weighs heavily on the minds of the townspeople. Some parents like to recall a different kind of childhood, one without so many scheduled afterschool activities. However, these same parents feel obliged to make sure their children are prepared to survive in today's high-pressure work environment. They are afraid that any gap in their children's physical or intellectual development might mean they won't be admitted to the "right" universities and won't succeed in a more and more competitive world. Nevertheless, it seems that Family Night worked, at least to a point. Cars moved easily around Ridgewood's normally busy downtown streets, and stores and restaurants saw a drop in business. Some families ate supper together for the first time in months. Initially, there was great hope of taking back their lives. But sadly, few families believe that one night will change their lives. Many are sure that they will fall back into the habit of over-scheduling their children to be overachieving adults. The writer describes Ridgewood as a town where _ . Do you like painting? Have you ever seen a painting in a tree hole? Now you can see many paintings in tree holes on a road in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province. What's up? These paintings are painted by Wang Yue, 23, a college student at Dalian Polytechnic University. Wang describes her tree hole paintings as "a beautiful journey" through which she adds fun to her hometown. "When I saw that the trees by the roadside had lost all their leaves, the ugly tree holes became obvious ," she said. "I thought if I could paint some interesting scenes in these holes they might add some color to the city. " But Wang was worried that the pigments in her watercolors could hurt the trees. After asking environmental specialists and getting permission from city officials, Wang gathered her color palette , brushes and other things to get to work. "Painting on a tree hole is not as easy as painting on a canvas . I had to think about the shapes and sizes of the tree holes and adjust my designs accordingly," she said. "Before I began, I also had to clean off the dust from the tree holes first." "I was glad to let people see life's beauty. I hope more artists can join me in painting the tree holes," Wang said. What does Wang Yue worry about before she begins her tree hole painting? There is a saying "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder." What one individual considers beautiful may not be beautiful to another. When we talk about beauty in people, we often refer to their physical attractiveness. Of course, a beautiful or handsome face is pleasant to look at. But to me, beauty is not only something that pleases the eyes, but also pleases the other senses and the mind. I think true beauty makes you see beyond the lovely sight. It will give you insight or realization of something interesting beyond just the outward appearance. The most memorable "beautiful people" are those who have attractive personalities behind the pretty faces. In one of my previous classes, there were two beautiful girls, Sue and Lin. Both had almost perfect faces and slender figures. But Lin was used to getting her way. She felt that her looks could help her get anything she wanted, especially among the boys. Sue, on the other hand, treated her beauty in a matter-of-fact way and she was nice to everyone. She was also a member of the debating team. Her personality was mostly accepted by others and it made her a more outstanding beauty than Lin. Inner beauty is another kind of beauty that attracts people greatly. People who have this kind of beauty have attained inner peace. They care about their fellow-men, and try to right the injustices in this world. Two well-known personalities who exemplify (...) this are Nelson Mandela and Mother Theresa. Mandela is willing to sacrifice his life and freedom to obtain equal right for the blacks in South Africa. Mother Theresa's mission is to help the poorest of the world's poor. This inner look makes the world a better place. According to the passage, why did the author think Sue was more beautiful than Lin? There is an old Chinese saying, " _ That means if someone helps you a bit, you should remember it and thank them gratefully in return. We should live in a world of gratitude. We should prove it with actions, not just words. We thank people who hurt us, because they teach us important things. We thank people who give us up, because we learn how to be independent. We thank people who selfish ,because we learn the importance of being kind. Of course, we should thank people who help us. We should thank people who teach us. We should thank people who care about us. We thank our parents. They work hard all the time in order to give their sons and daughters a better life. They cook meals for us, they do the chores for us, they always give us food and clothes, they teach us what is right and what is wrong. We thank our teachers who give us dreams. They teach us a lot of things but they ask for nothing from us. We are well-educated of them. There are a lot of people that we should be grateful to in our life. We should find a way to thank them. According to the writer, what should do if someone helps you?
While I was on a trip to Papua New Guinea to take underwater photographs, I asked a local dive guide to help me find a pygmy sea horse . I wanted to take a picture of it. These sea horses can be red or yellow-and-orange. The red pygmy sea horse lives on only one type of coral, a red sea fan that grows at depths below ninety feet. This depth made the job even tougher. As the pressure on my body increased, I had to breathe harder, which used my air supply faster. So the deeper I dived, the shorter my time underwater. I had a lot to do. First, I had to find the pygmy sea horse's special type of fan .Then I had to look over the whole fan with my magnifying glass to see if a sea horse lived on it. If not, I had to find another fan--all the while keeping an eye on my oxygen supply. The second fan rewarded me with a find. The dive guide held the magnifying glass so I could have my first look at the tiny fish. My next challenge was to focus my camera on such a small subject. The dive guide pointed at the tiny creature. I looked through the viewfinder on my large underwater camera housing , found the guide's finger, and followed it to the sea horse. It was hard to hold ourselves steady because both of us were floating in mid-water, but our system worked. I could hardly contain my excitement as I focused on the eyes of the cutest sea horse imaginable. What do we learn about the red pygmy sea horse? A. It lives on red sea fans only. B. It swims very quickly. C. It lives nine feet deep. D. It usually floats in mid-water. Answer: A If you're secretly worried about your smartphone addiction, then the new NoPhone might be just the thing you need.It looks and feels exactly like a smartphone,but it does nothing.It's just a piece of plastic that you can carry around in your hand to fool yourself. Dutch designer lngmar Larsen came up with the idea as a joke along with his two friends.To their great surprise,the idea received a lot of attention online and people from all over the world stated placing requests for NoPhones of their own.So that's when the three friends decided to turn to collect enough fund for mass production. NoPhone is currently a prototype that will cost only $12 once it hits the market.It is 5.5 inches high,2.6 inches wide and 0.29 inches thick, bringing it quite close to the latest smartphones on the market.It is described as"battery free","no upgrades necessary","shatterproof ","waterproof''and"an alternative to constant hand-to-phone contact that allows you to stay connected with the real world". "Phone addiction is everywhere."the designers insist."It's ruining your dates.It's distracting you at concerts.It's blocking sidewalks.Now,there is a real solution.With a thin.1ight and completely wireless design,the NoPhone acts as a substitute to any smart mobile device,enabling you to always have a phone to hold without giving up potential engagement with your direct environment." If you're interested in NoPhone,but concerned about not being able to take selfies anymore.Don't feel upset.The makers do have an upgrade at no extra charge--the mirror sticker.That way,they say,you can enjoy'real-time'selfies with your friends when they're standing right behind you. What can we learn from the passage? A. NoPhone has received unexpected attention. B. NoPhone can completely replace smartphones. C. The designers have made lots of money from Nophone. D. NoPhone is able to take selfies as smartphones do. Answer: A What Is Self-tracking All about Perhaps you've tracked how many kilometers you've run, how many hours you've slept or how much you've eaten in a day. If so, you've taken part in a popular movement called the "Quantified Self Movement" or "Self-tracking". Maybe you've wanted to change a bad habit but couldn't. Self-tracking may be your answer. The idea is to collect information about your everyday activities and analyze them to help improve and form a healthier lifestyle. Recently, tools such as smartphones, apps, along with newly published wearable things, are making self-tracking easy. Today, one can use Fitbit, the Jawbone Up, Google Glass or a smart watch to record personal data including sleeping hours, stress levels, heart rate and mood. So why does a person self-track? Someone may be trying to lose weight or improve their sleep. Another person feels tired after eating. Self-tracking could help him to know what foods make him sleepy and watch his diet. [:Z#xx#k.Com] Tracking daily activities isn't a new concept. In years past, athletes and their coaches kept notes food, training and sleep in order to achieve an athletic goal. Similarly, doctors have also helped patients to record parts of their lifestyles and eating habits to help fight health problems. However, it wasn't until 2007 that magazine writers Gary Wolf and Kim Kelly created the term "Quantified Self" or "self-tracking". Although self-tracking has many advantages, Dennis Nash, president of Data Speaks Health Solutions, says self-tracking has its disadvantages. Once people start tracking their daily activities, it can become an extra task people like to do often. Also, they might begin to worry too much about their health. Though self-tracking doesn't make sure that one's quality of life will improve, it can encourage people to make healthier choices. You can find this article in the part of _ . A. Education B. Sports C. Health D. News Answer: C Playing video games has become a real job now. Players can get a lot of money. They compete, watched by thousands of fans in arenas , with millions more following online. 40 years ago the first known competition (playing Spacewar at the US's Standford University) offered a magazine as first prize. In 2014 the world championship for Dota 2 had the prize of almost $11 million and 10,000 fans watched live as Chinese team won the first prize. Last year also saw the first e-sports arenas open in the US and a 15,000-seater e-sports stadium in China, the e-TV sports report by sports network ESPN and the $450,000 worth e-sports scholarship offered by Chicago's Robert Morris University. If you're over 30, you probably don't, directly, unless you happen to be a fanatical player of the most popular e-sports games. But your children or grandchildren do. They know the players by their gaming handles and hope to follow their heroes into a gaming world. When did the Chinese team win the first prize? A. 40 years ago. B. 30 years ago. C. In 2014. D. In 2015. Answer: C we only have diamonds because of the existence of A. machines B. large pressure C. work force D. carbonite Answer: B
Why play games? Because they are fun, and a lot more besides. Following the rules...planning your next move...acting as a team member...these are all "game" ideas that you will come across throughout your life. Think about some of the games you played as a young child, such as rope-jumping and hide-and-seek. Such games are entertaining and fun. But perhaps more importantly, they translate _ that teach children some of the basic rules they will be expected to follow the rest of their lives, such as taking turns and cooperating . Many children's games have a practical side. Children around the world play games that prepare them for work they will do as grown-ups. For instance, some Saudi Arabian children play a game called bones. Which sharpens the hand-eye coordination needed in hunting. Many sports encourage national or local pride. The most famous games of all, the Olympic Games, bring athletes from around the world together to take part in friendly competition. People who watch the event wave flags, knowing that a gold medal is a win for an entire country, not just the athlete who earned it. For countries experiencing natural disasters or war, an Olympic win can mean so much. Sports are also an event that unites people. Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. People on all continents play it--some for fun and some for a living. Nicolette Iribarne, a Californian soccer player, has discovered a way to give people hope through soccer. He created a foundation to provide poor children with not only soccer balls but also a promising future. Next time you play your favorite game or sport, think about why you enjoy it, what skills are needed, and whether these skills will help you in other aspects of your life. Through playing hide-and-seek, children are expected to learn to _ . A. be a team leader B. obey the basic rules C. act as a grown-up D. predict possible danger Answer: B Shree Bose is one of the most impressive kids graduating from Fort Worth Country Day High School this year. Bose has a large circle of friends, and there's one who you may have heard of: President Obama. He has twice publicly recognized her achievements in cancer research and spoken with her in the Oval Office. If that isn't enough, Bose recently gave a TED Talk about her work with the cancer drug Cisplatin, which also won her first prize at the Google Science Fair and recognition as one of Glamour magazine's Young Amazing Women of the Year. After watching her grandfather struggle with liver cancer, Bose was determined to help out in any way she could. As a high school student though, her scientific choices were limited. She reached out to various hospitals and research centers, but doctors turned down her requests because they felt she was too inexperienced medically. Only the North Texas Science Health Center respected her determination and chose to guide her. The results were amazing. Bose chose to study a protein and its reaction with the cancer drug Cisplatin. She noticed that when she prevented this protein from growing, Cisplatin was allowed to begin destroying cancer cells once again. "My project not only contributes to the understanding of the relationship between the protein and Cisplatin, but also suggests a newer, more effective treatment for patients who resist Cisplatin," Bose said. Bose's achievements aren't limited to the lab, though. She was also captain of her swim team and editor-in-chief of her school paper. Bose is currently getting practical experience at the National Institute of Health and she'll be attending Harvard in the fall. She plans to study molecular biology and go to medical school. Eventually, she would like to be a doctor. From the passage, we know that _ . A. Bose's research was supported from the start B. Bose plans to become a doctor in the future C. Bose will study in the National Institute of Health D. Bose's grandfather asked her to do cancer research Answer: B Weathering can do what? A. change a sculpture to dust B. build a steel city C. travel to space on air D. create a time traveling vortex. Answer: A With online courses, anyone can gain knowledge in any field of interest for free. All you need is a computer, laptop or Smartphone, internet connection and a self-made schedule. You can even get a certificate on completing the course. Udemy Its goal is to promote the world of education by enabling anyone to learn online. It seeks to dramatically change education by inviting millions of experts worldwide to teach and share what they know. Whether you want to learn excel, business, academics, the arts, health, music or technology, there is a comprehensive course for you. See more at https://udemy.com iTunes U If you're a student who uses Apple devices, you will be happy to know that you have access to iTunes U, which gives you access to different educational courses from all leading universities for free! Did you dream of studying at MIT, Oxford, Yale, or Cambridge? This is your chance to learn various subjects from the best colleges and universities in the world. Learn more at https://iTunesU.com Skillfeed If you are looking to learning a new skill, or improving on your skills in Photoshop, or HTML, it offers unlimited access to high-quality video courses from a worldwide community of instructors. You have a month's free trial, after which you will pay a monthly fee to gain unlimited access to all courses. See more at https://skillfeed.com Academic Earth It has linked to over 750 online courses and 8,500 individual online lectures, giving students of all ages access to college courses they may otherwise never experience. Whether learning existing coursework, or learning for the sake of learning, anyone has the freedom to learn at their own pace from world-famous experts, without being charged more. Learn more at http://academicearth.com UC Berkeley It offers courses in bioengineering, Japanese, legal studies and public health. Since they are recordings of actual lectures, they lack lecture notes and extra materials. However, each course has audio recordings of lectures via iTunes or video recordings of lectures via YouTube. Learn more at https://ucberkeley.com We can learn from the passage that Academic Earth _ . A. charges learners nothing for any course B. has many lectures given by 8,500 lecturers C. provides college courses mainly to young men D. offers college courses at the learners' convenience Answer: D In a signed writing, Nimrod contracted to purchase a 25-foot travel trailer from Trailco for $15,000, cash on delivery no later than for $15,000, cash on delivery no later than June 1. Nimrod arrived at the Trailco sales lot on Sunday, May 31, to pay for and take delivery of the trailer, but refused to do so when he discovered that the spare tire was missing. Trailco offered to install a spare tire on Monday when its service department would open, but Nimrod replied that he did not want the trailer and would purchase another one elsewhere. Which of the following is accurate? A. Nimrod had a right to reject the trailer, but Trailco was entitled to a reasonable opportunity to cure the defect. B. Nimrod had a right to reject the trailer and terminate the contract under the perfect tender rule. C. Nimrod was required to accept the trailer, because the defect could be readily cured. D. Nimrod was required to accept the trailer, because the defect did not substantially impair its value. substantially impair its value. Answer: A
A special laboratory at the University of Chicago is busy only at night. It is a dream laboratory where researchers are at work studying dreamers. Their findings have discovered that everyone dreams from three to seven times a night, although in ordinary life a person may remember none or only one of his dreams. While the subjects--usually students--sleep, special machines record their brain waves and eye movements as well as the body movements that signal the end of a dream. Surprisingly, all subjects sleep soundly. Observers report that a person usually fidgets before a dream. Once the dream has started, his body relaxes and his eyes become more active, as if the curtain had gone up on a show. As soon as the machine shows that the dream is over, a buzzer wakens the sleeper. He sits up, records his dream, and goes back to sleep--perhaps to dream some more. Researchers have found that if the dreamer is wakened immediately after his dream, he can usually recall the entire dream. If he is allowed to sleep even five more minutes, his memory of the dream will have disappeared. Their finding has discovered that _ . My son Jack, a fourth grader, was having a hard time in getting interested in story books recently, so I offered to read the first few chapters to him. In the early pages of 'Incident at Halk Hill', a quiet little boy has a special meeting with a female badger .Soon after, another badger is caught in a steel leg trap , and the author describes in detail the pain and scare of an animal struggling to its death. We meet the cruel hunter and his ill treatment of a dog; we see the badger being skinned by the boy's father;and we experience the child's confusion when beaten by his father in anger. _ , I thought. Last night , I returned from a weekend away to find that Jack had finished the whole book on his own. "It was really, really good and sad, and violent," he reported. "There was a lot of killing." "Were there any happy parts?" I asked, "The boy's life was saved by the badger, and that was good. But then that badger got caught in a trap again and at the end it's dying, too. " Jack said, "It was so sad that I almost cried. " I told him that many books have made me cry, beginning with Heidi, when I was just his age, right on up to the novel I finished last week. "Well," he admitted then, "I actually did cry. Reading that book just reminded me of all the sadness in the world, and it made me feel sad ,too. " So, I think, now he has been through the sad tone of the passage , the discovery that words on a printed page can give rise to such strong emotion ,that a book can move you right out of your own comfortable little self and into someone else's pain. Thus we come to realize that if we are to remain fully engaged in life, open to its mysteries and feel sorry towards its suffering, we indeed need stories to grab us by the neck and remind us of the sadness in the world that is not our own. 'Incident at Halk Hill' is a _ story. Kids at the Interlake School Division were the first Canadian students to take part in a program to send experiments to the International Space Station.(ISS). Jordan Schott and three other sixth grade students came up with the idea to test royal jelly in space . Their experiment came very close to be tested on the space station. "We were seeing if we could send it to space, and if it would lose its nutritional value" faster and or slower, "said Schott. Schott is one of the 18 students in the Space Knights Club at Woodlands Elementary School, part of the Interlake School Division. Over 450 students from the Division took part in the program. "I thought we were just students and we couldn't do much in the way of that. It's a way to communicate with people up there ," said Braeden Clark, a seventh grade student who is also in the club. The astronauts shared what they learned with their school with a full day of activities all about science and space. Teacher Maria Nickel is the organizer of the club. She said the day was great for students to learn what they could do. "Space is one of those great things that get kids excited, but it also gives them the chance to do so much. They can be an astronaut; they can be an engineer, "She said. The day was held in honour of Chris Hadfield, a Canadian astronaut now in the Internal Space Station. "It gives kids someone more to look up to. Here's a real hero to look up to who's doing it all, doing it through education," said Nickel. Jordan Schott thinks it's really cool. "To me it seems so cool how people can go up to space, and science is something I've always liked," She said. Schott says she wants to follow in the footsteps of Hadfield and be an astronaut when she gets older. One of the winning experiments in the competition was produced by students from Argyle, Manitoba. It will travel to the space station in the fall of 2013. The program at the Interlake School Division _ - "Get out of the plane!" Justin shouted.Teddy and he dropped to the ground,... When Kathy and Victor reached the edge of the meadow flames of the fire were shooting more than five meters into the air. Kathy couldn't believe what she was seeing.One glance told her they needed medical attention immediately.She questioned Victor, "Are you able to find someone nearby for help?" "There are no farmers, nor villagers nearby," he replied. "I'm a distance runner, and I'll go for help." Looking at the seriously injured men, Kathy said to Victor, "It may take me several hours to get out." She started out. When she was 23, Kathy set a women's record in a Marathon of 42 kilometers. _ She had nearly 30 kilometers of hard wilderness to cover to get help. Kathy had been running for two hours.This was far back into the wilderness.The country path was growing vague .She stopped to take a quick compass reading.Yes, she had run almost for more than 20 kilometers.Her heart fell, her muscle aching.And finally she saw her car in the distance. She jumped into the car and sped away.She reached a holiday house and called the police. During the wait, she walked around, relaxing her legs and drinking water.It took almost two hours for a police helicopter to reach her at the trail end.They needed her for one more task. Who actually had the airplane accident? I'm a Chinese student studying in Canada. I have been a boarder with the Carsons for more than a year and a half. The Carsons live in their own house, which has four bedrooms including the one in the basement which I live in. Judy does all the work in the house and Andrew is responsible for the work in the garden. When they go out in they evening, they often ask me to look after their children. Judy's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Morris, lived in another city. Judy was their only child and naturally they doted on Judy's children. They often sent the children presents. Last April Mr. Morris died. Now that Mrs. Morris was quite alone, I expected that Judy would want her to come and live with them. One day, Margaret, Judy's daughter, told me grandma was coming to live with them and her daddy and mummy would want my room back. The news didn't surprise me and the next day I went to Judy and asked her about it. I said I couldn't think of living in their basement room any longer if it was needed for Mrs. Morris. Judy seemed surprised at first. Then she told me there was no deed for me to move, for they hadn't yet come to any decision about her mother coming to live with them. "Naturally I'm worried about my mother. She has been in poor health." She smiled sadly and added. "To be honest, Andrew and my mother have never got on well. We'll wait a bit and see what happens. Perhaps Mohter will be all right living herself, or perhaps they will both change their minds." That was six months ago. During this time I've heard that Mrs. Morris has had two illnesses and that her health has got worse. A nursing home was mentioned once but Mrs. Morris refused to go there. So up to now she's still living alone and I'm still living in the basement room. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
The island of Great Britain being small (compare the size of Australia), the natural place for holiday relaxation and enjoyment is extensive coastline, above all its southern and eastern coasts, and the favorite resort of the mass-population of industrial Lancashire, is on the north-west coast. Distant and little-inhabited area like Northern Scotland, are too remote for the development of large seaside resorts. For most children, going to the seaside suggests a week or fortnight of freedom on the beach, ideally a sandy one providing enough opportunities for the construction of sandcastle, fishing in pool, paddling in shallow water or swimming in deep water. Their parents spend sunny days swimming in the sea and sunbathing on the beach. Not that the British sun can be relied on and the depressing sight of families wandering round the town in old -fashioned and under umbrellas is only too common. However, there are always shops with their tourist souvenirs, plenty of cafes and if the worst comes to the worst, the cinema to offer a refuge. The average family is unlikely to seek accommodation in a hotel as they can stay more cheaply in a boarding-house. There are usually three or four-storeyed Victorian buildings, whose owners spend the summer season letting rooms to a number of couples or families and providing three cooked meals a day at what they describe as a reasonable price, with the hope that in this way they will add enough to their savings to see the winter through. Otherwise there are the camping sites for those who prefer self-catering. Nowadays, even when an increasing number of people fly off to Mediterranean resorts where a well-developed suntan can be assured, or explore in comfort Swiss lakes and mountains or romantic Italian or Spanish cities, the British seaside is still the main attraction for families, especially those with younger children. As they queue for boats trips, cups of tea or ice-cream under gray skies and in dizzling rain, the parents are reliving their own childhood when time seemed endless, their own sandcastles the most splendid on the beach, the sea always blue and friendly and the sun always hot. Which of the following is True according to the passage? A It is suggested that as a form of holiday entertainment the cinema is the best place to go in bad weather. B A reason suggested in the first paragraph for the appeal of the English seaside is that it is an ideal place for children. C Northern Scotland is little-inhabited and remote. D Few people in Britain go abroad for holiday relaxation and enjoyment. Answer: C 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. What is the minimum amount of experience required for the position of HR Manager? A Five years B Six years C Ten years D Three years Answer: D It's the dieting fashion that is sweeping the world, and encourages fasting for two days of the week. But does it work? People are starving themselves to lose weight, with a dieting trend known as the "fast diet" growing in popularity. The method is also known as the 5:2 diet, and consists of eating normally for five days of a week and cutting calories to about 25 percent of normal intake during other two days. Men consume just 600 calories on the two fast days, while women are limited to 500 calories. Notably, the two fasting days should not be _ . The dieter should have at least one normal eating day in between. In the best-selling book The Fast Diet: Lose Weight, Stay Healthy, and Live Longer with the Simple Secret of Intermittent Fasting by Dr. Michael Mosley and Mimi Spencer, the two authors claim that the 5:2 diet not only promotes weight loss, but also benefits health, offering protection from disease, improved cognitive function and increased lifespan. The diet originated in the United Kingdom and became popular in the United States. Now, it is gaining popularity among the Chinese middle-class. Zhong Minghui, who is 178 cm tall and used to weigh 100 kilograms, finds fasting effective in weight control. He works in the sales department of a trade company and used to drink and eat a lot after work. After sticking to the fasting diet for five months, he managed to lose about 20 kilograms. "Actually I did not exactly rely on the 5:2 diet to lose weight. My fasting was more extreme. I almost completely cut off my supper every day and only ate some fruit. I also used an app to calculate the calories in the food I ate and was cautious of not eating any high-calorie food. I did about an hour's aerobic exercise every day. Fasting is definitely effective, but I think sports also help," he says. "I do not really believe that fasting is the magical cure-all , but my high blood sugar has improved," he adds. The US Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that although there is evidence that intermittent fasting diets may help prevent chronic disease, more research is needed. Han Ting, a clinic nutritionist of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, says that people who suffer diabetes or eating disorders, pregnant women, kids, teens and frail seniors should not try fasting. She recommends a regular low-calorie diet, which is safer and less risky for health. When on a fasting diet, on the weekly fasting days, Han recommends low-fat, low-sugar, and low-protein food, such as vegetables, yogurt, non-fat milk, shellfish and fruits with high dietary fiber . Which is the best title of the passage? A Fast diet B How to stay thin C Eating to stay healthy D The magical cure-all Answer: A On a cold winter day, a fox told Mother Bear that he would teach her how to fish. For she wanted to learn, he took her to a hole in the ice, and told her to put her tail down into the water. He told her to keep the tail there for a long time. Then when she pulled the tail out of the water, she would find fish around the tail. The bear was foolish enough to believe what the fox said. She sat for a long time with her tail in the water. She was waiting for the fish. But when she tried to pull her tail out of the water she found that it was frozen in the ice. She asked the fox to pull her out, but the fox laughed to itself and ran away. So she called Father Bear to help her. Father Bear came. He pulled her hard and at last got her out. But a part of her tail was in the ice. That is why people find the bear's tail so short. What did a fox tell Mother Bear to do on a cold winter day? A It told her to swim in the lake. B It told her to play by the lake. C It told her to catch fish for him. D It taught her how to fish. Answer: D A poor farmer had never left his small village. After he made a lot of money, he decided to spend a holiday in an excellent hotel in a big town. When lunchtime came on his first day there, he went to eat it in the restaurant of the hotel in his new clothes. The headwaiter showed him to the table, took his order and went away. When he returned and looked at the farmer again, he was surprised. The farmer had tied his table cloth round his neck. The headwaiter immediately told another waiter to go to the farmer and tell him that people mustn't do such a thing in his restaurant. So the waiter went to the farmer and said in a friendly voice, "Good morning, Sir. Would you like a haircut.?" The farmer decided to spend a holiday in a big town because _ A he always spent his holiday there B he wore his new clothes C he never went to the big town D he had become richer and wanted to see big town Answer: D
One should be moderate ( ) in all things. Moderation is always the safest way to do things, and a virtue we should have. Let's take the student life for example. There are some students who study too hard and play too little, while there are others who play too much and study too little. On the one hand, it is harmful to his health if he has too few physical exercises, and on the other hand, it is harmful to his mind if he plays too much. In the matter of eating, one also should be moderate. Do not eat too much or too little. Too much eating will make you sick, while too little eating will make you weak. The man of progress is he who neither has too high an opinion of himself nor thinks too poorly of himself. If he thinks too highly of himself, he is surely to become very proud, but if he has too poor an opinion of himself, he will have no courage to make an advance. Both the conditions above will make you lose your aim in life. A broadminded man is he who always moves within the orbit of reasonableness . In any activities in one's life, moderation is one of the best ways to enjoy real happiness. If one wants to be broadminded, he must _ . Answer: "Yangzhou is wonderful! The teahouse is a popular place for local people to treat their important visitors..."This poem of the Qing Dynasty describes the comfortable life of living in Yangzhou. In Yangzhou, various snacks and refreshments make each morning a pleasant one. For many years, Yangzhou snakes and refreshments have been well known for their great variety with different fillings and elegant shape. By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Yangzhou city was praised as "a place whose pastry shops were the finest under heaven". Listening to A Hundred Tunes while Enjoying the View of Jiangnan talks of Huaiyang snacks, "Huaiyang snacks and refreshments are known for a perfect mixture of freshness and sweetness. Huaiyang snacks in Yangzhou won high praise from both at home and abroad. Among the famous masters making Huaiyang snacks and desserts during the middle of the Qing Dynasty, the most _ was Beauty Shaw in Yizheng country. The snacks she made were said to be as valuable as gold. Yuan Mei, a famous Qing-dynasty writer , wrote in his book The Menu of Sui Garden: "Outside the south gate of Yizheng country lives Beauty Shaw, who is an expert in making snacks and desserts." She is also regarded as one of the top ten masters of ancient China. Yin Changshan, Zhang Guangqing, Dong De'an, Chen Ende and many others are reputed as modern masters. Take Chen Ende for example. He mixed his idea with the traditional cooking skills and recreated the snacks in the Red Mansion Banquet style, which is designed to present the theme and background of A Dream of the Red Mansions .These masters have been abroad many times to show their skills in making Huaiyang-style pastry. With their efforts, Huaiyang-style pastry has become popular at high speed and is showing its charm to the world. The pastry of Fuchun Teahouse is the most outstanding one. This passage is most probably taken from _ . Answer: There are lots of animals on the earth. What is the biggest animal of all? The whale is. A blue whale weighs more than a hundred tons. Whales live in the sea, but they are not fish. They are mammals and must have air to breathe. The babies drink milk from the mother's body. Every spring, groups of whales swim hundreds of kilometers to warm places. Each group goes to the same place every year. The mothers take very good care of their babies. Whales are a gentle kind of giant. They always live together and help each other. They "talk" to each other in the water with a high noise that sounds like singing. Yet people kill over a hundred whales a day. They kill them to make many things. The whale dies very slowly and in great pain. Some ships kill every whale they can find, even mother whales and babies. If things go on like this, there will be no young whales to grow up and no mother whales to have more young. When whales talk, it sounds like _ . Answer: When I grew up, all the schools in the village demanded that girls cut their hair. The teachers would measure our hair and make sure it was not too long. I remember crying and begging as the scissors cut my hair. My dad told me that a girl who was in school needed to concentrate on books and that hair was a distraction . I cut my hair all the way through primary school and middle school. Then I went to a high school that allowed long hair but no styles or braids during class hours. Even then, still adhering to my dad's words, I never wore my hair long. When I graduated from high school, I started growing my hair. I spent hours looking in the mirror and shaping my hair. My sister complained, wondering why I had to have two styles in a day. In college I heard the word perm . Girls had some strong chemicals put on their heads and made the hair look beautiful. I quickly sat in a salon and changed my hair. I returned to the salon once every month. Even during the days when I had no money for food, I had to find money for my hair. After college, I was jobless and broke. I had to have my hair cut. At that time I saw a bald black model. Her style shocked me and I admired her so much that I began to follow her. Therefore, there I was. I wore some large earrings and walked around like a model. And many people admired my style. At this point the journey with my hair stopped completely. I decided to have natural hair. I soon found out natural hair is the cheapest, easiest and healthiest way to wear African hair. What did the author think of having her hair cut in primary school? Answer: In December of l 992.I was a happy husband and father of two young children.A month later,I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia . After two years of chemo that helped control the disease,my body was weak and lifeless.I felt as if I were a puppet who needed help to lift his arms or hold up his head. I began to run.After six months my strength had come back.On one of my runs,one where I felt I could run forever,I decided I was going to try to run a marathon. After telling my Dad about my plan,he told me of a program that trains people to run a marathon,while raising funds for Leukemia research at the same time.So that summer,through the Leukemia Society's Team in Training program,I started to train for the Marine Corps Marathon.During mile after mile of uncertainty,the day finally came to run the marathon. On October 27,1996,at 8 A.M.,along with l9,000 other brave souls I started on a 26.2-mile journey that I will never forget. I first saw my wife Patty at the six-mile mark . She seemed happy that I was still looking as if I knew what I was doing,and having a good time doing it.At Mile l7,my mind was going back to those two horrible years that tried to bring my family and me down.I saw her again.The concern in her face told me she knew I was starting to struggle.I felt as if we were thinking the same,nine more miles and these last few years will be behind us. That thought alone pulled me forward.Mile 22,23,slowing but going,24,25,then there it was.The Iwo Jima War Memorial.I have seen nothing so grand and inspiring in my life.Three hours and forty-one minutes after I started,I crossed what I think has to be the most fitting finish line in all of road racing! That night the Leukemia Society gave me a pin at a post-race party that simply says,"Leukemia 26.2". If God wills,my cancer may once again take away my hair and my strength,maybe even my life.But it can never take away my pin,or the fact that I am a marathoner . The writer decided to run a marathon because _ . Answer:
If a space that is lacking walls or a roof is continuously dampened from above, data may be collected to inform those living there about the results. The information would be A measuring distance B creating rain C measuring dampness D enjoying nature Answer: C Q: My daughter is a junior in high school and has been on an individualized education program since fourth grade. She plans to go to college and intends to finish with a master's degree. Her performance in general is fairly good, but test scores are very low. She has held many leadership and volunteer positions. We have been advised to have her write an essay about how her learning disability is a barrier that she has to get over. Will that help or hurt her chances for admission? ---- Deborah A: First let me answer the question on low standardized test scores (ACT/SAT). There are hundreds of colleges that are "test optional" which means students can choose not to release their test scores in the application process. Admission decisions at these colleges for students who do not submit their test scores are made based on other factors. A list of test optional colleges can be found at fairtest.org. It is important, however, to make sure that the college is the right fit academically regardless of the test optional policy. You also asked if your daughter should write about her disability and if this would hurt her chances of being admitted. Please know that colleges do not deny admission based on disability. "Disclosing" a learning disability in a personal statement within the college application can certainly help. By writing a personal statement, students can potentially _ , for example, their understanding of the challenge they face. They might also prove an improved grade trend in that subject area, and show interest in more complex courses in spite of this disability. More importantly, a student disclosure can show self-confidence, motivation and an understanding of the disability. ---- Ms. Kravis What is Ms. Kravis' attitude towards one's declaring his/her learning disability? A Supportive. B Critical. C Doubtful. D Unconcerned. Answer: A (RAMALLAH, West Bank) -- Israel freed 26 Palestinian prisoners early Wednesday, the second of four groups to be released as part of an agreement that started the current Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, which had broken down since 2008. In all, 104 prisoners are to be released in four rounds over the coming months. In the West Bank and Gaza , the mood was overexcited as hundreds of Palestinians welcomed the prisoners back home, after many had spent more than 20 years behind bars. Crowds of people rushed toward the 5 prisoners released to Gaza, raising them on their shoulders, waving Palestinian flags and dancing to music. Relatives held signs that read "we will never forget our heroes." More than 2,000 people welcomed the 21 prisoners released to the West Bank, who were greeted at a ceremony by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. Hazem Shubair, thrown into prison in 1994 for the death of an Israeli according to the Israeli Prison Service, was over delighted upon his return to Gaza. "I am speechless," he said. "Thanks to God. God is greater than the aggressors (meaning Israel)". Abbas said a final peace agreement with Israel was possible on the release of the prisoners. "There will be no final agreement without the release of all the prisoners," he told the violent crowd. Israel's Supreme Court earlier refused an appeal that intended to cancel the prisoner release. An organization of bereaved families behind the appeal has said it fears the prisoners, all in connection to the deaths of Israelis, will return to violence once freed. How many Palestinian prisoners had been released by Wednesday? A 21 B 26. C Over 26. D 104. Answer: C Cars are an important part of life in the United States. Without a car most people feel that they are poor. And even if a person is poor , he doesn't feel really poor when he has a car. Henry Ford was the man who first started making cars in large numbers. He probably didn't know how much the car was going to change American culture. The car made the United States a nation on wheels. And it helped make the United States what it is today. There are three main reasons why the car became so popular in the United States. First of all, the country is a big one and Americans like to move around it. The car makes the travel the most comfortable and cheapest. With a car people can go to any place without spending a lot of money. The second reason cars are popular is the fact that the United States never really developed a practical and cheap public travel system. Long distance trains have never been as common in the United States as they are in other parts of the world. Now there is a good system of air-service provided by planes. But it is too expensive to be used often. The third reason is the most important one, though. The American spirit of independence is what really made cars popular. Americans don't like waiting for a bus, or a train or even a plane. They don't like to have to follow an exact timetable. A car gives them the freedom to plan their own time. And this is the freedom that Americans want most to have. Less oil has caused a big problem for Americans. But the answer will not be a bigger system of public transportation. The real answer will have to be a new kind of car, one that does not use so much oil. In the writer's opinion, cars are popular in the United States mainly because _ . A Americans like to plan their own time B The United States does not have enough public transportation C Americans will not feel poor when they travel in their cars D Americans cannot move around without their own cars Answer: A In recent years, the black bear population in the US has risen. Forests once cleared for farming have started to grow back and black bears have returned to them. But the bears are finding that their forest habitat has changed. Instead of thick forests covering thousands of acres, bears now have neighbors nearby. Roads, homes, schools, and shopping centers have been built at the edge of their forest home. And with humans and bears trying to share the same space, problems arise. Black bears usually prefer to avoid people, but their nose may lead them into trouble. Their normal diet includes nuts, insects, and plants. But given the opportunity, they will gladly help themselves to whatever they can find. With the great sense of smell, the bears can _ a tasty treat 2 or 3 miles away. Food left out in a park or backyard is an invitation to dinner. And whileraiding a cooler, bird feeder , trash can, car, or even a home, they can do a lot of damage. When that happens, people get angry. If another solution doesn't immediately appear, they often want the bears killed. Bear Aware, Bear Wise, and Bear Smart are trying to keep that from happening. They want people to respect bears, not fear them, and are suggesting ways to reduce the chances of bears stopping by for a snack. They're convincing people that by following some simple steps, it's possible to live peacefully with our wild neighbors. We learn from the text that black bears _ . A hate insects in forests B eat different foods C usually live in big groups D like to share space with humans Answer: B
Food, Drink & Refreshment Relax and unwind in our new state of the Loch Ness Eatery. Whether you are looking for a snack or a full meal we can provide almost anything to suit everyone. We will be ready for helping you at all times. Fresh Tea. Coffee, Hot Chocolate etc. Good choice of Home Baking and Cake Home Made Soup and Sandwiches. Sweets and Soft Drinks Packed to aches for those who prefer a picnic. Seating for over 150 visitors. Tel: +44(0)1456 450321 Web: www.lochness.com It's clear that the Eatery _ . Answer: I was a dance teacher when I first began working with people who have disabilities. I had thirty students. These were teens and adults up to the age of 40. We learned new steps together. We laughed together and we shared a love of music and fellowship. I had one pupil, Dan, who didn't appear to get much out of the class. I never had eye contact with him. When I left the class to travel down the stairs to reach the main floor of the building, he moved worriedly as a blind person might do in unfamiliar condition. One day his parents met me shopping downtown and told me that they were so grateful that I was teaching the class. They said that my class was the high point of their son's week. Were they just being polite? A week later, a snowstorm held me up and I was later than usual pulling into the school parking lot. Ahead of me by one row of cars, and over to one side, was my student, Dan and his worker. I could see his face as he moved toward the building. He was excited. I watched Dan run toward the building in anticipation of his weekly treat, my class. I cried as it hit me that though I could not see in class all that Dan got from the class, it surely meant a lot to him. Dan did indeed love the class. He was getting enjoyment out of it. Today when I teach courses at the College to students, I remind them that children can stand on the sidelines and seem to be uninterested and yet they can be learning at the same pace as those who are in the middle of the activity. When I teach this, I think, yes and this is true for those with disabilities too! Teach with the wonderful enthusiasm and you are bound to reach your students. Do your job with a love for others and you will be successful no matter what your job involves. The writer found her working with disabilities _ . Answer: Sam, a dog, was left behind in Colorado while his owners, Mr. And Mrs. Green moved to Southern California. They did not give the dog up. They found him a very nice home before they moved. They would have let Sam accompany them, but they were afraid the dog's presence would make it difficult for them to rent a house when they reached their _ . The Green family lived in Colorado for less than a year. Before that, they had lived in the same neighborhood in California to which they returned. So Sam had been there before, but only for a short time when he was young. Several months after the Greens left Colorado, after they were comfortably settled back in California, they heard a scratch at the door. They couldn't imagine who might be there. It never occurred to them that it might be Sam, because they were sure he was happily set up with his new family back in Colorado. When they opened the door, the Greens saw a dirty, tired dog with very hurting feet. The animal looked a little bit like Sam, but no one could believe that Sam could have walked 840 miles on his own. The tired dog spent the night under the family car. The next day, when he was more rested, he performed some of his old tricks. The Greens knew they had their own dog back. The Greens knew the dog was Sam _ . Answer: Let's Go See Papa is a lovely children's book. In this book, a little girl tells about her life while her dad is working far away from her. "I haven't seen my dad for one year, eight months and twenty-two days," the girl writes in her journal. She writes everything she has done so that her father will never miss a day. Sunday is the cheapest day for long-distance phone calls, so that day is special to the girl and her mother. One Sunday phone call brings surprising news. Dad tells his daughter that she and Mom will finally be able to come and live with him in the United States. The girl feels happy, because she can see her father again. But she has to leave her dog and her best friend Rocio behind. A few days later, Mom and the little girl go to the airport. They have to say goodbye to the happy days they spent here. How does the girl go to the United States with her mother? Answer: Johnny was in his backyard. He held a big basket full of clean clothes for his mother to hang. A little spotted dog ran into their backyard. He jumped up and grabbed a sock from Johnny's basket! He ran as fast as he could and disappeared into the bushes. "I must get that sock back!" Johnny said. "That sock is my favorite!" He ran into the bushes after the little spotted dog. Johnny saw Mr. Wilson in the next yard over cooking at his grill. "Mr. Wilson," Johnny said. "Did you see a dog with a sock?" "I sure did!" Mr. Wilson said. "The little dog ran around and around and then ran into the next yard!" Johnny ran after the dog into the next yard. He saw Mrs. Tomly reading a book on a chair. "Mrs. Tomly," Johnny said. "Did you see a dog with a sock?" "I sure did!" Mrs. Tomly said. "The little dog ran around and around then ran into the next yard!" Johnny ran after the dog into the next yard. There, he saw a cat laying on a table. "Mr. Cat," Johnny said. "Did you see a dog with a sock?" The cat opened one eye. Then it pointed to the next yard over with his tail. Johnny ran into the next yard. He saw Mrs. Han sitting on a chair petting the little spotted dog. The dog had his sock. "That is my sock!" Johnny said. Mrs. Han smiled and gave Johnny back his sock. "Sparky here only wanted to play." Johnny petted Sparky. "I want to play too," he said to the dog. "As long as you do not steal my socks!" Sparky barked happily. He and Johnny played the rest of day together. How did the cat point to where the little spotted dog went? Answer:
UNICEF is appealing for more than one billion dollars in aid for women and children around the world. The United Nations Children's Fund has released its "Humanitarian Action Report" for two thousand ten. The report lists twenty - eight countries and territories with some of the world's most pester affecting women and children. Haiti was considered to be in crisis long before the earthquake in January. The deputy executive director of UNICEF, Hilde Johnson, says the quake has only made the need for aid more immediate. But she says children all over the world have the right to the same assistance as children everywhere else. The "Humanitarian Action Report" discusses several issues that UNICEF says increasingly threaten the basic rights of women and children. It says climate change has caused droughts and food insecurity in many areas. High food prices and the global financial crisis of two thousand eight-two thousand nine have only added to poverty and malnutrition . And armed conflict continues to threaten the lives of millions. Hilde Johnson says children are always the most affected by conflicts and disasters. They face an increased risk of abuse, including sexual violence and other serious rights violations . UNICEF deals with about two hundred emergencies around the world every year. The greatest need last year was in sub-Saharan Africa. The report says drought, food insecurity and civil unrest affected about twenty-four million people. Violence and displacements of people were especially bad in Sudan, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic. In Asia, UNICEF expects its financial assistance needs to more than double this year. This is partly the result of adding Pakistan and the Philippines to the latest report. In Pakistan, it says, more than two million people have been forced from their homes by the conflict in the Swat Valley and other areas of the northwest. And in the Philippines, more than two hundred thousand people are still living in shelters after severe storms last year. This year's UNICEF report talks about the value of public and private partnerships in helping children and families in emergencies. And that's the VOA Special English Development Report, written by June Simms. For a link to the UNICEF report listing the twenty-eight countries and territories in crisis, go to www.unsv.com. I'm Steve Ember. From this passage we know that the most serious problems in Asia are _ . displacemerds, and storms Hello, listeners. Welcome to Henton Hospital Radio. Before our music program begins, I'm going to repeat some of our hospital rules. The hospital can sleep 800 patients. There are 8 beds in each ward .The visiting hours are in the afternoon from 2:30 to 3:30 and in the evening from 7:00 to 8:00. But remember only two visitors at a time. Sorry about that, but you can see what would happen if we didn't have these rules. The other rules are about our time schedule. We start quite early-you might not be used to that. We wake you at 6 o'clock, and breakfast is at 8 o'clock, lunch at noon. There's tea at 3:30 and supper is at 6' o clock. You can see the "No Smoking" sign-we don't allow smoking in the wards. I'm sure you understand why. However, if you do need to smoke, there are some smoking-rooms for you. You will find the radio switch on the wall near your bed, with your own headphones, if you want to listen. It's our own hospital radio wishing you a quick recovery{}. What program will follow this radio talk? A music program Google is testing its newest high-tech device, Google Glass. Most of the technologies for Google Glass are already available on smart phones. Google has taken those same technologies and added them to eyeglass frames . The company describes the glasses as wearable computers that would change the way people view others and the world. "Google Glass is a tiny computer that sits in a lightweight frame, and rests neatly above your eye and it makes exploring and sharing the world around you a lot easier," said Chris Dale, the Senior Manager of Communications for Google Glass. The glasses have a tiny video screen and a camera that connect wirelessly to the Internet through WIFI, a smartphone, or a tablet computer. You can make and receive calls, send and receive texts, take pictures, record video or search the web. You control Google Glass using your voice, and a touchpad on the right arm of the frame. Professor Marcia Dawkins is among a select group of people who have been given a chance to test out Google Glass. "I thought this is something I definitely need for my classroom and hopefully for my personal life too." The Professor's Google Glass looks like a pair bright orange glasses, without the actual glass. But there's a tiny rectangular glass at the top right-hand corner. Through that glass, she has been recording video while biking. She also has been able to talk to her sister in Thailand, and she plans to use the device to teach a public speaking class. But not everyone is excited about Google Glass. Some are concerned about possible risks to privacy. John Simpson is the director of the privacy project at Consumer Watchdog. "It is going to allow people to come in and spy on you and record that, without you knowing what is going on." Filmmaker Chris Barrett showed just how easy it is to record people without them knowing it. His glass captured a man getting arrested after a fight. He shared the video on You Tube. Also some are concerned about the use of facial recognition technology on Google Glass. But Google says it will not approve the use of such applications. The Internet company says it is still testing its new device, and it hopes to make Google Glass available to the public by early next year. Which of the following is not true about Google Glass? Everyone can buy it now. What contains seeds whole pumpkin In fact, at the time they seemed to be ordinary events, but now everything seems different. I had spent 10 years away from the place where I was born. Even though I made the decision to leave my country by myself, I miss a lot of things now. The person that brought me the happiest memories is my best friend. She is the greatest person in the world, and I am not exaggerating . She is kind, funny,polite,and always willing to listen,and has been a great friend. I always recall events from our childhood. I think about the school where we met in the first grade and went on until the 5thgrade. I think about the talks we had and the things we did together. If someone wants me to describe our friendship, I'd say we have been close friends for 17 years and we never got angry with each other. It's amazing, isn't it? I haven't been able to do that with anybody else. Sometimes I even feel guilty . I miss her more than my own brothers and sisters. And of course besides those memories, my kids are number one in my life. I have plenty of beautiful memories with them, especially when they were born, which also turned out to be a sad moment for both of them, because they were premature babies . Anyone, who has had an experience with a premature baby, can _ what I mean. What can we learn from the passage? They got to know each other in their childhood.
Gabby Logan was a gymnast when she was young. She is now the 39-year-old mother of seven-year-old twins, Reuben and Lois. The other day on TV she was dressed in a new swimsuit, which was designed to show off her nice figure, which was admired by a great number of television viewers. Gabby, who won high praise for her television show of the Olympics, has asked the woman of the whole nation to go to the swimming pool, saying the secret of her figure is regular swimming. She is also making advertisements for the new Sculpture Swimwear of Speedo, an international swimsuit company, to help women find the perfect swimsuit. Gabby said, "We all felt uneasy about getting into our swimwear at first. But we should be excited by the sporting achievements we have seen at the Olympics this summer. To get ourselves a little healthier, have a try and go to the swimming pool. " Then she said," Swimming is the perfect exercise if you want to feel healthy or simply relax. I find that going for a swim always clears my mind and also gives me some valuable 6 my time'. I like the calm of swimming which I can't experience when I am not in the pool. " A study by Speedo, an International company, which sells swimsuits, reported the biggest reason why women were put off going to the pool was the way they looked in swimwear. More than half of the l,000 women surveyed have been reduced to tears when trying on swimwear. And 48 percent said they felt too self-conscious to go swimming with their children. Sally Polak, from Speedo, said, " We're hoping to give women the courage and confidence to get back into the water. " What is the author's purpose of writing the text? A. To introduce a famous woman. B. To discuss a TV show of the Olympics. C. To report a way of keeping a good figure. D. To encourage women to go swimming. Answer: D A relationship is defined as a state of connectedness between people. Although in today's society with its crazy rhythm of everyday life, when people tend to live in thickly populated cities, spending most of their time in the office and hardly knowing their neighbor's name, we still find ourselves in some kinds of relationships-with friends, family, or colleagues. Family relationships are the first relationships people enter. Parents and relatives influence our emotional development by creating a model that we are sometimes bound to follow all our lives, often subconsciously . In day-care, at school, then in the office we spend a lot of time among fellow students and co-workers. We learn to keep business relationships, to work in a team environment, then form smaller groups of like-minded people and finally select some of them as our friends. What is a true friendship? How does it start? Are we destined to become friends with certain people or can we actually plan whom to be friends with? "Everybody's friend is nobody's." said Arthur Schopenhauer. Unlike a companionship based on belonging to the same team or group, friendship is a very personal and selective type of relationship. It calls for trust, sincerity, and emotional bonds. Sociologists believe that most people are looking for similarities in views, social status, and interests when choosing friends. No wonder that our friends are often people of the same age, sex, and education. Another important factor is joint activity and solidarity. This is the reason why many of us befriend our colleagues and other people who work in the same field. Most people would agree that a friend is someone who always listens and understands. Understanding in this context implies a lot of meanings-compassion, sympathy, and emotional closeness. It's a process in which your friend reads your emotional state, shares your feelings, identifies himself or herself with you. What is the best title of this passage? _ A. Family and Relationships B. How to Make Friends with Colleagues C. What is a True Friendship D. People and Relationship Answer: D As your charming child changes into a rebellious teenager, take a deep breath and have a good look at the situation before you throw up your arms in anger or distress. Your teen takes a vital step towards adulthood by way of fighting against your rules, regulations and attitudes. Moving beyond their previous dependence on parents, teachers and other adults, teens learn to make decisions, understand the consequences of their behavior and get ready to take on adult responsibilities. The growing need for independence sits at the heart of teenage rebellion. Many teens prefer to use peers as role models and often begin to question the reasoning behind home and school boundaries as they step closer to adulthood. The physical changes involved in adolescence coincide with(...) emotional, intellectual and moral growth, points out Kids Health---all of these can affect teenagers strongly and leave them feeling at a loss and stressed. They test different types of behavior, and it's through this testing and boundary pushing that they learn what works and what does not from their own successes and mistakes. Changes to a teenager's hair and clothing emphasize her growing independent tastes and highlight her _ a group of friends. Her opinions may begin to differ from yours as she develops her own values, leading to potential conflicts on subjects ranging from television programs to world affairs. A teen may break family rules regarding chores, loud music and schoolwork and find herself facing unwelcome punishment as a result. These acts of rebellion normally occur from time to time rather than continuously. They give teenagers the chance to see the results of their decisions for themselves and learn when rebellion may be a mistake. Unhealthy patterns of rebellion can include acts of rebellion that increase in frequency. Violent bursts of anger, physically and emotional destructive behavior and offensive language may indicate that your teen feels bitter hatred towards adults and authority and needs help in navigating those feelings. Watch for falling grades, frequent truancy from school or sudden changes to friendship, as these could indicate a variety of problems, including drug, alcohol or tobacco abuse. What's the best title for the passage? A. Teenage Problems B. Rebellion against Parents C. Generation Gap D. Teenage Rebellion Answer: D Many people take trains for their trips in China, because the train is fast and cheap. But there are many problems when people take trains. It's not easy to take trains when it is a festival. Lots of people hope someone can solve the problems. Then, the CRH trains come out. The first CRH train from Beijing to Tianjin runs in August, 2008. CRH1 and CRH2 can go up to 200 km/h, and CRH3 can run 300 km/h. Taking CRH trains is more expensive than taking a traditional train, but cheaper than taking a plane. Some people think the CRH trains and their workers are good, and they enjoy the trips by CRH train. China starts to make a CRH train, 350 kilometres an hour from Beijing to Shanghai. It can save people more time than taking the traditional trains. Can CRH trains solve the problems? "Of course not. There is still a long way to go," about 80% of the people answer. Which of the following is right about the CRH trains? A. The workers on the first CRH train are not kind. B. It costs people more money to take CRH trains than to take planes. C. CRH3 train runs slower than CRH1 and CRH2. D. Taking CRH train is expensive but it is fast. Answer: D Eleven-year-old Angela was stricken with a debilitating disease involving her nervous system.She was unable to walk and her movement was restricted in other ways as well.The doctors did not hold out much hope of her ever recovering from this illness.They predicted she'd spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair.They said that few,if any,were able to come back to normal after contracting this disease.The little girl was _ .There,lying in her hospital bed,she would vow to anyone who'd listen that she was definitely going to be walking again someday. She was transferred to a specialized hospital in the San Francisco Bay area.Whatever therapies could be applied to her case were used.The therapists were charmed by her undefeatable spirit.They taught her about imaging--about seeing herself walking.If it would do nothing else,it would at least give her hope and something positive to do in the long waking hours in her bed.Angela would work as hard as possible in physical therapy,in whirlpools and in exercise sessions.But she worked just as hard lying there faithfully doing her imaging;visualizing herself moving,moving,moving! One day,as she was staining with all her might to imagine her legs moving again,it seemed as though a miracle happened:The bed moved!It began to move around the room!She screamed out,"Look what I'm doing!Look!Look!I can do it!I moved,I moved!" Of course,at this very moment everyone else in the hospital was screaming,too,and running for cover.People were screaming,equipment was falling and glass was breaking.You see,it was the recent San Francisco earthquake.But don't tell that to Angela.She's convinced that she did it.And now only a few years later,she's back in school. _ What might be a good title for the text? A. Did The Earth Move For You? B. A Miracle Made by a Young Girl C. A Young Girl Conquered Disease D. Strong Will Defeats Illness Answer: A
Never argue with one's own understanding. The whisper of intelligence is always there, whatever you do. If you create a time lag between the whisper of intelligence and understanding in you and your action, then you are preventing the brain from growing into a new size. When you argue with intelligence, when you postpone acting according to understanding then there is confusion, the brain gets confused. The voice of understanding, the voice of intelligence has insecurity about it. How do you know that it is the right thing? So we tend to ignore it. Instead we accept authority. We obey. But the brain cannot be orderly, competent, accurate and precise if you do not listen to it, if you have no respect. We are so busy with the outside world and its force that the world that is inside us does not command that respect and reverence , that care and concern from us. So one has to be a disciple of one's own understanding, and look upon that understanding as the master. Sometimes one may commit a mistake, it might be the whim of the ego and we might mistake the whim, the wish of the ego for the voice of silence and intelligence, but that we have to discover. Unless you commit mistakes, how do you learn to discriminate between the false and the true? In learning there is bound to be a little insecurity, a possibility of committing mistakes. Why should one be terribly afraid of committing mistakes? So instead of accepting the authority of habits and conditionings, while one is moving one watches, and when there is a suggestion, do not neglect, ignore, or insult the whisper from within and from one's own intelligence. What is the function of committing mistakes from the view of the author? Scientists have searched for many years for a method to tell whether a volcano explosion will be small or large. Now, four scientists say they have discovered something in lava that will help do this. They did the research on Mount Unzen on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. Mount Unzen exploded in November, 1990. Since then, more explosions have killed 43 people and destroyed the homes of more than 2,000 others. The volcano is still active today. The scientists say the lava of the volcano contains high level of an element ,which is a sign of the presence of the lava from deep in the earth, not from the surface. They say it shows that the lava coming directly from inside the earth is connected with huge explosions instead of smaller ones. The scientists examined the lava from 18 explosions of Mount Unzen that took place during many thousands of years. They also studied the lava from other volcanoes in the area that are older than Mount Unzen. The lava studied came from both large and small explosions. The scientists found that large explosions contained more of the element than small ones. The scientists say if they had known this two years earlier, they could have warned the people living in the area near Mount Unzen and saved many lives. The four scientists discovered that the level of the element contained in the lava could tell _ . Who do you feel closer to -- your mom or your dad? In almost every culture in the world, mothers are thought to be more important than fathers during children's development and more likely to build strong bonds with their children. This belief had existed for a long time until scientists started asking a new question: What do fathers contribute to their children besides their genes? They must mean something, or they would have disappeared from children's lives at an earlier time in evolution . So, a new science of fatherhood was born. American journalist Paul Raeburn collected the discoveries over the years and put them into his new book, Do Fathers Matter? What Science Is Telling Us About the Parent We've Overlooked, hoping to make people better see the many ways that fathers influence their children. For example, Ronald Preston Rohner, a scientist at the University of Connecticut, US, spent several years studying how being accepted or rejected by parents influences children's personality. He found that children who are accepted by both their parents are usually independent and hold a positive worldview while those who feel turned down by either parent may turn out hostile and negative. Melanie Horn-Mallers, a psychologist at California State University, found that sons who have happy memories of their fathers are better able to handle day-to-day stress after growing up. Another study, by Richard Koestner at McGill University, Canada, focused on how children develop empathy . After looking at various possible factors, Koestner found one to be more important than others -- how much time their fathers spend with them. "We were amazed to find that how affectionate parents were with their children didn't matter much to the development of empathy," said Koestner. "And we were astounded at how strong the father's influence was." Indeed, evidence shows that fathers make unique contributions to their children's happiness. However, that doesn't mean that children in families without fathers are definitely going to become failures. Just look at US President Barack Obama. He is a great example of what can be achieved by people who grow up in single-mother households. What is the main purpose of the passage? A man living absolutely alone in a desert or forest is free from other people; but he is not absolutely free. His freedom is limited in several ways. Firstly, by the things around him, such as wild animals or cliffs too steep to climb. Secondly, by his own needs: he must have sleep, water, food and shelter from extreme heat or cold. Lastly, by his own nature as a man: disease may attack him, and death will certainly come to him sooner or later. When men live together, on the other hand, protection against wild animals is easier and they can work together to get food and build shelters; but each man has to give up some of his freedom so that he can live happily with the others. When men become organized into very large groups, and civilization develops, it is possible to get freedom from hunger, thirst, cold, heat and many diseases, so that each person can live a happier life than he could if he were living alone; but such a society can not work successfully unless the freedom of each human being is to some extent limited so that he is kept from hurting others. I am not free to kill others, nor to steal someone else's property, nor to behave in a way that offends against the moral sense of the society in which I live. I have to limit my own freedom myself so that others will not limit it too much: I agree to respect the rights of others, and in return they agree to respect mine. The advantages of such an agreement are great: one man can become a doctor, knowing that others will grow food, make clothes and build a house for him, in return for the work he does to keep them healthy. If each man had to grow his own food, make his own clothes, build his own house and learn to be his own doctor, he would find it impossible to do any one of these jobs really well. By working together, we make it possible for society to provide us all with food, clothes, shelter and medical care, while leaving each of us with as much freedom as it can. The author suggests that when men live together _ . The television news feature about Ben Heckmann, an eighth grader from Farmington, Minn, was breathless in its praise. "At 14, he has accomplished something many adults can't achieve," the reporter said, "Ben is a twice-published author." But Ben's two "Velvet Black" books, describing a fictional rock band, were not picked from a pile of manuscripts by an eagle eyed publisher. They were self-published, at the cost of $400 by Ben's parents. Over the past five years, print-on-demand technology and a growing number of self publishing companies whose books can be sold online have inspired writers of all ages to avoid the traditional gatekeeping system for determining who could call himself a "published author." The mothers and fathers who foot the bill say they are simply trying to encourage their children, in the same way that other parents buy equipment for a promising baseball player. But others see self-publishing as a lost opportunity to teach children about hardship and perseverance. Mr. Robbins, a critic, thinks it is wonderful to start writing at a young age, but worries self-publishing sends the wrong message. "There are no prodigies in literature," he said. "Literature requires experience, in a way that mathematics and music do not." Alan Rinzler, a publishing industry veteran, suggested parents hire a professional editor like him to work with their child to tear a manuscript apart and help make a better. Ben's father, Ken, said Ben's ambitions "weren't to knockHarry Potteroff the list," but "to get that good feeling inside that you've done something." Ajla Dizdarevic, 12, who has self-published two books of poetry, has been on television and in local newspapers. "Being a published author," she said, "was always a dream of mine." Her new dream: three books by age 15. What makes it possible for writers of all ages to self-publish their works?
Question: Crane was traveling from the United States to Cuba as a newspaper reporter. One night, his ship hit a rock. It sank m the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Florida. Most of the people on board got into lifeboats. Crane was among the last to leave. There were three others with him: the ship's captain, the cook, and a sailor. These four men climbed into the only remaining lifeboat. The boat was so small that no one believed it could stay afloat for very long. None of the four men thought he would ever reach the shore. But the men fought the seas bravely, with all their strength. For two days, the four men had been struggling to reach land, but there was no land to be seen. All the men saw were violent waves which rose and came fiercely down on them. Hours passed. Then, as the boat was carried to the top of a great wave, the captain looked across the water. He said that he saw the lighthouse at Mosquito Inlet. The cook also said he saw it. The lighthouse had been slowly growing larger. At last, from the top of each wave the men in the boat could see the land. Slowly, the land seemed to rise from the sea. Soon, the men could see two lines, one black and one white. They knew that the black line was formed by trees, and the white line was the sand. At last, the captain saw a house on the shore. And the lighthouse became even larger. Slowly and beautifully, the land rose from the sea. The wind came again. Finally, the men heard a new sound -- the sound of waves breaking and crashing on the shore. The men watched the shore grow larger. They became hopeful. In an hour, perhaps, they would be on land. The men struggled to keep the boat from turning over. They were used to balancing in the boat. The reporter thought he was now wet to the skin. But he felt in the top pocket of his coat and found eight cigars. Four were wet, but four were still dry. One of the men found some dry matches. Each man lit a cigar. The four men sailed in their boat with the belief of a rescue shining in their eyes. The captain saw the lighthouse when _ . A. the boat was raised to a higher' position over the sea B. he sailed in the best position in the boat C. he searched around with his rich sailing experience D. the cook reminded him to observe it Answer: A Question: Wide awake in Aunt Bet's Southern house, Annie Van Lew shivered at the sounds of distant guns. It was bad enough that America was at war, but the young Virginia girl was not used to battles being fought this close. _ .Annie sat up in bed and listened.Had a stranger broken in? Earlier, the family had heard that captured officers recently escaped from a prison nearby. Quietly opening her bedroom door, Annie walked out. A figure in a black gown was walking down the hall. It was Aunt Bet, carrying a candle in one hand and a plate of fried chicken in the other. Annie followed her aunt to a stairway at the far end of the house. Aunt Bet climbed to the top, and opened a door leading to the attic . Annie followed closely behind. In the attic, Aunt Bet stopped at a chest of drawers, moved it aside, and felt along the wall behind it. Slowly a door sprang open, revealing a hidden room. A thin man stepped out of the opening. As Aunt Bet handed him the plate of food, the young man saw Annie in the doorway and froze. Desperately shaking her head "no", the girl raised one finger to her lips. The officer understood and shifted his look. Quickly Annie went back downstairs and hid, waiting until after Aunt Bet left to return. Back inside the attic,Annie called softly to the man inside, who told her where to find the hidden spring. Soon the young officer stood in the open doorway. A small candle burned on a table behind him and, in its soft light, Annie studied his face. Clear eyes reflected the calm of one who faced death bravely. Smiling, he said,"What trouble you should have gotten into if your aunt had turned around!" That night, Annie learned Aunt Bet was one of many daring Southerners whose hatred of slavery drove them to risk their lives by spying for the North. The girl chatted as she dared, wishing her new friend luck when he said he would leave at dawn. Back in her room, Annie felt proud and was determined to guard her family's secret to the end. How did Annie's feelings change from the beginning of the story to the end of the story? A. In the beginning she was afraid; in the end she felt proud B. In the beginning she was angry; in the end she became fearful C. In the beginning she felt relaxed; in the end she felt anxious D. In the beginning she felt happy; in the end she became confused Answer: A Question: Which is a process that most likely formed the Appalachian Mountains found in the eastern part of North America? A. earthquake B. folded rock C. plate tectonics D. volcanic activity Answer: C Question: The black and white bird came ashore on a beach in the south of the North Island nearly 4,000 miles away from its usual habitat. The creature's astonishing journey was witnessed by a woman walking her dog as the two-foot bird waddled out of the water in front of her. She said, "It was out of this world to see it. It was this glistening white thing standing up on the sand and I thought I was seeing things." The tale of the lost penguin is similar to the 2006 children's film Happy Feet, in which a young penguin finds himself far from home during a voyage of discovery. Conservationists believe it has completed an incredible journey for such a young bird -- it is estimated to be around 10 months old. The most likely explanation for its appearance in New Zealand is the hunt for food. Experts said it may also have rested on an ice floe during its travels and was carried north for a great distance before it made a swim for dry land. Colin Miskelly, a curator of New Zealand Museum, said, "They can spend months at a time in the ocean and come ashore only to moult (,)or rest." Mr. Miskelly said the brave bird would have to find its way back south soon if it was going to survive. He said, "It is probably hot and thirsty and has been eating wet sand." "It doesn't realize that the sand isn't going to melt inside it because they typically eat snow -- their only liquid." -- it can inflict painful bites if threatened. What do we know about the penguin according to Mr. Miskelly? A. The penguin could spend months at a time in the ocean and came ashore only to have young ones. B. The young bird might have slept on an ice floe and could not swim for dry land. C. The young penguin didn't realize the sand wasn't going to melt inside it like snow it eats. D. The brave bird would have to find its way back north soon if it was going to survive. Answer: C Question: This is a song, and millions of Americans will hear it on New Year's Eve. It is called "Auld Lang Syne" (<<>> ). It is the traditional music played during New Year's celebration. "Auld Lang Syne" is an old Scottish poem. It tells about the need to remember old friends. The words "auld lang syne" mean "old long since". No one knows who wrote the poem first. However, a version by Scottish poet Robert Burns was published in 1796. The words and music we know today first appeared in a song book three years later. The song is played in the United States mainly on New Year's Eve. The version you are hearing today is by the Washington Saxophone Quartet. One of the 4 musicians in the group is VOA's Rich Kainfaite. As we end our programme with "Auld Lang Syne",I would like to wish all of our radio friends a very happy New Year! This is Buddy Thomas. Where is this passage from? A. A magazine. B. A TV programme. C. A radio programme D. A newspaper. Answer: C
An unwillingness to listen to guidelines leaves data completely More than half of the parents in the United States are helping, or have helped, support their adult children who have been hit by high unemployment and poor wages , according to a new survey. It showed that present economic conditions are discouraging young adults from leaving home and forcing those who have already gone, so-called boomerang kids, to return. "Parents are continuing their financial involvement longer than we expected," said Ted Beck, president of National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE). About 60 percent of parents questioned in the survey said they're helping their adult children who are no longer in school financially. Half are providing housing and nearly half are helping with living expenses. For an increasing number of adult children, the situation is bad. Two-thirds of adult children, aged 18 to 39, who are not in school said they faced tougher financial pressures than previous generations, according to the survey. And nearly one-third of parents agreed that it was easier for them to find their financial feet than for their children. Parents are helping their children out of genuine concern because they do not want to see them struggle. But Beck said that parents who make sacrifices to help their adult children should be careful about their own finances. "If you are taking on extra debt or delaying retirement to help your adult child, you could be making a mistake and putting your own financial future in danger," Beck warned. Boomerang children can also cause other problems for their parents. Thirty percent of parents said they had given up privacy since their adult children moved back home, while more than a quarter have taken on added debt, and seven percent have delayed retirement. But the survey also showed 42 percent of adult children living at home are helping with the cooking and cleaning. According to the text, boomerang kids refer to _ . The common cold is the world's most widespread illness, which is a serious infection that man receives. The most widespread mistake of all is that colds are caused by cold. They are not. They are caused by viruses passing on from person to person. You catch a cold by touching directly or indirectly, with someone who already has one. If cold causes colds, it would be reasonable to expect the Eskimos to suffer from them forever. But they do not. And in separate Arctic areas, explorers have reported being free from colds until touching again with infected people from the outside world by way of packages and mail dropped from airplanes. During the First World War, soldiers who spent long periods in the trenches, cold and wet, seldom caught colds. In the Second World War, prisoners at Auschwitz concentration camp, bare and starved, were astonished to find that they seldom had colds. At the Common Cold Research Unit in England, volunteers took part in experiments in which they gave themselves to the discomforts of being cold and wet for a long time. After taking hot baths, they put on bathing suits, allowed themselves to be with cold water, and then stood about dripping wet in a room. Some wore wet socks all day while others exercised in the rain until close to exhaustion. Not one of the volunteers came down with a cold unless a cold virus was actually dropped in his nose. If then, cold and wet have nothing to do with catching colds, why are they more frequent in winter? Despite the most hard research, no one has yet found out the answer. One explanation offered by scientists is that people tend to stay together indoors more in cold weather than at other times, and that makes it easier for cold viruses to be passed on. No one has yet found a cure for the cold. There are drugs and pain-killers such as aspirin, but all that they do is to reduce the symptoms. The writer thinks the cause of catching cold is due to _ . One day,I noticed the most beautiful Cadillac pull in the lot while waiting for my husband.A pretty female driver pulled into the spot beside our car.There was a striking resemblance to Liz Taylor.Her eyes were as blue as the sea,and teeth like an even row of pearls.A few minutes 1ater,a nice looking man entered her car,leaned over and kissed her and she drove away. Sitting there,I wanted to cry.How could some people have it all? Then it became almost routine to see her about once a week.She seemed friendly and always waved,flashing a big smile.My envy continued to exist long after she drove away. A couple of weeks later,sitting in our usual parking lot,I was holding a book,watching her over the top of it.Her husband came to the car,took her arm and helped her out of the car.I could see very well as she moved to get out.She unsteadily walked around to the passenger side very slowly, leaning on a walking cane.Sitting sideways.she lifted one leg with her hands and then the other.The beautiful lady had a prosthesis on the left Ieg and a brace on the right leg. I couldn't watch them drive away as the tears were blinding me.Through my tears,I told my husband about the beautiful lady.He said he knew her husband and the story.The lady and her parents were in a car that got caught on the railroad tracks and was hit by a train.Both parents were killed and she was severely injured.She was only 12 years old.The railroad made a large settlement with her because the crossing had no signals.He explained her car was specially built for her needs as well as the home. I prayed for forgiveness all the way home.The lady I thought had everything I didn't.I realized how lucky I was to have my parents,the ability to walk,run or dance through life and many wonderful things money can't buy.I would not have traded places with the beautiful lady for anything. When you meet a person who seems to be much better off than you,don't be fooled. What does the author want to tell us? China in the 21st century is making great progress in space technology. In 2003, the country sent up the manned spacecraft Shenzhou-V. Four years later, Chang'e-I went into orbit around the moon. In 2008 a Chinese man did the country's first spacewalk. These achievements would have been unthinkable without the contribution of Qian Xuesen, a key scientist on space programs and rocketry of the People's Republic of China. This pioneering scientist passed away in Beijing on October 31 in 2009 at the age of 98. Once called "the father of our space industry", Qian began working on China's missile and space technology in 1956, when China had little technology. When asked by General Chen Geng whether the Chinese could develop their own missiles, Qian said Chinese could do anything that foreigners could. His research helped lead to the explosion of China's first atomic bomb in1964, as well as to its first man-made satellite in 1970 and its first manned spacecraft in 2003. Qian was born in Shanghai. He graduated from Shanghai Jiaotong University in 1934.Then he studied in the US at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and later at the California Institute of Technology. During World WarII, Qian's research contributed to the development of rocket technology that the US military began using in the 1940s. He was once prevented from leaving the country because it was decided that he knew too much about certain military matters. It was not until in 1955 that Qian returned to China with the help of the late premier Zhou Enlai. "I plan to do my best to help the Chinese build a nation where they can live with dignity and happiness, " Qian told reporters before sailing for China in 1955. The great scientist devoted all his life to keeping the promise. What is the article mainly about?
What kind of life do you seek for? One that is frustrating and full of complaints every day? Or one that is filled with thankfulness, gratefulness and a positive mind? The moment we open our eyes each day, we should be grateful that we are still alive. We are given a brand-new day. We are given another day to love. We are given another day of hope. We are given another chance to do whatever we have failed to accomplish. Those who have chosen to leave this place do not have any second chance. We should be grateful every day. By being grateful, we will treasure the things around us. We will learn to appreciate life in a better way. Treat others better and find ourselves in a better mood every day. When we are thankful and grateful for the things we have, the universe tends to give us more. By being thankful and grateful for our personal health, we will focus our attention on it and we would want to have a better well-being for our health. We will want to eat healthier food to nourish our body. After all, the body is the temple of our soul. We have to treat it well so that it can carry us a longer journey in life. When we face problems in life, be thankful and grateful too. They are designed specifically for us so that we will be stronger and wiser. We are like a strong oak tree, facing the _ weather time to time. After each storm, we will grow stronger and strengthen our foundations for the next harsh weather. The year 2013 has come to an end. Have you achieved what you aimed for in the past year? Be grateful for those you have achieved and especially for those you have not--both successes and failures. Failures and mistakes will give you valuable lessons. So, pick yourself up and try again this year. Good luck! What would be the best title for the text? Win $ 50 in the Coolest Gadget of the Week Look at what's the coolest gadget (vote for a chance to win $ 50). Cryo S: A Cool Netbook Cooler Like the other devices of NZXT, the Cryo S was designed to provide a competitive advantage at PC gaming. It has two adjustable 120mm fans that provide powerful cooling. The full post can be found on Trends Updates. Starry Night Bed Are you having trouble getting that good nights sleep that you're needing? Well, not any more. Why not take a look at the Starry Night Bed? The Starry Night Bed is a great new invention which will revolutionize the way in which you sleep. Not only is this bed fashionable and comfortable but it's also a gadget heaven. With this bed you get many added gadgets including anti-snore technology, movie projector with speakers, temperature control and many more. The full post can be found on Tech Styling. Fugoo--talking gadgets Fugoo gets all your appliances(,) talking to each other so your alarm clock could first wake you up and then tell the coffee machine to start working while checking traffic conditions online to tell you how long it will take you to get to work. The full post can be found on Decide What to Buy. Vote What is this week's coolest gadget? 0 A Cool Netbook Cooler 0 Starry Night Bed 0 Fugoo--talking gadgets Where does this advertisement probably come from? Human needs seem endless. When a hungry man gets a meal, he begins to think about an overcoat, when a manager gets a new sports car, a big house and pleasure boats dance into view. The many needs of mankind might be regarded as making up several levels. When there is money enough to satisfy one level of needs, another level appears. The first and most basic level of needs involves food. Once this level is satisfied, the second level of needs, clothing and some sort of shelter, appears. By the end of World War II, these needs were satisfied for a great majority of Americans. Then a third level appeared. It included such items as automobiles and new houses. By 1957 or 1958 this third level of needs was fairly well satisfied. Then, in the late 1950s, a fourth level of needs appeared; the "life-enriching" level. While the other levels involve physical satisfaction, that is, the need in comfort, safety, and transportation, this level stresses mental needs for recognition, achievement, and happiness. It includes a variety of goods and services, many of which could be called "luxury" items. Among them are vacation trips, the best medical and dental care, and recreation. Also included here are fancy goods and the latest styles in clothing. On the fourth level, a lot of money is spent on services, while on the first three levels more is spent on goods. Will consumers raise their sights to a fifth level of needs as their income increases, or will they continue to demand luxuries and personal services on the fourth level? A fifth level would probably involve needs that can be achieved best by community action. Consumers may be spending more on taxes to pay for government action against disease, ignorance, crime, and prejudice. After filling our stomachs, our clothes closets, our garages, our teeth, and our minds, we now may seek to ensure the health, safety, and leisure to enjoy more fully the good things on the first four levels. Which of the following is NOT related to "physical satisfaction" ? One morning, Ann's neighbor Tracy found a lost dog wandering around the local elementary school. She asked Ann if she could keep an eye on the dog. Ann said that she could watch it only for the day. Tracy took photos of the dog and printed off 400 FOUND fliers , and put them in mailboxes. Meanwhile, Ann went to the dollar store and bought some pet supplies, warning her two sons not to fall in love with the dog. At the time, Ann's son Thomas was 10 years old, and Jack, who was recovering from a heart operation, was 21 years old. Four days later Ann was still looking after the dog, whom they had started to call Riley. When she arrived home from work, the dog threw itself against the screen door and barked madly at her. As soon as she opened the door, Riley dashed into the boys' room where Ann found Jack suffering from a heart attack. Riley ran over to Jack, but as soon as Ann bent over to help him the dog went silent. "If it hadn't come to get me, the doctor said Jack would have died," Ann reported to a local newspaper. At this point, no one had called to claim the dog, so Ann decided to keep it. The next morning Tracy got a call. A man named Peter recognized his lost dog and called the number on the flier. Tracy started crying, and told him, "That dog saved my friend's son." Peter drove to Ann's house to pick up his dog, and saw Thomas and Jack crying in the window. After a few moments Peter said, "Maybe Odie was supposed to find you, maybe you should keep it." How did the dog help save Jack? My nine-year-old daughter, Maria, is in Year Four. Every evening we get into homework battles . Three afternoons a week, she has activities(netball, singing) after school and by the time we get home early, we argue about whether she should do her homework right after school, or if she should have some time to rest and play first. When Maria at last sits down to do her homework, she seems to want me there helping all the time, I do want to help her, but I'm sure that she is going to need to be able to do it on her own. And in fact, most of the time, I have other things I need to be doing. It seems that children these days have much more homework than we did, and some of it is really beyond their abilities . As you can see, I'm really worried about homework and I really don't know what I should do. Any ideas? Can you guess where this passage is from?
Dear Mayor, I would like to draw your attention to the depressing state of the environment in our city. Increased vehicles have made the air polluted. Citizens find it difficult to breathe. Dumping toxic chemicals into the river has polluted the drinking water and ground water. All of us, as concerned citizens, have discussed these problems in various meetings. We have come up with the following proposals . The green roads are no longer green. Many trees and bushes have been cut. We propose restricting the movement of vehicles. Besides, we should make it compulsory to use anti-pollution devices on all vehicles. We should also plant more plants and trees along roads. The Bada Nadi River has become a dumping ground of toxic chemicals from some factories. These toxic chemicals have killed nearly all the life in the river and polluted our drinking water and ground water. We propose that the Bada Nadi River be declared a protected water body. All the dumping should be banned and heavy fine should be imposed on the offenders . To _ the problem of managing toxic waste, we propose setting up a water treatment plant so that only clean water is discharged into the river. Cleaning up the river and introducing various fishes and plants to the river will bring it back to life. Lastly, the noise pollution caused by honking horns and blaring loudspeakers has caused distress to one and all. Many people have suffered from noise-related illnesses. We propose a blanket ban on the use of loudspeakers. And"no horn zones"should also be declared in residential hospitals and school areas. I would request you to seriously consider our proposals and act accordingly. Thank you! Sincerely yours, A kind-hearted citizen In order to protect the Bada Nadi River, the author suggests _ . A anti-pollution devices should be used on vehicles B planting more trees and bushes along roads C restricting the movement of vehicles D banning dumping dangerous chemicals into the river Answer: D. banning dumping dangerous chemicals into the river Today, children start to use computers, smart phones and tablets from a very young age. Many parents and child experts believe that this is very wrong. They claim that early exposure to technology can make individuals lazy and distracted. That may be true, but there it is practically impossible to change the world we live in now. _ . That is Microsoft's Windows 8 App Store. One of its applications is entirely educational, Windows 8. There, students of all ages can find apps that can greatly help them in their studies. We have prepared the 4 best of them. Wikipedia--Wikipedia is the first place where students search for information. The articles on the popular website are updated regularly and they include many details, figures and resources. With this app, you can access Wikipedia faster than ever. SAS Flash Cards--One of the most effective ways to learn your school or university material is by using the so-called "flash cards". This app, however, allows users to create an entire set of cards in a matter of minutes. Also, the cards can be divided into different subject categories, which makes studying easier and more fun than ever before. Kindle Reader--If you don't have a Kindle e-Book reader, you can use your Windows 8 device. Just install this app and the Kindle word will land in your smart phone, tablet or laptop. With the Kin-die Reader W8 app, you can also organize and store all of your favorite books. My Study Life--This application is the mobile version of the website My Study Life. The app can be very useful for students in terms of school and university organization. There you can store all the information you want like homework, assignments and papers. In addition, you can create your own school calendar that will remind you of your upcoming exams, for instance. There is one main reason why these Windows 8 apps are appropriate for students. Apart from useful, they are completely free! All you need to do is go to Microsoft's Windows 8 App Store, download the applications you want and install them onto your device. Which of the following is the best title for the passage? A Top Windows 8 Apps for Students B Windows 8 to Be Updated for Students C Games Apps in Windows 8 Store D Microsoft Company and Its Apps Answer: A. Top Windows 8 Apps for Students Irina,now 46,never imagined she'd one day make a living as a balloon artist.The daughter of an engineer and a teacher,she won top academic awards in high school,went on to medical school and became an emergency room physician in a small city. "I loved the science of medicine," she says today,"but being a doctor was very hard.I saw things people don't normally see--women giving birth in the street,people getting drunk and killing someone." Medications were scarce,making it very difficult to treat those in need.When Irina was 33,a girlfriend showed her a magazine photo of an American named Wes Patterson.They began exchanging letters,and married that December.Irina took a public relations job.Then,a few years ago,she watched a man at a party twist a skinny balloon into the shape of a dog. _ Irina soon purchased a tiny pump and a supply of balloons and began practicing on the sidewalks.Observers challenged her to create all kinds of figures.Now,Irina says,"There's nothing I can't make." Many years ago,Irina's husband developed a serious disease which now keeps him homebound."But he is a very wonderful man," Irina says.Thanks to her new career,she is able to support them both,performing about five events weekly and earning as much as $2,000 per appearance. "Irina's a wonder," says Marlene Berg,chief development officer for the Florida Heart Research Institute."She turned the evening into magic." "My whole life has become magic," Irina says,"and it's all come from a balloon." Which of the following statements about Irina is NOT true? A Her father and mother both received good education. B She studied very well when she was in high school. C Her husband gave up his job in order to support her. D She's been busy and popular among people around. Answer: C. Her husband gave up his job in order to support her. I've spent over a year in India, and in those 365 plus days, I've learned a lot about getting around Indian cities. My biggest lessons have been learned through being cheated, particularly by taxi and rickshaw drivers, but that doesn't mean those are bad ways to travel, as long as you know what you're doing. Below are the best ways to get around the city of Delhi, India, and tips for how to keep from being the victim of scams . Taking taxis is a great way to get around the city of Delhi and chances are, if you arrive in Delhi by plane, as soon as you make it through customs, you'll be swarmed by Indian taxi drivers. At the Delhi airport, be sure to arrange for a taxi to your hotel at one of the two Delhi Traffic Police Taxi Booths. One is inside the airport, and one is outside. The key is to make sure to go to a booth run by the police, rather than by independent taxi drivers. Rickshaws are one of my favorite ways to get around Indian cities, partly because it's how the locals often travel. Auto-rickshaws are more common, but bicycle rickshaws are still used in Old Delhi. If you do have a chance to take a bicycle rickshaw, you should do it at least once for a unique experience that should only set you back about 15 rupees. Auto-rickshaw rates around Delhi range between 30 and 80 rupees, depending on distance. If you really want to travel around Delhi like the locals, take a public bus. Indian buses become very crowded and most do not have air conditioning. They are, however, very cheap. A bus trip won't set you back any more than 15 rupees, as long as you stay within the city limits. Since Indian buses get so crowded, try to board the bus at the start of the route so you can get a seat. The train is a great way to get around within the city of Delhi. Fares are reasonable, between six and 22 rupees. All departure announcements are in both Hindi and English, and tokens can be purchased for between six and 22 rupees. What is the author trying to do through this text? A Expect us to travel around Delhi. B Show his/her experiences in Delhi. C Give some advice of traveling in Delhi. D Explain the difficulties of traveling in Delhi. Answer: C. Give some advice of traveling in Delhi. Tu Youyou, an 84-year-old scientist, became the first female Chinese to win a Nobel Prize in science on Oct,5. She shared the 2015 Nobel Prize for medicine because of the new medicine for malaria . Tu started the research in the 1970s that made her find artemisinin , a kind of medicine that has saved many people's lives. It comes from Chinese traditional medicine and now is a good way to treat malaria. When the news came that Tu was given the prize, there were cheers as well as questions. Some said that her achievement was the result of lots of Chinese scientists working together. So it is unfair to give the prize only to Tu. However, Tu was awarded for "three firsts". She was the first to bring artemisinin to her team, the first to extract artemisinin that can stop malaria, and the first to finish the experiment. Giving prizes to scientists with great ideas is the best way to keep national innovation . What kind of illness can artemisinin be used to treat? A cold B flu C malaria D cancer Answer: C. malaria
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. Where's the English book? A It's on the table. B It's on the bed. C It's in the schoolbag. D It's in the bookcase. Answer: C Six-month-old babies are strictly limited in what they can remember about the objects they see in the world. If you hide several objects from babies, they will only remember one of those objects. But a new study, which was published in an issue of Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, finds that when babies "forget" about an object, not all is lost. Researchers used to think that babies less than two years old did not understand that an object continues to exist when it is not in the baby's view. But in mid-1980s, new ways of doing experiments with babies found that they do, in fact, know that objects don't disappear when they do not look at them -- a concept known as object permanence. But it was still unknown what babies needed to remember about objects in order to remember their existence. Now Melissa Kibbe, of John Hopkins University, and Alan Leslie, of Rutgers University, are working to figure out exactly what it is that babies remember about objects. For the new study, they showed six-month-old babies two objects, a disk and a triangle. Then they hid the objects behind small screens, first one shape, then the other. Earlier research has shown that young babies can remember what was hidden most recently, but have more trouble remembering the first object that was hidden. Once the shapes were hidden, they lifted the screen in front of the first object. Sometimes they showed babies the shape that was hidden there originally , but sometimes it was the other shape, and sometimes the object had _ completely. Psychologists measure how long babies look at something to see how surprised they are. In Kibbe and Leslie's study, babies weren't particularly surprised to see that screen had changed, for example, from a triangle to a disk. But if the object was gone altogether, the babies looked significantly longer, indicating surprise at an unexpected outcome: "This shows that even though babies don't remember the shape of the object, they know that it should continue to exist," Kibbe says. "They remember the object without remembering the features that identify that object." This helps explain how the young brain processes information about objects, Leslie say. He thinks the brain has a structure that acts like a kind of pointer, a mental finger that points at an object. Before the study, which of the following was unclear? A Whether babies know objects are gone. B What made babies remember objects' existence. C Whether babies can remember what was hidden first. D Why babies were interested in what was hidden. Answer: B Steve, in desperate need of money, decided to hold up a local convenience store. Determined not to harm anyone, he carried a toy gun that resembled a real gun. In the store, he pointed the toy gun at the clerk and demanded money. A customer who entered the store and saw the robbery in progress pulled his own gun and fired at Steve. The bullet missed Steve but struck and killed the clerk. Steve was charged with felony murder. His best argument for being found NOT guilty is that he A did not intend to kill. B did not commit the robbery because he never acquired any money from the clerk. C did not intend to create any risk of harm. D is not responsible for the acts of the customer. Answer: D What doomed the Titanic is well known, at least in outline. On a moonless night of April 15, 1912, the ship hit an iceberg in the North Atlantic ,with 1,500 lives lost. A century later many people presented new theories to explain the real reason for the disaster. Now two new studies argue that rare states of nature played major roles in the disaster. The first says Earth's nearness to the Moon and the Sun -- a proximity not matched in more than 1,000 years -- resulted in record tides that help explain why the Titanic met with so much ice, including the fatal iceberg. Recently, a team of researchers found an apparent explanation in the heavens. They discovered that Earth had come unusually close to the Sun and Moon that winter, enhancing their gravitational pulls on the ocean and producing record tides. The rare orbits took place between December 1911 and February 1912 -- about two months before the disaster came about. The researchers suggest that the high tides refloated masses of icebergs traditionally stuck along the coastlines of Labrador and Newfoundland and sent them adrift into the North Atlantic shipping lanes. And a second, put forward by a Titanic historian from Britain, contends that the icy waters created ideal conditions for an unusual type of mirage that hid icebergs from lookouts whose duty was to watch carefully for danger ahead and confused a nearby ship as to the liner's identity, delaying rescue efforts for hours. Most people know mirages as natural phenomena caused when hot air near the Earth's surface bends light rays upward. In a desert, the effect prompts lost travelers to mistake patches of blue sky for pools of water. But another kind of mirage occurs when cold air bends light rays downward. In that case, observers can see objects and settings far over the horizon. The images often undergo quick distortions -- not unlike the wavy reflections in a funhouse mirror. Now, scholars of the Titanic are debating these new theories. Some have different opinions on it. Over all, though, many experts are applauding the fresh perspectives. (words:353) According to Theory Second, the disaster happened to the Titanic mainly because _ . A the freezing weather made the watcher not be able to watch clear B the mirage on the sea attracted the watcher and made him forget his work C the high tides drove the icebergs float so fast that the watcher didn't respond to them D the mirage made the watcher not find icebergs and a nearby ship delay rescuing Answer: D LOS ANGELES, the US Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff ruled Michael Jackson's father can receive some medical records related to his superstar son's death.The judge will review the records first before making them accessible to Joe Jackson's lawyer,Brian Oxman.Beckloff said the man can only receive records on or after June 25the day Michael Jackson died. VANCOUVER,CANADA World number one Zhou Yang overcame three South Korean players to win the women's short track speed skating 1,500 meters final at the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.The l8-year-old made perfect debut as she set an Olympic record of a winning time of 2 minutes and l6,993 seconds among other seven skaters. China has never won the women's l,500 meters in the Olympics before,and this time Zhou's performance gave China its third gold medal in Vancouver. BElJING,CHINA China's first compulsory, safety regulation on primary school buses,which requires every seat to have a seat belt,will take effect on July l to help ensure safer transportation for the country's 100 million students. Each primary school bus must also be equipped with a "black box",0r a recording monitor,to record speed,travel time and distance.Also,the bus must be staffed by teachers who will ensure student safety.In addition,the new rule states that the color of the school buses should be yellow,and each bus must have at least two emergency exits. Texas,the US A software engineer who crashed his plane into a Texas building housing a United States tax agency office,killing himself and at least one worker,apparently left behind an angry anti-government manifesto detailing his financial difficulties and tax problems.The pilot took off from an airport in Georgetown.about 48 km from Austin.He flew low over the Austin skyline before plowing into the building. We can infer from the news that _ . A Joe Jackson will be the first to receive the medical records B the tax agency office is somewhere inside the building in Texas C Zhou Yang once broke the Olympic records in the same event D the software engineer flew high over skyline before crashing into the building Answer: B
Our school has a big library. We often go there. Today is Sunday. Lily and I are in the library. In the library there are some signs on the wall. The signs mean different things. We know them. Don't shout in the reading room. Don't drink or eat here. Don't litter in the library. I see a man smoking in the reading room. I go to him and say, "Sir, you can't smoke here. Look at the sign. It says 'No smoking'.You can smoke in the smoking room." The man says sorry. In the library _ . Answer: There was a robbery at City Central Bank last yesterday afternoon. Two men entered the bank at about 4 p.m. and told the bank teller on duty to give them $ 1,000,000. The robbers were carrying guns and wearing black masks to cover their faces. The robbers told all the customers in the bank to lie down on the floor. Witnesses said that everyone in the bank was very frightened and did what the robbers told them. The teller agreed to give them the money but told them they'd have to wait a few minutes. She said the bank manager would have to get the money out of the safety. As the robbers were waiting for the money. the teller tried to press an alarm button that was hidden under the counter. It was a silent alarm, so the robbers didn't realize it had been set off. Just as the manager arrived with the money, ten police officers entered the bank. The robbers were very surprised that the officers caught them easily. The robbers are now in custody , and will appear in court next week. Police congratulated Miss Alston , the bank teller , on brave act. The bank manager said that he would give Miss Alston a week's vacation to thank her. The police caught the robbers so easily because the robbers didn't _ Answer: Several decades ago, US sociologists developed a series of universal facial images supposed to represent the seven basic human emotions: happiness, sadness, surprise, fear, disgust, anger and neutrality . But now, a new study by researchers at the University of Glasgow indicates that these standardized facial images aren't so universal at all. For the study, the Scottish researchers found 13 Western Caucasians (mainly Europeans) and 13 East Asians (mostly Chinese students). The volunteers were shown the standardized facial images and asked to identify the emotions being expressed. At the same time, the researchers electrically monitored the eye movements of the volunteers. According to the results, published in the journal Current Biology, the Asian participants had a harder time than the Caucasians telling the difference between a face meant to look fearful compared with one showing surprise, and a face supposedly expressing disgusting compared with one displaying anger. "This strongly suggests that the meanings of facial expressions are different across cultures," says Rachael Jack, who led the study. The study also showed that the volunteers focused on different parts of the face in their efforts to understand the underlying emotions. "Westerners look at both the eyes and the mouth to the same degree, yet Easterners favor the eyes and overlook the mouth. This means that Easterners has difficulty distinguishing facial expressions that are similar around the eyes," Ms Jack says. The faces representing fear and surprise" both have big, wide open eyes, while the mouths are very different," she notes. "It would be difficult to distinguish between the two if you didn't look at the mouth." So why would different cultures express emotions in different ways? Ms Jack thinks it may be considered impolite in some Asian cultures to display certain emotions in an obvious manners, and that they use more subtle ways to express them. In particular, muscle movements around their eyes could be more important for expressing feelings than over-expressive mouth movement, explaining why the Asian participants focused on the eyes. The Asian volunteers may have focused on the eyes because _ . Answer: The virus "Ebola" is named after the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. That's where the virus was discovered in 1976. A person can only get Ebola through direct contact with an infected person's bodily fluids, for example, sweat or spit. Additionally, the virus can get into your body through your eyes and mouth if those areas come into contact with something that contains the bodily fluids of an infected person. That's why health care workers are supposed to keep themselves completely covered while treating patients. The deadliest Ebola outbreak is spreading fast in Western Africa, taking over 900 lives so far. The health systems in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia are severely lacking in resources, and health care workers may not have access to adequate protective clothing when working in rural clinics, where the proper protections are lacking. Since Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia share a border; it's easier for people to move from one country to another, increasing the risk for disease spread. For now, all doctors can do is treat the symptoms and provide supportive care like monitoring heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing while making sure the patients' fluids are supplied. Sometimes patients are given antibiotics to treat other possible infections. The hope is to make the patient pull through the infection so their immune system can eventually clear the virus. The people who survive Ebola have created enough antibodies to kill it. There are several promising drugs and vaccines in development, but since Ebola is less common--and research about it is not well funded -- there is no drug or vaccine that has been approved for use in humans. Many of the other drugs and vaccines have not yet been tested in humans. The WHO (World Health Organization) is meeting next week to discuss whether experimental treatments should be used during this outbreak. Which is the possible reason why Ebola spreads in West Africa quickly? Answer: For centuries, medical pioneers have refined a variety of methods and medicines to treat sickness, injury, and disability, enabling people to live longer and healthier lives. "A salamander (a small lizard-like animal) can grow back its leg. Why can't a human do the same?" asked Peruvian-born surgeon Dr. Anthony Atala in a recent interview. The question, a reference to work aiming to grow new limbs for wounded soldiers, captures the inventive spirit of regenerative medicine. This innovative field seeks to provide patients with replacement body parts. These parts are not made of steel; they are the real things --- living cells, tissue, and even organs. Regenerative medicine is still mostly experimental, with clinical applications limited to procedures such as growing sheets of skin on burns and wounds. One of its most significant advances took place in 1999,when a research group at North Carolina's Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine conducted a successful organ replacement with a laboratory-grown bladder. Since then, the team, led by Dr. Atala, has continued to generate a variety of other tissues and organs from kidneys to ears. The field of regenerative medicine builds on work conducted in the early twentieth century with the first successful transplants of donated human soft tissue and bone. However, donor organs are not always the best option. First of all, they are in short supply, and many people die while waiting for an available organ; in the United States alone, more than 100,000 people are waiting for organ transplants. Secondly, a patient's body may ultimately reject the transplanted donor organ. An advantage of regenerative medicine is that the tissues are grown from a patient's own cells and will not be rejected by the body's immune system. Today, several labs are working to create bioartificial body parts. Scientists at Columbia and Yale Universities have grown a jawbone and a lung. At the University of Minnesota, Doris Taylor has created a beating bioartificial rat heart. Dr. Atala's medical team has reported long-term success with bioengineered bladders implanted into young patients with spina bifida (a birth defect that involves the incomplete development of the spinal cord). And at the University of Michigan, H. David Humes has created an artificial kidney. So far, the kidney procedure has only been used successfully with sheep, but there is hope that one day similar kidney will be implantable in a human patient. The continuing research of scientists such as these may eventually make donor organs unnecessary and, as a result, significantly increase individuals' chances of survival. What have scientists experimented successfully on for a bioartificial kidney? Answer:
A switch turns something on because: Answer: metal closes the circuit Blogging may have psychological benefits for teens suffering from social anxiety, improving their self-esteem and helping them relate better to their friends, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association. "Research has shown that writing a personal diary and other forms of expressive writing are a great way to release emotional distress and just feel better," said the study's lead author, Meyran Boniel-Nissim, PhD, of the University of Haifa, Israel. "Teens are online anyway, so blogging enables free expression and easy communication with others." Blogging has a stronger positive effect on troubled students' well-being than merely expressing their social anxieties and concerns in a private diary, according to the article published online in the APA journal Psychological Services(r). Opening the blog up to comments from the online community intensified those effects. The researchers randomly surveyed high school students in Israel, who had agreed to fill out a questionnaire about their feelings on the quality of their social relationships. A total of 161 students -- 124 girls and 37 boys, with an average age of 15 -- were selected because their scores on the survey showed they all had some level of social anxiety or distress. All the teens reported difficulty making friends or relating to the friends they had. The researchers assessed the teens' self-esteem, everyday social activities and behaviors before, immediately after two months and after the 10-week experiment. Four groups of students were assigned to blog. Two of those groups were told to focus their posts on their social problems, with one group opening the posts to comments; the other two groups could write about whatever they wanted and, again, one group opened the blog up to comments. The number and content of comments were not evaluated for this experiment. The students could respond to comments but that was not required. Two more groups acted as _ -- either writing a private diary about their social problems or doing nothing. Participants in the writing and blogging groups were told to post messages at least twice a week for 10 weeks. Four experts, who held master's or doctoral degrees in counseling and psychology, assessed the bloggers' social and emotional condition via their blog posts. Students were assessed as having a poor social and emotional state if they wrote extensively about personal problems or bad relationships or showed evidence of low self-esteem, for example. Self-esteem, social anxiety, emotional distress and the number of positive social behaviors improved significantly for the bloggers when compared to the teens who did nothing and those who wrote private diaries. Bloggers who were instructed to write specifically about their difficulties and whose blogs were open to comments improved the most. All of these results were consistent at the two month follow-up. The authors conceded that the skewed sex ratio was a limitation to the study. However, the researchers analyzed the results separately by gender and found that boys and girls reacted similarly to the interventions and there were no major differences. They said future research should attempt to control the subjects for sex. What is the main idea of the passage? Answer: Blogging can help reduce social stress and anxiety. Traffic lights are very important for us. I think you know this. But do you know how they were born? Garrett A. Morgan was the father of traffic lights. He was an American. His family was very poor. He left school at the age of 14. He was clever. He always looked for better ways to do things. And he liked to make new things. At that time, every American wanted to have a car. The streets were full of cars. The traffic was really bad. "Why not put three lights at each corner ? They should be red,green,and yellow," Morgan said , " Let them tell cars to go or stop." He made a timer to change the lights. So we have traffic lights today . What color are the traffic lights ? They are. Answer: red , green and yellow. On Children's Day 2004,Hong Kong held an interesting activity.In this activity,children and their parents played the rich and the poor.In the dinner,the rich could have delicious food,but the poor could only have bread with porridge. Parents all hoped to have the dinner for the poor with their children.They hoped that their children could be taught a lesson from the dinner. Now many people on earth don't have enough food or clothing.Every day only half of the world could enjoy enough food. The activity was held to make the families understand the differences between the poor and the rich and also make parents know that too much material life won't always do good to the children. Which of the following sentences is true? Answer: Some of the children and their parents played the poor. A new study has found that it may be possible to train people to be more intelligent, increasing the brainpower they had at birth. Until now,it has been widely assumed that the kind of mental ability that allows us to solve new problems without having any relevant previous experience--what psychologists call fluid intelligence--is innate and cannot be taught(though people can raise their grades on tests of it by practicing). But in the new study,researchers describe a method for improving this skill,along with experiments to prove it works. The key, researchers found, was carefully structured training in working memory--the kind that allows memorization of a telephone number just long enough to dial it.This type of memory is closely related to fluid intelligence,so the researchers reasoned that improving it might lead to improvements in fluid intelligence. First they measured fluid intelligence of volunteers using standard tests.Then they trained each in a complicated memory task--the child's card game,in which they had to recall a card they saw and heard.During the course, they needed to ignore irrelevant items, monitor ongoing performance,manage two tasks at the same time and connect related items to one another in space and time. The four groups experienced a half-hour of training daily for 8, 12, 17 and 19 days, respectively.To make sure they were not just improving their test-taking skills,the researchers compared them with control groups that took the tests without the training. The results, published Monday in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,were striking.Improvement in the trained groups was a lot greater.Moreover,the longer they trained, the higher their scores were.All performers,from the weakest to the strongest,showed significant improvement. "Our results show you can increase your intelligence with proper training." said Dr Jaeggi, a co-author of the paper."No one knows how long the gains will last after training stops," he added, "and the experiment's design did not allow the researchers to determine whether more training would continue to produce further gains." .When the experiment was conducted, the researchers _ . Answer: compared the four groups with control groups
Swimming in the water of Hawaii's Big Island is a fun experience. But it can be more exciting if there are dolphins swimming around and jumping out of the sea too. For many people, it would be a wonderful dream to swim with these lovely animals! However, this may not be good for dolphins. They may get hurt because of human interaction . Dolphins are active and usually look for food at night. In the day, they like to rest in shallow bays . Many people think the dolphins are awake during the day as they swim. But when they sleep they rest half of their brain and keep the other half awake to breathe, so they may be sleeping even when they're swimming in the water. From 2010 to 2013, spinner dolphins of Hawaii's Big Island were exposed to human activities more than 82 percent of the time, according to Julian Tyne, a researcher at Australia's Murdoch University. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says disturbing the animals in their near-shore habitat could force them to swim to less favorable places, putting them at risk of attack by sharks and other animals. Besides, when people are around, dolphins become more active. Thus, they can't get enough sleep. "Disturbing their resting behaviors can actually affect their long term health and the health of the dolphin population," Ann Garrett of NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service told the Associated Press. As a result, the NOAA wants to make rules to help protect the dolphins. For example, the agency may ban swimming with the Hawaii spinner dolphins. Or they may stop people from swimming in shallow bays when the dolphins are resting. Tour operators must also be taught to watch for signs to know when the dolphins are in their resting state. What does the article mainly talk about? Trip 1 Black Bear Count There have been fires in this area in the last few years and the Office of the National Park is not sure how many black bears are still living. Some bears have been seen since the fires, and the Office has asked for young people to help count them. The entire trip will last three hours. Bookings necessary. Cost: Free When: May 8 Trip 2 Garland Valley Bring your drink and lunch for this walk in a beautiful area of the Blue Mountains. Garland Valley is close to the town of Garland hut is part of the National Park. Many wild animals live in this area, including many rare birds. This is a great walk for bird-lovers. The trip lasts four hours. Bookings necessary. Cost: $ 15 When: May 8, May 15 Trip 3 Flashlight Adventure Put on your warm clothes, bring a flashlight and a pair of glasses, and come for a night walk along the Dungog Valley. A guide will lead the tour. Many of the animals you will see on this trip . The guide will tell you about the lives of the animals you see. Numbers are strictly limited on night trips, so be sure to book early. This walk lasts two and a half hours. Cost: $ 12 When: May 8, May 15, May22 Equipment to be needed: * Please bring enough water and food for all walks. * Wear good walking shoes--no high heels. * Wear a hat for day walks. * Dress warmly for night walks. * Children must be with an adult. * Make sure your flashlight works well and bring extra batteries for night walks. * Follow all instructions from guides during the walks. The mountains are a dangerous place. Bookings: * Bookings for the above trips can be trade by telephone(893 -- 4847)or on the Internet at Which following statement about Flashlight Adventure is NOT true according to the passage? Top chefs aren't known for their friendly character. Assistants who overcook food by ten seconds usually struggle to get out of the kitchen alive. My father was a top chef. We'd had a stormy relationship for years, but I decided to follow in his footsteps anyway, and train as a chef. It was better than the dead-end I 'd reach with the job I'd been doing. After three years, I became head chef in a restaurant called The Tortoise. As the boss, I made important decision but if anything went wrong, I was the one who should take the responsibility. Experiencing the sweaty kitchens, I learned why my father was the way he was. When I began, _ ---I just wanted a regular job--but soon I realized my career was taking off. The rich and famous started to visit the restaurant and eventually came the time when I had to decide about my future: I could either open my own restaurant or go and work for one of the big ones. Then life made the decision for me. My father tried and I got his job. On my first day, I received an unfriendly welcome. No one would talk to me. What made it worse was that I was ill--I had a cold , and my hands were shaking as I went into the kitchen. I held my breath, stood up in front of everyone and said, My name is Leah Kleist. You all know my father. whether you loved him or hated him, I don't care. He is the past. Now let's get to work. And we did. What will happen to assistants who overcook food? My sister Sharon and I look very _ . She's tall, and I'm short. She has short curly dark (,) hair, and I have long straight blond hair. We both have dark eyes, but Sharon wears glasses, and I don't. And she always wears large earrings . I don't wear earring. Sharon and I do many things together . We watch movies together, and we often go shopping. We play tennis together every Saturday. Often, people don't know that Sharon and I are sisters, because we look so different. But we are also good friends. The two sisters both _ . Once upon a time there lived the daughter of a king. Her name was Safia. Her father and mother loved her very much, and would deny her nothing in the world. One day, a magician came to the palace and asked for sanctuary , saying that he was a professor who was being persecuted by his enemies and had nowhere to write an important book. "Good professor," said the king, "you shall have a room and everything that you desire, on condition that you may finish your great work." So the magician went on with his spells and magic formulas, pretending to be absorbed in scholarly matters. Every Friday, which was the day of rest in that far land, the magician paid his respects to the king and his court, but secretly he desired to take away the king's throne. One day he disguised himself as an old woman and walked under the trees in the palace gardens till he met Safia. "Princess," he said, "let me be your laundress, for I can wash linens and silks as finely as anyone in the world, and I would do it for almost nothing if I could serve Your Highness." "Good woman," said Princess Safia, "I can see that you are a poor creature and grieve for your condition. Come to my private quarters and I shall give you some of my linen to wash." So the disguised magician followed the princess into the palace, and before the girl could see what was happening he bundled her into a laundry bag and ran away as fast as his legs would carry him. He took the princess into his private room. Muttering a magic spell, he made her as small as a doll, and put her in a cupboard. The next Friday he went to the court as usual, and found the whole palace _ "Princess Safia has vanished, and His Majesty is nearly out of his mind. All the soothsayers have tried to find out through their magical powers where she can be, but none of them have managed it," said the Grand Vizier. The wicked magician smiled, for he knew that his spell was so strong that it would defy all the soothsayers in the land until the day of his death. We know from the passage that Safia _ .
The Puritans get a bad reputation in America--especially when it comes to alcohol. Mayflower, the first ship that came over from England to Massachusetts Bay, actually carried more beer than water.In fact the Founding Fathers of America liked a drink--Samuel Adams was a partner in his father's brewery, and Thomas Jefferson was famous for importing European wines. Early Americans took a healthful small drink for breakfast, whiskey was a typical lunchtime drink, ale accompanied supper and the day ended with another drink called nightcap.Most Americans in 1790 consumed an average of 5.8 gallons of pure alcohol a year.In 1830, consumption reached 7.1 gallons a year and alcoholism was starting to have a serious influence on communities.Women and children might be in physical danger if the man of the house began drinking.If he became ill or lost his job through drinking, there was no social safety net to support or protect his family.Eventually, alcoholism was being treated as a disease. By the late 19th Century, support for Prohibition, banning the manufacture and sale of alcohol, was powerful.The first arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol was in 1897.On 16 January 1919, Prohibition was set into law.However, by the 1930s when American economy was experiencing a hard time it was widely believed that making alcohol legal again would provide badly-needed jobs and taxes.So in February of 1933, Prohibition was endeD. Still, Prohibition had a great influence on alcohol drinking in this country.In 1955, Americans drank an average of 2.3 gallons of pure alcohol a year.The Prohibition movement was still quite strong after Prohibition ended and it led to a lot of local prohibition on alcohol. The American presidency has done a lot to rehabilitate alcohol and make it respectable again.Presidents Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama can all be seen on film drinking socially and making official toasts with international celebrities. In what way was an alcoholic's family affected by alcoholism? A His family couldn't afford the drink. B His family might suffer financially. C His wife and children might become ill. D His family ought not be treated equally. Answer: B About a year ago,if you had asked who Dinara Safina was,the answer would have been,"She is Marat Safin's younger sister." She was overshadowed by her wonder brother.But now she has made a name for herself:the world No.1 player in women's tennis. The 22yearold Russian overtook Serena Williams of the US for top ranking on April 20."Before,every place I go,I am Marat's sister.Nothing else,"she told New York Times."I always wanted to be myself,and now finally the results come,and people can know me as Dinara Safina." Safina has made it to two great event finals,in the 2008 French and in the 2009 Australian Open,and won a silver medal in the Beijing Olympic Games. Clearly,family isn't the only connection Safina and her brother share.Their DNA burns with competitive fire.Safin has held the distinction for years of being a hottempered player on court.When he lost his temper,he would smash a racket .Safina is as emotionally explosive as her brother.A headline in the newspaper The Australian once described her as "mad as a snake".The Sydney Morning Herald,during the Australian Open,summed up Safina's volatile emotional state with the headline--Safina goes from basket case to top of the world. It's not rare for a family to have two top tennis players.Safina's father owns a tennis academy and her mother worked as a coach."I had no choice but to become a tennis player,but I don't mind being a tennis player," Safina said. From this talented family she is also given one of her best weapons on court,her size.She is 1.82 meters tall and weighs 70kg.But it is hard work that led her to her recent success. "I hope to prove to everyone over the coming months that I deserve the honor of being world No.1,"she said. What can we infer from the headline "Safina goes from basket case to top of the world"? A Safina wanted to top the world in tennis when she was a baby in a basket. B After she won the Australian Open,Dinara Safina cried. C Too nervous at first,Safina finally gained confidence and won. D Safina learnt from the basket case and finally came top of the world. Answer: C Every child has his own dream. Every child hopes to be an adult. However, is it truly like what they imagine? As a boy who lives in modern times and in a modern city, I feel greater pressure on me with the city's development. Although we seldom worry about money, we still have a lot of things such as competition among classmates and expectations from parents. These experiences are very helpful to our future. But in fact they really give me a lot of pressure. I still clearly remembered the happiness of my childhood. Unluckily, we had to face the fact with time passing by. We began to feel this invisible pressure come upon us. We get up before sunrise and return after sunset. We work and study like an adult, even harder. What we do is to get an excellent mark. Oh, growing up is completely boring. We must try to find happiness while growing up. I think the friendship among our friends, the support from our parents and the encouragement among our teachers can help us. Why not enjoy the pleasure of growing up? How does the writer think we can find the happiness? A From friends, parents and teachers. B With the help of classmates. C Through talking with parents. D By studying hard like an adult. Answer: A I'm a speed reader. Have been since I was a teen. Mother worked for the continuing education department of a university, and they were offering a class on speed reading and needed one more person to fill out the class. I became that one person. The class met for only an hour or two for a few weeks, but when the goal of a class is speed, you don't need to meet for long. The instructor said to make our eyes go across the lines of words as fast as they could and not to be concerned about what the words meant. I read Animal Farm in 10 ten minutes. Cover to cover. The instructor asked what the book was about. I said I didn't know, but if I had to guess I'd say it was about animals on a farm. He looked displeased. I've been speed reading ever since. I can't stop and I can't slow down. Today, for example, I plan on reading Churchill's History of the English Speaking Peoples over lunch. I hope it's more memorable than Animal Farm. As a result of all this speed-reading, I often experience a delay between what I think I read and what something actually says. The other day I passed by a mall with a large sign that said "Auto Theft Sale". I thought how efficient it was for auto thieves to simply sell all the stole cars in a big tent at the mall. A half-mile later it dawned on me that the sign had said "Auto Tent Sale". Every time I drive through a construction zone, I gasp . The sign says: "Hit a Worker $10, 000 (about 62,000 yuan)." It reads like they're offering a reward. Of course, it's not an offer. It's just that my eyes rarely take in the last line that says, "Fine." It's a $10, 000 fine if you hit a worker. Someone really needs to rephrase that one. Speed reading has bitten me on the backside more than once. Especially as a writer. Just ask any of my editors. Why was the author able to attend classes on speed reading? A Her mother found her gifted in speed reading. B She was the only teenager applicant for the class. C She'd already practiced speed reading before. D She took a chance and filled one vacancy . Answer: D I was born in Ireland and lived there until I was nineteen years old. I came to New York in 1956. At first, I held several jobs to earn a few dollars. Later, to live a better life, I bought my own taxi car. Till now, I've been in the taxi car business for thirty-five years. I know there is a lot about taxi drivers that is not so good. Because of this, people get the wrong impression that they are bad. In fact, taxi drivers are just like other honest people. You can read in the papers almost every week where a taxi driver turns in money or jewels people leave in their cars. One time in Brooklyn, I found a ring in my car. I remembered helping a lady with a lot of bags that day, so I went back to the store where I had dropped her off. It took me almost two days to look for her in order to return the ring. I didn't get as much as "Thank you." Still, I felt good because I had done what was right. In all my years of driving a taxi car, I have never had any trouble with the public because I always try to be nice to everyone. I try to be honest toward others. I have been trying this for a long time, and the longer I try, the easier it gets. I believe honesty is one of the greatest gifts there is. It's something that makes a man a good guy. This is also my way to live by. The writer came to New York _ . A for 35 years B for 54 years C in 1956 D since he was 19 Answer: C
Once upon a time, there was an island inhabited by: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all the rest of it, including Love. One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all constructed boats and left. Except for Love. Love was the only one who stayed. Love wanted to hold out until the last possible moment. When the island had almost sunk, Love decided to ask for help. Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love said, "Richness, can you take me with you?" Richness answered, "No, I can't. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you." Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel. "Vanity, please help me!" "I can't help you, Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat," Vanity answered. Sadness was close by so Love asked, "Sadness, let me go with you." "Oh . . . Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself!" Happiness passed by Love, too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her. Suddenly, there was a voice, "Come, Love, I will take you." It was an elder. So blessed and overjoyed, Love even forgot to ask the elder where they were going. When they arrived at dry land, the elder went her own way. Why did all except the elder refuse to take Love with them? A Because they have enough Love already. B Because they don't need Love. C Because they look down upon Love. D Because in the writer's opinion, Love has nothing to do with them. Answer: D. Because in the writer's opinion, Love has nothing to do with them. It was a very foggy day in London. The fog was so thick that it was impossible to see more than a foot or so. Buses, cars and taxis were not able to run and were standing by the side of the road. People were trying to find their way about on foot but were losing their way in the fog. Mr. Smith had a very important meeting at the House of Commons and had to get there but no one could take him. He tried to walk there but found he was quite lost. Suddenly he bumped into a stranger. The stranger asked if he could help him. Mr. Smith said he wanted to get to the Houses of Parliament. The stranger told him he would take him there. Mr. Smith thanked him and they started to walk there. The fog was getting thicker every minute but the stranger had no difficulty in finding the way. He went along one street, turned down another, crossed a square and at last after about half an hour's walk they arrived at the Houses of Parliament. Mr. Smith couldn't understand how the stranger found his way. "It is wonderful," he said. "How do you find the way in the fog?" "It is no trouble at all to me," said the stranger, "I am blind." This article mainly tells us that _ . A London is a foggy city. B Mr. Smith works for the government. C A blind stranger led the way for Mr. Smith in a foggy day. D Mr. Smith had a very important meeting and lost his way in the fog. Answer: C. A blind stranger led the way for Mr. Smith in a foggy day. BEIJING (AP) -- Sandstorms whipping across China shrouded cities in an unhealthy cloud of sand Monday, with winds carrying the pollution outside the mainland as far as Hong Kong and Taiwan. It was the latest sign of the effects of desertification: Overgrazing, deforestation, urban sprawl and drought have expanded deserts in the country's north and west. The shifting sands have gradually moved onto populated areas and worsened sandstorms that strike cities, particularly in the spring. Winds blowing from the northwest have been sweeping sand across the country since Saturday, affecting Xinjiang in the far west all the way to Beijing in the country's east. The sand and dust were carried to parts of southern China and even to cities in Taiwan, 1600 miles (2600 kilometers) away from Inner Mongolia where much of the pollution originated. The sandstorm in Taiwan, an island 100 miles (160 kilometers) away from the mainland, forced people to cover their faces to avoid breathing in the grit that can cause chest discomfort and _ problems even in healthy people. Drivers complained their cars were covered in a layer of black soot in just 10 minutes. In Hong Kong, environmental protection officials said pollution levels were climbing as the sandstorm moved south. Twenty elderly people sought medical assistance for shortness of breath, Hong Kong's radio RTHK reported. The latest sandstorm was expected to hit South Korea on Tuesday, said Kim Seung-bum of the Korea Meteorological Administration. The sandstorm that raked across China over the weekend caused the worst "yellow dust" haze in South Korea since 2005, and authorities issued a rare nationwide dust advisory. Grit from Chinese sandstorms has been found to travel as far as the western United States. China's Central Meteorological Station urged people to close doors and windows, and cover their faces with masks or scarves when going outside. Sensitive electronic and mechanical equipment should be sealed off, the station said in a warning posted Monday on its Web site. State television's noon newscast showed the tourist city of Hangzhou on the eastern coast, where graceful bridges and waterside pagodas were hidden in a mix of sand and other pollution. In Beijing, residents and tourists with faces covered scurried along sidewalks to minimize exposure to the pollution. A massive sandstorm hit Beijing in 2006, when winds dumped about 300,000 tons of sand on the capital. Which of the following statements is NOT true? A South Korea seldom issues nationwide dust advisories. B Taiwan is 1,600 miles from Beijing. C Sandstorms have hit Beijing more than once. D In Hong Kong some old people need help for shortness of breath caused by sandstorms. Answer: B. Taiwan is 1,600 miles from Beijing. On October 11, NASCAR announced the car of tomorrow after a seven-year design program. People used to believe that science would promise a future of endless spare time and very cheap electricity. Nowadays the scientists' predictions are a great deal less optimistic: the world is challenged by climate change and decreasing resources. In fact, the car of tomorrow is a symbol of hope. The emission of carbon dioxide has contributed to global warming, but the car producers are waking up to their responsibilities. Investment in new technology to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental damage is not only improving the car industry's act but also setting an example to other industries. It is said that most cars of today run about 15 percent efficiency, which does highlight the potential for improvement. Get it right, and we could continue to enjoy the freedom that comes with owning a car, without the worries. Of course, many advances have already been made. There's evidence that the public is eager to buy cleaner and greener cars. And with petrol prices increasing there is no doubt that the cars with economical, efficient engines are going to be in great demand. The good news is that we can all drive the car of tomorrow today, without having to worry about the purchase cost. By choosing our holiday hired cars wisely we can cut down on our fuel costs and experience an eco-friendly drive. Hire a green car and you'll make a difference to the environment. Designers will always enjoy catching our imagination with "concept cars" that look more like miniature spaceships than anything you see on the highway. Whether these creations will eventually become family cars remains to be seen. However, for the moment, there's no doubt at all what the car of tomorrow will be, and it's here today: something familiar and friendly that does its job with considerably less trouble and much greater efficiency than the car of yesterday. According to the text, people's present worry about developing the car industry is that _ . A the production is beyond its need B it's not environmentally friendly C the competition is very fierce D the economic situation affects it a lot Answer: B. it's not environmentally friendly The hole in the earth's protective ozone layer won't repair itself until about two decades later than had been expected, scientists announced. The ozone layer blocks more than 90 percent of the sun's ultraviolet radiation , helping to make life on Earth possible. For many dacades, ozone was depleted by chlorine and bromine gas in the air. A hole in the ozone layer formed over the Southern Hemisphere. Computer models had forecast that the hole would fill back in by 2050. An improved computer model forecasts the recovery won't occur until 2068. The model, fed with fresh data from statellites and airplanes, was supported by the fact that it accurately reproduced ozone levels in the Antarctic stratosphere over the past 27 years. The ozone hole is actually more of a broad region with less ozone than ought to occur naturally. It is not limited to Antarctica, as is often believed. Over areas that are farther from the poles like Africa or the US, the levels of ozone are only three to six percent below natural levels. Over Antarctica, ozone levels are 70 percent lower in the spring. This new method allows us to more accurately estimate ozone-depleting gases over Antarctica, and how _ will decrease over time, reducing the ozone hole area. Paul Newman, a scientist,said that the ozone hole has not started to become smaller as quickly as expected. They figure it will not become much smaller until 2018, after which time the recovery should proceed more quickly. And the hole will not be filled in again until 2065. The improved computer model is believable because _ A it was once proved by facts B it has been studied for 27 years C it was created by many scientists D it is related to satellites and airplanes Answer: A. it was once proved by facts
Jimmy was 2 years old. One day his mom was out and his dad took care of him. Someone gave Jimmy a little tea set as a gift and it was one of his favorite toys. Dad was in the living room watching the evening news. Then Jimmy brought his dad a little cup of "tea". In fact, it was just water. After some cups of tea, his dad said to him, "Jimmy, you are a nice good boy. I love you." Later, Jimmy's mom came home. His dad made her wait in the living room to watch Jimmy bring him a cup of tea. "It's the cutest thing," he said to his wife. Mom waited. Jimmy came down the hall with a cup of tea for his dad. She watched him drink it up and laughed. Then she said: "Did you know that the only place he is tall enough to get water from is the toilet ?" Why did Jimmy's mom laugh at last? _ . A Because Jimmy brought his dad a cup of tea B Because Jimmy brought his dad a cup of water C Because Jimmy brough her a cup of tea, too D Because in fact Jimmy's dad drank some cups of water from the toilet Answer: D Agatha Christie (1890-1976) was born Agatha May Clarissa Miller in Devon, England in 1890, the youngest of three children in a conservative, well-to-do family. Taught at home by a governess and tutors, as a child Agatha Christie never attended school. She became skillful at creating games to keep herself occupied at a very young age. A _ l child, unable to adequately express her feelings, she first turned to music as a means of expression and, later in life, to writing. In 1914, at the age of 24, she married Archie Christie, a World War I fighter pilot. While he was off at war, she worked as a nurse. It was while working in a hospital during the war that Christie first came up with the idea of writing a detective novel. Although it was completed in a year, it wasn't published until 1920, five years later. "The mysterious Affair at Styles" gave the world the unique Hercule Poirot, a retired Belgian police officer who was to become one of the most enduring characters in all of fiction. With his waxed moustache and his "little grey cell," he was "meticulous (careful to do things correctly), a tidy little man, always neat, orderly and a bit absurd." Christie wrote more than 30 novels featuring Poirot. Among the most popular were" The Murder of Roger Ackroyd"(1926), "Murder on the Orient Expredd"(1934), and "Death on the Nile" (1937). Another of Christie's most well-known and beloved characters was introduced in "Murder at the Vicarage" in 1930. Miss Jane Marple, an elderly single in the old- fashioned English village of St. Mary Mead, solved all manner of mysteries with intense concentration and instinct. Christies ultimately (finally)became the acknowledged Queen of the Golden Age. In all, she wrote over 66 novel, numerous short stories and screenplays, and a series of romantic novels using the pen name Mary Westmacott. Several of her works were made into successful feature films, the most notable being Murder on the Orient Express (1974). In short, she is the single most popular mystery writer of all time. In 1971 she was awarded the high honor of becoming a Dame of the British Empire. Which of the following is NOT true about Hercule Poirot? A He was once a policeman B He paid much attention to details C He sometimes seems rather foolish D He solved mysterious with a sixth sense Answer: D Read the following advertisements: AD1 The Michael Jackson "Michael09" T-shirt is a great way to remember an American music legend! We also sell Jackson's Thriller album. Why not turn up the volume on your CD player or iPod and dance around the house in this original Michael Jackson T-shirt? Michael Jackson Tee is available in sizes S-XL, in White, Red or Pink. 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So if you can type, or are willing to learn, we can train you to work at home doing medical transcriptions from tapes dictated by doctors. Get free information! At-Home Profession Corp. Call Toll Free 1-800-475-0100 or visit www. athome. com By dialing 414-479-9860, a fan of Michael Jackson can buy _ from the seller. A an iPod B a CD player C a Thriller album D a music skin featuring the star Answer: C Bananas, pineapples, and coconuts are from places that are A warm B islands C wet D far away Answer: A The computer is fast, and never makes a mistake, while people are too slow, and full of mistakes sometimes. That's what people often say when they talk about computers. For over a quarter of a century, scientists have been making better and better computers. Now a computer can do a lot of everyday jobs wonderfully. It is widely used in factories, hospitals, post offices and airports. A computer can report, decide and control in almost every field. Many computer scientists are now thinking of making the computer "think" like a man. With the help of a person, a computer can draw pictures, write music, talk with people, play chess, recognize voices, translate languages and so on. Perhaps computers will one day really think and feel. Do you think the people will be afraid when they find that the computer is too clever to listen to and serve the people? What will happen in the future? A Most jobs will be done by the computer. B People will no longer use computers. C Computers will be used only to talk with people. D All computers will be put into prison. Answer: A
Question: For most Chinese university students, the prefix = st1 /USis a favorite destination for further education. But apart from obstacles such as the GRE and TOEFL exams, choosing a good graduate school is no easy task. Admission is very competitive for international students, so it is important to apply to a number of institutions to have a reasonable chance of acceptance. Since the application to most universities requires a certain fee, Chinese students usually choose seven to 17 universities according to their own financial circumstances. Wang Yuwei, a Zhejiang University graduate, sent applications to 15 USuniversities. When the 24-year-old began looking for a USgraduate school in her senior year, she took time to compare the various schools and find the ones most suiting her needs. Now, studying at theUniversityofWashington, she knows that her hard work paid off. "To broaden your chances, at least one third of the applications should be to less selective schools," said Wang. "Applicants shouldn't limit their choices to the most famous institutions." Furthermore, one shouldn't rely on too much on college rankings such as the Gorman Report or US News & World Report's annual league tables. The right school is the one that best meets your own personal needs and interests, rather than someone else's assessment of an institution's prestige . "Usually choices are based on one's personal interests and academic background, but it is important to make sure that your chosen subject is satisfied," said Wang. According to this passage, what can we judge? A. More and more students will go abroad for their further education. B. Choosing a good graduate school is a piece of cake. C. To go abroad for further education, you must pass the GRE or TOTEL. D. To get a better chance to go abroad, you'd better apply to a less selective school. Answer: C. To go abroad for further education, you must pass the GRE or TOTEL. Question: An elephant is a multicellular organism that weighs about 200 pounds at birth and can grow to weigh as much as 15,000 pounds. What increases as the elephant grows into an adult? A. the size of each body cell B. the number of cells in its body C. the amount of energy in its cells D. the collection of water in each cell Answer: B. the number of cells in its body Question: My mother was telling me about how she and her family got their first television when she was a teenager. Of course, it was black and white. She said she only watched it at night. When I was young, we had only about 3 or 4 different channels. My brothers, my sisters and I would sometimes fight about which channel to watch. But we usually enjoyed the same shows. Nowadays, we can get hundreds of channels on TV. There are channels with old movies, cooking, fishing and so on. It's amazing! I wonder how much my brothers, my sisters and I would fight if we had hundreds of channels when I was a child. Of course, we had only one television set. These days I notice families with 2 or 3 or more television sets in their homes. I guess it stops People from arguing over which channel to choose. Nowadays, how many channels can we get on TV? A. 3 or 4 different channels. B. Only one channel. C. Hundreds of channels. D. Several channels. Answer: C. Hundreds of channels. Question: I have never understood why so many people visit Rome from late spring to early autumn, when traffic, heat and stressed shopkeepers and waiters lead to the lower tone of the city. Things improve a little in March, April, October and November. But connoisseurs know that winter is the best time to go there. In winter, the low-flying sun turns Rome into a wonderful stage set. There are days in winter when the sky is kind of blue. And there are also days when you find that you have beautiful sights all to yourself. Perhaps the only period you might want to avoid is the two weeks before Christmas. Italians often leave their shopping late, and traffic in the city is often heavy. But this can also be a good time to come if you are more interested in culture than in fashion shops; if you stay somewhere central, you can beat the traffic by walking everywhere. Christmas in Rome is a low-key family event. One of the nice things is the way the city keeps going. Although museums and shops are closed, many bars and restaurants stay open, and public transport continues to run. If you are lucky with the weather, it's in January and February that Rome is at its best. Late February can be especially attractive. One sometimes forgets what a difference that extra hour of daylight makes compared with mid-December. And there are always a few days of proper sunshine, when you can picnic in Villa Borghese and Pompeii. In which of the following periods would the writer most probably advise us to visit Rome? A. Late spring. B. Mid-summer. C. Early autumn. D. Mid-winter. Answer: D. Mid-winter. Question: Terra-cotta Warriors As the greatest archaeological findings of the 20th century, Terra-cotta Warriors has a really long history.In 246 BC, Qin Shi Huang, later the first Emperor of all China, had begun to prepare for his mausoleum which took 11 years to finish to defend him in the afterlife.There are over 7,000 pottery soldiers, horses, bronze chariots, and even weapons found in it now.Terra-cotta Warriors was listed by UNESCO in 1987 as one of the world cultural heritages and it has made Xi'an a famous city for tourists. Big Wild Goose Pagoda The Big Wild Goose Pagoda has a history of over 1,300 years and is a typical ancient Chinese building.It is located in the south of Xi'an City.Because Master Xuanzang stored his classics brought from India in the pagoda, it is also a holy place for Buddhists.As a National Key Cultural Relic Preserve, it won the title of an AAAA Tourist Attraction as well. Xi'an Ancient City Wall As one of the landmarks of Xi'an, Ancient City Wall still stretches round the old city today, dividing the city into the inner part and the outer part.Ancient City Wall was originally built during the old Tang Dynasty (618 -- 907) and then enlarged by Zhu Yuanzhang, Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, thus forming the modern Xi'an City Wall.After the extension, the wall now stands 12 meters tall, 12-14 meters wide at the top and 15-18 meters thick at the bottom. What is The Big Wild Goose Pagoda most famous for? A. It has a history of over 1,300 years. B. It is a typical ancient Chinese building. C. It is a holy place for Buddhists. D. It won the title of an AAAA Tourist Attraction. Answer: C. It is a holy place for Buddhists.
If your cellphone suddenly stops working, don't blame the service provider.The malfunction might well have been caused by something bigger -- a solar storm.Experts expect that Earth will see more solar activity in the near future.The malfunction of electronic devices will just one of the effects. Sunspots serve as an indicator of the sun's activity.For the past two years, sunspots have mostly been missing.Their absence, the most prolonged in nearly 100 years, has taken even seasoned sun watchers by surprise. When the number of sunspots drops at the end of each 11-year cycle, solar storms die down and all become much calmer. This "solar minimum" doesn't last long. Within a year, sunspots and solar storms begin to build toward a new crescendo, the next solar maximum. What's special about this latest cycle is that the sun is having trouble starting the next solar cycle. The sun began to calm down in late 2007, so no one expected many sunspots in 2008. They should return in 2010. Scientists have predicted that the next solar cycle could be the most active on record: more sunspots and more solar storms. However, sunspots are mostly missing now. Since the earth is in close contact with the sun, strong solar activities can bring trouble to our life. People of the 21st century rely on high-tech systems for the basics of daily life. Air travel and radio communications can be affected by strong solar activities. A big solar storm could cause 20 times more economic damage than Hurricane Katrina. What the sun will do next is beyond our ability to predict. Most astronomers think that the solar cycle will go on but at low level. However, there is also evidence that the sun is losing its ability to produce sunspots. By 2015, they could be gone altogether. What is the passage mainly about? Answer: Introduction of the solar storm. I had in my hand a sheet of paper with handwritten instructions on it for some sort of editorial task.It occurred at first that I did not recognize the handwriting,and then I realized whose it must be.I finally became aware of the fact that I had been working with this colleague for at least a year,maybe two,and yet I did not recognize her handwriting at that point. It was a very important event in the computerization of life--a sign that the informal.friendly communication of people working together in an office had changed from notes in pen to instant messages and emails.There was a time when our workdays were filled with little letters,and we recognized one another's handwriting the way we knew voices or faces. As a child visiting my father's office,I was pleased to recognize,in little notes on the desks of his staff,the same handwriting I would see at home in the notes he would leave on the fridge-- except that those notes were signed"dad"instead of"RFW". All this has been on my mind because of the talk aboutThe Rise and Fall of Handwriting,a book by Florey.She shows in her book a deep concern about the fall of handwriting and the failure of schools to teach children to write well,but many others argue that people in a digital age can't be expected to learn to hold a pen. I don't buy it. I don't want to see anyone cut off from the expressive,personal associations that a pen still promotes better than a digital keyboard does.For many a biographer,part of really getting to know their subjects is learning to read their handwriting. What some people advocate is teaching one of the many attractive handwritings based on the handwriting of 16th--century Italy.That may sound impossibly grand--as if they want kids to learn to draw by copying classical paintings.However,they have worked in many school systems. We can learn from the passage that the author _ . Answer: does not want to lose handwriting Waiters wanted King Restaurant needs five waiters. If you want to find a new job, you can come here. Please call John at 678-5342. To get to the restaurant, you just have to cross North Road. It's next to the bank. Teachers wanted Do you want to be a teacher? Are you friendly to kids? Can you sing, dance or play the piano? We need a man teacher and a woman teacher to teach music. It's not difficult! Please call Mr. Clark at 415-3440. My lost pet My pet Nini is a small brown cat. I played ball games with Nini in Central Park last Saturday. Then she ran after the ball and did not come back. I am worried about her. If you see her, please call Sara at 283-2585. Thank you! Specials We have some great specials. We have different kinds of noodles, dumplings and soup. Would you like a big bowl of noodles for 12 yuan or a small one for just 8 yuan? You can also order our delicious chicken soup. It's only 9 yuan. Welcome to our restaurant! ,. . If you see Sara's pet, you can tell her _ . Answer: by phone With more and more cars on the road, the traffic _ will happen. How do we see it and how can we solve the problem? We know that the traffic jam happens in many places, especially in big cities. What are reasons for the problem? On one hand, some people think that they should have a car when they have enough money, and then it's easy to go out and they can feel comfortable. On the other hand, a growing number of people hope to use their cars to show off . What's more, years of research has shown that one of other reasons for the traffic jam is the driving habit. For example, many young people enjoy driving very fast, so they can feel excited. At last, most of them hardly care about the speed rules. Many governments are working at how to make the traffic better. In my opinion, firstly, the governments should educate those people who have cars or plan to buy cars. The governments must make them know that the traffic jam is very serious, and set up a much more perfect traffic system to solve the traffic pressure. Which of the following is NOT true? Answer: The reason for the traffic jam is that people have too much work. Jackie visited his grandparents on their farm. And he was playing with a slingshot in the woods. He practised in the woods but he could never hit the target. As he was walking back, he saw Grandma's pet duck. Without thinking, he shot, hit the duck in the head, and killed it. He was very afraid. He knew Grandma loved the duck. She would be sad or even angry if she knew that her duck was killed. He then hid the dead duck under a tree. His sister Susan saw it all, but she said nothing. After lunch that day Grandma said, "Susan, let's wash the dishes." But Susan said, "Grandma, Jackie told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today, didn't you, Jackie?" And then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Jackie did the dishes. Later Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing, but Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Susan to help clean the house." But Susan smiled and said, "Well, that's all right because Jackie told me he wanted to help." and she whispered again, "Remember the duck?" So Susan went fishing with Grandpa and Jackie stayed. These "remember the duck" went on for many days. Then finally Jackie _ it any longer. He came to Grandma and told her that he had killed the duck. She gave him a hug, and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing. But because I love you, I forgave you. But I just wanted to see how long you would let Susan make a slave of you. " Jackie helped clean the house instead of going fishing with Grandpa because _ . Answer: he wanted Susan to keep his secret
From Sept. 1, Chinese children will be able to watch domestic cartoon programs during 5 p.m. every day, according to a regulation by prefix = st1 /China's TV watchdog. The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) has decided to ban all foreign cartoons during the "Golden hours", reported the Beijing News. No foreign cartoons or programs of introducing foreign cartoons can be shown during the period on all domestic cartoon channels, the regulation says. Only after 8 p.m. can foreign cartoons appear on TV, it requires. The regulation has been issued to local TV stations but the administration has not made it public, according to the newspaper. Cartoon programs co-produce by domestic and foreign producers will have to get approval from SARFT to show during 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. from Sept.1. The first foreign cartoon introduced to Chinawas a Japanese cartoon called "Astro Boy" series in 1981. Since then, a large quantity of foreign cartoons _ China. Incomplete surveys show about 80 percent of interviewed Chinese children like foreign cartoons according to the Southern Metropolis News. With the effects of regulations and establishment of 15 film and cartoon production bases in recent years, domestic cartoon industry attracted huge civil investment, resulting in a sharp rise of cartoon programs in 2005. However, due to the poor popularity among children, domestic cartoons found it hard to show during "golden hours", and even had troubles to get back the production costs. Moreover, it was the content of domestic cartoons that lost the audience, said the editorial, therefore improving the creation environment of cartoon makers is much wiser than such market-protecting measures. Finally it said it was reasonable and necessary to introduce system into the cartoon competition to protect the domestic industry, the complete prohibition of foreign cartoons and compulsory screening of domestic ones during popular hours was rather unreasonable. "This is a worrying, short-sighted policy and would not solve the fundamental problems in China's cartoon industry," it concluded. What attitude does the editorial in the Southern Metropolis News hold towards the ban? A He thinks highly of the ban. B He raises a storm of objections to the ban. C He thinks Chinashould not improve the content of domestic cartoons rather than the ban. D He thinks the ban meets the need of the domestic cartoon market. Answer: B Every small child knows the panic of losing sight of its mother in the supermarket, and as these delightful pictures show, small whales obviously feel the same way. Taken by a British diver who was following the sperm whale calf, _ show the minute the baby - who had lost track of its mum - found her again in the sea off the Azores. Soaring 30ft across the waves, the newborn slammed its body onto the water with joy after becoming separated from its family group in the chilly waters. But the whale calf was doing more than just jumping for joy. British biologist and dive guide Justin Hart, 44, who took the pictures, says that young whales communicate with older ones in the ocean by creating a slamming sound which travels through the water to the ears of the adults deep below. By leaping out of the water and slamming its 12ft long body onto the surface of the sea up to 30 times, the baby whale is telling its relatives where it is so they can regroup. He said: "We had been following the sperm whale calf for most of the day. Sperm whales, of all the whales and dolphins, are the species that dive the deepest and for the longest time." "The calves have to follow what's going on below them from the surface as best they can probably listening to the echo location clicks of the adults." "However, sometimes the adults re-surface far out of sight of the calf, and in this situation the whales often leap out of the water causing a large bang as their bodies hit the surface. In this way, the whale family could regroup." He added: "When I took the photo, two adults' females had just resurfaced and the calf quite literally began jumping for joy." Mr. Hart captured the rare image four miles from the port of Lajes do Pico while he was working as a crewman on an underwater documentary with special license to film sperm whales in the area. Sperm whales live in nearly all the world's oceans in groups of about 15 to 20 animals and they practice communal childcare. The calves do not have to follow their mother too closely as sperm whales can take milk from any milk-producing female in its social group. According to Justin Hart, the young sperm whale _ . A found its family with his help B suffered a lot in the cold waters C lost contact with its family for days D slammed as a means of communication Answer: D Malaria, the world's most widespread parasitic disease, kills as many as three million people every year--almost all of whom are under five, very poor, and African. In most years, more than five hundred million cases of illness result from the disease, although exact numbers are difficult to assess because many people don't (or can't) seek care. It is not unusual for a family earning less than two hundred dollars a year to spend a quarter of its income on malaria treatment, and what they often get no longer works. In countries like Tanzania, Mozambique, and the Gambia, no family, village, hospital, or workplace can remain unaffected for long. Malaria starts suddenly, with violent chills, which are soon followed by an intense fever and, often, headaches. As the parasites multiply, they take over the entire body. Malaria parasites live by eating the red blood cells they infect. They can also attach themselves to blood vessels in the brain. If it doesn't kill you, malaria can happen again and again for years. The disease passed on to humans by female mosquitoes infected with one of four species of parasite. Together, the mosquito and the parasite are the most deadly couple in the history of the earth--and one of the most successful. Malaria has five thousand genes, and its ability to change rapidly to defend itself and resist new drugs has made it nearly impossible to control. Studies show that mosquitoes are passing on the virus more frequently, and there are more outbreaks in cities with large populations. Some of the disease's spread is due to global warming. For decades, the first-choice treatment for malaria parasites in Africa has been chloroquine, a chemical which is very cheap and easy to make. Unfortunately, in most parts of the world, malaria parasites have become resistant to it. Successful alternatives that help prevent resistance are already available, but they have been in short supply and are very expensive. If these drugs should fail, nobody knows what would come next. People suffering from malaria _ . A have to kill female mosquitoes B have ability to defend parasites C have their red blood cells infected D have sudden fever, followed by chills Answer: C 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 times. So you see, Mark, when you picked up those books that day, you did a lot more. _ " What would Bill probably say at last? A You saved my life. B I should die. C You did a good job. D You helped me a lot. Answer: A I got my first driver's license in 1953 by taking driver education in my first year at Central High School in Charlotte,North Carolina.Four years later when it was time to renew my license I was a married woman.Henry and I were living in Baltimore,Maryland.Two weeks before my 20th birthday,Henry drove me to the motor vehicle office on a hot July afternoon.When I got to the office and showed to the man behind the counter my North Carolina driver's license,ready to renew,the man told me that I was under age by Maryland law since I was not yet 21."Mr. Henry Smith,your husband,will have to sign for you," he said. I argued,pointing to a very large belly of mine,"I am married.I am having a baby.Why should I have to have someone sign for me to drive?"He answered coldly."It's the law,madam." Henry encouraged me to calm down,just go ahead and get the license and be done with it."No,"I said.I refused to have him sign for me.So I left without a Maryland license. I called the North Carolina Motor Vehicle office and renewed my NC license by mail--using my name Susan Brown.And thus it was for the next twelve years.Since Henry was in the army I could drive under my home state license.By the time Henry left the army we were once again living in Maryland,and I had to take the Maryland driver's exam.Since then I just go in and renew every four years--sign the name Susan Brown,have my new picture taken, and walk out with a license to drive. We can infer from the text that in the U.S. _ . A American males should serve in the army B different states may have different laws C people have to renew their licenses in their home states D women should adopt their husbands' family names after marriage Answer: B
Bees can see wavelengths of only yellow, blue, and ultraviolet light. Many plant flowers consist of yellow, blue, and ultraviolet markings that are near the center of the flower. Which sentence describes which organisms benefit from this and explains why? A Only plants benefit, because bees are unable to reach a food source on the plant. B Only bees benefit, because flowers are damaged by bees. C Neither bees nor plants benefit, because it does not help either to reproduce. D Both bees and plants benefit, because bees find food and plants are aided in reproduction. Answer: D What is the first thing you notice when you walk into a shop? The products displayed at the entrance? Or the soft background music? But have you ever notice the smell? Unless it is bad,the answer is likely to be no.But while a shop's scent may not be outstanding compared with sights and sounds,it is certainly there.And it is providing to be an increasing powerful tool in encouraging people to purchase. A brand store has become famous for its distinctive scent which floats through the fairly dark hall and out to the entrance,via scent machines. A smell may be attractive but it may not just be used for freshening air.One sports goods company once reposed that when it first introduced scent into its stores,customers'intension to purchase increased by 80 percent. When it comes to the best shopping streets in Pairs,scent is just as important to a brand's success as the quality of its window displays and goods on sales.That is mainly because shopping is a very different experience to what it used to be. Some years ago,the focus for brand name shopping was on a few people with sales assistants'disproving attitude and don't-touch-what-you-can't afford displays.Now the rise of electronic commerce(e-commerce)has opened up famous brands to a wider audience.But while e-shops can use sights and sounds,only bricks-and-mortar stores can offer a full experience from the minute customers step through the door to the moment they leave.Another brand store seeks to be much more than a shop,but rather a _ .And scent is just one way to achieve this. Now a famous store uses complex man-made smell to make sure that the soft scent of baby powder floats through the kid department,and coconut scent in the swimsuit section.A department store has even opened a new lab,inviting customers on a journey into the store's windows to smell books,pots and drawers,in search of their perfect scent. The main purpose of the passage is to _ . A compare and evaluate B examine and assess C argue and discuss D inform and explain Answer: D A young British sailor was missing at sea yesterday in similar circumstances to the way his father died five years ago. The dinghy ,used to take Richard Smith,21,to his yacht ,was discovered empty, floating in seas off the Caribbean island.An air and sea search was carried out but he has still not been discovered . Richard's mother, Bicknell,said from her home in Hampshire,"It's so much coincidence.Richard always carried a photograph of his father attached to a poem,which included the date of his disappearance." "Now, it's very strange because all they have found is Richard's dinghy.We need to know this time what has happened one way or another.If you know at least you can go through the grieving process ." In November 1996,Mr. Smith's father, Charlie,was sailing in the Tasmen sea between the Australian mainland and the island of Tasmen with his new wife.They lost radio contact with the shore and they, together with their yacht were never seen again,and their disappearance remains a mystery. Richard is described a talented and experienced sailor who has crewed for the champion ocean racer.He had sailed to the. Caribbean in November to crew ocean racing yachts for entertainment.He ended the evening drinking in the Abracbabra bar but left after local police closed it for being too noisy. About 2 am the following day Richard headed back for his dinghy.He started its outboard motor before giving all elderly woman a lift to her yacht after her dinghy had gone missing.It was the last time he was seen. According to the passage,we know Richard died because _ . A he was a green hand in sailing B some unknown animal attacked him C that was a maze in the area he was sailing D of something we don't know Answer: D In the world of fairy tales, great and powerful men are often helped to victory by the small and weak. But in the prefix = st1 /USit has happened for real. Nine - year - old Noah McCullough from Texas, has taken on the role of speaking to the public in support of President George W. Bush's social security reforms. On February 25 he signed an agreement with the American Congress to work for the White House as a volunteer. "What I want to tell people about social security is not to be afraid of the new plan," Noah said. "It may be a change, but it's a good change." Besides this task, he already has a higher goal. He plans to run for the White House in 2032. So far, Noah seems to have a very bright future. Despite his age, Noah already has his firm opinion on running the US. "I firmly believe that the combination of large business and small governments creates a peaceful and present society because industry can stimulate economic growth," he said. Noah's politics do not come from his parents. "He is very patriotic and very republican," said Noah's mother, Donna McCullough. "It's the way he was born." Noah's interest began after a mock election in the kindergarten when he was five years old. Now he has read more than 3,000 books on presidential history. He can recite the names of all 43 American presidents. He can also describe the achievements and events that took place during a president's term of office. His unusual experiences in the presidential campaign last year made him a famous figure. He was a member of Bush's presidential campaign team. He gave speeches at the Republican convention and followed Bush around on his tour of 27 states. President Bush thinks highly of the boy, saying that he is "the miracle kid of the White House". Which is the best title of the passage? A The Small and Weak Can Help the Big and Strong B Little Boy Helps President Bush C Beginning of Noah's Political Life D The USFuture President Answer: B You can experiment with seeing evaporation by using A magic B uncovered mason jars C nothing D time travel Answer: B
When creating a digital advertisement or something to promote a product or service ,music is one of the most important aspects. Whether it is simply a jingle ,musical note or any other use of sound,music can play a huge role in attracting a customer's attention or being noticed by your target audience. Music can work hand-in-hand with what you are advertising. Many times the advertising jingle, or saying, is what the audience remembers. Companies such as McDonald's and Subway have used this method many times with different jingles and little sayings that are easy to remember and fun to sing along with. Usually concepts that are part of a jingle would sound conceited and pompous when said in a normal conversation. When put to music however, and sung in a rhythm,it suddenly sounds attractive. For example, if someone said," No one does it better than me" in a normal statement, this would sound very conceited. Add music and a tune to this statement and it becomes attractive and fun for others to sing along with. While understanding how important music is for your advertising needs, it is also important for you to know the best way to get special music. Having people from many different backgrounds all over the world write something specifically for you is one of the best ways to get songs written just for you. You simply choose which one you believe is best for the project. So instead of hiring a single songwriter to compose your music, you can run a contest for you advertising jingle and songwriters around the world write you a finished jingle in an attempt to win your contest. According to the writer, the best way to get an advertising jingle is _ . Al Ossinger,an experienced mountain guide,knew it was time to leave Longs Peak in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park,and get off'quickly.The sky had turned threatening dark,and his ice ax at times gave out upset sounds.Suddenly,as Ossinger was crossing a large mass of rock,both hands pressed against it for balance,there was a roar,a flash of light and an electric current charged through his arms. "In that second. I thought 1 was finished,"he said,"Then I realized 1 was still there--the jolt hadn't knocked me off.My body and legs were all right,but my arms were paralyzed from the shoulder down.''Fortunately Ossinger was able to continue down and soon the feeling began to return to his shoulders,upper arms,and,two hours later,his fingertips.Ossinger was a lucky man. A single stroke of lightning,which is usually three to four miles long,travels at speeds of up to 100,000 miles per second.In a single flash,it can carry 100 million volts of electricity and reach a temperature of 55,000 degrees Fahrenheit,five times hotter than the surface of the sun.During its brief life span,lightning carries enough energy to power a 100-watt light bulb for as long as three months.If you find yourself unlucky enough to be near lightning's path,you could suffer a direct hit,sending electrical current though your body for some 5 00 milli-seconds.Because of the short duration,severe burns aren't common and the resulting burns are usually superficial . According to the national Weather Service,more people have been killed by lightning in the United States during the past 30 years,an average of 87 a year-than by either tornadoes or hurricanes,484 people were injured in 1994 alone.These"swords from the sky" are also responsible for an estimated$100 million to$300 million of property damage a year.During the 1980s an average of 5502 wildfires a year were sparked by lightning on national forest lands alone. Earth is struck by at 1east 100 of these flashes every second-more than 8.6 million strikes a day.For all its destructive power,lightning has its good sides too.It's likely that humans discovered fire from some early lightning-sparked flames.And all that activity above the earth may help create ozone ,which protects us from the sun's harmful rays.Lightning dancing across a summer night sky is a force to be respected and appreciated-from a distance. Electrical lightning is called"swords from the sky"to mean _ . On a summer day, John was sitting on a beach in Hawaii with his parents. The six-year-old child suddenly said he was so lucky because he had so many toys to play with at home. His surprised parents replied that he was lucky, since a lot of kids didn't have any toys at all. "How can that be?" John said, confused, but then he said that he would like to get toys for those children. His parents naturally thought their son was just kidding. But as soon as they returned home, John began using his pocket money to buy toys for other kids and asking his friends to do the same. His parents responded by organizing pizza suppers for other families interested in helping other children that can't afford to buy toys. John thought that he just wanted to cheer those kids up. John's parents started to find a place that would allow children as young as six and seven to volunteer. They finally find a day care center for disabled children to let John and his friends visit. They went and played with these kids, playing around the room as if they belonged there. John and his friends named their work Kids Cheering Kids. John and his friends visited kids at some childcare centers, helping out with a party they organized. They also prepared a performance for children with disabilities. Their activities have drawn public concern. The spirit of helping is as fresh as it was that day in Hawaii. "The whole purpose," John says, "is to make the kids feel better." What was John's parents' attitude towards his plan? In our home it was natural to fear our father . Even our mother was afraid of him. As children, my sister and I thought every family was like that. Every family had an unpredictable dad who was impossible to please and a praying mom who was there to protect the children. We were good children. Mom was always telling us we were, even if Daddy couldn't see it . part of this was because we didn't dare to do anything. Then came the day we found something new and fun to do. We worked at drawing with chalk on our wooden front door and making lots of pretty pictures all over it. We had a great time. We thought Mom would love it and praise us. The praise we expected did not come. Instead, Mom was mad. We did not understand why, but we knew we were in big trouble! Off we ran to find a place to hid. In our wooded yard it was not hard for two small children to find safety. Together, we hid behind a tree and did not move. Soon we heard the frightened voices of Mom and our neighbors calling out to us. The sun set and it began to get dark. Those around us became more anxious, and we became more frightened. However, we still didn't move. As we clung together in the dark, we became aware of yet another voice, one we recognized with great fear: our daddy. But there was something strangely different about it. In it we heard something we had never heard before: fear, agony and despair. Then came his prayers in tearful voice. Our daddy was promising God that he would give his life to him if he would safely return his girls. Nothing in our lives had prepared us for this kind of shock. Neither of us remembers making a decision to come out. We were drawn to him like a magnet , our fears disappearing into the forest. We didn't know yet if we actually took steps or if God somehow moved us out and into Daddy's arms. What we do remember were those strong, loving arms holding us and crying, hugging us like we were precious. Things were different after that. _ . Our whole family was changed by a piece of chalk. What's the best title of the passage? Do you like football? If so, you can read the following passage and find that it is interesting. In almost every big university in the United States, football is a favorite sport. American football is different. Players sometimes kick the ball, but they also throw the ball and run with it. They try to take it to the other end of the field. They have four chances to move the ball ten yards . They can carry it or they can throw it. If they move the ball ten yards, they can try to move it another ten yards. If they move it to the end of the field, they receive six points. It is difficult to move the ball. Eleven men on the other team try to stop the man with the ball. If he does not move the ball ten yards, his team kicks the ball the other team. Each university wants its own team to win. Many thousands of people come to watch. They all shout for their favorite team. Young men and women come on the field to help the people shout more. They dance and jump while they shout. Each team plays ten or eleven games each season. The season begins in September and ends in November. If a team is very good, it may play another game after the season ends. The best teams play again on January 1, the first day of the New Year. Many people go to see these games and many others watch them on TV. The passage talks about _ .
Today, as in every other day of the year, more than 3,000 U.S. adolescents will smoke their first cigarette on their way to becoming regular smokers as adults. During their lifetime, it can be expected that of these 3,000 about 23 will be murdered, 30 will die in traffic accidents, and nearly 750 will be killed by a smoking-related disease. The number of deaths due to cigarette smoking outweighs all other factors, whether voluntary or involuntary, as a cause of death. Since the late 1970s, when daily smoking among high school seniors reached 30 percent, smoking rates among youth have declined. While the decline is impressive, several important issues must be raised. First, in the past several years, smoking rates among youth have declined very little. Second, in the late 1970s, smoking among male high school seniors beat that among female by nearly 10 percent . The statistic is reversing . Third, several recent studies have indicate high school _ have excessively high smoking rates, as much as 75 percent . Finally, though significant declines in adolescent smoking have occurred in the past decade, no definite reasons for the decline exist. Within this context, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) began its current effort to determine the most effective measures to reduce smoking level among youth. Every day there are over _ high school students who will become regular smoker. Nick is a 14yearold school boy.His life is full of exams and studies on weekdays.He has little free time.He thinks playing computer games is the best way to make him relax.When he has free time,he sits in front of the computer.Just like that way,he neither eats nor drinks for several hours. Last weekend,he played games on the computer again.He was too excited and didn't want to move.He didn't have anything for six hours.When he had to go to the bathroom,he found he could not move.He was taken to the hospital.The doctor told him he should do some more different kinds of activities.In other words,he needs more exercise and outdoor activities to make him have a healthy body. After coming back from the hospital,Nick follows the doctor's advice.He often plays soccer with his friends.Sometimes he still plays computer games on weekends,but he never does it for long.Now,he lives a happy and healthy life. Nick should _ to follow the doctor's advice. What do working mothers worry about the most? It's the kids of course. Whatever the setting, the question I get asked the most is "Will the kids be alright?" It has made me realize that we tend to look at the glass half-empty rather than half-filled when it comes to mixing work and family. We forget about all the benefits that we bring to our children when we work - and I'm not talking about the obvious financial benefits, although these of course shouldn't be taken for granted. About a year ago I remember getting a call from the school just as I was pulling up to the house after having driven 20 minutes to the school and 20 minutes back. "Mrs. Brown Quinn, your son asked us to call. He forgot his sports clothes. Can you come back to the school and drop them off?" I was exasperated ! I had already spent 40 minutes in aggressive weekday morning traffic. I replied, "Sorry, I'm working at the moment. I'm afraid my son needs to learn to be organized." Being a good parent requires delivering tough love sometimes. Kids need to learn to be independent. It can be a cruel and competitive world out there. Seeking interests, including business, outside of your kids, can give you that extra idea that you need not care for your kids with attention. This benefit of working isn't always immediately evident. It wasn't until our daughter went away to college that she realized why we had raised her in the way that we did. "Mom, I can't believe how so many of my friends struggle to manage things on their own. They are constantly calling their parents for help." You'll love that moment! After all those years of complaining about why you don't do this or why you don't give them that, your kids realize that tough love has made them better people. The daughter's attitude towards the author is _ when she grows up. It's hard to avoid looking like a fool on April Fool's Day. On April 1 each year, people play tricks on each other. These tricks are usually silly rather than mean. Classmates sometimes tie each other's shoelaces to their chairs.Teachers might hand out an impossibly difficult surprise test that scares students before they realize it's only a joke. Newspapers announce fake contests (such as "Win an elephant!") and report on fake stories (like "UFO" lands in New York City). Forget gifts, songs and special foods--those are for the other holidays of the year. On April Fool's Day, the only tradition is to laugh (and maybe to cause a little bit of trouble). One April Fool's Day, when I was in high school, a group of students in my class played a very clever and funny trick on the teachers. They bought some chickens and set them free in our school cafeteria. The chickens ran all round the school, in and out of classrooms and under our feet. Feathers were flying everywhere. Teachers began running after the chickens, trying to catch them. Finally, they caught four of them. But the chickens were wearing numbered tags around their necks, and the teachers discovered that they had only caught chickens No.1, 2, 3, and 5.Where was chicken No.4? The teachers looked and looked. They couldn't find another chicken. After a few hours, they realized that the students had played another joke on them: There were only four chickens in the first place! They've been tricked by the numbers on the chickens. It's been a long time since I was in high school, but that April Fool's Day remains one of my favorite memories from those years. How many jokes did the students play on teachers? Impossible cases are not forever. While it is impossible for one person, it is possible for another. In a word, everything is possible. Someone says, "Success belongs to those who can look at the complex challenges offered by the world as inspiration." So your challenges are golden opportunities for success. How can there be miracles if there are no obstacles? How will you chase the storm if there is no storm? You need challenges to reveal your ability. Success doesn't come out' of nothing; success comes from the problems you face. Those who refuse to give in come out smiling. Robert X. Perez says, "The seeds of success spring from failure's ashes. "Failure is not defeat; it is the pointer to do better than what you just did. You have to know that you are in a constant study of life. What you face is for your training. Samuel Aidoo says, "Each failure is simply another chapter in the story of our lives. To fail is to understand what not to do. Remember it and don't give up until your goal is achieved." What do you do when you face difficulty? Yeah, life is difficult, but you do not give up. Have a positive and calm outlook on your circumstances and make the best of them. You may learn something new. You can develop mental toughness. Mental toughness means to be able to see the long-term gains rather than be put off by short-term pains. Once you have this toughness, you have the winning edge . The only things in life you ever really regret are the chances you didn't take. You will regret when you see the consequences of not seizing the opportunities when they arose. Take chances every day! The main point of the passage is that _ .
The government employs many people to help take care of our society. However, these professionals cannot help out everyone just by themselves. They need our help! Consider Volunteering! What Exactly is Volunteering? Volunteering is when we regularly go and do nice things for other people. Volunteers may help out in local retirement homes, or in hospitals. Some volunteers work with poor people and other volunteers help teach orphaned children to read. There are many types of volunteers who help those who need help the most. Volunteering Teaches Mature Thinking Volunteering is something that really helps us as individuals. It gives us a chance to stop complaining about our own lives, and realized exactly how lucky we are. We are able to see the people who really need help. Volunteering also teaches us more about responsibility, patience, empathy , and above all, compassion . Doing Our part! Volunteering gives us a chance to do our share of the work of making this society the best it possibly can be. It helps us feel good about ourselves when we can help those who really need our help. When we can make someone else feel special, it helps us remember what life is really about. Ways to Start Volunteering There are many places that you can go to try to start volunteering. Here are just a few places you can go and what you can do at each place. 1) Hospital-ask if you can go and visit people who are really sick. Sometimes all they need is just someone who will talk with, or someone to give them hope. 2) Orphanage-the children living here really need someone to play with them. 3) Food Shelter --many food shelters can really use more people willing to just organize the shelters and help distribute the food to those who need it. Whatever you decide to do, just do the best you can. Remember that giving can be its own reward! Volunteers mainly help all of the following people EXCEPT _ according to the passage. A. patients in hospital B. children without parents C. poor people D. people who live alone Answer: D So you're beween the ages of 13 and 24.What makes you happy? A worried,weary parent might imagine the answer to sound something like this:sex,drugs,a little rock 'n' roll .Maybe some cash,or at least the car keys. It turns out the real answer is quite different Spending time with family is the top answer to that open-ended question,according to an extensive sur-vey--more than 100 questions asked of 1,280 people aged 13-24--conducted by The Associated Press and MTV on the nature of happiness among America's young people. Next is spending time with friends,follwed by time with a significant other.And even better for parents:Nearly three quarters of young people say their relationship with their parents makes them happy. "They're my foundation,"says Kristiana St.John,17,a high-school stu-dent from Queens in New York."My mom tells me that even if I do something stupid,she's still going to love me no matter what.Just knowing that makes me feel very happy and blessed." You might thik money would be cleauly tied to a general sense of happi-ness.But almost no one says"money" when asked what makes them happy,though people with the highest family incomes are generally happier with life.However,having highly educated parents is a stronger predictor of happiness than income. From the body to the soul:Close to half say religion and spirituality are very important.And more than half say they believe there is a higher power that has an influence over things that make them happy.Beyond religion religion,simply belonging to an organized relious group makes people happier. And parents,here's some more for you:Most young people in school say it makes them happy.Overwhelingly ,young people think mar-riage would make them happy and want to be married some day,Most also want to have kids. Finally,when asked to name their heroes,nearly half of respondents men-tioned one or both of their parents.The winner,by a nose:Mom. In America,it is essential that young people should _ . A. make some money B. enjoy rock'n' roll C. stay with parents D. have their own cars Answer: B Once in a blue moon, there is one on New Year's Eve. Revelers ringing in 2010 will be treated to a so-called blue moon. According to popular definition, a blue moon is the second full moon in a month. But don't expect it to be blue - the name has nothing to do with the color of our closest celestial neighbor. A full moon occurred on December 2. It will appear again on Thursday in time for the New Year's countdown. The New Year's Eve blue moon will be visible in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America and Africa. For partygoers in Australia and Asia, the full moon does not show up until New Year's Day, making January a blue moon month for them. A full moon occurs every 29.5 days, and most years have 12. On average, an extra full moon in a month - a blue moon - occurs every 2.5 years. The last time there was a lunar double take was in May 2007. New Year's Eve blue moons are rarer, occurring every 19 years. The last time was in 1990; the next one won't come again until 2028. "Blue moons have no astronomical significance," said Greg Laughlin, an astronomer at the University of California. "`Blue moon' is just a name in the same sense as a `hunter's moon'(a full moon in octorber) or a `harvest moon,'" Laughlin said in an e-mail. The popular definition of blue moon came about after a writer for Sky & Telescope magazine in 1946 misinterpreted the Maine Farmer's Almanac and labeled a blue moon as the second full moon in a month. In fact, the almanac defined a blue moon as the third full moon in a season with four full moons. Compared with the hunters moon, the blue moon _ . A. is more beautiful B. is rarer C. is larger D. is brighter Answer: B For a technology project, Kyle came up with an idea to build a model bridge. He wants his bridge to span 50 cm and to support a 1 kg object. According to the engineering design process, which of the following should be Kyle's next step? A. construct prototypes of different kinds of bridges B. research the different designs of bridges C. gather the materials needed to build the bridge D. make a drawing to show how to build the bridge Answer: B In a single year, a giant globe will do this to a giant star. A. fight B. burn C. circle D. explode Answer: C
Question: On March 1, Computer Programs, Inc. (CP) orally agreed with Holiday Department Store (HDS) to write a set of programs for HDS's computer and to coordinate the programs with HDS's billing methods. A subsequent memo, signed by both parties, provided in its entirety: HDS will pay CP $20,000 in two equal installments within one month of completion if CP is successful in shortening by one-half the 17 processing time for the financial transactions now handled on HDS's Zenon 747 computer; CP to complete by July 1. This agreement may be amended only by a signed writing. On June 6, CP demanded $10,000, saying the job was one-half done. After HDS denied liability, the parties orally agreed that HDS should deposit $20,000 in escrow, pending completion to the satisfaction of HDS's computer systems manager. The escrow deposit was thereupon made. On July 5, CP completed the programs, having used an amount of time in which it could have earned $18,000 had it devoted that time to other jobs. Tests by CP and HDS's computer systems manager then showed that the computer programs, not being perfectly coordinated with HDS's billing methods, cut processing time by only 47 percent. They would, however, save HDS $12,000 a year. Further, if HDS would spend $5,000 to change its invoice preparation methods, as recommended by CP, the programs would cut processing time by a total of 58 percent, saving HDS another $8,000 a year. HDS's computer systems manager refused in good faith to certify satisfactory completion. HDS asked the escrow agent to return the $20,000 and asserted that nothing was owed to CP even though HDS continued to use the programs"Assume for this question only that the programs completed on July 5 had cut processing time by one-half for all of HDS's financial transactions. Is HDS entitled to renounce the contract because of CP's delay in completion? A. Yes, because "CP to complete by July 1" is an express condition. B. Yes, because the doctrine of substantial performance does not apply to commercial contracts. C. No, because both parties manifested an understanding that time was not of the essence. D. No, because the contract did not contain a liquidated damages clause dealing with delay in completion Answer: C Question: A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said, "I am blind, please help." There were only a few coins in the hat. A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words. Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy heard his footsteps and asked, "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?" The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way." What he had written was, " Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it." Do you think the first sign and the second sign were saying the same thing? Of course, both signs told people the boy was blind. But the first sign simply told people to help by putting some money in the hat. The second sign told people that they were able to enjoy the beauty of the day, but the boy could not enjoy it because he was blind. The first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people they were so lucky that they were not blind. What do you think of the sign written by the man? A. It has the different meaning to the first sign B. It has the same meaning to the first sign and is expressed in another better way. C. The man's sign tells people it is a beautiful day. D. People know the boy is blind after reading the man's sign. Answer: B Question: "Charles Chaplin was horn in London on April 16,1889.His parents were music ball actors. The Chaplin family were very poor,and life was difficult in London. Charlie,as his job was an actor. What he did was to do silly things to make called, used to do his mother's job in the theatre when she was ill. When he was only 17 years old,Chaplin got his first real job as an actor. What he did was to do silly things to make people laugh in the theatre.Seven years later he went to the USA. And over the next four years,he formed his own way of art. He developed the character of a homeless gentleman which became very popular. From the 1920s to the 19S0s.Chaplin made his most famous films. The film Modern Times(1936) shows his care about the modern industry workers. Many of his films describe the poor life and hard time of the working people during that period. Although Charlie Chaplin was British, he lived in the USA until 1953. But he never got US nationality. Then Chaplin ,his wife and his five children had to move to Switzerland where he lived until he died. When he was 83 years old,he won his only Oscar for the music he wrote for the film . He was named Sir Charles Chaplin at the age of 85. Charlie Chaplin died in Switzerland on December 25th,1975. We can infer from the passage that Chaplin left the USA because of _ . A. his family B. his work C. the US government D. the Swiss government Answer: C Question: How clean are the nation's homes? According to a survey by CIF, there's room for improvement all over Britain. Love or hate it -- cleaning your home is one job you simply can't ignore . But that's not to say everyone spends the same amount of time or effort on making their places spotless. A new survey by CIF-- experts on making tough cleaning jobs easier---- shows that when it comes to washing windows or cleaning the oven ,where you live in the UK it may show how much effort you put into the task. BATHROOM 25% of men have never cleaned the toilet -- but those in Wales are the worst. Nearly four in 10 Welsh men said they never cleaned anywhere in the house. Hate cleaning the shower head? You're not alone -- a quarter of a million Brits say the same. 20% of Scots regard window-cleaning as their most hated job. KITCHEN 36% of people in the south-east say cleaning the cooker is their hated task. 68% of those in the north-east spend more than six hours a week cleaning their homes -- especially the kitchen -- in sharp contrast to the 49% of Welsh and West Country folk, who put their hands up to cleaning for under an hour. BEDROOM 18% believe cleaning starts here: that's the percentage of women who clean wearing their dressing gowns. 51% of women in the north-west may be staying in bed and giving their husband a cuddle --as a thank-you for helping them clean. In other places, there are far fewer helpful men. LIVING ROOM 32% of women in the north-east turn up the stereo to help make the dusting more fun. Almost six in 10 women agree, however, that cleaning is seriously energetic exercise. SHIFT THE DIRT WITH CIF It's no secret that the right cleaning products will cut cleaning time and effort in half-- and no one knows that better than How Clean Is Your house? Presenters Aggie Mackenzie and Kim Woodburn. For solutions to all your cleaning needs, here are some of CIF's top tips: Stop a lot of build-up on your shower head--give it a quick squirt with CIF bathroom spray once a week. Stainless steel tools seem to need endless cleaning. The CIF Wild Qrchid Qxy-Gel-it lifts dirt easily and leaves the kitchen smelling fresh and clean. *Cooking outside? CIF cream will get your barbecue spotlessly clean, ready for those long, lazy summer evenings. Perfect! The main purpose of this passage is to _ . A. tell us the results of a certain survey B. advertise a certain product C. advise men to do more cleaning housework D. tell us which is the hardest job at home Answer: B Question: "Ladies and gentlemen,we got him!" With those words,Paul Bremer,the US's top administrator in Iraq,told the world that Saddam Hussein had been caught. Saddam was found last Saturday night hiding in a hole on the land of his former cook.He had a gun with him when he was found by US soldiers,but did not use it.He also had US $750 000."He was quite cooperative .Not one shot was fired,"said Richardo Sanchez,the US's top army official in Iraq. Saddam Hussein was the leader of Iraq from 1979 to April 2003.In 1990,he went to war with Kuwait ,one of Iraq's neighbours.Iraq's army killed many Kurds living there.The US and other countries went to war with Iraq in 1991 to get the Iraq army out of Kuwait.The war was won quickly by the American-led army.But Saddam was left to lead Iraq. In 2003,America said Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and decided to go to war with Saddam again. The US-led army occupied Iraq in April.But they could not find Saddam.Saddam had around 30 hiding places in the country and he moved among them every four hours.The US-led army only found him after being told where he was by one of his former workers. America and Britain now want to put Saddam on trial for "war crimes ",such as killing Kurds in the 1990s. George W.Bush,the US President,wants Saddam to "pay the ultimate penalty " for such crimes.By that,he means the death penalty.The UN and European countries,though,do not want Saddam to be put to death. Which of following is Not true? A. America thought Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. B. The US led army couldn't find Saddam until his former worker told them. C. Saddam moved among 30 hiding places other three hours. D. The UN and European countries agree with George W.Bush on how to deal with Saddam. Answer: D
A report by the Consumer Electronics Association says electronics are among the most popular gifts being bought this holiday season. Jim Barry is a spokesman for the Consumer Electronics Association. He says the CEA study found that electronics represent three of the top five things on its "holiday gift wish list" this year. JIM BARRY: "Notebook computers are at the top, followed by iPads and then e-readers. IPad is a touch-screen tablet computer and that's really the big player in that category." The computer company Apple began selling its small, touch-screen computers in April. People use the touch-screen computers to surf the Web, write e-mails, watch movies and read books. Since the iPad's release earlier this year, several other companies have come out with their own tablet computers just in time for Christmas. A report from the e-Marketer research group predicts that worldwide, tablet sales will reach more than eighty-one million in two thousand twelve. Still, Jim Barry says these devices are facing tough competition this year from another Christmas favorite. JIM BARRY: "Another hot category right behind that are the e-readers. So you can read on an iPad or a touch-screen tablet, but the e-book readers are less expensive. The Kindle is the market leader there, from Amazon. But you also have the Nook from Barnes and Noble and the e-reader from Sony. And you have more and more of those e-readers coming into the market as well." The Consumer Electronics Association report found that iPod music players are also in high demand this holiday season. But not all of the things on the holiday gift wish list involved electronics. Clothes, cars and motorcycles also made the list. So did family togetherness and good health. And the one thing that people wanted most? JIM BARRY: "At the top of the list was peace and happiness." That is also our wish for you this holiday season. People use the touch-screen computers to do all the following things except _ . A. surf the Web and write e-mails B. watch movies and read books C. surf the Web and contact others on phone D. surf the internet and use it as an e-reader Answer: C Sherry is going to use her computer to draw a three-dimensional box. She wants to be able to specify the exact dimensions and angles and to rotate the box as needed on the screen. Which of the following types of programs would Sherry most likely use for this purpose? A. word processing software B. math spreadsheet program C. Internet-based search engine D. computer-aided design program Answer: D Meet Jeff Wilson AKA Professor Dumpster , an environmental scientist and the Dean of Huston Tillotson University in Austin, Texas. The reason for his unusual nickname? He has decided to live in a dumpster for the next year. Yes, the kind that you might find filled with trash behind a restaurant. Wilson says the inspiration to do something first hit him two years ago, when he was working on an article at a neighborhood coffee shop and caught sight of an eight-yard dumpster. Now that he has found one, Professor Dumpster is putting his students to work. After all, the point of this project isn't just to spend his life living out of a garbage can: there is, a much greater purpose involved. As an environmental scientist, the professor constantly thinks about sustainable living and how every person should try to minimize his/her impact on our already stretched resources. That, is the challenge Wilson wanted his students to step up to, this entire year. Using their math, science, engineering and technology skills, he wants them to retrofit his 33 square-foot dumpster into a modern space that includes a shower, a toilet, a kitchen and a bed and is fitted with conveniences like air-conditioning and even WiFi. The demand? It all has to be green and sustainable. www.ks5u.com So why is Wilson planning to go through such hardship? That is because he wants to equip his students with the tools to survive in a world that is rapidly heading towards a population of 10 billion people. A large majority of the population adjust to living in tighter spaces in the world where resources and space should be limited to be used. By promoting awareness and education on these subjects, Wilson is helping students everywhere see that living "small" and sustainably is certainly possible. And while the dumpster project may seem a little crazy to some, the professor thinks of it as a "playful and imaginative" educational experiment and conversation-starter to discuss the fact that all of us can do with less as we move into the future. What is the best title for the passage? A. How Should We Teach Our Students in Effective Ways? B. Who Will Be the Next One to Live in a Dumpster? C. Why Is This Professor Moving into a Dumpster? D. What We Can Do to Save Our Earth? Answer: C Congress enacts a law providing that all disagreements between the United States and a state over federal grant-in-aid funds shall be settled by the filing of a suit in the federal district court in the affected state. "The judgment of that federal court shall be transmitted to the head of the federal agency dispensing such funds who, if satisfied that the judgment is fair and lawful, shall execute the judgment according to its terms." This law is A. constitutional, because disagreements over federal grant-in-aid funds necessarily involve federal questions within the judicial power of the United States. B. constitutional, because the spending of federal monies necessarily includes the authority to provide for the effective settlement of disputes involving them. C. unconstitutional, because it vests authority in the federal court to determine a matter prohibited to it by the Eleventh Amendment. D. unconstitutional, because it vests authority in a federal court to render an advisory opinion Answer: D Coolest Hotels in the World Ariau Amazon Towers The Ariau Amazon Towers hotel lets you sleep in a tree house. Eight towers make up this hotel that offers over 300 rooms. If you really want to get into the spirit, the Tarzan Suite which is large enough for big family. You'll thirty feet up in the air and can travel between the towers through their wooden walkways. Prices starting at $300 one night for each person for a regular room and going all the way up to $3000 for the Tarzan Suite. For more information, visit the website: http://www.ariautowers.com The Ice Hotel Every winter in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, a special kind of hotel called the Ice Hotel is built. Each year, world-famous artists are invited to design and produce works of art from the ice, many of which can be found in the rooms. You'll have your choice between hot or cold rooms, but you will be well advised to stay at least one night in a cold room for a true experience. Prices: starting $318 one night for each person for either a cold room or a warm one. For more information, visit the website: http://www.icehotel.com Propeller Island City Lodge Propeller Island City Lodge is a very special hotel that was designed by a German artist. Each room provides you with the possibility of living in a work of art. Every single piece of furniture in the thirty rooms of the hotel has been hand-made and each room is completely different. You'll be able to choose a room based on your own personal tastes. Prices: starting at just $91 a night, and an additional person for only 20 extra dollars. For more information, visit the website: http://www.propeller-island.com For information about other cool hotels in the world, visit the website: _ For two persons spending a night in one of these hotels,they have to pay at least _ A. $600 B. $111 C. $182 D. $636 Answer: B
Six years ago, a Miami woman walking through the hall of an office building casually noticed two men standing together. Several minutes after her leaving, the men murdered a person working in the building. Police investigators determined that the woman was the only witness who had seen the two suspects, and could possibly describe them. In an interview with police, her memory of the men proved disappointingly unclear. Several days later, psychologist Ronald P. Fisher was brought in to get a more complete description from the woman. Fisher's interview produced a breakthrough--the woman reported a clear picture of one of the suspects. She then recalled several details about his appearances. This information gave police important leads that enabled them to arrest the suspects and close the case. Police investigators found the help from Fisher because of his rich knowledge in conducting the so-called cognitive interview, a kind of memory-rebuilding process. In its original form, the cognitive interview focuses on guiding witnesses through four general recalling techniques: thinking about physical surroundings and personal feelings that existed at the time of past events, reporting everything that comes to mind about those events no matter how broken or unconnected, retelling events in kinds of time orders, beginning to end, end to beginning, forward or backward, and accepting different views while recalling events. Usually, an interviewer begins the cognitive approach by encouraging the witness to take an active role in recalling information rather than giving answers only to someone else's questions. The witness first describes what happened in his or her own words, with no interviewer interruptions. The interviewer then goes further with specific techniques, such as having the witness tell the details of what happened from different aspects. Experiments with police detectives trained in this demanding interview method find that they get nearly 50% more information from witnesses than before training, while error rates remain about the same. It can be inferred from the passage that in a cognitive interview, the interviewer mainly plays a _ role. A directing B questioning C disappointing D interrupting Answer: A. directing In recent years, temperatures in the polar areas are rising faster than anywhere else on Earth. As a result, the ice and the snow are melting at record-setting rates. One result is that sea levels are rising around the world, putting animals and people at risk. A sheet of ice acts like a huge mirror, reflecting the sun's energy. But ocean water, which is darker than ice, absorbs a lot of it. This causes the ocean to warm, which in turn speeds up ice melting and which leads to even more open waters. The cycle continues until all the ice is gone. "As the ice melts, water flows into the oceans, making them less salty. That, along with warmer water temperatures, can harm the creatures that live in, under, and near the ice," says zoologist Michael Stoddard. "Cold-adapted animals -- including polar bears, foxes, hares, and seals -- also need ice for travel and survival." "Most species of fish, sea spiders, and many other animals and plants that live in the waters of Antarctica don't live anywhere else," Stoddard says. "Many of them have special proteins in their bodies keeping them from freezing to death and have other adaptation to the cold that has yet to be explored." Therefore, experts are urging us to reconsider the way we live. The fuels that we burn in cars, power stations, and factories are largely to blame for the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are trapping overmuch heat in our atmosphere. If we can produce fewer of these gases, we can help save the polar ice. "Even small things would make a difference, if everyone did them." Michael Stoddard says, "That's what we have to figure out in the near future to help save the polar ice and thus protect the oceans and us." The passage is mainly written to _ . A introduce the present situation of the polar areas B warn people against extreme weather C call on people to protect the oceans and humans D advertise for volunteers to protect the environment Answer: C. call on people to protect the oceans and humans When you think of all the ways your body can get hurt---falling off a bike, stepping on a nail, being bitten by a crazed dog---the aches and pains that come from sitting at a computer may not seem like much. But more doctors are getting worried about just that. If you sit at a PC the wrong way, the nerves and muscles in your back, neck and arms can get out of line. _ is the study of how people work and how jobs and equipment can be designed so that people are safer and more comfortable in the things they do---whether that's working on a factory assembly line or sitting in front of a computer. The monitor You should not have to tilt your neck up or down to lock at the screen. Your eyes should be level with the top of the screen. How far away should you sit? Reach your arm out so your fingertips just touch the screen. The keyboard It should be directly in front of you. Don't unfold the legs on the bottom of the keyboard so that it tilts up toward you---it should be as flat as possible, or even tilted away from you. You want your wrists "neutral," which means straight, not bent. This puts less strain on your nerves and muscles. Arms should be close to the body. Don't look at your fingers as you type. Use a document holder to hold papers at the same level as the monitor. Keep the mouse on the same level as the keyboard and close by--- so you don't have to reach for it. The chair Your feet shouldn't dangle---the blood will pool in your feet. They should rest flat on the floor, or on phone books, if necessary. Your back needs support. Roll up a towel and stick it there. The Body If you think of your body as a collection of right angles when you sit at a computer, you should be just fine. Your hips should be at a 90-degree angle to your back. That takes the pressure off the spine. And your knees should bend at a 90 degree angle so your feet are flat. How high should a monitor be placed according to the passage? A As high as your arms. B A little higher than your eyes. C A little lower than your eyes. D At the same level as your eyes. Answer: D. At the same level as your eyes. Seligman is leading the research on what might be called Happiness Revolution in psychology. Since World War II, psychologists have focused on fixing what is broken --repairing psychosis , and neurosis . Research has piled up steadily when it comes to looking at patients who are neurotic, while the happy or joyful people among us have received little scientific examination. When Seligman did a search to find academic articles about such 'positive psychology' he found only 800 out of 70,000. 'Psychologists tend to be concerned with taking a negative 8 person, and helping him get to negative 2,' said Seligman, a psychology professor of the University of Pennsylvania. 'My aim is to _ ' In the last 50 years, statistics have shown that we are less happy as a people. 'While our quality of life has increased dramatically over that time, and we've become richer, we're in an epidemic of depression,' Seligman said. 'Depression is 10 times more common now, and life satisfaction rates are down as well.' Seligman argues that the new science he writes about is shifting psychology's model away from its narrow-minded focus on mental illness towards positive emotion, virtue and strength that increase people's happiness. If you want to be happy, forget about winning the lottery , getting a nose job, or securing a raise. In his new book, Authentic Happiness, psychologist Martin Seligman argues that overall lifetime happiness is not the result of good genes, money, or even luck. Instead, he says we can increase our own happiness by making use of the strengths and virtues that we already have, including kindness, originality, humor, optimism, and generosity. He has named the field'Positive Psychology,' arguing that we would be better off building on our own strengths rather than mourning, and, hence, trying to repair, our weaknesses. By frequently calling upon their strengths, people can build up natural barriers against misfortune and negative emotions, he said. Science has shown that there are several distinct roads to being a happy person -- though happiness might not mean what you think. Material goods -- even simple ones like ice cream, and massages -- are only stimulating things that rapidly give people a boost. To cultivate happiness, we must first find out our individual strengths and virtues. Next, apply the qualities in such a way as to enhance your happiness-generating system. The distinctive feature of Seligman's work lies in _ . A evaluating the psychological state of people B making a study of people who suffer from mental illness C focusing the scientific examination on the happy or joyful people D figuring out the exact number of the academic articles about 'positive psychology' Answer: C. focusing the scientific examination on the happy or joyful people People who are hit by lightning and survive often have long-term effects. These may include memory loss, sleep disorders, muscle pain and depression . Experts tell people to seek the safety of a building or a hard-top vehicle any time they hear thunder, even if it is not raining. They say lightning can strike as far as sixteen kilometers from any rainfall. Lightning can travel sideways. And at least ten percent of lightning happens without any clouds overhead that you can see. People who are outdoors should make sure they are not the tallest thing around. Bend low to the ground, but do not lie down. And do not stand near a tree or any tall object. Get away from water and anything made of metal. A car is safe, but do not touch any metal inside. Safety experts say people in buildings should stay away from anything with wires or pipes that lead to the outside. The National Weather Service says if you plan to _ any electronic equipment, do so before the storm arrives. Do not use a wired telephone. Do not use water. All these can carry electricity. Some people think a person struck by lightning carries an electrical charge afterward. Experts say this is not true. It is safe to begin emergency treatment. Each year about four hundred people in the United States are struck by lightning. Last year forty four people died. The average is close to seventy. The National Weather Service says that is more than the number of people killed by severe storms. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true? A Lightning can happen even if there is no cloud. B Lightning won't do harm to people's health. C Lightning can travel sideways. D Lightning can strike very far. Answer: B. Lightning won't do harm to people's health.
Question: Switzerland is one of the most developed countries in Europe. It is famous as one of the cleanest countries in the world. The Swiss think that recycling is very important. The government has made laws which require everyone to recycle. In 1998, the Swiss government passed a law which says that people can not throw away any electronic machines. Instead, people are told to bring old ones, such as televisions, computers and fridges, to special centers when they didn't need them. Many parts of the old machines are reused, and only the parts that can't be used are thrown away. The government also charges a rubbish bag tax . If people want their rubbish to be collected, they must buy yellow stickers and put them on their rubbish bags. In 2003, 47% of all rubbish in the cities was recycled. This included 70% of paper, 95%of glass, 71%of plastic bottles and 85--90%of cans. Until recently, people could get a small amount of money when they recycled their bottles. Recycling has become a daily habit for the Swiss. Everyone should learn from the Swiss, and our country will be clean like Switzerland. How can people in Switzerland get a small amount of money? A. Put yellow stickers on their rubbish bags. B. Recycle their bottles. C. Bring old electronic machines to special centers. D. Have a good habit. Answer: B Question: Studying abroad is an amazing experience, especially when you come to Australia as an overseas( ) high school student. You can have a lot of fun here, especially on holidays. There are many festivals in Australia. The most important one is obviously Christmas. Each year, the summer holidays at every high school last about two months from the beginning of December to February, which covers the Christmas time. Since it is a long holiday, most overseas students love to fly back to their home countries to spend the time with their families and friends, but a few students still stay in Australia during the holiday to get part-time jobs. It is quite easy to find a part-time job at Christmas. Students often take part in another major social activity. They go to the beach to have fun in the sunshine. The summer in Australia is from December to February, so going to the beach in December is very popular among Australians. Easter in March is another important holiday in the year. It actually combines "Good Friday" and "Easter Monday". Almost every shop closes on Good Friday. And people usually go to see Easter Show. The Chinese New year is not a public holiday in Australia, so every Chinese student still has to go to school to study and do his or her normal duties. Summer holidays in Australia often begin in _ . A. July B. September C. December D. February Answer: C Question: Defendant is on trial for extorting $10,000 from Victim. An issue is the identification of the person who made a telephone call to Victim. Victim is prepared to testify that the caller had a distinctive accent like Defendant's, but that he cannot positively identify the voice as Defendant's. Victim recorded the call but has not brought the tape to court, although its existence is known to Defendant. Victim's testimony is A. inadmissible, because Victim cannot sufficiently identify the caller. B. inadmissible, because the tape recording of the conversation is the best evidence. C. admissible, because Defendant waived the "best evidence" rule by failing to subpoena the tape. D. admissible, because Victim's lack of certainty goes to the weight to be given Victim's testimony, not to its admissibility. Answer: D Question: Children in the United States eat too much pizza that some researchers now argue the food should join the ranks of sugary drinks and fast food for the harm they do to health. In a new study, the researchers found that pizza is a large source of calories, saturated fat and salt in children's diets.Children should not eat more than two slices of pizza for a meal,and should pair that with salad, rather than with another high-calorie food,the researchers concluded. "Parents should aim to control pizza consumption , particularly as a snack where it was shown to have a very adverse impact on children, and they should put their pizza dollars toward healthier brands."Said Lisa Powel, director of the Illinois Prevention Research Center. Pizza has become a matter of focus in recent years for researchers who look at the meals children eat, rather than the nutrients within them.Studies have found pizza is among the greatest sources of calories for children. "Since pizza remains a common part of children's diet, we need to make 'healthy' pizza."Powel said.To make pizza healthier, food producers should reduce its saturated fat and salt, and increase its whole grain content," she said. Whether or not pizza is harmful enough to be picked out as an unhealthy food, the study attracts attention to a larger issue with the modern American lifestyle, said Alexis Tindall, who was not involved in the flow research. "Many foods are eaten too frequently and in large sizes," said Tindall.To solve the problem, people don't have to give up eating pizza, but instead, they can eat smaller and healthier pizza,"she said. "Make it at home, instead of ordering it out where you don't have any control over how it's made." Tindall said. "When we make it at home, we can choose healthier ingredients,increase the vegetables, reduce fat, and put in less cheese.Pizza doesn't have to be just pepperoni and cheese." What is the best title for the passage? A. Pizza--a real junk food! B. How to prepare better meals for your kids? C. Discover the harm of eating pizza D. Bring in healthier pizza for Americans Answer: D Question: A woman renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office was asked to state her occupation.She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. "What I mean is," explained the recorder, "do you have a job, or are you just a ..." "Of course I have a job," said Emily."I'm a mother." "We don't list 'mother' as an occupation... 'housewife' covers it," said the recorder. One day I found myself in the same situation.The clerk was obviously a career woman, confident and possessed of a high sounding title."What is your occupation?" she asked. The words simply popped out."I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations." The clerk paused, ballpoint pen frozen in midair. I repeated the title slowly, and then I stared with wonder as my statement was written in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire. "Might I ask, " said the clerk with new interest, "Just what you do in this field?" Coolly, without any trace of panic in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research (what mother doesn't), in the lab and in the field (normally I would have said indoors and out).Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities (any mother care to disagree?), and I often work 14 hours a day (24 is more like it).But the job is more challenging than most careers and rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money." There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and showed me out. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants---ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model (a 6 month old baby), in the child-development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt proud! I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another mother." Motherhood...What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door. What is the author's purpose of writing the passage? A. To show how you describe your job affects your feelings toward it. B. To argue that motherhood is a worthy career and deserves respect. C. To show that the author had a grander job than Emily. D. To show that being a mother is hard and boring work. Answer: B
Question: That day It's 4 am,and Danilo C.Dequina is already awake. Holding a flashlight and a bucket, he is walking in the pre-dawn darkness along the shore of Old Poblacion Beach in the town of Maitum,Sarangani,in the far south of the Philippines. A few minutes later,he spots a patch of sand that appears to have been disturbed by a turtle. Dequina studies the area carefully,figuring out where the eggs have been buried, and then starts digging slowly. After clearing away several centimeters of sand, he uncovers a large group of eggs,roughly the size of ping-pong balls. He picks them up and puts them in the bucket. Dequina carries the eggs to his hatchery , some 50 meters away from the seashore. The hatchery is really just a sandy patch of land under the coconut trees enclosed by a black fine-mesh fence. It is here that he buries the turtle eggs he has collected. Today,Dequina scoops out a hole,puts the eggs in it,and covers them with sand. After 45 to 70 days, the eggs will hatch. Dequina will then carty the hatchlings to the shore,and release them into the sea. He admits to feeling sorrow as he sets the hatchlings free most are hunted down by natural predators,and just one percent survive to adulthood. According to the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), eight species of sea turtles face extinction,including four that come to the shores of Sarangani to lay their eggs --the Hawksbill,Olive Ridley,Loggerhead and Green Turtles. After learning about their _ , Dequina attended a DENR training session on turtle conservation and decided to take action. He helped the local government to set up the Pawikan Nesting Sanctuary next to his house in 2003. The hatchery drew the attention of the locals. "They started to change their attitudes towards sea turtles,"52-year-old Dequina says. "If they see turtle eggs,they will either bring them to me or inform me of the nesting places." Over the past seven years,more than 3,000 hatch- lings have been released to the ocean. Dequina walks along the shore to _ . A. release small turtles B. bury turtle eggs deeper C. find newly laid turtle eggs D. clear away trash from the seaside Answer: C. find newly laid turtle eggs Question: Stirrup, a rancher, and Equinox, a fancier of horses, signed the following writing: "For $5,000, Stirrup will sell to Equinox a gray horse that Equinox may choose from among the grays on Stirrup's ranch." Equinox refused to accept delivery of a gray horse timely tendered by Stirrup or to choose among those remaining, on the ground that during their negotiations Stirrup had orally agreed to include a saddle, worth $100, and also to give Equinox the option to choose a gray or a brown horse. Equinox insisted on one of Stirrup's brown horses, but Stirrup refused to part with any of his browns or with the saddle as demanded by Equinox. If Equinox sues Stirrup for damages and seeks to introduce evidence of the alleged oral agreement, the court probably will A. admit the evidence as to both the saddle and the option to choose a brown horse. B. admit the evidence as to the saddle but not the option to choose a brown horse. C. admit the evidence as to the option to choose a brown horse but not the promise to include the saddle. D. not admit any of the evidence. Answer: B. admit the evidence as to the saddle but not the option to choose a brown horse. Question: Steve Jobs-A surprising success. Nothing in the early years of Steve Job's life suggested that he would be so successful. Born in San Francisco, the child of two students, he was adopted and grew up close to Silicon Valley. While at company-and he and his best friend Steve Wozniak got summer jobs there. After finishing high school in 1972, Jobs studied at an expensive liberal arts college in Portland, Oregon but he dropped pout after one after one term. He grew his hair and a beard, slept on friends' floors, and sometimes went to a Hare Krishna temple for free meals. Like many drop-outs at that Beatles-inspired time, his ambition was to visit a guru([])in India, which he eventually did with a friend. When they got there, the guru had died. At this point, Jobs has a limited education, and no obvious talents, apart from a notorious ability to talk. However, he did have a devoted friend who was an electronics genius. They were a great team. Without Jobs' s ambition, high design standards, the ability to make deals and great maketing skills-Wozniak might well have spent a quiet life designing hardware at HP. Form the article, Apple was successful because_. A. Steve Jobs was a computer Genius B. Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak were lucky C. Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak worked well together D. Steve Wozniak liked a quiet life Answer: C. Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak worked well together Question: Indonesia's coral reefs are in trouble. Coral mining, Industrial pollution and poisonous agricultural runoff all play a role in their destruction, but the fishermen have been the worst offenders. They not only bomb fish but also poison them with cyanide, an equally destructive practice. The fishermen are also among the biggest potential victims . Two thirds of Indonesia's 7, 000 coastal villages are close to coral reefs and thus depend for their livelihood on the harvest of reef fish. The disappearing reefs are already leading to a dramatic decline in the productivity of coastal fisheries and to increasing fights among fishermen. Indonesia's reefs are vast - they cover 51, 000 square kilometers, surround 17, 500 islands and stretch 3,500 kilometers - but they are not infinite. Many foreign experts and Indonesians fear that the region's entire marine environment could be seriously damaged if the reefs keep dying at their present rate. "The overall picture is depressing," says Ian Dutton, Indonesian director of an environmental group. Depressing, but not hopeless. Despite the destruction, environmentalists have in recent years made significant progress in changing the hearts and minds of the fishermen. Working closely with local Indonesian authorities in North Sulawesi and less populated eastern Indonesia, where most of the country's reefs are located, they have succeeded in preventing destructive fishing practices and coral mining from overwhelming the reefs. Increasing numbers of fishermen are waking up to the threat and protecting the life-sustaining coral before it's too late. Nuhung, a 56-year-old fisherman, says, "I always knew blast fishing was harmful. Then I suddenly realized that by bombing the reefs I was destroying not only my own but my children's future." The fishermen are named "worst offenders" because_. A. they defend their rights of mining the coral reefs too eagerly B. they wake up too late to realize the terrible situation C. they use the fishing ways, which destroy the coral reefs D. they pretend to follow the government's rules Answer: C. they use the fishing ways, which destroy the coral reefs Question: A barracuda will be able to raise its own offspring because A. it is troubled B. it is hairy C. it is hungry D. it is alive Answer: D. it is alive
Hi! I'm Tom.This is my pencil box. It's orange. My ruler is blue and red .It's in the pencil-box. That is a pencil. It's black. It is not my pencil. It's Lucy's. The white eraser is Bob's. I call Bob at 789-6943. It is his telephone number. What color is Tom's pencil-box? Answer: A group of people from Denmark have formed the B-Society. According to them, human beings are divided into types: A-People, and B-People. A-People have no problem getting up in the morning, and operate much better earlier in the day. However, B-people are better later in the day. "I'm useless early in the morning," says one of the members of the B-Society."All I can do is drink coffee, and stare into space. People used to get up early because they had to feed the animals. But I haven't got any cows or chickens, so I can sleep late," She adds. Since the society was set up, the B-Society has welcomed several thousand members. Right now, the B-Society is fighting hard for businesses to join its B-certification list. Companies that are "B-certified" basically give their employees the opportunity to come in when they want. In some companies, employees arrive at any time up to 3:30 pm --- each to their own rhythm . And it is not just businesses that are benefiting from this. Teenagers who can't get out of bed in the morning, and parents who never quite get the kids to school on time, can now benefit from B-classes. From next year, a school in Copenhagen will offer classes which start later in the day (at 10 instead of eight). And even the government seems to like the idea. The B-Society was founded by Camilla Kring, a professor from the University of Copenhagen. On her website, she says, "When B-people's work rhythms are considered at the work place, their productivity and quality of life is increased, which can increase productivity for the entire organization." She adds that, "B-Society will create a new daily rhythm in schools and other institutions as an alternative to the current rhythm of 'early at work and early at home'. We are working for the establishment of kindergartens, primary and secondary schools as well as universities that open between 10 am and 8 pm." Would you like to work for a B-certified company? The author's purpose in writing this text is to _ . Answer: Some objects conduct electricity. Which object is the best conductor of electricity? Answer: Internet users can give websites a thumbs up or thumbs down in less than the blink of an eye, according to a recent study by Canadian researchers. Specifically, a positive or negative decision is made within one-twentieth of a second -- less than half the time it takes to blink.It is also about the time for users to read just one word on the website. In the study at the Carleton University in Ottawa, websites were flashed up on a screen for participants to view for 50 milliseconds, and then rated by the viewer. Later when the pages were viewed again for longer periods of time, the viewers' opinion were the same. The study was published in the March/April issue of the journal Behaviour & Information Technology. "It really is just a physiological response.If the first impression is negative, you'll probably drive people off," said Dr.Gitte Lindgard, the leading researcher, "So Web designers have to make sure they're not offending users visually." However, the results did not show how to win a positive reaction from users."When we looked at the websites that we tested, there is really nothing there that tells us what leads to dislike or to like," Dr.Lindgard said. Usually the appeal of a website is tied to color1, movement and interactivity .And while further research may offer more clues , personal taste would always be a limiting factor, according to Lindgard. "If the designs were _ to a set of principles, wouldn't we find an awful lot of similar houses, gardens, cars?" she said."We'd have no variety." How long does it take have a blink of the eye? Answer: A baby giraffe is born 10 feet high and usually lands on its back. Bringing a giraffe into the world is _ . In his book, A View from the Zoo, Gary Richmond describes how a new-born giraffe learns its first lesson. The mother giraffe lowers her head long enough to take a quick look. Then she puts herself directly over her child. She waits for about a minute, and then she does the most unreasonable thing. She throws her long leg and kicks her baby, so that it's sent sprawling . When it doesn't get up, what the mother has done is repeated again and again. The struggle to rise is important. As the baby giraffe grows tired, the mother kicks it again. Finally, it stands for the first time. Then the mother giraffe kicks it off again. Why? She wants it to remember how it can get up. In the wild, a baby giraffe must be able to get up as quickly as possible to stay with its group, where there's safety. Another writer named Irving Stone understood this. He spent a lifetime studying great people, writing stories about such men as Michelangelo, Vincent van Gogh, Sigmund Freud, and Charles Darwin. Stone was once asked if he had found something unusual about these great people. He said, "I write about people who sometime in their life have a dream of something. They're beaten over the head, knocked down and for years they get nowhere. But every time they stand up again. And at the end of their lives they've realized some small parts of what they set out to do." The mother giraffe puts herself over her child and throws her long leg and kicks her baby because she _ . Answer:
Anne and Joseph are talking about an interesting question. Why do some people change their names? There can be many reasons. Hanna changed her name to Anne because she thought it would be easier for people to remember. On the other hand, Joseph is thinking about changing his name to an unusual name because he wants to be different. People have a lot of reasons for changing their names. Film stars, singers, sportsmen and some other famous people often change their names because they want names that are not ordinary, or that have special sound. They chose the "new name" for themselves instead of the name their parents gave them when they were born. Some people have another reason for changing their names. They have moved to a new country and want to use a name that is usual there. For example, Li Kaiming changed his name to Ken Lee when he moved to the United States. He uses the name Ken at his job and at school. But with his family and Chinese friends, he uses Li Kaiming. For some people, using different names makes life easier in their new country. In many countries, a woman changes her family name to her husband's after she gets married. But today, many women are keeping their own family name and not using their husband's. Sometimes, women use their own name in some situations and their husband's in other situations. And some use both their own name and their husband's. Famous people want their new names to _ . Answer: have special sound Read the following interview with Dr John Bass, an international shark specialist who has spent many years studying sharks: First of all, doctor, are all sharks dangerous? No, they aren't. There are about 250 different kinds of sharks, but fewer than 30 of them are dangerous to humans. Certain sharks are very aggressive and we should fear them, but the danger of shark attacks is much lower than most people think. So which sharks are dangerous? The Great White shark is the most dangerous. Then there is the Tiger shark, which other sharks are afraid of, and the Blue shark. Both of them are very fast and dangerous. Which are the biggest and smallest sharks? The Whale shark is the biggest shark in the world. It grows up to 15 m in length and weighs as much as six large cars. The smallest shark, which is found near prefix = st1 /Japan, could fit into the palm of your hand because it is only 15-20 cm long. Do all sharks have teeth ? Yes, they do. Most sharks have hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of sharp teeth. These are arranged in rows of four or more. They fit quite loosely in the jaw. When the front ones break off or fall out, spare teeth move forwards from the rows behind: Sharks get a new set of teeth every two weeks. In 10 years, a Tiger may lose as many as 24,000 teeth! That's lots of teeth! What kind of food do sharks eat? Most sharks feed on small fish, and they keep the oceans healthy by eating sick and injured fish. However, hungry sharks will eat almost anything, including smaller sharks and even rubbish. Inside one Tiger shark which was found, there was a tin can, a bicycle tyre , a leather wallet and an alarm clock! And how do sharks find their food, doctor? A shark's sense of smell is excellent. It will follow the smell of blood across thousands of metres of ocean. They also see well, and they have good hearing. Sharks can feel movement in water very easily too, and it is possible for them to feel a fish moving as far as 30 m away. Choose the best title for this passage _ . Answer: Sharks -- The Facts Sheep always follow each other and never really think about where they are going. Perhaps fashion makes us into " _ ". Maybe we should find our own way and not follow the crowd. Everyone wants to wear top brand clothing. However, we should remember that clothes designers study what ordinary people wear on the street. Then they make clothes like ordinary people's for everyone. Therefore, fashion really starts with individual finding a new look. Then a company uses that look and then it becomes fashionable! That doesn't mean you will. That is to say, a model might look perfect in a shirt but that doesn't mean you will. The same goes for mobile phones. Young people are always asking me when to change my mobile phones. Mobile phone companies are always putting new functions on their phones but do we really need all these extra functions? I use my phone to call people and to send messages to my friends. I don't need a camera, Internet surfing or a calendar on my phone. Again, if you buy the latest phone, it will only be the latest phone for a month or so. Then something new will come out and you'll be unfashionable again. You can't keep up with fashion all the time, so you don't need to follow the fashion. The passage is written mainly to _ . Answer: tell us not to be "sheep" It was late in a spring afternoon. I was sitting at a fruit stand beside Beihai Lake looking at the shinning ripple , which awoke me to a full sense of life. A mother and her daughter were sitting opposite to me. The latter, a lovely girl of seven or eight with a pretty, small nose, was occupied with an ice cream. Her mother, holding the child's sweater, was whispering to her. A sudden breeze blew and the child sneezed. Her mother rapidly put the sweater on her and began to button it up. In her hurry the buttons were wrongly matched, which was unnoticed by her until several had been done. The mother at once unbuttoned the sweater and did it again. Such an unimportant incident, however, did not escape the child's eye. "Ha-ha, mum, see how your mind has wandered!" said the girl with a loud laughter, which brought a bit angry look to the mother's face. As an onlooker, I imagined a good dressing down for the little girl because of the impolite remark she made. But instead there was only an embarrassing interval of a few seconds. Then I heard the mother's gentle voice: "Yes, it surely has, for my heart has gone out to you!" said the mother, pointing a kind finger at the girl's little chest. The child blinked puzzlingly, hiding her red face in the arms of her mother who hugged her gently. A smile of satisfaction spread over the mother's face. I was deeply moved by the scene of motherly love. What was the most praiseworthy thing about the mother was her way of treating the child's behavior. Nowadays many people seem to forget that the best way to educate a child is not tolerating or blaming, or even moral lecturing, but tender enlightening with love. How did the mother treat her daughter's loud laughter? Answer: She enlightened her daughter with love. Loren Gladstone of Toronto is 58, but thinking over how to bequeath his digital property . Doing the paperwork after his parents' death was a challenge. "When my time comes, I wonder if my children will even know what paper is," he says. As a software developer, his virtual property is both valuable and vital to his business. That reflects a problem. Online lives have increasing economic and emotional value. But testamentary laws offer confusing and incomplete ways of bequeathing and inheriting them. Digital property may include software, websites, downloaded content, online gaming identities, social-media accounts and even e-mails. In Britain alone holdings of digital music may be worth over PS9 billion ($14 billion). A fifth of respondents to a Chinese local-newspaper survey said they had over 5,000 yuan($790) of digital property. And value does not lie only in money."Anyone with kids under 14 years old probably has two prints of them and the rest are in online galleries,"says Nathan Lustig of Entrustet, a company that helps people manage digital property. Service providers have different rules--and few state them clearly in their terms and conditions. Many give users a personal right to use an account, but nobody else, even after death. Facebook allows relatives to close an account or turn it into a memorial page. Gmail (run by Google) will provide copies of e-mails to an executor . Music downloaded via iTunes is held under a license which can be abolished on death. Apple declined to comment on the record on this or other policies. All e-mail and data on its iCloud service are deleted on the death of the owner. This has led to cases to court in America. In 2004 the family of Justin Ellsworth, an army man killed in Iraq, took Yahoo! to court in Michigan to get copies of his e-mails. This year, a court in Oregon ruled that another American mother whose son had died could use her dead son's password to enter his Facebook account for a short period. Now five American states have made laws giving executors control over the social-networking accounts of dead users. But this raises the subject of privacy. Passing music on is one thing; not everyone may want their relatives to read their e-mails. Colin Pearson, a London-based lawyer, says access should come only with a clear provision in a will. But laws, wills and password safes may be contrary to the providers' terms of service, especially when the executor is in one country and the data in another. Headaches for the living and lots of lovely work for lawyers. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage? Answer: Lawyers can make money through cases about digital property.
With its private hidden coves and pink beaches.Bermuda is a perfect place for relaxation and romance.Though this tiny string of Atlantic islands covers only 21 square miles. there's much to see and do.Spend tile days boating,golfing,shopping or swimming with dolphins.Explore secret caves,visit historical museums and churches.Bermuda's nightlife offers everything from fine dining to fast food,jazz clubs to Irish pubs. Even though a large number of people live 011 this small island , you should never feel crowded.There are no ad boards or signs,and ly few cars to spoil the beauty of the countryside.Most houses seem to fit quite naturally into the scenery. Bermuda consists of nine parishes .Pembroke,which surrounds the capital city of Hamilton.is the largest parish in population;St.George has the largest land area. Because of its small size.it's easy to get to know tile island.There's much to see.Whether you travel by bike. ferry,bus,or taxi.You'll need plenty of time.though,because the pace is slow.Cars and other motorized vehicles must observe tile top speed of 15 mph in Hamilton and St.George,20 mph in the countryside.The speed limits are strictly enforced.and there are severe punishments for breaking the rules. Once you've done all the must-sees, you'll want to walk around and make discoveries on your own . The best parishes for walking are Somerset , St. George , and Hamilton. But don't fill your days with too much structured sightseeing . You'll want time to lie on the beach and play in the water ,and to enjoy moments like sitting by the harbor in the late afternoon, enjoying the views as the sailing boats pass by . Absorbing Bermuda's beauty at your own pace, and stopping to chat with the occasional islander , is really the point. You will need plenty of time to sightsee Bermuda because _ . Answer: it has very strict speed limits The technology is improving every year. We will see some very exciting home robots in the next few years. In the future the robots can do lots of things. 1. Getting things In a few years, it will be possible to tell your home robot to get a piece of bread for you. The robot will use its eyes and an arm to get the bread for you. 2. Watering plants Future robots will carry water to water plants. 3. Telling dangers A home robot will find out fire, smoke and other dangers easily. Every night the robot will make its rounds to make sure that everything is right. 4. Looking after children A robot will help us look after our children well while we are not at home. What doesn't this passage tell us the robots will do? Answer: Carry heavy things. Can you write down a Chinese word being read to you? Sometimes it can be difficult when you find the word is not included in most dictionaries. Lu Jialei, 14, from Hangzhou Foreign Language School, won the CCTV Chinese Character Spelling Contest on Oct 18th, 2013. About 160 people competed. The host read a word to the contestant, explained its meaning and gave sample sentences. The contestant was required to write down the word. Winning the contest was a "surprise" to Lu. "I was not the smartest one," she said. "But I paid attention to details." To prepare for the contest, she and her teammates studied the Modern Chinese Dictionary for 10 days. There are more than 56,000 entries including characters, words and phrases in it. She also had a secret weapon. She studied how Chinese characters were formed. "When others paid attention to the plot of a story, she looked at how authors use words and sentences to express themselves," said Su Yunsheng, Lu's Chinese teacher. Su is happy to see students like Lu find the beauty of Chinese language. "Besides using something Chinese and having Chinese traditional festivals, learning to write Chinese characters is also an important part of inheriting Chinese culture," said Su. Lu Jialei studied the Modern Chinese Dictionary _ for the contest. Answer: for more than one week One night in February 1962, John H. Glenn, Jr. flew overprefix = st1 /Australia. The man in the Mercury capsule was alone, but friendly voices reached him by radio. Over the dark land 100 miles below, he saw sparkling lights. It marked the city of Perth, where people had turned on their lights as a greeting to him. In Friendship 7, Glenn radioed, "The lights show up very well. Thank everybody for turning them on." His capsule moved on to the east. "During his three orbits of the earth, Glenn could always reach one of the 18 tracking stations. Some of them were on ships at sea. Others were in theUnited States. Many of the stations had been built with the help of other countries. These countries allowed Americans to bring in radio equipment and set it up. Without the help of such lands asNigeria, Zanzibar andMexico, there would have been breaks in the worldwide radio network. John Glenn, Jr. was the first American to orbit the earth. For his flight, the tracking network covered 60,000 statute miles . 500 men worked in the stations along the route. Since his flight, the network has grown. Today, it covers more than 100,000 statute miles and has about 100 stations. One-third of these stations are outside theUnited States. How many tracking stations are there in the US? Answer: About 65. This is a family tree. It's a very big family. Tim and Gina are very old . They have a son, David and a daughter, Sally. David and his wife Jenny have the twins , Jack and Bob. Jack is single , but Bob is married . His wife is Lucy. They have a cute son, Sam. They love Sam very much. Sally's husband is Paul. They are the parents of Peter and Lily. Peter is married .His wife is Jane. They have a daughter. Her name is Kate. Lily has a dog. It's very cute . She loves it very much. _ is Kate's aunt. Answer: Lily
About influenza A(H7N9) virus What is the influenza A(H7N9) virus? Influenza A H7 viruses are a group of influenza viruses that normally spread among birds. The influenza A(H7N9) virus is one smaller group among the larger group of H7 viruses. Although some H7 viruses (H7N2, H7N3 and H7N7) have sometimes been found to infect humans, no human infections with H7N9 viruses have been reported until recent reports from China. What are the main signs of human infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus? So far, most patients with this infection have had severe pneumonia . Signs include fever, cough and shortness of breath. However, information is still limited about the full area of disease that infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus might cause. How did people become infected with the influenza A(H7N9) virus? Some of the confirmed cases had connections with animals or with an animal environment. The virus has been found in a pigeon in a market in Shanghai. It is not yet known how persons became infected. The possibility of animal-to-human spread is being looked into. Is it safe to eat meat like chicken and pork products? Influenza viruses are not spread through eating well-cooked food. Because influenza viruses are made inactive by normal temperatures used for cooking (so that food reaches 70degC in all parts), it is safe to eat properly prepared and cooked meat. Diseased animals and animals that have died of diseases should not be eaten. In areas experiencing outbreaks, meat products can be safely eaten only if they are properly cooked and properly handled during food preparation. The eating of raw meat and uncooked blood-based dishes is a high-risk practice and should be discouraged. Is it safe to travel to China? The number of confirmed cases in China is very low. WHO does not advise the application of any travel measures with respect to visitors to China, nor to persons leaving China. Are Chinese products safe? There is no evidence to link the present cases with any Chinese products. WHO advises that people should not fear to trade them at this time. It is not safe to eat _ . Answer: raw blood-based dishes Many young people use computers, but few of them know how to look after them. Remember the following when you use your computer. Keep your computer in a cool room. Too much or too little heat is bad for computers. Most computers work best at a temperature of 5 oC--30 oC. Don't let people smoke cigarette near your computer. Smoke of all kinds is very bad for many parts of a computer and can cause many problems. Don't eat or drink when you are near your computer. Pieces of food and a little water in the keyboard can also cause many problems. Make sure the screen is the correct distance from your eyes. If you wear glasses, make sure these glasses are correct for using with the computer. Some people use a different pair of glasses when they use a computer. *Keep your screen clean and don't have it too bright. A dirty screen can hurt your eyes. A very bright screen can also be bad for your eyes. According to the passage you should use your computer _ . Answer: in a cool room Reached My Destination "Ego has an enormous appetite, the more you feed it, the hungrier it gets." --Nathaniel Bronner Jr. It has been two years, we have not met. Last time was when we were departing at Rome Airport as a procedure of joining different competitive firms. We exchanged our personal email IDs and I never realized my email ID was one with an error. We had been in six years of professional relationship that ended with a small misunderstanding. We never realized that we might not get a chance to clear it. We both had tough ego levels to shed off. In these two years work has always kept me busy. There have been instances where I wanted to write to him for his expertise advice but my ego always stopped me. And then one day flying to London for a conference was taking away my peace of mind. I knew he would be there as a part of the event from his firm. I thought to ignore him and behave professionally as an employee. Finally, I entered the conference hall. I was quick enough to realize that he would take over participants' attention with his confidence, and all I would do sitting there would be appreciating him, nodding my head as "Yes to Yes" and "No to No". Finally, he approached the stage. The very first line that fell into my ears was my name as he continued, "I am proud to be here with 8 years of experience and I would like to share my best practices with all of you. This is a journey I completed with one of my best colleagues and my best friend 'my name' who supported me through day and night with the toughest projects and killing deadlines". For a moment I fell numbed and completely lost. All I could remember were my thoughts for him before entering the room and his greatness to acknowledge my presence. Finally, the conference ended and we all left for refreshment. I was struggling hard to face him. I saw him coming towards me with a gift. I asked him, "Why this gift?" He was very humble to answer, 'This is a small symbol of friendship to tell how much I missed my friend when I wanted her the most. A small token to represent that even when you were not with me, your teachings helped me to work on difficult projects." I asked curiously, "But you never wrote to me, if I was so important and helpful." He replied, "You left me with an email ID that is not reachable, maybe you missed a letter. I had no number to call you either but when I read your name in the list, I did all these arrangements. We never know when we meet again in life, so this gift is for you my friend." Finally, we again departed to our respective destinations but this time with a smile. The writer didn't email her friend because _ . Answer: she wouldn't do that until she got his email The Colonel asks Ashenden a good many questions and then suggested that he had particular qualifications for the Secret Service. Ashenden knew several European languages and the fact that he was a writer provided excellent cover: on the pretext that he was writing a book he could, without attracting attention, visit any neutral country. It was while they were discussing this point that the Colonel said, "You know you might get material that would be very useful to you in your work. I'll tell you an incident that occurred only recently. Very dramatic. A foreign government minister went down to a Mediterranean resort to recover from a cold and he had some very important documents with him that he kept in a dispatch case . A day or two after he arrived, he picked up a beautiful blonde at some restaurant or other, and he got very friendly with her. He took her back to his hotel, and when he came to himself in the morning, the lady and the dispatch-case had disappeared. They had one or two drinks up in his room and his theory is that when his back was turned the woman slipped a drug in his glass. "Do you mean to say that happened the other day?" said Ashenden. "The week before last." "Impossible," cried Ashenden. "Why! We've been putting that incident on the stage for sixty years, we've written it in a thousand novels. Do you mean to say that life has only just caught up with us?" "Well, I can guarantee the truth of the story." said the Colonel, "And believe me, the government has been put to no end of trouble by the loss of the documents." "Well sir, if you can't do better than that in the Secret Service," sighed Ashenden, " I'm afraid that as a source of inspiration to the writer of fiction, it's washout." According to the Colonel the incident happened _ . Answer: two weeks before Rider, a bus passenger, sued Transit Company for injuries to his back from an accident caused by Transit's negligence. Transit denies that Rider received any injury in the accident.Rider's counsel seeks to introduce an affidavit he obtained in preparation for trial from Dr. Bond, who has since died. The affidavit avers that Dr. Bond examined Rider two days after the Transit Company accident and found him suffering from a recently incurred back injury. The judge should rule the affidavit Answer: inadmissible, because it is hearsay, not within any exception
American schools begin in September after a long summer vacation . 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 go to public schools . High school students take only four or five subjects at a time. They usually go to the same classes every day, and they have homework for every class. After class they have many activities. After high school, many students go to college. Most American children start school life in _ . Answer: September The following are four books that will help you change your mind and change your life. 1) You Can Heal Your Life, Louise Hay:A groundbreaking book when it was released in 1982.It is still the book that I turn to when I have physical unrest that requires deeper understanding.Louise Hay is the pioneer in looking at the connection between the physical unrest that we have in our body and the emotional connection.At the time that she wrote the book many people scoffed at this idea,but it is now widely accepted and millions of people refer to it on a daily basis. 2) The Four Agreements,Don Miguel Ruiz:Maintaining a sense of reliability and faith is developed through understanding according to The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz written in 1997.We are faced with rules and regulations:don't do this,don't do that,watch what you are doing,be kind,loyal,faithful, etc.The four agreements represent a simple system of maintaining your own inner authority while practicing being a true person with other people. 3) Slowing Down to the Speed of Life,Richard Carlson and Joseph Bailey:This is a new one in my "bedside collection" and one that has made the biggest impact on me 1ately.Written in 1997, it is even more relevant today than it was when it was written.The idea of "slowing down'' to get there faster was extremely hard for me to understand.As a human species we seem to enjoy moving fast and expecting quick results,especially from ourselves,I should be successful now in contrast to ''in the fullness of time" when I am ready. 4) The Game of Life and How to Play it,Florence Scovel-Shinn:A classic book that was first published in 1925 and remains one of my favorite books of all time.Scovel-Shinn understood the power of our words to express either our deepest desires or our most horrible nightmares. So where does this leave you? The way I see it is if you want to "Heal Your Life" then you had better learn how to play "The Game of Life" by learning how to "Slow Down to the Speed of Life" and keep the "Four Agreements",the Solutions may not be easy to do but it is simple.In fact, most solutions are pretty simple,and it is us humans that want to complicate it. In the author's opinion,the four books _ . Answer: offer four ways to change life and mind. Isabella Stewart was born in New York City in 1840. Her father made a great deal of money in trade. During school,her parents took her to Italy to explore the country's many cultural treasures. One of the private art collections Isabella visited in Milan had a deep influence on her. She wrote to her friends about her dream of owning a house one day with an art collection like the one she had seen in Italy. In Paris, Isabella became a close friend of one of her classmates, Julia Gardner, whose family was from Boston. Julia would later introduce Isabella to her brother, Jack. In 1860, Isabella Stewart married Jack Gardner. The couple had too much art to fit inside their home. So they decided to start planning a museum. Mrs. Gardner didn't like the cold and empty spaces of many museums during her time. She wanted a warm museum filled with light. She once said that she decided years ago that _ . America was a young country developing quickly in other areas. But the country needed more chances for people to see beautiful examples of art. After her husband's death in 1898, Isabella knew she had no time to lose in building her museum. She bought land, hired a building designer, and supervised every detail of her museum's construction. Mrs. Gardner opened her museum on January 1,1903. The museum was then called Fenway Court. She invited her friends that night for a special musical performance. The next month, she opened the museum to the public. At first, visits were limited to twenty days out of the year. Visitors paid one dollar to enter. Isabella Stewart Gardner died in 1924 in Boston. In her will, she left the museum a million dollars and a series of requirements about how it should be managed. One requirement is that the permanent collection cannot be changed. The text is mainly about _ . Answer: Isabella Stewart Gardner and her museum A super drug that could remove Alzheimer's ,heart disease and diabetes and help people live to 100 is being developed by scientists. Their research is based on the identification of three genes that help prolong lives and prevent diseases which occur in old age. Medically controlling the proteins made by the " longevity genes" will allow millions to live longer, predicts Dr Nir Barzilai. Those whose DNA strongly features the three genes are 80 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer's. The genes also fight against the deadly impact of smoking, poor diet, obesity and lack of exercise. Already, several laboratories are working on a pill to imitate the benefits of the genes and Dr Barzilai thinks it could be tested within three years. The pill could remove some diseases that damage old age. " The advantage of finding a gene that involves longevity is that we can develop a drug that will imitate exactly what this gene is doing," he said. Of the three longevity genes, two genes increase the production of so-called good cholesterol , which reduces the risk of heart disease. The third prevents diabetes. They were discovered by Dr Barzilai's team while studying the DNA of 500 Ashkenazi Jews with an average age of 100. The chances of living that long are one in 10,000 but the group, which shared relatively few common ancestors, was 20 times more likely to hit the entury. Dr Barzilai said: " 30 percent of them were obese or overweight and 30 percent smoked two acks of cigarettes a day for more than 40 years, however they can live to 100." But Andrew Ketteringham of the Alzheimer's Society said: "Alzheimer's disease, a most common disease, is likely to be caused by a combination of genetic disosition , lifestyles and life events. Many genes are probably involved. What is Andrew Ketteringham's attitude toward the study? Answer: Cautious Preface to the fourth edition A practical English Grammar is intended for intermediate and post-intermediate students. We hope that more advanced learners and teachers will also find it useful. The book is a comprehensive survey of structures and forms, written in clear modern English and illustrated with numerous examples. Areas of particular difficulty have been given special attention. Differences between conversational usage and strict grammatical forms are shown but the emphasis is on conversational forms. 1. Explanation and examples have been brought up to date. 2. There is now more information on countable and uncountable nouns, attributive and predicative adjectives, adverbs of places, sentence adverbs, cleft sentences, prepositions, conjunctives, modal verbs, perfect tenses, infinitive constructions, the passive, purpose clauses and nouns. In the fourth edition the main changes are as follows. 3. Some material has been rearranged to make comparisons easier. For example, parts of chapters on can, may, must etc. are now grouped by functions; verbs of liking and preference have a chapter to themselves; suggestions and invitations have joined the chapter on commands, requests and advice. 4. The contents list now summaries every edition heading, and there is a new index containing many more entries references. In this edition the sign "~" is frequently used to show a change of speaker in examples of dialogue. Note also that although the sign "="sometimes connects two words or expressions with the same meaning, it is often used more freely, e.g. to indicate a transformation from active to passive or direct to indirect speech. We wish to thank all at Oxford University Press who have assisted in the preparation of the fourth edition. We would also like to thank Professor Egawa of Nihon University, Japan, Professor Rene Dirven of Duisburg University, West Germany and other colleagues for their friendly and helpful suggestions. London, November 1985 A.J.T., A.VM When you see this line in the book, "Did you get a ticket? ~Yes, I managed to get one", we can understand that _ . Answer: the two parts before and after "~"are said by two different people.
"Mum,what does it mean when someone tells you that they have a skeleton in the closet ?"Jessica asked. "A skeleton in the closet?"her mother paused thoughtfully. "Well, it' s something that you would rather not have anyone else know about. For example,if in the past,someone in Dad' s family had been arrested for stealing a horse,it would be 'a skeleton in his family' s closet'.He really wouldn' t want any neighbor to know about it." "Why pick on my family?" Jessica' s father said with anger. "Your family history isn' t so good,you know. Wasn' t your great-great-grandfather a prisoner who was transported to Australia for his crimes?" "Yes,but people these days say that you are not a real Australian unless your ancestors arrived as prisoners." "Gosh,sorry I asked. I think I understand now," Jessica cut in before things grew worse. After dinner,the house was very quiet. Jessica' s parents were still quite angry with each other. Her mother was ironing clothes and every now and then she glared at her husband,who hid behind his newspaper pretending to read. When she finished, she gathered the freshly pressed clothes in her arms and walked to Jessica' s closet. Just as she opened the door and reached in to hang a skirt,a bony arm stuck out from the dark depths and a bundle of white bones fell to the floor. Jessica' s mother sank into a faint ,waking only when Jessica put a cold, wet cloth on her forehead. She looked up to see the worried faces of her husband and daughter. "What happened?Where am I?" she asked. "You just destroyed the school' s skeleton,Mum," explained Jessica. "I brought it home to help me with my health project. I meant to tell you,but it seemed that as soon as I mentioned skeletons and closets,it caused a problem between you and Dad." Jessica looked in amazement as her parents began to laugh madly. "They' re both crazy," she thought. According to Jessica' s mother ," a skeleton in the closet" means _ . A. a family honor B. a family secret C. a family story D. a family treasure Answer: B. a family secret Even bird brains can get to know an entire continent ----- but it takes them a year of migration to do so, suggests a Princeton research team. The scientists have shown that migration adult sparrows can find their way to their winter nesting grounds even after being thrown off course by thousands of miles. The team first brought 30 sparrows to Princeton from northern Washington State, where the birds had been in the process of migrating southward from their summer breeding grounds inprefix = st1 /Alaska. Half the birds were juveniles of about three months in age that had never migrated before, while the other half were adults that had made the round trip to their wintering site in the south-western United States at least once. After the birds were released, they attempted to resume their migration, but both age group grew disoriented quickly. "All the birds scattered at first," Wikelski said. "It was clear that they were turned around for a couple of days. But while the adults eventually realized they had to head southwest, the younger birds resumed flying straight southward as though they were still in Washington." "The adults," said team member Richard Holland, "recovered their bearings because they possess something the younger birds do not, which is an internal map." "These birds need two things to know where they are and migrate effectively: a 'map' and a 'compass'," saidHolland, a postdoctoral research associate in Wikelski's lab. "What we've found is that juveniles use their compass, but the adults also use their map." Hollandsaid, "The birds do not lose the compass as they age, but somehow develop the map, eventually applying both tools to keep on track during migratory flights. Scientists already have determined that the compass is based on the sun or the magnetic field, but where the map comes from remains a mystery----one that the team will be exploring in coming years." Scientists are still not sure _ . A. what guides sparrows in their migratory flights B. what a 'compass' is based on C. what a 'map' is based on D. in what way magnetic field can help sparrows in their flight Answer: C. what a 'map' is based on Marco Polo:The Boy Who Traveled The Medieval World Author: Nick McCarty Pages: 64 ISBN: 0792258932 Divided into four chapters, "A Boy in Venice", "Setting Out", "The Long Journey", and "Working for Kublai Khan", Marco Polo examines the fascinating life of the merchant and traveler. Marco was a teenager by the time his father and uncle returned home. Both men were full of tales from their travels through China,including a story about meeting the great Kublai Kahn, the ruler of the Mongols. Rabbit's Gift Author: George Shannon Illustrator: Laura Dronzek Pages: 32 ISBN: 0152060731 Rabbit's Gift is a modern retelling of the "giving" fable. Through the eyes of the adorable forest creatures the reader sees that while he is not responsible for the happiness of others, his actions can deeply impact those he comes in contact with. A Little Peace Author: Barbara Kerley Pages: 32 ISBN: 1426300867 A Little Peace is a book with an important message. The spare, refreshing text winds its way around and through full-color1 photographs. Each vividly captures the universal emotions and peaceful pursuits of everyday people around the world: a young girl in Kenya smiling into a mirror; a group of waving school children in Bali. Near the end of the book a double-page spread offers pictures along with an explanation of where it was taken. How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference Author: Katie Smith Milway Illustrator: Eugenie Fernandes Pages: 32 ISBN: 9781554530281 The families in Kojo's village come up with an idea. Each family contributes a small amount of savings so that one family at a time can borrow the money to buy "something important". Kojo's mother uses the loan to buy a cart with which to carry firewood to the marketplace as well as rent out to those who need to transport items. When Marco Polo was young, A. he often travelled with his father B. he heard a lot about China C. he developed an interest in travelling D. he lived a fascinating life Answer: B. he heard a lot about China One evening after dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Tisich called a family meeting. --We've had to make a difficult decision, Mr. Tisich announced. --You see, your mother has been offered a post as co-director of a television station in Chicago. Unfortunately, the station is not here. After thinking long and hard about it, we've concluded that the right decision is to move to Chicago. Marc looked shocked, while his sister Rachel breathlessly started asking when they'd be moving. --It's surprising, but exciting! she said. Marc simply said, --We can't go--I can't leave all my friends. I'd rather stay here and live with Tommy Lyons! The Tisichs hoped that by the time they moved in August, Marc would grow more used to the idea of leaving. However, he showed no signs of accepting the news, refusing to pack his belongings. When the morning of the move arrived, Marc was nowhere to be found. His parents called Tommy Lyon's house, but Mrs. Lyons said she hadn't seen Marc. Mrs. Tisich became increasingly concerned, while her husband felt angry with their son for behaving so irresponsibly. What they didn't know was that Marc had started walking over to Tommy's house, with a faint idea of hiding in Lyons's attic for a few days. But something happened on the way as Marc walked past all the familiar landscape of the neighborhood: the fence that he and his mother painted, the tree that he and his sister used to climb, and the park where he and his father often took evening walks together. How much would these mean without his family? Who make them special in the first place? Marc didn't take the time to answer that question but instead hurried back to his house, wondering if there were any moving cartons the right size to hold his record collection. The reason for Marc's going home was that _ . A. he did not want to be left behind B. he wished to be a more responsible person C. he hoped to reach an agreement with his parents D. he realized his family was very important to him Answer: D. he realized his family was very important to him The sun is shining when I get on No. 151 bus. We passengers sit jammed together in heavy clothes. No one speaks. That's one of the unwritten rules of Chicago _ . Although we see the same faces every day, we prefer to hide behind our newspapers. The phenomenon is striking: people who sit so close together are using those thin sheets of newsprint to keep their distance. As the bus approaches the Magnificent Mile, a voice suddenly rings out: "Attention! Attention!" Papers rattle . Necks crane . "This is your driver speaking." We look at the back of the driver's head. His voice has authority. "All of you put your papers down." The papers come down, an inch at a time. The driver waits. The papers are folded and placed on our laps. "Now, turn and face the person next to you. Go ahead." Amazingly, we all do it. Still, no one smiles. I face an older woman, her head wrapped tightly in a red scarf. I see her nearly every day. Our eyes meet. We wait, unblinking, for the next order from the driver. "Now, repeat after me..." It is a command, delivered in the tones of a drill sergeant . "Good morning, neighbor!" Our voices are weak and timid. For many of us, these are the first words we have spoken today. But we say them at the same time, like schoolchildren, to the strangers beside us. We smile and can't help it. We have said it; the barrier has been broken. Good morning, neighbor. It is not so hard after all. Some of us repeat it. Others shake hands. Many laugh. The bus driver says nothing more. He doesn't need to. Not a single newspaper goes back up. I hear laughter, a warm sound I have never heard before on bus No. 151. This day is starting off better than most. Which of the following is true according to the passage? A. The passengers on the crowded bus were so absorbed in reading their newspapers that no one spoke. B. When the bus driver said nothing more, the passengers picked up and read their newspapers again. C. The passengers didn't follow the driver's instruction at first. D. The passengers were physically close together but mentally they kept each other at a terrible distance. Answer: D. The passengers were physically close together but mentally they kept each other at a terrible distance.
This is Mr Brown's family. In his family there are four people:Mr Brown, Mrs Brown, their son Tony and their daughter Sally. Mr Brown is sitting in a chair. He is reading a newspaper. Mrs Brown is sitting at the desk. She is writing a letter. Tony is lying in the bed. He is reading a storybook. Sally is sitting on the floor. She is playing with her toy car. There is a cat under the desk. What is the cat doing? It is sleeping. What is under the desk? Answer: A cat. Victim, injured by Driver in an auto accident, employed attorney First to represent him in the matter. Victim was chronically insolvent and expressed doubt whether he could promptly get necessary medical treatment. Accordingly, First wrote into their contract his promise to Victim "to pay from any settlement with Driver compensation to any physician who provides professional services for Victim's injuries." The contract also provided that First's duties were "nonassignable." First immediately filed suit against Driver. Victim then sought and received medical treatment, reasonably valued at $1,000, from Doctor, After receiving a bill from Doctor for $1,000, Victim immediately wrote Doctor explaining that he was unable to pay and enclosing a copy of his contract with First. Victim then asked First about payment of this bill, but First requested a release from their employment contract, stating that he would like to refer Victim's claim to attorney Second and that Second was willing to represent Victim in the pending lawsuit. Victim wrote a letter to First releasing him from their contract and agreeing to Second's representation. A copy of this letter was sent to Doctor. Second subsequently promised First to represent Victim and soon negotiated a settlement of Victim's claim against Driver which netted $1,000, all of which was paid by Victim to creditors other than Doctor. Victim remains insolvent but failed to inform Doctor of First's promise. "In an action by Doctor against Victim to recover $1,000, Doctor's best theory of recovery is that Doctor Answer: has a claim based upon an implied-in-fact contract with Victi Nowadays, there is a heated debate on whether pollutants should be cleaned in the air. Cleaning up the air, while good for our lungs, could make global warming worse. And the pollutants still go up around the air, along with carbon dioxide. These pollutants are called aerosols and they include soot as well as mixtures of nitrogen and sulfur and other stuff into the air. Natalie Mahowald, a climate researcher at Cornell University, says so far, scientists have mostly tried to understand what those aerosols do while they're actually in the air. "There are so many different kinds of aerosols," she says. "Some warm and some cool. But in fact, humans are giving out a lot of extra aerosols, and they tend to cool for the most part." The aerosols reflect sunlight back into space, or keep us cool. But it turns out that's not all they do. These aerosols also influence how much carbon dioxide gets drawn out of the air by plants on land and in the sea. "They can add nutrients, for example, to the oceans or to the land," Mahowald says. "But also while they're in the atmosphere they can change the climate, and thus that also can influence the amount of carbon, the land or the ocean can take up. So there are quite a few different ways that aerosols can act on each other." Mahowald's results suggest that reducing those pollutants could be an even bigger problem than realized, when you consider that aerosols help remove carbon dioxide from the air by encouraging plant growth. Hard numbers on this effect are highly uncertain at the moment, but this could turn out to be quite significant. And studying it is not easy because the effects aren't well understood. For example, nitrogen can be a fertilizer , but it can stop plant growing when nitrogen comes out of the air in acid form. Right now it seems like we're much more likely to clean up aerosol pollution, while increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. So scientists, unfortunately, may have a chance to see whether this experiment on our planet should continue or not. What does the last sentence of the passage imply? Answer: Scientists will be in a dilemma. Summer is slipping away from me.Some days, it makes me want to cry.Other days, I feel a sense of expectation within me just thinking about fall that makes me want to burst.Tonight, all five of us were in the family room doing our own things. At this moment, my littlest kid is my number one trouble and my number one joy.He has a tooth on the way and although it's such a tiny thing, it's causing so much grief.I'm holding him a lot and I'm not going to lie.I live for his afternoon nap so I'm able to actually get dressed and use the restroom. The big E is starting school soon.The other day, I found myself a bit depressed about the end of summer and the beginning of another school year.I looked out of our front window with eyes that were heavy and a bit teary.Then, I suddenly realized just how silly this end of summer depression of mine is.I can't change time.But, I can change my emotions and my thoughts.I decided not to spend my final days of summer vacation walking around with a sad face.I decided to hug the last few days of summer and remind myself that before I know it, we will be back in our school routine and all will go well. This week we plan on meeting teachers.I'm taking my girl to have her nails done before her first day of kindergarten.We want to bake a few dozen cookies.We'll take our evening walks as usual and stay up late.And last but not least, I'll get school clothes ready, I'll pack lunches and write lunch notes, we'll read "The Kissing Hand," like we normally do, and I'll tuck my third grader and kindergartener in their little beds before the big first day. Thank you summer, you've been warm and wonderful, you've been sweet and sticky, you've been refreshing and exactly what we need.And your sunsets have been amazing, so thank you. From the passage, we can learn that the author _ . Answer: often takes evening walks Three years ago I listened to a lecture on cognition that changed the way I think about intelligence. There are two types of cognition, and the first is normal cognition the ability to regain knowledge from memory. The second type of cognition is metacognition the ability to know whether or not you know. Does this affect intelligence? In traditional education, intelligence is measured by cognitive ability. Some people can easily produce everything they know on a test. But others are awarded with poor grades and considered inferior (not as good as). But does this inability make them any less intelligent? If the question came up on a task, they could refer to a book or a quick Google search. In reality they're just as effective as the people that ace a test. They just can't prove it as easily. Metacognition is more important to success than cognition. A person with poor cognitive ability, but great metacognitive ability might do poorly in school, but when faced with a challenge, they understand their abilities and _ . For example, when faced with a question, a person with strong metacognitive ability will deal with it like this. If he knows the answer, but can't come up with it, he can always do a bit of research. If he knows for sure that he doesn't know, then he can start educating himself. Because he's aware of his ignorance, he doesn't act with foolish confidence. These people might not seem intelligent at first glance, but because they know what they know, they make better decisions and learn the most important things. However, people with great cognitive ability but poor metacognitive ability may be considered excellent at a young age for acing every test and getting great SAT scores. Unfortunately, they've been ruined by poor metacognition they think they know everything but they really don't. They are arrogant (overconfident), fail to learn from mistakes, and don't understand the slight differences of personal relationships, showing disregard for persons with lower cognitive ability. They may make the worst decisions. The most important mental power is the ability to know what you don't know .The recognition of a fault is the first step to improvement. Don't try to hide a lack of knowledge. For intelligent people this is the toughest lesson to learn. People with great cognitive ability tend to _ . Answer: do well in tests
Question: Mr Smith is a teacher of English.He comes from America.He teaches English in China.He speaks Chinese quite well. He reads a lot of books and his wife often writes books for the students at home.Mr Smith 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 Saturday and 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.Sometimes he teaches his students in his office.Supper time is at about six.After that,he reads newspapers and watches TV.At about ten to eleven he goes to bed. He leaves home at _ . A. 6:10 B. 5:50 C. 7:10 D. 6:50 Answer: B Question: In New York City public schools, 176 different languages are spoken among the more than 1 million students. For 160,000 children, English is not their first language. New York's Department of Education makes learning better for these students by providing dual-language programs, in which students are taught in two languages, English and another one, like Russian or Chinese. Math, social studies, science and all other regular courses are taught in both languages. And they learn about the culture of the other country. Milady Baez, Deputy Chancellor of English Language Learners and Student Support, says these dual-language programs will help children succeed in the future. "The jobs of the future require that our students know more than one language. They are going to be traveling abroad; they are going to be communicating with people from all over the world. This will open doors for them." Middle-schoolers might not have jobs on their minds yet. For Kequing Jaing, she likes keeping up her first language, Mandarin."It makes me feel that I am home because I can speak in Chinese, learn in Chinese, while learning in English. So it makes me feel better and makes me understand more about the task I'm learning."[:ZSSxxSSk.Com] Anastasia Hudikova came to the United States when she was 2 years old. She says the Russian-English program keeps her connected to her heritage and her parents happy."They're really happy about the program. They are really happy that I can preserve my culture and my language, and that I can speak it fluently in school." The New York schools also offer dual-language programs in seven other languages: Arabic, French, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Korean, Polish and Spanish. There are plans to add even more languages in the future. While these dual-language programs are popular, some organizations in the U.S. say teaching English comes first. U.S. Studies show that children who learn English early will be more successful later. Who may not quite agree with dual-language programs? A. Milady Baez B. Kequing Jaing C. Anastasia Hudikova's parents D. some organizations in the U.S Answer: D Question: If you'renotmakingmistakes,you'renottryinghardenough. It's good to make mistakes. That's not a _ , folks,and I have not lost my mind. It is good to make mistakes, and here's why. First of all, mistakes are a clear sign that you are trying new things. It's always good to try new things because when you are trying new things you are growing. If you never try anything new, how can you improve? How can you expand? How can you innovate? The simple answer is, "You can't." Look around you. With very few exceptions, either everything you see in your physical world or every single detail of every single thing is the result of someone trying something new. Another good thing about mistakes is this: when you are making mistakes, you are learning. Consider this: Edison failed 10,000 times before he perfected the light bulb. When asked how he felt to fail that many times, he remarked that he hadn't failed 10,000 times, but rather had learned 10,000 things that didn't work. Finally, when you make a mistake you are that much closer to success. Why? Because when all is said and done, you will have tried some finite number of things before you succeeded. Every time you made a mistake you eliminated one of those things and are one step closer. But this all doesn't mean that you should forge ahead with disregard for the consequences of a mistake. Quite the contrary, when you try something new you have to be willing to set some reasonable limits so that, in the event that it doesn't work out the way you want it to, you will be in a position to try again. We all have limited resources in the form of time and money, so don't blow them all on one approach to a problem. Realize that it probably won't be perfect the first time and allocate these resources appropriately so you can learn, modify, and try it again. Only by embracing and using your mistakes in this way can you make significant advances in your business and your career. There is an old axiom that goes, "If you're not making mistakes, you're not trying hard enough." So go forth and make mistakes. And learn. And grow. And prosper. It's good to make mistakes as long as _ . A. people use them positively B. people avoid them quickly C. they help people get well D. they don't have side effects Answer: A Question: The king was to pass by a beggar's small poor house and the man was excited, not because he was about to see the king but because the king was known to part with expensive jewels and huge sums of money when moved by sympathy. He saw the king's carriage just when a kind man was filling his begging bowl with uncooked rice. Pushing the man aside, he ran into the street, shouting praises of the king and the royal family. The carriage stopped and the king beckoned to the beggar. "Who are you?" he asked. "One of the most unfortunate of your people," said the beggar. "Poverty sits on my doorstep and follows me about like a dog. I haven't eaten since yesterday afternoon!" "Have you nothing for your king except great sorrow?" said the ruler, putting out his hand. "Give me something." The beggar, astonished, carefully picked up 5 grains of rice from his bowl and laid them on the king's outstretched palm. The king drove away. The beggar's disappointment was great. He complained and cursed the king again and again for his miserliness. When he returned home in the evening he found a bag of rice on the floor. "Some generous soul has been here," he thought and took out a handful of rice from the bag. To his astonishment, there was a small piece of gold in it. He realized then that the bag had been sent by the king. He emptied the rice on the floor, feeling sure there would be more gold pieces in it, and he was right. He found 5, one for each grain of rice he had given the king. "It is not the king who has been miserly," thought the man, sadly. "If I had been generous and given him the whole bowl of rice, I would have been a rich man today." Why did the king ask the beggar for something according to the text? A. Because he was poor than the beggar. B. Because he wanted to make the beggar even poorer. C. Because he had nothing to eat. D. Because he wanted to give something to the beggar in return. Answer: D Question: Hannah Levine decided she wanted to give hugs to all of the children and families in need at local hospitals. Because she couldn't give them one by one, Levine, then a sixth-grader, decided she would use her talents to do the next best thing. She began to knit hats, scarves, and blankets for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House at Stanford. Her creations also went to Bundle of Joy, a program that provides newborn baby items for families in need, and to Knitting Pals by the Bay, a local organization that provides hand-knitted caps to cancer patients. "I love to knit, and I thought it would be a great idea to make all these handmade items for kids and adults who need them. It would be like a hug for them," Levine explained. Levine started the project about a year ago. "I think it's just really fun to do, and it keeps me busy," said Levine, now 13. Once she got started, Levine realized that her project could be much bigger than the goods she was able to produce with just her own hands. So she sent emails to her school and communities , asking for knitted donations to the project she named "Hannah's Warm Hugs". She also posted advertisements at Starbucks and other locations in her area. The warm goods began to _ . "It was amazing; more strangers than people she knew started dropping donations at our door," said Levine's mother, Laura Levine. "We ended up with this huge box of items she was donating." The knitted items numbered in the hundreds. Levine made her first round of donations around Hanukkah (an eight-day Jewish holiday in November or December) and later received thank-you letters from the organizations. Levine is still knitting, and she said the project will continue. "It has turned into a bigger thing than she had thought," her mom said. "It made her feel pretty good; it made us feel pretty good." What would be the best title for the text? A. Be ready to lend a helping hand B. Start a project to show your support C. Teen turns knitting hobby into heartwarming project D. 13-year-old girl becomes US best knitter Answer: C
30 N. Carroll Street on Madison's Capitol Square Discover Wisconsin's history and culture on four floors of exhibits. Open for public programs. Admission is free. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 am -- 4:00 pm. (608) 264-6555 www.wisconsinhistory.org/museum _ 612 Seventh Ave., New Glarus The Swiss Historical Village offers a beautiful look at pioneer life in America's heartland. 14 buildings in the village give a full picture of everyday life in the nineteenth-century Midwest. Tue.--Fri., May 1st -October 31st , 10:00 am--4:00 pm. Admission is $20. (608) 527-2317 www.swisshistoricalvillage.com _ 6858 Paoli Rd., Paoli, WI One of the largest collections of fine arts in Wisconsin. Over 5000 sp. ft. of exhibition space in a historic creamery. While visiting enjoy a wonderfully prepared lunch at our cafe overlooking the Sugar River. Just minutes from Madison! Gallery open Tue. -Sun., 10:00 am--5:00 pm. Cafe open Wed. -Sat., 11:00 am -3:00 pm. Sun. brunch with wine, 10:00--3:00 pm. (608) 845-6600 www.artisangal.com _ 239 Whitney St., Columbus World-class exhibit -2000 quality souvenirs marking Chicago's 1893 World Columbian Exhibition. Tour buses are always welcome. Open daily, 8:15 am - 4:00 pm. (920) 623-1992 www.columbusantiquemall.com Where can visitors have lunch? Answer: At Artisan Gallery & Creamery Cafe. History is rich with 'eureka' moments: scientists from Archimedes to Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein are said to have had flashes of inspiration while thinking about other things. But the mechanisms behind this psychological phenomenon have remained unclear. A study now suggests that simply taking a break does not bring on inspiration -- rather, creativity is fostered by tasks that allow the mind to wander. The discovery was made by a team led by Benjamin Baird and Jonathan Schooler, psychologists at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The researchers presented 145 undergraduate students with two 'unusual uses' tasks that gave them two minutes to list as many uses as possible for everyday objects such as toothpicks, clothes hangers and bricks. After the two minutes were over, participants were given a 12-minute break, during which they rested, undertook a demanding memory activity that required their full attention or engaged in an undemanding reaction-time activity known to elicit mind-wandering. A fourth group of students had no break. All participants were then given four unusual-uses tasks, including the two that they had completed earlier. Those students who had done the undemanding activity performed an average of 41% better at the repeated tasks the second time they tried them. By contrast, students in the other three groups showed no improvement. "We've traditionally found that rapid-eye-movement sleep grants creative insight. That allowing the mind to wander does the same is absolutely fascinating. I think they are on to something really interesting here, " says Sara Mednick, a psychologist at the University of California, Riverside. Participants who engaged in the undemanding task did not do any better than others on unusual-uses tasks that they encountered for the first time in the second round. "The implication is that mind-wandering was only helpful for problems that were already being mentally chewed on. It didn't seem to lead to a general increase in creative problem-solving ability, " says Baird. As well as revealing that breaks on their own do not encourage creative thinking, Baird's work suggests an explanation for one of psychology's great mysteries: why we zone out. From an evolutionary perspective, mind-wandering seems totally counterproductive and has been viewed as dysfunctional because it compromises people's performance in physical activities. However, Baird's work shows that allowing the brain to enter this state when it is considering complex problems can have real benefits. Zoning out may have aided humans when survival depended on creative solutions. Inspiration or creativity, according to this passage, comes about when _ . Answer: your mind loses itself and hangs about 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. The Diaoyu Islands don't belong to Japan, do they? Answer: No, they don't. 1970 was World Conservation Year. The United Nations wanted everyone to know that the world was in danger. They hoped something could be done. Here is one example of the problem. At one time there were 1,300 kinds of plants, trees and flowers in Holland ,but now only 866 are left. The others have been destroyed by modern people and their science. We are polluting earth, air, water and everything around us. We can't live without these things. If things go on like this, we shall destroy ourselves. What will happen in the future? Perhaps it's more important to ask "What must we do?" More and more young people have known this. Many of them are helping to save our earth. For example, they plant trees. In a small town in the United States, a large group of girls cleaned the banks of 11 kilometers of their river. Young people may hear about conversation through a song called "No one's going to change our world". It was made by Cliff Gichard and other singers. The money from it will help to conserve tigers, elephants and pandas on the earth. What must we do now according to the passage? Answer: Save the world FRIDAY, Aug. 3 (Health Day News) -- Middle school students who are physically fit are likely to score higher on standardized tests measuring reading and math abilities, a new study has found. And, the average scores went up in connection with levels of fitness, the findings showed. "The more physically fit kids were, the higher their scores," said the study's lead author, Trent Petrie, director of the Center for Sport Psychology at the University of North Texas in Denton. "Parents should encourage their kids to be physically active. There are some real cognitive and academic benefits that come from physical fitness", Petrie said. Results of the study are scheduled to be presented Friday at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association in Orlando, Fla. The study included more than 1,200 middle school students from five schools in a suburban area of Texas, with 561 boys and 650 girls. About 57 percent of the children were white, and nearly one-quarter were Mexican American. Nine percent were black and about 2 percent were of Asian descent. The school district provided the researchers with information on the children's race, age, grade level and whether they qualified for the free school lunch program, which was an indicator of the family's socioeconomic status. The schools also provided scores to the tests, which were given between one and four months after the researchers had assessed the children's levels of fitness. Fitness tests were administered during physical education classes to determine the youngsters' heart and lung health (cardiorespiratory fitness), as well as their body mass index (BMI), an indicator of how much body fat a person has. The children also filled out questionnaires that helped the researchers determine factors such as self-esteem and social support. After accounting for factors such as age, sex, family income and self-esteem, the researchers found that for both boys and girls, higher levels of heart and lung health predicted better scores on both the math and reading tests. For boys, perceived social support also seemed to increase their reading scores, the investigators found. In girls, while being physically fit predicted higher reading scores, so too did a higher BMI-- which indicates more body fat. "We were a little surprised by this finding," Petrie said. "It was not as strong an association as the one with physical fitness," he added. The authors suspect it may have something to do with girls this age entering adolescence, which may be related to a higher BMI and slightly higher brain development. He said he plans to make great effort to look for this relationship again in larger studies to see if it was a chance finding, or if the association holds up. "While we can't say 100 percent that physical fitness causes better academic performance, we can say that there is a strong and predictive relationship between physical fitness and academic performance," Petrie said. "It's hard to tease apart the exact reason for this association," said Becky Hashim, an attending clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the departments of psychiatry and pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Montefiore, in New York City. "It may be that the children are getting more oxygen. When the heart and lungs are working at a higher capacity, it may allow the brain to work at peak performance. Children who are less fit may be sleepier during school," she noted. "I personally feel that there's probably a strong relationship between the confidence you get from being able to do something physical well and academic performance." Whatever the reason behind this association may be, "there's certainly no harm in pushing physical fitness," Hashim added. "Physical fitness may make you feel better, give you more confidence and improve your performance across the board," she said. Petrie agreed. "Physically fit kids are happier, have higher self-esteem and, tend to have better relationships, and now we're beginning to see that there also seem to be benefits cognitively and academically. Our study sends a strong warning to policymakers to reconsider the service program of physical education classes for kids," he said. What's Becky Hashim's attitude towards the relationship between physical fitness and academic performance? Answer: Supportive
Question: Quite often we see people driving carelessly and paying no attention to anyone else on the road. In fact, 75 percent of the time, car accidents happened because of carelessness and drivers' mistakes. What about you? Are you a safe driver, or have you developed dangerous driving habits that put you and others in danger? According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, carelessness lead to one-fourth of all US accidents. And drivers who don't pay attention to the road cause 10 percent of all the accidents. The following actions may lead to accidents every day: * Eating, driving and smoking while driving. * Picking something up off the floor. * Reading a map or something else. * _ . Studies also show that using a phone while driving increase one's danger of a car accident by 400 percent! However, texting while driving can be even worse. It suggests that _ might be even more dangerous than drinking while driving. Our magazine last month has reported that texting drivers had slower reaction times than drinking drivers. When drivers are texting, their accident risk was 23 times higher than when they weren't texting. So, are you feeling sorry for any of these dangerous driving habits? If so, make some changes today! Which of the following can't be put in the blank ? A. Driving while tired B. Wearing your seat-belt C. Turning to talk to someone D. Watching something on the road Answer: B Question: Trying to make a big decision while you're also preparing for a scary presentation? _ . Feeling stressed changes how people weigh risk and reward. However, an article published in Current Directions in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, suggests stressed people pay more attention to the positive sides of a possible outcome. It's a bit surprising that stress makes people focus on the way things could go right, says Mara Mather of the University of Southern California. She co-wrote the review paper with Nichole R.Lighthall. "This is sort of not what people would think, " Mather says. "Stress is usually associated with negative experiences, so you'd think, maybe I'm going to be more focused on the negative outcomes." But researchers have found that when people are under stress, they start paying more attention to positive information and discounting negative information. "Stress seems to help people learn from positive feedback and impairs their learning from negative feedback, " Mather says. When people under stress are making a difficult decision, they may pay more attention to the good sides of the alternatives they're considering and less to the problems. So someone who's deciding whether to take a new job and is feeling stressed by the decision might focus on the increase in salary more than the longer commute . The increased focus on the positives also helps explain why stress plays a role in addictions. People under stress have a harder time controlling their urges. "The compulsion to get that reward comes stronger and they're less able to resist it," Mather says. A person who's under stress might think only about the good feelings they'll get from a drug, while the downsides shrink into the distance. Stress also increases the differences in how men and women think about risk. When men are under stress, they become even more willing to take risks; when women are stressed, they get more conservative . Previous research backs this up -- men usually react to difficulties while trying to fight them or escape them; women try to find friends and improve their relationships. What is the central theme of the article? A. Stress can affect decision-making. B. Stress increases our desire to get rewards. C. We should think more about the upside of problems. D. There is a link between stress and negative experiences. Answer: A Question: If a student gets a chemical splashed into an eye, what is the most appropriate first action to be taken? A. wipe it with a paper towel B. call 911 for emergency services C. have someone go get the school nurse D. flush the eye with water at an eyewash station Answer: D Question: A peacock and a tortoise were good friends. One day, a bird catcher caught the peacock and was going to sell him on the market. The peacock asked the bird catcher to allow him to say goodbye to his friend the tortoise. The bird catcher agreed. The tortoise asked the bird catcher to let the peacock go, but he refused. The tortoise then said, "If I give you a nice gift, will you let my friend go?" "Certainly," answered the bird catcher. So the tortoise jumped into the river and after some time, he came up with a big pearl . The bird catcher was so surprised. He was so happy that he let the peacock go. A few days later, the bird catcher came back to the tortoise. He thought he didn't get enough for letting the peacock go. He told the tortoise that he would catch the peacock again unless he got another big pearl. The tortoise knew his friend the peacock went to a safe place. "Well," said the tortoise, "please return the pearl that I gave you and I will come back with two." The bird catcher thought for some time and gave the pearl to the tortoise. Then the tortoise swam away and said, "I am not so stupid to take one and give two!" The bird catcher could only stand by the river and feel sorry for being greedy . What did the bird catcher get at last? A. Nothing. B. Two birds. C. A big pearl. D. Two big pearls. Answer: A Question: Few people would disagree that email makes our lives easier. But misusing email can cause problems. And I'm not talking about hitting the "reply all" button when you didn't mean to. Answering all those emails and processing all that information can overload the brain,causing stress. So says the Future Work Centre, a business based in London.This company carries out psychological research on people's experiences in their workplaces. The centre's Richard MacKinnon was the lead writer of a report on messaging habits. He calls email a double-edged sword. In other works,email can be both good and bad. Americans also use the saying cuts both ways for something like a double-edged sword. But back to the culture of emailing,Emails provide a useful way to communicate. But they could add to tension in the mind,causing stress. Come rain or shine, some office workers are under pressure to read and answer emails all day long. Jonathan Rowe has on office job in London. His complaint is a common one:too many emails. He says reading work emails when you're at home blurs the boundaries between work and leisure. Psychologists are concemed about the pressure that workers bring on themselves. Dr. Richard MacKinnon spoke with VOA News on Skype. He says that email can be a valuable, time-saving communication tool. But it can also be a source of stress and even anger for many of us. He adds that the stress does not come from the number of emails you get. The problems result from when and how you deal with them. According to the study,there are two very stressful email behaviors. One is leaving email on all day-and never signing off. The other is reading and answering emails early in the day and late at night. Which jobs are most affected by email stress? But not all jobs are equally stressed by email. The jobs most affected by email stress are: * marketing, * public relations, * media and * Information Technology Educational experts have also written several reports on how email overloads are stressing out teachers. Ways to cut down on your email stress MacKinnon says bad email behaviors are linked to higher levels of stress in office workers. The Future Work Centre report gives several suggestions on avoiding email stress. Use email with a plan. Do not just react to endless email alerts. If you use an email application, or app ,on your device, close it down when you want to be left alone. If you need to communicate with a co-worker,call or better still walk to their office and talk about it. Be careful with the "reply all" option. For example, if you are accepting an invitation to attend training, just write back to those who need to know. Trust me. Other workers on that mailing list will thank you. And accept the fact that if a matter is urgent employers will call you about it. The Future Work Centre report claims that in 2014, people sent an estimated 196.3 billion emails. The average adult spent more than an hour a day answering emails. Email is certainly not going anywhere. So, it is important to control your emails and not the other way around. Dr.Richard MacKinnon holds the idea that _ . A. it is the emails you get daily that puts you under pressure. B. it is the way of processing emails that makes you feel stressed. C. it is necessary that you read and answer your emails at noon. D. it is important that you realize where a source of stress comes from. Answer: B
Question: Last weekend, my kids along with a few other kids from the neighborhood volunteered to help me wash my car. My 10-year-old daughter came up with the idea of washing other people's cars as well. It was pretty hot outside. She further wanted to give juice for a low cost but not free. I felt happy and decided to help her. She asked me, "What if we make this 'a smile car wash', mommy? "I couldn't hold back my tears and encouraged her and other kids to go inside the house and come up with ideas. While I kept myself busy in drying the car, the kids walked up to me with a board of beautiful signs of smiles. They had "Free Car Wash" written on it and the theme of their exercise was "Smile". It was pretty natural to see a team of kids 5 to 11 years with the task to do something for others. All that seemed natural and came right from their heart. Nothing seemed to matter to them: their playtime, and then heat outside--they just wanted to help and do something nice in the community! I helped them make some fresh juice and brought out some waste materials to help clean cars. Passers-by were amazed and one even shouted at them saying "Good kids". One of them even tried giving them 5 dollars, which they refused. A pretty heart-warming scene! The following weekend, I saw the idea of the week, the theme of which was "Global Kindness". I was moved by such wonderful and loving souls. They made me smile! One of the slogans on their flag was: "Do not fear! Smile retrievers are here." Why did the kids want to wash others' cars for free? A. They wanted to earn money. B. They were asked to do that by their teacher. C. They just wanted to help and do something nice in the community. D. They wanted to exercise in smiling. Answer: C Question: The following diaries were written by an Australian boy named Tony. He was on holiday with his family in South Asia. _ saw the email and photos on the webpage and arranged the meeting. A. The boy's uncle B. Tony C. Tony's father D. The doctor Answer: A Question: Which of the following would be insulated A. a piece of paper B. a log of wood C. a beehive covered in wax D. a statically charged shirt Answer: C Question: When this story happened, they were working around a very large house. Their job was to do the cleaning. It was not a difficult job, but sometimes it was a little dangerous, because they had to walk below where workmen were working. Often these workmen dropped something from the top of the house many meters high to the ground. One morning Joe was working near the house with a cigarette behind one of his ears. Suddenly somebody on the top shouted, "Look out!" But Joe did not "look out". He looked up. And as he did so, a long knife missed Joe's head, but it cut off one of his ears. At once he put his hand to one side of his head and cried out, "I've lost an ear. Help! Help!" Jeff ran up to help his friend. "Look for my ear," Joe told him. "It must be on the ground somewhere." Jeff looked everywhere for the missing ear. At last he found an ear on the ground. He picked it up and carried it to Joe. "Here you are," he said, "I've found it." Joe looked at it. "No, that's not my ear." he said, "Mine had a cigarette behind it." From the passage, we know Joe was not _ . A. strong B. kind C. foolish D. clever Answer: D Question: A French woman goes to London to see her son. She knows a little English, but can not speak it very well. One day she goes to a shop. She wants to buy a hen for supper. But she can not remember the English word for "hen". Just then the shop waiter asks her, "Can I help you?" "I want the egg's mother." the woman answered. The shop waiter does not understand her and says, "Sorry, we have not any bigger eggs." Suddenly the woman remembers the word "cock". "I want the cock's wife!" she says. This time the shop waiter laughs. Which of the following is true? A. The waiter knows French. B. The woman buys a cock. C. The woman is foolish . D. The woman has a hen for her supper. Answer: D
It's not the flashiest car in the world. Not even close. But the 1971 Volkswagen named Helios can do something most cars can't: nm on solar energy - energy from the sun's light and heat! Joshua Bechtold, 14, and the other students at the Riverside School in Lyndonville, Vermont, worked many months to getHeliosready for the 1999 American Tour de Sol ( "Sol" is the Latin word for "sun"). They named their car after Helios, the sun god in Greek mythology . The 4-year-old Tour de Sol encourages the use of "green", or environmentally friendly, cars to help reduce pollution and save energy. It' s not a race. Cars are judged on fuel efficiency rather than speed. In the week-long event, 44 cars took the 350-mile tour from Waterbury, Connecticut, to prefix = st1 /Lake George,New York. Of the 23 student cars, Helios was the only one built by middle school students. A teacher droveHelios, but the children talked with people wherever they stopped along the mad. "That was my favorite part," says Anna Browne, 15. "We explained how the car runs." Due in part to old, inefficient batteries , Heliosfinished fourth - out of four - in its kind, the sun-powered class. "We were there for the fun of it," Anna says. "We're proud ofHelios," says Ariel Gleicher, 14. "It's a car that's good for the environment." What would be the best title for the text.'? Answer: In certain countries of the world,the king or queen is still the head country. The UK is one of these countries. So that does the British royal family represent for the British people today? Well,a large number of things. The royal family are of course a part of British history and tradition. They still have an important and meaning for many people today. It just wouldn't feel the same if there were no royal family. In addition to that,the queen has important formal duties: as head of the state,the Queen represents the UK on visits other would leaders to visit the UK. as head of the armed force,only the Queen can declare when the UK is at war or when the war is over. *as head of the Church of England. Not just the Queen,the royal family spend a great deal of their time traveling up and there should be royal family. Sometimes the press and media criticize the royal family as well. One criticism is that the British people should not have to pay for the royal through their taxes. Another is that the Buckingham Palace should be open to the public more often,in order to pay for the building repairs that are necessary. Why are royal family criticized by the press and media? Answer: Effective environmental protection laws and other measures have led to the improvement of water quality in Tai Hu lake in prefix = st1 /JiangsuProvince. The news was announced by officials from the provincial environmental protection bureau, which has just conducted an inspection of the lake area. By the end of September, about 80 per cent of industrial pollutants met required standards and the lake is expected to be cleaner by the end of the year, officials said. According to targets set by the State Environmental Protection Administration, all polluting enterprises must meet set standards by the end of this year or they will be shut down. The Taihu Lake area, which surrounds the cities of Suzhou, Wuxiand Changshou, is one of the most economically developed areas in the country and has long enjoyed a reputation as the "land of fish and rice" However, the quality of water in the lake has been deteriorating at an alarmingly rate in recent years, which has caused concern from the government and local people. Pollution is so high mainly because people do not have enough environmental awareness and have put economic benefits ahead of their surroundings. Economic development in the area has been rapid with hundreds of factories being built. But officials say most of these do not have the anti-pollution equipment or measures they should have. Because of the lack of waste treatment facilities, wasted water and other rubbish from residential areas in nearby towns and villages flow into rivers which are connected to TaihuLake. This also contributed to the lake's pollution. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, the provincial and local governments began to tackle the problem. Experts were invited to offer suggestions and laws and regulations were issued. All newly built factories and enterprises in the lake area were required to install necessary anti-pollution facilities before they can go into operation. Also, some wasted water treatment works will be built in the three cities. Most of the factories now _ Answer: For the most part, schools are designed to produce people who fit into society, not people who set out to change it. However, schools, particularly universities, may not only spread culture; they may add to the cultural heritage. Today American society places a good deal of emphasis on the development of new knowledge, especially in the physical and biological sciences, medicine, and engineering. In recent years, the nation's leading universities have increasingly become research centres. An emphasis on research has led universities to judge professors not by abilities as teachers, but as researchers. Promotions, salary increases, and other benefits have long been dependent on research and publication. However, the most important is no longer publishing. To be successful these days, professors have to bring in money provided by government and private industry. Critics claim that academic success is most likely to come to those who have learned to "ignore" their teaching duties to pursue research activities. Defenders say that even when students themselves are not involved in research projects they benefit from such an emphasis on research. Major research universities like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have also cooperated with industrial companies to develop technology and products with commercial potential. With university-industry ties continuing to grow, debate has increased about the consequences for basic science, academic openness, the control of information, the direction of research, and the influence on students. Supporters of the present emphasis on research argue that _ . Answer: Coral gets some help with algae for their Answer:
Donald was not very good at maths. He could not understand the teacher's explanations. Even when the teacher explained something a second time, Donald still could not understand it. "Never mind," Donald told himself. "I'm quite good at other subjects. I'll cheat in the maths exam, then I won't be in trouble." "I will sit next to the boy who's best at maths," he thought, "and copy down his answers." The day of the exam came, and Donald sat next to Brian Smith, who always was at the top of the class in maths. Donald carefully copied Brian's answers onto his own exam paper. At the end of the exam, the teacher collected the papers and graded them. Then she said, "Well, boys and girls. I've decided to give a prize to the student who got the highest grade. However, it's difficult for me to decide who to give the prize to, because two students, Doanld and Brian, got the same grade." "Let them share it," one of the other students said. "I have thought about that," the teacher said, "but I have decided to give the prize to Brian." Donald was angry when he heard this. He stood up and said. "That is not fair. I got the same grade as Brian." "That is true," the teacher said. "However, Brian's answer to Question 18 was 'I don't know,' while yours was 'Neither do I.'" Why was he angry when Donald heard that the teacher would give a prize to Brian? A. Because he got the same grade as Brian. B. Because Brian copied him. C. Because the teacher didn't know Donald's answers. D. Because he cheated in the maths exam. Answer: A Long long ago, an old scientist made a few tests on different animals to find out which was the cleverest of all the animals. In one test the old scientist put a monkey in a room. In the room there were many boxes. Some boxes were inside other boxes. The smallest box had some food in it. The scientist wanted to watch the monkey and to find out how long it would take the monkey to find the food. The scientist left the room. He waited for a few minutes outside the door. Then he put his eye to the keyhole . What did he see? To his surprise, he found himself looking into the eye of the monkey. The monkey was on the other side of the door and looked at the scientist through the keyhole. After the scientist left the room, the monkey _ . A. looked at the scientist through the keyhole B. began to look for food C. came into the boxes one after another D. began to eat the food Answer: A Peter waved goodbye and closed the door slowly as Jane left home to visit her grandmother. Expecting a whole day to relax, he was thinking whether to read the newspaper or watch his favorite TV talk show on his first day off in months. "This will be like a walk in the park," he'd told his wife, "I'll look after the kids, and you can go to visit your grandma." Things started well, but just after eight o'clock, his three little "good kids"--Adam, Bob, and Christopher--came down the stairs in their night clothes and shouted "breakfast, daddy." When food had not appeared within thirty seconds, Adam began using his spoon on Christopher's head as if it were a drum. Christopher started to shout loudly in time to the beat . Bob chanted "Where's my toast, where's my toast" in the background. Peter realized his newspaper would have to wait for a few seconds. Life became worse after breakfast. Adam wore Bob's underwear on his head. Bob locked himself in the bathroom, while Christopher shouted again because he was going to wet his pants. Nobody could find clean socks, although they were before their very eyes. Someone named "Not Me" had spilled a whole glass of orange juice into the basket of clean clothes. Peter knew the talk show had already started. By ten o'clock, things were out of control. Christopher was wondering why the fish in the jar refused his bread and butter. Adam was trying to show off his talent by decorating the kitchen wall with his color pencils. Bob, thankfully, appeared to be reading quietly in the family room, but closer examination showed that he was eating apple jam straight from the bottle with his hands. Peter realized that the talk show was over and reading would be impossible. At exactly 11:17, Peter called the daycare centre ."I suddenly have to go into work and my wife's away. Can I bring the boys over in a few minutes?" The answer was obviously "yes" because Peter was smiling. Which of the following did Bob do? A. Using his spoon on Christopher's head. B. Wearing his underwear on his head C. Reading quietly in the family room. D. Eating apple jam from the bottle. Answer: D As we know, on Saturday, millions of people around the world will celebrate Saint Patrick's Day, which honors Patron Saint (or main religious figure) of Ireland. Communities across the United States will host parades, parties, and other festivities to mark the occasion. This year, cities like Boston, New York, and Chicago have organized massive events celebrating Saint Patrick's Day. In New York City, hundreds of thousands of people will gather to watch the Saint Patrick's Day parade--the nation's largest. It is one of the most watched parades in the world. Last year, almost 2 million spectators and more than 150,000 participants filled the streets. The parade, first held in 1776, is also one of the oldest. Chicago also throws a big celebration. Every year, the Chicago River, which crosses the city, glows green as event organizers dump about 40 pounds of fluorescence, a powerful dye, into the water. Boston keeps its parade rolling for three hours or more. It is the nation's second-largest parade. The city will also salute one of its most famous former residents, President John F. Kennedy, by opening the exhibit "A Journey Home: John F. Kennedy and Ireland," at his official library. Patron Saint lived in Britain in the early fifth century, when it was still part of the Roman Empire. He was captured and sold into slavery in Ireland when he was only 16.He eventually escaped slavery and turned to a life of religious devotion. He trained to become a minister and set out to spread Christianity throughout Ireland. After 30 years as a religious leader, Patrick died on March 17, 1461.Saint Patrick's Day is always celebrated on March 17.In Ireland, it is an official holiday. What's the best title of the passage? A. Celebrations across the Country B. An Official Holiday in US C. The Largest Parade in the World D. History of Saint Patrick's Day Answer: A Plaintiff sued Defendant for injuries sustained in an automobile collision. During Plaintiff's hospital stay, Doctor, a staff physician, examined Plaintiff's X rays and said to Plaintiff, "You have a fracture of two vertebrae, C4 and C5." Intern, who was accompanying Doctor on her rounds, immediately wrote the diagnosis on Plaintiff's hospital record. At trial, the hospital records custodian testifies that Plaintiff's hospital record was made and kept in the ordinary course of the hospital's business. The entry reporting Doctor's diagnosis is A. inadmissible, because no foundation has been laid for Doctor's competence as an expert. B. inadmissible, because Doctor's opinion is based upon data that are not in evidence. C. admissible as a statement of then existing physical condition. D. admissible as a record of regularly conducted business activity. Answer: D
China has been drinking tea since the time of Shennong, 5,000 years ago. Britain's relationship with tea is much shorter, but tea enjoys the pride as the UK's national drink. According to the UK Tea Council, British people drink an average of three cups a day or a national total of 165 million cups every day. With figures like these, it is no surprise that time spent taking tea affects the working day in Britain. A recent survey found that 24 minutes a day are lost to making, buying and drinking tea and coffee. That is, PS400 a year is lost in working hours per employee, or 190 days over a lifetime. So, should employers be worried about this lost working time, or does the tea break make up in other ways? One argument is that caffeine improves mental state: a drink of tea or coffee can make you active and focus on work. Professor Rogers of the University of Bristol disagrees. After years of studying caffeine he sees nothing can prove that. "Workers would perform equally well if not drinking it at all," he says. "But if they're often drinking it and then go without, they'll feel tired and won't work well." Psychologist Cooper instead emphasizes the role tea breaks play in office life, and in building social relationships. "We need to make people more active and see other people. The tea break is one way of doing this," says Cooper. And Professor Rogers also points out the comfort effect of a hot drink: "We warm our hands on them on a cold day; they're comforting and play a big role in our everyday life. Whatever the caffeine's doing, I'd say these 24 minutes aren't wasted." What's Psychologist Coopers' attitude towards tea break? A. Doubtful. B. Uncertain. C. Negative. D. Positive. Answer: D. Positive. long ago people made fires from lightning . But they had to keep the fire burning, for they couldn't start it again if there was no lightning. Later, they found out hitting two piece of stone together could make a spark . The spark could fire dry leaves. In this way they could make the fire again if it went out. Then people also learned to make a fire by rubbing. They made a hole on a big piece of wood and put a smaller stick into the hole. They turned the stick again and again. After a few minutes they got a fire. As years went by, people learned other ways to make a fire. Sometimes they used the heat from sun. they held a piece of glass in the right way and made a piece of paper on fire. About two centuries ago, people began to make matches . Matches brought people a quick and easy way to make fire. Today matches are still being used, but people have more new ways to make fires. One of them is to use an electric fire starter. Of course an electric fire starter is much more expensive than a box of matches. But it is more useful. We can also get a fire by _ . A. making a hole on a big piece of wood B. putting a smaller stick into the hole C. turning the stick hard for a while D. doing all the above together Answer: D. doing all the above together Two men from different worlds -- a BuzzFeed editor from New York and a man in southern China known as "Orange Brother" -- have been friends after social media helped them know each other over a stolen iPhone. The story of a guy named Matt in New York City who had his iPhone stolen last year has become famous on Chinese social media. Matt said his phone was stolen from a bar in the East Village last February. He bought a new phone and carried on with his life. It wasn't until this January, however, that he was going through his photo stream and noticed tons of photos that weren't his, including several pictures of an unknown man posing next to an orange tree. More photos of food menus, fireworks and something strange kept appearing in his photo stream in the following days. Matt later learned that his phone, stolen almost a year ago, had ended up in China and that the new owner was still logged into his iCloud account . After Matt wrote about the cross-seas connection on BuzzFeed, a web user translated it and posted it to Weibo. He started getting tons of attention from people in China about the story. They thought it was romantic like a fairy tale and perfect for the spirit of the Spring Festival. In typical Chinese netizen -fashion, they were able to track down the information of "Orange Brother". He lived in Meizhou, Guangdong province. Web users loved this, and urged Matt to come to China and connect with his "long-lost brother". Orange brother made the first move. "Matt, I welcome you to come to Meizhou and try some local food," he said on Weibo, China's micro blogging platform. That post was "liked" over 12,000 times. Matt quickly accepted. Matt began learning Chinese, while Brother Orange posted videos of himself learning English. But when they finally met, the smiles and hugs said it all. Matt learned some information about his stolen iphone when _ . A. he went through the magazine B. the new owner logged to his iCloud account C. Orange Brother connected with him D. Orange Brother used the stolen iphone to call him Answer: B. the new owner logged to his iCloud account A newly discovered planet looks just right for life as we know it, according to an international group of astronomers. Orbiting a star about 500 light-years away, the planet called Kepler-186f is about the same size as Earth. It orbits its star at the right distance for liquid water on the surface. That is a necessary condition for life as we know it. But it is not exactly like Earth, NASA planetary scientist Elisa Quintana said. "It's more of an Earth's cousin. It's not an Earth's twin. It shares the same characteristics as Earth, but their parent stars are very different," said Quintana. Kepler-186f orbits a star that is smaller and cooler than our sun. But, writing in the journal Science, the astronomers say the planet appears to be a closer than most of the hundreds of others discovered so far. Some are massive gas-covered giants with thick, crushing atmospheres. Others orbit too close to their stars and are too hot for life. Two planets discovered last year are in the right orbit and might be good candidates for life, Quintana says, but they are a bit bigger than Earth. "For the first time, we can actually say we now have a planet that is both Earth-sized and orbits in its star's habitable zone," she said. It may be the first time, but it probably is not the last, says Massachusetts Institute of Technology astrophysicist Sara Seager. "We've been waiting decades to understand how common habitable planets might be, and it's looking like they're really common. And this gives us excitement and motivation to take the next step," said Seager. The next step would be to look for signs of life in the atmospheres of these distant worlds. That would take a more sophisticated (;) space telescope. But budget cuts threaten that mission, says University of California at Los Angeles astrophysicist Ben Zuckerman. "In principle, we could do this in the next few decades. But in practice, because there's no money, it's not gonna happen. It's not gonna happen in my lifetime, for example." Leaving earthbound concerns behind, NASA's Elisa Quintana believes that when the next-generation space telescope is launched, it will find that we are not alone in the universe. Ben Zuckerman and Elisa Quintana would probably agree that _ . A. they can continue their research without worrying about money B. it is the last time that they have discovered such a planet C. a sophisticated space telescope plays an important role in their research D. Earth is the only planet where we can find signs of life Answer: C. a sophisticated space telescope plays an important role in their research Sam Allred suffers from a rare and incurable kidney disease. One day, when his sister was playing a song repeatedly, Sam sang along. His sister thought it was funny so she recorded it and posted the video online. The video -- and Sam -- became a hit. Only 8 years old at the time, he couldn't have expected the response. "(The television show) The Doctors called and wanted me on their show so they paid for me to go to California," says Sam, now 13, "and we got to stay in a hotel where all the movie stars stayed." During that visit to California, Angie Allred, Sam's mother, had an idea about Sam writing a children's book. Together, she and Sam wrote Opening Hearts, which tells Sam's experience of living with a chronic illness. "I wrote the book to teach people to be kinder to people," Sam says. Moreover, Sam wanted to send pillows to sick children staying in hospitals around the country to make their stay more comfortable, an idea that came from a time when he was in the hospital. "A few kind boys came in with pillows and they gave me one and it meant a lot to me that someone cared about kids in the hospital," says Sam. Angie thought of starting a nonprofit organization to provide a way for people to contribute money to realize Sam's ideas. She named the nonprofit Kindness for Kids. Since then, Sam has taken pillows to children staying at Providence Hospital in Anchorage. Sam's father, Scott Allred, owns a small business that contracts shipping services with FedEx Ground. He asked the company for help. "FedEx Ground learned about Sam's pillow project," says Erin Truxal, manager of public relations for FedEx Ground. "We thought, 'What a perfect way for us to get involved.'" The company provided shipping services for Sam to ship about 5,000 pillows to hospitals. Sam wants to send more pillows to all of the children's hospitals in every state. His goal is simple: "Kids in the hospital as happy as they were before they got sick," he says. We can learn from the text that Sam Allred _ . A. was a healthy boy B. was popular at an early age C. sang the song with his sister D. worked in his father's company Answer: B. was popular at an early age
In Peel's personal injury action, Wilson, a physician who had no previous knowledge of the matter, sat in court and heard all the evidence about Peel's symptoms and conditions. Wilson is called to give her opinion whether Peel's injuries are permanent. May Wilson so testify? A. Yes, provided she first identifies the data on which her opinion is based. B. Yes, because an expert may base her opinion on facts made known to her at the trial. C. No, because she has no personal knowledge of Peel's condition. D. No, because permanence of injury is an issue to be decided by the jury. Answer: B. Yes, because an expert may base her opinion on facts made known to her at the trial. 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. Why was Linda feeling bad for several days? A. Because she was seriously ill B. Because she had no friend. C. Because her life changed D. Because she had a cold Answer: A. Because she was seriously ill Next time you hear a funny joke you'd better not laugh too hard. According to a paper published by the British Medical Journal, laughter isn't always the best medicine. Sometimes it can even be harmful. Professor Robin Ferner from the University of Birmingham, one of the authors of the study, found that bad things could happen to people who laughed too much. He says: "We found people with heartbeat problems which had stopped their heart, we found people who had fainted, and we found people who'd dislocated their jaws or burst their lungs." It seems that laughing can be no laughing matter. But it's not all _ . Professor Ferner says there are benefits to laughing when you want to lose weight, for example. Yes, that's right: laugh and be slimmer! Professor Ferner explains that: "You use energy when you laugh, you move your diaphragm , you expand your lungs, and both those things can be helpful." According to the research, laughing for a quarter of an hour can burn up to 40 calories, and if you laughed all day you'd use up about 2,000 calories, which is what most people consume in a day. But don't do that or you might end up with a painful jaw. Ouch! Or you might find people looking at you in a funny way. But I don't want to finish this article leaving you feeling desperate. Laughter comes naturally for most of us. Babies begin to laugh at around 3-6 months. So give in to your sense of humour and keep smiling. Life is short anyway. Laughing too much may cause the following harmful results EXCEPT _ . A. heart stop B. diaphragm movement C. lung burst D. jaw dislocation Answer: B. diaphragm movement April Fool's Day is supposed to be a day to play jokes on others in hopes of getting a good laugh and making one feel like a fool. However, the April Fool's Day of 2014 was quite different for my mom and me. That day my friend Jimmy and I were playing a game. I had dropped down from a bar many times in the past without ever having a problem, but that day the simple act of dropping to the ground became a nightmare . I broke my arm. Jimmy's dad heard my crying and rushed out to see what was going on. When he saw the problem he quickly put me into his truck and went inside to telephone my mom and let her know he would take me to hospital. As that day was April Fool's Day, Mom was not buying it and really thought all this was a big joke. Mom was finally convinced by Jimmy's mom. When she saw me, she broke down in tears because she felt so bad -she originally thought this was just a big prank . I guess one could compare this to the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Since I had pulled pranks before, it is no wonder that my mom didn't believe it. I as well as my mom was made to look like a fool that day. We both learned a valuable lesson. From the passage we can infer that _ . A. the writer's mom didn't care much about him B. the writer was a dishonest person C. the writer won't pull pranks as before D. the writer will lose interest in games Answer: C. the writer won't pull pranks as before An 18-year-old student was struggling to pay his fees. Not knowing where to get the money, he and a friend decided to host a musical concert to raise money for their education. They went to the great pianist Paderewski. His manager demanded $2,000 for the piano recital . A deal was made and the boys began to work to make the concert a success. The big day arrived. But unfortunately, they hadn't managed to sell enough tickets. The total collection was only $1,600. Disappointed, they went to Paderewski and gave him the entire $1,600, and promised to pay him the rest $400 back as soon as possible. "No," said Paderewski. "Keep the money you need for your fees. And just give me whatever is left." The boys were surprised, and very thankful. Paderewski later became the Prime Minister of Poland, and he was a great leader. When the World War broke out, more than l.5 million people went hungry, but there was no food to feed them. Paderewski turned to the US Food and Relief Administration for help. The head there was a man called Herbert Hoover -- who later became the US President. Hoover agreed to help and quickly shipped tons of food to Poland. Paderewski decided to go across to thank Hoover himself. When Paderewski began to thank Hoover for his kindness, Hoover quickly stopped him and said, "You shouldn't be thanking me, Mr. Prime Minister. You may not remember this, but several years ago, you helped two young students go through college. I was one of them." What can we learn from the text? A. Great minds think alike. B. Kindness brings its own rewards. C. Honesty is the best policy. D. Where there's a will, there's a way. Answer: B. Kindness brings its own rewards.
Global Architecture Business Development Director The person filling this position will develop the company's development plan and supervise the expansion of the business.Candidates should be able to have a background in successful business planning. JOB DESCRIPTION Responsible for managing external contracts and relationships with local businesses and the local government offices.Responsible for evaluating the success of projects and services. QUALIFICATIONS,TRAINING and EXPERIENCE A degree in business management.Minimum of five years' relevant experience,preferably managing a multi-functional team.Excellent sales, negotiation and interpersonal skills are key requirements of the job.Strong numerical and analytical ability and a solid grasp of computer spreadsheet applications are essential. Personnel management required.Good communication skills are essential,both written and verbal.Must be willing to travel. Send cover letter and resume to: Marko Cerise Human Relations Manager Global Architecture Associates Dear Mr. Cerise, I read your job advertisement in Professional Monthly and believe that I am well suited to fill the position. For the past 6 years I have been working as the regional promotions manager for a national chain of book stores. In this position,1 was responsible for supervising a team of six promotions and marketing staff.It was my responsibility to plan the sales events and promotional campaigns,and produce evaluation reports on the efficacy of each campaign.The position involved regular visits to each of the nine branches in the area,so I am used to spending a significant part of my working week on the road. A big part of the job was communicating with both senior management and individual store managers to ensure that new product lines were appropriately supported and within budget targets.I have found working in this position to be very rewarding but 1 feel I am ready for a change and look forward to facing new challenges. In respect to my current position,1 would be willing to start within one month of receiving a job offer. For further employment and educational details please see the accompanying resum. Sincerely, Jennifer Dankert What kind of work is advertised? Answer: It rained on a hot summer afternoon and a puddle formed. After several hours, the puddle was gone. Which two processes made the puddle form and then disappear? Answer: One would have to be a fool to overlook the importance of using positive thinking for you rather than allowing negative thinking to work against you. In recent years, research in psychopharmacology has proved what many people have known over the centuries: a positive attitude is good for you, good for your health, good for your wealth, good for everything. Researchers found that a positive attitude produces a specific chemical reaction which makes people feel better, while negative thinking results in a decline of hormone and shuts down the immune system. This leads to illness and depression. Positive thoughts will make you feel better. Even if you must begin by literally forcing yourself to be positive (faking it, so to speak), it will become contagious and the positive thoughts will generate nice little chemicals and good feelings which will reinforce the positive thoughts. For example, if you force yourself to smile or laugh, even when you don't feel like smiling or laughing, if you keep at it for a few minutes, you will soon feel like it. Feelings can generate thoughts, but thoughts can also generate feelings. Control your thoughts and you can control your feelings. Positive thinking is important in all aspects of our lives. There is probably no single factor more important in determining your success in achieving your career objectives than your own attitude. It's often been said that in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. And in the office of militant negativism, the positive workers shine like gold. You cannot control external events, but you can learn to control your reaction to those events and thereby have a positive attitude and be happy. This vital key to success is totally within your control. Use it. The best title to the passage is _ . Answer: Can you remember any of the bad habits you used to have when you were very young? Perhaps, as a baby, you used to suck your thumb . Of course, you do not do that any more, but you can surely remember your mother's efforts to train you. The good habits you now have in such matters as personal cleanliness were part of this early training. We may not suck our thumbs any more, but as we get older we get other bad habits. We can't give them up easily, either.(Anyone who has tried to give up smoking knows this very well!) Each period brings its own problems. In babyhood, it's thumb-sucking; in childhood, it's nail-biting; in our teens, it's smoking; in middle-age, it's over-eating, and so on. And if anyone tells you that he has no bad habits, you can be sure that he must have the worst habit of all. Generally speaking, a child likes _ . Answer: Allen Iverson, the 31-year-old man, has become the most exciting player in the NBA. At 1.83 meters tall, he is as fast as lightening and no one can stop him. However, Allen used to be the trouble maker that the NBA did not want. Born to a single mother, Allen had a very hard childhood. He grew up on dangerous blocks in the US. Sometimes his house had no electricity, hot water or lights. He sometimes stayed with his friends in his teenage life and a couple of times he even stayed in a shelter . Because of his terrible childhood, Iverson became as tough as his friends . Allen was always a trouble maker. When he was in high school, he was once put in jail for throwing a chair to a white girl. Later on, he was put in jail a second time because of fast driving. When he was on the school basketball team, he didn't like practicing and even laughed at his coach. Because of the troubles he had made, the NBA at first didn't want him. He was a talented basketball player but with bad behavior. Allen realized that he wouldn't win any championship or be the top if he didn't change himself. He looked at himself in the mirror and asked, "Who is Allen Iverson?" In this way he changed himself. Over the years, he has changed and become a leader. "If you're getting older and not getting smarter, something is wrong," said Iverson. On November 6, he was named the Eastern Conference Players of the Week . Now he has become many people's idol. "I've become matured ," he said. " _ " What does Allen mean by saying "I'm trying to be a better person first, and then a better player."? Answer:
These days, more and more students in the UK are taking a "gap year"between their graduation from school and their university studies. This means they can take a year off to do something else, before they start their studies. For most students, spending time in foreign countries is the favorite activity --- and Australia is the favorite place to go. Many parents, teachers and business people agree that travelling can teach important values. "After a year of travelling, I felt I'd grown up. I had learnt the importance of relationships with people, on all kinds of levels." There are many companies around the world that welcome these students on their projects---helping people in poorer countries, or even in your home country. Although you don't get paid for your work, this kind of work can teach important skills---decision making and finding answers to problems, for example---that will help many students in a job one day. Finally, getting some knowledge and experience in an area you hope to study or work in one day will always be very useful. If several university graduates are applying for the same job, gar year work experience allows you to say, " I've already had some experience of this kind of work." And that can get your job. More and more students in the UK are taking a "gap year" . Answer: Before they go to university after graduating from school Different people use different languages. We Chinese speak Chinese, and, most of us are learning a foreign language. But there is another kind of language we need to know --- the language of the body. All over the world, people "talk with their hand, with their heads and with their eyes." When Japanese people meet, they bow. When Indians meet, they put their hands together. What do American and British do? Americans are more imformal than the British. They like to be friendly. They use first names, they ask questions and they talk easily about themselves. When they sit down, they like to relax in their chairs and make themselves comfortable. British people are more reserved . They take more time to make friends. They like to know you before they ask your name. When British or American people meet someone for the first time, they shake hands. They do not usually shake hands with people they know well. Women sometimes kiss their women friends, and men kiss women friends (on one cheek only). When a man meets a man, he just smiles, and says, "Hello." Men do not kiss each other, or hold hands. Even fathers and sons do not often kiss each other. If an American friend visits you, he probably _ . Answer: sits freely Barry and Kim are twin brother and sister. But they like different sports. Barry likes soccer. He is in the school soccer club, and he plays soccer every day. He has 9 soccer balls in his bookcase. He also likes volleyball. He has 2 white volleyballs and 2 blue volleyballs. But Kim doesn't like soccer or volleyball. She likes tennis. Tennis is interesting. She is in the school tennis club and she plays tennis every day. She has 7 tennis balls and 2 tennis rackets in her room. She also likes baseballs. She has 5 baseballs: 2 green baseballs and 3 yellow baseballs. ,. Which of the following is NOT true ? Answer: Kim doesn't have tennis rackets. The government employs many people to help take care of our society. However, these professionals cannot help out everyone just by themselves. They need our help! Consider Volunteering! What Exactly is Volunteering? Volunteering is when we regularly go and do nice things for other people. Volunteers may help out in local retirement homes, or in hospitals. Some volunteers work with poor people and other volunteers help teach orphaned children to read. There are many types of volunteers who help those who need help the most. Volunteering Teaches Mature Thinking Volunteering is something that really helps us as individuals. It gives us a chance to stop complaining about our own lives, and realized exactly how lucky we are. We are able to see the people who really need help. Volunteering also teaches us more about responsibility, patience, empathy , and above all, compassion . Doing Our part! Volunteering gives us a chance to do our share of the work of making this society the best it possibly can be. It helps us feel good about ourselves when we can help those who really need our help. When we can make someone else feel special, it helps us remember what life is really about. Ways to Start Volunteering There are many places that you can go to try to start volunteering. Here are just a few places you can go and what you can do at each place. 1) Hospital-ask if you can go and visit people who are really sick. Sometimes all they need is just someone who will talk with, or someone to give them hope. 2) Orphanage-the children living here really need someone to play with them. 3) Food Shelter --many food shelters can really use more people willing to just organize the shelters and help distribute the food to those who need it. Whatever you decide to do, just do the best you can. Remember that giving can be its own reward! The main purpose of this passage is to _ . Answer: call on people to help those who need our help If you do not use your arms or your legs for some time, they become weak; when you start using them again, they slowly become strong again. Everybody knows that. Yet many people do not seem to know that memory works in the same way. When someone says that he has a good memory, he really means that he keeps his memory in practice by using it. When someone else says that his memory is poor, he really means that he does not give it enough chance to become strong. If a friend says that his arms and legs are weak, we know that it is his 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. So if you want to have a good memory, learn from the people: practise remembering. Give the best title for this passage. Answer: How To Have A Good Memory
What do the common cold, the flu, and AIDS have in common? They are all diseases caused by viruses, tiny microorganisms that can pass from person to person. It is no wonder that when most people think about viruses, finding ways to _ them is what is on people's minds. Not everyone runs from the tiny disease carriers, though. In Cambridge, Massachusetts, scientists have discovered that some viruses can be helpful in an unusual way. They are putting viruses to work, teaching them of the world's smallest rechargeable batteries. Viruses and batteries may seem like an unusual pair, but they are not so strange for engineer Angela Belcher, who first came up with idea. At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, she and her team bring together different areas of science in new ways. In the case of the virus-built batteries, the scientists combine what they know about biology, technology and production techniques. Belcher's team includes Paula Hammond, who helps put together the tiny batteries, and Yet-Ming Chiang, an expert on how to store energy in the form of a battery. Many batteries are already pretty small. However, every year, new electronic devices like personal music players or cellphones get smaller than the year before. As these devices become smaller, ordinary batteries won't be small enough to fit inside. The ideal battery will store a lot more energy in a smaller package than ordinary batteries. Right now, Belcher's model battery, a metallic disk completely built by viruses, looks like a regular watch battery. But inside, its parts are very small--- so tiny that you can only see them with a powerful microscope. How small are these battery parts? To get some idea of the size, pluck one hair from your head. Place your hair on a piece of white paper and try to see how wide your hair is--- pretty thin, right? Although the width of each person's hair is a bit different, you could probably fit about 10 of these virus--- built battery parts, side by side, across one hair. These microbatteries may change the way we look at viruses. What is the passage mainly about? A. Diseases caused by viruses. B. An engineer called Angela Belcher. C. Batteries built by viruses. D. Rechargeable batteries. Answer: C. Batteries built by viruses. Gia was new in the neighborhood. She really wanted to meet some new friends. She was lonely and tired of playing with her toys all by herself. Her mother told her that the best way to meet new friends was to go somewhere where other kids are at. She remembered seeing a park on the corner when they were moving in. She asked her mother if she could go to the park. Her mother walked her down the street to the park. When Gia got to the park she was not happy. There was no one there. She sat on a swing and looked at the ground. It seemed like this was going to be another lonely day. Gia heard a noise and looked up. There was a girl coming down the hill. She smiled, but she was a little scared. What if she wasn't nice? That would make her sad. Gia was so happy when the girl walked up and said, "Hi, my name is Julie. What's yours?" Where was the park? A. Over the hill. B. In another neighborhood. C. On the corner. D. At the school Answer: C. On the corner. A young shoemaker left his village. Along the way, he saw some ants who were very sad because a bear had destroyed their house. The shoemaker helped them rebuild it, and the ants offered to return the favor. The shoemaker followed his way and found some bees with the same problem as the ants. The young man also helped them, and the bees promised to help him in the future. Further along , the shoemaker learned that the king's daughter was in the castle of a witch . The young man decided to save her, But the witch threw him a bag of sand mixed with small seeds and told him that if he wasn't able to separate the two, she would cut off his head before the sun came out. The young man thought about his death. But his friends the ants came and helped him pass the test. The witch was very surprised. Then she took him to a room where there were thirteen girls with their faces covered. The shoemaker had to discover which one was the princess. The young man became _ but he saw a bee that landed on a girl's body. She is the true princess. When the shoemaker uncovered her face, the witch was changed into a crow. The young people fell in love and lived with animals happily. The ants were very sad because _ A. they didn't find food. B. they had a fight with a bear. C. they felt very thirsty. D. they didn't have a house to live in. Answer: D. they didn't have a house to live in. The City Mouse and the Country Mouse Once there were two mice. They were friends. One mouse lived in the country; the other mouse lived in the city. After many years the Country mouse saw the City mouse; he said, "Do come and see me at my house in the country." So the City mouse went. The City mouse said, "This food is not good, and your house is not good. Why do you live in a hole in the field? You should come and live in the city. You would live in a nice house made of stone. You would have nice food to eat. You must come and see me at my house in the city." The Country mouse went to the house of the City mouse. It was a very good house. Nice food was set ready for them to eat. But just as they began to eat they heard a great noise. The City mouse cried, "Run! Run! The cat is coming!" They ran away quickly and hid. After some time they came out. When they came out, the Country mouse said, "I do not like living in the city. I like living in my hole in the field. For it is nicer to be poor and happy, than to be rich and afraid." The mice were caught by the cat, weren't they? A. Yes, they were. B. No, they weren't. C. They ran away and hid. D. We don't know. Answer: B. No, they weren't. An example of an electrical circuit running properly would be A. dimming lights B. swimming in pools C. running outside D. riding bikes Answer: A. dimming lights
Question: This year's lunar New Year holiday season is likely to see the fierce competitions at the country's box office among three movies that come from reality TV programs instead of legends, novels and original stories. The Chinese movies Running Man, Where are We Going, Dad? II and Emperor's Holidays are all based on South Korean TV shows. Where are We Going, Dad? hit an amazing box-office run of 700 million yuan in 2014, and it was one of the most popular Chinese-language movies last year. And this year's Where are We Going, Dad? II shows four famous fathers trying to "survive" with their children on an island of the Republic of Fiji . Running Man was also one of the most well-known shows from last October to this January. It has got 227 million yuan at the box office in the first three days after it was on in the cinema. It's reported that people laughed 86 times while watching the 88-minute movie. Emperor's Holidays is directed by Wang Yuelun, who was a celebrity father in the fatherhood series' first season. The movie was screened in Chinese theaters on Feb 19, the same day as Dad II and also the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year. For these kinds of movies, different people have different opinions. Some may think it is not worth spending money watching them, because the producers just want to make money. However, others may think whatever the producers' aim is, these movies can inspire people to live more healthily and make them keep laughing and happy. So they choose to enjoy them in the cinema. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage? A. The three movies are all based on South Korean TV shows. B. Where are We Going, Dad? II is directed by Wang Yuelun. C. Running Man has made people laughed 86 times while watching the 88-minute movie D. Emperor's Holidays was screened on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Answer: B. Where are We Going, Dad? II is directed by Wang Yuelun. Question: We all see and hear about extraordinary people around us and wonder why we can't be more like them. It's not the big things that make someone extraordinary. It's the small things. They become extraordinary by making a difference in someone's life. Here are some of the things extraordinary people do every day: Praise someone. It can make the others feel great about themselves. A compliment can have a positive impact on their lives. Your team or family will love you for it. It's OK to admit you were wrong. You will not only gain the respect of your team mates, but you will also gain credibility . When you need help, don't be shy or stop yourself. Everyone needs a little help sometimes. When you ask for help, you receive help. You're willing to listen; you also need support at times. When you don't understand how something works, let an expert show you. When you let someone teach you something, you are telling the person that you respect his talent, time and what he is talking about. Sometimes it is very important to stay silent. Especially when you're angry, process your emotions, think back to what happened, and then come to a decision about how to deal with it. Before you say anything, consider others' feeling. Never be rude with words or actions. What makes a person become extraordinary? A. Do some big and great things. B. Some small things. C. Having a lot of money. D. To be a famous person. Answer: B. Some small things. Question: Crosstalk ,a traditional form of comic storytelling,is making a comeback in China's tea houses and theaters. Audiences can laugh the night away every Saturday at the Qianxiangyi Teahouse in Tianjin,entertained by the apprentices of Hou Baolin,Ma Sanli or Yin Shoushan--all leading crosstalk artists of years past--for only 20 yuan($2.40). The success in Tianjin has also caused the rejuvenation of crosstalk in Beijing and other places. Although the art form originated in Beijing in the Qing Dynasty(1644-1911),Tianjin became a place where rising stars formed their styles and new pieces were tried out.The city was well--known nationwide for the quality of its crosstalk performances. Known in Chinese as xiangsheng(1iterally,"face and voice"),crosstalk was the predominant form of comedy throughout most of the 20th century.In the old days in Tianjin and elsewhere,temple fairs and markets were the main places for crosstalkers to perform,although they occasionally also appeared in teahouses or theaters. Crosstalk pieces draw on every aspect of Chinese culture,from history and folk tales to social issues of the time.Although there're hundreds of traditional pieces,they're constantly rewritten to suit the times and the audience, while new works are written as well.It's one of the features that have made crosstalk a public art form throughout its history. "Crosstalk was in the doldrums with competition from other art forms,especially TV,"said Wang Xiaochun,headmaster of the Northern Storytelling Arts School of China(NSAS)."But it has regained its status with crosstalk fans,especially young people,growing aware of its rare qualities." "More and more students are coming to NSAS to study crosstalk,including some girl students,"said Wang, "They're sure that crosstalk will have a strong market." Crosstalk makes a comeback mainly because _ . A. it is a popular traditional art after all B. the pieces contain some famous folk tales C. the crosstalkers make it return to teahouses D. the pieces are made to suit the times and the audience Answer: D. the pieces are made to suit the times and the audience Question: In order to produce light, the atoms inside a light bulb transform electrical energy into A. kinetic energy. B. electromagnetic radiation. C. chemical energy. D. heat energy. Answer: B. electromagnetic radiation. Question: An example of an acquired characteristic is A. the thickness of a horse's mane B. the length of a horse's mane C. the number of legs a horse has D. the color of a horse's mane Answer: B. the length of a horse's mane
Question: Earth rotates on its north-south axis. Which statement best describes one complete rotation? A. It takes six months and causes summer and winter seasons. B. It takes 24 hours and causes night and day. C. It takes 29 days, which represents one cycle of the Moon's phases. D. It takes 365 days, which represents one Earth year. Answer: B Question: Use the information below to answer the question. Each organism on Earth is a part of a complex relationship with other organisms. This relationship is called a food web. The following organisms are part of a food web typically located in and around a reservoir. algae fish rabbit eagle pine tree grass field mouse Which member of the food web is a carnivore? A. field mouse B. eagle C. rabbit D. algae Answer: B Question: Music died here last spring, or rather, it was killed by members of the school committee who ignored the importance of music and drama as part of the high-school curriculum. The committee decided that teaching students how to take a standardized test is more important than a curriculum in which students can explore their interests in the arts as well as academics. Because the school system is running out of funding, it needs to make sure that students pass the mastery test or even more money will be lost. If students fail the state standardized test, it is not the fault of drama and music classes-- they are failing because the " academic" classes are not sufficient. It is painful to think of how many students will be discouraged from singing, acting, and playing instruments because school programs are no longer offered. Many families cannot afford private music lessons, and many potential musicians and artists may not find their calling if they are not exposed to it in school. The fact that the school committee thinks the arts are not worth the investment will certainly make some students believe the arts are not worth their time or support and the cycle will continue. Teaching for a test does not shape students into complete, well rounded people. It blocks the natural sense to create and express feelings through art-- there is more to life than the analytical thinking that math and English provide. What happens after a test? Sure, a student might graduate, but they will have limited knowledge -- certainly not a good preparation for the real world. The best title of the passage can be _ . A. Who Killed Music and Drama? B. Can Curriculum Go Without Music? C. Why is Music So Important? D. How To Prepare For the Real World? Answer: B Question: Look! This is Li Mei's room. What's in her room? Her books are on the desk. This is one of her shoes. Where is the other one? Oh, It's under the desk. She can not find her school bag. Where is it? Oh, It's behind the door. Li Mei can not look after her things. Her mother often says to her, " Li Mei , you must look after your things." ,. (5) Where are Li Mei's books? _ A. It's on the desk. B. They are on the chair. C. Under the desk. D. On the desk. Answer: D Question: But that did not really surprise me much. I knew very well that in addition to the great planets-- such as the Earth, Jupiter, Mars, Venus-- to which we have given names, there are also hundreds of others, some of which are so small that one has a hard time seeing them through the telescope. When an astronomer discovers one of these he does not give it a name, but only a number. He might call it, for example, "Asteroid 325." I have serious reason to believe that the planet from which the little prince came is the asteroid known as B-612. This asteroid has only once been seen through the telescope. That was by a Turkish astronomer, in 1909. On making his discovery, the astronomer had presented it to the International Astronomical Congress, in a great demonstration . But he was in Turkish costume, and so nobody would believe what he said. Grown-ups are like that... Fortunately, however, for the reputation of Asteroid B-612, a Turkish dictator made a law that his subjects should change to European costume under pain of death .So in 1920 the astronomer gave his demonstration all over again, dressed with impressive style and elegance. And this time everybody accepted his report. If I have told you these details about the asteroid, and made a note of its number for you, it is for the grown-ups and their ways. When you tell them that you have made a new friend, they never ask you any questions about essential matters. They never say to you, "What does his voice sound like? What games does he love best? Does he collect butterflies?" Instead, they demand: "How old is he? How many brothers has he? How much money does his father make?" If you were to say to the grown-ups: "I saw a beautiful house made of rosy brick, with geraniums in the windows and doves on the roof," they would not be able to get any idea of that house at all. You would have to say to them: "I saw a house that cost $20,000." Then they would cry out: "Oh, what a pretty house that is!" _ , if you say to them: "The proof that the little prince existed is that he was charming, that he laughed, and that he was looking for a sheep." And what good would it do to tell them that? They would shrug their shoulders, and treat you like a child. But if you said to them: "The planet he came from is Asteroid B-612," then they would be convinced, and leave you free from their questions. They are like that. One must not hold it against them. Children should always show great forbearance toward grown-up people. But certainly, for us who understand life, figures are a matter of indifference . What are adults like in the eye of the narrator? A. They lack imagination. B. They don't really understand life. C. They don't like Turkish costume. D. They show no tolerance towards children. Answer: B
Here are some news from China Daily in February, 2016. 1. Air quality in 271 out of 338 prefecture-level or above cities failed to meet national standards on the Chinese New Year Eve to 6 am the next morning on Feb 8, primarily because of pollution caused by firecrackers . 2. According to data released by CCTV, the Spring Festival Gala was watched on TV domestically by 690 million views while 138 million people watched it online. 3. Kung Fu Panda 3 and The Mermaid<<>> were very popular movies during the Spring Festival. But The Mermaid has earned more than 2 billion yuan after nine days in Chinese mainland theaters. It is expected to break the box office records Fast & Furious 7<<7>> and Monster Hunt<<>> set on the Chinese mainland to become the highest earning film in China's film history. 4. After the universal two-child policy, China will have a baby boom. Especially Chinese people have traditionally believed babies born in the Year of the Monkey to be smart and confident, due to their love of the animal because it is cute and resembles humans in many ways. Why do Chinese people like to have a baby in the Year of the Monkey? Answer: Because they believe these babies will be smart and confident. Simon hardly listened to his teachers or worked hard in class. For him, talking was so much better. He never stopped talking. He wanted to be heard. "If you listen carefully, you'll learn something." Mrs. Jacobs told him many times, but it didn't work. Last Sunday, Simon had a sore throat and he lost his voice the next morning. "Can I stay home?" he tried to ask, but words didn't come out. His mother thought he could go to school. He felt upset. When he got to school, he didn't say anything to his friends or teachers. Everyone started talking at once. They were excited, worried and surprised. Mrs. Jacobs seemed happy. Simon was bored because he couldn't talk. But it wasn't so bad. He could do his homework. The next day, even though his voice was coming back, he stayed quiet again. He listened and put up his hand to speak. What a great difference! ,. According to the passage, Simon finally learned to _ . Answer: listen to his teacher Several different stories are told about the origin of Saint Valentine's Day. One legend dates as far back as the days of Roman Empire . According to the story, Claudius, the Emperor of Rome, wanted to increase the size of the army. He knew that it would be easier to get young men who were not married to join the army. Therefore, he made a rule that no young men could marry until he had served in the army for a certain number of years. A priest named Valentine broke the rule and secretly married a great number of young people. Finally, Claudius found out about Valentine and put the priest in prison, where he remained until his death on February 14. After his death, Valentine was made a saint and the day of his death was named Saint Valentine's Day. It became the custom for lovers to send each other message on this day. Now Saint Valentine's Day is a time for people to send one another their greeting of many kinds. February 14, Valentine's Day, is sweetheart's day, on which people in love with each other express their tender emotions . People sometimes put their love message in a heart-shaped box of chocolates or a bunch of flowers tied with red ribbons . Words of letters may be written on the flower-covered card, or something else. Whatever the form may be, the message is almost the same "Will you be my Valentine?" According to the rule, _ . Answer: young men could get married if they had served the army for a number of years. FFather was a hardworking man who delivered bread as a living to support his wife and three children. He spent all his evenings after work attending classes,hoping to improve himself so that he could one day find a better. paid job. Except. for Sundays, Father hardly ate a meal together with his family. He worked and studied very hard because he wanted to provide his family with the best that money could buy. Whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. Though he often longed to spend more time with his family, he weighed his contribution to his family above everything else. The day came when the examination results were announced. To his joy, Father passed, and with distinctions too! Soon after, he was offered a good job as a senior supervisor which paid handsomely. Like a dream come true, Father could now afford to provide his family with life's little luxuries like nice clothing,fine food and vacation abroad. However, the family still did not get to see Father for most of the week. He continued to work very hard, hoping to be promoted to the position of manager. In fact, to make himself a worthily candidate for the promotion, he took another course in an open university. Again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. Though he often longed to spend more time with his family, he weighed his contribution to his family above everything else. Father's hard work paid off and he was promoted. Happily, he decided to hire a maid to relieve his wife from her domestic tasks. He also felt that their three-room flat was no longer big enough. It would be nice for his family to be able to enjoy the facilities and comfort of a condominium. Having experienced the rewards of his hard work many times before, Father resolved to further his studies and work at being promoted again. The family still did not get to see much of him. In fact, sometimes Father had to work on Sundays entertaining clients. Over again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. Though he often longed to spend more time with his family, he weighed his contribution to his family above everything else. As expected, Father's hard work paid off again and he bought a beautiful condominium overlooking the coast of Singapore. On the first Sunday evening at their new home, Father declared to his family that he decided not to take any more courses or pursue any more promotions. From then on he was going to devote more time to his family, and it was a promise. Father did not wake up the next day. How would the family feel when "Father did not wake up the next day"? Answer: They should have stopped Father from working so hard. A clean air act must be followed by a Answer: hard drive manufacturer
Mother Knows Best? Once while being prepared for a television interview, I was chatting with the host about stay-at-home fathers. I made the point that one reason we're seeing more stay-at-home dads may be that it's no longer a given (a known fact) that a man makes more money than his wife. Many families now take earning power into account when deciding which parent will stay home. At that point, one of the male crew members commented, almost to himself but loud enough for my benefits, "It should be the better parent who stays at home". A lot of guys say things like that. I was a stay-at-home father for eight years, so what he said made me excited. It implied that our family's choice could only have been correct if I was a "better" parent than my wife. I think men shoot themselves in the foot with this kind of thinking. I suppose an argument could have been made that when I began staying home my wife was the "better" parent: she had spent more time with our son, could read him better and calm him more quickly. And given a choice, he'd have picked her over me. But as she was the more employable one, my wife went out to work and I looked after our son. Know what? I caught up. Because of the increased time I spent with him, I soon knew him well, understood what he needed and could look after him more or less as my wife could. Actually, the experience helped me unlock one of the world's great secrets: Women are good at looking after the children because they do it. It's not because of any born female gift or a mother's instinct-which I think is mostly learned anyway. It's because they put in the time and attention required to become good at the job. Women obviously get a biological head start from giving birth and nursing, but over the long term experience is more important. When I got the experience myself, I was good, too. As good? I don't know. Who cares? Children are not made of glass. Other people are capable of looking after them besides Mom. The author decided to stay at home eight years ago because _ . A. it was easier for his wife to find a job B. he thought he was the better father C. their son liked him a little bit better D. he was earning more than his wife did Answer: A. it was easier for his wife to find a job The Petit Appetit Cookbook List Price: $35.00 Price: $23.10 You save: $11.90(34% off) Product Description: Fresh, healthy meals that give little mouths something to smile about...In the Petit Appetit Cookbook, mother and professional cook Lisa Barnes offers healthy foods to help create delicious menus and bagin a lifetime of proper eating habits for babies and very young children. 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The sweet story about a little bunny who doesn't want to go to bed will help send little ones off to sleep night after night. Where the Wild Things Are (Hardcover) Reading Level: Ages 4--above List Price: $16.95 Price: $11.53 You Save: $5.42 Book Description: Max, a boy who feels misunderstood at home, as he sets out in a small boat, finding new worlds across the sea. He lands on the amazing island of the wild things, a place where being a beast isn't a bad thing. The wild things make Max their king, but he sails back to his own room where he finds his mother and his supper waiting for him. From the introduction of Where the Wild Things Are, it can be inferred that _ . A. Max doesn't love his mother, nor does his mother B. Max's mother loves him, so does Max C. Max doesn't like the wild things, so he comes back home D. Max doesn't get along well with the wild things. Answer: B. Max's mother loves him, so does Max Who is likeliest to overuse hot water? A. a rabbit B. a squirrel C. a bird D. the Johnson family Answer: D. the Johnson family A couple of years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out of the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shoe. His mother in the house was looking out of the window and saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In great fear, she ran toward the water, shouting to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became worried and made a return to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the bank. the mother caught her little boy by the arms just as the alligator _ his legs. That began a tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too determined to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. After weeks and weeks in hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the attack of the animal and on his arms were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved. The newspaper reporter, who interviewed the boy after the injury, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pants legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter. "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mom wouldn't let go. What did the boy think of the scars on his arms? A. fearful. B. Shy. C. worried. D. Proud. Answer: D. Proud. Basic Study Manual Hardcover: $ 37.50 Future success depends on the ability to learn. Here are the answers to the questions most often asked by parents, teachers, business trainers and by students themselves. Read this book and learn: What the three barriers to study are - and what to do about them * What to do if you get tired of a subject you are studying * Twenty-six simple drills to help you learn how to study easily, rapidly and with full understanding * Buy and read the Basic Study Manual and use it to dramatically improve your ability to study. Study Skills for Life Hardcover: $31.99 L. Ron Hubbard's study technology for teenagers opens the door to their future success by giving them the ability to study and learn. Fully illustrated for easy comprehension. Learning How to Learn Hardcover: $24.99 The basics of effective study for 8-to 12-year olds, fully illustrated. Children who read and apply the materials in this book regain their liking for study and their ability to apply this knowledge in life. Get this book for a child you want to see win at his studies! * How to Use a Dictionary Picture Book for Children Hardcover: $34.90 In spite of billions of dollars spent on "educational research," children are not taught the most basic skills of learning, even the most basic of these: how to use a dictionary. In fact, a search of educational books for children found not one that told them how to use a dictionary -or that one should. Written for children 8 to 12-year old, this fully illustrated book will teach your child: * How to find words in a dictionary * The different ways that words are used * What the different marks and symbols that are used in a dictionary mean * How to use a dictionary to correctly pronounce words Includes a section for parents and teachers showing you how to use this book with children. Buy this book and give it to your children to unlock their education. What's more, you'll just pay 50% for it before May 1, 2008. If you buy the four books on April 1, 2008, you will have to pay _ for the four books. A. $129.38 B. $111.93 C. $64.69 D. $34.90 Answer: B. $111.93
Visible light is which type of wave? A. seismic B. mechanical C. longitudinal D. electromagnetic Answer: D. electromagnetic There are 5 steps in the water cycle, it starts with evaporation, ends with infiltration, and then A. cries B. goes away C. dies D. Restarts Answer: D. Restarts When I was going home to India last year, I called up my mother to ask if she wanted anything from china, When India had not opened up its markers to the world, I carried suitcase loads of dark glasses and jeans. Thankfully, we can get all these anywhere in India now, Still ,her answer surprised me: "Green tea," As long as I can remember she didn't even drink Indian tea. I dutifully bought a big packet of Longjing and headed home to hear the story. My mother and her brother, both regular newspaper readers, believed that Chinese green tea was the wonder drug for all illnesses At the turn of the century, China was not really familiar to the average Indian, It was a strange country How things change [And how soon] Now every town of any size seems to have a "China Market". And everyone is talking about China The government of India has planned to send a team to China to see how things are done A minister once said that India must open the doors for more foreign investment and such a step would "work wonders as it did for China". But _ , I just heard about a thousand Shenzhen office workers who have gone to Rangalore to train in software. Meanwhile, all the IT majors are setting up a strong presence in China, No wonder that trade, which was only in the millions just ten years ago, is expected to his about us$15 billion for last year and us$20 billion by 2008, a goal set by both governments, No wonder, my colleague wrote some weeks ago about this being the Sino-Indian century as the two countries started on January I the Sino-Indian Friendship Year, In the text the author expresses _ , A. his concern for his mother's health B. his support for drinking Chinese green tea C. his surprise at China's recent development D. his wonder at the growth of India's IT industry Answer: C. his surprise at China's recent development Mr. Green once worked in a big company. He was so busy that he couldn't do any reading. So he gave up his job and opened a bookshop in the center of the town. It wasn't big but all the books were nice and most people liked to buy some there. When the shop was closed, he could read at home. He knew a lot and many learned people were glad to make friends with him. It was Sunday and it was cold outside. Mr. Green was very busy. At nine in the evening al! the buyers left but a woman was still there. She was dressed up and seemed to be waiting for somebody there. Standing by the shelves, she looked over the books one after another, and made them in a terrible mess . Mr. Green came up to her and asked, "Excuse me, madam. What can I do for you?" "Your books are not interesting at all," said the woman, "I want a delicious one." "That's easy," Mr. Green smiled. He brought out a cookbook and said, "Here you are, madam." Why did Mr. Green change his job? A. Because he didn't like reading. B. Because he wasn't free enough to read books. C. Because he liked the life in the center of the town. D. Because he liked cookbooks very much. Answer: B. Because he wasn't free enough to read books. Aluminum and copper are composed of different types of matter. Which statement best describes matter? A. Matter has mass. B. Matter has mass and volume. C. Matter must change into different forms. D. Matter must be contained in a certain volume. Answer: B. Matter has mass and volume.
Question: Restaurant Assistant manager Waiting staff Telephonist The ideal persons must have certain experience gained in a high quality hotel . Please call personnel on 071722--77333, or send your CV to : prefix = st1 /Regents Park Hilton , Lodge Road, London NW87 JTLONDON REGENTS PARK HILTON JOIN THE STARS ! FOOD SERVERS The biggest and busiest restaurant in Londonis seeking additional stars for its team of devoted professionals . If you have experience in high volume restaurants and are looking for a challenge, then come on down for an interview . Interview day is on Friday , 26th MAY from 12 noon to 7 p.m. Planet Hollywoodis located at13 Coventry Street,London,WI SECRETARY Busy chartered lawyers require experienced / efficient secretary , accounts , typing experience and an excellent telephone manner ; essential shorthand useful . Please send CV to : Box No. 9246 c/o evening standard classified , 2 Derry Street, Kensington W85EE. USE YOUR LANGUAGES AND EARN 450-1200 P. W. We are one of the largest business publishers , in Europe and have limited vacancies for intelligent young people in our Londonadvertisement sales office . Enquiries from German , Spanish and eastern European speakers especially welcome . Phone Andrew Warburton on 071-753-4300 NURSE WANTED For 9-month-old boy . Artist/ Prof family Notting Hill . 3 days per week . Some extra hours possibly required . Knowledge German / Hungarian advantage not must . 071-221-7375 TRAVEL COMPANY Vacanfor self-confident person to look after booking for our Caribbean hotels . Salary based on applicant's experience & suitability . Please send CT to. Lan Taplin , MRILTD, 9 Galena Road,London, WGOLX Or telephone 071-721-43642 The reading materials above offer information most useful to a person who_. A. works for business companies B. speaks several foreign languages C. is just out of work D. runs a hotel or restaurant Answer: C. is just out of work Question: Is any economist so dull as to criticise Christmas? At first glance,the holiday season in western economies seems a treat for those concerned with such vagaries as GDP growth.After all,everyone is spending;in America,retailers make 25% of their yearly sales and 60% of their profits between Thanksgiving and Christmas.Even so,economiwsts find something to worry about in the nature of the purchases being made. Much of the holiday spending is on gifts for others.At the simplest level,giving gifts involves the giver thinking of something that the recipient would like-he tries to guess her preferences,as economists say-and then buying the gift and delivering it.Yet this guessing of preferences is not easy;indeed,it is often done badly.Every year,ties go unworn and books unread.And even if a gift is enjoyed,it may not be what the recipient would have bought if they had spent the money themselves. Interested in this mismatch between wants and gifts,in 1993 Joel Waldfogel,then an economist at Yale University,sought to estimate the difference in dollar terms.In a research,he asked students two questions at the end of a holiday season:first,estimate the total amount paid (by the givers) for all the holiday gifts you received;second,apart from the sentimental value of the items,if you did not have them,how much would you be willing to pay to get them? His results were gloomy:on average,a gift was valued by the recipient well below the price paid by the giver. In addition,recipients may not know their own preferences very well.Some of the best gifts,after all,are unexpected items that you would never have thought of buying,but which turn out to be especially well picked.And preference can change.So by giving a jazz CD,for example,the giver may be encouraging the recipient to enjoy something that was ignored before.This,a desire to build skills,is possibly the hope held by many parents who ignore their children's desires for video games and buy them books instead. Finally,there are items that a recipient would like to receive but not purchase.If someone else buys them,however,they can be enjoyed guilt-free.This might explain the high volume of chocolate that changes over the holidays.Thus,the lesson for gift-givers is that you should try hard to guess the preference of each person on your list and then choose a gift that will have a high sentimental value. Which of the following statements can be inferred from the text? A. The gift-giver tries to neglect the actual needs of the receiver. B. The best gifts are well picked by the givers. C. In gift-giving,guessing preference is often a failure,so it's the thought that counts. D. You have to take money into consideration when giving a gift. Answer: C. In gift-giving,guessing preference is often a failure,so it's the thought that counts. Question: If you think about World Heritage Sites, you probably think of places associated with ancient art and culture, historical building and monuments. And of course, many of these are on the World Heritage List .But the WHL contains a lot of sites that are not so obvious. Let's look at a few of them. Robben Island in South Africa This island was used through the centuries as a prison, a hospital and a military base. But it's probably the most famous as a prison for political prisoners in the twentieth century. Nelson Mandela was one of its residents. The WHL says it represents "the victory of democracy and freedom over oppression and racism " The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in India This railway was opened in 1881 and is still operating today. It crossed a difficult area of mountain landscape and it is a great example of railway engineering. The WHL says that it is "the first, and still the most outstanding example of a hill passenger railway." Borders of France and Spain This is an area of great natural beauty and the mountains have many interesting geological formations. But it is also an area of small farms. Surprisingly, people there still use a type of agriculture that used to be common in mountainous areas of Europe but has almost completely disappeared in modern times. Alto Douro, Portugal This is an area in the North of Portugal where wine has been produced for thousands of years. The WHL says that this long tradition of wine making "has produced a cultural landscape of outstanding beauty that reflects its technological, social and economic evolution". Rio Platano Reserve, Honduras The WHL says that this site is "one of the few remains of a humid tropical forest in Central America". It's a mountainous area on the Caribbean coast with many different species of plants and animals. The people who have always lived there still have the same traditional life-style. Simien National Park, Ethiopia Simien National Park was one of the first sites listed in 1978. It is one of the highest mountain area in Africa, and the WHL calls it "one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world". It is also important for its wildlife. The population of some rare animals is getting smaller and smaller. The passage mainly deals with _ . A. the remains of ancient cultures on the WHL B. all the heritage sites on the WHL C. a few of the more unusual sites on the WHL D. places of artistic or cultural importance Answer: C. a few of the more unusual sites on the WHL Question: Because I am extremely vulnerable to both slick advertising and peer pressure, I've been thinking about getting an iPad. But here's the problem: I'm cheap, and the iPad's not. If I'm going to fork over at least $499 for a new device, I want to try it out and make sure it's not just a larger, shinier version of my iPhone. But if I went to my local Apple Store, I'd get to spend only a few minutes testing out the machine. I wanted more time than that, so I rented one for $15 a day from a guy on SnapGoods. The Internet start-up in Brooklyn runs on simple reasoning: there are people who want to borrow stuff - camping equipment, food processors, robot vacuums, etc. - and there are people who have stuff they want to lend. SnapGoods helps these two groups connect over the Web. SnapGoods is one of many sites that have sprung up to facilitate offline sharing. Some sites have a narrow, obvious focus (like SwapBabyGoods.com) while others are more obscure (Neighborhood Fruit helps people share what's growing in their yards or find fruit trees on public land). But regardless of whether the sharing is free or involves a fee, these transactions often come with a stick-it-to-the-man attitude. "Borrow these things from your neighbors," reads one earnest request on neighborrow.com, "The owner-ship has SAILED!" All of these sites are encouraging something academics call collaborative consumption - in other words, peer-to-peer sharing or renting. Renting something you don't need to use very often makes a lot more sense than buying it and letting it collect dust in your garage. There's a green aspect as well, since sharing helps cut down on overall use of resources. But one of collaborative consumption's most surprising benefits turns out to be social. In an era when families are scattered around the country and we may not know the people down the street from us, sharing things - even with strangers we've just met online - allows us to make meaningful connections. "This isn't just about saving the environment or saving a dollar," says SnapGoods CEO Ron Williams, who came up with the idea after renting a stranger's motorcycle via Craigslist. "This is about saving yourself by making informed consumer decisions." I'm not sure if I got a thrill when I borrowed Goodwin's iPad, but it did feel good to make a connection. In the end, though, I decided not to purchase an iPad. Sorry, Steve Jobs. I'm just not that into owning things anymore. Which of the following can best serve as the title of the passage? A. SnapGoods: a Good Place For Shopping B. Borrow, Don't Buy: Websites That Let Strangers Share C. Why Do I Rent D. Tips For Selling Things On the Internet Answer: B. Borrow, Don't Buy: Websites That Let Strangers Share Question: Thanks for signing up for the 2014 Black Friday Turkey Trot! This email will provide some basics about the race and some great news! First, your race packet is ready and can be picked up at the Fleet Feet Sports Tulsa location you've specified during registration. Hours for pickup. Tuesday, 10 am to 8 pm (Fleet Feet Kings Point) Tuesday, 10 am to 7 pm (Fleet Feet Blue Dome) Wednesday, 10 am to 5 pm (both stores, closing early for Thanksgiving) Packets can also be picked up on the race day at BOK Center, beginning at 8:30 am. Race Start Times 1) 5 mile, 8:30 am 2) 1 mile fun run, 9:30 am Parking There is surface parking to the east of the BOK Center, and some surface parking to the west of the Convention Center. Many lots will be pay-lots. Please pay attention to the signs. We suggest arriving early to find parking. Racing Timing The 5 km run will be timed using the BIB-TAG system. Your race number will have a timing device attached to the back of the race number; don't remove or bend this device. Simply wear the Bib on the front of your body on the outside of your clothing so it is visible and facing forward. You don't need to return the Bib, which is disposable. The Turkey Trot is also a kick-off event for our weekend long "FITNATIC" celebration---we also have a huge number of events and specials all weekend. For more information, please visit _ . See you on Friday. How long will the FITNATIC celebration last? A. Seven days. B. Five days C. Two days D. One day. Answer: C. Two days
Everyone has a hobby. My hobby is keeping a diary in English.When I was nine years old, I began to have my hobby. At first it was hard for me, but now it is easy. I know it's helpful to learn English well. After school I often go to the school library to read English stories or articles. Sometimes my English teacher tells some interesting things to me. I collect information for my diary by doing these. After I finish my diary every day. I always try to correct mistakes with the help of the dictionary. Now my English is very good. I love my hobby. It helps me a lot to learn English well. I began to keep a diary _ . Answer: The key to happiness is how quickly you can get back your focus on what`s important. ----Anonymous Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson in the back of a New York City taxi cab. Here`s what happened. I hopped in a taxi,and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when,all of a sudden,a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes,skidded,and missed the other car`s back end by just inches! The driver of the other car,who almost caused a big accident,started yelling bad words at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean,he was friendly. So,I said,"Why did you just do that?This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!"And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call "The Law of the Garbage Truck. " Many people are like garbage (rubbish)trucks. They run around full of garbage,full of frustration, full of anger,and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up,they need a place to dump it. And if you let them,they`ll dump it on you. When someone wants to dump on you,don`t take it personally. You just smile,wave,wish them well,and move on. You`ll be happy with what you did. I started thinking,how often do I led Garbage Trucks run right over me?And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people at work,at home,or on the streets?It was that day I said,"I`m not going to do anymore. " Successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day. What about you?If you let more garbage trucks pass you by,you`ll be happier. Life`s too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So,Love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don`t. According to the passage,what should you do if people "dump garbage" on you? Answer: December 25 is Christmas Day . Christmas is an important holiday in many countries. On Christmas Day, most families get together for a big dinner. They give presents to each other and visit friends. The Christmas tree is an important part of the Christmas holiday. Most families buy trees. The families decorate the tree together. Parents usually tell their children that Father Christmas comes during the night and brings presents to good children. Of course, Father Christmas isn't real. The parents of the children are really "Father Christmas". They put the presents under the tree or into their children's stocking after the children go to sleep. When did parents put the presents into their children's stocking? _ . Answer: Hundreds of years ago, news was carried from place to place by people on foot or by horse. It took days, weeks and sometimes months for people to receive news. Now it is possible to send words and pictures around the world in seconds. Billions of people learn about news stories of their own country and all over the world every day either by watching TV or reading newspapers. Newspapers have been an important part of everyday life since the 18th century. Many countries have hundreds of different newspapers. How do newspaper editors decide which news stories to print? Why do they print some stories and not others? What makes a good newspaper story? Firstly, it is important to report new stories. TV stations can report news much faster than newspapers, but newspapers give more about the same story. They may also look at the story in another way, or they may print completely different stories from those on TV. Secondly, a new story has to be interesting and unusual. People don't want to read stories about everyday life. As a result, many stories are about some kinds of danger and seem to be "bad" news. For example, newspapers never print stories about planes landing safely, instead they print stories about air crashes. The difference between newspaper stories and TV news reports is that people can _ . Answer: Even if we have an extremely healthy diet and lifestyle, the human body is programmed to wear out at a maximum of about 120 years, and usually less. We all have a biological clock inside us which determines the moment when our organs cease to function properly. This is because our cells have stopped renewing themselves and our body can no longer repair itself. This is also the moment when we are more likely to begin to suffer from the diseases of old age such as arthritis and Alzheimer's. However, rapid advances in DNA research are beginning to throw light on the secrets of the ageing process. By the end of this century we could literally have the power of life over death. Although it has long been accepted that humans have a fixed lifespan, it is also a fact that certain other organisms, such as reptiles and amphibians, appear to _ . The only reason we do not see 500-year-old alligators is because in the wild their lives are always in danger, from man, from pollution and from other animals. When they are kept in zoos they do not seem to age at all after they are fully grown. The same is true of some species of fish, which grow indefinitely and show no signs of ageing. The existence of animals with no fixed lifespan seems to indicate that an age gene really does exist. It is this gene which scientists are searching for, which may delay or repair damage to the body caused by ageing. Another new area of research involves the oxidation theory, which says that ageing is caused by the same process that makes iron rust. In controlled experiments, the lifespans of certain animals were shown to be lengthened with anti-oxidants; for example, the lifespan of mice can be increased by 30%. Antioxidants are already being used in face creams and other cosmetics, and they are likely to play an important part in keeping people physically young. Perhaps the most immediate advance we are likely to see in the battle to halt the ageing process will be organ replacement. By the year 2020 it is likely that we will be replacing injured bones or even organs like livers and kidneys with ones "grown" in laboratories. By 2050 perhaps every organ in the body, except the brain, will have become commercially available. Recent experiments also show that it may one day be possible to "grow" new organs inside our body to replace worn-out ones, something which lizards and alligators already do. Suddenly immortality(,) seems within reach. We can begin to imagine a future where we are born, we grow to maturity, but we never grow old and die. But do we really want to live forever? The purpose of showing the case of alligators is to prove _ . Answer:
It is a matter of common observation that although money income keeps going up over the years, we never seem to become richer. Prices are rising continuously. This condition is what we call inflation: the money supply is becoming inflated so that each unit of it becomes less valuable. We have got used to higher and higher rates of inflation in recent years. What could be bought twenty years ago for one pound now costs well over 2 pounds. And at present this rate of inflation seems to be rising rather than falling. If in the real world our money incomes go up at the same rate as prices do. One might think that inflation doesn't matter. _ When money is losing value it also loses one of the qualities of a good money--stability of value. It is no longer acceptable as a store of value; and it becomes an unsuitable means of delayed payment. Nobody wants to hold a wasting possession, so people try to get rid of money as quickly as possible. Inflation therefore simply stimulates our spending and discourages saving. From the passage we can know that inflation is a situation in which _ . Sports can help you keep fit and get in touch with nature. However, whether you are on the mountains, in the waves, or on the grassland, you should be aware that your sport of choice might have great influence on the environment. ks5u Some sports are resource-hungry. Golf, as you may know, eats up not only large areas of countryside, but also tons of water. Besides, all sorts of chemicals and huge amounts of energy are used to keep its courses in good condition. This causes major environmental effects. For example, in the dry regions of Portugal and Spain, golf is often held responsible for serious water shortage in some local areas. ks5u There are many environment-friendly sport. Power walking is one of them that you could take up today. You don't need any special equipment except a good pair of shoes;and you don't have to worry about resources and your purse. Simple and free, power walking can also keep you fit. If you walk regularly, it will be good for your heart and bones. Experts say that 20 minutes of power walking daily can make you feel less anxious, sleep well and have better weight control. ks5u Whatever sport you take up, you can make it greener by using environment-friendly equipment and buying products made from recycled materials. But the final goal should be "green gyms". They are better replacements for traditional health clubs and modern sports centers. Members of green gyms play sports outdoors, in the countryside or other open spaces. There is no special requirement for you to start your membership. And best of all, it's free. ks5u Which of the following is the author most probably in favor of? ks5u Now many people like fast food. We all know that fast food is notverygood for our health. So more and more fast food restaurants are serving healthier food and you can make healthier choices. Here are some tips for ordering healthy food at fast food restaurants. Don't order the biggest size. The biggest size seems cheaper, but it is not good for your health. The biggest size has the most fat, sugar and so on. A smaller size is probably enough for you. Some drinks are full of sugar. So when you are thirsty, you should choose milk or water. Usually fried food is not the best choice. You should choose baked food. It is healthier. Go for the kids menu, because the sizes of kids food are usually smaller. You can eat less. *Today, more and more fast food restaurants are starting to serve healthier food. You can order the food with words like "healthy'' or" _ "on the menu. By making smart choices, eating at fast food restaurants can be not that bad. ,. Why can we go for the kids menu? What is the repeating monomer of a DNA molecule? Several decades ago, US sociologists developed a series of universal facial images supposed to represent the seven basic human emotions: happiness, sadness, surprise, fear, disgust, anger and neutrality . But now, a new study by researchers at the University of Glasgow indicates that these standardized facial images aren't so universal at all. For the study, the Scottish researchers found 13 Western Caucasians (mainly Europeans) and 13 East Asians (mostly Chinese students). The volunteers were shown the standardized facial images and asked to identify the emotions being expressed. At the same time, the researchers electrically monitored the eye movements of the volunteers. According to the results, published in the journal Current Biology, the Asian participants had a harder time than the Caucasians telling the difference between a face meant to look fearful compared with one showing surprise, and a face supposedly expressing disgusting compared with one displaying anger. "This strongly suggests that the meanings of facial expressions are different across cultures," says Rachael Jack, who led the study. The study also showed that the volunteers focused on different parts of the face in their efforts to understand the underlying emotions. "Westerners look at both the eyes and the mouth to the same degree, yet Easterners favor the eyes and overlook the mouth. This means that Easterners has difficulty distinguishing facial expressions that are similar around the eyes," Ms Jack says. The faces representing fear and surprise" both have big, wide open eyes, while the mouths are very different," she notes. "It would be difficult to distinguish between the two if you didn't look at the mouth." So why would different cultures express emotions in different ways? Ms Jack thinks it may be considered impolite in some Asian cultures to display certain emotions in an obvious manners, and that they use more subtle ways to express them. In particular, muscle movements around their eyes could be more important for expressing feelings than over-expressive mouth movement, explaining why the Asian participants focused on the eyes. In the experiment, the Asian volunteers had difficulty distinguishing between fear and surprise because _ .
Superfast doubledecker trains will be taking passengers from London to six big cities in the UK by 2033. The first phase linking London to the West Midlands with a connection to HS1 is expected to open in 2026, and the second phase to Manchester and Leeds in 2032. The government set out a plan for the highspeed rail network in 2012. When the project is finished, it will take less time to get to London from major cities like Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. Traveling at a speed of up to 250 mph, passengers will be able to come and go from Birmingham to London in 49 minutes, reducing the journey time by almost half from one hour and 24 minutes. A journey from Birmingham to Leeds will be reduced from two hours to 57 minutes and a journey from Manchester to London will be reduced from two hours and 8 minutes to one hour and 8 minutes. "HS2 is an important part of transport's lowcarbon future," Transport Secretary Justine Greening said. Some people aren't happy about the plan, though. HS2 will cost around PS33 billion. It will also be built near some towns and villages, disturbing the people that live there. But the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne thinks it will help build the future for Britain. "It's a longterm decision," he said. HS2 is designed for everything around the needs of the passengers. It will provide a new and exciting travel experience. There will be plenty of room, intelligent ticketing, a good service and high quality comfort and access to trains. This is a transport network for the new century and beyond. How long does it usually take you to travel from Birmingham to London by the ordinary train? A. 49 minutes. B. One hour and 24 minutes. C. 57 minutes. D. Two hours and eight minutes. Answer: B. One hour and 24 minutes. Not long ago, many people believed that babies only wanted food and to be kept warm and dry. Some people thought babies were not able to learn things until they were five or six months old. Yet doctors in the United States say babies begin learning on their first day of life. The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development is a federal government agency. Its goal is to determine which experiences can influence healthy development in people. Researchers at the institute note that babies are strongly influenced by their environment. They say a baby will smile if her mother does something the baby likes. A baby learns to get the best care possible by smiling to please her mother or other caregiver. This is how babies learn to connect and communicate with other people. The researchers say this ability to learn exists in a baby even before birth. They say newborn babies can recognize and understand sounds they heard while they were still developing inside their mothers. Another study has suggested that low birth weight babies with no evidence of disability may be more likely than other children to have physical and mental problems. American researchers studied almost five hundred boys and girls. They were born in, or admitted to, one of three hospitals in New Jersey between 1984 and 1987. At birth, each child weighed fewer than two thousand grams. The boys and girls had an average age of sixteen at the time of the study. They were asked to complete intelligence and motor skill tests in their homes. Their test results were compared with those of other children their age. What will be mentioned in the following passage? A. The evaluation method of the tests. B. The cause of low birth weight babies. C. The result of the intelligence and motor skill tests. D. The evidence proving babies began to learn before birth. Answer: C. The result of the intelligence and motor skill tests. You are shivering and see flurries; you remember that you are in the Northern Hemisphere. What day is it most likely? A. the autumnal equinox B. the vernal equinox C. the summer solstice D. the winter solstice Answer: D. the winter solstice Visiting animals in their natural homes may sound like a great idea that helps to save them, but is it ? Researchers writing in Trends in Ecology & Evolution on Oct9 said that the interactions between wild animals and friendly eco-tourists who want to take their pictures may put animals at greater risk of being eaten. It is clear that many people visit protected areas every year. "Recent data showed that protected areas around the globe have 8 billion visitors per year; that's like each human on Earth visited a protected area once a year, and then some!"said Dainel Blumstein of the University of California, Los Anglels. "This amount of nature tourism and eco-tourism can be added to the long list of ways in which humans cause fast environmental change. The basic idea of the report the report is that humans change the ways animals act and those changes might affect other parts of their lives, according to Science Daily. Those changes in behavior and activity may put animals at risk. "When animals spend time in 'harmless' ways with humans, they may let down their guard," Blumstein said. As animals get used to feeling comfortable with humans, they may become braver in other situations, he says . "If this bravery continues when they meet real predators , then they will die more often when they meet them." Eco-tourism is in some ways similar to making animals live in human homes or in cities. In all three cases, regular interactions between people and animals tame. Evidence has shown that silver foxes that live with people become more laid-back and less fearful; this results from evolutionary changes but also from spending time with humans. Simply put , as Blumstein asked in the Scientific American magazine:"Does eco-tourism make animals _ ?" And that's not all - humans can also scare away natural predators , creating the so-called "human shield effect" and a safe environment for smaller animals that might make them braver, too. When humans are around, for example, vervet monkeys don't see as many leopards trying to eat them. Blumstein says they hope to do more research into humans' interactions with wildlife. Scientists will "now have to understand better how different species and species in different situations react to humans and when humans might put them at risk. We can infer that the writer wrote this passage mainly to _ . A. explain what eco-tourism is B. tell us something interesting about Nature C. suggest that we stop eating meat to save animals D. Wildlife tourism may seem helpful, but it can be deadly for some animals Answer: D. Wildlife tourism may seem helpful, but it can be deadly for some animals "This past year has been one of great celebration for many. The enthusiasm which greeted the Diamond Jubilee was, of course, especially memorable for me and my family. It was humbling that so many chose to mark the anniversary of a duty which passed to me 60 years ago. People of all ages took the trouble to take part in various ways and in many nations. But perhaps most striking of all was to witness the strength of fellowship and friendship among those who had gathered together on these occasions. On the barges and the bridges and the banks of the river there were people who had taken their places to cheer through the mist, undaunted by the rain. That day there was a tremendous sense of common determination to celebrate, triumphing over the elements. That same spirit was also in evidence from the moment the Olympic flame arrived on these shores. The flame itself drew hundreds and thousands of people on its journey around the British Isles, and was carried by every kind of deserving individual, many nominated for their own extraordinary service. As London hosted a splendid summer of sport, all those who saw the achievement and courage at the Olympic and Paralympic Games were further inspired by the skill, dedication, training and teamwork of our athletes. In pursuing their own sporting goals, they gave the rest of us the opportunity to share something of the excitement and drama. We were reminded, too, that the success of these great festivals depended to an enormous degree upon the dedication and effort of an army of volunteers. Those public-spirited people came forward in the great tradition of all those who devote themselves to keeping others safe, supported and comforted. For many, Christmas is also a time for coming together. But for others, service will come first. Those serving in our armed forces, in our emergency services and in our hospitals, whose sense of duty takes them away from family and friends, will be missing those they love. At Christmas I am always struck by how the spirit of togetherness lies also at the heart of the Christmas story. A young mother and a dutiful father with their baby were joined by poor shepherds and visitors from afar. They came with their gifts to worship the Christ child. From that day on he has inspired people to commit themselves to the best interests of others. This is the time of year when we remember that God sent his only son 'to serve, not to be served'. He restored love and service to the centre of our lives in the person of Jesus Christ. It is my prayer this Christmas Day that his example and teaching will continue to bring people together to give the best of themselves in the service of others. I wish you all a very happy Christmas. " Who most probably is the maker of this speech? A. Queen of Great Britain. B. King of Great Britain. C. Prime Minister of Great Britain. D. Mayor of London. Answer: A. Queen of Great Britain.
Isabella Stewart was born in New York City in 1840. Her father made a great deal of money in trade. During school,her parents took her to Italy to explore the country's many cultural treasures. One of the private art collections Isabella visited in Milan had a deep influence on her. She wrote to her friends about her dream of owning a house one day with an art collection like the one she had seen in Italy. In Paris, Isabella became a close friend of one of her classmates, Julia Gardner, whose family was from Boston. Julia would later introduce Isabella to her brother, Jack. In 1860, Isabella Stewart married Jack Gardner. The couple had too much art to fit inside their home. So they decided to start planning a museum. Mrs. Gardner didn't like the cold and empty spaces of many museums during her time. She wanted a warm museum filled with light. She once said that she decided years ago that _ . America was a young country developing quickly in other areas. But the country needed more chances for people to see beautiful examples of art. After her husband's death in 1898, Isabella knew she had no time to lose in building her museum. She bought land, hired a building designer, and supervised every detail of her museum's construction. Mrs. Gardner opened her museum on January 1,1903. The museum was then called Fenway Court. She invited her friends that night for a special musical performance. The next month, she opened the museum to the public. At first, visits were limited to twenty days out of the year. Visitors paid one dollar to enter. Isabella Stewart Gardner died in 1924 in Boston. In her will, she left the museum a million dollars and a series of requirements about how it should be managed. One requirement is that the permanent collection cannot be changed. From the passage, we can learn that the museum _ . Attitudes toward new technologies often fall along generational lines. That is, generally, younger people tend to outnumber older people on the front end of a technologic I shift. It is not always the case, though. When you look at attitudes toward driverless cars y there doesn't seem to be a dear generational divide. The public overall is split on whether they'd like to use a driverless car. In a study last year, of all people surveyed, 48 percent said they wanted to ride in one, while 50 percent did not. The fact that attitudes toward self-driving cars appear to be so steady across generations suggests how varying the shift to driverless cars could be. Not everyone wants a driverless car now-and no one can get one yet-but among those who are open to them, every age group is similarly involved. Actually, this isn't surprising. Whereas older generations are sometimes unwilling to adopt new technologies, driverless cars promise real value to these age groups in particular. Older adults, especially those with limited moving or difficulty driving on their own, are one of the classic use-cases for driverless cars. This is especially interesting when you consider that younger people are generally more interested in travel-related technologies than older ones. When it comes to driverless cars, differences in attitude are easily noticeable based on factors not related to age. College graduates, for example, are particularly interested in driverless cars compared with those who have less education. 59 percent of college graduates said they would like to use a driverless car compared with 38 percent of those with a high-school diploma or less. Where a person lives matters, too. More people who live in cities and suburbs said they wanted to try driverless cars than those who lived in rural areas. While there's reason to believe that interest in 8elf-driving cars is going up across the hoard, a person's age will have little to Ho with how self-driving cars can become mainstream. Once driverless cars are actually available for sale, the early adopters will be the people who can afford to buy them. Why does the driverless car appeal to some old people? Today, many people use plants from other places to design their yards. Well, do they have any influence on animals living nearby? As we know, plants supply food for things like insects and plant-eating animals. In turn, birds and meat-eating animals feed on these insects and plant-eating animals. It is easy to see how important plants are. Although foreign plants may look beautiful, they can cause problems when there are too many of them. I live in Virginia, USA, and sometimes see a plant--commonly known as Kudzu--that seems to cover everything in the area, even climbing over whole trees and houses. Kudzu is an unbelievable plant since it grows very fast. It was first brought to the United States from south-east Asia around the 1870's as a crop that farmers could grow. However, Kudzu quickly came to be considered harmful throughout the southern United States. Since Kudzu grows fast in many different environments, it can completely cover areas of land quickly. The plant is also not eaten by any insects or birds in the United States so it can grow unchecked. Kudzu can cover trees, bushes, and even houses. It costs the United States 500 million dollars a year to just keep Kudzu from growing too fast. The plant is a perfect example of what scientists call an invasive species, which grows more quickly than other native plants. All foreign plants have the possibility to spread quickly. Not only are they costly, but planting them in gardens actually takes away food from insects. If everyone filled their garden with plants native to where they live, many lovely butterflies and other native creatures would be attracted to their backyards! So, take a look out of your window -- how does your garden grow? What does the author mainly discuss in the text? In most parts of the world, many students help their school make less pollution. They join in "environment clubs". In an environment club, people work together to make our environment clean. Here are things students often do: Turn off the water! Do you know that some toilets can waste twenty to forty tons of water an hour? In a year, that would fill a small water! In environment clubs, students mend those broken toilets. No-car day. On a no-car day, nobody comes to school in a car-not the students and not the teachers. Cars give pollution to our air, so remember: walk, jump, bike or run. Use your legs! It's lots of fun! No-garbage lunches. How much do you throw away after lunch? Environment clubs ask students to bring their lunches in bags that can be used again. Every week they will choose the classes that make the least garbage and report them to the whole school. We love our environment! Let's work together to make it clean! On a no-car day, _ will take a car to school. While conducting an investigation on refraction, a teacher uses a red laser pointer to show how a beam of light is affected as it passes through several glass objects. The teacher should make sure that the
School and Einstein did not mix well. His teachers thought that he was stupid and that Einstein's thoughts and words were jumbled . His schoolwork was poor. Playing the violin was all he was good at as a child. When he was ten, he met Dr. Max Talmy. Talmy talked with the boy and tried to help him. They discussed books and Einstein showed an interest in maths. He understood difficult problems and ideas. Inside this "stupid" boy was a genius. Schoolwork never became easy for Einstein. He could not learn things by heart. Paying attention was hard for him. He even did not passed his first test to enter college. Because of his learning problems, Einstein made few friends. He was shy in groups of people. Yet he overcame his shortcomings. He became a well-known scientist in the field of physics. He was one of the most important thinkers of the modern age. The sentence "School and Einstein did not mix well." Really means _ . Answer: Einstein couldn't do as his teachers told him to Last week Johnny had a very busy weekend. On Saturday morning, he cleaned his room. That made his mother very happy. In the afternoon, he did his math homework. It was not difficult, so it only took him one hour to finish the homework. And in the evening, he went to visit his aunt with his parents. They had a big dinner there. The next morning, he went swimming after getting up. Usually he goes swimming twice a week. He loves it very much. After lunch he went to school playground and played football. That exercise makes him in a good health. On Sunday evening, he watched TV for an hour at home and then put the books in his schoolbag for the next day. How long did Johnny watch TV on Sunday evening? Answer: One hour. Henry Ford was the first person to build cars which were cheap,strong and fast.He was able to se11 millions of models because he could produce them in large numbers at a time;that is,he made a great many cars of exactly the same kind. Ford's father hoped that his son would become a farmer,but the young man did not like the idea and he went to Detroit where he worked as a mechanic .By the age of 29,in 1892,he had built his first car.However,the car made in this way,the famous "Model T" did not appear until 1908-----five years after Ford had started his great motor car factory.This car showed to be so well-known that it remained unchanged for twenty years.Since Ford's time,this way of producing cars in large numbers has become common in industry and has reduced the price of many goods which would otherwise be very expensive. The young man became a mechanic, _ . Answer: which was against his father's will When a big exam is coming up, you probably feel anxious about any wasted time and want to begin school as soon as you probably can. But tens of thousands of British high school students will soon be getting up later. They're taking part in a new experiment by Oxford University to see if later classes can improve their exam results. Grades 10 students in the UK have to take the nationwide General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exams. They have to pass these exams in order to study more advanced courses, and later apply for universities. The Oxford University project means that GCSE students from more than 100 schools across England will start school at 10 am, more than one hour later than the current start time (8:50 am). The project is based on scientific evidence that teenagers are "out of sync " with traditional school hours, the Telegraph reported. And what they need is more sleep in the morning. "We know that something funny happens when you're a teenager, in that you seem to be out of sync with the world," said professor Colin Epsie, who is leading the study. "Your parents think it's because you are lazy and opinionated and everything will be OK if you could get to sleep earlier. But science is telling us that teenagers need to sleep more in the mornings." Everyone follows a natural cycle of sleep and wakefulne ss. Biology has decided that teenagers go to sleep around midnight and don't feel fully awake until 9-10 am, according to scientists. That's two hours later than adults. And their body clocks stay like this until the age of around 21 for males, and 19 for females. "Society provides school for learning, but the brain provides sleep. So we are exploring the possibility that if you delay the schools start time until 10 am, that will improve learning performance," said Epsie. The results could be positive, based on previous studies. An early study at the UK's Monkseaton High School in 2009 found that starting an hour later improved grades in core subjects by 19 percent. The Oxford project is expecting to publish the results in 2018. It's time to wait and see whether scientists will give us an excuse to get up late. What's the best title of the article ? Answer: Wake up late to excel I was reading a recent post on a bog I really like, and it got me thinking about my younger, more impressive high school self. So I decided to write a letter to my younger self. Dear Kate-of-senior-year-in-high-school I'm writing this letter from the future. Hey, stop laughing! A lot has happened. Some of it was sad, but most of it has been lovely. What I really want to talk about is where you're going. You've gotten a lot of advice from adults this past year. And I'd like to help you sort it all out. Enjoy these last few months before graduation, because high school is the best time of your life. Enjoy them, for sure. But that thing about high school being the best part? When I look back, I can't find a better memory than my high school days. Stop being so idealistic; you can't change the world. Okay...it's true that you're not going to change it all at once, so sweep away what you're imagining. But you can do your part, and you will do it best in a thousand little ways through the years. They add up, so keep believing, even when it doesn't work out right away. Words are powerful. This was from your English teacher Mr. Smythe, who said a lot of true things, as it turns out. All that stuff about the power of language and the potential for literature to bring people together, helping us understand ourselves and the world around us, so we can make a difference? All true. You should keep writing. You're good at it. You are. You won't always think so. As a matter of fact, there will be a lot of days when you decide you are perhaps the world's worst writer and deserve to have your laptop thrown down from a mountain. But that's part of being a writer, and you'll get over it. You'll go a long time only writing term papers and other things for school, and then only news stories for a few years. But one day, you'll come back home to poetry and fiction. You will keep writing, because you're good at it But more than that, because it makes you whole! Yes...keep writing. It will be a wonderful experience. Yours, Kate Why does the author mention Mr. Smythe in the letter? Answer: To prove that teachers' words are worth listening to.
What do you think of celebrating Christmas Day in China? Christmas Day is very popular in China, especially for young people. Should Chinese people celebrate Christmas Day? 60% people think that we should not take Christmas so seriously, 10% think everyone should celebrate Christmas. Some people think celebrating Christmas Day can help them understand western culture better. Some people think it is a great holiday to have a good time with their families and friends. During Christmas Day, they can meet friends, go shopping, watch movies and go to different parties. But I have different ideas. Most of us celebrate Christmas just because we see many people around us do it. China has its own holidays, such as the Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Day, so we don't have to celebrate holidays from other countries. Some people spend a lot of money celebrating Christmas Day. People buy lots of gifts for their friends and families, but this is not the best way to show their love. What's the best title of the passage? Answer: Whether we should celebrate Christmas Day Hello! My name's Mary Brown. I'm a girl. I like red. I have a red schoolbag. What's this? It's my red pencil box. Is that my ruler? Yes, it is. It is a red ruler. What's that? It is a watch. Is it my watch? No, it isn't. It's Bob's watch. It's blue. Is that Bob's ruler? Answer: No, it isn't. Abby Subark is a mother of two from Boston. "For my kids, I'm nervous. I don't know if they'll be able to achieve their American dream." She may be right. More than hard work or education, the best way to get rich in America is to be born rich. It is the case that somebody who is in the upper third of income, poor scores, in the bottom on tests when they are in eighth grade, is more likely to go to college and finish college than a poor kid with the top scores. That's what the working persons' children are up against. The Economic Policy Institute finds it would take a poor couple with 2 children 9 or 10 generations to achieve middle class status. That's about 200 years. The hallmark of American opportunity has always been the ability to do better than your parents. But compared with similar developed countries, the United States ranks fifth out of six for so-called intergenerational mobility . If you look at the mechanisms for upward mobility that were so readily available 50 years ago, they are becoming out of reach, like plentiful factory jobs with good wages and affordable education and health care. White families are twice as likely as blacks to be upwardly mobile. For most people in America today, _ If you started in the middle-income class, about 40 to 45 percent of what you are making right now is due to the fact that your parents were in the middle-income class. The rest is up to you. But for the millions of people who find themselves below the poverty line and the millions more who are the working poor, their starting point for the American dream leaves them painfully far away from the middle class. What can we infer after reading the passage? Answer: Lower starting point makes it hard for people to realize their dream. 400-year-old plants from the Little Ice Age were brought back to life, which could help us understand how the Earth will deal with climate change. Moss found buried beneath the Teardrop glacier on Ellesmere Island in Canada has been brought back to life. Findings suggest that these plants could help repopulate regions exposed by melting ice caps. Plants that were buried beneath thick ice in Canada more than 400 years ago and were thought to have frozen to death have been brought back to life by Canadian scientists. Samples of the moss plant, covered by the glacier during the Little Ice Age of 1550 to 1850 AD, were replanted in a lab at the University of Alberta and grew new stems . Researchers now think these findings can give indication as to how regions can recover as the ice covering them melts. Biologist Dr. Catherine La Farge and her team at the University of Alberta were exploring the region around the Teardrop glacier on Ellesmere Island. Ice on Ellesmere Island region has been melting at around four meters each year for the past nine years. This means that many areas of land that were previously covered by ice have since been exposed. Many ecosystems that were thought to have been destroyed during the Little Ice Age between 1550 and 1850 AD can now be studied, including many species that have never been studied before. While examining an exposed area of land, La Farge and her team discovered a small area of moss called Aulacomnium turgidum. It is a type of bryophyte plant that mainly grows across Canada, the US and the Highlands of Scotland. Dr La Farge noticed that the moss had small patches of green stems, suggesting it is either growing again or can be encouraged to repopulate. Dr La Farge told the BBC, "When we looked at the samples in detail and brought them to the lab, I could see some of the stems actually had new growth of green branches, suggesting that these plants are growing again, and that _ When we think of thick areas of ice covering the landscape, we've always thought that plants have to come from refugia , never considering that land plants come from underneath a glacier. It's a whole world of what's coming out from underneath the glacier that really needs to be studied. The ice is disappearing pretty fast. We really have not examined all the biological systems that exist in the world; we don't know it all." Dr La Farge took samples of the moss and, using carbon-dating techniques, discovered that the plants date back to the Little Ice Age. Dr La Farge's team took the samples, planted them in dishes full of nutrient-rich potting soil and fed them with water. The samples were from four separate species including Aulacomnium turgidum, Distichium capillaceum, Encalypta procera and Syntrichia ruralis. The moss plants found by Dr La Farge are types of bryophytes. Bryophytes can survive long winters and regrow when the weather gets warmer. However, Dr La Farge was surprised that the plants buried under ice have survived into the twenty-first century. Her findings appear in proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Dr La Farge's research is of great importance to _ . Answer: understanding how ecosystems recover from glaciers. In today's world many people seem to be hungry for money. Money does have its most useful effect on the poor. But once a person has a rich life, a lot more money doesn`t mean more happiness. If money were everything, all millionaires would have real love, true friendship, good health and a long life. However, this is not always true .But can love be bought ?I`m afraid not . Love means to give , not to take . To every person , health and long life are probably the most precious things . Well , can health and a long life be bought with money ? The answer is "No". Of all the longest living people in the world, few of them are millionaires. True friendship can't be bought, either. In a word, where money is dreamed too much, it can cause brothers to quarrel, marriage to end, lovers to hate, and strangers to fight. No matter how much money you have, it is still not enough to make a happy person if you have no one to laugh with, no one to cry for. ,. According to the passage , which of the following do you think is right ? Answer: Money is important , but not the most important
Basketball is still a young game. It's over a hundred years old. In the winter of 1891, a certain college was having some trouble with its boy students. The weather was bad and the students had to stay indoors. As they couldn't play outdoors, they were unhappy, and some even got into fights from time to time. Some of the teachers, at the college asked Dr. Naismith to invent a game so that the students might have something to play with. It was not easy to invent such a game because it had to be played indoors , and the court was not very large. Dr. Naismith thought for a few days and invented a kind of ball game. It was a fast, wonderful game with much moving and passing of the ball. It was played between two teams. To make a score , the ball had to be thrown into the basket ten feet above the floor on the wall . At each end of the court there was such a basket. At first, Dr. Naismith wanted to throw the ball into a box. As he could not find boxes of the right size, he had to use fruit baskets instead. That is how the game got its name. The students felt unhappy because _ . A they had much homework to do B they often got into fights C they couldn't play outdoors D they had little time to study Answer: C. they couldn't play outdoors A 14-year-old girl was attacked by a grey bear while competing in a bike race. She managed to whisper the word "bear" to her rescuer. The girl suffered serious head, neck and leg wounds. Now she is in a dangerous condition in hospital. The girl was taking part in a 24-hour race through Bicentennial Park in Alaska when she was attacked by the bear. Bicentennial Park is next to Chugach State Park where some wild animals live. The animal attacked the girl in a heavily wooded area at about 1:30 am. The girl called emergency services but she was unable to say any word. Another rider Peter Basinger found her lying unconscious on the ground. He told the Anchorage Daily News that she managed to say the word "bear" when he stopped to help. Her helmet had been ripped off in the attack and rolled into the woods. Mr. Basinger waited with the girl for about 20 minutes until doctors arrived. Armed police trekked 3 km with doctors to pick up the girl. Animal expert Rick Sinnott said something must be done as soon as possible to prevent the bear from attacking people again. "It was extremely terrifying," he said. Mr. Sinnott told the Anchorage Daily News that the bear might be a mother. It hurt two runners on a nearby path two weeks ago. He also said that the girl was lucky to have been wearing a bike helmet because the bear had bitten her head several times. It can be inferred from the text that _ . A it was the fourth time that the bear had attacked people B the race area was not very easy to reach C bike races are very dangerous sports D girls had better not compete in a bike race Answer: B. the race area was not very easy to reach What is an example of the Earth rotating on its axis? A constellations are only visible in some parts of the world during certain months B cloud coverage varies depending on the season C it is always cold in Antarctica D the equator moves up and down around the Earth Answer: A. constellations are only visible in some parts of the world during certain months Are you a creative person? You may answer, 'No, but I really want to be.' In fact, everyone has creativity. Some realize it, but others don't. Creative people never follow others blindly. They are good at watching and thinking. They have sharp eyes like a hunter. Moreover, creative people can get useful information from others' findings. Besides, creative people should have _ like a camel. On their long way to success, they have to say goodbye to leisure ( ). They must overcome difficulties and persist without complaint. Creative people are adventurers and explorers. They use their creativity to make miracles one after another. Of course, you are creative boys and girls. You have unlimited creativity. Believe in yourselves. You can also create miracles. Creative people have sharp eyes like a _ . A hunter B teacher C camel D dog Answer: A. hunter My mother has always been a follower of traditional methods when it comes to anything. She cooks traditional food,likes dressing up traditionally and likes the traditional way of shopping. She loves going to markets and going from one shop to another to find out what suits her best. She can walk miles when it comes to shopping along with her friends. She knows all the local markets and shops and knows very well where she can get best discounts . However,now she always gets tired when she goes out in the market. So one day I decided to introduce a new shop,which is much larger than usual markets and where she can also get discounts.I am talking about online gift stores. She has a basic knowledge of computers and can operate computers. At the beginning,she was doubtful about shopping from these online gift shops because she wasn't too sure about the quality of the products. One day I decided to get her some branded things so that she could build trust in these shops. I ordered a Timex watch and a Sisley handbag for her. She never bought things online,but when they were delivered as a gift,she jumped for joy. She could not believe that I had ordered these gifts for her despite her being not much positive about online shops. However,after she saw both the products,she was assured that these online gift shops sent the promised brands and products,she loved her new watch and handbag. After this experience she ordered a gift for her friend's wedding. She chose a gift basket that could be made according to her requirements. They sent a beautifully decorated basket with fine wines and chocolates. The basket was so artistically decorated that it became her friend's favorite gift. Since then she has been consistently shopping online. Why does the author decide to introduce a new shop to her mother? A The new shop is much larger. B She can't go shopping as before. C There are more goods for her to choose from. D The goods in the new shop are much cheaper. Answer: B. She can't go shopping as before.
Question: Which of these human activities most relies on high-quality soil? A. Hiking B. Hunting C. Coal mining D. Growing crops Answer: D. Growing crops Question: By Zhan Lisheng Updated: 2008-09-27 07:50 prefix = st1 /GUANGZHOU -- At least 13 people were killed and nine left missing after Typhoon Hagupit swept through the country's southern region on Wednesday, authorities said. More than 11.5 million people in Guangdong, Hainan and Guangxi provinces were affected by the disaster, with direct economic losses reaching 13.46 billion yuan ($1.97 billion), Ministry of Civil Affairs figures showed. Hagupit, the strongest typhoon to hit Guangdong and its Pearl River Delta region in 12 years, reportedly headed south toward Vietnamon Thursday. The typhoon killed nine people and left nine missing in Guangdongalone, causing direct economic losses of more than 7.7 billion yuan, Yang Minyi, a press official with the provincial flood, drought and wind prevention office, said yesterday. Direct losses to agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery in the region were estimated at 4.2 billion yuan; industrial and transport sector, 1.5 billion yuan; and water conservancy infrastructure, 1 billion. A total of 6.52 million people in 344 towns in the cities of Maoming, Yangjiang, Zhanjiang, Zhuhai, Zhongshan and Jiangmen in the Pearl River Delta region and in the west of Guangdong _ the typhoon in the province. More than 15,300 houses fell down and 365,800 hectares of farmland were affected, authorities said. Wang Yugui, a pig farmer in Maoming city, said Hagupit proved fatal to his business. About two-thirds of his 4,000-odd pigs had drowned or were left missing in the typhoon. "The typhoon has landed me in huge debt and I really don't know how to weather the losses," Wang told China Daily yesterday. Wang said many others in the city suffered similar losses when Hagupit hit the city on Wednesday morning. Hagupit also hit a South Korean freight ship, named Zeus, in the waters off Jiangmen. All 17 sailors onboard were still missing, the Yangcheng Evening News reported on Friday. Altogether _ people are reported missing in the passage. A. 9 B. 18 C. 35 D. 26 Answer: D. 26 Question: Dear Annie, Thank you for your letter. I'm glad you like your school. I go to school from Monday to Friday. We have four classes in the morning and two classes in the afternoon. We have many things to do after class. On Monday and Wednesday afternoon we do sports. On Tuesday afternoon some of us have a singing class and on Thursday afternoon some have a drawing class. On Friday afternoon, we practice speaking English. My Chinese friends like to talk with me in English. They think I am like an English teacher. Isn't it great? On Saturdays and Sundays I don't go to school. Very often I go to the parks and have a good time with my family there. Yours, Henry Who is the letter from? A. Annie. B. Henry. C. Lucy. D. We don't know. Answer: B. Henry. Question: Still waiting for little green men to make contact? _ . A leading astronomer has concluded there probably aren't any aliens out there - meaning we are absolutely alone in the universe. Even though there may be tens of thousands of other distant planets similar in size to Earth, the conditions on them are likely to be too hard to support life-forms such as ET. Dr Howard Smith, a senior astrophysicist at Harvard University, believes there is very little hope of discovering aliens and, even if we did, it would be almost impossible to make contact. So far astronomers have discovered a total of 500 planets in distant solar systems - known as extrasolar systems - although they believe billions of others exist. But Dr Smith points out that many of these planets are either too close to the sun or too far away, meaning their surface temperatures are so bad that they could not support life. Others have unusual orbits which cause vast temperature variations, making it impossible for water to exist - the most important thing for life. Dr Smith said, "We have found that most other planets and solar systems are wildly different from our own. It means it is highly unlikely there are any planets with intelligent life close enough for us to make contact." But his suggestions contradict other leading scientists who have claimed aliens almost certainly exist. Only last month Professor Stephen Hawking said the fact that there are billions of galaxies out there made it reasonable to think there were other life-forms in the universe. Researchers from the University of London have recently suggested that aliens could be living on as many as 40,000 other planets. But Dr Smith said: "Any hope of contact has to be limited to a relatively tiny space around the Earth, reaching maybe 1,250 light years out from our planet, where aliens might be able to pick up our signals or send us their own. But communicating would still take decades or centuries." Researchers from the University of London are mentioned to show that _ . A. they have better explanations about aliens B. aliens certainly exist on many planets C. they disagree with Dr Smith's suggestion D. aliens can pick up signals from the earth Answer: C. they disagree with Dr Smith's suggestion Question: "Let's go down one more, push your enter key..." says a volunteer helping senior citizens work a web session on the Inter-net. David Lansdale has found a way to light up the lives of the elderly. He gets them wired to the Internet. " If you hit your enter key, it will bring up this particular e-mail..." Pauline Allen is one of those who has started using the Internet," I thought I was through with life, I was ready for a rocking chair, because I was 86 years old. And I haven't found the rocking chair yet. " " You found the keyboard?" asks the reporter. " That's right, I found the keyboard. " The average age of Lansdale's students is around 68. All are in nursing or assisted care homes. He used family relationships to introduce them to the World Wide Web. David Lansdale says," Here they are in California, the family was back in New York, the opportunity to connect, to cross the time and space, was incredibly precious (valuable) to them. " "I hear you are so beautiful. " Lillian Sherly writes an e-mail to a newborn great granddaughter. Working with one another, the senior learn as a group. They learn to master the Internet and to overcome what Lansdale calls the maladies of the institutionalized :loneliness, helplessness, boredom, and loss of memory. Mary Harvey says," Bingo just doesn't interest me. But this does, believe me, this does. " Ninety-four-year-old Ruth Hyman is a star pupil and instructor. She says," When I send a letter to my grandchildren, and great grandchildren, they hang it up in their offices, just like I used to hang their drawings on my refrigerator. Ha, ha. " David Lansdale says," There's a collective benefit. There is an element of treatment. Remember we started as a support group. " Dixon Moorehouse says,"I just wish I was 15 years old and getting to learn all this. " The senior calls their weekly meetings Monday Night Live. And many say the meetings have given them new life. Ruth Hyman says," Three years ago, they told me I wasn't going to live. But I showed them, and got work, and I've worked ever since. It can be inferred that Ruth Hyman's younger generations hang her mails up _ . A. in order not to lose the letters B. in order not to forget something important C. to make the offices more beautiful D. to show pride in their grandmother's work Answer: D. to show pride in their grandmother's work
Question: I once had a hard time making a living in France. Three years ago, I moved to a new neighborhood and felt an intense need to meet people so I went to the cinema. Outside the cinema was a woman with long gray hair who had a strong smell and was asking for money. I reached for my wallet to give her a Euro and then something made me stop and enter into conversation with her. I said, "Look, all the women going to the cinema here on a Tuesday night are seeing a film that can change your life. I'd rather buy you a ticket than give you money." She hesitated for a moment and then came in with me. She hid behind me because, she said, the people running the theater didn't like her. I got her a ticket and she sat next to me. There were about 80 women there; I noticed some of them were turning around and looking at me with expressions of surprise and curiosity . I encouraged the woman I had bought the ticket for to come the following night to an event where there would be many representatives of various social services. I thought they could be of some help to her. She did come and I was able to direct her to an agency that helped women in her situation. At the same time, a woman came toward me and said, "Are you the person who bought a ticket for the woman outside the theater asking for _ When I said yes she said, "I want you to come to the community center where I work. I want the other employees there to meet you." This was the beginning of a deep friendship and colleague relationship. I now have a great job and have more work than I've ever had in my 20 years in France. And the woman I took to the cinema that night? I learned that she was not homeless and that she was a secretary. What is the main idea of the text? A. Why the author had a hard time in France. B. How the author changed a woman's life and got a job. C. Kindness is necessary sometimes. D. Getting a job is not so easy. Answer: B. How the author changed a woman's life and got a job. Question: How can you hear your friends' voices when they are far away and you can't make a long--distance call? Besides the web camera system with your computer, we have a new high-tech way to solve the problem and ease your pain of missing them. The Japanese company Combiwith created a system-- . It makes people in pictures speak! The "talking picture" has a special pen. It is actually a pen-shaped scanner. It can scan information in special--made pictures. A connected player will then play the information out loud. First, you need to take a picture and record what you want to say with the company. The company will then make special barcodes onto your picture(you can't see those codes). Those codes are your voice and your words. When you hold up the pen to scan your picture with barcodes, a player connected to the pen will start to play. It plays things you've recorded. That way the invention makes the "you" in the picture speak! Do you want your friends and families talking out of pictures? Have them make pictures like that, and you can hear them whenever you want, only with the "talking picture" system. The system can play messages for up to 12 minutes. "The pictures would be useful for those who hope to hear the voice of someone living far away," said Mayumi Fuji, a spokeswoman for the company. "Grandparents, for example, longing to know about their grandchildren, would be happy to hear their voice when they see the picture," Fuji said. But it is troublesome to go to the company for taking a special picture first. And, it is much more expensive than using a telephone. The photo with barcodes costs between 17,040 and 17,990 yen (160 and 169 dollars). The larger picture you want, the more you pay. Now, just raise a finger, lonely people can have their loved ones speak out of pictures. But, whether the "talking picture" is practical or not, let's wait and see. What does "talking pictures" mean according to this article? A. The picture can play what's been recorded as if the person in the picture "talks". B. You can have a talk with the person in the picture whenever you want to. C. The picture can tell you wonderful stories to ease your pain. D. The picture can tell what's on your mind when you are looking at it. Answer: A. The picture can play what's been recorded as if the person in the picture "talks". Question: Exercise seems to be good for the human brain,with many recent studies suggesting that regular exercise improves memory and thinking skills.But an interesting new study asks whether the apparent cognitive benefits from exercise are real or just a placebo effect -- that is,if we think we will be "smarter" after exercise,do our brains respond accordingly?The answer has significant implications for any of us hoping to use exercise to keep our minds sharp throughout our lives. While many studies suggest that exercise may have cognitive benefits,recently some scientists have begun to question whether the apparently beneficial effects of exercise on thinking might be a placebo effect.So researchers at Florida State University in Tallahassee and the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign decided to focus on expectations,on what people anticipate that exercise will do for thinking.If people's expectations jibe closely with the actual benefits,then at least some of those improvements are probably a result of the placebo effect and not of exercise. For the new study,which was published last month in PLOS One,the researchers recruited 171 people through an online survey system,they asked half of these volunteers to estimate by how much a stretching and toning regimens performed three times a week might improve various measures of thinking.The other volunteers were asked the same questions,but about a regular walking program. In actual experiments,stretching and toning program generally have little if any impact on people's cognitive skills.Walking,on the other hand,seems to substantially improve thinking ability. But the survey respondents believed the opposite,estimating that the stretching and toning program would be more beneficial for the mind than walking.The estimates of benefits from walking were lower. These data,while they do not involve any actual exercise,are good news for people who do exercise."The results from our study suggest that the benefits of aerobic exercise are not a placebo effect," said Cary Stothart,a graduate student in cognitive psychology at Florida State University,who led the study. If expectations had been driving the improvements in cognition seen in studies after exercise,Mr.Stothart said,then people should have expected walking to be more beneficial for thinking than stretching.They didn't,implying that the changes in the brain and thinking after exercise are physiologically genuine. The findings are strong enough to suggest that exercise really does change the brain and may,in the process,improve thinking,Mr.Stothart said.That conclusion should encourage scientists to look even more closely into how,at a molecular level,exercise remodels the human brain,he said.It also should encourage the rest of us to move,since the benefits are,it seems,not imaginary,even if they are in our head. Which of the following about the placebo effect is TRUE according to the passage? A. It occurs during exercise. B. It has cognitive benefits. C. It is just a mental reaction. D. It is a physiological response. Answer: C. It is just a mental reaction. Question: November 9 is a time for us to learn a lot more about fire . This is what to do in a fire: 1.Shout out. Shout as loudly as you can, because people may be asleep. 2.Call 119. Never try to put out a fire yourself. Tell 119 where you are and what is on fire. 3.Keep down close to the floor. There is less smoke down there, so it's easier to breathe and see where you are going. 4.Test the door. If the door is cool, open it carefully. If the door is hot, do not open it! Try to find a different way out. 5.Get out. Do not stop to pick up anything. A fire can become very big in a few seconds! 6.Don't use the lift. Always use the stairs. The lift may go wrong and keep you inside. 7.Don't go back .Even if you have left your pet or favorite toy inside, do not go back for it. Animals have a very good sense of smell. They often get out of buildings before people. You should keep down close to the floor because _ . A. there is less smoke down there B. the firemen can find you easily C. people may be asleep D. you should look after your things carefully Answer: A. there is less smoke down there Question: Robert Burns, the son of a hard-working and intelligent farmer, was the oldest of seven children. Although always hard pressed financially, their father encouraged his sons with their education. As a result, Burns not only read the Scottish poetry of Ramsay and the collections by Hailes and Herd, but also the works of Pope, Locke, and Shakespeare. By 1781, Burns had tried his hand at several agricultural jobs without success. Although he had begun writing, and his poems were spread widely in manuscript , none were published until 1786, when Burns published Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect (1786), which was an immediate success. Later Burns brought out a second edition of his poems at Edinburgh in 1787, and for two winters he was socially active in the Scottish city. In 1788 he retired to a farm at Ellis land. By 1791 Burns had failed as a farmer, and he moved to Dumfries, where he held a position as a tax collector. He died of illness at 37. Burns's art is at its best in songs such as My Heart's in the Highlands. Some of his songs, such as Auld Lang Syne and Comin' thro' the Rye, are among the most familiar and best-loved songs in the English language. But his talent was not limited to songs; two descriptive pieces, Tam o' Shanter and The Jolly Beggars, are among his masterpieces. Burns had a fine sense of humor, which was reflected in his satirical , descriptive, and playful poems. His great popularity with the Scots lay in his ability to describe the life of his fellow rural Scots. His use of dialect brought an energetic, much-needed freshness into English poetry. Robert was not officially accepted by readers until _ . A. 1781 B. 1786 C. 1787 D. 1791 Answer: B. 1786
You may have known several kinds of police --- traffic police, fire police and street police. But have you ever heard of energy-saving policeman? A group of 22 energy-saving policemen went to work last week in Beijing. They go around the city to see the use of energy in hotels, office buildings, shopping centers and other public places. One of their aims is to make sure that these places have set their air conditioning no cooler than 26degC. They also set up a special phone line so that people can tell them which buildings fail to follow the rule. "If everyone sets their air conditioning at 26degC, Beijing will save 400 million kilowatthour of electricity in one summer. That's one-third of all the usages of the city in the season," said a TV advertisement. Other Chinese cities, like Wuhan in Hubei Province and Yangzhou in Jiansu Province, are going to follow Beijing's steps in setting up a similar police team. As one of the fastest developing countries, China is using a lot of energy. This has a great effect on the country's environment and limited energy. From 1986 to 2005, the country experienced 20 warm winters continuously . Numbers show that Chinese cities have to spend billions of yuan solving environmental problems every year. At the beginning of this month, China made its first action plan to fight pollution. It aims to reduce energy usage by 20% and increase renewable energy up to 10% from 7% by 2010. To introduce the public to a green life, last week Beijing held a show on energy-saving technology and productions. Environment-friendly machines, such as a vending machine that helps collect used bottles, have attracted lots of attention. "We want to tell people that there are certain ways to protect the environment. Each of us can find effective ways to do it on our daily lives," said Liu Qianguang, an environmental engineer in Beijing. The job of the energy-saving policemen is _ . Answer: Now satellites are helping to forecast the weather. They are in space and they can reach any part of the world. The satellites take pictures of the atmosphere , because this is where the weather forms . They send these pictures to the weather station. So meteorologists can see the weather of any part of the world. From the pictures, the scientists can often say how the weather will change. Today, nearly five hundred weather stations in sixty countries receive satellite pictures. When they receive new pictures, the meteorologists compare them with earlier ones. Perhaps they may find that the clouds have changed during the last few hours .This may mean the weather on the ground may soon change, too. In their next weather forecast, the meteorologists can say this. So the weather satellites are a great help to the meteorologists. Before satellites were invented, the scientists could forecast the weather for about 24 or 48 hours. Now they can make good forecasts for 3 or 5 days. Soon, perhaps , they may forecast the weather for a week or more ahead Why do we use the weather satellites to take pictures of the atmosphere? Because _ . Answer: Archery may be the oldest sport in the world. There are prehistoric drawings which show that bows and arrows were used 20 000 years ago. In early times, animals were always hunted and killed with bows and arrows. Good archers were very important when country fought against country. One of the most famous legends(,) in European history is the story of Wilhelm Tell. He was a Swiss who refused to work for an Austrian, and was ordered to shoot an apple from the head of his son. He hit the apple, and then shot the Austrian. Switzerland has been free since then, so the story goes. Archers shoot at targets at 30, 50, 70 or 90 meters' distance from them. The targets are round,80 centimeters across, and have 5 circles painted round the centre. Bows are made of steel, wood and strong plastic, and arrows of wood. The sport is enjoyed in the open air in summer and in a building in winter. Archery is good for the chest, the arms and the back. Men and women can shoot together since being strong is not so important. Women usually use lighter bows. People who can't walk or who have been ill can also enjoy it. For Zen Buddhists archery is not only a sport but also something deeper. It helps the individual to understand himself and the meaning of life. Good archers, were needed by countries in order to _ . Answer: Between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago, some humans discontinued their wandering hunting and gathering and settled down to farm. Grain was the first domesticated crop that started that farming process. The oldest proven records of brewing are about 6,000 years old and refer to the Sumerians. Sumeria lay between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers including Southern Mesopotamia. It is said that the Sumerians discovered the fermentation process by chance. No one knows today exactly how this occurred, but it could be that a piece of bread or grain became wet and a short time later, it began to ferment. The Sumerians were able to repeat this process and are assumed to be the first civilized culture to brew beer. They had discovered a "divine drink" which certainly was a gift from the gods. The word beer comes from the Latin word bibere, meaning "to drink", and the Spanish word cerveza originates from the Greek goddess of agriculture, Ceres. A vitamin-rich porridge, used daily, beer is reported to have increased health and longevity and reduced disease and malnutrition . The self-medicating properties of alcohol-rich beer also eased the tensions and stresses of daily living in a hostile world. The use of yeast was not yet known at that time. The success of the fermentation process was left to chance, as the brewers unknowingly relied on yeast particles in the air. Considerable scientific research took place in breweries in the 19th century. A famous work from 1876 by Louis Pasteur was Studies Concerning Beer where he revealed his knowledge of micro-organisms. By establishing that yeast is a living microorganism, Pasteur opened the gates for accurately controlling the conversion of sugar to alcohol. Another discovery in beer brewing was the work of Christian Hansen, a Danish scientist, who successfully isolated a single yeast cell and induced it to reproduce on an artificial culture medium. With the resulting yeast multiplication methods, the purity of the fermenting process has been improved. According to the text, which of the following is NOT true? Answer: We live on the Earth. It's our home. But how much do you know about it? The Earth is like a huge ball. Like the other seven planets, the Earth is running around the Sun. It's the third nearest planet to the Sun. It takes the Earth about 365 days to run around the Sun. At the same time, the Earth is going around itself. If you are in space, you can see lots of white clouds over the surface of the Earth. Through the clouds, you can see the blue color of the oceans and the brown color of the land. About 70% of the Earth is covered with water. Why do we have day and night? When the half of the Earth is facing the Sun, it's daytime. As the Earth turns and this half is away from the Sun, night is coming. And it's daytime for the other half. How many planets are running around the Sun? Answer:
Group Tours of the Area of the 2012 Sites These are recommended tours for groups. Individual visitors wishing to join please click here. East London and the Olympic Park Tour From Central London, travel through London's East End -- recently fashionable, multicultural residential areas, and once famous for market gardens, fine churches, and shipping-related industries. Hear a little of the dark side with stories of Jack-the-Ripper and street gangs. Now into the 21st century, you arrive at the Olympic Park, already under construction. Imagine the 80,000-seat Main Stadium, the Multi-Sports Arena, Aquatics Centre, Velodrome, Olympic Village, Broadcasting & Media Centre and Stratford City. For those who have a whole day in which to see East London we recommend a morning East London and Olympic Park tour combined with an afternoon Olympic Greenwich tour. 2012 Sites Tour The tour starts in Stratford where you view the work in progress on the Olympic Park. Hear the history of London's Royal Docks, as you travel to the Boxing, Judo, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Table Tennis and Taekwondo venue. View the O2 Arena. See the new London City Airport, Thames Barrier Park, University of East London, new waterside apartments and smart hotels. For those who have a whole day in which to see 2012 Olympic London we recommend a morning 2012 Olympic Sites tour combined with an afternoon 2012 Olympic Greenwich tour. 2012 Greenwich Tour Greenwich will host 6 Olympic events.Your tour of Greenwich will include the Greenwich Park, where the equestrian events will take place. Cross the Meridian Line to see the large buildings at Woolwich. Finally, we can show you the exciting developments taking place on the Greenwich Peninsular, which will be hosting a number of Olympic events. Which of the following is not included in 2012 Sites Tour? A. Hear the history of London's Royal Docks. B. View the O2 Arena. C. See the new London City Airport. D. Cross the Meridian Line. Answer: D A person who hunts lions down for trophy prizes contributes to their species' A. growth B. encouragement C. consideration D. ruination Answer: D V _ , an artist of tremendous energy and prodigious output. He killed himself when he was only 37, but he left behind him more than 2,000 paintings and drawings, which established his reputation in a way he would never have considered possible. Van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853 at Groot Zundert Province of Noord Nrabant in Dutch. He was the son of a clergyman. His first artist impressions were formed as a boy, from his uncle who was an art dealer. The motivation bore early fruit and from the age of 12 the young Vincent was drawing. The interest led to an apprenticeship in an art dealer's firm, Groupil's, in the Hague. When he was only 20, he was transferred to the firm's London office. In London Van Gogh faced his first major crisis, when he was rejected in love. After that, he turned to religion, expressed disapproval with art-dealing and neglected his work. Groupil transferred him from London to Paris but, when his work was still unsatisfactory, dismissed him in 1876. The young Van Gogh made religion a consuming interest and during the next few years travelled in Britain, Belgium and Holland, trying to establish himself as a preacher, but without success. In 1880, at the age of 27, he found himself drawn back to art. He had a job as an assistant evangelist in the mining village of Borinage in Belgium but realized an artist drive which was to motivate him unceasingly until his death 10 years later. Late in 1881, he moved to the Hague and established a relationship with a woman, Christine Hoornik, with whom he lived for a time. He broke with her in 1883, however, and never again established a significant intimate relationship with a woman. In 1886 Van Gogh left Holland forever and travelled via Antwerp to Paris, and to major changes in artistic style. Van Gogh's work became more youthful in Paris. He lived with his brother, Theo, who managed the modern department of an art dealer's. A new, more animated, painting style emerged and the impressionist tendencies of earlier work weakened somewhat. Van Gogh developed a taste for personalized brushwork and brilliant, unmixed color1s. Among his most prominent experiments with color1 were a series of some 30 flower paintings, a fascination which stayed with him until his death. what made Van Gogh become interested in religion? A. That he was dismissed by Groupil B. His experience in an art dealer's firm C. That a girl refused his love D. His consuming interest in art Answer: C The World Health Organization and several other United Nations agencies are calling for a major new effort to fight malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS. These three infectious diseases killed almost 6 million people last year. That is about 10 percent of the total number of deaths around the world last year. The WHO and UN agencies released a new report at the World Economic Forum in New York City earlier this month. The document says that deaths around the world from malaria and tuberculosis could be cut in half by the year 2010. It also says the number of deaths from AIDS could be reduced 25 percent within that same time period. The report is called "Calling Up the Response to Infectious Diseases." It calls for huge new investments in methods to prevent and treat infectious diseases. Officials say money is needed for research and to purchase drugs. Money is also needed to devices to prevent diseases, such as bed nets. Bed nets prevent mosquitoes that carry malaria from biting people while they sleep. David Heymann, director of the infectious disease program at the World Health Organization, says that providing effective drug treatments is important for improving peoples' health and economic well - being. Reducing disease can also help improve economic growth in developing countries. The WHO report also describes successful health programs in developing countries. In Peru, for example, the number of tuberculosis cases was cut in half by increasing the treatment to control the disease. In Vietnam, malaria was reduced 97 percent through the use of bed nets. And in Uganda, cases of the virus that causes AIDS were cut in half among pregnant women and children through the use of anti - AIDS drugs. This new international health campaign is estimated to cost about 12,000 million dollars a year. So far, officials say the campaign has about 2,000 million dollars. The WHO says the campaign will need stronger relationships among government, private aid agencies, and drug companies to succeed. We can infer from the text that reducing infectious diseases is _ . A. to help the countries develop better B. to promote cooperation between countries C. to help people get more scientific knowledge D. to help people get a cleaner environment Answer: A Microsoft founder Bill Gates has opened up about being a parent, stating that 13 is an appropriate age for a child's first cell phone. The 57-year-old, father-of-three, revealed on the Today Show that his children Jennifer and Rory were not allowed phones until their thirteenth birthday and his youngest daughter Phoebe is still waiting for one. "We've chosen in our family that it's 13 where you get a phone," the self-made billionaire explained. He said as a result his children often return home from school complaining: "All the other kids have it.I'm the only one without it, and it's so embarrassing." Asked if he keeps passwords to his son and daughters' email and Facebook accounts, Mr Gates said that he doesn't for Jennifer, 16, who he describes as "independent". He admitted that monitoring online activity is "a very tricky is sue for parents now." Despite their vast wealth Mr and Mrs Gates, who live in Lake Medina, just outside Seattle, Washington, have said they want to give their children as normal an upbringing as possible. It was previously reported that their youngsters have to complete household chores and are given a modest smount of pocket money. And in 2010 Mr Cates said that he intends to give most of his $ 61 billion fortune away rather than hand it down." _ wouldn't be good either for my kids or society," he said. Also during the Today Interview with host Matt Lauer, Mr Gates, who stepped down from Microsoft in 2008 to concentrate on philanthropy , said that helping others gives him same excitement as creating software. " What you really feel is what you've achieved.If a piece of software gets out there and lots of people love it-it lets them get their work done in better ways-that's exciting," he explained. Which of the following is true about Bill Gates' children? A. All his children now have cell phones. B. Phoebe has her own cell phone. C. They are not given any pocket money. D. Jennifer can use the Internet freely. Answer: D
Hi! I'm Jack. I'm in a new school this term. Now let me tell you about my school now. My new school is big and nice. There are one thousand and four hundred students and one hundred and forty teachers in my school. I like the teachers. They are very kind to me. My classmates are very friendly , too. They teach me Chinese and I teach them English. There are trees, flowers and green grass in my school. They are very beautiful. Behind my school there is a small river. The water in it is quite clean. We can swim in it. We have no classes on Saturdays or Sundays. Sometimes I go to play football or basketball with my classmates. Sometimes I stay at home and watch TV. Sometimes I go to shops with my father and mother. We all like China. Jack is in a _ school. Answer: The island of Great Britain being small (compare the size of Australia), the natural place for holiday relaxation and enjoyment is extensive coastline, above all its southern and eastern coasts, and the favorite resort of the mass-population of industrial Lancashire, is on the north-west coast. Distant and little-inhabited area like Northern Scotland, are too remote for the development of large seaside resorts. For most children, going to the seaside suggests a week or fortnight of freedom on the beach, ideally a sandy one providing enough opportunities for the construction of sandcastle, fishing in pool, paddling in shallow water or swimming in deep water. Their parents spend sunny days swimming in the sea and sunbathing on the beach. Not that the British sun can be relied on and the depressing sight of families wandering round the town in old -fashioned and under umbrellas is only too common. However, there are always shops with their tourist souvenirs, plenty of cafes and if the worst comes to the worst, the cinema to offer a refuge. The average family is unlikely to seek accommodation in a hotel as they can stay more cheaply in a boarding-house. There are usually three or four-storeyed Victorian buildings, whose owners spend the summer season letting rooms to a number of couples or families and providing three cooked meals a day at what they describe as a reasonable price, with the hope that in this way they will add enough to their savings to see the winter through. Otherwise there are the camping sites for those who prefer self-catering. Nowadays, even when an increasing number of people fly off to Mediterranean resorts where a well-developed suntan can be assured, or explore in comfort Swiss lakes and mountains or romantic Italian or Spanish cities, the British seaside is still the main attraction for families, especially those with younger children. As they queue for boats trips, cups of tea or ice-cream under gray skies and in dizzling rain, the parents are reliving their own childhood when time seemed endless, their own sandcastles the most splendid on the beach, the sea always blue and friendly and the sun always hot. The reason suggested for running a boarding-house is that _ . Answer: If the child has been brought up in a loving, openly communicative environment, the relationship with parents would be a strong one.It is only when there are ongoing troubles in the relationship between parents and the child that there is a breakdown in communication. When parents are going through difficulties in their own relationship the child sometimes develops guilt.The child can hold himself or herself responsible for the breakdown in relationship between the parents.This needs to be explained to the child, who won't speak out this guilt. The teenage years are emotionally sensitive years to the outside world.For the first time the child realizes his or her position in society.Friends suddenly become more important than parents.It is during this time that the relationship between children and parents is tested.If the bond with parents is strong, the child will not be swayed by the drug and alcohol culture.If the bond is weaker, the child will end up with problems. During such times, one of the effective ways to deal with the problems is to discuss the problem with the child.As parents, you will need to discuss the consequences of each option and then leave the final decision to the child.Forcing parental will on children is counterproductive, especially at this age.Imposing parental will at this time will stop communicating and then you will not know what is happening in their life.Whatever the problem is, the child need never be made to feel lonely.The moment that happens, the possibility of serious self-harm is raised. Any problem at this age can be dealt with by a flexible approach by parents.Discuss things calmly.Leave the decision to the individual.Make yourself available for any help or support that the child desires.The child will feel comfortable when allowed the freedom of choice. If parents have trouble with their relationship, the child _ . Answer: Air pollution, such as haze, has become a serious problem around the world. Besides wearing a mask, what else can we do to protect ourselves from the dirty air? Scientists have developed a new inhaler that can reduce the effect air pollution has on people. It could help millions of people who are suffering from air pollution,the Guardianreports. This inhaler is developed by German company Bitop and contains a molecule named Ectoine. The molecule creates a layer that protects lungs from polluted air. It's reported that the inhaler will be affordable to most people when it comes to the market. Air pollution kills more than three million people a year worldwide and leads to health problems like lung and heart disease and strokes, according to a 2016 research project in the journalNature. It is also linked to brain disease, mental illness and diabetes . Andreas Bilstein at Bitop believed that the inhaler could be useful around the world, because air pollution is not just a European problem: "Especially in Asia - China in particular - the demand for such a product is even higher." Many Chinese cities have been suffering from haze. According to World Health Organization, two of the 10 most polluted cities in the world in 2015 were in China. About 800,000 deaths that are linked to air pollution take place in the country every year. However, such inhalers should never be an excuse for not trying to stop air pollution, said Professor Jean Krutmann at the Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine. "The best thing is that we have clean air and we don't need any prophylactic treatment," he said. Which of the following is NOT true? Answer: The features below are all present on Earth. Which feature could also be found on the Moon? Answer:

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