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A federal criminal law makes it a crime for any citizen of the United States not specifically authorized by the President to negotiate with a foreign government for the purpose of influencing the foreign government in relation to a dispute with the United States. The strongest constitutional ground for the validity of this law is that A. under several of its enumerated powers, Congress may legislate to preserve the monopoly of the national government over the conduct of United States foreign affairs. B. the President's inherent power to negotiate for the United States with foreign countries authorizes the President, even in the absence of statutory authorization, to punish citizens who engage in such negotiations without permission. C. the law deals with foreign relations and therefore is not governed by the First Amendment. D. federal criminal laws dealing with international affairs need not be as specific as those dealing with domestic affairs. Answer: A Have you ever seen a horse with toes ?Millions of years ago, horses had many toes. They had four toes on each front foot. They had three toes on each back foot. The horses were no bigger than the cats.These small horses lived in the forest. The toes helped the horses run on the soft, wet ground. At first, it was very hot in the forest. But the weather changed. It became very cold. Many trees could not live in cold weather. The trees died and fell. Open fields took the place of forests. The sun made the ground dry and hard. Horsed began to change, too. They began to get bigger. This took a long time. On the dry, hard land, horses needed only their middle toes for running. Their middle toes became hard. After a long time, horses had only one hard toe on each foot. Now we call this hard toe a How many toes did a horse have millions of years ago? A. 14 B. 12 C. 16 D. 13 Answer: A Walk through the Amazon rainforest today and you will find it steamy, warm, damp and thick. But if you had been there around 15,000 years ago, during the last ice age, would it have been the same? For more than 30 years, scientists have been arguing about how rainforests might have reacted to the cold, dry climate of the ice ages, but till now, no one has reached a satisfying answer. Rainforests like the Amazon are important for mopping up CO2 from the atmosphere and helping to solve global warming. Currently the trees in the Amazon take in around 500 million tons of CO2 each year: equal to the total amount of CO2 given off in the UK each year. But how will the Amazon react to the future climate change? If it gets drier, will it survive and continue to draw down CO2? Scientists hope that they will be able to learn in advance how the rainforest will manage in the future by understanding how rainforests reacted to climate change in the past. Unfortunately, collecting information is incredibly difficult. To study the past climate, scientists need to look at fossilized pollen kept in lake mud, Going back to the last ice age means drilling down into lake sediments , which requires specialized equipment and heavy machinery. There are very few roads and paths, or places to land helicopters and aeroplanes. Rivers tend to be the easiest way to enter the forest, but this still leaves vast areas between the rivers completely unsampled . So far, only a handful of cores have been drilled that go back to the last ice age and none of them provide enough information to prove how the Amazon forest reacts to climate change. The best title for the text may be _ . A. Secrets of the Rainforest B. Climates of the Amazon C. The History of the Rainforest D. Changes of the Rainforest Answer: A Classical philosophers called humans "the rational animal". Clearly, they never looked closely at ants. A new study suggests that ant colonies avoid irrational decisions that people and other animals often make. Consider the following scenario: You want to buy a house with a big kitchen and a big yard, but there are only two homes on the market---one with a big kitchen and a small yard and the other with a small kitchen and a big yard. Studies show you'd be about 50% likely to choose either house---and either one would be a rational choice. But now, a new home comes on the market, this one with a large kitchen and no yard. This time, studies show, you'll make an irrational decision: Even though nothing has changed with the first two houses, you'll now favor the house with the big kitchen and small yard over the one with the small kitchen and big yard. Overall, scientists have found, people and other animals will often change their original preferences when presented with a third choice. Not so with ants. These insects also shop for homes but not quite in the way that humans do. Solitary worker ants spread out, looking for two main features: a small entrance and a dark inside. If an ant finds an outstanding hole---such as the inside of an acorn or a rock crevice---it brings another worker ant to check it out. As more ants like the site, the number of workers in the new hole grows. Once the crowd reaches a critical mass, the ants race back to the old nest and start carrying the queen and larvae to move the entire colony. To test ant rationality, Stephen Pratt, a behavioral ecologist at Arizona State University in Tempe, and a colleague designed a series of possible nests for 26 ant colonies. The duo cut rectangular holes in balsa wood and covered them with glass microscope slides. The researchers then drilled holes of various sizes into the glass slides and slipped plastic light filters under the glass to vary the features ants care about most. At first, the colonies only had two options, A and B. A was dark but had a large opening, whereas B was bright with a small opening. As with humans, the ants preferred both options equally: The researchers found no difference between the number of colonies that picked A versus B. Then the scientists added a third option, called a decoy , that was similar to either A or B in one characteristic but clearly worse than both in the other (a very bright nest with a small opening, for example). Unlike humans, the ants were not tricked by the decoy, the team reports online today in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Although a few colonies picked the third nest, the other colonies did not start favoring A or B and still split evenly between the two. Pratt speculates that ant colonies avoid making the irrational decision because, unlike humans, each ant doesn't evaluate all options before making a choice. When the scouts find a nest, they're unaware of what else is out there, and either they pick the nest or they don't. "The group may do better precisely because the individuals are ignorant," Pratt says. Melissa Bateson, an ethnologist at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, believes the findings could have "really interesting implications for the benefits of collective decision-making, which we could learn something from." Many grant-review boards, for example, behave like ants: Reviewers see only a subset of the total grant applications and thus have to make a decision without seeing every option. The survey of house buying is mentioned to _ . A. reveal the serious housing problems of modern society. B. explain how to make a more reasonable choice when buying houses. C. show that in fact humans are not so rational as known when making choices. D. criticize the selfishness of human nature. Answer: C Americans love dogs, all types of dogs: small dogs, big dogs, lapdogs . Each year, people spend billions of dollars on their four-legged pals, making sure the lovable dogs have enough food to eat and lots of toys to play with. Dogs love people, too. They lick their faces, protect their homes. Where did these four-legged companions come from? Some scientists believe that they have found the answer. Scientists have long known that dogs evolved from wolves. Exactly when the transformation from wolf to dog actually took place, however, remains a mystery. Some said dogs evolved as a separate species 135,000 years ago in two parts of the world. One group of dogs developed in Europe and Asia from Asian wolves. The other group evolved in North, Central, and South America from American wolves. Now researchers say those theories are wrong. New studies suggest that _ dogs first appeared 15,000 years ago in eastern Asia. Scientists also say that every modern dog descended from approximately five female Asian wolves, the mother of all modern dogs. Scientists suspect dogs first set paws in North America by following settlers across a land bridge that once linked northern Asia and North America. From this story, we can conclude that _ . A. dogs are scientists' best friends B. dogs are more like wolves than they are like any other animal C. most dogs are from Africa D. scientists have no idea how dogs evolved Answer: B
On March 28th, the New York Times will begin charging all but the most infrequent users to read articles online. In a letter to readers, Arthur Sulzberger, Jr., the publisher of the paper, laid out the details of the paywall, which he said will go into effect immediately in Canada and on March 28th for the rest of the world. He called the move "an important step that we hope you will see as an investment in the Times, one that will strengthen our ability to provide high-quality journalism to readers around the world and on any platform." Sulzberger said that readers will be able to read 20 articles per month at no charge. Once they click on the 21st piece, however, they'll be presented with three payment options: $ 15 for four weeks of online and mobile application access, $ 20 for access to the site and the iPad application, or $ 35 for access to everything. People who already receive the printed paper through home delivery will enjoy free and unlimited access to the Times on all platforms. These details largely agree with earlier reports on how the paywall would work. The Times had made it clear that it did not want to imitate the total paywalls put into effect by papers such as The Times of London and Newsday, which block access to all contents unless the reader pays. The paper also signaled that it wants to stay relevant in the social media world. According to Sulzberger's announcement, people who come to the Times site from Facebook, Twitter or from blogs will be able to read those articles even if they have gone over their monthly limit. However, Sulzberger said that a limit will be placed on "some search engines", meaning that after readers have accessed a certain number of articles from search engines, any further articles they access from there will be added to their monthly count. It was reported that the only search engine that will be affected this way is Google, where there will be a five-article limit. This marks a clear attempt by the Times to close what could be a giant loophole , since so much online traffic is directed through Google. But it also presents a risk for the Times for the same reason. Sulzberger seems well aware of the risk. "The challenge now is to put a price on our work without walling ourselves off from the global network," he said, adding that the Times must "continue to engage with the widest possible audience." Why will the Times charge their online readers? A It wants to stay relevant in the social media world. B It has too many readers coming from the other sites. C It is seeking new financial sources for its development. D It is trying a way to offer better service to its readers. Answer: C. It is seeking new financial sources for its development. Thirty-two people watched kitty Genovese being killed right beneath their windows. She was their neighbor. Yet none of the 32 helped her. Not one even called the police. Was this in gunman cruelty? Was it lack of feeling about one's fellow man? Not so, say scientists John Barley and Bib Fatane. These men went beyond the headlines to probe the reasons why people didn't act. They found that a person has to go through two steps before he can help. First he has to notice that is an emergency . Suppose you see a middle-aged man fall to the side-walk. Is he having a heart attack? Is he in a coma from diabetes ? Or is he about to sleep off a drunk? Is the smoke coming into the room from a leak in the air conditioning? Is it steam pipes? Or is it really smoke from a fire? It's not always easy to tell if you are faced with a real emergency. Second, and more important, the person faced with an emergency must feel personally responsible. He must feel that he must help, or the person won't get the help he needs. The researchers found that a lot depends on how many people are around. They had college students in to be tested. Some came alone. Some came with one or two others. And some came in large groups. The receptionist started them off on the tests. Then she went into the next room. A curtain divided the testing room and the room into which she went. Soon the students heard a scream, the noise of file cabinets falling and a cry for help. All of this had been pre-recorded on a tape-recorder. Eight out of ten of the students taking the test alone acted to help. Of the students in pairs, only two out of ten helped. Of the students in groups, none helped. In other words, in a group, Americans often fail to act. They feel that others will act. They, themselves, needn't. They do not feel any direct responsibility. Are people bothered by situations where people are in trouble? Yes. Scientists found that the people were emotional, they sweated, they had trembling hands. They felt the other person's trouble. But they did not act. They were in a group. Their actions were shaped by the actions of those they were with. The researchers have conducted an experiment to prove that people will act in emergencies when _ . A they are in pairs B they are in groups C they are alone D they are with their friends Answer: C. they are alone Dear Flowermouse, Thank you for your comments on how Americans and Chinese view each other. This is an important subject. Modern technology has given many nations the chance of destroying other nations. This is a cruel picture but it is a realistic one. It means that every nation should make sure that these weapons of great destruction are never used. This requires greater acceptance of differences among people and nations in all parts of the planet. Your letter asks specially about Chinese-American relationships but I want to let you know my feelings on a global scale. Because China and America are the most powerful nations and I believe they have a special responsibility for promoting better understanding and for leading the way toward peaceful solutions to the world's problems. You ask how Chinese and American people view each other. This is an important question. Because I know so little about China that I am not able to judge how Chinese view Americans. I am sure that the view differs according to individual experiences that persons might have. And it is not easy to describe America to foreigners. America is a vast mass of people and cultures. These people came from all parts of the world, from Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe and Australia. Each brought a different culture and a different set of values within a single nation. I believe that the vast majority of Americans like the vast majority of Chinese want peace and friendship between our two nations. Both China and America have suffered through generations from war and violence in our history. And I believe that it is the special responsibility of all Chinese and all Americans to impress this need for mutual understanding on our neighbors in other. So my friend, this is my response. Please know that I write to you as a private person living in America. I do feel strongly that people everywhere have more in common than they have in differences. We all share the same basic needs for existence and we all depend upon the same need for the survival of this beautiful planet earth. Maybe we can begin to encourage better communication and better understanding through my columns. I hope so. The writer's purpose to write the passage is to _ . A introduce Americans to us B make friends with Flowermouse C speak for the government of America D call on nations to understand each other Answer: D. call on nations to understand each other Phones make our lives easier. Usually they are a convenient type of technology to have around because they can help us communicate with all types of people for any reason whatsoever. As long as somebody else has a phone, you can contact them. This means you can keep in touch with friends and family, contact businesses, and generally communicate with people no matter where they are. Sometimes, however, phones can cause problems or be an annoyance. One phenomenon that is dreaded in the United States is telemarketing. Telemarketers call your phone in order to try and convince you to buy their products. They often start the conversation with a friendly voice or tone to try and convince you they can be trusted. Once most people realize they are talking to a telemarketer, they will end the conversation as quickly as possible. Some will be polite and make up an excuse to end the conversation. Others are less tactful and criticize the telemarketer, yell at them, or simply hang up the phone. Although most people don't buy things from telemarketers, a few people do, so telemarketers keep on calling. If you have a phone in America you most likely have received a call from a telemarketer. To avoid telemarketers some people buy new technology. "Caller ID" allows you to see the number that is calling your phone before you answer. If you do not recognize the name and number of a caller you can simply ignore the call. Unfortunately there usually is no way to tell if an unknown number is somebody important, but unknown, or a telemarketer. Even though technology can help some people eschew annoying telemarketers, they can't be avoided altogether. What do telemarketers do? A Try and buy something from the people they call. B Fool people to buy products that don't exist. C They try and sell telephones to people in the United States. D Attempt to sell products to the people they call. Answer: D. Attempt to sell products to the people they call. I began to grow up that winter night when my parents and I were returning from my aunt's house, and my mother said that we might soon be leaving for America. We were on the bus then. I was crying, and some people on the bus were turning around to look at me. I remember that I could not bear the thought of never hearing again the radio program for school children to which I listened every morning. I do not remember myself crying for this reason again. In fact, I think I cried very little when I was saying goodbye to my friends and relatives. When we were leaving I thought about all the places I was going to see--the strange and magical places I had known only from books and pictures. The country I was leaving never to come back was hardly in my head then. The four years that followed taught me the importance of optimism, but the idea did not come to me at once. For the first two years in New York I was really lost--having to study in three schools as a result of family moves. I did not quite know what I was or what I should be. Mother remarried, and things became even more complex for me. Some time passed before my stepfather and I got used to each other. I was often sad, and saw no end to "the hard times. " My responsibilities in the family increased a lot since I knew English better than everyone else at home. I wrote letters, filled out forms, translated at interviews with Immigration officers, took my grandparents to the doctor and translated there, and even discussed telephone bills with company representatives. From my experiences I have learned one important rule: Almost all common troubles eventually go away! Something good is certain to happen in the end when you do not give up, and just wait a little! I believe that my life will turn out all right, even though it will not be that easy. Upon leaving for America the author felt _ . A confused B excited C worried D amazed Answer: B. excited
Question: The simple exercise of sitting down and standing up again without holding onto anything, could suggest how long you have to live. This is the belief of a group of physicians, who came up with the 'sitting-rising test' to measure their patients' flexibility and strength. They developed a scoring system for the test and found that people who scored three points or less out of 10, were more than five times as likely to die within six years, as those who scored more than eight points. Claudio Gil Araujo, of Gama Filho University in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was among the doctors who originally developed the sitting rising test (SRT) to quickly assess the flexibility of athletes, but he now uses it to persuade his patients that they need to stay active to maintain their muscle and balance, and live longer, Discover Magazine reported. As we age, our muscles tend to become weaker and a loss of balance means we are increasingly likely to fall. Current ways to test frailty can be time-consuming, impractical and inaccurate for small doctors' surgeries, but experts are keen to keep older people moving. Dr Araujo says that anyone can take the SRT because no equipment is needed. In a study, published in the European Journal of Cardiology, the researchers described how 2002 adults aged between 51 and 80 took the SRT at Clinimex Exercise Medicine Clinic in Rio. They found that patients who scored fewer than eight points out of 10 on the test, were twice as likely to die within the next six years, compared with people with more perfect scores. One point was deducted each time a person used their hand or knee for support to either sit down or stand up, while half a point was deducted for losing their balance. The experts found that people who scored three points or fewer, were more than five times as likely to die within the same period. They wrote in the study: 'Musculoskeletal fitness, as assessed by SRT, was a significant predictor of _ in 51-80-year-old subjects.' The study found that every point increase in the test, was linked to a 21 per cent decrease in mortality from all causes. However, chartered physio-therapist Sammy Margo said that the exercise may be "quite ambitious" for older people in the UK. Which part of the newspaper will the article probably come from? A. Exercise & sports B. Education C. Entertainment D. Health Answer: D Question: "I was only thirteen when four of my team members and I were chosen by my swim coach to train with the Chinese National Team. The following piece shows how that experience has influenced me." The night before I left for China, my mother called me into her room. I entered not knowing what to expect. I sat down at the end of her very neatly-made bed, opposite the bedroom table on which she kept a Ming-style vase illustrated in great detail. She told me that my great-grandmother was still living in the surroundings of Beijing. Her name was Ren Li Ling and she was 97 years old. This was the first time I had ever heard of her. The dragon on the vase snaked through the flowers and vines as my mother said, "Pu Pu, look at me. You need to hear this so that when you go to China you will understand. You must keep this knowledge in your heart." She told me a story about my grandfather, Ren Li Ling's son, who left Beijing to go to college in Taiwan. She told me how the Chinese civil war kept him away from his mother for fifty years, so neither of them even knew that the other was alive. No one from Taiwan could visit, write, or call anyone in mainland. All lines of communication were cut off. She told me of my grandfather's devotion to his own children, and how difficult it was for him to send his daughter to America for her education, fearing that same separation. He gave my mother all that he could give -- nineteen years of love and fifty years of savings. I learned how my mother, through means only available in this country, would finally be able to unite my great-grandmother with my grandfather again. The dragon curled around the vase, connecting the separate vines. For a fleeting second, I felt it was present in my mother's room. It was all very strange, yet very clear. I began to understand that this trip to China was not just for me; it was for my mother, and her father, and his mother. Now, I had not only a future, but more significantly, a past. I saw the world with new eyes. And so I went to China and met my great-grandmother. My great-aunt picked me up at the training center, and we rode in a taxi through the crowded city. The noise of the taxi and the city united into a deep roar. We finally stopped in front of a narrow street lined on either side with small one-level houses. As we made our way to a house like all the others, I drew the stares of many people in the street. My great-aunt led me through a rotting doorway into a room with a furnace , table, and a rocking chair where an old woman wearing gloves sat facing the doorway, covered with a worn brown blanket. I walked over and immediately embraced this frail woman as if I had known her all my life. My limited, broken Chinese wasn't up to expressing my complicated feelings. And even though I couldn't completely understand what she was saying in her thick Beijing accent, I knew -- the same way I knew what my mother had been trying to tell me before I left. Her joy shone through her toothless smile. She wouldn't let go of my hand. I haltingly asked her how she had managed to live such a long life. She answered in words I will never forget, "Hope has kept me alive. I have lived this long because I wanted to see my son before I died." My fellow team members must have wondered how two people separated by three generations could be so close. Before this trip, I would have wondered the same thing. And even now, I can't quite explain it. We were as different as two people can be; some 85 years and 8,000 miles apart. We came from two entirely different cultures; yet we were connected by a common heritage . I stayed for dinner which was cooked in a black iron wok over the furnace. The meal was lavish , prepared in my honor. As I began to eat, with my great-grandmother beside me, I felt the dragon was present. But this time, the feeling didn't pass; the dragon had become a part of me. My great-grandmother passed away last year at the age of 100. With her highest hopes and wildest dreams fulfilled, I know she died happy. Which is the best title for the text? A. We Share the Same Heritage. B. Love from My Great-grandmother. C. A Story from My Mother. D. An Unforgettable Training Trip. Answer: A Question: Paula and Rory have fives kids, three dogs, and a rabbit. When the house is very noisy, Megan, one of the children, is quietly inventing. A year ago, the 10-year-old had to design an anti-smoking poster, she came up with the idea of creating something that shows the average amount of tar a smoker collects from just four packs of cigarettes. "I like people to play with things more than read and write," she says. So she researched her idea on the Internet, found a company in China that could make it, saved up her pocket money and got her idea made. Paula says her daughter "think differently": Ideas jump into her mind. After she got sunburnt on holiday, Megan invented a small plastic bracelet that changes colors in the sun, telling you when to put on sunscreen . Several sunscreen companies have expressed an interest in the idea. She also came up with an idea to make a ball filled with water to stop the dog from feeling thirsty. "But we didn't do anything with it," says Paula. Then she pulls out a picture of a special fishing rod she had designed. "There is a camera on the hook ," she explains, "and the screen is on the handle, and it shows if you've caught a fish or not." Megan doesn't want to go to university. She keeps her pink-and -cream bedroom tidy. Paula is amazed and a bit confused by her daughter. "Everything has to be in a certain order," Paula says. "Her brothers and sisters go with the flow, but with Megan, it's 'What time will that be happening?' or 'Where am I being picked up from today?'" The passage is mainly about_. A. how Megan helps people give up smoking B. a little girl's dream to be a world-famous inventor C. a 10-year-old inventor's story D. Megan's relationship with her family members Answer: C Question: Once upon a time, a man was walking on a mountain when he found an incredible cave with all kinds of treasure inside it. So he gave up his job, his home, and his friends, and spent all his time guarding the cave. He was so dedicated to it that he hardly ate or drank, and before long he fell ill. One day, when he could hardly move at all, he decided to share the treasure. He crawled into the cave to get a handful of jewels, but discovered, to his horror, that it was empty except for a small emerald . The man took it, and gave it to the first person he came by, a woman. Then an old man came by. "What bad luck!" the man said. "Just a moment ago I gave a woman the last of the treasure I was guarding." "Are you sure there is nothing left?" the old man asked. The man took him into the cave, where they found a chest with jewels and some bags of gold. The man was shocked, and the old man explained to him, "At last! At last someone has broken the spell of this cave. This is the Cave of Treasure, and you're the first to have passed its great test. Many have dedicated their lives to this cave, only to end up realizing there was nothing here..." "And why does this happen?" the man asked. "This magic cave has only as many riches as your own heart. When someone discovers it, the cave is filled with treasure, but later, when they have devoted themselves to guarding the treasure, their hearts empty, as does the cave. The only way to fill it is by filling your heart with all that is good, as you did by giving the woman that last jewel." From that day on, the man understood that it was better to share than to keep. Thanks to the cave and the old man, he became noble and generous. What do we know about the people who dedicated their lives to the cave before? A. They all found the cave empty at last. B. The old man freed them from its spell. C. They all filled the cave with the treasure they had. D. They thought it was better to share than to enjoy the treasure alone. Answer: A Question: Mrs Smith's husband went off on a business trip to Australia. He wanted to catch the 3:30 plane to Darwin. She was very surprised when he telephoned her at 5 o'clock and said that he was still at the airport. "What happened?" asked Mrs Smith. "Well," said Mr Smith, "everything was going fine. I got my ticket, checked my luggage and waited in line at the gate. I walked across the runway to the airplane and I saw my friend Jack Scott. Jack was an airplane engineer. I shouted to him and a policeman caught me." "Why did he catch you?" "I don't know," said Mr Smith," All I said was 'Hi, Jack! '" The word "hijack" means "to take control of a plane by force". Mrs Smith was very surprised because A. Mr Smith didn't arrive in Darwin B. Mr Smith telephoned her later C. Mr Smith didn't leave the airport D. Mr Smith was in Darwin Answer: C
Solar energy might be used for A. the air B. making pasta C. feelings D. time travel Answer: B Remember when a trip to the supermarket was nothing more than a boring thing requiring little or no specialized knowledge? You could send your kids into a cart while you did shopping. You always bought the same brands,usually the brands your mother bought. You didn't know about unit pricing,and furthermore,you didn't care. It never occurred to you to read the labels on anything. After all,you'd bought these things a hundred times. But now,I really look on those days with a feeling of yearn . How innocent we were! How carefree were those trips to the supermarket. No worries. Today a trip to the supermarket is filled with social influence. Every time I buy pork chops I think about the years I'm shaving from my life. I keep a careful eye on the freshness date and examine the tamper-proof packaging. I am victim of that most dangerous social disease:shoppers' panic. I didn't realize how serious my condition had become until the last time I needed laundry, soap. It seemed simple enough. Just run into the market,grab a box of the old reliable and pay for it. I hadn't planned on discovering Ecover,a new brand of laundry soap. It sat quietly on the shelf right next to my old reliable. "Healthy,gentle but effective. "My respect for it deepened with each new claim as I read the entire package. Then I looked at the price:$5. 69 for 2 pound. $5. 69! I cast a quick glance at the old reliable,still on sale for$1. 39. Six bucks for laundry soap! These people must be crazy! Who's going to pay six bucks for laundry soap? It's not as though I can't afford it. See,it's concentrated--use less,get more. BUT SIX BUCKS! And the box is made from recycled materials ...This act went on for a solid half hour,after which I left the shelf without any soap at all. Surely the meat department is most threatening place. Remember what protein was good for you? That's all over. Every bite you take kills you. I won't even mention meat's moral influence. When all is said and done,we still must eat. I gather up my healthy-cooking oil and my recycled paper towels and head to the checkout counter. In the supermarket,the author was attracted by a new brand of laundry soap for its_. A. price B. claim C. package D. shape Answer: B Students on two different school campuses are comparing the growth rate of grass three weeks after fertilizer has been applied. The same fertilizer and the same amount of water are used on both campuses. Which additional variable is most important to control when the results of the two investigations are compared? A. type of grass used B. amount of trees in the area C. the weather conditions of the day D. the time of day the measurements are taken Answer: A 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." What were Joe and Jeff? A. Soldiers. B. Drivers. C. Farmers. D. Cleaners. Answer: D High school could be a scary time for everyone. The school seems bigger; there are more kids and it's a totally new environment. In fact, it isn't that bad. High school is a lot like middle school after a while. The first day of course is always scary, and the first day of middle school must have been the same. Of course, the first few days you might get lost while looking for your classes but after a while, what seemed to be a large school really isn't. One thing that's really cool about high school is that there are so many more classes you can take. If you happen to like art, there are many art classes. In addition, there are other classes that weren't available in middle school like photography or psychology. In high school, there are a lot of things that are similar to how middle school was but at the same time, there are other opportunities available as well. There are more clubs, sports, and other activities you can join in. You're able to join in these activities and make new friends with kids with the same interest as you. These activities also give you a chance to learn something you never had the opportunity to learn before. High school has something for everyone. You just have to decide what to take part in. but there's one thing that's certain that you're going to have just as much fun in high school as you did in middle school. And if middle school wasn't that great for you, high school is a chance to make up for it. High school isn't just about having fun though. You have to be responsible while you're growing up. Teachers aren't going to chase you up to do your homework. In the author's opinion, high school life _ . A. is a scary time for everyone B. is full of fun without any worries C. is the same as middle school life D. is as much fun as middle school life Answer: D
E-Cooking Games Thanks for visiting E-Cooking Games!We offer many different types of free online food games for kids. You can find games where you can bake your own cakes, make your own hot dogs, pies and a lot more .You will also find more than just food games. You will find games where you can play makeup games, car games, adventure games and more. All of the games on our website can be played for free. We are constantly adding new games, so you should keep checking back daily. We take pride in all of the cooking games and other food games we add to our website and make sure that we have games that will interest everyone, either boys or girls who enjoy baking up delicious treats. Here on our site, we have great online games with many different recipes that any little baker will love. These games will keep you playing for hours at a time. You can click each game to get a brief description. You can also sort the games by using the menu on the left side of the page. The menu has the games sorted by categories and from there you can choose the free cooking game you want to play, or if you don't want to play a cooking game, you can choose another type of game. If you are looking for games that will let you decorate your own cakes, we have those for you. If you are feeling a bit competitive and want to race, we can help you with that also. Do you want to cook sushi? Well, let us get you started with that. We have many free cooking games you can play. Get something to drink, kick back and get in that kitchen and cook some food! The passage is likely to appear in_. a web page Which of the following is the major cause of tides? gravitational pull of the Moon What would the world look like if it lost its battle against the greenhouse effect and global warming? We are talking about worldwide disaster, including hurricane, earthquake, tidal waves, floods and the beginning of the next Ice Age. This is the scene that faces those who see "The Day After Tomorrow", a new Hollywood sci-fi movie. It is in the second place of prefix = st1 /USbox office chart. Some say that the director, Roland Emmerich, has an uncontrollable desire to destroy the world, especiallyNew York. In 1996, he made "Independence Day", in which aliens destroy the earth. Two years later, he brought "Godzilla" to the screen. This saw a giant monster appear inNew Yorkand almost tear the city to pieces. "The Day After Tomorrow" shows disaster and destruction on a global scale---all thanks to the weather. In the movie, Jack Hall, a weather scientist, is the first man to realize that a new ice age is coming. In one of several natural disasters, his son Sam became trapped in New York's Public Library when a tidal wave strikes the city. He is forced to fight rapidly dropping temperatures. And a pack of hungry wolves escaped from the zoo. Meanwhile, Jack must think of ways to save his son, himself and the whole world. He must follow a hard path north, as everyone else races south to live in warmer climates. This film also brings a direct attack on the refusal of the current US government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions . It is hoped that "The Day After Tomorrow" may encourage a change in the government's attitude towards environmental protection. This text is meant to_. introduce the film "The Day After Tomorrow" One day I was walking home along the street with my iPod on, when suddenly my headphones were knocked off my head and a man threw his arm around my neck, saying "Just be quiet." I was being attacked, and this man's arm was gripping onto me! I started screaming and tried to pull him off me, but failed. He was forcing me to walk towards the back of an auto repair shop and he just kept saying: "Be quiet." My mind froze with fear. Then I heard my great-grandmother's voice in my head. She was saying: "Come on now, I know you are stronger than that!" She was the rock in our family until she died four years ago. I have never had any self-defense training, but I went for it--I let out a loud scream as I kicked my leg back into his shin ! He let go of me and I ran off. When I looked back to see if he was running after me, I saw he was running in the opposite direction. Then I ran like crazy to a nearby drugstore. I asked the girl at the counter for the phone and called my mom. She picked me up five minutes later and I explained what happened through sobs. "I am calling the police!" She exclaimed. When we got home, two officers were waiting for us and I told them what had happened. After my experience, I was afraid to do anything. Things slowly got better, but I still don't like anyone going near my neck. The fear isn't totally gone--after all, the guy is still out there somewhere. But I had a new understanding of my own strength. I never expected to be able to fight off an attacker. I am stronger than I realized. What might be the author's purpose of writing this passage? To share her experience and tell us that we are perhaps not as weak as we thought we were. In October on the east coast of Australia migrating humpback whales pass very close to the shore. With the help of Max Egan, we went to film them near Byron Bay. It was extremely exciting to spot the little puffs of spray on the horizon. When migrating, the whales can be traveling at speeds of about 12km/h and can dive under anywhere between five and forty minutes, but with many years of experience Max usually guided our boat to exactly the right place to provide us with amazing sighting. As the whales break the surface like submarines , the water spills off their broad dark backs and huge tails. Then, with a powerful down stroke, they dive back into the depths of the sea, leaving just a smooth glassy patch of water or "footprint" on the surface to show where they had been. One day we had traveled up and down the shore and far out to the sea in search of whales, but the horizon was deserted. There was no report of whales in the area so we decided to test out Max's new, highly sensitive hydrophone and the result was astonishing. As soon as the hydrophone was in the water, we found ourselves listening to the most beautiful voices. What may have seemed like a vast empty ocean was filled with the singing of whales. It is the males which sing, as they migrate between feeding and breeding grounds. No one knows for sure what the purpose of these songs is, whether they are love songs to the females or warnings to other males to stay away. It was thought that each population of humpbacks had its own song which remained regular but recent findings suggest that the whales appreciate a memorable tune and quickly adopt any new songs they hear. What do we know about Max? He is an experienced man in finding whales.
Australia is largely a nation of immigration , with one in four of Australia's 21 million population born overseas. But immigrations hoping to become Australian citizens will soon have to take a test examining their knowledge of the country's history and institutions. While Australia prides itself on its multicultural background, the government wants newcomers to integrate more fully . Form later this year, new immigrants will have to show an understanding of the English language. They will also be required to answer 20 questions from a list of 200. Anyone who gives fewer than 12 correct responses will not be accepted. Immigrants will also have to accept what the government considers to be 10 important Australia values, including "mateship" and "giving people a fair go". Other important Australia values are said to include tolerance, compassion, gender equality and freedom of speech. The new citizenship application procedures are detailed in a 40-pages booklet . It describes Australia as "a nation at ease with the world and itself" but says that newcomers are expected to respect its values. The booklet sums up mateship as voluntary helping and receiving help from others, especially in difficult times. The immigration Minister said they aimed to achieve a balance between ethnic diversity and social stability , "particularly as we now draw people from so many different countries and so many different cultures". Critics have attacked the English language requirement, pointing out many immigrants could not speak English when they arrived. But the minister said, "We are trying to encourage people to learn English, because we think that is the way they will achieve their dreams in Australia." What's new in Australia's immigration policy? Answer: New immigrants will have to take a test We all need to exercise.Doctors say it is good for us.It makes our heart and body strong.It also gives you more energy .And you will feel better about yourself.It's good to exercise twice a week.Twenty minutes each time is enough. There are many ways to exercise.You can walk,run,play sports or swim.Many people go to special places to exercise.They are called "fitness centers ".These places have a lot of equipments .People can do different sports there.Some people buy equipments for their homes.But it is very expensive. Exercising can be fun.Friends can exercise together at a fitness center,or they can play sports together.How do you exercise? How often do you exercise? Which of these kinds of exercise is NOT mentioned in the passage? _ . Answer: Dancing "TODAY is a dream comes true. I have always wanted to be a Grand Slam champion." These are the words of Chinese tennis player Li Na after she became the first Asian woman to win a Grand Slam final in the French Open on June 4. "People were saying I'm getting old. So this is a great success for such an old woman," the 29-year-old joked. This is the way that Li usually fights doubts- by being humorous and sharp. "China's number one sister" is never a pushover . She has a tattoo . She has dyed her hair many different colors. And, at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she told her fans to "shut up" when they got too noisy in their support. Li started to play tennis at the age of 6. She once recalled: "As a child, I felt sad because every day I had to wake up early to practice. After school I had to practice more. I didn't have time to play." Luckily, the tough girl didn't give up, thus making history for Chinese tennis time after time. Now the new champion is already thinking about winning another Grand Slam title. Her next stop is Wimbledon - the European grass court championship that starts later this month. "When you have one title, naturally you will think about another," she says, not hiding her ambition. "Chinese people are so lacking in confidence on the tennis court. If there is a person like me who can prove we can do it, the other young players in China will feel the same," she said. Li Na thinks that Chinese people need _ in most. Answer: confidence Anna Craig, 11, has a paper doll covered with stickers. Each sticker is labeled with a word such as creative, cheerful, smart or kind. "We choose stickers that best describe us and put them on our dolls," explains Anna. "All these words are what makes me beautiful!" The activity is part of a program called Beautiful Me. The Hance Family Foundation, which was created to honor three sisters killed in a car accident, offers the program for free to schools. The program's goals are to help girls and young women build healthy levels of self-esteem and develop skills for handling problems and relationships with others. Beautiful Me explains that self-esteem means how you feel about yourself and what you think your value is as a person. "Girls of all ages benefit from recognizing what makes each of us valuable and different," says Kate Tuffy, who helped create Beautiful Me. "Our goal is to offer the program to as many girls as possible across the United States." About 6,000 girls have benefited from it due to her efforts. Beautiful Me organizers train teachers to present the program material to small groups of girls. It includes hands-on art activities, role-playing games about understanding body language and discussions on how to build friendships. Schools and groups present the program when they are ready. "The Beautiful Me program helps girls understand their feelings, solve problems and get along better in and out of school. Girls and women who have built healthy levels of self-esteem are more likely to be better friends to others and know how to solve conflicts," says Tuffy. Anna says she has learned all of that from the program. But most importantly, she has learned to appreciate the special qualities in people and that it's important to feel good about yourself. "When you feel good about yourself," Anna says, "it is easy to make others feel good, too! In Anna Craig' s eyes, beauty is _ . Answer: the good qualities inside of someone Scientists warn today that the Atlantic bluefin tuna faces disappearance unless certain action is taken. They used electronic ways to track the movement of the powerful fish from the Gulf of Mexico to the Mediterranean, and report today in the journal Nature that meals of sushi and sandwiches with tuna worldwide are more dangerous than anyone has imagined. The bluefin tuna can live for 30 years, grow to three metres in length and weigh as much as 700kg. A good one can fetch as much as PS 52,000 in the Tokyo fish markets. "In my lifetime, we've brought this big fish to the doorstep of death in the western Atlantic Ocean," said Barbara Block of Stanford University in California. "The electronic way of tracks provides the best scientific information we've ever had to manage these tuna and we must, as an international community, start to act actively to make sure of the future of this fish. " Scientists have repeatedly said that the harvest of the seas cannot be as good as before. There are fewer and fewer fish in around Newfoundland, North Sea and Iceland, so fishermen have pushed further offshore in search of deep ocean fish. Tuna--in the Mediterranean and Japan--have been under increasing pressure for years. The International Commission on the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna has tried to manage the fish since 1969.There are two populations: a western one that has dropped by 80% in the past 30 years, and a larger, eastern population. Although catches are controlled by 3,000 tons a year in the western fishery, and 32,000 in the east, no one knew whether the limits worked. So Professor Block and her team placed tracks on hundreds of the fish and tracked them to depths of more than 900 metres and on journeys of thousands of miles, measuring the movement, body and water temperatures. "There are two ways to save the Atlantic bluefin tuna--protect them in their production grounds and in their feeding grounds," Prof. Block said. "This will need immediate action in both the central Atlantic, to reduce the loss of the big fish while hunting, and in the Gulf of Mexico and Mediterranean, where tuna produce as separate populations. " Which of the following is NOT true according to this passage? Answer: Scientists think that the harvest of the seas will remain good.
Unlike chemists and physicists, who usually do their experiments using machines, biologists and medical researchers have to use living things like rats. But there are three Nobel prize-winning scientists who actually chose to experiment on themselves - all in the name of science, reported The Telegraph. 1. Werner Forssmann (Nobel prize winner in 1956) Forssmann was a German scientist. He studied how to put a pipe inside the heart to measure the pressure inside and decide whether a patient needs surgery. Experiments had been done on horses before, so he wanted to try with human patients. But it was not permitted because the experiment was considered too dangerous. Not giving up, Forssmann decided to experiment on himself. He anaesthetized his own arm and made a cut, putting the pipe 30 centimeters into his vein. He then climbed two floors to the X-ray room before pushing the pipe all the way into his heart. 2. Barry Marshall (Nobel prize winner in 2005) Most doctors in the mid-20th century believed that _ was down to stress, spicy food or an unusually large amount of stomach acid. But in 1979 an Australian scientist named Robin Warren found that the disease might be related to a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. So he teamed up with his colleague, Barry Marshall, to continue the study. When their request to experiment on patients was denied, Marshall bravely drank some of the bacteria. Five days later, he lost his appetite and soon was vomiting each morning - he indeed had gastritis. 3. Ralph Steinman (Nobel prize winner in 2011) This Canadian scientist discovered a new type of immune system cell called the dendritic cell. He believed that it had the ability to fight against cancer. Steinman knew he couldn't yet use his method to treat patients. So in 2007, when doctors told him that he had cancer and that it was unlikely for him to live longer than a year, he saw an opportunity. With the help of his colleagues, he gave himself three different vaccines based on his research and a total of eight experimental therapies. Even though Steinman eventually died from his cancer, he lived four and a half years, much longer than doctors had said he would. What's the main purpose of the article? Answer: To introduce a few Nobel prize winners who did experiments on themselves. Imagine having an idea, drawing it on paper, bringing it to a store and seeing it turned into a physical object. This is now possible with the help of 3D printers. Such machines were once used just by universities and big companies, but now, stores with 3D printing services are appearing around the United States. Bryan Jaycox and his wife opened The Build Shop LLC in Los Angeles two years ago. The store is filled with tools like a laser cutter, an industrial sewing machine and 3D printers. The Jaycoxs offer 3D printing classes and services for anyone who is interested. "I think 3D printing is going to be huge. It's going to have a huge effect on society as a whole." One of the students in a recent class was KiChong Tran. He plans to open a 3D printing business in Cambodia. 3D printing services are becoming available for American consumers. The UPS Store is a nationwide retailer ( ) that provides shipping, copying and other services. The UPS Store recently put 3D printers in three of its independently-owned stores. Burke Jones owns one of the stores in San Diego. "The demand has been amazing. It's been much more than I would have imagined." The UPS Store plans to add 3D printers in three more stores. At The UPS Store, the cost of the object depends on the amount of materials used. The store charges up to $95 an hour to design the object with computer software that creates a digital file to guide the printer. Mr. Jaycox predicts that within five years, 3D printing technology could become more popular. But KiChong Tran says even current technology can make a difference in a developing country like Cambodia. "With 3D printing, you can give them tools; you put it in their hands so they are responsible more for their own development and they learn skills beyond just learning English and becoming a tour guide or something like that or working at a bank; you can actually create things that give value to the world." He says it's not just in Cambodia but anywhere where there is a 3D printer that it can turn a good idea into reality. The purpose of the passage is to _ Answer: introduce a new technique-3D printing Perhaps every older generation since ancient times has complained about young people, and today is no different. Isn't it obvious that kids these days are self-absorbed social network addicts? However, this summer, my impression of today's kids has been restored by the story of Rachel Beckwith. She could teach my generation a great deal about maturity and unselfishness -- even though she's just 9 years old, or was when she died on July 23. At age 5, Rachel had her long hair cut off and sent to Locks of Love, which uses hair donations to make artificial hair for children who have lost their own hair because of cancer or other diseases. After that, Rachel announced that she would grow her hair long again and donate it again. And that's what she did. Then when she was 8 years old, her church began raising money to build wells in Africa through an organization called "charity: water". Rachel was astonished when she learned that other children had no clean water, so she _ her ninth birthday party. Rachel set up a birthday page on the charity: water website with a target of $300. Instead of presents, she asked her friends to donate $9 each to charity: water. Finally Rachel raised only $220 -- which had left her just a bit disappointed. Then, on July 20, a serious traffic accident left Rachel critically injured. Church members and friends, seeking some way of showing support, began donating on Rachel's birthday page -- charitywater.org/Rachel -- and donations reached her $300 goal, and kept rising. When it was clear that Rachel would never regain consciousness, the family decided to remove the life-support machine. Her parents donated her hair for the final time to Locks of Love, and her organs to other children. Word spread about Rachel's last fund-raiser . Contributions poured in, often they donated $9. The total donations soon topped $100,000, then $300,000. This is a story not just of one girl, but of a young generation of outstanding problem-solvers working creatively. According to the text, Rachel set up the birthday page to _ . Answer: raise money to help African children Compared to the amount of hereditary information in a human body cell, how much hereditary information is contained in a human sex cell? Answer: one-half the amount A geologist finds a layer of shale near the surface from a certain time period. Nearby, the geologist finds the same layer of shale, but it is deeper underground than the first layer. What might have caused the difference in the depth of the shale layer? Answer: a fault
Orris had title to Brownacre in fee simple. Without Orris' knowledge, Hull entered Brownacre in 1950 and constructed an earthen dam across a watercourse. The earthen dam trapped water that Hull used to water a herd of cattle he owned. After 12 years of possession of Brownacre, Hull gave possession of Brownacre to Burns. At the same time, Hull also purported to transfer his cattle and all his interests in the dam and water to Burns by a document that was sufficient as a bill of sale to transfer personal property but was insufficient as a deed to transfer real property. One year later, Burns entered into a lease with Orris to lease Brownacre for a period of five years. After the end of the five-year term of the lease, Burns remained on Brownacre for an additional three years and then left Brownacre. At that time Orris conveyed Brownacre by a quitclaim deed to Powell. The period of time to acquire title by adverse possession in the jurisdiction is 10 yearsAfter Orris's conveyance to Powell, title to the earthen dam was in the person who then held title to Brownacre in fee simple. In the United States alone,over 100 million cell-phones are thrown away each year.Cell-phones are part of a growing mountain of electronic waste like computers and personal digital assistants.The electronic waste stream is increasing three times taster than traditional garbage as a whole. Electronic devices contain valuable metals such as gold and silver.A Swiss study reported that while the weight of electronic goods represented by precious metals was relatively small in comparison to total waste,the concentration of gold and other precious metals was higher in So-called e-waste than in naturally occurring minerals. Electronic wastes also contain many poisonous metals.Even when the machines are recycled and the harmful metals removed,the recycling process often is carried out in poor countries,in practically uncontrolled ways which allow many poisonous substances to escape into the environment. Creating products out of raw materials creates much more waste material,up to 100 times more,than the material contained in the finished products.Consider again the cell-phone,and imagine the mines that produced those metals,the factories needed to make the box and packaging it came in.Many wastes produced in the producing process are harmful as well. The U.S Environmental Protection Agency notes that most waste is dangerous in that"the production, distribution,and use of products-as well as management of the resulting waste-all result in greenhouse gas release." Individuals can reduce their contribution by creating less waste at the start-for instance,buying reusable products and recycling. In many countries the concept of extended producer responsibility is being considered or has been put in place as an incentive for reducing waste.If producers are required to take back packaging they use to sell their products,would they reduce the packaging in the first place? Governments' incentive to require producers to take responsibility for the packaging they produce is usually based on money.Why,they ask,should cities or towns be responsible for paying to deal with the bubble wrap that encased your television? From the governments' point of view,a primary goal of laws requiring extended producer responsibility is to transfer both the costs and the physical responsibility of waste management from the government and tax-payers back to the producers. By mentioning the Swiss study,the author intends to tell us that _ . natural minerals contain more precious metals As soon as the woman got into the house, her eight-year-old daughter told her that her younger brother drew so many pictures on the clean wall of his bedroom and left the white wall in a mess. When the woman heard this, she was angry. "Where's your brother now?" "He's hiding himself in the cupboard in his bedroom." The little girl answered. The woman got even angrier. She complained about her son when she went towards her son's bedroom. The six-year-old boy was staying with fear in the cupboard when he heard what his mother said. He knew she got really angry this time. The woman pushed the door open with a loud noise. But when she saw the words and pictures on the wall, her anger soon disappeared. "I love you, mum!" covered the whole wall, with so many hearts around them, and so many stars in the sky. The mother's eyes were full of happy tears. She opened the door of the cupboard, and hugged her son tightly. The boy said "I love you, Mum!" to her mother in a low voice when he was in his mother's arms. It's the most expensive present from her son -- "Love on the wall". Eight years later, the boy suddenly died of heart disease. The mother had kept the wall tidy with great care for nearly fifty years until she was dead. In the mother's heart, it seemed that her son was alive, and always looking at her in the sky with many shining stars around him. What kind of story do you think it is? A love story. As they migrate, butterflies and moths choose the winds they want to fly with, and they change their body positions if they start floating in the wrong direction. This new finding suggests that insects may use some of the same methods that birds use for traveling long distances. Scientists have long thought that insects were simply at the mercy of the wind. Fascinating as their skills of flight are, migrating behavior has been difficult to study in insects because many long distant trips happen thousands of feet above ground. Only recently have scientists developed technologies that can detect such little creatures at such great heights. To their surprise, though, the insects weren't passive travelers on the winds. In autumn, for example, most light winds blew from the east, but the insects somehow sought out ones that carried them south and they positioned themselves to navigate directly to their wintering homes. Even in the spring, when most winds flowed northward, the insects didn't always go with the flow. If breezes weren't blowing in the exact direction they wanted to go, the insects changed their body positions to compensate(, ). Many migrating birds do the same thing. The study also found that butterflies and moths actively flew within the air streams that pushed them along. By adding flight speeds to wind speeds, the scientists calculated that butterflies and moths can travel as fast as 100 kilometers an hour. The findings may have real-world applications. With climate warming, migrating insects are growing in number. Knowing how and when these pests move could help farmers decide when to spray their crops. Scientists originally thought that _ . insects were just blown about by the wind Since last year, Where Are We Going, Dad? has become the most popular TV shows.On the show, the five fathers and their children traveled around China riding camels through the western deserts , fishing on the east coast, and selling vegetables for their bus fare in southwestern Yunnan province. One dad doesn't know how to do his daughter's hair, so some people try to help him.Another one must survive with his son for three days in the desert because the father can't cook,they only eat instant noodles . Why is Where Are We Going, Dad? so popular? Because it is about how Chinese parents look after their kids. The show makes modern parents think about what they should do with their kids.In traditional Chinese culture,the father is strict and the mother is kind.But on the show, we see fathers who are much gentle on their kids and more involved in their upbringing ."said Li Minyi, a professor of early childhood education . In the past, children were taught by their parents' wishes and look after _ in their old age.But today Chinese parents realize that respecting their children's choices may be a better way to prepare them for modem society.As they raise their children,parents are growing up at the same time. According to the passage,what didn't the fathers and their children do on the show? Climbed the mountains.
LONDON--Life for Cathy Hagner and her three children is set to permanent fast-forward. Their full school day and her job as a lawyer's assistant are busy enough. But Hagner also has to take the two boys to soccer or hockey or basketball while dropping off her daughter at piano lessons or Girl Scout Club. Often, the exhausted family doesn't get home until 7 pm. There is just time for a quick supper before homework. In today's world, middle-class American and British parents treat their children as if they are competitors racing for some finishing line. Parents take their children from activity to activity in order to make their future bright. It seems that raising a genius has become a more important goal than raising a happy and well-balanced child. "Doctors across the country are reporting a growing number of children suffering from stomachaches and headaches due to exhaustion and stress," says child expert William Doherty of the University of Minnesota. Teachers are dealing with exhausted kids in the classroom. It's a very serious problem. Many children attend after-school clubs by necessity. But competitive pressures also create an explosion of activities. They include sports, language, music and math classes for children as young as four. "There is a new parenting trend under way which says that you have to tap all your child's potential at a young age; otherwise you will let him down," says Terry Alter, a Cambridge-based child and adolescent psychiatrist "It isn't entirely new: there have always been pushy parents. But what was previously seen as strange behaviour is now well accepted." The writer's opinion about after-school clubs is that _ . A activities in the country are too competitive B children should attend four clubs at a time C some clubs result in competitive pressures D clubs should have more subjects for school children Answer: C Some species of sea anemones may be highly toxic to whom? A Sarah B Metal C Cars D Wood Answer: A Many times when children make a mistake,starting with breaking a window while playing football or skipping classes and ending with stealing something or fighting with another child,parents are always blamed by the society for not having known how to educate their offsprings .The situation is not that easy to explain. Parents always look for the best interest of their children and many times they are ready to take measures only for their sake.They know their children are suffering when they are forced to stay indoors or when they have no money,but they have to teach them a lesson so that they won't repeat the same mistakes over and over again.When a child realizes that his father is talking seriously about him not being allowed to do something,he understands the seriousness of his deeds and he knows he will think twice before making the same mistake again. These are the cases of the responsible parents,who suffer when they see that their children are not happy but who resist the temptation of forgiving them so easily so that they realize the gravity of their actions not only at present but also in the future. On the other hand there are parents who always find excuses for their children's behavior,who never consider they make mistakes or if they just do what they call "childish" things. When you buy your children everything he has ever dreamt of or when you tell him he can wear a necklace even if he is only 13,he will become so spoiled that he won't take into consideration anything of what you are telling him later on.He will get to the point where he steals from the house or from a shop so that he can afford to buy cigarettes or drugs. The purpose of writing this passage is to _ . A tell us it is normal that children make mistakes B show parents how to deal with the children who make mistakes C make us know why children often make mistakes D give some advice on how to forgive the children who make mistakes Answer: B One day a mime is visiting the zoo and attempts to earn some money as a street performer. As soon as he starts to draw a crowd,a zookeeper drags him into his office.The zookeeper explains that the zoo's most popular attraction,a gorilla ,has died suddenly and the keeper fears that attendance at the zoo will fall off.He offers the mime a job to dress up as the gorilla. The mime accepts. The next morning the mime puts on the gorilla suit and enters the cage before the crowd comes.He soon discovers he can sleep all he wants,play and make fun of people and he draws bigger crowds than he ever did as a mime--the job he likes but loses. However, with days going by,he begins to notice that the people are paying more attention to the lion in the cage next to his.Not wanting to lose the attention of his audience, he climbs to the top of his cage,crawls across a partition ,and dangles from the top to the lion's cage. The lion gets angry at this. The scene is _ to the crowd. At the end of the day he is given a raise for being such a good attraction--Well,this continues for some time.The crowds grow larger,and the mime's pay keeps going up. Then one day when he is dangling over the lion he slips and falls.The mime is terrified. He starts screaming, "Help me!",but the lion is quick.The mime soon finds himself flat on his back looking up at the angry lion and the lion says, "Shut up you fool! Do you want to get us both fired?" The mime's first contact with the lion is to _ * A find pleasure for himself B get the lion's attention C get his pay raised D win back his audience Answer: D When traveling abroad, it is wise to carry your money in traveler's checks because checks are protected against loss or theft. If your checks are lost or stolen, the issuing authority will refund your money. Not only are they safe, they are also convenient. They are available in different currencies and they can be cashed at most banks throughout the world. Most shops, hotels and restaurants also accept them. Traveler's checks are very easy to use. When you collect them, you sign each check once. The cashier enters the amount in your passport. When you cash, you sign each check again. The cashier will usually ask to see your passport again too. To get traveler's checks you usually go to your bank. They can be paid in cash or in other ways. Large amounts, however, must be ordered in advance. For the safety and convenience of traveler's checks, you are charged two commissions(,): an insurance commission when you buy them and an encashment commission when you cash them. It is suitable to make a note of the serial numbers of your checks. Keep this separate from your traveler's checks.(191) If your traveler's checks are lost or stolen, who will refund you? A The authority that issues you the passport. B The insurance company. C The bank where you buy your checks. D The travel agency that arranges your travel. Answer: C
Aunt Ma sees an ad in a newspaper for a nice bed in a shop. It costs 600 yuan. Aunt Ma likes it, so she goes to the shop. The shopkeeper shows one to her. Aunt Ma has a look at it and says, "There aren't any beautiful pillows on this bed, but there are many on the bed in your ad." "Yes, that is an ad," answers the shopkeeper. "If you want a bed the same as the one in the ad, you need to pay 60 yuan more." Aunt Ma isn't happy. Then she says, "That's _ ." "Well," answers the shopkeeper. "Look, there is a girl on a bike in an ad in your newspaper too, but can you buy the bike with the girl?" How much is the bed with the pillows? A 600 yuan. B 660 yuan. C 60 yuan. D 540 yuan. Answer: B Harvard University in the United States has been ranked as the university with the best "reputation" in the world. The Times Higher Education magazine has listed 200 top universities all over the world based on how they are regarded by a group of international college teachers. That is to say the list measures how universities are regarded, rather than how they actually performed. A subjective, word-of-mouth quality such as "reputation" has genuine economic value for universities, said Simon Marginson, professor of higher education at the University of Melbourne in Australia. "Reputation is not just an impression, though it might be not as reliable as performance by objective indicators ," said Prof Marginson. Based on the views of 13,000 college teachers around the world, it confirms the power of the big US universities, which _ this list. Seven of the top 10 are US universities, headed by Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Furthermore, 14 of the top 20 are from the US. Cambridge is the highest ranking UK university in the list, in third place, with Oxford ranked as sixth. For students applying to university, reputation might be hard to quantify, but was an important part of the attractiveness, said the president of Cambridge University's students' union, Rahul Mansigani. "Reputation makes a huge difference. If there is an idea that somewhere is great, it will get lots of good people applying whether it's true or not. Factors such as a sense of history and the presence of outstanding college teachers were part of the reputation of Cambridge," he said. What can be inferred from the text? A No Asian universities are among the Top 10. B At least five UK universities are among Top 20. C The Times Higher Education magazine is from the US. D Reputation affects students' decisions when choosing universities. Answer: D Our only star provides us with energy that is A temporary B inferior C expensive D reusable Answer: D It was Saturday afternoon and Andrew was bored. He had been watching TV all day. He told his dad, "There's nothing to do!" Andrew's dad said, "I think the newspaper is here. Maybe we can find an idea in the newspaper." Andrew looked outside the window and saw the newspaper by the door. On the front was a picture of an elephant. He picked up the newspaper and brought it to his dad. Andrew and his dad read the story. The circus was in town! Andrew had never been to the circus. He asked his dad, "Can we go?" "Yes, we can,' Andrew's dad said, 'but first you need to feed your goldfish." Andrew fed his goldfish some goldfish food. He promised to bring it some peanuts from the circus for later. Andrew and his dad went to the circus. The people and animals at the circus did lots of tricks. The elephant even went down a slide! Andrew and his dad ate lots of peanuts. There weren't any peanuts left to bring home to the goldfish. Andrew and his dad had a lot of fun at the circus. Who ate peanuts in the story? A the elephant B Andrew C Andrew and his goldfish D Andrew and his dad Answer: D It's 8:00 a.m.James Butters gives,18-month-old Thomas his milk,then breakfast.After getting Thomas into his outdoor clothes, they head for the park to watch birds and play on the grass.With lunchtime drawing near,they're back home for an afternoon of drawing, playing with cars,or maybe watching some children's programs. James isn't Thomas'dad.He is a nanny -a man nanny obviously,humorously termed a"manny"--specially trained and in his third nannying position.At 27,he cares for Thomas,and another boy of a simliar age."It's much freer than an office job,"he says, "and you're getting to see children develop and grow.You become very close to them,for sure.I don't think I'm special or better than a woman nanny; everyone has their own ap- proach.But I'm unusual.Friends laughed when I started studying nursery nursing.In my class,I was the only man among 70 women.Somehow,I made it,"he said. Although it's not yet common to find men in traditional nannying courses,things are changing.In the United States,parents are employing young mannies,sometimes to care for babies,but more often as active role models to get their children away from the TV and the computer.From rollerblading friends to summer swimming mannies,these are the big brothers who are always willing to play,largely because they're paid for it.It is catching on here in Britain,too.Earlier this year,Norland Nanny College welcomed its first full-time man student,19-year-old Peter Cummins in Wales.While some families find it difficult to accept the idea of a young man in a traditional nannying role,man nannies are increasingly popular. Which of the following can be the best title for the text? A A New Profession for Men B Changes in Tradition C Mannies and Nannies D Babies and Their Mannies Answer: A
If you do not use your arms or your legs for some time, they will become weak; when you start using them again, they will slowly become stronger again.Everybody knows that .yet many people do not seem to know that memory works in the same way.When someone says that he has a good memory, he really means that he keeps his memory in practice by using it. When someone else says that his memory is poor, he really means that he does not give it enough chance to become strong.If a friend says that his arms and legs are weak, we know that it is his own fault.But if he tells us that he has a poor memory, many of us think that his parents are to blame, and few of us know that it is just his own fault.Have you ever noticed that some people can't read or write but usually they have better memories? This is because they cannot read or write so 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 memories are being exercised the whole time.So if you want to have a good memory, learn from these people:Practise remembering. Which is the best title for this passage? A. Don't Stop Using Your Arams or Legs B. How to Have a Good Memory C. Strong Arms and God Memories D. Learn from the People Answer: B. How to Have a Good Memory Between 1996 and 2010, according to a study published in 2012, the use of computed tomography (CT) scans nearly increased by three times as much, from 52 scans per 1,000 patients to 149 scans per 1,000 patients. And those images certainly provided valuable information to help doctors diagnose hidden conditions that wouldn't have been possible without the added insight. But CT scans produce those detailed images using small amounts of radiation, and while the risk of that exposure is small, on a population level, increased reliance on the scans could drive a slight bump in cancer risk from CT. That's exactly what the latest study, published in the British Medical Journal, found. It's the largest study to date -- involving 10.9 million Australians born between 1985 and 2005. A team of researchers from Australia and Europe studied the cancer rates of Australian patients from birth to 19 years old who had CT scans in early childhood, and compared them to those who did not receive the scans. Most of the cases were followed for 10 to 17 years, and by the end of the study period, 3,150 of the 680,000 patients exposed to CT scans during childhood and young adulthood developed cancer and 57,542 of the remaining participants, who were not exposed, developed cancer. Those who were scanned had a 24% greater risk of cancer than those who did not receive them, with the risk increasing by 16% for each additional CT. The risk was highest for children who received scans before age five; they showed a 35% increased chance of developing a cancer during the study period than those who weren't scanned at this age. That research is still ongoing, however, and in the meantime, doctors and patients are left to find the delicate balance between how necessary scans are to diagnose disease, and their potential risk of causing cancer, which, most experts say, is still very small. "All parties, including patients and families, need to work together to make sure that CT scans are limited to situations where there is a definite clinical indication," the authors write. Only then will the benefits, they say, outweigh the risks of exposure. What can we learn about the participants of the study? A. They came from both Australia and Europe. B. Most of them are between 10 to 17 years old. C. Some of them had developed cancer at the age of 19. D. About 10.22 million of them hadn't received CT scans. Answer: D. About 10.22 million of them hadn't received CT scans. We were moving to a new state after my husband had been out of work for many months and we had no money. In fact, we had to borrow money to reach our destination town. Anyway, it was my husband, two boys aged four and two, and myself, seven months pregnant , in an old Volvo station wagon. We had been driving for two days in the middle of winter (that car's heater didn't work), and we had taken a route that was very _ . There was nothing around for miles-no cars, buildings or signs of civilization. Suddenly, our car started losing power and the gauges went all out of order. We saw a light in the distance and managed to roll to a stop in front of this property that looked like a small simple house. Our cell phones had not gotten reception for many miles, and it was freezing outside, so I didn't know if we were going to make it out of this situation alive. My husband got out of the car to see if there was something he could do to get us rolling again, but it was not looking good. A short while later, a man came out of the house and spoke with my husband a bit before inviting us all into his home. He and his wife took us in, fed us, and made us feel at home as we struggled to find some way to get to our destination, which was still a few hours' drive away. We were able to call a friend and get a ride, leaving our broken car behind, but not before the couple gave us food and water for our journey. One week later, this dear sweet couple pulled our car all the way to our place and refused to take anything in return, except for us to pay it forward-and we have, and will continue to do it forever. Knowing that the wagon had broken down, the author _ . A. called her friend several miles away for help B. stopped the car in front of a simple service station C. was afraid that they couldn't overcome the difficulty D. encouraged her husband and children to be confident Answer: C. was afraid that they couldn't overcome the difficulty If a frog is a baby, then it has A. zero legs B. four legs C. two legs D. zero parents Answer: A. zero legs Apple Inc co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs, counted among the greatest American CEOs of his generation, died on Wednesday at the age of 56, after a years-long and highly public battle with cancer. Mourners gathered outside his house in Palo Alto, California, and Apple stores around the world. Steve Jobs made technology fun. As tech leaders, they're really happy if they have one hit in their life. Steve Jobs has the Apple II, the Mac, the iPod, the iPhone, the iPad and Pixar. Steve Jobs was a college dropout. He was adopted by a machinist and his wife, an accountant. They supported his early interest in electronics. He and his friend Steve Wozniak started Apple Computer--now just called Apple--in 1976. They stayed at the company until 1985. That year, Steve Wozniak returned to college and Steve Jobs left in a dispute with the chief executive. Mr. Jobs then formed his own company, called NeXT Computer. He rejoined Apple in 1997 after it bought NeXT, He helped remake Apple from a business that was in bad shape then to one of the most valuable companies in the world today. However, Steve Jobs stepped down as Apple's chief executive in August, 2011 because of his health. He died a day after the company released a new iPhone version that met with limited excitement. Steve left behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple. President Obama said in a statement: by building one of the planet's most successful companies from his garage, Steve Jobs showed the spirit of American ingenuity . By making computers personal and putting the Internet in our pockets, he made the information revolution not only accessible but intuitive and fun. The fact that he was able to redesign American commerce top to bottom and across is really astonishing. He probably will be considered an industrial giant on the scale of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, so one of the greatest of all time. Steve Jobs not only revolutionized technology, he also revolutionized American business. Steve Jobs was remembered as a " great visionary and leader" and a marketing genius. How long did Steve Jobs work for Apple? A. 9 years. B. 14 years. C. 23 years. D. 35 years Answer: C. 23 years.
BUY A JOINT TICKET AND VISIT THE HISTORIC ROYAL PALACES THE TOWER OF LONDON Royal Palace and fortress for over 900 years, scene of mystery, murder and home to the Crown Jewels. KENSINGTON PALACE Birthplace of Queen Victoria, this royal retreat is home to magnificent State Apartments and the stunning Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, which includes dresses worn by HM Queen Elizabeth II and Diana, Princess of Wales. HISTORIC ROYAL PALACES Hampton Court Palace is part of Historic Royal Palaces, a registered charity ( No: 1068852 ) that receives no public funding. We rely on the income from admission tickets to the palaces to pay for vital protection work, necessary for the preservation of these national monuments and collections for future generations. Please ask at the ticket office for more information or visit www.hrp.org.uk. VISITOR INFORMATION CARRIAGE RIDES Take a trip around Home Park in a horse-drawn carriage. Rides begin and end in Home Park at the entrance by the East Front Gardens. Available all day. 20 minutes duration. PS10.00 per carriage. Subject to weather and ground conditions. ENQUIRIES For details of admission charges, group rates, the Friends of Hampton Court Palace and facilities for disabled visitors, call 0870-752-7777 or visit www. Hampton-court-palace.org.uk. RESTAURANTS & SHOPS Choose from the Tiltyard Tearooms or the Privy Kitchen Coffee Shop. There are also a number of ice-cream kiosks open in the summer. The palace shops offer a wide range of gifts and souvenirs. AUDIO GUIDES Audio guides are included in the palace ticket and are available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Japanese. You have to pay extra money if you want to _ . A. have an audio guide B. visit the royal palace and fortress C. take a horse-drawn carriage D. visit Hampton Court Palace Answer: C. take a horse-drawn carriage Which of these particles, when found in soil, contributes most to the water retention in soil? A. gravel B. sand C. silt D. clay Answer: D. clay "Gangnam Style" by singer Psy from Korea, is a popular song, but its extraordinary global success is really the result of its music video, which is a great piece of genius. On September 22nd, Guinness World Records listed "Gangnam Style" as the most-liked video in the history of YouTube. It's been performed at West Point (West-Point Style), and Google's CEO, has done the "Gangnam Style" horse dance at the company's office in Seoul. Even Samsung is trying to make Psy the new model for the latest type of fridge. The song's global popularity is such that the vast majority of people who enjoy it don't speak Korean, and have no idea what it is about. That's fine --- part of what makes "Gangnam Style" so fun is, like international pop music, the difficulty in understanding it. When we sing along, "Hey, sexy lady", we don't really know what we're singing about. The joy of _ is familiar to anyone who loves pop music from elsewhere. Anthony Lane, in his 2010 review of the Eurovision Song Contest, Only Mr. God Knows Why, used "Eurovision English" as one of its chief pleasures. It's "a complex tongue, spoken nowhere else, which raises the heartfelt poetry but absolute nonsense to a level of what sci-fi writers could only have dreamed. " In similar ways, "Gangnam Style" is just an over-the-top video where a fat man does a funny dance and sings repetitive words that don't make sense to most of us. But on the other, the magic of the song also lies in its funny dance, which reflects not just cultural morals specific to Korea, but cultural values easily recognizable to western viewers. This song's words may be in Korean, but its scenes are in clear American. The dance moves are simple enough to copy. Nonsense, in other words, forces us to let down our guards. It makes us relax, and asks us to let in all sorts of feelings from which, otherwise, we might distance ourselves. "Gangnam Style" happens to be so interesting because of its incomprehensibleness. The text is mainly about _ . A. how "Gangnam Style" becomes popular among the youths B. why "Gangnam Style" is popular even if few people understand it C. how Psy gains worldwide success through his talent and hard work D. what emotions and cultural morals Psy wants to convey with his song Answer: B. why "Gangnam Style" is popular even if few people understand it When Kyle walks into Ernie's Pet World, he looks very _ . The shop owner, Ernie, jumps out of his seat to greet Kyle. He is the shop's first customer of the day. "Good morning, sir!" Ernie says, "What can I help you with?" "Well, I... "Kyle starts to say. "Wait, don't tell me," Ernie stops him, "You're looking for a...a little dog... for your daughter's birthday. Right?" "Not really, I just... " Ernie doesn't let him finish. "Ah, I've got it. You just moved to a new office, and you want some fish for it, I have some very nice fish bowls over here." "In fact, I..."Kyle starts to look very _ and strange . "No fish? Ah, a cat! You look like a cat person. At Ernie's Pet World, we have the best cats. Take a look at this lovely one with long, white hair. She's looking at you. She's thinking, 'Take me home. Take me home. 'Would you like some cat food and toys, too?" "No, thank you," Kyle says. By this time, he is walking up and down. He has a terrible look on his face. "Really, I'm not interested in cats or fish or little dogs." "What do you want, then?" Ernie asks. Kyle looks like he is going to cry. "I just want to know if I can use your toilet!" he says at last. When does Kyle walk into Ernie's Pet World? A. In the morning. B. In the afternoon. C. At lunch time. D. In the evening. Answer: A. In the morning. Maybe you're really busy. Maybe you don't have much to say. Or maybe you're just lazy. Not a problem. This free service works by letting you broadcast a group text message to your friends' mobile phones from either your own phone, an instant message or an online form at twitter.com. All your notes are then stored and displayed on your personal profile page on the site, which includes links to your friends' Twitter pages, a thumbnail picture of your choice, and a short bio. All this is what the new service Twitter can bring you. Just remember to keep it short: posts are limited to 40 characters, and the topic is, invariably, "What are you doing?" More often than not, it turns out, Twitter's 100,000 members--twice as many as it had just a month ago, according to Twitter business development director Biz Stone--are simply killing time. Even Presidential hopeful John Edwards is on it, although he seems to be the only one thinking about more than lunch. As I type this, Caroline is mulling over some Girl Scout cookies, Ian _ Hocking is "waiting for Jessica to arrive so we can eat!" and Hlantz is "having a nice cup of Soft Starmint tea." The chatter about Twitter turned into a virtual roar two weeks ago during the South by Southwest Multimedia Festival in Austin, Texas, when the barebones service owned by Blogger founder Evan Williams, 34, was named the best blogging tool and attendees used it to meet up at parties. Nevertheless, Twitter has been the top term on blog search engine Technorati for the past two weeks. Plenty of people would happily have Twitter silenced, rather than tolerate the beeping alert for yet another new text message. But I'm betting that Twitter will get a lot noisier before netizens move on to the next new thing. We cyber-junkies need a new thrill, and what is better than a service like Twitter that combines social networking, blogging and texting? And if you don't like it, well, in the words of one Twit from San Francisco, "I'm so sick to death of Twitter-haters. If you don't like it, why waste your time writing, reading, or talking about it?" We know from the text that Twitter may be superior to Blogger in that _ . A. it limits each user's texting under 140 words B. it saves users' time and thinking C. it can be easily operated through users' mobile phones D. it is newly invented by Blogger owner Evan Williams Answer: C. it can be easily operated through users' mobile phones
One of the keys to being successful is persistence .Once you have determined exactly what you want to achieve, you must take active action in order to succeed. One of the things you'll notice on your journey towards your goal are roadblocks. That is, you will come across obstacles to discourage your progress. Actually, they are a part of life. Everyone would have every success they ever wanted if there were no obstacles. Your job is to be persistent and work through those obstacles. If you find little or no obstacles along the way, chances are that you are not really challenging yourself. And when you do reach your goal, you won't experience the feeling of "sweet success". Make your goal a challenging one! If you take the time to study any successful person, you will learn that the vast majority of them have had more "failures" than they have had "successes". This is because successful people are persistent; the more they stumble and fall, the more they get right back up and get going again. On the other hand, people that don't get back up and try again, never reach success. For example, Walt Disney was turned down 302 times before he got financing for his dream of creating the "Happiest Place on Earth". Today, due to his persistence, millions of people have shared "the joy of Disney". Having known these facts, keep in mind that you must constantly reevaluate your circumstances and the approach you are using to reach your goal. There is no sense in being persistent at something that you are doing incorrectly! Sometimes you have to modify your approach along the way. Every time you do something you learn from it, and therefore find a better way to do it the next time. Today is the day to begin your journey, using consistency and persistency, towards tomorrow's successes! What's the text mainly about? Answer: 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. What wasn't included in the writer's second time plan? Answer: "It's this time of year when the weather starts warming up and frogs start breeding - but they haven't been breeding," says John Wilkinson, research and monitoring officer at the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC). Amphibians are just one of the groups of animals that nature observers fear may have problems reproducing this year, as groundwater levels are even lower now than in the infamously dry summer of 1976, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). According to the UK's Centre for Hydrology and Ecology the average rainfall so far this winter has been the lowest since 1972. "If ponds dry up totally," says Mr. Wilkinson, "you could have lots of dead tadpoles." Drier and windier conditions could also make it more difficult for juvenile amphibians to survive their journeys between wet habitats. But Peter Brotherton, the biodiversity manager for Natural England, says that "drought is part of nature's cycle", and, at present, a lot of animals, plants and insects are still in hibernation. This means that the population picture is unclear. "However, when we get extreme events, we get animals dying," he says. "And what is worrying is that normally at this time of year we expect soil to be near saturation after winter." Charlie Kitchin, the RSPB's site manager of the Nene Washes in Cambridgeshire, says the 2,000-acre wetland and grassland area is now struggling following two winters with relatively little winter rain and no flooding. One species that could suffer, he says, is the black-tailed godwit . "There are only 50 breeding pairs in the country, and we have 40 of them, and everything is bone-dry," Mr Kitchin says. But one bad nesting season, he says, is "not the end of the world". "One of the features of flood plains is that they're _ anyway," he adds. "But if they fail to breed another year, the population is likely to dip again." What really worries Peter Brotherton is that _ . Answer: Suppose you want to bring home a new cat and are looking for a way to really make it feel at home. Actually, all you need to do is buy some nice cat furniture and have it in place by the time you bring it into your home. The first thing that you should prepare is a cat house. Two to three feet off the ground is the best height. If you don't have enough room for a cat house, a cat bed is also a nice choice. Once you have a nice spot where your cat can go to feel safe, then it's time to get cat furniture that offers your pet a nice place to play. One nice choice is cat trees. Scratching posts are another great idea if you are short in space, but still want to give your cat a nice place where it can claw at instead of your own furniture. If you're looking for a great way to shop for cat furniture, simply turn on your computer and do some online shopping. In no time will you be able to skim all the offerings from many online stores. What's great is that you can easily compare products and their prices, so you can get what you want at the best possible price. And, probably the nicest thing about online shopping is that your purchases may be shipped right to you, so you don't have to waste time making a trip to the store. So, if you have brought a new cat into your home, make sure that home is an inviting one by buying some new cat furniture. Without it, your cat might feel lost and unsafe, which you definitely do not want to happen. What should you do first before you bring a cat home? Answer: One day in summer, little Jack was playing on the beach with his father. Suddenly, he saw a little tortoise moving slowly on the sand. He started to look at it carefully and began to touch it with his hand. To his surprise, the tortoise stopped moving. It pulled in its head and legs, and closed its shell tightly. He touched it again but the tortoise didn't move at all. Jack became angry. He used a stick and tried to make it open. When his father saw this, he stopped him and said, "No, son, you mustn't do that! You will kill the tortoise. You won't get it open with a stick." Jack asked, "Why?" "Just wait and see," his father answered. Then he picked up the tortoise and put it in a bag. After they came back home, the father took the tortoise out of the bag. He put it near the fireplace . After a few minutes, the tortoise began to move a little. Then the tortoise stretched out its head and legs. At last, the tortoise began to move across the room. How excited Jack was when he saw this! "Son, now you see," said his father, "sometimes, you can't make someone do things he doesn't like. But if you get him warm first, he will do what you want him to do." The father picked up the tortoise and _ . Answer:
It's been just over a year since 9-year-old Zion Harvey received a double-hand transplant , and now, what he really wants to do is play football. "I feel happy about my new hands, and I don't feel different. I like that now I can throw a football further than when I didn't have hands," he said. The nation's youngest hand-transplant patient has been working hard to learn how to use his new hands. He lost his hands and his feet 7 years ago after suffering a serious infection. In August, the boy showed off his new abilities by throwing out the first ball at a baseball game. Dr. Scott Levin, team leader of Zion's operation, said Zion coped with the operation better than many adults. "I've never seen Zion cry," Levin said. "He's just an amazing boy. He has such courage and determination and gives us all inspiration." Zion said his courage came from the two most amazing people: his mom and his grandma. His mother, Pattie Ray, said, "It's been a long journey but now I feel I am living in my dream. It's his dream, and it's mine, too. I' m just living through him, and I'm just here to support him in any way and help him do whatever he wants to do." However, Zion told reporters his mom wouldn't let him try out for football. His mom said it's too dangerous. She also pointed out that he might be playing against little kids, not professionals, and she told him they would discuss it later. Zion tried to counter her argument. "My next goal: convince Mom to let me play football," he said. Which description about Pattie Ray is true? A She always supports Zion's decisions. B She devotes a lot to his son. C She is the most important person to Zion. D She seems to be a sensitive mother. Answer: B. She devotes a lot to his son. In the United States, it is not usual to telephone someone early in the morning. If you telephone early in the day, while he is shaving or having breakfast, the time of the call shows that the matter is very important and requires immediate attention. So it is with the telephone calls made after 11:00 pm. If someone receives a call during sleeping hours, he may think that it's a matter of life and death. The time chosen for the call communicates its importance. In social life, time plays a very important part. In the USA guests tend to feel they are not highly regarded if the invitation to a dinner party reaches them only three or four days before the party date. But it is not true in all countries. In other areas of the world, it may be considered foolish to make an appointment too far in advance because plans which are made for a date more than a week away tend to be forgotten. The meaning of time is not the same in different cultures that treat time differently; being on time is valued highly in American life, for example. If people are not on time, they may be regarded as impolite or not fully responsible. In the USA no one would think of keeping a business friend for an hour; it would be too impolite. A person who is 5 minutes late is expected to make a shout apology. It he is less than 5 minutes late, he will say a few words of explanation, though perhaps he will not complete the sentence. According to the passage, time plays a very important part in _ . A getting along with others B private life C everyday life D business Answer: A. getting along with others A paper clip is often made of A cobalt B wood C styrofoam D paper Answer: A. cobalt 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 controversial forms. In the fourth edition the main changes are as follows. 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 place, sentence adverbs, cleft sentences, prepositions, conjunctives, modal verbs, perfect tenses, infinitive constructions, the passive, purpose clauses and nouns. 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 Which of the following statements about the changes is TRUE? A This book keeps up with the latest usages of the America English language. B This edition offers more information about pronouns. C It's not easy for us to find the information we need in this book. D One particular chapter discusses verbs like "care, like, love, hate, prefer, wish". Answer: D. One particular chapter discusses verbs like "care, like, love, hate, prefer, wish". In a time when a dangerous number of people are overweight, many people seem to have forgotten the most important way to keep healthy and slim---exercise. And as a new study carried out on mice in the lab has shown, exercise done early in life can reward you in your adult years. A team of researchers at the University of California studied the effects of early exercise on adult physical activity, body mass and eating. They found that early-age exercise in mice has positive effects on adult levels of voluntary exercise in addition to reducing body mass. "These results may have an effect on the importance of regular physical education in elementary and middle schools," said Theodore Garland, a professor of biology, who led the research project. "If kids exercise regularly through their school years, then they may be more likely to exercise as adults, which could have far-reaching positive effects on human health and well-being." Although the positive effects of early-life exercise lasted for only one week, it is important to note that one week in the life of a mouse is the same as about nine months for humans. "Our results suggest that any positive effects of early-life exercise on adult exercise will need to be kept up if they are to be long-lasting." His team of researchers found, too, that all mice that had access to early exercise were lighter in weight than non-exercised mice. Garland explained that, in general, exercise will stimulate appetite sooner or later. However, it is possible that certain types of exercise, done for certain periods of time or at certain light levels, might not _ appetite much, if at all, at least in some individuals. "If we could understand what sorts of exercise these might be, then we might be able to tailor exercise recommendations in a way that would bring the benefits of exercise without increase in appetite, leading to a better chance of weight loss," he said. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the article? A More study is needed to better understand the effects of different types of exercise. B Early-life exercise has life-long positive effects on people C Kids should be encouraged to do exercise as early as possible to ensure physical health. D The new study on mice mainly focused on how exercise affects appetite. Answer: A. More study is needed to better understand the effects of different types of exercise.
Scrooge looked around him angrily. It was Christmas and his only friend Jacob Marley, had been dead for seven years. What was there for him to celebrate? He listened with growing anger to the people calling out greetings in the street and _ his nephew Bob Cratchit, who was just ready to go home. "Merry Christmas, uncle," called Bob as he hurried out of the door. Scrooge sighed. He might just as well go to bed. Aware that he should not waste his candle, he quickly undressed and climbed into bed. But no sooner had he done so than the ghost of Marley, covered in chains, appeared. "What's the matter, Jacob?" he asked. "There are the chains I made in my life," answered the ghost. "I'm forced to wander around with no rest and no peace. I have come here to warn you that if you do not change, this too will be your fate. You will be visited by three spirits. Expect the first one tomorrow when the clock strikes one. Expect the second and the third on the following nights at the same hour." With that Marley vanished. "Nonsense!" he said and going back to bed, fell fast asleep. When Scrooge awoke it was dark. The clock struck one. At the sound, light flashed into the room and there stood a young boy. "Who are you?" asked Scrooge in an unsteady voice. "I'm the spirit of Christmas past," replied the spirit. "Come with me." "Do you remember this?" he asked. Scrooge did. He heard the happy cries of people, and looking around he found himself, as he used to be, sitting on a chair and reading. It was a Christmas. Suddenly Scrooge watched his younger self joined in a band, dancing and laughing. "Strange," said the spirit, "that such little things should make people so happy." The ghost let him go and Scrooge sank down into a deep sleep. When he awoke again the second night, the clock sounded one again. Before he doubted the second spirit already turned up. The fat and jolly spirit was smiling,"I'm the spirit of Christmas present."Again Scrooge grasped the spirit's hand and was transported to a small house filled with a number of children and their mother. "Why, it's my nephew Bob's house," cried Scrooge in astonishment. His surprise increased when the door opened and in came Bob carrying a small, sick boy, Tiny Tim. "Sit down," cried Bob to his family. "Let's have the best Christmas dinner!" They all began to eat eagerly. Scrooge watched at the happiness and contentment of his poor nephew's family. "A Merry Christmas to us all!" cried Bob. "God bless us everyone!" added Tiny Tim, who sat very close to his father and Bob held his thin hand tightly. "No, not for the uncle, but for you and the children. Nobody knows better than you how mean that man is." exclaimed Bob's wife. "Spirit," cried Scrooge. "Will Tiny Tim live?" "If the future remains the same," said the spirit, "there will be an empty chair next year." Again the spirit moved Scrooge away, and he fell asleep as he fell back into his bed. The third night he woke and waited for the hour and the third spirit. This time the spirit didn't come in a flash of light but arrived quietly wearing a black cloth that covered its face and form. "I'm the spirit of Christmas that is to come." The spirit pointed and led him to a large stone. It was at the foot of a grave that was clearly neglected. Scrooge looked closer with trembling fingers and with horror read his own name on the stone. "Oh, spirit, no, no!" The spirit's finger remained steady pointing at the grave. "I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year," cried Scrooge in terror. He reached out to hold the spirit's hand, but it slipped away. Scrooge looked around him. he saw he was in his own bed with his own thing around him. "I have learned from the past, present and the future," he rushed to the window and shouted to the boys below: "What day is it today?" "Why, it's Christmas Day," they replied in amazement. "Wonderful," cried Scrooge. He rushed to his office to wait for Bob. When he entered, Scrooge pretended to look angry. "Do you know what day it is, my boy?" he asked Bob. "I'm not going to stand for this any longer," he continued, "and so I'm going to raise your salary." Bob looked amazed. "A Merry Christmas, Bob," cried Scrooge slapping him on the back. "I want to help you and your family. Let's talk about it this very afternoon." Which is TRUE according to the passage? Answer: There are nutrients in dirt, like magnesium, and those nutrients may be Answer: I'm pretty sure everyone wants to visit Europe at least once in their lifetime. Here's a list of the most amazing places to visit in Europe. Riviera Wow, this is such a beautiful place in Italy. The Cinque Terre is a very beautiful national park, which connects five beautiful villages. Walking paths connect the villages, follow the coastline and offer hikes through hills. The villages remain unaffected by tourism. Tuscany Another Italian region, Tuscany is simply attractive. The buildings there are amazing, and the culture is special. From the historical center of Florence to the Cathedral of Pisa, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Make sure you check out the nature reserves, and enjoy a few bottles of the very famous wine. Lauterbrunnen Since a school trip here, I've always wanted to revisit this city in Switzerland. The city always seems as if it's trapped in time. There are untouched fountains and springs everywhere, and a huge number of waterfalls and valleys. The area is very popular for skiing. The Greek Islands There are plenty of places to visit in Greece. But I love the Greek Islands best. White houses and beautiful churches, beaches and Aegean Sea make this a very popular place to visit. However, there is more to do here than just sunbathe. I cannot wait to go back and check out the caves and culture that make the Greek Islands one of the best places in Europe. Venice I am a big Italy lover, and Venice is another city that is not to be missed. It has its own share of history, art and attractive buildings. However, the attraction comes from the pedestrian -- only streets and rivers filled with boats. What will you probably see when you are visiting Venice? Answer: I've been working as a professional clown for nearly two years. Before that, I was an actor for nine years. I was never famous, but I was quite successful! I changed jobs because I wanted to do more in life than make people laugh. What if I could help people, too? As a clown, I try to encourage sick children in hospital to laugh and smile. When you laugh, your mind and body relax. Clearly, people who laugh more don't have as many colds or other problems! Children who laugh a lot often get better results in their studies, too. It isn't an easy job. Not all sick children get better, and sometimes I come home and cry. But I always go back to work the next day with my red nose on. l don't earn much money as a clown, but I feel very lucky to work with such brave and wonderful patients. I became a laughter yoga teacher more than two years ago. Before that, I was a dentist! My job was very difficult, and I used to feel _ . Now I still improve people's health, but everything else is completely different. Everyone has fun in a laughter yoga class, including the teacher! No, laughter isn't "magic". It doesn't prevent all illness, keep you young, or make you beautiful. But did you know that it's an excellent kind of exercise? You move your whole body when you laugh! Sometimes I work with famous people. It's true that being rich can be stressful! Some famous people can be unpleasant at times, but I try to change their bad feelings. Laughter is excellent for people like musicians, artists and writers, because it helps people to be more creative. It can be learned from the passage that both writers think of their jobs as _ * Answer: "Everything happens for the best,"my mother said whenever I faced disappointment ."If you carry on,one day something good will happen." Mother was right,as I discovered after graduating from college in 1932,I had decided to try for a job in radio,then work my way up to a sports announcer.I hitchhiked to Chicago and knocked on the door of every station and got _ every time.In one studio,a kind lady told me that big stations couldn't risk hiring an inexperienced person."Go out in the sticks and find a small station that'll give you a chance,"she said.I thumbed home to Dixon,Illinois. While there were no radio-announcing jobs in Dixon,my father said Montgomery Ward had opened a store and wanted a local sportsman to manage its sports department .Since Dixon was where I had played high school football,I applied.The job sounded just right for me.But I wasn't hired.My mother noticed my disappointment."Everything happens for the best."Mom reminded me.Dad offered me the car to hunt a job.I tried WOC Radio in Davenport,Iowa.The program director, a wonderful Scotsman named Peter Mac Arthur told me they had already hired an announcer. As I left his office,I asked aloud,"How can a guy get to be a sports announcer if he can't get a job in a radio station?"I was waiting for the lift when I heard Mac Arthur calling,"What did you mean about sports? Do you know anything about football?'' Then he stood me before a microphone and asked me to cover an imaginary game.Last autumn,my team had won a game in the last 20 seconds with a 65-yard run.I did a 15-minute build-up to that play, and Peter told me I would cover Saturday's game! On my way home,I thought of my mother's words:"If you carry on,one day something good will happen." I often wonder what direction my life might have taken if I had gotten the job at Montgomery Ward. When did the writer first decide to take a radio-announcing job? Answer:
Oxford University, said that time spent on homework showed the influence of the school--if children were expected to do homework and if they enjoy their subjects. "That's one of the reasons Indian and Chinese children do better. They put more time in it." he added. It's also reported that students who enjoyed school got better results. It is suggested that children aged 5 to 7 should be given one-hour homework a week, half an hour a night for 7 to 11-year-olds, two hours a night for 14 to 16-year-olds. "Headteachers should make their own homework policy ," the government says. From the passage, we can know that _ . A Students should become interested in their results. B Headteachers should make their own homework policy. C Parents should encourage their children to do more homework. D Students should do homework as much as possible. Answer: B. Headteachers should make their own homework policy. What is your body language saying to your children? What is their body language telling you? I had the honor of hearing Jan Hargrave speak the other day. She is one of four body language experts in the US. Jan Hargrave says we lie with the right side of our brains, so it is our left hand that gives us away. A person touching his nose, pulling at his ear or rubbing his eye with his left hand might be lying to you. Also, a person who, in any way, crosses any fingers might just be lying. That, she says, is a holdover from childhood, when we crossed our fingers to signal that we didn't mean what we were saying. When children squint their eyes, move their body away from you, or can't seem to make good eye contact, you may need to ask for a little more clarification. But just as important, children learn early how to read our body language when they are conversing with us. Here are some acceptance signals to let them know you are interested when they are talking to you. Lean towards them. Make good eye contact and smile. Open your arms. Let your hands relax with the palms showing: an open, upward palm always show acceptance. If your legs are crossed, make sure you are not crossing them away from your child. These are important because they signal to your child that you are focused on them and are accepting and welcoming them into your world. By paying attention, we can open those lines of important communication with our children and we can see the truth more clearly. I think it would be a mistake to use these tools to lie, but we need to be aware of the signals we are giving so we can show people that they really do matter to us. According to Jan Hargrave, we can tell whether a person is lying by _ . A observing his/her left hand's movements. B looking at how he/ she crosses his/ her fingers C observing whether he/ she uses body language D making good eye contact with him/ her Answer: A. observing his/her left hand's movements. Even if you're not an astronomy fan, chances are that you can easily recognize certain constellations and stars such as the Big Dipper and the North Star. The North Star is the brightest star in the constellation known as the Little Dipper. It is so-called because of the special position. If you were to stay up all night looking at the stars, you'd slowly see them move around a point in the sky known as the North Celestial Pole. You would notice, however, that one star remains still. This is the North Star, so named for its location almost directly in line with the North Celestial Pole. Due to its position in the sky, at one time sailors used the North Star as a navigational tool. By measuring the angle between the northern horizon and the North Star, a navigator could accurately determine the ship's latitude.[:ZXXK] But latitude, or the imaginary lines stretching across the globe parallel to the equator, was not enough to plot a ship's location. Knowing latitude only allowed navigators to locate themselves on a particular latitude line at a particular distance from the equator. It was only with the invention of a way to accurately measure longitude that precise navigation became possible. Although the North Star is no longer used by navigators, it remains a heavenly symbol of human curiosity and exploration. What can be inferred from the passage? A The North Star could help navigators set a straight course of their ship in the past. B Real lines that are parallel to the equator are called "latitude". C Either latitude or longitude could make precise navigation possible. D Now the North Star is no longer a navigational tool used by sailors. Answer: D. Now the North Star is no longer a navigational tool used by sailors. 1. Summer came early to Middlesbrough yesterday, as temperatures shot up to 22degC (71degF), a record for March. But local NFU agent Jim Wilkes says it could be bad news for farmers. "The crops will think it's summer," he told our reporter, "and start sprouting four weeks before time." 2. The death toll of the Burnside train crash rose to four yesterday when John Phillips, 32, of Petersville died in Wallsend Hospital. Another six people are still on the danger list. Mr. Phillips, an electrical engineer leaves a wife and two children. 3. China and the United States reached an agreement on the protection of intellectual property rights yesterday, after difficult marathon talks. The agreement is good news for all parties concerned. The Chinese Foreign Trade Minister described the agreement as a "turning point" in Sino-US trade relations that "promises further progress" in the future. The agreement will not only favorably influence trade relations between China and the United States. It may favorably influence the overall relations between the two countries. How many people have died in the train crash in article 2 ? A Only John Phillips has died. B Ten people have died in the crash, including John Phillips. C Four people have died in the crash, including John Phillips. D John Phillips, his wife and children all died in the crash. Answer: C. Four people have died in the crash, including John Phillips. February 28th, 2009 2:54 am GMT I have to say that am shocked at just how bad the new music is. This cannot be the same band that produced great albums such as HTDAAB and ATYCLB! This is awful! They either do not care anymore, or have completely lost it. I never thought U2 would become irrelevant, but they have officially become one of those bands that you will now say, "Remember when they were great?" ----- Posted by Ronald Harris February 28th, 2009 8:29 pm GMT Total drivel, Mr Harris. The new album is great, far better than the safe, cynical HTDAAB and ATYCLB. U2 have become inventive again, like they were in the 1990s. thank goodness! ----- Posted by Dan March 3rd, 2009 12:09 pm GMT Agree, Dan. The new album is the best since Actung Baby. Magnificent is an anthem in the waiting, Breathe is unbelievable, and Stand Up Comedy is absolutely outstanding----- to name just three! Loving the new sound, pure class as usual. ----- Posted by Martin March 4th, 2009 7:43 pm GMT Totally agree with you guys. This album is unbelievable. Breathe is definitely a great song, same with Moment of Surrender. I bet their upcoming tour will be amazing. If you haven't bought the CD yet, you should. I bought mine on Amozon.com for $3.99. I couldn't believe it. ----- Posted by Josh Briggs Which of the following statements is not true according to the passage? A Most fans felt disappointed at the new album. B The new album is available on the Internet. C The people who made comments are fans of U2. D U2's upcoming tour may be a great success. Answer: A. Most fans felt disappointed at the new album.
Dou Kou, a Chinese boy, is called "the youngest writer in the world". He has written three books till now. Dou Kou was born in Jiangsu in 1994. When he was 7 months old, his parents started working in over 30 different cities, such as Xi'an and Shenzhen. This kind of life gave him things to think and write about. When he was 9 months old, he could speak and at the age of one, he could say five to six hundred words. At three, he could look up words in the dictionary. At four, his father taught him how to learn by himself. His parents like reading very much. So does he . At the age of 5, he began writing fairy tales. At the age of 6, he wrote a novel about his life in different cities with his parents. His fairy tales are all from his life. One day, he found many mice in the house. They not only ate their food but also hurt his mother's hand. So he thought, "If we give mice the stomach of cows, _ will eat grass and they will be helpful to people." This was his first fairy tale Change stomach for Mice. Now he studies well in a middle school. He has written his third book, the novel called Eyes of Children. He says, "I am not different from other children. I just wrote several books." How many books has Dou Kou written? Answer: People think of ice cream as an American food. Yet, ice cream really came from Asia. In the late 1200s Marco Polo, the great explorer, is said to have seen rich Asians eating dishes of ice. Camels had brought the ice from distant mountains. Before it was served, the ice had been flavored with fruits. Marco Polo brought this new dish to Italy, In France cooks changed the ice recipe and made ice cream. At first, cooks tried to keep the recipe a secret. They wanted it to be a special dish for rich people. By the late 1700s, though, ice cream was sold throughout Europe and America. Some great Americans loved ice cream. George Washington was the first to buy a special machine for making it. When Thomas Jefferson returned from France, he brought an ice cream recipe home with him. Dolly Madison, wife of President James Madison, also liked ice cream, and she often served it at the White House. Actually, a famous brand of ice cream was even named after her. In the late 1800s, the ice cream industry began to grow. A way of keeping ice cream frozen had been found, so ice cream makers did not have to worry about ice cream melting anymore. Why can ice cream be sold everywhere today? Answer: Alice is an American girl. She has two good friends. One is Tom, the other is Jim. They come from the same country. They are studying in Beijing now. They are at the same school-- No.2 Middle School. They have a lot of Chinese friends here. They go to school from Monday to Friday. They go to school at seven in the morning. They all go to school by subway. In the evening, they do their homework and learn Chinese. On Saturdays and Sundays they go to their friends' homes. There they learn more Chinese from their Chinese friends and their friends learn English from them. Sometimes they write to their parents in America. They tell them about China and their life in China. They all like living here . They want their parents to come to China one day. Where are Alice's parents? Answer: Q: I currently entered college in New York. Since English is not my first language, I sometimes ask a friend to read my essays to help fix the grammar and language. I believe I'm being graded mainly on my ideas, and my friend helps me get my ideas across better in English. Is this OK? -Mariana A: It's good that you want to succeed in your written work at college. Making use of available resources to help you succeed is a smart strategy . But while you may believe that your instructors don't care as much about how you write as they do about your ideas, that' s not a fair assumption. Certainly, your ideas are important. No matter how polished your writing is, it will not disguise a poorly expressed idea in a paper. But as a college student, being able to organize your thoughts clearly-whether you're speaking in class or writing a paper-is critical to show that you've mastered the material in each course. This does not mean you shouldn't ask others to review your written work before handing it in. That's OK. You should not, however, allow a friend or anyone else to rewrite parts of your papers for you. Instead, ask them to simply let you know about any parts of the paper that are unclear and need work. Many colleges have writing centers where tutors will work with you on your writing-without doing the work for you. Regardless of whether you consult with a friend or a tutor, the right thing is for you to talk to your instructors to ask their advice and let them know you plan to seek assistance with your writing. If you ask them in advance for guidance on what's appropriate and what's not for the written work they assign, that will allow you to be as transparent as possible about how you completed your _ -Professor Byron What problem does Mariana meet? Answer: If you ask people to name the one person who had the greatest effect on the English language, you will get answers like "Shakespeare," "Samuel Johnson," and "Webster," but none of these men had any effect at all compared to a man who didn't even speak English--William the Conqueror . Before 1066, in the land we now call Great Britain lived people belonging to two major language groups. In the west-central region lived the Welsh, who spoke a Celtic language, and in the north lived the Scots, whose language, though not the same as Welsh, was also Celtic. In the rest of the country lived the Saxons, actually a mixture of Anglos, Saxons, and other Germanic and Nordic peoples, who spoke what we now call Anglo-Saxon (or Old English), a Germanic language. If this state of affairs had lasted, English today would be close to German. But this state of affairs did not last. In l066 the Normans led by William defeated the Saxons and began their rule over England. For about a century, French became the official language of England while Old English became the language of peasants. As a result, English words of politics and the law come from French rather than German. In some cases, modern English even shows a distinction between upper-class French and lower-class Anglo-Saxon in its words. We even have different words for some foods, meat in particular, depending on whether it is still out in the fields or at home ready to be cooked, which shows the fact that the Saxon peasants were doing the farming, while the upper-class Normans were doing most of the eating. When Americans visit Europe for the first time, they usually find Germany more "foreign" than France because the German they see on signs and advertisements seems much more different from English than French does. Few realize that the English language is actually Germanic in its beginning and that the French influences are all the result of one man's ambition . The two major languages spoken in what is now called Great Britain before l066 were _ . Answer:
Question: Rock House Museum Take a journey through history with a visit to the exciting museum and historic sites of Wytheville . The Rock House Museum offers glimpses into daily life in the 19th century . The museum is part of the 50 structures featured in Wytheville's Historic Walking Tour . 540/233-3330 . Grand Caverns Grand Caverns is America's oldest cave . Beautiful and massive formations . Union troops visited the caverns . Thomas Jefferson visited--you should , too ! Open weekends in March , daily April--October , 9 a.m.--5 p.m. Hour tours leave every 30 minutes . 703/249-5705 . The News Museum The News Museum in Arlington is the world's only interactive museum of news . Visitors can be reporters or television newscasters , see today's news as it happens on a block-long video news wall , and be taken behind the scenes to see how news is made . The News museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a. m.--5 p. m. You can visitwww. News museum .Org . Kenmore Plantation & Gardens Kenmore Plantation & Gardens has over two hundred years of history from the Revolutionary War , Civil War and into the 21st century . Home of Betty Washington , George Washington's only sister , and Patriot Col. Fielding Lewis . Explore this historic building and city block of restored gardens . Tea and ginger cookies served . 540/373-3381 . Virginia Beach Virginia Beach offers 11 000 hotel / motel rooms , plus cottages and campgrounds . Enjoy miles of clean beaches and a variety of family attractions . Fine restaurants , various shopping areas , exciting nightlife , and special events are offered throughout the year . 800/822-3224 . Which of the following is NOT a fact when tourists are visiting the Virginia Beach ? A. Tourists can camp in the open air . B. Tourists can enjoy some special events there . C. Tourists can not go there in their own cars . D. Tourists can enjoy themselves on the clean beach . Answer: C. Tourists can not go there in their own cars . Question: Asia has long tradition of tea- drinking. And China is no exception. However, lately more and more Chinese people are turning to a different drink. Coffee has become an increasingly popular choice of Chinese people living abroad and in the country's huge cities. It is also a popular crop among those living in the mountains of southern Yunnan Province. In big cities such as Beijing, coffee shops seem to be on nearly every major street corner. These shops are not just selling drinks from Starbucks, the world-famous coffee company. Coffee businesses from South Korea, Taiwan, HongKong and Britain are also operating in China. Tea-drinking is steeped in the culture and traditions of many countries, like China and Japan. But is that changing? Are young people from Asia now choosing a cup of coffee instead of tea? BeiBei Su is from China. She has been living in the United States for the past eight years. Before that, she lived in Italy for two years. Ms. Su says she likes tea better than coffee. But she adds that may not be true among the young generation in China. Many young Chinese people drink coffee socially --when meeting with friends. Yang Lin lives in the U.S. but comes from an area in China famous for growing tea. She used to only drink tea while in China. But now, she says, she drinks both and for different reasons. Yang Lin says that drinking coffee for her is a social event. She and her co-workers like to sit in a cafe and talk over a cup of coffee. Voyo is another Chinese woman who now lives in Washington, D.C. She says that after moving to the U.S. Her tastes changed. We would call her a coffee _ , someone who now chooses to drink coffee. With more people drinking coffee, many see an economic opportunity for Chinese -grown beans. China-grown coffee could be a money- maker even if most of the coffee on sale in China is imported. What does the author mainly introduce? A. Chinese people have long tradition of tea-drinking. B. More and more Chinese are choosing coffee to drink C. People in big cities like drinking coffee better than tea. D. More Asian people are turning to different drinks. Answer: B. More and more Chinese are choosing coffee to drink Question: A recent study shows that young people in the UK aged between 11 and 15 spend, on average,52 hours a week in front of a screen.Dr.Aric Sigman, a researcher from the British Psychological Society,believes watching too much TV can cause health problems for children,including attention deficit disorder and obesity .He said children under three shouldn't watch TV at all. Children aged between three and seven should watch no more than 30 minutes to an hour of TV a day; 7 to 12-year-olds should be limited to an hour,and 12 to 15-year-olds should watch one and a half hours at most. Both adults and children believe that it can be difficult to cut down on screen time."It needs a bit of effort,but small steps can make a difference,"says Dr. Aric Sigman.He also offered some tips to change the family's TV habits. TVs and computers should be placed out of children's bedrooms.Watching TV before going to sleep doesn't help children to settle . Having the TV and computer in a family room also means that parents can know what they are watching and who they are talking to online.Parents can tell children how much time they can spend watching TV or playing computer games.Parents can tell children to do something different,such as playing games or going out for a bike ride.Dr. Aric Sigman says:"We went into lots of schools and the children told us they wished their parents would take them to the park and play with them." What can we infer from the last sentence in the text? A. Children want to do more things for their parents. B. Children want to spend more time playing with their parents. C. Children are tired of school life. D. Children don't like watching TV. Answer: B. Children want to spend more time playing with their parents. Question: A few degrees can make a big difference when it comes to food storage. Foods can go bad if they get too warm. But for many of the world's poor, finding a good way to keep food cool is difficult. Refrigerators are costly and they need electricity. Yet spoiled food not only creates health risks but also economic losses. Farmers lose money when they have to throw away products that they can not sell quickly. But in 1995, a teacher in northernprefix = st1 /Nigerianamed Mohammed Bath Abba found a solution. He developed the "Pot-in-Pot Preservation/Cooling System". It uses two round containers made of clay. A smaller pot is placed inside a larger one. The space between the two pots is filled with wet sand. The inner pot can be filled with fruit, vegetables or drinks. A piece of wet cloth covers the whole cooling system. Food stored in the smaller pot is kept from spoiling through a simple evaporation process. Water in the sand between the two pots evaporates through the surface of the larger pot, where drier outside air is moving. The evaporation process creates a drop in temperature of several degrees. This cools the inner pot and helps keep food safe from harmful bacteria. Some foods can be kept fresh this way for several weeks. People throughoutNigeriabegan using the invention. And it became popular with farmers in other African countries. Mohammed Bah Abba personally financed the first five thousand pot-in-pot systems for his own community and five villages nearby. In 2000, the Rolex Watch Company ofSwitzerlandhonored him with the Rolex Award forEnterprise. This award recognizes people trying to develop projects aimed at improving human knowledge and well-being. A committee considers projects in science and medicine, technology, exploration and discovery, the environment and cultural history. Winners receive financial assistance to help develop and extend their projects. The award is given every two years. The next one will be given in 2008. Rolex Watch Company gave Mohammed Bah Abba an award because _ . A. he saved lots of energy like electricity B. he made a contribution to common people C. he was more than a good teacher D. he made a great discovery in Africa Answer: B. he made a contribution to common people Question: Three friends, Tom, David and John, came to New York for their holiday. They stayed in a very large hotel. Their room was on the 45thfloor. In the evening, the three men went to the cinema and came back to the hotel very late. "I'm very sorry," said the man of the hotel, "but our lifts do not work tonight. If you don't want to walk up to your room, I'll make beds for you in the hall . " "No, thanks," said Tom, "we don't want to sleep in the hall. We will walk up to the 45thfloor. But I know how to make it easier. On the way to our room, I'll tell you some jokes. Then you, David, will sing us some songs. Then you, John, will tell us some stories, all right?" So they began to walk upstairs. Tom told them many jokes. David sang them some songs. At last they came to the 34thfloor. They were tired and had a rest. "Well," said Tom. "Now it's your turn, John. After all these jokes and songs, tell us a long and interesting story with a sad ending. " "OK, I'll tell a sad story," said John, "It's not long but very sad. I forgot to bring the key to our room with me. It's still in the hall. " _ said he knew how to make it easier for them to walk up to their room. A. The man of the hotel B. Tom C. David D. John Answer: B. Tom
Question: Welcome to this Website on the British Isles. Over the coming months it will be expanded to allow you to find information on all aspects of life in the British Isles. The British Isles is visited by millions of people each year, many returning time and again. Wales: Wales is full of fascinating places to visit and stay. The castles of Beaumaris, Conwy, Harlech and Caernarfon are officially listed as world heritage sites and provide an insight into the troubled past of this great land. The national park of Snowdonia is stunning and provides walkers and climbers with many opportunities to challenge their limits. South Wales also has interesting places to visit: Pembrokeshire is especially inviting for tourists. England: We all know about the attractions lf London but England has a lot more to offer outside of the city. The "English Riviers", Torquay, is blessed with good weather and is a major tourist attraction. This is a great place to stay and explore the local seaside resorts. Windsor castle is a great place to visit and the town and surrounding areas are beautiful. Warwick castle in the centre of England is world famous and holds regular evens to show how life was like in the time it was built. Scotland: A great place to visit, Scotland still has many places that are relatively uninhabited and are great for getting away from it all. Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles and the numerous lakes provide great fishing. In parts you can still hear Gaelic spoken and we all know about the Scottish expertise in making Whisky! You can also visit the ski resorts of Aviemore in the Cairngorms. Glasgow, the capital is now recognized as a centre of culture as well as being a great shopping centre. Which of the following is NOT true about England? A. Windsor castle is in the center of England. B. London is the capital city. C. You can enjoy good weather in Torquay. D. There are more than one castles. Answer: A Question: This summer, experience the true meaning of awe . Feel the sudden excitement through your body. And blog it all in real time for your friends back home. On a Discovery Student Adventure you will have the chance to jump the tourist barriers and enter places few travelers go, the true sites where amazing cultures flourish beyond the tourist's stare. Once there, you won't idly observe; you'll launch into the daily life of the locals, trying new customs, sharing laughs, and _ interesting meals. You'll even have the opportunity to give back, participating in local efforts to replant the rainforest; save the wombat's habitat; or researching the Great Barrier Reef-just to name a few. The crazy thing is that you'll be taking this all in, growing wiser to the world, and learning without even knowing it.Requirements and Expectations for Student Participants How do you recognize a Discovery Student Adventure student? Our participants are: In 5ththrough 12thGrade Curious about the world Open-minded and excited to learn about new places and cultures Responsible students who maintain a good academic status Active participants, ready to challenge themselves and experience new adventures. Students should be reasonably fit before travel to take part in some of the more adventurous activities. These vary by itinerary , but may include: Hiking 3-5 miles a day over uneven terrain(, ) in various weather conditions Exciting overnight experiences, including camping, sleeping on ships, or even staying in a snow cave in New Zealand. Mountain biking. Rafting Swimming *Snorkeling To ensure students' health and well-being, we ask each participant to complete a confidential health form. It can be inferred from the passage that _ . A. The activity will not accept a pre-school child B. Hiking 3-5 miles a day will be cancelled if it rains C. You will have a good rest at the hotel after a day camping D. You will not have to fill out a health form if you're not ill Answer: A Question: Environmental pollution is the biggest problem for human being today. We all know that the environment includes the earth,water, plants and animals.If they are polluted or hurt, oour life can also be harmed. It is true that more and more trees are being cutting down. The earth is becoming warmer. If the problem continues, the world will become a desert, and people will have no place to live. The smoke produced by cars, factories and homes is polluting the air. _ gas is letting off into the air , too. The polluted air make people sick. Then there is the sound pollution. Our world is not quiet, even at night, because of the noise made by cars and people's daily life. Too much noise has a bad influence on our hearing. It has been reported that many people in a village near an airport have lost their hearing because of the noise made by planes. The water and the earth we are living on have also been polluted. The rubbish people throw away and the waste water poured by factories make the water and the soil polluted. When we drink dirty water or eat crops planted on polluted soil, we can get sick easily. Just imagine what will happen if this continues. I 'm sure it won't be a pleasant result. What is the writer's opinion on the pollution today? A. It has been stopped B. It is very serous C. It is not important D. It is interesting Answer: B Question: Once a man was shipwrecked on a small, lonely island. There was no one living on this island, so he hoped that someone could come to save him. Every day he watched the sea, but no ships ever appeared. He thought he should do something to save himself. He built a little house out of wood. But one day, he arrived home to find his little house on fire. The smoke rose to the sky. He cried,"God, how could you do this to me?" Early the next day, however, a ship was coming to the island. It came to save him. "How did you know I was here?"The man asked these people."We saw your smoke signal ,"they answered. It is easy to get _ when things are going badly. But we shouldn't lose heart, because hope is at work in our lives. Remember, next time your little house is burning to the ground, it just may bring you better luck. Those people found the man because _ . A. he made a fire as a signal to call help B. they found some food on this island C. they saw his little house on the island D. a fire happened on the island Answer: D Question: Several animal species including gorillas in Rwanda and tigers in Bangladesh could risk extinction if the impact of climate change and extreme weather on their habitats is not addressed, a UN report showed on Sunday. Launched on the sidelines of global climate negotiations in Durban, the report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization shows how higher temperatures, the rise in sea levels, deforestation and excessive land use have damaged the habitats of certain species, especially in Africa. "Many ecosystems have already been stressed by increasing population, historical and recent deforestation, unsustainable management practices and even invasive species," Eduardo Rojas-Briales, assistant director general at the FAO's forestry department, said at the launch of the report. The most affected areas include mountains, isolated islands and coastal areas, which limit the possibilities for animals to migrate elsewhere and create new habitats. "The remaining populations become surrounded in very small ecosystems, they have inbreeding problems ... and at the end these species may disappear," he added. Other examples of affected animals included elephants in Mali, lions in the Serengeti and crocodiles in Malawi. The report said an estimated 20-30 percent of plant and animal species will be at higher risk of extinction due to global warming and a significant proportion of native species may become extinct by 2050 as a consequence. Other consequences could include the spread of invasive species and infectious diseases, it said. The report urges more focus on restoration of damaged ecosystems, especially those key to dealing with climate change such as mangroves , inland waters, forests, savannahs and grasslands. The FAO also called for the creation of migration corridors for animals in areas where their movement was limited. The organization said while more resources were flowing to biodiversity conservation, more action at the government and policy level was needed. It also urged local communities to develop projects that _ the impact of climate change on wildlife, naming eco-tourism activities as an example. Why are animals living in mountains, islands and coastal areas most affected? A. They are frequently attacked by invasive species and infectious diseases. B. They have difficulty finding enough food for survival. C. They can hardly find mates to produce their young. D. They have little chance of moving to other places. Answer: D
My mother-in-law, Dorothy, is showing me the red notebook that's almost as precious to her as my husband's baby pictures. Inside the notebook is a list of the books she has read since 2007. For some people waking up in the middle of the night is a terrible thing. But for my mother-in-law, that time is a gift. At 87, she is getting the education she never had by working her way through great literature. She has now read close to 100 books, including every single novel by Anthony Trollope, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Edith Wharton, Henry James and Thomas Mann. My mother-in-law discusses her passion with the enthusiasm of a young girl, although she can also be a very tough critic, writing "VG' for " very good" in the margins next to her favorites. So far, only a handful of books have received the top prize. Born in Ridgefield, Conn, Dorothy was the youngest daughter of an Italian gardener. She taught herself English by reading The New York Times. Eager to come to Manhattan, she became a nurse, married a dentist and spent the next several decades keeping the house and raising a family. In her later years, she put her nursing skills to good use by taking care of my father-in-law, who had lung cancer. There were many trips to the emergency room in the middle of the night and then a long hospital stay. She stayed awake to watch over him for 15 hours a day. Always a light sleeper, she developed sleeplessness as a result of the stress. It worsened after he died. Deeply sad and lonely for the first time in her life, she began waking up around 2am. Julian and Sylvia, the elderly couple next door suggest she read literature. And so Julian, a great lover of literature, became her "professor", providing books from his large library. Suddenly turned onto a world of amazing characters. What helped Dorothy get over the sadness and loneliness of losing her husband? Answer: Reading literature. Let's say a person gets up at 7:00 in the morning and goes to bed at 11:00 at night. He comes home from work about 6:30, and by the time he has finished with dinner it is after 8:00. He steps outside in the summer to relax -- but it's already getting dark! Not much time to enjoy the summer day. Now suppose you set the clock ahead one hour. This person still does everything at the same time -- but this time, when he steps out at 8:00 there's still plenty of light to enjoy. An hour of daylight has been "saved" for him! Daylight saving time doesn't, of course, add any hours to a day. This is impossible. All it does is to increase the number of useful hours of daylight during the seasons when the sun rises early. Daylight saving is most popular in cities. It allows the closing of offices, shops, and factories at the end of the working day while the sun is still high. Farmers, who do their work by sun time, usually do not observe daylight saving time. They cannot work in the field before the morning dew has dried or after it appears in the evening. Did you know who first thought of daylight saving time? It was Benjamin Franklin! When he was living in France in the 18th century, he suggested the idea to the people in Paris. But it was not adopted then. Daylight saving laws were first passed during World WarI, when materials for making electricity was hard to find, and when it was necessary to save on _ light. With daylight saving, the bedtime of many people comes soon after it gets dark, while without it, if people stay up until the same hour they may have to use artificial light. Germany was the first country to adopt daylight saving time in 1915. Then England used it in 1916, and the United States adopted it in 1918. Which of the following is true according to the passage? Answer: The idea of daylight saving time went through a long process of being adopted. London Summer School in Classics Dates The London Summer School in Classics 2008 will be held at King's College London. It will run from 8th July until 17th July. Applications close on 2nd June, 2008. For an application form, please download either the 2-page PDF or the word format document from the foot of the page. If you have any problems downloading the application form or any questions, please contact: London Summer School in Classics, King's College London. Tel: 020 7848 2299 Fax: 020 7848 2545 Organization The school is organized by the colleges of the University of London. The summer school offers eight days of intensive teaching in Greek and Latin. There are four language classes each day as well as lectures and a debate, between 10:30 am and 4:30 pm. The course is not residential , and there is no teaching during the weekend of 12th to 13th July. The fee is PS85.00. Travel grants are available as a contribution to your travel costs, but may not cover all your expenses. The travel grants are arranged during the summer school. Teaching is generally in groups of 12-15 people and it, as far as possible, comprises of students of roughly the same level of experience. The style of teaching is friendly, but demanding: a lot of work is expected from students during the school, but they usually find the whole experience both stimulating and valuable. Some classes concentrate chiefly on reading, while others offer a mixture of grammar and translation practice. Our tutors include some of the most experienced and talented teachers of Classics in the London area and beyond. The Summer School in Classics caters for a wide range of interests and for both school & university students as well as those who wish to learn Greek or Latin, or to revive their knowledge of the languages. Our principal concern is to provide a thorough program of language learning in a lively university environment. Which of the following can we know from the passage? Answer: Students needn't go to class on 12th and 13th July. In the last fifty years, a lot of people have left Europe and gone to live in Australia. One of them was a Hungarian man. He lived in Australia for quite a long time, and he had a lot of good friends there. He always said to them, "Australia is beautiful, but Hungary is beautiful, too." Then one year he said to his friends, "I'm going to go back to Hungary to visit my home town." All his friends said to him, "We want to go with you, because you often say Hungary is a beautiful country, and we want to visit it." The Hungarian Australian took his friends from Sydney to Rome in a big plane, and then they went from Rome to Budapest in a train as they wanted to see the mountains, and the villages and the towns. They stayed in Budapest nearly a week, and they liked it very much. One day they went to the zoo in Budapest and saw two kangaroos there. These Australians were very happy because kangaroos were from their home town. They said to them, "Come here, old friends! Come and see your Australian brothers!" But the kangaroos did not move. But then the Hungarian Australian spoke to them in Hungarian, "Come here!" he said, and both of the kangaroos ran to him. The other Australians laughed and said, "Look at that. They're Australians, but they only know Hungarian!" The Hungarian wanted to go back to Hungary to _ . Answer: his home town Yesterday, I overheard our 9-year-old son, Aaron, talking to his friend, Zach. "Oh, God!" Zach began, peering in Aaron's closet. "Where are all your toys?" "Oh, we are doing something called 'Simplicity Plan' , so I basically got rid of 80% of my staff." "What? Did your mom and dad make you do this?" "No. I decided to do it because I wanted to. When I give away a lot of my things, I have time for family activities. I did it because I wanted to live differently and have less staff in my life." "But still, why would you choose to get rid of most of your toys?" "Part of the reason is that my parents were doing it with their stuff. And my mom talked to me about it and explained how they felt happier afterwards. And I thought maybe I really had spent a lot of my time in my room playing with toys instead of spending time with my parents and sister." "I feel proud because I am a person who has just what I need and not more. And I'm starting new activities like writing how I feel, reading more, and spending more time doing housework around the house." "Ok. Let me get this straight. You have fewer toys, more housework, and you feel happier?" "Well, it's not that the housework is fun. But I do it with my parents. We talk and connect while we are doing it, so that is the fun. And we've been doing more activities together, like reading aloud at night. And on weekends, we have conversations or go out together, instead of my dad being at his computer, my mom cleaning and me playing with my toys." "Maybe you are right." What can we infer from the passage? Answer: Members in the writer's family now feel closer.
On May 1, 1987, a car driven by Debra struck Peggy, a pedestrian. On July 1, 1987, with regard to this incident, Debra pleaded guilty to reckless driving (a misdemeanor) and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and a fine of $1,000. She served the sentence and paid the fine. On April 1, 1988, Peggy died as a result of the injuries she suffered in the accident. On March 1, 1991, a grand jury indicted Debra on a charge of manslaughter of Peggy. On May 15, 1991, trial had not begun and Debra filed a motion to dismiss the indictment on the ground of double jeopardy in that her conviction of reckless driving arose out of the same incident, and on the ground that the three-year statute of limitations for manslaughter had run. Debra's motion should be Answer: denied on both grounds. It was a Sunday and the heavy storm had lasted all night. The morning after the storm, though, was beautiful: blue skies, warm air and a calm, inviting sea touching the shore gently. My father realized it was a good day for fishing and invited my sister and me to go with him. I was only 14 and fishing had never been my thing, but I decided to go all the same. _ On the road to the harbour we could see the terrible destruction on the coast, but the harbour itself was in fairly good shape. After all, it was protected by the arms of a bay that had only one tiny channel to the sea. As we got on board, we noticed two big humps in the distance. On approaching them, we saw it was a mother whale with her baby. We couldn't believe it ----there aren't any whales along the coast here. The storm must have driven them across the ocean into the bay, in which the still water was so badly polluted that nothing could survive. The little baby whale----actually as big as our boat----was obviously stuck and could not move. The mother dived under the water and came up suddenly, making big whirlpools and waves. "She's trying to help her baby, but on the wrong side, "my father said. At this point, my father moved our boat in a semicircle to the other side and, heading the boat towards the baby whale, pushed it gently. With our several gentle pushes the big hump turned over and disappeared under water. Then it swam up right beside its mum. They struggled in their desperate attempts to escape but missed the exit and started heading in the wrong direction. We hurried up to the whales and tried to lead them towards the bay channel. Slowly, they let us lead them, some-times rising from the water right beside us to breathe----and to give us a trusting look with those huge eyes. Once they hit their first part of clean water flowing straight from the sea, the mum gave us a wave with her tail and off they swam into the distance. In the excitement it had felt like only a few minutes, but we had been with those wonderful animals for almost an hour and a half. That was the simple and lasting beauty of the day, Nearly four decades later, I still look back fondly to that golden day at sea. The author says "I'm so glad I did " (in Para. 2)because _ . Answer: he experienced the rescue of the whales Just three years since Lady Gaga had her first US number one single, the pop star has claimed the top spot in Forbes magazine's annual Celebrity 100 list. The popular star moved up four positions from last year and has knocked TV chat show host Oprah Winfrey of the top spot. But how has the singer become such a global phenomenon in such a short space of time ? Two experts in music, fashion and social networking give their opinions. George Ergatoudis ----Head of Music Radio1 " The key thing is Lady Gaga realized by using all the current social networking sites, and connecting that with her fashion, she has become an all-round star. Every time she goes out the door she looks different. She's getting photographed, she's aware of that and she's using it by updating her look literally on a daily basis. Another key thing wat that quite early on, her record label was showing how gifted she is as a musician. The music she makes, the songs she writes and the production she has are all brilliant contemporary pop music. She literally is turning into a global superstar." Calum Brannan ---Co-Founder of social Networking support company crowd Control HQ "Social media is a reflection of what we love, so people are becoming very good at sharing exactly what they love and the brands and musicians they love. The fact she has 10 million Twitter followers and 30million Facebook fans is a massive reflection on Lady Gaga and the influence she has. Once out there, Twitter and Facebook help keep that person's profile alive. Her fans are always talking about her and sharing everything she does even when she's not on stage or in concert. I think even if she wasn't on Facebook and Twitter, her fans and followers would put her there anyway. But the most important thing is,she is on there and she's using them." What do we learn about Lady Gaga from the text? Answer: She likes to take on a new look every day. A crisis is on the way.Global warming? The world economy? No,the decline of reading.People are just not doing it anymore,especially the young.Who's responsible? What is responsible? The Internet,of course,and everything that comes with it--Facebook,Twitter,etc.. There's been a warning about the coming death of literate civilization for a long time.In the 20th century,first it was the movies,then radio,then television that seemed to end the written world.None did.Reading survived;in fact it not only survived,it has developed better.The world is more literate than ever before -- there are more and more readers.and more and more books. The fact that we often get our reading material online today is not something we should worry over.The electronic and digital revolution of the last two decades has arguably shown the way forward for reading and for writing.Interconnectivity allows for the possibility of a reading experience that was barely imaginable before.Where traditional books had to make do with photographs and illustrations,an e-book can provide readers with an unlimited number of links:to texts,pictures,and videos. On the other hand,there is the danger of trivialization .One Twitter group is offering its followers single-sentence-long"digests"of the great novels.War and Peace in a sentence? You must be joking.We should fear the fragmentation of reading.There is the danger that the high-speed connectivity of the Internet will reduce our attention span--that we will be incapable of reading anything of length or which requires deep concentration. In such a fast-changing world,in which reality seems to be remade each day,we need the ability to focus and understand what is happening to us.This has always been the function of literature and we should be careful not to let it disappear.Our society needs to be able to imagine the possibility of someone entirely in pace with modern technology but able to make sense of a dynamic,confusing world. How does the author feel towards single-sentence-long novels? Answer: Worried Today was a very big day for me and I had already ordered up a pile of books I needed in the University Library from home by about 10:15. Off I went at 10:30 to the University Library, to get all those references. Only trouble was that when I arrived I discovered I hadn't got my university card that would open the library's electronic entrance, and every other place I needed to access. I had had it in another library the night before (which was where I strongly suspected it still was), but the immediate dilemma was this: should I (Plan A) try using the old university library card I had, which I had thought I had lost, and had been cancelled, but I thought there was a chance it would still work the University Library turnstile ? Or should I (Plan B) admit it and hope that I could blag my way in on the "I've been coming to this library for 40 years..." line? I went for Plan A. Two reasons really. I think I could probably blag (or cry) my way in, but I thought it might get the entry staff into trouble. They've known me for ages, but rules are rules. Besides, I thought there was a good chance that my old card would still work the turnstile even if it had been cancelled. And if it didn't work, I could still try Plan B. The answer was my old card did still work. I looked up that tricky little article about the Middle East, then I went off to my own little Library, knocked on the window and got let in by a graduate student (I am sure there are also rules about not letting professors in when they haven't got their card, even if desperate and crying). And there was good news. There under the pile of books I had been using the night before was the lost card. Who is likely to be the writer? Answer: a professor working in the university.
Question: Jim, a young farmer, was once put into prison . One day, he got aletter from his mother. "I'm so worried about our farm,"she wrote. "It'stime to plant potatoes. I can't dig all the fields by myself. Jim read the letter and became sad. "What can I do?" he thought. Then he had a good idea. He wrote to his mother, "Don't dig the fields, there's a pot of money in the earth. Don't plant potatoes until I come home. " Some days later, Jim got another letter from his mother. It said, "Two days ago, about ten men came to our farm and dug all our fields. I can't understand it. It looks as if they were looking for something. What shall I do?" Jim smiled when he read his mother's letter. He wrote a letter to his mother at once. It was very short. Guess what it would say? Jim's mother was much worried about _ . A. him B. their farm C. the D. the pot of money Answer: B Question: People with bigger brains ftend to score higher on standardized tests of intelligence, according to new study findings. However, the study author Dr Michael A.McDaniel of the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond emphasized that these findings represent a general trend, and people with small heads should not automatically believe they are less intelligent. For instance, Albert Einstein's brain was "not particularly large", McDaniel noted. "There's some relationship between brain size and intelligence on the average, but there's plenty of room for exceptions," he said. Interest in the relationship between brain size and intelligence grew in the1830s, when German anatomist Frederich Tiedmann wrote that he believed there was "an unquestionable connection between the size of the brain and the mental energy displayed by the individual man". Since that statement, scientists have conducted numerous studies to determine if Tiedmann's assertion was, in fact, correct. Most studies have looked into the link between head size and intelligence. More recently, however, researchers have published additional studies on brain size and intelligence, measured using MRI scan . For his study, McDaniel analyzed more than 20 studies that looked into the relationship between brain size and intelligence in a total of 1,530 people. The studies showed that on the average, people with larger brain volume tended to be more intelligent. The relationship between brain volume and intelligence was stronger in women than men, and in adults than in children. McDaniel notes in the journal Intelligence. McDaniel is not sure why the relationship was stronger for adults and women. "Other research has shown that women, on the average, tend to have smaller brains than men, but score just as well--if not higher--in tests of intelligence," he said. McDaniel insisted that the relationship between brain size and intelligence is not a "perfect" one. "One can certainly find lots of examples of smaller-sized people who are highly intelligent," he said, "But, on the average, the relationship holds." After Frederich Tiedmann wrote his article, _ . A. many scientists agreed with him B. numerous studies have failed to prove his idea C. MRI scan became popularly used D. lots of researchers were interested in the connections between head size and intelligence Answer: D Question: Nancy and Sheila are in the same class. They are friends. Nancy wants to invite Sheila to dinner on Sunday. But Sheila doesn't know the way. Now Nancy is telling her. "It's easy. You can take No. 4 bus. After you get off at Red Road. cross it and take the first turning on the left. Walk along the road for about five minutes. and then you'll see a big tree. Go straight on for about a hundred meters. and you will see a big red house. This is not my home. Go past the big house about four hundred meters. and you'll see a small yellow house beside a little tree. Then you can open the door with your foot." "With my foot?" asks Sheila. "Why?" "Well. you won't come to my house empty-handed , will you?" answers Nancy. Nancy asks Sheila to _ . A. have dinner with her B. go to a big red house C. go to the cinema together D. go shopping together Answer: A Question: When McKenna Pope, 13, went shopping for a Christmas gift for her little brother, she planned to buy him an Easy-Bake Oven, a toy that allows kids to bake treats. Her brother, Gavyn Boscio, 4, loves to cook. But McKenna changed her mind when she discovered that Hasbro, the toy company that produces the popular oven, only makes the toy in purple and pink--and only features girls on the box and in commercials. So instead of buying an oven, McKenna cooked up another plan. She started a campaign to get Hasbro to make a gender-neutral oven. "I don't want them to make a boys' Easy-Bake Oven and a girls' Easy-Bake Oven," McKenna, from Garfield, New Jersey, told the Associated Press. "I want them to make an Easy-Bake Oven for kids." The Easy-only Bake Oven was first introduced in 1963. At the time, the stereotype was that only women cooked. Today, that's changed, in part thanks to famous male chefs like, Bobby Flay, who used an Easy-Bake Oven when he was a kid. Over the years, Hasbro says the company has featured boys on the packaging and offered the product in several different color1 schemes. But this year, just the purple and pink model is available. McKenna wants that to change, and she's not alone. Her petition , posted on change.org, has received more than 45,000 signatures. By next summer, McKenna should have her wish. On December 17, Hasbro invited the New Jersey teen and her family to their headquarters in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, to meet with the Easy-Bake Oven team. They showed her a prototype, or model, of their newest Easy-Bake Oven, which is scheduled to hit stores in 2013. The new color1 scheme is black, silver and blue. The company also told McKenna they plan to feature boys in ads. McKenna was happy with what she saw at Hasbro. "They really met most or even all of what I wanted them to, and they really amazed me," McKenna said. She added that Gavyn thought the new design was "awesome". We know that when the Easy-Bake Oven was first introduced in 1963, _ . A. many famous chefs were men B. boys liked the toy more than girls C. it was aimed at both boys and girls D. it was believed that men didn't cook Answer: D Question: Have you ever wanted to stop eating something sweet but you just couldn't ? Is the first thing you do when you get home from school to look in the biscuit tin ? Can you eat a huge bar of chocolate all by yourself ? Can you say "no" to sweets at parties ? If you can't , then there is a reason...perhaps you're sugar addict ! Does that sound funny ? Well, doctors say that people who eat sweets regularly can easily become addicted to sugar .What's more, most sugar addicts don't even realize that they're addicted! Sugar addiction is serious because it can really _ your health .Doctors say that we should eat food which is healthy such as fresh fruits and vegetables, and that we shouldn't eat a lot of sugar ,fat or fast food .But sugar addicts can't follow this advice.They know they must stop eating sweet food, but they can't .So what can you do if you think you're addicted to the taste of sugar ?Well, here is some advice: Eat some fresh fruits when you really want something sweet to eat . Cut down on sweet food slowly. Don't try to stop eating it all at once. You have to tell your parents, If they know, they will help you. What's the main idea of the passage ? A. Some advice to stop eating sweet food. B. The importance of have good eating habits. C. The reasons why people become addicted to sugar. D. Something about sugar addiction and how to give it up. Answer: D
Kyle was excited. So excited that he ate and got dressed before his dad even woke up. Today he was going to the store to spend the money his grandma had sent him for his birthday. When Dad was finally ready to go, Kyle hurried to the car. Today was extra special because none of his sisters were going with them. His older sister Sandy was visiting her best friend. His younger sister Sarah was going to a movie with their mom. So today was a special day, only Kyle and Dad being guys together. Once they reached the store, Kyle walked slowly down each aisle, looking at all the toys and trying to find the best one. Purple superheroes, colorful games, and a bright blue ball all caught his eye, but Kyle kept looking. Finally he saw it, hiding on the bottom shelf. The most perfect toy- a shiny, white jeep. Kyle rushed to pick it up and show it to his dad. His dad thought the jeep was a great toy. And Kyle had enough money to buy it. The clerk took Kyle's money and placed the perfect car into a bag for the boy. As they drove home, Kyle looked into the bag at his dream toy several times, to make sure it was real. And all afternoon he pretended to drive his jeep around the house. This had been the best day ever! How many sisters did Kyle have? Answer: Every Christmas the giant tree inprefix = st1 /RockefellerCentersparkles with thousands of lights. From the beginning, when construction workers raised the first one during the depths of the Depression, it has been a symbol of hope. Diana Abad, like most Americans, loved that tree. In 1999, however, Diana was writing her will. The 33-year-old woman from Staten Island, New York, was diagnosed with leukemia and wanted to put her things in order. Doctors told her she had nine months to live. Her slim chance for survival lay in finding a bone marrow donor. The most likely source for a match is always among s -- but her family was tested and there was none. Then one day in February 2000, she got a call from the hospital saying that out of the four million people _ in the National Marrow Donor Program Registry, there was only one match. The potential donor was thinking about it. In March the donor agreed, and the transplant procedure was scheduled for March 27. On that day, a doctor came in with the marrow in a bag, and Diana remembers him saying:"This is it. If it doesn't graft within four to six hours, nothing will bring you back." Diana asked a priest to give her last rite . Almost immediately after the two-hour procedure, she felt stronger. Doctors told her it looked like the graft had taken. Donors are anonymous, but when she was better, Diana sent a note through the Registry: "You don't know the joy that I am experiencing," she wrote. "I hope that one day we can meet and I can thank you in person." It was several months before the donor replied. At first he didn't even give his name. He was 34-year-old David Mason, and he lived inDedham,Massachusetts. But eventually the two exchanged phone numbers and began to talk. Then unexpectedly and unannounced, he turned up at her door inEnglishtown,New Jersey, on December 23. She says it was love at first sight. He says he didn't feel it until they met the second time. That meeting began a long-distance romance that culminated under the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center in December 2004. That's where David proposed to Diana. She, of course, said yes. Which of the following is true about their first meeting with each other? Answer: Almost every girl wants to be healthy and beautiful. They try every means to make themselves look smarter. "What are the best ways?" Many girls may have this question in mind. Here is some advice that is very important for girls to follow. Keep fit. Check with your doctor for your proper weight range and work to get and stay within it. Exercise, eat properly, and drink plenty of water to achieve that weight and be as healthy as you can be. As long as you're in your healthy range, you'll look great. Mind your style, from top to bottom. There are two things that can make or break your look: your hair and your shoes. Look through hair magazines and talk with your hairstylist about what will look good with your face structure. Always keep your hair clean and styled. Wear clean, feminine shoes. That doesn't mean you always have to wear high heels. Make sure you can walk comfortably in them. Be fashionable. Learn about your body type, height, skin and preferences. Discover yourself, and fashion will come to you. You don't have to wear designer clothes, especially if you can't afford them. You can look through fashion magazines, pick your favourites and then find the similar ones that you can afford. Smile, and do it like you mean it. Smile, be merry and people will notice that. It will help you in many ways. Be nice to others. Looking pretty doesn't give you the right to look down on others or treat them badly. Only having good appearance doesn't mean you are beautiful. However, in order to get slim and beautiful, some girls can easily be absorbed in losing weight, resulting in eating disorders. Keep in mind that being healthy is more important than being thin. So try to eat healthy food, take regular exercise and keep a good mood. Which way is NOT recommended in the passage for the girls? Answer: Do you still remember the disaster several years ago? In Indonesia thousands of people were killed by the tsunami that washed people out to sea and pulled children out of their parents' arms. "The weather was fine with no clouds .There was no warning and suddenly the sea water just hit the city. In some parts the water was as high as two meters." a man in the city said. "Sadli, an official at the hospital, said many of the dead in the city were children under the age of ten." "Maybe the children were being carried by their hold but they fell over in the water and couldn't hold on to their children .All the dead children drawed." said Sadli. Officials said hundreds of houses had been swept away the force of five -meter -high waves across Aceh, which lies on the northern tip of Sumatra Island . "Tens of people saw the rushing water and didn't run to high ground .Instead, they kept watching it .Several of my workmates are missing." Lelana said by telephone. According to the passage, _ were missing in the tsunami. Answer: Tim and Janey woke up earlier than normal. Their stomach were growling. They were ready for breakfast. They had gone to bed at their normal time, but they could not help being up now. So they woke up their father and went downstairs for breakfast. It was so early in the morning the sun was not even out yet. But their dad knew once the kids were up, there was no going back to sleep, so he got started. He gave them each a banana to start. He let them pick either a biscuit or toast. They chose toast. So he made wheat bread toast and put grape jelly on it. The quickly ate it and the orange juice they were given. They then each had a bowl of Rice Krispies before getting showered and dressed. They kissed their mom as she went to work and began enjoying the day off from school by playing in their rooms. Dad thought he'd done a good job feeding the kids. But in two hours, they both were asking for turkey sandwiches for lunch. With Tim and Janey so hungry so soon, their dad knew he was in for a long day. And a busy one in the kitchen. Who left the house? Answer:
The ancient city is in Pingyao county, Shanxi Province. The city wall was first built during the Zhou Dynasty. Since 1997, it has been listed as a World Heritage Site. Now Pingyao city is the only one in China completely protected as it was hundreds of years ago. The perimeter of this square city is 6.4km long and the city wall is the earliest and largest city wall in China. It is 12 m high with width of 5 m. The wall was built with earth and covered with bricks. Outside the city wall there is a river, 4 m wide and 4 m deep. There are several gates of the city, two each on the east and west and one each on the south and north side. All the gates have two doors each. This has given the city the name "Turtle City" with the two gates on the south and north standing for the head and tail of the turtle and four gates on the east and west as the four legs. The doors on the south and north stand opposite each other, like the head of the turtle extending out and two wells just beyond southern gate are like a turtle's two eyes. Located on the trade route between Beijing and Xi'an, Pingyao developed into a merchant center where the local people set up the nation's earliest banks. These banks were the first in China to use checks. Several old courtyards have been turned into museums, most of which were homes and offices of Pingyao's old banks. One of the most unusual aspects of a visit here is realizing that this place was very important to China's financial history. Which gate in Pingyao city stands for the head of the turtle? A. The gate on the north. B. The gate on the south. C. The gate on the east. D. The gate on the west. Answer: B. The gate on the south. Parent fans, both dads and mums, are shaming British football with their bad behaviour. Hundreds of junior soccer matches had to be abandoned last season because parent fans were swearing or even fighting on the touchline. At schools and clubs across the UK, hundreds of more matches also had to be called off for the same reason. Reports tell of abuse at referees , players and coaches and fight breaking out on the touchline. Enough is enough Peter Wright, a keen referee of junior soccer, finally hung up his boots last season. He decided to walk away for good. He said "Every week I have had to take abuse and I've had enough of it." "Parents' behaviour is reducing many school teachers, referees, coaches and volunteers to despair." The kids are suffering Jim Peter, a referee, said, "We are getting desperate and the kids are suffering." He described the way spectators behave as and getting worse year by year. The big question is why so many parents shame their children in this way. Aggressive Behavior Contracts may have to be introduced to stop the violence and abuse. If not, the game will suffer. Sign up to good conduct Last season players and parents were made to sign a new good behavior contract. "If a parent breaks the contract, I take his or her child off the pitch and get him or her to explain why I have done so to the child," said Marc Nash, Wallsend's assistant leader. "The next step is to ban both the parent and the child, but happily, so far this has not been necessary." A number of junior soccer matches were abandoned last season because _ . A. players abused spectators in the matches B. parent fans swore and fought outside the pitch C. school teachers persuaded the government to call them off D. referees and coaches fought on the touchline Answer: B. parent fans swore and fought outside the pitch Through the following four cultural relics, the world has known about Korea's cultural treasures. _ Pulguksa Temple plays an important part in the history of Korean temples. The building of Pulguksa Temple began in 751. In the year 774 the large temple was finished, becoming an important center for Korean national-protection Buddhism . The way used to create the store structure gave the temple a look of beauty. The building thus represents the excellent Korean sculpting . _ Sokkuram Cave is a man-made cave, which has been sculpted from white stone in special sculpting ways. In the cave, a seated Buddha is the main statue. On the walls around him are found 38 other statues and the Four Heavenly Kings. This stone cave is one of Korea's greatest places, built when Shilla's religion, science and sculpture were at the height. It shows Shilla's knowledge of math, physics and art. _ Haeinsa Temple's Changgyong Panjon is a world-class cultural treasure. It has 81,340 wooden blocks. Millions of Chinese characters were caved on the blocks. In addition to its artistic value, it is famous as the oldest Buddhist canon in the world today. The building is beautiful. What's more important is that its design allows for natural wind as well as temperature control. Each book is 69.5cm in width and 23.9cm in height. There are 23 lines on each of the blocks and each line contains fourteen characters. _ Changdokkung palace, one of the five places of the Chosen Dynasty, was built in 1405. The oldest structure is Tonhwammun Gate. Other ancient buildings include Injongjon hall, Sonjongjon Hall and Taejojon Hall. The back garden for kings remains a great example of the ancient Korean scenery. What do we know about Pulguksa Temple? A. It is the largest temple in the world. B. It allows for temperature control. C. It was built with white stone. D. It took more than 20 years to build it. Answer: D. It took more than 20 years to build it. Will you get a good job? What will you do? Many new graduates feel lost when they consider the endless list of career choices. They've invested a lot of money for their diploma and now an important question stares them in the fact. I've seen so many new graduates who do not know how to use the degree they have just earned. An example was Dave, who loved sports and had played baseball throughout his college years. He had his heart set on working for Nike. But he had never made clear in his own mind what kind of job he could do for Nike, so nothing ever happened. Another example was Allison, who was a history major. She wanted to work as an event planner but, unfortunately, no one hired her. Why? No experience. Failing to do some solid career exploration first or to get a clear idea of the types of jobs you can do is a big error that many college students make. After our suggestion, Dave and Allison both found their jobs. To ensure a brighter future, follow these effective strategies: -- Make educated career choices. Identify the job you want. Conduct research. Ask parents to advise you on actual job duties. Consider what your matured talents are, and look for positions where you can use them. -- Don't rely on the Internet. Networking is an effective tool -- be sure it's a job-hunting strategy you use. New studies from the Department of Labor state that only 4% of job-seekers found their job on the Internet. The fact is that 63% of all jobs are filled by contacts. -- Employers are making quick decisions. Most people lose the job in the first minute of the interview. It's deadly to let the employers focus quickly on how well you can perform the job. -- Practice your interviewing skills. Be ready for the tough questions by first writing out good answers to possible questions and having a role-playing interview with your friend. In order to be well prepared for the interview, you'd better _ . A. surf the Internet for contacts B. get along well with your workmates C. practice the interview for several times D. take care of your dress Answer: C. practice the interview for several times Do you have a dream, something you always see yourself doing? Perhaps you see yourself as a lawyer, businessman, or even a scientist. Whatever it is, don't let it die. A dream is a wonderful thing. It can give your hope for your future and encourage you to try when all odds are against you. However, there are dream killers that want to kill your dream. People who don't want to see your dream fulfilled can destroy your dream. They may tell you that it is impossible for you, that you are not smart enough or that it's never been done before. However, many times the biggest dream killer is you. Don't let fear, doubt or lack of finances prevent you from fulfilling your dream. Talk back to these killers, " I can and will fulfill my dream." You may have to do this every day. The more you instill within your heart that you can do it, the more safely your dream will be held within you. It is very important to take steps towards fulfilling your dream. For me, in order to fulfill my dream of one-day owning my own magazine, I needed to go back to school and finish my college degree. For you, it may be something different you know deep inside what the voice of your dream calls for. Don't be afraid and just do it. Try not to let too much time go by. Time is another one of those dream killers. Think about the words of a song by Yolanda Adams, " Keep the dream alive, don't let it die, if something deep inside keeps inspiring you to try, don't stop. And never give up, don't ever give up on you. Sometimes, life can place a stumbling block in you way. But you gotta to keep the faith. When you dream, dream big and never give up. Your dream is just yours. Never let anyone tell you that your dream can't happen--- it can! Nurture your dream. Keep seeing yourself do what's never been done before. As you continue to feed your dream and protect it, not only will you keep it alive, but it will come true. To hold fast your dream, you should _ . A. seek some support B. encourage yourself C. neglect difficulties D. resist negative thinking Answer: B. encourage yourself
Why are first ladies so important in the United States? They are unpaid and have no official work? There are several reasons, but the most important reason is that they are role models for other women in the United States. Jacqueline Kennedy was the best first lady in the US. Although she wasn't an actress, model or singer, she was a fashion and cultural icon who charmed people wherever she went. If you are looking for someone who is as charming as Jacqueline Kennedy, it will be hard to find anyone more suitable than Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping. If you were writing a novel and trying to describe the perfect mixture of personal history, capabilities, confident lady for a character, you'd come up with someone like Peng. Born into a family in Shandong province, she joined the People's Liberation Army at the age of 18, doing pretty well in singing military songs. But she is not only famous for her voice and great achievements, but also for her charity efforts. She has, among other things, worked as a member of World Health Organization to fight against AIDS, and has done much for 2008 Sichuan earthquake. The media reported Peng's trip with her husband. This was Xi's first foreign trip as president. The trip shows that she can be a role model for Chinese women, especially young Chinese women at home and abroad. In the past, China has not had a tradition of first ladies like in the US. Now that China has a higher position on the world stage, it can have its first first lady! And Peng Liyuan is the perfect person with whom to begin. Why are first ladies important in the US? A Because they are unpaid. B Because they have official work. C Because they are role models for other women in the US. D Because they are more important than other women in the US. Answer: C Fucheng Garden Villas is situated along the North 4th Ring Road,just 2 kilometres east away from the Asian Games Village with easy traffic connection.It is 5 kilometres from the Beijing Lufthansa Centre. Fucheng Garden Villas occupies an area of 34.7 hectares,over 80% of which is covered by trees and green,just like a garden in the city. All the 108 villas were designed by American Company IDI,in American style,luxurious besides comfortable. All materials of the construction and decoration as well as equipment are famous American products. From June 25 to July 31,1997,preferential prices for sale and rent are offered.You can move into Fucheng Garden Villas on signing an agreement. Bank will provide a 50% mortgage for 5 years. Overseas sales License: NO.124. Developer: Beijing Hongda Read Estate Co.Ltd. 60 East,North 4th Ring Road,Chaoyang District,Beijing. Tel:(8610)64967050 64967049 Fax:(8610)64933575 How many hectares is Fucheng Garden Villas covered by trees and greens? A 6.94 B More than 27.76 C 27.76 D 80% Answer: B What would you do if you had an accident in your daily life? It is important for you to get some knowledge about first aid in your daily life. If a person has an accident, he / she needs medical care before a doctor can be found. When you give first aid, you must know three things: First, when a person stops breathing , open his / her mouth to see if there is food in his / her mouth. Second, if a person cannot breathe, try to start his / her breathing at once, using a mouth-to-mouth way. Third, if a person is hurt badly, try to stop the bleeding at once. And then take him / her to a doctor, because if a person loses one third of his / her blood, he / she may be in great danger. Many accidents may happen at home, and everyone should know some first aid to deal with common injuries. When a person _ by an animal, wash the wound with cold running water before he / she is taken to see a doctor. When a person is burnt, wash and cool the area of the skin under the cold tap for a while, then put a piece of dry clean cloth over the burn. If a person is badly burnt, take him / her to the doctor. If a person cuts his / her finger, clean it and put a piece of clean paper round the cut. In the future we should learn more about first aid and try to spread it. If Jim cuts his finger, what first aid should you give according to the passage? A We should wash the cut with cold running water. B We should put a piece of dry clean cloth over the cut. C We should clean it and put a piece of clean paper round the cut. D We should wash and cool the area of the skin under the cold tap for a while. Answer: C SHE dresses in saggy pants and is crazy about the pop star, Rain. Bin Xue is in love with South Korean culture. The 19-year-old from Sichuan Province feels a strong connection with the neighbouring country. "The two nations have a long history of friendship and there are many similarities between them," she said. "But Koreans are iron-willed, and we could learn this quality from them." Bin is not the only Chinese deeply affected by Korean culture. A recent survey shows that most Chinese teenagers think highly of their eastern neighbour. However, Koreans do not view the Chinese in the same good light. In a recent survey, only 5.5 per cent of Korean teens thought the Chinese people friendly. The survey among high school students in China, Japan, South Korea and the United States, was conducted in 156 high schools. More than 7,000 teenagers were questioned on success, family, their self-identity , as well as their opinions about the world at large. Results showed that most Korean teens gave a low score to the Chinese for patriotism , responsibility and honesty. In their eyes, Chinese people are not hard-working and don't obey the rules. "The result is surprising, but it does reflect a real information gap between teenagers in the two countries," said Lei Li, a psychology professor from the Capital Normal University. Experts say that Chinese students' positive feelings about South Korea were a result of the booming popularity of Korean pop music. Korean movies and TV series have flooded China. And 73 per cent of the Chinese respondents said they watched Korean TV serials and cartoons. On the other hand, Lei added, Korean teenagers don't have much access to China. The survey found that only 6.7 per cent of Korean students have ever read Chinese books or news magazines or watch Chinese TV programmes.1 Professor Lei thinks that Chinese teens should give themselves a better basis for appreciating the cultures of their neighbours. It's not enough to simply enjoy their music, TV and fashion sense. "The survey shows that Chinese teens should make friends with their foreign peers . They shouldn't judge other countries by their media alone," said Lei. Luo Xi'er, 17, from Hunan Province, hopes Chinese people can improve their image. "In my opinion, it is the bad behaviour of Chinese tourists which has destroyed our image abroad," she said. The girl has read several online articles in which Koreans put Chinese tourists' bad manners under the spotlight. "I would like to go to South Korea some day and show them that most Chinese are good-mannered." Most Chinese teenagers think highly of South Korea because _ . A they are crazy about pop stars in South Korea B Korean people have certain qualities they respect C there are many similarities between China and South Korea D all of the above Answer: D winter-swimming has become popular in Beijing. three years ago, few people would go swimming in the city waters. but now there is a winter-swimming enthusiasts'club and it has more than 2,000 members. the oldest is 84 years of age and the youngest is only 7. _ They may be workers, peasants, soldiers, teachers, students....Though it is now the coldest part of the season and the water temperature in the city's lakes is around 0degc, many winter-simmers still swim in the icy waters, even when it is snowing. They enjoy themselves in the lake, while the people by the side of the lake are wearing heavy clothes. why are so many people interested in winter-swimming? Because winter-swimming can be good for one's health. Bei Sha is a good example. He is 69 years old, and he once suffered from heart trouble for 26 years. After ten years of winter-swimming he is now in good health. Scientists are now studying the effects of winter-swimming on health. Guess what "the members are from all walks of life" means _ . A The members do different jobs at different places. B They come from all parts of Beijing. C They are persons of different ages. D They are men and women , old and young. Answer: A
A tree falls down in a yard, and the people who live there liked the shade the tree provided. They can regain their shade by Answer: Plan on traveling around the USA? There are a number of outstanding websites that can make your American dream come true. www.101 usaholidays.co.uk This is the latest offering that features 101 holiday ideas to the USA.It's a diverse selection,ranging from touring in the footsteps of Martin Luther King to a golfing break inArizona and a cycling and wine--tasting trip in California's Napa Valley.Narrow down what you're looking for--whether by price,region,theme and who will be traveling--and then just the photos of the relevant holidays remain on view.It's a really clever design. http://byways.Org The National Scenic Byways Program covers 150 memorable roads.Some are natural scenic routes,such as Route l along the California coast.Others focus on history(such as Route 66)or man-made attractions(the Las Vegas Strip).For each,you're provided with a map telling the route's length and how long is allowed. www.oyster.com This is the best website for reviews of hotels in US cities and tourist sites.There are photos of each hotel.Importantly,these are not promotional photos provided by the hotels,but more honest and revealing ones taken by inspectors.From the 243 hotels reviewed in New York,you can narrow down what you are looking for by locations,facilities and styles,or just pick out a selection of the best. http://seaworldparks.com. SeaWorld in San Diego can make dreams come true,but the price is not affordable for the majority of people.So turn to long--established,giving big discounts on tickets,hotel and dining at SeaWorld. Where is the text probably from? Answer: I was in my third year of teaching creative writing at a high school in New York, when one of my students, 15-year-old Mikey, gave me a note from his mother. It explained his absence from class the day before. I had seen Mikey himself writing the note at his desk. Most parental-excuse notes I received were penned by my students. If I were to deal with them, I'd be busy 24 hours a day. The _ excuse notes made a large pile , with writing that ranged from imaginative to crazy. The writers of those notes didn't realize that honest excuse notes were usually dull: "Peter was late because the alarm clock didn't go off." Isn't it remarkable, I thought, how the students complained and said it was hard to put 200 words together on any subject? But when they produced excuse notes, they were brilliant. So one day I typed out a dozen excuse notes and gave them to my classes. I said, "They're supposed to be written by parents, but actually they are not. True, Mikey?" The students looked at me nervously. "Now, this will be the first class to study the art of the excuse note--the first class, ever, to practice writing them. You're so lucky to have a teacher like me who has taken your best writing and turned it into a subject worth studying." Everyone smiled as I went on, "You used your imaginations. So try more now. Today I'd like you to write 'An Excuse Note from Adam to God' or 'An Excuse Note from Eve to God'. " Heads went down. Pens raced across paper. For the first time ever I saw students so careful in their writing that they had to be asked to go to lunch by their friends. The next day everyone had excuse notes. Heated discussions followed. The headmaster entered the classroom and walked up and down, looking at papers, and then said, "I'd like you to see me in my office." When I stepped into his office, he came to shake my hand and said, "I just want to tell you that that lesson, that task, whatever the hell you were doing, was great. Those kids were writing on the college level. Thank you." What did the headmaster think of the author's way of teaching? Answer: -American office workers spend an average of 52 hours a week at their desks, according to a statistic survey. Some might argue that not all that time is spent working,but still all those hours in windowless offices with artificial light can have an influence. A few green additions could have a large effect on worker happiness,according to the survey led by Tina Cade from Texas State University. "We pretty much found out that if you had windows and plants or even if you just had plants in your office, you were more satisfied with your job," Cade told LiveScience. "We thought it was important for offices because a lot of times people are looking for ways to keep employees happy and do all these expensive things like building a gym. Maybe for less investment they could put in a few plants in important places." The team surveyed 450 office workers in Texas and the Midwest,asking questions about job satisfaction and the work environments. When asked about their overall life quality,82 said they felt "content" or "very happy". Only 69 percent of those who work with plants but without windows,and 60 percent of those who have windows but no plants, said they felt this way. The group of people who work without plants or windows were the most dissatisfied,with only 58 percent of them saying that overall they were "content" or "very happy". While no one who works with plants,windows,or both reported they felt "miserable", 0.8 percent of those who work in offices without either said they were "miserable". "I was really surprised that having a plant in your office appeared to be more beneficial than having a window in your office," Cade said. "Everybody says, 'I need a window!' but actually it seemed like a plant could be a suitable alternative." Among the 450 people surveyed, _ . Answer: One day in my class, Maria shared her feelings about money, "Money worries me. I think I want to live without money because I hate it. I HATE MONEY." We were all touched by Maria's words as they reminded us of the spiritual burdens that money managing can bring to us. After class I offered to help Maria deal with her financial problems. She hesitated to accept my offer, and I could see from the expression on her face that she was afraid of what it might involve. I quickly promised her that I wouldn't make her do more than she was able to. I told her frankly that I didn't enjoy managing my money any more than she did hers and wouldn't burden her with guilt, judgments, or impossible tasks. All I would ask her to do was to let me help her look at her fears and try to make some sense of them. Maria still resisted my offer, and I can remember the excuses she gave me as they were the repeated complaints I had heard from so many people. "I'11 never understand money," she said. "My facts are meaningless." "I don't deserve to have money." "I never have enough," "I have too little to manage." "My financial position isn't worth looking at." and the most _ one of all, "I just can't do it." Going home that day, I couldn't get Maria out of my mind: Her attitude conveyed the same negativity and fear that I believed annoyed many people. I was sure it was this attitude that prevented people from managing their money effectively. My counseling has taught me that these anxieties are inseparably connected to our self-doubts and fear for survival. Many of us are terrified of handling our money because we don't believe we can do it well, and to do it wrong would put our very existence at risk. On a deeper level we know that money is not the source of life, but sense of worth drives us to act as if it were. It locks us up in self-doubts and prevents us from tapping into the true source of our management power, our spirit. As for money managing, the author intended to tell Maria how to_. Answer:
Today, when there are many top graduates looking for top jobs, graduates can differentiate themselves by obtaining a double major or even a double degree. Increasingly, employers are looking for individuals who are not only competent and intelligent, but who have different skill sets and who are knowledgeable in many areas. Part of the appeal to employers is that your extra work demonstrates a willingness to take on difficult tasks. Additionally, if your majors overlap , you are able to show potential employers that you have both _ and depth of knowledge. By studying for a double major, although you will be studying for only one degree, you will be focusing on two related and integrated subjects that complement each other. Classes overlap between the majors, meaning fewer classes are required than with a double degree, so it is easier to finish within four years. In contrast, with the more rigorous double degree, you will be studying for two different degrees in two completely different areas of study. Although pursuing such a course of study allows students to complete two wholly separate degrees in less time than if they were to earn them separately, many strong students still find it incredibly difficult to complete in four or five years. If you are committed to a double major/degree, it is wise to do a little bit of planning. Some students try to find two courses of studies that are related, while others seek to round out their academic studies by choosing two completely unrelated fields. For double majors, common pairings include: (i) economics and a foreign language; (ii) political science or government and journalism; (iii) economics and psychology. For double degrees, common pairings include: (i) engineering and a business program such as finance or accounting; (ii) engineering and economics. Which statement is CORRECT according to the passage? Earning a double degree is more difficult than obtaining a double major. 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 controversial forms. In the fourth edition the main changes are as follows. 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 place, sentence adverbs, cleft sentences, prepositions, conjunctives, modal verbs, perfect tenses, infinitive constructions, the passive, purpose clauses and nouns. 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 _ . the two parts before and after "~" are said by two different people Playing basketball isn't ladylike. That's what Jewell Chapman's high school headmaster told her in 1961 when he was against the girls' basketball program. "We were very discouraged, " said Chapman, a forward for her high school team of Des Moines. Nearly 50 years later, Chapman is back on the playground. She's 62 and plays for "Hot Pink Grannies", joining about 10 other women on a team whose uniforms are black trousers and hot pink socks. They play in the Iowa Granny Basketball League. It's one of dozens of basketball leagues for women over 50 that have arisen across the country. For some, it's a chance to exercise and meet people; for others, _ "You see more and more elderly women's teams taking part in state and national competitions," said Michael Rogers, a professor in sports studies at Wichita State University. "In the future it will be something common to have leagues like this." Yearly surveys by the National Sporting Goods Association show the number of women aged 55 and older who play basketball at least 50 times a year has grown from 16,000 in 1995 to nearly 131,000 ten years later. The women on the Hot Pink Grannies are good - natured but competitive when game time comes. "I think I'm tough" says Colleen Pulliam, 69, showing off her strong arms at her challengers in a game against "Strutters", known for their bright yellow socks. Granny Basketball Leagues and similar groups spread quickly through much of the country, including California, Louisiana, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. Who is probably a player of "Hot Oink Grannies"? Colleen Pulliam. Mr. Smith has two cats. One is big and the other is small. He likes them very much. One day his good friend Mr. White comes to see him. He is very surprised .He finds there are two holes in the door, a big hole and a small hole. He says, "My dear friend, why are there two holes in your door?" "To let them in and out." Mr. Black answers. "But why are there two holes?" his friend asks, "How can the big cat go through the small hole?" Mr. Smith has _ . a big cat and a small one What MAJOR advantage does nekton have over plankton in locating food? Nekton can actively swim.
Now the VOA Special English program Words and Their Stories. ( MUSIC) Many everyday American expressions are based on colors. Red is a hot color. Americans often use it to express heat. When they are red-hot, they are very angry about something. Fast loud music is popular with many people. They may say such music is red-hot. Pink is a lighter kind of red. People sometimes say they are in the pink when they are in good health. The expression was first used in America at the beginning of the 20thcentury. It probably comes from the fact that many babies are born with a nice pink color that shows that they are in good health. Blue is a cool color. The blues music in the United States is the opposite of red-hot music. Blues is slow and sad. Someone who is blue is very sad. The color green is natural for trees and grass. But it is an unnatural color for humans. A person who has a sick feeling in the stomach may say he feels a little green. A passenger on a boat who is feeling very sick from high waves may look very green. Sometimes a person may be _ because he does not have something as nice as a friend has, like a fast new car. That person may say he is green with envy. Some people are green with envy because a friend has more dollars or greenbacks. Dollars are called greenbacks because that is the color of the back of the paper money. The color black is used often in expressions. People describe a day on which everything goes wrong as a black day. (MUSIC) I'm Warren Scheer. Listen again next week for another Words and Their Stories program in Special English on the Voice of America. What is this passage probably written for? Answer: Turn on the radio. A program will come out from a broadcasting station miles and miles away. We know that sounds and music themselves couldn't travel that distance through space .There must be something that brings the program from the station. But what is this silent carrier ( ) ? This is known as radio waves. However, we can't see them or even hear them. In fact, nobody knows exactly what they are. Nevertheless( ) ,we know that they are made by electricity . At the broadcasting station, people talk, sing, play musical instruments or make many other sounds. These sounds are changed into electricity. Then from the broadcasting aerial of a tall tower , electricity sends out radio waves which travel in all directions .And some of them reach your radio aerial. What happens next is a magical thing. The radio waves start an electric current ( ) in your aerial like the one that was first made in the broadcasting station . Finally, the loudspeaker in your radio set changes the electricity into sound .Therefore, you hear the program. ,. The silent carrier that brings the program to you is called _ . Answer: An American psychotherapist Glenn Doman wrote a best-selling book calledHow to Teach Your Baby to Readin 1963. Now translated into 17 languages, this book arose from his work with brain-damaged children in Pennsylvania. Doman and his team of specialists had wondered why brain-injured children didn't improve with treatment. Then they realized that orthodox methods of treatment only relieved the symptoms, not the problem, which of course was the brain itself. So they develop a new approach. "All we do for all the children here is to give them visual, auditory and tactile stimulation with increased frequency, intensity and duration, in recognition of the orderly way in which the brain grows," says Doman. "The result was that by 1960 we had hundreds of severely brain-injured two-year-olds who could read and understand." The team had discovered that even children who had half their brains removed could, by stimulation, achieve higher IQs than the average normal child. Then the team began to think if such amazing results could be achieved with brain-damaged children, what would happen if the same treatment were given to normal children? So eight years ago the Better Baby Institute was opened for the benefit of normal children. The same stimulating environment was provided, and by the time the children left, around seven years old, they could generally speak and read three foreign languages, play a musical instrument, read three full-length books a week and do all the other things that a so-called "normal" child could do. In Doman's view, the child's passion to learn during the years up to six must be fed. He believes that, like muscles, the brain develops with use, especially so in those first few years. Nowadays, parents come from all over the world to Pennsylvania to see and learn from the workof Doman and his team; they want to discover how they can fulfill their roles as nature's teachers, by using their love, understanding and instincts for the benefit of the children. For in the words of Doman, "every child born has a greater potential intelligence than Leonardo da Vinci used". From the information given in the text, we can assume that _ . Answer: The distance from Earth to the Sun is about 150,000,000 km. What abbreviation do scientists use to describe this distance? Answer: When I am feeling down, I listen to uplifting music to lift my spirits. When I want to calm down, I listen to Indian classical instrumental music. Many times, I look at contemporary Indian art - either in real art galleries or in virtual art galleries on the Web to improve my mood. I particularly like the paintings with vibrant colors or ones which present a calm landscape using gentle colors. Art therapy uses the creation or viewing of art to help people discover and express their feelings. Unlike art for art's sake, which focuses on the finished piece, art therapy focuses on the process of creation itself. Art therapists believe that the act of making a piece of art _ internal activity that contributes to physical, emotional and spiritual healing. For people who are not able or ready to create art, going to an art museum or looking through art books or virtual art galleries can also be helpful. Simply viewing art refreshes the spirit and promotes relaxation. Art therapy is helpful in healing in various ways. The aesthetic quality of the work produced can lift a person's mood, boost self-awareness, improve self-esteem and increase self-confidence. Also, research shows that physiological functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration , become slow when people are deeply involved in an activity they enjoy. Because art therapy uses a language other than words, it is often employed in treating patients with physical or emotional illnesses who have difficulty talking about their fears or hopes, or about their anger and other strong emotions. The creation of art helps people get in touch with thoughts and feelings that are often hidden from the conscious mind. Stress reduction is also a significant benefit. Studies have shown that repressing strong feelings can lead to a buildup of stress, and that stress can intensify pain and the symptoms of various diseases. Because art therapy helps people access their unconscious mind and release pent-up emotions, it has been found to be very useful in treating those suffering from stress and stress-related illnesses. How does the author start the passage ? Answer:
Question: Everyone knows that eating too much junk food is not good to our health. Yet, what is it about junk food that is so completely irresistible ? For one thing, it's everywhere. From chips in fast food restaurants to candy in supermarkets, junk food always seems available. Thankfully, science is now providing new clues to help us reduce snacking. Make friends with dainty eaters. Studies have found that people tend to increase or reduce the amount of food they eat depending on what their companions are taking in. See happy movies... and always get the smaller bag of popcorn . According to some experts, people eat up to 29% more popcorn if they are watching a sad or serious movie, compared to when they are watching a comedy. Viewers consumed almost 200 calories more when snacking from a large bucket, as opposed to when given a medium-sized container. Eat breakfast. Nutritionists have gone back and forth about the question of how much to eat in the morning, but new studies suggest that consuming a good breakfast is a must. Surveys on long-term weight-loss show that two key factors in keeping weight down are eating breakfast and exercising. Divide your food and conquer overeating. Any kind of dividing your food into portions slows down your eating. Any kind of marker makes you aware of what you're eating and of portion size. Researchers advise reallocating snack foods into small plastic bags. It sounds simplistic, but it works. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? A. If people are watching a tragedy, they eat up to 29% more popcorn. B. People are likely to eat more food when staying with friends. C. Nutritionists have the same opinion about how much to eat in the morning. D. People prefer to snake from a large bucket. Answer: A Question: More than seven hundred years ago, the Prince of Wales had a very big and brave dog called Gelert. One day the Prince wanted to go hunting with his men. He told his dog to stay at home and look after his baby son. The baby was in a small wooden bed. When the Prince came back from hunting, Gelert ran out to meet him. He wagged his tail and jumped up to put his paws on the Prince's chest. Then the Prince saw the blood on his head. He rushed into his house and found the bed lying on its side on the floor. The clothes were torn and there was blood on them. The prince thought the dog had killed his son and took out his sword, killing the dog. Just as Gelert was dying, he managed to bark. Then the Prince heard a baby call to the dog. The Prince ran out of the house and saw his son lying on the ground unhurt. Near him was a dead wolf. The Prince ran back into the house but it was too late. Gelert was dead. The Prince was very sad indeed. Tears ran down his face when he realized he had killed his friend. The Prince carried the body of his brave dog to the top of a mountain and buried him there. After this, the Prince never smiled again. If you go to Mount Snowdon in Wales, people will show you where Gelert is buried. There is a sign by his grave. It reminds people of a brave and faithful dog. The Prince told the dog to _ when he was leaving. A. watch the door B. take care of his baby at home C. welcome his friends D. stop the strangers Answer: B Question: How to get along with people you don't like? We all have to be friendly to people we don't like. We can't change others, but we can change our own ideas and actions. The following are some methods: Be polite. Say "Hello" or "have a nice day". Say that he or she looks nice. Be positive . Think of five good things about the person. Maybe he or she is always on time or works hard. *Really listen when the person talks. Ask questions to understand the person better. You should say " _ " to show that you are polite to people you don't like. A. Stop talking B. Go away C. Have a nice day D. Don't smile Answer: C Question: Storekeeper, the owner of a large hardware store, sells power saws for both personal and commercial use. He often takes old power saws as trade-ins on new ones. The old power saws are then completely disassembled and rebuilt with new bearings by Storekeeper's employees and sold by Storekeeper as "reconditioned saws." Purchaser, the owner and operator of a cabinetmaking shop, informed Storekeeper that he wanted to buy a reconditioned circular saw for use in his cabinetmaking business. However, the blade that was on the saw he picked out had very coarse teeth for cutting rough lumber. Purchaser told Storekeeper that he wanted a saw blade that would cut plywood. Storekeeper exchanged the coarse blade for a new one with finer teeth that would cut plywood smoothly. The new blade was manufactured by Saw-Blade Company, which uses all available techniques to inspect its products for defects. The reconditioned saw had been manufactured by Power Saw Company. The week after the saw was purchased, Employee, who works for Purchaser in Purchaser's cabinetmaking shop, was injured while using the saw. Employee's arm was severely cut. As a result, the cabinetmaking shop was shut down for a week until a replacement for Employee could be foundIf Employee was cutting a sheet of hard plastic, and while he was doing so, the saw blade flew to pieces and severely cut Employee's arm, and if Employee asserts a claim based on strict liability in tort against Saw-Blade Company, the defense most likely to prevail is A. Employee did not purchase the saw blade. B. the blade was being put to an improper use. C. Employee was contributorily negligent in using the blade to cut hard plastic. D. Saw-Blade Company used every available means to inspect the blade for defects. Answer: B Question: As you are soon on your way to Eastern Europe, here are a few tips on what you should pack. In general, pack lightly, with only the most basic clothes. People dress casually in Eastern Europe, so you don't need to bring along your smartest clothing. Batteries: If your camera, flash, or other appliances run on batteries, bring enough supply along. Certain types of batteries don't exist in Eastern Europe, and those that do often don't last very long. Cash: We have found it good to have supply of small-unit U.S. bills($1and $5) to use in hard-currency stores, to buy international train tickets, etc. The hard-currency stores never seem to have the right _ . Electric Current Adapter : If you bring any appliances, remember that the electricity in Eastern Europe uses 220 volts A.C., not the standard 110 volts of North America. A 110 volts appliance will soon burn out when attached to an unchanged 220-volt plug. Language Tools: One of Europe's biggest challenges is communicating with the local people since their languages are so different from our own. To help overcome difficulties, you might buy phrasebooks before you go -- you won't find them once you are in Eastern Europe. Money Belt: A money belt is especially helpful when you have many documents to carry around ( as you always do in Eastern Europe). The best one we find is made by Eagle Greek Travel Gear, 143 Cedros Ave. (P. O. box 651), Solona Beach, CA 92075 (tel. 619/755 - 9399, or toll free 800/874 - 9925) outside California. Traveler's _ : These are necessary. Bring your traveler's checks in small to medium unit ($10, $20, or $50) to change a little bit at a time, so as not to be left with a lot of local money. To be on the safe side, be sure to copy down the check numbers in two places, just in case something happens to the checks. Which of the following things may be the biggest challenge in Eastern Europe? A. Appliances. B. Money. C. Language. D. Clothes. Answer: C
Parents should send their children to preschools which combine learning with entertainment and fun. It's important that parents educate their children right from their early childhood days. Preschool education is always important for children since it prepares them with patience and dedication for accepting their high school education later. Many growing children become dissatisfied with school. They only enjoy playing all day at home before their parents. Modern preschools provide quality training to children where learning goes along with fun and entertainment. The days have gone by when students received education only through school texts, with little attention paid to what was being taught. In recent times, numerous preschools have come up with wonderful methods that help attract students to learn. Do not expect your children to give up playing for learning, as children will never do so. Rather, you should ensure that your children will be educated while having fun by admitting them to a modern preschool. Before you send your children to any preschool, the first thing you should do is find out much information on the school. Quality education in any preschool is necessary for growing children. Only preschools of a good reputation attach importance to entertainment in education. Preschool teachers have to be friendly with children. They need to make your children feel at home and completely relaxed while they're receiving education. It is an equally good idea to check if the preschool takes care of children's health needs. Teachers need to be like second parents to children. The author writes this text mainly to _ . A tell teachers in preschools how to teach properly B encourage parents to send their children to preschools C help students know how to learn well in preschools D help parents develop an interest in children's learning Answer: B. encourage parents to send their children to preschools If you and your friends wish to share a secret, you can write it in code, and no one else will be able to read it. Codes are one way of writing in secret. Ciphers are another. In a code each word is written as a secret code word or a code number. In a cipher each letter is changed. Codes and ciphers have played an important role in the history of the world. Julius Caesar, the Roman ruler who defeated almost all the countries in Europe about 2,000 years ago, used a cipher when he sent secret messages to his troops. During the American Revolution, George Washington's spies used a kind of code to send his information about the enemy before his military action. In World War II, the Americans"broke"or figured out Japan's most important navy codes and got enough information to destroy a powerful Japanese fleet. Storekeepers use codes to mark their goods. The codes show how much is paid for the goods or when they are added to the stock. Businessmen use codes to hide plans from their business enemies. Sometimes personal letters or diaries are written in code. Many people enjoy figuring out codes and ciphers simply as a hobby. In the 16th century, codes and ciphers were very popular among scientists. They wrote messages to each other in code so that no one else would learn their secrets. Geronimo Gardano, an Italian astrologer , mathematician, and doctor, invented the trellis cipher. He took two sheets of paper and cut exactly the same holes in each one. Then he sent one sheet, which he called a trellis, to a friend and kept the other for himself. Whenever he wanted to write a message, he put his trellis over a clean sheet of paper and wrote the secret message through the holes. There he removed the trellis and filled the rest of the paper with words that would make sense. When his friend received it, he put his trellis over the writing and read the secret message. According to Geronimo Gardano, a trellis is _ . A a piece of paper with many small holes B a secret message with a lot of small holes C a letter with unreadable words and sentences D a sheet of paper with groups of Arabic figures Answer: A. a piece of paper with many small holes Bees use pollen from flowers to make honey. Bees help flowers by A providing them with fertilizer. B helping them grow taller. C aiding them in reproduction. D increasing photosynthesis. Answer: C. aiding them in reproduction. What happens when five Chinese teachers take over a British classroom full of teenagers? The experimental program was designed to test how 50 students ages 13 and 14 at the Bohunt School in Hampshire would deal with a completely Chinese teaching method. With long school days and tough rules, it's considered to be "strict" to Westerners. It took the BBC six months to choose suitable Chinese teachers. They had to be English, math, science or social science teachers with more than five years teaching experience in China. They also had to be able to teach in English. Though language was not a problem for the Chinese teachers, they weren't used to the difference between Chinese and British students. Li Aiyun from the Nanjing Foreign Language School told British media that when she handed out homework sheets, she expected the students to _ on their homework. "But when I walked in the classroom, some students were chatting, some students were eating, somebody was even putting make-up on her face. I had to control myself, or I would be crazy. About half of them tried their best to follow me. And the other half ? Who knows what they were doing?" she said. While Rosie Lunskey, 15, told BBC interviewers that she found it difficult to get used to the Chinese teachers. "Acting like robots was the right way to go. I'm used to speaking my mind in class, giving ideas, often working in groups to develop my skills and improve my knowledge. But a lot of the time in the experiment, the only thing I felt I was learning was how to copy notes really fast and listen to the teacher, "she complained. How many Chinese teachers did BBC choose? A 4 B 5 C 6 D 8 Answer: B. 5 Most kids get bored with their toys quickly, even the newest ones. The service of renting toys can save parents from buying lots of new toys for their kids. The new web-based company, Baby Plays, was invented by Lori Pope, a mother of twin boys. When her kids' toys started taking over all the floor space in her house, she thought that maybe she didn't need to buy so many toys. What's more, her kids seemed to lose interest in each new toy very quickly. Finally she realized that she needed a special service. She wanted to borrow one toy at a time. When her kids didn't like it any more she could send the toy back. But she couldn't find any service like that, so she decided to create her own. Pope owned a company before. She poured a lot of money into Baby Plays to buy all the best toys. These toys are for children aged from 0 to 5. Under her plan, customers can rent six toys each month. The price for renting a new toy is less than most costs of buying a new toy. Generally, families will keep each toy for one month. This period is plenty for most kids to get tired of playing with it. If the kids are really interested in a particular toy, they can keep it till they are attracted to a new one. Kids are not good at keeping their toys in perfect condition, but Pope doesn't mind a little wear and tear. She thinks that even if the kids don't care about their toys' condition, the parents do. And she will not ever rent anyone a low-quality toy. Pope was a _ mother. A lazy B creative C mean D powerful Answer: B. creative
How important is color in the business world? Google, one of the biggest U.S. companies, is trying to find it out. The company has already found "a close connection between color and satisfaction with a person's work area". That's according to its spokeswoman named Meghan Casserly. "Color is a silent salesperson," said Elyria Kemp. She is an assistant professor of marketing at the University of New Orleans. Kemp is following color trends in business. She is studying the connection between feelings and color. According to Kemp, when people make an evaluation of a product, usually they do this within 90 seconds or less. Besides, more than half of their first evaluation is based on (......) color alone. That's why so many companies are researching their color choices. They are spending thousands of dollars on the research, too. Just think of UPS's Pullman brown, Home Depot's orange and Tiffany & Co.'s blue. Joclyn Benedetto is a spokeswoman for Tiffany & Co. She said the success of the company's jewelry was connected to its blue color. It is used to wrap every product. She said the color was chosen by the founder Charles Lewis Tiffany for the cover of Blue Book, Tiffany's annual collection of beautifully hand-made jewels, which first came out in 1845. Coca-Cola's red color also dates back more than 100 years. The soft drink was shipped in barrels painted red. A spokesperson for Home Depot said research showed that the first thing people thought of was orange when they heard the name of the company. Smaller companies are also realizing the importance of color. But picking the right color is important. "You know when something is right because you get a feeling of safety, and it's not something that you think about. It just will hit you," said Emil Hagopian, a distributor for Mar Plast Color Building Accessories in Ann Arbor, Mich. "And sometimes, if it's done wrong, that also hits you." What do we know about Tiffany & Co. according to the passage? A. It only sells women's clothes. B. Blue is its owner's favorite color. C. Its products are wrapped in blue. D. Its red color dates back over 100 years. Answer: C An Apple employee is in trouble after the prototype of its top-secret iPhone5 was left in a bar. The as yet unreleased prototype was supposedly "misplaced" at Cava22 in San Francisco. Apple's security team was called in after reports that it had been sold over the internet for PS120. However, technology website Cnet.co.uk reports that the San Francisco Police Department said Apple had not reported the item as lost. Cava22 owner Jose Valle has said that neither the SFPD nor Apple have contacted him, although he does remember getting calls about a lost iPhone last month. It follows a very similar incident in April 2010 when a then-unreleased iPhone4 was left in a beer garden of a German bar in California by an Apple engineer. The lost iPhone4 was also sold over the internet to the technology blog, which paid PS3,000. The incident led to Apple strengthening its already stiff security, for it seems difficult to believe that a virtually identical incident would happen for the second time in two years. The text is probably a _ . A. news report B. travel guidance C. goods introduction D. short story Answer: A Although websites such as Facebook and MySpace experienced rapid growth during the middle of the first decade of the 21st century, some users remain unaware of the fact that the information they post online can come back to haunt them. First, employers can monitor employees who maintain a blog, photo diary, or website. Employers can look for controversial employee opinions, sensitive information disclosures, or wildly inappropriate conduct. For example, a North Carolina newspaper fired one of its features writers after she created a blog on which she wrote about the strange things of her job and coworkers without signing her real name. The second unintended use of information from social networking websites is employers who check on prospective employees. A June 11, 2006 New York Times article reported that many companies use search engines and social networking websites such as MySpace, Xanga, and Facebook to conduct background checks on college campuses. Although the use of MySpace or Google to check a student's background is somewhat unsettling to many undergraduates, the Times noted that the use of Facebook is especially shocking to students who believe that Facebook is limited to current students and recent alum . Corporate employers are not the only people interested in college students' lives. The third unintended use of social networking websites is college administrators who monitor the Internet -- especially Facebook -- for student bad behavior. For example, a college in Boston's Back Bay expelled its student Government Association President for joining a Facebook group highly critical of a campus police sergeant. In addition, fifteen students at a state university in North Carolina faced charges in court for underage drinking because of photos that appeared on Facebook. Although more users of websites such as Facebook are becoming aware of the potential dangers of online identities, many regular users still fail to take there basic security precautions . First, only make your information available to a specific list of individuals whom you approve. Second , regularly search for potentially harmful information about yourself that may have been posted by mistake or by a disgruntled former associate. Thrid, never post obviously offensive material will likely make its way to the wider world. By taking these simple steps, members of the digital world can realize the many benefits of e-community without experiencing some of the damaging unintended consequences. According to the passage, which of the following does the author imply? A. Information obtained unwillingly from the Internet is permitted in court. B. It is impossible to protect yourself from unintended uses of information online. C. Even if you restrict who can view your data, the government may still access it. D. Done properly, posting offensive information about oneself brings no risk. Answer: A Children, especially boys, tend to idealize their fathers when they are young.Every little boy wants to grow up to be just like his father, and every little girl thinks her father is the smartest man on the earth.It's not very easy to be a good father, but it's not that difficult either.Children will truly enjoy spending time with their fathers, not just when they are kids, but even when they are adults. Not all children communicate well with their fathers.Communication is often left to mothers, while fathers dispense advice as and when necessary.Don't expect all conversations to centre around the dinner table.Go to your children's bedrooms and talk to them about school, their teachers or their friends.Remember that the conversation cannot be one-sided.When your children open up to you, you also need to open up to them. If your children come home from school feeling upset, go up to them and ask them what is the matter.And if it is something which seems to you to be a silly reason to be upset, don't voice your opinion.It may be silly to you, but to your children it is important enough.So don't wave the topic away by telling them not to bother about such stupid things.Simply discussing their problems with them will help them feel better. Don't shy away from having discussions about your teenage children's love lives.Generally speaking, your children are definitely not going to discuss _ details with you.Try to let them know that you are relaxed about topics on love.Tell your children how you met your wife.It is perfectly normal for children to go through feelings for the opposite sex as they grow up, and by keeping the topic closed for discussion, you are only shutting them off from discussing their feelings with you.All they will do is turn to their friends. To children their fathers are usually very _ . A. kind B. great C. serious D. strong Answer: B According to decades-long research, women who took low to moderate daily doses of aspirin had a reduced death rate, especially from heart disease. The research, based on data from a major trial that has tracked almost 80,000 women since 1976, found that women who reported using aspirin on a regular basis had a 25 percent lower risk of death from any cause than women who didn't take the drug. The risk of death from cardiovascular disease was 38 percent lower for aspirin users, and there was also a 12 percent reduction in cancer deaths that took effect after a decade of aspirin use, the researchers found in their report based on the Nurses' Health Study. However, an accompanying editorial in the journal cautioned that the results were open to debate and far from definitive. The dissenting editorial was based on results of an earlier trial by the Women's Health Study, which followed almost 40,000 women for 11 years and found no reduction in overall deaths. Therefore, the new findings "cannot overcome the accumulated evidence that aspirin is not particularly effective for the primary prevention of death from cardiovascular disease in women." "This is a complicated issue," said Dr. Andrew T. Chan, leading author of the new report. "We understand that aspirin has potential health benefits, but who would aspirin therapy be appropriate for?" There are "areas of disagreement that need further study" before that question can be answered, Chan said. But there is information from the two large studies and other trials that can help guide women and their physicians, he said. And anyone who is thinking about daily aspirin "should really talk with doctors about the benefits and risks." Which of the following questions hasn't been solved according to Dr. Chan? A. Whether aspirin is beneficial for health? B. Which of the two researches is really reliable? C. Who will do the further study in this area? D. Who are proper for this treatment? Answer: D
You always have to understand what you are good at, and what you are not good at. Or if you are interested in something you always have to master it first. When I was ten, I came over to my cousin's house, and that was pain because he lived in New York and I lived in Miami. So I came over every summer break by myself, of course I had my parents' permission to go that far. One day, We decided to head to the forest. I was looking forward to this trip because I knew that my cousin was an expert on tree climbing while I was not. So, as we walked closer and closer to the forest, I became _ because I did not possess the ability to climb trees. When he started climbing a tree I was upset but I joined him hoping not to break my neck. Last Summer break he invited me to his house. I was afraid of climbing to the tree so I gave up. But this time I tried climbing the tree. While I was climbing I was so scared like I was about to die at any moment. But when I was about to climb on the other branch I lost my balance. Luckily I got hold on one of the bottom branches. My cousin suddenly started climbing down and tried to help me. After he put me on the ground, he ran to get some help. The pain was just killing me, I lost a lot of blood and I knew that I have to be awake to survive. Finally, my cousin brought the help. When I waked up I was happy that I did not die. It was pretty insane what happened to me. ( 295 words ) We can learn from the passage that _ . Answer: Which of these is the main contributor to the formation of hurricanes? Answer: A driver stopped his car on a street side to have a rest.As he lay down in the seat and closed his eyes, a person came up and knocked at the window to ask the time. The driver opened his eyes and looked at his watch. "It's five past eight." he said. Then he went to sleep again. But soon he was waken up again because a second person was knocking at the window."Excuse me, what time is it now?"he asked. The driver looked at his watch again, and told him it was half past eight. In this way, the driver thought he couldn't have a good rest, so he wrote a short note and stuck it on the window for all to see. It said,"I don't know the time."Again, he lay down in the seat for his sleep. A few minutes later,a third person came and began to knock at the window, "Hey, sir."he said, "It's a quarter to nine." The driver was woken up again by the second person _ . Answer: The idea of what shaking the head means is not always the same in different countries. Maybe some visitors would be surprised when they first come to India. When they talk to an Indian, they would find he would often shake his head. The visitors might think that the Indian doesn't like what they say. But in fact, they would be completely wrong. Indians always shake their heads when they talk to others. It doesn't mean "No". If someone wants to visit India, he should know this, or he will be in trouble. One day, a foreign officer went to India on business. He hired a car and asked an Indian to drive him. When he told his driver to take him to his office, the Indian shook his head at once. The officer said again and the driver shook his head again. At last the officer, of course, got angry. "How dare you refuse my order?" he shouted, "Drive me to my office at once!" The driver answered in quite a loud voice, too. "Yes, sir!" But to the officer's surprise, the driver shook his head at the same time. The car started and the foreign officer was now too surprised to say a word. He thought about it for a while, and then he nodded with a smile, "'No' means 'Yes' here!" What does shaking one's head mean all over the world? Answer: She is only 12 years old but lives only with her younger sister. Her parents are far away from home, and she has to take care of her younger sister. She is He Can, a student at Anqing Jianzhen Middle School in Anhui, one of the "stay-at home children" in her town. To make money, these kids' parents go to big cities to find a job. Their children have to stay at home because they have to go to school. He Can's parents left home when she was only four. They only come back for the Spring Festival every year. Because she had to live with different relatives at different times, He Can went to eight different primary schools. "I used to complain," she said. "But later I understood my parents. They have to go away to make a better life for us." He Can said her frequently changing life also has a good side. "When I went to a new school, I had to try to make friends," said He Can, "I became outgoing. Now I'm not afraid of talking to people." He Can said her relatives were kind to her. They taught her how to cook and wash clothes. When she would start junior high school , her parents agreed to rent a house to let her live out with her sister. Every day, He Can gets up at 6:00 am and cooks breakfast. Then He Can does chores and helps her sister take a shower. She usually goes to bed at 9:30 pm. Though busy, He Can is still a top student in her class. She said the secret is never to put things off until tomorrow. " I think my life is OK," she said. "But if possible, I would like my parents to settle down and live with us." What does He Can think of changing schools so often? Answer:
Rowena and Billy Wrangler are model high school students. They study hard and do extremely well on achievement tests. And next year,Rowena will be attending Harvard University.Billy,her younger brother,hopes to go to Cornell.What makes Rowena and Billy different from most students is that they don't go to school.In fact,they've never been to school.Since kindergarten,they've studied at home.Like many of more than one million people who receive home schooling in the United States, they feel as if they've gotten a good education. The home-schooling trend began in the U.S.in the 1980s with parents keeping their children out of public schools so they could provide religious education at home. Today,as the home-schooling trend continues to grow,parents are more likely to consider home schooling as an option because they believe schools don't do a very good job of teaching and are occasionally dangerous places.But can parents really do a better job? The answer in many cases is yes.In many studies,students taught at home ranked average or above average when compared to students who went to public schools.More importantly,these students were often more self-directed and have a greater depth of knowledge.They were well prepared for academic challenges. One such student,Robert Conrad, now a sophomore at university, claims he really learned how to study and schedule his time during his eight years of home schooling.Still, not every student is as successful as Robert. "For every home-schooling success story,there are an equal number of failures."states Henry Lipscomb,an educational researcher."There are just so many disadvantages that students taught at home have to overcome." For example,they have fewer chances to get in touch with others of their own age.Consequently,they sometimes lack the usual social skills."No matter what,though,"states Lipscomb,"home-schooling is a growing trend.I think we'll be seeing more and more of this." The writer thinks _ . Answer: Good news! Job offered. Receptionist Administration Full Time A receptionist is required from 1st June 2015 at Dartford Science & Technology College. The position is only from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Thursday and 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Friday, with an hour's break for lunch every day. The successful applicant must have a good telephone manner, good interpersonal skills and IT skills. Science Technician Term time plus 10 days, 37 hours per week We are looking for a technician to provide a technical support service for science teaching staff. Applications are to be received no later than midnight on 10thJune 2015. Health & Social Care Teacher Our client, an 11-18 mixed comprehensive school in Ealing, West London, is currently seeking a teacher for Health & Social Care. The position will be a full-time post until July 2015. We require an energetic teacher to develop the learning potential of students. We are seeking someone with excellent subject knowledge who can combine academic strictness and achievement with enjoyment of teaching Health & Social Care. If you are keen to work, click the button below. The text is most likely to appear _ . Answer: Mr Li: Sam, did you enjoy your first Spring Festival in China? Sam: Yes, I did. During this festival, many family members get together. Mr Li: Yes. I hear that at Thanksgiving Americans also get together for a special meal. It sounds similar. Sam: Yes. It's similar. During these holidays, both the Chinese and Americans come home and have a big dinner. It's great fun. Mr Li: What do you think are the main differences between the Spring Festival and Thanksgiving? Sam: Well, we take part in different activities and eat different kinds of food. In China, people usually set off fireworks and eat dumplings. In the US, we usually watch a Thanksgiving parade and an American football game on TV. We also eat turkey. Mr Li: That's interesting. What does Mr Li think of Thanksgiving? Answer: Dear Mr. Heppell, I am Sabrina Akhtar studying in a high school and I've noticed that forests are disappearing. Forests are disappearing around the world each year. This is because of many different things such as farming and tourism pollution. If we stop doing these things, there will be a good future for people of tomorrow. Now I'm writing to ask you to help stop forests from disappearing. You can help by making shops stop selling paper made from trees and change to tree-free paper(paper not made from trees). This will help protect forests. There are many things we can do to help protect forests. If you would like to know more, please visit http://www.rainforestweb.org. By changing the little things, we can make a big difference. If you would like to contact me, please e-mail me at shazadinol@hotmail.co.uk. Thank you for taking your time in reading this letter. Yours sincerely, Sabrina Akhtar The writer advises Mr. Heppell to _ . Answer: BEIJING(China Daily2010-8-27)---With a rapid increase in the number of Chinese PhD graduates programs in the past decade, it seems the quality of educating doctoral students is falling. About 70 percent of employers complain that employees who hold PhDs show little creation in their work performance, according a resent survey. The number of PhD students in China reached 246,300 in2009, about five times the figure in 1999. China replaced the United States to become the world's top producer of doctorate holders in 2008, according to an Asia Times report. "Nowadays, it is not rare for people in their 30s to become professors in Chinese universities, but I really doubt their experience and capability at such a young age," said Ge Daoshun, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Almost half of the professors admitted each of them had to direct more than seven PhD candidates. Some 60 percent of PhD candidates admitted they have been given more than half of their professors' research projects. The relationship between PhD students and their teachers has become an employment, in other words, a "master-apprentice" relationship, since professors use their students as cheap labor to do research. "Chinese universities should reform the tutorial system and introduce more stricter requirements for people to get a PhD diploma to improve the quality of education," Ge told China Daily. However, Liu Xin, a 25-year-oldPhDcandidate at the University of Sussex in England, argued that a major reason China is producing low quality doctorates is that most of the candidates do not have a passion for academic research... "The best college students of China have seldom ended up in academic positions. Most of them want to work in either banking or foreign companies, which pay much better." Which of the following would be the best title of this passage? Answer:
About how many Earth days does it take the Moon to travel around Earth? A 1 B 27 C 180 D 365 Answer: B. 27 Some fish may contain harmful chemicals, which can be the result of both natural causes and water pollution. Mercury is a poisonous chemical, which occurs naturally in oceans and the Earth's crust , but also comes from man-made sources, such as farm chemicals, burning garbage, oil, coal, etc. Polyclilorinated bipheuyls (PCBs), a group of chemicals, can also be found in some fish. These man-made chemicals were used in many industries until 1977, when they were banned. PCBs were released or leaked into (lie tar and water and have bear transported around the globe. How do mercury and PCBs end up in fish and the food supply? When they arc released into the air, they attach themselves to particles .These particles settle on the ground and in the water and are eventually eater by micro-organisms. Small fish cat the micro-organisms, and large fish eat the small fish and on up the food chain. Because they can negatively affect your health, the U.S. Eavirotunental Protectioc Agency advises that kids younger than 15 years old avoid fish that cortain high levels of mercury and PCBs. These include shark, swordfish, king rrnackerel, and tilefish. There are also many types of fish that are good for you, but arc in danger of being wiped out because of ovcrfishing. Sonic are being fished in the wild so much that they cannot reproduce enough to survive.Others re being farmed in ways that are not environmentally friendly. These fish include red snapper.Atlantic salmon, bluefnn tuna. and king crab. Despite these problems, there are several fish that are both healthy and sustainable , such as Alaskan salmon, American catfish, Pacific cod, and several fans-raised fish and shellfish. What is the condition of rcd snapper? A It cannot reproduce enough to survive. B It has burn wiped out b xause of ovcrfishing, ' C It is raised in ways harmful to the environment. D It will probably disappear because it cannot be fanned by haman. Answer: C. It is raised in ways harmful to the environment. If you're making the film with other people, organize your cast and crew effectively. Make sure everybody knows their roles and what day and times they're needed. Give people specific jobs so they can become experts in their field. For example, a soundrecordist listens to the sound through headphones as it's being recorded, and holds an extra microphone if needed. A camera operator frames the picture , sets focus, checks the light and records the action. The editor "cuts" the picture together after it's shot. A producer is the contact point for the film. He or she makes sure crew and cast are there on time, talks to the press and organizes the budget. A director has to make sure their vision is communicated. To do this everyone needs to be clear about what the director expects from each scene and each shot. You may also need a make-up-artist, a choreographer, a driver, etc. However, you can quite easily make your first film on your own. Make a schedule that says which shots are to be taken where and when (this is called a shooting schedule) and when you've completed a take, cross it off the list. Remember that you may want to shoot "out of sequence", e.g. shoot the last scene first, and the first last. Similarly if the film begins and ends by a tree in the park, it may make sense to film both scenes while you're there. If you're making animation , have a space that you can control. You may need extra lights and you may need to leave work in progress. Make sure people living with you are aware what's happening. Animation needs a lot of undisturbed concentration and patience. Keep at it and it'll pay off. Aardman and Disney both started off at home experimenting with clay , pens and a camera. To shoot a film, a shooting schedule must be fixed first _ . A but it may be crossed off if unnecessary B but you needn't work exactly on it C and each step must be carried out according to it. D and no one can change it once it is settled Answer: B. but you needn't work exactly on it Scientists studying the impact of climate change on the Arctic need to consider ways to reduce their own carbon footprints , says Ryan Brook, a researcher who regularly flies north to study the health of caribous .He calls on scientists to show leadership by examining and sharing ways to reduce the impact of working in polar regions. "The importance of the research is not at question here. It is important to our understanding of and adapting to climate change. But we need to think about better approaches," says Brook. "This is an issue for all scientists, though polar researchers often travel particularly long distances using commercial air travel. We also rely extensively on small aircraft, icebreakers, and snowmobiles, all of which produce large amounts of carbon." Brook studies the health of caribou herds in Nunavut and Northwest Territories. He works with northern wildlife managers. This work typically takes him north five or six times per year and when he calculated his own carbon footprint, he was not happy with the result. "My research footprints are about the same as the annual footprints of an average Toronto resident. Basically, I have two footprints -- my own personal life, which is moderate, and my research footprint." Climate scientists can rightly argue that Arctic research is a specialized field and the community of scientists who travel north is relatively small. Even if all scientists working in the north reduced their carbon emissions, it would not make a big impact on the global scale. For Brook, it's the option that matters. There are ways researchers can reduce the amount of carbon they use. Some helicopters use less fuel than others. Solar and wind power are alternatives to gas-fired generators. And while carbon offsets don't reduce the amount of carbon emitted, they are an easy first step. "There aren't necessarily any easy answers, but we need to start talking about it," says Brook. "This is particularly important for the next generation of scientists being trained and I hope to see them become leaders in this issue." What did Brook find when he calculated his own carbon footprints? A His carbon footprints are more than the annual footprints of a Toronto resident. B His personal life footprints are more than the annual footprints of a Toronto resident. C His research footprints are about the same as his personal life footprints. D His personal life footprints are more than his research footprints. Answer: A. His carbon footprints are more than the annual footprints of a Toronto resident. China supports international efforts to secure cyberspace but believes each nation's "Internet sovereignty " must be respected, a top Chinese official said at a cyber security conference on Tuesday. "China, like many other countries, is very concerned about cyber security," said Liu Zhengrong, deputy director general of the Internet Affairs Bureau of the State Council Information Office. "China faces severe cyber security threats," Liu told participants here at the Worldwide Cyber Security Summit, a gathering of government and business leaders from 40 countries hosted by the EastWest Institute think tank. "International cooperation is much needed to safeguard international cyberspace," Liu said. But "Internet sovereignty of each country needs to be respected," the Chinese official added. "Different national and cultural conditions" should be taken into account. Liu declined to answer repeated questions about cyber attacks last year on Google which the Internet giant said originated in China and led to the California company's decision to reroute its searches through Hong Kong. "The Chinese government firmly opposes cyber attacks in any form and Chinese law clearly states that any hackers will be held responsible for their actions," he said. Liu said China itself is a "a major victim of cyber attacks and network viruses" and has laws in place to deal with hackers. "Internet-related crimes (in China) are showing a steady upward trend," Liu said. "We suffer big economic losses from hacking networks and viruses - around $1 billion dollars (6.8 billion yuan) a year." In 2009, Chinese law enforcement authorities investigated about 48,000 cases, a 37 percent increase over 2008, he said. While China has a dynamic Internet population of more than 400 million users and millions of bloggers, there is no "absolute freedom" on the Web, Liu said. "I don't think there is absolute freedom in this world," he said. "When you are speaking via the Internet you must obey laws and respect others' lawful rights." Last Thursday, Wang Chen, minister of the State Council Information Office, said China has been actively promoting a real-name registration system for Internet and cell phone users to better manage Internet information and services. China needs laws that will step up monitoring for "harmful information" and block "overseas hostile forces from infiltrating through the Internet," Wang said. Last week, China tightened its State Secrets law, holding Internet and mobile phone operators responsible for customers who try to leak State secrets. Some 400 government officials, business leaders and cyber security experts are attending the summit, which features three days of discussions on ways to protect the world's digital infrastructure from electronic threats.(427) Which of the following is NOT the measure that China has taken to guarantee better Internet information and service management? A Promoting real-name registration for Internet use. B Promoting real-name registration for cell phone use. C Tightening State Secrets law to stop leaking State secrets. D Monitoring for harmful information and blocking overseas hostile forces. Answer: D. Monitoring for harmful information and blocking overseas hostile forces.
Every Friday we have a fire alarm test at nine o'clock sharp, and even though the sound is very noisy, I am so happy because when I heard that it reminded me today is Friday and tomorrow is weekend, it is the last working day of the week and I have two days off, it's so excited!Sometimes we have a fire drill, when you hear the fire alarm, everybody have to run out through the fire exit. One Monday at nine o'clock, the alarm was sounded and I was working behind the fish house and didn't hear it. The department manager and staff were looking for me thoroughly, finally they found me and asked me to stop my job and follow them went out. "I am busy, No problem! You leave, I work." I said. "No, this is the law, everybody has to leave." The manager said. I understood that if I insisted not to leave, they must carry me out. I went out with them together finally, no choice. One afternoon, when I was working outside, the fire alarm cropped up sounding wildly, nobody knew what's happening, some were standing and looking around, some were asking questions, some were running, I knew this wasn't a test or drill, must be a real one. At that moment, one lady called me from a distance:"Jinglebell: leave your job, go out quickly."I joined the crowded flow of customers and staff going out. I asked somebody what's happened? And they told me this is a real one as there was some smoke on the shop floor.Finally I found out, actually there was no problem, that it was an electrician who used the equipment for the carpet and made a little smoke. After that I asked somebody how to deal with the customer's food in the restaurant in that case, because they went out to leave because of the fire, but hadn't finished their food. They told me that the customers who had bought food or drinks there could get a new one. I don't understand, if in China, under that situation, everybody must carry a bucket or some other water containers to the fire spot, to fight the flames. I agree with the English emphasis the human right, but maybe a very small problem could become a big problem while everybody had withdrawn from the shop, because the fire fighters could not come at once. I was just thinking. If there is a fire breaking out in a restaurant, what will happen in China? Answer: A recent survey made by BUPA, an international healthcare provider, shows that 54 percent of Chinese people aged between 45 and 54 consider themselves old, while 28 percent say that the thought of getting old upsets them. 25 percent are afraid of getting old, and a third worry about life in old age. BUPA made the survey among 12,262 people from 12 countries over 2 months, starting in June 2010. The survey shows that 72 percent of international participants aged over 65 don't feel old and that 67 percent still feel healthy. On the other hand, 65 percent of Chinese feel old even before reaching 60. About one third of those surveyed in China said they have enough savings , and 46 percent are insured . Around 60 percent of the Chinese participants hope they will be taken care of by family members. According to the survey, the French hold the most positive attitude towards getting old, with 32 percent of them considering age 80 and up old. 17 percent of Brazilians look forward to old age, compared with 3 percent globally. Indians are not bothered by old age, as 70 percent said that they don't feel that they will be affected by old age and 71 percent say they have already made preparations for this stage of life. The illnesses that most people around the world are worried about are cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Most of Chinese people surveyed expect help from _ . Answer: Survivors searched for loved ones on Monday in emergency centers across the northeast coast of Japan, with thousands of people still missing after an earthquake and tsunami that probably killed more than 10,000 people. "I'm looking for my parents and my elder brother," Yuko Abe, weeping, said at an emergency center in a nearly flattened town of 24, 500 people. "I also cannot tell my s who live away that I am safe, as mobile phones and telephones are not working." Many people spent another freezing night huddling in blankets around heaters in shelters along the coast, a scene of devastation after the earthquake sent a 10-meter wave surging through towns and cities in the Miyagi region, including its main coastal city of Sendai. About 2,000 bodies were found on the shores of Miyagi. The nation struggled with the worst disaster since World War II. Almost two million households were without power in the freezing north. There were about 1.4 million people without running water. Emiko Ohta, 52, wearing a mask and plastic gloves, searched through the remnants of her home in the port town of Kuji. The house had been reduced to a pile of dirt-covered rubble . "I came to see if there's anything usable. All my kimonos are destroyed, but there are maybe some items of emotional value here. I did find a bit of jewellery. Just a little," she said. Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said food, water and other necessities such as blankets were being delivered by vehicles but because of damage to roads, authorities were considering air and sea transport. A few employees at a factory in Kuji that manufactured shipping parts showed up for work on Monday, even though it had been reduced to rubble. One young worker said he came because it was a workday. Factory Chief Teruo Nakano said everyone who worked there was safe and they were awaiting instructions from their leaders. He planned to send workers home. What is TRUE about the earthquake according to the passage? Answer: Telling fewer lies benefits people physically and mentally. Anita Kelly, study author and professor of psychology at the University of Notre Dame, recruited 110 adults for her study. She divided them into two groups and asked one group to stop lying for 10 weeks. Lies included big ones and tiny ones--any false statement--but participants were still allowed to leave out the truth, keep secrets and avoid questions they didn't want to answer, etc. The other group wasn't given any special instructions about lying. It turns out that both groups reduced their lying, but those who were specifically told to tell the truth improved their health more. "We found that the participants could purposefully and dramatically reduce their everyday lies, and that in turn was associated with significantly improved health," said Kelly. When participants in the no-lie group told three fewer white lies than they did in other weeks, they experienced, on average, fewer mental-health complaints and physical complaints. They were less likely to feel tense or sad and also experienced fewer sore throats and headaches. They also reported that personal relationships improved. Additionally, participants found themselves being honest about their daily accomplishments, and they stopped making up excuses for being late or failing to complete a task, for example. "It's certainly a worthy goal to have people be more honest and interact with others in a more honest way," says psychologist Robert Feldman. "That would be beneficial. I'm a little doubtful that it makes us all healthier, but it may make us healthier in a psychological way." The text is mainly about _ . Answer: What looks like a black hole, behaves like a black hole, but is bigger than a black hole? Two black holes! Astronomers last week discovered a pair of enormous black holes far out in the galaxy that appear to be dancing toward each other. However, astronomers say the collision is not likely to occur for several million years. Black holes are objects in outer space that are so dense that nothing can escape their gravity. They often sit in the center of a galaxy -- like the Milky Way --and suck up everything near them. The gravitational pull of a black hole is so intense that not even light (Which travels faster than anything else in space) can make it past without being swallowed. Black holes, like the one at the center of the Milky Way, are enormous. Scientists call some of them "supermassive", because they can be a few million times the size of most stars. Their size, their mass, and their inescapable gravity make black holes a giant force of nature in outer space. Because there is no light near black holes, astronomers cannot actually see them; they are completely invisible to us on the Earth. Scientists manage to detect the existence of a black hole by watching what happens to other objects, or matter floating in space. So how did scientists manage to get a good look at a region so faraway? The team used an orbiting NASA observatory known as Chandra. This special observatory uses X-rays rather than light to watch far out into space. Right before a star gets sucked into a black hole, it produces a large number of X-rays. Which of the following statements CANNOT be used to describe a black hole? Answer:
There are many unusual hotels around the world. In Greenland , there is a hotel made of ice, open between December and April every year. In Turkey , there is a cave hotel with a television, furniture, and a bathroom in each room. And in Bolivia , there is a hotel named the Salt Palace Hotel. Thousands of years ago, the area around the Salt Palace Hotel was a large lake. But today, the area has only two small lakes and two salt deserts . The larger of the two deserts is called Uyuni salt desert. During the day, the desert is bright white because of the salt. There are no roads across the Uyuni desert, so local people must show guests the way to the hotel. In the early 1990s, a man named Juan Quesada built the hotel. He cut big blocks of salt from the desert and used the blocks to build it. Everything in the hotel is made of salt: the walls, the roof , the tables, the chairs, the beds, and the hotel's bar. The sun makes the walls and roof warm during the day. At night the desert is very cold, but the rooms are warm. The hotel has twelve rooms. A single room costs$40 a night, and a double room costs$60. A sign on the hotel's wall tells guests, " Please don't lick the walls." [:Zxxk.Com] The Salt Palace Hotel is unusual because _ . A it has long history. B the price of the rooms is high. C the guests are special. D it is made of salt. Answer: D All students need to have good habits : When you have good study habits, you can learn things quickly. You can also remember them easily. Do you like to study in the living room? This is not a good place because it is usually too noisy. You need to study in a quiet place, like your bedroom. A quiet place will help you only think about one thing, and you will learn better. Before you study, do not forget to clean your desk. A good desk light is important , too. You'll feel tired easily if there is not enough light. You'll feel tired easily if the light is _ . A enough B good C bad D wonderful Answer: C In most parts of the world there are four seasons. They are spring, summer, fall and winter. In different seasons people wear different clothes and do different things. For example, in summer the weather is hot, so people usually wear cool clothes and do things like swimming, boating or surfing . But near the polar regions , there are only two seasons: winter and summer. In winter, nights are long. For more than two months you can't see the sun. In summer, days are long and the sun is always in the sky. There are no nights. The people living near the North Pole are called Inuit . In summer they live in tents and catch deer for food. In winter they live in small round snow houses. They can build a snow house. They make holes in the ice and catch fish and seals . They eat much meat but not many vegetables. In summer, people usually wear _ clothes and do things like swimming, boating or _ . A cool; skating B warm; flying C cool; surfing D cold; flying Answer: C A huge shire horse in Australia has been declared the biggest horse in the world by its owner , beating the current Guinness World Record by several inches . The huge five-year-old , from Pakenham , S. E Australia , measures an amazing 20.1 hands , or 2.057m tall . He weighs over 1.3 tons ( 1,300kg) -- about the same as a small car -- and is still growing . His owner , horse trainer Jane Greenman , 47 , says the only time the horse runs is when there is food on offer . " He eats an unbelievable amount . I would hate to run a team of eight horses his size--it would send you broke . " she says . The massive horse , whose name is Noddy , was born in Australia with its parents imported from England . Noddy's grandfather , Ladbrooke Edward (UK) was the world's tallest horse during the 1980's .But Jane had no idea that the horse she raised from the age of six months would grow this big . Noddy immediately began to rocket and soon overtook both his parents in size . Although she says that she is not interested in the Guiness Book of World Records , nevertheless Jane has carried out her own research and is sure that Noddy comes top . " The nearest is a horse in Texas , at 20 hands ," says Jane . " Noddy is already an inch taller than that . The frightening thing is he still hasn't finished--shire horses aren't fully grown until they're about six or seven ." Jane has said that Noddy could be sold overseas , possibly even fetching a record price to match his height . She is unwilling to sell , but to fund the high cost of keeping him she needs to put him to work . " He needs a job . It's very hard to find jobs for such a big horse in Australia . I wish he could stay here but I've tried everywhere , " she says regretfully . " I just want people to enjoy this beautiful animal as much as I do ." Which of the following is a big problem for the horse's owner ? A She doesn't know how to apply for the Guinness World Record . B She has to feed eight big horses at the same time . C Another horse in Texas is growing even faster than hers . D There is not enough money to cover the cost of raising the horse . Answer: D Which of these is directly formed as a result of weathering and erosion? A crystals B sediments C igneous rocks D metamorphic rocks Answer: B
While it may be unlikely for a computer to write a best seller, a technology expert has created a computer program that writes its own fiction stories with minimal user input. The program, called MEXICA, is the first to generate original stories based on computerized representations of emotions and tensions between characters. An Internet survey was carried out to see the popularity of the computer-generated stories, other computerized stories and stories written solely by a human. The result was that readers ranked MEXICA stories highest for flow and coherence, structure, content, suspense and overall quality. Rafael Perezy Perez, the creator of MEXICA, explained that a story might begin with something as basic as, "The enemy wounded the knight. The princess cured the knight. The knight killed the enemy. The knight rewarded the princess. The end." The program reads characters as variables and assigns a numerical value, between a continuum from -3 to +3, to emotional connections that are defined as either amorous or non-amorous. The numerical value is equivalent to the degree of emotion, with -3 being intense hate and +3 being intense love. The program also understands story tension, such as linking the word "wounded" with tension. This too is assigned a numerical value. Once these clusters of emotional links and tensions are established, the program begins what is called an "engagement reflection cycle". Basically this involves searching a database of story actions and other happenings, which are called "atoms", and determines the best match for the characters and contexts for that moment. The process repeats itself again and again until the system can no longer make any matches. At this point, the computer analyzes the story for coherence and "interestingness". The program views a story as interesting when tension levels increase and fall throughout the piece. If the program finds that the story is boring or incoherent in places, it will replace or insert atoms until a version is thought to be satisfactory. What is basically needed for MEXICA to start to write a story? Answer: The human operator should come up with a simple storyline. Beijing City International School Position: IT manager Major Duties and Responsibilities: Prepares and carries out the annual budget of the department. Builds and develops the whole school IT system Provides excellent IT services with IT team for teaching and business. Requirements/Qualifications: Bachelor or above, majoring in Information Technology or Finance. Good command of both Chinese and English Minimum 5 years working experience, 3 years in a managerial level Able to work in a collaborative style KAI CABLE INC. Position: Sales Internship Major Duties and Responsibilities: Builds and develops good relationship with new customers Maintains strong relationship with the existing customers Explores potential customers further Conducts market ~ competitors analysis to improve customer satisfaction. Requirements/Qualifications: Graduates with Bachelor degree. Major in Finance, Economics, International Trade. Fluent English (in both written ~ spoken) and Mandarin . Familiar with MS office, especially Excel and PowerPoint and Internet application Willingness to accept challenges and work under pressure. Strong sense of responsibility. Preoare for business trios. Ben,majoring in Finance,is a fresh graduate with a good knowledge of English. Which position can he apply for? Answer: Neither of the positions. My friend has a big police dog named Kim. Police dogs are often very smart. Every Sunday afternoon my friend takes Kim for a long walk in the park. Kim likes walking very much. One Sunday afternoon a man visited my friend. He talked to my friend a long time. They talked and talked. Soon it was time for my friend to take Kim for his walk, but the man still stayed. Kim became very worried about his walk in the park. He walked around the living-room sometimes and at last sat down in front of the man and looked at him. But the man went on talking. After thirty minutes, Kim couldn't stand it. He went out of the room and came back a few minutes later. He sat down in front of the man again but this time he held the man's hat in his mouth. Where do they go for a walk? Answer: In the park A new report says promising children money to pass exams does not help exam grades. The report says parents could be wasting their money by using cash to get their kids to study more. However, the promise of a trip somewhere nice could encourage students to try harder and do better at school. Researchers from the University of Bristol (in England) and the University of Chicago (in the USA) looked at how promises of cash and tickets to events affected students' studying and learning. Over 10,000 pupils took part in the research throughout the year 2012. There was an improvement in classwork and homework, but this did not result in better test scores. Lead researcher Dr Simon Burgess suggested the research looked at the wrong areas. He said it had not looked at the things that really got students to increase their effort. He added that: "Clearly, some pupils have a lot of goals and believe that education is a way of getting what they want out of life, but there are kids who think that working hard doesn't make a difference." He said these children think exam success is "all in your genes" because of their family background. Education expert Dr Kevan Collins said good teachers were better than promises of rewards to get children to study, especially for children from low-income families. He wrote: "What really makes the difference is how students are taught." Which students really need good teachers? Answer: poorer students The English language is the result of the invasion of the island of Britain over many hundreds of years.The first invasions were by a people called Angles about 1, 500 years ago. The Angles were a German tribe who crossed the English Channel . Later two more groups crossed to Britain. They were the Saxons and the Jutes. Through many years, the Saxons, Angles and the Jutes mixed their different languages. The result is what is called Anglo-Saxon or old English. The next great invasion of Britain was done by Vikings about 1, 100 years ago. Many English words used today come from these ancient Vikings. The next invasion of Britain took place more than 900 years ago, in 1066. History experts call this invasion the Norman Conquest. The Normans were a French-speaking people from Normandy in the north of France. These new rulers spoke only French for several hundred years. It was the most important language in the world at that time. It was the language of educated people. But the common people of Britain still spoke old English. Old English took many words from the Norman French. Some of these include "damage", "prison", and "marriage". The French language used by the Norman rulers greatly changed the way English was spoken 800 years ago. English became what language experts call Middle English. Middle English sounds like Modern English. But it is difficult to understand now. The history of the English language continues as Middle English becomes Modern English, which is spoken today. What is mainly discussed in this passage? Answer: The origin and development of English.
An old and very rich friend of mine told me he had an unpleasant experience. He went to a famous jewelry shop and asked to be shown some gold necklaces. After examining several minutes, he decided to buy a gold necklace with a precious diamond, and asked if he could pay by cheque . The assistant said that was quite in order, but the moment my friend signed his name, he was invited into the manager's office. The manager was very polite, but he explained that someone with exactly the same name had given them a worthless cheque not long ago. My friend got very angry when he heard this and said that he would buy a diamond necklace somewhere else. When he got up to go, the manager told him that the police would arrive at any moment and he had better stay unless he wanted to get into serious trouble. Sure enough, the police arrived soon afterwards. They were polite, too, but explained that a person who had used the same name as his was responsible for a number of recent robberies. Then the police asked my friend to copy out a note which had been used by the thief in a number of stores. The note read, "I have a gun in my pocket. Ask no question and give me all the money in the drawer." Luckily, my friend's handwriting was quite unlike the thief's. He was not only allowed to go without further delay,but also to take the diamond necklace with him. The police were polite, too, because _ . Answer: A New Headphone The answer to a very great noise may not be blocking it out with earplugs but taking that noise and bearing it as its own game. Earplugs have been the simple but effective way to stop noise affecting your mind, but their shortcoming is that they also block out sounds you may want or need to hear, such as music or someone talking to you. The answer to this problem is " active noise cancellation " headphones that are made up of a microphone and electronics that take all background low-frequency noise, turn the sound waves upside down and rebroadcast them into your ears. The result is that all the unwanted noises around are blocked out. In effect, one set of electronically produced around wave has sucked away the unwanted sound waves of noise. Stand next to a busy road wearing the noise cancellation headphones and the traffic noise disappears. Sit in an airplane and the engine noise dies away. In a noisy office, the noise of office equipment, people and air-conditioning is gone. You can still , however, hear music or people talking because that sound does not have a regular pattern and so the device does not block it. What is the best way to keep out the unwanted noise? Answer: I'm sure you know the song "Happy Birthday". But do you know who wrote the song and for whom it was written? The retired professor, Archibald A. Hill in Lucasville, USA could tell us the story. Ninety-seven years ago, two of Mr. Archibald Hill's aunts, Miss Patty Hill and Miss Mildred Hill were asked to write some songs for a book called "Song Storied for the Sunday Morning". Miss Patty Hill and Miss Mildred Hill were both kindergarten teachers then. They loved children very much and wrote many beautiful songs for the book. One of them was the famous "Good Morning to You." The song said, "Good morning to you, good morning to you, children, good morning to all." This song was very popular at that time among kindergarten children. But not many grown-ups knew it. A few years later little Archibald was born. As his aunt, Miss Patty Hill sang the song "Happy Birthday" to the melody of "Good Morning to you" to her little nephew . She sang the song like this: Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, Archie! Happy birthday to you! Miss Patty Hill and her sister had never expected that this song would become so popular, but it really did. People all over the world like the song because of its simplicity in tune and friendliness in words. Professor Archibald A. Hill was Miss Mildred Hill's _ . Answer: I had an experience some years ago, which taught me something about the ways in which people make a bad situation worse by blaming themselves.One January, I had to hold two funerals on successive days for two elderly women in my community.Both had died "full of years", as the Bible would say.Their homes happened to be near each other, so I paid condolence calls on the two families on the same afternoon. At the first home, the son of the deceased woman said to me, "If only I had sent my mother to Florida and gotten her out of this cold and snow, she would be alive today.It's my fault that she died." At the second home, the son of the other deceased woman said, "If only I hadn't insisted on my mother's going to Florida, she would be alive today.That long airplane ride, the sudden change of climate, was more than she could take.It's my fault that she's dead." You see that any time there is a death, the survivors will feel guilty.Because the course of action they took turned out badly, they believe that the opposite course -- keeping Mother at home, putting off the operation -- would have turned out better.After all, how could it have turned out any worse? There seem to be two elements involved in our willingness to feel guilty. _ .That leads us to find patterns and connections both where they really exist and where they exist only in our minds. The second element is the view that we are the cause of what happens, especially the bad things that happen.It seems to be a short step from believing that every event has a cause to believing that every disaster is our fault.The roots of this feeling may lie in our childhood. A baby comes to think that the world exists to meet his needs, and that he makes everything happen in it.He wakes up in the morning and summons the rest of the world to its tasks.He cries, and someone comes to attend to him.When he is hungry, people feed him, and when he is wet, people change him.Very often, we do not completely outgrow that childish view that our wishes cause things to happen. The author had to hold the two women's funerals probably because _ . Answer: On a recent Saturday evening at around midnight our home became the victim of an egg bombing.Early next morning I was ready to wash off the mess above our front bedroom windows.As I climbed up,I noticed that the glass in a small window just under the roof line was very badly broken.On a closer check,the crack ran around over half of the outer edge of the window.As the awning protected the window,it was clear to me that the damage had not been caused by the egg bombing.I discovered that the window was very loose. Just a few meters away,we have a small area for playing basketball and on most days of the week there are up to six young people who play there,including both my sons.My thoughts immediately turned to what could have happened if the broken glass in the window had gone unnoticed for much longer and then suddenly broke.Then my two sons and their friends would be likely to be seriously injured.The pain that could have been caused by the broken glass would never go away. Frequently in life,the small things that happen to us may cause some form of pain,sadness,discomfort or anger.My personal experience with the egg bombing on that Saturday evening reminded me that in most cases there is always a _ to everything that happens to us and that often it can provide a positive outcome or an even greater benefit,if not now,then at some time in the future. From now on whenever I see or break an egg,I will think of the egg bombing incident and say a thankyou to those latenight trickers.I will always be reminded of JeanPaul Sartre's words,"What is important is not what happens to us,but how we respond to what happens to us." What has the author learned from the egg bombing incident? Answer:
The Voice of China Many Chinese like watching The Voice of China, because the songs sound really good. My daughter, my wife and I like it, too. We watch the programme every Friday. Some famous singers like Wang Feng, Zhang Huimei, Na Ying, Harlem Yu are the _ . The coaches listen to the songs, and find their favorite singers. They can listen to the singers , but they can't watch the singers sing . Then they teach their favorite singers. The singers sing songs again. The Voice of China is to find the best voice. What is the name of the programme? A Around the world. B Animal World. C The Voice of China. D The Disneyland. Answer: C Many Chinese students think American students enjoy more freedom than them at school. In fact, American schools also have their rules. If students break the rules, they will get punishment , too. On the first day of a new term, 128 students of Morton High School were sent back home for wearing the wrong clothes. There are altogether 1,200 students in the school. Usually only 20 students break the school dress rule every day. So the headmaster Theresa Mayerik said it was the worst new term she had ever seen. At Morton High School, students' favorite clothes such as wide pants and low-necked shirts are not allowed( ). Some students think they have the right to choose what to wear, but the headmaster doesn't think so." I'd be _ if half the school was sent back home ,because 99% will get the message that our school is for education" "Freedom" doesn't mean "free of restrictions ". That is to say, there is no total freedom in the world, no matter in the US or in China. Some students of Morton High School were sent back home for _ . A not finishing their homework B playing computer games C not wearing the right clothes D being late for school Answer: C One day a dentist was starting his morning work. Suddenly a man ran in. His face was red and he could only say "Quick! Quick!" The dentist thought he must be very ill. His assistant helped to make the poor man sit in a chair. The dentist gave the man some medicine to make him sleep. Then, he looked into the man's mouth and pulled out all the bad teeth. As soon as the man woke up, he said in a low voice, "Quick, doctor, quick." "It's all right now," the dentist told him, "It's over." "You don't understand," said the man, "I came to tell you your house is on fire." When the man ran in, the dentist thought he must be _ . A over B ill C all right D rich Answer: B A week ago, Columbus Middle School asked the parents of their school to choose a sport for their child to play. Here's some information about the sports. Sports 1: Basketball We expect that this will be the most popular of the four sports. So students should sign up as soon as possible. Students will take a private bus to and from Kwun Tong Sports Park. Each student will have to pay $ 10 each time for the cost of the bus. There will be four basketball courts available for our use with one teacher watching over each game. Sports 2: Gym We will use St. Peter's Park. There are two reasons for choosing this park. First, it is not very busy and crowded before 6:00 p.m. Second, it has lots of trees with plenty of shade. Students must bring along two bottles of water to prevent from being thirsty. All the activities here are free. And there will be a teacher on duty for each activity. Sports 3: Hiking Hiking will be at Kowloon Peak. The activity will start at 2:30 p.m. and finish 90 minutes later. There will be 15 students in each group. And three teachers will be with the students. This sport will cost $ 75 per hour. Students should take plenty of water and sunglasses. Sports 4: Swimming The Kowloon City Swimming Centre is a 10-minute walk from our school. Four teachers will go to the pool and watch the students from the poolside. We will only be able to use the pool for one hour (2: 45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.). Only students skillful at swimming can take up this activity. The pool will have two lifeguards on watch. Girls must wear swimming suits. The cost is $ 15 per visit. One of the reasons for choosing St. Peter's Park is that _ . A There is a lot of shade there B all the activities there are cheap C the park is very busy before 6: 00 p. m. D there aren't many people after 6:00 p. m. there. Answer: A When I was 12 years old, I was at a very hard stage in life. I was short and fat, which was bad for a girl, so coordination was not one of my strongest features. On the other hand, my mother was a very talented softball player who even acted as my coach. Night after night, I would try my best to impress "my coach".Unfortunately, I just felt like a terrible disappointment to my mother. One summer afternoon, my mother told us we were going to visit Uncle David. Since we lived in an apartment, going to the country was quite a treat. My uncle David always had a way of making me feel special. When we arrived, my uncle and cousin Jeff were throwing metal rings at two holes in the ground. I was curious about what they were doing so I went over to watch. Noticing that I was standing there, my uncle asked if I had ever played washers. Being a "city girl", my reply was that the only "washers" I knew were the ones that cleaned clothes. To my embarrassment, Uncle David, chuckling ,explained that the metal rings were called washers. I was shocked to hear my uncle saying he wanted me to take his place. He then gave me the washers and gave tips on how to throw better. Unwillingly, I joined Jeff. Gradually, I found myself not only enjoying but also wanting to win this game. The washer went into the air and began to fall. Then a cloud of dust appeared as the washer sank into the hole. My first try! I had actually thrown the washer into the hole! Although 23 summers have gone by since that day, this small success in washer playing helped me get back self confidence lost when I struggled with the game of softball. It can NOT be learned from the passage that _ . A the author must be more confident now B the author's mother was good at softball C the author had never met Uncle David before the visit D the author had never played washers before the visit Answer: C
One day I took several pairs of shoes to the shoemaker to be mended. After a week I went to take them back. Four months later, my husband and I were invited to dinner. I took out a pair of shoes. I hadn't worn them since they were mended. I put one shoe on my right foot, and then I put the other on my left. But I felt that the other one was on the wrong foot. I took both shoes off for a closer look. They were nearly the same style , color and size, but each was for the right foot. Then I thought of the shoemaker. Though I was sure he wouldn't remember me after such a long time, I called him. "Thank goodness you called me at last!" He said happily. "An angry woman has been troubling me for months!" How many pairs of shoes did the woman take to the shoemaker to be mended? Answer: Some pairs of shoes. True friends double your happiness and half your burdens. Basically how you would like a true friend to be is what you should be like to your true friends. Trust, forgiveness, responsibility are some elements of a true friendship. True friendships are hard to achieve. And what's more, life is short. So treasure these friends if you already have them. If you don't continue to search, because once you have them, life will become so much easier to live, no matter what happens. I have been through very difficult times and I dare say, without my friends, I would not have made it. Friendships need lots of energy and patience to maintain them. Not to mention time. When your friend needs you, and when things are not going too well on your side, it is often so easy to _ their requests. It is especially during these times, that you must find the strength to help your friend. And it is during these times that your friendship will be made stronger. And you must always be happy for their successes, even when things are not going too well for you. It might be hard to do this, but it s something that you need to learn. Think about all the sacrifices your friend has made for you and all the times when he was happy for you despite his own troubles. Think about all the happy times you enjoyed and the sad, difficult times you went through together. That should give you plenty of patience to actually be a true friend. Remember, true friends are the next best thing to family. They will always be your supporters. True friendships are hard to achieve because _ . Answer: friendships need lots of energy and patience While you may think that being smart and talented would logically make someone successful in running a business, unfortunately, this is often not the case. This problem starts back in school when the stressful "group projects" are first assigned .The smartest don't want to risk their grade in the class by dividing the work equally and hoping that an average student does his part well. They just take over and do the whole project themselves. And thus begins the smart-people work cycle. The smartest people do just about everything better than most everyone else until it comes to running a business. They are not better. A smart person who can't stand someone else doing a job badly does everything himself. Then, he is stuck with the one-man band "job-business" and ends up not being able to grow. However, it is quite interesting and strange that some "slackers" ( a person who is lazy and avoids work) are better suited to be a business leader than the "smart" people. Smart and talented people often have a gift for the unusual, complicated or different. They don't like to follow the KISS principle (keep it simple, stupid), which is required to make a business succeed. Maybe you think the global presence of McDonald's complex, but in reality, in the company, every single task is broken down into easy-to-follow steps and everything has been standardized. These successful companies have just a few smart enough people to run the majority of the tasks in a way that can't be screwed up by their average employees. So, being smart or talented isn't going to help you unless you can use those smarts to figure out a way to simplify those tasks that will make a business successful. Another issue with the smart people starting businesses is that they often have the most to lose. The smarter you are, the more options you have available to you. You will be able to make a lot of money in various fields and have room in your career to become promoted. This means that when you start a business, you have a lot more to risk than those who are not equally smart. This is often referred to as the _ dilemma. So, don't be surprised when the person "MOST Likely to Succeed" from high school ends up as an employee and it is one average student that finds success in his or her own business. In group work, smart students often take over the whole project because they believe _ . Answer: they can perform better than others Last Tuesday, after doing all the family shopping in town, I wanted to have a rest before catching the train. So I bought a newspaper and some chocolate and went into a station coffee shop with long tables to sit at. I put my heavy bag down on the floor, put the newspaper and chocolate on the table to keep a place, and went to get a cup of coffee. When I came back with my coffee, there was someone sitting near to me. It was one of those strange-looking young men, with dark glasses, torn clothes, and long hair. But I wasn't surprised at such a young man. What surprised me most was that he had started to eat my chocolate! I was rather uneasy about him, but I didn't want to get into trouble. I just looked down at the front page of the newspaper and took a bit of chocolate. The boy looked at me. Then he took a second piece of my chocolate. I could hardly believe it. Still I didn't say anything. When he took a third one, I felt more angry than uneasy. I thought, "Well, I shall have the last piece." And I got it. The boy gave me a strange look and then stood up. As he left, he shouted out, "This woman is crazy!" Everyone looked at me. That was embarrassing enough. But it was worse when I finished my coffee and ready to leave. It wasn't my chocolate I had eaten a moment before. Mine was just under my newspaper. According to the story, who got angry at last? Answer: The young man The man who invented Coca-Cola was not a native Atlanta, but on the day of his funeral every drugstore in town shut up the shop in honor of him. He was John Styth Pemberton, born in 1833 in Knoxville, Georgia, eighty miles away. Pemberton was a chemist, sometimes known as Doctor, who, during the Civil War, became an officer and led a cavalry troop. He settled in Atlanta in 1869, and soon began making such patent medicines as Triplex Liver Pills and Globe of Flower Cough Syrup. In 1885, he registered a trademark for something called French Wine Coca-Ideal Nerve and Tonic Stimulant. A few months later, he formed the Pemberton Chemical Company, and hired an accountant named Frank M. Robinson, who had not only a good head for figures, but, attached to it, so unique a nose that he could judge the ingredients of a batch of syrup merely by sniffing it. In 1886 --- a year in which, as contemporary Coca-Cola officials like to point out, the English writer Conan Doyle made Sherlock Holmes known publicly and France found the truth about the Statue of Liberty --- Pemberton invented a syrup that he called Coca-Cola. It was a change of his French Wine Coca. He had taken out the wine and added a bit of caffeine, and, when the end product tasted awful, had thrown in some cola nut oil and a few other oils, mixing the mixture in a three-legged iron pot in his back yard and swishing it around with an oar. He distributed it to soda fountains in used beer bottles, and Robinson, with his elegant account's script, instantly designed a label, on which "Coca-Cola" was written in the style which is still employed. Pemberton looked upon his mixture less as a drink than as a headache cure. One morning in 1886, a man suffering from a headache dragged himself into an Atlanta drugstore and asked for a bottle of Coca-Cola. According to usual practice, druggists should pour a teaspoonful of syrup into a glass of water, but at that time, the man on duty was too lazy to walk to the fresh-water tap. Instead, he mixed the syrup with some soda water, which was closer at hand. After drinking it, the suffering customer cheered up almost at once, and word quickly spread that the best Coca-Cola was a fizzy one. How did Pemberton change French Wine Coca formula to make it taste delicious? Answer: He added some cola nut oil and a few other oils.
If you prefer doughnuts to dumbbells , you have a high chance of developing diabetes later in life. But if you wash down those doughnuts with at least seven cups of coffee a day, you are only half as likely as that. The finding is "quite surprising and fairly dramatic", says Bill Hartnett of UK Diabetes, although the patients' group won't be advising people to drink lots of coffee just yet. While there's little evidence that one or two cups a day is harmful, some studies suggest that heavy coffee drinkers are unusually sensitive to pain, easier to fearful disorders and can also have higher blood pressure, which increase the risk of heart disease. The study was done by Rob van Dam's team at the National Institute for Public Health and Environment in the prefix = st1 /Netherlands, which analysed the data on 171,111 men and women. The team found that those who drank seven or more cups of coffee a day were 50 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who drank two cups of coffee or fewer a day. This was despite the fact that the heavy coffee drinkers tended to have sedentary lifestyles, which increases the risk of developing diabetes. "It's too early to get excited," warns Edwin Gale, a diabetes specialist in Britainat theUniversityofBristol. "It may just be that coffee drinkers behave differently," he says. Type 2 diabetes used to appear mainly in older people, but as levels of obesity (being fat) have increased in children, so has the disease in common. It's a serious disorder--high blood sugar levels damage many organs, and can lead to anything from blindness to kidney failure. It usually occurs when the body becomes less sensitive to insulin , the hormone that tells cells to take in too much blood glucose. Caffeine isn't an obvious remedy for type 2 diabetes, because its immediate effect is to lower sensitivity to insulin. According to the passage, which statement below is TRUE? People who are always sitting have higher risk of developing diabetes. People often hear each others' voices without ever seeing the faces they belong to. "Nowadays we are talking away on the phone without meeting people," says Seung-Jae Moon. And from business conference calls to chat lines, people often imagine they would recognize the speaker if they saw him or her. Seung-Jae Moon, a linguist of Korea found that, under certain conditions, they're actually right. Moon decided to see just how close those mental pictures match up with reality and if there was any relation to how people speak rather than what they are saying. He recorded 16 Koreans, half men and half women, reading the same passage, and took a full-body photo and head shot of each speaker. Then he played the tapes for 361 Koreans and 173 Americans who did not speak Korean and asked his subjects to match up voice and picture. The Korean participants viewing full-body photos were quite perceptive. A majority linked 6 of the 8 women to the correct voice and did so for 5 of the 8 men. With the Korean group shown only faces, accuracy plummeted, but more than 20 percent of the subjects selected the same incorrect picture. The Americans showed no accuracy in matching the foreign voices to photos, but they too were consistent in their errors. That disconnection reveals conflicting ideas of physical and vocal beauty. Moon asked people to pick a favorite face and voice. Seventy percent of the Koreans picked one voice, but there was no agreement on a face. Americans didn' t agree on either count. And over 65 percent of both Koreans and Americans did not match their favorite face with their favorite voice. Moon hopes to use software to break voices into components like pitch and hoarseness to narrow down which elements trigger certain mental pictures. "If we can map which characteristics of the voice triggers what kind of linage, and it doesn't matter whether that image is the right or wrong one of the actual speaker, then we can create an image through voice,' he says. That capacity could help to create computer-synthesized voices tailored to conjure up specific associations -- audio books for children that inspire motherly visages, or warning alerts that bring to mind a stern police officer. _ percent of Koreans and Americans matched their favorite face with their favorite voice. Less than 35 Fear is an emotion like others such as happiness, anger, hurt, sadness. We need emotions to process information we receive and decide how to respond. Being afraid of fast cars, for example, is something that might protect us from harm. Being afraid of the consequence of a choice may prevent us getting into trouble. Fears in young children commonly center on certain animals like snakes or big dogs. Fears are caused often because of experiences or ideas expressed by others, and at times, the media. Many normal fears during the early years, like men with beards, or large dogs, disappear with age. Those relating to personal failure and ridicule remain through adulthood and may need special help to overcome. Children's fears are often _ , but that doesn't mean they should be ignored. They need to be recognized and accepted as real for that child. Only when we help children understand their fears can they grow normally in their ability to deal with them. Research shows that as a child grows up, the center of his fears changes a lot. Things like divorce, a teacher who "shouted at me", people with guns, bullies, big boys, or "making fun of me" top the list of childhood fears. We can not always prevent these experiences from happening, but it's essential that children be allowed to freely express their emotions without judgment. Sympathy and a caring listener will help ease the pain of these fears. Read books and stories to your child about children who have experienced similar fears. This helps children talk about their fears and find ways to cope. With all emotions, fears become less of a problem for children as they gain self-confidence and they find that fear is normal and can be dealt with. From the passage we can learn that _ . some childhood fears may have a lasting influence Have you lost your marbles ? Don't worry! You can buy more from Harli Jordean. Harli Jordean, the 8-year-old kid, soon to be 9, is just too lovely. He was born in Stoke Newington, London in spring 2003. He started up an Internet marble company where he sells the toys. And recently the 8-year-old student was written into the record books for being the youngest founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of an Internet company. Harli's love for marbles got rolling when he was 6. According to Tina, Harli's mother, he loved the colcorful toys so much that he would go to sleep talking about marbles and the first thing in the morning he did was talking about marbles. And his family started calling him "the Marble King". "I like the patterns and designs of marbles. You can collect hundreds of different color1s, shaps, and sizes. It's fun," Harli told WR News. "And I really enjoy looking at them, touching them, holding them, studying them and playing them with my friends." Harli Jordean's marble company has a long history. After losing his marbles to an older boy, Harli and his mom turned to the Internet for ordering more marbles. However, they couldn't find a Web site that sold the toys. That gave Harli an idea-to start a Web site where people could find different types of marbles. With his family's help, Harli created a Web site that sells marbles and marble accessories. His collection includes tiny and large marbles, along with clear and color1ful ones. Since starting his business, Harli has learned how to work with marble suppliers and fill orders. In the past two years, he's received orders from customers around the world. Some of the countries where he has sold the most marbles are Brazil, Italy, and the United States. Most kids just love marbls! So how does Harli feel about being the world's youngest CEO? "It feels marvelous . I like having my own company. I like being the boss," he says. "It really ...surprised me and probably ... my teachers too. I don't think they believed me when I used to say to them 'I have a marble business'!" Why did Harli want to start an Internet marble company? Because there were no Web sites selling marbles. A cop can tell that a car is speeding because it is cruising quickly
Terry is a normal human boy who enjoys football and playing with his toys. What makes him different is that he really enjoys talking to his magical reindeer Max. One day, Terry is walking around town with Max, and as they pass by the nearby farm, the farmer who owns the land calls out to them - "Hey! You, over there!" They quickly turn around, not sure if they are the ones being called to, but seeing no one nearby, they walk over to the farmer. "What do you need, sir?" Terry asks. "I need help with the plants; they're growing faster than normal. Can you help with the potato plants?" the farmer asks. "Sure! Let's help out, Max!" Terry happily answers. They end up spending the rest of the day helping, and are paid well, both in potatoes, carrots and money, for their work. "That was fun!" Terry says to Max, as they head home. Max simple nods back, as they hurry back to their home. What doesn't Terry get for helping the farmer? Answer: Several recent studies have found that being randomly assigned to a roommate of another race can lead to increased tolerance but also to a greater likelihood of conflict. Recent reports found that lodging with a student of a different race may decrease prejudice and compel students to engage in more ethnically diverse friendships. An Ohio State University study also found that black students living with a white roommate saw higher academic success throughout their college careers. Researchers believe this may be caused by social pressure. In a New York Times article, Sam Boakye - the only black student on his freshman year floor -said that "if you're surrounded by whites, you have something to prove." Researchers also observed problems resulting from pairing interracial students in residences. According to two recent studies, randomly assigned roommates of different races are more likely to experience conflicts so strained that one roommate will move out. An Indiana University study found that interracial roommates were three times as likely as two white roommates to no longer live together by the end of the semester. Grace Kao, a professor at Penn said she was not surprised by the findings. "This may be the first time that some of these students have interacted, and lived, with someone of a different race," she said. At Penn, students are not asked to indicate race when applying for housing. "One of the great things about freshman housing is that, with some exceptions, the process throws you together randomly," said Undergraduate Assembly chairman Alec Webley. "This is the definition of integration." "I've experienced roommate conflicts between interracial students that have both broken down stereotypes and reinforced stereotypes," said one Penn resident advisor (RA). The RA of two years added that while some conflicts "provided more multicultural acceptance and melding ," there were also "jarring cultural confrontations." The RA said that these conflicts have also occurred among roommates of the same race. Kao said she cautions against forming any generalizations based on any one of the studies, noting that more background characteristics of the students need to be studied and explained. What does Sam Boakye's remark mean? Answer: When Rikke Dausen in prefix = st1 /Denmarkgoes to get some milk from the fridge, she has trouble getting past the refrigerator door. But it's not because of any physical obstruction. It's usually because the PC monitor in her refrigerator's door has informed her that a new email message has arrived. Rikke and her husband are taking part in a six-month trial sponsored by a Danish firm and two Swedish partners. They hope to show that computers can be put to much more practical daily use than most people think. Fifty families and singles were provided with a free model known as the "Screenfridge" for the duration of trial. "It's really very clever", says Rikke. She can call up email, news reports, sales items at the supermarket or addressed out of the endless ocean Internet possibilities. "I'm not the type who wants to sit in front of the computer and wait 10 minutes for the modem to connect," she says. The creators of the Screenfridge aim at this type of buyer. They think the machine should attract people who have limited time to solve technical problems or surf online. The PC that is built into the door is very small. It is only two centimeters wide, and completely silent. "Everything moves quickly", as Rikke admits. "Well, the whole thing is really just an amusement", she says. "But when the thing is gone after the test, it will be pain to have to go down in the basement again to download my email". The Screenfridge is due to hit the market sometime next year. It can be learned from what Rikke says at the end of the passage that _ . Answer: Rafting the GRAND CANYON Welcomes You! If you are looking for an exciting, fun and challenging white water tour, Rafting the GRAND CANYON is here to help you plan the right tour for you. Whether you want to travel for two days or ten, hike in or not, go on an oar boat or motorboat, through Class 3 or 6 water, we will help you find the trip that meets your needs. For those who will be vacationing in the off-season, a rafting trip on the Native American Red River is available or a one-day trip is available on the Colorado River from Diamond Creek to Pierce Ferry. Most of the trips depart from Lees Ferry, Arizona. We offer partial trips which allow you to get on or off at Phantom Ranch located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon National Park South Rim. You can have a hike, and with proper planning the mule ride up or down is also an option. Most trips occur between April and October. Since all rafting on the Colorado requires a permit, planning and reserving your trip requires reservations well in advance. Please let us know when you would like to go and we will contact all the river concessionaires to help you find the best trip for you. To talk to us or to make a reservation, call us toll free: 1-800-222-6966 or 702-655-6060 If you have any questions regarding a trip, please _ to fill out our form. This will speed up the process of getting you accurate information regarding that trip. If you would like to send us an email about something other than an upcoming trip you can contact us at info@raftingthegrandcanyon.com. We look forward to helping you plan your trip! (Please NO Travel Agents.) Which of the following is most likely to be a customer of Rafting the Grand Canyon? Answer: One day, there was a blind man called John sitting on a bench with a hat by his feet and a sign that read, "I am blind. Please help me." A reporter named Tom was walking by the blind man and stopped to see that the man only had a few coins in his hat. He put a few of his own coins in the hat. Without asking for permission, took the sign, turned it around and wrote a new message. Then he put the sign by the feet of the blind man, and left. Later that afternoon the reporter returned to the blind man and noticed that his hat was almost full of bills and coins. The blind man recognized his footsteps and asked if it was he who had changed his sign. He also wanted to know what the man wrote on it. The reporter said, "I just wrote the message a little differently." He smiled and went on his way. The new sign read, "Spring has come, but I can't see anything." When did the story happen? Answer:
One of Britain's bravest women told yesterday how she helped to catch suspected police killer David Bieber-and was thanked with flowers by the police. It was also said that she could be in line for a share of up to PS 30,000 reward money. Vicki Brown, 30, played a very important role in ending the nationwide manhunt. Vicki, who has worked at the Royal Hotel for four years, told of her terrible experience when she had to steal into Bieber's bedroom and to watch him secretly. Then she waited alone for the hours while armed police prepared to storm into the building. She said: "I was very nervous. But when I opened the hotel door and saw 20 armed policemen lined up in the car park I was so glad they were there." The alarm had been raised because Vicki became suspicious of the guest who checked in at 3 pm the day before New year's Eve with little luggage and wearing sunglasses and a hat pulled down over his face. She said: "He didn't seem to want to talk too much and make any eye contact ." Vicki, the only employee on duty, called her bosses Margaret, 64, and husband Stall McKale, 65, who phoned the police at 11 pm. Officers from Northumbria Police called Vicki at the hotel in Dunston, Gatesheed, at about 11:30 pm to make sure that this was the wanted man. Then they kept in touch by phoning Vicki every 15 minutes. "It was about ten past two in the morning when the phone went again and a policeman said 'Would you go and make yourself known to the armed officers outside?' My heart missed a beat." Vicki quietly showed eight armed officers through passages and staircases to the top floor room and handed over the key. "I realized that my bedroom window overlooks that part of the hotel, so I went to watch. I could not see into the man's room, but I could see the passage. The police kept shouting at the man to come out with his hands showing. Then suddenly he must have come out because they shouted for him to lie down while he was handcuffed . Vicki's heart missed a beat because _ . Answer: Henry found work in a bookstore after he finished middle school. He wouldn't do anything but wanted to get rich. Mr. King thought he was too lazy and was going to send him away. Henry was afraid and had to work hard. It was a cold morning. It was snowing and there was thin ice on the streets. Few people went to buy the books and the young man had nothing to do. He hated to read, so he watched the traffic. Suddenly he saw a bag fall off a truck and it landed by the other side of the street. "It must be full of expensive things," Henry said to himself. "I have to get it, or others will take it away. " He went out of the shop and ran across the street. A driver saw him and began to whistle , but he didn't hear it and went on running. The man drove aside, hit a big tree and was hurt in the accident. Two weeks later Henry was taken to court . A judge asked if he heard the whistle when he was running across the street. He said that something was wrong with his ears and he could hear nothing. "But you've heard me this time." said the judge. "Oh, I'm sorry. Now I can hear with one ear." "Cover the ear with your hand and listen to me with your deaf one. Well, can you hear me? " "No, I can't, Sir." What was Mr. King? Answer: Many a online shopper stayed up until 2 am on Sunday, looking through the Internet to buy products being sold at half price before they could _ (be bought)by other shoppers. Tens of millions of the Internet users were crazy to take advantage of the halfprice promotion, started by the ecommerce giant Alibaba Group on Sunday, Nov. 11, which is known as Singles' Day in China, and is the Chinese answer to Cyber Monday in the United States. By 7 pm on Sunday, 14.1 billion yuan's worth of sales was made on tmall. com and taobao. com. That could make Singles' Day the biggest ecommerce sales day on record. The research company comScore said US online retailers saw $ 1.25 billion of sales during last year's Cyber Monday, the day after Thanksgiving weekend and the busiest day for online retailers as US shoppers start to prepare for Christmas. Singles' Day originated with university students, and was later adopted by ecommerce companies as a promotional opportunity. Ecommerce companies, including Jingdong Mall and Amazon China, also took part in the promotion." In the past, people only shopped online occasionally, but now, online shopping is a lifestyle accepted by many," said Zhang Yong, Tmall president. Alibaba began to hold Singles' Day promotions in 2009, and last year, its sales totaled 5.2 billion yuan."I don't know whether we would lose money, but I don't think we could earn much on this day by selling goods at half price," said Hao Hongfeng, chairman of Beijing Jiuxian ECommerce, a liquor retailer in Beijing who took part in the event. He said it is a good opportunity for online retailers to get their names known. Who first introduced Singles' Day to the public? Answer: About twenty years ago I had the pleasure of teaching a disabled young woman. Not only was she good at math and science, but she was also extremely talented in art. She could draw and paint beautifully. When Audrey graduated from university she got two degrees, one in fine arts and one in chemistry. Not too many people do well in two such different areas of study. Just before her high school graduation, Audrey gave me a wonderful gift. It was a watercolor1 painting of a mother and her baby. A tear fell from the mother's eye as she looked lovingly at her child. Beneath the painting Audrey had written these words: "The deep love from Mother, through me, touches another." What a beautiful gift! I had the piece of art framed(...) and hung in my office. Years passed with many moves from one office to another and I lost the painting. Last year, after about eight years of not knowing where it was, I received a phone from a former colleague who said she had something of mine. It was the picture Audrey had painted for me 18 years ealier. When cleaning out a storage room she had discovered my gift. I was struck that the precious gift came back. I knew Audrey very well. When she was four years old Audrey had a serious disease. What's worse, her father left the house. It was her mother who brought her up with much trouble. She survived the disease but was disabled. To any other it is just a painting, but to me it shows how a mother's love has helped develop a talent and how its power pushes me ahead. How did the author regain the painting? Answer: WASHINGTON-Laura Straub is a very worried woman . Her job is to find families for French teenagers who expect to live with American families in the summer . It's not easy , even desperate . "We have many children left to place :40 out of 75," said Straub , who works for a Paris-based foreign - exchange programme called LEC. When exchange programmes started 50 years ago , family life was more accommodating . For one thing , more mothers stayed home . But now , increasing numbers of women work outside the home . Exchange-student programmes have struggled in recent years to sign up host families for the 30,000 teenagers who annually come from abroad to spend academic year in the prefix = st1 /United States, as well as the thousands more who participate in summer programmes . School systems in many parts of the US, unhappy about accepting non-taxpaying students , have also strictly limited the number of exchange students they accept . At the same time , the idea of hosting foreign students is becoming less _ . In searching for host families , who usually receive no pay , exchange programmes are increasingly broadening their appeals to include everyone from young couples to retirees . "We are open to many different types of families," said Vickie Weiner , eastern regional director for ASSE, a 25- year -old programme that sends about 30,000 teen-agers on academic -year exchange programmes worldwide . For elderly people , exchange students "keep us young -they really do ," said Jean Foster , who is hosting 16-year -old Nina Porst from Denmark. Viekie Weiner is the person who_. Answer:
We spend so much time waiting to be loved, hoping love will find us, and searching for that special love. Unfortunately, that's not usually how life works. Loving yourself is mainly having self-respect, which is the only dependable way to create love in your own life, so you can share it with others. To be able to be loved, you must love and respect yourself as much as you do others. By doing so, you are enabling positive energy and allowing for great situation to occur in your life. Bringing joy to other people's lives will help you find joy in your own. In addition, those who you treat well will likely repay you with the same kindness. Gradually, you will start to feel your worth through the smiles of gratitude. However, don't just be very kind to people so you can receive royal treatment. Don't punish yourself for something you have done in the past. Instead, look at the mistake as a learning experience. Say to yourself now, "I forgive myself for..." Go to look in a mirror, and say it out loud to yourself. Look at yourself right in the eyes, and speak forgiveness like you mean it. If you do, laugh out loud, realizing that was then and this is now. Every day is a new beginning. We all want a nice house, nice things, and someone to share our life with. Find your true wants objectively. Are you eager for power, a religion, or simply a motive? Sometimes, it's easier to hide the truth from yourself, but figuring out what you really want will help you know yourself better. This will hopefully aid you in answering important questions you often ask yourself. Write about your experiences, good and bad. When you write down good experiences, allow yourself to feel those feelings. When you remember bad experiences, allow yourself to feel self-compassion . Compassion is not self-pity, but rather a willingness to accept one's own pain and regret. Compassion allows us to be present with our pain, so we can acknowledge it and let it go. According to the passage, most people _ Answer: The summer sun is out, and we're beginning to feel the heat. Before you go outside to have fun, make sure you put on the right things! Do you know what kind of clothes can make you look hot and keep you cool? Here are some ideas for clothes to help you look great. Fun colors and cartoons are back from the 1980s this year; the dirty look is out. People will be looking for fresh bright colors this summer. Girls in pink look cute and sweet. And green makes everyone look more lively. Some of the best colours are cotton candy pink and lime green. These soft colours go well with jeans or just about anything else. As soon as you put on one of these colours, you'll feel like a star! Some girls like something more interesting than all solid colours. For them, there are lots of floral patterns to choose from in shirts, dresses or skirts. A floral shirt looks nice with a light-coloured solid skirt or trousers. Of course, jeans are _ for boys. If you get too hot, try something lighter, like khaki cargo pants. They'll have enough pockets to keep everything you need for studying, playing and keeping cool! Army green is all the rage this year. Which of the following colours may not look good in summer according to the passage? Answer: It was Andria Baker's high school graduation party, and the time had come for her father to make good on a promise that he had made her years ago, when she was a fourth-grader. "After you started on your first day of kindergarten and continue it through your last day of high school, and I'll buy you a car." Tim Baker had told the child. Through the years, Andria Baker kept up her end of the bargain, willing herself to go to school on those days even when she felt under the weather. She did carry out her 13th year of uninterrupted coming to the classroom with her final day at Constantine High Sehool even when she was ill. At Sunday's party, her father gave the young woman the keys to a new, $17 000 Pontiac G6. Tim Baker, who teaches seventh grade at prefix = st1 /ConstantineMiddle School, said he has no regrets about the deal. "Without a doubt, it was worth every penny I spent," he said. The look on his daughter's face when she saw the car was great. Baker said, "When she turned around after seeing the car, she did not know what to do. We got her into the car and she just sat there. Then she ran into the house to get her driver's license, and she and her best friend got in the car and drove down the road." Andria Baker, 19, said she thinks she would have gone ahead with that even if a new car had not been promised her. "A lot of my friends thought I was crazy, but I just kept going." she said. Baker plans to go after an education degree at AlmaCollege. "In my sophomore year I hurt my ankle in a basketball game, and it was really painful," she said. "Also that day I caught a cold and the teacher looked at me and said, 'I'm not the teacher who's going to send you home.'" When Andria Baker saw her present, she felt _ . Answer: My name is Eric. I know many students like going to the movies and I'm sure that different people like different kinds of movies . Well ,what kind of movies do you like? Last Monday I went to a school and asked some students about their favorite movies. Here are some of their answers. Jack, an 11-year-old boy, likes watching scary movies. He thinks scary movies are scary but exciting .His classmates.Alice,13,can't stand documentaries . She thinks they are boring and they are for parents. But she really likes comedies because they are funny. James, a big boy ,doesn't mind documentaries. But he doesn't like comedies because he thinks they are not exciting! The survey showed that the most popular movies were action movies. Most of the students enjoyed them very much. What are the most popular movies for most of the students? Answer: The deep sea is not an easy place to live in. It's cold and dark. The deeper it is, the less sunlight there is. At about 3,000 feet, there is no light at all. It's very dark in the sea. Many fishes have no eyes, but some have big eyes. A few have eyes only on one side. Besides the coldness and the darkness, deep sea animals face a third danger--other animals. Animals must find food to eat. Many animals eat plants, and some eat meat. This means these sea animals have two big jobs. One is that they need to find animals as their food, and the other is that they have to try not to become other animals' meals. ,. (5) Sea animals have two jobs. They _ . Answer:
I have been teaching in the United States for three semesters. During this time, I have been very impressed with the hardworking American students. Tuition fee in American universities are pretty expensive. Most American students receive little, if any, financial support. As a result, they have to work hard to pay for their tuition and other basic expenses. Tertiary education is a necessity in today's workforce. Young people with higher education are rewarded with a good career and better salary. So how do American students support themselves? All my American students have to work to pay for their tuition. For this reason, most universities provide limited jobs for students who need economic help. They also help students search for jobs in the community. I have been touched to see some students are so worn out from their jobs that they doze in my classroom. In addition to taking part-time jobs, students are also expected to take part in various social and sporting activities and, in fact, those who do not take part in are often looked down upon by their peers. A number of American university students are married with families, or are single parents. These students are faced with the additional burden of raising a family. They have to spend much time, money and energy caring for their children and family. Most American university professors are strict. They test students on every unit in their course, in addition to mid-term and final exams in each semester. A lack of preparation by students may result in their failure. This means the loss of a lot of money and possibly future employment opportunities for these students. For this reason, many American students will study or stay up all night before an exam, in an effort to pass. In contrast, Chinese students have a much easier time, because most Chinese parents pay for their kids' tertiary education. Moreover, Chinese students do not need to worry about raising children or maintaining a family. So, Chinese students have no reason for not studying hard and achieving good marks. Which of the following is not the difficulty American students have to face? Answer: ON a scale of one to ten, how would you rate your pain? Baymax, the plus-sized white robot, asks the question each time he detects his patient's pain. Considering that he is hardly like a typical Marvel superhero, how could this robotic caregiver from Big Hero 6 have stolen viewers' hearts and taken home this year's best animation Oscar? Set in fictional San Fransokyo, the film follows Hiro, a 14-year-old robotics genius . After his brother dies, he goes on a journey to save his city from an evil masked man with his brother's invention, Baymax. Baymax was named "Disney's most straightforwardly adorable character" in years by The Telegraph. He has a pure white pear-shaped body and stumpy elephant legs. And his eyes -just two black dots with a line through them - can blink quickly or slowly. Baymax's physical appearance "works with his personality because he's purely good and naive ," co-director Don Hall told The Hollywood Reporter. Sometimes Baymax is awkward. Moving in tight spaces gets challenging with his potbelly . And when his batteries run low, he behaves like an amusing drunk. "This means that he is not at all intimidating and is easy to like," commented The Straits Times in Singapore. Baymax is a comforting friend, the kind that perhaps everyone needs. After he diagnoses Hiro with feeling sorrow, he says: "Physical comfort helps too," and pulls Hiro into a hug. He pats his head, saying: "There, there." The team's car crashes into the water at one point, and they have to walk shivering back home. Baymax notices that everyone's body temperatures are low, so he turns on his internal heaters. Everyone cuddles up with him. "This is like spooning with a warm marshmallow ," says Fred, one of the characters. One minute, he is used as a bouncy castle , and the next he transforms into a superhero. To fight against the villain, Hiro upgrades Baymax so that the robot can attack and fly. The robot has a hard time figuring out these new skills, but after he realizes that Hiro is happy with his improvement, he immediately becomes an expert. "The treatment is working,"he says. Tencent Entertainment calls the amazing Baymax a "perfect companion"."He is quiet, clumsy, and adorable. But at important times, he steps up and stops at nothing to protect his friends from harm, even if it means that he has to sacrifice his life. This is an idealized relationship in harsh reality," the site commented. Which of the following adjectives best describe Baymax? Answer: Women who own cats are more likely to have mental health problems and kill themselves because they can be infected by a common parasite that can be caught from cat litter, a study has found. Researchers found women infected with the Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) parasite , which is spread through contact with cat waste or eating undercooked meat or unwashed vegetables, are at increased risk of attempting suicide. The study involved more than 45,000 women in Denmark. About a third of the world's population is infected with the parasite, which hides in cells in the brain and muscles, often without producing symptoms. The infection, which is called toxoplasmosis , has been linked to mental illness, such as schizophrenia , and changes in behavior. The study's senior author Doctor Teodor Postolache, an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in the United States, said, "We can't say with certainty that T. gondii caused the women to try to kill themselves, but we did find a predictive association between the infection and suicide attempts later in life that deserves additional studies." Doctor Albert Reece, vice president of medical affairs at the University of Maryland, said, "T. gondii infection is a major public health problem around the world, and many people don't realize they're infected. "Dr Postolache is a leading expert on suicide neuroimmunology . Suicide is a critically important mental health issue. About one million people commit suicide and another 10 million attempt suicide worldwide each year. We hope that this type of research will one day help us find ways to save many lives that now end too early in suicide." Dr. Postolache's research team at the University of Maryland was the first to report a connection between T. gondii and suicidal behavior in 2009. He is cooperating with researchers in Denmark, Germany and Sweden to confirm and investigate the way leading to this association. The T. gondii parasite thrives in the intestines of cats, and it is spread through their waste. All warm-blooded animals can become infected through contact with it. Humans can become infected by changing their infected cats' litter boxes, eating unwashed vegetables, drinking water from a polluted source, or by eating undercooked or raw meat. Not washing kitchen knives after preparing raw meat before handling another food item also can lead to infection. Pregnant women can pass the parasite directly to their unborn babies and are advised not to change cat litter boxes to avoid possible infection. Babies don't produce antibodies to T. gondii for three months after they are born, so the antibodies present in their blood represented infection in the mothers. The scientists studied Danish health patients to determine if any of these women later attempted suicide, including cases of violent suicide attempts which may have involved guns, sharp instruments and jumping from high places. The study found that women infected with T. gondii were one and a half times more likely to attempt suicide compared to those who were not infected, and the risk seemed to rise with increasing levels of the T. gondii antibodies. Dr Postolache noted limitations to the study, such as the inability to determine the cause of the suicidal behavior. The findings were published online in the Archives of General Psychiatry. What can be inferred from the passage? Answer: Mexico City sits on an inland plateau surrounded by volcanic peaks, which makes air quality a constant concern for people who live here. In April, the country took a decisive step toward improving air quality by enacting a temporary ban on private and federal vehicles in the city. The rule forbids people from driving in the city one day each week and one Saturday each month. Electric vehicles, government service vehicles, public transport options and school buses are not included in the ban. Mexico City isn't the first urban centre to be involved in car-free living. But the ban is more than an awareness-raiser; it was enacted with the direct aim of solving air pollution. In March, the city sank into a deep brown haze of smog when pollution levels passed the 200 mark. The city ordered some 1.1m of the area's 4.7m cars off the streets and also offered free bus and subway rides. Mexico City's temporary vehicle ban raises questions about the best ways to improve urban air quality. India, whose citizens breathe some of the world's dirtiest air, has tried a variety of solutions. Earlier this year, the Indian government started a 4% sales tax on new-car purchases. Beijing also has experience with cleaning the air. The city introduced alternate-day rules in advance of the 2008 Olympic Games, which produced good, if short-lived, results. The day after the vehicle-use restrictions were _ , the blue faded back to gray. And then there is the London congestion charge, introduced in 2003. The charge has had a measurable effect on air quality. For now, Mexico City--named by the United Nations as the most polluted city on the planet in 1992--can look forward to the start of the region's rainy season, when daily showers will help to clean the air. Which is true about the rule enacted in April in Mexico City? Answer: Good news! Job offered. Receptionist Administration Full Time A receptionist is required from 1st June 2015 at Dartford Science & Technology College. The position is only from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Thursday and 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Friday, with an hour's break for lunch every day. The successful applicant must have a good telephone manner, good interpersonal skills and IT skills. Science Technician Term time plus 10 days, 37 hours per week We are looking for a technician to provide a technical support service for science teaching staff. Applications are to be received no later than midnight on 10thJune 2015. Health & Social Care Teacher Our client, an 11-18 mixed comprehensive school in Ealing, West London, is currently seeking a teacher for Health & Social Care. The position will be a full-time post until July 2015. We require an energetic teacher to develop the learning potential of students. We are seeking someone with excellent subject knowledge who can combine academic strictness and achievement with enjoyment of teaching Health & Social Care. If you are keen to work, click the button below. _ is needed in a school in Ealing, West London. Answer:
At this moment in different places of the world people are doing different things. In Beijing it's early morning. People are sleeping. In London people are leaving work to go home. They are waiting for buses or running for trains. Some people are driving their cars. Some are having afternoon tea at home or walking to the pubs to have a drink. In Moscow it's evening and people are having supper at home or in restaurants. Some are going to watch a ballet . Some are drinking in the pubs. In Los Angeles it's morning. People are working in their offices. Children are starting their lessons. New York is midday now. People aren't working but having lunch. They are eating hamburgers or hot dogs and drinking coffee or Coke. Some people are seeing friends or shopping. When children in Los Angeles are starting their lessons, people in Beijing are _ A playing basketball B seeing films C having lessons D sleeping Answer: D 1"I will think of it." It is easy to say this, but do you know what great things have come from thinking? Though we can not see, or hear, or feel our thoughts, they have great power ! 2Isaac Newton was seated in his garden on a summer evening when he saw an apple fall from a tree. He began to think, and tried to find out why the apple fell. Then he discovered how the earth, sun, moon, and stars are kept in their places. 3James Ferguson once saw the inside of his father's watch, and he wondered, "Why should I not make a watch?" This set him thinking and it led to a wooden clock which kept good time. 4Walt Disney, the famous American film-maker, was often thinking of new ideas. One day, when he was in a meeting, he suddenly stopped talking, deep in thought. He looked and looked at a place high up in the room. This continued for a long time, end then he got an idea for a new cartoon. 5Ideas come at any time, end the important thing is to think. When you meet with any difficulty, don't lose heart. Try to think of it before asking someone to help you. Think and by thinking you will learn how to think creatively. Newton wanted to find out _ . A when the apple hit him B why the apple fell C who made the apple fall D where the apple fell Answer: B It was a sunny afternoon. I played with my daughter in a park. While I was pushing my daughter's swing to go higher and higher, I saw a little girl over there. The little girl tried to get her swing going higher, but she couldn't do that. Then I walked to that little girl and offered to help her. I said to her, "Could I give your swing a push? "She smiled and said, "Yes, Madam. "Then I pushed her swing to go higher. She laughed happily. One year later, I was very tired after a long day's work. But I had to drive to pick up my daughter from the school. When I stood outside the school gate and waited, I suddenly felt two arms wrapping(, )around me. I looked down and found a little girl. I realized that she was the girl I met last year. She smiled up at me and then she gave me another _ . To my surprise, I didn't feel tired any more. What's more, I felt much happier. What's the best title for this passage? A Two Swings B A Warm Hug C Smile and Love D Kindness Brings Happiness Answer: D I was on holiday in a strange place.One morning I got up early and went off into the forest looking for beautiful birds.But I lost my way,and don't know how to come back.I took a cell phone with me,but it didn't work there.It was night and I was frightened because I was alone and there were full of dangerous animals.I climbed up to a tree and was afraid of sleeping.Next morning I was tired.I thought what I should do to save myself.I tore my clothes into small pieces and tied them to the trees that I passed.At last my friend found me according to the pieces that I left.I was saved.That is an unforgettable experience in my life. Did the writer take a cell phone with him? A Yes,he did. B No,he didn't. C Yes,he didn't. D No,he did. Answer: A Which three events are likely to occur once per day? A 3 cycles of day, 3 cycles of night, and birds chirping as the sun rises B a cycle of day, a cycle of night, and a motorcycle C a cycle of day, a cycle of night, and birds chirping as the sun rises D a cycle of day, a cycle of night, and birds flying Answer: C
Opened in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the first longspan bridge to carry motor traffic, and it quickly became the model for the great suspension bridges of the following century. Spanning New York's East River, it provided the first traffic artery between Manhattan Island and Brooklyn. Before that, the only transportation was by ferries, which were slow and could be dangerous in winter. The construction of a bridge over the EastRiver had been discussed since the early 19th century, but the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 _ all consideration of the project. When the war ended in 1865, the bridge became an important issue once more. In 1867, the New York State passed an act setting up the New York Bridge Company for the purpose of constructing a bridge between Manhattan Island and Brooklyn. John Augustus Roebling was chosen to design the bridge. Born in Germany in 1806, he held aggressive views as a student and was listed by the German police as a dangerous figure. He emigrated to America in 1830 to escape political discrimination. Roebling proposed a bridge with a span of 1,500 feet (465 m), with two towers in the East River serving as the main piers. The bridge that was actually built is longer--1,597 feet (486 m), the longest suspension bridge at that time. What was the purpose of building the Brooklyn Bridge? Each time I see a balloon, my mind flies back to a memory of when I was a six - year - old girl. It was a rainy Sunday and my father had recently died. I asked my mom if Dad had gone to heaven. "Yes, honey. Of course." she said."Can we write him a letter?" She paused, the longest pause of my short life, and answered, "Yes."My heart jumped. "How? Does the mailman go there?" I asked. "No, but I have an idea." Mom drove to a party store and returned with a red balloon. I asked her what it was for."Just wait, honey. You'll see." Mom told me to write my letter. Eagerly, I got my favorite pen, and poured out my six - year - old heart in the form of blue ink. I wrote about my day, what I learned at school, how Mom was doing, and even about what happened in a story I had read. For a few minutes it was as if Dad were still alive. I gave the letter to Mom. She read it over, and a smile crossed her face.She made a hole in the corner of the letter where she looped the balloon string. We went out-side and she gave me the balloon. It was still raining."Okay, on the count of three, let go. One, two, three."The balloon, carrying my letter, darted upward against the rain. We watched until it was swallowed by the mass of clouds.Later I realized, like the balloon, that Dad had never let his sickness get him down. He was strong. No matter what he suffered, he'd persevere, dart up, and finally transcend this cold world and his sick body. He rose into sky and became something beautiful. I watched until the balloon disappeared into the gray and white and I prayed that his strength was passed on. I prayed to be a balloon. When the girl asked her mother if they could write to her father, her mother _ . Why do men die earlier than women? The latest research shows that the reason could be that men's hearts go into rapid decline when they reach middle age. The largest study of the effects of aging on the heart has found that women's longevity may be linked to the fact that their hearts do not lose their pumping power with age. "We have found that the power of the male heart falls by 20-25 percent between 18 and 70 years of age," "Within the heart there are millions of cells that enable it to beat. Between the ages of 20 and 70 , one-third of those cells die and are not replaced in men," . What surprises scientists is that the female heart sees very little loss of these cells. "This gender difference might just explain why women live longer than men," said Goldspink. The team has yet to find why aging takes a greater toll on the male heart, said Goldspink.. The good news is that men can improve the health of their heart with regular exercise. If you want to live longer, you should _ . But for most kids,labels applied early in life tend to stick,even if they are wrong. Sorting school children by ability has long been controversial.In some countries,especially in Asia,school-wide tracking remains normal.Children are tested and placed in different schools that direct them toward professional or vocational careers.Movement between the tracks is rare. School-wide tracking decreased in U.S.schools in the 1960s and 1970s.It never died out,though.Sorting students into separate tracks for math at about junior high school age continues to be common,and other forms of tracking persist as well. Unlike tracking,which means sorting students into separate classrooms,ability grouping happens within classrooms.When done according to the latest research,it has proven to promote achievement. Ability grouping is changeable and temporary.Within classrooms,students might be divided into different learning groups dealing with materials of different levels.Any students who master concepts can move upward between groups,and the student groups might look different from subject to subject and unit to unit.For instance,a student who stands out in language arts might be at an average or slower level in math.A student who flies through multiplication tables might need extra help with fractions.Students who lag in reading can be pulled out of the classroom in small groups for practice with a tutor until their reading improves. Research shows ability grouping within classes has more positive benefits than tracking.However,that must be weighed against the challenges involved.In many regular classrooms,the differences between student ability levels are very big.That presents challenges for teachers and low-performing students to constantly compare themselves with students who seem to fly through school with ease. The rigid ability groups and tracking of the past are still with us in many schools.Likely,labels are applied with more caution than in the bad old days when some teachers gave reading groups not-so-secret code names like"Bluebirds""Robins""Crows"and"Buzzards".But kids still know. What might be the challenge in regular classrooms for teachers? A plant photosynthesizing will do a more efficient job it it has
Mr. Green works in a high school. He likes reading and often borrows some books from the library. He keeps reading newspapers after supper. So he knows much and teaches well. His students loves him very much. Mike, his little son, is only nine. He also likes reading books. And he often asks his father some questions. Mr. Green always answers difficult ones. One day Mike read something about phones and he was interested in it. He asked his father a few questions, and his father answered all. His father said, " Fathers always know much, but sons always know little!" The boy thought for a minute and said," I don't agree with you." "Oh? Why?" Mike didn't answer but asked, "Who invented the phone?" "Bell." answered Mr. Green. "Why didn't his father invent them?" Looking at his son, Mr. Green didn't know how to answer it. What does Mr. Green do? A teacher Language-learners who say they never or hardly ever use dictionaries often speak English well but usually write poorly, because they make many mistakes. The students who use dictionaries most do not learn especially well either. The ones who look up every new word do not read fast. So they do not have time to read much. Those who use small two-language dictionaries have the worst problems. Their dictionaries often give only one or two words as translations of English. But one English word often has many translations in a foreign language and one foreign word has many translations in English. The most successful students are those who use large college edition dictionaries with about 100,000 words but do not use them too often. When they are reading, these students first try to get the general idea and understand new words from the context. Then they reread and use the dictionary to look up only key words that they still do not understand. They use dictionaries more for writing. If they are not sure how to spell a word, or divide it into syllables , they always use a dictionary. Also, if they think a noun might have an unusual plural form, they check these in a dictionary. Which is not mentioned in this passage? How to improve spoken English. Here's an unusual story: a diamond ring was recently found in an egg. The magician, Liu Qian, discovered it, in front of an audience of millions at CCTV's Spring Festival Gala. Liu's magic tricks have made the centuries-old art of magic fashionable once again, and made him the hottest magician in prefix = st1 /China. As a seasoned young magician from Taiwan, Liu is popular worldwide for his magic shows. Countries he has performed in include theUnited States,Japan,South Koreaand theUK. Witnessing something impossible happen right before your eyes is the root of people's love for magic. Liu is known for his interaction with his audiences. He has a unique understanding of showmanship. "It is actually thinking, rather than one's manipulation skills, that is more important to achieving a successful magic show. We think carefully about how to design the shows creatively, to make them appear more intriguing ," Liu said. Liu's success dates back to his childhood. Born in 1976 in Taiwan, he found himself attracted to a magic toy in a shop when he was seven years old. At the age of 12, he wonTaiwan's Youth Magic Contest, which was judged by the great American magician, David Copperfield. Yet, Liu never planned on becoming a professional magician. He studied Japanese literature at university and only hoped to be an amateur magician in his spare time. However, his failure to find a decent job after graduation pushed him towards magic as a career. To refine his performing skills, he has performed on streets, roads and fields, for pedestrians , policemen and farmers. "Street shows are the biggest challenge for us magicians. We have to deal with unexpected situations and tough crowds." Liu said. From the passage we know that _ . Liu appeared once in front of an audience of millions at CCTV's Spring Festival Gala. Modern life is impossible without traveling. The fastest way of traveling is by air. With a modern airliner you can travel in one day to places which it took a month or more to get to a hundred years ago. Traveling by train is slower than by air, but it has its advantages . You can see the country you are traveling through. Modern trains have comfortable seats and dining cars. _ make even the longest journey enjoyable. Some people prefer to travel by sea when possible. There are large liners and river boats. You can visit many other countries and different places. Traveling by sea is a very pleasant way to spend a holiday. Many people like to travel by car. You can make your own timetable . You can travel three or four hundredmiles or only fifty or one hundred miles a day, just as you like. You can stop wherever you wish where there is something interesting to see, at a good restaurant where you can enjoy a good meal, or at a hotel to spend the night. That is why traveling by car is a popular pleasure trips, while people usually take a train or a plane when they are traveling on business. From the passage we know the fastest way traveling is _ . by air The 48-year-old photographer and adventurer with his trademark black and white beard and shoulder-length hair is also an environmentalist devoted to protecting the source of the Yangtze River.And he likes his new nick-name, "garbage cleaner at the source of the Yangtze River". Yang Xin , is the founder of Green River, one of the country ' s biggest non-govemmental organizationsto protect the country's major rivers. The Yangtze River begins from glaciers in the Tanggula Mountains on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Garbage was rarely seen in the area about 20 years ago, Yang said, as local nomadic people ledtraditional self-sufficient lives, living in tents. Thanks to increasingly convenient transportation, they ' ve started to use modern products packed in plastics, which can ' t degrade naturally. "They don' t have a waste management system and just throw rubbish away like before. So tons of garbage are left on the grasslands and river ways," said Yang. He founded a group with the purpose of dealing with garbage such as plastic bottles, batteries, lunch boxes and so on. In 1997, Yang and his group founded the Sonam Dhargye Nature Preservation Station in the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, in memory of the anti-hunting hero who sacrificed his life to protect Tibetan antelopes. What is the purpose of founding Green River? To protect the country ' s major rivers
Tired of Working in Your Country ? With over 500 instructors and 20 years of experience , we are the leader in the field of teaching foreign language . We now have positions open in Osaka for instructors of English ,German ,Spanish and French . Teach many different kinds of classes using the latest technology in small classes of up 3 students Accommodation and other necessary document will be ready before you leave. Excellent teacher training programs. If you are young with a university degree and are willing to experience different culture , apply now . Experience in teaching is an advantage but not specially required . Knowledge of the Japanese language is not necessary but good English skills and computer knowledge are basic requirements. Apply with C.V. and send letters to NOVA France , Mr, Sampy (IHT 3/2) 34,BD. Haussmannn, 75009 Paris ,France Fax: 33348034804 Or visit our website :www.teachjp.com The manager expects to meet and talk successful applicant in Paris in June and July. Before going to Japan , you need _ Answer: to see the manager of NOVA France Natural processes cause rapid and slow changes to Earth's surface. Which event causes changes to Earth's surface most rapidly? Answer: an earthquake shaking the ground Lucy is a nice girl. She is twenty-six. She opens a clothes store. Its name is Lovely Clothes Store. The store is for girls, not for boys. The store has clothes in many colors. Do you want to have a look at the store? Clothes Colors Price T-shirts blue, green and white Y=25 Skirts red, green, yellow and black Y=45 \ Y=65 Sweaters yellow, blue and red Y=35 \ Y=55 Trousers orange, white and green Y=54 \ Y=84 \ Y=104 ,. Serena can buy _ skirt(s) for 130 yuan at the store. Answer: four What does harming an organism cause? Answer: population decrease IPhone owners are vainer and spend more on clothes and grooming than those who have BlackBerrys and Android phones, new research claims.BlackBerry owners earn the most and are more likely to have long-term relationships, while people with Android handsets are most creative and the best cooks. The study, carried out by TalkTalk Mobile, surveyed 2,000 owners of the three major smartphone brands to determine whether the choice of handset was an extension of their personality. The study rated users in various walks of life using a point scoring system including personalities, daily habits and the type of industries they work in. Other results from the study found that people with an iPhone are more _ and generally consider themselves more attractive than those with other handsets. They are most likely to describe themselves as adventurous, bright and are most likely to work in media, publishing and education. They also believe their boss rates them highly. Apple owners also tend to have done more travelling and are the most active on social media sites. BlackBerry owners were found to be the least punctual , but despite putting in the least hours at work they are the most active phone user--sending more texts and making more calls in the average day than any other phone user. They are more social and have more friends overall. They also earn nearly two and a half thousand pounds a year more than other smartphone owners, with an average salary of $27,406. BlackBerry users classed themselves so loud and mainly work in the health, finance or property sectors. They were also found to drink more tea and coffee each day than any other phone user. Android owners were found to watch more TV than others and drink the most alcohol--consuming more in an average week than iPhone and BlackBerry drinkers. They have the most jobs in engineering, the government and public services and environmental services. They have the best manners and are more shy and relaxed than their counterparts. Dan Meader, Director of Mobile at TalkTalk, said,"Many of us have our mobile phones on us almost constantly so they do become an extension of us in many ways. It's interesting to see then how the choice in handset may reflect different aspects of personality and the results do show some unusual difference Dan Meader may agree that the kind of mobile phone we use _ .. Answer: can be a window into the lives we lead
Offering a powerful new tool against terrorism, researchers have found a way to detect lies in the liar's blushing face. The technique, described in the journal Nature, uses a thermal camera to detect the sudden shift of blood flow in the face. The system performed as a traditional polygraph , the scientists report. Pushed by technological advances and with fresh interest since Sept.11, the discovery is part of the development in the scientific study of detection. Although the lie remains a mysterious phenomenon, researchers in recent years have found a number of new methods that might take the place of the polygraph, from brain scans, to slight changes in eye movement, to sparks of electrical activity that signal a person has seen a victim or a crime scene before. The new finding says, when a person tells a lie, there is a sudden change of blood to the area around the eyes. Although the change is not ordinary visible, the blood warms the skin, causing bands of color1 to appear through a camera sensitive to heat. One advantage of the camera can provide answers quickly, and doesn't require a highly trained expert to operate it or explain its results. In theory, this new technology could be used anywhere large numbers of people need to be quickly screened. But some scientists say the technology would need to be improved before it is ready for use, for it is possible that there are other reactions that cause a sudden change in blood flow in the face and there is also the danger that people will learn to fool the machine, the same way they try to fool polygraph examiners by controlling their breathing or taking drugs to relax themselves. Different from the other tried ways, this new technology studies _ to detect lies. Answer: Some events on Earth happen instantly while others take thousands of years to occur. Which process takes the longest time to complete? Answer: 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. Bill Gates will not let his children own a cell phone _ . Answer: It was an autumn morning shortly after my husband and I moved into our first house. Our children were upstairs unpacking,and I was looking out of the window at my father moving around mysteriously on the front lawn. "What are you doing out there?" I called to him. He looked up, smiling. "I'm making you a surprise.'' I thought it could be just about anything. When we were kids, he always created something surprising for us. Today, however, Dad would say no more ,and caught up in the business of our new life ,I eventually forgot about his surprise. Until one gloomy day the next March when I glanced out of the window,I saw a dot of blue across the yard. I headed outside for a closer look. They were crocuses throughout the front lawn blue, yellow and my favorite pink ,with little faces moving up and down in the cold wind. I remembered the things Dad secretly planted last autumn. He knew how the darkness and dullness of winter always got me down. What could have been more perfectly timely to my needs? My father's crocuses bloomed each spring for the next five seasons, always bringing the same assurance: Hard times are almost over. Hold on, keep going, and light is coming soon. Then a spring came with only half the usual blooms and the next spring there were none. I missed the crocuses ,so I would ask Dad to come over and plant new bulbs. But I never did. He died suddenly one October day. My family were in deep sorrow, leaning on our faith. On a spring afternoon four years later, I was driving back when I felt depressed. It was Dad's birthday, and I found myself thinking about him. This was not unusual -- my family often talked about him, remembering how he lived up to his faith. Suddenly I slowed as I turned into our driveway. I stopped and stared at the lawn. There on the muddy grass with small piles of melting snow ,bravely waving in the wind, was one pink crocus. How could a flower bloom from a bulb more than 18 years ago, one that hadn't bloomed in over a decade? But there was the crocus. Tears filled my eyes as I realized its significance. Hold on, keep going, and light is coming soon. The pink crocus bloomed for only a day, but it built my faith for a lifetime. The author's father should be best described as _ . Answer: At the recent O&P Extremity Games, I had the opportunity to observe a new generation of athletes with disabilities who were skateboarding and rock climbing. These young people really showed the promise of how rewarding physical activities are! We disabled can - and should be -- as active as anyone else. When we get and stay active, we will feel better, be able to do more, have healthier bodies, and look better. It is a fact that exercise actually produces energy and builds on itself. The more we exercise, the fitter our bodies are, and thus the more energy we have to enjoy recreation and the pleasure of life. Not everyone is cut out to be a competitive athlete, but there are things that we can do to strengthen our physical well-being. Experts recommend that spending as little as 30 minutes each day on physical activities provides benefits including lower risk of heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes and other serious diseases. Taking steps to become physically fit does not have to mean acquiring expensive training equipment or a gym membership. Exercise can include simple walking and running, gardening, cleaning the house, swimming, tennis, bicycling (stationary or on the road) and so on. The key is to do it on a regular basis. Healthy lifestyles also require good nutritional habits. When choosing foods, nutritionists advise whole grains, flesh fruits and vegetables, fish, and lean cuts of poultry and meat. The benefits of drinking eight full glasses of water a day are also _ . Water provides the means for nutrients to travel to all our organs, improves skin tone , regulates body temperature and contributes to muscle strength and control, which is confirmed by scientists. Fitness results in completing the tasks of daily living, working a full day, and still having energy to participate in recreational activities. By being fit, you'll find that you enjoy recreational activities even more because you won't be tired or suffer from gore muscles. It is time, folks, to get moving. So let's all get out there and do some exercise! According to the passage, physical activities bring benefits to humans EXCEPT _ . Answer:
Did you know that the position you choose to sleep in says something about what kind of person you are? A study of 1,000British people has been done by Chris,a British professor and director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service in the UK.It looked at the six most common sleeping positions and which personalities tend to match them.Have a look. 1. Fetus position - This is the most common sleeping position. About 41 percent of the _ said they sleep in this position. These sleepers may appear to be strong but they are usually sensitive and shy. The more they curl up, the more worried they are. 2. Log position - This is the second most common position. People who sleep like a log are usually stubborn. 3. Yearner position - This position says that you are open-minded and eager to face challenges. 4. Soldier position - These sleepers lie on their backs with their arms down and close to the body. They are usually reserved and quiet. 5. Freefall position - People who sleep in this position are outgoing but feel a lack of control in their lives. This is the least comfortable position. 6. Starfish position - People who sleep like this are good listeners, helpful, and uncomfortable being the center of attention. What is the main idea of this passage? A. Sleeping position decides personality. B. Sleeping position reflects personality. C. What the six different sleeping positions are like. D. Different people have different sleeping positions. Answer: B WASHINGTON-School lunches have been called many things, but a group of retired military officers is giving them a new label: national security threat. That's not a reference to the mystery meat served up in the cafeteria line either. The retired officers are saying that school lunches have helped make the nation's young people so fat that fewer of them can meet the military's physical fitness standards, and recruitment will be difficult. A new report being released Tuesday says more than 9 million young adults, or 27 percent of all Americans ages 17 to 24, are too overweight to join the military. Now, the officers are advocating for passage of a wideranging nutrition bill that aims to make the nation's school lunches healthier. The military group acknowledges that other things keep young adults out of the armed services, such as a criminal record or the lack of a high school diploma. But weight problems that have worsened over the past 15 years are now the leading medical reason that recruits are rejected. Although all branches of the military now meet or exceed recruitment goals, retired Navy Rear Adm. James Barnett Jr., a member of the officers group, says the _ trend could affect that. "When over a quarter of young adults are too fat to fight, we need to take notice," Barnett said. He noted that national security in the year 2030 is "absolutely dependent" on reversing child obesity rates. This isn't the first time the military has gotten involved in the debate over school lunches. During World War II, military leaders had the opposite problem, reporting that many recruits were rejected because of stunted growth and inadequate nutrition. After the war, military leaders pushed Congress to establish the national school lunch program so children would grow up healthier. Today, the group is urging Congress to eliminate junk food and highcalorie beverages from schools, put more money into the school lunch program and develop new strategies that help children develop healthier habits. Which of the following is the best title for the article? A. School lunches: a national security threat? B. National security in danger ? C. Retired officers tired of school lunches D. The recruitment of 2030 Answer: A Fanny the fly was hungry. She went to the store. She saw her friend Colin the cat at the store. Colin waved to Fanny. Fanny waved back. At the store, Fanny bought ice cream, fruit, and pasta. Then she went home. She looked in her fridge. In her fridge she saw meatballs, rice, tomato sauce, and garlic. She chose to make a pasta dinner and invite all of her friends over. She invited Colin the cat and Danny the dog. She also invited Freddy the frog and Allen the alligator. Everyone arrived to a beautiful meal made by Fanny. They all ate happily. After dinner, Fanny brought out dessert. She brought out pie, fruit, cupcakes, and ice cream. Everybody ate a cupcake. Danny ate ice cream too. Allen had some pie and fruit as well as the cupcake. Colin had some pie too. Fanny told everyone to come back for dinner again. They all said goodbye and left. Fanny was happy and full. She went to bed smiling to herself. What did Danny the dog have for dessert? A. Fruit and pie. B. Ice cream and pie. C. Fruit and cupcake. D. Cupcake and ice cream. Answer: D English is spoken as a first language by most people in the USA, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Canada. However, English is spoken all over the world. It is the main language in over 60 countries, such as India, Singapore and in many of the Caribbean and Pacific islands. In those places English is often a second language. English is also as an important international language in many other countries, like China and Japan. People in these countries use it for business, and travelers to these countries use English when they get there. Other people may learn English because they enjoy reading books in English, listening to British or American music or watching American films. English has changed a lot these years and still goes on changing. It is no longer right to talk about British English or American English if the speaker doesn't come from those countries. People in Japan or Korea, for example, may use the American spelling but may not sound like Americans. English will be the most widely used language in the world in the 21stcentury. This language no longer belongs to British, American or Australian speakers. It belongs to anyone who can use this language. After you leave school, you will almost certainly need it. In how many countries is English spoken as a first language in the world? A. Five. B. Four. C. Three. D. Six. Answer: D I was having a great morning until I sat down in front of my office computer. "Your password has run out," a server message flashed on my screen, with instructions for changing it. Coming up with a new code doesn't seem like a big deal unless you work at my company, where we have to change it monthly, using at least one uppercase character, one lowercase character, one symbol, and one number. Oh, and the whole thing can't be fewer than eight characters. And I can't use any of the same passwords I've used in the past three months. Suddenly I was cross. What didn't make it any better was that I was deeply depressed after my recent divorce. The flashing cursor was still waiting for me to type a password that I'd have to re-enter many times for the next 30 days. I remembered a tip from my former boss: I'm going to use a password to change my life. I decided to choose a password, which would remind me that I shouldn't let myself be a victim of my recent breakup and that I was strong enough to do something about it. I made my password Forgive@h3r. I had to type this statement several times a day. Each time my computer would lock. Each time my screen saver with her photo would appear. Each time I would come back from eating lunch alone. In my mind, I wrote "forgive her" every day. The simple action changed the way I looked at my ex-wife. That constant reminder led me to accept the way things had happened at the end of my marriage and adopt a new way of dealing with my depression. As the month wore on, I felt slow healing began to take place. By the time my server reminded me to reset my password the following month, I felt free. According to the author's company, which code is suitable? A. never2&late B. 1u#Life C. HEALTHY*keeping D. persist@4Ever Answer: D
Education and Training Make sure your skills are up-to-date If you're looking for a new job or you want to change your career, having up-to-date skills is the key to a successful job search and your future earning power. Choose the right training If you need training to learn new skills or enhance existing skills, make sure you got to know the following : What training program is the best for you? How will you pay for your training? You need to consider all these and more when you choose your training. Search for training providers Massachusetts school information is made available by the Massachusetts career information system (CIS). This directory includes most of the training providers and colleges in the states. The data for trade schools covers programs, admissions, schedules and costs. Descriptions for two-year, four-year, and graduate schools include information about school size, setting, programs, admissions, schedules, and costs. A link to the school's Internet home page is provided when available. Learn about the Entrepreneurial training program The Entrepreneurial training program (ETP) provides training and technical assistance to individuals with good business ideas and the desire to start their own business. Learn about Apprenticeship programs Division of apprentice training is a system for teaching highly technical skills through a combination of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction. Also, it is responsible for promoting, developing and providing services for apprenticeship programs in the state. Many apprentice programs are in traditional building trade areas such as Carpentry, Electrical and Ironwork. In addition, apprentice programs are being developed in areas such as Information Technology, Banking and Finance, Childcare, Culinary Arts and Telecommunications. Use Online Resources Link directly to the websites of colleges and universities in the state of Massachusetts. Explore other online job databases. Which of the following statements is true? A. If I want to find information about a four-year school, I should consult ETP. B. CIS helps to train job seekers. C. Apprentice programs provide training in areas like Carpentry, Electrical and Iron work. D. On-the-job training is compulsory for those who want to start their own business. Answer: C. Apprentice programs provide training in areas like Carpentry, Electrical and Iron work. Technology has totally transformed our ability to communicate with each other. Linking to each other both literally and figuratively, many of us connect through cell phones, email, instant messaging, blogs, and networking web sites, yet we may be less connected to each other than we think. According to a study, Americans are becoming increasingly socially isolated . The study suggests, for example, that one quarter of Americans say that they have no one to discuss important personal issues with, and that the number of close friends that Americans have has dropped from three to two. Meanwhile, the Boston Globe reports that this spreading isolation is experienced more sharply among those with less education, people of color, and older Americans. Unsurprisingly, those who are young, white, and well educated tend to have stronger social networks. From my own experience I have to say that I've never felt more connected, thanks to a web of friends, family, and colleagues. One of my closest friends is someone I met through an online discussion group who lives hundreds of miles away from me. We have met face-to-face only twice, yet our regular electronic correspondence and cell phone calls maintain our close friendship. And, speaking of blogging, my blog has introduced me to people I would never have met otherwise and has led to enduring and important friendships. On the other hand, I recently saw a scene unfold that proved to me how deeply disconnected we as Americans have become. I had just wrapped up a presentation on mediation at a family therapy center. As I was leaving, I noticed a mother and her teenage son who had just completed their session with their family therapist. After making their next appointment, they both took out their cell phones, placed calls, and began loud conversations with whoever was on the other end. I walked out behind them to the parking lot to my car. They both jumped into their cars, and, as I saw them drive off, they were still talking on their cell phones. But, alas, not to each other. Which of the following has nothing to do with the isolation among Americans? A. Age. B. Education. C. Skin color. D. Sex. Answer: D. Sex. According to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global temperatures have risen by approximately 0.6degC in the past century, caused mainly by emissions of greenhouse gases produced by human activities,such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.Temperatures are to increase between 1.6degC and 5.8degC in the next century, accompanied by sea level rise and an increase in the frequency of extreme weather events. The best available evidence suggests that climate changes since the 1970s may already be causing over 150,000 deaths annually, and that greenhouse gas emissions would increase disease burdens in the coming decades.The risks are concentrated in the poorest population, who have contributed least to the problem. The Kyoto Protocol is signed by 128 nations,and commits the participating industrialized countries to cutting emissions of greenhouse gases by over 5% below 1990 level by the period of 20082012. "Over 600 thousand people died in weatherrelated disasters in the 1990s.Temperature and rainfall influence the rates of diseases and infections including malaria,and malnutrition,which together cause over 3.5 million deaths a year.The Kyoto Protocol is the first step towards protecting the climate system,which exerts such a strong influence on our health",said Dr Kerstin Leitner,Assistant DirectorGeneral for Sustainable Development and Healthy Environments. While acting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is also essential to protect vulnerable communities from the effects of climate changes.WHO works to promote measures such as protection from malaria and other climate sensitive diseases, and reliable access to clean water and sanitation, for people in the most vulnerable developing countries.Increasing disease control efforts will also help to protect current and future generations from the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions. In order to protect communities, WHO takes some measures except _ . A. preventing diseases caused by climate changes B. helping to provide clean water C. aiding to offer sanitation D. gaining access to vulnerable developing countries Answer: D. gaining access to vulnerable developing countries A fundamental feature of all life produces A. offspring B. auroras C. magnetism D. organisms Answer: A. offspring The New York Times is now better than ever-All the more reasons to order home delivery now. NEW-Separate sections for the Arts, Monday through Thursday, and Sports 7 days a week that you can pull out, take with you or pass along. NEW-The Dinning In, Dinning Out section, Wednesday, a banquet of great meals you can make yourself order up or eat out. NEW-The House & Home section, Thursday, filled with useful, interesting features and articles about making the most of all sorts of living spaces. NEW-An Enlarged, two-part Weekend section, Friday with more ideas about movies, shows, art exhibitions, outdoor and indoor recreation. Latest news and sports results daily. And of course, daily world and national news, Sunday's special sections and all the other great features you'll continue to find in the Times. Find out just how much you can obtain from the Times every day. Call 1-800-311-1969 or use the postage-paid order card to order convenient home delivery at 50% OFF our regular price. From the passage we know that _ . A. the Times sells at a lower price than before B. the Times has improved a great deal and everyone likes to read it C. many of the good features of the Times remain unchanged D. you will learn everything by reading the Times every day Answer: A. the Times sells at a lower price than before
I am Tom. My good friends are John and Ann. John's house is next to my house, and we are in the same class. He's thirteen years old and he's tall. He has blond hair and blue eyes. He is very polite . His English is very good and he often helps me. He likes white. He likes wearing a T-shirt, but in the photo he is in a blue shirt. My friend Ann doesn't go to school. She is young. She is only seven. She has long brown hair and brown eyes. She likes yellow, and she likes bananas very much. She often buys bananas for her mother. Her mother likes her very much. What does Ann do for her mother? _ Answer: She often buys bananas. When the demand for corn rises Answer: farmers must harvest more corn Tibet is in the southwest of China. It is the home to many natural wonders, such as valleys, mountains, lakes and even deserts. Tibet is very large, so it is perfect for traveling, especially the bike tour . You can start the wonderful bike tour in Tibet's capital, Lhasa. It is 3600 metres above the sea level. It's very high, isn't it? So it is important to spend a few days there to get used to the thin air there, or you may feel sick and get hurt. The bike tour will pass rivers, large open grassland and high mountains, including the world's famous Mount Everest . After finishing the bike tour, people will feel quite successful. They will also have hundreds of photos of the wonderful places. Why do people have to stay in Lhasa for a few days? Answer: To get used to the thin air there. When I walk through the streets, I pass strange rooms where people are doing strange things. Some are biking madly. Others are holding metal bars to keep them from dropping down. Still others are jumping around while someone is shouting at them. It looks like something out of Dante's Inferno (<<>> <<>> ). But what is the most amazing is that people pay for these sufferings! The strange rooms are gyms. It is reported that some 41 million Americans are gym members. 12% of the memberships are born in January, as they are determined to knock off the holiday fat. Maybe it is good to exercise in the gym. However, should they know they can keep in good shape, spending little money, would they still agree with its necessity? At the age of 23, I joined a gym. I lifted weights twice a week in Muscle's Gym. I paid as little as $200 per year. You can't find such gyms in every city any more. Too often, the gym is fancy with lots of equipment. If you ask how much it costs to join it, the person at the front desk often won't tell you straight. Instead, he'll let you meet with a fitness consultant , who will provide you with a great number of reasons and suggestions, such as losing weight and getting healthier, just in order to put pressure on you to spend much money joining the gym and becoming a member there. Working out with the help of equipment at home has problems, too. In the early 2000's, I bought a spinning bike at a cost of $700 for home use. I tried a few times only to find that it brought me a neck problem. Now I'm back to my old way. I do Yoga every morning and evening. Total cost: $60 for an exercise mat . I'm enjoying fitness. The strange rooms are places where people _ . Answer: take physical exercise North American black bears are shy animals. They are fearful by nature, and will usuallyrun away if they see or hear people. Because of this, it can be difficult for scientists to learnabout these animals. In order to study black bears, researchers from New Jersey, USA, catch bears and usedrugs to help them go to sleep. Researchers then work out the size and the weight of the bear,take blood to test for diseases, _ a tooth and take it to the lab to find out its age. Fromthese studies, researchers want to find out how many bears live in New Jersey, how long theylive, and how many babies they produce. But in Minnesota, USA, researchers study bears that are completely awake. The bears knowthe researchers' voices and they are not afraid of die research team. With the help of a few grapes to keep the bears busy, researchers can touch them to check their hearts, look at their teeth, and do other jobs.Researchers can also walk or sit with bears for hours and make videos to learn about their everyday lives. In both places, the main purpose is the same--to make sure there is a healthy population of black bears. But theresearch methods and the kinds of information that researchers, are able to collect are quite different. In the Minnesota studies, researchers _ . Answer: learn a lot about the bears' everyday lives
Broken rubber bands and flat tires requiring replacement could soon be a thing of the past. French researchers have developed a new kind of rubber that can repair itself when broken.The new rubber is made from widely available materials including vegetable oil and a common industrial chemical.All the materials are considered safe to the environment and can be easily reused. The best part is that the new rubber can be repaired and used again and again without losing its strength or ability or stretch.When cut, the rubber can be made new again, simply by pressing the two broken ends back together. The product can be repaired at room temperature, around twenty degrees Centigrade;other self-healing materials require higher temperatures for repair. Traditionally, rubber substances are made from huge molecules connected by strong chemical links, or bonds.The new rubber is made of smaller molecules.The molecules are linked together using hydrogen bonds.When connected in this way, the molecules act like one long molecule, forming what is called supramolecular networks .When the rubber is cut, the molecules attempt to connect with whatever molecule is near them.When pressed together, the molecules are able to repair themselves at the molecular level, making the repaired rubber like new. However, time is an important element in the process.If the broken ends are not brought together quickly, a repair is not possible.This is because molecules will form bonds with molecules on their own side.The inventors say the surfaces of the rubber can be repaired within a week of being separated. The rubber is the creation of scientists at the Industrial Physics and Chemistry Higher Education Institution in Paris.The organization is part of France's National Center for Scientific Research.The new material is described in greater detail in the research publication Nature. According to the introduction, which of the following is NOTthe advantage of the new rubber? Having driven almost thirty hours, I decided to stay in South Carolina for a few days. The next morning, I purchased a three-day fishing license and bait before heading to the lake. Opening my trunk, I carefully took out my fishing gear , put it on the lake's edge, baited up and began to fish. "Good morning," said someone, walking up from behind me. Turning around, I saw a game warden with a clip-board. "Good morning," I said, nodding my head. "Catch any fish?" he asked. "No sir, just relaxing and killing time." "Can I see your fishing license?" I handed him the license I had purchased at the bait shop. "Can I see your driver's license, too?" he requested. "I see the name on the driver's license is spelled Kiser and the name on the fishing license is Kaiser," said the warden. "The gentleman at the bait shop must have written it wrong," I told him. "Well, I'm afraid I'll have to write you up for fishing with an invalid license and take away your fishing gear." "You've got to be kidding," I responded, with a surprised look on my face. Sure enough I was written up and my fishing gear taken away. I was told that I would have to pay a fine and that my stuff would be sold at auction . I stood there almost in tears as he drove away. Those rods and reels were very special to me. I had used them over twenty years, fishing with my friends, who were now all dead. After returning home in Georgia, I telephoned South Carolina trying to explain the situation, but no one would listen. I was told that the Department of Fish and Game had a "zero tolerance" for fishing and hunting violations. Finally, in tears I paid the fine and gave up the fight. Nine months later, I received a letter. I had no idea who it was from as there was no return address. On a plain piece of notebook paper was written "Auction for the Department of Fish and Game held this Saturday at 11:00 am." On Saturday, at six in the morning I headed to South Carolina. By ten o'clock I had found the auction. There were numerous boats and piles upon piles of fishing equipment. All at once, there it was--my wonderful stuff all thrown in a pile as if it was worth nothing. As the auction began I took my seat. In my wallet was twenty-seven dollars. For more than an hour I waited for my property to be brought to the auction block. "We have three rods and reels here. I guess we will sell this as a unit," said the auctioneer. "50 dollars," yelled someone in the crowd. "51 dollars," yelled another man. I rose from my seat and walked out of the auction. "66 dollars," I heard as the bidding continued. "100 dollars," came another bid. The auction became silent. "100 dollars once, 100 dollars twice, 100 dollars three times. Sold for 100 dollars," went the auctioneer. I walked to my truck, got in and just sat there. Suddenly I heard something hit the side of my truck. Turning around, I saw the back of a man putting my three rods and reels into my truck. It was the same game warden who wrote me the ticket almost a year ago! As I got out of the truck he stuck out his hand and said, "I wasn't wrong. _ " I shook his hand, thanked him and drove away. I cried as I crossed the South Carolina Georgia state line. Why did the writer walk out of the auction while it was going on? Risk of death is 3.5 t0 5 times greater for obese smokers than it is for people who have never smoked and are at a normal weight, according to a study published in the November, 2006 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The study, which began with a self-administered questionnaire taken between 1983 and 1989, asked more than 80,000 radiologic technologists aged 22 t0 92 questions about age, height, weight and smoking behavior. BMI (body mass index) was calculated, with a BMI of 30 t0 34.9 being considered obese, and 35 and over being very obese. Smoking behavior was analyzed by looking at a person's tobacco consumption level, number of years smoked, and current smoking status. Researchers then followed participants through December of 2002, noting the number of deaths that occurred. The study involved researchers from the National Cancer Institute, the University of Minnesota and the American Registry of Radiolegic Technologists. Key Findings: 20 percent of obese adults in the United States smoke. Obese smokers face a greater risk of death from cancer and circulatory disease. Current smoking is a greater risk factor for death by cancer than obesity is, generally speaking. The higher a person's pack-years (number of packs smoked per day times the number of years smoked) are, the greater the risk of death. Men and women of all ages faced an elevated risk of death due to circulatory disease as BMI increased. And for those who were both obese and currently smoking, risk of circulatory disease increased 6 to 11 times under the age of 65, as compared to their never-smoking, normal weight counterparts. While it's not surprising that obesity coupled with smoking is a recipe for trouble, it is important to highlight this growing health concern in America today. Taking Charge of Your Health Making healthy choices can be difficult when we're constantly bombarded with products that are hazardous to our health, but it's not impossible. With education and some motivation, we all have the ability to make lasting changes for the better. If you're an overweight smoker worried about gaining weight due to quitting, take heart. It's never too late to change your course and even reverse damage to some extent. Which of the following is true according to the text? Walt Disney began to make cartoon movies when he was young. But he didn't have much money and he didn't always have enough to eat. One day a mouse ran near his desk when he worked in his small office. "Would you like to be my pet? "Disney asked the mouse. He caught the mouse and kept it as a pet. A few years later, Disney decided to make a cartoon about it. "I am making a cartoon about a mouse named Mortimer," he told his wife. "Mortimer Mouse? I think Mickey Mouse would be a better name." She said. "You are right!" Disney agreed and made many Mickey Mouse cartoons. People all over the world saw Mickey and loved it. Mickey Mouse made Disney famous. Then come Donald Duck, and Goofy Dog and others. Disney began to make full length cartoons. Then he made cartoon movies for television. Millions of children watched the shows every week. In California, real boats, castles , trains, mountains, rivers, all in one beautiful park. Millions of people came to Disneyland. He died in 1966, but the world will not forget him quickly. Mickey Mouse and all his cartoons will help us to remember him. This passage mainly tells us _ . In the second half of each year, many powerful storms are born in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean seas. Of these, only about half a dozen becomes the strong, circling winds of 75 miles per hour or more that are called hurricanes, and several usually make their way to the coast. There they cause millions of dollars of damage, and bring death to large numbers of people. The great storms that hit the coast start as soft circling wind hundreds -- even thousands -- of miles out to sea. As they travel aimlessly over water warmed by the summer sun, they are carried westward by the southeast winds. When conditions are just right, warm, moist air flows in at the bottom of such a wind, moves upward through it and comes out at the top. In the process , the moisture in this warm air produces rain, and with it the heat is changed to energy in the form of strong winds. As the heat increases, the young hurricane begins to move in a counter-clockwise motion . The life of a hurricane is only about nine days, but it contains almost more power than we can imagine. The energy in the heat released by a hurricane's rainfall in a single day would satisfy the entire electrical needs of the United States for more than six months. Water, not wind, is the main source of death and destruction in a hurricane. A typical hurricane brings 6 to 12 inch downpours, causing sudden floods. Worst of all is the powerful movement of the sea -- the mountains of water moving toward the hurricane center. The water level rises as much as 15 feet above normal as it moves toward shore. What is the worst thing about hurricanes?
Do you know that man? He is my uncle. His name is David Smith. He is forty-eight this year. He is a worker. He works in a Car Factory. His factory is not near his home. So he gets up early in the morning and takes a bus to work. At about seven thirty, he gets to his factory. He makes the parts of the car. He makes many every day. He works very hard. Everyone likes him and says he is a good worker. He has his lunch in the factory. He often plays basketball after work. In the evening, he learns Chinese at home. His Chinese is good, too. Sometimes he helps me with my Chinese. I like my uncle very much. He _ in the factory. Sunny English Club For students 16:00 - 18:00 Every Saturday 200 Yuan a month 9 Zhou Yu Street Tel: 3785290 Foreign teachers, English songs and films and more! Ocean Museum 9:00--17:00 From Thursday to Sunday Ticket: 50 yuan 132 Xue Yuan Street Tel: 5439871 Show you a full picture of sea lives! Health Centre 9:00--17:30 16 Yong Le Street Tel: 3801451 Free examinations for those over 70 Give you good advice to keep healthy! , You will pay _ if you want to stay in the English club for half a year. Most of us would like to have glowing skin, especially as we get older. The good news is that you don't have to wait until summer to catch some sun rays. Scientists have found eating plenty of fruit and vegetables is by far the best way to achieve a healthy, golden glow. Dr. Ian Stephen said, "Most people think that the best way to improve their skin color is to get a suntan . But our research shows that eating lots of fruit and vegetables is actually more effective." The team first assessed the skin color of people in relation to their diet. Those who ate more fruit and vegetables a day were found to have a more golden, yellow skin color. Those with a healthy glow had a higher presence of carotenoids , which play a role in the immune system. Carotenoids are commonly found in fruit and vegetables such an yellow and red peppers, spinach, apricots and melons. The team then studied the relation between skin tone and attractiveness. They used specialist software to operate the skin color on the images of 51 faces to simulate more or less carotenoids and suntans. Participants were then asked to adjust the skin color to make the faces look as healthy as possible. Given the choice between skin color enhanced by suntans and skin color enhanced by carotenoids, people preferred the carotenoids skin color. The study shows that not only do people use skin color to judge how healthy other individuals are, but they are accurate when they make those judgments. While this study focus on Caucasian faces, it suggests this phenomenon may exist across cultures, since similar preferences for skin yellowness are found in an African population. What's the author's intention of writing this passage? This is a picture .There is a lake in the middle of the picture .On the lake we can see a boat .In the boat, there is a boy and his father .The boy is fishing .His father is looking at him .We can see some fish swimming in the lake .On the right of the picture , we can see a big tree .A young woman is reading a book .Her name is Mary .We can see very nice flowers near her seat .A little yellow dog is beside her feet .There are some birds in the sky .On the other side of the lake ,we can see three children .They are laughing and flying kites .They are having fun. Mary is _ . Our quarrel with efficiency is not that it gets things done, but that it is a thief of time when it leaves us no leisure to enjoy ourselves, and that it strains our nerves when we try to get things done perfectly. In building bridges, American engineers calculate so finely and exactly as to make the two ends come together within one-tenth of an inch. But when two Chinese begin to dig a tunnel from both sides of a mountain both come out on the other side. --The Chinese's firm belief is that it doesn't matter so long as a tunnel is dug through, and if we have two instead of one, why, we have a double track to boot. The pace of modern industrial life forbids this kind of glorious and magnificent idling. But, worse than that, it imposes upon us a different conception of time as measured by the clock and eventually turns the human being into a clock himself. (This sort of thing is bound to come to China, as is evident, for instance, in the case of a factory of twenty thousand worker. The luxurious prospect of twenty thousand workers coming in at their own sweet pleasure at all hours is, of course, somewhat terrifying.)Nevertheless, such efficiency is what makes life so hard and full of excitement. A man who has to be punctually at a certain place at five o'clock has the whole afternoon from one to five ruined for him already. Every American adult is arranging his time on the pattern of the schoolboy - three o'clock for this, five o'clock for that, six-thirty for change of dress, six-fifty for entering the taxi, and seven o'clock for arriving at the destination. It just makes life not worth living. The writer objects to efficiency mainly on the grounds that it _ .
A woman was in a hurry to go to the airport. She told the cab driver to drive quickly. She was so absorbed in her own thoughts that she was not aware they were going by a different route. Suddenly, a man got inside the cab. He took her handbag where she had placed her visa, passport, and all her money for the trip. The driver, who was _ the robber, left her in the middle of that dark street. She cursed the world for being so mean to her, and thought how unlucky she was in that situation. That very same night, she heard some shocking news.Tears flowed down her face.Flight 230,which was the plane that she was supposed to have boarded, had crashed.If she had not lost her precious belongings, she could have lost something far more important--her life. Sometimes bad things really happen.We lose money, fail our exams, or are rejected by others.There are times when nothing seems to go our way. So what should we do about it? Should we be disappointed? The answer is a resounding "No!" We must get rid of all these frustrations and start all over again in the consistent faith that we will get what we deserve. Don't waste your time and energy on things that can't be changed.Continuous worrying will only affect your health and you'll be doing much more damage than what was previously done. What if it was the other way round? What if we never ran out of good luck? There was a man who won the lottery.He thought he was the luckiest person in the world.He became greedy and wasted all his money on everything he could get his hands on. One day, he made it to the front page of the newspaper again.But this time, it was a different story.He had been killed because of his riches. If you attain good luck, you can never be too secure about it.Hope for protection and guidance.Life is so unpredictable.You never know what will happen next. Live one day at a time.we sometimes subject ourselves to unnecessary emotional trouble.We ask ourselves: "What if I don't get this done in time?" or "What if my family leaves me and I've got no one else to turn to?" Live for the moment.Do what must be done for the present and the future will turn out just fine. Believe me.And believe in yourself.As Captain Planet always says: "The power is yours!" The stories are intended to tell us _ . A. fortune only favors the prepared mind B. gains and losses go hand in hand C. misfortune might be a blessing D. we should save up for a rainy day Answer: C. misfortune might be a blessing DISNEY's theme park, its first on the Chinese mainland, Shanghai Disneyland, has already been completed, and will open its doors on June 16, 2016. "Six is a lucky number to Chinese people," the Walt Disney Company said. Shanghai Disneyland will host an opening celebration to welcome its first guests. At the opening, it will hold more Chinese-style activities instead of Western-style ones, because the host wants to show China's local traditional culture. "We have prepared a three-day celebration and are hiring more than 8,000 actors," Philippe Gas, Shanghai Disneyland's general manager, told Shanghai Television yesterday. So why has Disneyland been so popular? Well, it's described as "the Happiest Place on Earth" and "a place for the young and young at heart". Disney's storytelling in rides like roller coasters is a big reason for their parks' success. "We tell a story in everything we do," Pressler said. However, Disney's parks haven't always been popular everywhere. When Disneyland Paris opened in 1992, some French people felt that American culture was invading France. But still, the park stayed open and today it is a popular place for European visitors. Shanghai Disneyland will _ at the opening. A. tell stories to the guests B. mainly show Western culture C. have more activities of Chinese-style D. invite guests to have a roller-coaster ride Answer: C. have more activities of Chinese-style "It is never too late and you are never too old to start something new!" says Englishtown student Ellen Rema. Ellen began to learn English at the age of fifty, and in just a few years, she has made great progress! Ellen chose to study on Englishtown because no evening classes were offered in the German countryside where she lives. On Englishtown, she has conversation classes online and speaks with native English-speaking teachers. "Englishtown is a wonderful place for study," she says. Ellen began with the first level of Englishtown and quickly progressed. "I spent hours and hours studying," she said. "Maybe I wanted too much in a short time. I finished all my courses after 2 years, but I still had grammar difficulties." Instead of giving up, she chose to continue. After another two years on Englishtown, she's still studying in the online classroom. "Studying online is never boring, but you need practice, practice, practice!" Ellen says studying English isn't all about hard work. It should also be fun. "I really like the online conversation classrooms," she says. "I have learned so much about other cultures and traditions." Ellen has been able to put her English to use by visiting England five times! "I'm very thankful to Englishtown because my life has improved because of it," Ellen says. Why did Ellen study English on Englishtown? A. She had no free time during the day. B. She lived far away from school. C. There were no evening classes near her home. D. Englishtown was a famous website to learn English. Answer: C. There were no evening classes near her home. Jack and Paul planned to hold up a bank. They drove to the bank in Jack's car. Jack entered while Paul remained as lookout in the car. After a few moments, Paul panicked and drove off. Jack looked over the various tellers, approached one, and whispered nervously, "Just hand over the cash. Don't look around, don't make a false move or it's your life." The teller looked at the fidgeting Jack, laughed, flipped him a dollar bill, and said, "Go on, beat it." Flustered, Jack grabbed the dollar and left. Soon after leaving the scene, Paul was stopped by the police for speeding. Noting his nervous condition, the police asked Paul if they might search the car. Paul agreed. The search turned up heroin concealed in the lid of the trunk"Paul's best defense to a charge of robbery would be that A. Jack alone entered the bank. B. Paul withdrew before commission of the crime when he fled the scene. C. Paul had no knowledge of what Jack whispered to the teller. D. the teller was not placed in fear by Jack Answer: D. the teller was not placed in fear by Jack When you are traveling, it's vital to know about the customs and etiquette(,)of the global village. What we consider polite behavior at home isn't always accepted outside our borders. * Etiquette of Gift Giving Gift giving should be a happy, positive experience. When selecting a present for someone in Netherlands, don't purchase fancy kitchen knives or scissors. Giving sharp, pointy objects as gifts is considered unlucky. Be careful when presenting flowers to a friend or a business partner in Russia. Yellow blooms suggest cheat or a relationship break up. Traditionally, red carnations are placed on the tombs of the dead. Writing cards or notes while visiting South Korea, be mindful of your pen's ink color1. Writing a person's name in red ink traditionally suggests that the person has passed away--an important point to remember when giving a birthday card. * Eating Customs Being early or on time is viewed as being rude, too eager or even greedy in Venezuela. If you are invited to someone's home for a meal, it's recommended that you arrive 10 minutes later than the requested time. When having a meal in Egypt, don't use the salt shaker . It's insulting to your host to spread salt on your food, which means that you find the meal terrible. Japan is a very polite nation, and their fondness for etiquette extends to the use of chopsticks. According to Japanese custom, if you're in the middle of eating, use the opposite end of your chopsticks to secure food from a shared plate. When doing business in Turkey, it's the custom for your host to pay for your meal. Requests to split the bill won't be accepted. If you would like to pay your fair share, Turks recommend inviting your host to a follow-up meal. where is this passage probably from? A. A news report. B. A culture column. C. A travel essay. D. A food magazine. Answer: B. A culture column.
An artist in Oakland, California is using his skills to help the homeless. Greg Kloehn builds very small shelters that make life on the streets more comfortable. The structures offer the homeless some safety and protection from bad weather. Each little house also has wheels on the bottom so it can go wherever its owner goes. Greg Kloehn has given away at least 20 tiny houses to the homeless on the street. On a recent day, Mr. Kloehn stops to visit his homeless friends. One of them is Oscar Young. The two men hug when they see each other. Inside his little shelter Mr. Young gets relief from cold nights on the streets. Mr. Kloehn also visits Sweet-Pea, another friend who also lives in one of the little homes the artist built. She says it keeps her safe and protects her belongings. In the mornings, Mr. Kloehn searches the streets for building materials. He gathers what he can and takes it to his studio. There, he puts the houses together. Empty coffee bags become roof material. A washing machine door and refrigerator part become windows. Nails, screws and the sticky glue hold all the pieces together. The artist also attaches a small electrical device to the house. The device is powered by the sun. Some of the people living on the streets once had normal houses of their own. But some of the people say they have learned to live with less and they are thankful to that man. Mr. Kloehn says his work is not a social project. He says he is just someone using his skills to help his homeless neighbors. The followings are the advantages of the small shelters EXCEPT _ . A. saving power and energy B. protecting belongings of the homeless C. decorating the streets where they are D. keeping the homeless safe and comfortable Answer: C. decorating the streets where they are Which of the following describes an instinctive behavior? A. a behavior that occurs only in adult fish B. a behavior that occurs only in small mammals C. a behavior that an animal learns how to do over time D. a behavior that an animal is born knowing how to do Answer: D. a behavior that an animal is born knowing how to do The Danish capital is a year-round destination. Here are some of the city's best annual events. Roskilde Festival (July) The Danes love the outdoors and they love rock music; the Roskilde Festival is where they combine these passions for a weekend of drunken celebration. The four-day event is held about 30 minutes from the city completely, which means you can either go in for the full festival experience, or you can travel from the city to the festival each day. There are also day tickets if you don't have the power for the whole collection of facts. Kulturnatten (October) For something a little more high brow there's the Night of Culture. For one night only some 300 venues in the city stage theater performances, art exhibitions, concerts and poetry readings. Father Christmas Congress (July) One of the more bizarre fixtures in Copenhagen's calendar, the event is held in July--the slow season for Santas--at the Bakken amusement park, some 20 minutes north of the city. The most interesting of the event is a procession of Santas from all over the world along Stroget. Parents should be prepared for some embarrassed questions from the kids. Tivoli Gardens (November/December) These pleasure gardens make for a great day out any time of the year but to see them at their most attractive, visit from mid-November through December, when they are transformed into a fairy tale of lanterns and Christmas markets. There's also outdoor skating, a Christmas entertainment and the very Danish 'Nissekobing' village, home to more than 100 mechanical fairies. Roskilde Festival is a festival _ . A. where many famous singers in Denmark gather B. which is only held in the center of a city C. that lasts about half an hour per day D. that the Danas can enjoy Answer: D. that the Danas can enjoy Picture a wasteland of old computer monitors and TVs, stretching as far as the eye can see. Imagine towers of boxes, all of them filled with broken glass and discarded electronic devices. Technology graveyards like this can be found in communities across the country. Experts say that landfills and warehouses will overflow unless a plan for the disposal and reuse of electronics is put into place . "We can't put electronics and glass aside and tell ourselves we'll deal with them later ," Lauren Roman , managing director of Transparent Planet said. Roman's group works to improve the disposal of electronic waste. She says about 660 million pounds of tech-trash is produced each year in the U.S. What's behind the tech trash pile-up ?About ten years ago ,major advances were made in computer and television technology . Manufacturers began producing devices like flat -paneled LCDs and plasma screen monitors. These new products provide a clearer image and take up less space than older models. It goes without saying that consumers choose them rather than heavy glass-based technologies. The new electronics are built with materials that are difficult to recycle. In addition, the new products have decreased the demand for recycled parts from the older monitors and screens. Older, heavier computer monitors and TVs used glass-based components called CRTs. CRTs have a high lead content and can be environmentally hazardous if not recycled properly . If crushed and put in landfills, the lead from CUTs could seep into groundwater and rivers, harming the water supply. For many years, plants and recycling programs safely processed CRTs. The recycled CRTs were reused in the construction of new monitors. Monitors being made today do not use glass tubes . "People are returning old -style TVs with CRTs , but no new ones are being made ," said Linnell. This is creating an imbalance in the amount of glass being disposed of and recycled properly. Many recycling companies have shut down. Others no longer have the resources or space to process these materials. This results in stockpiling. However , experts say there are ways to safely and responsibly address the tech-trash problem. What would the writer probably talk about next? A. Some other problems related to technologies. B. Some experts' opinions on the tech-trash problem. C. Some reasons why the tech-trash problem is hard to solve. D. Some practicable ways to solve the tech-trash problem. Answer: D. Some practicable ways to solve the tech-trash problem. Wonderful Events HORSE RACING 100 YEARS OF PICTURES ALL YEAR ROUND THEN AND NOW (Photo Show) Races Starting at 3 p.m. February 1 - April 30 Every Sunday City Art Museum Racetrack only 20 Miles Away 750, High Street Lots of Parking Space Tuesday to Sunday City Stadium 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free Presents No Children Allowed WEEKEND SALES DANCE PARTY This Saturday 2-6 p.m. CELEBRATE AN IMPORTANT DAY EVERYTHING 20-50% OFF Bring Your Friends Visit Us at Block G. Grandview Mall SUNDAY NIGHT, GOUNTRY CLUB Realize Your Dream, Save Time and Live Band from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Money Y= 10, and adult Fall in Love with our Prices Y= 2, a child Who can NOT go to the horse races? A. Women B. Old men C. Adults D. Children Answer: D. Children
Although women lead healthier, longer lives, the cruel opinion that they become "old" sooner than men is widespread in the workplace , research shows . A survey of more than 2,600 managers and personnel professionals showed that age discrimination is not only common in the workplace , but is shot through with inconsistencies . Six in ten managers reported being a victim of age discrimination--usually because they were turned down for a job for being too old or too young . Yet more than a fifth admitted that they used ages as an important standard . Although the survey found widespread agreement that older workers were better than younger colleagues when it came to reliability , commitment , loyalty and customer service , these qualities were not necessarily considered to be worthy of advancement . A large number of persons believed that workers between 30 and 39 had the best promotion chances , with only 2 percent giving example of 50 year-olds or above. There was evidence that people were considered old at different ages in different jobs . A young man working in IT said he was considered too old by the age of 28. In fact there was no evidence to suggest that older workers were less valuable to companies than younger workers , in fact the opposite was often true because older workers often brought experience . The findings also suggested that the Government's ideas on age in the workforce may also be out of step with reality. Which is the discrimination mentioned in this passage ? Answer: Juan and Amy were happy because they were going to help their mom make a cake. They were making the cake for their dad who was returning from a long trip. Amy thought about all the things she wanted to do with her dad when he got back. They would go to the park and he could push her on the swing then they could take their dog for a walk and have a long talk like they used to do. Juan was also thinking about all the things he and his dad could do when he got back. Maybe they could all go to the river like last year and his dad could teach him how to skip stones across the river. They could share hotdogs like last year too. "What are you two doing in here?" Their mom asked. "We are waiting to help you with Dad's cake." Juan said. "Okay, you two get out the yogurt for the frosting and I am going to start the oven to get it warmer." "Oh no! I spilled the punch when Juan was closing the door." Amy cried. "It is okay we can clean that up in no time." Juan said and grabbed the paper towels. Just as their mom was mixing the cake ingredients Juan and Amy heard their dog bark. "Mom! The dog is barking someone is here." Juan said. "Well your dad is not going to be here until this afternoon. You two wait here." She said and walked out of the kitchen. Her husband opened the door and smiled at her. She hugged him and they walked into the kitchen together. "Daddy!" Juan and Amy shouted and ran to hug him. "I missed you guys so I left early." Why did their dad come before the cake was finished? Answer: Dozens of dolphins swam out of the polluted waters of Haifa Harbor on Tuesday.This was the first time that dolphins had visited this crowded Mediterranean port,and researchers were surprised and delighted by the unexpected event. Between 40 and 50 of the dolphins appeared in the busy port on Tuesday morning,obviously drawn by the fishrich waters of Haifa Harbor. However,the bay is also full of harmful chemicals. Aviad Sheinin,professor of Haifa University's Maritime Studies Department,said he didn't think the dolphins were harmed by the pollution,but he hoped that they would swim back to the sea soon. "It seems that they are quite relaxed. They don't seem to be stressed," he said. Haifa Harbor is lined by chemical companies that have been pouring poisonous waste into the water for decades. While pollution levels have dropped in recent years,the water is still considered a health hazard. "There are lots of fish in Haifa Harbor. Unfortunately we couldn't tell the dolphins that the fish are not healthy;and I don't know what the result will be," he told Israel Army Radio.Hundreds of Haifa residents gathered around Haifa Harbor to see the interesting sight,and researchers said this provided a rare chance to film and study the roughtoothed dolphins. In addition to the dozens of dolphins which swam into the port on Tuesday,a similar number stayed outside the breakwater .Later Tuesday the dolphins left the port but remained near the entrance and Israel's coast guard was patrolling the area to try to make sure the dolphins didn't reenter the poisonous waters. Relatively little is known about roughtoothed dolphins,which are usually found in deep and warm tropical waters. This passage mainly tells us that _ . Answer: Animals Can Sense Natural Disasters Among the dead in South Asia' s tsunami were many tourists at Sri Lanka' s national wildlife park at Yala. But very few of the park's animals -- elephants, buffaloes, monkeys and wild cats -- appear to have died. There are theories that animals can sense natural disasters and run away to safety. First, it's possible that the animals may have heard the quake before the tsunami hit. The underwater burst produced sound waves known as infrasound . Humans can't hear infrasound, but many animals including dogs, elephants, tigers and pigeons can. A second early warning sign the animals might have sensed is ground vibration . The great quake would have produced vibrational waves known as Rayleigh waves. These vibrations move through the ground like waves moving on the surface of the ocean but faster. They travel at ten times the speed of sound. The Rayleigh waves would have reached Sri Lanka hours before the water hit. Mammals, birds, insects and spiders can sense Rayleigh waves. So the animals at Yala might have felt the Rayleigh waves and then run to higher ground. But what about humans? While we can't hear infrasound, we can feel it, although we don't necessarily know we're feeling it. We also experience Rayleigh waves by special sensors in our joints , which exist just for that purpose. Sadly, it seems we don't pay attention to the information when we get it. Maybe we screen it out because there's so much going on before our eyes and in our ears. Which of the statements about "Rayleigh waves" is true? Answer: The teacher was leaving the village, and everybody seemed sorry. The miller at Cresscombe lent him the small cart and horse to carry his goods to Christminster, the city of his destination, such a vehicle proving of quite enough size for the teacher's belongings. For his only article, in addition to the packing-case of books, was a piano that he had bought when he thought of learning instrumental music. But the eagerness having faded, he had never acquired any skill in playing, and the purchased article had been a permanent trouble to him. The headmaster had gone away for the day, being a man who disliked the sight of changes. He did not mean to return till the evening, when the new teacher would have arrived, and everything would be smooth again. The blacksmith, the farm bailiff and the teacher were standing in confused attitudes in the sitting room before the instrument. The teacher had remarked that even if he got it into the cart he should not know what to do with it on his arrival at Christminster, since he was only going into a temporary place just at first. A little boy of eleven, who had been assisting in the packing, joined the group of men, and said, "Aunt has got a fuel-house, and it could be put there, perhaps, till you've found a place to settle in, sir." "Good idea," said the blacksmith. The smith and the bailiff started to see about the possibility of the suggested shelter, and the boy and the teacher were left standing alone. "Sorry I am going, Jude." said the latter gently. Tears rose into the boy's eyes. He admitted that he was sorry. "So am I," said Mr. Phillotson. "Why do you go, sir?" asked the boy. "Well ----- don't speak of this everywhere. You know what a university is, and a university degree? It is the necessary hallmark of a man who wants to do anything in teaching. My scheme, or dream, is to be a university graduate. By going to live at Christminster, I shall be at headquarters, so to speak, and if my scheme is practicable at all, I consider that being on the spot will afford me a better chance." The smith and _ returned. Old Miss Fawley's fuel-house was practicable; and she seemed willing to give the instrument standing-room there. So it was left in the school till the evening, when more hands would be available for removing it; and the teacher gave a final glance round. At nine o'clock Mr. Phillotson mounted beside his box of books, and waved his friends good-bye. The motivation of the teacher's moving lay in his _ . Answer:
Which organ directly works to protect the human body from disease? Answer: skin Everyone in our class has our own characters. Each plays his or her part in our class. All in all,we are a group of young children who are perhaps a bit noisy at times,but on the whole are well behaved and pleasant to be with. Ah Keong We are a noisy group, and that is what our teachers say about us.This is largely because of Ah Keong.He is the noisiest of us all because he lives with his family of ten children.It seems that he cannot talk softly.Actually he does not talk, he shouts. Padma Padma is a quiet boy who sits next to me. He is so soft that one would think that he is a girl .This is not so. No one dares to call him"girl", for he is a member of the school karate club. Doris Doris is such a model student that all the teachers love her, She sits right in front of the teachers table.We all love her because she is kind and helpful. Every day, she makes sure that the teachers have enough chalk and the classroom is clean. JJack Every class has a clown . Our class has jack. He is naughty and always playing tricks on others. He puts tails on the boys pants and frogs in the girls desks. So when we hear someone crying, we know that Jack has played a trick again. Who is a model student Answer: Doris. Joe:What do you do on weekends? David:Well, I usually have to study on Saturdays. Joe:And how about Sundays? David:Well, we have lunch together. You know, all of the members of my family. Then after lunch, I go to the park and meet my friends. Joe:Oh? What do you do there? David:We play football. After that I usually go to see a film outside the city. Joe:Do you often go out of the city? David:About once a month. My uncle has a small farm. Joe:It's nice. Do you go alone? David:No, my mum, my two sisters and some of my friends go there, too. Joe:But why do you go there? David:Many things: green trees, clean air, and there are few people. Who has lunch with David on Sundays? Answer: The whole family. There is a place where Christmas lives all year long. It is called Bronner's Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, Michigan. The family-owned business calls itself the world's largest Christmas store. The late Wally Bronner started the business in 1945. Wayne Bronner, Wally's son, is president and CEO of what is now a multi-million dollar corporation. He learned the business from an early age. Some of his best memories are traveling to other countries with his father to find new products for the store. Bronner's sells more than 50,000 holiday products from 70 nations. Half of the products cost less than ten dollars. Wayne Bronner says the demand for small objects to hang on Christmas trees has expanded over the years. People spend more time, effort and money into decorating their homes with these ornaments, lights and religious scenes. Bronner's is famous for its nativity scenes which show the birth of Jesus Christ. Michigan has the nation's highest unemployment rate. Bronner's has been affected by the recession, too. But not in reduced sales. Wayne Bronner said: "Even though people are spending less, we're having more people visit here. And as a result we've actually had a sales increase." Bronner's success is also linked to community cooperation and investment. Frankenmuth is a town of 5,000 people in eastern Michigan's farm country. The town was settled by Bavarian Germans in the 1800s. It has kept its traditions alive in buildings and restaurants. Bavarian cultural themes and Bronner's huge store bring 3,000,000 visitors a year. The town is the most popular place for tourists in the state. Bronner's business is aimed at a single day of the year. But that is not too different from other businesses. "About half of our business is done in the last quarter of the year, in the last three months. And actually when you compare that with most retailers, that follows the same pattern." Wayne Bronner says the family's long-term planning and willingness to reinvest profits has developed the company into what it is today. Still, it does not hurt to build a business on a holiday which is celebrated worldwide. Currently, about only two percent of sales are overseas. But Wayne Bronner sees room for growth, especially through the Internet. Bronner's mainly sells _ . Answer: holiday products imported from foreign countries The Kingdome in Seattle was destroyed on March 26, 2000. It was taken down to make room for a new stadium. The blast from the falling building caused the earth to shake as if an earthquake had happened Scientists placed more than 200 earthquake recorders in the earth to measure the movement. They found which parts of the city shook the most. This information helped them know which parts of the city would be damaged in a real earthquake at an early time. A real earthquake happened on February 28, 2001 in Seattle. The Nisqually earthquake was 6.8 on the Richter scale(6.8). It damaged the same parts of Seattle that scientists had predicted from the pulling down of the Kingdome. It was a plate quake. It started deep in the earth, 37 miles below the surface on the Juan de Fuca Plate. Sometimes, huge plates under the earth cause earthquakes when the plates move against each other suddenly. Scientists have learned that deep earthquakes have very few aftershocks . The Nisqually earthquake had only 4 ones. Another earthquake in California that was close to the surface had over 120 aftershocks. Scientists do not know why the deep earthquakes have fewer aftershocks. Scientists plan to blast in the ground near Seattle with the purpose of testing the plate. The shockwaves from the blast will jump off the plate and give them an idea of where the plate is and how it is moving. This will give them more information in case another real earthquake hits the area. What will happen after a deep earthquake according to the scientists? Answer: There will be very few aftershocks.
Who would find an arctic environment most pleasant? parka squirrels In Singapore, many school students spend a lot of time on their studies. People always think that good schooling is the key to success . So, many of these students try their best to get good grades in their tests. They have a lot of homework every day and tests are usually a big problem to them. Sometimes, a few students even have to go to evening classes after school because of the pressure of the tests. Students have many after-school activities to do at school, such as sports games, dance groups, swimming and rock-climbing. On weekends, they have enough time to do what they like. Most students like to listen to pop music. Hollywood films, Hong Kong and Singapore films are very popular, too. Some of them also spend free time surfing the Internet, e-mailing their friends, playing computer games. They sometimes go to cafes, fast food restaurants, shopping centers and big bookstores. They also join in community service . So life for students in Singapore is not easy but _ and colorful. A few students go to evening classes after school because _ . they want to get good grades in their tests. If you could leave a farewell video for your loved ones that they'd see only if you died, would you do it? I think I would. I read about an app that helps people create a video to be published on a social-networking site only after death. Of course you don't need an app since it's easy to make your own video with smartphones, laptops and computers. But how many people do you know who would actually go ahead and leave "If I die" footage ? My father died unexpectedly on Christmas Eve three years ago and I've since longed for one more time to talk to him and hear his voice. Imagine if he had left such a video. I would see him again, hear his laughter and benefit from his parting words and advice. I don't think people, unless they have a terminal illness, go through life thinking they'd better leave a video in case of an _ death. But it is an opportunity to say all the things you want to say before it's too late. Still, some say that such a video robs loved ones of their own memories of you. Any special images they have would be superimposed by the video image you've created. Others think it's scaring and might be tempting fate. I expect my video would consist of reminders to my children: Be safe; be[:++Z+X+X+K]mindful of your surroundings; exercise good judgment; speak up; it never hurts to ask; don't waste time and "call when you get there". And in addition, I would repeat what I always tell them: I need to know where you are, every-step-of-the-way. That would make them laugh. Readers, would you find comfort in knowing you've said your farewells and left something concrete for your loved ones? What messages would you leave for family and friends? Some people against such a video argue that the image in the video _ . will replace our loved ones' own memories of us I was working with a client who was completely burned out on her career and life and then ready for a career change. As we were talking, she said, "I just wish I had meaningful work. I don't feel like I am making a difference. I am just wasting my life." This is the theme I hear most often from clients who have been in the workforce awhile.All of us want to feel like we are making a difference. We want to believe our work means something. The problem comes in defining "meaningful work". What is it? That answer is different for everyone. For some meaningful work might be helping others organize their office. For others it may mean making a million dollars. What really matters is how you see it. What is meaningful work to you? Take out a piece of paper and answer these questions. How do you define meaningful work? When do you feel like you are really making a difference? What work have you done so far that feels the most meaningful? Write down whatever comes to mind. What you want to do is meaningful. It is very easy to start judging yourself as being selfish. Stop! Allow yourself to be honest. The fact is when Picasso painted; he was doing it because he liked to paint. He was not thinking, "Oh, I hope this brings joy to others' lives." He painted because he wanted to. When Beethoven composed, he did it because he loved music. Even scientists searching for a cure for cancer are immersed in their work because it fascinates them. Don't look down on your work. It is easy to _ the importance of work that feels meaningful. I remember Tony Robbins told a story of talking with the owner of a major company. The man said to Tony, "I wish I could do what you do because it makes such adifference in people's lives". Tony said, "You have got to be kidding! Look at what adifference you make. You provide work, health insurance and security for thousands ofpeople!" Don't underestimate the value you provide. Take a look at what you have written about meaningful work. Do you see any themes? How do you wish to contribute to this world? Whatever you choose, remember that the greatest gift you can give is to find work that makes you feel fulfilled and delighted. Respect your preference because giving your gifts to the world, whatever they look like, is the most meaningful action you can ever take. . The article is intended to _ . explain what is the most important in changing one's job After a windstorm, Niko called the electric company to report that he had no electricity. His phone call is an example of which of the following elements of a universal systems model? giving feedback
Fatimah Bamun dropped out of Balizenda Primary School in the first grade, when her father refused to buy her pencils and paper. Only after her teachers said to him that his daughter showed unusual promise did he change his mind. Today, Fatimah, 14, tall and slender, studies math in a dirt-floored fourth-grade classroom. Whether she will reach the fifth grade is another matter. Fatimah is facing the realities of a school with no toilet, no water, no hope of privacy other than the shadow of a bush, and no girlfriends with whom to share feelings. Fatimah is the only girl of the 23 students in her class. In fact, in a school of 178 students, she is one of the only three girls who have made it past the third grade. "I have no friend in the class," she said. "Most of my friends have dropped out to get married. So during the break, I just sit in the classroom and read." Her father, however, now says he is fully behind her. "The people from the government are all the time telling us to send our daughters to school, and I am listening to these people," he said. But in many cases, parents don't listen. Parents think that if the girls stay home, they can help with the harvesting, fetch the water and collect the firewood. So they take them out of school. In a region where poverty, tradition and ignorance make about 24 million girls not even have an elementary school education. There are many other barriers that prevent girls going to school, such as the lack of school toilets and water. The issue is not only equality. The World Bank thinks that if women in sub-Saharan Africa had equal education, land and other wealth, the region's economy could improve greatly. There is a connection between growth in Africa and sex equality. It is of great importance but still ignored by so many people. The author's purpose in writing the passage is to _ . A. find the cause of Africa's poverty B. describe the poor education conditions of African girls C. prove the inequality in African society D. reform the present schooling systems in Africa Answer: B Women nowadays do not just want to work to help meet the rising costs of living and education for their children. They also want a career that will enable them to bring out their skills and use their potentials so that they can experience a sense of fulfillment and pride that come from achievements and success. Some careers that have been traditionally dominated by the male species have been made open and filled up by women as well. It is no longer a surprising occurrence today to see many women working as pilots, astronauts, engineers, in construction sites, and in the printing business that operates hightech machines. Many women are also taking their chances on managerial and executive positions that mostly men are the ones sitting on. Many of them also do well in the line of education as teachers, deans and even presidents of universities. You can also see many women as lecturers and reviewers of different businesses. One example is that of the online printing company reviews where women usually have a say on what is the best choice for online printers for any marketing needs. From the income that women are getting from their work, they are able to maintain a family and able to provide a better education for their children and able to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. However, there are still pronounced biases against women in high leadership positions. There still exists the socalled genderrole stereotyping. Women need help to cope with and manage the typical stereotyping of women workers and managers. Those who look for jobs advertised in the classified sections of the newspaper often discover that many corporate positions are closed to women. And most often than not, many give preference to men by indicating in their ads phrases such as "male preferred" or "male applicants only". Even in some family run or owned corporations, seldom can you see women managers and presidents. Surveys show that although a man and a woman have the same level or handle the same position in an organization, the man would get a higher or bigger compensation package compared to women. Because of this, many women are just contented,to be in _ positions in finance, human resources, sales, manufacturing and other supportive roles. There are still other barriers that prevent women from reaching their full potentials in the world of employment. Our culture does not encourage women to excel in government and in businessrelated jobs. Women who are able to make it on top and handle leadership roles are sometimes regarded merely as tokens. The abilities and skills of women are normally questioned by their own peers, and sadly even by other women. If you are a woman who have the interest, ability and drive to pursue management careers,career counseling is of great help to help you find direction and increase motivation to pursue your career goals. It will help you have the selfconfidence to get you in the same career opportunities open to men in this society that still prefers men for top level positions. What's the best title for the passage? A. Women working out of houses B. Women fighting against biases C. Women getting larger income D. Women aiming high in careers Answer: D Every immigrant leads a double life. Every immigrant has a double identity and a double vision, being suspended between an old and a new home, an old and new self. The very notion of a new home, of course, is in a sense as impossible as the notion of new parents. Parents are who they are; home is what it is. Yet home, like parentage, must be legitimized through love; otherwise, it is only a fact of geography or biology. Most immigrants to America found their love of their old homes betrayed: they did not really abandon their countries; their countries abandoned them. In America, they found the possibility of a new love, the chance to nurture new selves. Not uniformly, not without exceptions. Every generation has its Know-Nothing movement. Its understandable fear and hatred of alien invasion is as true today as it always was, but in spite of all this, the American attitude remains unique. Throughout history, exile has been a disaster; America turned it into a triumph and placed its immigrants in the center of a national epic. The epic is possible because America is an idea as much as it is a country. America has nothing to do with loyalty to a dynasty and very little to do with loyalty to particular place, but everything to do with loyalty to a set of principles. To immigrants, those principles are especially real because so often they were absent or violated in their native lands. It was no accident in the '60 and '70s, when alienation was in flower, that it often seemed to be "native" Americans who felt alienated, while aliens or the children of aliens upheld the native values. The immigrant's double vision results in a special, somewhat skewed perspective on America that can mislead but that can also find revelation in the things that to native Americans are obvious. Psychiatrist Robert Coles speaks of those "who straddle worlds and make of that very experience a new world." "Home is where you are happy." Sentimental, perhaps, and certainly not conventionally patriotic, but is appropriate for a country that wrote the pursuit of happiness into its founding document. That continues for the immigrant in America, and it never stops, but it comes to rest at a certain moment. The moment is hard to pin down, but it occurs perhaps when the immigrant's double life and double vision joint together toward a single state of mind. When the old life, the old home fade into a certain unreality: places one merely visits, in fact or in the mind, practicing the tourism of memory. It occurs when the immigrant learns his ultimate lesson: above all countries, America, if loved, returns love. What's the result of American's unique attitude toward immigrants? A. Immigrants have played an important role in America's history. B. Immigrants have endured more sufferings than those in other countries. C. Immigrants have been a disaster to America's development. D. Immigrants have posed fear and hatred on America. Answer: A "It hurts me more than you,''and "This is for your own good.''These are the statements my mother used to make years ago when I had to learn Latin,clean my room,stay home and do homework. That was before we entered the permissive period in educafion in which we decided it was all right not to push our children to achieve their best in school.The schools and the educators made it easy on us.They thought that it was all right to be parents who take a let-alone policy. We stopped making our children do homework. We gave them calculators,turned on the television,left the teaching to the teachers and went on vacation. Now teachers,faced with children who have been developing at their own pace for the past 15 years,are realizing we've made a terrible mistake.One such teacher is Sharon Klompus who says of her students-"so passive"-and-wonders what happened.Nothing was demanded of them,she believes. Television,says Klompus,contributes to children's passivity."We're not training kids to work any more," says Klompus."we're talking about a generation of kids who've never been hurt or hungry.They have learned somebody will always do it for them. Instead of saying 'go look it up',you tell them the answer.It takes greater energy to say no to a kid." Yes,it does.It takes energy and it takes work. It's time for parents to end their vacation and come back to work.It's time to take the car away, to turn the TV off, to tell them it hurts you more than them but it's for their own good.It's time to start telling them no again. By "permissive period in education''the author means a time _ . A. when children are allowed to do what they wish to B. when everything can be taught at school C. when every child can be educated D. when ehildren are permitted to receive education Answer: A One Friday morning, Andrew announced to his wife that he finally decided to ask his boss for a salary raise. All day Andrew felt worried --- what if Mr. Larchmont refuses to grant his request? Andrew had worked so hard and of course, he deserves a wage increase. The thought of walking into Larchmont's office left Andrew weak in the knees. Late in the afternoon he finally _ up the courage to approach his superior. To his delight and surprise, the ever-frugal Harvey Larchmont agreed to give him a raise! Andrew arrived home to a beautiful table set with their best china, and candles lit. His wife, Tina had prepared a fine meal including his favorite dishes. Immediately he figured someone from the office might have broken the good news to her! Next to his plate Andrew found a lettered note, reading: "Congratulations, my love! I knew you'd get the raise! I prepared this dinner to show just how much I love you. I am so proud of your accomplishments!" He read it and stopped to reflect on how sensitive and caring Tina was. After dinner, Andrew was on his way to the kitchen when he observed a second card had slipped out of Tina's pocket onto the floor. He picked it up. He read: "Don't worry about not getting the raise! You deserve it anyway! You are a wonderful provider and I prepared this dinner to show you just how much I love you even though you did not get the increase." Suddenly tears swelled in Andrew's eyes. Total acceptance! Tina's support for him was not conditional upon his success at work. The fear of rejection is often softened when we know someone loves us regardless of our success or failure. Andrew felt _ when he discovered the truth. A. angry B. disappointed C. relaxed D. moved Answer: D
It was a hot summer day. My dad and I were getting ready to go out for a ride on the boat. Just then the phone call came, the call changed that sunny and beautiful day into a cold and dark one. When I saw my father answering the phone, he was crying. I'd never seen my dad cry before. My heart sank. What possibly could happen? "Max, I'm so sorry," I heard him say. That's when it hit me. I knew that Suzie had died. Max has been my dad's best friend for years. Suzie, his daughter, had a serious illness. She knew she was different from other kids. Although she couldn't live a normal life, she was still happy. When Suzie and I were little girls, we spent quite a bit of time together. When Suzie was ten, she had to live in a hospital. About eight months before she died, we talked at least twice a week on the phone until the end. Suzie was always so excited to talk to me and wanted to know everything I did and every thing I ate. When Suzie and I first started calling each other, I thought _ would be more of a burden on me, but I was completely wrong. I learned so much from her. She gave me more than I could ever give her. I will never forget her or the talks we had. I now know that I must never take anything for granted, especially my health and the gift of life. That phone call on a summer day made the author very _ . A sad B dark C cold D disappointed Answer: A. sad A landslide may bring immense problems to A living regions B time travel C space D Jupiter Answer: A. living regions Perhaps it is hard to imagine that a bad tooth could be deadly. But doctors in the Washington area say a twelveyearold boy died last month of a tooth infection that spread to his brain. They say it might have been prevented if the boy had received the dental care he needed. Experts at the National Institutes of Health say good dental care should start at birth. They say breast milk is the best food for the healthy development of teeth. Breast milk can help slow bacterial growth and acid production in the mouth. When baby's teeth begin to appear,you can clean them with a wet toothbrush. Dentists say it is important to find soft toothbrushes made especially for babies,and use them very gently. The use of fluoride to protect teeth is common in many parts of the world. This natural element is often added to drinking water supplies. The fluoride mixes with enamel ,the hard surface on teeth,to help prevent holes,or cavities from forming. But the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry points out that young children often swallow toothpaste when they brush their teeth. The group notes that swallowing fluoridated toothpaste can cause problems. So young children should be carefully supervised when they brush their teeth. And only a small amount of fluoridated toothpaste,the size of a green pea,should be used. Parents often wonder what effects sucking a thumb or sucking on a pacifier might have on their baby's teeth. Dental experts generally agree that this is fine early in life. The American Academy of Family Physicians says most kids stop sucking their thumbs by the age of four. If it continues,the group advises parents to talk to their child's dentist or doctor. It could influence the correct development of permanent teeth. All the following statements are good to teeth except that _ . A children live on breast milk every day B children begin to brush their teeth when they are old enough C children use fluoride toothpaste to brush their teeth D children form the habit of sucking their thumbs Answer: B. children begin to brush their teeth when they are old enough In Africa, Christmas day begins with groups of carolers walking to and fro through the village, along the roadway, by the houses of the churchmen, singing the lovely carols known the world around. Often people may be awakened by a group of carolers beginning to gather at the church. They return home to make final preparation as to the clothes one must wear and also as to his offering for the Christmas service. The most important part of their Christmas service is the love offering. This is the gift in honor of Jesus. At about 8 or 9 o'clock, everyone makes their way to the celebration of the birthday of Jesus. Everyone who attends the service goes forward to lay down their gift upon the raised platform near the Communion table. Not one person will attend the service without giving a gift. Christmas in South Africa is a summer holiday. There is no snow, but it has many flowers, many beautiful varieties of wild flowers being in their full pride. In Ghana, most churches announce the coming of Christmas by decorating the church and homes beginning with the first week in Advent, four weeks before Christmas. This season happens to be the cocoa harvest time, so it is a time of wealth. Everyone returns home from wherever they might be, such as farms or mines. In Africa, it is the traditional dinner of turkey, roast beef, mince pies, suckling pig, yellow rice with raisins, vegetables, and plum pudding, or crackers. In the afternoon, families go out into the country and usually there are games or bathing in the warm sunshine, and then home in the cool of the evening. Boxing Day is also a public holiday of real relaxation usually spent in the open air, which falls on December 26. In Africa, the traditional dinner for Christmas including the following EXCEPT _ . A pumpkin pies B yellow rice C crackers D turkey Answer: A. pumpkin pies Every year we have many holidays, such as summer holidays. May Day and so on. How do you spend during these holidays? Do you like to travel during them ? Can you book holidays or make travel plans on line? Now let me tell you how to do it. First,you should look up the places that you want to visit online. Then you can decide on which way to travel according to the prices online. If you go to other countries, you'd better take the plane. If you visit some places of interest near your hometown, you can take the train or bus there. Of course, you can drive a car. Next, you can get in touch with some travel companies ,and talk something about travel with them. And you can find the best place to stay at the best price. Finally, you can enjoy happy holidays with the help of the travel company. You are now in China. If you want to visit New York, you can get their _ . A by car B by train C by bus D by plane. Answer: D. by plane.
A teacher places an item in a box. The item takes the shape of the entire container. This item is most likely Answer: air. A third of primary schoolchildren in China are suffering from psychological ill-health as a result of classroom stress and parental pressure, according to a study published on Tuesday. The problem is so bad that urgent measures are needed, warns the study, led by British and Chinese researchers. The investigation surveyed 2,191 pupils aged nine to 12 in nine schools in urban and rural Zhejiang, a ly prosperous coastal province in eastern China. Eighty-one percent of the youngsters said they worried "a lot" about exams, 63 percent feared being punished by their teacher, 44 percent had been physically bullied at least sometimes - with boys likelier to be victims than girls - and 73 percent had been physically punished by their parents. Most of the children complained they struggled to cope with the amount of homework they were assigned. Over one-third reported headaches or abdominal pains - psychosomatic symptoms of stress - at least once a week. The most stressed children reported incidence of aches or pains of four times a week. The investigation, led by Therese Hesketh, a professor at University College London (UCL) Centre for International Health and Development, pointed the finger at extreme competitiveness in China's education system, from the onset of primary school. "The competitive and punitive educational environment leads to high levels of stress and psychosomatic symptoms," the authors say. "Measures to reduce unnecessary stress on children in schools should be introduced urgently." The paper appears in Archives of Disease in Childhood, a peer-reviewed journal of the British Medical Association (BMA). The "urban" setting for the study was Hangzhou, the provincial capital of Zhejiang, while the "rural" setting was a poor county in Quzhou prefecture, in the west of the province. The study highlights some of the complexities that, it says, explain the demands for academic excellence and intolerance of failure. One factor is the country's dramatic rise in prosperity, which has created "previously unheard-off possibilities for upward mobility" and in turn stoked pressures on children to do well at school. Other reasons are China's one-child policy and the Confucian traditions of respect for parents and elders, filial piety, obedience and discipline. "The aspirations of many parents, who had limited educational opportunities themselves are now invested in their only children," it says. Previous studies on school-related stress and its impact on health are few and generally come from Scandinavia. A 2008 assessment among 10- to 13-year-old in Sweden found that 21 percent of boys of 30 percent of girls experienced headache, and 17 percent of boys and 28 percent of girls experienced abdominal pain at least once per week. What mainly caused schoolchildren to suffer from psychological ill-health? Answer: Classroom stress and parental pressure Its often interesting to take a look at some of the lists that arrive toward the end of the year such as top devices, best gadgets, most desirable high-tech gift and more. Apart from cell phones and tablets, and Apple and Samsung products, this year many other gadgets made it on the most wanted list from Yahoo Tech and the most searched list from Bing. com. Read on to find out what they are. Wireless headphone Portable Bluetooth headphones represent the next evolution in headphone technology. If you have a compatible smartphone with Bluetooth, the obvious benefit is that you can get rid of the wires snaking from your backpack or pocket. Many of the wireless headphones in the market also have a built-in microphone for taking calls hands-free. Product to buy: Beats Studio Wireless Features: Signature look, and powerful audio performance with intense bass and high-mid boosting, plus plenty of accessories. Price: 1898 yuan Smartwatch The primary advantage of a smartwatch over traditional watches is that they reduce how often you have to pull your phone out of your pocket. With it, the information on your smartphone goes straight to your wrist, and you can decide first if they are worth dealing with. Product to buy: Pebble smartwatch Features: Understated design, with easy setup and instant information, and customizable watch faces, plus synes with Android or IOS. Price: $99 (about 612 yuan) Portable Bluetooth speaker Bluetooth speakers are steadily growing in popularity because they let you take the party anywhere. They can be paired with your music device, and they are able to withstand incidental bumps. Though small in size, Bluetooth speakers provide a steady soundtrack for even the lengthiest bacchanalia . Product to buy: Logitech UE Boom Features: Water and stain resistant, 360-degree sound, 15 hour battery life, with a variety of color patterns. Price: 1499 yuan Fitness band Basically, fitness bands are smartwatches without the watch. They keep track of your exercise progress and, at the same time, allow you to monitor vitals such as your heart rate, calories burned and amount of time spent exercising. Some even monitor your sleep patterns. Product to buy: Fitbit Flex Features: Long battery life (five days), with silent vibrating alarm, and wireless syncing to smartphones. Price: 898 yuan Which of the following statements is Not True according to the passage? Answer: All the products can sync with Android or iOS In 1901, H.G. Wells, an English writer, wrote a book describing a trip to the moon. When the explorers landed on the moon, they discovered that the moon was full of underground cities. They expressed their surprise to the "moon people" they met. In turn, the "moon people" expressed their surprise. "Why," they asked, "are you traveling to outer space when you don't even use your inner space?" H.G. Wells could only imagine travel to the moon. In 1969, human beings really did land on the moon. People today know that there are no underground cities on the moon. However, the question that the "moon people" asked is still an interesting one. A growing number of scientists are seriously thinking about it. Underground systems are already in place. Many cities have underground car parks. In some cities, such as Tokyo, Seoul and Montreal, there are large underground shopping areas. The "Chunnel", a tunnel connecting England and France, is now complete. But what about underground cities? Japan's Taisei Corporation is designing a network of underground systems, called "Alice Cities." The designers imagine using surface space for public parks and using underground space for flats, offices, shopping, and so on. A solar dome would cover the whole city. Supporters of underground development say that building down rather than building up is a good way to use the earth's space. The surface, they say, can be used for farms, parks, gardens, and wilderness. H.G. Wells' "moon people" would agree. Would you? What would be the best title for the text? Answer: Building down, not up. Tom Brennan was working in a Philadelphia office building when he noticed a black bag. The bag contained a book. This chance discovery ended a 12-day search by the Library Company of Philadelphia for a historical treasure - a 120-page diary kept 190 years ago by Deborah Logan, "a woman who knew everybody in her day," James Green, the librarian told the magazine American Libraries. Most of the diary is a record of big events in Philadelphia. It also includes a description of British soldiers burning Washington, D.C. in the war of 1812. She describes President James Madison on horseback as "perfectly shaking with fear" during the troubled days. George Washington, she writes, mistook her for the wife of a French man, and praised her excellent English. The adventure of the lost book began September 4 when Cory Luxmoore arrived from England to deliver the diary of his ancestor to the Library Company, which he and his wife considered to be the best home for the diary. Green told American Libraries he had the diary in his possession "about five minutes" when Luxmoore took it back because he had promised to show it to one other person. On returning to his hotel after showing the precious book to Green, Luxmoore was shocked to realize that he had left it in the taxi. Without any delay, Green began calling every taxi company in the city, with no luck. "I've felt sick since then," Luxmoore told reporters. According to Green, no one has yet learned how the diary came to the office building. Tom Brennan received a reward of $ 1,000, Philadelphia gained another treasure for its history, and Luxmoore told reporters, "It's wonderful news. I'm on high." What did Cory Luxmoore mean when he said "I'm on high"? Answer: I'm excited.
You may not pay much attention to your daily elevator ride. Many of us use a lift several times a day without thinking about it. But Lee Gray, PhD of America, has made it his business to examine this overlooked form of public transport. "The lift becomes this interesting social space where manners are sort of strange, "Gray told the BBC, "They are socially very interesting but often very awkward places." We walk in and usually turn around to face the door. If someone else comes in, we may have to move. And here, according to Gray, lift users unthinkingly go through a set pattern of movements. He explained that when you are the only one inside a lift, you can do whatever you want -- it's your own little box. If there are two of you, you go into different corners, standing diagonally across from each other to create distance. When a third person enters, you will unconsciously form a triangle. And when there is a fourth person it becomes a square, with someone in every corner. A fifth person is probably going to have to stand in the middle. New comers to the lift will need to size up the situation when the doors slide open and then act decisively. Once in, for most people the rule is simple -- look down, or look at your phone. Why are we so awkward in lifts? "You don't have enough space," Professor Renneberg, a German psychologist, told the BBC. "Usually when we meet other people we have about an arm's length of distance between us. And that's not possible in most elevators. The easiest way not to be awkward is to avoid eye contact." According to Gray, when people enter an elevator, they usually _ . A turn around and greet one another B look around or examine their phone C make eye contact with those in the elevator D try to keep a distance from other people Answer: D Mini Hoover Dam Tour ONLY $48 per person LIST PRICE $60 This tour begins with beautiful sights as you travel by coach through famous Las Vegas towards Boulder City, Nevada. As you leave Boulder City on your way to the famous Hoover Dam, you will see in the distance Lake Mead. Created by the Hoover Dam, it is one of the largest and most beautiful man-made lakes in America! When you arrive at Hoover Dam, you can visit the museum, watch a movie on the Dam's construction and see Oskar J.W. Hansen's famous sculptures on the Nevada side. Experience the excitement of this man-made wonder with great views that will create memories of a lifetime! Tour Highlights * Free hotel-to-hotel pick-up and drop-off * Coaches with windows for your viewing pleasure * Beautiful views of man-made Lake Mead * Experience the Hoover Dam from two states * Hoover Dam Discovery Tour * Time for souvenir shopping * Relax and enjoy our return journey by coach to Las Vegas How much will your parents save if they attend the Mini Hoover Dam Tour? A $48. B $60. C $ 12 D $24. Answer: D If you're travelling in the following cities, these exciting events may drag you out of the house. CONCERTS Mayday Noah's Ark World Tour Info: Jul 13, Xiamen; Jul 19/20, Shanghai; Aug 3, Shenzhen; Aug 17, Beijing The rock band Mayday is about to bring their attractive tour to an end -- and, as usual, it's going to happen in a grand way. On Aug 17, they will rock the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest Stadium, and hold their last Noah's Ark concert in China, before heading to Europe in September. Tanya Chua 2013 Concert Tour Info: Aug 10, Shanghai; Aug 31, Beijing In her music career of more than 15 years, the 38-year-old Singaporean singer-songwriter has never been short of popular songs that astonish the heart. Now, for the first time since 2008, when she played a small Christmas concert in Shanghai, Chua is visiting China as part of a concert tour. THEATER What is Success? Director: Edward Lam Performers: Chu Hung-chang, Ethan Wei, Shi Yi-hsiu Info: Aug 9-10, Guangzhou; Aug 16-17, Chongqing; Aug 29-Sept 1, Beijing In Part Three of Edward Lam's Four Great Classics Series, which looks back at Luo Guanzhong's novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, it is sure to give you a surprise. Will it be true? Find out for yourself! To Live Director: Meng Jinghui Performers: Huang Bo, Yuan Quan Info: Jul 30-Aug 4, Beijing; Aug 6-7, Tianjin; Aug 9-11, Hangzhou; Aug 13-18, Shanghai After their world show in September, theater director Meng Jinghui and his team are back for another tour around China. While audiences can renew their memories of Yu Hua's new realism works, film stars Huang Bo and Yuan Quan will also impress audiences with their excellent performance. EXHIBITIONS Andy Warhol: 15 Minutes Eternal Info: Apr 29-Jul 28, Shanghai Launched in 2012 -- the 25th anniversary of the pop artist Andy Warhol's death -- the exhibition brings the largest ever collection of Warhol's work to Asia. It includes more than 300 paintings, photographs, drawings and 3-D art, including his works such as Marilyn Monroe, Mao, Campbell's Soup and Self-Portrait. The main purpose of the advertisements is to tell you _ when you are in these cities. A how to enjoy these activities B how to improve your artistic level C how to amuse yourselves D what to enjoy Answer: D Have you ever noticed advertisements which say "Learn a foreign language in 6 weeks, or your money back! From the first day your pronunciation will be excellent. Just send..." and so on? Of course, it never happens quite like that. The only language that is easy to learn is one's mother tongue. And think how much practice that gets! Before the Second World War people usually learnt a foreign language in order to read the literature of the country. Now speaking a foreign language is what most people want. Every year millions of people start learning one. How do they do it? Some people try at home, with books and records of tapes; some use radio or television programmes; some use computers and network; others go to evening classes. If they use the language only 2 or 3 times a week, learning it will take a long time, like learning a foreign language at school. A few people try to learn a language fast by studying for 6 or more hours a day. It is clearly easier to learn the language in the country where it is spoken. However, most people cannot afford this, and for many it is not necessary. They need the language in order to do their work better. For example, scientists and doctors chiefly need to be able to read books and reports in the foreign language. Whether the language is learnt quickly or slowly, it is hard work. Machines and good books will help, but they cannot do the student's work for him. Now most people try to learn a foreign language in order to _ . A read the literature of the country B read books and reports C do their work better D go to foreign countries Answer: C In humans, the amount of sugar in blood is controlled by the release of a hormone called insulin. This process is an example of A depletion B digestion C regulation D excretion Answer: C
Question: Welcome to my room. Open the door . You can see a desk. There are some books on the desk. My pens are on the desk, too. Behind the door there is a basketball. I love it very much. On the wall there are two pictures. Look at the boy. It's me. Where is my football? Oh! It's on the sofa . Is my computer on the desk? No , it isn't . It's next to the desk. I love my room. It's very nice , isn't it? Who is the boy in the picture? It's _ . A. me B. my brother C. my friend D. my father Answer: A Question: Dealing with a difficult roommate can be both annoying and challenging. However, by becoming aware of the context of the situation, steps can be taken in order to improve the circumstance. Identify the source of the problem. Sometimes, when someone is annoying, it is difficult to tell exactly which aspect of the situation is causing the anger. Therefore, it is important to find the one element that caused your anger to begin with. Evaluate the source of the conflict. Is the conflict _ , or is it serious ? Sometimes, people can become angry over things that seem like a big deal at the time, but when contemplated , are really unimportant. Nevertheless, before any problem is dealt with, it is necessary to determine how serious it is. Talk to the roommate about what is bothering you. Communication is very important when dealing with problems. The problems will only become worse if measures are taken without telling one another what is even wrong to begin with. Listen to the explanation that the roommate has to over. Listening is also important when dealing with conflicts. Hearing each side of the story will make it easier to arrive at a possible solution. Compromise with one another in order to form a solution. Sometimes, conflicts can be resolved simply by changing small occurrences. We can find the text in the _ section of a newspaper. A. science. B. relationship. C. recreation. D. education. Answer: B Question: Swedish sinologist Malmqvist celebrated his 85th birthday with his 20 more students in the Dragon House restaurant in Stockholm on Monday. During the dinner, he accepted a brief interview with the people's Daily Online. While refusing to answer the question relating to the Nobel Prize since he himself is a member of the Nobel Prize Committee in Literature,he said his greatest wish is to have a Chinese writer to wit]the Nobel Prize. He said that there had been a Chinese writer who won the Nobel Prize. That was Gao Xingjian who is a French citizen but writes in Chinese. He also quoted former premier Zhu Rongji's remark on Gao's winning. "I'm glad to hear that Chinese literature works can win the Nobel Prize. Chinese language has some thousand years of history and has great attraction. I believe more Chinese literature works will win the prize. " Being asked whether translation is an obstacle for Chinese literature to be widely recognized in the west,professor Malmqvist agreed. "Chinese literature has entered world. For me,it is not an obstacle. I have translated more than 40 Chinese books,Anna Chen also translated about 30,but it is not enough. Translation work needs to be strengthened so that more western readers Call appreciate Chinese literature. But the translation must be good. One cannot rewrite the story. One must obey the original,learn the original language. " Professor Malmqvist came toprefix = st1 /Chinain 1948 to study Chinese and has translated Chinese classic novels such as the Journey to the West. He said Chinese language is one of the greatest and most beautiful languages. A good translation should_. A. be rewritten from the original story B. obey and respect the original C. be added some beautiful words D. be in simple languages Answer: B Question: China is the country with the largest population in the world. Too many people cause many problems such as food problem. And today, China's population is still growing very fast. So in order to control the population, China has formulated the policy of family planning, that is late marriage, late childbirth and having fewer but healthier children. Men of 22 years old and women of 20 years can get married. If a man of 25 or over 25 gets married with a wo-man of 23 or over 23 , their marriage is late marriage. Childbirth by a woman at the age of 23 or late is a late childbirth. The country encourages people to have only one child. Family planning is a useful policy to control China's population. And it is still needed in China in the following years. What is the passage about? A. China's population B. China's family planning C. China's late marriage D. China's childbirth Answer: B Question: In the past, many people depended on horses for transportation , farming and other kinds of work. Nowadays a lot of people still like to ride horses. So it is not surprising that many expressions about _ are still used by Americans today. Long ago, people who were rich or important rode horses that were very tall. Today, if a girl is too proud and looks down upon others, you might say she should "get off her high horse." Last night, I got a telephone call while I was watching my favorite television show. I decided not to answer it because "wild horses could not drag me away" from the television -- there was nothing that could stop me from doing what I wanted to do. Sometimes you get information "straight from the horse's mouth." It comes directly from the person who knows most about the subject and is the best source. Let us say your teacher tells you there is going to be a test tomorrow. You could say you got the information "straight from the horse's mouth." However, you would not want to call your teacher a horse! You may have heard this expression: "You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink." That means you can give someone advice but you cannot force him to do something he does not want to do. In politics, a "dark-horse candidate" is someone who is not well known to the public. Sometimes, a dark horse unexpectedly wins an election . Another piece of advice is "do not change horses in midstream." You would not want to get off one horse and on to another in the middle of a river. Or make major changes in an activity that has already begun. What can we learn about the news " straight from the horse's mouth"? A. It is very hard to get the news. B. The news will be true and reliable . C. The person who gives the news is called a horse. D. The news is a lie and can't be trusted. Answer: B
Dear Hamilton, We are fortunate that in such a large, high-pressure office we all get along so well. You are one of the people who keep the social temperature at such a comfortable setting. I don't know anyone in the office who is better liked than you. You can perhaps help with this. The collection of _ towards gifts for employees' personal-life events is becoming a little troubling. Certainly, the group sending of a gift is reasonable now and then. In the past month, however, there have been collections for two baby shower gifts, one wedding shower gift, two wedding gifts, one funeral remembrance, four birthday gifts, and three graduation gifts. It's not only the collected-from who are growing uncomfortable (and poor), but the collected-for feel uneasy receiving gifts from people who don't know them outside the office, who wouldn't even recognize their graduating children, their marrying daughters and sons, or their dead relatives. This is basically a kind gesture (and one that people think well of you for), but the practice seems to have become too wide-ranging and feels improper in today's office setting. Thank you for understanding. This is basically a letter of _ . Answer: dissatisfaction People have always been dreaming of going to the moon. As long as the year 1901, H. G. Wells, an English writer, wrote a book vividly describing a trip to the moon. On landing there, the explorers discovered that the moon was full of underground cities. Words failed to express their surprise when they spotted so many "moon people". The "moon people" felt even more surprised. "Why," they asked, "are you traveling to outer space when you don't even use your inner space?" H. G. Wells could only imagine a travel to the moon. In 1969, human beings really left their footsteps on the moon. People today know that there are no underground cities on the moon. However, the question that the "moon people" asked is still an interesting one. A growing number of scientists are seriously thinking about _ . Underground systems are already in place. Many cities have underground car parks. In some cities, such as Tokyo, Seoul and Montreal, there are large underground shopping areas. The "Channel", a tunnel connecting England and France, is now complete. But what about underground cities? Japan's Taisei Corporation is designing a network of underground systems, called "Alice Cities". The designers imagine using surface space for public parks and using underground space for flats, offices, shopping, and so on. A solar dome would cover the whole city. Supporters of underground development argue that building down rather than building up is a good way to use the earth's space. The space, they say, can be used for farms, parks, gardens, and wilderness. H. G. Wells' "moon people" would second it. Would you? We can learn from the text that _ . Answer: The solar dome is a necessary part of underground cities. Ou Pingqin was a teacher in a special school (for deaf and mute students) of Yangxin in Huangshi, who has recently been considered the Most Beautiful Teacher in China. After graduating from a college, she went to this school alone and worked there for nearly twenty years. The headmaster of the school said, "She worked hard and taught well. She was a _ teacher in our school. She was also the most welcome teacher among the students. For students, she was like a mother. They called her Little Mother." One day,when she was talking with her students in the dormitory. It looked as if something heavy would fall off. It was dangerous. At that time, without any hesitation ,she pushed two students away, but she was hit heavily. However,she continued working with great pain later. One of her officemates said, "Ou Pinggin was not only a teacher but also a mother to her students in her class. She cared about their studies and even their life. She was very strict in her work." A student's parent said, "She was very warm-hearted. My son lost his father who supported the family. Every month,the teacher gave him 100 yuan to buy books from her own income.."She devoted all her life to the teaching and her students, but she didn't marry when she died at the age of 36. Ou Pinqin's deeds have drawn much attention in the country. She was the students' Little Mother, but gave them great love. Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to the report? Answer: She bought books for herself every month. I think it's hard for a teenager to live in the modern society. For example, how to go to school is a problem I often worry about. Every afternoon, my father picks me up at the gate of the school. Many parents pick up their children, too. Most of them drive private cars. Of all the cars, Anna's father's car is the best. Anna seems to have a very rich father. She always has beautiful dresses, shoes and bags. Besides these, she is also very beautiful. But she has no friends in school. When other students are playing, she never joins them. I don't like her because she is too perfect. It makes me uncomfortable to make friends with her. She seems to have everything. One afternoon, when I went to my father's car, I saw a small thing fall out of Anna's bag. So I called her quickly. However, she didn't look back and kept going. I felt very angry with her. During the dinner, my father asked me, "Why do you look unhappy?" "Today I saw something fall out of Anna's bag, so called her. But she didn't answer me. She is _ . " said angrily. "Oh, I know that girl. She has no friends and is unhappy because she was born deaf. I'm sure that she didn't hear you. " What my father said suddenly woke me up. Because she is deaf, she does not talk or play with anyone at school. She seems to have everything, but in fact she doesn't. Not everyone is perfect, even the perfect man has his weakness. Which of the following is TRUE according to the text? Answer: The writer's father knows Anna is a deaf girl. British Summer Time runs from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. In the depths of winter the nights in the UK are anything from 15-19 hours long. Longer nights mean frost and fog are more likely to form. Twice a year the clocks change, forward in the spring and then back again in the autumn. But why? It happens twice a year. We all change our clocks and watches by one hour. In the spring, we add an hour, and go onto what is called British Summer Time, while in the autumn, we do the reverse, and return to Greenwich Mean Time. Why bother? It's all to do with saving the hours of daylight, and was started by a guy called William Willett, a London builder, who lived in Petts Wood in Kent. Basically, he figured that you could improve the population's health and happiness by putting forward the clocks by twenty minutes every Sunday in April and do the opposite in September. Economics His idea was not taken up, even though a "Daylight Saving Bill" was introduced some five years before the outbreak of World War One. But once the war started, it was considered wise to economics, to promote greater efficiency in using daylight hours, and in the use of artificial lighting. And so in 1916, "Daylight Saving Time" was introduced. Even though most countries abandoned this after that war, some eventually decided that it was a good idea, and most of these nations began to keep it throughout the year. Experiment Since 1972, Britain has decided to go with Greenwich Mean Time in winter, and British Summer Time in Summer. But back in 1968, Britain tried a four-year experiment by advancing time one hour ahead of GMT throughout the year. But those living further north, particularly in Scotland, found it most unsatisfactory, with dark mornings for much of the year, and the experiment was dropped. What can you infer from the passage? Answer: The idea of changing the clocks suffered disagreement.
Many Americans are turning to Japan, they think, a country of high academic achievement and economic success, for possible answers. However, the answers provided by Japanese preschools are not the ones Americans expected to find. In most Japanese preschools, surprisingly little emphasis is put on academic instruction. In one survey, 300 Japanese and 210 American preschool teachers, child development specialists, and parents were asked about various aspects of early childhood education. Only 2 percent of the Japanese respondents listed "to give children a good start academically" as one of their top three reasons for a society to have preschools. In contrast, over half the American respondents chose this as one of their top three choices. To prepare children for successful careers in first grade and beyond, Japanese schools do not teach reading, writing, and mathematics, but rather skills such as determination, concentration, and the ability to work as a member of a group. The huge majority of young Japanese children are taught to read at home by their parents. Like in America, there is diversity in Japanese early childhood education. Some Japanese kindergartens have specific aims, such as early musical training or potential development. In large cities, some kindergartens are attached to universities that have elementary and secondary schools. Some Japanese parents believe that if their young children attend a university-based program, it will increase the children's chances of eventually being admitted to top-rated schools and universities. Several more progressive programs have introduced free play as a way out for the heavy intellectualizing in some Japanese kindergartens. Why do some Japanese parents send their children to university-based kindergartens? A. They can do better in their future studies. B. They can make more group experience grow there. C. They can be individually oriented when they grow up. D. They can have better chances of getting a first-rate education. Answer: D Half the world's population could face a shortage of food by 2100 due to climate change, a new report by US scientists warns. Rapid global warming is likely to reduce crop production in the tropics and subtropics , according to Professor David Battisti of the University of Washington. "The most extreme summers of the last century will become common," he says. "We must immediately create crops that can bear heat and drought if we are to adapt in time," he writes in Science journal. "The stresses on global food production from temperature alone are going to be huge," said Mr. Battisti. "And that doesn't take into account water supplies stressed by the higher temperatures." He worked with Professor Rosamond Naylor on Food Security and the Environment, to examine the influence of climate change on the world's food supplies. They predict there is a greater than 90% probability that by 2100, the average growing-season temperatures in the tropics and subtropics will be higher than any temperatures recorded there to date. "We are taking the worst of what we've seen historically and saying that in the future it is going to be a lot worse unless there is some kind of adaptation," said Professor Naylor. "This is a powerful reason for us to invest in adaptation, because it is clear that this is the direction we are going in terms of temperature and it will take decades to develop new food crop varieties that can better bear a warmer climate." "In the tropics, the higher temperatures could be expected to cut production of the primary food crops by 20-40%," the researchers said. Rising temperatures are also likely to reduce soil moisture , cutting production even further. Three billion people live in the tropics and subtropics now, and their number is expected nearly to double by the end of the century. "You are talking about hundreds of millions of additional people looking for food because they won't be able to find it where they find it now," said Professor Battisti. Crop failures would not be limited to the tropics, the scientists concluded. The text intends to tell us that _ . A. our world is becoming warmer and warmer B. the consequences of global warming C. the ways to adapt to high temperatures D. high temperatures may cause food shortages Answer: D Knowing the best way to study will help you to be a best student.By using your time properly,you can do your homework more quickly. Learning to study is not difficult. The first thing to remember is that you must be willing to learn.It doesn't mean that you must always like the subject.It does mean,however,that you must be willing to do whatever is necessary to learn. Try to understand why it is important and how it will help you now and later to do and learn other things.Knowing mathematics facts will be useful in your whole life. Knowing how to spell makes any kind of writing easier.Sometimes,the subject that you think is going to be uninteresting will be exciting when you begin to work at it and understand it more clearly. Learning things can be fun if you are willing to work with them. Here is some advice for you: have a certain time each day and a quiet place with good lighting for study,so that you can concentrate on your study without interruptions; have everything ready before you sit down to study, a dictionary,paper,a pen and books; be sure you understand what you should learn before you start; read carefully and pay special attention to the most important things; when memorizing,first find out the main parts and recite the whole thing, check your homework after you finish it; never forget the importance of review and preview. Don't try to spend a lot of time researching learning methods.There are many students who know many good learning methods but don't study well. They forget that the most important useful learning method is to study hard. The main purpose of the article is to _ . A. prove that learning is not difficult B. make parents interested in study C. tell the importance of self-teaching D. tell the students how to study well. Answer: D Imagine the situation. You are driving along a desert or on a mountain. You have no idea where you are. You passed the last house two hours ago. Then your car breaks down. It is night and it is cold. You have no mobile phone. What do you do? Well, next time take a GPS with you. This invention may be able to help you. It is a device which uses satellites to find the user's position. It can find your position in 20 meters. A GPS can't start your car, but at least you will know where you are. GPS, which means Global Positioning System, is a small radio receiver. It looks like a mobile phone. You can hold it in your hand, or put it in your pocket. It is sometimes put into a watch or a telephone. We also find GPS devices in cars, planes, or boats. Some of these devices have electronic maps, so you know where you are. For example, in a city they can tell you the name of the street. There are three parts to the Global Positioning System. The first part is the receiver. You can hold it in your hand, or have it fixed into your car, plane, etc. The second part is a group of satellites orbiting the earth. The receiver contacts at least four of the satellites and calculates its position. The third part of the system is a network of ground stations. They are all over the world. They control the satellites and make sure they are working well. Some people think that in the future the GPS will be as common as the mobile. They are becoming cheaper and more and more accurate . There are also many new uses for the GPS. Perhaps they will become like watches. Everyone will have one and you will never be lost again. _ is not the part to the Global Positioning System. A. ground stations B. satellites C. receivers D. a mobile Answer: D Once upon a time in Greece there lived a clever man. His name was Aesop. One day, when Aesop was taking a walk in the country, a man on the road stopped him. He said, "Kind sir, can you tell me how soon I can get to town?" "Go," Aesop answered. "Of course I know I must go," said the man," But I want to know how soon I can get to town." "Go," Aesop shouted to him again. The man got angry. "He must be mad," he thought. And he walked away. Suddenly he heard Aesop shouting to him, "You will get to town in two hours."The man was in great surprise. He turned back and asked, "Why didn't you tell me that before?" "How could I tell you that before?" answered Aesop. "I didn't know how fast you could walk." From the text we know that _ . A. Aesop wasn't very clever B. the man didn't know the way to town well C. the man knew how soon he could get to town D. the man knew Aesop very well Answer: B
I worked abroad one year ago Once I was sent to attend a conference. It was downpouring outside, Though I was holding an umbrella, my trouser legs as well as my shoes and socks still got wet. Entering the conference hall, I shook the umbrella, and at the same time, stamped my feet. Suddenly I caught sight of my chief boss strolling in. At that time,I just got the job.Therefor,I hurriedly went to meet this superior in the highest rank and introduced myself to him as I was a new comer.He said,"Yes,I recognize you.Got your feet wet?"I lowered my head to look at my wet trouser legs and with a helpless tone,I said,"Yeah,It's raining cats and dogs,isn't it?"Gazing at me for a moment,the chief boss said nothing with a amile. Later on, I mentioned the incident of meeting the chief boss to my colleague. Hence I learnt that I had made a big fool of myself. It turns out that "Get one's feet wet" is an American slang , with the meaning of reaching the state of affairs." However, I regarded myself as humorous and replied with a slang sentence, which is seldom used now, describing the rain falling heavily. This was completely off the point. I am lucky that the chief boss is really gentle and did not point it out at once. It's raining cats and dogs. Means _ . Answer: The Voice of China was hot during the summer of 2012! The Voice of China is the large music show in China. This show is also the only one which regards the Voice as the only ruler. It premiered at 21:15 on July 13, 2012, on the Zhejiang Television. It has attracted great attention. _ . The first season used "Real voice, real music" as its slogan. As a mentor , singers like Liu Huan, Na Ying, Yu Chengqing and Yang Kun will be responsible for seeking world-shaking voices of China in the following three and a half months, through four stages, namely, "blind choosing", "selecting", "team PK" and "yearly grand ceremony". It is really a miracle that The Voice of China can stand out in the flood of today's talent shows in China and attracts the audience. A great many of audience said this will be the best television show in this summer. They were all proud for these good voices of China. The students' beautiful voices moved everyone. Xu Haixing, a girl from Chengdu, sang "Self" to realize her father's dream and Liu Huan was moved to tears by her song. Huang Yong sang "In Spring" showing his persistence on his dream and Yang Kun cried for this. The blind girl Zhang Yuxia, a busker from Taiwan, played while singing. She was praised as "Deng Lijun No.2" for her unique voice, and her sincere feelings touched everybody. Na Ying went to the stage to sing with the students together for two times. The Voice of China casts off magnificent clothes and wonderful dancing. It regards "inspiration" and "professionalism" as the ruler of music. The singer uses their songs to tell their real stories and the happiness of life. If you want to be the winner of The Voice of China, you must _ . Answer: Zheng He was an amazing man. He was born in 1371. Eleven years later, he was caught by the army of a rich young man called Zhu Di and made to work for him. Over time the rich man saw that Zheng He was very clever and strong and they became close friends. In 1403 Zhu Di was made the King of China and he asked Zheng He to join his government. The King wanted to learn more about the world and show other countries his power. He ordered many new ships to be built and made Zheng He their leader. between 1405 and 1433, Zheng He led seven sea trips to different parts of the world. He certainly travelled to India, Africa and the Middle East. A few people think his ships have even reached South America and Australia. Each trip lasted between two and four years and it is believed he sailed more than 50,000 kms during the years of his travels.Zheng He led a fleet with 28,000 men and over 300 ships, such as boats for food, water and even soldiers' horses. On these trips he brought with him many Chinese goods like silk and medicine to give to foreign kings or to sell for local goods. He returned from each trip with boats filled with expensive things such as gold and treasures, foreign guests and strange animals like a giraffe. It is a pity that we may never learn everything about Zheng He' s travels. The Columbus of the east, Zheng He, died in 1433. After that, the new king, had these trips stopped and he burned almost all the books about Zheng He's travels, because he believed the trips were unlucky and too expensive. It is only in the last 50 years that historians have begun to carefully study the adventures of great Zheng He. After Zheng He died, _ Answer: Many students feel it difficult to remember new words when they begin to study English. Now I will give you some advice. 1. Do not waste time in learning a list of English words. It is the hardest way to remember English words. How do you learn to speak Chinese? You did it by listening carefully to the people talking to each other. You can find radio programs, TV programs and records, and listen to them carefully. The best way to learn all new words is through ear. As you listen to more and more dialogues, you will learn how English is pronounced in phrases and sentences. Of course, it is not enough to learn new words; you must learn how words are put together, and why some words in English are emphasized. 2. Some people have found that they can learn the names of everyday objects, such as box, cup, desk and so on, in the following way. They write the names of subjects, they say the words. Try this and see if this way works for you. If it does not, then go on to practice your dialogues. The writer thinks the best way to learn new words is to _ . Answer: While the presence of rats in homes may cause anxiety and annoyance, they rarely result in driving out the residents. But is exactly what happened to the inhabitants of the 10squaremile Hawadax Island off the coast of Alaska, almost 230 years ago. Now thanks to a fiveyear effort by scientists, the terribly silent "Rat Island" as it had been called for many years has been returned to its rightful owners ----birds! Hawadax Island is part of a chain of volcanic islands in the Bering Sea called the Aleutian Islands. The rats that arrived there in 1780, when a Japanese ship carrying them broke down nearby, completely destroyed the native population because the environment of the island was not built to defend its animals from these predators. There isn't any tree on the Island, which meant that the birds were accustomed to building their nests low in the ground, giving the rodents easy access to both eggs and baby chicks. As years passed, the birds that had called the island home for thousands of years became endangered and eventually, disappeared completely. In 2007, the U.S. FWS (Fish and Wildlife Service) started a serious plan to rid the island of the rats and try bringing back the beautiful birds that had once called it home. Given that there were an estimated 10,000 rodents inhabiting "Rat Island" and the fact that they reproduce rapidly, it was not an easy task. But by 2009, the Island was officially declared rat free! Then slowly but surely, the birds began to return. Unfortunately, some of the pioneers were unintentionally killed from the leavings of the raticide, a poison that had been used to wipe out the rodents. But now it seems things are becoming more stable and the Island is starting to increasingly look like its former self. Before the transformation, "Hawadax", also known as "Rat Island", was a silent and ghostly place with bird bones, snail remains and rocks covered in rat feces . Today, birds' singing and flying in and out is a common sight. Tufted puffins and song sparrows, which had long disappeared, are gradually making their way back. Scientists have also been observing an increase in ground nesting and shorebirds. Though the Island is still not back to its full glory, the signs are encouraging and things can only get better, as time passes. From the passage, we can know the plan of US FWS _ . Answer:
To: manager@ tastytreat.com.ca Date: Monday, 7 October, 3:34p.m. From: raymondyuen@ canada.net Subject: Complaint Dear Mr. Price, I have eaten in your restaurant many times and have always been happy with the food and service. This makes what happened last Saturday even more disappointing. It was my son's birthday so we booked a no-smoking table at your restaurant for 7:30 p.m. We arrived on time but were told that our table was not yet ready. At 8:00 p.m., we were given a table in the smoking section. I asked to move but I was told that there were no other tables. A lot of people were smoking so it was uncomfortable and unhealthy. Our first waitress, Janet, was very polite and helpful. She gave us free drinks for waiting so long. Our food also came quickly and looked fresh and tasty. When my wife had eaten most of her meal, she found a dead cockroach in her vegetables. She was shocked and wanted to leave. At first, the waitress told us it was a piece of garlic . When we told her that garlic does not have legs, she apologized and took the food away. We asked for the bill, expecting not to pay for my wife's meal. Nobody came. After 15 minutes, I asked to see the manager. The head waiter told us that you were on holiday. I complained again about the horrible cockroach. He told me Janet had finished work. He didn't believe my story and gave me a bill for three meals. I argued with him but was forced to pay. The waitress, Janet, was always friendly, but I would like an apology from your impolite head waiter and a full refund for our meal. It cost $68. Until then, I will not be eating at your restaurant or recommending it to anyone. You can contact me at 742-3254 or through e-mail if you want more information. Thank you for your attention. Yours sincerely, Raymond Yuen We learn from the text that last Saturday Mr. Yuen _ . What sport do you like best? Daniel: I like basketball best. I often watch NBA. I play basketball every day. I am short, but I am strong. I am a good basketball player in our school. Lucy: Ping-ping is my favourite sport. I am a Chinese and Chinese ping-pong players are the best in the world. I want to be a good ping-pong player too. I often play it every afternoon. Tom: I am tall and strong. I like football best. My father is a football player. I often watch my father play football. My father often teaches me to play football. I play with my father and others in the park every day. When does Lucy often play ping-pong? "Dr. Papaderos, what is the meaning of life?" The usual laughter followed, and people stirred to go. Papaderos held up his hand and stilled the room and looked at me for a long time, asking with his eyes if I was serious and seeing from my eyes that I was. "I will answer your question." Taking his wallet out of his hip pocket, he fished into a leather billfold and brought out a very small round mirror, about the size of a quarter. And what he said went like this: "When I was a small child, during the war, we were very poor and we lived in a remote village. One day, on the road, I found the broken pieces of a mirror. A German motorcycle had been wrecked in that place. I tried to find all the pieces and put them together, but it was not possible, so I kept only the largest piece. This one, and, by scratching it on a stone, I made it round. I began to play with it as a toy and became fascinated by the fact that I could reflect light into dark places where the sun would never shine--in deep holes and crevices and dark closets. It became a game for me to get light into the most inaccessible places I could find. I kept the little mirror, and, as I went about my growing up, I would take it out in idle moments and continue the challenge of the game. As I became a man, I grew to understand that this was not just a child's game but a _ for what I might do with my life. I came to understand that I am not the light or the source of light. But light--truth, understanding, knowledge--is there, and it will shine in many dark places only if I reflect it. I am a fragment of a mirror whose whole design and shape I do not know. Nevertheless, with what I have I can reflect light into the dark places of this world--into the black places in the hearts of men--and change some things in some people. Perhaps others may see and do likewise. This is what I am about. This is the meaning of my life." Which of the following might be the best title for the passage? During a career planning class, Brenda Fabian asked how many students use Facebook, a popular online networking community for college students. Almost everyone in the room raised a hand."Then I asked how many knew that employers are reviewing Facebook for hiring purposes,"says Fabian,director for Center for Career Services at Susquehanna University."No hands were raised, and their faces revealed the students' surprise." Although some parents do keep track of their teen's online activities,most teenagers don't realize that websites may be monitored by schools,prospective employers or anyone else who might be interested in the teenager's lifestyle not just today but anytime in the future. Most of us don't realize that the information that gets posted on the Internet may be deleted,but it doesn't disappear permanently."The stuff is there forever,"says Jamie Riehle,director of Web Publishing at Lycos."It is backed up on servers and doesn't go away." As company recruiters,college admission officers,law enforcement personnel and parents become more Web savvy ,it becomes even more vital for teenagers to be cautious when posting any information on their websites. Even though sites that are private can be seen only by a preselected list of friends,there are companies that,for a fee,can dig deeper into cyberspace and find anything. Even government officials who thought that deleting email would exonerate(......) them from wrongdoing are discovering that,on the Web,there is no such thing as private or gone forever. Steven Rothenberg,president and founder of College-Recruiter.com,suggests that teenagers think of their Web posts as tattoos . "Inherently ,there is nothing wrong with them if they are private,"he says."But if they are visible or offensive, it can affect the way others see you." What do we know about sites that are private? The Chinese boy is Li Lei. He's thirteen. He's in No.3 Middle School. He's in Class Two, Grade One. His good friend is Jack. He's English. He's in Li Lei's school. He's in Class One, Grade Two. Mrs. Read is an English teacher in their school. She is an English woman and she teaches Grade 3. Jack and Li Lei have a secret . Jack is their English teacher's son. Who's in No.3 Middle School?
Sandra Cisneros was born in Chicago in 1954 to a Mexican American family. As the only girl in a family of seven children, she often felt like she had "seven fathers," because her six brothers, as well as her father, tried to control her. Feeling shy and unimportant, she retreated into books. Despite her love of reading, she did not do well in elementary school because she was too shy to participate. In high school, with the encouragement of one particular teacher, Cisneros improved her grades and worked for the school literary magazine. Her father encouraged her to go to college because he thought it would be a good way for her to find a husband. Cisneros did attend college, but instead of searching for a husband, she found a teacher who helped her join the famous graduate writing program at the University of Iowa. At the university's Writers' Workshop, however, she felt lonely----a Mexican American from a poor neighborhood among students from wealthy families. The feeling of being so different helped Cisneros find her "Creative voice." "It was not until this moment when I considered myself truly different that my writing acquired a voice. I knew I was a Mexican woman, but I didn't think it had anything to do with why I felt so much imbalance in my life, but it had everything to do with it! That's when I decided I would write about something my classmates couldn't write about." Cisneros published her first work,The House on Mango Street, when she was twenty-nine. The book tells about a young Mexican American girl growing up in a Spanish-speaking area in Chicago, much like the neighborhoods in which Cisneros lived as a child. The book won an award in 1985 and has been used in classes from high school through graduate school level. Since then, Cisneros has published several books of poetry, a children's book, and a short-story collection. What do we learn aboutThe House on Mango Street? You may not pay much attention to your daily elevator ride. Many of us use a lift several times during the day without really thinking about it. But Lee Gray, PhD of the University of North Carolina, US, has made it his business to examine this overlooked form of public transport. He is known as the "Elevator Guy". "The lift becomes this interesting social space where etiquette is sort of odd ," Gray told the BBC. "Elevators are socially very interesting but often very awkward places." We walk in and usually turn around to face the door. If someone else comes in, we may have to move. And here, according to Gray, lift users unthinkingly go through a set pattern of movements. He told the BBC what he had observed. He explained that when you are the only one inside a lift, you can do whatever you want - it's your own little box. If there are two of you, you go into different corners, standing diagonally across from each other to create distance. When a third person enters, you will unconsciously form a triangle . And when there is a fourth person it becomes a square, with someone in every corner. A fifth person is probably going to have to stand in the middle. New entrants to the lift will need to _ the situation when the doors slide open and then act according to their decisions. Once in, for most people the rule is simple - look down, or look at your phone. Why are we so awkward in lifts? "You don't have enough space," Professor Babette Renneberg, a clinical psychologist at the Free University of Berlin, told the BBC. "Usually when we meet other people, we have about an arm's length of distance between us. And that's not possible in most elevators." In such a small, enclosed space it becomes very important to act in a way that cannot be understood as threatening or odd. "The easiest way to do this is to avoid eye contact ," she said. According to Gray, when people enter an elevator, they usually _ . When someone says, "Well, I guess I'll have to go to face the music", it does not mean he is planning to go to a concert. It is something far less pleasant, like being called in by your boss to explain why you did this or that, and why you did not do this or that. Sour(; )music, indeed, but it has to be faced. The phrase "to face the music" is familiar to every American, young and old. It is at least 100 years old. Where did the expression come from? The first information comes from the American writer James Fennimore Cooper. He said in 1851 that the expression was first used by actors while waiting in the wings to go on stage. After they got their cue(,) to go on, they often said, "It's time to go to face the music." And that is exactly what they did--- face the orchestra which was just below the stage. An actor might be frightened or nervous as he moved on to the stage in front of the audience that might be friendly or perhaps unfriendly especially if he forgot his lines. But he had to go out. So, "to face the music" came to mean having to go through something, no matter how unpleasant the experience might be, because you knew you had no choice. The other explanation comes from the army. Men had to face inspection by their leader. The soldiers worried about how well they looked. Was their equipment clean--shiny enough to pass inspection? Still, the men had to go out, and face the music of the band, as well as the inspection. What else could they do? An actor might feel frightened or nervous when going on stage. One of the reasons is that _ . A safari park is a park in which wild animals are kept. They are mainly located in east or central Africa. They often occupy a very wild area, with mountains and rivers. To visit the park and look at the animals, people have to drive around in a car for a few of hours because the park is huge. In south Africa there is a safari park, which contains all sorts of wild animals like lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, zebras, wild pigs, deer and giraffes. There is a wild road leading through the park, but nobody is permitted to walk on the road. Anyone traveling in the park has to go in a car because wild animals may fiercely attack people. From the car he may see almost every types of African wildlife. Some of these are getting rare because people kill them for various reasons. For example, rhinoceroses are killed for their horns, which are used in traditional Chinese medicines for colds and headaches. Perhaps they will be seen only in museums and books one day. Travels may purchase food for the animals. They can feed them when they tour the park. Of course, they should not feed them in a close distance because the wild animals may attack people. In addition, they should only give proper food to the animals. A traveler may carry a gun with him in his journey. The gun is given to him by the government. However, it is not used for hunting. In fact, a seal is fixed to it. The traveler may fire at a wild beast to defend himself in case he is attacked. However, he has to prove to the government that he has been attacked and that he has not fired at a harmless animal. When travelers feed the animals, they should _ . Armed only with iPhones, the inventive rock band Atomic Tom has gone viral by way of the New York subway. The band has scored an Internet hit with the video to the song "Take Me Out." Singer Luke White says the production was a top-secret operation. "We didn't tell anyone about this. It was completely top-secret from our family, from our friends, from our label, our management, everybody. So the first time that people saw this video was last Friday when we put it on YouTube,"explained White. Since uploading the video to YouTube, band members have spent several days refreshing the page to watch the number of hits rise. The video has also made its way around Twitter as many people have shared it with their friends. "I mean, it still hasn' t quite hit.It' s just kind of blowing our minds right now that we're getting this: ma ny people are fond of it, and they' re sharing it with their friends.We don' t know what it's like really to have something that's viral, so all of this is very new to us." said Eric Espiritu, the lead guitarist of the band. White explains how the video came together: "We did our research with the applications( ) and found applications that worked out really well with the instruments and then we plugged them all into, plugged our phones into mini-battery powered amplifiers that we put underneath our seats, and we did a lot of, you know, practices, in terms of figuring out what the balance of the sound and like who was overpowering, who was too loud or who was too soft." The idea for the video came from Espiritu's younger brother Benjamin. The younger Espiritu directed the video from his initial concept through the final edit and upload to the Internet. "I' ve seen a lot of the music applications come out, and I' ve never actually had the chance to play with them,"says Ben Espiritu. "When I started hearing about how they sound and e verything, I thought it might be unique to take it one step further and then create an entire band just performing solely on the iPhones, and I thought it would be a pretty cool idea." Ben says the success of the band' s music video is a credit to the talent and ability of the musicians, but it' s also a sign of the times. "It really comes down to seeing something different, seeing something unique, and I think that that' s always, in any type of art form, what will speak to people, and I think it does reflect the times that we live in, taking a smart phone and then being able to turn it into an instrument, not only just an instrument, but making it sound really good." Who first saw the video of the song"Take Me Out"?
If your child does well on a test,of course,you're going to praise or her-but if you focus too often on achievements, children may not get the right message.Why? An experiment by psychologist Carol Dweck at Columbia University in New York shows what happens when kids are praised for their efforts,and what happens when they're praised for their intelligence. Dweck got a group of ten--yearolds to do a series of puzzles easy enough so that all could do them well.Then they were told either,"You must be smart at this,"or,"You must have worked really hard." In the following tests,the kids praised for their efforts chose to do a harder set of puzzles.when give a task two years beyond their grade levels ,they worked hard and enjoyed the challenge , even when they didn't succeed. And in a final test at the same level as the first ,their scores improved by 25 percent. And the "smart" kids? They refused to try the harder puzzles, choosing the one that guaranteed them good scores. When they did work in the "too hard" tests , they became discouraged and upset. And when retested with the original puzzles, their scores declined by 20 percent. Dweck's conclusion:"When we praise kids for their intelligence,we tell them: 'Look smart,don't risk making mistakes.'"By contrast,"emphasizing effort gives children an inspiring factor that they can control." How did Mr.Dweck reach his conclusion? Answer: Swearing can provide effective relief from pain - but not if you swear all the time, researchers have found. A study found releasing the strange expletive (=swearing) helped people cope with discomfort in the short-term but the frequency of swearing played an important role. Researchers at Keele University's School of Psychology employed 71 undergraduates who were asked to carry out a cold-water challenge while either repeating a swear word or a non-swear word. The students put their hand in room temperature water for three minutes to act as a control before diving it into cold 5degC water for as long as they could while repeating their word. The level of sensed pain together with a change in heart rate were compared while people swore or said their non-swear word. The group was also asked about how much they swore in daily life and this was analyzed together with their level of pain tolerance. Writing in the Journal of Pain, the authors concluded: "Swearing increased pain tolerance and heart rate compared with not swearing." "Moreover, the higher the daily swearing frequency, the less was the benefit for pain tolerance when swearing, compared with when not swearing." Dr Richard Stephens, a senior lecturer in psychology at Keele, said: "Swearing is a very emotive form of language and our findings suggest that using swear words moderation (, ) can be an effective and readily available short-term pain reliever." "However, if you're used to swearing all the time, our research suggests you won't get the same effect." What can be inferred from the passage? Answer: Polar bears grew thick fur because Answer: A federal statute provides that the United States Supreme Court has authority to review any case filed in a United States Court of Appeals, even though that case has not yet been decided by the court of appeals. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an agency in the executive branch of the federal government, issued an important environmental rule. Although the rule had not yet been enforced against them, companies that would be adversely affected by the rule filed a petition for review of the rule in a court of appeals, seeking a declaration that the rule was invalid solely because it was beyond the statutory authority of the EPA. The companies made no constitutional claim. A statute specifically provides for direct review of EPA rules by a court of appeals without any initial action in a district court. The companies have filed a petition for a writ of certiorari in the Supreme Court requesting immediate review of this case by the Supreme Court before the court of appeals has actually decided the case. The EPA acknowledges that the case is important enough to warrant Supreme Court review and that it should be decided promptly, but it asks the Supreme Court to dismiss the petition on jurisdictional grounds. The best constitutional argument in support of the EPA's request is that Answer: Catch yourself daydreaming while washing the dishes again? If this happens often you probably have a pretty capable working memory and a sharper brain, new research suggests. This mind wandering, it seems, actually gives your working memory a workout. Working memory is the mental work space that allows the brain to _ multiple thoughts at the same time. The more working memory a person has, the more daydreaming they can do without forgetting the task at hand. Researchers studied groups of people from the University of Wisconsin-Madison community, ranging in age from 18 to 65. The volunteers were asked to perform simple tasks, like pressing a button every time they took a breath or clicking in response to a letter popping up on a computer screen; these tasks were so easy that their minds were likely to wander, the researchers figured. The researchers checked in periodically, asking the participants if their minds were on task or wandering. When the task was over, they measured each participant's working memory capacity by having them remember letters while doing math questions. Though all participants performed well on the task, the researchers noticed that the individuals who indicated their minds had wandered more than others also scored higher on the working memory test. "What this study seems to suggest is that, when circumstances for the task aren't very difficult, people who have additional working memory resources allocate them to think about things other than what they're doing," said Jonathan Smallwood, a study researcher of the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitve and Brain Science. When our minds run out of working memory, these off-topic thoughts can take the main stage without us consciously meaning them to; for instance, arriving at home with no memory of the actual trip, or suddenly realizing that they've turned several pages in a book without understanding any of the words. "It's almost like your attention was so absorbed in the mind wandering that there wasn't any left over to remember your goal to read," study researcher Daniel Levinson, said in a statement. People with overall higher working memory were better able to stay focused when the task at hand required it. Those who had low working memory often had their thoughts drift away from the task, and did less well at it. The findings add to past research suggesting these mind drifts can be positive moments. For instance, daydreaming has often been associated with creativity--researchers think that our most creative and inventive moments come when daydreaming. It's likely that the most intelligent among us also have high levels of working memory, Levinson noted. What is the best title of the passage? Answer:
Annette is using many tools to build a doghouse. For which of the following would Annette most likely use a tape measure while building the doghouse? History is full of examples of leaders joining together to meet common goals. But rarely have two leaders worked together with such friendship and cooperation as American President Franklin Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. They both were born in wealthy families and were active in politics for many years. Both men loved the sea and the navy,history and nature. Roosevelt and Churchill first met when they were lowerlevel officials in World War One. But neither man remembered much about that meeting. However,as they worked together during the Second World War they came to like and trust each other. Roosevelt and Churchill exchanged more than one thousand seven hundred letters and messages during five and a half years. They met many times,at large national gatherings and in private talks. But the closeness of their friendship might be seen best in a story told by one of Roosevelt's close advisors,Harry Hopkins. Hopkins remembered how Churchill was visiting Roosevelt at the White House one day. Roosevelt went into Churchill's room in the morning to say hello. But the president was shocked to see Churchill coming from the washing room with no clothes at all. Roosevelt immediately apologized to the British leader for seeing him naked. But Churchill reportedly said: "The Prime Minister of Great Britain has nothing to hide from the president of the United States." And then both men laughed. The United States and Great Britain were only two of several nations that joined together in the war to resist Hitler and his Allies. In January,1942,twentysix of these nations signed an agreement promising to fight for peace,religious freedom,human rights,and justice. The three major Allies,however,were the most important for the war effort: the United States,Britain,and the Soviet Union. Yet,Churchill and Roosevelt disagreed about when to attack Hitler in western Europe. And Churchill resisted Roosevelt's suggestions that Britain give up some of its colonies. But in general,the friendship between Roosevelt and Churchill,and between the United States and Britain led the two nations to cooperate closely. We can know from the passage that _ . Jack is the name of a game. It is quite popular with children. To play jacks, you will need a small ball and ten small metal objects called jacks. The rules for this game are quite easy. To begin with, put the ten jacks on the floor or ground in front of you. Toss the ball high, pick up one jack and then catch the ball. Keep the jack in your hand and go on to pick up the other jack one at a time. You lose your turn if you do not catch the ball, or if you do not pick up a jack, or if you drop any of the jacks from your hand. When you finish all the ten jacks, you now try to do the same thing again but with two jacks at one time. This is more difficult, of course. You lose your turn if you make any of the above three mistakes or if you do not pick up two jacks each time. After you pick up the first ten jacks, the game becomes more difficult because you must pick up _ at a time. Dear Mr. King, Your supermarket chain is excellent in many ways. I enjoy the things you sell, such as the selection of produce and fresh bakery items. I have been a long time supermarket shopper and hope to continue for many years. I have found, however, that I must make a separate shopping trip to one of your competitors because there are many items your store does not carry. This becomes inconvenient for me, as my time is valuable, and I do not like to make two trips. Your low prices and excellent customer service keep me coming back to your supermarket, but I would be a more satisfied customer if I could find all the items I need in one place. To tell the truth, I have never been able to purchase nacho cheese soup at your store. I can find other flavors of soup, but your store does not carry nacho cheese soup, a common ingredient in many of my recipes. In addition, I can only find large wonton wrappers , while many other stores carry both large and small and offer a more varied selection for their customers. Another example is Regent Brand Chili Seasoning. Though it is not a leading brand, it is still common on the shelves of other grocery stores in this area and is superior in flavor to its competitors. I sincerely hope to continue a relationship with your store, and I hope that you will consider the possibility of expanding your goods to be more competitive. Yours truly, Bob Watson According to the passage, who often buy things in the supermarket? A white bear lives in a place that is
It was another day to jump rope in gym class. Lynn and Mike turned the long rope in big, slow circles. The whole class hurried to get in line to wait for their turn to jump. Millie stood at the back of the line and _ . Nick went first. He watched the rope and ran in at just the right time. Everyone counted. He made it all the way to 30 jumps. One after another, the kids watched the rope, ran in, and jumped. Then it was Millie's turn. She watched the rope go around and around, but she didn't move. She felt like everyone was looking at her. Millie's friends cheered. "Go, Millie, go!" Millie's face turned red. At last, she gave it a try, but she failed. The truth was that Millie had been jumping rope at home every day. With a short rope, she could jump 100 times without missing. She just didn't know how to run in and start jumping with a long rope. Since she was the only kid on her street, there was no one to help turn the long rope. Just then, Ms Miles, the gym teacher, brought out a bunch of short jump ropes. "Let's see how long each one of you can jump without missing," she said as she gave each student a short rope, "Ready, set. Go!" Millie smiled for the first time ever in gym class. As she jumped, she sang rhymes quietly to herself. After a while, Millie realized that everyone was cheering, "Go, Millie, go!" She was the only one still jumping rope! The surprise almost made her miss a step, but she kept going. When at last she was too tired to go on, she stopped. The whole class cheered. Everyone was looking at her and smiling. Millie smiled back! What problem did Millie have at the beginning of the story? A. She didn't have any friends in her class. B. She felt sad because Nick made fun of her. C. She didn't know the cheers that the other kids knew. D. She didn't know how to start jumping with a long rope. Answer: D Richard Gray was a famous explorer. He was also a millionaire. He had visited every country in the world. He had crossed Antarctica, flown across the Atlantic by balloon, and climbed Mount Everest. Last year he decided to walk across Death Valley, the hottest place on Earth. He walked for days over the hot desert sand. One night he found the camp where he had been the night before. Gray had walked in a circle. He was lost. Two days later he had drunk all his water. He couldn't walk. He crawled to the top of a sand dune , and there he saw a man. The man was wearing smart, clean trousers, a white shirt and a tie. Gray crawled over to him. "Water...water..."he said. "I'm terribly sorry, old boy,"replied the man,"but I haven't got any water with me." "Help me!"shouted Gray,"I'm a rich man...a millionaire...I'll give you anything." "That's very nice of you, old boy,"said the man."Look, I can't give you any water, but would you like to buy my tie?" "A tie? Of course not!" screamed Gray, and crawled away. He _ led slowly up the next sand dune. His mouth was full of sand. His lips were cracked and dry. He couldn't breathe. He reached the top of the dune and there he saw a huge good hotel. Girls were swimming in the large swimming pool. Beautiful fountains were all around the hotel. "Is it a mirage ?"he thought."Am I dying?"He stood up and staggered down the dune. A waiter in a shining white uniform came out of the door. "Water...water...a bath! Food!" screamed Gray. "I'm sorry, but you can't come into his hotel,"said the waiter. "Why not? I've got plenty of money...I'm a millionaire." "Ah,"replied the waiter,"but you aren't wearing a tie!" Two days later Richard Gray _ . A. was lost in a circle B. was drunk C. began to search for water in the desert D. crawled to the top of a sand dune to see a man Answer: C The nine-year-old Marc Yu is called Little Mozart. He is too short to reach the pedals of a piano. Marc, from California, USA, says, "The problem is that my legs aren't straight enough, so I have to get very close to the piano." Marc's 34-year-old mother played Beethoven's CDs to him when she was pregnant . Marc started playing the piano at a birthday party when he was only two. While the other children were singing "twinkle, twinkle, little star ...", he walked over to the piano and started playing the song. It _ his mother, because that was the first time he'd been near a piano. Marc gave his first public performance, playing Beethoven, at six, the same age as Mozart. After that concert, Marc won a PS225,000 university scholarship. At present he practices the piano eight hours a day. He also studies part-time at the famous Colbum Music School in Los Angeles, and flies once a month to China for lessons at Shanghai Music School. Marc says, "I like playing the piano because it makes me have a lot of different feelings --sadness, excitement, happiness and so on. I like playing difficult pieces, especially those that my teacher says I shouldn't." Marc played the piano at the age of _ for the first time. A. two B. five C. six D. nine Answer: A Our world natural park is one of the most famous parks in the world. Millions of visitors from different countries visit this park every year. In order to protect it, please do as follows: Protect the natural and cultural heritage . Don't damage or deface any buildings, displays and other facilities. Take care of all plants. Put rubbish in the bins provided. Take care when you are going up and down steps or stairs and when you are walking nearby the waters. Please buy tickets before entering the scenic spot One ticket is only for one person. Adult: $60 per ticket .Children over6 and under 18,half price. People over 60 and children under 6 are free. If you are going into the wooded and hilly lands, for your own safety, please go with three people at least and don't take any tinder along with you. The hill is steep, so please take care of yourself. This scenic spot is the reserve of water source: No fishing, swimming, washing and any behaviors that are harmful to the water source. Meanwhile, please follow the management rules of the scenic spot conscientiously. Opening time: From Monday to Friday, 8:00 a. m.--18:00 p. m.; From Saturday to Sunday, 6:00 a. m:--24:00 p. m. *Small animals such as rabbits, peacocks, squirrels, frogs must be taken care of: None of them shall be killed. If you have any trouble in visiting our world natural park, please call 477-866-7044. Our staff will do our best to help you. On weekends, the opening time is_hours longer than weekdays. A. 4 B. 6 C. 8 D. 10 Answer: C London is the capital of the United Kingdom. It has about seven million people. The river Thames runs through London. People from all over the world visit London to see Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London. There are many museums, theatres and parks in London, as well as offices and factories. London began as a Roman settlement called Londinium. The plague came to London in the 1600s, followed by the Great Fire of 1666. The city was badly bombed in World War II. London is very slowly sinking into its foundations and the level of the river Thames is slowly rising. As a result, extra-high tides could flood a large part of London. To prevent this happening, a great barrier has been built across the Thames at Woolwich. If very high tides happen, the barrier can be raised and London will be safe. According to the passage, from 1600 to now, _ great disasters have happened in London. A. one B. two C. three D. four Answer: C
Comparative thinking and behavior is quite typical among teenagers, but it is the responsibility of the parent to set limits and hold firmly to them. Frequently, a parent will tell me in frustration about how their child has complained about not having the very best in fashion design like their friends, or the latest electronic gadgetry that all the other kids own. Parents need to teach their children selfconfidence. Those who are selfconfident resist the urge to compare themselves to other people, and do not overestimate others' experience while diminishing their own. But some people may have a mantra signified by the slogan, if only. "If only I had the money of my brother; if only I was smart like my classmates; if only I was as goodlooking as my friends." Comparing oneself with others is a trap. People who compare themselves with other individuals tend to feel that they are not good enough. They tend to perseverate about their shortcomings. Even if they try their best,it is not good enough because they can always find someone who performs at a higher level. When people compare, they generally focus on their negative traits. They ignore all that is going right in their life. They also tend to minimize their success and dismiss positive gestures and compliments. Those who are confident listen to their own inner voice. They are not influenced by other people's view of events. They are not overly impressed by others' success, money, health,and material possessions. They do not believe that others have a greater sense of emotional wellbeing than they do. Recently, The Harvard Mental Health Letter published an article which indicated that people with chronic pain had as significant a sense of wellbeing as those without chronic pain. However, those with chronic pain tended to overestimate the emotional wellbeing of physically healthy people. The study confirmed that it is how we view events that is important, not the nature of our circumstances which may include making comparisons. What is the author's attitude towards "making comparisons"? At nighttime, which are you most likely to see? What's On? Trouble in Mind Alice Childress won an Off-Broadway award in 1956 for this story of a black actress rehearsing a play with a white director who increasingly finds it impossible for the show to go on. Tanya Moodie and Joseph Marcell star in the play directed by Laurence Boswell. 8.30p.m.--10.30p.m., Theatre Royal. Box office: 01225 448844. Lazarus Inspired by the sci-fi (science fiction) novel and movie,The Man Who Fell to Earth, this musical deals with a hero, Thomas Newton. Likely to be the autumn's hottest ticket, the score includes new songs composed by Bowie. 7.00p.m.--9.00p.m., King's Cross theatre. Box office: 0844 871 7604. The Gaul On the night of 8 February 1974, a fisherman FV Gaul disappeared off the coast of Norway. For people on board, waiting for news was great suffering. Theories began to come up, including the possibility that the boat had fallen victim to cold war. Even when he was discovered, many still felt there were questions that remained unanswered. Mark Babych directs Janet Plater's play. 8.00p.m.--11.00 p.m., Royal Shakespeare theatre. Box office: 01482 323638. The Suppliant Women It is a new version of Aeschylus's 2,500-year-old play about a group of women seeking shelter who make the long journey to escape forced marriage. It was written by David Greigand directed by Ramin Gray. An ancient piece asks a contemporary question: when we are introuble, who will open their doors and give us a harbor? 8.30p.m.--10.00p.m., Hampstead theatre. Box office: 0131 248 4848. Which number should you call if you want to watch a play between 8.00 p.m. and 10.00p.m.? It's interesting that the arrival of snow has a different effect on people in different countries. For some countries it is an important happening to celebrate each year, while for others it is a catastrophe or even a wonder. There are countries between these two extremes that normally expect snow some time over the winter months, but never receive snow regularly or in the same quantities every year. Britain is one such country, for which the arrival of snow quite simply creates problems. Within hours of the first snowfall, however light, roads are blocked, trains and buses stop in the middle of traffic. Normal communications are affected as well, telephone calls become difficult and the post immediately takes more time than usual. Almost within hours, there are also shortages -- bread, vegetables and other things -- not because all these things can no longer be produced or sent to shops, but mainly because people are frightened, and go out to store up these commodities , "just for fear that something bad should happen." Why then does snow have this effect? After all, the Swiss, Austrians and Canadians don't have such problems. It is simply because there is not enough planning and preparation. We need money to buy equipment to deal with snow and ice. To keep the roads clear, for example, requires snow ploughs and machines to spread salt. The reason why a country like Britain does not buy some ploughs is that they are only used for a few days in any one year, and the money could be more useful in other things such as hospitals, education or helping the old. According to the writer, Britain is a country _ . A new pollen study showed that drought was responsible for the extinction of civilizations more than 3,000 years ago during the Bronze Age. The reason behind why the civilizations in and around modern-day Israel suddenly broke down more than 3,000 years ago has remained a mystery up until now. A new pollen study by Tel Aviv University researchers finally solved this Bronze Age mystery. Prof. Israel Finkelstein showed that owing to serious climate changes, the entire world of the Bronze Age _ in a short period of time. The discovery was made on the basis of a high-resolution analysis of pollen grains taken from sediments beneath the Sea of Galilee and the western shore of the Dead Sea. Prof. Finkelstein received support from the European Research Council to conduct research aimed at reconstructing ancient Israel. Researchers of the part of the project that dealt with climate change extracted about 60 feet of samples of gray muddy sediment from the center of the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel. They had to drill through 1,000 feet of water and into 65 feet of the lake bed and were able to recover evidence dating over the past 9,000 years. "Pollen is the most enduring organic material in nature," explained Dr. Dafna Langgut, a pollen researcher who carried out the actual work of sampling. "These grains tell us about the plants that grew near the lake in the past and therefore prove the climatic conditions in the region." Researchers noted a sharp decrease in Mediterranean trees like oaks and pines in the Late Bronze Age. According to study experts, this could be because of repeated periods of drought. The droughts may have resulted in long famines, forcing people to migrate from north to south. Prof. Finkelstein conducted the new pollen study to _ .
When you travel in other countries, you'll have to get yourself well prepared to ensure your safety and handle emergencies. Before you leave, you'd better: 1. Take out medical insurance policy and learn what the plan covers and whether departure or return to the hometown is covered. Figure out payment choices, such as whether you have to speak directly with the insurance company, before or after treatment, whether you have to pay first and get compensation later. 2. Keep up to date on all required vaccinations . 3. Learn about the city or area where you are going to travel. Know how to say street names and landmarks in the local language. Figure out unique climate issues such as altitude, seasonal changes, potentially risky animals and insects. 4. Visit some local hospitals and write down addresses in the local language along with emergency entrance locations; do the same for dental/pediatric services. Get first aid equipment with necessary medications. Take enough prescribed medication from the home country. 5. Carry a card or note written in both English and the local language listing your emergency contact numbers, name, basic medical information such as blood type and allergies . 6. Ensure a reliable means of communication is available and carry an extra phone battery and a charger. Ensure that housemaids, drivers, office assistants, those who work or travel know how to call for medical assistance since they may be the only ones available in an emergency. 7. Make sure to bring all documents and visas along with you. Plan your journey carefully and carry copies of documents (ID, insurance policy records, medical records) and keep in a place where someone else could access them in an emergency. In case you come across an emergency, you should _ . Answer: 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! ,. Mrs. Jacobs once asked Simon to _ many times. Answer: Festivals play an important role in a culture's identity.I can't think of a better way of appreciating a new culture than by taking part in one of its festivals. Here are some special festivals around the world. Boryeong Mud Festival-Boryeong, South Korea For two weeks in July, millions gather in Borueong to experience the grey pools and slides.What began as a way of promoting the region's mineral-rich mud has turned into a festive party, complete with music and fireworks.While the mud is usually only available in cosmetic products, here you can cake yourself in grey as you want. Holi-India Holi, the Festival of Colors, is a Hindu celebration full of joy and one of India's most important holidays, During the day of the last full moon of the lunar month, usually late February throughout the country, but the cheerful spirit is common throughout Hindu communities around the world. Koninginnedag-The Netherlands Although their current Queen's birthday is really during the winter, the Queen still celebrates it on April 30th, the country's official " Queen's Day" since 1949.Orange is the national color, and the streets become a sea of feather boas and body paint as crowds gather in the plazas .Amsterdam is the center of this outdoor party, with many live music acts, but nearly every town is alive with orange on this day. National Elephant Day in Thailand In Thailand, March 13 is regarded as National Elephant Day to show that the Thai elephant plays an important role in the Thai history.Thai Elephant Day has been held on an annual basis since the idea was first approved by the Thai government in 1998.Special events are held at a number of venues in northern Thailand.At the Mae Sa Elephant Camp, it has become a tradition on March13 for the dozens of elephants there to be treated to a huge feast of fruits and sugarcane. You can experience the Festival of Colors in _ . Answer: A survey has shown that what you do on a plane can be determined by which nationality is listed on your passport. According to the results of an international passenger survey, Australians are the biggest drinkers on board with 36 percent choosing to down the hatch, compared to 35 percent of Americans and 33 percent of Brits. The Airline Passenger Experience Association(APEX) spoke to around 1,500 people, aged 18 and older, who have travelled by plane at least once during the last three months and were living in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, China, Singapore, Australia and Brazil. The results found Chinese travelers are most likely to nod off once the seat-belt sign switches off. They are also the first to take out their credit card for some in-flight shopping and the biggest fans of gaming. Americans on the other hand like to use their time in the air more productively---- when not drinking---- choosing to work while flying at 35,000 feet. Meanwhile, Brits and Germans are the best at making chat with random strangers----spending 50 percent more time than any other nationality. Comparatively, Brazilians conduct their conversations online via email, messaging apps or social media. Despite plane food having a bad reputation, seven out of ten interviewees said they were happy to eat up on the selection of in-flight snacks and meals. In-flight magazines were also popular with four out of five passengers. The international flyers did however express their desire for better in-flight entertainment. "The industry has greatly improved the comfort, entertainment and onboard service, and passengers are accepting those improvements" said Russell Lemieux, APEX executive director. "At the same time, passengers are demanding more from their air travel experiences which will drive more improvements touching all aspects of the journey. " he added. When on board the plane, _ . Answer: The father's role in the family is important. One researcher says babies who are cared for by their fathers have greater cognitive development at one year of age than babies not cared for by their fathers. Another researcher reports that by spending time with their pre-school children, fathers can help to develop children's language ability. Researchers also point out that for school-age children, fathers are one bridge with the outside world. Fathers who value education have children who do better in school than those children whose fathers don't value education. What's more, fathers who spend quality time with their children may give their children happy memories which may last a lifetime. While each father is a _ person who educates children in his own style, good fathers have something in common. Good fathers attend their children's school activities. They also involve the children in their lives and the adult world by taking them to see the workplace, or by taking them when the car needs to be repaired, etc. Good fathers expect a great deal from their children, but also accept and support the unique individuals that their children are becoming. Good fathers prefer explanations and reasoning to force. Good fathers know their time with children is really an investment in them. Being an involved father is good for children and good for fathers. Both children and fathers have the chance for growth and development. Today's lifestyles are changing. More and more fathers are keeping a balance between their personal life, work, and family time. According to the passage, we can find that _ . Answer:
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. _ LOOK no further!! Granny Look helps the family to prepare in time for FATHER CHRISTMAS. Give SANTA CLAUS some ideas.He can fill all the children's Christmas-stockings with goodies! Unique Christmas gifts for children-stocking fillers. A Granny Look favorite! _ 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! _ LOOKING for a SPECIAL BIRTHDAY GIFT? Explore Granny Look's selection of PRESENTS,PARTY PLANNING,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! _ 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! You will fail to find any information at Christmas when you need _ . Answer: What impact does humans changing animals habits have? Answer: Long long ago, a God called Ratu lived in the sky. Ratu liked to play games and make people angry. The game he liked best was to fly down into the sea and frighten all the fishes. The fishes became very tired of his game. They asked Hemi, the God of the sea, to help them. So Hemi tried to catch Ratu the next time he flew into the sea, but he was too slow. Ratu laughed at Hemi as he flew past him. This made Hemi angry and he had an idea. He asked the fishes to bring him a lot of seaweed. Hemi tied it all together and made a large net from it. Soon Ratu flew down and Hemi threw the net over him. Ratu fought and fought but could not get free. He was caught. Ratu promised never to frighten fishes again if Hemi would set him free. But Hemi did not believe him. Instead, he changed Ratu into a mountain in the sea. Ratu was so angry that when he opened his mouth to shout at Hemi, fire and smoke broke out. And that is why the Island of Ratu is a volcano . Ratu liked to fly down into the sea because _ . Answer: Sam:What's this?It's an American eraser .It's made{}in our hometown{}But it isn't mine .Hi! Jim, is this your eraser? Jim:No it isn't.. Maybe {}it's Ann's. Sam: Excuse me ,Ann. Ann;Yes? Sam: Is this your eraser? Ann: No, it isn't .I think it's Lucy's. Lucy, is this your eraser ? Lucy: Oh,yes. Thank you very much . Sam; That's all right. Jim: Look,! What are those? Lucy: I think they are oranges. Ann; No, they aren't . I think they are apples----yellow apples. Jim; Are they in a box ? Lucy: No, they are in a basket {} Sam: Whose are they? Lucy:Sorry ,we really don't know. What are those in the basket? Answer: London Summer School in Classics Dates The London Summer School in Classics 2008 will be held at King's College London. It will run from 8th July until 17th July. Applications close on 2nd June, 2008. For an application form, please download either the 2-page PDF or the word format document from the foot of the page. If you have any problems downloading the application form or any questions, please contact: London Summer School in Classics, King's College London. Tel: 020 7848 2299 Fax: 020 7848 2545 Organization The school is organized by the colleges of the University of London. The summer school offers eight days of intensive teaching in Greek and Latin. There are four language classes each day as well as lectures and a debate, between 10:30 am and 4:30 pm. The course is not residential , and there is no teaching during the weekend of 12th to 13th July. The fee is PS85.00. Travel grants are available as a contribution to your travel costs, but may not cover all your expenses. The travel grants are arranged during the summer school. Teaching is generally in groups of 12-15 people and it, as far as possible, comprises of students of roughly the same level of experience. The style of teaching is friendly, but demanding: a lot of work is expected from students during the school, but they usually find the whole experience both stimulating and valuable. Some classes concentrate chiefly on reading, while others offer a mixture of grammar and translation practice. Our tutors include some of the most experienced and talented teachers of Classics in the London area and beyond. The Summer School in Classics caters for a wide range of interests and for both school & university students as well as those who wish to learn Greek or Latin, or to revive their knowledge of the languages. Our principal concern is to provide a thorough program of language learning in a lively university environment. Which is one of the teaching ways of the school? Answer:
My bookshelves are full of dust -- and with good reason. When it comes to cleaning that part of my home, I suffer from the most serious case of avoidance . The thing is this: when I do set out to clean and re-organize my books, which seldom happens, I place myself into a really bad situation. No sooner do I take a title from the shelf, blow off the dust, and wipe down the cover than I find myself sitting on the floor with legs crossed and my back against the wall. Pretty soon books get piled up on my legs as I am reunited with old friends. It is as if these books have voices, and each wants to say its piece. "Remember me? I was given to you when you went into the Navy, so that you would never lack for companionship," one whispers. Another says, "I was your first book of poems, given to you before you learned to love poetry." And a third, "I was the book that made history so attractive to you." Perhaps the greatest pleasure of re-organizing my books are the surprises -- or better said, reunions -- that occur. During my latest book-cleaning adventure, I found one that had fallen behind the shelf: "Tales of Edgar Allan Poe." Not an unusual title, but the words written on the first page made it very special: "With Love from Mom and Dad, Christmas 1965." What's this? A book on the physics of lasers . It is filled with mathematical statements, and I had bought it at a library sale when I was 12, not long after the laser had been invented. I couldn't understand a bit of it, but I did learn what "laser" meant. What I end up with when I empty my bookshelves is a cross-section of my personal history. It's like a road cut where one sees all the layers of rock going back through time to the beginning of the simplest life forms. The books I've read -- and kept -- are not just old friends. They are my By saying that his books have voices, the author means _ . Clothes are important and necessary to us, but do you know how to choose suitable clothes in a correct way? Here are some ideas for you. When you go shopping and want to buy some clothes,you should think about which kind of clothes you really need and decide how much money you can spend on them.Then look at the _ that are inside the new clothes. They tell you how to take care of the clothes.The label for a shirt may tell you to wash it in warm water. A sweater label may tell you to wash it in cold water. The label on a coat may say "dry clean only" and cleaning in water may ruin this coat. If you do as the directions say on the label, you can keep your clothes looking their best. Many clothes today must be dry-cleaned. Dry cleaning is expensive. When buying new clothes, you had better check if they need to be dry-cleaned. You can save money if you buy clothes that can be washed or that are well-made. Well-made clothes last longer. They look good even after they have been washed many times. Clothes that cost more money don't always mean they are better made. They may not fit you, either. On the other hand, less expensive clothes may sometimes look better and fit you well. The first thing for you to do before you buy clothes is _ . . Three kids have been learning chemistry for only a few months. But they have already begun to challenge a world famous scientist! Li Weichi, Huang Runling, and Xiao Yan are from Zhongshan Huaqiao Middle School in Guangdong. They have just found a red cabbage that could be a new kind of acid-base indicator . They want it to take the place of litmus paper. "We've learnt to think of and ask questions about life by ourselves," said Li, "We work well with each other." British scientist Robert Boyle discovered the use of litmus paper over 300 years ago. Now it is used widely in experiments all over the world. But when the kids did some experiments in class last winter, they saw that the litmus paper didn't turn very blue with base matter. It's hard to get a clear result. Will there be a better indicator than litmus paper? The three kids decided to try and find out! How? They went to collect over 40 plants in parks, gardens and markets. Then they ground leaves, flowers and stems to get the pigments from them. The kids mixed pigments with acid and base. They spent months watching carefully to see which paper showed the best colour change. They decided it was the litmus paper! "It's our first scientific journey, Huang said, "But it makes me want to try harder." From the text, a red cabbage is a kind of _ . Holidays Holiday News Vacations now and in the school holidays at a country hotel in Devon. This comfortable, friendly home-from-home lies near the beautiful quiet countryside, but just a drive away from the sea. The food is simple but good. Children and pets are welcome. Reduced prices for low season. The Snowdonia Centre The Snowdonia Centre for young mountain climbers has a mountain climbing Lesson. The beginners' costs are 57 for a week, including food and rooms. Equipment is included except walking shoes, which can be hired at a low cost. You must be in good health and prepared to go through a period of body exercises. This could be the beginning of a lifetime of mountain climbing adventure. The World Sea Trip of a Lifetime Our World Sea Trip of 2008 will be unlike any holiday you have ever been on before. Instead of one hotel after another, with all its packing and unpacking, waiting and travelling, you just go to bed in one country and wake up in another. On board the ship, you will be well taken care of. Every meal will be first-class and every cabin like your home. During the trip, you can rest on desk ,enjoy yourself in the games rooms and in the evening dance to our musical team and watch our wonderful play. You will visit all the places most people only dream about--from Acapulco and Hawaii to Tokyo and Hong Kong. For a few thousand, all you've ever hoped for can be yours. What is special about the World Sea Trip of 2008? This keeps animals warm but it is possible to have too much
Barry and Jim are twin brothers. But they like different things. Barry likes basketball and soccer. He is in the school basketball club, and he plays soccer every day. He has 9 basketballs in his bookcase. He also likes volleyball. He has 3 white volleyballs and 3 blue volleyballs. He doesn't like tennis. He wants to be a soccer player. Jim doesn't like sports. He likes books. He thinks reading books is interesting. He reads a book every day. He has many books about English. He has a great collection of English books. But he puts these books everywhere in his room. He thinks books are good friends. He wants to be a writer. What does Barry like? Seven years ago, a small town in Changhua started to grow healthy rice. What surprised us was that the "farmers" were not really farmers. They were students from a small middle school. Now everything on the farm goes well. And there are stories behind rice, too. The idea of growing rice came from the school teachers decided to teach students how to grow healthy rice on the school land . They wanted the students to be close to(......) the land and learn to help each other outside the classroom. The students and the teachers ate the rice. The school made money by selling the rice and giving farming classes to the community. With the money, the school could help some students go to foreign countries some day. Today _ comes true--the students are flying to Japan to share their special farming stories, and have fun over there, of course! "We all feel very happy that even students from a small town can make themselves stars," said one of the teachers. The idea of growing rice came from _ . Whether you're up for a Crocodile Dundee's adventure or you'd just like a taste of the Australian sun, the beaches in and around Sydney can offer you all that and more. Sydney Beach Sydney Beach is located at Sydney's northernmost tip on an extension of land ending at Palm Beach. Before checking out the golden sand, take a quick tour of the houses of millionaires from the art and film industries. Palm Beach Only about an hour from downtown Sydney, Palm Beach offers a long stretch of clean sand and water. With parking near the center of the beach, that leaves the rest of it as a peaceful location with a _ population, from which you can go surfing but take care -- without the huge crowds of other Sydney's beaches, Palm Beach doesn't afford quite the safety level to be found elsewhere. Volunteer lifesavers are on duty only on weekends and holidays. Bondi Beach For the famous beach, Bondi Beach has to be your choice. Parking is difficult to find even on slow days, so consider taking public transport to this world--known beach in the eastern Sydney suburbs. Easily reachable by taxi, bus, and rail, Bondi Beach offers sun bathing, swimming, snorkeling, and all sorts of water sports fun. If you're in the mood for a bit of exercise, two scenic coastal walks will afford you great views and sights along the shore. Take in views from Mackenzie's Point. It starts at Bondi and heads south to Bronte Beach. But don't try to swim in Mackenzie's Bay -- it holds dangers such as hidden rocks. Bronte Beach Your second choice for a scenic coastal walk covers a few miles and takes you from Bronte Beach to Waverly Cemetery, where many famous Australians are buried, including the poet Henry Lawson. What can we learn from the passage? There are few families in the United States that do not have either a radio or television set. Both of them have become a necessary part of our daily life, keeping us filled with the news of the day, teaching us in many fields of interest, and making us happy with singing, dancing and acting. Marconl, the Italian inventor, who gave us the radio, probably didn't know how much his great invention would have done for the world in the years to come. Radio had, perhaps done as much as any other communication tool. Things of the world can be reported to people everywhere a few seconds after they happen. Travelers in or out of-the-way places, ships at sea even astronauts round the earth are able to keep in touch with each other by radio. Television is another important invention. It lets us see as well as hear the actor. Since its appearance, TV has done a great deal in the daily life of people everywhere. Many programs are now televised in color. Perhaps the most modern invention is "Telstar", a "star" moving round the earth. It makes it possible for the people all over the world to be closer than ever before. Now a family in Chicago can watch on TV a motor-car race in Italy, a table tennis competition in Beijing or a volleyball match in Japan as these events are actually happening! What is a "Telstar" used to do according to the passage? if a person takes in more food than their body needs at the time, what happens?
Question: Wildlife conservationists in Kenya are trying to save a rare kind of rhinoceros .Somanynorthernwhiterhinoshavebeenhuntedandkilled that they are almost dying out. There were only five northern white rhinos left. So the workers hoped they could save the rhinos by helping them produce young. Three northern white rhinos lived at The Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. Workers with military weapons guarded the rhinos as they walked, played and ate over a large area of natural grass and trees. The three rhinos were brought to the conservancy in 2009 from a zoo in the Czech Republic. Workers hoped they would have a better chance of survival in a more natural habitat. But breeding has not been as successful as they had hoped. And the number of northern white rhinos continues to decrease. One of the rhinos at the conservancy died in October. Another died at a zoo in the US city of San Diego, California earlier this month. The San Diego zoo still has one northern white rhino left. The zoo in the Czech Republic also has one. The last wild northern white rhinos were hunted and killed during conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo over the past ten years. Rhinos are killed because many people in Asia want the animals'horns .They believe the horns will help with medical problems. But researchers say there is no medicine in the horn, just a kind of hair. The last male northern white rhino is 41 years old. He has been unsuccessful in producing young with a female rhino. So conservationists will use artificial methods to make a young female become pregnant. If that is not successful, they will try to fertilize a northern rhino egg and put it into a southern white rhino, who will act as a surrogate mother. The last solution would be cross-breeding between the northern and southern white rhino species. If cross-breeding is successful, there is hope that some part of the northern white rhino species may still live on. Why were the three northern white rhinos brought to the conservancy in Kenya? A. To protect them from being killed by the armed guards. B. To ensure that they live better in a natural environment. C. To keep the conservation a good balance of nature. D. To attract more visitors to come to this area. Answer: B. To ensure that they live better in a natural environment. Question: The Aztec population was divided into four main classes.Nobles were the highest and most powerful class.They included the emperor and his extended family, as well as governors in charge of local areas, and members of the government.The nobles owned most of the land.Commoners made up most of the population.They ran small family farms or did ordinary jobs in the towns and cities.Serfs worked on the land owned by the nobles.They were given food and shelter, but weren't paid.Slaves were either prisoners of war or criminals who could be bought and sold. Many Aztec people lived in rural villages, working the land.However, many more lived in large towns and cities.Tenochtitian, the Aztec capital and home to the emperor, became one of the largest cities in the world.Its construction began in 1325 AD, and it's believed that by 1500 AD more than 200,000 people lived there. As with all Aztec towns and cities, there was a central area for temples and other special places in Tenochtitian.People could gather there to worship the Aztec gods. _ , the Aztec capital, became one of the largest cities in the world. A. Temple B. Maya C. Montezuma D. Tenochtitian Answer: D. Tenochtitian Question: Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the guest room. Instead the angels were given a space in the cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, "Things aren't always what they seem. " The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had, the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest. When the sun came up the next morning, the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their only income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel was very angry and asked the older angel, "How could this happen? Why did you not watch out for the cow? The first man had everything, yet you watched over his house," she accused. "The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you did not help. " "Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied. "When we stayed in the basement, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so greedy and unwilling to share his good fortune, I asked God if I could seal the wall so he couldn't find it. Then last night as we slept in the farmer's bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I ask God if the angel could take the cow instead. Things aren't always what they seem. " Why did the older angel repair the hole for the rich family? A. Because she didn't like the greedy owner. B. Because she waned to save the gold for the poor. C. Because the basement was too cold to stay in. D. Because she believed that one should always be ready to offer help. Answer: A. Because she didn't like the greedy owner. Question: Singles Day falls on every November 11th, and as the name indicates, this relatively new holiday is one exclusively for people who are still living the single life. I was a bit surprised when I googled "Singles Day" on the Internet, to find that China is the only country in the world that has set aside a special day for singles to celebrate their lives. To find out more about this celebration, please read on. An old story goes that once there were four single men, leading very boring lives. None of them were married, or had lovers, or did anything exciting. They just sat around all day and played Mahjong. One day they played Mahjong from 11 in the morning until 11 at night. During the game, no matter who won, the winning card was always the "four columns" card (the card shows four independent, parallel columns in two lines). Even more of a coincidence, it was Nov 11, or 11/11. In order to commemorate the day, they nicknamed it Singles Day. Singles Day was first celebrated at various universities in Nanjing, capital city of Jiangsu Province during the 1990s. It got the name Singles Day because the date consists of four "ones". These college students have since graduated, and carried their university tradition into society. Singles Day is now a special day for all fashionable youths. The main way to celebrate Singles Day is to have dinner with your single friends, but it's important that each person pay their own fee to show their independence. People also hold "blind date" parties in an attempt to say goodbye to their single lives. Many singles also choose to say goodbye to their single lives on this day. Many attend "blind date" parties and many people choose to marry on this day. In addition to meaning "single" the four "ones" of the date can also mean "only one" as in "the only one for me." Some people will use this date and this meaning to tell their special someone that they are the only "one" in their heart. Which of the following is wrong? A. Singles Day was first celebrated in Nanjing's universities. B. Many singles choose Singles Day to say goodbye to their single lives. C. The only way to celebrate the Singles Day is to have dinner with your single friends. D. It was these college graduated students that carried their university's tradition into society. Answer: C. The only way to celebrate the Singles Day is to have dinner with your single friends. Question: Ted Shreds doesn't like cars.He wants people to stop driving because cars make the air dirty.Ted had an idea.He said,"I'm going to cycle around North America.I want to show everyone that cycling is a fun way to get around.If more people ride bikes,the air will be cleaner." He left his hometown with $160 in his pocket.When he got to San Diego,he met another cyclist.The cyclist invited Ted to speak at a big meeting about the environment.He said,"We'll pay your airfare to Texas and we'll pay you to talk about your cycling trip."Two hours late,Ted was on a plane to the environmental conference and to a _ ! While he was at the conference,he met Deanna,it was love at first sight!They talked for six hours straight. The next day,Ted called Deanna and asked her to finish the trip with him.Deanna said yes,sold everything in her apartment,gave her notice at work,and was on the road with Ted 20 days later! "It was difficult at first,"said Deanna."Ted got up every morning at 6:00 a.m.,but I wanted to sleep until noon."After a few days,they started having fun.As they cycled from Florida to Montreal and then back to Vancouver,every day was an adventure.People paid for their food in restaurants and gave them extra money.Some people gave them $50 or $100.They slept in people's backyards and drank beer with motorcycle gangs. On their way back to Vancouver,they stopped in Edmonton to visit Ted's relatives.During the stopover,they got married.People tied a "Just Married" sign and tin cans to the backs of their bikes.They got married.They now want to write a book about their trip."We want people to know that you can be an environmentalist and still have fun,"Shreds said. Ted Shreds went cycling because _ . A. he loves adventure B. cycling is a lot of fun C. he wanted to find himself a wife D. he supports environmental protection Answer: D. he supports environmental protection
A breathtaking trick potentially left over from our ancestors might be found in us -- the ability to sense oxygen through our skin. Amphibians, animals such as frogs that can live both on land and in water, have long been known to be capable of breathing through their skin. In fact, the first known lungless frog that breathes only through its skin was discovered recently in the rivers of Borneo. Now the same oxygen sensors found in frog skins and in the lungs of mammals have unexpectedly been discovered in the skin of mice. "No one had ever looked," explained Randall Johnson, a biologist researcher. Mice and frogs are quite distant relatives, so the fact they have these molecules in common in their skin suggests they might well be found in the skin of other mammals, such as humans. "We have no reason to think that they are not in the skin of people too," Johnson said. These molecules not only detect oxygen, but help increase levels of vital red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. Normal mice breathing in air that is 10 percent oxygen--a dangerously low level similar to conditions at the top of Mount Everest, and about half that of air at sea level. However, mice that had the oxygen sensor HIF-1a genetically removed from their skin failed to produce this hormone even after hours of such low oxygen. These findings, if they hold true in humans, suggest one could raise the level of oxygen circulating inside the body. This could help treat lung diseases and disorders such as anemia without injecting drugs, which make up a multibillion-dollar market, Johnson said. Athletes also often try to get more oxygen delivered to their muscles in order to improve their performance. They often do this by training at high altitudes or in low-oxygen tents. The new study suggests they might want to expose their skin as well as breathing in low-oxygen air to improve their performance. "It's hard to say what exactly might be done, however--there's a lot we don't know yet," Johnson explained. The scientists detailed their findings in the April 18 issue of the journal Cell. The best title of the passage may be _ . Answer: Humans Might Sense Oxygen Through Skin London--A morning's train ride away, across the Channel, English kids talk about Liverpool's soccer team in a Paris puB.Some Parisians have even started to go to work in London.In the 19thcentury, Charles Dickens compared the two great rival cities, London and Paris, in " A Tale of Two Cities".These days, it might be A Tale of One City. Parisians are these days likely to smile in sympathy at a visitor's broken French and respond in polite English.As jobs grew lack at home over recent years, perhaps 250,000 Frenchmen moved across the Channel.With an undersea tunnel, they could travel between cities in three hours.The European Union freed them from immigration and customs. Paris, rich in beauty, is more attractive.But London feels more full of life, and more fun until the pubs shut down. "For me, the difference is that London is real, alive," said Trevor Wheeler, a banker. Chantal Jaouen, a professional designer, agrees."I am French, but I'll stay in London," she saiD. There is, of course, the other view.Julie Lenoux is a student who moved to London two years ago."I think people laugh more in Paris," she saiD. In fact, London and Paris, with their obvious new similarities, are beyond the old descriptions.As the European Union gradually loosened controls, Londoners _ into Paris to shop, eat and buy property . "Both cities have changed beyond recognition." Said Larry Collins, a writer and sometimes a Londoner.Like most people who know both well, he finds the two now fit together comfortably. "I first fell in love with Paris in the 1950s and it is still a wonderful place," Collins saiD."But if I had to choose, it would be London.Things are so much more ordered, and life is better." But certainly not cheaper.In fancy parts of London, rents can be twice those on Avenue Foch in Paris.Deciding between London and Paris requires a lifestyle choice. Like Daphne Benoit, a French journalism student with perfect English, many young people are happy to be close enough so they don't have to choose. "I love Paris, my little neighborhood, the way I can walk around a centre, but life is so structured," she saiD."In London, you can be who you want.No one cares." From the passage we can know _ . Answer: the two cities have developed very fast I have a lot of friends. My best friend is Mai. She is 16 years old. She is 2 years older than me. We live in the same town and we began to know each other when we were very young. Now we are classmates. Mai is tall and thin, with long black hair. She has an oval face with big eyes, a high nose and a small mouth. Mai is helpful . When her friends have difficulties, she always tries her best to help them. Mai is one of the best students in our class. I like studying with her. She always helps me with my studies. Although we have the same hobbies and interests, we also have some differences. I am sociable and enjoy telling jokes. Mai, however, is serious and quiet. We believe in each other, so we are good friends. I hope we can keep our friendship forever . The writer is _ years old. Answer: 14 All 20 children who died in a shooting at a school in Connecticut were aged between six and seven, according to an official list of the dead. The state's chief medical examiner said the gunman used a rifle as his main weapon, and all the victims appeared to have been shot several times. The gunman, named in media reports as Adam Lanza, killed his mother before driving to the school and opening fire. Six adults, all women, were also killed before the gunman shot himself dead. The head teacher at Sandy Hook school in Newtown, Dawn Hochsprung, is listed among the dead, along with adults Rachel DaVino, Anne Marie Murphy, Lauren Russo, Mary Sherlach and Victoria Soto. Eight boys and 12 girls were killed - all but four of them were aged six. The youngest, Noah Pozner, celebrated his birthday only last month. A woman who worked at the school was the only person to be shot and survive. Scores of people have left flowers at a memorial outside the school, and on Saturday evening hundreds attended a candlelight vigil . President Barack Obama is to visit Newtown on Sunday to meet families and speak at an interfaith vigil at the town's high school. After the attack, he urged "meaningful action" against gun crime in the US. "As a country we have been through this too many times," he said in an emotional White House address. What did the gunman do after the massive killing? Answer: He killed himself with his gun. 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. From this passage we know that_. Answer: the 42 radio telescopes at Hat Creek observatory can work together
How to prepare for exams? Well, it is a big question that you always ask yourself. There is no short cut to success, which is the first thing you should remember. For this reason you have to study hard first of all. Besides, here are some tips for you. Never fear or hate exams and be confident. Some students study well but still may be afraid of exams and due to this reason they won't be able to get good marks. So leave all your fears behind and free your mind before starting your studies. You have to be confident and it is the most important thing for attaining victory. Prepare a good timetable. Prepare a timetable before starting your studies. This should include all subjects, but tough subjects can be given more time while easier ones less. And remember some time shall be spared for entertainment and also there should be enough break time between each subject. Select a proper atmosphere for studying. No need to explain this point. Can anyone study well while watching TV? So select a place where you feel comfortable and can concentrate. And importantly it is better to study early in the morning when you will have quiet surroundings and you can concentrate more. Make notes while studying. This is a very important point. Make small notes while studying can help you remember all the points. It will work better if you use these notes for revision in the last one or two hours than you skip through pages of your textbook. It won't take much time to go through these notes. Write well. As we all know, the first impression is the best impression. So your handwriting affects your marks. Try to write neatly. If it is not good enough, don't worry; if you present it in a good manner you can score more marks. Why do some students hate exams according to the passage? Answer: Because they don't have enough self-confidence. I have a good friend at home. Her name is Mimi. She is white and yellow. She is very cute. I play with her when(......) I have time. She likes fish very much. When she is behind (......) the sofa or in her box, you can't see her. When I sit on the sofa, she sits with me. In the evening I do my homework at my desk, and she is on the desk. At that time I put her down . Then she sits next to me. Is she a good friend of me? We can see _ in the room. Answer: a sofa Today, as I was relaxing at the beach, I couldn't help but eavesdrop(,) on a conversation four high school kids were having on the beach blanket next to me. Their conversation was about making a positive difference in the world. And it went something like this... "It's impossible to make a difference unless you're a huge company or someone with lots of money and power," one of them said. "Yeah man," another replied. "My mom keeps telling me to move mountains - to speak up and stand up for what I believe. But what I say and do doesn't even get noticed. I just keep answering to 'the man' and then I get slapped back in place by him when I step out of line." "Repression..." another snickered. I smiled because I knew exactly how they felt. When I was their age, I was certain I was being repressed and couldn't possibly make a difference in this world. And I actually almost got fired from school once because I openly expressed how repressed I felt in the middle of the principals' office. I Have A Dream. Suddenly, one of the kids noticed me eavesdropping and smiling. He sat up, looked at me and said, "What? Do you disagree?" Then as he waited for a response, the other three kids turned around too. Rather than arguing with them, I took an old receipt out of my wallet , tore it into four pieces, and wrote a different word on each piece. Then I crumbled the pieces into little paper balls and handed a different piece to each one of them. "Look at the word on the paper I just gave you and don't show it to anyone else." The kids looked at the single word I had handed each of them and appeared confused. "You have two choices," I told them. "If your word inspired you to make a difference in this world, then hold onto it. If not, give it back to me so I can recycle the paper." They all returned their words. I walked over quickly , sat down on the sand next to their beach blanket and laid out the four words that the students had returned to me so that the words combined to form the simple sentence, "I have a dream." "Dude, that's Martin Luther King Jr.," one of the kids said. "How did you know that?" I asked. "Everyone knows Martin Luther King Jr." the kid snarled. "He has his own national holiday, and we all had to memorize his speech in school a few years ago." "Why do you think your teachers had you memorize his speech?" I asked. "I don't really care!" the kid replied. His three friends shook their heads in agreement. "What does this have to do with us and our situation?" "Your teachers asked you to memorize those words, just like thousands of teachers around the world have asked students to memorize those words, because they have inspired millions of repressed people to dream of a better world and take action to make their dreams come true. Do you see where I'm going with this?" "Man, I know exactly what you're trying to do and it's not going to work, alright?" the fourth kid said, who hadn't spoken a word until now. "We're not going to get all inspired and emotional about something some dude said thirty years ago. Our world is different now. And it's more screwed up than any us can even begin to imagine, and there's little you or I can do about it. We're too small, we're nobody." Together I smiled again because I once believed and used to say similar things. Then after holding the smile for a few seconds I said, "On their own, 'I' or 'have' or 'a' or 'dream' are just words. Not very compelling or inspiring. But when you put them together in a certain order, they create a phrase that has been powerful enough to move millions of people to take action - action that changed laws, perceptions, and lives. You don't need to be inspired or emotional to agree with this, do you?" The four kids shrugged and struggled to appear totally indifferent, but I could tell they were listening intently. "And what's true for words is also true for people," I continued. "One person without help from anyone else can't do much to make a big difference in this crazy world - or to overcome all of the various forms of repression that exist today. But when people get together and unite to form something more powerful and meaningful then themselves, the possibilities are endless. Why were the kids repressed? Answer: Because they lacked confidence of making a difference in the world So far, there have been so many successful men and women in the world. And it's no surprise for many of us to dream of doing business when we grow up. However, Moziah Bridge tells us quite different story. Moziah Bridges is now the CEO of his Mo's Bow's company. He has already earned $200,000 by selling bow ties and other men's fashion accessories . The boy designs all the bow ties together with seven other workers in the company, including his mother and grandmother. "Mo is the CEO of the company, but I am the CEO of Mo," Bridges' grandma said. About four years ago, when Bridges went shopping for bow ties, he found they were in ugly" black and red. He wanted a change. So he asked his grandma to teach him to sew and finally he developed the talent of creating bow ties. Though his very first bow tie didn't look nice, the young sewer kept on practicing. He used colorful cloth with different pictures. Then his parents and friends started to like his works. At first he tried to sell them online to several stores in the south. Soon Mo's bow ties became popular. With the help of Dayond John, CEO of the famous US clothes brand FUBU, Bridges built his own company. Not only did Daymond John provide money for him, but also produced Bridges to the circle of fashion and business industries. Now the 13-year-old's business has developed rapidly. So you can just start now! You don't have to wait till you're older. If you have a dream, go for it! What kind of person is MoZiah Bridges ? Answer: Creative and hardworking. For all dinner tables, a glass of milk seems to be a must. At least it was when I was growing up. It is widely believed that milk is a must in building strong bones and teeth. There's no doubt that dairy products, especially milk, are high in protein and calcium, and Vitamin D and Vitamin A are added to most milk products. While it's well known that our bones need calcium, some studies suggest that high calcium intake doesn't necessarily lower a person's risk for fractures . A Harvard study found that people who drank two or more glasses of milk had no greater protection from breaking a bone than those who drank a glass or less a week. There is no doubt that we need calcium. Some anti-dairy supporters claim dairy products can lead to heart disease. Much of this claim is based on high-fat dairy products, like cheese and cream, which may indeed lead to some health problems. Some studies have linked high milk intakes with a risk of prostate cancer; this seems also to be caused by high-fat dairy products, but not by dairy products in general. Although milk has always been regarded as the most important thing we need for our bones, one of the most important things in strengthening bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis is weight-bearing exercise, such as jogging, walking, and weight lifting. Perhaps we should think of dairy products as less like a nutrient and more like a food. If you like it, eat it. If not, find something else to eat. Some claims may not be completely true. When I eat cream, I'm not thinking about calcium, protein, or any such thing. I'm thinking it is delicious. For people who want to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, we can infer that the writer may suggest that they _ . Answer: spend some time exercising
Saturday 28 April, 2001: Dennis Tito was setting off on his holiday. Mr. Tito's journey was certainly unusual! So was the transport he chose, and the price of his trip. The 60-year-old multi-millionaire from New York was sitting on board a Russian spaceship. He was on a journey to the International Space Station. It might have been a routine trip for the two astronauts who were traveling with him, but for him it was certainly no ordinary journey. Dennis Tito was the first tourist ever in space, and he had paid the sum of $20 million to go there. As the spacecraft left the earth's atmosphere, Tito drank a glass of fruit juice to celebrate and looked down at the earth's blue-green surface. Two minutes later, he was sick. Luckily it was only a minor problem. He soon recovered, and from then on enjoyed a smooth journey. When he arrived at the space station, there was a big smile on his face. "A great trip!" he commented. "I love space." For a long time space travel was something for heroes. But all this is going to change. Companies like ProSpace are investing large amounts of money in space travel. They want space and space travel to belong to the public, not just governments. There are other plans, like voyages through space from one side of the world to the other. Maybe we will be able to depart from New York at nine o'clock in the morning, and arrive an hour later-- in Tokyo! Such a schedule would allow the business traveler to return to New York on the same day, and still have eight hours for a meeting! Which of the following statements is tree according to the passage? Tito was the first American tourist in space. A black and white kitten with a broken back lay on animal doctor Betsy Kennon's examination table. A regular customer had rushed him to her office after his pet dog brought the cat home in his mouth. The dog's owner was horrified, believing that his pet had caused the cat's injuries. But Kennon found no teeth marks or bite wounds, which showed that the dog had probably saved, not harmed, the kitten. In Kennon's opinion, however, the cat was a hopeless case. Many doctors would have _ such a badly hurt animal. But she couldn't be so cruel. The kitten's bright eyes and sad face had won her over. There was no way of finding his owner, so Kennon, a single woman aged 56, decided to keep him. She gave him a round of shots and fed him food mixed with medicines. He couldn't move his back legs but soon started pulling himself forward with his front legs. The doctor named him Scooter and contacted a company that makes carts for disabled animals. Scooter took to his new wheels like a natural. In no time he was able to move freely, but somewhat awkwardly, around Kennon's office, home and even her backyard. The sight of the determined Scooter was uplifting and amusing in equal measure and Kennon had to smile each time the cat entered the room. Kennon was convinced that her kitten could share his high spirits with others. So she took Scooter to the local hospital to see if he could help the patients. His first patient was an elderly woman who'd had a stroke and hadn't spoken to anyone for two days. Scooter jumped out of Kennon's arms and onto the bed, rolled over to the patient, and lay gently near her cheek, purring softly. The woman looked at Scooter. "Kitty," she murmured as she began to talk to him. Amazed, Kennon turned to the doctor --- and saw that she was in tears. The cat had engineered a small miracle. Today Scooter spends about ten hours a month working with patients who are recovering from strokes and injuries. Again and again, Kennon watches as her cat provides hope and comfort. As one patient who'd lost her leg in a car accident said, "If he can do it, so can I." Why did Kennon decide to keep the cat? She liked the cat. Driving home from work one evening in the heavy rain, I found a very wet, injured cat on the side of the road. He looked up at me, meowing pitifully. A car must have hit it so it wasn't able to move. I stopped my car and carried the cat in and went on driving. At the nearest vet clinic, the vet gently examined it. "He's about eight months old and has two broken legs, but I would need X-rays to know how serious the damage is," he told me. "As he's not your cat, I don't know if you want to go ahead with this. It could be rather expensive." I knew it would cost me hundreds of dollars, but I agreed with his advice. The following morning the vet rang to say the X-rays confirmed two bad breaks in his legs. "I'll operate on his legs and put metal pins in them to keep them fixed." he told me. That afternoon I went to pick up my little friend. There I could hardly recognize him. His previously dirty fur was now a beautiful silver grey. His front legs were in two casts and he lay there looking at me, purring happily. I thanked the doctor and went out to pay the bill. "I think you've given me the wrong account," I said to the clerk. "This is only $85. He's had X-rays and an operation on his legs." "No, that's right," she replied. "The vet has only charged you for the medication. There's a message on the bottom." Written under the total were the words "SPECIAL RATE FOR ADOPTIONS." I was speechless at his kind and generous gesture. I paid the account and under his message I wrote "WITH GRATEFUL THANKS, CAT AND MUM." Which of the following would be the best title for the text? Love in relays It must have been around nine o'clock when I drove back home from work because it was already dark. As I came near to the gates I turned off the head lights of the car so as to prevent the beam from swinging through the window and waking Jack, who shared the house with me. But I needn't have done so. I noticed that his light was still on, so he was awake anyway--unless he had fallen asleep while reading. I put the car away and went up the steps. Then I opened the door quietly and went to Jack's room. He was in bed awake, but he didn't even turn towards me. "What's up, Jack?" I asked. "For God's sake, don't make a noise," he said. The way he spoke reminded me of someone in pain who is afraid to talk in case he does himself serious injury. "Take your shoes off, Neville," Jack said. I thought that he must be ill and that I had better give way to him to keep him happy. "There is a snake here," he explained. "It's asleep between the sheets. I was lying on my back reading when I saw it.I knew that moving was _ . I could not have moved even I'd wanted to." I realized that he was serious. "I was depending on you to call a doctor as soon as you came home," Jack went on. "It has not bitten me yet but I dare not do anything to upset it. It might wake up. I'm sick of this," he said."I took it for granted that you would have come home an hour ago." There was no time to argue or apologize for being late.I looked at him as encouraging as I could and went to telephone the doctor. When he got home, Neville found that _ . Jack's light was not turned off Sometimes, a black-tailed deer will caution other deer of danger by slamming its front hoof to the ground
Every human being,no matter what he is doing,gives off body heat.The usual problem is how to get rid of it.But the designers of the Johnstown campus of the University of Pittsburgh set themselves the opposite problem-how to collect body heat.They have designed a collection system which uses not only body heat,but the heat given off by such objects as light bulbs and refrigerators as welt.The system works so well that no fuel is needed to make the campus' six buildings comfortable. Some parts of most modern buildings--theaters and offices as well as classrooms-are more than sufficiently heated by people and lights and sometimes must be air conditioned even in winter.The technique of saving heat and redistributing it is called "heat recovery".A few modem buildings recover heat,but the University's system is the first to recover heat from buildings and reuse it in others. Along the way, Pitt has learned a great deal about some of its producers.The harder a student studies the more heat his body gives off.Male students send out more heat than female students and the larger a student,the more heat he produces.It is tempting to conclude that _ for the Johnstown campus would be a hard-working overweight male genius . Which of the following is true of the heating system of the Johnstown campus? The heat is supplied by _ . A human bodies, other heat sending objects,and fuel B both human bodies and other heat sending objects C both human bodies and fuel D human bodies Answer: B A three-year independent investigation into the September 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon has _ new eyewitness evidence which, according to the Southern California-based researchers who conducted the investigation conclusively (and unfortunately), establishes as a historical fact that the violence which took place in Arlington that day was not the result of a surprise attack by suicide hijackers, but rather a military black operation involving a carefully planned and skillfully executed deception." A CNN Reporter at the scene states that there is no evidence that a 757 hit the Pentagon. What hit the Pentagon? A Boeing 757 loaded with passengers and fuel right? Who was on Flight 757? According to the Flight Information there were No Arabs on it. That makes me wonder if Flight 757 actually existed at all. From the pictures and the videos, people can find that there are several doubtful points that need to be taken into consideration, for example the marker line on the grass in the satellite and ground pictures, the different colors of the smoke, the hole which the plane impacted, and the standing pylons . Also, from the comparison of the different pictures, people can find some other strange points. For example, the gear is not the matching one. The wreckage of the plane is not the one from the American Airlines. The glass on the pavement of the pole is another doubtful point. The last thing that need considering is about the collapse. One of the gif video shows the plane impacting the Pentagon. The only problem with this video footage is that it has been altered and can not be fully trusted. These crash photos and videos shown here clearly have been doctored and don't even match the physics of what happened. So where is the real video? It leaves me many questions. Is this a missile? It is a real enigma. Where can you possibly read this article? A In a newspaper. B In a book. C On a website. D In a magazine. Answer: C One day in spring four men were riding on horseback along a country road. These men were lawyers, and they were going to the next town to attend court. There had been a rain, and the ground was very soft. Water was dripping from the trees, and the grass was wet. The four lawyers rode along, one behind another, for the pathway was narrow, and the mud on each side of it was deep. They rode slowly, and talked and laughed and were very cheerful. As they were passing through a group of small trees, they heard a great fluttering over their heads and a weak sound made by small birds in the grass by the roadside. "Stith! Stith! Stith!" came from the leafy branches above them. "Cheep! cheep! cheep!" came from the wet grass. "What is the matter here?" asked the first lawyer, whose name was Speed. "Oh, it's only some old robins !"said the second lawyer, whose name was Hardin. "The storm has blown two of the little ones out of the nest. They are too young to fly, and the mother bird is worried about them." "What a pity! They'll die down there in the grass," said the third lawyer. "Oh, well! They're nothing but birds," said Mr. Hardin. "Why should we bother?" "Yes, why should we?" said Mr. Speed. The three men, as they passed, looked down and saw the little birds fluttering in the cold, wet grass. They saw the mother robin flying about, and crying to her mate. Then they rode on, talking and laughing as before. In a few minutes they had forgotten about the birds. But the fourth lawyer, whose name was Abraham Lincoln, stopped. He got down from his horse and very gently took the little ones up in his big warm hands. They did not seem frightened, but cried softly, as if they knew they were safe. "Never mind, my little fellows," said Mr. Lincoln "I will put you in your own cozy little bed." Then he looked up to find the nest from which they had fallen. It was high, much higher than he could reach. But Mr. Lincoln could climb. He had climbed many a tree when he was a boy. He put the birds softly, one by one, into their warm little home. Two other baby birds were there that had not fallen out. All cuddled down together and were very happy. Soon the three lawyers who had ridden ahead stopped at a spring to give their horses water. "Where is Lincoln?" asked one. All were surprised to find that he was not with them. "Do you remember those birds?" said Mr. Speed. "Very likely he has stopped to take care of them." In a few minutes Mr. Lincoln joined them. His shoes were covered with mud; he had torn his coat on the thorny tree. "Hello, Abraham!" said Mr. Hardin. "Where have you been?" "I stopped a minute to give those birds to their mother," he answered. "Well, we always thought you were a hero," said Mr. Speed. "Now we know it." Then all three of them laughed heartily. They thought it so foolish that a strong man should take so much trouble just for some worthless young birds. "Gentlemen," said Mr. Lincoln, "I could not have slept tonight, if I had left those helpless little robins to die in the wet grass." Abraham Lincoln afterwards became very famous as a lawyer and statesman. He was elected president. Next to Washington he was the greatest. We know from the passage that the little birds in the grass were _ . A frightened B disappointed C injured D bored Answer: A I know what you're thinking: pizza? For breakfast? But the truth is that you can have last night's _ in the a. m. if you want to. I know lots of women who skip breakfast, and they have a lot of different excuses for doing it. Some say they don't have time. Others think they're "saving" calories, still others just don't like breakfast food. But the bottom line is that eating in the morning is very important when you're trying to lose weight. "Eating just about anything from 300 to 400 calories would be better than nothing at all," says Katherine Brooking, R, D, who developed the super-easy eating plan for this year's "SELF CHALLENGE". And even pizza can be healthy if it's loaded with vegetables, and you just eat one small piece. Breakfast is one meal I never miss, and the same goes for most weight loss success stories. Research shows that eating breakfast keeps you from overeating later in the day. Researchers at the University of Southern California found that breakfast skippers have a bigger chance of getting weight than those who regularly have a morning meal. So eat something in the morning, anything. I know plenty of friends who end up having no breakfast altogether, and have just coffee or orange juice. I say, try heating up last night's leftovers -- it may sound crazy, but if it works for you, do it! I find if I tell myself, "You can always eat it tomorrow." I put away the leftovers instead of eating more that night. Try it...you may save yourself some pre-bedtime calories. And watch your body get the fat-burning effects. What can we infer from the text? A Working women usually have breakfast in a hurry. B Many people have wrong ideas about breakfast. C There are some easy ways of losing weight. D Eating vegetables helps save energy. Answer: B World top-ranked badminton player Lin Dan said last Friday that he was a better player than Taufik Hidayat in the year of 2006 despite losing the Asian Games single title to the Indonesian Olympic champion. "I have ranked No.1 in the world for two straight years and I think people can easily come to a conclusion on who is a better player for the whole year," said Lin Dan, also known as Super Dan in the badminton world because of his marvelous performance in the sport. Hidayat beat Lin 21-15, 22-20 to give Indonesia its second gold medal in Doha on December 9, retaining his Asian Games singles title and avenging two losses to the badminton world champion. Lin, 23, led China to the men's team title after defeating Hidayat twice in three days, in the preliminary round and in the semifinals of the Asian Games. In their third meeting, Lin came up against a better-prepared Hidayat than he had encountered previously. Hidayat was cheered on by the noisy support from dancing and flag-waving Indonesian fans, who had converted the badminton arena into a national celebration even before the two players stepped onto the court. There's been a lot of acrimony between Hidayat and Lin, who this year won the single title in the world championships after former champion Hidayat crashed out in the quarterfinals. In Doha, Hidayat was quoted as calling Lin "arrogant" before the event began, but the two stars played down the rift (a situation where two people dislike each other). "It's no problem, we're close friends," said Hidayat. "The media _ it." Lin said last Friday in Beijing that he and Hidayat remain friends despite all the rumors . "There is no problem between Taufik and me although we don't talk to each other very much," said Lin. "Media tends to make up things in order to make their stories juicy." This passage implies that _ . A Hidayat was in a better prepared condition than Lin in the Asian Games B Lin helped to win the men's team title in the Asian Games of 2006 C Both of them are the best badminton players in the world D Media tends to make up rumors Answer: C
Animal cells obtain energy by A. processing sunlight. B. absorbing nutrients. C. growing. D. dividing. Answer: B. absorbing nutrients. In this century the traditional American family is constantly faced with the threat of breakdown. Some people suggest that one little - noticed cause may be the introduction of the TV dinner. Before the appearance of television seats, the American dinner was a big event for the family. In many homes dinner time may be the only time when everyone got together. A typical dinner was usually in three periods In the preparation period, the children and Father frequently helped with setting while Mother put the last touches on the roast. In the eating period, family members shared the day's experiences and more than food was eaten. In this period,families got to know one another and made joint decisions around the dinner table, and thus the family solidarity was strengthened. In the cleaning - up period,children or Father again gave their hands, so that their meaning to the home community was clear. Unfortunately, all of these have been abandoned by a product--the television set. By the beginning of the 1980s, the typical American family dinner was just twenty minutes long. The speed - up of this once - leisurely experiences is clearly connected to the overall pace of modern life and maybe a model of the modern life is the TV dinners--meals designed to be used between the opening and closing credits of a half - hour program. The once family affair has now become nothing more than the use of a fork and knife. According to the passage, the American family is now threatened by_. A. Being poor B. having few children C. poor living conditions D. separation Answer: D. separation Frank, the dog, is very friendly. He loves meeting new people and going out with his friends. He has a lot of friends! One of his very good friends is a blue robot named Bob. Bob is a nice robot. A long time ago, Bob saved the world. But now, he lives a quiet life. Another great friend of Frank's is Hops,the rabbit. Hops is special( ) because he is good at every subject, especially math and science. He likes teaching others what he knows, and he's always making all kinds of inventions. An old friend of Frank's is Ted. Ted and Frank are both dogs, they're a little different. Frank is always trying new things-sometimes silly things! Ted, However, likes doing sensible things more than doing fun and crazy things. But both he and Frank love learning and care about doing what's right more than anything. So to them, their differences are small. Hops is special because _ . A. he saved the world. B. he likes his math teacher C. he is good at every subject D. he is always doing what's right Answer: C. he is good at every subject Wonderful places can he visited at a low price. You call visit the following places with hotel rates and services that are down the average. SOUTH AFRICA Nelson Mandela's hotel rate is 8 percent down compared to the previous years. You can enjoy safari or just hang out with the free-walking penguins on Boulders Beach, Cape Town. Let's take the case of Kruger National Park. The entrance fee is 20 USD(14.51 EUR). In the Park, you will discover wild animals of Africa such as buffalo, weaver, elephant shrew, leopard tortoise, ant lion, and rhino beetle. They are gathered in one place just to make visitor's pleasures. And this is mostly the case in all sites and attractions in South Africa. In Johannesburg holiday makers are free to pay a visit at the Nelson Mandela Museum. VENIC (favorite destination and yet low-cost) Although Venice is known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, hotel rates and services are low-cost compared to other destinations. With Venetian atmosphere, you can buy commodities of world-famous brands easily. One night 3-Stars hotel only costs around 14 Euros or 19. 3 USD ill minimum ATLANTIC CANADA Seafood and a rich history await holidaymakers at affordable prices. Special deals and discounts can be seen in almost all hotels in Atlantic Canada. With 48.24 USD (35 Euros), you can spend one night in Country Hearth Inn Atlantic City. Of course, with more than that, all attractions, services and commodities are available. You can also buy a ticket at 10 OUSD to enter the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic and its wharves . Where can you see a variety of wild animals? A. In the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. B. In Kruger National Park. C. In the Piazza San Marco. D. At the Nelson Mandela Museum. Answer: B. In Kruger National Park. The shocking collapse of one of the West Coast's biggest wild salmon runs has prompted even cash-trapped fishermen to call for an unprecedented shutdown of salmon fishing off the coasts of California and Oregon. The Sacramento River salmon run is usually one of the most productive on the Pacific Coast,providing the bulk of the salmon caught by sport and commercial trollers off California and Oregon. But only about 90,000 adult salmon returned to the Central Valley last fall--the second lowest number on record and well below the number needed to maintain a healthy fishery.That number is projected to fall to a record low of58.000 this year. The council,which regulates Pacific Coast fisheries,will choose between three management options:a total ban on salmon fishing off the coast of California and Oregon;extremely limited fishing in select areas;or catch-and-release fishing for scientific research. For consumers,it will be hard to find any Chinook,also known as king salmon.which are prized by trollers,seafood critics and upscale restaurants.There should still be abundant supplies of farm-raised salmon.but prices could be higher. Biologists and others are trying to figure out what caused the salmon collapse so they can make sure California's Chinook populations rebound. There are many potential factors,because wild salmon are born in streams and rivers, migrate to the ocean when they're juveniles and spend two to four years there before returning to spawn in the areas where they were born.In between they have to navigate the often dangerous waters of the Sacramento Delta and San Francisco Bay. The council has asked state and federal scientists to research possible causes, including water diversions,habitat destruction,dam operations,agricultural pollution,and ocean conditions.Many scientists point out that unusual weather patterns disrupted the marine food chain along the Pacific Coast in 2005,when thousands of seabirds washed up dead or starving because they couldn't find enough to eat. Researchers believe those poor ocean conditions also devastated the juvenile salmon that would have returned to the Central Valley last year.Young Chinook couldn't find the tiny shrimp and fish they depend onto survive. The possible causes of the salmon decrease mentioned do NOT include _ . A. abnormal weather patterns broke me marine food chain along the Pacific Coast B. bad ocean condition prevented the salmon from returning to their birthplace C. many salmons are eaten in the ocean before they are capable of returning D. the dam operation may change the salmons'living environment in the river Answer: C. many salmons are eaten in the ocean before they are capable of returning
Question: Alexis was _ and tired. With rage in her voice she shouted, "Pull me up!I give up, I hate this. This is stupid!" It was at that moment when Jason, the adviser on the trip, looked at me and said, "Ed, I'm going to go down and talk with her." I then shouted down to Alexis, "Hold on! You can do this. We know you can!" Jason grasped another rope, put his climbing harness on and began to repel down the cliff. Within moments Jason was beside Alexis. She had her cheek directly against the face of the rock with her feet barely resting on a small piece of the cliff that jetted outward. Jason said to Alexis, "I know that you have been on this cliff now for what seems like a long time. Your feet and fingers are cramping up and your forearms feel as though they are on fire. But , Alexis, you are strong, look how far up you are already. You have taken one of the more difficult paths up the cliff. Look Alexis, look at the path you have taken." At that moment, Alexis moved her cheek away from the rock face and looked down. The bright white chalk she used on her hands to give her a better hold, showed the path where her tired hands had moved her upward on the cliff. Jason was right. Alexis had taken the hardest way up the cliff. Jason then looked straight into Alexis' eyes and in a calm voice he said, "You are not alone out here, there are people who care about you, who want to help you and see you succeed. We are going to do this together. Are you ready?" Slowly she shook her head yes and took a deep breath. Alexis would probably become _ . A. more strong-minded B. easier to give up C. poorer in health D. less interested in rock climbing Answer: A. more strong-minded Question: An example of a fossil is the imprinted carcass of a A. rubber duck B. tin can C. shoe D. murdered organism Answer: D. murdered organism Question: Before I spoke to his school, Matt was waiting for me. He sat in his wheelchair barely able to move. As soon as he saw me he started smiling. He could not talk but I pretended the sharks were eating his cereal and his laugh melted the hearts of everyone walking by. One of the teachers told me that he was actually very smart, he just could not control his muscles due to a childhood disease. He was happy and very popular at his school-his'parents' love and encouragement made all the difference. On the contrary--at a book signing session, I met a girl by the name of Anne. She walked up with her mom with a bright smile. Anne asked about my book with a slur in her speech indicating a slight head-injury. I told her about it and she smiled the whole time and asked me to sign one for her. I did. Five minutes later, I heard a voice from Anne's father, "you know you will not understand the book. You can't read well enough. You aren't smart enough." He said it so loudly that people were staring in their direction. She was ly crushed and her bright smile was now replaced with a look of total despair. He pried the book from her and brought it back to me and asked me to take it back. I asked him if he would allow me to purchase the book for Anne. He said no with a heartless response. I thought back to Matt. He could not speak, walk, run or play but was actually very happy and even doing well in school because of the love and encouragement of his parents. Anne on the other hand had a slight learning problem and may never know happiness of success because of a stern father. What kind of parent are you? The truth is that whatever you are telling your kids-makes the difference between their success or failure in life. What does the author probably do? A. A writer. B. A teacher. C. A doctor. D. A lawyer. Answer: A. A writer. Question: What a miracle! A low-cost Lost in Thailand <<>> has got the best ticket sales. It is true that Lost in Thailand has become the most popular Chinese film of all time. The ticket sales The movie Lost in Thailand cost just 30 million yuan to make, but it has earned more than 1.2 billion yuan. It has got more ticket than Painted Skin: The Resurrection, the best-selling movie this summer in China. The story summary Lost in Thailand is a comedy. It is a story about three Chinese men who met on their trips to Thailand. The movie has a great plot. Xu Lang is a businessman. He hurried to Thailand to look for his boss because of his special purpose. His competitor, Gao Bo followed him to Thailand, too. Xu Lang met Wang Bao, a pancake maker on his way to Thailand, Three Chinese men had some funny and _ experiences in Thailand and the story made people high. The director and actors The director of the movie is Xu Zheng. He has been a popular actor for about ten years. He was famous for his role, the Evil Pig in a popular TV serious. Lost in Thailand is his first movie that was directed by Xu Zheng. Xu Zheng is a lead role in the movie. Huang Bo and Wang Baoqiang are China's top comedians and the both play the important roles in the movie. ,A, B, c, D,. (10) .Painted Skin: The Resurrection was mentioned because _ . A. the two movies were filmed in Thailand B. the two movie were directed by Xu Zheng C. Lost in Thailand was more successful than it D. Painted Skin: The Resurrection was such a success Answer: C. Lost in Thailand was more successful than it Question: If a tootsie roll has kinetic energy that is visible, it is likely A. sitting still B. wrapped up C. sliding sideways D. being frozen Answer: C. sliding sideways
Hello, everyone! My name is Peter. I think a good friend is like a mirror. I'm tall and have short hair. My best friend Jack looks similar to me. I'm quiet and like reading books. He likes reading, too. So we often spend time together reading and studying. I like sports. I play basketball very well and he is good at playing basketball too. I don't think it's easy for me to make friends because I'm quieter than most of the other boys. But I think friends are like books--you don't need a lot of them as, long as they're good. Read and answer the questions(, ) Who is Peter's best friend? A Jack. B We don't know. C Lily. D Tom Answer: A Examples of hypothesis is A September 11th was a terrorist attack B Rain falls from the sky C Fish swim in water D Drinking sugary drinks daily leads to obesity Answer: D My name is Donna and I have two sisters, Liza and Rita. We like hamburgers and milk for lunch. Lisa and I like chicken, but Rita doesn't. I don't like noodles for breakfast, but Liza and Rita do. I like porridge for breakfast. We really like vegetables and eggs for dinner. Rita doesn't like _ . A hamburgers B chicken C eggs D porridge Answer: B BEIJING - Alarmed by the overreaching ambitions of many Chinese provinces to grow at all cost, China's top economic chief is calling on officials to calm down and spare a thought for the environment. Zhang Ping, who heads China's National Development and Reform Commission, the central economic planning agency, said only five or six of China's 30 provinces are targeting annual economic growth of 8 percent or 9 percent. The remaining provinces are aiming for growth rates of more than 10 percent this year, with some wanting to double economic output in the coming five years. "China has a planned energy supply of about 4 billion cubic tons of coal equivalent for the next five years, and this is not enough to meet demands for economic growth to double," he was quoted as saying on the news portal Sina. com. Beijing is increasingly concerned with the ambitions of Chinese provinces across the country to chase high growth despite the central government's urgent request for a more moderate and sustainable pace of expansion. Years of rapid economic growth have _ China's environment, with Beijing trying to remove some of the damage now. It has an annual growth target of 7 percent for the next five years, well down from last year's 10 percent. Zhang said Beijing has asked local governments to take into account the supply of "energy, environment, water and land" to set more reasonable growth target. What could be the best title for the news? A Economic Development B Energy Supply C Environment D Sustainable Development Answer: D The new high-speed railway line between Urumqi,capital of the Xinjiang Uygur self-governing region,and Lanzhou,capital of Gansu province,has cut train travel time by half to less than 12 hours. The dramatic improvement will benefit many families planning reunions for Spring Festival. "For the first time,I feel home is not that far away after all,"said Liang Shaofu as he boarded a high-speed train in Urumqi with six members of his family. The 35-year-old left Lanzhou to set up a dry fruit business in Xinjiang eight years ago,and he has now settled in Urumqi. The 1,776-km line,which passes through Qinghai province and is the country's first high-speed railway to be built in a high-altitude region,came into service on Dec 26. "We normally drive home for Spring Festival to avoid the difficulties of buying seven train tickets for the whole family during the peak season,"Liang said."Driving can be very tiring and dangerous sometimes,so one year we even decided not to go back to Lanzhou simply to avoid the trip." More than 600,000 passengers traveled on the line during its first month,and the Urumqi Railway Bureau said the introduction of high-speed services will ease transport pressure during the Spring Festival peak season. The existing usual railway line could no longer support Xinjiang's development.All passenger trains will gradually shift to the new link,leaving the old one to be used for goods.As a result,Xinjiang's annual goods ability could reach 200 million metric tons from the current 70 million. The line passes through areas that experience high winds,and it also crosses parts of the deserted Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the bone-dry sands of the Gobi Desert. The project could help China to promote its high-speed railway technology abroad,said Ma Xi zhang,director of the Lanzhou-Xinjiang railway project's _ management department in Xinjiang. How long did it take to go from Urumqi to Lanzhou by the usual train before? A about 12 hours. B About 6 hours. C About 18 hours. D About 24 hours. Answer: D
There are many ways of defining success. It is accurate to say that each of us has our own ideas of success to the extent that each of us is responsible for setting our own goals and determining whether we have met these goals satisfactorily. Because each of us possesses unique differences in genetic ability and favorable environments in which to express these abilities, it is necessarily true that we must define success broadly. For some people,simply being able to live their life with the least misery and sufferings is considered a success. Think of the peace of mind of the poor shepherd who tends his sheep, enjoys his simple life with his family in the beauty of nature, and who is respected because he does a good job of achieving the goals expected of him and accepted by his family and his society. On the other hand, it seems that even though some people appear to be rich in material possessions, many of them seem to be miserable and consider themselves unsuccessful when judged by their own standards of success. Because not all ventures can be successful, one should not set unrealistic goals for achieving success, but if one has self-confidence it would be unfortunate to set one's goals at too low a level of achievement. A wise man once said to a young man who was experiencing frustration with his own professional success, "You do not have to set your goal to reach the moon in order to have success in traveling. Sometimes one can be very successful merely by taking a walk in the park or riding the subway downtown," The man added, "You have not really failed and spoiled your chances for success until you have been unsuccessful at something you really like,and to which you have given your best effort. " The purpose of the passage is _ . A. to give us a clear definition of what success is B. to talk about how to achieve success C. to state what our life goal is D. to discuss the importance of goals Answer: A. to give us a clear definition of what success is When 7-year-old Warren Buffet said " I will be the richest man one day", his friends made fun of his "daydreaming". But ever since then the little boy has set about learning how to make money, selling drinks, delivering newspapers and buying stocks. He had already earned $ 9,000 ( equal to $ 90,000 today) by the time he graduated from high school and became a millionaire at 32. And this month the 77-year- old, who earned his fortune by making a lot of great investment in the stock market, made his childhood dream come true. With a fortune of $ 62billion, Buffet has risen to be the world's richest man according toForbes Magazine. Born in 1930, Buffet, the only son of a stockbroker, started on achieving his billion-dollar dream at an early age and was always ready to think outside the box to develop his business. At 8 he went to golf courses collecting and selling used balls. At 11 when he sold soda pop door to door with a friend, the pair collected lids on the streets to judge which flavor was the most popular. As a paper boy during high school, Buffet delivered two rival papers, so that even when customers canceled one of the subscriptions, he could still make a profit from the other. With his paper delivery savings, Buffet bought 162,000 square meters of farmland and collect rent. Young Buffet stepped into the stock market at 11 but earned only $ 5. The experience taught him one of the virtues in investing: patience. After graduating from university, Buffet started his venture with stocks with his childhood earnings and money from friends. He researched the stocks and just bought those of solid companies that were undervalued and inexpensive at the time. By sticking to companies such as American Express and Coca-cola, Buffet has become rich. "Learning is important to Buffet's success. He is a learning machine who can spend his entire day reading. He keeps learning, from books, street smarts and investigation, from both success and failure. In this way, he finally over achieved his aptitude ( ) ," said Charlie Munger, his long-time business partner. . Which of the following can most probably serve as the title of the selection? A. Buffet - Good Example for All B. Buffet- a Newspaper Boy C. Buffet- Investor in Stock Market D. Buffet- a Successful Daydreamer Answer: D. Buffet- a Successful Daydreamer Dan entered the police station and announced that he wanted to confess to a murder. The police advised Dan of the Miranda warnings, and Dan signed a written waiver. Dan described the murder in detail and pinpointed the location where a murder victim had been found a few weeks before. Later, a courtappointed psychiatrist determined that Dan was suffering from a serious mental illness that interfered with his ability to make rational choices and to understand his rights and that the psychosis had induced his confession. Dan's confession is A. admissible, because there was no coercive police conduct in obtaining Dan's statement. B. admissible, because Dan was not in custody. C. inadmissible, because Dan's confession was a product of his mental illness and was therefore involuntary. D. inadmissible, because under these circumstances, there was no valid waiver of Miranda warnings. Answer: A. admissible, because there was no coercive police conduct in obtaining Dan's statement. My 8-year-old daughter is making an experiment. She has been making her own colorful smile cards and often takes them with her everywhere. Last Sunday, I took my kid to go shopping with me. She was hoping to see John, who is an elderly man and gives out samples. We see him from time to time and he is so happy and friendly. John wasn't at the store on Sunday, so my daughter decided that it would be a good idea to _ her smile cards to the store's other employees. So she did. In the produce department, she gave a card to a young man and she hoped it would make him smile. And he smiled at her and thanked her. Then she came across an older gentleman who looked rather impatient. And she snuck a card into his cart on top of his groceries, remarking to me later that he looked at her suspiciously as if she was dumping trash in his cart. But I thought he would be happy later. When we got back from our shopping trip, she had run out of cards. She was walking by a woman with two babies in her cart. My daughter smiled at her and the young mother smiled back. My daughter came to me and said excitedly, "Mom, I just realized something. You don't need cards to make someone smile. All you need to do is make eye contact and smile into their eyes and they will smile back." What a beautiful lesson my daughter reminded me of. You are never too young or too old to experiment with kindness and smiles. According to the text, John was a man _ . A. who is very young and lively B. who may be a salesman C. who is in trouble and needs smiles D. who is never seen to smile Answer: B. who may be a salesman Dear Disney, Last weekend, the four members of my family spent an enjoyable holiday at the Magic Kingdom - Disneyland. And one event made our visit seem truly magical. We got to the front of the line at Space Mountain, only to find out that our little daughter Gloria couldn't take her ice-cream on the ride. We were so excited that we all forgot ice-cream was not allowed on the ride. Gloria broke into tears and we all had no idea what to do. Then Murphy, one of the staff members, came over. She bent down and told Gloria that she would hold the ice-cream for her and give it to her when she finished the ride. Gloria said, "Promise? "Then she gave Murphy her ice-cream, and she completely enjoyed the ride. Sure enough, as we walked out the exit, there was Gloria's new friend with "her"ice-cream. Now you and I both know what happened, because we know that an ice-cream won't last twenty minutes on a summer afternoon in Florida. Murphy knew what time we would get off the ride; she went to the nearest shop and bought a brand-new ice-cream thirty seconds before we walked out the exit. Gloria said, "Thank you, "but I'm sure she thought it was the same ice-cream. We know that _ tried hard to make our visit special. Thanks so much for going above and beyond! Yours, Carmen Rivera The family's visit to the Magic Kingdom was _ . A. helpful B. awful C. frightening D. amazing Answer: D. amazing
Question: Beijing Acrobatic Show in Chaoyang Theatre Introduction of Acrobatic Show: This is the entertainment that should not be missed by the young and old on a visit to Beijing. You can see breath-holding acrobatics, some of which can be so demanding in the balance skill as to be close to the impossible. This time you can see the bicycling show-- ten cycling girls all ending up on a bicycle with their fans spread out like a peacock. There are also girls bending and folding their bodies to a position where the feet hold the face and the head and hands are still balancing some glasses. Other exciting acts are the martial arts , balancing of bowls, rope walking, pole climbing, roller skating and plate swirling , etc. Ticket Prices Two daily acrobatic shows from 5:15 pm to 7:15 pm. The detailed price is as follows (including 5-65 years old): Yellow Zone: (Mid Rows 14-23) RMB 120 Blue Zone: (Mid Rows 1-4) RMB 160 Green Zone: (Mid Rows 8-13) RMB 220 Red VIP Zone: (Mid Rows 5-7) RMB 400 Booking Book at beijing-travels.com or call 13801067568 Booking information: Your Name, Shows, Date, Time, Tickets, Telephone Number We will explain your enquiry or confirm booking within one working day. When your booking is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation letter by e-mail, which includes the detailed tickets with prices. Payment Please pay cash to our clerks when you get to the theater. Both RMB and US dollar are acceptable. If a couple with their 10-year-old child want to sit in Row 13, they should pay _ . A. 360 yuan B. 660 yuan C. 240 yuan D. 320 yuan Answer: B. 660 yuan Question: A study published in September suggests there is a surprising way to get people to avoid unhealthy foods: change their memories. Scientist Elizabeth Loftus of the University of California at Irvine asked volunteers to answer some questions on their personalities and food experiences. "One week later," Loftus says, "we told those people we'd fed their answers into our smart computer and it came up with an account of their early childhood experiences." Some accounts included one key additional detail. "You got sick after eating strawberry ice-cream." The researchers then changed this detail into a manufactured memory through leading questions --- Who were you with? How did you feel? By the end of the study, up to 41% of those given a false memory believed strawberry ice-cream once made them sick, and many said they'd avoid eating it. When Loftus published her findings, she started getting calls from people begging her to make them remember hating chocolate or French fries. Unfortunately, it's not that easy. False memories appear to work only for foods you don't eat on a regular basis. But most importantly, it is likely that false memories can be implanted only in people who are unaware of the mental control. And lying to a patient is immoral , even if a doctor believes it's for the patient's benefit. Loftus says there's nothing to stop parents from trying it with their overweight children. "I say, wake up --- parents have been lying about Father Christmas for years, and nobody seems to mind. If they can prevent diseases caused by fatness and all the other problems that come with that, you might think that's more moral lie. Decide that for yourself." What did Loftus find out from her research? A. People believe what the computer tells them. B. People tend to forget their childhood experiences. C. People can be led to believe in something false. D. People are not always aware of their personalities. Answer: C. People can be led to believe in something false. Question: Some power plants release heated water into rivers. This practice adds thermal energy to the river that most likely A. increases the amount of nutrients in the river. B. provides a better environment for native organisms to grow. C. keeps the river at balance with nature. D. threatens the existence of aquatic organisms. Answer: D. threatens the existence of aquatic organisms. Question: Gladys Holm was a secretary . She worked in an office all her life. Gladys made about $15,000 a year. She died when she was 86 years old. And she left a big surprise--$18 million! She gave the money to a children's hospital. Gladys Holm never got married or had any children. But she always liked children, and she wanted to help them. When her friend's daughter was ill in hospital, Gladys brought her a toy bear. After that, she visited the hospital many times. Every time she visited, she brought toy bears for those children. After that, people started to call Gladys the "Toy Bear Lady". Gladys always gave toys and other presents to her friends but no one knew she had a lot of money. She lived in a small house outside Chicago. Everyone was very surprised when they learned that she was a millionaire. One of her friends said, "She always gave us nice presents and things, but we didn't know she was rich." How did Gladys get so much money? She asked her boss how to make more money, and she listened to what he said. She bought the stocks that he told her to buy, and she got very rich. Before she died, she talked to her friends about "giving something to the children's hospital". No one knew that the "something" was $18 million! _ , so she got rich. A. Gladys made $15,000 a year as a secretary B. Gladys did another job in the hospital C. Gladys got the money from the boss D. Gladys did what the boss told her to do Answer: D. Gladys did what the boss told her to do Question: Coral get their ____ from algae A. vibrance B. love C. apples D. candles Answer: A. vibrance
As if there weren't enough of them in the world already, scientists have succeeded in cloning flies. The alike fruit flies are the first insects ever cloned, says the Canadian team that created them. The question everyone asks is why anyone would want to clone flies in the first place. She hopes that the insects , which are very easy to experiment with , will help to adjust the cloning process in other animals and even in humans, where the technique is being researched to aid production of therapeutic stem cells. In cloning, the DNA-containing nucleus of an adult cell is injected into an egg whose own nucleus has been removed. At the moment, the majority of cloned mice, sheep and other animals die before birth. It is thought this is because the adult DNA is not properly 'reprogrammed'. Using flies, researchers might discover genes that are important for this reprogramming, and that have matches in other animals. That is because it is relatively easy in flies to knock out the function of a single gene and then attempt cloning with these cells, which will test whether that gene is important. If such genes are confirmed, then in theory cloned mammalian embryos might be grown in selected solutions that change the activity of those genes to improve the technique's success rate. Although some groups have attempted to clone insects before, Lloyd says this is the first time it has been successful. The team used a slight difference on the standard cloning process: they transferred nuclei taken from embryos rather than fully-grown adult cells. They sucked several nuclei (pl)out of developing fly embryos, and injected them into a fertilized fly egg. From over 800 early attempts, they cloned five adult insects, the group reports in the journal Genetics. The failure of most cloned animals is due to _ . Answer: 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 According to the passage, we know that this grammar book _ . Answer: Robert and Peter study in the same university. They do everything together and help each other. But they often play jokes on each other. The school year was over last month and they decided to travel through the country in America. They drove a car and could stop wherever they were interested in and started whenever they wanted. Of course they enjoyed themselves. It was very hot one day and they were both hungry and thirsty. They stopped in front of a restaurant by the road. They came in, sat down at a table and ordered some dishes. Robert looked around and found there was a small bowl on the table. He thought there was some ice cream in it and took a spoonful of it and put it into his mouth. Immediately he knew it was mustard ,but it was too late. Tears ran down his face, but he pretended nothing had happened. The other young man, seeing his friend crying, asked, "What are you crying about, Robert?" "I'm thinking of my father who was hanged twenty years ago," was his reply. After a while, Peter made the same mistake. Tears ran down his cheeks, too. And his friend asked him why. "I wonder why your father hadn't been hanged before he got married!" What do Peter's last words mean? Answer: Aerial maps represent what feature using dark green? Answer: I'm Ann. I'm English. I'm twelve. I was born on May 17 , 1991. I learn Chinese at Beijing No.3 Middle School. I have a good friend. Her name is Lucy. She is twelve, too. We are in the same grade. But we are not in the same class. I'm in Class Two, and she is in Class Three. We have the same Chinese teacher . Her name is Zhang Ying. We all like her. Lucy's parents are both English teachers in China. And she has a sister. Her name is Lily. She is only five years old. How old is Lily? She is _ . Answer:
A single parent took their child on a trip. The trip was to the playground. The child had a fear of the playground, because she had dug a hole and it had made her trip once. The parent put the child on the sofa and put her shoes on, telling her that it would be alright, and they would be back home by nine. At the playground, the child met a witch. The witch had a piggy with her. The witch stood in the middle of the street. She had a broom. The child wondered what there was to sweep at the playground. Instead, the witch made a chicken, and gave some of it to the child. The witch was saying that it was a gift for her. She thought a gift would help the child with her fear. The child ate the chicken. Then she asked the witch a question. She asked what the witch had a broom for. The witch laughed. She told the girl it was to fly with. The girl did not believe her. The witch sat on her broom and flew away. In the distance, a dog howled. What did the witch give the child? There was a lovely vegetable patch . A large tree grew there. Both the patch and the tree gave the place a wonderful look, and they were the pride of the gardener. But no one know that the vegetables and the tree couldn't stand each other. The vegetables hated the tree's shadow , because it left them only just enough light to live. The tree, on the other hand, hated the vegetables because they drank nearly all the water, leaving him just enough to live. Their problem became so serious that the vegetables decided to use up all the water in the ground so that the tree would die. The tree answered back by not protecting the vegetables from the hot sun, so they began to dry up. Soon the vegetables were really weak, and the tree was drying up. The gardener wondered why and stopped watering them. When he did that, both the tree and the vegetables found that it was better to help each other. They learned how to live _ with those around them. So they decided to work together, using both the shade and the water to grow well. After seeing how well they were doing, the gardener gave the best care to the vegetable patch, watering and fertilizing it better than any other patch for miles around. From the passage we know _ . Google works miracles Google is a daily miracle to millions of people. You can type almost anything into the space provided, and soon it wil come up with hundreds, if not thousands, of references . It is said that you can get into billions of websites through Google. Yahoo becomes giant Yahoo was the first wonder of the Web, and in many parts, it still is. It started in January 1994 when two Californian graduate students, Jerry Yang and David Filo, started building a database of links , mainly for their personal use. Well before the end of the year, it had become known as the Yahoo we know today. Ebay enables everyone to buy and sell Ebay, which carries out online auctions , is one of the most important Internet companies. It has, for example, opened up a global marketplace in which people from Beigjing, San Francisco, Moscow or Buenos Aires can bid against each other for products (new or old )put up auction by someone in London. Amazon makes buying a new experience For regular users, amazon has made itself the shortest possible path between wanting and buying. With amazon you can get something more cheaply and perhaps more quickly. The search engine and one-click ordering system let you find and order something in seconds.But this is not the whole story. Amazon also uses technology very cleverly to keep you on the site, and to make you buy more. What can you do through Google? Studies show farmland in Africa is often lacking in important nutrients. But researchers say combining different farming methods may help. Since the world food crisis several years ago, researchers have directed more of their attention to small farms. Most farms in areas south of the Sahara Desert are only about one or two hectares. One of the goals is to increase production without necessarily clearing more land to grow additional crops. American researchers say that can happen with greater use of an agricultural system called perennation. It mixes food crops with trees and perennial plants - those that return year after year. Mr. Reganold, who is with Washington State University, says poor soil may have resulted from years of weathering that washed away many nutrients. He says some farmers may have done more harm than good. He estimates that up to two billion dollars worth of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium is lost from African soil each year. The scientist says the word perennation defines three systems that are already used in Africa. The oldest of the three is called evergreen agriculture. This is where farmers plant trees with their crops. John Reganold says farmers in Africa have been doing this for sixty years, but it seems to be growing in popularity. The method is gaining widespread use in countries such as Niger, Burkina Faso, Malawi and Zambia. The trees are planted among maize, millet or sorghum crops. They not only add nitrogen to the soil through their roots, but also through their leaves when they fall off and break down. At other times of the year, the trees can protect plants from strong sunlight. Mr. Reganold was one of three researchers who wrote a report about perennation. It was published in the journal Nature. Farmland in Africa _ . When you close your eyes and try to think of the shape of your own body, what you imagine (or rather, what you feel) is quite different from what you see when you open your eyes and look in the mirror. The image you feel is much vaguer than the one you see. And if you lie still, it is quite hard to imagine yourself as having any particular size or shape. When you move, when you feel the weight of your arms and legs and the natural resistance of the objects around you, the "felt" image of yourself starts to become clearer. It is almost as if it were created by your own actions and the feelings they cause. The image you create for yourself has rather strange proportions ; certain parts feel much larger than they look. If you get a hole in one of your teeth, it feels enormous; you are often surprised by how small it looks when you inspect it in the mirror. Although the "felt" image may not have the shape you see in the mirror, it is much more important. It is the image through which you recognize your physical existence in the world. In spite of its strange proportions, it is all one piece, and since it has a consistent right and left and a top and bottom, it allows you to locate new feelings when they occur. It allows you to find your nose in the dark and point to a pain. If the felt image is damaged for any reason--if it is cut in half or lost as it often is after certain strokes which wipe out recognition of one entire side -these tasks become almost impossible. What is more, it becomes hard to make sense of one's own visual appearance. If one half of the "felt" image is wiped out or injured, the patient stops recognizing the affected part of his body. It is hard for him to find the location of feelings on that side, and, although he feels the doctor's touch, he locates it as being on the undamaged side. If a man loses the ability to recognize his right side, _ .
When your dream is to become a footballer, nothing should get in your way--even if you have no feet. Gabriel Muniz, an 11-year-old Brazil kid, was born without feet. Although his family thought he would have serious difficulties living a normal life, he started walking before he was one year old. His mother would go after him, expecting him to keep falling, but he never fell. It took him a while to make the jump from walking to playing football, but he did make it. And, in fact, there's nothing he loves more than playing football. In his school, the skillful youngster is not only the best player in his school team but also the captain of his gym team. He knows that his disability means he'll never be able to play for a professional football team. So Gabriel is hoping that football will one day become a Paralympics sport. He proved to everyone there he could go head to head with any other boy. Watching him play is unbelievable. He's fast and he's got a big bag of tricks--he's very skilled and he does everything he can to copy his hero, Messi so much that he is invited to go to Spain to meet his hero Messi and show his talent in the Barcelona Football Club. His coach says he is proving the disability only exists inside our heads and he is challenging the social . What's wrong with Gabriel Muniz? Answer: A scientist was examining a large boulder that was covered with lichens (a combination of fungi and algae). He chipped a piece of the rock and placed it under a microscope. He observed that the surface of the rock was breaking down underneath the lichen. Which was the scientist most likely observing? Answer: Have you heard about the periodic table lately? Well, there's some big news about this special table, but first, remember that the periodic table is used for all the elements , or things that make up our world. Elements are all around us. Iron is one of the most common elements found on the earth. You probably know the element oxygen , which is the element that we breathe in all the time. And elements can combine to make new things like H2O. This is hydrogen and oxygen put together, also known as water! Learning about these things helps us better understand the world we live in. But have you ever noticed something missing in the periodic table? There were already 114 elements. But the seventh row of the table was not finished, until now! In December, scientists from the IUPAC found the four elements that were missing. They are elements 113, 115, 117 and 118. "To scientists, this is of greater value than an Olympic gold medal," Ryoji Noyori, a Nobel honored chemist said. The new elements are heavy metals and were made in lab. These kinds of elements can't be found in nature. Scientists are still looking for ways to use these elements, and other elements in the eighth row in our daily lives. Scientists have been working on this for 10 years, but the work is not done. Now they will prepare to look for "element 119 and _ ". But for now, be mindful when you read your science books because the periodic table might be outdated . The newly found elements are _ . Answer: A person hits two drumsticks together and Answer: What's On? Trouble in Mind Alice Childress won an Off-Broadway award in 1956 for this story of a black actress rehearsing a play with a white director who increasingly finds it impossible for the show to go on. Tanya Moodie and Joseph Marcell star in the play directed by Laurence Boswell. 8.30p.m.--10.30p.m., Theatre Royal. Box office: 01225 448844. Lazarus Inspired by the sci-fi (science fiction) novel and movie,The Man Who Fell to Earth, this musical deals with a hero, Thomas Newton. Likely to be the autumn's hottest ticket, the score includes new songs composed by Bowie. 7.00p.m.--9.00p.m., King's Cross theatre. Box office: 0844 871 7604. The Gaul On the night of 8 February 1974, a fisherman FV Gaul disappeared off the coast of Norway. For people on board, waiting for news was great suffering. Theories began to come up, including the possibility that the boat had fallen victim to cold war. Even when he was discovered, many still felt there were questions that remained unanswered. Mark Babych directs Janet Plater's play. 8.00p.m.--11.00 p.m., Royal Shakespeare theatre. Box office: 01482 323638. The Suppliant Women It is a new version of Aeschylus's 2,500-year-old play about a group of women seeking shelter who make the long journey to escape forced marriage. It was written by David Greigand directed by Ramin Gray. An ancient piece asks a contemporary question: when we are introuble, who will open their doors and give us a harbor? 8.30p.m.--10.00p.m., Hampstead theatre. Box office: 0131 248 4848. Who directed the play about the story in Norway? Answer:
Question: THE human face doesn't lie. We show sadness and happiness through our expressions. But exactly how many emotions can our face make?Scientists used to believe we had six basic facial expressions that tell others how we feel: sad, happy, surprised, fearful, angry and disgusted . But a new study shows that our faces can do more than we think. Scientists from Ohio State University found out that humans can actually make 21 different facial expressions after studying how people move their facial muscles. The scientists took pictures of 230 volunteers making faces in response to different cues .These cues included phrases like "you just got some great unexpected news", which produced a "happily surprised" reaction from volunteers. Other cues included "you smell a bad odor ", which caused "disgusted" faces. In total, around 5,000 pictures were taken of the volunteers. The scientists then studied similarities of these pictures using a computer expression database. _ helped them to define a facial expression. "That tells us that these 21 emotions are expressed in the same way by nearly everyone," said DrAleix Martinez to The Daily Telegraph. For example, to express surprise, 92 percent of volunteers widened their eyes and opened their mouth. And 99 percent raised their cheeks and smiled to show being happy. We are not always aware of our facial expressions, which can hold clues to how we really feel. So these results may have a big impact on medical treatment. If doctors were able to recognize more complex emotions, it would help doctors treat patients suffering from certain diseases. How didscientists from Ohio State University find out the number of facial expressions? A. They studied how people move their eyes. B. They studied how people move their mouths. C. They studied how people move their facial muscles. D. They studied how people move their eye balls. Answer: C Question: A man was on the side of the road hitchhiking on a very dark night in the middle of a terrible rainstorm, with no cars on the road.The storm was so strong that the man could hardly see a few feet ahead of him.Suddenly, he saw a car come towards him and stop.The man, without thinking about it, got in the car and closed the door and only then did he realize that there was nobody behind the steering wheel ! The car started to move very slowly. The man looked at the road and saw a curve coming his way. Terrified, he started to pray, begging for his life. He had not come out of shock when, just before the car hit the curve, a hand suddenly appeared through the window and moved the wheel. The man, paralyzed with fear, watched how the hand appeared every time the car was drawing near a curve.Finally, although terrified, the man managed to open the door and jump out of the spooky car. Without looking back, the man ran through the storm all the way to the nearest town. In a state of complete horror, the man walked into a nearby bar and asked for two glasses of Scotch whisky. Then, still shaking with fright, he started telling everybody in the bar about the horrible experience he just went through in the spooky car. Everyone in the bar listened in silence and became frightened, with hair standing on end, when they realized the man was telling the truth because he was crying and he was certainly not drunk! About half an hour later, two other young men walked into the same bar and one said to the other, "Hey, there's a stupid man who jumped into the car while we were pushing it!" When the car was first drawing near a curve, the man _ . A. felt very curious B. was extremely frightened C. cried for help D. remained as calm as possible Answer: B Question: People in cities all over the world shop in supermarkets. Who decides what you buy in the supermarket? Do you decide? Does the supermarket decide? When you enter the supermarket, you see shelves full of food. You walk in the aisles between the shelves. You push a shopping cart and put your food in it. You probably hear soft, slow music as you walk along the aisles. This may be an attempt to please you, so you will enjoy shopping. Some supermarkets want to increase their profits by playing soft and slow music, because the slow music makes you walk slowly and you have more time to buy things. Fresh fruit and vegetables are usually put near the entrance. When you arrive at the supermarket, you think about the kinds of fruit and vegetables you need first. Once you've got that out of the way, you can relax and do the rest of the shopping without any hurry. Besides, if you see fresh goods first, it gives you a "feel good" impression of freshness, so you can not help spending your money. Maybe you go to the meat department then. There is some meat on sale, and you want to find it. The manager of the supermarket knows where customers enter the meat department. The cheaper meat is at the other end of the meat department, away from where the customers enter. You have to walk past all the expensive meat before you find the cheaper meat. Maybe you will buy some of the expensive meat instead of the meat on sale. Most of the food in supermarkets is very attractive. It all says "Buy me quickly!" to the customers. The fresh fruit and vegetables say "Buy me quickly!" as you walk by. The expensive meat says "Buy me quickly!" The supermarket tells you what to buy. When walking past the expensive meat, the customers will _ . A. pay no attention to it B. possibly buy some C. look for some cheap meat D. feel uncomfortable Answer: B Question: It was a Saturday in May. When Mrs. Black opened the door and looked out, she smiled and said, "It's a beautiful day." She woke her small son up at eight thirty and said to him, " Get up, Tod. Let's go to the zoo today. Wash your hands and face, brush your teeth and eat your breakfast quickly. We are going to New York by train." Tod was six years old. He was very happy now, because he liked going to the zoo very much, and he also liked going by train. He said, "I dreamed about the zoo last night, Mummy."[:++Z+X+X+K] His mother was busy, but she stopped and smiled at her little son, "And what did you do in the zoo in your dream?" Tod laughed and answered, "You know, Mummy! You were there in my dream, too." Where did Tod live ?He lived in _ A. the zoo B. China C. England D. the USA Answer: D Question: The Sydney Opera House is a very famous building in the world. It has become Sydney's best-known landmark and international symbol. The Opera House with a " sailing roof" was designed by a famous Danish architect ,Utzon. The base for the building was started in 1959, years before the designs were finished. Utzon spent four years designing the Opera House. In 1962, the designs were finalized and the construction began. In 1967, they started the decoration inside. It took 14 years in total to build the Opera House. Queen Elizabeth II officially opened it on October 20th, 1973. The Sydney Opera House cost around $100 million and was paid for by the public 6,225 square meters of glass was used to build it. The Opera House includes 1,000 rooms. It is 185 meters long and 120 meters wide. The building's roof sections weigh about 15 tons. Each year, this fantastic building attracts 200,000 tourists to come for a visit or enjoy events in it. The Opera House reaches out into the harbour . It is amazing and unforgettable, offering people a strong sense of beauty. Which is the best title for the passage? A. Sailing Roof B. Travelling in Sydney C. The Sydney Opera House D. The Opening of the Opera House Answer: C
A victim of climate change A polar bear's dead body found on the Arctic island of Svalbard, the northernmost part of Norway, has shocked experts who say climate change may be to blame for the death. The starved polar bear in Norway was said to be in good bones by the time a group of explorers came across its body in July. The bear is thought to have been heading north in a desperate search for sea ice that would allow it to hunt for seals."From his lying position in death, the bear appears to simply have starved to health in April when the Norwegian Polar Institute examined and labeled it. However, the animal was reduced to skin and bones and died where he dropped," polar bear expert Dr. Ian Stirling, a professor at the University of Alberta said, "He had external suggestion of any remaining fat, having been reduced to little more than skin and bone." Stirling believes the bear starved to death as a result of a lack of sea ice which the animals use as a platform for hunting seals. That may also explain why the 16-year-old male bear was found about 155 miles north of where it was seen in April. Arctic sea ice reached a record low in 2012, according to a report released this week by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that pointed to continued signs of climate change. The International Union for Conservation of Nature currently classifies polar bears as _ e on its Red List of Threatened Species. What is the author's attitude to the incident? Answer: Concerned. Weighed down by study? Pushed to the limit by the fast pace of life ? Frightened by the possible war ? Well, you're not alone. Men and women in France are seeking relief using the world's best medicine-----laughter. In the past year, more than 15 laughter clubs have been set up across the country. People of all ages go to release their stress with an hour group laughs. "People telephoned me and said they have forgotten what it is to laugh. They want to find a place where they can escape all their problems for a while. So they come," said 40--year--old Jocelyne Le Moan. She usually takes a class of around 60 people through a series of laughter techniques. Her pupils range from teenagers to 70 years old, but most are middle---aged white collars seeking 60 minutes of relaxation at the end of a busy day. Le Moan takes them through the "Lion Laugh"and the "Laugh Contest", where participants "speak"to each other in different ways. And instead of talking, they break into fits of laughter. At the end there are 15 minutes of "meditation", when they lie on their backs and let the laughs burst out of their mouths. "I love it. It's an experience that has changed my life. Through it I rediscovered the child's laugh inside me,"Said Romain Jouffroy, 24. "US President George W. Bush should give it a try. He has lost his laugh,"she joked . Like Jouffroy, many laughter club members find themselves changed into children again, and why not ? The average preschooler laughs up to 400 times a day. The average adult only a day seven to 15. The physical benefits of laughter are already well--recognized. Doctors say the act of laughing releases good chemicals into the blood--stream, while the quick breathing that accompanies it helps massage the digestive organs and strengthens the heart. "A full hour is like having your inside go jogging!One finishes out of breath, but feels revitalized(. And on top of that , you've had a laugh,"said doctor Alexisd' Estaing.And many participants in Paris also emphasize the psychological benefits. They believe that laughter is a way of making oneself feel more confident. From the passage , we can conclude the following but _ . Answer: laugh freely and everything goes well. Odland remembers like it was yesterday working in an expensive French restaurant in Denver. The ice cream he was serving fell onto the white dress of a rich and important woman. Thirty years have passed, but Odland can not get the memory out of his mind, nor the woman's kind reaction . She was shocked, regained calmness and, in a kind voice, told the young Odland. "It is OK. It wasn't your fault." When she left the restaurant, she also left the future Fortune 500 CEO with a life lesson: You can tell a lot about a person by the way he or she treats the waiter. Odland isn't the only CEO to have made this discovery. Instead, it seems to be one of those few laws of the land that every CEO learns on the way up. It's hard to get a dozen CEO's to agree about anything, but most agree with the Waiter Rule. They say how others treat the CEO says nothing. But how others treat the waiter is like a window into the soul. Watch out for anyone who pulls out the power card to say something like, "I could buy this place and fire you," or "I know the owner and I could have you fired." Those who say such things have shown more about their character than about their wealth and power. The CEO who came up with it, or at least first wrote it down, is Raytheon CEO Bill Swanson. He wrote a best-selling book called Swanson's Unwritten Rules of Management. "A person who is nice to you but rude to the waiter, or to others, is not a nice person," Swanson says. "I will never offer a job to the person who is sweet to the boss but turns _ o someone cleaning the tables." From the text we can learn that _ . Answer: one should respect others no matter who they are Everybody has had at least one experience from which he knows the meaning of life.This time, which took place several years ago, but seems as if it just happened. On an afternoon several years ago, my brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister's dress and picked out a beautiful skirt."Jan bought this the first time we went to New York, at least 8 or 9 years ago.She never wore it.She was saving it for a special occasion." he said.I guess this was the occasion: it was the funeral of my sister, after her unexpected death. He took the shirt and put it on bed, with the other clothes we were taking to the funeral.Then he closed the drawer and turned to me, "Don't ever save anything for a special occasion.Every day you're alive is a special occasion." I'm thinking about his words, and they've changed the way I live my life.I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time in committee meetings.Whenever possible, life should be a kind of experience to enjoy, not to suffer."Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their importance on my vocabulary.If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing,I want to see and hear and do it now. Ever since that day, I have been trying very hard not to put off, hold hack or save anything that would add laughter and color to our lives.Every morning when I open my eyes.I tell myself that every day, every minute, every breath, truly is a gift.So every day and find the true meaning of your life. From his experience, the author learns that _ . Answer: every day in our lives is worth cherishing Students want to find out at which temperature bean plants grow tallest. Which science process skill would be used to find this temperature? Answer: measuring
Britain's seed bank, the only one in the world aiming to collect all of the planet's wild plant species, has reached its goal of banking 10 percent by 2010. The Millennium Seed Bank Project, run by Kew Gardens--one of the oldest botanical gardens--will officially place the 24,200th species on Thursday, a pink, wild banana from China. More than 50 countries are now on board with Kew's giant task but vast places of the globe, including India and Brazil, still need to join in and donate seeds, director Paul Smith said. The seed bank is one of the largest and most diverse in the world with more than 1.5 billion seeds. Its goal is to help protect the planet's bio-diversity during a time of climate change. The wild banana seed is under threat of extinction in southwest China from agricultural development. It is a vital food source for Asian elephants and important for growing bananas for human eating. Stored at minus-20 degrees centigrade, so they can last for thousands of years, the seeds await the day that scientists hope never comes--when the species no longer exist in the wild. It is a race against time, Smith said, because in the last ten years alone, 20 plants held in the bank have already been wiped out in the wild. He estimates that between a third and a quarter will become extinct this century. "It is pressing and it is happening now. An area, the size of England, is cleared of primary vegetation every year." Smith said. Because most of the world's food and medicines come from nature, protecting wild plant species is quite important, scientists say. There are already many other seed banks safeguarding food crops, which only account for 0.6 percent of plant diversity. For Kew's next goal--to collect a quarter of wild varieties by 2020--the botanists need 10 million pounds a year, or a further 100 million pounds on top of the 40 million they have already been granted. Which of the following isn't spoken about in the passage? A. The global partnership of collecting wild plant species. B. The temperature condition of the wild plant species in the bank. C. The government's support for the seed bank project by giving money. D. Scientists' concern on the extinct wild plant species. Answer: C. The government's support for the seed bank project by giving money. Travel Voucher : Please download Travel Voucher from this website.For every confirmed booking you will be required to print a voucher which is presented at the destination.You will receive a link to your voucher by email once your booking is confirmed. Which of the following group need only pay $58 per person? A. 2-year-old kids B. Babies in arms C. Kids between 3 and 14 D. Adults Answer: C. Kids between 3 and 14 A good way to pass the exam is to work hard every day. You may not pass an exam if you word hard all the time before the exam. If you are getting ready for an English exam, do not only learn grammar rulers . Try to read stories in Enlish and speak English _ you can. Before you start the exam, read the questions carefully. Try to understand the exact meaning of each question before you pick up your pen to write. When you finish you exam, read you answers once more, correct the mistake if there are any and make sure that you don't miss anything out. It is not a good way _ A. to read English stories B. to learn rules of grammar C. to speak English as much as possible D. to work hard only a few days before the exam Answer: D. to work hard only a few days before the exam Sally told Michael she would like to have sexual intercourse with him and that he should come to her apartment that night at 7 p.m. After Michael arrived, he and Sally went into the bedroom. As Michael started to remove Sally's blouse, Sally said she had changed her mind. Michael tried to convince her to have intercourse with him, but after ten minutes of her sustained refusals, Michael left the apartment. Unknown to Michael, Sally was 15 years old. Because she appeared to be older, Michael believed her to be about 18 years old. A statute in the jurisdiction provides: "A person commits rape in the second degree if he has sexual intercourse with a girl, not his wife, who is under the age of 16 years." If Michael is charged with attempting to violate this statute, he is A. guilty, because no mental state is required as to the element of age. B. guilty, because he persisted after she told him she had changed her mind. C. not guilty, because he reasonably believed she had consented and voluntarily withdrew after she told him she had changed her mind. D. not guilty, because he did not intend to have intercourse with a girl under the age of 16. Answer: D. not guilty, because he did not intend to have intercourse with a girl under the age of 16. It's not easy growing up. Growing up can be a real "pain" for some of us. Sometimes we feel trapped, sometimes we feel sad, sometimes we are fearful, and sometimes we just don't understand why we can't stay young forever. But we should take a look back on all the hardships in life with a positive attitude and learn from them. We must overcome every obstacle one small step at a time. We should realize that all of our growing pains actually turn into growing gains! Throughout our lives we are going to face many challenges and pains, but we should never let these _ keep us from following our dreams. We must overcome every obstacle one small step at a time. As a young girl, my parents forced me to do so many things that I didn't like. They made me learn to play the violin and then the piano. At that time I hated music and I also hated them. But looking back now, I am so glad that my parents encouraged me to take music lessons. Music hasenriched my life in so many ways. I now realize that my parents and teachers wanted me to have a better life than they did themselves. We are all going to experience growing pains, but they are just part of our life. They might seem so huge at the time, but we must be strong. Think about how we would feel if we had no challenges and lived a life like that. Life would be really boring and meaningless. The future is ours! A little hard work and sweat never hurt anyone! If we realize that these pains are just smallbumps on our road to success, we will realize that our growing pains are actually growing gains! The purpose of the passage is to tell readers _ . A. life is full of hardships B. growing pains can turn into growing gains in a positive way C. everyone is painful in growing up D. everyone should do what they don't like when young Answer: B. growing pains can turn into growing gains in a positive way
Revealed to the world by the famous British explorer, Dr David Livingstone, in 1855, the Victoria Falls are one of Africa's best-known natural wonders. They form a natural border between Zimbabwe and Zambia . The falls are named after Queen Victoria by Livingstone. They were known to the native people in the 18th century as: "the smoke that thunders". The waterfall is formed as the two-kilometer-wide Zambezi River spills over the edge of its giant stone riverbed and falls into the gorge below. At their highest point, the Victoria Falls drop a distance of 108m, almost twice as far as the Niagara Falls. As much as 546 million cubic meters of water per minute falls over the edge from that height. Viewing the falls from the Zambian side means that visitors can follow a path that goes right up to the falls. The falls can also be viewed from the Boiling Pot, right in the depths of the gorge at the bottom of the falls. The 111-meter-high Victoria Falls Bridge, a railway crossing, is now a popular place for Bungee jumping. It can be crossed on foot for excellent views of the falls and the winding blue-green waters of the Zambezi River. It is also possible to see the falls from a plane. The area around the falls is a major game-viewing place. The best time to view the Victoria Falls is between December and July, when the water level is the highest. Contact Addresses Tourist Centre, Livingstone, Zambia Tel: (03) 321 404E-mail: zntb@zamnet.zm Website: www.zambiatourism.com. The author of the passage is likely to be _ . a tourist guide Swee Lin has an interesting hobby . She collects stamps. She spends a lot of time on her stamp collection after school hours. She has collected hundreds of stamps from all over the world. They are all in color. Swee Lin likes stamps with pictures of animals and birds on them. In this way, she learns the names of many animals and birds. She also borrows books on animals and birds from her school library. She learns many things about them. Sometimes Swee Lin has many stamps of the same kind. She gives them to her friends. They give her other stamps in return. Swee Lin writes to her friends in many countries. She sends them stamps of her country. In return, they send her stamps of their countries. Swee Lin's father also gives her stamps. He brings them home from his office for her. Many of Swee Lin's friends collect other things. Some collect coins and others collect matchboxes . But, all of them say that Swee Lin's collection is the most interesting of all. She learns a lot about animals and birds from _ . her stamps The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually and the first woman to win this prize was Baroness Bertha Felicie Sophie von Suttner in 1905. In fact, her work inspired the creation of the Prize. The first American woman to win this prize was Jane Addams, in 1931. However, Addams is best known as the founder of Hull House. Jane Addams was born in I860, into a wealthy family. She was one of a small number of women in her generation to graduate from college. Her dedication to improving the lives of those around her led her to work for social reform and world peace. In the 1880s Jane Addams travelled to Europe. While she was in London, she visited a "settlement house" called Toynbee Hall. Inspired by Toynbee Hall, Addams and her friend, Ellen Gates Starr, opened Hull House in a neighborhood of slums in Chicago in 1899. Hull House provided a day care center for children of working mothers, a community kitchen, and visiting nurses. Addams and her staff gave classes in English literacy, art, and other subjects. Hull House also became a meeting place for clubs and labor unions. Most of the people who worked with Addams in Hull House were well educated, middle-class women. Hull House gave them an opportunity to use their education and it provided a training ground for careers in social work. Before World War I, Addams was probably the most beloved woman in America. In a newspaper poll that asked, "Who among our contemporaries are of the most value to the community?",Jane Addams was rated second, after Thomas Edison. When she opposed America's involvement in World War I, however, newspaper editors called .her a traitor and a fool, but she never changed her mind. Jane Addams was a strong champion of several other causes. Until 1920, American women could not vote. Addams joined in the movement for women's suffrage and was a vice president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. She was a founding member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and was president of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. Her reputation was gradually restored during the last years of her life. She died of cancer in 1935. With which of the following subjects is the passage mainly concerned? Jane Addams' work for social reform and world peace. It all started at the beginning of this term. At first, Carmen wasn't really sure what was happening. In class, she had tosquint to see the blackboard clearly. As it got worse, she became more and more worried. It was important for her to see the notes and homework the teacher wrote on the board. In class, she asked for a desk that was closer to the blackboard. One day, her teacher said, "Carmen, I've noticed you squinting a lot. Are you having trouble seeing the board?" Carmen shook her head. "I'm fine, Mrs. Cruz." At home, she had to sit closer and closer to the television. Her mother noticed her squinting as she watched her favorite shows. "Tomorrow I will go to see a doctor," she said firmly. Three days later, Carmen had new glasses. She was told to wear them all the time. "All of the kids at school will think I am anerd ," she said. "You look just as beautiful with those glasses on as you do without them," her mother said. But Carmen didn't believe her. The next day, Carmen kept the glasses in her pocket as she walked into the schoolyard. Suddenly, she heard her friend Theresa shout. "What's wrong?" she asked. "My silver ring is gone!" Theresa cried. Carmen could tell that Theresa was very upset. They all looked for the ring in the grassy area of the playground. Carmen realized that she could search better if she could see better. She took the glasses out of her pocket and put them on. Everything looked so different! So clear! And aglimmer of silver caught her eye. "Here it is," she shouted. "Thanks Carmen," Theresa said. "I didn't know you wore glasses. They look great!" "Thanks," Carmen replied shyly. As they walked back toward the school building, two more girls praised her glasses. Carmen smiled. "Maybe wearing glasses won't be so bad after all," she thought. When Carmen wore glasses for the first time, she felt _ . surprised A villa designed to resist earthquakes with "self-healing" cracks in its walls, thanks to nanotechnology applications with self-healing polymers , is to be built on a Greek mountainside. The villa's walls will include special particles that turn into a liquid when squeezed under pressure, flow into cracks, and then harden to form a solid material. The NanoManufacturing Institute (NMI), based in Leeds University, will play a key role in an EU project to construct the home by December 2010. The project, called "Intelligent Safe and Secure Buildings" (ISSB) is funded under the EU's Sixth Framework program. This potentially life-saving scheme is led by German building manufacturer Knauf. The villa will be built in Amphilochia, in western Greece, where Knauf currently runs a manufacturing plant. If the experiment is successful, more tremor-resistant homes could be built in earthquake zones across the globe. NMI chief executive Professor Terry Wilkins said, "What we're trying to achieve here is very exciting. We're looking to use polymers in much tougher situations than ever before on a larger scale." Monitors contained in the villa's walls will be able to collect vast amounts of data about the building over time. Wireless sensors will record any stresses and vibrations, as well as temperature, humidity and gas levels. The walls are to be built from new load-bearing steel frames and high-strength gypsum board. Prof Wilkins said, "If there are any problems, the intelligent sensor network will be able to alert residents immediately so they have time to escape. If whole groups of houses are so constructed, we could use a larger network of sensors to get even more information. If the house falls down, we have got hand-held devices that can be used over the ruins to pick out where the embedded sensors are hidden to get some information about how the villa collapsed. Also, we can get information about anyone who may be around, so it potentially becomes a tool for rescue." If the tremor-resistant home falls down, _ . rescue work can be done more quickly and accurately
Steven Jobs was born on February 24,1955,in San Francisco,California,and was adopted by Paul and Clara Jobs.In 1961 the family moved to Mountain View, California.At that time people started to refer to the area as "Silicon Valley". As a child, Jobs preferred doing things by himself, not interested in team sports or other group activities.He enrolled in the HewlettPackard Explorer Club. There he saw his first computer at the age of twelve. He was very impressed, and knew right away that he wanted to work with computers. At that time almost all computers were so large that one could fill a room, and so costly that individuals could not afford to buy them.Advances in electronics, however, meant that the parts of a computer were getting smaller and the power of the computer was increasing. By 1980 the personal computer era was well underway.Apple was continually forced to improve its products to remain ahead, as more competitors entered the marketplace. Apple introduced the Apple III, but the new model suffered technical and marketing problems.It was removed from the market. Early in 1983 Jobs unveiled the Lisa.It did not sell well,however, because it was more expensive than personal computers sold by competitors.Apple's biggest competitor was International Business Machines (IBM). By 1983 it was estimated that Apple had lost half of its market share ( part of an industry's sales that a specific company has) to IBM. In 1984 Apple introduced a revolutionary new model, the Macintosh.The Macintosh did not sell well to businesses,however.It lacked features other personal computers had, such as a corresponding high quality printer. The failure of the Macintosh signaled the beginning of Jobs's downfall at Apple. Late in 1988 the NeXT computer was introduced, aimed at the educational market.The product was very userfriendly,and had a fast processing speed, excellent graphics displays,and an outstanding sound system.Despite the warm reception,however, the NeXT machine never caught on. It was too costly, had a blackandwhite screen, and could not be linked to other computers or run common software. When did Steven Jobs first get the chance to catch sight of a computer? Answer: Where do plants get energy from to make food? Answer: When animals use energy, what is always produced? Answer: Do your parents ever say,"Act like a lady."or"Be a gentleman."to you? But in the eyes of today's teenagers, what should a lady or a gentleman be like? Let's take a look. What is a gentleman? The girls have their ideas: Huang Xiaoyu of Guizhou: A gentleman doesn't often get angry. He wants others to be well and happy. He is always ready to help. There is a boy in my class and I think he is a gentleman. If I don't do well in the English test, he will say,"You will do better next time."That makes me feel happy. Chen Tingting of Shenzhen: A gentleman always says,"Ladies first." When students clean up the classroom, he does the heavy work. He lets girls go into rooms first. There are no gentlemen in my class. When there is something to eat, the boys in my class always get them before girls! What is a lady?Boys tell us what they think a lady is: Wu Yifan of Dalian: A lady is quiet and kind, but she's not shy and she can talk about her ideas in front of others. To me, Jiang Yiyan, a film star, is a lady. She is pretty and kind. She does a lot for others. Wang Lichao of Tianjin: A lady is not just beautiful but clever. She never says bad words. She is quiet and kind to others. I don't think there is a lady in my class. Most of the girls are _ I think. Where is the passage from? Answer: Is the world too crowded? Well, that's a hard question to answer. It's all a matter of perspective .In Montana, you might drive for a mile in any direction and not see another human being. In Macao, 60,000 people live in every square mile! What is true is that the world's population doesn't stay the same. It has been increasing at a very fast rate .That's in part because in each generation these are more people who then have children than in the last generation. Five hundred years ago, the population of the world was about 460 million. In 1900,the world's population was under 2 billion .Right now it is doubling every 40 years. That means, if this rate of growth continues, when you are a parent, there will be twice as many people on earth as there are now. Wow! Now that's a whole lot of people! Soon the world's population will probably reach 7 billion. Some people worry about that! But there is a lot of disagreement about just how many people on earth equals too many people. But everyone agrees that the more people there are, the more resources the world needs to feed, house and take care of all of them, and the more need there is to think carefully about how we live and use the earth's resources. The writer thinks that with the population increasing, we should _ . Answer:
Let us show you Scotland's unique and beautiful landscape. Leave Edinburgh behind, and escape into another world. Our highly trained local guides are passionate about Scotland, enabling them to offer you an unforgettable insight into the real Scotland. Choose from our range of great value Scottish Highland Tours to Loch Ness, Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle, Isle of Skye, Whisky Tasting, Highland Games and the unforgettable Edinburgh Tattoo.EUR Fantastic day and extended SMALL GROUP tours from Edinburgh. Book & Go Guarantee. We NEVER cancel, no minimum numbers requires.[:] Passionate expert local SCOTTISH guides. Mini Groups -- Save 10% when 4 or more adults book on the same tour. Multi-Tour Offer -- Save 10% to book 2 or more day tours! Environmental Charity Offering Scheme (ECO Scheme) We are committed to sustainable tourism and to preserving Scotland's natural wildlife, environment and unique cultures for future generations to enjoy. You can make an optional donation to leading Scottish environmental charities The John Muir Trust and Trees For Life. EVERY pound you donate will be matched by Highland Explorer Tours. What is the best way to save money? A. Four adults book one day tour. B. Three adults book on the same tour. C. Four adults book two day tours. D. Three adults book at least two day tours. Answer: C People diet to look more attractive.Fish diet to avoid being beaten up,thrown out of their social group,and getting eaten as a result.That is the fascinating conclusion of the latest research into fish behavior by a team of Australian scientists. The research team have discovered that subordinate fish voluntarily diet to avoid challenging their larger competitors."In studying gobies we noticed that only the largest two individuals,a male and female,had breeding rights within the group," explains Marian Wong."All other group members are nonbreeding females,each being 5-10% smaller than its next largest competitor.We wanted to find out how they maintain this precise size separation." The reason for the size difference was easy to see.Once a subordinate fish grows to within 5-10% of the size of its larger competitor,it causes a fight which usually ends in the smaller goby being driven away from the group.More often than not, _ is then eaten up. It appeared that the smaller fish were keeping themselves small in order to avoid challenging the boss fish.Whether they did so voluntarily,by restraining how much they ate,was not clear.The research team decided to do an experiment.They tried to fatten up some of the subordinate gobies to see what happened.To their surprise,the gobies simply refused the extra food they were offered,clearly preferring to remain small and avoid fights,over having a feast. The discovery challenges the traditional scientific view of how boss individuals keep their position in a group.Previously it was thought that large individuals simply used their weight and size to threaten their subordinates and take more of the food for themselves,so keeping their competitors small. While the habits of gobies may seem a little mysterious,Dr.Wong explains that understanding the relationships between boss and subordinate animals is important to understand how hierarchical societies remain stable. The research has proved the fact that voluntary dieting is a habit far from exclusive to humans."As yet,we lack a complete understanding of how widespread the voluntary reduction of food intake is in nature," the researchers comment."Data on human dieting suggests that,while humans generally diet to improve health or increase attractiveness,rarely does it improve long-term health and males regularly prefer females that are fatter than the females' own ideal." When a goby grows to within 5-10% of the size of its larger competitor,it _ . A. leaves the group itself B. has breeding rights C. eats its competitor D. faces danger Answer: D LONDON(Reuters)--Organic fruit, delivered right to the doorstep. That is what Gabriel Gold prefers, and he is willing to pay for it. If this is not possible, the 26-year-old computer technician will spend the extra money at the supermarket to buy organic food. "Organic produce is always better,"Gold said."The food is free of pesticides ,and you are generally supporting family farms instead of large farms. And at most times it is locally grown and seasonal, so it is more tasty."Gold is one of a growing number of shoppers accepting the _ , and supermarkets across Britain are counting on more like him as they grow their organic food business. But how many shoppers really know what they are getting, and why are they willing to pay a higher price for organic produce? Market research shows that Gold and others who buy organic food can generally give clear reasons for their preferences but their knowledge of organic food is far from complete. For example, small amount of pesticides can be used on organic products. And about three quarters of organic food in prefix = st1 /Britainis not local but imported to meet growing demand."The demand for organic food is increasing by about one third every year, so it is a very fast-growing market,"said Sue Flock, a specialist in this line of business What is the best title for this news story? A. Organic Food--Healthy, or Just for the Wealthy? B. The Making of Organic Food in Britain C. Organic Food--to Import or Not? D. Good Qualities of Organic Food Answer: A Everybody has a home. We people have homes,animals have homes,too. Some animals live under the ground. The woodchuck lives in holes under the ground. His home has two doors. If anybody comes in one door, he goes out from the other door. Some birds live in nests and trees. They come out for food in the day and go back to sleep at night. But many birds just live in the trees. Bees work hard to make their homes. There are many,many little rooms in their house... Cows ,sheep and chicks live in people's homes. And that is called farm. We see all kinds of animals in the zoo. It's a big home for lots of animals. Birds live _ . A. in holes B. under the ground C. on the farm D. in nests and trees Answer: D I never saw my father home from work late or ill, nor did I ever see my father take a "night out with the boys". He had no bobbies but just took care of his family. For 22 years, since I left home for college, my father called me every Sunday at 9:00 am. He was always interested in my life-how my family was doing. The calls even came when he and my mother were in Australia, England or Florida. Nine years ago when I bought me first house, my father, 67 years old, spent eight hours a day for three days, painting my house. He would not allow me to pay someone to have it done. All he asked, was a glass of iced tea, and that I hold a paintbrush for him and talk to him. But I was too busy, for I had a law practice to run, and I could not take the time to hold the paintbrush, or talk to my father. Five years ago, my 71-year-old father spent five hours putting together a swing set for my daughter. Again, all he asked was that I get him a glass of iced tea, and talk to him, But again, I had laundry to do, and the house to clean. The morning on Sunday, January 16, 1995, my father telephoned me as usual, this time he had seemed to have forgotten some things we had discussed the week before. I had to get to church, and I cut the conversation short. The call came at 4:40 am. That day my father was sent to hospital in Florida. I got on a plane immediately, and I vowed that when I arrived, I would make up for the lost time, and have a nice long talk with him ad really _ . I arrived in Florida at 1:00 am, but my father had passed away at 9:12 pm. This time it was he who did not have time to talk, or time to wait for me. In the years since his death I have learnt much about my father, and even more about every single day. Which is the best title of the reading? A. Painting Houses B. Daughter's Family C. Father and I D. Father's phone calls Answer: C
Different from popular thoughts, colds are not caused by bad weather. Colds are caused by viruses in the body, and you are better out on the snowy day than you are in a warm room, with your friends, who just may be passing the virus around. If you feel a chill when you are coming down with a cold, you are already sick. A chill is an early sign of the cold. The virus can spread through air when a cold - sufferer coughs or sneezes. Surprisingly, this is not the most usual way of spreading, Many studies have now shown that most colds are " caught " by hands. A cold - sufferer rubs her nose, so spreading the virus to her hand. Then a friend comes to visit her. They shake their hands. The friend then gets something to eat by hand, and several days later she catches a cold. Although some parents pick up their children's tissues and carefully throw them away, they fail to wash their hands. They'll catch the colds, too. Cold viruses can also be spread by objects, for example, telephones, plates. The cold - sufferer as well as other members of the house, by washing their hands often, will stop the viruses from spreading in a way . Which of the following sentences is true in the passage ? Objects can spread cold viruses, too. If one electrical conductor touches another one what will flow through them both? zapping power The star that Jupiter revolves around is the source of solar energy called sunlight Vancouver is located in the southwest corner of Canada in the province of British Columbia. Vancouver is the largest city in the province and the third largest in Canada. It covers an area of 113 sq km. It is surrounded by water on three sides and overlooked by the Coast Range. Its climate is one of the mildest in Canada. Temperatures average 3degC in January and 18degC in July. Vancouver's most rainfall occurs in winter. Archaeological evidence shows that coastal Indians had settled the Vancouver area by 500 BC. British naval captain George Vancouver explored the area in 1792. Vancouver was founded as a sawmill settlement called Granville in the 1870s. The city was united in 1886 and renamed after Captain Vancouver. As the main western terminus of Canada's transcontinental highway and rail routes, Vancouver is the primary city of western Canada, as well as one of the nation's largest industrial centers. The Port of Vancouver is Canada's largest and most various port, trading more than $43 billion in goods with more than 90 trading economies annually. Port activities generate 69,200 jobs in total with $4 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) and $8.9 billion in economic output. Vancouver is a major tourist place. In addition to the city's scenic location, visitors enjoy beautiful gardens and world-famous Stanley Park, one of more than 180 city parks, and a combination of natural forest and parklands near the city centre. The passage mainly tells us _ . a brief introduction of the city of Vancouver India is traditionally a tea-drinking country. But, it is now gaining a new taste for coffee. This has led international coffee companies to consider opening businesses in the huge market. Local business people are also hoping to profit from the country's tea-drinking habits. They want to open new stores that offer tea. It is ten thirty in the morning in India. Two cafes are within meters of each other, near a college in New Delhi. And they are selling a lot of tea. Their main customers are undergraduate students. "We have a lot of break between classes, so whenever we get time, we just go and we enjoy ourselves. It's a lot of fun , especially when you are with people you enjoy spending time with." In the past ten years , cafes have become increasingly popular in India. The country's huge young population have quickly taken to the coffee culture. Coffee stores have spread from major cities like New Delhi and Mumbai to smaller towns. Coffee use has doubled in the last ten years . It is the success of this market that has gained the attention of companies like the American-based coffee chain Starbucks. The company will open its first store in India later this year. Other companies like Lavazza and Costa Coffee are already there. Yet, the growth of coffee will not reduce the popularity of tea. Indians drink eight times more tea than coffee. They have been drinking tea for more than one hundred and fifty years. India is one of the world's biggest producers of tea, which is known locally as "chai". Outside homes and offices, it is mostly sold by small businesses on the street. What can we learn about coffee in India? Coffee consumed today doubles that of ten years ago.
I don't think there is anything wrong with your blood. The key to your problem is that long nap after dinner. If you didn't sleep for hours during the early part of the evening, you would be more ready to sleep at bedtime. If you didn't nap after dinner, you would not want to stay up so late, and you would not feel the need to take a sleeping pill. The pill is still working in your system when you get up in the morning. This helps account for the fact that you feel tired all day. You should get out of the habit of sleeping during the early evening. Right after your evening meal, engage in some sort of physical activity-a sport such as bowling, perhaps. Or get together with friends for an evening of cards and conversation. Then go to bed at your usual time or a little earlier, and you should be able to get a good night's rest without taking a pill. If you can get into the habit of spending your evenings this way, I am sure you will feel less tired during the day. At first it may be hard for you to go to sleep without taking a pill. If so, get up and watch television or do some jobs around your house until you feel sleepy. If you fall asleep and then wake up a few hours later, get up but do not take a sleeping pill. Read a while or listen to the radio, and make yourself a few hours' sleep that night, you will feel better in the morning than you usually feel after taking a pill. The next night you will be ready to sleep at an earlier hour. The most important thing is to avoid taking that nap right after dinner and avoid taking pills. According to the writer, it is difficult for you to go to sleep because _ . Answer: Almost everyone has seen someone speed read.They appear to skim the text and still have read and absorbed the content.The people who have studied speed reading techniques will still read at different speeds;however they will undoubtedly beat those without experience. The best and most efficient way to learn to read fast is to join in classes,where speed reading skills will be explained clearly. The advantage of courses is that students will be shown several different strategies showing them to choose the ones they find easiest to understand the material they are reading. Students should try to learn all the strategies presented during their courses as, once these are mastered,they will see a dramatic improvement in their reading rate,after which they can choose their preferred style. Students will see the benefits of speed reading as soon as the techniques are applied to their main field of study. A traditional education builds habits in reading which a good speed reading course will push aside,replacing with new techniques. A comprehensive course will also advise students how to become more efficient readers;hopefully this will also encourage the desire for self improvement as well as the desire to read. Lecturers in speed reading will usually take the time to teach students the importance of preparing the environment they work in before they read a single work remember reading at speed is all about increasing the speed of comprehension not just the speed of reading! The satisfaction of reading faster and with better comprehension skills cannot be ignored;the techniques of speed reading increase the enjoyment of reading.Speed reading is a skill to be encouraged in each and every generation of new readers. Which of the following can be inferred from the text? Answer: When traveling, it's important to learn about the customs and etiquette of the global village, What we consider polite behavior at home isn't always accepted outside our borders.Don't be regarded rude or disrespectful on your travels. Gift giving should be a happy, positive experience.When selecting a present for someone in the Netherlands, don't purchase fancy kitchen knives or scissors.Giving sharp, pointy objects as gifts is considered unlucky.Be careful when presenting flowers to a friend or business partner in Russia.Yellow blooms suggest cheat or a relationship break-up. Traditionally, red carnations are placed on the tombs of the dead.Writing cards or notes while visiting South Korea, be mindful of your pen's ink color.Writing a person's name in red ink traditionally suggests that the person has passed away-an important point to remember when giving a birthday card. Being early or on time is viewed as being rude, too eager or even greedy in Venezuela.If you are invited over to someone's home for a meal, it's recommended that you arrive 10 to 15 minutes later than the requested time.When having a meal in Egypt, don't use the saltshaker . It's _ to your host to spread salt on your food, which means that you find the meal terrible.Japan is a very polite nation, and their fondness for etiquette extends to the mealtime use of chopsticks.According to Japanese custom, it's considered ill-mannered to point, play with, or stab food with chopsticks.If you're in the middle of eating, use the opposite end of your chopsticks to secure food from a shared plate.Using the end that touches your mouth is extremely offensive , not to mention unhygienic . In South Korea, writing a person's name in red is not accepted because _ . Answer: With just a few minutes left before school was to start, my six-year-old, Dustin, was crying. "I don't want to go," he said. Ever since he'd entered first grade, he had hated school. What's going on? If he hates school this much now, how bad will it be later on? Every kid sometimes complains about school. But five to ten percent of kids dislike it so much they don't want to attend. "If a child seems worried or anxious about school, pretends illness to stay home, or refuses to talk about things of the school day, you should be concerned," says a school psychologist, Michael Martin. Fortunately, you can usually solve the problem--sometimes very easily. In our case, my husband and I visited Dustin's class and noticed that the teacher, just out of college, called only on kids who sat right under her nose. Dustin, who often sat near the back, was ignored . We simply told him to move up front. He did, and he was happy again. From the case in the passage we can conclude that _ . Answer: Last Sunday I made a visit to some new neighbors down the block.No specific in mind, just an opportunity to sit at the kitchen table, have some tea and chat.As I did so, it occurred to me how rare the Sunday visit has become. When I was a kid in New Jersey of the 1960s, Sunday visits were routine.Most stores were closed, almost nobody worked, and the highways, as a result, were not desperate steeplechases they have become today.My family normally traveled eight city blocks to the home of my grandmother, where adults would sit on the front porch and chat while we children played hide-and-seek. The Sunday visit was something to desire strongly.It was the repetition to church, our reward for an hour of devotion, an opportunity to take advantage of the fact that Dad was not at work, we were not in school, and there was no housework that couldn't wait until Monday.Sunday was, indeed, different from the other days of the week, because everyone seemed to be on the same schedule, which means that there was one day when everyone seemed to have time for everybody else. Sunday as a day of rest is, or was, so deeply rooted in the culture that it's surprising to find that, in a short span of time, it has almost entirely lost this association.In my childhood, it was assumed that everyone would either be home or visiting someone else's home on Sunday.But now the question is, "What do you plan to DO this Sunday?" The answer can range from going to the mall, to participating in a road race, to Montreal for lunch.If one were to respond, "I'm making a Sunday visit to family," such an answer would feel strange, which sounds like an echo from another era. I suppose I should be grateful to live in Maine, a state of small towns, abundant land and tight relationships.Even though folks work as hard here as they do anywhere else, the state's powerfully rural feature still keeps at least remnants of the moral of yesterday's America, where people had to depend on one another in the face of economic vagaries and a challenging environment. What's the main idea of the passage? Answer:
It is football time again.Currently, the qualifying rounds are being played to decide which countries will send teams to the next World Cup.Some Soccer is becoming more and more popular on a worldwide scale and these qualifying legs are causing much excitement. The game is popular at club level as well.Many fans go every week to support their teams, whether the event is a home or away one, hoping to get a result.They all hope an attacking game, with a lot of goals being scored.Obviously, they do not want to see a boring, defensive match where the players are aimlessly passing the ball to each other. Sadly, not all the action always takes place on the ground.All too frequently, there is action in the stands, too.Football supporters, most of whom declare their loyalty , by wearing their team colors, in the form of shirts, are not known for their quiet behavior.They are often very noisy, shouting noisy encouragement to their team and singing deafening songs. There is much rivalry between supporters.Mostly, this is good-natured, but trouble can easily arise.Fans get angry if they feel that a referee has made a wrong decision, perhaps giving one of their team a red or yellow card unfairly, or perhaps failing to notice a foul committed by a member of the other team. When trouble breaks out in a football crowd, it can be difficult to control.Stadium officials often seat the opposing fans in separate parts of the ground as a precaution against fighting. However, preventing trouble is more difficult outside the ground.In the worst cases, riot police have to be called in. Unfortunately, there are some fans who enjoy this violent aspect of football.These football hooligans really enjoy a running battle with the police, and call up other people to throw stones and bottles at them.They regard football not only as a sport, but as an excuse for trouble makings.Inevitably, their behavior spoils the reputation of the game. What do football fans hope to see? Answer: Harry met Bill, who was known to him to be a burglar, in a bar. Harry told Bill that he needed money. He promised to pay Bill $500 if Bill would go to Harry's house the following night and take some silverware. Harry explained to Bill that, although the silverware was legally his, his wife would object to his selling it. Harry pointed out his home, one of a group of similar tract houses. He drew a floor plan of the house that showed the location of the silverware. Harry said that his wife usually took several sleeping pills before retiring, and that he would make sure that she took them the next night. He promised to leave a window unlocked. Everything went according to the plan except that Bill, deceived by the similarity of the tract houses, went to the wrong house. He found a window unlocked, climbed in, and found silver where Harry had indicated. He took the silver to the cocktail lounge where the payoff was to take place. At that point police arrested the two men."If Harry and Bill are charged with a conspiracy to commit burglary, their best argument for acquittal is that Answer: When Mrs.Joseph Groeger died recently in Vienna,Austria,people asked the obvious question,"Why did she live to be 107?" .Answers were provided by a survey conducted among 148 Viennese men and women who had reached the age of 100.Somewhat surprising was the fact that the majority had lived most of their lives in cities.In spite of the city's image as an unhealthy place,city living often provides benefits that country living can lack.One factor seems to be important to the longevity of those interviewed. This factor is exercise.In the cities it is often faster to walk short distances than to wait for a bus.Even taking public transportation often requires some walking.Smaller apartment houses have no elevators ,and so people must climb stairs.City people can usually walk to local supermarkets. Since parking spaces are hard to find,there is often no alternative to walking. On the other hand,those who live in the country and suburbs do not have to walk every day.In fact,the opposite is often true.To go to school,work,or almost anywhere else,they must ride in cars. People who live in the country probably do more driving than walking because _ Answer: Are people less happy or more happy the older they get ? A study found that people generally become happier and experience less worry after age 50. In fact, it found that by the age of 85, people are happier with their life than they were at 18. The finding came from a Gallup survey of more than 340,000 adults in the United States in 2008. At that time, the people were between the age of 18 an 85. Arthur Stone in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Stony Brook University in New York led the study. His team found that levels of stress were highest among adults between the ages of 22 and 25. Stress levels dropped sharply after people reached their fifties. Happiness was highest among the youngest adults and those in their early seventies. But the people least likely to report feeling negative emotions were those in their seventies and eighties. The survey also found that men and women had similar emotional patterns as they grow older. However, women at all ages reported more sadness, stress and worry than men did. The researchers also considered possible influences like having young children, being unemployed or being single. But they found that influences like these did not affect the levels of happiness and well-being related to age. So why would happiness increase with age ? One theory is that, as people get older, they become more thankful for what they have and have better control of their emotions. They also spend less time thinking about bad experiences. The original goal of the study was to confirm the popular belief that aging is connected with increased sleep problems. The survey did find an increase during middle age, especially in women. But except for that , people reported that they felt their sleep quality improved as they got older. Old people may be happier probably because _ Answer: If a person recycles a wooden stool, they could buy that same material again as a Answer:

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