instruction
stringlengths 104
6.76k
| output
stringclasses 4
values |
|---|---|
<extra_id_5>It was six or seyen years ago that I first witnessed a ginger cat break into my house.His name was Samson and, while"cat''was one description you might have applied to him, another more accurate one was"ginger beach ball that just happened to have a cat's head on top".He belonged to Ruby,a lady in her 80s living across the road.Soon the two of us became friends:me allowing him to steal my cat's biscuits,him allowing me to stroke him while staring up at me in a relaxed way.If he had been able to speak,the maj ority of his sentences would have ended in the word"dude" . When Ruby died in 2009,a friend who lived several miles away adopted Samson.A strict diet foilowed,which,left Samson looking less like a beach ball and more like a smaller cat wearing a baggy ginger sweater.While he had been around,I had complained a little about mv extra cat food bills and feared for my armchairs and sofa which were often violently scratched. but in the year or two after he'd gone I missed him a lot. In the past two and a half years,I've been visited by a succession of ginger cats,all of whom have been lovable,and all of whom have proved costly in either an emotional or financial sense. I'm moving out soon and facing up to the fact that I might never see them again.I've told the buver of my house about the essential information of it,especially the visiting cats.The chances are that one day if a cat,whether it is from one of the neighbours or just a stray one,turns up by his doorway,he can at least feed it. Why did the author occasionally complain about the ginger cat?
<extra_id_0>The cat stole bills from her house.
<extra_id_1>The strict diet made the cat too weak.
<extra_id_2>He had to spend more on cat food.
<extra_id_3>The price of cat food kept rising.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>I was in a shopping mall, so I decided to go and get a cup of coffee. As I was making my way to the coffee shop, I noticed an old gentleman poorly dressed sitting near the shop. I knew from the first sight that he needed help. He had a little lunch in front of him and was enjoying it. It was clear that he had a problem with his right eye. I then joined the line and waited to be served. Then it happened. One of the most beautiful gestures I had ever seen in my life. There was a young man in front of me in the line who was also waiting to be served. The next thing I knew was that the young man handed the waitress 20 dollars and requested a glass of juice as a favor . The waitress looked at the young man a little perplexed, not fully understanding the request. That was when the young man asked her to give the juice to the old gentleman eating his lunch outside, as well as the change from the 20 dollars. The young man also told her that he would be watching every second so that she would be completely safe. Then there was a wonderful exchange between the waitress and the old man. I only wished I could take a photo of the smiles on both of their faces. As I was considering this event later, I wondered why the young man didn't perform this act of kindness himself. Maybe he was hoping that this act of kindness might inspire others to do something for this old man as well. How did the young man help the old man?
<extra_id_0>He took him to have lunch and gave him some money.
<extra_id_1>He bought him a glass of juice and gave him some change himself.
<extra_id_2>He asked the waitress to give him a glass of juice and some change.
<extra_id_3>He took a picture with the old man to remind others to help him.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>David Beckham, a well-known football player, was born in London on May 2nd, 1975. He is about 1.8 metres tall. He is very strong and big. He is very quite a good football player. He scored a lot of goals for his old team---- the National Football Team of England . He joined the Real Madrid after he left his old team. He wants to play football in Pairs in the next World Cup. Which country will hold the next World Cup? _
<extra_id_0>France
<extra_id_1>China
<extra_id_2>the USA
<extra_id_3>Japan
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_0>
|
<extra_id_5>Two new studies suggest that modern running shoes could increase the risk of injuries to runners. One study involved sixty-eight healthy young women and men who ran at least twenty-four kilometers a week. The runners were observed on a treadmill machine . Sometimes they wore running shoes. Other times they ran barefoot . Researchers from the JKM Technologies company in Virginia, the University of Virginia and the University of Colorado did the study. They found that running shoes create more stress that could damage knees, hips and ankle joints than running barefoot. They observed that the effect was even greater than the effect reported earlier for walking in high heels. The study appeared in the official scientific journal of The American Academy of Physical Medicine. The other study appeared in the journal Nature. It compared runners in the United States and Kenya. The researchers were from Harvard University in Massachusetts, Moi University in Kenya and the University of Glasgow in Scotland. They divided the runners into three groups. One group had always run shoeless. Another group had always run with shoes. And the third group had changed to shoeless running. Runners who wear shoes usually come down heel first. That puts great force on the back of the foot. But the study found that barefoot runners generally land on the front or middle of their foot. That way they ease into their landing and avoid striking their heel. Harvard's Daniel Lieberman led the study. He says the way most running shoes are designed may explain why those who wear them land on their heels. The heel of the shoe is bigger and heavier than other parts of the shoe, so it would seem more likely to come down first. Also, the heel generally has thick material under it to soften landings. But the researchers do not suggest that runners immediately start running barefoot. They say it takes some training. And there can be risks, like running when your feet are too cold to feel if you get injured. The study was partly supported by Vibram, which makes a kind of footwear that it says is like running barefoot. The findings have gotten a lot of attention. But the researchers say there are many problems in the way the press has reported in their paper. So they have tried to explain their findings on a Harvard Website. What is the writer's attitude towards the use of the modern running shoes?
<extra_id_0>Persuasive.
<extra_id_1>Negative.
<extra_id_2>Objective.
<extra_id_3>Supportive.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>Reseachers at the University of Kansas say that people can accurately juage 90 percent of a stranger's personality simply by looking at the person's shoes."Shoes convey useful information about their wearers,''the authors wrote in the new study published in the Journal of Research in Personality. Lead researcher Omri Gillath said the judgments were based on the style,cost,color and condition of someone's shoes.In the study,63 University of Kansas researchers looked at pictures showing 208 different pairs of shoes worn by the study's participants.Volunteers in the study were photographed in their most commonly worn shoes,and then filled out a personality questionnaire. Some of the results were expected:People with higher incomes most commonly wore expensive shoes,and flashier shoes were typically worn by outgoing people.However,some of the more specific results are strange enough.For example,"practical and functional'' shoes were generally worn by more "pleasant" people,while ankle boots were more linked with ''aggressive'' personalities.The strangest of all may be that those who wore' 'uncomfortable looking" shoes tend to have "calm" personalities.And if you have several pairs of new shoes or take extreme care of them,you may suffer from "attachment anxiety",spending lots of time worrying about what other people think of your appearance.There was even a political calculation in the mix with more liberal types wearing "shabbier and less expensive" shoes. The researchers noted that some people will choose shoe styles to mask their actual personalities,but researchers noted that volunteers were also likely to be unaware that their footwear choices were showing the deep side of their personalities. The participants were asked to
<extra_id_0>provide pictures of their shoes
<extra_id_1>look at pictures of different shoes
<extra_id_2>design a personality questionnaire
<extra_id_3>hand in their commonly worn shoes
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_0>
|
<extra_id_5>Dogs are prone to complex emotions such as jealousy and pride, according to scientific research that sheds new light on their relationship with humans. Dogs do not like seeing their owners offering affection to other creatures, especially other dogs, and react negatively when their owners bring home new partners, the research found. Psychologists previously believed most animals lack the "sense of self" needed to experience so-called secondary emotions such as jealousy, embarrassment or guilt. These emotions are more complex than feelings associated with instant reaction such as anger, lust or joy. Dr Friederike Range, of theprefix = st1 /UniversityofVienna's neurobiology department, has shown that dogs feel intensely jealous when they spot that they are unfairly treated compared with other dogs. The dog study is the latest into several species, including cows, horses, cats and sheep, which have shown that animals are far more self-aware than we thought. Dr Paul Morris, a psychologist at theUniversityofPortsmouthwho studies animal emotions, told The Sunday Times, "We are learning that dogs, horses, and perhaps many other species are far more emotionally complex than we ever realised. They can suffer simple forms of many emotions we once thought only primates could experience. " In research among dog owners, Dr Morris found almost all of them reported jealous behaviour by their pets. The dog often tried to keep their owner away from a new lover in the early days of a relationship. Behavioural experts recommend owners keeping their dogs' routine as much as possible when a new partner or child comes along in order to prevent jealous activities from the dog such as interruptions with barking. It was thought that in the past most animals _ .
<extra_id_0>are self-aware
<extra_id_1>are not self-aware
<extra_id_2>are intelligent
<extra_id_3>are color1-blind
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_1>
|
<extra_id_5>Green is cited for contempt of the House of Representatives after she refuses to answer certain questions posed by a House Committee concerning her acts while serving as a United States Ambassador. A federal statute authorizes the Attorney General to prosecute contempts of Congress. Pursuant to this law, the House directs the Attorney General to begin criminal proceedings against Green. A federal grand jury indicts Green, but the Attorney General refuses to sign the indictment."If the Attorney General signs the indictment, the strongest argument Green could urge as a defense is that
<extra_id_0>Green may refuse to answer the questions if she can demonstrate that they are unrelated to matters upon which Congress may legislate.
<extra_id_1>the House may question Green on matters pertaining to the expenditures of funds appropriated by Congress.
<extra_id_2>only the Senate may question Green on matters that relate to the performance of her duties.
<extra_id_3>Congress may not ask questions relating to the performance of duties executed by an officer of the executive branch
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_0>
|
<extra_id_5>It was 3:12 a.m. when nine-year-old Glenn Kreamer awoke to the smell of burning. Except for the crackling of flames somewhere below there was not a sound in the two-storey house at Baldwin, Long Island. With his father away on night duty at a local factory, Glenn was worried about the safety of his mother, his sister Karen, 14 and his 12-year-old brother Todd. He ran downstairs through the smoke-filled house to push and pull at Karen and Todd until they sat up. Then he helped each one through the house to the safety of the garden. There, his sister and brother, taking short and quick breaths and coughing, collapsed on the lawn. The nine-year-old raced back into the house and upstairs to his mother's room. He found it impossible to wake her up. Mrs. Kreamer, a victim of the smoke, was unconscious, and there was nobody to help Glenn carry her to the garden. But the boy remained calm and , as a fireman said later, "acted with all the self-control of a trained adult." On the bedroom telephone, luckily still working, Glenn called his father and, leaving Mr. Kreamer to telephone the fire brigade and ambulance service, got on with the task of saving his mother. First he filled a bucket with water from the bathroom and threw water over his mother and her bed. Then, with a wet cloth around his head he went back to the garden. He could hear the fire engine coming up, but how would the firemen find his mother in the smoke-filled house where flames had almost swallowed up the ground floor? Grasping firmly a ball of string from the garage, Glenn raced back into the house and dashed upstairs to his mother's room. Tying one end of the string to her hand, he ran back, laying out the string as he went, through the hall and back out into the garden. Minutes later he was telling fire chief John Coughlan: "The string will lead you to my mother." Mrs. Kreamer was carried to safety as the flames were breaking through her bedroom floor. Who called the fire brigade and ambulance service?
<extra_id_0>Glenn.
<extra_id_1>Glenn's father.
<extra_id_2>Glenn's sister.
<extra_id_3>Glenn's neighbor.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_1>
|
<extra_id_5>Every morning Amma gets up at ten to seven. She brushes her teeth, takes a shower and gets dressed . Then she goes to the kitchen and makes breakfast. She usually has orange juice and bread for breakfast. After breakfast, she reads the newspaper. At seven forty--five she leaves home and goes to work by subway. She has _ for breakfast.
<extra_id_0>coffee and bread
<extra_id_1>bread and orange
<extra_id_2>oranges and bread
<extra_id_3>eggs and bread
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_1>
|
<extra_id_5>When my friend Lesa was diagnosed with cancer, another friend and I went to the hospital to spend some time with her. We bought her a small toy and named him Lemon-Aide. We gave Lemon-Aide to Lesa and told her he was to go with her to all of her treatments to remind her that we were thinking of her and caring about her even though we could not always be with her. When the treatments were completed, she said when someone else needed him she would pass him along. A few months later,much to my surprise, it was me that she passed him to. Lemon-Aide went with me to all of my treatments. One day while waiting for my doctor I decided we could market the idea to fight cancer. Lesa thought it was a great idea so we founded the organization that came to be known as Lemon-Aide' s Friends, Inc. We designed our organization to remind people fighting cancer that there are people who love and care about them all the time. Today we have totally 5013 volunteers. The money raised is donated to cancer patients who do not have insurance. The physicians on our Board of Advisors determine how and where our money is donated. Lemon-Aide is for men, women, and children of all ages and to date has been sent to 34 states and 33 countries to provide smiling support for people fighting cancer. When life gave us lemons we made Lemon-Aide, a soft smiling toy that represents love, support, and encouragement. Lesa and the author formed an organization to _ .
<extra_id_0>cure cancer
<extra_id_1>raise money
<extra_id_2>help cancer patients
<extra_id_3>help their friend
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>Fangfang, a 15-year-old Chinese girl, likes eating snacks very much. She prefers cream biscuits, McDonald's food, KFC, and Beijing roast duck. Sometimes she eats two packages of biscuits a day. As a result, she becomes _ . Today in China, there are many children like Fangfang. They like snacks. They don't eat enough healthy foods like vegetables and fruit. It's very bad for their health. Poor eating habits are a serious problem. Health experts say that children should have healthy eating habits. First, they must eat regular meals and begin with a good breakfast. Second, they should have different kinds of foods, such as fruit, vegetables, grain, eggs, milk and meat and so on. Third, the children shouldn't eat too many snacks and fried foods. They are delicious, but eating too much of them is unhealthy. If children do as the experts say, they won't become fat. They will be healthier. Students won't become tired at school, and they will have enough energy to study well. What kind of food is good for your health?
<extra_id_0>Fast food.
<extra_id_1>Snacks.
<extra_id_2>Fried food.
<extra_id_3>Vegetables and fruit.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>British paychologists have found evidence of a link between excessive Internet use and depression, a research has shown. Leeds University researchers, writing in the Psychopathology journal, said a small part of Internet users were classed as Internet addicts and that people in this group were more likely to be depressed than non-addicted users. The article on the relationship between excessive Internet use and depression is from a questionnaire-based study of 1,319 young people and adults. The respondents answered questions about how much time they spent on the Internet and what they used it for; they also complete the Beck Depression Inventory---a series of questions designed to measure the seriousness of depression. The six--page report, by the university's Institute of Psychological Science, said 18 of the people who complete the questionnaire were Internet addict."Our research indicates that excessive Internet use is associated with depression, but what we don't know is which comes first--are depressed people drawn to the Internet or does the Internet cause depression?" the article's lead author Dr Catriona Morrison said."What is clear is that, for a small part of people, excessive use of the Internet could be warning signal for depressive tendencies." The age range of all respondents was between 16 and 51 years, with an average age of 21.24. The average age of the 18 Internet addicts was 18.3 years. By comparing the levels of depression within this group to that within a group of 18 non--addicted Internet users, researchers found the Internet addicts had a higher chance of developing depression than non-addicts. They also discovered that addicts spent more time visiting sexually pleasing website, online gaming sites and online communities. "The public speculation was further proved by this study. That's to say, over-engaging in websites which serve to replace normal social function might be linked to psychological disorders like depression and addiction," Morrison said."We now need to consider the wider social influence of this relationship and clearly prove the effects of excessive Internet use on mental health." It is thought by the public that online communities _ .
<extra_id_0>can never replace normal social function
<extra_id_1>are intended to replace normal social function
<extra_id_2>are associated with psychological disorders
<extra_id_3>shouldn't take the blame for psychological disorders
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_1>
|
<extra_id_5>New evidence suggests that "hot spots" may form in response to "twisting" stresses on plates. It is theorized that these stresses may eventually result in the splitting apart of the tectonic plate in the area of the hot spot. Which of the geographic features would be affected most by the splitting of a tectonic plate?
<extra_id_0>the Himalayas
<extra_id_1>the Hawaiian Islands
<extra_id_2>the San Andreas Fault
<extra_id_3>the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_1>
|
<extra_id_5>The formation of the mineral halite is most likely to occur by which process?
<extra_id_0>the evaporation of seawater
<extra_id_1>the hardening of lava in seawater
<extra_id_2>the cementing together of sediment particles
<extra_id_3>the slow crystallization of magma deep in the crust
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_0>
|
<extra_id_5>The reason for going to college has been accepted without question for more than a generation , All high school graduate ought to go , says conventional wisdom and statistical evidence, because college will help them earn more money, become "better" people , and learn to be more responsible citizens than those who don't go But college has never been able to work its magic for everyone, And now that close to half our high school graduates are attending, those who don't fit the pattern are becoming more numerous, and more obvious, College graduates are selling shoes and driving taxis; college students interfere with each other's experiments and writhed false letters of recommendation in the intense competition for admission to graduate school, Others find no stimulation in their studies, and drop out-often encouraged by college administrators Some observers say the fault is with the young people themselves-they are spoiled and they are expecting too much But that's a criticize of the students as a whole, and doesn't explain all campus unhappiness, Others blame the state of the world , and they are partly right, We've been told that young people have to go to college because our economy can't absorb an army of untrained eighteen -year-old either Some adventuresome educators and campus watchers have openly begun to suggest that college may not be the best, the proper, the only place for every young person after the completion of high school, We may have been looking at all those surveys and statistics upside down, it seems, and through the rosy glow of our own remembered college experiences, Perhaps college doesn't make people intelligent, ambitious, happy, liberal, or quick to learn things-maybe it's just the other way around,it's just the other way around and intelligent , ambitious happy, liberal, quick-learning people are merely the ones who have been attracted to college in the first place, And perhaps all those successful college graduates, would have been successful whether they had gone to college or not, This is heresy to those of us who have been brought up to believe that if a little schooling is good, more has to be much better, But contrary evidence is beginning to gradually increase in amount. Why does the drop out rate of college students seem to go up?
<extra_id_0>Young people are disappointed with the conventional way of teaching at college.
<extra_id_1>Many young people are required to join the army.
<extra_id_2>Young people have little motivation in pursuing a higher education.
<extra_id_3>Young people don't like the intense competition for admission to graduate school.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>Dear Editor, I am unhappy these days.I am a student in Grade 3 of a middle school. I want to be a policewoman in the future. But my mother doesn't like the job. She always says it is too dangerous for a girl to work as a policewoman. She thinks girls should work in the office. She hopes that I can work as a teacher. But I really dislike being a teacher. I don't like work with children. When I talk with her about it , she is often angry. She always thinks she is right. I don't know what to do. Can you help me? Yours, Lily Which of the following is TURE ?
<extra_id_0>Lily's mother is right
<extra_id_1>Lily thinks it's terrible to be a policewoman.
<extra_id_2>Lily's mother likes to talk with Lily about the job.
<extra_id_3>Lily needs the editor's help.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>I can use a ruler to measure
<extra_id_0>The smell of popcorn
<extra_id_1>the space between my toes
<extra_id_2>The length of air
<extra_id_3>how angry I am
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_1>
|
<extra_id_5>Disease, poverty, hate, love-Charles Dickens' stories opened his readers eyes to the most important themes of his age. Two hundred years on, his stories still speak volumes across the world, proving that Dickens' legacy was far greater that just "great-literature". February 7 marks the 200thanniversary of the writer's birthday. To mark this date, BBC writer Alex Hudson listed six things Dickens gave the modern world. Let's take a look at two of them. A White Christmas Dickens is described as "the man who invented Christmas" - not the religious festival, but the cultural aspects that we associate with the festive season today. In the early 19thcentury, Christmas was barely worth mentioning, according to critic and writer Leigh Hunt. The committee which ran the Conservative Party even held ordinary business meetings on Christmas Day-unthinkable in the West nowadays, when everyone but the most necessary workers takes at least three days off. Many people believe that Dickens' popular descriptions of the festive period became a blueprint for generations to come. In his classic novel,A Christmas Carol, he not only put forward the idea of snow at Christmas, but also painted a picture of glowing warmth-"home enjoyments, affections and hopes". In his biography of Dickens, Peter Ackroyd wrote: "Dickens can be said to have almost single-handedly created the modern idea of Christmas." "Dickens" poverty Dickens was one of the first to take an honest look at the underclass and the poor of Victorian London. He helped popularize the term " _ " to describe situations where people in power use needless amounts of bureaucracy in a way that particularly hurts the weaker and poorer members of society. "Dickensian" has now become a powerful word for describing an unacceptable level of poverty. In 2009, when the president of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers in the UK wanted to talk about poverty in some areas of Britain, she did not use words like "terrible" or "horrific", but rather described it as "life mirroring the times of Dickens". We can learn from the passage that _ .
<extra_id_0>Charles Dickens' novels reflect the true life at his age
<extra_id_1>Dickensian is widely used to describe the Christmas
<extra_id_2>Every person can take three days off for Christmas
<extra_id_3>The theme of Charles Dickens' stories is about poverty
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_0>
|
<extra_id_5>Joe got a new bicycle as a gift from one of his friends. He wanted to ride it so he looked outside his window to check the weather. There was lots of daylight and it was bright and sunny. The sky was clear and there was only a little bit of wind. He was excited that the weather was good because it meant that he can go and ride his bicycle. He took his bicycle down the stairway and told his parents that he wanted to go ride his bicycle for a little bit. After his parents said OK, he put on his helmet and went outside with his bicycle to ride it around the block. It was very fun and Joe had a great time riding his bicycle. While he was riding, he saw many interesting things like some insects that would fly around and some pets that were in peoples' backyards. He also saw some flowers growing in peoples' yards. He got back home from riding his bicycle and told his parents he had a great time. What did Joe see when he was riding his bicycle?
<extra_id_0>Some insects, pets, and flowers.
<extra_id_1>Some insects, pets, and his parents.
<extra_id_2>His neighbors.
<extra_id_3>Some flowers and his friends.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_0>
|
<extra_id_5>On Friday, Japanese researchers announced a population clock that showed a dangerous situation that the Japanese nation would disappear in 1,000 years if the falling birth rate kept the present level. Researchers in the northern city of Sendai said that Japan's population of children aged up to 14, which now stands at 16.6 million, was falling at the rate of one child per 100 seconds. It would lead to a terrible result that there would be no children left in Japan in 1,000 years. "If the rate keeps falling at that rate in our country, there will only be one child who is able to enjoy the following Children's Day left on May 5th, 3011," said Hiroshi Yoshida, a professor at Toholu University. "But 100 seconds later, a national disaster that there are no children left in Japan will happen," he added, "The nation's people will disappear for the birth rate has fallen to the level that every woman has no more than two children, which started in 1975." Yoshida said they created the population clock to make Japanese people pay close attention to that problem for their nation's future. Another study showed that Japan's population was expected to fall to one third of the present population amount: 127.7 million in the next century. The Japanese government predicted that the birth rate would just become 1.35 children per parents within 50 years. At the same time, Japanese life expectancy which is expected to ascend from 86.93 years in 2010 to 90.93 years in 2060 for women and from 79.64 years to 84.19 years for men has already been one of the highest in the world. More than 20 percent of the Japanese are aged 65 or over. It means that Japan has become one of the countries with aging populations in the world. The problem of aging populations is a headache for the government and the Japanese economy because there are fewer and fewer workers who can make money for the country. However, the government has to face the terrible situation that it needs to offer a growing number of pensions. According to the passage, what will happen in Japan in the following 100 years?
<extra_id_0>The life expectancy will be 90.93 years for women.
<extra_id_1>The government will receive a growing number of pensions.
<extra_id_2>The birth rate will be 1.35 children per family.
<extra_id_3>The population of Japan may only be about 42 million.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>In the most southern part of our planet, there's a place that's covered with snow and ice all year round. But it has the clearest and cleanest air. Amazingly, in this place, the sun sometimes hangs even in the midnight sky. This place is Antarctica : the coldest, windiest and harshest place on the Earth. As the world's least-known place, Antarctica is of great interest to scientists around the world. In 1983, China joined the Antarctic Treaty (<<>> ). The treaty made Antarctica a peaceful place for member countries to do scientific research. During 30 years, China has sent many scientists to Antarctica. They mostly look at the resources under the icy land and do research about climate change and marine biology. Antarctica is a place with fantastic views. However, life there is very hard. Food is one of the biggest problems. Frozen food which can be heated easily is people's daily food. Fresh vegetables are hard to grow in the cold weather. Therefore, scientists often eat dried or canned vegetables. Sleep is also troublesome. In Antarctica, summer lasts from November to March. During this period, Antarctica points to the sun and receives sunlight 24 hours a day. In order to get some sleep, scientists cover the windows with black plastic cloth to create "night". Working in Antarctica is dangerous, especially when meeting gale-force winds.Sometimes the wind is even stronger than a typhoon.It can easily blow people away.So there are ropes that connect buildings of some research stations.People can hold these ropes to keep their balance in forceful winds. What's more, communicating with others is difficult. Without cables and Internet in some research stations, two-way radios are the only tools to communicate. If people want to say hello to friends and relatives, they can use satellite phones. Although it is challenging to work in Antarctica, scientists' _ to learn about this mysterious land will never end. It is hopeful that one day they will step every corner of this icy land. In order to sleep well in Antarctica, the scientists have to _ .
<extra_id_0>wear more clothes to keep warm
<extra_id_1>cover the windows with black cloth
<extra_id_2>connect research stations with ropes
<extra_id_3>eat more fried and canned vegetables
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_1>
|
<extra_id_5>Name: Edward Scott School: Revin Grove State High School Grade: 7 Term ending: 6 May Subjects : Mathematics He is a little weak in this, but he has tried his best to catch up with others. Science He can work out many difficulties.Well done! French He is the best in the class.Keep it up. History He is not so good at this, but has done better than before. Geography He is familiar with the names of many places in the world. Music He doesn't like pop songs, though sings very well. Conduct: Fair No.in class: 9 Absences: 8 Remarks : Edward has the ability to do a lot better.More work is needed next term. Class teacher: Ivy Principal: M.L.Martin School reopens: 11 September Edward is NOT so good at _ .
<extra_id_0>science and geography
<extra_id_1>mathematics and history
<extra_id_2>history and French
<extra_id_3>music and English
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_1>
|
<extra_id_5>Renee had been married for a long, long time. Her favorite part of being married was the weekend, when she was with her two horses. On the weekend, Renee was at the stables from morning until dark. She fed, groomed, and rode her horses. She was an excellent rider. She would ride the horses bareback on Saturday, and then she would saddle them up on Sunday. Renee loved parades. She used to say, "A parade isn't a parade without a horse." Renee loved parades almost as much as she loved her horses. She belonged to an email list of volunteers for parades. She regularly visited the state website list of parades to see if there were any new parades that she didn't know about. All the state parades were organized in her computer. In the parades file, she listed the date, drive time and distance, parade time, contact people, and other details she felt were important. She knew the parade director of every town within a four-hour drive. She never stayed overnight. She always left the parade in time to get her horses back to the stables before "bedtime". She had to feed them before they turned in. Her horses seemed to like parades, too. They knew a few tricks that always impressed the children. Renee was very generous with her time and her horses. But owning horses wasn't cheap. You had to rent the stables, and there were always vet and feed bills. Renee knew how to cope with expenses, though. Her vet always gave her a 10-percent discount for paying cash. She always bought the no-name, generic food for the horses. Her vet had told her it was just as healthful and tasty as the brand name material. She always bought economy gasoline. And on parade days, Renee always packed her own lunch and ate with her horses. What did Renee regularly do on the weekend?
<extra_id_0>She visited the state website list of parades.
<extra_id_1>She took part in parades.
<extra_id_2>She fed, groomed, and rode her horses at the stables.
<extra_id_3>She spent with her family.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>The message was short. I read it three times: "Hey, Mom, can I come to see you?" I wrote back: "Yes!" He said he hoped to make it in time for dinner. I made a quick run to the market, put sheets on the guest bed and set the TV to record the Warriors' game, so if traffic was awful, he wouldn't have to miss the first half. Then I began cooking, cleaning, watching the clock and listening for his footsteps coming up the walk. It's called waiting. I'm good at it. When he was a newborn, I'd wait for him to go to sleep. Soon then I'd stand by his bed waiting for him to wake up. I waited, as he learned to do things like walking, talking and feeding himself; throwing a ball, riding a bike and reading a book. I waited for him to start preschool, primary school, middle school and college. I waited with dread for him to start driving. And I waited up every time he came home late. I wait for my son to grow up, but that doesn't mean the waiting game is over. It never really ends. Mothers wait for all kinds of reasons--good news or bad, happiness or heartache. But the waiting is soon forgotten, usually, the minute a long awaited child walks through the door. My boy will be here soon. But if he's late, I can wait. I'm good at it. And he's worth it. I will always leave a light on for him. Which do you think would be the best title for the reading?
<extra_id_0>Worth waiting for
<extra_id_1>Being patient is difficult
<extra_id_2>Learn to be a mother
<extra_id_3>Visit your mother often
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_0>
|
<extra_id_5>A person pours water into a cylinder in order to
<extra_id_0>touch it
<extra_id_1>observe it
<extra_id_2>taste it
<extra_id_3>make it
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_1>
|
<extra_id_5>When foreigners come to Chengdu, a good alternative is to get around by taking the bus. Once getting used to going by bus, you will discover that it is actually not that bad. Although a ride usually covers two or twenty stops, a bus ride costs RMB 2 in Chengdu. It is important to carry enough small money with you, because it is not usual to get back changes. Even though it is cheap, you can pay less and save some trouble if you get a RMB 25 bus card at your local pharmacy, Hongqi Chain Store or bus station terminal office--note that personal identification is needed. Explain to the worker that you want to purchase a bus card. With this card, one bus drive costs only RMB 1 if you use a card based on frequency of your ride. If your card is based on the so called E-purse, you pay each time RMB 1.80 for the bus. If you require the use of subway, you can ask the cashier at the Hongqi Chain Store to activate the metro. After having your bus card, you can store money on your travel card. The fees for bus and metro have to be stored separately. It is important to keep in mind that the money on the card does not overlap. For example, you charge 40 bus rides on the card, but you only used 20 during the month, the rest 20 will be invalid at the beginning of the next month and you have to recharge the card. Therefore, it is important to calculate the exact numbers of bus rides you will have to take. After you have your own bus card, one swipe is only needed when you get on the bus at the front door. If you only manage to get on the bus at the back door, just ask the passengers to pass your card to the front and swipe it for you. With the bus card, you can transfer buses for fee if the travel time is within two hours. Furthermore, it is to stress that you should keep an eye on your belongings while being on the bus. Generally, Chengdu is a safe place but most of the thefts are occurring on buses, at train stations or crowded large area, like the shopping street Chunxi Road. Due to the fact that the place names are announced in Chinese, it is better to know the Chinese name of your destination. Even though there are announcements in English, they will sound like the following: "The next stop is Jinjiang Binguan (Jinjiang Hotel)" Which of the following statements is true when taking the bus in Chengdu?
<extra_id_0>It's always important to carry enough small money with you every day.
<extra_id_1>It only costs RMB 25 to get around in Chengdu by bus per month.
<extra_id_2>Personal identification is not essential when applying for a bus card for locals.
<extra_id_3>RMB 0.2 will be saved each time if you use E-purse rather than cash on the bus.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>I have just invented a time machine. It can take people to the past or the future for five hours. I got into my time machine and keyed the words, "1964,11 Niven Road, Singapore", then pressed the button . In a moment, I was in front of a house, 11 Niven Road. I thought that it would be fun to see what my father was like when he was 10 years old. I saw four children looking for a lost dog. They were my father, my uncle Kelvin, my aunt Peek and aunt Janet. I introduced myself as an old friend and agreed to help them look for their dog, Blackie. We wanted to climb a hill and looked into the houses below. When we reached the top, we heard a dog barking. "Blackie !" my father shouted. We looked down and saw Blackie in the house. We knocked on the door of the house and asked the man to return Blackie to us. The man asked us to prove the black dog was Blackie. My father called out Blackie's name and the dog barked. The man had to give Blackie back to us. We went back to 11 Niven Road and I said goodbye to them. My five hours were almost up. I ran to the machine and soon I was back in my time. What an adventure ! The children climbed to the top of the hill because _ .
<extra_id_0>they thought the dog was there
<extra_id_1>they thought they can see things far away there
<extra_id_2>they wanted to see whether the dog was in the house below
<extra_id_3>they wanted to play games there
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>Turning off the light when leaving a room is an example of
<extra_id_0>conserving energy.
<extra_id_1>wasting energy.
<extra_id_2>using potential energy.
<extra_id_3>using chemical energy.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_0>
|
<extra_id_5>Miss Williams is a teacher, and there are thirty children in her class. They are nice children, and Miss Williams like them all, but they often lose some of the clothes. It's winter, and the weather is very cold. The children's mothers always take them to school with warm coats and hats and gloves . The children come into the classroom in the morning and take off their coats and hats and gloves, and put the gloves in the pockets of their coats. Last Tuesday, Miss Williams found two small blue gloves on the floor in the evening, and the next morning, she asked the children, "Whose gloves are these?" But no one answered. "Haven't you got blue gloves, Dick?" she asked him. "Yes, Miss Williams," he answered, "but those can't be mine. I've lost already." Which sentence is NOT right?
<extra_id_0>The children's mothers often take them to school.
<extra_id_1>Children put the gloves in the pockets of their coats.
<extra_id_2>Dick hasn't got any gloves.
<extra_id_3>Miss Williams thinks the children are nice.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>The further a ship sails away from a light house
<extra_id_0>the less they will be guided by it's beam
<extra_id_1>the more they will be guided by it's beam
<extra_id_2>the more likely the ship is to sail successfully
<extra_id_3>rough ocean waters will decrease
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_0>
|
<extra_id_5>Women work harder than men at university and get better degrees as a result, according to a study at Brunel University. The research, which followed 200 students for four years, found that women consistently outperformed men in their studies even though they had started their courses with almost identical A-level grades. An analysis of the results showed that while 65 percent of female graduates were awarded, only 35 percent of male graduates did as well. Girls are known to outperform boys at school, but this research showed that trend continued at university. Fiona Smith, who led the research, said, "The research shows that the difference has something to do with schools in general." "It also shows something about the inequality for working women in terms of pay and promotion. Women work harder at school, harder at university, and do better at both, but they still receive less pay." The research found that female students were more faithful, less likely to miss lectures, and more likely to believe that their marks reflected their abilities than male students. Female students were also more likely to ask for and receive support from their professors. Women were also more likely to choose their universities because they liked the courses offered. In contrast, men were more likely than women to miss lectures due to "other affairs" and "laziness", and to believe that playing sports was an important part of university life. Generally, people think that women's success comes from more emphasis on coursework, but the research showed that female geographers at Brunel did better in their exams than in their coursework. Dr Smith said, "Most women feel that getting good grades is the most important part of university life. They believe that they need to work harder in order to compete in the male-dominated environment they will encounter at work. Good grades are viewed as an 'insurance policy' for success. Men, on the other hand, prefer going out and playing sports to academic work." "This research shows how important it is to get all young people working hard and teach them the value of higher education," he said. Which of the following about men is TRUE according to the passage?
<extra_id_0>They work as hard as women.
<extra_id_1>They spend as much time on courses as women.
<extra_id_2>They play a lot more than women.
<extra_id_3>They consider good grades to be an "insurance policy" for success.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>In a zoo, many animals have claws: birds, dogs and lions. Even some monkeys have claws! One summer day, the eyes of many visitors were facing the lion cage. It was like the famous movie "The Lion King". One lion cub had been born and was drinking from its mother. There was a straw bed for the lions to sleep on, and all visitors loved to watch the baby lion cub. Well, a monkey (with claws) came into the lion's cage all of a sudden! But the lions weren't afraid, because they are kings of the animal world. Also, they had seen the movie and knew what the monkeys wanted. So it happened that the monkey took the cub from its mother into its hands. It walked over to the gate by the visitors and held up the cub for all to see! People cried. People took pictures. They were seeing the real-life 'Lion King'! Where did the monkey walk from with the cub?
<extra_id_0>from the people
<extra_id_1>from the gate
<extra_id_2>from the jungle
<extra_id_3>from the cub's mother
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>Kenya wants to organize a major international conference to discuss how to fight piracy off the coast of Somalia. The conference may also deal with ways to rescue Somalia from seventeen years of civil war. More than forty percent of its people depend on food aid. Kenyan Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula says the world cannot end piracy and civil war without dealing with Somalia's political problems. Somali pirates operate in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. The Gulf of Aden connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean by way of the Suez Canal. The pirates have fast boats, modern weapons and equipment like satellite phones and global positioning systems. Pirates hijacked the Sirius Star off the coast of Kenya and moved it to waters off Somalia. The tanker Sirius Star, at three hundred thirty meters long, is the biggest ship ever known to have been captured by pirates. It also happened farther south than most attacks, and farther out at sea ---- more than eight hundred kilometers from land. The ship was headed for the United States with two million karrels of oil, worth an estimated one hundred million dollars. A Saudi Arabian company owns the tanker. The pirates have reportedly demanded twenty-five million dollars in negotiations to release the ship and its crew of twenty-five. Somali pirates generally do not steal goods or kill hostages. They are believed to be holding seventeen ships with about three hundred crew members. Among the ships is a Ukrainian vessel hijacked in September with a load of military weapons including tanks. The increase in piracy is raising the cost of insuring ships. Also, oil from the Middle East and exports from East Asia could take longer to arrive. Some of the world's heaviest shipping traffic passes the Somali coast. But major shipping companies have begun to consider new routes. One of the world's biggest shippers, A.P, Moeller Maersk, says it will avoid the Gulf of Aden. A move away from the Suez Canal could hurt Egypt's economy. American and other foreign navy ships are now watching for pirates. This week the Indian Navy destroyed a heavily armed "mother ship" in the Gulf of Aden. But the area to protect covers more than one hundred sixty million square kilometers. Somali pirates do the following things except that _ .
<extra_id_0>they demand money
<extra_id_1>they hold the ships with crew
<extra_id_2>they kill some of the hostages
<extra_id_3>they hijack ships with military weapons
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>"If you want to see a thing well, reach out and touch it!" That may seem a strange thing to say. But touching things can help you to see them better. Your eyes can tell you that a glass ball is round. But by holding it in your hands, you can feel how smooth and cool the ball is. You can feel how heavy the glass is. When you feel all these about the ball, you really see it. With your skin, you can feel better. For example, your fingers can tell the difference between two coins in your pocket. You can feel a little drop of water on the back of your hand, too. All children soon learn what "Don't touch!" means. They hear it often. Yet most of us keep on touching things as we grow up. In shops, we touch things as we might buy: food, clothes. To see something well, we have to touch it. There are ways of learning to see well by feeling. One way is to close your eyes and try to feel everything that is touching your skin. Feel the shoes on your feet, the clothes on your body, the air on your skin. At first, it is not easy to feel these things. You are too used to them! Most museums are just for looking. But today some museums have some things to touch. There you can feel everything on show. If we want to see better, reach out and touch. Then you will really see. When people buy things in shops, they often _ .
<extra_id_0>try them on first
<extra_id_1>keep their right hands on them
<extra_id_2>ask about them
<extra_id_3>feel and touch them
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>Which of the following helped lead to the invention of personal computers?
<extra_id_0>Internet
<extra_id_1>keyboard
<extra_id_2>wireless transmitter
<extra_id_3>integrated circuit
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>Mary can't understand such sentences as "She is blue today." "You are yellow." "He has a green thumb ." "He tells a white lie." and so on. And she goes to her teacher for help. Mary: Mrs. Smith, there is a colour in each of these sentence. What do they mean? Mrs. Smith: In everyday English, blue sometimes means sad. Yellow, afraid. A person with a green thumb grows plants well. And a white lie is not a bad one. Mary: Would you please give me an example of a white lie? Mrs. Smith: Certainly. Now I give you some cake. In fact, you don't like it. But you won't say it. Instead, you say, " No, thanks. I'm not hungry." That's a white lie. Mary: Oh, I see. Thank you very much. He is yellow. Tom is _ to climb the tree.
<extra_id_0>happy
<extra_id_1>clever
<extra_id_2>glad
<extra_id_3>afraid
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>Pessimistic,anxious and depressed people may have a higher risk of dementia ,US researchers reported on Thursday. A study of a group of 3,500 people showed that those who scored high for pessimism on a standardized personality test had a 30 percent increased risk of developing dementia 30 to 40 years later. Those scoring very high on both anxiety and pessimism scales had a 40 percent higher risk,the study showed. "There appears to be a doseresponse pattern.That is,the higher the scores,the higher the risk of dementia,"Dr Yonas Geda,a neuropsychiatrist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester,Minnesota who led the study,said in a statement. Geda and his colleagues looked at the medical records of 3,500 men and women who lived near the clinic between 1962 and 1965. They all took the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory,a standard personality and life experience test,Geda's team told a meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Miami. In 2004,the team interviewed the participants or family members. Those who scored higher for anxiety and pessimism on the test were more likely,as a group,to have developed dementia by 2004,including Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. This did not mean a person who is pessimistic could assume he or she has a higher risk of developing dementia. "One has to be cautious in interpreting a study like this,"Geda said. "One cannot make a leap from group level data to the individual.Certainly the last thing you want to do is to say,'Well,I am a pessimist;thus,I am doomed to develop dementia 20 or 30 years later,'because this may end up becoming a selffulfilling prophecy ." And there is NOT any specific way to prevent dementia,although many studies have shown that a healthy diet,exercise,keeping active in other ways,doing puzzles and other activities lower the risk. Which of the following does NOT help reduce the risk of getting dementia according to the passage?
<extra_id_0>A healthy diet.
<extra_id_1>Proper exercises.
<extra_id_2>Doing puzzles.
<extra_id_3>Getting up early.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>The Human Genome Project, a great $3 billion, 15-year task aimed at drawing the genetic map of humans, is now more than 90 percent completed. The scientific and medical communities are very excited about the chances genetic research provides for getting rid of diseases and prolonging human life. But those communities and policy makers are also careful about the scientific door they are opening as the project uncovers the mysteries of life. For the last few years, the genetic advances in the fast developing field of biotechnology have provided material for all kinds of work, but the developments of modern science in unlocking the secrets of human genetic code have opened a world of possibilities for human health, as well as for the population imagination. While European and Japanese researchers are making rapid progress in decoding human DNA, the leading organization for genetic research in the Untied States, which began in 1990, is "unlocking the code" of the human body to learn how to defeat fatal diseases. Already, the Human Genome Project has become widely known and praised for finding the genes connected with as yet terrible diseases, and making progress toward separating the genes that show a sign of breast cancer or AIDS. Once these genes are found and studied, researchers can develop new ways to attack infections, and genetic diseases. Medical companies are very interested in mapping the human genome, as they expect to develop a lot of new drugs for these illnesses. Why did the scientists work so hard at mapping the human genome?
<extra_id_0>Because the human genome can destroy many illnesses.
<extra_id_1>Because the human genome's completion can help to get rid of many diseases.
<extra_id_2>Because they wanted to be better known than others.
<extra_id_3>Because the Human Genome Project can provided a lot of chances of work.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_1>
|
<extra_id_5>Brown owned Blackacre, a tract of undeveloped land. Blackacre abuts Whiteacre, a tract of land owned by Agency, the state's governmental energy agency. At Whiteacre, Agency has operated a waste-to-electricity recycling facility for 12 years. Blackacre and Whiteacre are in a remote area and Whiteacre is the only developed parcel of real estate within a ten-mile radius. The boundary line between Blackacre and Whiteacre had never been surveyed or marked on the face of the earth. During the past 12 years, some of the trucks bringing waste to the Agency facility have dumped their loads so that the piles of waste extend from Whiteacre onto a portion of Blackacre. However, prior to the four-week period during each calendar year when the Agency facility is closed for inspection and repairs, the waste piles are reduced to minimal levels so that during each of the four-week closures no waste was, in fact, piled on Blackacre. Neither Brown nor any representative of Agency knew the facts about the relation of the boundary line to the waste piles. The time for acquiring title by adverse possession in the jurisdiction is ten years. Last year, Brown died, and his son, Silas, succeeded him as the owner of Blackacre. Silas became aware of the facts, demanded that Agency stop using Blackacre for the piling of waste, and, when Agency refused his demand, brought an appropriate action to enjoin any such use of Blackacre in the future. If Agency prevails in that action, it will be because
<extra_id_0>the facts constitute adverse possession and title to the portion of Blackacre concerned has vested in Agency.
<extra_id_1>Brown's failure to keep himself informed as to Agency's use of Blackacre and his failure to object constituted implied consent to the continuation of that use. consent to the continuation of that use.
<extra_id_2>the interest of the public in the conversion of waste to energy overrides any entitlement of Silas to equitable remedies.
<extra_id_3>the power of eminent domain of the state makes the claim of Silas moot.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_0>
|
<extra_id_5>Animals are considered to be endangered if the species is close to extinction throughout all or most of its environment. Animals become endangered for a variety of reasons. Some animals become endangered when their habitats contain resources for humans. For example, commercial forest cutting in the Amazon Rainforest has seriously reduced the population of many animal species and lead to the extinction of other groups. Land itself is an important resource to humans since it provides us with living space, and when people replace animal habitats with human habitats, it can lead to larger loss of natural species. Commercial and industrial operations may reduce land or water for animals and pollute their environment. Due to water pollution, the baiji, a fresh water dolphin native to China, was declared extinct, meaning it's unlikely the population can recover. Even noise pollution from human activities can lead to the disorder of animal behavior. Another cause that makes animals become endangered is over-fishing or over-hunting. Over-hunting whales led to near extinction of many species of whales. The introduction of a non-native species to a habitat may make animals become endangered. The native species may not defend against a new one, and the effects can be dangerous. In Australia, the introduction of the common house cat led to the extinction of the red-fronted parakeet and has seriously damaged the populations of several small animals. Introduced species can also bring new diseases with them. As a result, animals become endangered. Native animals may not have the power to fight against non-native diseases, and population levels can suffer. Another cause of disease is human-introduced chemicals. The use of DDT is believed to be one of the leading causes in driving the California Condor to near extinction. When animals become endangered, the entire food chain can be affected. For example, in 2008 disease seriously harmed the honeybee, which is largely responsible for pollinating plants, including many fruits and vegetables. Without their pollination, a very large part of the human diet could be reduced. In fact, if the honeybee should become extinct, our life would be affected and billions of dollars would be lost. Therefore, many people argue that when animals become endangered it is in man's own self-interest to protect them. The California Condor is in danger of dying out because of _ .
<extra_id_0>loss of habitat
<extra_id_1>harmful chemicals
<extra_id_2>forest cutting
<extra_id_3>unfamiliar diseases
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_1>
|
<extra_id_5>I climbed Kilimanjaro with Lava Expeditions during the rainy season. I flew to Nairobi in Kenya and spent several days there. At my hotel in Nairobi I met the rest of the group with whom I would spend the next week. We all travelled on the bus together for a 6-hour journey into Tanzania and then Arusha , a quiet town. After we arrived at our hotel in Arusha , we had dinner and a few drinks. Then we were introduced to more members including Taddeus Minja, the main guide, who was very experienced -- climbing Kilimanjaro runs through the generations of his family. The next day the Lava Expeditions members checked if we had the correct and enough clothing for our expedition on Kilimanjaro. Only one person needed to bring more clothes. After that we set off, walking in the rain through the beauty of the rainforest, all the way to the first camp. I was happy the next few days as the view was so wonderful and changed every day. I suffered a little during the trip and I felt so tired. But the members of Lava Expeditions provided me with lots of encouragement, which was one of the best memories. Finally we reached the top of Kilimanjaro in bright blue skies. I felt excited about climbing Kilimanjaro and the feeling didn't change during my trip. Lava Expeditions looked after me so well that I was deeply thankful for their help. How did Lava Expeditions help the author while climbing Kilimanjaro?
<extra_id_0>By carrying bags for him.
<extra_id_1>By offering food to him.
<extra_id_2>By encouraging him.
<extra_id_3>By teaching him climbing skills.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>An English traveler spent a few weeks in Sweden. When he was about to return home,he found that he had only enough money left to get a ticket to England. Thinking the matter over, he decided that as it was only a two days' voyage he could get home without eating anything. So he bought a ticket with that little money he had and went on board the ship. He closed his ears to the sound of the lunch bell,and when dinner came,he refused to go down to the place where people had their dinner, saying that he did not feel well. The following day he did not get up until breakfast was over, pretending that he had overslept himself. At lunch time, too, he kept out of the way. By the time of dinner,however,he became so hungry that he could even eat paper. "I can't stand this any longer, " he said to himself."I must have something to eat." At the dinner table he ate everything put in front of him.When he was quite full, he felt stronger and at once went to see the waiter. "Bring the bill, " he said to the waiter. "The bill?" said the waiter in surprise. "Yes, " answered the traveler. "There isn't any bill here," said the waiter,"On this ship meals are already included in the ticket." After buying the ticket,he had _ .
<extra_id_0>only enough money for one meal
<extra_id_1>no money left
<extra_id_2>very little money left
<extra_id_3>in time to have his breakfast
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_1>
|
<extra_id_5>The iPhone, the iPad, each of Apple's products sounds cool and has become a fad . Apple has cleverly taken advantage of the power of the letter "i" - and many other brands are following suit. The BBC's iPlayer - which allows Web users to watch TV programs on the Internet -adopted the title in 2008. A lovely bear - popular in the US and UK - that plays music and video is called "iTeddy". A slimmed-down version of London's Independent newspaper was launched last week under the name "i". In general, single-letter prefixes have been popular since the 1990s, when terms such as e-mail and e-commerce first came into use. Most "i" products are targeted at young people and considering the major readers of Independent's "i", it's no surprise that they've selected this fashionable name. But it's hard to see what's so special about the letter "i". Why not use "a", "b", or "c" instead? According to Tony Thorne, head of the Language Center at King's College, London, "i" works because its meaning has become ambiguous. When Apple uses "i", no one knows whether it means Internet, information, individual or interactive, Thorne told BBC Magazines. "Even when Apple created the iPod, it seems it didn't have one clear definition," he says. "However, thanks to Apple, the term is now associated with portability." adds Thorne. Clearly the letter "i" also agrees with the idea that the Western World is centered on the individual. Each person believes they have their own needs, and we love personalized products for this reason. Along with "Google" and "blog", readers of BBC Magazines voted "i" as one of the top 20 words that have come to define the last decade. But as history shows, people grow tired of fads. From the 1900s to 1990s, products with "2000" in their names became fashionable as the year was associated with all things advanced and modern. However, as we entered the new century, the trend inevitably disappeared. The writer suggests that _ .
<extra_id_0>the popularity of "i" products may not last long
<extra_id_1>iTeddy is alive bear
<extra_id_2>the letter "b" replaces letter "i" to name the products
<extra_id_3>"i" products are often of high quality
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_0>
|
<extra_id_5>* Membership Hostelling International (HI) is a membership organization, and HI membership gives you much more than a comfy bed! It puts you at the heart of a huge international family, where you can share experiences, travel and friendship with people of all nations. * Membership Savings Program Your National Association or Hostelling International Membership card not only opens the door to the world's largest network of safe, clean and welcoming hostels, but in many HI hostels, being a member now gives you at least a 10 percent saving on the cost of your accommodation - just one of the great reasons to become a member! In some countries, membership is compulsory if you wish to stay in HI hostels listed on this site. To find out what is applicable in the country you wish to visit, please check the Membership Savings Program. Apart from cheaper accommodation in many of our 4,000 hostels worldwide, membership also gives you access to thousands of travel-related savings at home and abroad. Please check locally with your HI hostel on arrival for details of these great benefits which can include: reduced-price admission to attractions and museums, discounts on meals, transportation and lots more. Whatever your budget, membership helps you to explore and "Say HI to the world", backpack across Europe, discover Down Under, dance to Latin rhythms, chill out on an idyllic Asian beach or simply "Discover the real hostel experience" in one of our unique hostels worldwide. * How to become a member Purchase a membership from your nearest HI Youth Hostel Association office or membership selling outlet before you start your journey. Purchase an international membership when you arrive at an HI hostel outside your country of residence. To check the price and availability of membership on arrival, please contact the hostel directly. Alternatively, you can purchase a 12-month e-Membership during the booking process with your hostel stay. The e-Membership entitles you to stay in any HI hostel and receive at least 10 percent discount on accommodation charges compared to a non-member. Please note: when you select your country from the list below you will be given full contact details plus a link to the national HI Youth Hostel Association website. Please select the Membership section on the site. If you want to be a member of HI, _ .
<extra_id_0>you can either call the HI Youth Hostel Association office or buy a membership online.
<extra_id_1>you should book a room at an HI Youth Hostel first.
<extra_id_2>you can buy a membership at an HI Youth Hostel Association office or outlet.
<extra_id_3>you can buy a membership when you check in at an HI Youth hostel.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_1>
|
<extra_id_5>In the summer of 1978 an English farmer was driving his tractor through a field of wheat when he discovered that some of his wheat was lying flat on the ground. The fattened wheat formed a circle about six meters across. Around this circle were four smaller circles of flattened wheat. The five circles were in a formation like five dots. During the following years, farmers in England found the strange circles in their fields more and more often. The circles are called "crop circles" because they appear in the fields of grain - usually wheat or corn. The grain in the circles lies flat on the ground but never broken; it continues to grow, and farmers can later harvest it. Farmers always discover the crop circles in the morning, so the circles probably form at night. They appear only in the months from May to September. At first, people thought that the circles were a _ . Probably young people were making them as a joke, or farmers were making them to attract tourists. To prove that the circles were a hoax, people tried to make circles exactly like the ones that farmer had found. They couldn't do it. They couldn't enter a field of grain without leaving tracks , and they couldn't flatten the grain without breaking it. Many people believe that beings from outer space are making the circle to communicate with us from far away and that the crop circles are messages from them. Scientists who have studied the crop circles suggested several possibilities. Some scientists say that a downward rush of wind leads to the formation of the circles - the same downward rush of air that sometimes causes an airplane to crash. Other scientists say that forces within the earth cause the circles to appear. There is one problem with all these scientific explanations: crop circles often appear in formations, like the five-dot formation. It is hard to believe that any natural force could form those. In the summer of 1978, an English farmer discovered in his field that _ .
<extra_id_0>some of his wheat had been damaged
<extra_id_1>his grain was growing up in circles.
<extra_id_2>his grain was moved into several circles
<extra_id_3>some of his wheat had fallen onto the ground.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>The cheetah population around the world has decreased because of poaching and loss of habitat. The surviving population is found to have similar alleles. Which factor is endangering the species' survival the most?
<extra_id_0>harmful genetic mutations
<extra_id_1>shrinking of the gene pool
<extra_id_2>decrease in competition
<extra_id_3>increase in adaptations
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_1>
|
<extra_id_5>Dave needed to prepare for Saturday's fishing trip. He went into his hall closet, where he had more than 20 rods and reels. Nowadays he went fishing twice a year at Big Bear, a huge lake in southern prefix = st1 /Californiaabout 7,000 feet up in the mountains. California tries to improve the fishing industry by sponsoring a Free Fishing Day twice a ear, once in June and once in September. That's enough for Dave. He went mostly because it was a social event with a few friends, not so much to catch fish. Even driving up a twisty two-lane road was worth the trip. Let alone the big, beautiful houses and trees that lined the shore of the lake. Preparing was a project in itself. Dace had even created a computer file named Fishing Trip. It was a checklist of 45 things to take to Big Bear. He took two rods, because on Free Fishing Day you were allowed to fish with two rods instead of the usual one rod. He took a sweatshirt, jeans, two pairs of socks, a heavy hooded jacket, winter gloves, and a scarf. He also took flip-flops, shorts, a T-shirt, sunglasses, a big hat, and lightweight raincoat. If you go to Big Bear in June, you'd better be prepared for hot or cold, rain or shine. He prepared a couple of magazines to read just in case the fish weren't biting. He and his friends joked that the fish were always biting- in the spot you just left or the spot you were headed for. After about an hour and a half; Dave had gathered all the items on his list into a neat pile next to his door. He went to bed knowing that tomorrow's weather and fishing were unpredictable, but the good time with his friends was a given. Why had Dave created a computer file named Fishing Trip?
<extra_id_0>Because he was afraid he would forget the things needed
<extra_id_1>Because he would have so much fish to catch.
<extra_id_2>Because the good time with his friends was uncertain.
<extra_id_3>Because he wanted to buy some magazines on fishing.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_0>
|
<extra_id_5>As you are probably aware,the latest job markets news isn't good:Unemployment is still more than 9 percent,and new job growth has fallen close to zero.That's bad for the economy,of course.And it may be especially discouraging if you happen to be looking for a job or hoping to change careers right now.But it actually shouldn't matter to you nearly as much as you think. That's because job growth numbers don't matter to job hunters as much as job staff-turnover data.After all,existing jobs open up every day due to promotions,resignations,and retirements.(Yes,people are retiring even in this economy.)In both good times and bad,staff-turnover creates more openings than economic growth does.Even in June of 2007,when the economy was still booming along,job growth was only 132,000,while staff-turnover was 4.7 million! And as it turns out,even today--with job growth near zero--over 4 million job hunters are being hired every month. I don't mean to imply that overall job growth doesn't have an impact on one's ability to land a job.It's true that if total employment were higher.it would mean more jobs for all of us to choose from(and compete for).And it's true that there are currently more people applying for each available job opening,regardless of whether it's a new one or not. But what often distinguishes those who land jobs from those who don't is their ability to stay motivated.They're willing to do the hard work of identifying their valuable skills;be creative about where and how to look;learn how to present themselves to potential employers;and keep going,even after repeated rejections.The Bureau of Labor Statistics data show that 2.7 million people who wanted and were available for work hadn't hunted for it within the last four weeks and were no longer even classified as unemployed. So don't let the headlines fool you into giving up.Four million people get hired every month in the U.S.You can be one of them The author tends to believe that high unemployment rate _ .
<extra_id_0>takes job opportunities from people
<extra_id_1>prevents many people from changing careers
<extra_id_2>should not stop people from looking for a job
<extra_id_3>does not mean the U.S. economy is worsening
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>In the United States, there were some well-constructed houses for native Indians, ranging from the simple brush shelter to the five-storied pueblo. In the eastern United States, one of the existing types was that commonly know under the Algonkian name of wigwam in which the Iroquois Indians lived. The wigwams were of wagon-top shape with straight sides and ends, made by bending young trees to form the round shape. Over this shape pieces of tree bark were laid to protect the Indians from bad weather. Over the bark dried grass was added. A small hole allowed smoke to escape from the top. Doorways at each end served also as windows, The Iroquois Indians built trunk walls all around their villages. The wall had only one opening, They could quickly close this opening if their enemies came near. Interestingly, the Choctaw Indians in Mississippi also lived in a wigwam of a most primitive construction, but different from those of the Iroquois Indians. The Choctaw Indians' wigwams, made from mud, cane and straw, were in the form of a bee-hive. The covering was made of a long, tough grass. A post in the centre supported the roof. A hole in the top admitted the light, and allowed the smoke to pass out. The tipi tent-housing of the upper lake and plains area was put up with poles set lightly in the ground, tied together near the top, and covered with bark and grass in the lake country. It was easily portable, and two women could set it up or take it down within an hour. The Pawnee, Mandan and other Indian tribes along the Missouri built solid ring-shaped structures of trunk, covered with earth and dried grass, housing a dozen families. The Wichita and other tribes of the Texas border built large ring-shaped houses covered with dried grass. K^S*5U.C Apart from the regular housing, almost every tribe had some style of housing. The passage suggests that _
<extra_id_0>all the native Indians built trunk walls all around their houses
<extra_id_1>all the native Indian houses were built with poles tied together
<extra_id_2>the Iroquois Indians took safety into account while building their wigwams
<extra_id_3>the Choctaw Indians in Mississippi built their wigwams with straight sides and ends
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>(1)Shirley Temple, the once-famous child movie star, died at the age of 85 on February 10, 2014. She was born on April 23, 1928. She was good at acting and dancing. In 1934, she starred in the movie Bright Eyes. From then on she became famous around the world. Later she starred in other movies and won a Juvenile Oscar in February, 1935. For many Americans born in the 1930s and 1940s, Temple was not just an on-screen star but also a close friend in their childhood. She was remembered by the world as the forever "little angle". An American movie star said, "Little Shirley Temple encouraged the whole country during the Great Depression ." (2)Shi Li and Cui Jiping are husband and wife. They are disabled. They complete the first Chinese encyclopedic dictionary for deaf people and people with hearing problems. The dictionary includes words on medicine, education, psychology, law, history and culture about deaf people's life. This book provides a learning tool for this special group of people and it helps them know about the world more easily. They spent six years and over 1,000,000 yuan on the book. They first collected material for the book by themselves, then they invited a lot of experts across the country to write. The book is warmly welcomed by the deaf. One of the readers said, "The book shows that we're not alone. We can have our own way to communicate with the world. " Temple won the first Juvenile Oscar in _ .
<extra_id_0>1928
<extra_id_1>1934
<extra_id_2>1935
<extra_id_3>1948.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>In Britain in the 1890s there was a postcard "craze ". People formed clubs and collected and exchanged postcards. Even Queen Victoria had her own private collection. When Edward was the king, the British had a cheap and good postal system. If anyone wanted to tell a friend that they were coming for tea in the afternoon, they would send a postcard in the morning. "Drop me a card" was as common then as "give me a ring" as now. In 1902 an important step was taken. The government said that half of the side that was used for the address on the postcard could be used for messages, and the whole of the other side could be used for a picture. It was then that the simple postcard, as we know now, was created. Choose the best title for the passage.
<extra_id_0>Postcards Old and New
<extra_id_1>Postcard Clubs in the 1890s
<extra_id_2>Creation of the Present Postcard
<extra_id_3>Postal System in Britain
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_0>
|
<extra_id_5>Eating at a slow speed may help reduce hunger, the U.S. researchers said on Monday. Previous research suggests that the ability to control energy intake may be affected by the speed at which we eat, and a high eating rate may damage the relationship between the sensory signals and processes that control how much we eat. In order to learn more about the link between eating speed and energy intake, researchers examined how eating speed affects calories consumed during a meal in both normal-weight subjects as well as overweight or obese subjects. In the new study, a group of normal-weight subjects and a group of overweight or obese subjects were asked to consume two meals in a controlled environment. All subjects ate one meal slowly, took small bites, chewed thoroughly, and paused and put the spoon down between bites, and ate a second meal quickly, took large bites, chewed quickly, and did not pause and put the spoon down. At the conclusion of the study, the researchers found only normal-weight subjects had a statistically significant reduction in caloric consumption by eating slowly. "A lack of statistical significance in the overweight and obese group may be partly due to the fact that they consumed less food during both eating conditions compared to the normal-weight subjects," Professor Meena Shah said, "it is possible that the overweight and obese subjects felt more self-conscious, and thus ate less during the study." Despite the differences in caloric consumption between the normal-weight and overweight and obese subjects, the study found some similarities. Both groups felt less hungry later on after the slow meal than after the fast meal, which indicates that greater hunger suppression among both groups could be expected from a meal consumed more slowly. Also, both the normal-weight and overweight or obese groups consumed more water during the slow meal. "The higher water intake during the slow eating condition may have affected food consumption," said Shah. According to Shah, slowing the speed of eating may help suppress hunger levels and "may even improve the enjoyment of a meal". The findings were published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. What should the subjects do during the research?
<extra_id_0>Both groups could totally eat the meals at any speed as they liked.
<extra_id_1>Both groups had to consume one meal in controlled eating conditions.
<extra_id_2>Both groups were asked to eat one meal slowly while the other quickly.
<extra_id_3>One group should eat slowly while the other one quickly.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>Though chopsticks are used in many Asian countries, they have their beginning in China. Chinese history says that the Chinese had chopsticks as far as the Xia Dynasty (about 4, 00 years ago). In the Spring and Autumn Period copper and iron chopsticks appeared. With the Han Dynasty lacquered chopsticks came, followed by gold and silver chopsticks still later. Today we have chopsticks made of plastics. The most expensive are made of part of tusks of elephants and hard green stone. Chopsticks tell Chinese tradition in their way. In ancient times the rich used hard green stone or gold chop-sticks to show their wealth . In history many kings used silver chopsticks to take their food to see if it was poisonous . It was said that if it was, the silver chopsticks would turn colour. Chopsticks are traditionally given to a daughter when she marries to show that they should have a son very soon, for "Chopsticks" in Chinese is pronounced like "quick a son"! Tianzhu chopsticks from Hangzhou, wooden chopsticks from Shanyang of Shanxi Province, and Beijing's chopsticks are well-known. Many westerners, businessmen, tourists put aside their knives and forks in favour of chopsticks in China. Chopsticks appeared in the old Chinese story: an old man teaches his sons a lesson by showing how he could easily break a single chopstick but not a number of them. In China, chopsticks are connected with good luck. So on the country's New Year's Eve many families will lay out new chopsticks at dinners as a way of making requests for luck. Chinese use chopsticks _ .
<extra_id_0>to lift food to the mouth only
<extra_id_1>to teach others a lesson only
<extra_id_2>in many other ways besides taking food
<extra_id_3>in many other ways except taking food
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>The New Year is the time to buy a new calendar . Yet it can take a lot of time just to choose the right one. There are lots and lots of choices. There are small ones. Big ones. Calendars sit on a desk. Calendars hang on the wall. Calendars are carried around. In one way all calendars are the same. They all list the same days of the year in exactly the same order. Calendars have become popular gifts because many are filled with beautiful pictures. Some have pictures of famous art works. It is like hanging a different painting on your wall each month. You can even learn from calendars. They often give information about their subject--such as famous writers or American Indians or flower gardens. There are calendars about food and about beautiful places in the world. Calendars about sports and about movies. Funny calendars with popular cartoon characters. For pet lovers, there are calendars with pictures of cats doing unusual things. Three hundred sixty-five of them--one for each day of the year. There are calendars with pictures of cars, too. There are even calendars for children who can draw the pictures themselves. Some people do not just look at their calendars. They use them to write down important things they must remember, like meetings or doctor's appointments. Busy people can buy small calendars to carry around to help them organize and plan their life. Since there are so many choices, you must spend your time choosing your favourite calendars. What are calendars for children special for?
<extra_id_0>They can receive much information.
<extra_id_1>They can draw their own pictures.
<extra_id_2>They can about beautiful places in the world.
<extra_id_3>They can even learn from calendars.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_1>
|
<extra_id_5>Today was an important day for Sam: he was going to go to the pet store and pick out a pet to take home and live with him! Sam was worried that he would not find a pet that would like him better than the other pets, but he knew he would find the pet for him. The pet store had a big, white door and Sam opened it up and heard lots of barking! He saw a nice man standing next to the dogs who said that his name was Chris. Sam said hello and petted the dogs. He really liked one of the dogs named Rocky, but Rocky did not like him. Chris said that Rocky was mean and did not like some people even when the people were very nice. Sam was a little sad, but he saw the next cage! There was a small, yellow dog in the cage named Button. Sam put his finger through the bars in Button's cage and Button licked his fingers. Sam laughed, and asked Chris to let him play with Buttons. Sam and Buttons played together in the grass outside of the store, and Sam was so happy. Buttons loved Sam, and Sam loved Buttons! Sam had some papers that he had to sign, and he showed Chris all of the toys and items he had bought to bring home with his new pet: Chris was so happy, too! Sam put his new friend on a leash and took Buttons home with him, and they loved each other very much. How does Sam feel about where he is going?
<extra_id_0>Angry
<extra_id_1>Sad
<extra_id_2>Worried
<extra_id_3>Happy
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>Social media is causing problems at work and it's not with the boss.In fact, it's other employees who are annoyed by their fellow workers' personal social media use, and it's starting to hurt productivity ( ) .According to a new survey by work force solutions provider Kelly Services, more than half of workers say social media is affecting workplace productivity in a bad way, with 57 percent believing that mixing personal and professional connections through social media is likely to cause problems. The research showed a growing number of employees feel there is nothing wrong with in some personal Facebook time during the day.Despite the drop in productivity, just employees have been told to stop using social media at work. The study also shows a number of employees are using their personal social med talk about company business.Nearly 15 percent of the employees surveyed think it opinions about work with friends and colleagues on social media. "The reality is that the spread of social media in the workplace is happen rules desr'- manage i'.said Steve Armstrong, senior vice president and genetai, manager for K-eliy S 'e m v employees are quick to see the benefits, employers and managers are still fighting against a large number of complex issues related to privacy, monitoring, and access to sensitive business information.'" The findings are part of the latest survey results from the Kelly Global Workforce Index.Nearly 170,000 people in 30 countries participated in the survey, including almost 23 000 in the US. According to the findings of the survey, we learn more than half of the participants think that _ .
<extra_id_0>personal social media use at work is not good for work
<extra_id_1>using social media at work is good for workplace productivity
<extra_id_2>employees shouldn't use personal social media at work at all
<extra_id_3>managers should encourage the use of social media at work
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_0>
|
<extra_id_5>If you see someone drowning, speed is very important. Once you get him out of water, if he isn't breathing, you have four minutes before his brain is completely destroyed. Support his neck, tilt his head back and press his chin upwards. This stops the tongue blocking the airway in the throat and is sometimes enough to get him breathing again. If that doesn't work, start mouth-to-mouth breathing. Press his nostrils together with your fingers. Open your mouth and take a deep breath. Blow into his lungs until his chest rises, then remove your mouth and watch his chest fall. Repeat twelve times a minute. Keep doing until help arrives. To bring a child back to life, keep your lips around his mouth and nose and gently blow into his mouth. Give the first four breaths as quickly as possible to fill the blood with oxygen. If, in spite of your efforts, he starts turning a blue-gray color1, and you can feel no pulse,then pressing is the last chance of saving his life. With arms straight, rock forwards, pressing down on the lower half of the breastbone. Don't be too hard or you may break a rib. Check how effective you are by watching if his color1 improves or his pulse becomes independent to your chest pressing. If this happens, stop the pressing. Otherwise continue until help arrives. If a drowning child has no pulse,_.
<extra_id_0>pressing his chin upwards is enough to get him breathing again
<extra_id_1>blowing air into his mouth can surely save his life
<extra_id_2>pressing his nostrils together with your fingers can work
<extra_id_3>pressing is the last possibility to save his life
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>When my first wartime Christmas came, I was in basic training in New Jersey and not sure if I could make it home for the holidays. Only on the afternoon of December 23 was the list of men who would have three-day passes posted. I was one of the lucky soldiers. It was Christmas Eve when I arrived, and a light snow had fallen. Mother opened the front door. I could see beyond her, into the corner of the living room where the tree had always stood. There were lights, all colors, and ornaments shining against the green of a pine. "Where did it come from?" I asked. "I asked the Gates boy to cut it," my mother said. "I wouldn't have had one just for myself, but when you called--- oh, such a rush! He just brought it in this afternoon..." The pine reached to the proper height, almost to the ceiling, and the Tree Top Krystal Star was in its place. A few green branches reached about a little awkwardly at the side, I thought, and there was a bit of bare trunk showing in the middle. But the tree filled the room with warm light and the whole house with pleasant smell of Christmas. "It's not like the ones you used to find," my mother went on. "Yours were always in good shape. I suppose the Gates boy didn't know where to look. But I couldn't be picky." "Don't worry, " I told her. "It's perfect." It wasn't, of course, but at the moment I realized something for the first time: all Christmas trees are perfect. All Christmas trees are perfect, because they can remind you of _ .
<extra_id_0>the wartime
<extra_id_1>the green of a pine
<extra_id_2>the pleasant smell
<extra_id_3>the sweet home
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>For the most part, it seems, workers in rich countries have little to fear from globalization, and a lot to gain. But is the same thing true for workers in poor countries? The answer is that they are even more likely than their rich-country counterparts to benefit, because they have less to lose and more to gain. Traditional economics takes an optimistic line on integration and the developing countries. Openness to foreign trade and investment should encourage capital to flow to poor economies. In the developing world, capital is scarce, so the returns on investment there should be higher than in the industrialized countries, where the best opportunities to make money by adding capital to labour have already been used up. If poor countries lower their barriers to trade and investment, the theory goes, rich foreigners will want to send over some of their capital. If this inflow of resources arrives in the form of loans or portfolio investment , it will top up domestic savings and loosen the financial restriction on additional investment by local companies. If it arrives in the form of new foreign-controlled operations, FDI, so much the better: this kind of capital brings technology and skills from abroad packaged along with it, with less financial risk as well. In either case, the addition to investment ought to push incomes up, partly by raising the demand for labour and partly by making labour more productive. This is why workers in FDI-receiving countries should be in an even better position to profit from integration than workers in FDI-sending countries. Also, with or without inflows of foreign capital, the same gains from trade should apply in developing countries as in rich ones. This gains from trade logic often arouses suspicion, because the benefits seem to come from nowhere. Surely one side or the other must lose. Not so. The benefits that a rich country gets through trade do not come at the expense of its poor country trading partners, or vice versa. Recall that according to the theory, trade is a positive sum game. In all these trades, both sides--exporters and importers, borrowers and lenders, shareholders and workers can gain. Which can be the most appropriate title for this passage?
<extra_id_0>Benefited or Hurt
<extra_id_1>Who Benefits the Most
<extra_id_2>Helping the Poor
<extra_id_3>The Inflow of Resources
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_1>
|
<extra_id_5>I wonder about my Mom sometimes, and all the other black mothers who got up at 6 a. m. to go to the white man's house with sacks over their shoes because it was so wet and cold. I wonder how they made it. They worked very hard for the man. They made his breakfast and they swept his floors and they took care of his babies. They didn' t have too much time for the three of us. I wonder about my Mom, who walked out of a white woman's clean house at midnight and came back to her own where the lights had been out for three months, and the pipes were frozen and the wind came in through the holes in the wall. She'd have to deal with the rats : leave some food out for them so they wouldn't bite the doors or the babies. Oh, they were just like part of the family! I wonder how she felt telling those white kids she took care of to brush their teeth after they ate, to wash their hands after they finished bathing. She could never tell her own kids because there wasn't soap or water back home. I wonder how my Mom felt when we came home from school with a list of vitamins and pills the school nurse said we had to have. Mom would cry all night, and then go out and spend most of the rent money for pills. A week later, the white man would come for his eighteen dollars' rent and Mom would beg him to wait until tomorrow. She had to lie to him that she had lost her wallet or the relief check was coming soon or the white people had some money for her. Tomorrow I'd be hiding in the closet because there was only supposed to be two kids in the flat, and I could hear the rent man shout at my Mom and call her a cheat. And when he finally went away, Mom put the sacks on her shoes and went off to the rich white man's house to dress the rich white kids so that their mother could take them to a special baby doctor. Mother never told us to brush our teeth or to wash our hands because _ .
<extra_id_0>she thought we didn't need to
<extra_id_1>we didn't like washing hands
<extra_id_2>we had done everything very well
<extra_id_3>there was no soap or water in our home
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>Some spiders hunt on the ground, others build webs to trap their food, but the grass water spider catches its prey by running along the surface of the water. This special water spider lives on the grassy banks of streams where mosquitoes, damsel flies and other insects come to feed and breed. Although it is one of the largest spiders in prefix = st1 /New Zealand, it has an unusual ability. It doesn't disturb the water as it waits for its meal, and there is barely a ripple when it skims across the surface at lightning speed to catch its prey. Grass water spiders deal swiftly with larger insects like damsel flies by pulling their heads under the water and holding them there until they drown. After a meal, the grass water spider spends up to half an hour grooming itself. It wipes its eight eyes, brushes its antennae , and takes special care to clean the hairs on its body. It is the hairs that trap tiny bubbles of air so that the spider can run down a blade of grass and stay underwater for up to an hour when it is frightened. The hairs also keep the spider dry, even underwater. It is only when the female spider is caring for the young that she does not hunt on the water. After mating, she produces a large egg sac , which she carries around for five weeks. Once the eggs start to hatch, she attaches the sac to some blades of grass or a thistle. She then tears the sac open and releases the tiny spiders into the nursery web. The purpose of the passage is to _ .
<extra_id_0>convince readers that spiders are dangerous
<extra_id_1>indicate that the grass water spider is endangered
<extra_id_2>list all of the spiders that can be found in New Zealand
<extra_id_3>describe the characteristics of the grass water spider
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>My name is Jane King. Jane is my first name and King is my family name. I'm twelve. I'm also an English girl.I have a brother. His name is John. He is only five. He is very lovely. Both my father and mother are teachers. They love their work. They work very hard. We have a house with a garden. The house is big and nice. The garden is not big but nice. There are some flowers and small trees in it. We often play games there. We all like our house and garden. Jane is from _ .
<extra_id_0>America
<extra_id_1>Canada
<extra_id_2>Japan
<extra_id_3>England
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Here's the morning news. Yesterday afternoon a ten-year-old school boy swallowed a pen cap! The boy was daydreaming in class. Without knowing what he was doing, he put a pen cap into his mouth. A few minutes later, he was terrified to find that he had swallowed it! The teacher was shocked when the boy stood up and said, "I've just swallowed a pen cap." He was quickly sent to the nearest hospital. There a doctor examined him and said the best treatment was to give him medicine so that the pen cap could pass naturally. Three hours later the boy successfully _ "The boy is really lucky," said the doctor. "It's not rare that small children put things into their mouths for fun. It's very dangerous." He added. Which sentence is RIGHT according to the news?
<extra_id_0>The boy was 8 years old.
<extra_id_1>The boy was listening carefully in class.
<extra_id_2>The boy went to the hospital himself.
<extra_id_3>The boy was all right at last.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>Tyler was a troublesome student. He sat in the back row. Every time I called him to answer questions, he'd reply with a flip answer. If he got it wrong, he would get very angry. Usually kids could sit quietly in class. However, Tyler was just loud. One day, Tyler was talking while I was teaching. I said to him, "Tyler, why not join in our discussion instead of having one of your own?" He got up from his chair, pushed it over, and shouted something I can't remember. I sent him to the office and he received a week's out-of-school punishment. The week was a wonderful time for me, but when it came to an end, I began to feel worried. So I came up with a plan. On the day of his return, I told him I wanted to start over with him. If he felt like he was going to lose control in class, he could step outside the door for a moment. From then on, Tyler was a changed student in my classroom. In fact he was a smart child and he even stopped a fight between two students one day. And he never used the privilege to leave the class for a moment. I believe that just letting him decide for himself made all the difference. When the year was over, he wrote me a thank-you note about how good the year had been for him. I still have it today and find it very moving to reread when I get stressed about teaching. Every time the teacher reads the thank-you note, he feels _ .
<extra_id_0>stressed
<extra_id_1>worried
<extra_id_2>satisfied
<extra_id_3>moved
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>My cousin Jenny made some new term resolutions last month. First she wants to keep healthy. So she is going to exercise more and eat a lot of healthier food. She isn't going to eat junk food. She is going to make a volleyball team because she likes it and she's also good at playing it. And she also wants to improve her English. She is going to read English every morning. The third, she is going to read more books because she thinks she can learn a lot from books. So she's going to go to the school library quite often. When she grows up, she is going to be a doctor for children. She wants to help sick children. She's going to study medicine at a university when she finishes high school. She is going to work hard. She loves children and she thinks looking after children will be wonderful. Which of the following is NOT right according to the article?
<extra_id_0>Jenny isn't going to eat some junk food in the new term.
<extra_id_1>Jenny thinks reading books is good for her.
<extra_id_2>Jenny is going to study medicine at a university in the new term.
<extra_id_3>Jenny thinks looking after kids will be good.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>Around three forty-five on a rainy Saturday morning, I was woken up by the sound of my pager beeping. As a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician, I can never count on a full night of sleep. I pulled myself out of bed and went toward the desk to grab my radio. Our crew was being sent to a nearby home where a man was in cardiac arrest . We found the man lying on the kitchen floor with his wife beside him. We rushed the patient to the hospital, but despite our efforts, we were unable to save his life. In my line of life, I rarely get any recognition from the patients we treat, or from their loved ones. But that night, a man's wife approached us, and through her tears, whispered, "Thank you." Then she hugged each of us. She knew we answered her late-night call for help, even though the ending was not positive. There is something deeply rewarding about helping people in these circumstances. Sometimes, I'm able to make their worst day a bit better: like seeing the tears of an injured child turn into a smile when I gave him an interesting toy; or watching a terrified mother's screams turn into tears of joy when she realized her baby was going to be fine. Experiences like these allow me to see the impact my work has on others. At the same time, I also know the effect _ has had on my own life. As a teenager, I felt awkward when my dad hugged me and said, " I love you, my dear son." I was equally uncomfortable and responded, "I love you." But then I imagined him lying on the kitchen floor that rainy night and realized that my opportunity to say those three words could---at any moment---be taken away forever. Now, I extremely treasure the moment when my father says those three words to me. I've learned to appreciate every relationship I have, to tell people I care about them, and to never take anything in life for granted. According to this passage, we know that _ .
<extra_id_0>The author's work greatly influenced him
<extra_id_1>The author's father died several years ago
<extra_id_2>The author regretted treating his patients badly
<extra_id_3>The author never treasured every relation with others
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_0>
|
<extra_id_5>Tom gets up at half past seven in the morning. He has an egg and some milk for his breakfast. Then he begins to go to school slowly. When he is on his way to school, he thinks, "I tell my teacher my mother is ill on Monday morning. I tell him my bike is wrong on Tuesday. What do I tell my teacher today?" Tom thinks over but he doesn't find a good idea before he gets to school."May I come in?" Tom shouts at the door of the classroom. " Oh, my boy," says Mr Green. " Please look at the clock on the wall. What time is it now?" " It's ten past eight," answers Tom. Mr Green is not happy. " You are late for class three times this week. If all the students are like you, the clock is no use, I think." " You are right, Mr Green," says Tom. " If we don't have the clock, how do you know I am late for class?" Tom has breakfast _ .
<extra_id_0>at school
<extra_id_1>at the station
<extra_id_2>at home
<extra_id_3>in a restaurant
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>Pesticides and fertilizers can help farmers to produce more crops. However, overuse of these chemicals can result in
<extra_id_0>ecological succession
<extra_id_1>material recycling
<extra_id_2>environmental pollution
<extra_id_3>selective breeding
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>On a snowy winter morning, the brown-haired lady saw a squirrel that was hurt. It only had three legs, and it looked hungry. She put some corn out for the squirrel to eat, but other bully squirrels came, too. The brown-haired lady started giving the little squirrel peanuts to eat. She gave some to the bully squirrels, too, so they would leave the three-legged squirrel alone. The winter snow melted and then it was spring. The grass turned green and the air was warm. Now, when the little squirrel with three legs would come to see the brown-haired lady with the peanuts, it would take the peanuts and dig a little hole and hide the peanuts for later. The squirrel would hold the peanut in its mouth and dig and dig and dig, and then it would put the peanut in the hole and pat it down with its little front paw. Then it would run back over to the brown-haired lady and get some more peanuts to eat. What other squirrels were there?
<extra_id_0>giant squirrels
<extra_id_1>flying squirrels
<extra_id_2>Bully squirrels
<extra_id_3>baby squirrels
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>The cost of raising a child from birth to age 18 is about $ 160,140! That doesn't even touch college tuition. For those with kids, this figure might lead them thinking how much they could have banked. For others, that number might confirmthe decision to remain childless. But $ 160,140 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into $ 8 ,896. 66 a year, $ 741. 38 a month, or $171. 08 a week. That's a mere $24. 44 a day! Just over a dollar an hour. Still, you might think the best financial advice says don't have children if you ever want to be "rich". It is not. What do you get for your $ 160,140? * Naming rights. * Giggles under the covers every night. * More love than your heart can hold. * Kisses and hugs. * Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies. * A hand to hold usually covered with jam. * A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites, and building sandeastles. For $ 160,140, you never have to grow up! You get to finger-paint, carve pumpkins, play hide-and-seek, and never stop believing in Santa Claus. You have an excuse to keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh, watching cartoons , going to Disney movies, and wishing on stars. For $ 160,140, you get to be a hero just for taking the training wheels off the bike, and coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless. You get a front row seat to history; to witness the first step, first word, first date, and first time behind the wheel. You get to be immortal You get another branch added to your family tree. You get an education in nursing, criminal justice and communications that no college can match. In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there with God. You have all the power to correct a mistake, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a party, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost. ...... Which of the following could be used as the last sentence to end the passage?
<extra_id_0>Remain childless.
<extra_id_1>Make a bank for your children.
<extra_id_2>Enjoy raising your children.
<extra_id_3>Find a way to be happy.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>Alice Walker makes her living by writing. And her poems, short stories, and novels have won many prizes for her. She was born in Eatonton, Georgia. She went to public schools there, and then to Spelman College in Atlanta before coming to New York to attend Sarah Lawrence College, from which she graduated in 1966. For a time she lived in Jackson, Mississippi, with her lawyer husband and small daughter. About Langston Hughes, American Poet, her first book for children, she says, "After my first meeting with Langston Hughes, I promised I would write a book for children someday. Why? Because I, at twenty-two, knew next to nothing of his work, and he didn't scold me; he just gave me a pile of his books. And he was kind to me; I will always be thankful that in his warmth he fulfilled my deepest dream (and need) of what a poet should be." "To me he is not dead at all. Hardly a day goes by that I don't think of him or speak of him. Once, just before he died, when he was sick with the flu, I took him a basket full or oranges. The joy I felt in giving that simple gift is undiminished by time. He said he liked oranges, too. " What did Alice Walker mean when she says Langston Hughes "is not dead at all"?
<extra_id_0>Langston Hughes believed in eternal life .
<extra_id_1>She hadn't been told of Langston Hughes' death.
<extra_id_2>For her, Langston Hughes had never really existed.
<extra_id_3>Langston Hughes is still present in her thoughts.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>Scientists who study the climate are still arguing about how fast the earth is warming and how much it will warm, but they do agree that the earth is warming and that it will keep warming if we don't do anything about it. Scientists agree that the burning of fossil fuels like oil and coal cause greenhouse gases to escape into the air and that these gases are causing most of the warming. Another cause is deforestation (cutting down trees) . Trees _ carbon dioxide, one of the greenhouse gases, from the air. There are already some changes happening because of global warming. Sea level is rising and some animals are already moving to new homes. It's already too late to stop global warming completely. If the warming gets worse, as scientists expect, there may be some kinds of plants and animals that is disappearing because they can't move to new homes. There may be more storms and floods. Sea level may rise so much that people have to move away from the coasts. Some areas may become too dry for farming. Global warming is a very difficult problem to fix. People are having a hard time agreeing on what to do about it. For example, everyone agrees that wasting energy is a bad thing to do. But some people think that the federal government should make laws about it, while other people think it should be up to each person or business to decide what to do. Many states and businesses in the United States are not waiting until the federal government decides what to do. They have already started working on the problem. What may be the causes of global warming?
<extra_id_0>The disappearance of plants and animals and the wasting energy.
<extra_id_1>The burning of fossil fuels and storms and floods.
<extra_id_2>The burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.
<extra_id_3>The rising of sea level and deforestation.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>There was a story many years ago of a school teacher----Mrs.Thompson. She told the children on the first day that she loved them all the same. But that was a lie. There in the front row was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard. He didn't play well with the other children and he always needed a bath. She did not like him. Then Mrs. Thompson got to know that Teddy was actually a very good boy before the death of his mother. Mrs. Thompson was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when, like all her other students, Teddy brought her a Christmas present too. It was his mother's perfume . Teddy said, "Mrs.Thompson, today you smell just like my Mom used to." After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she stopped teaching reading, writing and math. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs.Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy.The boy's mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he improved. By the end of the sixth grade, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class. Six years went by before she got a note from Teddy. He wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. He went to college. Mrs.Thompson got two more letters from him with the last signed, Theodore F. Stoddar, M. D. . The story doesn't end there. On his wedding day, Dr.Stoddard whispered in Mrs.Thompson's ear," Thank you, Mrs. Thomson, for believing in me. You made me feel important and showed me that I could make a difference." Mrs. Thompson , with tears in her eyes, whispered back,"Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you. What did Mrs. Thompson find out about Teddy?
<extra_id_0>He often told lies.
<extra_id_1>He was good at math
<extra_id_2>He needed motherly care
<extra_id_3>He enjoyed playing with others
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>Imagine living in a city made of glass. No, this isn't a fairy tale. If you could grab your diving gear and swim down 650 feet into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Washington State, you would witness the secret world of glass reefs. The reef you'd be looking at is made up of glass sponges . But how can animals be made of glass? Well, glass is formed from a substance called silica. The sponges use the silica found in ocean waters to build glass structures that will give them shape and support. Be careful! Some of the fragile creatures are up to 200 years old. When sponges die, new ones grow on top of the pile of old ones. Over centuries, a massive and complex reef takes shape. Some sponges look like wrinkled trumpets, while others look like overgrown cauliflower or mushrooms. Dr. Paul Johnson, who discovered the Washington reef in 2007, also found other surprises such as bubbles of methane gas flowing out of the seafloor nearby. The methane feeds bacteria, and the bacteria feed the glass sponges. "It's a new ecosystem we know nothing about," said Dr. Johnson. The reef of yellow and orange glass sponges is crowded with crabs, shrimp, starfish, worms, snails, and rockfish. The glass reef is also a nursery for the babies of many of these creatures and was called a "kindergarten" by scientists. Many animals that live in the reef hang around for a long time, just like the sponges. Rockfish, for example, live for more than 100 years. Scientists are just beginning to study all the species that call the reef home. The Washington coast isn't the only place where a living glass reef has been found. The first was discovered in Hecate Strait off the coast of British Columbia in 1991. Scientists all over the world were to see it. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
<extra_id_0>The sponges must feel soft.
<extra_id_1>Silica comes from animals' body fluid.
<extra_id_2>Methane is harmful to glass sponges.
<extra_id_3>Glass sponges depend on the bacteria for a living.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>What do college teachers think of high school English teachers'English teaching? And how should we see it? Let's read the following. A teacher from a community college addressed a sympathetic audience. Heads nodded in agreement when he said, "High school English teachers are not doing their jobs." He described how weak his students were--all high school graduates who can use language only at a Grade 9 level. My topic is not standards nor its decline . What the speaker was really saying is that he is no longer young; he has been teaching for sixteen years, and is able to think and speak like a mature adult. My point is that the frequent complaint of one generation about the one immediately following is natural. It is also human nature to look for the reasons for our dissatisfaction. Before English became a school subject in the late nineteenth century, it was difficult to find the target of the blame for language deficiencies . But since then, English teachers have been under constant attack. The complainers think they have hit upon an original idea. As their own command of the language improves, they notice that young people do not have this same ability. Unaware that their own ability has developed through the years, they assume the new generation of young people must be hopeless in this respect. To the eyes and ears of sensitive adults, the language of the young always seems inadequate. Since this concern about the decline and fall of the English language is not seen as a generational phenomenon but rather as something new and peculiar to today's young people, it naturally follows that today's English teachers cannot be doing their jobs. The author's attitude towards the speaker's remarks is _ .
<extra_id_0>neutral
<extra_id_1>critical
<extra_id_2>positive
<extra_id_3>compromising
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_1>
|
<extra_id_5>Many of people like cooking but never have much time for it. Helen Fry's new book Quick Cookinghas been specially written for busy people. It has over 1,000 recipes, from the famous Spanish gazpacho to Swedish smorgasbord. The book is well written and the photographs and drawings are clear. (They are like those in the excellent littleQuick DressmakingandQuick Gardening.) The book has a strong plastic cover. It is easy to find your way around it too. And busy people, notice this, Mrs Fry tells you how much time you need in order to get each dish ready. Quick Cooking has four parts, one for each season. This helps you to use fresh fruit and vegetable when they are cheaper--and, of course, better. There are a lot of exciting ideas from foreign countries, and most of the recipes are easy to follow. You take something simple like a chicken or some cheese, and make an unusual dish out of it. For example, there are no fewer than 40 recipes for eggs! Mrs Fry does not plan complete meals for the "quick book". The beginners will have to find out a lot of things for himself or herself. But this ought to be difficult with such a good book. I wanted to try many of the recipes as soon as I read them. For people with little spare time, Helen Fry's Quick Cooking is excellent value. This passage is most probably _ .
<extra_id_0>a book review
<extra_id_1>a notice
<extra_id_2>a letter to an editor
<extra_id_3>an introduction on cooking
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_0>
|
<extra_id_5>When I was in the eighth grade, my teacher asked us to write an article about what we would like to do when we grew up. All I could think of was one sentence I want to help other people! During the years, I met many problems. But I never gave up. I know that to help other people I have to help myself first. I encouraged myself after I experienced failures . Finally .my dream really came true. I found a part-time job in a charity. I began to spend my days doing things for people. I have a happy life. That doesn't mean that this kind of life is easy, or that my work is always enjoyable. I an happy because I an doing what I want to do. What do you want to do? Write it down now. If you don't know, you can ask yourself, "What would I do if this was the last day of my life ?" Then write down the first thing that comes to your mind, no matter how silly or impossible it is. If you have an answer, you will know what your dream is. The writer dreams of _ .
<extra_id_0>having a good life
<extra_id_1>being a rich man
<extra_id_2>helping others
<extra_id_3>working for a charity
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>It was Monday.Mrs.Smith's dog was hungry,but there was not any meat in the house. Considering that there was no better way,Mrs.Smith took a piece of paper,and wrote the following words on it "Give my dog half a pound of meat." Then she gave the paper to her dog and said gently,"Take this to the butcher,and he's going to give you your lunch today." Holding the piece of paper in its mouth,the dog ran to the butcher's.It gave the paper to the butcher.The butcher read it carefully,recognized that it was really the lady's handwriting and soon did it as he was asked to.The dog was very happy,and ate the meat up at once. At noon,the dog came to the shop again.It gave the butcher a piece of paper again.After reading it,he gave it half a pound of meat once more. The next day,the dog came again exactly at noon.And as usual,it brought a piece of paper in the mouth.This time,the butcher did not take a look at paper,and gave the dog its meat,for he had regarded the dog as one of his customers . But,the dog came again at four o'clock.And the same thing happened once again.To the butcher's more surprise,it came for the third time at six o'clock,and brought with it a third piece of paper.The butcher felt a bit puzzled.He said to himself,"This is a small dog.Why does Mrs.Smith give it so much meat to eat today?" Looking at the piece of paper,he found that there were not any words on it! At the end of the story,you'll find that _ .
<extra_id_0>the dog was clever enough to write on the paper
<extra_id_1>the dog dared not go to the butcher's any more
<extra_id_2>the butcher was told not to give any meat to the dog
<extra_id_3>the butcher found himself cheated by the dog
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>The label, Made in China, is one that is becoming increasing popular in shopping centers all over the world. In the United States, shoppers at Wal-Mart, the nation's largest retailer , have a wide selection of products mostly produced in China. The large amount of Chinese imports have created a large selection of goods in other countries as people begin to buy more and more products made in China. These goods are even widely available in other Asian nations, where Chinese-made goods are quite popular. Chinese _ names are also becoming more well-known outside China, such as Gree,Media and Huawei. When Chinese Americans visit family and friends in their homeland, gifts from the U.S. are a must. But TVs and fashionable clothes aren't rare any more, and anything 'Made in China' shouldn't be considered in any case. "When I decide to visit my family members in China, I will have a big headache. What should I buy for them? They may not all speak English, but everyone in China knows those three words," a Chinese American said. "When they see the label 'Made in China,' they will think, 'Why do you send me this?' " The development of China has surprised the world with its growth. As a result, the other countries are beginning to try to reduce Chinese goods with the use of taxes and import restrictions . However, the development on the Chinese economy still affects the world in many ways. Chinese Americans find it _ to send gifts to their friends in the homeland.
<extra_id_0>difficult
<extra_id_1>easy
<extra_id_2>interesting
<extra_id_3>surprising
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_0>
|
<extra_id_5>The Crouch quadruplets have always been considered quite special but not so special---all four have been accepted into America's Yale University. Dean at the university, Jeffrey Brenzel, said the admission for Kenny, Martina, Ray and Carol, all 18-year-old students at Danbury High School in Connecticut , was probably the first for the university. "The living memory in the office here shows that we've just had twins, never quadruplets," he told the reporters. "They are all interesting and quite smart in their own way. They are extremely lively kids, very attractive, but clearly four different people. They are all in the top 10 percent of the class." The quadruplets explained to The New York Times how they nervously logged on one by one to the Yale website to discover their fates, First was Ray, who described how the screen suddenly turned Yale blue and displayed the university's bulldog mascot with the message "welcome to the Class of 2014". "We just kept logging on and screaming, logging on and screaming,' Martina, last to find out, said in an interview with the local television station WINH-TV. Until May 1 they have to decide whether to accept Yale's offers and part of the decision will come down to money, they told the Times. Their father Steven works as a case manager with the Connecticut mental health department and their mother, Caroline, who originally came from Nigeria, is studying for her master's degree in social work, according to the Times. Ranked as one of the top three universities in the US after Harvard and Princeton, Yale's school fees each year can be as high as 36,500 dollars, which would land the Crouch family with a very heavy load by the time they graduate in 2014. Why did the quadruplets keep logging on the Yale website?
<extra_id_0>They liked to see the university's bulldog mascot.
<extra_id_1>They wanted to know whether they would be in the same class.
<extra_id_2>They wanted to get some information about Yale University.
<extra_id_3>They wanted to find out if they were admitted to the university.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>Every American family has its own traditions on Thanksgiving Day, and mine is no difference. Once the national holiday arrives, my mom rises early to make the meal. She puts a turkey in the oven, chops carrots and bakes pies. I'm sorry to say that the men in the family - my dad, my younger brother and myself - rarely pitch in to help. Our job is to wash the mountain of dirty dishes after the meal is over. Around 2 pm every Thanksgiving Day, family members seat themselves around the kitchen table. Plates of turkey, vegetables, salad, rolls and pies cover it. At this point, we can hardly keep ourselves from drooling all over our fancy clothes, but it's not yet time to eat. First, we must bow our heads, close our eyes and say a prayer of thanks aloud to God for giving us everything we have. Under normal circumstances, I would have no problem making a list of things I am thankful for. I grew up in a loving family. My parents, who aren't wealthy, took out loans to help me pay for university. But, the funny thing is, every time I sit down for Thanksgiving dinner and try to say a prayer of thanks, my mind usually goes blank. I think it has something to do with my growling stomach and all of that food sitting right there under my nose. Eventually, though, we all finish our short prayers and _ . To be sure, the day includes other highlights - visiting with family and watching football. But usually around 6 pm we are all ourselves stuffed like turkeys and thankful to have a nice warm bed to sleep in. Why does the author's mind usually "go blank" when saying a prayer of thanks?
<extra_id_0>He is too thankful to say a word.
<extra_id_1>His mind is on the food before him.
<extra_id_2>He feels too excited to speak.
<extra_id_3>He is shy to speak in public.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_1>
|
<extra_id_5>Not only fashion and music are making a return--houses built in 1970s have proven to be better at cutting energy waste than those built today. The "tea cosy " design, created in the mid-1970s and built in the early 1980s for low-income people, could provide a _ for meeting the Government aims of producing less CO2from homes. The 200 houses were designed to provide low-energy housing, and depend on an inner concrete structure that holds in heat, protected by highly insulated setting which produces a "tea cosy" effect. The ordinary-looking houses also depend on more windows on south-facing sides, with northerly facing doors protected by porches . A study found the houses are 50 percent more energy efficient than the average home and use a quarter of the average energy for space heating. According to researchers, they use less than two-thirds of the power of homes built to meet 2010 building demands. And they will still be 25 percent more efficient than houses built to even more strict proposed demands for 2013. The design is one of the few that will be able to meet 2016 demands for zero-carbon homes. They were in the beginning fixed with just one or two gas heaters per home, although most now have central heating, depending on the heat from the sun and high insulation to keep steady temperatures inside the house. To be comfortable, they only need to use heating for three to four months a year, compared with seven months for UK home on average, and can be lived with no heating at all. With many house builders at present worrying that new homes are going to be much more expensive to build in order to meet the Government's ambitious targets, the"tea cosy"model meets this need perfectly. According to the passage, "tea cosy" houses are better at _ .
<extra_id_0>saving heat for energy efficiency
<extra_id_1>producing solar energy at home
<extra_id_2>designing and building materials
<extra_id_3>saving building materials and energy
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_0>
|
<extra_id_5>My 6-year-old granddaughter Caitlin and I stopped at a shop for a chocolate cake. As we were going out of the door, a young teenage boy was coming in. The boy had no hair on the sides of his head and some blue hair on top. He held a skateboard under one arm and a basketball under the other. Caitlin, who was walking in front of me, stopped when she saw the teen. I thought she'd be scared of him. I was WRONG. She backed up against the door and opened it as wide as it would go. I walked to the other side and let the boy pass. He said: "Thank you very much." On our way to the car, I talked with Caitlin about holding open the door for the boy. I wanted to make sure whether she was troubled by his appearance. But the only thing Caitlin noticed about the teen was the fact that his arms were full. "He would have had a hard time to open the door." I saw the shaved head and the blue hair. She saw a person carrying something under each arm and walking toward a closed door. In the future, I hope to get on her level and raise my sights. From the article we can learn that Caitlin was _ .
<extra_id_0>shy
<extra_id_1>warm-hearted
<extra_id_2>thankful
<extra_id_3>Brave
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_1>
|
<extra_id_5>Claude and Louris are "giraffes". So are police officers Hankins and Pearson. These men and women don't look like giraffes; they look like you and me. Then, why do people call them "giraffes"? A giraffe, they say, is an animal that sticks its neck out, can see places far away and has a large heart. It lives a quiet life and moves about in an easy and beautiful way. In the same way, a "giraffe" can be a person who likes to "stick his or her neck out" for other people, always watches for future happenings, has a warm heart for people around, and at the same time lives a quiet and beautiful life himself or herself. "The Giraffe Project" is a 10-year-old group which finds and honors "giraffes" in the US and in the world. The group wants to teach people to do something to build a better world. The group members believe that a person shouldn't draw his or her head back; instead, they tell people to "stick their neck out" and help others. Claude and Louris, Hankins and Pearson are only a few of the nearly 1,000 "giraffes" that the group found and honored. Claude and Louris were getting old and they left their work with some money that they saved for future use. One day, however, they saw a homeless man looking for a place to keep warm and they decided that they should "stick their neck out" and give him some help. Today, they lived in Friends' House, where they invite twelve homeless people to stay every night. Police officers Hankins and Pearson work in a large city. They see crimes every day and their work is sometimes dangerous. They work hard for their money. However, these two men put their savings together and even borrowed money to start an educational center to teach young people in a poor part of the city. Hankins and Pearson are certainly "giraffes". People call Claude and Hankins "giraffes" because they _ .
<extra_id_0>do what is needed for a good world
<extra_id_1>are not afraid of dangerous work
<extra_id_2>found a home for some homeless people
<extra_id_3>made money only for other people
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_0>
|
<extra_id_5>PGL kids everywhere, will tell you that we are the best when it comes to thrills, challenges and adventures - all rolled into one fantastic holiday! Children leave PGL with loads of more friends and interests and feel more confident - they'll be counting the days until their next PGL holiday! For childcare voucher information, please click here. Climbing Adventure This holiday will teach you how to independently climb! At the end of the week you'll get to use all your new skills when you visit a local cliff for some outdoor crag climbing. We make the best use of all our activities including Climbing, Abseiling, Trapeze, Zip Wire and Jacob's Ladder to teach you all the right rope work and climbing skills. Throughout the holiday you will work towards the National Indoor Climbing Achievement Scheme and by the end of the holiday you will have achieved Level 2. Cook's Academy Our brand new holiday for 2013! Come along and learn how to cook with a top chef! Whether you've never cooked before or are a bit of a pro, this holiday will have you cooking a variety of tasty dishes and treats. No experience is required as our professional chef will pass on their knowledge so you can develop from any level of experience. What's more, you'll get your very own recipe book containing everything you've learnt and will be able to take a dish home to impress your friends and family. Dance This holiday is an excellent opportunity to try loads of different dance styles. You'll spend half of each day learning different types of dance, everything from salsa to ballroom dancing and street dance to jive. Throughout the week your instructors will give you lots of tips and advice as well as helping you prepare a dance routine to impress your friends when you perform at the end of the week. Film Making You and your group will be able to choose what type of film to make - adventure, fantasy, thriller or comedy and then you'll become a film crew, creating your own blockbuster ready to show to everyone else at the end of the week. You will find out what's involved in directing a movie and have the chance to edit your film using professional editing software. What's more, you'll have your film on DVD to take home with you too! Which is the new PGL holiday for 2013?
<extra_id_0>Film Making.
<extra_id_1>Dance.
<extra_id_2>Climbing Adventure.
<extra_id_3>Cook's Academy.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>Life is difficult. It is a great truth because once we truly understand and accept it. Then life is no longer difficult. Most do not fully see this truth. Instead they complain about their problems and difficulties as if life should be easy. It seems to them that difficulties represent a special kind of suffering especially forced upon them or else upon their families, their class, or even their nation. What makes life difficult is that the process of facing and solving problems is a painful one. Problems, depending on their nature, cause us sadness, or loneliness or regret or anger or fear. These are uncomfortable feelings, often as painful as any kind of physical pain. And since life causes an endless series of problems, life is always difficult and is full of pain as well as joy. Yet, it is in this whole process of solving problems that life has its meaning. Problems are the serious test that tells us success from failure. When we desire to encourage the growth of human spirit, we encourage the human ability to solve problems, just as in school we set problems for our children to solve. It is through the pain of meeting and working out problems that we learn. As Benjamin Franklin said, "Those things that hurt, instruct." It is for this reason that wise people learnt not to fear but to welcome the pain of problems. The saying form Benjamin Franklin "Those things that hurt, instruct" suggests that _ .
<extra_id_0>we do not learn from experience
<extra_id_1>we do not learn when we are in pain
<extra_id_2>pain teaches us important lessons
<extra_id_3>pain cannot be avoided
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>If you watch British television on March 15, you might be surprised to see celebrities wearing funny red noses and joking; around. But don't worry. They're not mad. It's all part of a money raising event called Red Nose Day. Founded in 1985 by two British comedians, the aim of the event is to raise money to fight poverty and injustice in the UK and Africa. Celebrities and public figures support the event by making appearances on comic TV shows. For example, UK Prime Minister David Cameron once appeared in a music video by One Direction, which the band produced for the event. Britons don't just raise money for charitable causes on one day a year, but they do it all year round. One way of doing so is by shopping in charity shops. These small shops sell clothes, books and household goods just like any other shop except that it's all secondhand. There are nearly 10,000 charity shops in the UK. Their business model is simple: Anybody who has things they don't want anymore can donate them to a charity shop, where they are checked for damage, cleaned and priced. The money that is made by selling them is used for a charitable cause. The idea of buying used clothes may sound unpleasant, but for shoppers who have less spending money, it has been a welcome option. Now, shopping at charity shops is also becoming popular with young people looking for alternative fashion. "You can find very unique clothes for a very cheap price. It doesn't bother me that other people may have worn them. I simply wash them before I wear them." said Anne Marie, a 19-year-old from the US. So next time you spot a charity shop, why not go inside? Who knows, you might find a lovely dress for just a few pounds. Even better, you can enjoy wearing it in the knowledge tha t your money helped a good cause. What's Anne Marie's attitude to charity shops?
<extra_id_0>Favorable.
<extra_id_1>Particular.
<extra_id_2>Doubtful.
<extra_id_3>Disapproving.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_0>
|
<extra_id_5>The Homeless World Cup is an international football event, where teams made up entirely of people who are homeless compete. The event has been held annually since 2003. It was at the end of 2001 that Mel Young, a famous expert in the media inDustry, came up with the idea of the Homeless World Cup. 18 months later the first event took place in Austria. It was such a success that people decided to do more. There are some interesting and special rules of the event. For example, players(male or female at least 16 years old) must have been homeless at some time after the previous year's World Cup or make their main living income by selling newspapers in the street or be asylum seekers . Anyone can take part, regardless of his or her abilities. There are at most 4 players per team to compete in the field. Games are 14 minutes long. In 2007, 48 nations, 500 players took a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent their countries for true spirit and glory in Copenhagen, Denmark. The winner in 2007 was Scotland. The 2008 Homeless World Cup took place in Melbourne, Australia. And in 2009 it was held in Milan. The latest Homeless World Cup was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in September 2010. Paris 2011 Homeless World Cup takes place August followed by the Mexico City 2012 Homeless World Cup. The success of the competition has been in two aspects--to attract the world's attention to the problems of homelessness and also to help participants live a better life. According to a survey by the Homeless World Cup Organization after 2006 Homeless World Cup, 92% of the players had a new motivation for life, 93 players successfully got rid of their dependency on drugs and alcohol, 44% improved their housing situation and 72% continued to play football. What would be the best title for this passage?
<extra_id_0>To End Homelessness.
<extra_id_1>Football For Everyone.
<extra_id_2>Hope For The Homeless.
<extra_id_3>Beating Homelessness Through Football.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>Climate is the average weather usually taken over a 30-year time period for a particular region and time period. Climate is not the same as weather, but rather, it is the average pattern of weather for a particular region. Weather describes the short-term state of the atmosphere . The climate is changing. Many agreed that climate change may be one of the greatest threats facing the planet. Recent years show increasing temperatures in various regions, and/or increasing extremities in weather patterns. Is the Earth getting warmer? Yes! The Earth has warmed by about 1degF over the past 100 years. But why? Well, scientists are not exactly sure. The Earth could be getting warmer on its own, but many of the world's leading climate scientists think that things people do are helping to make the Earth warmer. Global Warming may be a big problem, but can you make a difference? Yes! There are several little things you can do to make a difference. Try carpooling. This will help reduce the amount of fossil fuels going into the atmosphere. Whenever you use electricity, you help put greenhouse gases into the air. Turn off lights, the television, and the computer when you are through with them. Also, planting trees is fun and a great way to reduce greenhouse gases. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, from the air. Finally, don't forget about recycling. Global Warming may be a big problem, but we can do the following things to make a difference except_.
<extra_id_0>carpooling
<extra_id_1>saving electricity
<extra_id_2>cutting down more trees
<extra_id_3>recycling
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>The first English week at our school started on May 4th, 2009. The whole school was filled with an English learning atmosphere. A series of activities was held. There were handwriting activities, story writing, English songs, role playing in English, and so on, all the teachers and students were very happy. They spoke English, sang English songs and enjoyed all the activities. Handwriting was for the students in lower grades. Although most of them couldn't write so well, they were all very careful about it. In the show window, there were a lot of colorful handwritten papers. They copied some articles from books or newspapers. And then they decorated them with pictures in different colors, and some even put their own photos on them. How cute and lovely they looked! Story writing was for students in Grade 7 and Grade 8. These students are always fond of cartoons, so they got interested in this activity. Reading the stories they made up, all the visitors couldn't help speaking highly of them. The most important event was the English show on the last day. The students and teachers presented a lot of English songs and English operas. Each program won storms of _ . One week is not very long, but all the students and teachers learned a lot. Just as the headmaster said, "It is a helpful week. It will certainly lead us to enjoy and learn more from our English studies." In this passage, the English week is described as _ .
<extra_id_0>surprising
<extra_id_1>boring
<extra_id_2>enjoyable
<extra_id_3>serious
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>Television has taken the place of schools as the main educator in America. There are several reasons for this. First, there is the number of hours. While Americans spend about 13,000 hours in schools, they spend 15,000 to 16,000 hours in front of a TV set. Second is the age at which viewers start watching TV. People start watching and understanding TV at about the age of 3, which is several years before they start to do school work. Finally, there is the number of viewers. About 90,000,000 young people are attending school, but most of the Americans watch TV every day. It seems, then, that TV shows are taking the place of teachers and professors as the educators in America. The main idea of this passage is _ .
<extra_id_0>TV is more important than school
<extra_id_1>fewer and fewer children go to school
<extra_id_2>There is not a school which has no TV set in America
<extra_id_3>TV plays a great part in American people's life
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>The Museum: The Charles Dickens Museum in London is the world's most important collection of material relating to the great Victorian novelist and social commentator.The only surviving London home of Dickens (from 1837 until 1839) was opened as a museum in 1925 and is still welcoming visitors from all over the world.On four floors, visitors can see paintings, rare editions, manuscripts, original furniture and many items relating to the life of one of the most popular and beloved personalities of the Victorian age. Opening Hours * The Museum is open from Mondays to Saturdays 10:00-17:00; Sundays 11:00-17:00. * Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time. *Special opening times can be arranged for groups, who may wish to book a private view. Admission Charges: Adults: PS5.00; Students: PS4:00; Seniors: PS4.00; Children: PS3.00; Families:PS14.00( 2 adults & up to five children) Group Rates: For a group of 10 or more, a special group rate of PS4.00 each applies. Children will still be admitted for PS3.00 each, Access: We are constantly working to improve access to the Museum and its collection.Our current projects involve the fitting of a wheelchair ramp for better access, a customer care kit and an audio tour for visitors with impaired vision.Our Handling Sessions are also suitable for the visually impaired.The Museum has developed an online virtual tour through the Museum.Click here to visit all the rooms in the Museum online. Hire the Museum: The Museum can be hired for private functions, performances soirees and many other social occasions. Find Us: The Museum may be reached by using the following buses: 7, 17, 19, 38, 45,46, 55, 243.And by these underground services: Piccadilly Line; Central Line.For a map, please click here.The British Museum and the Foundling Museum are within walking distance. The passage is written to _ .
<extra_id_0>persuade readers to visit London.
<extra_id_1>inform readers about the history of the Charles Dickens Museum.
<extra_id_2>offer readers some information about the Charles Dickens Museum.
<extra_id_3>tell readers how to make use of the Charles Dickens Museum.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>If humans were truly at home under the light of the moon and stars,we would go in darkness happily,the midnight world as visible to us as it is to the vast number of nocturnal species on this planet. Instead,we are diurnal creatures, with eyes adapted to living in the sun's light. This is a basic evolutionary fact, even though most of us don't think of ourselves as diurnal beings. Yet it's the only way to explain what we've done to the night: We've engineered it to receive us by filling _ with light. The benefits of this kind of engineering come with consequences called light pollution whose effects scientists are only now beginning to study. Light pollution is largely the result of bad lighting design,which allows artificial light to shine outward and upward into the sky. III-designed lighting washes out the darkness of night and completely changes the light levels and light rhythms -- to which many forms of life, including, ourselves, have adapted. Wherever human light spills into the natural world, some aspect or life is affected . In most cities the sky looks as though it has been emptied of stars, leaving behind a vacant haze that mirrors our fear of the dark. We've grown so used to this orange haze that the original glory of an unlit nigh, - dark enough for the planet Venus to throw shadow on Earth, is wholly beyond our experience, beyond memory almost. We've lit up the night as if it were an unoccupied country, when nothing could be further form the truth. Among mammals alone, the number of nocturnal species is astonishing, Light is a powerful biological force, and on many species it acts as a magnet . The effect is so powerful that scientists speak of songbirds and seabirds being "captured" by searchlights on land or by the light from gas flares on marine oil platforms. Migrating at night, birds tend to collide with brightly lit tall buildings. Frogs living near brightly lit highways suffer nocturnal light levels that are as much as a million times righter than normal, throwing nearly every aspect of their behavior out of joint including most other creatures ,we do need darkness .Darkness is as essential to our biological welfare, to our internal clockwork, as light itself. Living in a glare of our making,we have cut ourselves off from our evolutionary and cultural heritage--the light of the stars and the rhythms of day and night .In a very real sense light pollution causes us to lose sight of our true place in the universe, to forget the scale of our being, which is best measured against the dimensions of a deep night with the Milky Way--the edge of our galaxy arching overhead. According to the passage, human being _
<extra_id_0>prefer to live in the darkness
<extra_id_1>are used to living in the day light
<extra_id_2>were curious about the midnight world
<extra_id_3>had to stay at home with the light of the moon
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_1>
|
<extra_id_5>If you are looking for a creative solution to a piece of work or a school assignment,don't lock yourself up in a quiet room. A new study suggests that moderate background noise is a better spur to creative thinking than the sound of silence,Time magazine reported. A paper published in the Journal of Consumer Research says that the perfect working environment should buzz with a little noise. Researchers found that test subjects were at their most creative when background noise was measured at 70 decibels,the level one might find in a busy coffee shop. A nearly silent environment(50 decibels)was too quiet. Turning up the volume to 85 decibels (a jackhammer tearing up the pavement outside your building) was counterproductive-the noise became a distraction. The researchers asked 65 students at the University of British Columbia,Canada,to perform various creative tasks while noises recorded at a roadside restaurant were played in the background. In one experiment,scientists asked participants to brainstorm ideas for a new type of mattress . Test subjects had the most successful discussions when the noise in the background was noticeable but not too loud. While a quiet environment may make it easier to read a book. the authors of the study say that moderate background noise creates just enough of a distraction to force people to think more imaginatively, without breaking their focus so completely that they can't think at all. Should we all head for Starbucks to get creative? Not necessarily. Researchers found limited work time surrounded by the low-level noise of a coffeehouse is what really stimulates creativity. Equally, working in a care environment isn't good for everybody. The productivity boost was most obvious among those who were naturally creative to begin with. Which best describes the writer's tone in the passage?
<extra_id_0>Negative.
<extra_id_1>Objective.
<extra_id_2>Enthusiastic.
<extra_id_3>Doubtful.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_1>
|
<extra_id_5>Question: What is more astonishing than a 60-ton whale on a flatbed truck being driven down the street? Answer: A 60-ton whale on a flatbed truck exploding and raining blubber ( fat of whales) all over the sidewalk. That's what happened in Taiwan recently, when a dead sperm whale being shipped to the Halobios Research Center for an autopsy developed an extremely bad case of gas and blew up before it reached its destination. The whale was found alive on a prefix = st1 /Taiwanbeach last weekend, and died shortly after it was discovered. Since the 56-foot whale was the largest whale ever beached onTaiwan's shores, scientists wanted to study it and perform an autopsy for educational purpose. Obviously, too much time passed between when the animal died and the time it was set to be moved to the autopsy location, because it had already started to go bad. When things rot, they give off gases as a by-product. In the whale's case, the gases were trapped in its belly. The pressure inside the rotting creature grew so much that it popped like an over-filled balloon. Unfortunately, it was on a truck in the middle of the city of Taiwanat the time--- cars and shops lining the street were covered with whale bits and juices, much to their owners' discouragement. According to the news reports, traffic was tied up for hours while officials tried to clean up the streets. Newspaper editors worldwide were probably smiling to themselves, since they had a ready-made headline--- several reports about the incident were titled " There She Blows!" after the famous line from the book Moby Dick. The whale's explosion is the result of _ .
<extra_id_0>pressure from gases building up in the creature as it began to rot
<extra_id_1>the long transport of the creature from the beach to the center
<extra_id_2>the extremely busy traffic in the streets it passed by
<extra_id_3>the quick process of rotting of the animal
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_0>
|
<extra_id_5>Early risers are most likely to be healthy, wealthy and wise, according to the old saying. But those who are early to bed and early to rise do not always have advantages, researchers say. They have found that night owls are generally brighter and wealthier than those who are able to get up early in the morning. Experts from the University of Madrid carried out tests on around 1,000 teenagers and found that those who preferred to stay up late showed the kind of intelligence to find good jobs and earn much money. Larks or "morning people", however, often get better exam results, possibly because lessons are held at the wrong time of day for night owls. The researchers examined the habits and body clocks of the young people to determine whether they liked to stay up late and sleep later in the morning, or preferred to go to bed early and were at their best state in the morning. School performance and problem solving ability, were judged and test grades in the major subjects were also taken into consideration. Jim Horne, professor of psychophysiology at Loughborough University, said: "Evening types tend to be the more creative types, the poets, artists and inventors, while the morning types are considered to be civil servants and accountants . " The researchers from the University of Madrid found _ .
<extra_id_0>morning people will probably find good jobs and earn a lot
<extra_id_1>morning people show higher intelligence from an early age
<extra_id_2>night owls may earn more money than morning people
<extra_id_3>night owls might be healthier than morning people
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_2>
|
<extra_id_5>Jodie is a good student. She usually gets up at 6:30 in the morning. She has breakfast at home. Then she reads English from 6:30 a. m. to 7:00 a. m. She goes to school at 7:15 a. m. She has four classes in the morning. She usually has lunch at school, but on Sundays she has lunch at home with her family. She has three classes in the afternoon. She goes home at 5:00. She usually has dinner at home. Then she does her homework. She doesn't watch TV in the evening. ,A, B, C, D. (5) What time does Jodie usually get up?
<extra_id_0>At 5:00 a. m.
<extra_id_1>At 5:30 a. m.
<extra_id_2>At 7:00 a. m.
<extra_id_3>At 6:30 a. m.
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>Sharks are among the oldest animals on Earth. There are hundreds of kinds of sharks. Most are about two meters long. The dogfish shark, however, is less than twenty centimeters in length. A shark has an extremely good sense of smell. It can find small amounts of matters in water, such as blood, body liquids and chemicals produced by animals. These powerful senses help sharks find their food. Sharks eat fish, other sharks, and plants that live in the ocean. Sharks grow slowly. About forty percent of all sharks lay eggs. The others give birth to live young. Some sharks carry their young inside their bodies as humans do. Some sharks are not able to reproduce until they are twenty years old. Most reproduce only every two years. And they give birth to fewer than ten young sharks. For this reason, over-fishing of sharks is of special danger to the future of the animal. Sharks are important for the world's oceans. They eat injured and diseased fish. Their hunting activities mean that the numbers of other fish in ocean waters do not become too large. This protects the plants and other forms of life that exist in the oceans. People hunt sharks for sport, food, medicine and their skin. Experts say the international market for some kinds of sharks has increased because many parts of a shark are valuable.Collectors pay thousands of dollars for the jaws of a shark. Shark liver oil is a popular source of Vitamin A. The skin of a shark can be used like leather. In Asia, people enjoy a kind of soup made from shark fins. Experts say a fisherman can earn a lot of money for even one kilogram of shark fins. Sharks are among the oldest animals on Earth, but some sharks are in danger of disappearing from Earth. If too many sharks in one area are killed, that group of sharks may never return to normal population levels. Sharks eat other fish, _ .
<extra_id_0>which is a threat to all other forms of life in the oceans
<extra_id_1>which is a protection for plants and other forms of life in the oceans
<extra_id_2>which helps prevent diseases from spreading
<extra_id_3>which helps the number of other fish to grow
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_1>
|
<extra_id_5>Today, roller skating is easy and fun. But a long time ago, it wasn't easy at all. Before 1750, the idea of skating didn't exist. That changed because of a man named Joseph Merlin. Merlin's work was making musical instruments. In his spare time he liked to play the violin. Joseph Merlin was a man of ideas and dreams. People called him a dreamer. One day Merlin received an invitation to attend a fancy dress ball . He was very pleased and a little excited. As the day of the party came near, Merlin began to think how to make a grand entrance at the party. He thought he would get a lot of attention if he could skate into the room. Merlin tried different ways to make himself roll. Finally, he decided to put two wheels under each shoe. These were the first roller skates. Merlin was very proud of his invention and dreamed of arriving at the party on wheels while playing the violin. On the night of the party Merlin rolled into the room playing his violin. Everyone was astonished to see him. There was just one problem. Merlin had no way to stop his roller skates. He rolled on and on. Suddenly, he ran into a huge mirror that was hanging on the wall. Down fell the mirror, breaking to pieces. Nobody forget Merlin's grand entrance for a long time! People thought Merlin was a dreamer because he _ .
<extra_id_0>often gave others surprises
<extra_id_1>was a gifted musician
<extra_id_2>invented the roller skates
<extra_id_3>was full of imagination
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_3>
|
<extra_id_5>Roman Pantheon is one of the greatest achievements of the ancient Romans. The ancient Romans were good architects and they built many wonderful buildings. Another good example of a Roman architectural style is the Roman Coliseum, which is a large building used for public sports events or entertainment. The Roman architectural style has been borrowed by many of the western countries. The architecture of Pantheon is unique to Rome. In Latin and Greek, pantheon means "Temple of all the Gods". Marcus Agrippa built the original Pantheon in 27 BC. But the Pantheon built by Agrippa was completely destroyed in 80 AD when a fire broke out. The Roman Pantheon that is visited by many tourists today was rebuilt in 125 AD by the Roman emperor Hadrian. Hadrian's architects followed the exact design of Marcus Agrippa. Historians believe that the Pantheon was a place of worship because it housed all the gods and goddesses of the ancient Romans. The Pantheon of Rome is an amazing example of ancient Roman architecture. This building has been in use for over 2000 years. The Roman Pantheon is famous for its design, size. The most unbelievable feature of this building is its huge concrete dome . The Pantheon's dome was thought to be the largest, until recent times. Phocas, the Byzantine Emperor presented the Roman Pantheon to Pope Boniface IV to save it from the destruction. In 609 AD, it was turned into a church. During Papal rule, it was used as a burial ground for kings and other famous people. There are tombs of Raphael (a painter), King Victor Emmanuel II, King Umberto I and many more in the Pantheon. Some of the buildings that were constructed on the model of the Roman Pantheon are The Rotunda - University of Virginia, Low Memorial Library - Columbia University, Grand Auditorium - Tsinghua University, Jefferson Memorial - Washington D.C. and Duomo - Florence. The text mainly tells us _ .
<extra_id_0>some facts about the Roman Pantheon
<extra_id_1>the influence of ancient Roman architecture
<extra_id_2>Roman's lifestyle in ancient times
<extra_id_3>ancient Romans and their architecture
<extra_id_4>
|
<extra_id_0>
|
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.