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New York City schoolchildren can't use cellphones at school because of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's ban on cellphones in schools. Many parents are opposed to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's ban on cellphones in schools by e-mail messages. There was a 13-year-old student who was shot with a gun after school, unable to call his mother for help. There was a high school student robbed three times last year, twice in her school building. There was a girl who got a piece of glass placed in her eye during school and was saved from a possible cornea transplant only because, having disobeyed the cellphone ban, she was able to call her mother and get an operation on time. The ban has been on for years, but it set off a widespread parental outcry only in April, after some headmasters sent home letters reminding parents that cellphones are not allowed to be brought into school. Mr Bloomberg has defended the ban, saying that cellphones are bad and often used to cheat or call in friends for fights. If something is important, he says, parents can call schools directly. On the other hand, many of the e-mail messages from parents described the ban as "cruel and heartless", "absurdly wrong-headed", "anti-parent", "ridiculous". "We respect the fears that parents have," David Cantor, a spokesman for Schools Minister Joel I. Klein said, "but after all the fact is that having phones in schools always leads to more problems."

[{'question': 'A 13-year-old student was shot with a gun after school, unable to call his mother for help, because _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['his mother had no cellphone', "his mother wasn't at home", "he didn't take a cellphone with him", 'he was too frightened to call']}, {'question': 'According to what the spokesman said, the school might _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['call off the ban', 'continue the ban', 'thank the parents', 'allow some students to use cellphones at school']}]

One day while shopping in a small town in southern California,it was my misfortune to be approached by a clerk whose personality conflicted with mine. He seemed most unfriendly and not at all concerned about my intended purchase. I bought nothing,and marched angrily out of the store. My hostility toward that clerk increased with each step. On the outside,standing by the road,was a darkskinned young man in his early twenties. His expressive brown eyes met and held mine,and in the next instant a beautiful, dazzling smile covered his face. I gave way immediately. The magnetic power of that smile dissolved all bitterness within me,and I found the muscles in my own face happily responding . "Beautiful day,isn't it?"I remarked,in passing. Then,I turned back."I really owe you a debt of gratitude ,"I said softly. His smile deepened, but he made no attempt to answer.A Mexican woman and two men were standing nearby.The woman stepped forward and volunteered, "Sir, but he doesn't speak English.Do you want me to tell him something?" In that moment I felt transformed .The young man's smile had made a big person of me.My friendliness and good will toward all mankind stood ten feet tall. "Thank you?" The woman seemed slightly puzzled. I gave her arm a friendly pat as I turned to leave."Just tell him that," I insisted."He'll understand.I am sure !" Oh, what a smile can do! Although I have never seen that young man again, I shall never forget the lesson he taught me that morning.From that day on, I became smile-conscious, and I practice the art anywhere and everywhere, with everybody.

[{'question': 'Why did the author leave the store angrily?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['The clerk treated him unkindly.', "He couldn't buy what he wanted.", "The clerk didn't speak English.", "The store's goods were too dear."]}, {'question': 'The author asked the woman to say "Thank you!" to the young man because the young man _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['had helped the author before', 'taught the author how to smile', 'was a kind employee of the store', 'taught the author a valuable lesson']}, {'question': 'In the passage, the author seems to suggest that we should _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['be generous to strangers', 'practice smiling every day', 'smile at other people', 'help people in trouble']}]

"Wake up. Alicia is waiting for you outside," my mother called from the kitchen. My mother didn't like me going for this weekend to my friend's house in the mountains. "I trust you, but I don't trust the people out there," she said seriously. "I'm going to be fine," were my last words before closing the door of the Jeep. The vehicle went along the dusty road and my mother grew smaller in the distance. The trip over the rough road was uncomfortable. It was scary to climb the steep hills surrounded by great pines. After a long trip we finally arrived at the house. From the moment I got there I knew I would forever love the house. It was decorated like an old country home. My room was small, yet set up nicely. That night I went to sleep early, not because I didn't want to continue my search, but because I was tired after the long trip. In the morning, the singing of the birds woke me up. The light was just getting through the window. A strong smell of baking and fresh coffee came from the kitchen. I wandered around looking for a living soul, but the house was empty. I had the whole day to myself; my friend had gone hiking. I didn't want to go with her. The main reason for this trip was to spend some time alone to think about the events happening in my life. After an icy shower, my energies were at their fullest. With basket in hand, I started my hunt. I did not mind walking alone; it was a wonderful feeling to be in contact with nature for the first time. The sound of the water running through the rocks gave me great peace. I never felt such independence in my soul before.

[{'question': "How did the author find the trip to her friend's house?", 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Interesting and impressive.', 'Interesting and comfortable.', 'Easy and exciting.', 'Rough but very exciting.']}, {'question': 'The purpose of the trip for the author is to _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['enjoy the quiet and beautiful nature', 'continue her search for special things', 'give herself a chance to think alone', 'go hiking in the mountains with her friend']}, {'question': 'What is the main idea of the passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Her close friend.', 'The peaceful life.', 'A favorite trip.', 'The distant village.']}]

Science Fiction The science fiction type of entertainment is considered by most to be fathered by Jules Verne (A Journey to the Center of the Earth and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea) and H. G. Wells (The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds). Sci-Fi, as it is commonly shortened, is a fictional story in which science and technology have a significant influence on the characters and plot. Many such works are guesswork about what the future holds and how scientific findings and technological advances will shape humankind. Writing in the late 1800s, Jules Verne was remarkably successful in his 10 guesses about future technologies of air conditioning, automobiles, the Internet, television, and underwater, air, and space travel. Unbelievably, of all places from which to choose, Jules Verne guessed Tampa, Florida, USA as the launching site of the first project to the Moon, which was only 200 kilometers away from the actual 1969 location at Cape Canaveral, Florida. One of the best-known science fiction books is Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell. Published in 1949, it was not meant as a prediction, but as a warning: Orwell was describing what he saw as the outcome of the ideas, trends, and emerging technologies of his time. Many invented terms from this novel have become common in everyday use, such as "big brother" and "doublethink". Even the author's name has been made into an adjective--Orwellian--and has become a warning descriptor for situations where privacy is lost and the individual becomes sacrifice under a totalitarian government. Nineteen Eighty-Four was translated into sixty-five languages within five years of its publication, setting a record that still stands. What helps bring science fiction into being is usually a new discovery or innovation. The author creates an analysis of the potential influence and consequences and then wraps it in a pleasant story. For example, the beginning of space exploration was followed a few years later by the Star Trek television program and movie series. Advances in genetics cause fantasies of the end of disease, horrors of eugenics , and thrillers where creatures disappearing long ago are brought back to life. The science fiction author's self-determined role is that of field glasses for humanity--searching the world of future possibilities upon the road which we are traveling.

[{'question': 'What can science fiction offer to people?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['A forecast of how a new discovery could influence mankind.', 'A thoughtful look at the present drawbacks of technology.', 'An analysis of why a new technology could be used to harm human.', 'A thoughtful look at the past and what brought us to this point in history.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following best summarizes the description of Nineteen Eighty-Four?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['A prediction of future technologies.', 'A warning of cruel and unfair ruling.', 'The consequence of scientific findings.', 'An imaginary perfect world of freedom.']}, {'question': 'From the passage we can learn that _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Nineteen Eighty-Four adopted some popular terms', 'H.G. Wells predicted the Internet in the late 1800s', "Cape Canaveral was mentioned in Jules Verne's fiction", 'Star Trek movie series were based on space exploration']}, {'question': 'According to the author, what is the role of science fiction in society?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['A moral compass.', 'A reference of technology.', 'A record of science development.', 'A consideration of possibilities.']}]

Tokyo University laboratory has developed a robot that never loses at the game of Rock Paper Scissors. That is because its visual processing abilities and fingers work together faster than any human brain. A video of the undefeated robot has been watched by more than 3 million viewers on YouTube since going online at the end of June. Tokyo University engineering professor Masatoshi Ishikawa has a good-natured response to frustrated human losers who accuse him of essentially creating a robot that cheats. "It is not cheating. Every one millisecond the image processor decides and recognizes the shape the human hand is going to make. And then the robot can make a winnable shape one millisecond later than a human being. Only one millisecond, but a human cannot see this difference because the human eye is very slow," explained Ishikawa. At the Ishikawa Oku Laboratory there has been amazing progress which shows the near perfect accuracy of robotics. Such as a robot that can catch a falling egg without breaking it, another one that can tie a knot, and a robot that may not be quite ready for the NBA, but is able to dribble a ball. In sports such as baseball and cricket, the misses outnumber(......)successes for even the most skilled athletes. That is not so in this award-winning school laboratory. For instance, an intelligent robot is the result of five years of research and a lot of trial and error. And the cost of just one finger on the robot is equal to that of a mini car. The technology obviously has uses beyond fun and games. Corporations are eager to take advantage of the lab's technology for industrial and other practical uses. And there is talk of applying it to assist disabled people and improve human capabilities.

[{'question': 'What brings the robot so much attention on the YouTube?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['It never loses in the game against humans.', 'Its eyes and fingers can work at the same time.', 'It can do anything whatever people tell it to do.', 'It plays online games much better than any human.']}, {'question': "Ishikawa's explanation suggests that the robot _ .", 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['proves to be dishonest', 'is lucky to win the game', 'works slower sometimes', 'responds faster than humans']}, {'question': 'Which section of a website is the text probably taken from?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Sports and games.', 'Human and society.', 'Science and technology.', 'Relaxation and entertainment.']}]

Due to climate change, Arctic ice is breaking up earlier in the spring, and its area is decreasing. This is creating problems for polar bears that make their homes off northern Alaska and in Hudson Bay. Polar bears off Alaska normally hunt and raise their young on ice sheets that float on the ocean. But as the ice has melted, the polar bears have been forced to spend more time on land. There, they have begun to frequent beaches, feeding on the remains of whales caught by native hunters. For polar bears, this food is less nutritious than seals that they normally catch on ice sheets. The shrinking ice has also forced more polar bears into the ocean. In the past, they only had to swim short distances between ice sheets. But as the ice has shrunk, polar bears have been forced to swim longer and longer distances in the open ocean. This poses a severe danger during rough weather, and an increasing number of drowned polar bears have been observed. In Hudson Bay, the ice breaks up three weeks earlier in the spring now than it did 20 years ago. Polar bears on Hudson Bay fast during the summer, waiting for ice to form in the fall to hunt. Every year, the summer gets longer, and the bears get skinnier. Over the past 25 years, the average weight of the female bears has dropped 68 kg. This loss affects their ability to reproduce, and already the number of births has dropped 15 percent. Unless the bears can learn to survive these climate changes, these giants of the ice may one day disappear.

[{'question': 'What is Arctic ice doing earlier each year?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ["It's freezing.", "It's hardening.", "It's melting.", "It's expanding."]}, {'question': 'What is true of polar bears that are spending more time on land in Alaska?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Their young are dying.', 'Their diet is changing.', 'Their health is improving.', 'Their families are growing.']}, {'question': 'What do polar bears in Hudson Bay do during the summer?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['They claim territory .', 'They protect mates.', 'They hunt animals.', 'They stop feeding']}, {'question': 'In which publication would you most likely find this passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Medical News', 'Society Today', 'Wildlife Journal', 'Design Magazine']}]

Silk production has a long and colourful history unknown to most people. Scientific discoveries have shown that silk production existed in China from around 2500 B.C., although it could be much older. For hundreds of years, China kept the secret of silk to itself as one for the most closely protected secrets in history. Anyone revealing the secret of silkworms or trying to take silkworm eggs out of ancient China was punished by death. At one time silk was reserved only for the Chinese emperor. Gradually, others began wearing silk. In addition to being used for clothing, silk came to have industrial uses in ancient China, something that happened in the West only in modern times. Silk was used to make musical instruments, fishing lines, weapons, ropes and even paper. During the Han Dynasty silk became a form of money. Farmers paid taxes in both rice and silk. The prices of goods were calculated in lengths of silk just as they had once been calculated in gold. The importance of silk is even reflected in the Chinese language. For example, of the 5000 most common Chinese characters, around 500 have silk as their "key". In spite of their secrecy, the Chinese eventually lost their monopoly on silk production. It reached Korea in around 200 B.C. when immigrants from China arrived there. Silk production came to India in 300 A.D.. It was not until 500 A.D. that silk production came to Europe when travellers _ silkworms in hollow tubes of bamboo. These were used to establish silk industry in Rome (modern-day Italy), although Chinese silk was still considered to be the best. Silk was brought to Rome from China by means of the Silk Road. There were actually two Silk Roads, one over land and one on the sea. The land route in particular had a huge effect in history. All sorts of trade goods -- silver, gold, jade, porcelain -- passed along this road. Ideas travelled the Silk Road too. For example the religion of Buddhism was carried to China from India by traders on the Silk Road. The Silk Road created the first international culture, exposing many people to the ideas and treasures of both Western and Chinese cultures.

[{'question': 'How was China able to keep the secret of silk production?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['It refused to sell its silk to other countries.', 'Foreigners were not permitted to enter China.', 'The silkworms needed were not able to survive outside China.', 'Chinese passing on the secret to foreigners were seriously punished.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following uses of silk is NOT mentioned in the passage?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['A way of purchasing goods people sold.', 'A material used for making different products.', 'A method of paying money to the government.', 'A valuable gift given to foreigners travelling in China.']}, {'question': 'In what order did silk production spread throughout the world according to the passage?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Europe aIndia aKorea aChina.', 'China aKorea aIndia aEurope.', 'China aIndia aKorea aEurope.', 'China aEurope aIndia aKorea.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is true about the Silk Road?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['It allowed for economic and cultural exchanges between countries.', 'It made China the most powerful country in the ancient world.', 'It could only be completed by travellers with access to a boat.', 'It was first developed for transferring religious ideas.']}]

Teresa was born in Yugoslavia on August 27,1910. Her parents were Albanians and member of the Roman Catholic Church. When she was seven years old, her father was murdered. She decided not to be filled with hate because of this tragedy . Instead, she would seek a life of love. This ambition led her to Ireland where she became a nun at the age of eighteen. After only one year of training, she was sent to India to teach in a school called Loretto House, where the students were mostly from rich Indian families. After 15 years there, she left her duties as a teacher to "follow Christ into the slums ." Her heart led her away from the rich to the needs of the poor. She was then 36 years old. Teresa no longer was affiliated with the Irish nuns who sent her to Loreto House but worked independently. However, her work was recognised by the Pope in Rome for she still was a nun. He allowed her to set up her own group, which was called the Missionaries of Charity . She no longer dressed as a nun in the European or Irish tradition. Instead, she put on a sari, the local dress of the Indian people. At first, people were sceptical about her motives. Soon, they realised she was really interested in loving poor people, even those who were dying and had no chance of survival. Soon, other Indian people began to spare time to help Mother Teresa. She had taught everyone that the poor and dying people need love most of all. In 1979, she won the Nobel Peace Prize.

[{'question': 'Why did Mother Teresa become a nun?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Her father was killed.', "The hate of her father's death.", 'She was looking for a life of love.', 'The poor life of her childhood.']}, {'question': 'Why did she leave her duties as a teacher after 15 years in Loretto House?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['To be a teacher was too tired', 'The students in Loretto House were rich.', 'She was tired of teaching.', 'The poor in the slums needed her care.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is WRONG?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Mother Teresa was a Catholic.', '"Sari" is an Indian word that means clothing.', "At first people didn't believe her motives.", 'She served poor people in the slums as a teacher.']}, {'question': 'Perhaps the most important lesson the world has learned from Mother Teresa is _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['regular assistance', 'food and shelter', 'to care for the poor of the earth', 'protection']}]

Every day we meet people in a number of business and social situations. And the way we meet and greet them creates an impression. It's important to do so in a proper way, no matter whether you are introducing yourself to someone, or introducing two people. To keep you aware of this, we have gathered tips on how to make a proper introduction. *Always stand when making an introduction. When you are seated and someone comes up to greet you, make the effort to stand up. By doing this, you show respect for yourself and for the other person. *Always keep eye contact while making an introduction. Many people are not aware of the value of this simple action. When you make eye contact, you are giving a confident image. *Always introduce a person of lesser authority to one of greater authority. The most important thing to remember is to say the most important person's name first. For example, when introducing your supervisor to a job candidate , you would give your supervisor's name first. "Bob Jones, may I introduce Susan Lee, who has just graduated from ABC University?" *In a situation where rank is unimportant, an introduction is based on sex and age. A man is presented to a woman and a younger woman to an older woman. What if you find yourself in a situation where you have forgotten the other person's name? Start with a handshake and reintroduce yourself. When doing this, you will usually cause the other person to do the same. However, if the other person does not take your suggestion, it is OK simply to apologize and let the person know that you cannot remember her or his name. This is not the ideal situation, of course, but it does happen to all of us. The other person should be forgiving.

[{'question': "According to the passage, people will think you are _ if you don't make eye contact with them.", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['not honest', 'not confident', 'shy', 'unfriendly']}, {'question': 'What should you do when you introduce a new worker to your boss?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ["You should not give your boss' name.", "You should give the new worker's name first.", "You needn't give your boss' name", "You should give your boss' name first"]}, {'question': "If you forget the other person's name, you'd better _ .", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['ask him/her directly', 'apologize first and then ask him/her', 'shake hands with the person and reintroduce yourself', 'consider his age first']}]

BERLIN---A German woman, fearful that a burglar was trying to break into her second -storey apartment, called police after she heard someone climbing up to her balcony shortly after midnight, police said Thursday. Police discovered the "burglar" was a man carrying flowers and a bottle of wine who turned out to be the woman's boyfriend. But then arrested him on an outstanding reason. "He was trying to surprise her with the flowers and a bottle of wine but it all went wrong," said Korbach police spokesman Volker Koenig. He said the man jumped down from the balcony and tried to escape but was quickly caught by police. "He gave the police who were taking him to jail the bottle of wine as a gesture of thanks for the friendly treatment after the arrest. " Koenig said. LONDON---A smoker who died after battling emphysema has had his dying wish granted with the placement of a "SMOKING KILLED ME" sign on his hearse and his grave. Albert Whittamore blamed his youthful smoking habit for the lung disease. He said before he died in February that he wanted the sign to serve as a warning to young people about the dangers of tobacco smoking. The sign was designed to look like the health warning on a packet of cigarettes. The printed notice at his grave will be left in place for a week. The hearse carrying his body through the town of Dover 100 miles (160 kilometers) southeast of London and several of the printed signs shown in the windows.

[{'question': "The man climbing up to the girl's balcony _", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['was actually a wanted thief', 'was put into prison in the end', 'thanked the police for setting him free', 'was treated badly by the police']}, {'question': 'The best title for the first news item might be " _ ."', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ["A burglar's love", 'A burglar boyfriend', 'Flowers and wine', 'Price for being romantic']}, {'question': 'The public paid more attention to the smoker because _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['he died after smoking for many years', 'he had the sign put on his hearse and his grave', 'he died of a lung disease without any treatment', 'he wanted the sign left on his grave for one day']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is NOT true?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['The sign will be printed on the packet of cigarettes.', 'The signs were also shown in the windows of the hearse.', 'The smoker wanted to tell people how bad it was to smoke.', 'The smoker regretted forming the habit of smoking.']}]

Hubert Joseph Schlafly was an electrical engineer who helped change the way actors, politicians and other people speak on television. In 1950, he and two other men developed the teleprompter. One co-worker, Fred Barton, was an actor. He had an idea for a tool that would help television actors read their lines without having to memorize them. The other co-worker was Irving Kahn. He worked as vice-president of radio and television at 20thCentury Fox. The first teleprompter involved a person who held a long piece of paper printed with big letters. As the actor read the lines, another person would move the paper ahead on the device . The teleprompter was first used on a television program called "The First Hundred Years." Later versions used television screens to show the words that were to be read. Hub Schlafly and his co-workers believed that many companies would want to buy the teleprompter. So, they left their jobs and created the TelePrompTer Corporation to sell their invention. In 1952, former President Herbert Hoover became the first politician to use a teleprompter. The former president was speaking at the Republican National Convention in Chicago, USA. For a brief time, he stopped reading and began to talk about a subject not written in his speech. When Hoover wanted to continue the speech, the words on the teleprompter were not moving. He then said the machine should be restarted and viewers became aware of the new invention. Many reporters wrote about that incident, creating a new level of publicity for the teleprompter. Soon more and more politicians started to use it to face the television camera while reading prepared statements, instead of looking down at their notes. Then the device was used for almost all live television broadcasts.

[{'question': 'What is the text mainly about?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['A new form of TV program.', 'A great US electrical engineer.', 'The influence of an electrical company.', 'The history of a useful electrical device.']}, {'question': 'When using the teleprompter, people are able to _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['memorize what they want to say very quickly', 'practice their speech skills as if they were on TV', 'face the TV while giving a speech', 'see themselves on TV as they are making a speech']}, {'question': 'When Hoover started to give his speech, _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['he forgot to turn on the teleprompter', 'he decided to stop using the teleprompter', "people didn't know he used a teleprompter", "people didn't think the teleprompter would work"]}, {'question': "What was the effect of the incident happening during Hoover's speech?", 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['The teleprompter became popular.', "Schlafly's invention was doubted.", 'Schlafly set up his own company.', "Hoover didn't complete his speech."]}]

Country singer and songwriter Adrienne Young brings together music and agricultural activities.She even included seeds in the album cover of her first CD. Adrienne Young wants people to know that she supports the movement in America to increase local farming.She offers information about agricultural issues on her Web site.And now part of the moneyfrom her third and newest release, "Room to Grow",will be donated to help support community gardens. Adrienne Young's family has lived in Florida for seven generations.Her ancestors helped develop the agriculture industry there.The state of Florida is the nation's second largest producer of fruits and vegetables, 'after California. Adrienne Young has said that her interest in nature was shaped by the fact that she did not grow up on a farm.She grew up in a house her grandfather build on what had been farmland two generations ago.But the land was developed and was now part of a highway. Adrienne Young has teamed up with two organizations that support local farming and gardening efforts.One is the American Community Gardening Association.The other is FoodRoutes,a group she has represented for several years. FoodRoutes says buying locally grown food is not only about taste and freshness.The group says buying locally also helps to strengthen local economies and protect the environment.Exports say food in the United States travels all average of more than three thousand kilometers from farm to store.

[{'question': 'The aim to write the passage is to _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['tell us a singer aims to grow interest in local farming', 'show Adrienne Young promotes her third CD album', 'praise Adrienne Young for her contributions to agriculture', 'call on singers to learn from Adrienne Young']}, {'question': 'Adrienne Young supports to increase local farming in _ ways.', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['two', 'three', 'four', 'five']}, {'question': 'It can be learned from the passage that _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ["Adrienne Young's parents used to be farmers", 'Adrienne Young grew up on a farm', 'Florida is good for farming', 'no old houses existing on the farm belongs to Adrienne Young']}, {'question': 'Buying locally grown food has many advantages EXCEPT _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['it is fresh', "it's tasty", "it's environmental protection", 'it raises local production']}]

The word proactivity is fairly common in management literature, but you won't find it in the dictionary. It means that as a human being you take responsibility for your own life. Look at the word responsibility: ability to choose your response, response-ability. Effective people are proactive because they take responsibility. Their behavior is a product of their own decisions, based on values, rather than being a product of their own conditions, based on feelings.For instance, you are planning a picnic with your family.You're excited.You have all the preparations.You've decided where to go, and then it becomes stormy, killing your plan.Proactive people . They realize what their purpose really was, and they creatively have a picnic elsewhere even if it's in their own basement with some special games, and make the best of that situation.The opposite of being proactive is to be reactive.Reactive people would say, "What's the use?" "We can't do anything." "Oh this is so upsetting after all of our preparations and arrangements." They try to persuade the people around them and usually the picnic will be cancelled. Being proactive is really just being true to your human nature. Your basic nature is to act, and not to be acted upon.That's true, despite widely accepted theories of determinism used to explain human nature. Determinism says that you don't really choose anything and that what you call choices are nothing more than automatic responses to outside conditions. The language of reactive people is like: " I can't." " Don't have time." " I have to." " I must." The whole spirit of that language is the transfer of responsibility.They think things are determined by their environment, or by their conditions, or by their conditioning or their genetic makeup.Psychologically, people who believe they are determined will produce the evidence to support the belief, and they increasingly feel victimized and out of control.They're not in charge of their life at all. On the contrary, a proactive person exercises free will, the freedom to choose the response that best applies to his values.In that way, he gains control over the circumstances, rather than being controlled by them.

[{'question': "According to the passage, a proactive person's behavior can result from _ .", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['the environment', 'an inner belief', 'the genetic makeup', 'a temporary feeling']}, {'question': 'When a picnic plan is threatened by a sudden storm, reactive people will probably _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['have the picnic as planned', 'make the best of the picnic', 'complain and give up the picnic', 'find somewhere else for the picnic']}, {'question': 'It can be concluded from the passage that determinists _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['accept things passively', 'are in charge of themselves', 'are similar to proactive people', 'respond to outside conditions actively']}]

Without any previous notice, a documentary dominated headlines and social websites over the weekend. Under the Dome, a 103-minute documentary self-funded by former CCTV news anchor Chai Jing was released on video-sharing websites in China on Feb 28. It has rapidly pushed the public awareness about air pollution and encouraged people to join in efforts to make a difference. Chai, 39, said she started the work out of her "personal clashes" with smog after she gave birth to a daughter. "I sealed tight all the windows. I started every day by checking the air pollution index," Chai said. Millions of other people are also doing the same. While they stop there, Chai goes deeper. "I don't want to live in this way. 1 need to find out where the smog comes from and what on earth is going on." Over a year, she investigated polluted sites to find the sources of smog, visited the US and the UK to learn about their anti-pollution experiences, and interviewed officials, scientists and the general public. Chai's research reveals that the burning of coal and oil contributes to 60 percent of PM2.5 pollutants. She thus questions the country's energy consumption habits in the film. She then goes on to disclose loopholes in car emissions regulations. The film also explains that businesses are pressured not to abide by the laws because violating them carries little or no cost, while making changes bumps up costs. The film also points at China's petroleum and steel industries as the biggest sources of air pollution. Cheng Chen, a 22-year-old student from Beijing Foreign Studies University, found the documentary "very inspiring". "I used to think it's not my duty to deal with air pollution--I don't own a factory or a car," said Cheng. "But Chai told me we share the same fate since we breathe the same air and there is a lot I can do." However, some people are annoyed by the film's description of their polluted hometowns, especially when it shows a banner from Xingtai in Hebei saying "Congratulations to our city for no longer being ranked the last place among the country's 74 cities in terms of air quality". _ "What's important is that Chai's work has raised public attention toward the structure of the energy industry," she said. Meanwhile, experts remind moved viewers of the film's limitations.

[{'question': 'According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['The documentary was made by Chai jing , who works in CCTV now.', 'The documentary dominated headlines and social websites soon after it was broadcast on TV.', 'Chai started making the documentary after she gave birth to a daughter.', 'Chai thinks that it is the burning of coal and oil that leads to air pollution in china.']}, {'question': 'Why Chai jing decided to make the film at first ?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['She wanted to do something for her daughter', 'She wanted to disclose loopholes in car emissions regulations.', 'She wanted to make money', 'She wanted to raise public attention toward the structure of the energy industry']}, {'question': "what's the author's attitude towards the film?", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['positive', 'objective', 'negative', 'indifferent']}]

The Sunset Pasta Cruise to Emerald Bay Saturday evening, September 25, 2010 You will cruise to Emerald Bay at Sunset, one of the most beautiful places in the world while dining on a Pasta Buffet and listening to live light dance music. Buses will pick up Sunset Pasta Cruise diners from the main entrance to the Horizon Casino Resort at: 4:40pm and 5:05pm on Saturday and take you the 1.5 miles to Ski Run Marina for boarding. Boarding is at Ski Run Marina at 5:15 p.m. (with departure at 5:45 p.m.), located in South Lake Tahoe. The cost for the cruise, pasta buffet, live music, and the 2.5-hour cruise to Emerald Bay is $55 (normally $75). The cost for children between 3-11 is $41 and under 3 is free. Must register the under 3 as well for the coast guard count. The Sunset Pasta Cruise will be limited to 200 guests. Large parties will be seated first to insure seating together. Pick up your Sunset Pasta Cruise tickets at the Expo at the Horizon Casino Resort before 3 p.m. on Saturday. Those unclaimed will be sold to those on the waiting list at that time. At approximately 5:45 pm any extra spaces will be sold to passengers on the dock. Children who require a seat must have a ticket as well. Closest lodging to the Pasta Cruise is: Super 8, Lakeland Village. Please note that our sponsor , the Riva Grill, is on the Lake close to the boarding area for the Tahoe Queen. A great gathering place to meet or to have dinner. Call Riva Grill (530) 542-2600 for lunch or dinner reservations while you are visiting Lake Tahoe.

[{'question': 'When will the cruise to Emerald Bay end?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['At about 7:00 pm.', 'At about 8:20 pm.', 'At about 9:20 pm.', 'On Sunday morning.']}, {'question': 'How much will Mrs. Robert and her 15-year-old son pay for the cruise?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['$96.', '$110.', '$116.', '$150.']}, {'question': 'It can be inferred that Riva Grill is _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['a supermarket', 'a water sports center', 'a restaurant', 'a mall']}]

Holiday houses in Mallorca sailing and fishing port - quiet even in summer season. Beautifully situated houses with sights of sea and mountains, yet near to shops and restaurants. Cars and bicycles for hire. Sailing and sports clubs nearby. ITALY IN COMFORT Luxury coach( - carriage) trips of Italy, out of normal holiday season. 21days to visit five Italian cities starting from London 1 st May, 1 st September . The trips are guided by profess or Martin Davis. Head of Italian Studies, London University . See the arts and culture of historic Italy. KIBBUTZ HOLIDAYS IN ISRAEL Working holidays on a kibbutz( co -operative farm) in Israel. All nationalities welcome for one to three months, if prepared to work morning with kibbutz members. Accommodation , food and trips to historic sights all provided free - you pay only for the special low- cost return flight. TWO WEEKS ON A CARIBBEAN ISLAND Two- week holidays in the Hotel Splendid , on a lovely beach with golden sands and deep- blue sea. Tennis, golf, sailing and all water sports, trips around the island arranged. Near to town of Castries with lively evening entertainment - dancing. 1 st November - 31 st March = PS 720 per person 1 st April - 30th October = PS 850 per person Jack and his wife Mary, who have recently retired, want to see places of cultural and historic interest abroad, but Mary hates flying. Peter and Maria, university students, want to travel as far as possible on little money, and would like to get to know a country by working there for three months with other young people. Michael, a young computer programmer, has been working hard and needs a holiday to relax in winter. He would like to go somewhere warmer and sunny, where he can swim in the sea, and he enjoys sports and dancing. Herry and Kate, both teachers, and their two sons, have to take their holiday during the school summer holidays. There must be plenty for the boys to do, although Harry and Kate just want to have beautiful scenery, good food and wine- and peace.

[{'question': 'Michael would most probably go to _ for his holiday.', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Italy', 'Israel', 'Mallorca', 'a Caribbean island']}, {'question': 'The most suitable place where Peter and Maria can enjoy their holiday would be _', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['an Italian city', 'a kibbutz in Israel', 'a Caribbean island', 'the port in Mallorca']}, {'question': 'The best holiday for Jack and Mary would be _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['the 21 - day coach trip of Italy', 'the 2 -week stay in the Hotel Splendid', 'the 14 -day trip around a Caribbean island', 'the working holidays for 1 -3 months on a kibbutz in Israel']}, {'question': 'Harry and Kate and their sons would like _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['a holiday working on a kibbutz in Israel', 'a holiday visiting cities by coach in Italy', 'a holiday house in the fishing port in Mallorca', 'a holiday hotel on a lovely beach on a Carribean Island']}]

Google Works Miracles Google(www.Google.com) is a daily miracle to millions of people. If the Internet had only this very fast search engine, it would have justified its existence many times over. It is the most popular search engine on the web with a 54% market share, ahead of Yahoo! You type almost anything, however unclear, into the space provided and in a second it has come up with hundreds of references. If knowledge is power, then Google commands the gateway. Yahoo Becomes Giant Yahoo(www.yahoo.com) was the first wonder of the web, and in many respects, it still is. It started in January 1994 when two California graduate students, Jerry Yang and David Filo, started compiling a database of links, mainly for their personal use. But well before the end of the year, it had become recognizable as Yahoo we know today. In the past seven years, Yahoo had grown rapidly, partly through a long string of buys. Yahoo now offers almost everything you could want: emails, instant messages, chats, clubs, photo albums and a lot more. eBay Enables Everyone to Buy and Sell eBay(www.ebay.com),which deals with online trading and shopping services, is the most impressive large Internet company where people buy and sell goods and services worldwide. It has, for instance, opened up a global marketplace in which people from Beijing, San Francisco, or Moscow can bid against each other for products put up for sale by someone in London. The company's online service permits sellers to list items for sale, buyers to bid on items of interest, and eBay users to browse through listed items that is available online seven days a week. Amazon Makes Buying a New Experience Amazon(www.amazon.com)started out as an online bookstore, constantly putting up new book titles it offered for sale. In the late 1990s, Amazon had more than four million titles after adding CDs, videos, DVDs and games, It continued to add new lines of business including toys, computer software, electronics, like MP3 players, power tools, home improvement products and online sales. For regular users, Amazon has made itself the shortest possible path between wanting and buying.

[{'question': 'What is Google used mainly for?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Commanding the gateway.', 'Searching for information.', 'Storing reference books.', 'Providing extra space.']}, {'question': 'How long did it take for Yahoo to be recognized?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['One year.', 'A month.', 'Several years.', 'Overnight.']}, {'question': 'What goods did Amazon sell when it started its business?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Power tools.', 'Mp3 players.', 'Different books.', 'Videos and games.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is true?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Buying and selling can only be done through Amazon.', 'If you feed in something unclear, Google will refuse to do the searching.', 'Yahoo owns more market shares than any other companies on the web.', "eBay Company's online service is always there for its users."]}]

Two people have died after two separate university shootings in Texas and Arizona, just hours apart. One person was killed and three injured in the first shooting at Northern Arizona University early on Friday. Later that morning a shooting at a student complex near Texas Southern University left one person dead. In Arizona, police named the gunman there as Steven Jones, an 18-year-old first year student at Northern Arizona University.Mr. Jones told police he was approached by a group of men and attacked. He fled, produced a gun from his pocket and opened fire when the men caught up with him, Arizona police said. Witnesses told police that the victims were unarmed. The second shooting in Texas happened later on Friday morning at the University Courtyard Apartments on the edge of the Houston campus. One student was killed, a freshman at the school, the university confirmed, and another person was wounded. Two people have been arrested as suspects and a third is still at large, said Houston police spokeswoman Jodi Silva. The attacks came as President Barack Obama visited families of victims of a college shooting in Oregon. On arriving in Oregon, he was jeered by gun rights activists who oppose calls he made for tougher gun laws after nine people were killed at Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, last week. After a private meeting with families, Mr Obama said he had "strong feelings" about gun control, adding: "We are going to have to come together as a country to see how we can prevent these issues from taking place." On the edge of this little American town, a few hundred protestors gathered to tell their president he was not welcome. Many were openly carrying handguns to _ their message. The demonstrators blamed the shooting here last week on two things: a failure to treat mental health problems and the designation of Umpqua Community College as a gun-free zone. Many of those we spoke to said they had travelled to Roseburg from elsewhere in Oregon to make their voices hear. The hostility to the Democratic president here in Republican rural Oregon was not just political, it was personal.

[{'question': 'How many people were dead in these two recent university shootings?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['One.', 'Two.', 'Three.', 'Four.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is right about the Northern Arizona University shooting?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['The gunman was about to graduate.', 'It was the victims who started the fight.', 'The gunman shot the victims out of hatrd.', 'The victims attacked the gunman with knives.']}, {'question': 'Mr. Obama probably agreed that _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['gun control is too strict in most parts of America, especially in universities', 'designation of Umpqua community college as a gun-free zone is a wrong decision', 'Americans should be united to prevent criminal shooting from happening so frequently', 'A failure to treat mental health problems caused the shooting at Umpqua Community College']}]

Manchester is the "capital" of the northwest of England. Situated on the east bank of the River Irwell, it is a lively busy city with a large student population. Although it was once seen as only a dull industrial place, in recent years Manchester has become the "in" place. It is well-known for its clubs, its fashion and its music, not to mention its world -famous football team, Manchester United. There is plenty to see in Manchester and something to suit all taste. For example, you have a taste of the Orient in Chinatown, home to Manchester's large Chinese population. Another place to visit is the historical Eastlefield area, which contains the first urban heritage park in Britain. Here you can walk around the museums and experience the atmosphere of the 19thcentury Manchester. Football fans need not feel left out; they can always make a trip to the Old Trafford Manchester United Museum which also contains a coffee shop and a souvenir shop It's easy to find your way around the city center and you're never too far away from a bus, which will take you wherever you want to go. However, many people prefer walking in a city where there's so much to see, and much of it is off the main travel lines. If you get tired with all that walking, you can refresh yourself at one of the many cafe bars in the city. There's a wide variety of homely and old-fashioned ones Whatever you do, you won't have a dull moment in the place which was awarded the title of "most interesting city in Europe ". Despite _ unpopular industrial image in the past, Manchester is becoming more and more popular as a tourist destination nowadays.

[{'question': 'According to the passage, Manchester is _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['a big city in the southwest of England', 'only known for its heavy industry', 'interesting only if you like football', 'a very popular place now']}, {'question': 'If you are interested in history, _ in Manchester.', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['you will see the 18\nthcentury center building', 'you can go to Chinatown', "you don't have a big choice", 'you can visit the Eastlefield']}, {'question': 'What was Manchester like in the past?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['A small and dull city.', 'A city full of factories', 'An exciting city to visit', 'A popular destination']}]

The intelligence times provide us much convenience,but at the same time,some of our abilities are being weakened gradually. 1. Memorizing phone numbers It was annoying to remember numbers. Now we simply add them to our contacts list. That usually works well unless our device is lost,stolen,or damaged. No one can be expected to remember all their contact numbers. What we can do is memorize 5 of our most important contact numbers. This should include a mixture of family,friends and business. If you're really ambitious you can memorize 5 contacts for each category. 2. Map-reading skills The convenience and effectiveness of GPS guidance systems and digital maps generated by search engines is unquestionable. They've definitely made our lives easier. What we don't get from using these devices and applications is the increased ability to understand spatial orientation and navigation. To renew or acquire those skills,try using physical maps to plan your next trip. After a few trips,you'll be pleasantly surprised with how useful a physical map can be. 3. Photography Even amateur photography requires a basic learning about lighting,depth,and composition. This is true for digital photography. Most smart cameras automatically make these adjustments. We no longer have to learn the art of photography. On most devices,this is easily changed by turning off the automatic settings. Experiment with setting by hand the scene modes,lighting,and zoom. You just may learn that you're a "true photographer". 4. Reading comprehension The primary cause is E-reader. They're convenient and can store thousands of books. But there's evidence that E-reader makes it more difficult for readers to keep and recall information they just read. Don't worry! What we should do is make an effort to read printed books. This will be especially helpful when seeking information we need for academic or career purposes. 5.Hand-written correspondence Writing letters and notes include hand writing skills,organizational skills,and learning about the person or persons you correspond with. This is another easily regained skill. Send a letter to an old friend,relative or acquaintance.

[{'question': "What's the disadvantage by adding all numbers to the contacts list?", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['We may only have the ability to remember 5 numbers.', "It's hard to find the number from the contacts list.", 'We might lose all our phone numbers accidentally.', 'Our device is more easily damaged or stolen.']}, {'question': 'To make yourself a "true photographer",you _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['must make it clear how the digital camera works itself', 'have to make your camera do the adjustments automatically', "don't need to learn the art of photography", 'had better try to set the scene modes,lighting,and zoom by hand']}, {'question': 'E-readers are thought to weaken our reading comprehension because _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['they are convenient and can store thousands of books', 'they make it more difficult for us to recall information', 'less people can afford to buy E-readers', 'people are not fond of reading printed books nowadays']}, {'question': 'The author of the text seems to _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['be worried that we might lose some basic abilities in intelligence society', 'point out to us the abilities one should have for adapting to the modem society', 'be glad that people will regain these abilities by using them often in daily life', 'find out that these abilities will probably make modern people different from before']}]

We experience different forms of the Sun's energy every day. We can see its light and feel its warmth. The Sun is the major source of energy for our planet. It causes the evaporation of water from the oceans and lakes. Sunlight also provides the energy used by green plants to make their own food. These green plants then provide food for all organisms on the Earth. Much of the energy that comes from the Sun never reaches the Earth's surface. It is either reflected or absorbed by the gases in the upper atmosphere. Of the energy that reaches the lower atmosphere,30% is reflected by clouds or the Earth's surface. The remaining 70% warms the surface of the planet, causes water to evaporate, and provides energy for the water cycle and weather. Only a tiny part, approximately 0.023%, is actually used by green plants to produce food. Many gases found in the atmosphere actually reflect heat energy escaping from the Earth's surface back to the Earth. These gases act like the glass of a greenhouse in that they allow energy from the Sun to enter but prevent energy from leaving. They are therefore called greenhouse gases. When sunlight strikes an object, some of the energy is absorbed and some is reflected. The amount reflected depends on the surface. For example, you've probably noticed how bright snow is when sunlight falls on it. Snow reflects most of the energy from the Sun, so it contributes to the low temperatures of winter. Dark-coloured surfaces, such as dark soil or forest, absorb more energy and help warm the surrounding air.

[{'question': 'According to the passage, the root( ) cause for weather changes on the Earth is _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['the atmosphere surrounding the Earth', 'water from oceans and lakes', 'energy from the Sun', 'greenhouse gases in the sky']}, {'question': "Only a small part of the Sun's energy reaches the Earth's surface because most of it is _ .", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['absorbed by the clouds in the lower atmosphere', 'reflected by the gases in the upper atmosphere', 'lost in the upper and lower atmosphere', 'used to evaporate water from the oceans and lakes']}, {'question': 'We learn from the passage that _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['all living things on the Earth depend on the Sun for their food', 'a forest looks dark in winter because it absorbs solar energy', 'only 0.023% of the energy from the Sun is made use of on the Earth', "greenhouse gases allow heat energy to escape from the Earth's surface"]}]

While Americans feel worried about how to look after their children and help them grow, French parents are raising happy, well-behaved children without all the anxiety. Pamela Druckerman, an American mother living in Paris, watched carefully as to why French children seem to behave so much better than American children. Let's listen to what she said. While eating at the restaurants in Paris, I noticed the French kids were either sitting in their chairs waiting for their food or eating fish and even vegetables, happy and satisfied. There was no shouting or crying, and there were no pieces of food around their tables. However, my 2-year-old daughter, Beth, took a brief interest in the food. She even threw food everywhere. She couldn't keep herself in her chair and ran around the table. Though by that time I'd live in France for a few months, I couldn't explain it. After surveying French parents, I realized that they aren't perfect, but they have some parenting secrets that do work. French parents seem to have different ideas about raising kids. One of the keys to this education is the simple act of learning how to wait. It is why the French babies I have encountered mostly sleep throughout the night from two or three months old. Their parents don't pick them up the moment they start crying, allowing the babies to learn how to fall back asleep. It is also why French kids will sit happily at a restaurant. Rather than snacking all day like American children, they mostly have to wait until mealtime to eat. French kids always have three meals a day and one snack at about 4:00 pm.

[{'question': 'While eating at restaurants in Paris, French kids _', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['make a lot of noise', 'like running around', 'behave very well', 'only eat what they like']}, {'question': "What is Pamela Druckerman's attitude toward French parents' parenting methods?", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ["She doesn't like them", 'She considers them helpless', 'She thinks they work well.', 'She thinks they are hard to follow.']}, {'question': 'What is this passage mainly about?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Why French children love eating at restaurants.', "Why American children don't like eating at mealtime.", 'What American parents usually learn from French parents.', 'How French parents raise their children compared to American parents.']}]

Occasionally, my father came back drunk. Late at night, he beat on the door, pleading to my mother to open it .He was on his way home from drinking, gambling, or some combination thereof, misspending money that we could have used and wasting time that we desperately needed. It was the late-1970s. My parents were separated. My mother was now raising a group of boys on her own. My father spouted off about what he planned to do for us, buy for us.In fact, he had no intention of doing anything. As a father who was supposed to love us, in fact, he lacked the understanding of what it truly meant to love a child--or to hurt one. To him, this was a harmless game that kept us excited and begging. In fact, it was a cruel, corrosive lie. I lost faith in his words and in him. I wanted to stop caring, but I couldn't. Maybe it was his own complicated relationship to his father and his father's family that caused him cold. Maybe it was the pain and guilt associated with a life of misfortune. Who knows. Whatever it was, it stole him from us, and particularly from me. While my brothers talked about breaking and fixing things, I spent many of my evenings reading and wondering. My favorite books were a set of encyclopedias given by my uncle. They allowed me to explore the world beyond my world, to travel without leaving, to dream dreams greater than my life would otherwise have supported. But losing myself in my own mind also meant that I was completely lost to my father. Not understanding me, he simply ignored me--not just emotionally, but physically as well. Never once did he hug me, never once a pat on the back or a hand on the shoulder or a tousling of the hair. My best memories of him were from his episodic attempts at engagement with us. During the longest of these episodes , once every month or two, he would come pick us up and drive us down the interstate to Trucker's Paradise, a seedy, smoke-filled, truck stop with gas pumps, a convenience store, a small dining area and a game room through a door in the back. My dad gave each of us a handful of quarters, and we played until they were gone. He sat up front in the dining area, drinking coffee and being particular about the restaurant's measly offerings. I loved these days. To me, Trucker's Paradise was paradise. The quarters and the games were fun but easily forgotten. It was the presence of my father that was most treasured. But, of course, these trips were short-lived. It wasn't until I was much older that I would find something that I would be able to _ as evidence of my father's love. When the Commodore 64 personal computer debuted, I convinced myself that I had to have it even though its price was out of my mother's range. So I decided to earn the money myself. I mowed every yard I could find that summer for a few dollars each, yet it still wasn't enough. So my dad agreed to help me raise the rest of the money by driving me to one of the watermelon farms south of town, loading up his truck with wholesale melons and driving me around to sell them. He came for me before daybreak. We made small talk, but it didn't matter. The fact that he was talking to me was all that mattered. I was a teenager by then, but this was the first time that I had ever spent time alone with him. He laughed and repeatedly introduced me as "my boy," a phrase he relayed with a sense of pride. It was one of the best days of my life. Although he had never told me that he loved me, I would _ that day as the greatest evidence of that fact. He had never intended me any wrong. He just didn't know how to love me right. He wasn't a mean man. So I took these random episodes and _ them like a thing most precious, storing them in my mind for the long stretches of coldness when a warm memory would prove most useful. It just goes to show that no matter how friendless the father, no matter how deep the damage, no matter how shattered the bond, there is still time, still space, still a need for even the smallest bit of evidence of a father's love. "My boy."

[{'question': "From the passage, the father was _ in the writer's memory.", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['selfish and cruel', 'proud and cold', 'imperfect but loving', 'shy but thoughtful']}, {'question': "The writer used not to feel Father's true love because _ .", 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['father showed his love but had no good way to express himself to his children', 'he just lost himself in his own mind without getting close to his father', 'father was too busy so unable to communicate with his children enough', 'he had a prejudice and was too stubborn to feel it']}, {'question': 'From the last parts (para7-11), we can infer that _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['father liked to show off his family before others', "I couldn't understand Father's love unless he expressed to me", 'father intended to show a loving father he was but failed.', 'I would definitely treasure all the small love from father']}, {'question': "What's the best title of the passage?", 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Remembrances of my father', 'Father and son', 'My boy', 'The past days']}]

Many of you may wonder what else to do besides watching TV or surfing the Internet on weekends.Why not have a picnic? Junior 2 students at Beijing No.4 Middle Schoo1 had a "King of cooking" competition* Earlier this month,about 300 students at the schoo1 went to a suburb of Beijing to have the contest.They were divided into 24 groups.Each group had buyers,slicers ,firemakers.washers and cooks. Firemakers faced the most problems during the time.Some of them had no idea how to keep fire burning. "The fire kept going out.we had to blow at the sparks and put on corn leaves and old newspapers,"said Wu Mofei,13. "It took us an hour to make the fire.Our eyes had tears from all the smoke and our faces became dirty,"he added. When the fires were finally made,the cooks became the busiest people.Huang Lanye made fried celery and ham pickled cabbage and tomato soup. She was proud of her work."It's my first time making Chinese dishes.My group members ate them up in minutes and said they were as delicious as what their parents made!" said the 14-year-old girl. Finally over ten students were titled "King of Cooking".Wang Xiaoyue,14,was one of them."My group got a mark of 98 at the competition,''Wang said."We have 1earned a lot while having so much fun! We are the best!" Beijing No.4 Middle School has been organizing similar fun activities for six years."we want to give students a chance to get real life experiences and 1earn how to work as a team,''said Jia Dong,who works for the school's student affairs office.

[{'question': 'The text mainly tells us----.', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['a "King of Cooking" competition organized by Senior 2 students at Beijing No.4 Middle School', 'a picnic organized by Junior 2 students at Beijing N0.4 Middle School', 'a "King of Cooking" competition organized by Junior 2 students at Beijing No.4 Middle School', 'after-school activities of students at Beijing No.4 Middlle School']}, {'question': 'Which of the following was not the problem some firemakers met?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ["They didn't know how to keep fire burning.", 'They spent a long time in making a fire.', 'The fire kept going out.', "They didn't have enough corn leaves and old newspapers."]}, {'question': 'We can infer that Huang Lanye was a _ in their group', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['buyer', 'firemaker', 'washer', 'cook']}, {'question': 'According to the passage,we can know _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['only ten students were titled "King of Cooking" in this competition', 'the "King of Cooking" competition has been held once every year in the past six years', 'Wang Xiaoyue was titled a "King of Cooking" in this competition', 'Beijing No.4 Middle School has been encouraging students to take part in all kinds of competitions']}]

Science Daily (Apr. 27, 2008)-- Dutch ecologist Roxina Soler and her colleagues have discovered that subterranean and aboveground herbivorous insects can communicate with each other by using plants as telephones. Subterranean insects issue chemical warning signals through the leaves of the plant. This way, aboveground insects are warned that the plant is already "occupied". Aboveground, leaf-eating insects prefer plants that have not yet been occupied by subterranean root-eating insects. Subterranean insects send out chemical signals through the leaves of the plant, which warn the aboveground insects about their presence. This messaging makes it possible for spatially-separated insects to avoid each other, so that they do not compete for, the same plant. In recent years it has been discovered that different types of aboveground insects develop slowly if they feed on plants that also have subterranean insects and 'vice versa . It seems that a mechanism has developed through natural selection, which helps the subterranean and aboveground insects to communicate with each other. This avoids unnecessary competition. Through the "green telephone lines", subterranean insects can also communicate with _ , namely the natural enemy of caterpillars . Parasitic wasps lay their eggs inside aboveground insects. The wasps also benefit from the signals sent by the leaves, as these help them find more insects for their eggs. The communication between subterranean and above- ground insects has only been studied in a few systems. It is still not clear how widespread this phenomenon is, say the researchers.

[{'question': 'How do subterranean and aboveground insects communicate with each other?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['By sending signals through the leaves.', 'By giving off particular smells.', 'By making soft and beautiful sounds.', 'By the signals sent by parasitic wasps.']}, {'question': 'After finding a plant occupied by root-eating insects, aboveground insects will usually _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['send out warning signals', 'choose to leave the plant', 'compete for the same plant', 'fight with the root-eating insects']}, {'question': 'Aboveground insects will develop more quickly if their food plants _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['are often visited by parasitic wasps', 'are not occupied by mot-eating insects', 'have more green leaves', 'have more subterranean insects']}, {'question': 'What would be the best title for the passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Communication between different insects', 'How do animals avoid competition?', 'Insects use plants as telephones', 'When plants have subterranean residents']}]

In summer, millions of people will head for the beach.And while the ocean can be a great place to swim and play, it may also be useful in another way.Some scientists think that waves could help make electricity. "Have you ever been on a surfboard or boat and felt yourself being lifted up by a wave? Or have you jumped in the water and felt the energy as waves crashed over you?" asked Jamie Taylor of the Wave Energy Group at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland."There is certainly a lot of energy in waves." Scientists are working on using that energy to make electricity. Most waves are created when winds blow across the ocean."The winds start out by making little ripples in the water, but if they keep on blowing , those ripples get bigger and bigger and turn into waves, "Taylor said."Waves are one of nature's ways of picking up energy and then sending it off on a journey." When waves come towards the shore, people can set up dams or other barricades to block the water and send it through a large wheel called a turbine .The turbine can then power an electrical generator . The United States and a few other countries have started doing research on wave energy , and it is already being used in Scotland. The resource is huge.We will never run out of wave power, besides, wave energy does not create the same pollution as other energy sources, such as oil and coal. Oceans cover three quarters of the earth's surface.That would make wave power seem perfect for creating energy around the world.There are some _ , however. Jamie Taylor said that wave power still cost too much money.He said that its effects on animals in the sea were still unknown.Plus, wave power would get in the way of fishing and boat traffic. With more research, however, "many of these problems might be overcome," Taylor said."Demand for energy to power our TVs and computers, drive our cars, and heat and cool our homes is growing quickly throughout the world.Finding more energy sources is very important, for traditional sources of energy like oil and gas may run out some day." In the future, when you turn on a light switch, an ocean wave could be providing the electricity!

[{'question': 'Which of the following is NOT true?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Wave power costs too much money.', 'Wave energy creates the same amount of pollution as other energy sources.', 'Wave power affects fishing and boat traffic.', 'Wave power may affect marine animals.']}, {'question': 'We can infer from the passage that _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['finding new energy sources like wave energy is important', 'wave energy is a resource that will never run out and is used all over the world', 'wave power is perfect for creating energy around the world', "wave power doesn't create any pollution."]}, {'question': 'What can be the best title for the passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['How to Get Electricity by Waves.', 'A Huge Resource of Energy.', 'Can Waves Make Electricity?', 'The Disadvantages of Wave Energy.']}]

"I would almost rather see you dead," Robert S. Cassatt, a leading banker of Philadelphia, shouted when his twenty-year-old eldest daughter announced that she wanted to become an artist. In the 19th century, playing at drawing or painting on dishes was all right for a young lady, but serious work in art was not. And when the young lady's family ranked among the best of Philadelphia's social families, such an idea could not even be considered. That was how Mary Cassatt, born in 1844, began her struggle as an artist. She did not tremble before her father's anger. Instead, she opposed him with courage and at last made him change his mind. Mary Cassatt gave up her social position and all thought of a husband and a family, which in those times was unthinkable for a young lady. In the end, after long years of hard work and perseverance , she became America's most important woman artist and the internationally recognized leading woman painter of the time.

[{'question': 'How did Mr Cassatt react when his daughter made her announcement?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['He feared for her life.', 'He warned her.', 'He nearly killed her.', 'He was very angry.']}, {'question': "What in fact was Mr Cassatt's main reason in opposing his daughter's wish?", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Drawing and painting was simply unthinkable among ladies in those days.', 'He did not believe his daughter wanted to work seriously in art.', 'Ladies of good families simply did not become artists in those times.', "He believed an artist's life would be too hard for his daughter."]}, {'question': 'What made Mary Cassatt\'s "struggle" to become a recognized artist especially hard?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Her father opposed her.', 'She was a woman.', 'She had no social position.', "She did not come from an artist's family."]}, {'question': "What do we know about Mary Cassatt's marriage?", 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['She never married because she did not want to be just a wife and mother.', 'Her marriage failed because she never gave a thought to her husband and family.', 'After marriage she decided to give up her husband rather than her career.', "She didn't marry because for a lady of her social position to marry below her was unthinkable."]}]

When Danny Wallace, 26, got bored, he put an ad on the worldwide web reading simply: "Join Me. Send a passport photo." A year and a half later his east London flat is the headquarters for a global internet-based "club" whose members carry out good deeds for strangers every Friday. It's not common for people in London to talk to strangers. If you see someone struggling with something, part of the brain goes "I want to help". But the trained part of the brain says: "They will think you are mad or going to mug them", so you walk away. Join Me now has about 3,000 members around the world who do an act of kindness every Friday. For example, I'm usually out on a Friday so I go for one of the standard acts -- the unexpected cup of coffee. You might be sitting in a cafe and see an old man in the corner drinking coffee or tea, and you walk up with another cup of whatever they are drinking , and say: " I've bought you a coffee" and walk away. It's a pleasure to see the look of surprise on their faces. There can be some suspicion, but I think that was mostly in the early days when I didn't know how to do it properly. I would walk up quite nervously like I was doing something wrong and I didn't know when to leave. In the end, I learned through _ . Sometimes it worked, other times it didn't. I discovered that you have to walk up with confidence and humour and not "get in their faces". You say: "This is for you", then you go. It's hit-and-run kindness. And there is no point in doing it half-heartedly. You've got to do it because you really mean it. Join Me is without geographical boundaries, but there are quite a few members in London, and such stories about things happen on the underground or on the buses. One lady got on the bus and put a PS10 note down and said: "That's for me and the next nine people". So at every stop, anyone who got on was told it was paid for. A lot of people were doing this sort of thing anyway. For them it's an excuse or reason to do something nice for a complete stranger, and it gives them the confidence to walk up and start chatting.

[{'question': 'When Londoners see someone in trouble, they _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['often give a hand', 'pretend not to have seen it', 'stop and ask questions', 'telephone the police']}, {'question': 'According to the passage, members of Join Me often _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['put an advertisement on the worldwide web', 'go out and make friends with strangers', 'do an act of kindness every Friday', 'buy coffees for the strangers']}, {'question': 'Which would be the best title for the passage?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Hit-and-run Kindness', 'History of Join Me', 'Danny Wallace and Join Me', 'Why not Join Me']}]

What is the color1 of the universe? Astronomers had not answered this question until two months ago. That is when two American astronomers reported on their study of all the light in the universe. They said that the universe would appear to the human eyes to be a light greenish color1. Karl Glazebrook and Ivan Baldry of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, reported their finding in January. They presented the research at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society. They said that finding the color1 of the universe was not part of their more serious scientific research. They did it for fun. However, earlier this month, the scientists admitted making a mistake. They said their finding was much more color1ful than it should have been. They now say the light from our universe is closer to white. It is more like a milky or creamy white color1. Their study attempted to show what people might see if they could observe the universe from far away. The scientists found the average color1 by combining light from about two-hundred-thousand star systems. Their information came from an observatory in New South Wales, Australia. The scientists gave a number value to the color1s of the different star systems. Then they added the numbers together and found the average measurement. The scientists used this average to identify the color1 of the universe. They said it was a very pretty light green. Many newspapers and television stations reported their finding. Other scientists and color1 engineers attempted to reproduce the result. Mark Fairchild of the Rochester Institute discovered a mistake in the computer software program used by the Johns Hopkins scientists. When the mistake was corrected, the results changed. The new color1 of the universe is much less color1ful. It is very close to white.

[{'question': 'The color1 of the universe is _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['close to white', 'black', 'blue', 'light greenish']}, {'question': 'The two scientists found the color1 of the universe by _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['combining light from about 200,000 star systems', 'observing at an observatory in India', 'making long-term scientific research', 'using computer software programs']}, {'question': 'Who found the true color1 of the universe?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Karl Glazebrook.', 'Ivan Baldry.', 'Mark Fairchild', 'Johns Hopkins..']}, {'question': 'This passage mainly tells us _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['what the color1 of the universe is', 'the light from our universe is a light greenish color1', 'the new color1 of the universe is much more color1ful', 'the finding of the color1 of the universe is difficult']}]

Hurricane reached the northeastern United States today and caused death and destruction everywhere. The killer storm carried winds of 135 miles per hour. The high winds and heavy rains created extremely dangerous waves. It is not yet known how many people died or were hurt in this storm, but it is said that the numbers will be very high. With the arrival of the tornado season, the National Weather Service is again telling people how to protect themselves from these deadly storms. The winds from tornadoes are the most violent winds on earth. They can blow up to 400 miles per hour. A _ looks like a funnel . It is also very loud. It may sound like a train coming at you. In fact, the winds from a tornado can pick up a train and throw it around. If a tornado is seen in your area, it is very important that you protect yourself. A basement is the safest place to go. Try to wait under a table in the basement. Stay away from windows. If you are outside or in your car, try to find a narrow place to hide. As the area tries to deal with the worst flood of the century, there are many heartwarming stories of people helping other people. From all over the world people have sent food and clothes to help the thousands who have had to leave their homes. Many volunteers have come to help to make sandbags and use them to build walls against the overflowing river. While the result of this disaster will be terrible for many, it is beautiful to see people coming together to help others and save lives.

[{'question': 'Which of the following is WRONG about tornados?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['They look like a funnel.', 'They come regularly every year.', 'They are the most violent winds on Earth.', 'They carry winds of 135 km per hour.']}, {'question': 'According to the passage, a person who sees a tornado in his area had better NOT _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['drive his car away as fast as possible', 'go to the basement and wait under a table', 'find a narrow place to hide', 'stay away from windows']}, {'question': 'We can learn from the passages that _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['nobody tried to help the local people', 'hurricane damaged the northwestern coast of US', 'when there is flooding, sandbags can be made and used to build walls', 'people are often taught how to protect themselves from snowstorms']}]

Have you got any wonderful plans for your coming winter vacation? Here are some wonderful films for you to kill time.

[{'question': 'This passage aims to _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['make comments on films for a cinema', 'introduce films for a film corporation', 'recommend several films for fun', 'advertise several films for a website']}, {'question': 'If you bring your seven-year-old sister to the cinema, which of the following film should you avoid?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Away We Go.', 'Orphan.', '2012.', '500 Days of Summer.']}, {'question': 'Among all the characters mentioned in the passage, who directed films in Hollywood?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Roland Emmerich.', 'Tom and Summer.', 'Burt and Verona.', 'Esther.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Orphan is a comedy about Esther adopted by a kind family.', '500 Days of Summer is a romance with a happy ending.', "Away We Go shows beautiful scenery on the young couple's journey.", 'The ancient Mayan prediction is going to happen in 2012.']}]

How To Apply for USA Passports Online If you live in the United States, and you're planning a trip abroad, it is important to apply for new passports at least 2 months in advance (to avoid extra charges for an expedited passport processing). You can now get the application for a passport online. Some directions are detailed below: Downloading the passport application: The USA passport application, Form DS-11, is available for download on the US Department of State's website. *The passport application form is a Portable Document Format (PDF) file, and your computer must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to open it. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you must first download the Adobe Acrobat software. You can do so by clicking here. *If you would like to download a blank application, click here. If you would like to fill out the application online, then print it,click here. Printing the passport application: When printing the passport application, there are several requirements that must be followed. *You must use standard paper that is sized 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches. *The printing must be clear and legible. *The paper must be a standard medium weight, matte white (not shiny), and ink must be black. *The printer's ink must be black and there may not be any holes or perforations in the paper. *After printing, make sure that the box for pasting on your passport photo is the correct size of 2 inches by 2 inches. *It is important to print the application on one-sided paper. An application that is printed on double-sided paper will not be accepted. *For more information on these guidelines, visit the US Department of State's website. Filling out the passport application: As stated above, there are two ways to fill out the passport application: 1) typing your answers into the online form 2) writing answers by hand, in black ink, or by use of a typewriter. In both cases, you will need to provide the following information. *Your full name *Age *Date of birth *Place of birth *Phone number *Hair color1 *Social security number *Mailing address *Permanent Address. *Occupation *Employer *Your parents' names and birth information *Your spouse's name and birth information *Any other names you have used previously *Your travel plans *Emergency contact information Signing the application: It is important that you do not sign the application until you take the oath administered only by an authorized passport acceptance agent. Submitting the passport application: Along with the completed passport application, you must submit the following: *Proof of US Citizenship *Proof of Identity *Two recent passport sized (2x2 inches) photographs *The passport application fee

[{'question': 'Which of the following is not true according to the passage?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['You can download and print the application form and write the answers by hand.', 'You can just download and open the application form and complete it online on any computer.', 'You can only print the application form one-sidedly.', "That's not the end of it if you fail to apply for a new passport 2 months in advance."]}, {'question': 'Which of the following is not required to be included in the application form?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ["Your wife's / husband's name", 'You blood type', 'Your employer', 'Your travel plans']}, {'question': 'When traveling abroad, you may fail to check in if you _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['wear a different coat from the one in your passport photo', 'cut your hair short', 'dye your hair into a different color1', 'wear sunglasses']}, {'question': 'Where can the passage be found probably?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['A newspaper', 'A magazine', 'A website', 'A travelling brochure']}]

Hunan Satellite TV is losing its leading position? There's reason for saying this. In 2012, the reality talent show , the voice of China, on the Zhejiang Television became the most popular program in China. The reaon for its popularity was really because its excellent quality? Or can we assume that without any opponent, we can't tell a contestant is winning because he is really talented or because there's no comparison? The administrative department really contributed a lot in the popularity of the voice of China. In the past, there was no other draft shows ranked as high as Super GirlandSuper Boy. Even though there were some draft shows which seemed to share the popularity, it never turned out ture. All the other draft shows were shodowed by the ones on Hunan TV. One example was that since draft shows of Hunan TV were broadcast on Friday night, the draft shows of other stations were shifted to Saturday or Sunday. However, Hunan TV didn't get their permission for broadcasting shows in 2012. And if this were not bad enough, SARFT did a great favor for it. SARFT issued a regulation, saying that all draft shows should be broadcast after 10:30 pm at night. Zhejiang TV declared long before the regulation that since was "no audition , no PK, no rise in rank, no voting, no champion", its program was never a draft show. So, in 2012, all the opponents of Zhejiang TV had to broadcast their draft shows after 10:30 pm while the voice of Chinawas permitted to be broadcast in prime time. If you really think about it, there's no esential different between a draft show and the voice of China. It also selected people from all over the country, how did they say this were different from a draft show? No PK,really? PK doesn't mean one versus one! A team versus a team is called PK too. And "no rise in rank?" is just a switch of concepts because at the end of every game, some left the stage and some stayed. If there was really "no champion", how come there was only one "good voice of China" at the final round? All these were rising in rank, in disguise . Under such cimcumstance, the voice of Chinaeven got praise. We are not saying that it is not a good show: we are saying that there's regret about the show since it had no opponent.

[{'question': 'The following factors are important in making the voice of China popular EXCEPT _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['the unique quality of the voice of China', 'the policy support from SARFT and the administrative department', 'the favorable broadcasting time.', 'the shortage of good opponents']}, {'question': 'The passage mainly tells us _', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['the draft shows of Hunan Satellite TV still cause our attention', 'the voice of Chinais not a real draft show', 'the reasons for Hunan Satellite TV is losing its leading position', 'the advantages of the voice of China']}, {'question': "What's the author's attitude towards the voice of China?", 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['supportive', 'optimistic', 'hopeful', 'doubtful']}]

Elephants scored a big win in Dohar, Qatar, on March 22, 2010. Representatives from 175 countries met in the Middle Eastem country. They voted to continue a ban on the sale of ivory . Two African nations, Tanzania and Zambia, had asked to open up the ivory trade. People feared that weakening a 21-year-old ban on the sale of ivory would encourage illegal hunting and hurt elephant populations. African elephants once numbered in the millions. Today, there are fewer than 500,000. "People born in 100 years should be able to see an elephant," said Noah Wekesa, Kenya's minister of forest and wildlife. His country voted to keep the ban. In the 1980s, as many as 1 million elephants were killed throughout Africa. Hunters killed the animals for their ivory tusks, which were used to make jewelry and other things. "The _ of elephants in Africa was terrible," says Paul Todd of the International Fund for Animal Welfare. The group works to protect animals. The ivory wars continued until 1989, when the United Nations voted to ban all trade in ivory. With trade controlled, demand for ivory fell. Governments punished hunters. Elephant populations began slowly to increase. Tanzania and Zambia asked to allow ivory sales from government stockpiles . Ivory is so expensive that it's known as "white gold". Tanzania holds almost 200,000 pounds of ivory, which is worth as much as $20 million. Zambia has 48,000 pounds of the white gold. The countries said they need the money the ivory would bring. They say it was taken from hunters or came from animals that died naturally. Experts believe that trading ivory encourages illegal hunting. They felt happy about the decision which forbids the sales. "This is a rare victory for elephants," said Jason Bell. He works to protect animals.

[{'question': 'The text is mainly about _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['continuing a ban on the ivory sale to protect elephants', 'protecting endangered animals around the world', 'the effects of the ivory wars of the 1980s', 'the life of elephants in the wild']}, {'question': 'Ivory is known as "white gold" because', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['it is as rare as white gold', 'it is being sold illegally', 'it looks like white gold', 'it is extremely valuable']}, {'question': 'Tanzania and Zambia asked for permission to _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Sell elephants', 'sell jewelry made from ivory', 'sell their stocked ivory', 'continue hunting for ivory']}]

There are two factors which determine an individual's intelligence. The first is the sort of brain he is born with. Human brains differ considerably, some being more capable than others. But no matter how good a brain he has to begin with, an individual will have a low order of intelligence unless he has opportunities to learn. So the second factor is what happens to the individual--the sort of environment in which he is reared . If an individual is handicapped environmentally, it is likely that his brain will fail to develop and he will never attain the level of intelligence of which he is capable. The importance of environment in determining an individual's intelligence can be demonstrated by the case history of the identical twins, Peter and Mark X. Being identical, the twins had identical brains at birth, and their growth processes were the same. When the twins were three months old, their parents died, and they were placed in separate foster homes. Peter was reared by parents of low intelligence in an isolated community with poor educational opportunities. Mark was reared in the home of well-to-do parents who had been to college. He was read to as a child, sent to good schools, and given every opportunity to be stimulated intellectually. This environmental difference continued until the twins were in their late teens, when they were given tests to measure their intelligence. Mark's I.Q. was 125, twenty-five points higher than the average and fully forty points higher than his identical brother. Given equal opportunities, the twins, having identical brains, would have tested at roughly the same level.

[{'question': 'This passage can be best titled _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Intelligence and Environment', 'Measuring Your Intelligence', 'The Case of Peter and Mark', 'How the brain Influences Intelligence']}, {'question': 'According to the passage, the average I.Q. is _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['85', '125', '110', '100']}, {'question': 'The case history of the twins appears to support the conclusion that _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['individual with identical brains seldom test at same level', "an individual's intelligence is determined only by his environment", 'changes of environment produce changes in the structure of the brain', 'lack of opportunity blocks the growth of intelligence']}, {'question': "This passage suggests that an individual's I.Q. _ .", 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['can be increased by education', 'stays the same throughout his life', 'can be predicted at birth', 'is determined by his childhood']}]

While the other kids seemed excited about celebrating the end-of-term party by playing games and sharing treats, Jeremy hated the very idea of the gathering. Afraid to raise the pressure too high, I decided to contribute something that was easy to purchase on the walk to school. Off we went the day of the party, approaching his school as if nothing was planned. I reminded him of our need to make a purchase, entered his favorite shop, and asked him to select the ripest bunch of grapes. He shot me an anxious look and insisted none of his classmates ever be able to notice he had something to bring to the party. My _ of a successful parenting method, resulting in delivering a sociable child to his school, diverted sharply from reality. Back on route, I did my best to hide the sinking feeling of fear. How could I possibly drop him off and then walk into my own classroom to teach a successful class? My next move was born in the heat of the moment. I said a quick goodbye at the front gate and rushed to his classroom through the emergency exit. I managed to inform his teacher about the grapes in the backpack and be out of the classroom before I could be spied by my son. So, what happened on that June day? His teacher, a caring educator, worked wonders. My son and I still laugh about the way Mr. B started the day with an unusual question, "Does anyone have any grapes?" While Jeremy admits feeling a bit uncomfortable, the words encouraged him to takeout the fruit. Because of the support he received, he remembers that day with pride for his courage.

[{'question': 'How did the author feel when she left the shop?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Worried.', 'Satisfied.', 'Grateful.', 'Regretful.']}, {'question': "Why did the author hurry to her son's classroom?", 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['She went to ask the teacher for help.', 'She went there to give her lesson.', 'She was afraid of her son being punished.', 'She was invited to take part in the celebration.']}, {'question': 'What does the passage mainly talk about?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['The teacher inspired Jeremy to share grapes.', 'Jeremy prepared for the coming party.', 'The author helped Jeremy to become sociable.', 'The author taught Jeremy to select goods']}]

It was 7:00 am in Kyoto, Japan, and the taxi company had just called a second time to say they couldn't find my house. Once again I spelt out directions even a blind person could follow. I glanced impatiently at my watch, and waited. Only two hours remained until my flight left--and it was an hour and a half trip to the airport. Outside, heavy rains were pouring down. My house was so far north in the city that buses pass only here times a day. The telephone rang again. "Terribly sorry," began the man at the taxi company. Then I realized that the taxi company, flooded with calls, could only offer in-city runs. I had heard this happens when the weather gets bad. I shouted into the phone that I had a plane to catch and I would meet the taxi outside my house. Standing in the wind-driven rain, I looked up and down the road. No taxi. A car went by, the driver and passenger staring at the crazy foreigner in the downpour. Finally a white car appeared and pulled to a stop. A young man threw open the door, waving for me to get in. Shaking with cold and anger, I climbed in. In the most polite Japanese, the man said he was called Mike, with who I had spoken three times that morning. He had left his post in the office and raced here in his personal car. He apologized again, but didn't explain why a taxi would not pick me up. Delivering me straight to the airport, he refused the 2,000 yen I pressed into his hand. A few hours later, as the storm-delayed 727 took off, I opened the newspaper. On the second page my eyes caught the headline of a short article: Taxi Strike Begins This Morning in Kyoto.

[{'question': 'Why did the writer call a taxi early in the morning?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['He wanted to catch a plane.', 'He as unable to find the airport.', 'There were few taxis in town.', 'All the buses stopped because of the rain.']}, {'question': 'What was the reason for the taxi company not being able to pick him up?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['More people were riding in taxis on rainy days.', "The writer didn't give the correct address.", 'The taxi drivers refused to work.', "The taxi drivers didn't like to drive long distance."]}, {'question': 'The writer got to the airport _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ["by riding in Mike's car from the taxi company", 'with the help of Mike from the post office', 'by getting a lift in a passing car', 'with the help of a taxi driver sent by his company']}, {'question': 'We can learn from the text that the driver was _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['quick-minded at taking action', 'a self-employed driver', 'unwilling to drive to the airport', 'warm-hearted toward people']}]

There are many acceptable varieties of English throughout the world. Whichever variety is used in your country, the most important thing is that students' pronunciation must be good enough for another person to understand what they are trying to say. In a PPP lesson, teachers naturally include a good model of the pronunciation when they are presenting new vocabulary, grammar or functional language. It is important to start by helping your students recognize sounds before you expect them to produce them. Spoken British English has 44 sounds, but there are only 26 letters in the alphabet for written English. This sometimes makes English pronunciation and spelling different, so it is not always best to write words on the blackboard at the early stages. Also, some sounds in English do not exist in some other languages. This can make it very difficult for students to recognize these sounds and even more difficult for them to pronounce them correctly. So some students need to do a lot of work on these sounds, listening to them, trying to recognize them and trying to copy them. If you can understand and pronounce the symbols of the phonetic alphabet, this will help you to pronounce any word in the dictionary. You can teach this phonetic alphabet to your students and this will make teaching pronunciation much easier. However, you can teach pronunciation effectively without knowing the phonetic alphabet. Pronouncing English well is not just about getting the individual sounds right. Students need to know: * which parts of a word are stressed (spoken louder and longer); * which parts of a sentence are stressed; * basic intonation patterns; * what it means when we change the intonation in a sentence (the music of the language); * how to link together the sounds within a sentence. Students need practice in all these areas to improve their pronunciation.

[{'question': 'The passage is most probably from _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['a book for English learning', 'a book for English teaching', 'an ad for English teaching', 'a grammar book for English learning']}, {'question': 'Following up the passage, the author will probably _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['say how to teach the phonetic alphabet', 'emphasize the importance of correct pronunciation', 'explain in detail how to practise the five suggestions', 'write about how to teach pronunciation without the phonetic alphabet']}, {'question': "In the author's opinion, _ .", 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['it is not necessary to pronounce every word correctly', 'the English phonetic alphabet is a must in teaching pronunciation', 'students should pronounce every word as precisely as native speakers', 'pronunciation means more than knowing how to pronounce every single word']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is the best title for the passage?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Suggestions on Teaching English Pronunciation.', 'Listening Comes First in Teaching Pronunciation.', 'The English Phonetic Alphabet and Pronunciation.', 'Other Things to Be Done besides Pronouncing Every Word.']}]

Any mistake made in the printing of a stamp raises its value to stamp collectors. A mistake on one inexpensive postage stamp has made the stamp worth a million and a half times its original value. The mistake was made more than a hundred years ago in the British colony of Mauritius, a small island in the Indian Ocean. In 1847 an order for stamps was sent to a London printer-Mauritius was to become the fourth country in the world to issue stamps. Before the order was filled and delivered, a ball was planned at Mauritius' Government House, and stamps were needed to send out the invitations. A local printer was instructed to copy the design for the stamps. He accidentally inscribed the words "Post Office" instead of "Post Paid" on the several hundred stamps that he printed. Today there are only twenty-six of these misprinted stamps left fourteen One Penny Orange-Reds and twelve Two Penny Blues. Because of the Two Penny Blue's rareness and age, collectors have paid as much as $16 800 for it.

[{'question': 'Over a century ago, Mauritius _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['was an independent country', 'belonged to India', 'was one of the British colonies', 'was a small island in the Pacific Ocean']}, {'question': 'The mistake on the stamps was made _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['in Mauritius', 'at Mauritius Government House', 'in a post office', 'in London']}, {'question': 'Stamp collectors have paid 16 800 for _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['fourteen One Penny Orange-Reds', 'twelve Two Penny Blues', 'one One Penny Orange-Red', 'one Two Penny Blue']}]

Child labor -- the employment of children in industry, often against their will -- has been a problem for many years. Over a hundred years ago, Charles Dickens shocked many of his readers when he described the conditions under which young children worked in British factories. The conditions Dickens described continue almost unchanged today in many parts of the world. The only difference is that today employment of children is confined(limited)to small industries and family businesses, such as hotels, restaurants and particularly farms, rather than to large factories. Girls suffer more from child labor practices than boys. Many of them are forced to start work when they are only ten years old. Although the work they are given to do is often light, it is often harmful to the health. Recently, children as young as six years were found to be working in Asian factories, and the children were working from eight to fourteen hours a day in overcrowded and unhealthy working conditions. Sometimes a whole family group is employed, with the payment going to a parent or older relative. The children not only receive nothing or very little for their long hours of work, but also they are prevented from attending school. Therefore, when they become older they are unable to do any other kind of work. The solution to the problem of child labor is clearly better laws to protect young children, greater supervision of industry and heavier fines for those who break the laws. Only in this way can young boys and girls be allowed to enjoy the most valuable time of their lives--childhood.

[{'question': "Girls' work is _ .", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['not harmful to the health though it is heavy', 'not harmful to the health because it is light', 'harmful to the health though it is light.', 'harmful to the health because it is heavy']}, {'question': 'Young children go to work _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['because they are forced to', 'in order to be skillful in a certain kind of work', 'in order to be paid well', 'in order to earn money for education']}, {'question': 'To solve the problem of child labor, the writer suggests the following BUT _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['looking over factories more closely', 'raising their payment and improving the system of education', "improving laws of protecting children's interests", 'punishing lawbreakers with severer fines']}]

Today's museums include plenty of high culture, but you can still find shrines to the extraordinary. Here's a look at five curious museum stops across Canada. Vancouver Police Museum The setting, terrible enough, is the old Coroner's Court and forensics lab, including the morgue(room where dead bodies are kept). Artifacts, from the 1870s on, include badges, uniforms, police equipment, items from criminals, and even preserved organs--all in all an arresting experience. Vulcan Tourism & Trek Station Designed to resemble a spacecraft, the Treck Station celebrates Vulcan's coincidental relationship to Mr. Spock's planet, Go to a building that features an 800-piece collection of Star Trek memorabilia -- including Spock's ears and floor-to-ceiling space paintings. If you want to know more about it, click here: http//www. Vulcantourism. com Accordion Museum Through instruments, photos and recordings, the museum traces the history of the accordion and its influence on Quebec culture. They've even acquired Asian instruments that show the use of the free reed-- call them ancient ancestors of the accordion--that date back 4000 years. Chocolate Museum It's chocoholic heaven -- whole museum featuring displays on how chocolate is made, hands-on exhibits, collections of historic chocolate boxes, and antique candy- making equipment and, of course, lots of chocolate treats ,located in an old candy factory building. Click below to learn all about their hours and admission rates. http:// www. Chocolate museum .ca Potato museum A 14--foot high potato greets you at what's billed as the world's largest exhibit of potato artifacts. Explore the humble potato's role in the economy, a collection of farm tools related to growing and harvesting potatoes, Hall of Fame.

[{'question': 'If you are very interested in thrilling movies, you will probably be attracted by _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Accordion Museum', 'Vancouver Police Museum', 'Potato Museum', 'Chocolate Museum']}, {'question': 'We can infer from the passage that the ancestors of accordion originated in _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Canada', 'America', 'Asia', 'Africa']}, {'question': 'The passage is most likely to be taken from _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['a magazine', 'a newspaper', 'a website', 'a brochure']}]

A lot more people are about to get a chance to buy Google Glass. It's the Internet-connected eyewear that has become the hottest sale. Google will sell the "Explorer" version of Glass to any U.S. person who places an online order for the device beginning at 9am. PDT April 15. The product will cost $1,500. Google is saying how many sets of Glass will be available during the limited-time offer. This version of Glass, though, still isn't the perfect product that Google hopes to sell in stores later this year. For now, Google is still trying to recruit more people willing to serve as volunteers for its attempt to build a wearable device that features some of the same feature as a smart phone. " Our Explorers are moms, bakers, surgeons, rockers, and each new Explorer has brought a new view that is making Glass better," Google said. The device has a small screen attached above the right eye. A user can check e-mails, see Twitter post or get directions without having to use a phone. It can also take hands-free photos and video through voice-activated commands. The ability to record images so easily has raised safely concerns about drivers wearing Glass. The lawmakers have to draw up new rules forbidding use of the device in moving vehicles. Google regards Glass as a breakthrough . It will make it easier for people to surf the Internet while on the go. They also hope that the device could help police officers, firefighters, doctors and reporters do their jobs better.

[{'question': 'What is special about Google Glass?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['People can only order it online.', "It's cheaper than the ordinary glasses.", 'People can explore the Internet with it.', "It doesn't contain any actual glass in the future."]}, {'question': 'Google is still trying to recruit more volunteers to _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['improve their products', 'sell their products', 'advertise their products', 'wear their products']}, {'question': 'We can use Google Glass to do the following EXCEPT _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['check e-mails', 'make a call', 'take video', 'find your way']}, {'question': 'What problem may Google Glass bring to people?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Its screen is too small for people to surf the Internet.', 'It may cause traffic accidents if people use it while driving.', 'Users must use their hands to take photos.', 'It is difficult for many people to learn to use.']}]

Trees are useful to man in three very important ways: they provide him with wood and other products, they give him shade, and they help to prevent drought and floods. Unfortunately, in many parts of the world man has not realized that the third of these services is the most important. In his eagerness to draw quick profit from the trees, he has cut them down in large numbers, only to find that without them he has lost the best friends he had. Two thousand years ago a rich and powerful country cut down its trees to build warships, with which to gain itself an empire. It gained the empire but, without its trees, its soil became hard and poor. When the empire fell to pieces, the country found itself faced by floods and starvation. Even though a government realizes the importance of a plentiful supply of trees, it is difficult for it to persuade the villager to see this. The villager wants wood to cook his food with, and he can earn money by making charcoal or selling wood to the townsman . He is usually too lazy or too careless to plant and look after trees. So unless the government has a good system of control, or can educate the people, the forests will slowly disappear. This does not only mean that the villager's sons and grandsons have fewer trees. The results are even more serious. For where there are trees their roots break the soil up--allowing the rain to sink in and also hold the soil, thus preventing it being washed away easily, but where there are no trees, the soil becomes hard and poor. The rain falls on hard ground and flows away on the surface, causing floods and carrying away with it the rich topsoil, in which crops grow so well. When all the topsoil is gone, nothing remains but a worthless desert.

[{'question': 'The purpose that the writer wrote this article is to _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['tell people the use of wood', 'tell people the function of tree roots', "warn that man mustn't destroy forests any more", 'explain how trees help to prevent drought and floods']}, {'question': "In the writer's opinion, _ , or the forests will slowly disappear.", 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['measures must be taken', "people shouldn't draw benefit from the tree", 'government must realize the serious results', 'unless trees never be cut down']}, {'question': 'According to the article we know it is _ to prevent the forests from slowly disappearing.', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['necessary but impossible', 'necessary but difficult', 'impossible and unimportant', 'difficult and impossible']}]

The idea of light pollution has developed with the increase of lights in cities. In many areas, this light makes it difficult or impossible to observe stars and planets in the night sky. There are a number of reasons why light pollution is important. One has become clear at the Mount Wilson Observatory near Los Angeles, California. Today, light from Los Angeles makes the night sky above Mount Wilson very bright. It is no longer an important reasearch center because of light pollution. Light pollution threatens to reduce the scientific value of research telescoples in other important observatories. They include Lick Observatory near San Jose, California and Yerkes Observatory near Chicago, Illionis. Light pollution is the result of wasted energy. Bright light that shines into the sky is not being used to provide light where it is needed on Earth. Poorly designed lighting causes a great deal of light pollution. Lights that are brighter than necessary also cause light pollution. Most people in America are surprised to find out that they are able to see our own galaxy ,the Milky Way, with their own eyes. But about threefourths of Americans cannot see the Miky Way because of manmade light. Objects in the night sky are resources that provide everyone with wonder. But light pollution threatens to prevent those wonderful sights from being seen.

[{'question': 'Light pollution usually occurs _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['in cities', 'in the country', 'in wild areas', 'in developing countries']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Mount Wilson Observatory is the most important one in America.', 'Light pollution affects observatories only.', 'In the dark night people can observe the sky clearly.', 'Astronomers can observe the stars clearly by the lights of the cities.']}, {'question': 'The victims affected by the light pollution are _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['children', 'grownups', 'students', 'observatories']}]

When someone meets a stranger with the same hobby, that person immediately becomes a friend. People enjoy the company of others who share a similar interest. Often they will form a club and travel great distances to attend meetings where they can talk about their hobbies. Other people have such unusual hobbies that no one else can share them. Sometimes they try to do something better, faster or longer than anyone else in order to have their names included in the Guinness Book of World Records. A lady in Massachusetts may have the world's easiest hobby; she let her hair grow. Diane Witt has not cut her hair for twelve years. It is now eight feet (2.44 meters) long, and she will soon set a new world record and her name will be placed in the Guinness Book. A thirty-year-old man in Pennsylvania played the piano for forty-five days and eleven hours, while a musician in Connecticut played the flute for forty-three hours. A teacher in California typed for over 162 hours, and a lady from Iowa spend six years typing the numbers from one to one million. Probably the cleanest people in the world are two young women from England who stayed in the shower for over ninety-eight hours; but a man in Oregon was more than twice as clean after taking a shower that lasted two hundred hours. Someone said that "records are made to be broken". One record that many young men might enjoy breaking is the one made by Roger Guy English of California. During a period of eight hours Roger kissed three thousand young women.

[{'question': 'From the passage we know that_.', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['sometimes people try to do something better, faster or longer than anyone else to have their names included in the Guinness Book of World Records', "a lady in New York hasn't cut her hair for twelve years", 'a teacher in Massachusetts typed for over 162 hours', 'a lady from Iowa spend six months typing the numbers from one to one million']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is true?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ["Diane Witt's hair is now eight meters long.", 'A thirty-year-old man in Pennsylvania played the piano for forty-five days and eleven hours.', 'A musician in Connecticut played the violin for forty-three hours.', 'Two young women from England stayed in the shower for two hundred hours.']}, {'question': 'How many persons are mentioned about breaking world records in the passage?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['3', '4', '5', '6']}, {'question': 'Judging from the writing style of the passage, it is _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['a piece of advertisement', 'a science report', 'a passage for professional reading', 'a passage from a magazine']}]

Martha had been working for Miller Laboratories for two years, but she was not happy there. Nothing significant had happened in the way of promotions or salary increases. Martha felt that her supervisor, a younger and less experienced person than she, did not like her. In fact, the supervisor often said unpleasant things to her. One day, while talking with her friend Maria, she mentioned how discouraged she was. Maria gave her the name of a cousin of hers who was director of Human Resources Department for a large chemical company. Martha called him the next day and set up an interview on her lunch hour. During the interview, Mr. Petri said, "You're just the kind of person we need here. You're being wasted in your other job. Give me a call in a day or two. I'm sure we can find a place for you in our organization." Martha was so happy she almost danced out of the building. That afternoon, Ruth Kenny, her supervisor, saw that Martha had come in ten minutes late from her lunch hour and she said, "Oh, so you finally decided to come back to work today?" This was . She could not take another insult. Besides, Mr. Petri was right: she was being wasted in this job. "Look," she said angrily, "if you don't like the way I work, I don't need to stay here. I'll go where I'm appreciated! Good-bye!" She took up her things and stormed out of the office. That night she called Maria and told her what had happened and then asked Maria, "What do you think?" "Well," said Maria carefully, "are you sure about the other job?" "Well, not exactly, but..." Maria continued, "Will you be able to get a recommendation from Mrs. Kenny if you need one?" "A recommendation?...from Mrs. Kenny?" hesitated Martha, in a worried tone. "Martha, I hope you didn't burn your bridges." Maria said. "I think I would have handled it differently."

[{'question': 'Martha is unhappy in her job because _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['she has not advanced', 'the work is not significant', 'her supervisor is younger than she', 'there is too much work with little payment']}, {'question': 'Which of the following statement is NOT true?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ["At her supervisor's criticism, Martha lost her temper.", 'Mr. Petri felt Martha was not valued in her present job.', "Martha's interview with the director was on her lunch hour.", 'Martha got the name of the director through her cousin.']}, {'question': 'The phrase "the last straw" probably refers to _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['the last opportunity', "the straw that saves Martha's life", 'the last reminder', 'the final unpleasant thing']}, {'question': "What does Maria think of Martha's decision?", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Martha has handled the matter properly.', "Martha shouldn't have set the bridge on fire.", 'Martha should have found a new job before leaving.', "Martha shouldn't have lost her temper with her supervisor"]}]

Are you the kind of person who likes staying in unusual places? If the answer is "yes", then try the world's coldest hotel in Jukkasjarvi in the north of Sweden. But go in winter to all you'll find is a pool of water, because the hotel melts every spring! The man who runs the Artic Hall Hotel is Nils Yngve Bergqvist. He built his first ice building for an art exhibition in 1991 and he designed the present hotel-over 200 meters square-himself. It took workmen about two months to pile 1,000 tons of snow onto a wooden base. As the weather got colder, the snow froze and then they removed the base. The whole building and everything in it are made of snow-except for the wooden front door. There's a theatre which Nils uses for a jazz club, a radio station and a large ice bar. As you can imagine, hot drinks are popular with the guests! The rooms have no doors; there's no furniture, no heating and everyone sleeps on ice beds. But the 800 people who stayed at the hotel this winter seemed to like it. If you want to stay in one of he ten ice rooms, it will cost you about Y=30 a night. You will receive a survival certificate from the manager. When the winter's over, Nils holds his annual contest to predict the day that the hotel will fall. The person that guessed the day correctly last year received a large painting from an Artic Hall exhibition. Nils' ice hotel is becoming world famous and he loves his work. He's already excited about his next project-an ice hotel that will have more complicated architectural features and, he says, will be bigger and better.

[{'question': 'Which of the following about the Artic Hall Hotel is NOT true?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['It is the coldest hotel in the world.', 'You can go to the hotel in spring.', 'The hotel is in the north of Sweden.', 'Nils Yngve Bergqvist is the owner of the hotel.']}, {'question': 'Nils uses the theatre for _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['abc', 'bcd', 'abd', 'acd']}, {'question': 'All of the following are true EXCEPT _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['the hotel costs at least 1,000 tons of snow', 'the whole building is made of snow except the wooden front door', 'you will receive a survival certificate if you stay in one of the ten ice rooms', 'the hotel will fall on a fixed date every year']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is probably the best title?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Staying in Unusual Places', 'The Unusual Hotel', 'Ice Hotel-Cold Comfort', 'The Hall Exhibition']}]

It has been argued that an infant under three who is cared for outside the home may suffer because of the separation from his parents.The British psychoanalyst John Bowlby believes that separation from the parents during the sensitive "attachment" period from birth to three may scar a child's personality and incline to emotional problems in later life.Some people have drawn the conclusion from Bowlby's work that children should not be sent to day care before the age of three, and many people do believe this.But there are also arguments against such a strong conclusion. Firstly, anthropologists point out that the hidden love between children and parents found in modem societies does not usually exist in traditional societies.For example, we saw earlier that among the Ngonis the father and mother of a child did not raise their infant alone.But traditional societies are so different from modern societies that comparisons based on just one factor are hard to understand. Secondly, common sense tells us that day care would not be so widespread today if parents and caretakers found that children had problems with it.But Bowlby's analysis raises the possibility that early day care has delayed effects.The possibility that such care might lead to more mental illness or crime 15 or 20 years later can only be noticed by the use of statistics.Statistical studies of this kind have not yet been carried out, and even if they were, the results would be certain to be complicated and controversial. Thirdly, in the last decade, there have been a number of careful American studies of children in day care, and they have reported that day care had a neutral of slightly positive effect on children's development.But tests that have had to be used to measure this development are not widely enough accepted to settle the issue.

[{'question': 'This passage is mainly talking about _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ["children's personality", "advantages of infants' early care", "infants' education", 'negative effect of infant school']}, {'question': 'According to Bowlby, children under the age of three _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['should not be sent to school', 'should be cared for outside the home', 'will not suffer fro m parental separation', "don't mind who will look after them"]}, {'question': "The argument against Bowlby's conclusion shows that _ .", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['children have problems with day care', 'there is no negative effect on infants who go to school before three', 'there is a long-term effect on infants who go to school before three', 'children who are sent to school before three are sent to mental illness']}]

Almost everyone suffers from a headache sometimes.But some people suffer from repeated, frequent headaches. What is headache? What causes it? What can be done about a headache? What research is being done on headaches? The dictionary defines headache simply as "a pain in the head." What most people mean by headache is a pain which lasts several minutes or hours.It covers the whole head, or one side of it, or perhaps the front or the back of the head.To add to the confusion about a definition, some people call tight feeling in the head a headache. A headache is important because it can be the first warning of a serious condition which probably could be controlled if discovered early.If a person removes the warning, day after day, with a pain-killer, he may pass the point of easy control. The professional name for covering up a symptom is "masking" .A headache specialist once said, "Masking symptoms is not the best way of treatment." He compared taking a pain-killer for a headache before a cause is known with taking iron pills for anemia while bleeding continues undiscovered.He added, " _ " A headache is important also because it affects normal, happy living.The employee with a headache does less work.In a flash of temper he may upset his fellow workers or customers, causing a direct or indirect loss to his organization.The mother with a headache suffers and disturbs the family.She upsets her husband and children.

[{'question': 'Which is true according to the passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Headache has no effect on others.', 'Headache may cover the whole body.', 'Headache may last several minutes or hours.', 'Headache is just the tight feeling in the head.']}, {'question': 'The passage mainly tells us _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['the reason of headache', 'headache and its effect', 'everyone suffers from a headache', 'a headache is a symptom of something serious']}]

In the late 1960's, many people in North America turned their attention to environmental problems, and new steel-and-glass skyscrapers were widely criticized. Ecologists pointed out that a forest of tall buildings in a city often overburdens public transportation and parking lots. Skyscrapers are also consumers and wasters of electric power. In one recent year, the addition of 17 million square feet of skyscrapers office space in New York City raised the peak daily demand for electricity by 120,000 kilowatts--enough to supply the entire city of Albany, prefix = st1 /New York, for a day. Glass-walled skyscrapers can be especially wasteful. The heat loss ( or gain) through a wall of half-inch plate glass is more than ten times that through a typical brick wall filled with insulation board. To lessen the strain on heating and air-conditioning equipment, builders of skyscrapers have begun to use double-glazed panels of glass, and reflective glasses coated with silver or gold mirror films that reduce glare as well as heat gain. However, mirror-walled skyscrapers raise the temperature of the surrounding air and affect neighboring buildings. Skyscrapers put a strain on a city's sanitation facilities ,too. If fully occupied, the two World Trade Center towers in New York City would alone produce 2.25 million gallons of wastes each year-as much a city the size of Stanford,Connecticut, which has a population of more than 109,000. Skyscrapers also affect television reception, block bird flyways and air traffic, In Boston in the late 1960's, some people even feared that shadows from skyscrapers would kill the grass on Boston Common. Still ,people continue to build skyscrapers for all the reasons that they have always built them-personal pride and the desire of owners to have the largest possible amount of space to rent.

[{'question': 'The main purpose of the passage is to _', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['compare skyscrapers with other modern structures', 'describe some architectural designs of skyscrapers', 'describe skyscrapers and their effect on the environment', 'encourage using bricks in the construction of skyscrapers']}, {'question': 'According to the passage, what is one disadvantage of skyscrapers that have mirrored walls?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['The surrounding air is heated.', 'Construction time is increased.', 'The windows must be cleaned daily.', 'Extra air-conditioning equipment is needed.']}, {'question': "According to the passage, in the late 1960's some residents of Bostonwere concerned with which aspect of skyscrapers?", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['The noise from their construction.', 'The high cost of renting an office.', "The harmful effects on the city's grass.", 'The removal of trees from building sites.']}, {'question': 'The author raises problems that would most concern which of the following groups?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Pilots', 'Electricians.', 'Environmentalists.', 'Construction workers']}]

My challenge for you is this: to read a book for 15 minutes every single day for a month. Let me explain a bit, by telling you where the challenge came from. I have many things in common with my dad, like music taste and sense of humor, but sadly reading isn't one of them. I can happily spend a whole day with a book, but my dad can't read a book for longer than about 5 minutes. He reads emails, websites and papers for work, but not books. He's busy so I think sitting down to read for just 15 minutes a day is a good way to relax and to introduce him to reading. My dad is by no means the only person who avoids books. I know lots of people would rather relax on their computers or in front of the TV. Everyone is different and has their own interests, but I think there're lots of benefits to reading, which screen-based activities don't have. Firstly, it's better for your eyes. Looking at screens can be very stressful for you eye muscles, and clearly you should avoid looking at screens for an hour before bed, to get a good night's sleep. One thing I personally love reading, is being transported to another world--I would often forget the time or things around me! Reading is a great way to switch off before you go to bed, because you think more about the world of the book, rather than the real world, so you can truly relax. I know you can be transported to a different world in a film or a TV show, but I think books do _ better. I also enjoy hearing what people are doing and finding out what they think. Reading gives me the chance to get to know hundreds of new people! It also teaches you to see things from other people's point of view, and understand other people's decisions or opinions. With a book, you can hear everything a character is thinking or feeling--you really can be inside someone else's head! So give it a go! Take 15 minutes when you're waking up, going to bed, eating too much, or having a coffee. If you read a lot, why not try 15 minutes of an English book, or pass the challenge on to someone else? Good luck, and happy reading!

[{'question': 'The author gives the example of his father in the text to show _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['his father is very busy', 'reading is very important to us', 'his father likes reading', 'many people have no habit of reading']}, {'question': 'The author writes the text mainly basing on _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['his personal experience', 'some scientific experiments', "his father's personal advice", 'knowledge from books']}, {'question': 'Which of the following can be the best title for the text?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Tips for Reading English Books', '15-Minute Reading Challenge', 'Having a Coffee While You Read', 'Ways to Improve Reading Skills']}]

I want to let you know about an event that changed my life many years ago. We were living in College Station, Texas and my wife and I were on our way home from Houston, Texas one Sunday morning. We decided to stop at a local gas station to get something to eat since we had enough time. When we finished, we got back into our car and before I started it, we noticed a homeless man standing in front of the building. His clothes were worn and it looked as if he didn't have any money. It was cold and I was sure he wanted something to drink. However, it was not this that moved me. A dog was also walking up to the front of the building. Being a dog lover, I noticed that the dog was a mother and that she had just had some puppies . She was hungry and weak and I felt so bad for her. I knew if she didn't eat soon, she and her puppies would not live on. People walking by didn't even notice her. She might not have been as pretty and clean as most, but she still deserved better. But we still did not do anything, someone else did. The homeless man, who I thought could not afford anything to eat, went back into a store and bought dog food with all the money he had. I know that this story isn't as inspirational as most stories, but it plays a great part in our lives. You see, that was Mother's Day weekend. And a lot of people forget that some animals are parents too.

[{'question': 'From the passage we can know that _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ["the author didn't like dogs", 'the dog was not pretty enough to be loved', 'the author wanted to help the dog but he was unable to', 'the dog and her puppies were in danger of dying of hunger']}, {'question': 'Which of the following moved the author?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ["Most people walking by the dog didn't notice her", 'The homeless man wore worn clothes on the cold day', 'The homeless man bought food for the dog with all of his money', 'The homeless man had not any money to buy any food for himself']}, {'question': 'The author did the following except that he _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['had pity on the dog that was in danger', 'bought dog food with all the money he had', 'was a person who treasured dogs very much', 'went home from Houston one Sunday morning']}, {'question': 'According to the passage, we know that the homeless man was _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['kind and helpful', 'brave and kind', 'clever and helpful', 'clever and brave']}, {'question': 'The best title for this passage would be _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['My Memory', 'My wife and I', 'Animals Are Parents Too', 'A Mother Dog and Her Puppies']}]

Daniel Brown was just five years old when he climbed into the family car and let it roll away down the road. He was only three when he flooded the kitchen. His mother, Angela Brown is very busy looking after her new baby, a little girl called Laura, as well as Daniel. She told us, "Daniel is so full of curiosity ." At that moment, we hear a loud noise and then silence. We go upstairs and find Daniel getting out of a wardrobe which he has pulled over onto the floor, with a book in his hand. "It's for you, Mum," he says and looks up at his mum and smiles. Seven-year-old Daniel has a lovely face. He has golden hair, big brown eyes, and a friendly smile. I have to admit that Daniel doesn't look like a naughty boy. Angela told me all about it, "Once I found him as he was about to put Jasper in the washing machine." Jasper, she explained, is the Browns' dog. "When I asked him why, he said that he thought Jasper was dirty! It's amazing how one little boy can cause so much trouble. Another time he cut off all the hair of the little girl next door. She was going to attend her sister's wedding and the neighbors haven't spoken to us since." Angela told me about Daniel's most expensive crime. "I was about to do the washing up when the baby started crying. Daniel decided to help and filled the kitchen sink with water. When I came in, the water was already flooding the kitchen and was about to flood the hall. The carpet was ruined and had to be replaced. I hope things will get better as he gets older." Amazingly, Daniel is quite well behaved in school. This may be because he is seldom bored. Meanwhile he continues to be the naughtiest little boy in England. Will his baby sister Laura grow up to be the naughtiest little girl?

[{'question': 'What did Daniel do while his mother was talking to the author?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['He drove away the family car.', 'He cut off the hair of the girl next door.', 'He fell to the floor with the wardrobe.', 'He flooded the kitchen.']}, {'question': 'Why was Daniel going to put the dog in the washing machine?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['He hoped to punish the dog.', 'He wanted to clean the dog.', 'He intended to make trouble.', "He wished to draw his mother's attention."]}, {'question': 'It can be inferred from the passage that _ .k*s@5%u', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['the mother spoiled the boy', 'the mother lost hope in the boy', 'the boy found school life interesting', 'the boy had no freedom at home']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is TRUE?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Laura, as well as Daniel, is full of curiosity about everything.', 'Daniel is naughty, but he is the cleverest student in his school.', "The mother thinks Daniel's curiosity leads to his naughtiness.", 'Laura will be as naughty as her brother when she grows up.']}, {'question': 'What does "the most expensive crime" refer to?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Daniel flooded the kitchen and it destroyed the carpet.', 'Daniel pulled over a wardrobe onto the floor and it broke into pieces.', 'The family car was damaged because Daniel let it roll away down the road.', 'Their dog was killed because Daniel put it in the washing machine.']}]

It was an extremely hot day. My younger brother Walt and I had decided to go swimming in a deep swimming hole across Mr. Blickez's farm and through some woods, because it would be the only way to cool ourselves down. The only problem with our plan was that this farm was guarded by a huge mean Hereford bull . Mr. Blickez had told us that Elsie was the meanest bull in town, maybe even in the county and we believed in him. But the hotter it got, the more we thought there was something _ about what he said. For one thing, we remembered Mr. Blickez liked telling tall tales; for another, Elsie seemed like a strange name for a bull. Finally, I talked Mom into asking permission for us to walk through the farm, and Mr. Blickez agreed. On our way across the farm, we stopped at the fence to admire the swimming hole. The sun shone brightly across the cool waters. We couldn't wait to get there. Suddenly, Walt shouted loudly. Elsie had run to him and was licking his back. I immediately hid under the fence. However, when I looked up, I saw that Elsie wasn't a big mean bull at all. She was just a friendly young cow, and she was going to keep licking my brother's back as long as he stood still. When we discovered the truth, we were so happy. We then ran to the swimming hole and jumped in. The water was just as wonderful as we had dreamed. After that day, we had many good days and we often visited our secret swimming hole guarded by the so-called "big mean bull". .

[{'question': 'What was the problem faced by the author and his brother?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ["They didn't know where to swim.", "They didn't know how to get to the stream.", "Their mother didn't want them to swim.", 'They had to face a very mean bull.']}, {'question': "When Elsie saw the author's brother, she _ .", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['tried to attack him', 'showed her friendliness', 'immediately ran away', 'tried to drive him away']}, {'question': "What's the passage mainly about?", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ["The bull guarding Mr.Blickez's farm.", 'How friendly the so-called mean bull was.', 'The story of visiting the swimming hole.', 'How the author changed his attitude to Joanie.']}]

Sure, it's good to get along with your teacher because it makes that time you spend in the classroom more pleasant. And yes, it's good to get along with your teacher because, in general, it's smart to learn how to relate to the different types of people you'll meet throughout your life. But really, there's one super-important reason why you should get along with your teacher. Kids who get along with their teachers not only learn more, but they're more comfortable asking questions and getting extra help. This makes it easier to understand new material and do your best on tests. When you have this kind of relationship with a teacher, he or she can be someone to turn to with problems, such as problems with learning or school issues, such as bullying. As a kid in elementary or middle school, you're at a wonderful stage in your life. You're able to take in lots of new and exciting information. Apart from that, you're able to think about all this information in new ways. Your teacher knows that, and in most cases, he or she is thrilled to be the person who's giving you all that material and helping you put it together. Remember, teachers are people, too, and they feel great if you're open to what they're teaching you. That's why they wanted to be teachers in the first place to teach! Some kids may be able to learn in any situation, whether they like the teacher or not. But most kids are sensitive to the way they get along with the teacher, and if things aren't going well, they won't learn as well and won't enjoy being in class.

[{'question': "What's the writer's attitude towards getting along with teachers?", 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Doubtful.', 'Objective.', 'Uncaring.', 'Favorable.']}, {'question': 'What can we know from the passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Kids are unable to understand lots of exciting information.', 'Kids are bullied while communicating with others in schools.', 'Kids will leave the class when not doing quite well with their teachers.', "Kids will leave the class when not satisfied with teachers' teaching methods."]}, {'question': 'The passage is most probably taken from _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ["children's literature", 'an education magazine', 'a science report', 'an advertisement']}]

Homeschooling is the education of children at home, typically by parents but sometimes by tutors, rather than in public or private school. As a matter of fact, most childhood education occurred within the family or community. Homeschooling is a legal choice for parents in developed countries to provide their children with a learning environment at home. Parents see many reasons for homeschool, including better test results, improved instruction, to help the public system with fewer kids, poor public school environment, religious reasons, improved character development, the expense of private education, and objection to what is taught locally in public school. Homeschooling can also be a choice for families living in remote locations, living abroad, and to allow for more traveling. Also many young athletes and actors are taught at home, where a coach or tutor is with the child for many years and then knows the child very well. In some places, an approved curriculum is required if children are to be home-schooled. In some cases a liberal arts education is provided.

[{'question': 'Home-schooled children are usually taught by _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['teachers or neighbours', 'parents or tutors', 'coaches or tutors', 'instructions or officials']}, {'question': 'According to the text, some parents choose to homeschool their children because _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['they are tired of taking their children to and from school', 'their children are too naughty to go to a regular school', 'they are not satisfied with what is taught at local public schools', 'they have too many children to feed and educate']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is TRUE about homeschooling according to the text?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Homeschooling is still illegal in developed countries.', 'Athletes and actors can not be home-schooled.', 'There is no curriculum for homeschooled children.', 'Some parents have to homeschool their children when living abroad.']}]

The sunflower plant bears bright yellow flowers that always face the sun, hence the name. However, the plant is grown not only for its beautiful flowers, but also for its oil that has a host of health benefits. Sunflower oil prevents diseases, lowers cholesterol levels, keeps the heart healthy, and even prevents certain forms of cancer. Sunflower oil is a kind of "magic oil" when it comes to skin care, as it makes your skin soft and smooth, and prevents signs of aging. So, let us know more about its effects on your skin. 1. It Acts as an Effective Emollient . Sunflower oil is an effective emollient, which means that it helps the skin retain moisture. Thus, people with dry skin can benefit immensely from the regular use of the oil. Also, it is mild, and provides relief from irritation and inflammation of the skin. 2. It Offers Sun Protection. Sunflower oil is a rich source of vitamin E. The high vitamin content prevents the sensitive cells of the skin from being damaged by the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. Also, the beta-carotene (b-) present in sunflower oil helps neutralize free radicals that are responsible for causing damage to the skin, including sunburn and skin cancers. 3. It Prevents Earlier Aging. Vitamin E present in sunflower oil not only protects the skin from sun damage, but also from earlier aging. What's more, regular use of sunflower oil can reduce wrinkles and make one look younger. Also, sunflower oil is rich in antioxidants that keep the skin fresh. 4. It Prevents Skin Infections . Sunflower oil is a rich source of essential fatty acids that protect the skin from bacterial infections. Hence, it gives you a healthy skin. 5. Additional Effects. There are other ways in which sunflower oil can prove to be a boon for your skin. These are given as follows: It helps reduce dark spots; it helps lighten dark circles; it helps soften rough and dry skin; it can be used to remove make-up; it helps relax tired eyes.

[{'question': 'Sunflower oil can be good for the following EXCEPT _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['reducing cholesterol levels', 'preventing heart diseases', 'making skin smooth and impressive', 'curing some kinds of cancers']}, {'question': 'What are the functions of vitamin E?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['To make ultraviolet rays and beta-carotene.', 'To stop sunburn and treat skin cancers.', 'To protect skin and slow the pace of aging.', 'To produce wrinkles and make skin bright.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is NOT true?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Sunflower oil can weaken dark spots.', 'Sunflower oil may lead to skin infections.', 'Sunflower oil can make you attractive.', 'Sunflower oil may keep eyes in comfort.']}, {'question': 'Which is the best title for the passage?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Benefits of Sunflower Oil for Skin', 'Sunflowers Make Life Beautiful', 'Sunflower Oil Ends Diseases Greatly', 'Benefits of Growing Sunflowers']}]

Be Healthy! Be Slim! Be Beautiful! Discover the secret for a Healthy, Slim, Beautiful You! Discover how to be Healthy, Slim and Beautiful! I love this healthy diet program because it helps you lose weight, lose inches, feel healthy and look beautiful. This healthy diet is an 8-week program which is unlike other diet regimes because it focuses on proper nutritional first and weight loss second. Your body must have proper levels of minerals, vitamins, and protein in order to work well. It provides a simply lifestyle change to give you more energy and improve your health most greatly. It offers control over stomach and continuing hunger with a calorie dense diet allowing 1,700 to 2,000 calories a day. If a person has a weight problem their body probably is not working at proper levels of basic nutrients. We invite you to follow this program so you can be the slim person who lives inside you. You too, can love dieting, especially if you are losing weight and losing inches! Do you want to feel better? To get started being slim, just Click Here.

[{'question': 'What is this passage mainly about?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['How people should keep fit.', 'A healthy diet program.', 'Some healthy people.', 'Ways to lose weight.']}, {'question': 'What is the aim of this diet program?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['To keep healthy first and to lose weight second.', 'To lose weight as much as possible.', 'To lose weight at the cost of the health.', 'To lose weight first and to keep healthy second.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is NOT TRUE ?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['This program makes a change in your lifestyle.', 'This program can stop you from feeling hungry all the time.', 'This program allows you 1700 to 2000 calories for each meal.', 'The program can offer control over your stomach.']}, {'question': 'If you "Click Here", what will you read on the Internet?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Some other programs.', 'The content of this program.', 'Some interesting foods.', 'Some products you can buy.']}]

New York Times---( DINITIA SMITH )Tomorrow is the 433d anniversary of Shakespeare's birth. A recent survey shows that more people are watching him, reading him and studying him than ever before. Consider the recent yearly conference of the Shakespeare Association of America in Washington, where more than 600 people who study or admire Shakespeare from 18 countries took in topics like ''Whither Attribution Studies,'' ''Unpopular Shakespeare'' and ''Sex Me Here,'' a talk on breast-feeding and Lady Macbeth. ''The national media is saying that fewer students' taking Shakespeare,'' Barbara Mowat, the editor of The Shakespeare Quarterly, observed in a speech at the conference. ''But Shakespeare is thriving.'' The association's membership has increased by a third since 1990. The Shakespeare business is so good these days that W. W. Norton is introducing a huge new collections of the plays into the already crowded _ just in time for tomorrow's birthday anniversary. Priced at $44.95, ''The Norton Shakespeare: Based on the Oxford Edition'' runs for 3,420 pages, offering introductions, illustrations and notes and three versions of''King Lear.'' Today, movies and videos have made the plays even more accessible. Last year, ''William Shakespeare'sRomeo and Juliet'' was No. 1 at the box office when it opened, and it grossed nearly $50 million. In New York in January, crowds lined up in the freezing cold to see Kenneth Branagh's four-hour''Hamlet.''The students select a scene and then have a violent discussion about it.'' Influenced by films, professors are increasingly teaching students by having them perform the plays.

[{'question': 'Why people from 18 countries came to Washington this year?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ["To celebrate Shakespeare's 433d birth day only.", 'To watch some plays by Shakespeare as planned.', "To celebrate Shakespeare's birthday and study his works.", "To discuss how to teach students using Shakespeare's plays."]}, {'question': 'Which of the many plays by Shakespeare was most popular the year before?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['King Lear.', 'Hamlet.', 'Macbeth.', 'Romeo and Juliet.']}]

Both are so much related to each other. And both are so dissimilar! What are the differences between friendship and love? Is platonic friendship possible between persons of opposite sex? Let us try and understand. What is friendship? Why do we call a person our friend? When do we call someone a very good friend? If we care for a person, if we are always ready to help that person and if we share most of our thoughts with a person, they are our good friends. We can always count upon our good friends in an emergency. We are always sure that our friend will understand why we acted in a certain way. We need not explain anything to our very good friends. The friendship is so deep and the relationship is so close, that most of the things are automatically understood by our friends. What about love? In a relationship of deep love, all the sharing that we discussed above are taken for granted. But love transcends(,) all these. During love, we are attached with a particular person, while in friendship, one may have many friends. A loving relationship makes one so much attached to the other, that one gets pained if his/her beloved is hurt! Love also involves a physical element. Friendship does not have that. This is a vital difference. Nature gives us love so that the species can go forward. Nature does not give us friendship. Your heart beats will never increase in expectation of meeting your friend. You will not lie awake at night thinking about your friend. You will not feel totally lost, if you don't meet your friend for a few days. You will not have dreams in your eyes thinking about your friend. But in love, you will do all these and much more. Indeed, there is no comparison between love and friendship.

[{'question': "What's the function of the first passage?", 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['To come up with the question for the further discussion.', 'To explain the main idea of the following passage.', 'To tell us the whole meaning of the passage.', 'To advise us to make friends in different way.']}, {'question': 'How do you do to make real friends?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['You should give others your everything.', 'You should share, help and understand each other.', 'You should have the same interests in everything.', 'Friend in need is a friend indeed.']}, {'question': "If you are friends, you'll _ .", 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['dream of him at night', 'lie awake at night and think your friend', "feel you don't meet him for a long time", 'never feel excited meeting your friend']}, {'question': 'The writer gives us the article to _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['tell us the meaning of love and friendship.', 'tell us relationship between friends and relatives.', 'tell us the difference between love and friendship.', 'tell us how to get friendship and love.']}]

For thousands of years, mankind has produced plants and animals to create more desired and useful plants and animals. For example, modern com has been produced to such a large size that it is no longer able to reproduce without man's assistance. Modern dairy cows produce too much milk and if they are not often emptied of milk, they could leak, burst, become infected, and possibly die. Besides, most dogs raised by people can not survive in the wild even with special training. Since natural evolution is extremely slow and mankind's selective production programs only take a few generations to produce a completely new species, natural evolution has already _ mankind's production programs. In addition, mankind has successfully killed off several species all together. For example, there are no more European wolves in existence and mammoths probably died out because of mankind. Even certain diseases have been permanently got rid of from the planet, and dozens of other diseases will soon be too. Again, natural evolution did i>>t cause most of the destruction during man's rule of the world. Currently, scientists are creating new species with desired characteristics in the lab significantly faster than natural evolution creates new species. In a single generation, new species can be created and destroyed by mankind, while natural evolution could take thousands of years to do the same but only accidentally. Scientists are even able to replace defective or damaged genes with different genes to attempt to cure genetic defects. This is something that natural evolution could possibly never correct. Eventually scientists will even be able to improve the quality of people. For example, imagine not only correcting your eyesight with gene treatment, but also ensuring that all of your children do not receive your old genes of poor eyesight too. Scientists will one day be able to improve the memory and intelligence of your children, so that they will do better in school and achieve more in life. Doctors and scientists will be able to customize babies before they are born just like picking options at a car store.

[{'question': 'What can we infer from the passage?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Near-sighted parents will be able to produce babies with good eyesight in the future.', 'Doctors and scientists will be responsible for mass production of babies in the future.', 'It is natural evolution that is to blame for the destruction of European wolves and mammoths.', 'Children can now have their memory and intelligence improved with the help of gene treatment.']}]

A 56-year-old Canadian man who left home after his business went bankrupt completed an 11-year walk around the world on Sunday, and told a crowd of well-wishers his new goal was to promote peace. Jean Beliveau -- who arrived to a hero's welcome in Montreal from loved ones, lawmakers and supporters -- said his "real aim " was to advise Canada and other governments to build "ministries of peace." "We are all different, and that is what is beautiful about life on Earth -- our different color1s, different beliefs, different political systems," he said. "Those are all musical notes... we must create harmony from them, create a common tune," an emotional Beliveau told the crowd gathering at city hall in the old part of the city. Beliveau left Montreal on the day of his 45th birthday -- August 18, 2000 -- after his small sign business went bankrupt. He decided to run around the world to try to escape the pain. The Canadian ran all the way to Atlanta, Georgia before slowing his walk for what would become the longest uninterrupted walk around the world: 75,000 kilometers (46,600 miles) across 64 countries. Over 11 years, he travelled across deserts and mountains. He fell in love for nine days in Mexico, wore a turban and a long beard in Sudan, ate snake in China, and was escorted by armed soldiers in the Philippines.www.ks5u.com Upon his return on Sunday, Beliveau reunited with his mother, whom she had not seen throughout his 11 years on the road. She welcomed him in a tight embrace. Longtime girlfriend Luce Archambault, who offered Beliveau emotional and financial support throughout his journey, and his two children from a previous marriage were also on hand for the celebration. More than 100 supporters walked the final kilometers with Beliveau through the streets of Montreal. Archambault, who flew to join Beliveau wherever he was once a year so they could spend Christmas together, said last month: "I'm his Penelope and he is my Ulysses."

[{'question': 'Beliveau said that his new goal is to _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['forget his pain', 'promote world peace', 'create a common belief', 'have a good rest']}, {'question': "Many people took part in the celebration to welcome Beliveau's return EXCEPT _ .", 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['his mother', 'his girlfriend', 'his children', 'his former wife']}, {'question': 'What would be the best title for this passage?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['How can exercise kill mental problems?', 'What is the best way to escape from pain?', 'Beliveau, a world peace promoter and his family.', 'Canadian man completes 11-year round-the-world walk.']}]

On the way home from school, Jack always passes a park. His mother said it was dangerous to pass by the park at night, but it is the fastest way home. Today, after finishing soccer practice, Jack was walking toward the park as usual. Suddenly, Jack heard someone calling him, "Excuse me!" Jack turned around, and there was an old woman. "Yes, ma'am." Jack answered politely. "Don't pass by the park tonight." Her voice was weak and dry. "Okay, ma'am," said Jack carelessly. The old woman held Jack's hand strongly, and said, "I mean it!" Jack felt the hairs on his neck stand up. As soon as the lady let go of his hand, he started to run. This time, he ran so fast that he didn't have time to think where he was going. When he stopped, he realized he was in the middle of the park. He remembered what the old woman had said, but it was too late. He thought, "It would be okay if I run really fast." Suddenly, he heard someone scream . Jack was too frightened to wonder who it was. He breathed as deep as possible. The screaming continued. He heard some fast footsteps approaching, so he turned around. It was the old lady! She walked toward him, and shouted "I told you not to come here!" Frightened to death, Jack screamed sharply and ran home like an arrow. He thought he heard not only the old lady, but also some other people shouting at him, and it made him more terrified. As soon as Jack saw his mother, Jack said, "Mom! Do you know what just happened at the park?" Jack's mother nodded, and said, "Yes, I know. There is a movie shooting tonight in the park."

[{'question': 'What does the story mainly tell us?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['An old lady scared Jack for fun.', 'A movie was being made in a park.', 'Jack was frightened by something unexpected.', 'Mother told Jack a frightening story.']}, {'question': 'Why does Jack prefer to pass the park?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ["It's the fastest way home.", "It's fun to cross the park.", 'He hopes to meet somebody there.', "He'd like to take adventures."]}, {'question': 'Why did the old lady prevent Jack from passing by the park?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ["Jack's mother asked her to do so.", 'In case he might disturb their work.', 'In case he might be frightened.', 'She was doing a secret job there.']}, {'question': 'Who might be the person that screamed?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Jack himself.', "Jack's mother.", 'Park guard.', 'An actress.']}, {'question': 'Why did Jack run home like an arrow?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['He was terribly frightened.', 'He was late for a thriller.', 'He was racing with the old lady.', 'He was ordered to do so.']}]

Skateboarding has become one of several non-traditional activities that PE teachers around America are introducing to inspire kids to exercise regularly. Some PE classes feature in-line skating, yoga, and even rock climbing. Experts have called those types of activities "the new PE". Such activities are part of a larger effort to help kids develop lifelong fitness habits and to keep them from becoming overweight. Now, 9 million U.S. children and teens are overweight. Obesity can lead to health problems such as diabetes and heart disease later in life. "Our children and youth are becoming unhealthy and obese," says Johnson. "Skateboarding is a great activity that keeps kids doing physical movement and gives them new skills and interest." Some schools don't allow skateboarding because they say it is dangerous. Tim, however, argues that regular practice eliminates a great deal of the danger. "We teach students how to do it and how to do it safely," he says. Some people say skateboarding teaches life lessons. "Skateboarding teaches kids to believe that if they stick with something they will finally succeed." says education expert Richard Savor from College in Portland. Skateboarding encourages kids not to give up in learning difficult skills. "It's natural for kids to want to learn and get better at things," adds Tim. "When it comes to skateboarding, they'll try a trick hundreds of times before they succeed." The same effort could be made in schoolwork. Eric Brown agrees that skateboarding requires kids to stop saying a task is too hard for them. "A baby will attempt to walk 600 to 900 times before he or she is successful," says Eric, "We tell students that they shouldn't say 'I can't do it' unless they've tried 600 to 900 times.

[{'question': 'Skateboarding is introduced into American schools to _ .[', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['encourage students to compete bravely in competition', 'teach students how to deal with risk.', 'prevent students suffering from heart disease later in life.', 'help students form the habit of doing sports']}, {'question': 'What life lesson do kids learn from skateboarding?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['To succeed in life you have to learn skateboarding.', "You will succeed in life if you don't give up.", 'Only after failing 600 to 900 times can you succeed.', 'There is no hard work after learning skateboarding well.']}, {'question': 'What would be the best title for the passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['The dangerous PE', 'Skills of skateboarding.', 'The new PE.', 'The change of PE.']}]

A month after Hurricane Katrina, I returned home in New Orleans. There lay my house, reduced towaist-high ruins, smelly and dirty. Before the trip, I'd had my car fixed. When the office employee of the garage was writing up the bill,she noticed my Louisiana license plate. "You from New Orleans?"she asked I said I was, "No charge."She said, and firmly shook her head when I reached for my wallet. The next day I went for a haircut, and the same thing happened. As my wife was studying in Florida, we decided to move there and tried to find a rental house that we could afford while also paying off a mortgage (> on our mined house. We looked at many places, but none was satisfactory. We'd began to accept that we*d have to live in extremely reduced circumstances for a while, when I got a very curious e-mail from a James Kemmedy in California. He'd read some pieces I'd written about our sufferings for State, the online magazine and wanted to give us (""no conditions attached')a new house across thelake from New Orleans. It sounded too good to be true, but I replied, thanking him for his exceptional generosity, that we had no plan to go back. Then a poet at the University of Florida offered to let his house to me, while he went to England on his one-year paid leave. The rent was rather reasonable. I mentioned the poet's offer to James Kemdedy, and the next day he sent a check covering our entire rent for eight months. Throughout this painful experience, the kindness of strangers has done much to bring back my faith in humanity. It's almost worth losing your worldly possessions to be reminded that people are really nice when given half a chance.

[{'question': "The garage employee's attitude toward the author was that of _", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['unconcern', 'sympathy', 'doubt', 'tolerance']}, {'question': 'What do we know about James Kemnedy?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['He was a writer of an online magazine.', 'He was a poet at the University of Florida', 'He offered the author a new house free of charge.', "He learned about the author's sufferings via e-mail"]}, {'question': 'It can be inferred from the text that _', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ["the author's family was in financial difficulty", 'rents were comparatively reasonable despite the disaster', 'houses were difficult to find in the hurricane-stricken area', 'the mortgage on the ruined house was paid off by the bank']}, {'question': 'The author learned from his experience that _', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['worldly possessions can be given up when necessary', 'generosity should be encouraged in some cases', 'people benefit from their sad stories', 'human beings are kind after all.']}]

From Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou, you can travel along the East Line not only the other line going past Dujiangyan and Wenchuan. Take a regular bus from Chengdu Chengbei Bus Station from 9:00 to 16:30. It only takes about three hours to Jiangyou. The ticket is CNY50.00 net per person. Up along Fujiang River, you will pass the second largest city in Sichuan, Mianyang and enjoy the picturesque scenery. There is bus available to the destination from 6:30 to 13:30 in Mianyang Pingzheng Bus Station,The one way ticket is about CNY95.00 net per person. In this case, you can not get stop at Jiangyou and Pingwu. This is one option for you. In Jiangyou, visit the Former Residence of Li Bai, the famous poet in Tang Dynasty. If time permits, you can also take a look at the Doutuan Mountain, which is famous for its unique sceneries and also holdsnational gliding campaigns every year. Take bus at Jiangyou Bus Station to Pingwu and stay there for one night. Our recommendation is to stay at the Pingwu Hotel, which is the first hotel that can serve foreigners in the small city. The contact phone number is 0816 - 8822022. Pingwu has the best royal Buddhist temples in Ming Dynasty, Bao'en Temple and the historic relics in the period of Three Kingdoms (220-280). The next day, take bus to Huanglong, which is 120 kilometers away from Pingwu. It only takes about 2 hours to arrive at one of the world's most naturally fantastic locations - the Huanglong Scenic and Historic Areas. The bus ticket is CNY30.00 net per person. You can easily find the bus from Chuanzhusi to Jiuzhaigou. The journey time is 1.5 hours. Here we would like to recommend another hotel in Jiuzhaigou for you, Mofang Hotel. The contact number is 0837-7764926. Two days in Jiuzhaigou Valley can give you enough time to explore there. Sometimes, you need to purchase the extra charge for entering the valley twice.

[{'question': 'What is the tour route of the East Line from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou according to the passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Chengdu - Mianyang - Jiangyou - Huanglong - Pingwu - Chuanzhusi - Jiuzhaigou', 'Chengdu - Mianyang - Fujiang - Jiangyou - Pingwu - Huanglong - Jiuzhaigou', 'Chengdu - Mianyang - Jiangyou - Pingwu - Huanglong - Chuanzhusi - Jiuzhaigou', 'Chengdu - Mianyang - Jiangyou - Pingwu - Chuanzhusi-Huanglong - Jiuzhaigou']}, {'question': 'Where is this passage likely to appear?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['An advertisement of local hotels.', 'A travel guide for foreign travelers.', 'A geography book of Sichuan Province', 'A newspaper for English learners.']}, {'question': 'If you take the bus from Pingzheng Bus Station to Jiuzhaigou, you can _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['directly get to the destination', "get on the bus before 2 o'clock pm", "also visit Bao'en Temple halfway", 'enjoy the scenery along Fujiang River']}, {'question': 'From this passage, which of the following statement is TRUE?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Pingwu Hotel is the only choice for foreign guests in Pingwu.', "We'd better pay the entrance fee twice in Jiuzhaigou.", 'We can travel from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou along different routes.', 'Doutuan Mountain is famous for the Former Residence of Li Bai.']}]

Taylors English Language Preparation 2011 www.taylorscollege.edu.au/telp If you need additional help to gain the high level of English language necessary for academic study, Taylors English Language Preparation (TELP) is the perfect solution. Throughout your TELP studies you will be an active language learner. You will be surrounded by opportunities to communicate in English, with friends, teachers, families and local people. You will gain English language skills which you will keep for life. l English: the language of Taylors College Strong English language skills are necessary for success in your chosen Taylors program. The TELP program, delivered in 12 week terms, is specifically designed to provide language training for academic study. Our teachers are fully trained English Language Teaching professionals, who will assist you in a caring and supportive classroom atmosphere. TELP focuses on: *Language studies *Formal writing styles *Note taking *Assignment writing *Intensive listening *Reading l Progressing to our High School or Foundation Programs Upon completion of TELP, you do not take an IELTS test before you begin our High School or Foundation programs. l NEAS Accreditation Taylors College has been assessed as operating at a high standard, in keeping with NEAS standards for English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS). A recent report commented favourably on the quality and commitment of staff and the impressive student management systems and procedures in place. l TELP term dates Students are encouraged to enroll at the start of a term; however, TELP courses allow for entry every four weeks. 2011 dates * 17 January -- 8 April * 11 April -- 1 July * 4 July -- 23 September * 26 September -- 16 December l 2011 Summer School * 19 December -- 13 January 2012

[{'question': 'The TELP program _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['is popular and thought highly of by students', 'is aimed at those who have passed an IELTS test', 'makes sure students have a communicative atmosphere', 'makes sure students learn the English language for four months']}, {'question': 'It can be inferred from the text that _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['TELP courses permits students to have lessons at any time', 'start date of the first term in 2012 is probably January 16th', 'students who study from 20th December to 14th January have cold weather', 'High School and Foundation programs at Taylors college have no entry requirements']}, {'question': 'What information will probably be provided following TELP term dates?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['TELP fees', 'TELP description', 'TELP courses', 'TELP term dates in 2012']}]

Until last spring, Nia Parker and the other kids in her neighborhood went to school on Bus 59.But as fuel prices rose, the school district needed to find a way to cut its transportation costs.So the school's busing company redrew its route map, canceling Nia's bus.Now Nia and her neighbors travel the half mile to school via a "walking school bus"--a group of kids, supervised by an adult or two, who make the walk together. Many parents are delighted to see their kids walking to school, partly because many did so themselves.According to a 1979 survey, nearly half of school kids walked or biked to school, compared with only 16 percent in 2011.Modern parents have been unwilling to let kids walk to school for fear of traffic, crime or simple bullying, but with organized adult supervision, those concerns have reduced. Schools and busing companies are finding other ways to save.In rural areas where busing is a must, some schools have even chosen four-day school weeks.Busing companies instruct drivers to cancel extra stops from routes and to turn off the engine while idling .They are also using computer software to determine the most fuel-efficient routes, which aren't always the shortest ones. There could be disadvantages, however, to the busing cutbacks .If every formerly bused student begins walking to school, it's an environmental win--but if too many of their parents decide to drive them instead, the carbon footprint can grow.Replacing buses with many more parent-driven cars can also increase safety risks.A 2011 report concluded students are 13 times safer on a school bus than in a passenger car, since buses have fewer accidents and with stand them better due to their size.And some students complain about the long morning hikes, particularly when the route contains a really big hill.

[{'question': 'In regards to walking to school, modern parents seem much concerned with the _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['safety of their kids', "kids' physical strength", 'time spent on the way', 'changes in the route']}, {'question': 'To save money, some schools choose to _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['shorten the school week', 'take the shortest routes', 'stop using school buses', 'use fuel-efficient buses']}, {'question': 'Busing cutbacks may lead to _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['fewer complaints about long morning hikes', 'more students taking public transportation', 'an increase in carbon dioxide emissions', 'a decrease in the safety of school buses']}]

Remember that goals are dreams with a timetable. Our goals are important for us to create what enriches our life. A very common attitude among people who are successful is that their success lies in their ability to provide themselves goals that are both numerous and exciting. When you think about your future,you are helping to feed a long-term goal of what you want to create. To realize your dreams,you must translate your vision into a series of actions you can take as soon as possible. You should be able to measure these results,to make sure they take you wherever you want. And this step should not be viewed lightly! Indeed,very few people set goals and concrete actions for themselves to achieve. Very few people note what they want to accomplish,and know each day whether they have indeed advanced in the direction of their dreams. Therefore one of the secrets that you can get results from is to write down your goals on paper first. When you give your dreams a form,they become more concrete,and you can refer to them often and easily. Whenever you read the dreams that you note down,you fill your mind with positive and motivational thoughts. Unfortunately,many people stop there. They just simply make wishes, hope and wait. These people do not bring positive difference in their lives,because that sort of behavior is just wishful thinking. Success is not at all a miracle. It depends on clear and realistic targets through serious thoughts:concrete actions and perseverance . Don't forget,your past does not determine your future. Only you now is your potential!

[{'question': 'People can achieve success commonly in that they _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['have many dreams', 'are well-informed of how goals go', 'think a lot about their bright future', 'know what the goals are in their life']}, {'question': 'If you put down your goals on the paper,you can _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['know clearly what should be done', 'make them accomplished smoothly', 'measure the results of the goals easily', 'mention them easily to others']}, {'question': 'What is the best title for the passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['The Path towards Your Targets', 'The Process of Making Goals', 'The Power of Your Goals', 'The Importance of Your Success']}]

Pulling heavy suitcases all day in the summer is hard work, especially when you are a thin 14-year-old boy. That was me in 1940-the youngest and smallest baggage boy at New York City's Pennsylvania Railway Station. After just a few days on the job, I began noticing that the other fellows were overcharging passengers. I'd like to join them, thinking, "Everyone else is doing it." When I got home that night, I told my dad what I wanted to do. "You give an honest day's work," he said, looking at me straight in his eye. "They are paying you. If they want to do that, you let them do that." I followed my dad's advice for the rest of that summer and have lived by his words ever since. Of all the jobs I've had, it was my experience at Pennsylvania Railway Station that has stuck with me. Now I teach my players to have respect for other people and their possession. Being a member of a team is a totally shared experience. If one person steals, it destroys trust and hurts everyone. I can put up with many things, but not with people who steal. If one of my players were caught stealing, he'd be gone. Whether you're on a sports team, in an office or a member of a family. if you can't trust one another, there is going to be trouble.

[{'question': 'What can be inferred about the baggage boys?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['They could earn much, but they had to work hard.', 'Many of them earned money in a dishonest way.', 'They were all from poor families.', 'They were thin, young boys.']}, {'question': "What does the father's advice imply?", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['It is wrong to give more to the passengers.', "Don't believe them if they are paying you more.", "Don't follow others to overcharge the passengers.", 'It is difficult to work hard and live as an honest boy.']}, {'question': "The writer can't put up with stealing because he thinks that _", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['it is a total shared experience', 'it is considered as the most dangerous', 'it does great harm to human relationship', 'it may led to the loss of his sports team.']}, {'question': 'It can be concluded from the text that _', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ["his father's advice helped him to decide which job to take up", 'working in the sports team was his most important experience', 'he learned much from his shared experience with his team members', 'his experience as a baggage boy had a great influence on his late life']}]

When I came to Cincinnati as an au pair , a lot of things there were different from what I knew. My host family lived in a huge house I could only describe as a "castle".In Germany I had lived in a small apartment together with my mom. Soon I found out that the "castle" was actually rather small in our neighborhood. Everybody there was very friendly and polite. They greeted you when they were walking by at least 3 feet away from you. They must not have seen a German au pair before, for most people I met asked me all kinds of questions about Germany. I enjoyed answering their various strange questions. I made a lot of friends and I started to hang out with them. Of course, there were a number of new things, and it took me the whole year to find them all out. I never got homesick. Perhaps it was because I did not have too many negative experiences and felt loved and welcomed there. However, I had _ some painful experience back in Germany. I was frustrated by the way people would run me over and not even say "Sorry." Taking up my studies at the TU-Dresden, I felt lonely. Everybody here seemed to be withdrawn and I missed everything I had in Cincinnati. Germany was so "cold". I found it so much harder to make new friends. After six months I got a roommate and only two good friends. I also flew back to Cincinnati several times for long periods. I felt that without those visits I was not able to make it. Now I am over this German culture shock. It almost took me an entire year. I am still going back and forward between Dresden and Cincinnati four times a year.

[{'question': 'When the author lived in Cincinnati, _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['she lived in a real castle', 'some people were not very kind to her', 'many people were curious about her motherland', 'she lived in the biggest house in the neighborhood']}, {'question': 'In the opinion of the author, life in Cincinnati was _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['wonderful', 'hard', 'painful', 'strange']}, {'question': 'Which of the following statements is TRUE about the author?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['She lived with her mother in a big house in Germany.', 'She never went back to Cincinnati after she came back to Germany.', 'She seldom hung out with her American friends as she was too busy.', 'She did miss her friends in Cincinnati when she was at the TU-Dresden.']}, {'question': 'What is the best title for this passage?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['University life in Germany', 'My culture shock experience', 'Advantages of living in USA', 'How to be an au pair in USA']}]

Most young people enjoy some forms of physical activities. It may be walking, cycling or swimming, or in winter, skating or skiing. It may be a game of some kind, football, hockey, golf, or tennis, it may be mountaineering. Those who have a passion for climbing high and difficult mountains are often looked upon with astonishment. Why are men and women willing to suffer cold and hardship, and to take risks on high mountaineering? This astonishment is caused probably by the difference between mountaineering and other forms of activity to which men give their leisure. Mountaineering is a sport and not a game. There are no manmade rules, as there are for such game as golf and football. There are, of course, rules of a different kind, which would be dangerous to ignore, but it is this freedom from manmade rules that makes mountaineering attractive to many people. Those who climb mountains are free to use their own methods. If we compare mountaineering with other more familiar sports, we might think that one big difference is that mountaineering is not a "game". We would be mistaken in this assumption. There are, it is true, no "matches" between "teams" of climbers, but when climbers are on a rock face linked by a rope on which their lives may depend, there is obviously teamwork. The mountain climber knows that he may have to fight forces that are stronger and more powerful than man. He has to fight the forces of nature. His sport requires high mental and physical capacities. A mountain climber continues to improve in skill year after year. A skier is probably past his prime by the age of thirty, and most international tennis champions are in their early twenties. But it is not unusual for a man of fifty or sixty to climb the highest mountains in the Alps. They may take more time than younger men, but they probably climb with more skill and less wasted effort, and they certainly experience enjoyment.

[{'question': 'Mountaineering is a sport which involves all the following things EXCEPT _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['hardship', 'comfort', 'physical risk', 'cold']}, {'question': 'The main difference between a sport and a game lies in origin of the _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['uniform', 'activity', 'skills', 'rules']}, {'question': 'Mountaineering is also a team sport because _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['it involves rules as well', 'it involves matches between teams', 'mountaineers depend on each other while climbing', 'it requires mental and physical qualifications']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is TRUE?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Mountaineers compete against nature.', 'Mountaineers compete against teams.', 'Mountaineers compete against each other.', 'Mountaineers compete against international standard.']}, {'question': 'What is the best title for the text?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Mountain Climbers.', 'Mountaineering.', 'Mountaineering is gaining popularity.', 'Mountaineering is More Dangerous than Other Sports.']}]

Hotel Reservations Welcome to the Kampala Beach Hotel Reservations System. You can reserve a room or package one of three ways: (a) online, (b) by phone, and(c)by email. Did you know? You can take advantage of special savings by booking direct with us online. A.Online Reservations Enter your travel dates and the number of guests below to book your room online now. Click here to check on an existing online reservation. If you are searching for a specific package, please make sure your check-in and check-out dates allowing for the minimum number of nights in the package. You may make reservations for a maximum of 4 guests per room. For requests of 10 rooms or more, please refer to Group Accommodations. B.Reservations By Phone If you prefer to reserve by phone, please call: Toll Free from the prefix = st1 /USA,Canada, andHawaii: +1-800-262-8450 Worldwide Direct: +1-808-661-0011 Hours (Hawaii Standard Time): Monday to Friday: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. C. Reservations By E-mail If you prefer to submit an e-mail reservations request, click here. Submitting an e-mail request does not guarantee a reservation. For immediate confirmation and booking, please use online reservations engine above.

[{'question': 'What is the purpose of writing the passage?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['To attract more tourists to the hotel.', 'To introduce a new hotel.', 'To show the importance of science.', 'To make the trip for tourists easier.']}, {'question': 'If you want an immediate booking, you\'d better use"_".', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Online Reservations', 'Reservations By Phone', 'Reservations By E-mail', 'Did you know?']}, {'question': 'From the passage we may infer the hotel is in _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Canada', 'mainland America', 'French', 'Hawaii']}, {'question': 'If you want to book a package you have to _ . .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['submit an e-mail reservations request', 'make sure of your check-in and check-out dates', 'refer to Group Accommodations', 'wait for further notice']}]

British MPs have voted in favour of the creation of babies with DNA from two women and one man, in a historic move. The UK is now set to become the first country to introduce laws to allow the creation of babies from three people. In a free vote in the Commons, 382 MPs were in favour and 128 against the technique that stops genetic diseases being passed from mother to child. During the debate, ministers said the technique was "light at the end of a dark tunnel" for families. A further vote is required in the House of Lords. If everything goes ahead then the first such baby could be born next year. Supporters said it was "good news for progressive medicine" but critics say they will continue to fight against the technique that they say raises too many ethical and safety concerns. Estimates suggest 150 three-person babies could be born each year. Prime Minister David Cameron said: "We're not playing god here; we're just making sure that two parents who want a healthy baby can have one." The method, which was developed in Newcastle, should help women like Sharon Bernadi, from Sunderland, who lost all seven of her children to mitochondrial disease. Ms Bernadi said she was "overwhelmed" by the decision. Mitochondria are the tiny compartments inside nearly every cell of the body that transform food into useable energy. They have their own DNA, which does not affect characteristics such as appearance. _ mitochondria are passed down only from the mother. They can lead to brain damage, muscle wasting, heart failure and blindness. The technique uses a modified version to combine the DNA of the two parents with the healthy mitochondria of a donor woman. It results in babies with 0.1% of their DNA from the second woman and is a permanent change that would be passed down through the generations.

[{'question': 'According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['The new technique is intended to provide the parents a healthy baby.', 'The mitochondrial disease can lead to various fatal illnesses.', 'Britain is the first country to have created three-person babies.', "All of Ms Bernadi's children died of a genetic disease."]}, {'question': 'It can be inferred from the passage that _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Mitochondria are inside nearly every cell that change food into useable energy', "DNA of Mitochondria can affect a person's appearance", 'in medical science ethical factors should be taken into consideration', "the donor woman's DNA will not be found in the three-person baby"]}, {'question': 'Prime Minister David Cameron _ the creation of such babies.', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['is in favour of', 'throws doubt on', 'objects to', 'is indifferent to']}]

Steps Shoes Salon Steps Shoes Salon, 4518 S.Cottage Grove, knows our "economy is weathering a little storm" They've discounted winter botts and shoes for their fellow shoes lovers.So step in and save! Hours: 11a.m.to 7 p.m.Monday through Friday; 11 a.m.to 6 p.m.Saturaday; Noon to 5 p.m.the first Sunday of this month (closeed other Sundays).Call 773-548 Jonathan Saunders for Target If you've ever watched a runway shoes and thought "yeah, that dress would be awesome if it wasn't $ 1,800", you'll be very pleased to know that British designer Jonathan Saunders has decided to use his powers for good and offer fashion - forward clothing.His collection was inspired by the works of Gustav Klimt, Jackson Pollack and Rothko.The clothing ranges from $ 14.99 to $ 29.99 and is only available until Novermber 1 (close evenings).So hurry! Here are some highlights: Color - Block Tunic is $ 17.99; Ponte Skirt is $ 29.99; Marble - Print color - Block Dress is $ 19.99 and Reversible Belt in Yellow is $ 14.99. Don't miss these two boutique sale events Shop at boutiques along Roscoe, including Cinnamon Boutique, between 5 and 9 p.m.to-night, October3, and 15 percent of all sales will be donated to Children's Memorial Hospital.Other stores include A Pied, Little Threads, Glas-to-Go, Sacred Art and Original Expressions Happy shopping! The adorable Lincoln Square boutique Dressing Room just opened a sister store called Dressing Room Shoes.Grab your fellow shoe worshippers and has over for snack, sales, specials and giveaways during one of these three parties: from 6 to 8 p.m.tomorrow, October 4; from 1 to 4 p.m.., October 5 Sunday and from 1 to 4 p.m.Octorber6, Monday.Also, the store is launching a new art exhibition from Morpho Galley, which will run through the end of the month.Enjoy!

[{'question': 'Miss Blythe, who will be free at 7 p.m.tonight, might go to_for some purchase.', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Cinnamon Boutique', 'Jonathan Saunders for Target', 'Steps Shoe Salon', 'Dressing Room Shoes']}, {'question': 'What is the main idea of the first part?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['The world is being hit by an economic downturn', 'Steps Shoe Salon is providing weather forecast for us.', 'A snowstorm has interrupted the traffic in Cottage Grove.', 'Steps Shoe Salon marks down winter shoes and boots.']}, {'question': 'What can we learn about Jonathan Saunders from the passage?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Most of his designs are classical.', 'The clothes he designed are affordable.', 'He is returning to Britain on November 1.', 'Rothko once instructed him in designing.']}]

Kodak's decision to apply for bankruptcy protection is a sad, though not unexpected, turning point for a leading American corporation that pioneered consumer photography and dominated the film market for decades, but finally failed to adapt to the digital revolution. Although many attribute Kodak's downfall to "complacency ," that explanation doesn't admit the efforts with which the company went to reinvent itself. Decades ago, Kodak invented the first digital camera in 1975 -- but in a fateful decision, the company chose to focus on its traditional film business. Large companies have a difficult time switching into new markets. For example, although Kodak predicted the rise of digital photography, its culture was too rooted in the successes of the past to fully welcome the future. In the past, their history was so important to them. Now their history has become a liability. Kodak's downfall over the last several decades was dramatic. The 1980s brought new competition from Japanese film company Fuji Photo, which weaken Kodak by offering lower prices. Kodak's decision not to pursue the role of official film for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics was a major loss. The bid went instead to Fuji, which exploited its sponsorship to win a key role in the market.

[{'question': 'What do we learn about Kodak?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['It went bankrupt all of a sudden.', 'It is approaching its downfall.', 'It is playing a dominant role in the film market.', 'It started the digital revolution in the film industry.']}, {'question': "Why does the author mention Kodak's invention of the first digital camera?", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['To show its effort to overcome complacency.', 'To show its early attempt to reinvent itself.', 'To show its quick adaptation to the digital revolution.', "To show its will to compete with Japan's Fuji photo."]}, {'question': 'Why do large companies have difficulty switching to new markets?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['They are deeply stuck in their glorious past.', 'They tend to be slow in facing new challenges.', 'They are unwilling to invest in new technology.', 'They find it costly to give up their existing business.']}, {'question': "What was Kodak's major mistake?", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Its blind faith in traditional photography.', "Its failure to see Fuji photo's action.", 'Its refusal to sponsor the 1984 Olympics.', 'Its overconfidence in its own culture.']}]

Jones worked so hard that made the sparks fly from his hammer.The son of Mr.Smith, a rich neighbor, used to come to see the blacksmith and he would enjoy himself watching how the tradesman worked."Why don't you try your hand to learn to make shoe tacks?" said the blacksmith."Who knows, one day, it may be of use to you." The lazy boy began to see what he could do.But after a little practice he found that he was becoming very skilled and soon he was making some of the finest tacks. Old Mr.Smith died and the son on account of the war lost all his goods.He had to leave home and was forced to take up residence in another country.It so happened that in this village there were numerous shoemakers who were spending a lot of money to buy tacks for their shoes and even at times when they paid high prices they were not always able to get what they wanted, because in that part of the country there was a high demand for soldiers' shoes. Young Smith, who was finding it difficult to earn his daily bread, remembered that he had learned the art of making tacks and had the sudden idea of making a bargain with the shoemakers.He told them that he would make the tacks if they would help to get him settled in his workshop.The shoemakers were only too glad of the offer."How funny it seems," he used to say, "even making tacks can bring a fortune.My trade is more useful to me than were all my former riches."

[{'question': 'The reason why young Smith was forced to leave his home town is that _', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['he was lazy and wasted all the money from his father', 'the price of shoe tacks in another country was high', 'his father died and left nothing for him', 'there was a terrible which broke his peace']}, {'question': 'Which of the following well-known sayings can best tell the main idea of the passage?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Knowledge is no burden.', "Where there's a will, there's a way.", "You can't teach an old dog new tricks.", 'Time lost cannot be recalled.']}]

Scientists estimate that more than 60 percent of cancer deaths in the United States are preventable through lifestyle changes. Although there is no certain way to avoid all cancers, reducing individual risk factors greatly decreases the likelihood of getting many forms of this dangerous disease. The American Chemical Society estimates that smoking causes nearly 30 percent of all cancer deaths in the United States -- that is, about 166,000 cancer deaths each year. All cancer deaths caused by tobacco smoking could be prevented completely by not smoking and not using smokeless tobacco. For those who already smoke, quitting will reduce the risk of developing cancer. Studies show that after about ten years of not smoking, a past smoker's risk lowers to about the level of those who have never smoked. After quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet is the best way to lower the risk of cancer. Certain foods have been found to protect against cancer. Among these foods are cabbages, tomatoes, soy products, and foods high in vitamins A, C, and E. In addition, green and possibly black teas contain compounds that protect the body from cancer-causing substance. To lower cancer risk, diets should include little or no red meat. Other foods to avoid or consume in moderation include sugar, fat from animal products, and salt. Added fats and oils should come from vegetables, such as olives or corn, rather than from animal sources. Carbohydrates should come from whole grains, such as brown rice and whole wheat bread, rather than from processed foods, such as white rice and white bread. The risk of cancer of the esophagus increases with heavy alcohol consumption, and many studies suggest that consuming alcoholic drinks increases the risk of breast cancer as well. Studies show that limiting intake to two drinks a day for men, and one drink per day for women, reduces cancer risk. Low levels of physical activity have been implicated in some cancer. Moderate activity for 30 minutes a day enhances the immune system, shortens the time food takes to move through the intestines , and changes body composition and hormone levels. Researchers are studying how these effects might lower cancer risk.

[{'question': 'Which of the following is true according to the author?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['A person drinking tea regularly will not be likely to suffer from cancer.', 'Once a smoker has stopped smoking, there is almost no chance for cancers.', 'A balanced diet is absolutely effective in preventing one from getting cancer.', 'Those having quitted smoking for 10 years and non-smokers have less cancer risk.']}, {'question': 'What kind of people increase their chances of getting cancers?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Those whose foods contain less sugar, animal fat, and salt.', 'Those who are not moderate in drinking, smoking or eating.', 'Those who have only one or two drinks regularly per day.', 'Those whose diet contains little red meat and a lot of vegetables.']}, {'question': 'Which do you think is the best title for this passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['The relation between food and disease.', 'Causes of different kinds cancers.', 'Tips on lifestyle for cancer prevention.', 'Ways to remain more healthy.']}]

Crazy is our new normal. With two teenage boys and three little boys, our family is restless--to the baseball field, track field and piano lessons. Even though we've limited each boy's activities and try our best to defend our family time, it seems that we're in a constant state of flight. "Embrace it. Roll with it," my husband, Lonny, says, "It's going to be like this for a while." He is right. It's likely that life will continue to go forward before it slows down. But I remembered the still, quiet days that our family used to enjoy. I missed long walks through the park when we held the boys' little hands. I longed for lazy Saturday afternoons under the tree in our backyard. I wanted to slip back a few years, when busyness was the exception and not the rule. One night, after a particularly full day and evening games, our family gathered on the porch for ice cream. Two parents, two teens, and three small boys piled on one old swing and a couple of rocking chairs. We were together, in one place, for a small slice of time. The moon was full. The Mississippi River, flowing past our home, was smooth as glass. I wrapped my own arms around the son who sat on my lap and breathed deeply to _ his little-boy scent --dirt and sweat. My heart was still and content . I realized that while crazy is our new normal happiness is as usual. They may look different from before, but they are still there--even if they're in the form of a single moment on the porch. Maybe I just need the eyes to see.

[{'question': 'What does the author mainly talk about?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Her anger at her busy life.', "Her family's struggle for a better life.", 'Her new feelings about the present life.', 'The pleasure of staying with her children.']}, {'question': 'How did the author feel about life before the night sitting on the porch with the family?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Confused.', 'Satisfied.', 'Bored.', 'Terrified.']}, {'question': "Which of the following could describe the author's present life?", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Busy and boring.', 'Busy but happy.', 'Crazy and unbearable.', 'Normal but exciting.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following statements might the author agree to?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Life is nothing but bitterness, busyness and horror.', 'Happiness is everywhere, but we have to discover it.', "Parents should earn much money for their kids' better life.", 'Life in the countryside is charming, wonderful, and sweet.']}]

Although most weddings follow long-held traditions, there's still room for American individualism. For example, the usual place for a wedding is in a church. But some people get married outdoors in a scenic spot. A few even have the ceremony while skydiving or riding on horseback! The couple may invite hundreds of people or just a few close friends. They choose their own style of colors, decorations and music during the ceremony. But some things rarely change. The bride usually wears a beautiful long white wedding dress. She traditionally wears "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue." The groom wears a formal suit. Several close friends participate in the ceremony as attendants, including the best man and the maid of honor. As the ceremony begins, the groom and his attendants stand with the minister, facing the audience. Music signals the entrance of the bride's attendants, followed by the beautiful bride. Nervously, the young couple repeats their vows . Traditionally, they promise to love each other "for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health." But sometimes the couple has composed their own vows. They give each other a gold ring to symbolize their marriage commitment. Finally the minister announces the big moment, " I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride!" At the wedding reception, the bride and groom greet their guests. Then they cut the wedding cake and feed each other a bite. Guests talk with each other while enjoying the cake, drinks and other treats. When the reception is over, the newlyweds run to their "decorated" car and speed off. Many couples take a honeymoon, a one- to two-week vacation trip, to celebrate their new marriage.

[{'question': 'Which of the following best shows American individualism?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Most weddings observe long-held traditions.', 'Some people choose their own style of weddings.', 'People choose a church as a place for a wedding.', 'The bride wears a beautiful long white wedding dress.']}, {'question': 'What can be inferred from the passage?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Wedding vows are usually composed by the minister.', 'The young couple face the audience throughout the wedding.', 'The couple composes their own vows to avoid nervousness.', 'The minister is the chief witness at the wedding ceremony']}, {'question': 'According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['The best man is the one to marry the maid of honor.', 'The wedding reception is a party after the wedding ceremony.', 'The newlyweds always take a honeymoon in their own cars.', 'Many couples take a vacation trip before the wedding.']}]

Johnson went to Penquay for the weekend. He arrived there late on Friday evening. The landlady of the guest house, Mrs. Smith, answered the door and showed him to his room. Johnson was very tired and went straight to bed. He slept well and didn't wake up until nine o'clock the next morning. Johnson went downstairs for breakfast. Because there were no other guests, Mrs. Smith invited him to have breakfast with her family. Her only daughter, Catherine, about 13, was already sitting in the dining-room. Mrs. Smith went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Johnson noticed there were four places at the table and asked Catherine if there was another guest. Catherine told him that it was an empty place. And it used to be her father's place. Her father had been a fisherman. Three years before he had gone out in his boat, and had never returned. Her mother always kept that place for him and made his breakfast every morning. Catherine showed him his photo on the wall. Johnson said nothing, but looked very puzzled . At that moment Mrs. Smith returned. She served four cups of tea, and put one in the empty place. Looking at the empty chair, Johnson was more puzzled. Suddenly, Johnson heard footsteps outside the door and a tall man with a black beard walked into the room. Johnson looked scared. It was the man in the photo. He jumped up and ran out of the room. The man asked, "What's the matter?" Catherine said, "I don't know. He's a guest from London. He's here because a tall man with a black beard tried to kill him." "Catherine," the man said, "have you been telling stories again?" "Stories, father? Me?" the girl laughed.

[{'question': 'Why did Mrs. Smith invite Johnson to have breakfast with her family?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['He woke up too late for his breakfast.', 'There was an empty place at the table.', 'He was the only guest on that day.', 'Her daughter wanted to talk with him.']}, {'question': 'Who was the tall man with a black beard?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Another guest.', "Catherine's father.", 'A friend of the family.', "Johnson's enemy."]}, {'question': 'What does the word "scared" probably mean?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Excited.', 'Upset.', 'Frightened.', 'Calm.']}, {'question': 'What can we infer from the passage?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ["Catherine's father got lost on the sea.", 'Mrs. Smith does not love her husband.', 'Johnson may be killed by the man.', 'Catherine is fond of telling stories.']}]

Animals can be extremely protective of their young. But when hard times call, animal fathers can be really a danger to their own kids. Daddy Lion A combination of laziness, pride, cruelty and anger makes the lion one of the most fearsome and worst dads of the animal kingdom. When not walking proudly across the jungle, the father lion just lazes around under the sun, or waits for one of its lioness partners to bring back food. Once the lioness gets home the food, the lion eats up most of it, and leaves little or nothing at all for the kids. The father doesn't even train the kids for hunting and surviving, it is the lioness who teaches them how to _ themselves. The Polar Father Cute, pure and soft. Protective of young ones and family? Sure. But what makes the polar bears one of the worst dads of the animal kingdom? They don't take care of the young ones, they won't take up the responsibility of feeding them, they won't take care of them like a father should. They just leave that to the mother bear. The Assassin Bug Size matters, you say? This little bug would eat its own eggs to stay strong and fulfill its hunger needs. The male assassin bug is actually responsible for guarding the eggs. The female assassin bug lays eggs in large numbers. The male bug eats the weaker eggs. Daddy Bass Usually, water calms you down. Not so much for this underwater species. The male bass is known to eat up eggs from its own spawn. It guards the spawn(,) laid by its female partner. However, when hungry and unable to hunt for food, the father won't think twice before eating up the eggs. And do you think your father was strict and hard? After reading this article, I'm sure you think your dad is the best in the whole wide world for not eating you up!

[{'question': 'The animal fathers mentioned in this article _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['are protective of their young', 'are respected by their young', 'are rather bad to their kids', 'are dangerous to their whole family']}, {'question': 'The lion and the polar bears are similar in _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['searching food all by themselves', 'letting the mothers take care of the kids', 'letting the mothers eat up the food', 'wanting to train the kids to be cruel']}, {'question': 'Which can best describe the male assassin bug?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Weak but kind.', 'Responsible and careful.', 'Strong and cruel.', 'Little but cruel.']}]

The Streisand Effect When Barbra Streisand discovered in 2003 that a photograph of her California beach house was among 12,000 photos on the Internet as part of a collection by a photographer Kenneth Adelman, she did what any famous person would do: hit him with a $50 million lawsuit . But in trying to hold back the images, she caused a different result. Her legal actions led to almost half a million people visiting the website, viewing and copying the photos within a month. Ever since then, the effect of letting public know something you are trying to keep secret has been called the "Streisand effect". The problem for anyone trying to cover up information is that the Internet is the world's biggest and most useful copying machine. Put a document on to a connected machine and it will spread. So when you want to be famous, you can't, but if you find yourself receiving too much attention and want to remove yourself, you cannot. There are many examples of the Streisand effect. Nine-year-old Martha Payne created a simple blog, posting the meals her school served. She took a photo of what was hardly a satisfying meal by anyone's standards. With the photo, she added a comment, "Now Dad understands why I am hungry when I get home." The thing did not go too far, until the local authority banned little Martha from doing that again. Martha posted a final post called "Goodbye", explaining everything. Once the media found this out, things went from bad to worse for the authority. Now the blog has more than 9.5 million page views. Martha has even expanded her blog by including pictures of school meals taken by other kids from all over the world, like Germany and Japan. We can find similar examples throughout history. Man has experienced the Streisand effect ever since the birth of mass communication. Why does it exist? Every time you are told not to see what's in the secret shiny box wrapped in gift paper, you're going to do everything in your power to do exactly that! Just realizing that knowing something about someone is harmful to their status, we will want to know that piece of information. This is exactly the human nature. This is what lawyers and authorities should be familiar with. Unfortunately, a few of them fail to understand it.

[{'question': "What speeded up the spread of Martha's story?", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ["Parents' reaction.", "The authority's order.", "Martha's comment.", 'Supporting from the school.']}, {'question': 'What can be inferred from the passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Streisand effect does good to most famous people.', "It's not a good idea to argue against authorities.", 'The ban on something may have opposite effect.', 'Turning to the law is a perfect way to get one out of trouble.']}]

Have you ever been to a wedding and simply loved the bride's bouquet ?More than likely some part of it was the Hawaiian Wedding Plant. This foreign houseplant can be enjoyed by anyone, not just brides. With a little proper attention and careful planning on location, this foreign houseplant, which is from Madagascar, can be brought into the home where it can become an interesting focus. Caring for the Hawaiian Wedding Plant is not much different from caring for any other houseplants that may already be in your home. The only difference between this type of houseplant and others is the amount of the basic requirements that this foreign houseplant needs to survive and perform beautifully. During the growing season, this plant requires its wet soil, but when winter rolls around, this plant needs its soil to be kept drier. Hawaiian Wedding Plants should also be potted in well-drained soil and placed in a location that receives full sun. That the soil must be kept wet does not mean that it should sit in water, so the soil must drain easily or this plant will not survive. Water the plant daily and feed this plant every two to three weeks with a little fertilizer for acid-loving plants. Prune in early spring, even as early as February. If these needs are met, this plant will stay beautiful. The most special feature of this foreign houseplant is its long lasting blooms combined with its unbelievable sweet smell. The Hawaiian Wedding Plant blooms the heaviest in the spring months, but has been known to bloom in any warm months, so do not be surprised to find blooms most time of the year except maybe _

[{'question': 'The Hawaiian Wedding Plant comes from _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Hawaii', 'China', 'Madagascar', 'Alaska']}]

The southwest of Australia has been named as one of 25"hot spots" for future species extinction because of global warming.A new study says global warming will become a top cause of extinction across the world,with thousands of species of plantsand animals likely to be wiped out in the coming decades. According to the study,global warming ranks among the most serious threats to the planet's biodiversity and,under some conditions,may be more than that due to deforestation.This study provides even stronger scientific evidence that global warming will result in catastrophic species losses across the planet.Last month,a UN study said humans were responsible for the worst extinction and urged extra efforts to reach a UN target of slowing the rate of losses by 2010. Scientists disagree about how far global warming is to blame compared with other human threats such as deforestation,pollution and the introduction of some species to new habitats.But the new study looks at the 25 "hot spots"--areas that contain a big concentration of plants and animals--and predicts that 11.6 percent of all species,with a range from 1 to 43 percent,could be driven to extinction if levels of heat trapping gases in the atmosphere were to keep rising in the next 100 years. The range would mean the loss of thousands of species.The study gave a wide range because of uncertainties, for instance, about the ability of animals or plants to move towards the poles if the climate warmed. Rare plants,tortoises or birds found only on the southern tip of Africa cannot move south because the nearest land is thousands of miles away in Antarctica.

[{'question': 'According to the passage,which of the following about Australia is TRUE?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Australia possesses the richest species in the world.', 'Australia is the country with the highest rate of extinction.', 'The species in the southwest of Australia will be easily affected by global warming.', 'Australia will have the highest temperature in the world.']}, {'question': 'According to the passage,all the 25"hot spots"-------- .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['are rich in plants and animals', 'are lacking in natural resources', 'lost most of their plants in 2010', 'will be much hotter than the rest of the world']}, {'question': 'We can infer if the climate warms,the animals in Australia will most probably move to the _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['north', 'east', 'west', 'south']}, {'question': 'What would be the best title for the passage?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Australia Named as Extinction"Hot Spot"', 'Global Warming and Species Extinction', 'Global Warming is Number One Killer', 'Australia on the Edge of Extinction']}]

One morning, a young man leading a goat lost his way due to the thick mist.Then he met a blind man and asked whether he also lost his way.The blind man said, "I cannot see anything.Therefore, the mist doesn't affect me.I followed the path in my memory and it never goes wrong." Happily the young man led the goat following him forward.The blind man asked where he was going.He said he wanted to sell his goat."Male or female? How many years have you kept it?" The young man spoke without too much thought, "A female goat of 3 years!" The young man was still following the blind man when he was grasped the hand by the blind man.He shouted ,"Here is the police station! Go into it and _ on how you stole the goat!" The young man had been a thief for a long time and admitted the goat was stolen by him.He asked the blind man puzzlingly, "But how do you know I am a thief?" The blind man smiled, "I have been keeping goats for decades and can tell one of them is male or female as well as their age according to their voices.The goat you led just now is obviously a male goat, but you said female.The goat is simply a little more than one year old, but you said you had kept it for three years.Moreover, the goat will bleat totally differently when he is led by a stranger instead of his owner.So I can tell the goat does not belong to you!" Only then did the thief understand the whole thing with his head dropped down.

[{'question': "The blind man didn't lost his way because _", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ["he didn't lead a goat", "he couldn't see anything", "he wasn't affected by the thick mist", 'he had a better memory than the young man']}, {'question': "We can infer that the young man was _ after hearing the blind man's explanation.", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['humorous', 'nervous', 'depressed', 'satisfied']}]

Hunters in Mississippi broke a state record for the heaviest alligator ever killed, kicking off the hunting season with two big catches. Dustin Bockman of Wisconsin and two hunting friends caught the 727-pound 13-foot-long beast on Sunday, beating last year's record-setter by 26 pounds, according to the state's Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. "We're going to cook it for sure." he told Gulf Live. "There's plenty for me and everybody else." He and his team of hunters followed the huge creature for 12 hours until they could get close enough to shoot him with a crossbow. "He would go to the bottom and sit like a piece of wood. You could do anything with him," Bockman said. The hunters then had to figure out how to drag the beast's dead body into their boat. It look four hours of pulling at which point they rested on a sandbar and called friends for help. First-time hunter Beth Trammell initially broke the record when she caught a 723-pound 13-foot gator with a team of six hunters, but Bockman stole her thunder hours later. She was shocked at her gator's size. "It took about four hours to get it in the boat," she said. "We had to ask another boat to help us out it was so big." She said that she, too, was going to eat the beast and use it for decoration. "I think my brother-in-law is going to get the head mounted." she said. Alligators nearly died out in Mississippi in the 1960s, but a conservation helped the creature recover to the point that hunting is now legal.

[{'question': 'Which of the following is true about Dustin Bockman?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['He is a Mississippian.', 'He is a first-time hunter.', 'He will share out the alligator meat.', 'He fought the alligator for 12 hours.']}, {'question': 'According to the text, alligator hunting in Mississippi _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['is a game for man', 'often requires team work', 'is allowed all year round', 'has a history of SO years']}, {'question': 'What can be inferred about the alligators in Mississippi?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Their number is on the decrease.', 'They arc no longer under protection.', 'They usually weigh over 700 pounds.', 'There arc enough of them for licensed hunters.']}]

Advertisers tend to think big and perhaps this is why they're always getting criticism. Their critics seem to resent(...) them because they have a gift for self-promotion and because they have so much money to throw around. 'It's unjust,' they say, 'that this entirely unproductive industry (if we can call it that) should absorb millions of pounds each year. It only goes to show how much profit the big companies are making. Why don't they stop advertising and reduce the price of their goods? After all, it's the consumer who pays...' The poor old consumer! He'd have to pay a great deal more if advertising didn't create mass markets for products. It is precisely because of the heavy advertising that consumer goods are so cheap. But we get the wrong idea if we think the only purpose of advertising is to sell goods. Another equally important function is to inform. A great deal of the knowledge we have about household goods comes largely from the advertisements we read. Advertisements introduce us to new products or remind us of the existence of ones we already know about. Supposing you wanted to buy a washing machine, it is more than likely you would obtain details regarding performance, price, etc., from an advertisement. Lots of people pretend that they never read advertisements, but this claim may be seriously doubted. It is hardly possible not to read advertisements these days. And what fun they often are, too! Just think what a railway station or a newspaper would be like without advertisements. Would you enjoy gazing at a blank wall or reading railway byelaws while waiting for a train? Would you like to read only closely printed columns of news in your daily paper? A cheerful, witty advertisement makes such a difference to a dull wall or a newspaper full of the daily ration of disasters. We must not forget, either, that advertising makes a positive contribution to our pockets. Newspapers, commercial radio and television companies could not survive without this source of revenue . The fact that we pay so little for our daily paper or can enjoy so many broadcast programs is due entirely to the money spent by advertisers. Just think what a newspaper would cost if we had to pay its full price! Another thing we mustn't forget is the 'small ads.' which are in virtually every newspaper and magazine. What a tremendously useful service they perform for the community! Just about anything can be accomplished through these columns. For instance, you can find a job, buy or sell a house, announce a birth, marriage or death in what used to be called the 'hatch(giving birth), match and dispatch' column but by far the most fascinating section is the personal or 'agony' column . No other item in a newspaper provides such entertaining reading or offers such a deep insight into human nature. It's the best advertisement for advertising there is!

[{'question': 'What is main idea of this passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Advertisements.', 'Advertisements bring fun to readers.', 'Advertisers perform a useful service to communities.', 'The costs of advertisements.']}, {'question': 'The attitude of the author toward advertisers is _', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['appreciative.', 'trustworthy.', 'critical', 'dissatisfactory.']}, {'question': 'Why do the critics criticize advertisers?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Because advertisers often brag .', 'Because critics think advertisement is a "waste of money".', 'Because customers are encouraged to buy more than necessary.', 'Because customers pay more.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is Not True?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Advertisement makes contribution to our pockets and we may know everything.', 'We can buy what we want.', "Good quality products don't need to be advertised.", 'Advertisement makes our life colorful.']}]

With around 40,000 students, the Politecnico di Milano is the largest and most technical university in Italy, offering undergraduate, graduate and other courses in engineering, architecture and design. Founded in 1863, just two years after Italy was united, Milan Polytechnic is international famous. Many of its graduates now work in big companies abroad like M.I.T., Caltech and Oxbridge. Yet the Politechnic has a problem. As you know, here in Italy people speak Italian. Beautiful though the language may be, it is not a good choice for engineers when they're building a way in Norway or designing a bridge in Vietnam. For better or worse, the global tongue of engineers is English. Hoping to attract more international students, the Politechnic decided to run its doctor's courses in English only. Over 100 teachers went to court to block the plan, referring to a 1933 law that makes Italian the official language. For some teachers, all that matters is that they don't feel comfortable teaching in English. In 2013, the court said they were right. Teaching English was out. But there was more to come. They then went on a nationwide campaign against their university's decision. Unwisely, the defenders of the Italian language backed them, saying, "we note with regret and concern the ignorance and abandonment of Italian in the university education." The leaders at the Politechnic refused to be frightened, and asked for the ruling. Last month the Council of State said, "Art and science are free, and teaching them is free." The question is whether teaching in English prevents students acquiring knowledge. But one could put it differently, and ask whether universities should be free to teach in whatever way they think best serves their students. Interestingly, the people one might expect to be most against English-only teaching, the students themselves, have taken it easy. The president, Giovanni Azzone, told me: "Students write to me about everything from the lack of parking spaces to washrooms that don't work. Not one has ever complained about the courses in English."

[{'question': "The main idea of the passage is that the Politechnic decision to run its doctor's courses in English only _ .", 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['attracts more international students', 'sends more students to work abroad', 'makes some teachers out of work', 'meets with different responses']}, {'question': 'Which statement is NOT the reason why the Politechnic decided to use only English in class?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Many graduates work abroad.', 'Italian is widely used.', 'English is the global language.', 'The Politechnic is an international university.']}, {'question': 'Those who agree with the new change in the Politechnic are _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['the Politechnic leaders', 'over 100 teachers', 'the Council of State', 'the defenders of Italian']}, {'question': "The students' attitude towards English-only teaching in doctor's courses is _ .", 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['indifferent', 'disapproving', 'skeptical', 'approving']}]

My father, at the death of his father, was six years old, and he grew up without education. He moved from Kentucky to Indiana when I was seven. We reached our new home about the time the state came into the Union. It was a wild area, with many bears and other wild animals still in the woods. I grew up there. There were some so-called schools, but what was required of a teacher never went beyond "reading, writing, and adding." If a stranger supposed to understand Latin happened to live for a time in the area, he was looked on as wizard . There was simply nothing to excite a desire for education. Of course, when I grew up, I did not know much. Still, somehow, I could read, write, and add, but that was all. The advance I have now made is on this store of education, which I have picked up under the pressure of necessity.

[{'question': 'When the writer was a child _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['his grandfather died in the state of Kentucky', 'his family settled down in the countryside of Indiana', 'Kentucky joined the Union as a member state', 'his family had to move from place to place']}, {'question': 'When the writer was seven, his family moved to an area where _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['educated people were greatly respected', 'only a few had a knowledge of Latin', 'people were often killed by wild animals', 'the land had yet to be farmed']}, {'question': 'The schools in the area _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['were of poor quality', 'offered all kinds of subjects', 'respected those who knew Latin', 'had teachers good at reading, writing, and adding']}, {'question': 'How did the writer look at his early education?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['He believed he met the school requirements.', 'He thought he was well-educated.', 'He thought it was not satisfactory.', 'He believed he was poorly educated.']}]

Most Americans receive at least two or three credit card applications in the mail every month.Why have credit cards become so popular? For a merchant, the answer is obvious.By putting charge slips in a bank, the merchant can change credit card sales into cash.In return for processing the merchant's credit card transactions , the bank charges a fee that ranges between 1.5 and 5 percent. The easiest way to establish credit is to open checking and savings accounts at your local bank.Then apply for a gasoline or store credit card.These cards are fairly easy to get because retailers want you to buy their goods and services.The third step, and the most dangerous one, is obtaining a major credit card like Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. It is important to choose a credit card carefully because terms and conditions vary widely.Annual fees range from $15 to $75 a year, but some credit card companies charge no annual fee at all.If you will be one of the growing number of people who don't pay off their credit card debts in full each month, look for the card with the lowest interest rate.Interest rates generally range from 12 to 18 percent, though it is possible to find cards with lower rates. A credit card can be your friend because it can get you through unexpected emergencies.And if there is a problem with the products or service you purchase with your credit card, you have an opportunity to hold back payment by asking the credit card company to "charge back" to the retailer until the argument is settled.Monthly credit card statements can also help you keep your records in order.Finally, if you make payments on time, the card helps you to establish a good credit history. A credit card can be your enemy because it is an invitation to purchase items you really do not need.The credit card companies' continuous offers of minimum payments, cash advances, and even months without payments may seem like a way to skate through a money crisis.In reality, your finance charges and fees only increase, and you go deeper into debt. If you do find yourself in trouble, do not ignore the bills.Contact your creditors to explain your problem and express your desire to pay down your card balance.If that fails, a nonprofit organization like Consumer Credit Counseling Service can assist you in getting back on your financial feet.

[{'question': 'How does the merchant change credit card sales into cash ?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['With the help of Consumer Credit Counseling Service.', 'By opening a checking and savings account at the local bank.', 'By giving the bank the authority to charge.', "By mailing the customer's credit card to the bank."]}, {'question': "If you don't pay off the credit card debts in full each month, the best way to save money is to _ .", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['stop using the credit card', 'apply for a card with the lowest interest rate', 'apply for more credit cards', 'explain your problems to your creditors']}, {'question': "What is the author's attitude towards credit cards?.", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Critical.', 'Pessimistic.', 'Neutral.', 'Optimistic']}, {'question': 'What is the disadvantage of a credit card?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['The bank charges annual fees for credit cards.', 'The interest rate for credit cards is rather high.', 'Credit cards cause argument among holders and banks.', 'Credit cards tend to lead card holder into debt']}]

Deng Nannan, 15, used to hate drinking milk for breakfast. But she had to drink it because her mom, as well as many others, said that milk was good for her growing body. Besides, milk and bread made up a convenient diet that saved her parents a lot of time after Deng entered junior school and had to arrive at school early in the morning. After that, Mengniu and Yili became her favorite brands of morning milk and yoghurt after dinner. However, she has been forced to change her diet since the recent milk crisis. Many best-selling milk brands such as Mengniu, Yili and Bright were discovered to contain melamine , which is usually used to make plastic. The bad milk products have sickened more than 5,300 babies and killed four. "I shifted to rice porridge," she said. "My mom has to get up at 5:50 am to prepare my breakfast and make sure that it cools down when I get up." Deng has become addicted to milk, so she doesn't quite enjoy her morning meal these days although she knows that it's a tiring job for her working mom. "I'll turn back to Mengniu and Yili when they finally improve their products," she said. However, right now Deng's mom tries to adjust her eating habits by cooking different foods. Besides rice porridge, noodles, egg soup and soybean milk are prepared as her breakfast.

[{'question': 'According to the passage, why do some students stop drinking milk?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Because their parents have enough time to prepare other foods for them', 'Because they get tired of drinking the same type of milk.', 'Because some harmful materials are found in some kinds of milk.', 'Because milk becomes more and more expensive.']}, {'question': "Which of the following milk brands wasn't discovered to contain melamine?", 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Sanyuan', 'Yili', 'Mengniu', 'Bright']}, {'question': 'Which of the following statements is true?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Deng Nannan prefers porridge to milk.', 'Deng Nannan likes drinking milk all the time.', "Deng Nannan began to drink milk because of her mother's advice.", "Deng's favorite milk brands were Mengniu and Sanyuan."]}]

Family Vs Technology Modern technology certainly changes family behavior, but does it really damage family life as many people fear? Not necessarily, says Dr. Silva, a professor in Sociology at the Open University, she also argues it is wrong to assume technology erodes(,) the quality of family life. "There is the idea that technology has an influence on the family and the family suffers. My take is quite different," she explains. "Technological change happens because people's lives change. And it is people's choices of how to live that creates processes of innovation as well. The family has a role like the economy or like technology itself in changing the world. The imagination is important in driving the things technologists want to find for our daily lives. People desire to see nature as it is, so color television comes about," she says. In another case, the increase in working mothers helped create a market for labor-saving kitchen equipment. "The time that women have to shop every day for food is no longer available so there is a need to have a refrigerator for food storage," says Dr. Silva. "The need to cook that food more easily and quickly, means you have developments in cooking technology like the microwave oven . The microwave oven already existed because it was developed for the navy during World War Two but it wasn't used in ordinary families until the early 1980s. "Technologies for housework were as important as those for work itself," she says, "So washing machines, refrigerators and microwave ovens are terribly important. We couldn't imagine what life would be like if we didn't have them." Technological changes in the kitchen have played an important role in the changes of family behavior, creating a new social focus in the home. "With advanced technology, you can feed the family in an easier manner. People can do housework with less difficulty. But that doesn't mean that family practices are not important -- it's just a different way of doing things."

[{'question': "What is Dr. Silva's attitude towards the effect that technology has on family life?", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Worried.', 'Optimistic .', 'Puzzled.', 'Uncertain.']}, {'question': 'What causes advances in technology according to Dr. Silva?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ["People's love for nature.", "Great changes in people's way of life.", "People's desire to change the world.", 'The wonderful imagination in inventing things.']}, {'question': 'What can we learn from the passage?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['The microwave oven was first used by working mothers.', 'People cook less because of modern kitchen equipment.', 'Technology has little effect on the changes of family behavior.', 'People need less skill to do housework due to advanced technology.']}]

Though the facts that too many people on earth and a too rapid increase in the number added each year are not in argument, we always begin the discussion of "population as global issue" with what most persons mean like this. It was quite right to compare demographic growth to "a long, thin powder fuse that bums steadily and hesitatingly until it finally reaches the charge and explodes". To understand the current situation, which is characterized by rapid increases in population, it is necessary to understand the history of population trends. Rapid growth is a comparatively recent phenomenon. Looking back at the 8,000 years of demographic history, we find that populations have been virtually stable or growing very slightly for most of human history. For most of our ancestors, life was hard, often nasty, and very short. There was high fertility in most places, but this was usually balanced by high mortality. For most of human history, it was seldom the case that one in ten persons would live past forty, while infancy and childhood were especially risky periods. Often, societies were in clear danger of extinction because death rates could exceed their birthrates. Thus, the population problem throughout most of history was how to prevent extinction of the human race. This pattern is important to notice. Not only does it put the current problems of demographic growth into a historical perspective, but it suggests that the cause of rapid increase in population in recent years is not a sudden enthusiasm for more children, but an improvement in the conditions that traditionally have caused high mortality. Demographic history can be divided into two major periods: a time of long, slow growth which extended from about 8000 B.C. till approximately 1650 A.D. In the first period of some 9,600 years, the population increased from some 8 million to 500 million in 1650. Between 1650 and 1975, the population has increased from 500 million to more than 4 billion. And the population reached 6.2 billion throughout the world by the year 2000, One way to appreciate this dramatic difference in such abstract numbers is to reduce the time frame to something that is more manageable. Between 8000 B.C. and 1650, an average of only 50,000 persons was being added annually to the world's population, At present, this number is added every six hours. The increase is about 800000,000 persons annually.

[{'question': 'Which of the following demographic growth patterns is most similar to the long thin powder fuse?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['A slow growth for a long time and then a period of rapid, dramatic increase.', 'Too many people on earth and a few rapid increases in the number added each year.', 'A virtually stable or slightly decreasing period and then a sudden explosion of population.', 'A long period when death rates exceed birthrates and then a short period with higher fertility and lower mortality.']}, {'question': 'During the first period of demographic history, societies were often in danger of extinction because _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['only one in ten persons could live past 40.', 'our ancestors had little enthusiasm for more children', 'there was higher mortality than fertility in most places', 'it was too dangerous to have babies due to the poor conditions']}, {'question': 'The author of the passage intends to _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['warn people against the population explosion in the near future', 'find out the cause of rapid increase in population in recent years', 'present us a brief and clear picture of the demographic growth', 'compare the demographic growth pattern in the past with that after 1650']}]

Hidden in a small street in the south end of Springfield, not far from buildings torn apart by the tornado earlier this year, Frigo's is an Italian restaurant right in our own backyard. Frigo's is not a tiny place. It provides different kinds of Italian food. There are refrigerator cases full of prepared foods and desserts, and shelves filled with olives and various pasta. There's some traditional Italian music and the smell is of olive oil and garlic . Above the largest refrigerator case, there's a chalk board covered with desriptions of more Italian sandwiches than I could remember. I stepped into Frigo's almost by accident when I had to stay in Springfield into the evening for an open house at the school where I work. Frigo's is the perfect place to find something quick to go. There are no tables, so all food is taken out. I also thought it would be a great place to pick up some already-prepared food to bring home for dinner. I ordered the easiest meal possible: a chicken sandwich and a salad. It cost$4.75 for the sandwich. The salad was$4.99 and didn't have salad dressing on it. I must have missed the choice of salad dressing on the way out. The sandwich was great--great chicken, excellent tomato sauce and not too much cheese. I wish I had tried one of the many other sandwiches which include Joe's Favorite ($5.25-$6.75) and the Dante (King) which is made of turkey breast, roasted red peppers, asiago cheese and choice of dressing. I have a feeling that I'll be picking up dinner for me and the kids at Frigo's soon.

[{'question': "Who would be most likely to go to eat at Frigo's?", 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['People who want to eat quietly in a nice restaurant.', 'People who want to enjoy home-made food', 'People who like traditional American food', 'People who are fond of Italian food']}, {'question': "Which of the following cannot be seen at Frigo's?", 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['A chalk board covered with descriptions of sandwiches', 'Refrigerator cases full of prepared foods and desserts', 'Shelves filled with olives and different kinds of pasta', 'Customers eating happily around tables']}, {'question': "How much did the writer pay for his first meal at Frigo's?", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['$4.75', '$5.25', '$9.74', '$4.99']}, {'question': 'We can infer that "Joe\'s Favorite" and "Dante" are the names of _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['sandwiches', 'salads', 'cheese', 'peppers']}, {'question': 'We can infer from the passage that the writer _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['seldom eats out in a restaurant with his family', "feels very happy that be has found Frigo's", 'dislikes eating sandwiches', 'lives a very relaxing life']}]

Almost 70 percent of Chinese middle school students have serious problems with their parents, the Beijing Morning Post quoted a survey as saying. The survey showed 6.62 percent of the surveyed students are afraid of their parents while 13.13 percent of them dislike their parents and 56.28 percent were extremely disgusted with or even hate their parents. Only 4.75 percent of the young people surveyed said they like their parents. The recently conducted survey among 3,000 middle school students in a Beijing district asked questions about their attitude toward their parents and family education, the paper said. For many families, conflict between parents and children center on the student's school grades, their weight and their friends. The survey showed that parental influence over children is decreasing, the paper said. Xiao Xiao, a third year junior middle school student is perhaps typical of most kids when she complains; "I was scolded by my mother because I didn't come first in the class in a mid-term exam." Xiao Xiao in fact is already one of the top students in her class, the paper said, stressing Xiao Xiao's parents hope she can study at the Beijing University or even attend Harvard in the future. Sun Yunxiao, an expert with the China Youth and Children Research Center, said "parents expect unrealistically high expectations from their children." The research centre's own survey of parents showed about 55 percent of parents hope their children will study for a doctoral degree and 83.6 percent require their children to rank in the top 15 of their class. Conflicts between parents and their children not only come from too high education expectations. Other causes of disconnection between parents and children are family violence, parents' old fashioned ideas, interference in a child's privacy including their choice of friends and time spent surfing the web, the paper said. Mr Hu, a father of a middle school student, wasn't surprised by the survey results. He says too much concern over school marks is putting tremendous pressure on families.

[{'question': 'How many young people surveyed said they like their parents?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['39390.', '19860.', '14250', '168840']}, {'question': 'What is the central conflict between parents and children in many families?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Family violence and divorce.', "Parents' old fashioned ideas.", "Interference in a child's privacy.", "Students' school grades, weight and friends."]}, {'question': 'Xiao Xiao is mentioned as an example to show that _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['parental influence over children is decreasing.', 'one should study hard to attend Beijing University as a student.', 'Parents today expect too high from their children.', "today's children spend too much time surfing the web."]}, {'question': 'As is indicated in the passage, _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Most parents require their children to be the top ones in the class.', 'More and more parents have old fashioned ideas.', 'More and more families got divorced due to the high education expectations.', 'Most parents hope their children will attend Harvard in the future.']}]

With my hands and knees on the floor of the airplane, I was searching for an old lady's missing hearing aid during the flight from Sydney to Los Angeles. It occurred to me that this may not be the most dignified posture for a Buddhist nun . I had seen the old lady from the seat in front of me as she walked up and down the passage with a flashlight. I asked a few times what was wrong, but she didn't answer at first --- she couldn't hear me. She was wearing a woolen coat. Judging from her accent, she came from Eastern Europe. Do you know what hearing aids cost? Thousands, especially for the new tiny hidden-in-the-ear type she described. It takes a long time for an appointment to make a new one, and many doctor visits to get the thing adjusted right. Therefore, my dignity seemed less important than finding that hearing aid. But how does one find a tiny black object in a shadowy jet cabin ? The lady wasn't even sure where or when she had lost it. At one point, a couple of flight attendants did a random search around the lady's seat; I wasn't impressed. They left suggesting that she search the seat of her previous flight! My flashlight turned up all kinds of small objects, bits of plastic, broken pieces of headphones. The old lady said that she gave up. Yet I couldn't. After we landed, as passengers streamed past us, I insisted that the lady move aside while awaiting her wheelchair. Then I got into a real down and dirty search among the dust under her seat and on the floor. Look! A little peanut-sized shiny black object caught the light of my flashlight in a floor crack near her seat. What a rush. "I found it!" With great astonishment and gratitude, the old lady responded, "I haven't the words to express my thanks!"

[{'question': 'Why did the author put her hands and knees on the floor?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['She is a religious Buddhist nun.', 'She fell down from her seat.', 'She helped the old lady look for her hearing aid.', 'She wanted to stand out among the passengers.']}, {'question': 'What do we know about the old lady?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ["She ignored the author's question on purpose.", 'She is an American.', 'She lost her hearing aid by accident.', 'It was not difficult for her to get the hearing aid at all.']}, {'question': 'Where was the hearing aid found?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['On the previous flight.', "Close to the old lady' seat.", 'On the wheelchair.', 'In another jet cabin.']}, {'question': 'What is the purpose of the passage?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['To tell us a story about kind help.', 'To warn us to be more careful.', 'To teach us how to find the lost thing.', 'To present the love from all people on board.']}]

The hardworking blacksmith Jones used to work all day in his shop and so hard working was he that at times he would make the sparks fly from his hammer. The son of Mr. Smith, a rich neighbor, used to come to see the blacksmith everyday and for hours and hours he would enjoy himself watching how the blacksmith worked. "Young man, why don't you try to learn to make shoe tacks , even if it is only to pass the time?" said the blacksmith. "Who knows, one day, it may be of use to you." The lazy boy began to see what he could do. But after a little practice he found that he was becoming very skilled and soon he was making some of the finest tacks. Old Mr. Smith died and the son because of the war lost all his goods. He had to leave home and settled down in another country. It so happened that in this village there were many shoemakers who were spending a lot of money to buy tacks for their shoes and even at times when they paid high prices they were not always able to get what they wanted, because in that part of the country there was a high demand for soldiers' shoes. Our young Mr. Smith, who was finding it difficult to earn his daily bread, remembered that he had learned how to make tacks and had the sudden idea of making a bargain with the shoemakers. He told them that he would make the tacks if they would help to get him settled in his workshop. The shoemakers were only too glad of the offer. And after a while, Mr. Smith found that he was soon making the finest tacks in the village. "How funny it seems," he used to say, "even making tacks can bring a fortune ."

[{'question': "What can we learn from the young Mr. Smith's success?", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['It is no use crying over the spilt milk.', 'A friend in need is a friend indeed.', 'All roads lead to Rome.', 'Seeing is believing.']}]

Events Calendar TUESDAY Landscape Pests Learn to identify, control and prevent seasonal landscape-disease and landscape-pest problems at the workshop, 3:30 pm. - 5 pm. Tuesday at the US National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave NE, Washington. $15; registration required. 202-245-4521 or www.usna.usda.gov. THROUGH AUGUST 3 Horticultural Art Watercolors, pen-and-ink drawings and colored-pencil pieces by the Brookside Gardens School of Botanical Art and Illustration will be on display at the exhibit Botanic 2007: The Art and Science of Plants at Brookside Gardens Visitors Center, 1800 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton, through Aug. 3. Free. 301-962-1400 or www.brooksidegardens.org. THROUGH SEPTEMBER 9 Botanical Art Visit Patterns in Nature, an exhibit by Amy Lamb featuring photographs of flowers, leaves and other botanical life, at the US Botanic Garden Conservatory ,West Orangerie, 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, through Sept. 9. The conservatory is open 10 am. - 5 pm. Daily. Free. 202-225-8333. THROUGH OCTOBER 8 Botanic Garden Exhibit Celebrating America's Public Gardens is on view through Oct. 8 at the US Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington. The exhibit, on the Conservatory Terrace and in the National Garden, features displays of 20 public botanic gardens across the country. Hours are 10 am. - 5 pm. Daily. Free. 202-200-8956.

[{'question': 'If you want to record your name for an event in advance, you may call _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['202-225-8333', '202-245-4521', '301-962-1400', '202-200-8956']}, {'question': 'If you go to Botanic Garden Exhibit, you _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['can enjoy drawings and coloured-pencil pieces', 'can learn how to kill pests living on the plants', 'can find displays of 20 botanic gardens across the country', 'will enjoy the photographs of flowers and leaves']}, {'question': 'From the advertisement, we learn _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['the first event is about growing healthy plants', 'all of the events are free of charge', 'there is no time limit to all the events', 'you can find the information of all the events either by phone or by e-mail']}]

People bury treasure to stop other people from taking it. They choose a quiet place, dig a deep hole and bury the treasure in it. Then they make a map of where the treasure is or write down other clues that will help them or someone else to find it again. In Britain a few years ago, a writer wrote about some treasure that he had buried. He put clues in the story to help readers find it. Thousands of people hunted for the treasure. They dug holes all over Britain, hoping to find it. One of the most popular adventure stories ever written is Robert Louis Stephenson's "Treasured Island", an exciting story about a young boy, Jim Hawkins, who is captured by pirates and later finds some buried treasure. Then there is the true story about a man who had to travel overseas for a year. He did not trust banks, so he buried his life savings in a park. Then he went away. On his return, he went straight to the park. But the park was no longer there. In its place there was a huge building. And then there was the man who buried his savings, all in bank notes, in a waterproof bag. When he dug it up years later, there was nothing left. Worms and insects had eaten the bag and everything in it. And of course, these are stories about people who bury things and either forget where they have buried them or lose the map. Although it is true that people sometimes lose their money because a bank fails, banks are still the safest place to keep our savings and treasures.

[{'question': 'People who bury treasure usually _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['do not trust banks', 'have a little money .', 'want to live in a quiet place.', 'expect to lose it']}, {'question': 'The writer in Britain _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['really had buried something.', 'started a nationwide treasure hunt.', 'had lost his treasure and wanted people to help him find it.', 'caused trouble because people dug holes everywhere.']}, {'question': '"Treasure Island" _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['is a story about pirates.', 'is about the adventures of Jim Hawkins.', 'is the most popular story ever written.', 'is a well-known fairy tale.']}, {'question': 'The man who buried his money in a park _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['thought his money was safer there than in a bank.', 'travelled on the sea for a year.', 'got his life savings back again.', 'stayed away longer than he expected.']}, {'question': 'From these stories we understand that _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['we cannot trust banks.', 'we should not trust anyone.', 'a waterproof bag is not proof against worms and insects.', 'insects eat anything.']}]