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1 | [
"Ten percent of women who were depressed had depressed partners.",
"2.6 percent of healthy women were depressed.",
"Special attention should be paid to families in which both the father and the mother were depressed.",
"Primary school children whose parents were both depressed couldn't get along well withtheir peers."
]
| Researchers in London and Bristol have found that men are particularly likely to yield to depression if their partners are also depressed. The finding highlights the importance of paying attention to the partners of depressed mothers, as young children themselves are vulnerable to social problems if both parents are depressed. Researchers in London and at the University of Bristol launched their study to investigate whether family structure affects the likelihood of depression in men around the time their child is born. They looked at men from traditional families, men with children from a previous relationship, men whose partners had children by a former partner, and men who were not living with their partners. All 7,108 participants filled out a questionnaire on depression, and answered questions about their age, education level and employment status. Details about the quality of their relationships with their partners, networks of friends and previous life events were also recorded. About 3.5 percent of the men and 13 percent of their partners suffered depression around the time their child was born. While men in stepfamilies or who were not living with their partners were twice as likely to get depressed as those in traditional families, this could be explained by other factors that are more common in nontraditional families, such as poor education and relationship conflicts. Even allowing for all these factors, however, the partners of women who were suffering from prenatal depression were significantly more likely to become depressed themselves, the researchers report in an American journal. Ten percent of women who were depressed had depressed partners. For the healthy women, the figure was only 2.6 percent. Previous research suggests that families with two depressed parents may need special attention. A researcher in Atlanta has found that primary school children with two troubled parents have difficulty relating to their peers. "It's extremely important to look at the whole family." she says. According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true? | Researchers in London and Bristol have found that men are particularly likely to yield to depression if their partners are also depressed. The finding highlights the importance of paying attention to the partners of depressed mothers, as young children themselves are vulnerable to social problems if both parents are depressed. Researchers in London and at the University of Bristol launched their study to investigate whether family structure affects the likelihood of depression in men around the time their child is born. They looked at men from traditional families, men with children from a previous relationship, men whose partners had children by a former partner, and men who were not living with their partners. All 7,108 participants filled out a questionnaire on depression, and answered questions about their age, education level and employment status. Details about the quality of their relationships with their partners, networks of friends and previous life events were also recorded. About 3.5 percent of the men and 13 percent of their partners suffered depression around the time their child was born. While men in stepfamilies or who were not living with their partners were twice as likely to get depressed as those in traditional families, this could be explained by other factors that are more common in nontraditional families, such as poor education and relationship conflicts. Even allowing for all these factors, however, the partners of women who were suffering from prenatal depression were significantly more likely to become depressed themselves, the researchers report in an American journal. Ten percent of women who were depressed had depressed partners. For the healthy women, the figure was only 2.6 percent. Previous research suggests that families with two depressed parents may need special attention. A researcher in Atlanta has found that primary school children with two troubled parents have difficulty relating to their peers. "It's extremely important to look at the whole family." she says. According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. Ten percent of women who were depressed had depressed partners.
B. 2.6 percent of healthy women were depressed.
C. Special attention should be paid to families in which both the father and the mother were depressed.
D. Primary school children whose parents were both depressed couldn't get along well withtheir peers.
Answer:B | 56,038 | 56,038 |
0 | [
"Those who love nature.",
"Those who love city life.",
"Those who love the comfort in a fine hotel.",
"Those who love going shopping."
]
| Don't go to Kauai. Go to any of the other Hawaiian Islands--Maui, Lanai, the Big Island-- but leave Kauai for us. The weather on Kauai is so unpredictable that sometimes it rains all day--in fact, it's the second-wettest spot on the earth. Yes, there are giant double rainbows all the time, and the sunlight through the clouds is magical. But if you are not interested in these, go somewhere else. You just can't control the nature on Kauai, and who wants to surrender to the nature when you could be at a fine hotel, lying in a comfortable chair next to a swimming pool, with food served upon request? So what if Kauai produces surf champions the wayprefix = st1 /Texasproduces cowboys? Most of its 300 white-sand beaches are unmarked. Unless you connect with the local people, the hidden spots are hard to find. While Hanalei is the most beautiful town you've ever dreamed of, you can forget about discos and clubs. Worse, it doesn't have one single four-star restaurant. What it does have is the original drive-through places where you pass by a rambutan tree, and pick a piece of fruit. Shopping in Kauai? Forget it--unless you are interested in shell necklaces and beautifully carved wood bowls. Kauai is not about pampering. It's about going natural and finding the nature within you. It's a do-it-yourself place that offers walking along the coast, diving and swimming in the Pacific Ocean, and lying on the beach. Don't go to Kauai unless you have a lot of time, because there's only one road, which can be slightly dull. It winds through the beautiful scenery of waterfalls, rivers flowing into the ocean, and taro fields. You have no choice but to look at everything, because the speed limit is 35 m.p.h. If you're not interested in color1, don't bother with Kauai, because that's what you get--red roads, blue oceans, and a hundred different shades of green. It's like diving on land. Many people on Kauai believe that this is Lemuria--a lost island in the Atlantic. Can you imagine? Those Hawaiians, surfers, New Agers, and people who love nature and beauty and want a different quality of life--what do they know, anyway? Forget about it--you're not going to like it. Go somewhere else. Leave Kauai for us. Who would like to visit Kauai? | Don't go to Kauai. Go to any of the other Hawaiian Islands--Maui, Lanai, the Big Island-- but leave Kauai for us. The weather on Kauai is so unpredictable that sometimes it rains all day--in fact, it's the second-wettest spot on the earth. Yes, there are giant double rainbows all the time, and the sunlight through the clouds is magical. But if you are not interested in these, go somewhere else. You just can't control the nature on Kauai, and who wants to surrender to the nature when you could be at a fine hotel, lying in a comfortable chair next to a swimming pool, with food served upon request? So what if Kauai produces surf champions the wayprefix = st1 /Texasproduces cowboys? Most of its 300 white-sand beaches are unmarked. Unless you connect with the local people, the hidden spots are hard to find. While Hanalei is the most beautiful town you've ever dreamed of, you can forget about discos and clubs. Worse, it doesn't have one single four-star restaurant. What it does have is the original drive-through places where you pass by a rambutan tree, and pick a piece of fruit. Shopping in Kauai? Forget it--unless you are interested in shell necklaces and beautifully carved wood bowls. Kauai is not about pampering. It's about going natural and finding the nature within you. It's a do-it-yourself place that offers walking along the coast, diving and swimming in the Pacific Ocean, and lying on the beach. Don't go to Kauai unless you have a lot of time, because there's only one road, which can be slightly dull. It winds through the beautiful scenery of waterfalls, rivers flowing into the ocean, and taro fields. You have no choice but to look at everything, because the speed limit is 35 m.p.h. If you're not interested in color1, don't bother with Kauai, because that's what you get--red roads, blue oceans, and a hundred different shades of green. It's like diving on land. Many people on Kauai believe that this is Lemuria--a lost island in the Atlantic. Can you imagine? Those Hawaiians, surfers, New Agers, and people who love nature and beauty and want a different quality of life--what do they know, anyway? Forget about it--you're not going to like it. Go somewhere else. Leave Kauai for us. Who would like to visit Kauai?
A. Those who love nature.
B. Those who love city life.
C. Those who love the comfort in a fine hotel.
D. Those who love going shopping.
Answer:A | 60,079 | 60,079 |
3 | [
"preparing a dinner for a poor family",
"chatting with the elderly mother and her disabled son",
"making preparations for their own Christmas festival",
"visiting one of their good friends in other district"
]
| Heather Jack and her family, including her two children, usually spend the Christmas holidays preparing a feast--for others to eat. Last Christmas Eve, they went to a house in the neighborhood and prepared a dinner for an elderly woman and her son, who has muscular dystrophy . They stayed for an hour and chatted before heading home to prepare for a visit from Santa . "I think it is that kind of direct experience that many find so meaningful," says Heather, president and founder of The Volunteer Family, a Boston-based organization dedicated to matching families with volunteer opportunities, both during the holidays and year-round. "It's a great way for parents to involve the kids." In a holiday season that stretches from before Thanksgiving to just after the New Year, it's nice to hear stories about people with their children giving instead of receiving. Last December Gary and Debra Danoff and their two teenage sons drove to the Washington, D. C. Jewish Community Center(JCC) and spent Christmas morning in the Center's kitchen preparing a feast for homeless shelters. By choosing to prepare meals for the homeless, the Danoffs bring together a belief in community service with their love of cooking, "It feels good to prepare food with our kids for other people at Christmas," says Gary. "We want them to know that many people don't have the ability to go to the supermarket and pick the foods they want to eat and pay for them." The Danoffs were in good company. Across the city, at least 1000 volunteers with their children went across the region to provide food to the poor people as part of the D. C. JCC's annual "December 25th Day of Service", now in its 22nd year. The Heathers did all the following things except_last Christmas Eve. | Heather Jack and her family, including her two children, usually spend the Christmas holidays preparing a feast--for others to eat. Last Christmas Eve, they went to a house in the neighborhood and prepared a dinner for an elderly woman and her son, who has muscular dystrophy . They stayed for an hour and chatted before heading home to prepare for a visit from Santa . "I think it is that kind of direct experience that many find so meaningful," says Heather, president and founder of The Volunteer Family, a Boston-based organization dedicated to matching families with volunteer opportunities, both during the holidays and year-round. "It's a great way for parents to involve the kids." In a holiday season that stretches from before Thanksgiving to just after the New Year, it's nice to hear stories about people with their children giving instead of receiving. Last December Gary and Debra Danoff and their two teenage sons drove to the Washington, D. C. Jewish Community Center(JCC) and spent Christmas morning in the Center's kitchen preparing a feast for homeless shelters. By choosing to prepare meals for the homeless, the Danoffs bring together a belief in community service with their love of cooking, "It feels good to prepare food with our kids for other people at Christmas," says Gary. "We want them to know that many people don't have the ability to go to the supermarket and pick the foods they want to eat and pay for them." The Danoffs were in good company. Across the city, at least 1000 volunteers with their children went across the region to provide food to the poor people as part of the D. C. JCC's annual "December 25th Day of Service", now in its 22nd year. The Heathers did all the following things except_last Christmas Eve.
A. preparing a dinner for a poor family
B. chatting with the elderly mother and her disabled son
C. making preparations for their own Christmas festival
D. visiting one of their good friends in other district
Answer:D | 37,144 | 37,144 |
3 | [
"red",
"blue",
"green",
"purple"
]
| Monday, April 17 Dear Gramps, I was so upset last week when somebody stole my Super Racer from the park by your house. I called up the toy company but they said they have only red, blue and green racers. Dad called Cobb's Toy Store today and found out they might have purple ones. Can we go there when I come to visit you next week?You and I were only gone for a few minutes to the shop down the street to get ice-cream and cookies. Maybe the thief was watching us. Mum was surprised when I told her the racer was stolen. She said she used to leave things at the park all the time when she was young. Once she even left her bicycle for two days near the swimming pool. Tell Grandma that I like the food she made last time. Ask Grandma if we can have pancakes with sugar for breakfast when I come this time. I have packed in my towel, comb and soap. Tell her this time I won't forget to pack in my toothbrush. Love Toby The writer wants to have a _ racer. | Monday, April 17 Dear Gramps, I was so upset last week when somebody stole my Super Racer from the park by your house. I called up the toy company but they said they have only red, blue and green racers. Dad called Cobb's Toy Store today and found out they might have purple ones. Can we go there when I come to visit you next week?You and I were only gone for a few minutes to the shop down the street to get ice-cream and cookies. Maybe the thief was watching us. Mum was surprised when I told her the racer was stolen. She said she used to leave things at the park all the time when she was young. Once she even left her bicycle for two days near the swimming pool. Tell Grandma that I like the food she made last time. Ask Grandma if we can have pancakes with sugar for breakfast when I come this time. I have packed in my towel, comb and soap. Tell her this time I won't forget to pack in my toothbrush. Love Toby The writer wants to have a _ racer.
A. red
B. blue
C. green
D. purple
Answer:D | 91,169 | 91,169 |
3 | [
"It told her to swim in the lake.",
"It told her to play by the lake.",
"It told her to catch fish for him.",
"It taught her how to fish."
]
| On a cold winter day, a fox told Mother Bear that he would teach her how to fish. For she wanted to learn, he took her to a hole in the ice, and told her to put her tail down into the water. He told her to keep the tail there for a long time. Then when she pulled the tail out of the water, she would find fish around the tail. The bear was foolish enough to believe what the fox said. She sat for a long time with her tail in the water. She was waiting for the fish. But when she tried to pull her tail out of the water she found that it was frozen in the ice. She asked the fox to pull her out, but the fox laughed to itself and ran away. So she called Father Bear to help her. Father Bear came. He pulled her hard and at last got her out. But a part of her tail was in the ice. That is why people find the bear's tail so short. What did a fox tell Mother Bear to do on a cold winter day? | On a cold winter day, a fox told Mother Bear that he would teach her how to fish. For she wanted to learn, he took her to a hole in the ice, and told her to put her tail down into the water. He told her to keep the tail there for a long time. Then when she pulled the tail out of the water, she would find fish around the tail. The bear was foolish enough to believe what the fox said. She sat for a long time with her tail in the water. She was waiting for the fish. But when she tried to pull her tail out of the water she found that it was frozen in the ice. She asked the fox to pull her out, but the fox laughed to itself and ran away. So she called Father Bear to help her. Father Bear came. He pulled her hard and at last got her out. But a part of her tail was in the ice. That is why people find the bear's tail so short. What did a fox tell Mother Bear to do on a cold winter day?
A. It told her to swim in the lake.
B. It told her to play by the lake.
C. It told her to catch fish for him.
D. It taught her how to fish.
Answer:D | 71,811 | 71,811 |
3 | [
"do not believe the drawings are old.",
"believe they are allowed to paint there",
"think the drawings should be left alone",
"think the drawings will not disappear"
]
| Tens of thousands of ancient pictures carved into the rocks at one of France's most important tourist sites are being gradually destroyed. Scientists and researchers fear that the 36,000 drawings on rocks in Mont Bego in the French Alps are being damaged so rapidly that they will not survive for future generations. The mountain, believed to have once been a site for prayer, is scattered with 4,000-year-old drawings cut into bare rock. They include pictures of cows with horns, cultivated fields and various gods and goddesses. But as the popularity of the site increases, the pictures are being ruined by thoughtless graffiti . Jean Clottes is the chairman of the International Committee on Rock Art. He says, "People think that because the pictures have been there so long they will always continue to be there. But if the damage continues at this rate there will be nothing left in 50 years." He describes seeing tourists stamping on the drawings, wearing away the rock and definition of the artwork as they do so. Some visitors, he says, even cut off parts to take home as souvenirs. "When people think they can't take a good enough photograph, they rub the drawings to get a clearer picture," he said. "The drawings are polished by the weather, and if the sun is shining and the visitors can't see them properly they simply rub them to make them look fresher." Other researchers describe how people arrive carrying long sticks with sharp ends to scratch their own drawings, or even their names, in the rocks. But experts are divided over the best way to preserve the drawings. Henry de Lumley, director of the Museum of Natural History in Paris, believes that the only way to save the site is to turn the whole mountain into a "no-go" area, preventing the public from going there except on guided tours. Otherwise, he says, not only will the site be completely destroyed but important research work will be reduced. Clottes disagrees, "The measure suggested by Henry de Lumley is the most severe, and while it is the most effective, it is also certain to bring about protests from people who live there," he said. "The site was classified as a historic monument years ago by the Ministry of Culture, and we must do as much as possible to save what is there." David Lavergne, the regional architect, also wants to avoid closing the site. "Henry de Lumley's idea isn't ideal," he said. "Our department feels that the best solution is to let people look at the site, but because the area is very big it is difficult to prevent visitors from damaging it. I would prefer that everyone was able to look at it, but the main problem is money. We do not have the funds to employ the necessary number of guards. We may have to consider charging a fee. It doesn't seem to be possible to get the government support." In Nice, Annie Echassoux, who also worked on researching the site, is alarmed that as the mountain becomes easier to reach -- tourists can now avoid the three-and-a-half-hour walk by hiring vehicles -- the damage will increase rapidly. She thinks that the only solution is to rope off the area and provide guides. "You can't say the plan can't go ahead because there is no money," she said. "That is not good enough. Money must be provided because the Ministry of Culture has classified this area as a historic site. If we don't take steps, we will be responsible for losing the drawings for the next generation." Jean Clottes says that people who visit the mountain _ . | Tens of thousands of ancient pictures carved into the rocks at one of France's most important tourist sites are being gradually destroyed. Scientists and researchers fear that the 36,000 drawings on rocks in Mont Bego in the French Alps are being damaged so rapidly that they will not survive for future generations. The mountain, believed to have once been a site for prayer, is scattered with 4,000-year-old drawings cut into bare rock. They include pictures of cows with horns, cultivated fields and various gods and goddesses. But as the popularity of the site increases, the pictures are being ruined by thoughtless graffiti . Jean Clottes is the chairman of the International Committee on Rock Art. He says, "People think that because the pictures have been there so long they will always continue to be there. But if the damage continues at this rate there will be nothing left in 50 years." He describes seeing tourists stamping on the drawings, wearing away the rock and definition of the artwork as they do so. Some visitors, he says, even cut off parts to take home as souvenirs. "When people think they can't take a good enough photograph, they rub the drawings to get a clearer picture," he said. "The drawings are polished by the weather, and if the sun is shining and the visitors can't see them properly they simply rub them to make them look fresher." Other researchers describe how people arrive carrying long sticks with sharp ends to scratch their own drawings, or even their names, in the rocks. But experts are divided over the best way to preserve the drawings. Henry de Lumley, director of the Museum of Natural History in Paris, believes that the only way to save the site is to turn the whole mountain into a "no-go" area, preventing the public from going there except on guided tours. Otherwise, he says, not only will the site be completely destroyed but important research work will be reduced. Clottes disagrees, "The measure suggested by Henry de Lumley is the most severe, and while it is the most effective, it is also certain to bring about protests from people who live there," he said. "The site was classified as a historic monument years ago by the Ministry of Culture, and we must do as much as possible to save what is there." David Lavergne, the regional architect, also wants to avoid closing the site. "Henry de Lumley's idea isn't ideal," he said. "Our department feels that the best solution is to let people look at the site, but because the area is very big it is difficult to prevent visitors from damaging it. I would prefer that everyone was able to look at it, but the main problem is money. We do not have the funds to employ the necessary number of guards. We may have to consider charging a fee. It doesn't seem to be possible to get the government support." In Nice, Annie Echassoux, who also worked on researching the site, is alarmed that as the mountain becomes easier to reach -- tourists can now avoid the three-and-a-half-hour walk by hiring vehicles -- the damage will increase rapidly. She thinks that the only solution is to rope off the area and provide guides. "You can't say the plan can't go ahead because there is no money," she said. "That is not good enough. Money must be provided because the Ministry of Culture has classified this area as a historic site. If we don't take steps, we will be responsible for losing the drawings for the next generation." Jean Clottes says that people who visit the mountain _ .
A. do not believe the drawings are old.
B. believe they are allowed to paint there
C. think the drawings should be left alone
D. think the drawings will not disappear
Answer:D | 58,972 | 58,972 |
1 | [
"A Dog Named Jessie",
"Love Calmed the Storm",
"Conflicts Between Dogs",
"Fights Between Man and Dog"
]
| They say love can cover a lot of crimes; yet never have I seen it more beautifully showed than in the life of a dog named Jessie. Jessie came into our lives at the age of six months. By that time he had already experienced the hard knocks of life. He was found abandoned on the side of the road, where we adopted him and took him home. From the beginning, it was obvious that Jessie was traumatized . He was afraid of everything: the car, the doors, the stairs, and just about everything else. We couldn't foresee where Jessie's fear would take us. Jessie was with us for about six months, when we became foster parents to a mixed-breed young dog. Jessie did not like her at all. We all lived in a nervous co-existence, until dinnertime. Within moments a food fight erupted between Jessie and this foster child. It all happened so fast, and I was in the middle. My husband managed to get in between the two dogs, grabbing Jessie by his collar. Jessie screamed all the way down the hall and into the bedroom. I, quickly put the foster dog into her own bedroom and hurried down the hall. The crashing I heard in the bedroom, scared me to death. But nothing prepared me for the scene I witnessed as I opened the bedroom door. There was my husband, on top of a terrified Jessie, holding back his head. Blood dripped from my husband's arm. To tell you the truth, as I was sitting beside my husband in the emergency room, I just didn't know what to do with Jessie. I was so angry at that dog. Day after day, week after week, however, my husband faithfully trained the dog that others would have put down. As his arm healed over the next months, something rare and beautiful began to take place. Jessie, under my husband's gentle persuasion, began to understand and obey. And Jessie adored him. I could see, that although the tempest had ruled Jessie's former life, affirmation and love had calmed the storm. What would be the best title for the text? | They say love can cover a lot of crimes; yet never have I seen it more beautifully showed than in the life of a dog named Jessie. Jessie came into our lives at the age of six months. By that time he had already experienced the hard knocks of life. He was found abandoned on the side of the road, where we adopted him and took him home. From the beginning, it was obvious that Jessie was traumatized . He was afraid of everything: the car, the doors, the stairs, and just about everything else. We couldn't foresee where Jessie's fear would take us. Jessie was with us for about six months, when we became foster parents to a mixed-breed young dog. Jessie did not like her at all. We all lived in a nervous co-existence, until dinnertime. Within moments a food fight erupted between Jessie and this foster child. It all happened so fast, and I was in the middle. My husband managed to get in between the two dogs, grabbing Jessie by his collar. Jessie screamed all the way down the hall and into the bedroom. I, quickly put the foster dog into her own bedroom and hurried down the hall. The crashing I heard in the bedroom, scared me to death. But nothing prepared me for the scene I witnessed as I opened the bedroom door. There was my husband, on top of a terrified Jessie, holding back his head. Blood dripped from my husband's arm. To tell you the truth, as I was sitting beside my husband in the emergency room, I just didn't know what to do with Jessie. I was so angry at that dog. Day after day, week after week, however, my husband faithfully trained the dog that others would have put down. As his arm healed over the next months, something rare and beautiful began to take place. Jessie, under my husband's gentle persuasion, began to understand and obey. And Jessie adored him. I could see, that although the tempest had ruled Jessie's former life, affirmation and love had calmed the storm. What would be the best title for the text?
A. A Dog Named Jessie
B. Love Calmed the Storm
C. Conflicts Between Dogs
D. Fights Between Man and Dog
Answer:B | 30,662 | 30,662 |
1 | [
"Readers'guessing.",
"Thebasicelementsofthestory.",
"Thesettingofthestory.",
"Theinterrelationshipsbetweenpeopleinthestory."
]
| The art of reading fiction is largely a matter of inferring meanings. To infer means to understand facts which are not directly stated---only suggested. Inference is one of the commonest ways of knowing things: a child holds his knee and cries; this action implies his feeling; an observer infers that the child is hurt. To infer accurately in everyday life requires caution in observing; to infer skillfully in fiction requires caution in reading; both require disciplined imagination. The short-story reader can expect to find certain basic elements in any story. For example, all stories involve a person or persons, in a particular setting, faced with a demand for a response. The response called for may be a physical action, such as defeating an adversary or escaping from a danger; or it may be a mental action, such as adjusting to others or within oneself. In either case, the short story is a description in two ways: first, it shows the motives for a given human action; second, it makes a point about the general human situation. Such descriptions, however, rather than being stated directly, usually are implied by the elements of the story. When the reader of a story understands all the facts and their interrelationships, he is ready to infer the significance of the story as a whole---its comment on the human situation. This comment, or theme, is the seed from which the story grew. It is also the idea by which all the separate elements of the story are governed, while these in turn further shape and modify the theme. In addition to action, character, and setting, these elements include structure, mood, tone, and point of view. Fiction reading requires an awareness of all the ways in which a story communicates. It also requires attention to detail. What the author provides is a network of points which serve as clues to his meaning. He invites the reader to develop the meaning by inference, actually to create much of the story himself and so make it part of his own experience. What is inferring in fiction based on? | The art of reading fiction is largely a matter of inferring meanings. To infer means to understand facts which are not directly stated---only suggested. Inference is one of the commonest ways of knowing things: a child holds his knee and cries; this action implies his feeling; an observer infers that the child is hurt. To infer accurately in everyday life requires caution in observing; to infer skillfully in fiction requires caution in reading; both require disciplined imagination. The short-story reader can expect to find certain basic elements in any story. For example, all stories involve a person or persons, in a particular setting, faced with a demand for a response. The response called for may be a physical action, such as defeating an adversary or escaping from a danger; or it may be a mental action, such as adjusting to others or within oneself. In either case, the short story is a description in two ways: first, it shows the motives for a given human action; second, it makes a point about the general human situation. Such descriptions, however, rather than being stated directly, usually are implied by the elements of the story. When the reader of a story understands all the facts and their interrelationships, he is ready to infer the significance of the story as a whole---its comment on the human situation. This comment, or theme, is the seed from which the story grew. It is also the idea by which all the separate elements of the story are governed, while these in turn further shape and modify the theme. In addition to action, character, and setting, these elements include structure, mood, tone, and point of view. Fiction reading requires an awareness of all the ways in which a story communicates. It also requires attention to detail. What the author provides is a network of points which serve as clues to his meaning. He invites the reader to develop the meaning by inference, actually to create much of the story himself and so make it part of his own experience. What is inferring in fiction based on?
A. Readers'guessing.
B. Thebasicelementsofthestory.
C. Thesettingofthestory.
D. Theinterrelationshipsbetweenpeopleinthestory.
Answer:B | 14,701 | 14,701 |
3 | [
"hopeful",
"strict",
"stubborn",
"helpful"
]
| My parents always raised me to have strong values and hold firm to my confidence in life, and this was never more proved than when a situation arose when it would be easy for most people to ignore it. A gentleman at my father's work smelled awful and neglected his behavior, and as the months went by, he showed signs of confusion. After being told to pick up papers at another building, he would be found sitting at his desk staring at his shoes; after being reminded (to which he would completely believe he hadn't been told the first time), he would be found once again sitting at his desk in the same position. This happened to worsening degrees over a few months and his coworkers either ignored it or were ignorant to this due to a lack of social association with the man. My father began to mentally record all of this and finally sat down with him one day when he was found two hours after work was out, sitting in his car, looking like he didn't know where to go. Apparently the gentleman was in the beginning/middle stages of Alzheimer's and there was someone who used his forgetfulness as a reason to ask him for money every few days. My father took this man to a hospital (for the first time in years) to be properly treated, and then got a caretaker to watch over his condition. He then went to the man's house and helped him sort out all of his financial matters and get his retirement set up; they went to the bank and had a government worker ensure that his bills would be paid for and his children would no longer get to treat him like a personal ATM. That my father took his much personal time to help another man that so many had forgotten or would choose to neglect, or even make fun of, truly shows his character. In the eyes of the author, his father is _ . | My parents always raised me to have strong values and hold firm to my confidence in life, and this was never more proved than when a situation arose when it would be easy for most people to ignore it. A gentleman at my father's work smelled awful and neglected his behavior, and as the months went by, he showed signs of confusion. After being told to pick up papers at another building, he would be found sitting at his desk staring at his shoes; after being reminded (to which he would completely believe he hadn't been told the first time), he would be found once again sitting at his desk in the same position. This happened to worsening degrees over a few months and his coworkers either ignored it or were ignorant to this due to a lack of social association with the man. My father began to mentally record all of this and finally sat down with him one day when he was found two hours after work was out, sitting in his car, looking like he didn't know where to go. Apparently the gentleman was in the beginning/middle stages of Alzheimer's and there was someone who used his forgetfulness as a reason to ask him for money every few days. My father took this man to a hospital (for the first time in years) to be properly treated, and then got a caretaker to watch over his condition. He then went to the man's house and helped him sort out all of his financial matters and get his retirement set up; they went to the bank and had a government worker ensure that his bills would be paid for and his children would no longer get to treat him like a personal ATM. That my father took his much personal time to help another man that so many had forgotten or would choose to neglect, or even make fun of, truly shows his character. In the eyes of the author, his father is _ .
A. hopeful
B. strict
C. stubborn
D. helpful
Answer:D | 63,317 | 63,317 |
0 | [
"The father used his invention to stop children watching too much TV.",
"It was very bad for the drivers to blow into a bag before their driving.",
"The bike crossing rivers was considered one of the best inventions.",
"The invention of new shoes would make players run much faster."
]
| There are some very good inventions which, for one reason or another, don't become popular. These inventions should be better known, even though I think that some of them are crazy. Let's have a look at some of these inventions and see if you agree that they should be more successful. The Australians had a great idea to stop people from drinking and driving. The idea was that if a driver wanted to start the car, she or he would have to blow into a bag first. If there was too much alcohol in their breath, the car wouldn't start. It sounded like a great idea to me, but people said that they might need to drive the car in an emergency even if they had drunk too much alcohol. Another idea I liked was an invention by a scientist who thought his children watched too much TV. He connected the TV to an exercise bike so that the electricity to power the TV was produced by the bike. If the children wanted to watch a lot of TV, they had to pedal very hard. I found another invention on the Internet which encouraged good habits. Believe it or not, this invention was an ashtray which spoke to you when you lit a cigarette! The "voice" of the ashtray was started by the heat from the cigarette and reminded you how dangerous it is to smoke. One of the strangest inventions I have come across is a bicycle which can cross rivers! The idea was that when you came to a river, you could _ a huge plastic ball all around the bike. You would then get into the ball which would float on the river while you pedaled the bike inside the ball! Why not use a bridge instead? A friend of mine at school once bought a strange pair of football shoes. On the bottom of the shoes there was a rotating pad of studs . The idea was that you would change direction more quickly if the studs rotated with you. The problem was that every time you stopped you changed direction whether you wanted to or not! I think he wore those shoes twice! One thing I would like is a baseball cap with a built-in radio so you can listen to sport all day with your hands free. While we are on the subject of sport, the Americans invented a kind of robot for sports fans. If you were watching your team on TV on your own, you could press a button and the robot would do "high fives" with you! Fantastic! I wonder if you have any good ideas for inventions like these. What can we know from the passage? | There are some very good inventions which, for one reason or another, don't become popular. These inventions should be better known, even though I think that some of them are crazy. Let's have a look at some of these inventions and see if you agree that they should be more successful. The Australians had a great idea to stop people from drinking and driving. The idea was that if a driver wanted to start the car, she or he would have to blow into a bag first. If there was too much alcohol in their breath, the car wouldn't start. It sounded like a great idea to me, but people said that they might need to drive the car in an emergency even if they had drunk too much alcohol. Another idea I liked was an invention by a scientist who thought his children watched too much TV. He connected the TV to an exercise bike so that the electricity to power the TV was produced by the bike. If the children wanted to watch a lot of TV, they had to pedal very hard. I found another invention on the Internet which encouraged good habits. Believe it or not, this invention was an ashtray which spoke to you when you lit a cigarette! The "voice" of the ashtray was started by the heat from the cigarette and reminded you how dangerous it is to smoke. One of the strangest inventions I have come across is a bicycle which can cross rivers! The idea was that when you came to a river, you could _ a huge plastic ball all around the bike. You would then get into the ball which would float on the river while you pedaled the bike inside the ball! Why not use a bridge instead? A friend of mine at school once bought a strange pair of football shoes. On the bottom of the shoes there was a rotating pad of studs . The idea was that you would change direction more quickly if the studs rotated with you. The problem was that every time you stopped you changed direction whether you wanted to or not! I think he wore those shoes twice! One thing I would like is a baseball cap with a built-in radio so you can listen to sport all day with your hands free. While we are on the subject of sport, the Americans invented a kind of robot for sports fans. If you were watching your team on TV on your own, you could press a button and the robot would do "high fives" with you! Fantastic! I wonder if you have any good ideas for inventions like these. What can we know from the passage?
A. The father used his invention to stop children watching too much TV.
B. It was very bad for the drivers to blow into a bag before their driving.
C. The bike crossing rivers was considered one of the best inventions.
D. The invention of new shoes would make players run much faster.
Answer:A | 88,102 | 88,102 |
2 | [
"Focus on good things.",
"Prefer to feel good.",
"Express thanks orally.",
"Take many things for granted."
]
| Throughout our childhood our parents taught us to say "thank you" and it has become a habit -- something we say automatically , along with "please". And because of this we have forgotten just how important gratitude is and how essential it is in leading fulfilled lives. Just for a minute, think of all the things you are grateful for, such as loving friends, good health, great holidays as well as everyday items such as a comfortable home, TV, and clean water. The list, in fact, could go on and on. Now focus on events that have made you angry -- it's raining, the car won't start, and a colleague makes you annoyed. You start to feel unhappy, and that is something that certainly does not make you feel good! In fact, we have the ability to choose how we feel -- it's just our perception of how things are. But for most of us, it just doesn't seem easy. Let me give you an example: it's a rainy day, and immediately most people will start to complain, telling everyone who will listen what a miserable day it is, with the result that they end up feeling miserable themselves. But look at it another way and despite wet clothes and hair, both will dry perfectly well and no lasting harm has been done. And in addition to this, because of rain, we not only live in a green and beautiful landscape, we are also able to grow a lot of fruit and vegetables. There really is no obvious reason for feeling miserable -- in fact there is a great deal to be grateful for. It all depends on what we think about things. Realize what a difference having gratitude can make to your life. That's why gratitude is so special -- use it to feel good! What do we usually do automatically according to the author? | Throughout our childhood our parents taught us to say "thank you" and it has become a habit -- something we say automatically , along with "please". And because of this we have forgotten just how important gratitude is and how essential it is in leading fulfilled lives. Just for a minute, think of all the things you are grateful for, such as loving friends, good health, great holidays as well as everyday items such as a comfortable home, TV, and clean water. The list, in fact, could go on and on. Now focus on events that have made you angry -- it's raining, the car won't start, and a colleague makes you annoyed. You start to feel unhappy, and that is something that certainly does not make you feel good! In fact, we have the ability to choose how we feel -- it's just our perception of how things are. But for most of us, it just doesn't seem easy. Let me give you an example: it's a rainy day, and immediately most people will start to complain, telling everyone who will listen what a miserable day it is, with the result that they end up feeling miserable themselves. But look at it another way and despite wet clothes and hair, both will dry perfectly well and no lasting harm has been done. And in addition to this, because of rain, we not only live in a green and beautiful landscape, we are also able to grow a lot of fruit and vegetables. There really is no obvious reason for feeling miserable -- in fact there is a great deal to be grateful for. It all depends on what we think about things. Realize what a difference having gratitude can make to your life. That's why gratitude is so special -- use it to feel good! What do we usually do automatically according to the author?
A. Focus on good things.
B. Prefer to feel good.
C. Express thanks orally.
D. Take many things for granted.
Answer:C | 39,281 | 39,281 |
2 | [
"The time spent training a guide dog.",
"The importance of having a guide dog.",
"The process of training a guide dog.",
"The way of choosing a guide dog."
]
| Guide dogs help blind people who cannot get around by themselves.Although Yorkshire terriers and poodles are good companion dogs,guide dogs are chosen from lager breeds such as German shepherds,golden retrievers,and Labrador retrievers.The young dogs are raised by families until they are eighteen months old.During this time,they get lots of love and attention,but they are also taught to obey.Then the dogs go to a special school where,for four months,they work with a sighted trainer,an individual who can see.The dog forms a close relationship with this person who teaches it how to follow directions such as right,left,straight ahead,and stop.The young dog also learns to watch out for dangerous traffic and wait until it is safe to cross a busy street. When the dog is two years old,it starts training with the blind person it will live with. The dog and its new owner make many trips from downtown to where the blind person lives so the dog becomes familiar with the normal atmosphere.During the training,a sighted trainer always remains with them. A blind person who is getting a guide dog for the first time will train for about a month. If the individual has had a dog before,the training takes about three weeks.After the training,the blind person depends on the guide dog for between seven and twelve years.At that point,the working dog become a family pet and the owner needs to train with a younger guide dog. What's this passage mainly about? | Guide dogs help blind people who cannot get around by themselves.Although Yorkshire terriers and poodles are good companion dogs,guide dogs are chosen from lager breeds such as German shepherds,golden retrievers,and Labrador retrievers.The young dogs are raised by families until they are eighteen months old.During this time,they get lots of love and attention,but they are also taught to obey.Then the dogs go to a special school where,for four months,they work with a sighted trainer,an individual who can see.The dog forms a close relationship with this person who teaches it how to follow directions such as right,left,straight ahead,and stop.The young dog also learns to watch out for dangerous traffic and wait until it is safe to cross a busy street. When the dog is two years old,it starts training with the blind person it will live with. The dog and its new owner make many trips from downtown to where the blind person lives so the dog becomes familiar with the normal atmosphere.During the training,a sighted trainer always remains with them. A blind person who is getting a guide dog for the first time will train for about a month. If the individual has had a dog before,the training takes about three weeks.After the training,the blind person depends on the guide dog for between seven and twelve years.At that point,the working dog become a family pet and the owner needs to train with a younger guide dog. What's this passage mainly about?
A. The time spent training a guide dog.
B. The importance of having a guide dog.
C. The process of training a guide dog.
D. The way of choosing a guide dog.
Answer:C | 54,260 | 54,260 |
0 | [
"the Palace State rooms",
"Queen'S Gallery",
"Buckingham Palace",
"St.J ames'S Park"
]
| Walk along The Mall towards the royal residence to see one of London'S best known views.If you time it right and arrive at 11:30,you'll be able to see the changing of the guard.During August and September,the Palace's State rooms are open to the public.These rooms are used by the Royal Family on ceremonial occasions and are lavishly furnished with some of the finest English and French furniture you cann't see anvwhere in the world.While at the Palace you can also visit The Queen'S Gallery and enjoy some of the finest paintings and works of art from the Royal Collection.If you havetime.St.James'S Park,which runs'alongside The Mall,is worth a visit if only for the Delicans on the lake.The birds have been a constant feature of the park since the late 17thcenturv.Behind the Palace is the Royal Mews,with houses--the Queen'S working stables .Here visitors can see the State Carriages and Coaches,as well as their horses. Address:Buckingham Palace Road,SWl A Telephone:020--7766--7300/7301 Open: Changing of the Guard:11:30,daily until the end of June and every other day in the rest of the year. Buckingham Palace:every day,31 July--26 September,09:30--16:30. The Queen'S Gallery:every day,09:30--17:30. Cost: Buckingham Palace:Adult 12.50;ConcessionsPS10.50;Under 17PS6.50. The Queen's Gallery:Adult~7.50;ConcessionsPS6.00;Under 17PS4.00. If you arrive there at 3 o'clock one afternoon in July,you can visit all of the following except _ . | Walk along The Mall towards the royal residence to see one of London'S best known views.If you time it right and arrive at 11:30,you'll be able to see the changing of the guard.During August and September,the Palace's State rooms are open to the public.These rooms are used by the Royal Family on ceremonial occasions and are lavishly furnished with some of the finest English and French furniture you cann't see anvwhere in the world.While at the Palace you can also visit The Queen'S Gallery and enjoy some of the finest paintings and works of art from the Royal Collection.If you havetime.St.James'S Park,which runs'alongside The Mall,is worth a visit if only for the Delicans on the lake.The birds have been a constant feature of the park since the late 17thcenturv.Behind the Palace is the Royal Mews,with houses--the Queen'S working stables .Here visitors can see the State Carriages and Coaches,as well as their horses. Address:Buckingham Palace Road,SWl A Telephone:020--7766--7300/7301 Open: Changing of the Guard:11:30,daily until the end of June and every other day in the rest of the year. Buckingham Palace:every day,31 July--26 September,09:30--16:30. The Queen'S Gallery:every day,09:30--17:30. Cost: Buckingham Palace:Adult 12.50;ConcessionsPS10.50;Under 17PS6.50. The Queen's Gallery:Adult~7.50;ConcessionsPS6.00;Under 17PS4.00. If you arrive there at 3 o'clock one afternoon in July,you can visit all of the following except _ .
A. the Palace State rooms
B. Queen'S Gallery
C. Buckingham Palace
D. St.J ames'S Park
Answer:A | 38,801 | 38,801 |
1 | [
"The history of group buying",
"Group buying in South Africa",
"The feature of group buying",
"The group buying concept"
]
| Group buying is one of the fastest growing trends in South Africa today. Industry leaders are confident the growth potential remains strong since group buying is location-specific. Start-up costs are low and profit room remains high, so many sites continue to receive invested money despite widespread criticism and Facebook's decision to _ deal business due to privacy concerns. In the early stages of all industries, some companied fail because they cannot compete with stronger companies in difficult economic conditions. To deal with difficult conditions, an alarming number of businesses are developing group buying websites in places like China and India, so the increase of group buying in South Africa is nothing more than a natural progression into the international mainstream. The group buying concept is fairly new and consumers have accepted this concept because they can now make full use of the rich information available on the Internet. Group buying is convenient and easy so it works. Anyone can view a site, join a mailing list, subscribe to RSS or print out a coupon . The current group buying structure offered by the industry leaders works although there are still challenges to overcome. Perhaps, the future of group buying is tied to the joining together of social media and mobile devices. Mobile devices are with us wherever we go and almost everyone is using some type of social media site like Facebook or Twitter to stay informed. Using GPS and social media technology to provide real time location-specific promotions would be beneficial to every consumer looking for the best deals in town. Pause for a moment and think about it! What is better than signing on to your phone while having fun in town and you receive a real time information that your favorite shop across the street is offering a killer dial? The future of the group buying in South Africa is bright and we can expect to see more advanced approaches to this concept in the future. In addition to the technological advances consumers will see the range of promotions expand to include new products and services. What does the passage mainly tell us? | Group buying is one of the fastest growing trends in South Africa today. Industry leaders are confident the growth potential remains strong since group buying is location-specific. Start-up costs are low and profit room remains high, so many sites continue to receive invested money despite widespread criticism and Facebook's decision to _ deal business due to privacy concerns. In the early stages of all industries, some companied fail because they cannot compete with stronger companies in difficult economic conditions. To deal with difficult conditions, an alarming number of businesses are developing group buying websites in places like China and India, so the increase of group buying in South Africa is nothing more than a natural progression into the international mainstream. The group buying concept is fairly new and consumers have accepted this concept because they can now make full use of the rich information available on the Internet. Group buying is convenient and easy so it works. Anyone can view a site, join a mailing list, subscribe to RSS or print out a coupon . The current group buying structure offered by the industry leaders works although there are still challenges to overcome. Perhaps, the future of group buying is tied to the joining together of social media and mobile devices. Mobile devices are with us wherever we go and almost everyone is using some type of social media site like Facebook or Twitter to stay informed. Using GPS and social media technology to provide real time location-specific promotions would be beneficial to every consumer looking for the best deals in town. Pause for a moment and think about it! What is better than signing on to your phone while having fun in town and you receive a real time information that your favorite shop across the street is offering a killer dial? The future of the group buying in South Africa is bright and we can expect to see more advanced approaches to this concept in the future. In addition to the technological advances consumers will see the range of promotions expand to include new products and services. What does the passage mainly tell us?
A. The history of group buying
B. Group buying in South Africa
C. The feature of group buying
D. The group buying concept
Answer:B | 67,046 | 67,046 |
2 | [
"some of the buildings are now in ruins",
"you can watch dog-racing or motor-racing",
"you go about and look at the old buildings and forts with pleasure",
"it' s a peaceful place."
]
| Macao is only forty miles from Hong Kong and it is easy to reach. You can get there by sea. It is an interesting place and it has a long history. Macao is a part of China and most people living there are Chinese. The first Europeans to go to Macao came from Portugal. More than four hundred years ago the Portuguese went there to trade with China. Some settled and made their homes there. They built strong forts to guard the city and the harbor . They also built churches, schools, hospitals and other places. Slowly the city grew. People from many countries came to live and work in Macao. Today many people visit Macao. Some only go there to watch dog-racing or motor-racing or to " _ with their money, whether they lose or win. But Macao is a quiet and peaceful place. It is pleasant just to walk around and look at the old buildings and forts. You feel you are back in the old days. Of course, some of the buildings are now in ruins . The Church of St. Paul has only the front wall with many steps leading up to it. But it is still interesting to see. When you are hot and tired, there are small cool gardens to rest in. When you are hungry, there are good restaurants with many kinds of food. Nearby are some islands, which are also nice to visit and are easy to get to. There is certainly a lot to see and to do in Macao. You feel in Macao you are back in the old days because _ . | Macao is only forty miles from Hong Kong and it is easy to reach. You can get there by sea. It is an interesting place and it has a long history. Macao is a part of China and most people living there are Chinese. The first Europeans to go to Macao came from Portugal. More than four hundred years ago the Portuguese went there to trade with China. Some settled and made their homes there. They built strong forts to guard the city and the harbor . They also built churches, schools, hospitals and other places. Slowly the city grew. People from many countries came to live and work in Macao. Today many people visit Macao. Some only go there to watch dog-racing or motor-racing or to " _ with their money, whether they lose or win. But Macao is a quiet and peaceful place. It is pleasant just to walk around and look at the old buildings and forts. You feel you are back in the old days. Of course, some of the buildings are now in ruins . The Church of St. Paul has only the front wall with many steps leading up to it. But it is still interesting to see. When you are hot and tired, there are small cool gardens to rest in. When you are hungry, there are good restaurants with many kinds of food. Nearby are some islands, which are also nice to visit and are easy to get to. There is certainly a lot to see and to do in Macao. You feel in Macao you are back in the old days because _ .
A. some of the buildings are now in ruins
B. you can watch dog-racing or motor-racing
C. you go about and look at the old buildings and forts with pleasure
D. it' s a peaceful place.
Answer:C | 74,260 | 74,260 |
1 | [
"1920",
"1930",
"1940",
"1950"
]
| Tu Youyou, aged 85, is a medical scientist at the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine.she has just become the first Chinese woman to win a Nobel prize, for helping discover artemisinin,a new kind of medicine known as "Qing-hao-su" in Chinese in 1971 and dihydroartemisinin, used also to treat malaria . The discovery of "Qing-hao-su" and its use in treating malaria are regarded as the most important breakthrough in tropical medicine in the 20th century. It is also a major health improvement for people in developing tropical countries in south Asia, Africa, and South America. This is the first time her work has been widely recognized in China, and it also marks the first time China has won a Nobel prize in the sciences.The last time a Chinese national won a Nobel Prize was in 2012, when Mo Yan got the literature award. Tu also received several medical awards in the past including the 2011 Lasker Award in Clinical Medicine for the same achievements.Tu was the first native Chinese who was educated and works in China to win the Lasker award, too. Tu Youyou was born in _ . | Tu Youyou, aged 85, is a medical scientist at the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine.she has just become the first Chinese woman to win a Nobel prize, for helping discover artemisinin,a new kind of medicine known as "Qing-hao-su" in Chinese in 1971 and dihydroartemisinin, used also to treat malaria . The discovery of "Qing-hao-su" and its use in treating malaria are regarded as the most important breakthrough in tropical medicine in the 20th century. It is also a major health improvement for people in developing tropical countries in south Asia, Africa, and South America. This is the first time her work has been widely recognized in China, and it also marks the first time China has won a Nobel prize in the sciences.The last time a Chinese national won a Nobel Prize was in 2012, when Mo Yan got the literature award. Tu also received several medical awards in the past including the 2011 Lasker Award in Clinical Medicine for the same achievements.Tu was the first native Chinese who was educated and works in China to win the Lasker award, too. Tu Youyou was born in _ .
A. 1920
B. 1930
C. 1940
D. 1950
Answer:B | 88,164 | 88,164 |
1 | [
"a new book",
"a new learning way",
"some American writers",
"the advantages of computers"
]
| Computers have been used in teaching for more than twenty years. But a new book says that only now are they changing education. And it predicts that a lot more is about to happen. The book is called "Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns." "Disruptive Innovation" is a theory developed by lead author Clayton Christensen, a professor at the prefix = st1 /HarvardBusinessSchool. He says organizations almost always use new, creative technology only to continue what they already do. New technology should change organizations, he says, and disrupt them in a good way. They should use the technology to do things differently--for example, to serve more needs. The book says the needed disruptive force in education is computer-based learning. Michael Horn, another author of "Disrupting Class", told us about a Bostonpublic that he visited. Every student at Lilla G. Frederick Middle School inDorchester,Massachusetts, has a laptop computer. One class was learning about storms. Michael Horn says the laptops made it possible to truly individualize the lessons, to divide materials by ability level and learning style. At the end of the class, the students all took part in a discussion led by the teacher. Computer-based learning offers a way for students to take advanced courses not offered at their school, or to retake classes they failed. It also serves those who cannot physically attend school, and students who receive home schooling. Computer-based learning includes online courses. Enrollments in online courses have grown sharply. In 2007, the United Stateshad about one million enrollments, not including college courses. Students could be enrolled in more than one course, through schools or education companies. High school students make up about seventy percent of the enrollment. Still, nationally, only about one percent of all high school courses last year were taught online. But the authors of "Disrupting Class"predict it will be ten percent in about six years. And their research suggests that the number will be about fifty percent by 2019. And Michael Horn says the future of online learning could be even greater in developing countries. The passage is mainly about_. | Computers have been used in teaching for more than twenty years. But a new book says that only now are they changing education. And it predicts that a lot more is about to happen. The book is called "Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns." "Disruptive Innovation" is a theory developed by lead author Clayton Christensen, a professor at the prefix = st1 /HarvardBusinessSchool. He says organizations almost always use new, creative technology only to continue what they already do. New technology should change organizations, he says, and disrupt them in a good way. They should use the technology to do things differently--for example, to serve more needs. The book says the needed disruptive force in education is computer-based learning. Michael Horn, another author of "Disrupting Class", told us about a Bostonpublic that he visited. Every student at Lilla G. Frederick Middle School inDorchester,Massachusetts, has a laptop computer. One class was learning about storms. Michael Horn says the laptops made it possible to truly individualize the lessons, to divide materials by ability level and learning style. At the end of the class, the students all took part in a discussion led by the teacher. Computer-based learning offers a way for students to take advanced courses not offered at their school, or to retake classes they failed. It also serves those who cannot physically attend school, and students who receive home schooling. Computer-based learning includes online courses. Enrollments in online courses have grown sharply. In 2007, the United Stateshad about one million enrollments, not including college courses. Students could be enrolled in more than one course, through schools or education companies. High school students make up about seventy percent of the enrollment. Still, nationally, only about one percent of all high school courses last year were taught online. But the authors of "Disrupting Class"predict it will be ten percent in about six years. And their research suggests that the number will be about fifty percent by 2019. And Michael Horn says the future of online learning could be even greater in developing countries. The passage is mainly about_.
A. a new book
B. a new learning way
C. some American writers
D. the advantages of computers
Answer:B | 5,098 | 5,098 |
0 | [
"educate the public on protecting the environment",
"discuss global warming and other environmental problems",
"explain ways for producing freshwater to save the environment",
"learn about renewable energy sources that protect the environment"
]
| Environment Awareness Week Regal Convention Centre,Halls 1-4 24-30 March 2011 10:00 am-9:00 pm Free admission for all! Save the environment,Save our future Our environment needs help.With the participation of more than 50 organizations,Environment Awareness Week is the biggest public education event dedicated to environmental protection and conservation.Don't miss it! Come and know more about: The Threats to Earth (Hall 1) - What is global warming? How serious is pollution? Learn about different environmental problems from our university students.Protect our environment! The Search for renewable Energy (Hall 2) - can we get electricity from wind,solar energy,waves,rivers and underground heat? Get the answers from Solar Ace,Tefron,Touch Wind Resources and other participants. The Quest for Fresh water (Hall 3) - is the shortage of freshwater worsening? What are Singapore's solutions for treating wastewater? Hear from Flow Technologies,HydroMax Solutions and other participants. The 3 Rs and Save Earth (Hall 4) - How can we REDUCE,REUSE and RECYCLE to cut down household wastes? Find out from the Global Gala Network,Green Earth Foundation and other participants. For more information,please call Mr.Philip Koh at 65531188,send an email to Mrs.Daisy Soh at daisy _ [email protected] or visit the events web at http://www.ief.org/caw The main aim of Environment Awareness Week is to _ . | Environment Awareness Week Regal Convention Centre,Halls 1-4 24-30 March 2011 10:00 am-9:00 pm Free admission for all! Save the environment,Save our future Our environment needs help.With the participation of more than 50 organizations,Environment Awareness Week is the biggest public education event dedicated to environmental protection and conservation.Don't miss it! Come and know more about: The Threats to Earth (Hall 1) - What is global warming? How serious is pollution? Learn about different environmental problems from our university students.Protect our environment! The Search for renewable Energy (Hall 2) - can we get electricity from wind,solar energy,waves,rivers and underground heat? Get the answers from Solar Ace,Tefron,Touch Wind Resources and other participants. The Quest for Fresh water (Hall 3) - is the shortage of freshwater worsening? What are Singapore's solutions for treating wastewater? Hear from Flow Technologies,HydroMax Solutions and other participants. The 3 Rs and Save Earth (Hall 4) - How can we REDUCE,REUSE and RECYCLE to cut down household wastes? Find out from the Global Gala Network,Green Earth Foundation and other participants. For more information,please call Mr.Philip Koh at 65531188,send an email to Mrs.Daisy Soh at daisy _ [email protected] or visit the events web at http://www.ief.org/caw The main aim of Environment Awareness Week is to _ .
A. educate the public on protecting the environment
B. discuss global warming and other environmental problems
C. explain ways for producing freshwater to save the environment
D. learn about renewable energy sources that protect the environment
Answer:A | 13,548 | 13,548 |
1 | [
"0.00380 billion.",
"0.00529 billion.",
"0.00513 billion.",
"0.00397 billion."
]
| The Fifth China International Fair for Investment and Trade is expected to expand the country's economic relations with the international community when it opens on September 9. The four-day fair will be held in the Economic Zone of Xiamen, a coastal city in East China's prefix = st1 /Fujianprovince. Compared with the previous four fairs held annually since 1997, this year's fair will provide more detailed information and better services for the participants, according to Xi Jinping, governor of the Fujian province and director of the organizing committee of the fair. A series of high-level forums will be held on international investment and China's entry into the World Trade Organization. Since 1997,Xiamenhas successfully hosted four sessions of the China International Fair for Investment and Trade, drawing global attention.Xiamenwill redouble its efforts to offer better services for all its guests and friends attending the fair, according to ZhuYayan, the mayor. Altogether 9,141 overseas-funded projects have been negotiated at the past four fairs, with a combined overseas investment of US $ 48.3 billion. Altogether 1,838 projects using foreign investment were negotiated with a total overseas investment of US $ 9,47 billion. The 1,261 contracts signed at the fourth fair registered a combined pledged overseas investment of US $ 5 billion. The total export and import volume reached US $ 786 million. What is the average of the overseas investment on one project in the past four fairs? | The Fifth China International Fair for Investment and Trade is expected to expand the country's economic relations with the international community when it opens on September 9. The four-day fair will be held in the Economic Zone of Xiamen, a coastal city in East China's prefix = st1 /Fujianprovince. Compared with the previous four fairs held annually since 1997, this year's fair will provide more detailed information and better services for the participants, according to Xi Jinping, governor of the Fujian province and director of the organizing committee of the fair. A series of high-level forums will be held on international investment and China's entry into the World Trade Organization. Since 1997,Xiamenhas successfully hosted four sessions of the China International Fair for Investment and Trade, drawing global attention.Xiamenwill redouble its efforts to offer better services for all its guests and friends attending the fair, according to ZhuYayan, the mayor. Altogether 9,141 overseas-funded projects have been negotiated at the past four fairs, with a combined overseas investment of US $ 48.3 billion. Altogether 1,838 projects using foreign investment were negotiated with a total overseas investment of US $ 9,47 billion. The 1,261 contracts signed at the fourth fair registered a combined pledged overseas investment of US $ 5 billion. The total export and import volume reached US $ 786 million. What is the average of the overseas investment on one project in the past four fairs?
A. 0.00380 billion.
B. 0.00529 billion.
C. 0.00513 billion.
D. 0.00397 billion.
Answer:B | 21,830 | 21,830 |
1 | [
"Two",
"Three",
"Four",
"Five"
]
| We often find that weekends and holidays feel so short while classes and work feel so long. In reality, though, we know that this is not true. But we still wonder where that strange feeling comes from. In fact, this is one of the ways that we're tricked by time, according to the website All That Is Interesting. The website lists several wrong impressions we often have about time. Let's have a look. First of all, emotions affect our time-keeping abilities: Negative emotions, especially anxiety and boredom, make time seem longer because they make us concentrate more on the passage of time. However, when we are enjoying ourselves, we pay more attention to what we are doing and are likely to lose track of(...) time. Here is another example. In 2007, a group of scientists carried out a test. In the test, people fell 50 meters into a safety net and were then asked about their experience. Although the experience took shorter than 3 seconds, the people thought it was much longer than it actually was. This is because of the way our bodies reply to danger, according to the scientists. Our bodies produce a chemical called adrenaline when we are faced with danger. It allows us to concentrate better so that we can stay alive. As a result, we are able to remember far more details over a short period of time, which makes it seem like time is going more slowly. Another occasion when we make mistakes about time is when we take afternoon naps . Have you ever had trouble telling what time it is after a long nap? That's because the best amount of time for a nap is 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, you enter a new stage of sleep called slow-wave sleep. If you wake up mid-way in this stage, it will take a while before you can correctly perceive time again. Yes, time can be mysterious and there is no way to control it So, perhaps the best thing to do is to make good use of every minute. How many examples of being tricked by time are mentioned in the article? | We often find that weekends and holidays feel so short while classes and work feel so long. In reality, though, we know that this is not true. But we still wonder where that strange feeling comes from. In fact, this is one of the ways that we're tricked by time, according to the website All That Is Interesting. The website lists several wrong impressions we often have about time. Let's have a look. First of all, emotions affect our time-keeping abilities: Negative emotions, especially anxiety and boredom, make time seem longer because they make us concentrate more on the passage of time. However, when we are enjoying ourselves, we pay more attention to what we are doing and are likely to lose track of(...) time. Here is another example. In 2007, a group of scientists carried out a test. In the test, people fell 50 meters into a safety net and were then asked about their experience. Although the experience took shorter than 3 seconds, the people thought it was much longer than it actually was. This is because of the way our bodies reply to danger, according to the scientists. Our bodies produce a chemical called adrenaline when we are faced with danger. It allows us to concentrate better so that we can stay alive. As a result, we are able to remember far more details over a short period of time, which makes it seem like time is going more slowly. Another occasion when we make mistakes about time is when we take afternoon naps . Have you ever had trouble telling what time it is after a long nap? That's because the best amount of time for a nap is 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, you enter a new stage of sleep called slow-wave sleep. If you wake up mid-way in this stage, it will take a while before you can correctly perceive time again. Yes, time can be mysterious and there is no way to control it So, perhaps the best thing to do is to make good use of every minute. How many examples of being tricked by time are mentioned in the article?
A. Two
B. Three
C. Four
D. Five
Answer:B | 48,209 | 48,209 |
3 | [
"A team at Sydney University developed a robot.",
"Using robots on farms can reduce injuries.",
"Dairy farming in Australia needs transforming.",
"Robot used to round up cows is a hit with farmers."
]
| A four-wheeled robot,known as Rover,has been tested by a team at Sydney University.It was used to move a herd of cows from a field to a dairy . Researchers were amazed at how easily cows accepted the presence of the robot.They were not disturbed by it and the gathering process was calm and effective.Because the robot moved in a steady manner it allowed cows to move at their own speed,which was important in reducing injuries among cattle,said Dr Kendra Kerrisk,dairy researcher and associate professor. The robot was adapted from one that was already being used to monitor fruit and trees on farms.A team at Sydney University's Centre for Field Robotics improved the robot so that it could be put in a field with cows in order for the researchers to gather data on robot--cow interaction. The robot needs to be operated by a human but it's hoped that in the future a version can be developed that will be fully automated.As well as gathering cows a new version could also collect information useful for farmers. Using robots to get cows to the dairy will be better for their well-being."The research is in its very early stages but robotic technologies certainly have the potential to transform dairy farming,"said Dr.Kerrisk."When we have discussed this concept with farmers they have been extremely excited and we have had a series of calls and emails asking how they can get hold of one,"she added. The robot could also cut down the number of accidents involving humans on farms.Most dairy farmers in Australia use bikes to round up their cattle and they are one of the leading causes of injury.The team hopes that by using the robot to do the job instead,accident rates could fall. What's the main idea of the text? | A four-wheeled robot,known as Rover,has been tested by a team at Sydney University.It was used to move a herd of cows from a field to a dairy . Researchers were amazed at how easily cows accepted the presence of the robot.They were not disturbed by it and the gathering process was calm and effective.Because the robot moved in a steady manner it allowed cows to move at their own speed,which was important in reducing injuries among cattle,said Dr Kendra Kerrisk,dairy researcher and associate professor. The robot was adapted from one that was already being used to monitor fruit and trees on farms.A team at Sydney University's Centre for Field Robotics improved the robot so that it could be put in a field with cows in order for the researchers to gather data on robot--cow interaction. The robot needs to be operated by a human but it's hoped that in the future a version can be developed that will be fully automated.As well as gathering cows a new version could also collect information useful for farmers. Using robots to get cows to the dairy will be better for their well-being."The research is in its very early stages but robotic technologies certainly have the potential to transform dairy farming,"said Dr.Kerrisk."When we have discussed this concept with farmers they have been extremely excited and we have had a series of calls and emails asking how they can get hold of one,"she added. The robot could also cut down the number of accidents involving humans on farms.Most dairy farmers in Australia use bikes to round up their cattle and they are one of the leading causes of injury.The team hopes that by using the robot to do the job instead,accident rates could fall. What's the main idea of the text?
A. A team at Sydney University developed a robot.
B. Using robots on farms can reduce injuries.
C. Dairy farming in Australia needs transforming.
D. Robot used to round up cows is a hit with farmers.
Answer:D | 65,582 | 65,582 |
0 | [
"He was devoted to the family.",
"He saw that no one bid for it.",
"He knew the content of the will.",
"He found it cheap for him to buy."
]
| The very wealthy English Baron Fitzgerald had only one child, a son, who understandably was the apple of his eye. His wife died when the child was in his early teens. So Fitzgerald devoted himself to (...) fathering the kid. Unfortunately the son died in his late teens. Meanwhile, Fitzgerald's wealth greatly increased. He spent a lot on art works of the masters . Later Fitzgerald himself became seriously ill. Before his death, he had carefully prepared his will as to how his wealth would be settled - to sell his entire collection at an auction . Because of the large quantity and high quality of his collection, a huge crowd of possible buyers gathered for the auction. Many of them were museum directors and private collectors eager to bid . Before the auction, the art works were shown, among which was a painting of Fitzgerald's son by an unknown artist. Because of its poor quality, it received little attention. When it was time for the auction, the auctioneer gaveled the crowd to attention. First the lawyer read from Fitzgerald's will that the first art work to be auctioned was the painting of his son. The poor-quality painting didn't receive any bidders, except one old servant who had served the son and loved him, and who for emotional reasons offered the only bid. As soon as the servant bought the painting for less than one English pound, the auctioneer stopped the bidding and asked the lawyer to read again from the will. The crowd became quiet, and the lawyer read from the will: "Whoever buys the painting of my son gets all my collection." Then the auction was over. Why did the old servant bid for the painting of Fitzgerald's son? | The very wealthy English Baron Fitzgerald had only one child, a son, who understandably was the apple of his eye. His wife died when the child was in his early teens. So Fitzgerald devoted himself to (...) fathering the kid. Unfortunately the son died in his late teens. Meanwhile, Fitzgerald's wealth greatly increased. He spent a lot on art works of the masters . Later Fitzgerald himself became seriously ill. Before his death, he had carefully prepared his will as to how his wealth would be settled - to sell his entire collection at an auction . Because of the large quantity and high quality of his collection, a huge crowd of possible buyers gathered for the auction. Many of them were museum directors and private collectors eager to bid . Before the auction, the art works were shown, among which was a painting of Fitzgerald's son by an unknown artist. Because of its poor quality, it received little attention. When it was time for the auction, the auctioneer gaveled the crowd to attention. First the lawyer read from Fitzgerald's will that the first art work to be auctioned was the painting of his son. The poor-quality painting didn't receive any bidders, except one old servant who had served the son and loved him, and who for emotional reasons offered the only bid. As soon as the servant bought the painting for less than one English pound, the auctioneer stopped the bidding and asked the lawyer to read again from the will. The crowd became quiet, and the lawyer read from the will: "Whoever buys the painting of my son gets all my collection." Then the auction was over. Why did the old servant bid for the painting of Fitzgerald's son?
A. He was devoted to the family.
B. He saw that no one bid for it.
C. He knew the content of the will.
D. He found it cheap for him to buy.
Answer:A | 18,107 | 18,107 |
3 | [
"It is hard for children to control.",
"It can be used only for adults.",
"It is easily broken by rocks and small branches.",
"It is soft, comfortable and inflatable."
]
| INTEX Giant Dolphin Inflatable Swimming Pool Ride-On Raft Price:$88 *Great design is as impressive as it is comfortable ! *Handles are great for maintain control *Dimensions:79" x 30" Product Description Great for pools and the beach, the INTEX Dolphin Ride - On Raft is sure to catch some eyes! This impressive raft features heavy duty handles and a uniquely large design. Get out there and enjoy the water this summer on the INTEX Dolphin Ride-On Raft. Enjoy a restful day on the water, lying in the comfort of this soft, durable , colorful inflatable ( ) raft from water product maker Intex. Made of special material, its as durable as it is soft and comfortable, and has two handles for easy on-and-off. It will bring a lot of fun to both adults and children. About Intex Recreation: Intex Recreation makes above-ground swimming pools, air beds, inflatable toys, pool and lake boats. The company has been in business for over 40 years, and is a global leader in designing and producing innovative products for indoor and outdoor recreation. Intex products meet the most strict safety standards, taking testing to ensure years of safety and satisfaction. Most Helpful Customer Reviews Hello, my name is Mike Smith. I bought the raft for my family. It worked perfectly. It is a great size for the three of us. We hit many rocks and low tree branches drifting down a river, but the raft came out safety. This is an excellent raft. It's durable and floats like it should. Great for kids or adults. And great for family use. Contact Information of intex Recreation: Tel:800-876-0987 E-mail: In [email protected] What do you know about the product? | INTEX Giant Dolphin Inflatable Swimming Pool Ride-On Raft Price:$88 *Great design is as impressive as it is comfortable ! *Handles are great for maintain control *Dimensions:79" x 30" Product Description Great for pools and the beach, the INTEX Dolphin Ride - On Raft is sure to catch some eyes! This impressive raft features heavy duty handles and a uniquely large design. Get out there and enjoy the water this summer on the INTEX Dolphin Ride-On Raft. Enjoy a restful day on the water, lying in the comfort of this soft, durable , colorful inflatable ( ) raft from water product maker Intex. Made of special material, its as durable as it is soft and comfortable, and has two handles for easy on-and-off. It will bring a lot of fun to both adults and children. About Intex Recreation: Intex Recreation makes above-ground swimming pools, air beds, inflatable toys, pool and lake boats. The company has been in business for over 40 years, and is a global leader in designing and producing innovative products for indoor and outdoor recreation. Intex products meet the most strict safety standards, taking testing to ensure years of safety and satisfaction. Most Helpful Customer Reviews Hello, my name is Mike Smith. I bought the raft for my family. It worked perfectly. It is a great size for the three of us. We hit many rocks and low tree branches drifting down a river, but the raft came out safety. This is an excellent raft. It's durable and floats like it should. Great for kids or adults. And great for family use. Contact Information of intex Recreation: Tel:800-876-0987 E-mail: In [email protected] What do you know about the product?
A. It is hard for children to control.
B. It can be used only for adults.
C. It is easily broken by rocks and small branches.
D. It is soft, comfortable and inflatable.
Answer:D | 33,468 | 33,468 |
0 | [
"sad",
"surprised",
"nervous",
"disappointed"
]
| I am a volunteer. I set out to help clean up the beach after a violent storm a year ago. The sight I saw was heartbreaking. The broken houses seemed to be crying. I couldn't describe how I felt. But something special among the debris turned my day around. I joined a club to clean up the beach after the storm last November. As I removed the debris from the beach, I noticed an object with shiny buttons in the wet sand. It was a jacket,and I was excited since Halloween was coming and I thought I had found a great costume . After picking it up, I was able to see that the jacket was from West Point , the United States Military Academy, and it had the name "deGavre" written inside. I realized the jacket might be important to someone. I decided to find the jacket's owner and return it. I called the West Point Museum, considering that if the family couldn't be found, the jacket should go there. The museum connected me with Kim McDermott, Director of Communications for the Academy's Association of Graduates. Kim soon ensured that the jacket had belonged to Chester Braddock deGavre, who was a 1933 graduate and a war hero, but passed away in 1993. I sent Kim a photo of the jacket and she posted it to the West Point Association of Graduates Facebook Page, asking if anyone could help us find the family. In less than two hours, someone had found and called the hero's wife, Teresa. Soon I started to receive personal messages from members of the deGavre family, their friends and others who were touched by the story and they found me on Facebook. Finding Chester deGavre's jacket and connecting to his family with the help of Facebook have been so meaningful to me. I've formed a bond with amazing people I might have never met. Seeing the sight after the storm, the author felt very _ . | I am a volunteer. I set out to help clean up the beach after a violent storm a year ago. The sight I saw was heartbreaking. The broken houses seemed to be crying. I couldn't describe how I felt. But something special among the debris turned my day around. I joined a club to clean up the beach after the storm last November. As I removed the debris from the beach, I noticed an object with shiny buttons in the wet sand. It was a jacket,and I was excited since Halloween was coming and I thought I had found a great costume . After picking it up, I was able to see that the jacket was from West Point , the United States Military Academy, and it had the name "deGavre" written inside. I realized the jacket might be important to someone. I decided to find the jacket's owner and return it. I called the West Point Museum, considering that if the family couldn't be found, the jacket should go there. The museum connected me with Kim McDermott, Director of Communications for the Academy's Association of Graduates. Kim soon ensured that the jacket had belonged to Chester Braddock deGavre, who was a 1933 graduate and a war hero, but passed away in 1993. I sent Kim a photo of the jacket and she posted it to the West Point Association of Graduates Facebook Page, asking if anyone could help us find the family. In less than two hours, someone had found and called the hero's wife, Teresa. Soon I started to receive personal messages from members of the deGavre family, their friends and others who were touched by the story and they found me on Facebook. Finding Chester deGavre's jacket and connecting to his family with the help of Facebook have been so meaningful to me. I've formed a bond with amazing people I might have never met. Seeing the sight after the storm, the author felt very _ .
A. sad
B. surprised
C. nervous
D. disappointed
Answer:A | 12,066 | 12,066 |
0 | [
"London.",
"Beijing.",
"Athens.",
"Sydney."
]
| Did you watch the 2012 London Olympic Games? If you did, you must know a person who changed men's swimming history of China and set a new world record for us. Yes, that's Sun Yang who gave us lots of surprise by winning two Olympic gold medals in swimming. Sun Yang became the first Chinese male swimmer to earn a gold medal as he won the 400m freestyle with an Olympic record in London on July 28th, 2012.It is the first gold medal that a Chinese swimmer has ever won in the Olympic history. All of the Chinese are proud of him. He is the hero of the whole China. Sun Yang was born on December 1st, 1991 in Zhejiang. He is 198cm tall and 89kg in weight. Sun Yang's hobbies are singing and reading. Sun Yang loved sports when he was very young. He kept training hard every day and that is why he has made such great achievements. Now nearly every Chinese knows him. When he goes anywhere, he must be followed by his fans, which makes his life less convenient and difficult, but he is very rich. So do you want to be a person like him? Where were the Olympic Games held in 2012? | Did you watch the 2012 London Olympic Games? If you did, you must know a person who changed men's swimming history of China and set a new world record for us. Yes, that's Sun Yang who gave us lots of surprise by winning two Olympic gold medals in swimming. Sun Yang became the first Chinese male swimmer to earn a gold medal as he won the 400m freestyle with an Olympic record in London on July 28th, 2012.It is the first gold medal that a Chinese swimmer has ever won in the Olympic history. All of the Chinese are proud of him. He is the hero of the whole China. Sun Yang was born on December 1st, 1991 in Zhejiang. He is 198cm tall and 89kg in weight. Sun Yang's hobbies are singing and reading. Sun Yang loved sports when he was very young. He kept training hard every day and that is why he has made such great achievements. Now nearly every Chinese knows him. When he goes anywhere, he must be followed by his fans, which makes his life less convenient and difficult, but he is very rich. So do you want to be a person like him? Where were the Olympic Games held in 2012?
A. London.
B. Beijing.
C. Athens.
D. Sydney.
Answer:A | 87,300 | 87,300 |
0 | [
"find ways to save money",
"do extra work to earn more money",
"try some other means of making money",
"raise a protest against the high cost of living"
]
| Many families in the prefix = st1 /United Stateshave a larger income now than ever before, but people are finding it difficult to make ends meet anyway. Almost everyone is wondering, "What happens to all my money? I never seem to have anything left to put away." Why isn't a dollar worth as much as it used to be? One dollar is always worth the same amount, that is, 100 cents. But the value of a dollar is how much it can buy. The value of money depends on the cost of living. Economists say that the cost of living is the money that a family must pay for the necessities of life such as food, housing or rent, clothes and medical expenses. For many years now the cost of living has increased greatly, so the value of the dollar has decreased. When a dollar has a low value, you cannot buy as many things with it. No one fully understands why the cost of living keeps increasing, but economists believe that workers and producers can make prices go up. As workers earn more money, they have more money to spend, so they demand more goods. If there is a great demand for certain goods, the prices of these goods go up. At the same time, if there's a shortage of goods, the price also goes up. For example, if everyone wants to buy more and more gas, the price of gas goes up. When companies withhold gas from buyers, they can also make the price of gas go up. Families need to know what happens to their money. They need to make their income meet the cost of living, so many people plan a family budget. A budget is a list of monthly expenses. If your expenses add up to more than your income, you must find ways to save money. Maybe you're spending too much on entertainment. Or if you're spending too much on clothes, you may want to sew your own clothes. Budgeting helps you spend your money wisely as the cost of living increases. According to the passage, when people find it hard to make ends meet, they need to _ . | Many families in the prefix = st1 /United Stateshave a larger income now than ever before, but people are finding it difficult to make ends meet anyway. Almost everyone is wondering, "What happens to all my money? I never seem to have anything left to put away." Why isn't a dollar worth as much as it used to be? One dollar is always worth the same amount, that is, 100 cents. But the value of a dollar is how much it can buy. The value of money depends on the cost of living. Economists say that the cost of living is the money that a family must pay for the necessities of life such as food, housing or rent, clothes and medical expenses. For many years now the cost of living has increased greatly, so the value of the dollar has decreased. When a dollar has a low value, you cannot buy as many things with it. No one fully understands why the cost of living keeps increasing, but economists believe that workers and producers can make prices go up. As workers earn more money, they have more money to spend, so they demand more goods. If there is a great demand for certain goods, the prices of these goods go up. At the same time, if there's a shortage of goods, the price also goes up. For example, if everyone wants to buy more and more gas, the price of gas goes up. When companies withhold gas from buyers, they can also make the price of gas go up. Families need to know what happens to their money. They need to make their income meet the cost of living, so many people plan a family budget. A budget is a list of monthly expenses. If your expenses add up to more than your income, you must find ways to save money. Maybe you're spending too much on entertainment. Or if you're spending too much on clothes, you may want to sew your own clothes. Budgeting helps you spend your money wisely as the cost of living increases. According to the passage, when people find it hard to make ends meet, they need to _ .
A. find ways to save money
B. do extra work to earn more money
C. try some other means of making money
D. raise a protest against the high cost of living
Answer:A | 17,012 | 17,012 |
2 | [
"In a park.",
"In their children's classrooms.",
"In Room 106.",
"At home."
]
| School Open Day Dear students, We have some interesting and fun things for you this term. On September 9th 2014, we have a School Open Day. It begins at 9:00 a.m. and finishes at 4:00 p.m. All parents can come to our school, have a cup of coffee, and meet our teachers and other parents. Your parents can go to your children's classrooms, have a talk with the principal , have a look at the clubs and ask any questions. From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m, the parents can go to Room 106 for lunch. If you have any questions about the School Open Day, you can call John Smith --- the principal. The telephone number is 021-4899688. Welcome to our school and join us. School: Apple Tree Middle School Where do parents have lunch? | School Open Day Dear students, We have some interesting and fun things for you this term. On September 9th 2014, we have a School Open Day. It begins at 9:00 a.m. and finishes at 4:00 p.m. All parents can come to our school, have a cup of coffee, and meet our teachers and other parents. Your parents can go to your children's classrooms, have a talk with the principal , have a look at the clubs and ask any questions. From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m, the parents can go to Room 106 for lunch. If you have any questions about the School Open Day, you can call John Smith --- the principal. The telephone number is 021-4899688. Welcome to our school and join us. School: Apple Tree Middle School Where do parents have lunch?
A. In a park.
B. In their children's classrooms.
C. In Room 106.
D. At home.
Answer:C | 73,255 | 73,255 |
1 | [
"Acting in some dramas.",
"Dancing for an agency.",
"Modeling for an agency.",
"Recording his own CDs."
]
| Perhaps Joe Cheng has become popular with thousands of fans and has been chased by girls and middles students. But do you know his resume ? Yes. Joe Cheng, who plays the most popular boy in high school in the popular Taiwanese drama "It Started with a Kiss." Although thousands of girls have fallen in love with him for his cute smile and strong body, Cheng, 27, doesn't want to rest on his good looks. He made the move from modeling to acting six years ago, and now he is trying another career-this time, to be a singer. Cheng worked on his first album, "Joe Cheng's Day", for a year. It came out on September 7. Apart from recording his CD, Cheng has been practicing dance moves for his music video. Given his height, 188cm, this was not an easy job. "I had bad dreams about dancing," he said. Cheng's life has had many ups and downs. His parents divorced when he was in primary school and he has lived with his father ever since. After dropping out of high school, he took on all kinds of jobs before being spotted by a scout for a modeling agency. Cheng said his key to life is "keeping a positive _ and making the most out of life." Cheng admitted that he got bad grades when he was in high school. But he was still very popular at school. "Being very active in the students union, I was elected president. I liked to organize parties and field trips, so many teachers and students knew me," he said. Cheng once dreamed of becoming a cartoonist, and he regrets that he never did it. Now he hopes his teenage fans can learn from his life. "When you are in school, just focus on studies," Cheng said. "Every young heart is eager to explore the world outside. But take your time. Finish your studies first." What career didn't Joe Cheng try? | Perhaps Joe Cheng has become popular with thousands of fans and has been chased by girls and middles students. But do you know his resume ? Yes. Joe Cheng, who plays the most popular boy in high school in the popular Taiwanese drama "It Started with a Kiss." Although thousands of girls have fallen in love with him for his cute smile and strong body, Cheng, 27, doesn't want to rest on his good looks. He made the move from modeling to acting six years ago, and now he is trying another career-this time, to be a singer. Cheng worked on his first album, "Joe Cheng's Day", for a year. It came out on September 7. Apart from recording his CD, Cheng has been practicing dance moves for his music video. Given his height, 188cm, this was not an easy job. "I had bad dreams about dancing," he said. Cheng's life has had many ups and downs. His parents divorced when he was in primary school and he has lived with his father ever since. After dropping out of high school, he took on all kinds of jobs before being spotted by a scout for a modeling agency. Cheng said his key to life is "keeping a positive _ and making the most out of life." Cheng admitted that he got bad grades when he was in high school. But he was still very popular at school. "Being very active in the students union, I was elected president. I liked to organize parties and field trips, so many teachers and students knew me," he said. Cheng once dreamed of becoming a cartoonist, and he regrets that he never did it. Now he hopes his teenage fans can learn from his life. "When you are in school, just focus on studies," Cheng said. "Every young heart is eager to explore the world outside. But take your time. Finish your studies first." What career didn't Joe Cheng try?
A. Acting in some dramas.
B. Dancing for an agency.
C. Modeling for an agency.
D. Recording his own CDs.
Answer:B | 15,528 | 15,528 |
2 | [
"It may be the most expensive car in the world.",
"It is one of the most environmentally friendly cars.",
"It releases dangerous gases to pollute the air.",
"It uses hydrogen and oxygen for fuel other than gasoline."
]
| A California family drives a car that could help protect the environment. When Jon and Sandy go to the store or to their daughters' soccer games, they drive in high-tech style. They drive a $1 million, fuel-cell-powered car. It may be the world's most expensive car and one of the most environmentally friendly cars. The FCX is the first fuel-cell-powered car to be used by a family anywhere in the world. The FCX uses hydrogen and oxygen for fuel. Car makers have been working to develop vehicles that are better for the environment. They are developing cars that use fuel other than gasoline. And then what is fuel cell technology? Fuel cell technology works by changing the chemicals hydrogen and oxygen into water. This process produces electricity, and water vapor which comes out of the exhaust pipe. Most cars release dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Many scientists say these gases are major contributors to global warming. "The FCX is driven just like any other vehicle on the road, but without the gases which pollute the environment," scientists say. Fuel cell technology has been around since the 1800s, but scientists have yet been to perfect it. They say it may take years before the technology is ready for widespread use. Another earth-friendly car is already on the market. Hybrid cars use both gasoline and an electric motor. They are becoming more popular with customers because they cut pollution and improve fuel efficiency. Which of the following about the FCX is not true? | A California family drives a car that could help protect the environment. When Jon and Sandy go to the store or to their daughters' soccer games, they drive in high-tech style. They drive a $1 million, fuel-cell-powered car. It may be the world's most expensive car and one of the most environmentally friendly cars. The FCX is the first fuel-cell-powered car to be used by a family anywhere in the world. The FCX uses hydrogen and oxygen for fuel. Car makers have been working to develop vehicles that are better for the environment. They are developing cars that use fuel other than gasoline. And then what is fuel cell technology? Fuel cell technology works by changing the chemicals hydrogen and oxygen into water. This process produces electricity, and water vapor which comes out of the exhaust pipe. Most cars release dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Many scientists say these gases are major contributors to global warming. "The FCX is driven just like any other vehicle on the road, but without the gases which pollute the environment," scientists say. Fuel cell technology has been around since the 1800s, but scientists have yet been to perfect it. They say it may take years before the technology is ready for widespread use. Another earth-friendly car is already on the market. Hybrid cars use both gasoline and an electric motor. They are becoming more popular with customers because they cut pollution and improve fuel efficiency. Which of the following about the FCX is not true?
A. It may be the most expensive car in the world.
B. It is one of the most environmentally friendly cars.
C. It releases dangerous gases to pollute the air.
D. It uses hydrogen and oxygen for fuel other than gasoline.
Answer:C | 19,681 | 19,681 |
2 | [
"Thrilling News",
"Sally's Distant Relative",
"The $30,000 Bequest",
"A Smart Investment"
]
| Now came great news! It came from a neighboring state, where the family's only surviving relative lived. It was Sally's relative -- a distant relative by the name of Tilbury Foster, seventy and single. Tilbury now wrote to Sally, saying he should shortly die, and should leave him thirty thousand dollars, cash; not for love, but because money had given him most of his troubles, and he wished to place it where there was good hope that it would continue its evil work. The _ would be found in his will, and would be officially handed over provided that Sally should be able to prove to the executors . As soon as Aleck had partially recovered from the strong emotions created by the letter, she sent someone to the relative's home and subscribed for the local paper. For the rest of the day Sally made confusion with his books, and Aleck could not keep her mind on her affairs, not even take up a flower-pot or book or a stick of wood without forgetting what she had intended to do with it. For both were dreaming. "Thirty thousand dollars!" All day long Aleck was absorbed in planning how to invest it, Sally in planning how to spend it. There was no romance-reading that night. The children took themselves away early, for their parents were silent, disturbed, and strangely unentertaining. Two pencils had been busy during that hour -- note-making; in the way of plans. It was Sally who broke the stillness at last. He said, with excitement, "Ah, it'll be grand, Aleck! Out of the first thousand we'll have a horse and a buggy for summer, and a cutter and a skin lap-robe for winter." Aleck responded with decision and calmness. "You can spend a part of it. But the whole of the capital must be put right to work. "Why, yes. Yes, of course. Have you got it invested yet?" "No, there's no hurry about that; I must look around first, and think, er..., I've turned it over twice; once in oil and once in wheat." "Why, Aleck, it's splendid! What does it amount to?" "I think -- well, to be on the safe side, about a hundred and eighty thousand clear, though it will probably be more." "My! Isn't it wonderful? Good heaven! Luck has come our way at last, Aleck!" Then they went up to bed, but they left the candle burning in the sitting room. They did not remember until they were undressed; then Sally was for letting it burn; he said they could afford it, if it was a thousand. But Aleck went down and put it out. A good job, too; for on her way back she hit on a scheme that would turn the hundred and eighty thousand into half a million before it had had time to get cold. Which of the following is the best title for the passage? | Now came great news! It came from a neighboring state, where the family's only surviving relative lived. It was Sally's relative -- a distant relative by the name of Tilbury Foster, seventy and single. Tilbury now wrote to Sally, saying he should shortly die, and should leave him thirty thousand dollars, cash; not for love, but because money had given him most of his troubles, and he wished to place it where there was good hope that it would continue its evil work. The _ would be found in his will, and would be officially handed over provided that Sally should be able to prove to the executors . As soon as Aleck had partially recovered from the strong emotions created by the letter, she sent someone to the relative's home and subscribed for the local paper. For the rest of the day Sally made confusion with his books, and Aleck could not keep her mind on her affairs, not even take up a flower-pot or book or a stick of wood without forgetting what she had intended to do with it. For both were dreaming. "Thirty thousand dollars!" All day long Aleck was absorbed in planning how to invest it, Sally in planning how to spend it. There was no romance-reading that night. The children took themselves away early, for their parents were silent, disturbed, and strangely unentertaining. Two pencils had been busy during that hour -- note-making; in the way of plans. It was Sally who broke the stillness at last. He said, with excitement, "Ah, it'll be grand, Aleck! Out of the first thousand we'll have a horse and a buggy for summer, and a cutter and a skin lap-robe for winter." Aleck responded with decision and calmness. "You can spend a part of it. But the whole of the capital must be put right to work. "Why, yes. Yes, of course. Have you got it invested yet?" "No, there's no hurry about that; I must look around first, and think, er..., I've turned it over twice; once in oil and once in wheat." "Why, Aleck, it's splendid! What does it amount to?" "I think -- well, to be on the safe side, about a hundred and eighty thousand clear, though it will probably be more." "My! Isn't it wonderful? Good heaven! Luck has come our way at last, Aleck!" Then they went up to bed, but they left the candle burning in the sitting room. They did not remember until they were undressed; then Sally was for letting it burn; he said they could afford it, if it was a thousand. But Aleck went down and put it out. A good job, too; for on her way back she hit on a scheme that would turn the hundred and eighty thousand into half a million before it had had time to get cold. Which of the following is the best title for the passage?
A. Thrilling News
B. Sally's Distant Relative
C. The $30,000 Bequest
D. A Smart Investment
Answer:C | 65,405 | 65,405 |
0 | [
"blend in",
"stand out",
"random",
"look fancy"
]
| Why might a polar bear grow white hair? | Why might a polar bear grow white hair?
A. blend in
B. stand out
C. random
D. look fancy
Answer:A | 99,326 | 99,326 |
1 | [
"To wait for Ron and Carol.",
"Because he felt nervous.",
"Because he met a black bear.",
"To take photos of the beautiful scenery."
]
| Standing in front of the "Chilkoot Trailhead" sign for 15 minutes, I didn't take one step. I was afraid of bears. That's what was keeping me from walking the trail alone. I had hiked through black-bear country back home in Colorado, but now I was in Alaska, home to the fierce brown grizzly bear. Fortunately, a friendly couple arrived and asked me to take their picture. We started talking and soon were walking the trail together. I was relieved. Ron and Carol were from Alaska and they taught me how to stay safe in bear country. I had finally started my hike along the famous Chilkoot Trail, where more than 115 years ago, thousands of gold miners had walked. I was writing a book about the Klondike Gold Rush, and I wanted to follow in the footsteps of the miners to know what it was really like. Ron, Carol, and I walked through the forest. As I was looking around at the beautiful scenery in the forest, I tripped over a big tree root and injured my ankle . Fortunately, my ankle felt better in the morning, and we followed the trail. We went to bed early that night because the following day would be the toughest hike of all. At dawn, we started hiking up the steep , green valley. Icy glaciers covered the mountains above. Soon we were as high as the clouds and could see only 20 feet in front of us. Finally, we reached the top of the Chilkoot pass and saw a Canadian flag moving in the heavy wind. Hours later, we arrived at our campground. The following morning, my ankle was feeling fine, and my fear of bears had mostly disappeared. I said good-bye to Ron and Carol and walked alone for the next two days. Without seeing any bears the entire trip, I finally arrived at Bennett Lake. I rode the old train down to the town of Skagway and checked into my hotel. While relaxing in my comfortable bed in the hotel, I thought of the miners from the Klondike Gold Rush. When the miners reached Bennett Lake, they had to cut down trees, build boats, and travel 500 miles down dangerous rivers and lakes. Then, when they finally reached the goldfields, they had to start digging. Why did the author stand in front of the "Chilkoot Trailhead" sign for 15 minutes? | Standing in front of the "Chilkoot Trailhead" sign for 15 minutes, I didn't take one step. I was afraid of bears. That's what was keeping me from walking the trail alone. I had hiked through black-bear country back home in Colorado, but now I was in Alaska, home to the fierce brown grizzly bear. Fortunately, a friendly couple arrived and asked me to take their picture. We started talking and soon were walking the trail together. I was relieved. Ron and Carol were from Alaska and they taught me how to stay safe in bear country. I had finally started my hike along the famous Chilkoot Trail, where more than 115 years ago, thousands of gold miners had walked. I was writing a book about the Klondike Gold Rush, and I wanted to follow in the footsteps of the miners to know what it was really like. Ron, Carol, and I walked through the forest. As I was looking around at the beautiful scenery in the forest, I tripped over a big tree root and injured my ankle . Fortunately, my ankle felt better in the morning, and we followed the trail. We went to bed early that night because the following day would be the toughest hike of all. At dawn, we started hiking up the steep , green valley. Icy glaciers covered the mountains above. Soon we were as high as the clouds and could see only 20 feet in front of us. Finally, we reached the top of the Chilkoot pass and saw a Canadian flag moving in the heavy wind. Hours later, we arrived at our campground. The following morning, my ankle was feeling fine, and my fear of bears had mostly disappeared. I said good-bye to Ron and Carol and walked alone for the next two days. Without seeing any bears the entire trip, I finally arrived at Bennett Lake. I rode the old train down to the town of Skagway and checked into my hotel. While relaxing in my comfortable bed in the hotel, I thought of the miners from the Klondike Gold Rush. When the miners reached Bennett Lake, they had to cut down trees, build boats, and travel 500 miles down dangerous rivers and lakes. Then, when they finally reached the goldfields, they had to start digging. Why did the author stand in front of the "Chilkoot Trailhead" sign for 15 minutes?
A. To wait for Ron and Carol.
B. Because he felt nervous.
C. Because he met a black bear.
D. To take photos of the beautiful scenery.
Answer:B | 28,042 | 28,042 |
2 | [
"offering car service and flight tickets to Boston",
"arranging for a substitute for her beforehand",
"taking care of her food and uniforms",
"cheering for her during the race"
]
| She almost did not run. Christine Williams admits that now. She could barely put one foot after another following the wake for her sister, who had died in an automobile accident. But she did run. With the cheers of friends and strangers reaching her heart, Williams set a C.W. Post record in Boston. Now she will run again, in the national Division II cross-country championships in Evansville, Ind. She wanted to be sure she was doing the right thing by running. She was the middle of three sisters, between Kerry, who is 25, and Jennifer, who was 18. Just going through any motions was hard enough, but Christine Williams wanted to know if she should put on her uniform and her shoes and run through the woods on an autumn afternoon, in the awful gaping time between her sister's wake and her funeral. "I kind of got upset beforehand." Williams admitted. Not a chatterbox under normal conditions, she now holds herself the best way she can, the fewer words the better. She almost walked away from the start line. But her friend Angela Toscano, who had flown up to Boston with her, directly from the wake, was standing near the line and talked her through it. "She said my sister would have wanted me to run." Christine said. And that was enough to get her started. The accident happened just after midnight on Nov, 4. Four young women were driving in an unfamiliar area of Long Island in Eastport, N.Y., when one of them apparently ran a yield sign, and the car was hit by another vehicle. Heather Brownrigg and Jennifer Williams died, and their friends April Brown and Kaci Moran were treated at a hospital and released. The crash made the papers. April Brown was charged with drunken driving and driving without a license. The wake began on Nov. 6. The next day Christine was to run with the Post cross-country team at the regional meet. Rich Degnan, the Post coach,"and Post officials offered a car service and tickets on the last flight-to Boston for Christine and Toscano. When they arrived at the hotel, the entire team was waiting up for her. Everybody knew about it at the regional meet. Degnan had to arrange for the flexibility of an alternate, just in case Christine could not go. Several times during the race, Christine felt she could not continue. But then she heard her friends and all those other people, those strangers from other colleges, calling her name. She thought about Jennifer. And she ran. She finished fourth in 22 minutes 58 seconds, breaking the Post record for the 6-kilometer distance by 15 seconds. And although the Post team didn't qualify for the nationals, Christine did. The efforts Christine's Post team made for her include the following EXCEPT _ . | She almost did not run. Christine Williams admits that now. She could barely put one foot after another following the wake for her sister, who had died in an automobile accident. But she did run. With the cheers of friends and strangers reaching her heart, Williams set a C.W. Post record in Boston. Now she will run again, in the national Division II cross-country championships in Evansville, Ind. She wanted to be sure she was doing the right thing by running. She was the middle of three sisters, between Kerry, who is 25, and Jennifer, who was 18. Just going through any motions was hard enough, but Christine Williams wanted to know if she should put on her uniform and her shoes and run through the woods on an autumn afternoon, in the awful gaping time between her sister's wake and her funeral. "I kind of got upset beforehand." Williams admitted. Not a chatterbox under normal conditions, she now holds herself the best way she can, the fewer words the better. She almost walked away from the start line. But her friend Angela Toscano, who had flown up to Boston with her, directly from the wake, was standing near the line and talked her through it. "She said my sister would have wanted me to run." Christine said. And that was enough to get her started. The accident happened just after midnight on Nov, 4. Four young women were driving in an unfamiliar area of Long Island in Eastport, N.Y., when one of them apparently ran a yield sign, and the car was hit by another vehicle. Heather Brownrigg and Jennifer Williams died, and their friends April Brown and Kaci Moran were treated at a hospital and released. The crash made the papers. April Brown was charged with drunken driving and driving without a license. The wake began on Nov. 6. The next day Christine was to run with the Post cross-country team at the regional meet. Rich Degnan, the Post coach,"and Post officials offered a car service and tickets on the last flight-to Boston for Christine and Toscano. When they arrived at the hotel, the entire team was waiting up for her. Everybody knew about it at the regional meet. Degnan had to arrange for the flexibility of an alternate, just in case Christine could not go. Several times during the race, Christine felt she could not continue. But then she heard her friends and all those other people, those strangers from other colleges, calling her name. She thought about Jennifer. And she ran. She finished fourth in 22 minutes 58 seconds, breaking the Post record for the 6-kilometer distance by 15 seconds. And although the Post team didn't qualify for the nationals, Christine did. The efforts Christine's Post team made for her include the following EXCEPT _ .
A. offering car service and flight tickets to Boston
B. arranging for a substitute for her beforehand
C. taking care of her food and uniforms
D. cheering for her during the race
Answer:C | 56,742 | 56,742 |
1 | [
"Anecdotes and Jokes",
"Smart Animals",
"Power of Love",
"My Story"
]
| Share With Us Would you like to have your writing published in this magazine? Then let us know! We pay for stories, anecdotes and jokes: Anecdotes and Jokes $50 What made you laugh recently? A funny sign? A colleague's behaviour? Got a joke? Send it in for Laughter is the Best Medicine! Email: [email protected] Smart Animals Up to $100 Send us a tale about the strange behaviour of unique pets or wildlife in up 300 words. Email: [email protected] Power of Love Up to $150 Acts of generosity can change lives or just give you that warm feeling full of love. Share your moments 100--500 words. Email: [email protected] My Story $350 Do you have an inspiring or life-changing story to tell? Your story must be true, unpublished, original and 800-- 1000 words. Email: [email protected] For more information, please visit: http://www.sws.com./share If you want to share a story of your pets with the readers, you need to send it to _ . | Share With Us Would you like to have your writing published in this magazine? Then let us know! We pay for stories, anecdotes and jokes: Anecdotes and Jokes $50 What made you laugh recently? A funny sign? A colleague's behaviour? Got a joke? Send it in for Laughter is the Best Medicine! Email: [email protected] Smart Animals Up to $100 Send us a tale about the strange behaviour of unique pets or wildlife in up 300 words. Email: [email protected] Power of Love Up to $150 Acts of generosity can change lives or just give you that warm feeling full of love. Share your moments 100--500 words. Email: [email protected] My Story $350 Do you have an inspiring or life-changing story to tell? Your story must be true, unpublished, original and 800-- 1000 words. Email: [email protected] For more information, please visit: http://www.sws.com./share If you want to share a story of your pets with the readers, you need to send it to _ .
A. Anecdotes and Jokes
B. Smart Animals
C. Power of Love
D. My Story
Answer:B | 59,802 | 59,802 |
2 | [
"take little luggage",
"avoid traveling in holidays",
"book your seats well in advance",
"arrive early on the leaving date"
]
| Luggage We ask you to keep a medium - sized suitcase per person, but a small holdall can also be taken onto the coach. Seats Requests for particular seats can be made on most coach breaks when booking, but since seats are booked on a first come, first serve basic, early booking is advisable. When bookings are made with us, you will be offered the best seats that are available on the coach at that time. Travel Documents When you have paid your deposit we will send you all the necessary documents, so that you receive them in good time before the coach break leaving date. Certain documents, for example, air or boat tickets, may have to be reserved and your guide will then give them to you during the break. Special Diets If you require a special diet, you must inform us at the time of booking with a copy of the diet. This will be told to the hotels on your coach break. The hotels for certain coach breaks are tourist class and they may not have the equipment to deal with special diets. Any extra costs must be paid by yourself before leaving the hotel. Accommodation On any coach break there are only a limited number of single rooms. When a single room is available, it may be subject to an extra charge and this will be shown on the brochure page. Entertainment Some of our hotels arrange extra entertainment which could include music, dancing, films, etc. The nature and frequency of the entertainment presented is decided by the hotel and therefore not guaranteed and could be withdrawn if there is a lack of demand or insufficient numbers in the hotel. If you want to choose certain seats of the coach, you should _ . | Luggage We ask you to keep a medium - sized suitcase per person, but a small holdall can also be taken onto the coach. Seats Requests for particular seats can be made on most coach breaks when booking, but since seats are booked on a first come, first serve basic, early booking is advisable. When bookings are made with us, you will be offered the best seats that are available on the coach at that time. Travel Documents When you have paid your deposit we will send you all the necessary documents, so that you receive them in good time before the coach break leaving date. Certain documents, for example, air or boat tickets, may have to be reserved and your guide will then give them to you during the break. Special Diets If you require a special diet, you must inform us at the time of booking with a copy of the diet. This will be told to the hotels on your coach break. The hotels for certain coach breaks are tourist class and they may not have the equipment to deal with special diets. Any extra costs must be paid by yourself before leaving the hotel. Accommodation On any coach break there are only a limited number of single rooms. When a single room is available, it may be subject to an extra charge and this will be shown on the brochure page. Entertainment Some of our hotels arrange extra entertainment which could include music, dancing, films, etc. The nature and frequency of the entertainment presented is decided by the hotel and therefore not guaranteed and could be withdrawn if there is a lack of demand or insufficient numbers in the hotel. If you want to choose certain seats of the coach, you should _ .
A. take little luggage
B. avoid traveling in holidays
C. book your seats well in advance
D. arrive early on the leaving date
Answer:C | 63,741 | 63,741 |
3 | [
"they provide best food",
"people can enjoy best films",
"they can arrive on time",
"the price is not high"
]
| People travel a lot with Bel Air because they know they will get what they want. They want to go quickly and safely across the country, across the sea or right across the world, and they know Bel Air will take them where they want to go, when they want to go. Bel Air flies all the newest and fastest planes to more towns and cities, in more countries of the world than any other airline. Do you want to go to Paris, Washington DC, Tokyo? Bel Air will take you there, at all times of the day and night, right through the week. But Bel Air flies not only to the biggest cities, in the rich counties---we fly two or three times a week to towns and cities in the centre of Asia, Africa and South America. People who travel a lot fly with Bel Air, because they know they will leave on time and arrive on time. They know that they will receive the best food and watch the best films. Bel Air is second to none. When you fly, fly with Bel Air. The reasons why people fly with Bel Air are the followings except . | People travel a lot with Bel Air because they know they will get what they want. They want to go quickly and safely across the country, across the sea or right across the world, and they know Bel Air will take them where they want to go, when they want to go. Bel Air flies all the newest and fastest planes to more towns and cities, in more countries of the world than any other airline. Do you want to go to Paris, Washington DC, Tokyo? Bel Air will take you there, at all times of the day and night, right through the week. But Bel Air flies not only to the biggest cities, in the rich counties---we fly two or three times a week to towns and cities in the centre of Asia, Africa and South America. People who travel a lot fly with Bel Air, because they know they will leave on time and arrive on time. They know that they will receive the best food and watch the best films. Bel Air is second to none. When you fly, fly with Bel Air. The reasons why people fly with Bel Air are the followings except .
A. they provide best food
B. people can enjoy best films
C. they can arrive on time
D. the price is not high
Answer:D | 82,056 | 82,056 |
2 | [
"get ready for discussing prices",
"choose a first-class store",
"bring the plans with you",
"buy a bit more materials"
]
| What a great project this is, building your own greenhouse! If you're a gardener, then a greenhouse is necessary no matter where you live. As long as you've got some good plans, it's possible to build a backyard greenhouse within just a few days. It's a great way to impress the neighbors! Metal greenhouses are practical, I agree, but they look ugly. If you build your own backyard greenhouse from wood, you'll end up with a lovely looking Victorian-style greenhouse, which will last very long if you treat it with the correct wood protection. Of course you'll save a lot of money in the process too. How much exactly? It's difficult to say as it depends on how much glass costs where you live. After all, there isn't much wood required, as it's only the actual frame that is wooden. To make sure you save the most money, it's best to take your plans to wherever you plan to buy your materials. That way you won't end up wasting any money on unnecessary materials. To be honest, saving money is not the main reason for building your own greenhouse. It's the fun you'll get from building it and the pleasure you'll get from showing it off to your friends and family that makes the project worth doing. Nothing beats the feeling when someone asks you where you bought something and you turn around and say "Oh, actually, I built it myself!" That feeling is priceless! You'll never feel like that over something you've bought! When buying materials for your greenhouse, you had better _ . | What a great project this is, building your own greenhouse! If you're a gardener, then a greenhouse is necessary no matter where you live. As long as you've got some good plans, it's possible to build a backyard greenhouse within just a few days. It's a great way to impress the neighbors! Metal greenhouses are practical, I agree, but they look ugly. If you build your own backyard greenhouse from wood, you'll end up with a lovely looking Victorian-style greenhouse, which will last very long if you treat it with the correct wood protection. Of course you'll save a lot of money in the process too. How much exactly? It's difficult to say as it depends on how much glass costs where you live. After all, there isn't much wood required, as it's only the actual frame that is wooden. To make sure you save the most money, it's best to take your plans to wherever you plan to buy your materials. That way you won't end up wasting any money on unnecessary materials. To be honest, saving money is not the main reason for building your own greenhouse. It's the fun you'll get from building it and the pleasure you'll get from showing it off to your friends and family that makes the project worth doing. Nothing beats the feeling when someone asks you where you bought something and you turn around and say "Oh, actually, I built it myself!" That feeling is priceless! You'll never feel like that over something you've bought! When buying materials for your greenhouse, you had better _ .
A. get ready for discussing prices
B. choose a first-class store
C. bring the plans with you
D. buy a bit more materials
Answer:C | 26,894 | 26,894 |
2 | [
"teacher",
"owner",
"captain",
"worker"
]
| I'm Sam. My hobby is playing chess --one of the greatest games in the world. My mom taught me how to play when I was 7. She beat me every time for the first year. But then on my eighth birthday, I won for the first time. I nearly always beat her from then on. It takes about a day to learn the rules . But if you want to be good, you have to practice for years. You don't need much to play chess--just a chess set and someone to play with. Chess sets can be quite cheap, or very expensive. Some people collect chess sets as a hobby, but some prefer playing. There is a chess club in our school, and we meet every week to play with each other. I'm the best player in the club, and the captain of the school chess team. This year we won the All English Schools' Championship , and I had to go up on stage in front of the whole school to collect the trophy . I'm saving up my money to buy a chess computer. It's very expensive, but very good for practice. In that way, I'll always have someone to play with. One day I will be the world chess champion . ,. Sam is the _ of the school chess team | I'm Sam. My hobby is playing chess --one of the greatest games in the world. My mom taught me how to play when I was 7. She beat me every time for the first year. But then on my eighth birthday, I won for the first time. I nearly always beat her from then on. It takes about a day to learn the rules . But if you want to be good, you have to practice for years. You don't need much to play chess--just a chess set and someone to play with. Chess sets can be quite cheap, or very expensive. Some people collect chess sets as a hobby, but some prefer playing. There is a chess club in our school, and we meet every week to play with each other. I'm the best player in the club, and the captain of the school chess team. This year we won the All English Schools' Championship , and I had to go up on stage in front of the whole school to collect the trophy . I'm saving up my money to buy a chess computer. It's very expensive, but very good for practice. In that way, I'll always have someone to play with. One day I will be the world chess champion . ,. Sam is the _ of the school chess team
A. teacher
B. owner
C. captain
D. worker
Answer:C | 69,010 | 69,010 |
2 | [
"The woman hated the old man",
"The woman hadn't enough food to give the old man",
"The old man did nothing at home",
"The old man lost a leg in the traffic accident"
]
| The Story of a Broken Bowl Henry is a boy of nine. Three years ago he began to go to school. He studied hard and does well in his lessons. His parents like him very much. Henry's grandpa is a single man. But once he lost a leg in a traffic accident. And now he can't work. He often tells the boy all kinds of interesting stories. Sometimes he makes a kite or a cage. And he teaches the boy how to catch the singing birds and how to give them food. The boy admires him very much and always stays with him when he's free. But Henry's mother didn't like the old man. She always thought him useless and dirty, and didn't let her son play with him but the boy didn't listen to her. When they sat at table, she put some food on another table and filled a broken bowl with rice and porridge. The old man was very sad but he dared not say anything. Henry was angry with his mother about it. One day he saw a broken bowl on his way home. He picked it up and put it into his bag. His mother found it and asked, " Why have you brought a broken bowl home, dear?" " I keep it for you." said Henry, "When you're old like my grandpa, I'll fill it with rice for you !" Having heard this, the woman began to cry. Since then she's been good to the old man. _ , so she didn't let her son play with him. | The Story of a Broken Bowl Henry is a boy of nine. Three years ago he began to go to school. He studied hard and does well in his lessons. His parents like him very much. Henry's grandpa is a single man. But once he lost a leg in a traffic accident. And now he can't work. He often tells the boy all kinds of interesting stories. Sometimes he makes a kite or a cage. And he teaches the boy how to catch the singing birds and how to give them food. The boy admires him very much and always stays with him when he's free. But Henry's mother didn't like the old man. She always thought him useless and dirty, and didn't let her son play with him but the boy didn't listen to her. When they sat at table, she put some food on another table and filled a broken bowl with rice and porridge. The old man was very sad but he dared not say anything. Henry was angry with his mother about it. One day he saw a broken bowl on his way home. He picked it up and put it into his bag. His mother found it and asked, " Why have you brought a broken bowl home, dear?" " I keep it for you." said Henry, "When you're old like my grandpa, I'll fill it with rice for you !" Having heard this, the woman began to cry. Since then she's been good to the old man. _ , so she didn't let her son play with him.
A. The woman hated the old man
B. The woman hadn't enough food to give the old man
C. The old man did nothing at home
D. The old man lost a leg in the traffic accident
Answer:C | 77,671 | 77,671 |
0 | [
"312,000",
"480,000",
"650,000",
"1,000,000"
]
| Memphis is the largest city in the southern State of Tennessee, USA. The Mississippi River flows along the west side of the city. Memphis is the chief centre of business, industry and transportation in Tennessee. Six hundred fifty thousand people live in the city. More than one million people live in the area. Like many other American cities, Memphis has had racial problems. About forty eight percent of the city's population is African American. In 1968, city workers who collected waste went on strike. Most of the workers were black. The famous civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Junior went to Memphis to support the workers. On April 4th, King was murdered in Memphis by James Earl Ray. After Mr King's death, the city worked to improve living conditions for black people. In 1991, voters elected W*E Herenton the city's first black mayor . The same year, Memphis opened the National Civil Rights Museum. It was built next to the place where Martin Luther King was killed. Many people visit the museum to learn about the history of the American civil rights movement. Today, people from across the United States and around the world visit Memphis. Tourism has become a major industry. There are about _ African Americans living in Memphis. | Memphis is the largest city in the southern State of Tennessee, USA. The Mississippi River flows along the west side of the city. Memphis is the chief centre of business, industry and transportation in Tennessee. Six hundred fifty thousand people live in the city. More than one million people live in the area. Like many other American cities, Memphis has had racial problems. About forty eight percent of the city's population is African American. In 1968, city workers who collected waste went on strike. Most of the workers were black. The famous civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Junior went to Memphis to support the workers. On April 4th, King was murdered in Memphis by James Earl Ray. After Mr King's death, the city worked to improve living conditions for black people. In 1991, voters elected W*E Herenton the city's first black mayor . The same year, Memphis opened the National Civil Rights Museum. It was built next to the place where Martin Luther King was killed. Many people visit the museum to learn about the history of the American civil rights movement. Today, people from across the United States and around the world visit Memphis. Tourism has become a major industry. There are about _ African Americans living in Memphis.
A. 312,000
B. 480,000
C. 650,000
D. 1,000,000
Answer:A | 25,767 | 25,767 |
3 | [
"move to other planets",
"produce rain in laboratories",
"build new laboratories for food research",
"increase the food production or look for other food sources"
]
| By 2050 there will have been an extra 2.5 billion people on earth. And what will they eat? To solve the problem, we should have to double our food production. We can also develop a diet of algae , insects and meat grown in laboratories. Algae can grow very quickly at sea, in polluted water and in places that would normally kill food crops. They are already eaten widely in Japan and China and they are eaten by almost everything from shrimps to blue whales. They can fix CO2 in the atmosphere and provide fats and sugars. Man-made meat looks like meat, feels like meat and it is meat, although it's never been from a living, breathing animal. Instead, it is grown from cells in big containers. Moreover, studies show that producing man-made meat will use far less water, energy and land. China has developed "green super rice", a series of rice types which produce more grain and have stronger ability to fight against floods, salty water, insects and disease. We used traditional plant breeding techniques to cross-breed more than 250 rice types. Green super rice, which is enough to feed an extra 100 million people, will be planted widely in the coming years. Insects like ants are not on most European menus but at least 1,400 kinds are eaten across Africa, Latin America and Asia. Now, with rising food prices and worldwide land shortages, such insects are getting more and more popular. Not only are many insects rich in protein , low in fat and high in Ca and Fe, but insect farms need little space. And they can grow well on paper, algae and industrial wastes. In order to exist in the future, people have to _ . | By 2050 there will have been an extra 2.5 billion people on earth. And what will they eat? To solve the problem, we should have to double our food production. We can also develop a diet of algae , insects and meat grown in laboratories. Algae can grow very quickly at sea, in polluted water and in places that would normally kill food crops. They are already eaten widely in Japan and China and they are eaten by almost everything from shrimps to blue whales. They can fix CO2 in the atmosphere and provide fats and sugars. Man-made meat looks like meat, feels like meat and it is meat, although it's never been from a living, breathing animal. Instead, it is grown from cells in big containers. Moreover, studies show that producing man-made meat will use far less water, energy and land. China has developed "green super rice", a series of rice types which produce more grain and have stronger ability to fight against floods, salty water, insects and disease. We used traditional plant breeding techniques to cross-breed more than 250 rice types. Green super rice, which is enough to feed an extra 100 million people, will be planted widely in the coming years. Insects like ants are not on most European menus but at least 1,400 kinds are eaten across Africa, Latin America and Asia. Now, with rising food prices and worldwide land shortages, such insects are getting more and more popular. Not only are many insects rich in protein , low in fat and high in Ca and Fe, but insect farms need little space. And they can grow well on paper, algae and industrial wastes. In order to exist in the future, people have to _ .
A. move to other planets
B. produce rain in laboratories
C. build new laboratories for food research
D. increase the food production or look for other food sources
Answer:D | 34,183 | 34,183 |
3 | [
"decoration",
"decoration on presents",
"presents",
"all of the above"
]
| One of China's most popular folk arts is paper cutting . Archaeological finds trace the tradition back to the 6thcentury; it is supposed that the beginnings of paper cutting were even a few centuries earlier. Paper cuttings are used for religious purposes, for decoration and as patterns . Today, paper cuttings are mainly used as decoration. They _ walls, windows, doors, columns mirrors, lamps and lanterns in homes. They are also used for decoration on presents, and are given as presents themselves. They are of special importance at festivals. At the Spring Festival for example, entrances are decorated with paper cuttings which are supposed to bring good luck. Paper cuttings are not produced by machine, but by hand. There are two kinds of paper cuttings; scissor cuttings and knife cuttings. Scissor cuttings are fashioned with scissors. Several pieces of paper--- up to eight pieces---are fastened together. The motif is then cut with sharp, pointed scissors. Knife cuttings are fashioned by putting several layers of paper on a relatively soft foundation consisting of a mixture of tallow and ashes. Following a pattern, the artist cuts the motif into the paper with a sharp knife which he usually holds vertically . The advantage of knife cuttings is that considerably more paper cuttings can be made in one operation than scissor cuttings. In the countryside, paper cuttings are usually made only by women and girls. This used to be one of the skills that every girl was to master and that were often used to judge brides . Professional paper cutting artists are, on the other hand, almost always men who have guaranteed incomes and work together in workshops. Paper cuttings can be used for _ . | One of China's most popular folk arts is paper cutting . Archaeological finds trace the tradition back to the 6thcentury; it is supposed that the beginnings of paper cutting were even a few centuries earlier. Paper cuttings are used for religious purposes, for decoration and as patterns . Today, paper cuttings are mainly used as decoration. They _ walls, windows, doors, columns mirrors, lamps and lanterns in homes. They are also used for decoration on presents, and are given as presents themselves. They are of special importance at festivals. At the Spring Festival for example, entrances are decorated with paper cuttings which are supposed to bring good luck. Paper cuttings are not produced by machine, but by hand. There are two kinds of paper cuttings; scissor cuttings and knife cuttings. Scissor cuttings are fashioned with scissors. Several pieces of paper--- up to eight pieces---are fastened together. The motif is then cut with sharp, pointed scissors. Knife cuttings are fashioned by putting several layers of paper on a relatively soft foundation consisting of a mixture of tallow and ashes. Following a pattern, the artist cuts the motif into the paper with a sharp knife which he usually holds vertically . The advantage of knife cuttings is that considerably more paper cuttings can be made in one operation than scissor cuttings. In the countryside, paper cuttings are usually made only by women and girls. This used to be one of the skills that every girl was to master and that were often used to judge brides . Professional paper cutting artists are, on the other hand, almost always men who have guaranteed incomes and work together in workshops. Paper cuttings can be used for _ .
A. decoration
B. decoration on presents
C. presents
D. all of the above
Answer:D | 20,749 | 20,749 |
2 | [
"The beggar was once her friend.",
"She felt very pity for the beggar.",
"The beggar once offered her a free meal.",
"She once worked with the beggar."
]
| "Good morning!" said a woman as she walked up to an old man sitting on the ground. The man slowly looked up. He was Jack, who had been begging around here for a couple of years. "See thatcafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get you something to eat and get you out of the cold for a while." She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently. "Jack, do you remember me?" Old Jack thought hard and said, "I think so--I mean you do look familiar." "I was thin and hungry," she said. "Maybe I've _ now more than when you worked here. That was when I was just out of college. I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked in the streets for days, cold and hungry. I saw this place and walked in hoping that I could satisfy my hunger." Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said it was against company's policy." The woman continued, "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble. Then, I saw you put the price of my food in the cash register." "So you started your own business?" old Jack said. "I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God,prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons, the personnel director of my company. He'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled, "If you ever need anything, my door is always open to you." There were tears in the old man's eyes, "How can I ever thank you?" he said. "Don't thank me;" the woman answered, "thank yourself. It was your kindness that let me know you." Why did the woman invite the beggar to dinner? | "Good morning!" said a woman as she walked up to an old man sitting on the ground. The man slowly looked up. He was Jack, who had been begging around here for a couple of years. "See thatcafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get you something to eat and get you out of the cold for a while." She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently. "Jack, do you remember me?" Old Jack thought hard and said, "I think so--I mean you do look familiar." "I was thin and hungry," she said. "Maybe I've _ now more than when you worked here. That was when I was just out of college. I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked in the streets for days, cold and hungry. I saw this place and walked in hoping that I could satisfy my hunger." Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said it was against company's policy." The woman continued, "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble. Then, I saw you put the price of my food in the cash register." "So you started your own business?" old Jack said. "I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God,prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons, the personnel director of my company. He'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled, "If you ever need anything, my door is always open to you." There were tears in the old man's eyes, "How can I ever thank you?" he said. "Don't thank me;" the woman answered, "thank yourself. It was your kindness that let me know you." Why did the woman invite the beggar to dinner?
A. The beggar was once her friend.
B. She felt very pity for the beggar.
C. The beggar once offered her a free meal.
D. She once worked with the beggar.
Answer:C | 29,786 | 29,786 |
0 | [
"They failed to destroy the dam repeatedly built by the beavers.",
"They didn't know who to send to deal with the dam trouble.",
"The beavers were building dams in every corner of the town.",
"The political situation in the town was becoming much worse."
]
| They don't quite know how to cope with all the dam trouble they've got down in Hampden, Maine. And according to town manager Leslie Stanley, it doesn't look as if things will improve any in the immediate future. "We've got a real annoying problem on our hands," he says. The annoyance began in late May. About three miles outside of town a group of beavers built a dam near the mouth of a culvert that carries a stream under Canaan Road. Some 50 feet of roadway and several hundred feet of land on each side of the culvert were flooded. Stanley sent a road crew out to level the dam. The beavers rebuilt it. The crew tore it apart again. In fact, they tore it apart for ten mornings-and for ten straight nights the beavers rebuilt it. On the eleventh day, the foreman tossed the problem back to the town manager. He, in turn, tossed it on to the local game warden . The warden, absorbed in beaver knowledge, moved quietly and carefully out one night and placed a petrol-soaked bag over the dam. (Any beaver expert will tell you the creatures just can't tolerate petrol smell.) In the morning the bag was found artistically woven into the dam. The warden set out three steel traps that night. In the morning one was empty. The other two had been stolen by the beavers and used to strengthen the dam. The warden, cursing the state law against hunting beavers with firearms, got his traps back and set them out again and again. And every night the beavers stole them. Town manager Stanley enlisted additional troops. He telephoned his police chief. Those beavers were breaking a state law against blocking up a natural watercourse. "Why aren't you out there to _ the law?" Stanley asked. "You're the police chief. So remove them. Arrest them. Do something." Three mornings later, the police chief proudly announced the end of the dam. At 2:00 A.M., he said, he and a licensed dynamiter had blown it to small pieces. Stanley said he'd believe it when he saw it. They drove out to the culvert and found a new dam already half-built. They also found the highway choked with mud and remains thrown up by the dynamite. Stanley said maybe they should call in the Army Corps of Engineers. But the police chief's faith in explosives was unshaken. He launched an all-out campaign,but the beavers always managed to have the holes plugged by the time the fire department appeared on the scene for its morning mop-up. In time, the beavers tired of this nonsense and moved their dam "inside" the culvert-where it couldn't be blown up without destroying the road too. Stanley and his general staff held a council of war and agreed that fresh strategy was called for. Then they came up with an inspired idea. If we remove every branch of the dam by hand, we'll force the beavers to go in search of new building material to replace what we've taken. Then we can place box traps along their runways and seized them. The plan was completely approved. Moreover it worked. On July 30, town manager Stanley was able to announce that the beaver group had been trapped and removed to a remote wilderness area. And there was great joy in Hampden-until the middle of October, that is, when a group of young beavers was spotted swimming in the same waters from which its elders had recently been taken away. But to make a long story short, the strategy that worked with the older beavers worked with the young ones too. What was the annoying problem for the authorities in Hampden, Maine? | They don't quite know how to cope with all the dam trouble they've got down in Hampden, Maine. And according to town manager Leslie Stanley, it doesn't look as if things will improve any in the immediate future. "We've got a real annoying problem on our hands," he says. The annoyance began in late May. About three miles outside of town a group of beavers built a dam near the mouth of a culvert that carries a stream under Canaan Road. Some 50 feet of roadway and several hundred feet of land on each side of the culvert were flooded. Stanley sent a road crew out to level the dam. The beavers rebuilt it. The crew tore it apart again. In fact, they tore it apart for ten mornings-and for ten straight nights the beavers rebuilt it. On the eleventh day, the foreman tossed the problem back to the town manager. He, in turn, tossed it on to the local game warden . The warden, absorbed in beaver knowledge, moved quietly and carefully out one night and placed a petrol-soaked bag over the dam. (Any beaver expert will tell you the creatures just can't tolerate petrol smell.) In the morning the bag was found artistically woven into the dam. The warden set out three steel traps that night. In the morning one was empty. The other two had been stolen by the beavers and used to strengthen the dam. The warden, cursing the state law against hunting beavers with firearms, got his traps back and set them out again and again. And every night the beavers stole them. Town manager Stanley enlisted additional troops. He telephoned his police chief. Those beavers were breaking a state law against blocking up a natural watercourse. "Why aren't you out there to _ the law?" Stanley asked. "You're the police chief. So remove them. Arrest them. Do something." Three mornings later, the police chief proudly announced the end of the dam. At 2:00 A.M., he said, he and a licensed dynamiter had blown it to small pieces. Stanley said he'd believe it when he saw it. They drove out to the culvert and found a new dam already half-built. They also found the highway choked with mud and remains thrown up by the dynamite. Stanley said maybe they should call in the Army Corps of Engineers. But the police chief's faith in explosives was unshaken. He launched an all-out campaign,but the beavers always managed to have the holes plugged by the time the fire department appeared on the scene for its morning mop-up. In time, the beavers tired of this nonsense and moved their dam "inside" the culvert-where it couldn't be blown up without destroying the road too. Stanley and his general staff held a council of war and agreed that fresh strategy was called for. Then they came up with an inspired idea. If we remove every branch of the dam by hand, we'll force the beavers to go in search of new building material to replace what we've taken. Then we can place box traps along their runways and seized them. The plan was completely approved. Moreover it worked. On July 30, town manager Stanley was able to announce that the beaver group had been trapped and removed to a remote wilderness area. And there was great joy in Hampden-until the middle of October, that is, when a group of young beavers was spotted swimming in the same waters from which its elders had recently been taken away. But to make a long story short, the strategy that worked with the older beavers worked with the young ones too. What was the annoying problem for the authorities in Hampden, Maine?
A. They failed to destroy the dam repeatedly built by the beavers.
B. They didn't know who to send to deal with the dam trouble.
C. The beavers were building dams in every corner of the town.
D. The political situation in the town was becoming much worse.
Answer:A | 18,275 | 18,275 |
1 | [
"www.wfp.org/hiv-aids",
"www.wfp.org/food-asset",
"www.wfp.org/purchase-progress",
"www.wfp.org/school-meals"
]
| The creative projects of World Food Program (WFP) focused on preventing hunger from taking hold in the future and breaking the cycle of hunger. Here are some of the ways in which we work to prevent hunger in the future: School Meals As well as directly addressing hunger, School Meals projects encourage families to keep their children in school and help them build better futures. If children aren't hungry they will concentrate on their lessons. With a solid education growing children have a better chance of finding their own way out of hunger. These projects benefit girls especially. For more information: www.wfp.org/schools meals. Food for Assets WFP's Food for Assets projects provide the hungry with food to lay the foundation for a better tomorrow. When poor farmers no longer have to worry about the next meal, they have the time and energy to build irrigation systems that can increase production. Similarly, Food for Training projects allow the poor to devote time to learning skills that will sustain them economically in the future. For more information: www.wfp.org/food-assets. HIV/AIDS WFP uses its food rations to reduce the blow of HIV and AIDS. The agency distributes its rations to people living with HIV and AIDS, so they can keep providing for their families for longer and have time to transfer vital knowledge and skills to the growing number of AIDS children--the next generation of food providers in developing countries. For more information: www.wfp.org/hiv-aids. Purchase for Progress WFP buys large amounts of food in developing countries. It has this purchasing power and uses it to help poor farmers contact reliable markets where they can get competitive prices for their produce. With secure markets, farmers will be encouraged to produce more and innovate .The knock-on effect is producing more food for everyone. For more information: www.wfp.ofp/purchase-progress. The farmers who want to receive some training should visit _ . | The creative projects of World Food Program (WFP) focused on preventing hunger from taking hold in the future and breaking the cycle of hunger. Here are some of the ways in which we work to prevent hunger in the future: School Meals As well as directly addressing hunger, School Meals projects encourage families to keep their children in school and help them build better futures. If children aren't hungry they will concentrate on their lessons. With a solid education growing children have a better chance of finding their own way out of hunger. These projects benefit girls especially. For more information: www.wfp.org/schools meals. Food for Assets WFP's Food for Assets projects provide the hungry with food to lay the foundation for a better tomorrow. When poor farmers no longer have to worry about the next meal, they have the time and energy to build irrigation systems that can increase production. Similarly, Food for Training projects allow the poor to devote time to learning skills that will sustain them economically in the future. For more information: www.wfp.org/food-assets. HIV/AIDS WFP uses its food rations to reduce the blow of HIV and AIDS. The agency distributes its rations to people living with HIV and AIDS, so they can keep providing for their families for longer and have time to transfer vital knowledge and skills to the growing number of AIDS children--the next generation of food providers in developing countries. For more information: www.wfp.org/hiv-aids. Purchase for Progress WFP buys large amounts of food in developing countries. It has this purchasing power and uses it to help poor farmers contact reliable markets where they can get competitive prices for their produce. With secure markets, farmers will be encouraged to produce more and innovate .The knock-on effect is producing more food for everyone. For more information: www.wfp.ofp/purchase-progress. The farmers who want to receive some training should visit _ .
A. www.wfp.org/hiv-aids
B. www.wfp.org/food-asset
C. www.wfp.org/purchase-progress
D. www.wfp.org/school-meals
Answer:B | 15,844 | 15,844 |
1 | [
"Put the harvested items on a clean surface.",
"Remove outer leaves from vegetables and fruits.",
"Harvest foods either early or late in the day.",
"Cool fruits and vegetables before storage."
]
| Before fridges, homes usually had ice boxes. But another way to keep food cool without electricity is to use an evaporative cooler. It is easy to make and does not even use ice. A common design is a tall box with several shelves inside. The shelves are pieces of metal with many small holes through them. The sides of the box are covered with pieces of thick cloth. Containers of water are placed at the top and bottom of the cooler. The ends of each piece of cloth lie in the water so the cloth stays wet. Put the cooler in the open air but not in the sun. Air will pass through while the inside of the box will stay several degrees cooler than the outside. This can keep foods fresh for a short time. The best way to prepare foods for storage is at harvest time. Place the harvested items on a clean surface, but not on the ground. Fruits and vegetables must be cool from field heat before they are stored. A good idea is to harvest foods either early or late in the day, then leave them to cool naturally. Do not remove outer leaves from fruits and vegetables before storage. Some fruits and vegetables must be stored at zero to four degrees Celsius. Any colder, and they might be damaged. Others need four to eight degrees, and still others above eight degrees. Cover the items in plastic once they reach the right " _ " for storage. Which of the following is NOT a step in storing foods according to the passage? | Before fridges, homes usually had ice boxes. But another way to keep food cool without electricity is to use an evaporative cooler. It is easy to make and does not even use ice. A common design is a tall box with several shelves inside. The shelves are pieces of metal with many small holes through them. The sides of the box are covered with pieces of thick cloth. Containers of water are placed at the top and bottom of the cooler. The ends of each piece of cloth lie in the water so the cloth stays wet. Put the cooler in the open air but not in the sun. Air will pass through while the inside of the box will stay several degrees cooler than the outside. This can keep foods fresh for a short time. The best way to prepare foods for storage is at harvest time. Place the harvested items on a clean surface, but not on the ground. Fruits and vegetables must be cool from field heat before they are stored. A good idea is to harvest foods either early or late in the day, then leave them to cool naturally. Do not remove outer leaves from fruits and vegetables before storage. Some fruits and vegetables must be stored at zero to four degrees Celsius. Any colder, and they might be damaged. Others need four to eight degrees, and still others above eight degrees. Cover the items in plastic once they reach the right " _ " for storage. Which of the following is NOT a step in storing foods according to the passage?
A. Put the harvested items on a clean surface.
B. Remove outer leaves from vegetables and fruits.
C. Harvest foods either early or late in the day.
D. Cool fruits and vegetables before storage.
Answer:B | 42,901 | 42,901 |
0 | [
"her paintings raised people's hope for the future",
"her paintings expressed the reality of her old age",
"many Americans were interested in purchasing art works",
"people wanted to get comfort by remembering grandmas"
]
| The artist Grandma Moses became famous for her simple, bright, cheerful paintings of American farm life.Her full name was Anna Mary Robertson Moses.But she was known to everyone as Grandma Moses because she did not begin to paint seriously until in her seventies. Born on a farm in New York, Anna had little schooling.Her days were filled with farm chores.But she often found time to make pictures.Soon, however, she became too busy to draw or paint.At the age of 12, she went to work as a servant for a family nearby.She worked for other people for many years.Then, when she was 27, she married Thomas Moses, a farmer.And they began raising a family of their own. Anna Moses could no longer do heavy farm work with age.Then, in her seventies, she began to paint in oils.Her pictures showed things she recalled from childhood-farm scenes, ice-skating, bringing home the Christmas tree.Later, she began to display her art at county fairs.Her pictures recorded a way of life that was quickly passing away.People everywhere loved these happy scenes, and soon her paintings were shown in art galleries.Grandma Moses became famous partially on account of her age, but mainly because her approach to art was modest and simple compared to many other painters of her time.Without formal training or even knowledge of Modernism, she relied on her own simple techniques to create her landscapes and scenes.She continued to paint almost until her death, on December 13, 1961 , at the age of 101. The themes in her paintings provided the comfort of a rural life that many busy Americans treasured from their past.The threat of nuclear arms that appeared on television screens and in magazines had Americans starving for something more.Grandma Moses' art appealed to those who had lost hope for the future.Her classic paintings still appear on TV commercials, greeting cards, and magazine and book covers. We can know from the passage that _ . | The artist Grandma Moses became famous for her simple, bright, cheerful paintings of American farm life.Her full name was Anna Mary Robertson Moses.But she was known to everyone as Grandma Moses because she did not begin to paint seriously until in her seventies. Born on a farm in New York, Anna had little schooling.Her days were filled with farm chores.But she often found time to make pictures.Soon, however, she became too busy to draw or paint.At the age of 12, she went to work as a servant for a family nearby.She worked for other people for many years.Then, when she was 27, she married Thomas Moses, a farmer.And they began raising a family of their own. Anna Moses could no longer do heavy farm work with age.Then, in her seventies, she began to paint in oils.Her pictures showed things she recalled from childhood-farm scenes, ice-skating, bringing home the Christmas tree.Later, she began to display her art at county fairs.Her pictures recorded a way of life that was quickly passing away.People everywhere loved these happy scenes, and soon her paintings were shown in art galleries.Grandma Moses became famous partially on account of her age, but mainly because her approach to art was modest and simple compared to many other painters of her time.Without formal training or even knowledge of Modernism, she relied on her own simple techniques to create her landscapes and scenes.She continued to paint almost until her death, on December 13, 1961 , at the age of 101. The themes in her paintings provided the comfort of a rural life that many busy Americans treasured from their past.The threat of nuclear arms that appeared on television screens and in magazines had Americans starving for something more.Grandma Moses' art appealed to those who had lost hope for the future.Her classic paintings still appear on TV commercials, greeting cards, and magazine and book covers. We can know from the passage that _ .
A. her paintings raised people's hope for the future
B. her paintings expressed the reality of her old age
C. many Americans were interested in purchasing art works
D. people wanted to get comfort by remembering grandmas
Answer:A | 22,714 | 22,714 |
1 | [
"are lying on the ground",
"have an unpleasant taste",
"bees don't like",
"have an unfamiliar shape"
]
| Can trees talk? Yes, but not in words. Scientists have reasons to believe that trees do communicate with each other. Not long ago, researchers learned some surprising things. First a willow tree attacked in the woods by caterpillars changed the chemistry of its leaves and made them taste so terrible that they got tired of the leaves and stopped eating them. Then even more astonishing, the tree sent out a special smell---a signal causing its neighbors to change the chemistry of their own leaves and make them less tasty. Communication, of course, doesn't need to be in words. We can talk to each other by smiling, raising our shoulders and moving our hands. We know that birds and animals use a whole vocabulary of songs, sounds, and movements. Bees dance their signals, flying in certain patterns that tell other bees where to find nectar for honey. So why shouldn't trees have ways of sending messages? It can be concluded from the passage that caterpillars do not feed on leaves that _ . | Can trees talk? Yes, but not in words. Scientists have reasons to believe that trees do communicate with each other. Not long ago, researchers learned some surprising things. First a willow tree attacked in the woods by caterpillars changed the chemistry of its leaves and made them taste so terrible that they got tired of the leaves and stopped eating them. Then even more astonishing, the tree sent out a special smell---a signal causing its neighbors to change the chemistry of their own leaves and make them less tasty. Communication, of course, doesn't need to be in words. We can talk to each other by smiling, raising our shoulders and moving our hands. We know that birds and animals use a whole vocabulary of songs, sounds, and movements. Bees dance their signals, flying in certain patterns that tell other bees where to find nectar for honey. So why shouldn't trees have ways of sending messages? It can be concluded from the passage that caterpillars do not feed on leaves that _ .
A. are lying on the ground
B. have an unpleasant taste
C. bees don't like
D. have an unfamiliar shape
Answer:B | 17,405 | 17,405 |
1 | [
"pay off the debt",
"start a private hotel",
"cut down expenses",
"buy living necessities"
]
| More People Are Leaving the Rat Race for the Simple Life Time is more precious than money for an increasing number of people who are choosing to live more with less--and liking it Kay and Charles Giddens, two lawyers, sold their home to start a B&B hotel.Four years later, the couple dishes out banana pancake breakfast, cleans toilets and serves homemade chocolate chip cookies to guests in a B&B hotel surrounded by trees on a hill known for colorful sunsets. "Do I miss the freeways? Do I miss the traffic? Do I miss the stress? No," says Ms.Giddens, "This is a phenomenon that's fairly widespread. A lot of people are reevaluating their lives and figuring out what they want to do.If their base is being damaged, what's the payoff?" Simple living ranges from cutting down on weeknight activities to sharing housing, living closer to work, avoiding shopping malls, borrowing books from the library instead of buying them, and taking a cut in pay to work at a more pleasurable job. Vicki Robin, a writer, lives on a budget equal to a fifth of what she used to make."You become conscious about where your money is going and how valuable it is," Ms.Robin says, "You tend not to use things up.You cook at home rather than eat out..." Janet Luhrs, a lawyer, quit her job after giving birth and leaving her daughter with a nanny for two weeks."It was not the way I wanted to raise my kids," she says, "Simplicity is not just about saving money; it's about me sitting down every night with my kids to a candlelit dinner with classical music." Mrs.Luhrs now edits a magazine,Simple Living, which publishes tips on how to buy recycled furniture and shoes, organize potluck dinners instead of expensive receptions, and generally how to consume less. "It's not about poverty," Mrs.Luhrs explains, "It's about conscious living and creating the life you want.The less stuff you buy, the less money goes out of the door, and the less money you have to earn." Kay and Charles Giddens sold their home to _ . | More People Are Leaving the Rat Race for the Simple Life Time is more precious than money for an increasing number of people who are choosing to live more with less--and liking it Kay and Charles Giddens, two lawyers, sold their home to start a B&B hotel.Four years later, the couple dishes out banana pancake breakfast, cleans toilets and serves homemade chocolate chip cookies to guests in a B&B hotel surrounded by trees on a hill known for colorful sunsets. "Do I miss the freeways? Do I miss the traffic? Do I miss the stress? No," says Ms.Giddens, "This is a phenomenon that's fairly widespread. A lot of people are reevaluating their lives and figuring out what they want to do.If their base is being damaged, what's the payoff?" Simple living ranges from cutting down on weeknight activities to sharing housing, living closer to work, avoiding shopping malls, borrowing books from the library instead of buying them, and taking a cut in pay to work at a more pleasurable job. Vicki Robin, a writer, lives on a budget equal to a fifth of what she used to make."You become conscious about where your money is going and how valuable it is," Ms.Robin says, "You tend not to use things up.You cook at home rather than eat out..." Janet Luhrs, a lawyer, quit her job after giving birth and leaving her daughter with a nanny for two weeks."It was not the way I wanted to raise my kids," she says, "Simplicity is not just about saving money; it's about me sitting down every night with my kids to a candlelit dinner with classical music." Mrs.Luhrs now edits a magazine,Simple Living, which publishes tips on how to buy recycled furniture and shoes, organize potluck dinners instead of expensive receptions, and generally how to consume less. "It's not about poverty," Mrs.Luhrs explains, "It's about conscious living and creating the life you want.The less stuff you buy, the less money goes out of the door, and the less money you have to earn." Kay and Charles Giddens sold their home to _ .
A. pay off the debt
B. start a private hotel
C. cut down expenses
D. buy living necessities
Answer:B | 58,107 | 58,107 |
2 | [
"soft drink manufacturing",
"textiles",
"energy generation",
"powering airplanes"
]
| Coal mines are an essential for what industries? | Coal mines are an essential for what industries?
A. soft drink manufacturing
B. textiles
C. energy generation
D. powering airplanes
Answer:C | 98,266 | 98,266 |
3 | [
"The Pacific Ocean",
"The Atlantic Ocean",
"The Indian Ocean",
"The Arctic Ocean."
]
| The 16-year-old girl Jessica Watson is said to be the youngest person to sail non-stop alone around the world. But her record has been questioned because someone thought that she has not sailed far enough. She will also not be recognized by the World Speed Sailing Record Council, as it was too dangerous for someone under 18 years old. Ms Watson sailed into Sydney port on Saturday, seven months after leaving on a hard voyage. Family, friends and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd have gathered to greet her. Thousands of well-wishers waited at the port and watched from boats as Ms Watson sailed her pink, 10m boat over the finishing line. Many more Australians watched the event broadcast live on television. Watson said she was just an "ordinary girl who believed in her dream". Ms Watson left Sydney on 18 October, despite that some people disagreed her plan. Watson traveled northeast through the South Pacific and across the equator , south to Cape Horn at the tip of South America, across the Atlantic Ocean to South Africa, through the Indian Ocean and around southern Australia. The route took her through some of the world's most changeful waters, and she battled through huge storms and suffered seven accidents of her boat. People around the world have followed Ms Watson's adventures on her blog, which she has daily updated . On her blog, she wrote down beautiful sunrise over seas, the excitement of meeting a blue whale and the bright, terrible sight of a shooting star flying across the night sky above her boat. Ms Watson has reportedly sold her story to a news company for $700,000. She is planning to write a book on her experience. Which of the following oceans didn't Ms Watson cross through in her voyage? | The 16-year-old girl Jessica Watson is said to be the youngest person to sail non-stop alone around the world. But her record has been questioned because someone thought that she has not sailed far enough. She will also not be recognized by the World Speed Sailing Record Council, as it was too dangerous for someone under 18 years old. Ms Watson sailed into Sydney port on Saturday, seven months after leaving on a hard voyage. Family, friends and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd have gathered to greet her. Thousands of well-wishers waited at the port and watched from boats as Ms Watson sailed her pink, 10m boat over the finishing line. Many more Australians watched the event broadcast live on television. Watson said she was just an "ordinary girl who believed in her dream". Ms Watson left Sydney on 18 October, despite that some people disagreed her plan. Watson traveled northeast through the South Pacific and across the equator , south to Cape Horn at the tip of South America, across the Atlantic Ocean to South Africa, through the Indian Ocean and around southern Australia. The route took her through some of the world's most changeful waters, and she battled through huge storms and suffered seven accidents of her boat. People around the world have followed Ms Watson's adventures on her blog, which she has daily updated . On her blog, she wrote down beautiful sunrise over seas, the excitement of meeting a blue whale and the bright, terrible sight of a shooting star flying across the night sky above her boat. Ms Watson has reportedly sold her story to a news company for $700,000. She is planning to write a book on her experience. Which of the following oceans didn't Ms Watson cross through in her voyage?
A. The Pacific Ocean
B. The Atlantic Ocean
C. The Indian Ocean
D. The Arctic Ocean.
Answer:D | 50,116 | 50,116 |
3 | [
"England",
"Canada",
"America",
"Australia"
]
| Tom comes from Australia. He is now staying in Beijing with his family. Every day he gets up at about six thirty and has breakfast at seven o'clock. Then he leaves home at seven fifteen. He gets to school at seven forty- five. His first class begins at eight. There are four lessons in the morning. Morning classes are over at eleven fifty, and he has lunch ten minutes later. Afternoon classes begin at one thirty. There are two lessons in the afternoon. They are over at three ten. Tom stays at school for another hour to play games, and he gets home at about four thirty. Tom usually has supper at six. In the evening he does his homework. Sometimes he watches TV. He goes to bed at about ten. Tom comes from _ . | Tom comes from Australia. He is now staying in Beijing with his family. Every day he gets up at about six thirty and has breakfast at seven o'clock. Then he leaves home at seven fifteen. He gets to school at seven forty- five. His first class begins at eight. There are four lessons in the morning. Morning classes are over at eleven fifty, and he has lunch ten minutes later. Afternoon classes begin at one thirty. There are two lessons in the afternoon. They are over at three ten. Tom stays at school for another hour to play games, and he gets home at about four thirty. Tom usually has supper at six. In the evening he does his homework. Sometimes he watches TV. He goes to bed at about ten. Tom comes from _ .
A. England
B. Canada
C. America
D. Australia
Answer:D | 81,489 | 81,489 |
1 | [
"human beings should try to avoid making mistakes",
"no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes",
"mistakes and failures make up our life",
"human beings make mistakes easily"
]
| Mistakes are a part of life. To err is human. Failure is also a part of life, not the end of life. Be happy facing life's challenges. When you make the effort to be happy and to improve your life, you are actually rewarded along the way. Life is like a game and maybe you can award points for every effort that has been a success for you. Try it. Add ten points for every achievement. And when you have reached 50 points, just yell, " Hey, I've won!" and give yourself a reward. If you happen to have missed your points for whatever reason, tell yourself, "Well, I tried!" which is better than not trying at all. Don't let it be said you didn't try. What is it that you want to make yourself happy? Actually happiness means different things to different people. For example, an athlete will be happy winning his first race. For a new mother happiness would be seeing her baby's first steps. Happiness for a poor person would mean having a meal just for today. So happiness for you is really something simple that you want for yourself. It really doesn't have to be big. As a matter of fact you should always have realistic expectations. Make the best out of every given situation. If you expect a certain result from a situation and it does not happen, don't get _ This just means trying harder next time. We all have in us the power to succeed. Don't let " give up " be a part of your vocabulary. By saying "To err is human", the author means that _ . | Mistakes are a part of life. To err is human. Failure is also a part of life, not the end of life. Be happy facing life's challenges. When you make the effort to be happy and to improve your life, you are actually rewarded along the way. Life is like a game and maybe you can award points for every effort that has been a success for you. Try it. Add ten points for every achievement. And when you have reached 50 points, just yell, " Hey, I've won!" and give yourself a reward. If you happen to have missed your points for whatever reason, tell yourself, "Well, I tried!" which is better than not trying at all. Don't let it be said you didn't try. What is it that you want to make yourself happy? Actually happiness means different things to different people. For example, an athlete will be happy winning his first race. For a new mother happiness would be seeing her baby's first steps. Happiness for a poor person would mean having a meal just for today. So happiness for you is really something simple that you want for yourself. It really doesn't have to be big. As a matter of fact you should always have realistic expectations. Make the best out of every given situation. If you expect a certain result from a situation and it does not happen, don't get _ This just means trying harder next time. We all have in us the power to succeed. Don't let " give up " be a part of your vocabulary. By saying "To err is human", the author means that _ .
A. human beings should try to avoid making mistakes
B. no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes
C. mistakes and failures make up our life
D. human beings make mistakes easily
Answer:B | 15,442 | 15,442 |
3 | [
"Airbus is not aiming at the Japanese market.",
"Boeing is not a rival of Airbus.",
"A380 hasn't been used yet.",
"Boeing is better than Airbus."
]
| The word's largest aircraft made its public debut last week at Europe's biggest factory, a purpose built assembly line in Toulouse, souther, n France.The Airbus A380 will have 50 per cent more floor space than American rival Boeing's 747 Jumbo, with room for duty-free shops, restaurants and even a sauna.This new arrival is expected to change the face of air travel. The A380 will enter service in early 2006 with Singapore Airlines. Airbus claims the A380 will burn less fuel, make less noise, create less pollution and cost 17 per cent less per seat than the 747.It will also reduce traffic problems in the skies. The aircraft, which cost between PS140 million(US$250m) and PS157 million (US$280m) each compared with PS84 million (US$150m) for Boeing's new Dreamliner jet, is being built at 16 factories in Germany, France, Spain and the UK. But activists have warned of more noise and pollution from the Superjumbo, while Boeing believes huge aircraft will not be in great demand over the next decade. As a result, it is putting faith in the much smaller 7E7 Dreamliner.But Airbus is pinning its hopes on the "big is beautiful" theory, gambling on size being the key factor in the US-European battle for the skies. Airbus said it was in talks with half a dozen global airlines about buying the A380. China Eastern Airlines, already an Airbus customer, is said to be targeted, while executives made it plain that they wanted to fight for the Japanese market, which had traditionally been controlled by Boeing. Over the next 20 years, Airbus hopes to sell 750 of the new planes into a market worth PS185billion (US$330bn).The company already has129 firm orders for the A380, with 52 options. From the passage, we can infer that _ | The word's largest aircraft made its public debut last week at Europe's biggest factory, a purpose built assembly line in Toulouse, souther, n France.The Airbus A380 will have 50 per cent more floor space than American rival Boeing's 747 Jumbo, with room for duty-free shops, restaurants and even a sauna.This new arrival is expected to change the face of air travel. The A380 will enter service in early 2006 with Singapore Airlines. Airbus claims the A380 will burn less fuel, make less noise, create less pollution and cost 17 per cent less per seat than the 747.It will also reduce traffic problems in the skies. The aircraft, which cost between PS140 million(US$250m) and PS157 million (US$280m) each compared with PS84 million (US$150m) for Boeing's new Dreamliner jet, is being built at 16 factories in Germany, France, Spain and the UK. But activists have warned of more noise and pollution from the Superjumbo, while Boeing believes huge aircraft will not be in great demand over the next decade. As a result, it is putting faith in the much smaller 7E7 Dreamliner.But Airbus is pinning its hopes on the "big is beautiful" theory, gambling on size being the key factor in the US-European battle for the skies. Airbus said it was in talks with half a dozen global airlines about buying the A380. China Eastern Airlines, already an Airbus customer, is said to be targeted, while executives made it plain that they wanted to fight for the Japanese market, which had traditionally been controlled by Boeing. Over the next 20 years, Airbus hopes to sell 750 of the new planes into a market worth PS185billion (US$330bn).The company already has129 firm orders for the A380, with 52 options. From the passage, we can infer that _
A. Airbus is not aiming at the Japanese market.
B. Boeing is not a rival of Airbus.
C. A380 hasn't been used yet.
D. Boeing is better than Airbus.
Answer:D | 39,120 | 39,120 |
1 | [
"School shooting:a disaster!",
"Finns,think again about gun possession!",
"Finland,a danger to the world!",
"Finns,protect yourselves!"
]
| On November 8,all flags in Finland were flown at half-mast .People were showing their respect to the victims of a high school tragedy.The day before,an 18-year-old boy opened fire at his high school, killing seven other students and the principal before ending his own life. The first school shooting in Finland since 1989 _ the nation where gun crime is rare and people enjoy a high standard of living.While the police are busy searching for the killer's motives,another issue is creating debate in the North European country----the right to carry a gun. Finland is one of a few developed Western countries that allow private possession of guns.The right to bear arms is deeply rooted in Finnish culture.Anyone older than 15 can buy a gun from certain shops,and gun clubs are popular places to hang out. The high school shooter was a member of the Helsinki Shooting Club,which has 1,500 members Descendants of hunters,Finns have survived by hunting and fishing for thousands of years.But today hunting is just done for entertainment.And its land,half of which is covered by forest,provides an ideal site for hunting. In Finland,there are about 56 guns for every 100 people.That figure is higher than any other country in the world except for the United States and Yemen.In comparison with those two nations,however,Finland has largely avoided bloodshed caused by firearms,at least until last week.However,the recent event proved the need for stricter gun laws. Petri Oinonen,a gun dealer,said the shooting did not surprise him."It was only a question of when this was going to happen,not if it was going to happen." What would be the best title for the text? | On November 8,all flags in Finland were flown at half-mast .People were showing their respect to the victims of a high school tragedy.The day before,an 18-year-old boy opened fire at his high school, killing seven other students and the principal before ending his own life. The first school shooting in Finland since 1989 _ the nation where gun crime is rare and people enjoy a high standard of living.While the police are busy searching for the killer's motives,another issue is creating debate in the North European country----the right to carry a gun. Finland is one of a few developed Western countries that allow private possession of guns.The right to bear arms is deeply rooted in Finnish culture.Anyone older than 15 can buy a gun from certain shops,and gun clubs are popular places to hang out. The high school shooter was a member of the Helsinki Shooting Club,which has 1,500 members Descendants of hunters,Finns have survived by hunting and fishing for thousands of years.But today hunting is just done for entertainment.And its land,half of which is covered by forest,provides an ideal site for hunting. In Finland,there are about 56 guns for every 100 people.That figure is higher than any other country in the world except for the United States and Yemen.In comparison with those two nations,however,Finland has largely avoided bloodshed caused by firearms,at least until last week.However,the recent event proved the need for stricter gun laws. Petri Oinonen,a gun dealer,said the shooting did not surprise him."It was only a question of when this was going to happen,not if it was going to happen." What would be the best title for the text?
A. School shooting:a disaster!
B. Finns,think again about gun possession!
C. Finland,a danger to the world!
D. Finns,protect yourselves!
Answer:B | 15,302 | 15,302 |
1 | [
"It is difficult for small organizations to get volunteers.",
"The number of people died in Haiti's earthquake is unclear.",
"Most of the volunteers are good at collecting money.",
"History lovers mainly learn about history from ancient objects."
]
| There is an old saying about volunteer work that goes like this: " No one can do everything, but everyone can do something." Today, many people volunteer their time and energy to help others. There are a lot of ways to meet other people's needs. For example, some volunteers provide help after a disaster. Others are happy to get dirty while repairing homes or planting trees or flowers in poor neighborhoods. Young people see suffering and loneliness around them and find ways to help. And history lovers help archeologists search for ancient objects to help deepen our knowledge of the past. Volunteers work in many areas around the world, including Haiti. More than two years have passed since a 7.0 earthquake shook the nation. The exact number of people who died may never be known. Thousands of survivors of the Haitian earthquakes still live in temporary shelters. Last year, former American President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn joined five hundred volunteers in the town of Leogane to build houses. Organizations do not have to be large to get volunteers. An activist group in Dharamsala, India is a good example, Jodie Underhill from England arrived in northern India several years ago. She planned to volunteer for an environmental project. She could almost not believe how much rubbish was ruining some of the area's most beautiful sights. Jodie Underhill learned about how to deal with the rubbish while taking part in other volunteer projects. But soon enough she formed her own group, Mountain Cleaners. Jodie Underhill says the work is very hard. But she praises the group's efforts as a wonderful experience. The young Englishwoman says the Indian media started calling her "Garbage Girl". And she says she was pleased with the name. American teenagers also volunteer in many ways . What can we learn from the text? | There is an old saying about volunteer work that goes like this: " No one can do everything, but everyone can do something." Today, many people volunteer their time and energy to help others. There are a lot of ways to meet other people's needs. For example, some volunteers provide help after a disaster. Others are happy to get dirty while repairing homes or planting trees or flowers in poor neighborhoods. Young people see suffering and loneliness around them and find ways to help. And history lovers help archeologists search for ancient objects to help deepen our knowledge of the past. Volunteers work in many areas around the world, including Haiti. More than two years have passed since a 7.0 earthquake shook the nation. The exact number of people who died may never be known. Thousands of survivors of the Haitian earthquakes still live in temporary shelters. Last year, former American President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn joined five hundred volunteers in the town of Leogane to build houses. Organizations do not have to be large to get volunteers. An activist group in Dharamsala, India is a good example, Jodie Underhill from England arrived in northern India several years ago. She planned to volunteer for an environmental project. She could almost not believe how much rubbish was ruining some of the area's most beautiful sights. Jodie Underhill learned about how to deal with the rubbish while taking part in other volunteer projects. But soon enough she formed her own group, Mountain Cleaners. Jodie Underhill says the work is very hard. But she praises the group's efforts as a wonderful experience. The young Englishwoman says the Indian media started calling her "Garbage Girl". And she says she was pleased with the name. American teenagers also volunteer in many ways . What can we learn from the text?
A. It is difficult for small organizations to get volunteers.
B. The number of people died in Haiti's earthquake is unclear.
C. Most of the volunteers are good at collecting money.
D. History lovers mainly learn about history from ancient objects.
Answer:B | 29,732 | 29,732 |
1 | [
"Handball",
"The high jumping",
"Soccer",
"Volleyball"
]
| There are two main kinds of sports. These two kinds of sports are team sports and individual sports. Team sports are such sports as baseball,basketball and volleyball. Team sports need two separate teams. The teams play against each other. They compete against each other in order to get the best score. For example, in a football game, if Team A gets 7 points and Team B gets 3 points,Team A wins the game. Team sports are sometimes called competitive sports. Besides team sports, there is another main type of sporting activity. It's individual sports. In individual sports there are no teams. People play individual sports such as swimming, skiing and running. Of course, it is possible to compete in individual sports. It is possible to keep a score in individual sports. The main difference, however, between team sports and individual sports is that team sports always require more than one person. _ is an example of individual sports. | There are two main kinds of sports. These two kinds of sports are team sports and individual sports. Team sports are such sports as baseball,basketball and volleyball. Team sports need two separate teams. The teams play against each other. They compete against each other in order to get the best score. For example, in a football game, if Team A gets 7 points and Team B gets 3 points,Team A wins the game. Team sports are sometimes called competitive sports. Besides team sports, there is another main type of sporting activity. It's individual sports. In individual sports there are no teams. People play individual sports such as swimming, skiing and running. Of course, it is possible to compete in individual sports. It is possible to keep a score in individual sports. The main difference, however, between team sports and individual sports is that team sports always require more than one person. _ is an example of individual sports.
A. Handball
B. The high jumping
C. Soccer
D. Volleyball
Answer:B | 72,286 | 72,286 |
0 | [
"admissible, as a basis for his opinion and as substantive evidence of the proper standard of care. ",
"admissible, as a basis for his opinion but not as substantive evidence of the proper standard of care. ",
"inadmissible, because a witness's credibility cannot be supported unless attacked. ",
"inadmissible, because the passage should be received as an exhibit and not read to the jury by the witness."
]
| Pate sued Dr. Doke for psychiatric malpractice and called Dr. Will as an expert witness. During Will's direct testimony, Will identified a text as a reliable authority in the field. He seeks to read to the jury passages from this book on which he had relied in forming his opinion on the proper standard of care. The passage is | Pate sued Dr. Doke for psychiatric malpractice and called Dr. Will as an expert witness. During Will's direct testimony, Will identified a text as a reliable authority in the field. He seeks to read to the jury passages from this book on which he had relied in forming his opinion on the proper standard of care. The passage is
A. admissible, as a basis for his opinion and as substantive evidence of the proper standard of care.
B. admissible, as a basis for his opinion but not as substantive evidence of the proper standard of care.
C. inadmissible, because a witness's credibility cannot be supported unless attacked.
D. inadmissible, because the passage should be received as an exhibit and not read to the jury by the witness.
Answer:A | 833 | 833 |
0 | [
"admissible, under the hearsay exception for present sense impressions. ",
"admissible, as nonhearsay circumstantial evidence. ",
"inadmissible, because it is hearsay not within any exception. ",
"inadmissible, because May Wong never had firsthand knowledge of the license number. "
]
| Dove is on trial for theft. At trial, the prosecutor called John and May Wong. They testified that, as they looked out their apartment window, they saw thieves across the street break the window of a jewelry store, take jewelry, and leave in a car. Mrs. Wong telephoned the police and relayed to them the license number of the thieves' car as Mr. Wong looked out the window with binoculars and read it to her. Neither of them has any present memory of the number. The prosecutor offers as evidence a properly authenticated police tape recording of May Wong's telephone call with her voice giving the license number, which is independently shown to belong to Dove's car. The tape recording of May Wong's stating the license number is | Dove is on trial for theft. At trial, the prosecutor called John and May Wong. They testified that, as they looked out their apartment window, they saw thieves across the street break the window of a jewelry store, take jewelry, and leave in a car. Mrs. Wong telephoned the police and relayed to them the license number of the thieves' car as Mr. Wong looked out the window with binoculars and read it to her. Neither of them has any present memory of the number. The prosecutor offers as evidence a properly authenticated police tape recording of May Wong's telephone call with her voice giving the license number, which is independently shown to belong to Dove's car. The tape recording of May Wong's stating the license number is
A. admissible, under the hearsay exception for present sense impressions.
B. admissible, as nonhearsay circumstantial evidence.
C. inadmissible, because it is hearsay not within any exception.
D. inadmissible, because May Wong never had firsthand knowledge of the license number.
Answer:A | 928 | 928 |
1 | [
"bad weather",
"fine weather",
"rainy weather",
"windy weather"
]
| At one time or another we have all stopped to think about the weather. Some days the weather is good. Some days the weather is bad. Sometimes a day that seems bad turns out better than you thought it would. There are ways of understanding the weather. One way is to study the clouds. No two clouds are ever alike. We can see the different kinds of clouds and watch them for signs of changing weather. To forecast the weather, there are three things about clouds. you should look for: movement, colour, and change. As a rule, the higher the clouds, the better the weather. And the lower the clouds, the worse the weather is likely to be. Fair-weather cumulus clouds* are another sign of good weather. These are clouds we often see on warm summer days. Clouds can tell you if a storm is on the way. If the thick, fluffy cumulus clouds get bigger early in the day, then you know it will rain. If there is a sudden, cool and dark thunder* cloud appears, then a storm is about to break out. Colours in the sky tell us about the weather, too. A golden ring around the moon warns us that a storm is on the way. A watery yellow sunset is a sign that rain may be near. The rainbow* has a message, too. The colours of the rainbow come from the sun rays shining through falling rain. If you see the sun in the east and a rainbow in the west, the rain may be coming your way. If the sun is in the west and the rainbow is in the east, the rain will be moving away from you. High clouds usually suggest _ . | At one time or another we have all stopped to think about the weather. Some days the weather is good. Some days the weather is bad. Sometimes a day that seems bad turns out better than you thought it would. There are ways of understanding the weather. One way is to study the clouds. No two clouds are ever alike. We can see the different kinds of clouds and watch them for signs of changing weather. To forecast the weather, there are three things about clouds. you should look for: movement, colour, and change. As a rule, the higher the clouds, the better the weather. And the lower the clouds, the worse the weather is likely to be. Fair-weather cumulus clouds* are another sign of good weather. These are clouds we often see on warm summer days. Clouds can tell you if a storm is on the way. If the thick, fluffy cumulus clouds get bigger early in the day, then you know it will rain. If there is a sudden, cool and dark thunder* cloud appears, then a storm is about to break out. Colours in the sky tell us about the weather, too. A golden ring around the moon warns us that a storm is on the way. A watery yellow sunset is a sign that rain may be near. The rainbow* has a message, too. The colours of the rainbow come from the sun rays shining through falling rain. If you see the sun in the east and a rainbow in the west, the rain may be coming your way. If the sun is in the west and the rainbow is in the east, the rain will be moving away from you. High clouds usually suggest _ .
A. bad weather
B. fine weather
C. rainy weather
D. windy weather
Answer:B | 74,625 | 74,625 |
3 | [
"She looks forward to this camp trip very much.",
"She has won a camp trip because of her good performance at school.",
"She knows Gary very well so they camp together.",
"She doesn't see anything fun in the camp trip."
]
| During my free time one day, I wandered down a lonely path into the woods and sat against a tree. Then I saw one of the camp _ approaching me. "Oh great," I thought, since counselors were always trying to cheer you up or make you laugh. "Hey," he said, "mind if I have a seat?" I shrugged . I wasn't going to encourage him, but I couldn't exactly stop him, either. He sat down alongside me and extended a hand. "I'm Gary," he said, "and you're Erica, right?" I nodded. "You don't exactly look like you're having a good time," he began. I crossed my arms and gritted my teeth. "Look," I said, "I didn't want to come to camp, I don't like it, I'm not having fun, and it basically stinks." I glared at Gary. "So there's nothing here at all for you, huh?" he asked. "Nothing," I answered. "Let me show you something," said Gary. He got up, and I followed him along the path until I heard a sound like a roaring freight train. "What's that?" I asked. "Wait and see," he replied, with a small smile. When we rounded the corner, I couldn't believe what I saw. There was the biggest waterfall I could ever imagine, right in front of me. "Cool!" I said, and I could feel my eyes getting bigger and a smile tugging at my mouth. "Still think there's nothing here for you?" asked Gary. "Because there's a whole lot more of this kind of 'nothing' around here." I had to admit, the waterfall was impressive. "Look," said Gary, "camp is what you make it. You can be sullen and closed-minded and have a rotten four weeks, or you can take a look around you and see some of the incredible sights and appreciate the opportunity. It would be useless for me to try to make you have fun. You can only do that for yourself. But if you loosen up a little, you might actually have a good time." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me on the path. That night, by the campfire, I found myself singing along with everyone else. By the time the four weeks were up, I didn't want to leave. I'd seen some amazing things and made some great friends. Beauty is where you find it. Life is what you make it. I think it's going to be a good year this year. I mean, I'm going to work to make it one. Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll get to go back to camp next year! What can you tell about Erica from the beginning of the story? | During my free time one day, I wandered down a lonely path into the woods and sat against a tree. Then I saw one of the camp _ approaching me. "Oh great," I thought, since counselors were always trying to cheer you up or make you laugh. "Hey," he said, "mind if I have a seat?" I shrugged . I wasn't going to encourage him, but I couldn't exactly stop him, either. He sat down alongside me and extended a hand. "I'm Gary," he said, "and you're Erica, right?" I nodded. "You don't exactly look like you're having a good time," he began. I crossed my arms and gritted my teeth. "Look," I said, "I didn't want to come to camp, I don't like it, I'm not having fun, and it basically stinks." I glared at Gary. "So there's nothing here at all for you, huh?" he asked. "Nothing," I answered. "Let me show you something," said Gary. He got up, and I followed him along the path until I heard a sound like a roaring freight train. "What's that?" I asked. "Wait and see," he replied, with a small smile. When we rounded the corner, I couldn't believe what I saw. There was the biggest waterfall I could ever imagine, right in front of me. "Cool!" I said, and I could feel my eyes getting bigger and a smile tugging at my mouth. "Still think there's nothing here for you?" asked Gary. "Because there's a whole lot more of this kind of 'nothing' around here." I had to admit, the waterfall was impressive. "Look," said Gary, "camp is what you make it. You can be sullen and closed-minded and have a rotten four weeks, or you can take a look around you and see some of the incredible sights and appreciate the opportunity. It would be useless for me to try to make you have fun. You can only do that for yourself. But if you loosen up a little, you might actually have a good time." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me on the path. That night, by the campfire, I found myself singing along with everyone else. By the time the four weeks were up, I didn't want to leave. I'd seen some amazing things and made some great friends. Beauty is where you find it. Life is what you make it. I think it's going to be a good year this year. I mean, I'm going to work to make it one. Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll get to go back to camp next year! What can you tell about Erica from the beginning of the story?
A. She looks forward to this camp trip very much.
B. She has won a camp trip because of her good performance at school.
C. She knows Gary very well so they camp together.
D. She doesn't see anything fun in the camp trip.
Answer:D | 18,928 | 18,928 |
3 | [
"we can book it free of charge.",
"we will pay none of the taxes.",
"we will pay none of credit card fees.",
"we will be given a discount."
]
| Dickens & London Exhibition Date: 9 December, 2013---10 June, 2014 Location: Museum of London Celebrate the 202th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens in the first major UK exhibition for over 40 years. By recreating the atmosphere of Victorian London through sound and projections . You'll be taken ton an unforgettable journey to discover the city that inspired his writings. Paintings, photographs, costumes and objects will show different themes that Dickens wrote into his works, while rarely seen manuscripts including Bleak House and David Copperfield--written in the author's own hand--will offer clues to his creative genius. During your visit you'll discover how Dickens' childhood experiences of London were introduced into the stories he wrote. The great social questions of the19th century will also be examined, all of which set the scene for Dickens' greatest works. Highlights of the exhibition will include an exciting audio-visual experience bringing to life the desk and chair where Dickens worked on his novels, and a special film shot by one of the UK's leading documentary filmmakers. Packages include afternoon entry (1:00 pm--4:00 pm) to the exhibition plus overnight accommodation at a nearby hotel. If you wish to visit the exhibition the day after your hotel stay, please call us. Call: 08712212717. Book a trip online with us, with tickets to Dickens & London Exhibition--afternoon entry and hotel accommodation included in the price. All taxes included. No credit card fees. No booking fees. No discount. Price Information: a package costs an adult PS180 and a child PS90 (4--15) ; an afternoon entry costs an adult PS28 and a child PS14 ( 4--15 ). If we book a trip online, we have the following benefits except that _ . | Dickens & London Exhibition Date: 9 December, 2013---10 June, 2014 Location: Museum of London Celebrate the 202th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens in the first major UK exhibition for over 40 years. By recreating the atmosphere of Victorian London through sound and projections . You'll be taken ton an unforgettable journey to discover the city that inspired his writings. Paintings, photographs, costumes and objects will show different themes that Dickens wrote into his works, while rarely seen manuscripts including Bleak House and David Copperfield--written in the author's own hand--will offer clues to his creative genius. During your visit you'll discover how Dickens' childhood experiences of London were introduced into the stories he wrote. The great social questions of the19th century will also be examined, all of which set the scene for Dickens' greatest works. Highlights of the exhibition will include an exciting audio-visual experience bringing to life the desk and chair where Dickens worked on his novels, and a special film shot by one of the UK's leading documentary filmmakers. Packages include afternoon entry (1:00 pm--4:00 pm) to the exhibition plus overnight accommodation at a nearby hotel. If you wish to visit the exhibition the day after your hotel stay, please call us. Call: 08712212717. Book a trip online with us, with tickets to Dickens & London Exhibition--afternoon entry and hotel accommodation included in the price. All taxes included. No credit card fees. No booking fees. No discount. Price Information: a package costs an adult PS180 and a child PS90 (4--15) ; an afternoon entry costs an adult PS28 and a child PS14 ( 4--15 ). If we book a trip online, we have the following benefits except that _ .
A. we can book it free of charge.
B. we will pay none of the taxes.
C. we will pay none of credit card fees.
D. we will be given a discount.
Answer:D | 13,121 | 13,121 |
3 | [
"you might feel well",
"it can make you healthy",
"you might easily do lots of things",
"it can save your life"
]
| Have You Planned Three Things to Do Before You Are 18? I know most of us have a long way to reach an adult. At present, are you bored with your daily life? Here are some things you should try before you are 18,because after that it's too late. Learn to swim Seriously, this is so important that it can save your life. If you can't swim well,you won't be able to do water sports like waterskiing, surfing and diving. Even taking a boat trip will be dangerous for you. Make sure you do it. Try at least one kind of team sports Being a good team player is an important skill in life. You can't just think of yourself,but have to work well with other people. Other advantages of team sports like basketball, football and baseball are that they keep you fit and healthy, and they are also great fun. Teams usually have _ too--you'll go to lots of parties and make many friends. Collect something One of the best hobbies for under-18s is collecting things. You could collect kinds of stamps,or you could collect things that make you remember what you have done,like cinema tickets for films you have seen or emails from friends. The best way to collect is to have a special album to put your collection in and to write what each thing means to you. That way you won't forget. The most important reason for learning to swim is that _ . | Have You Planned Three Things to Do Before You Are 18? I know most of us have a long way to reach an adult. At present, are you bored with your daily life? Here are some things you should try before you are 18,because after that it's too late. Learn to swim Seriously, this is so important that it can save your life. If you can't swim well,you won't be able to do water sports like waterskiing, surfing and diving. Even taking a boat trip will be dangerous for you. Make sure you do it. Try at least one kind of team sports Being a good team player is an important skill in life. You can't just think of yourself,but have to work well with other people. Other advantages of team sports like basketball, football and baseball are that they keep you fit and healthy, and they are also great fun. Teams usually have _ too--you'll go to lots of parties and make many friends. Collect something One of the best hobbies for under-18s is collecting things. You could collect kinds of stamps,or you could collect things that make you remember what you have done,like cinema tickets for films you have seen or emails from friends. The best way to collect is to have a special album to put your collection in and to write what each thing means to you. That way you won't forget. The most important reason for learning to swim is that _ .
A. you might feel well
B. it can make you healthy
C. you might easily do lots of things
D. it can save your life
Answer:D | 72,479 | 72,479 |
0 | [
"It was sick.",
"It was dying.",
"It was weak.",
"It was old."
]
| There was once an old tree. The children from all around the neighborhood loved to climb the tree. The children also liked to sit under the tree, hang on it and play games around it. Animals liked the tree as well. Birds, cats and all kinds of lizards would climb the tree too! Rabbits, dogs, frogs and and many ground animals loved to play around the bottom of the tree. One day the children learned the tree was going to be cut down. This made the children, and maybe the animals, very sad. Why was it being cut down? Was it too old? Too weak? Maybe it was dying? The children learned it was because the tree was sick. The children were very sad to hear about this. They wondered where they would play from now on. The tree was their favorite place and they didn't want to see it go. One little boy, named John, went home to tell his parents the story. His parents could tell he was sad so they told him something that made him very happy. What was it? He wondered. Was a jungle gym going to be put in? A mall, maybe a park? In fact, even better than that, a new tree would be planted in its place. John was so happy he rushed off to tell his friends. "Big news!", he shouted. "My parents told me a new tree is going to be planted here over the old one!" All his friends cheered in excitement, now knowing they wouldn't lose their favorite spot. John and his friends went to celebrate by getting ice cream. His friends liked chocolate and vanilla but John got strawberry. Why was the tree being cut down? | There was once an old tree. The children from all around the neighborhood loved to climb the tree. The children also liked to sit under the tree, hang on it and play games around it. Animals liked the tree as well. Birds, cats and all kinds of lizards would climb the tree too! Rabbits, dogs, frogs and and many ground animals loved to play around the bottom of the tree. One day the children learned the tree was going to be cut down. This made the children, and maybe the animals, very sad. Why was it being cut down? Was it too old? Too weak? Maybe it was dying? The children learned it was because the tree was sick. The children were very sad to hear about this. They wondered where they would play from now on. The tree was their favorite place and they didn't want to see it go. One little boy, named John, went home to tell his parents the story. His parents could tell he was sad so they told him something that made him very happy. What was it? He wondered. Was a jungle gym going to be put in? A mall, maybe a park? In fact, even better than that, a new tree would be planted in its place. John was so happy he rushed off to tell his friends. "Big news!", he shouted. "My parents told me a new tree is going to be planted here over the old one!" All his friends cheered in excitement, now knowing they wouldn't lose their favorite spot. John and his friends went to celebrate by getting ice cream. His friends liked chocolate and vanilla but John got strawberry. Why was the tree being cut down?
A. It was sick.
B. It was dying.
C. It was weak.
D. It was old.
Answer:A | 3,253 | 3,253 |
1 | [
"encourage people to fight against disease and live bravely",
"indicate that Frank touched many people's hearts",
"show the good relationship between Frank and the author",
"praise Frank and give thanks to the author"
]
| My first full-time job after high school was selling vacation packages via the telephone for a well-known company. One day, I was put through to a man who sounded a bit out of breath. I started with my normal pitch , expecting to hear the normal reply --"I don't want any." Instead, he spoke in a faint, weak voice and told me how he wished to take a vacation I was offering, but he couldn't because he was dying of illness. He explained how he was lacking in oxygen then, and it took almost all his energy to answer the call. He asked if I smoked, which I did, and begged me to stop. He told me smoking was what was killing him. He told me to spend every day with my loved ones, and tell them how much I love them. At this point, I couldn't control myself. We ended the call, but I held on my phone to prevent another call coming in so I could _ I wrote down his name and address, and sent him a card appreciating his advice and praying for him and his family. Shortly after, I received a letter from Frank, along with a picture of him and his wife. We continued to write back and forth over the next few months, and became very fond of each other. He was old enough to be my grandfather, and in many ways, I felt as if he was. About a year later I received a letter from his wife. When I started to read, tears came to my eyes. She told me how Frank's battle with the disease had finally come to an end, and he passed away shortly before the Christmas. She wanted to thank me for the letters to Frank, and explained how Frank touched many lives over the years. At his funeral, to show just that, they read the 1st letter I had written to Frank to show how he affected a 19-year-old he'd never met. At Frank's funeral the author's 1st letter to Frank was read in order to _ . | My first full-time job after high school was selling vacation packages via the telephone for a well-known company. One day, I was put through to a man who sounded a bit out of breath. I started with my normal pitch , expecting to hear the normal reply --"I don't want any." Instead, he spoke in a faint, weak voice and told me how he wished to take a vacation I was offering, but he couldn't because he was dying of illness. He explained how he was lacking in oxygen then, and it took almost all his energy to answer the call. He asked if I smoked, which I did, and begged me to stop. He told me smoking was what was killing him. He told me to spend every day with my loved ones, and tell them how much I love them. At this point, I couldn't control myself. We ended the call, but I held on my phone to prevent another call coming in so I could _ I wrote down his name and address, and sent him a card appreciating his advice and praying for him and his family. Shortly after, I received a letter from Frank, along with a picture of him and his wife. We continued to write back and forth over the next few months, and became very fond of each other. He was old enough to be my grandfather, and in many ways, I felt as if he was. About a year later I received a letter from his wife. When I started to read, tears came to my eyes. She told me how Frank's battle with the disease had finally come to an end, and he passed away shortly before the Christmas. She wanted to thank me for the letters to Frank, and explained how Frank touched many lives over the years. At his funeral, to show just that, they read the 1st letter I had written to Frank to show how he affected a 19-year-old he'd never met. At Frank's funeral the author's 1st letter to Frank was read in order to _ .
A. encourage people to fight against disease and live bravely
B. indicate that Frank touched many people's hearts
C. show the good relationship between Frank and the author
D. praise Frank and give thanks to the author
Answer:B | 20,017 | 20,017 |
2 | [
"a farmer",
"God",
"the teacher",
"his own"
]
| Thanksgiving Day was near. The first grade teacher gave her class some fun homework---to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful. Most of the class drew a turkey or other traditional things. But Douglas drew a different kind of picture. He drew a hand. Just an empty hand. Douglas was a different boy. He was poor and unhappy. As other children played, Douglas was likely to stand close by the teacher's side. His classmates were surprised at his picture. One child guessed it was the hand of a farmer, because farmers _ turkeys. Others guessed it was the hand of God, for God feeds us. The teacher asked him whose hand it was. The little boy said in a low voice, "It's yours." She remembered the times she had taken his hand and walked with him here and there, as she had the other students. How often she said, "Take my hand, Douglas, we'll go outside." Or, "Let me show you how to hold your pencil." Or, "Let's do this together." Douglas was most thankful for his teacher's hand. Tears came into the teacher's eyes. Douglas drew a hand of _ . | Thanksgiving Day was near. The first grade teacher gave her class some fun homework---to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful. Most of the class drew a turkey or other traditional things. But Douglas drew a different kind of picture. He drew a hand. Just an empty hand. Douglas was a different boy. He was poor and unhappy. As other children played, Douglas was likely to stand close by the teacher's side. His classmates were surprised at his picture. One child guessed it was the hand of a farmer, because farmers _ turkeys. Others guessed it was the hand of God, for God feeds us. The teacher asked him whose hand it was. The little boy said in a low voice, "It's yours." She remembered the times she had taken his hand and walked with him here and there, as she had the other students. How often she said, "Take my hand, Douglas, we'll go outside." Or, "Let me show you how to hold your pencil." Or, "Let's do this together." Douglas was most thankful for his teacher's hand. Tears came into the teacher's eyes. Douglas drew a hand of _ .
A. a farmer
B. God
C. the teacher
D. his own
Answer:C | 73,386 | 73,386 |
0 | [
"not use sarcasm as a shield and a weapon.",
"not make friends with people in the UK",
"pretend to play jokes on their friends",
"say funny things in a serious way"
]
| Imagine a stranger walking past you on a cold, rainy day. "Lovely weather, isn't it?" the stranger says. Do you laugh, or even smile? If not, you may not have a dry sense of humor. British people, and particularly the English, are well-known for our dry sense of humor. We often say the opposite of what we mean in order to be funny, and tell jokes in a tone of voice that makes it sound like we are being completely serious. As US writer Julian Tan put it on the HuffPost Students blog: "It is as if it is 'Opposite Day' every day in Britain." If the people of Britain are known for having a " _ " and not showing emotion, then our dry sense of humor shows this through jokes. Often it will take a long time or several beers, to get a British person to tell you what they actually think about something and get behind the wall of humorous sarcasm that they have in front of them. English comedian Ricky Gervais put it like this: "We play jokes on our friends. We use sarcasm as a shield and a weapon. We avoid being serious until it's absolutely necessary." It can be annoying and confusing if you haven't been raised with these types of jokes: "Why did he just say such a ridiculous thing? Is he making fun of me?" But it is also true that understanding this type of humor is a good way to make friends with people in the UK, even if you don't find it funny. It's important to remember that the person telling the joke may actually be making fun of himself or herself, not you. One of the characteristics of British humor is "its strong theme of self-deprecation" (making fun of oneself), according to Tan. So don't worry - often, English people, and British people in general, just want to make fun of themselves! According to the passage, we can know that someone with a dry sense of humor can _ . | Imagine a stranger walking past you on a cold, rainy day. "Lovely weather, isn't it?" the stranger says. Do you laugh, or even smile? If not, you may not have a dry sense of humor. British people, and particularly the English, are well-known for our dry sense of humor. We often say the opposite of what we mean in order to be funny, and tell jokes in a tone of voice that makes it sound like we are being completely serious. As US writer Julian Tan put it on the HuffPost Students blog: "It is as if it is 'Opposite Day' every day in Britain." If the people of Britain are known for having a " _ " and not showing emotion, then our dry sense of humor shows this through jokes. Often it will take a long time or several beers, to get a British person to tell you what they actually think about something and get behind the wall of humorous sarcasm that they have in front of them. English comedian Ricky Gervais put it like this: "We play jokes on our friends. We use sarcasm as a shield and a weapon. We avoid being serious until it's absolutely necessary." It can be annoying and confusing if you haven't been raised with these types of jokes: "Why did he just say such a ridiculous thing? Is he making fun of me?" But it is also true that understanding this type of humor is a good way to make friends with people in the UK, even if you don't find it funny. It's important to remember that the person telling the joke may actually be making fun of himself or herself, not you. One of the characteristics of British humor is "its strong theme of self-deprecation" (making fun of oneself), according to Tan. So don't worry - often, English people, and British people in general, just want to make fun of themselves! According to the passage, we can know that someone with a dry sense of humor can _ .
A. not use sarcasm as a shield and a weapon.
B. not make friends with people in the UK
C. pretend to play jokes on their friends
D. say funny things in a serious way
Answer:A | 34,147 | 34,147 |
0 | [
"Entertainment.",
"People.",
"Culture.",
"Sports."
]
| Happy birthday The China National Opera (CNO) will give a concert to celebrate its 50th birthday . Different generations of CNO vocalists , like Li Guangxi , Yao Hong and Ma Mei , will present the concert which will feature both songs from famous Chinese operas like "The White-haired Girl" and "The Hundredth Bride", as well as , arias of such Western opera classics as "Madame Butterfly", "La Traviata" and "Rigoletto". Time/ date : 7:30 pm , September 7, 8 Location : Tianqiao Theatre Tel : 6551-4787, 8315-6170 Tickets : 60--500 yuan (US $7.2-- 60.2) Folk music A concert will be held to feature some recently composed traditional Chinese music works . The concert , given by the Folk Orchestra of the China Opera and Ballet Theatre , will include such pieces as "Memory of Childhood ", "Memorial Ceremony for God "and "Wine Song". Time/date: 7:30pm, September 13 Location: Concert hall at the National Library of China Tel: 6848 -5462, 6841-9220 Tickets: 30-200 yuan (US$3.6-24.1) Moon music A concert of traditional Chinese music will be given on the eve of the Moon Festival which falls on September 21st this year. The concert will feature a number of famous pieces centered on the theme of the moon, such as "Moonlight", "Spring night on a Moonlit River" and "Lofty Mountain and Flowing River." A number of established traditional Chinese music performers like Zhou Yaokun and Fan Weiqing, will play solos as well as collaborate with the folk music orchestra. Time / date: 7:30 pm, September 21st Location: Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities Tel: 6606--8888, 6606--9999 In which column of a newspaper will the article be published? | Happy birthday The China National Opera (CNO) will give a concert to celebrate its 50th birthday . Different generations of CNO vocalists , like Li Guangxi , Yao Hong and Ma Mei , will present the concert which will feature both songs from famous Chinese operas like "The White-haired Girl" and "The Hundredth Bride", as well as , arias of such Western opera classics as "Madame Butterfly", "La Traviata" and "Rigoletto". Time/ date : 7:30 pm , September 7, 8 Location : Tianqiao Theatre Tel : 6551-4787, 8315-6170 Tickets : 60--500 yuan (US $7.2-- 60.2) Folk music A concert will be held to feature some recently composed traditional Chinese music works . The concert , given by the Folk Orchestra of the China Opera and Ballet Theatre , will include such pieces as "Memory of Childhood ", "Memorial Ceremony for God "and "Wine Song". Time/date: 7:30pm, September 13 Location: Concert hall at the National Library of China Tel: 6848 -5462, 6841-9220 Tickets: 30-200 yuan (US$3.6-24.1) Moon music A concert of traditional Chinese music will be given on the eve of the Moon Festival which falls on September 21st this year. The concert will feature a number of famous pieces centered on the theme of the moon, such as "Moonlight", "Spring night on a Moonlit River" and "Lofty Mountain and Flowing River." A number of established traditional Chinese music performers like Zhou Yaokun and Fan Weiqing, will play solos as well as collaborate with the folk music orchestra. Time / date: 7:30 pm, September 21st Location: Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities Tel: 6606--8888, 6606--9999 In which column of a newspaper will the article be published?
A. Entertainment.
B. People.
C. Culture.
D. Sports.
Answer:A | 63,104 | 63,104 |
2 | [
"Annette",
"mom",
"Todd",
"dad"
]
| One day, Annette wanted to make a birthday cake for her brother, Todd. She dug around in their white refrigerator and found she would need to go and buy eggs. She also needed to buy icing. Annette got on her pink bike and went to the grocery store. She asked the cashier to tell her what aisle the icing was on. Annette went to the aisle 14 and picked out blue, Todd's favorite color. She then went to get the eggs. Annette worked for 2 hours making the cake. She decorated it in the blue icing, and even wrote "Happy Birthday Todd" in neat letters. Annette's parents made a nice dinner of chicken, red potatoes, and macaroni. After dinner, Annette and her mom and dad sang to Todd. He was excited for the cake and to turn 11, and said Annette was the best sister ever. Who is the birthday cake for? | One day, Annette wanted to make a birthday cake for her brother, Todd. She dug around in their white refrigerator and found she would need to go and buy eggs. She also needed to buy icing. Annette got on her pink bike and went to the grocery store. She asked the cashier to tell her what aisle the icing was on. Annette went to the aisle 14 and picked out blue, Todd's favorite color. She then went to get the eggs. Annette worked for 2 hours making the cake. She decorated it in the blue icing, and even wrote "Happy Birthday Todd" in neat letters. Annette's parents made a nice dinner of chicken, red potatoes, and macaroni. After dinner, Annette and her mom and dad sang to Todd. He was excited for the cake and to turn 11, and said Annette was the best sister ever. Who is the birthday cake for?
A. Annette
B. mom
C. Todd
D. dad
Answer:C | 4,193 | 4,193 |
0 | [
"The Making of Music Prodigies",
"Training of Musicians in the World",
"Music and Society",
"Jewish Contribution to Music"
]
| Violin prodigies , I learned, have come in distinct waves from distinct regions. Most of the great performers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries were born and brought up in Russia and Eastern Europe. I asked Isaac Stern, one of the world's greatest violinists the reason for this phenomenon. "It is very clear," he told me. "They were all Jews and Jews at the time were severely oppressed and ill-treated in that part of the world. They were not allowed into the professional fields, but they were allowed to achieve excellence on a concert stage." As a result, every Jewish parent's dream was to have a child in the music school because it was a passport to the West. Another element in the emergence of prodigies, I found, is a society that values excellence in a certain field to nurture talent. Nowadays, the most nurturing societies seem to be in the Far East. "In Japan, a most competitive society, with stronger discipline than ours," says Isaac Stern, children are ready to test their limits every day in many fields, including music. When Western music came to Japan after World War II, that music not only became part of their daily lives, but it became a discipline as well. The Koreans and Chinese as we know are just as highly motivated as the Japanese. That's a good thing, because even prodigies must work hard. Next to hard work, biological inheritance plays an important role in the making of a prodigy. J. S. Bach, for example, was the top of several generations of musicians, and four of his sons had significant careers in music. Which of the following titles best summarizes the main idea of the passage? | Violin prodigies , I learned, have come in distinct waves from distinct regions. Most of the great performers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries were born and brought up in Russia and Eastern Europe. I asked Isaac Stern, one of the world's greatest violinists the reason for this phenomenon. "It is very clear," he told me. "They were all Jews and Jews at the time were severely oppressed and ill-treated in that part of the world. They were not allowed into the professional fields, but they were allowed to achieve excellence on a concert stage." As a result, every Jewish parent's dream was to have a child in the music school because it was a passport to the West. Another element in the emergence of prodigies, I found, is a society that values excellence in a certain field to nurture talent. Nowadays, the most nurturing societies seem to be in the Far East. "In Japan, a most competitive society, with stronger discipline than ours," says Isaac Stern, children are ready to test their limits every day in many fields, including music. When Western music came to Japan after World War II, that music not only became part of their daily lives, but it became a discipline as well. The Koreans and Chinese as we know are just as highly motivated as the Japanese. That's a good thing, because even prodigies must work hard. Next to hard work, biological inheritance plays an important role in the making of a prodigy. J. S. Bach, for example, was the top of several generations of musicians, and four of his sons had significant careers in music. Which of the following titles best summarizes the main idea of the passage?
A. The Making of Music Prodigies
B. Training of Musicians in the World
C. Music and Society
D. Jewish Contribution to Music
Answer:A | 52,465 | 52,465 |
0 | [
"an art museum called the Louvre",
"an Italian artist named Leonardo da Vinci",
"a king of France named Francis I",
"the best known painting in Louvre"
]
| From the earliest times,man has been interested in art.People have often worked together to collect and save the world's art treasures. Fine art treasures from many countries are kept in an art museum called the Louvre in Paris,France.The works of art have been collected by the people of France over many centuries. The Louvre has not always been a museum.The first building was a fort .In 1190,it was the king's castle with high walls and a round tower.It had a _ to keep out his enemies. Over the years,the number of buildings around the castle grew.By 1350,the castle was no longer needed as a fort.The Louvre became a palace home for French kings and queens. During times of peace,new treasures were brought in.During days of war,many treasures were stolen,and the buildings were damaged. When Francis I became king of France in 1515,he brought in artists from many countries.One of the artists was Leonardo da Vinci from Italy.Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" is the best known painting in the museum today. In 1793,the Louvre became a public museum,just as it is now.It is a place where art treasures have been saved for everyone to enjoy. On the whole,this passage is mainly about _ . | From the earliest times,man has been interested in art.People have often worked together to collect and save the world's art treasures. Fine art treasures from many countries are kept in an art museum called the Louvre in Paris,France.The works of art have been collected by the people of France over many centuries. The Louvre has not always been a museum.The first building was a fort .In 1190,it was the king's castle with high walls and a round tower.It had a _ to keep out his enemies. Over the years,the number of buildings around the castle grew.By 1350,the castle was no longer needed as a fort.The Louvre became a palace home for French kings and queens. During times of peace,new treasures were brought in.During days of war,many treasures were stolen,and the buildings were damaged. When Francis I became king of France in 1515,he brought in artists from many countries.One of the artists was Leonardo da Vinci from Italy.Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" is the best known painting in the museum today. In 1793,the Louvre became a public museum,just as it is now.It is a place where art treasures have been saved for everyone to enjoy. On the whole,this passage is mainly about _ .
A. an art museum called the Louvre
B. an Italian artist named Leonardo da Vinci
C. a king of France named Francis I
D. the best known painting in Louvre
Answer:A | 29,724 | 29,724 |
2 | [
"Maggie",
"Tiffany",
"Jan",
"Taylor"
]
| One Saturday afternoon about the second week of May, Maggie and her mom Jan went to the dentist. Maggie was seven years old and she was scared of the dentist, but her mom promised to fix her favorite chicken dish for dinner if Maggie was a good girl. "At least it's not the doctor's!" she said. They got to the dentist office and Jan told the woman, named Tiffany, at the front desk that they were there. There were lots of toys in the waiting room but Maggie was too nervous to enjoy them like the other kids. Finally, a woman came and told Maggie and Jan that it was Maggie's turn. They made a right turn and went to the third room on the left. Maggie sat down in the dentist's chair. A woman, Mary, came in and cleaned her teeth and told Maggie and Jan that Maggie had done well with her brushing. Then the dentist, Taylor, came in and did a checkup. He saw that everything was good and that Maggie had no problems with her teeth. He gave Maggie a bag with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a sugar free candy. There was also a smiley face sticker in the bag. Jan was proud of her daughter and stopped at the grocery store to get ingredients for the chicken dish for dinner as promised. What is the name of the mom in the story? | One Saturday afternoon about the second week of May, Maggie and her mom Jan went to the dentist. Maggie was seven years old and she was scared of the dentist, but her mom promised to fix her favorite chicken dish for dinner if Maggie was a good girl. "At least it's not the doctor's!" she said. They got to the dentist office and Jan told the woman, named Tiffany, at the front desk that they were there. There were lots of toys in the waiting room but Maggie was too nervous to enjoy them like the other kids. Finally, a woman came and told Maggie and Jan that it was Maggie's turn. They made a right turn and went to the third room on the left. Maggie sat down in the dentist's chair. A woman, Mary, came in and cleaned her teeth and told Maggie and Jan that Maggie had done well with her brushing. Then the dentist, Taylor, came in and did a checkup. He saw that everything was good and that Maggie had no problems with her teeth. He gave Maggie a bag with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a sugar free candy. There was also a smiley face sticker in the bag. Jan was proud of her daughter and stopped at the grocery store to get ingredients for the chicken dish for dinner as promised. What is the name of the mom in the story?
A. Maggie
B. Tiffany
C. Jan
D. Taylor
Answer:C | 4,151 | 4,151 |
3 | [
"Alex Haley's",
"Lionel Hampton's",
"Ray Charles's",
"Hampton's wife's"
]
| How would you describe Quincy Jones? Is he an instrumentalist, a composer, an arranger, or a producer? None of these labels can sum up this remarkable man. He has been known for years to people who follow popular music. But his part in the We Are the World VCD and the Hands Across America project made him a national figure. In addition to these successful efforts, Jones has written the music for many cartoon movies, including The Color Purple, which won 11 Oscar nominations . He also wrote the music for Alex Haley's Roots, a greatly successful television mini--series. These achievements show his many-sided genius. Quincy Jones was born on March 14, 1973, in Chicago's South Side. Ten years later, his family moved to the Seattle area. It was there that he met Ray Charles, who was three years older than ones and who in time would be a world-famous singer. The young musicians performed at small clubs and weddings. Through Charles's influence, Jones began composing. When Jones was only 15, his musical talent impressed Lionel Hampton, who invited him to join the Hampton band. Jones was ready to quit school to join, but Hampton's wife, Gladys, stated her disagreement. Believing that he needed an education, she removed him from the band's bus. "Get that child out of here," she yelled, "Let him finish school." These experiences made Quincy Jones more determined than ever to success. He finished high school, attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston on a scholarship, and finally did Lionel Hampton's band. Soon, however, he struck off on his own. The future beckoned brightly. Whose opinion played an important role in Jones's school education and college education? | How would you describe Quincy Jones? Is he an instrumentalist, a composer, an arranger, or a producer? None of these labels can sum up this remarkable man. He has been known for years to people who follow popular music. But his part in the We Are the World VCD and the Hands Across America project made him a national figure. In addition to these successful efforts, Jones has written the music for many cartoon movies, including The Color Purple, which won 11 Oscar nominations . He also wrote the music for Alex Haley's Roots, a greatly successful television mini--series. These achievements show his many-sided genius. Quincy Jones was born on March 14, 1973, in Chicago's South Side. Ten years later, his family moved to the Seattle area. It was there that he met Ray Charles, who was three years older than ones and who in time would be a world-famous singer. The young musicians performed at small clubs and weddings. Through Charles's influence, Jones began composing. When Jones was only 15, his musical talent impressed Lionel Hampton, who invited him to join the Hampton band. Jones was ready to quit school to join, but Hampton's wife, Gladys, stated her disagreement. Believing that he needed an education, she removed him from the band's bus. "Get that child out of here," she yelled, "Let him finish school." These experiences made Quincy Jones more determined than ever to success. He finished high school, attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston on a scholarship, and finally did Lionel Hampton's band. Soon, however, he struck off on his own. The future beckoned brightly. Whose opinion played an important role in Jones's school education and college education?
A. Alex Haley's
B. Lionel Hampton's
C. Ray Charles's
D. Hampton's wife's
Answer:D | 39,059 | 39,059 |
2 | [
"Daylight brightens the sun, making it appear larger.",
"Starlight bends as it passes planets, making the stars appear smaller.",
"The sun is closer to Earth than other stars, making the sun appear larger.",
"Earth's atmosphere filters out light from other stars, making them appear smaller."
]
| The sun is a star of average size and brightness. From Earth, the sun appears as a round, yellow object in the daytime sky. At night, we see other stars. They appear as tiny points of light. Why does the sun appear larger than stars that we see at night? | The sun is a star of average size and brightness. From Earth, the sun appears as a round, yellow object in the daytime sky. At night, we see other stars. They appear as tiny points of light. Why does the sun appear larger than stars that we see at night?
A. Daylight brightens the sun, making it appear larger.
B. Starlight bends as it passes planets, making the stars appear smaller.
C. The sun is closer to Earth than other stars, making the sun appear larger.
D. Earth's atmosphere filters out light from other stars, making them appear smaller.
Answer:C | 4,900 | 4,900 |
0 | [
"Because these colors can make time pass more quickly.",
"Because these colors can make people excited.",
"Because everybody likes white color.",
"Because working people can be more active."
]
| People usually talk about two groups of colors: warm colors and cool colors. Scientists think that there are also two kinds of people: people who prefer warm colors and people who prefer cool colors. The warm colors are red, orange and yellow. Where there are warm colors and a lot of lights people usually want to be active. People think that red, for example, is exciting. Sociable people, those who like to be with others, like red. The cool colors are green, blue and violet. These colors, unlike warm colors, are relaxing. Where there are cool colors, people are usually quiet. People who like to spend time alone often prefer blue. Red may be exciting, but one scientist says that time seems to pass more slowly in a room with warm colors than in a room with cool colors. He says that a warm color, such as red or orange, is good color for a living room or restaurant. People who are resting or eating do not want time to pass quickly. Cool colors are better for offices or factories if the people who are working there want time to pass quickly. Why are offices and factories often colored in cool colors according to the scientist? | People usually talk about two groups of colors: warm colors and cool colors. Scientists think that there are also two kinds of people: people who prefer warm colors and people who prefer cool colors. The warm colors are red, orange and yellow. Where there are warm colors and a lot of lights people usually want to be active. People think that red, for example, is exciting. Sociable people, those who like to be with others, like red. The cool colors are green, blue and violet. These colors, unlike warm colors, are relaxing. Where there are cool colors, people are usually quiet. People who like to spend time alone often prefer blue. Red may be exciting, but one scientist says that time seems to pass more slowly in a room with warm colors than in a room with cool colors. He says that a warm color, such as red or orange, is good color for a living room or restaurant. People who are resting or eating do not want time to pass quickly. Cool colors are better for offices or factories if the people who are working there want time to pass quickly. Why are offices and factories often colored in cool colors according to the scientist?
A. Because these colors can make time pass more quickly.
B. Because these colors can make people excited.
C. Because everybody likes white color.
D. Because working people can be more active.
Answer:A | 89,810 | 89,810 |
2 | [
"got angry with her friend",
"wasn't pleased with herself",
"was a person with a strong mind",
"had no Interest In running"
]
| When I was a girl of 10, I joined the school cross-country team and practiced twice a week, on the 1,8-km course I'd never really run before and I thought the course would be easy. It was a real shock I ran out of breathe within the first few minutes. I never realized how tiring running could be but I didn't t think about give up. Over time,I did get a little bit faster. However, I was really slow. In races, I would finish close to last. I'd always have to stop more than once, especially in the longer races, which were 2. 5 to 2. 8 km. After every race, I'd go home and cry. But 1 still didn't stop running, holding onto that picture of crossing the finishingline and finally doing well. Then one of my friends joined the team, too. She could run easily and even came in the 18thin a big race! I felt so slow and my confidence was lower than ever. I became so nervous when I thought of the races that I wanted to give up badly. Still. I refund to. Finally. 1 realized that the reason I was to nervous was that I was always worried that I wasn't ready for them. So a few weeks before the next 2. 8-km race. I practiced running almost 3 km every day. which helped me improve my pace . When the time came for the big race, all that practicing really _ . I stopped only once and my pace was so much better. I realized that I'd finally gotten happiness with running. But the funny thing was. It didn't come from doing better, Instead, it came from the fact that I hid tried harder and never given up. It can be inferred from the passage that the writer _ . | When I was a girl of 10, I joined the school cross-country team and practiced twice a week, on the 1,8-km course I'd never really run before and I thought the course would be easy. It was a real shock I ran out of breathe within the first few minutes. I never realized how tiring running could be but I didn't t think about give up. Over time,I did get a little bit faster. However, I was really slow. In races, I would finish close to last. I'd always have to stop more than once, especially in the longer races, which were 2. 5 to 2. 8 km. After every race, I'd go home and cry. But 1 still didn't stop running, holding onto that picture of crossing the finishingline and finally doing well. Then one of my friends joined the team, too. She could run easily and even came in the 18thin a big race! I felt so slow and my confidence was lower than ever. I became so nervous when I thought of the races that I wanted to give up badly. Still. I refund to. Finally. 1 realized that the reason I was to nervous was that I was always worried that I wasn't ready for them. So a few weeks before the next 2. 8-km race. I practiced running almost 3 km every day. which helped me improve my pace . When the time came for the big race, all that practicing really _ . I stopped only once and my pace was so much better. I realized that I'd finally gotten happiness with running. But the funny thing was. It didn't come from doing better, Instead, it came from the fact that I hid tried harder and never given up. It can be inferred from the passage that the writer _ .
A. got angry with her friend
B. wasn't pleased with herself
C. was a person with a strong mind
D. had no Interest In running
Answer:C | 83,693 | 83,693 |
2 | [
"you eat the same number of calories as the number you use",
"you take in less calories than the number you use",
"you take in more calories than the number you use",
"you take exercise regularly on the weekdays"
]
| Doctors say obesity,also known as severe overweight,is a complex condition.A doctor may advise medical interventions in addition to changes in behavior.But experts say the more successful weightloss plans include a wellbalanced diet and exercise. People who want to avoid weight gain have to balance the number of calories they eat with the number of calories they use.To lose weight,you can reduce the number of calories you take in,or increase the number you use,or both.Experts at the National Institutes of Health say to lose weight,a person should do some moderate or intensive physical exercise most days of the week.This could include fast walking,sports or strength training. A recent study looked at four of the most popular dieting plans in the United States.Researchers at Stanford University studied more than three hundred overweight women,mostly in their thirties or forties.Each woman went on one of the four plans:Atkins,The Zone,Ornish or LEARN.The women attended diet classes and received written information about the food plans.At the end of a year,the women on the Atkins diet had lost the most,more than four and a half kilograms on average. Christopher Gardner led the study,reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. He said the Atkins diet may be more successful because of its simple message to lower the intake of sugar.Also,he said the advice to increase protein in the diet leads to more satisfying meals. But last week,another report suggested that only a small minority of people have longterm success in dieting.Researchers at the University of California found that most dieters regained their lost weight within five years.And often they gained back even more.But those who kept the weight off generally were the ones who exercised. You are most likely to gain too much weight if _ . | Doctors say obesity,also known as severe overweight,is a complex condition.A doctor may advise medical interventions in addition to changes in behavior.But experts say the more successful weightloss plans include a wellbalanced diet and exercise. People who want to avoid weight gain have to balance the number of calories they eat with the number of calories they use.To lose weight,you can reduce the number of calories you take in,or increase the number you use,or both.Experts at the National Institutes of Health say to lose weight,a person should do some moderate or intensive physical exercise most days of the week.This could include fast walking,sports or strength training. A recent study looked at four of the most popular dieting plans in the United States.Researchers at Stanford University studied more than three hundred overweight women,mostly in their thirties or forties.Each woman went on one of the four plans:Atkins,The Zone,Ornish or LEARN.The women attended diet classes and received written information about the food plans.At the end of a year,the women on the Atkins diet had lost the most,more than four and a half kilograms on average. Christopher Gardner led the study,reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. He said the Atkins diet may be more successful because of its simple message to lower the intake of sugar.Also,he said the advice to increase protein in the diet leads to more satisfying meals. But last week,another report suggested that only a small minority of people have longterm success in dieting.Researchers at the University of California found that most dieters regained their lost weight within five years.And often they gained back even more.But those who kept the weight off generally were the ones who exercised. You are most likely to gain too much weight if _ .
A. you eat the same number of calories as the number you use
B. you take in less calories than the number you use
C. you take in more calories than the number you use
D. you take exercise regularly on the weekdays
Answer:C | 38,901 | 38,901 |
0 | [
"To help overcome interview nerves",
"To tell people the meaning of interview nerves",
"To tell people how to attend interviews",
"To help people become more confident"
]
| A recent research shows that most people while attending their very first or second interview face the problem of interview nerves. This interview nerves simply make them nervous and depressed. This mainly happens due to lack of confidence and belief in oneself. Most of them even suffer from sleepless nights. They feel as if interviews are nothing but a questioning by an unknown person who will judge them by their answers. They simply can't understand or _ that the interviews are as beneficial for them as for the company. To overcome these problems, people need to make their mind set for facing the interview full of confidence. This can be done by building up confidence that this job is for me only. They need to make preparations for the estimated questions to be asked in the interview. They also need to be familiar with a few details of the company like its products, vision, recent achievement, etc. This is just to have an upper hand in the interview so that you can explain that you are the right candidate for the company. One must be completely relaxed before the interview. Because stress is one of the major reasons which reduces one's performance ability. Another way of getting over with your nerves is by a well known therapy called as hypnosis. Hypnosis is a very effective therapy which is generally used for curing nerves of Examinations, Interviews, Meetings, etc. Hypnosis mainly activates your subconscious mind so that you are extra alert and attentive what you are doing. Thus this gives you a lot more confidence to deal with. Now here are some of the tips you must follow for your interview. * You must be fully prepared for the interview and you must possess everything required. * You must maintain a complete eye contact with the interviewer, because it will show your confidence. * You must not do any nervous acts like being fidgety, fixing your tie or touching your clothes dress again and again. * Be positive while talking and use your hands to express yourself. * With hypnosis you can come in terms with such a situation and will be well prepared to face a barrage of questions that come your way. What's the purpose of the passage _ ? | A recent research shows that most people while attending their very first or second interview face the problem of interview nerves. This interview nerves simply make them nervous and depressed. This mainly happens due to lack of confidence and belief in oneself. Most of them even suffer from sleepless nights. They feel as if interviews are nothing but a questioning by an unknown person who will judge them by their answers. They simply can't understand or _ that the interviews are as beneficial for them as for the company. To overcome these problems, people need to make their mind set for facing the interview full of confidence. This can be done by building up confidence that this job is for me only. They need to make preparations for the estimated questions to be asked in the interview. They also need to be familiar with a few details of the company like its products, vision, recent achievement, etc. This is just to have an upper hand in the interview so that you can explain that you are the right candidate for the company. One must be completely relaxed before the interview. Because stress is one of the major reasons which reduces one's performance ability. Another way of getting over with your nerves is by a well known therapy called as hypnosis. Hypnosis is a very effective therapy which is generally used for curing nerves of Examinations, Interviews, Meetings, etc. Hypnosis mainly activates your subconscious mind so that you are extra alert and attentive what you are doing. Thus this gives you a lot more confidence to deal with. Now here are some of the tips you must follow for your interview. * You must be fully prepared for the interview and you must possess everything required. * You must maintain a complete eye contact with the interviewer, because it will show your confidence. * You must not do any nervous acts like being fidgety, fixing your tie or touching your clothes dress again and again. * Be positive while talking and use your hands to express yourself. * With hypnosis you can come in terms with such a situation and will be well prepared to face a barrage of questions that come your way. What's the purpose of the passage _ ?
A. To help overcome interview nerves
B. To tell people the meaning of interview nerves
C. To tell people how to attend interviews
D. To help people become more confident
Answer:A | 59,929 | 59,929 |
1 | [
"To show his success in architecture.",
"To introduce the topic of the passage.",
"To show his talent for communication skills.",
"To tell readers how to deal with leaking roofs."
]
| Once architect Frank Lloyd Wright built a house for businessman Hibbard Johnson. One rainy evening Johnson was entertaining guests for dinner when the roof began to leak. The water leaked through directly above Johnson, dropping steadily onto his bald head. Angry, he called Wright."Frank,"he said,"you built this beautiful house for me and we enjoy it very much. But ... the roof leaks, and right now I'm with some distinguished guests and it's leaking right on top of my head."There was a pause on the line, and Frank replied,"Well, why don't you move your chair?" Just when we'd like to have everything perfect in our lives, the roof springs a leak into even the best constructed and waterproof lives. Leaks happen. We have a choice, we can sit under the leak and complain, or we can regain our joy by moving our chair -- changing our perspective. Now, some will point out that the reason they have no joy in their lives is that they don't have a reason to be joyful. They have a lot of leaks in their roof. Life seems like it's fallen apart. They aren't satisfied with their job, if they even have one. Their family has problems. Their health isn't good. Their car is under repair. They just can't see a"reason"for being joyful. It's hard to be joyful when life is going against you. It's hard to be joyful when you're struggling with troubles, or defeated by pain, or unsure of your future. But there's a problem with that approach to life. If we wait till everything turns out the way we want them to in our lives or we're not going to be joyful until all the leaks are repaired in the roof of our lives...THEN we're never going to experience joy. There's an alternative. You don't have to wait until you're happy with your life. Deep spiritual joy in your life will always bring you happiness. But the pursuit of happiness won't always bring you joy. People have a hard time understanding the difference. Worldly happiness almost always relies on some situation or event to make us feel good. If something good happens, we'll feel good, but if something bad happens, we won't. By contrast, spiritual joy doesn't depend on present situation. In fact, spiritual joy can often exist despite our circumstances. Don't let other people steal your joy. If the roof is leaking and you can't get someone to fix it right away, move your chair. Change your perspective. Lay hold of joy and take control of your circumstances, rather than swinging with your emotions and continuing to look for happiness. What's the purpose of mentioning Frank Lloyd Wright? | Once architect Frank Lloyd Wright built a house for businessman Hibbard Johnson. One rainy evening Johnson was entertaining guests for dinner when the roof began to leak. The water leaked through directly above Johnson, dropping steadily onto his bald head. Angry, he called Wright."Frank,"he said,"you built this beautiful house for me and we enjoy it very much. But ... the roof leaks, and right now I'm with some distinguished guests and it's leaking right on top of my head."There was a pause on the line, and Frank replied,"Well, why don't you move your chair?" Just when we'd like to have everything perfect in our lives, the roof springs a leak into even the best constructed and waterproof lives. Leaks happen. We have a choice, we can sit under the leak and complain, or we can regain our joy by moving our chair -- changing our perspective. Now, some will point out that the reason they have no joy in their lives is that they don't have a reason to be joyful. They have a lot of leaks in their roof. Life seems like it's fallen apart. They aren't satisfied with their job, if they even have one. Their family has problems. Their health isn't good. Their car is under repair. They just can't see a"reason"for being joyful. It's hard to be joyful when life is going against you. It's hard to be joyful when you're struggling with troubles, or defeated by pain, or unsure of your future. But there's a problem with that approach to life. If we wait till everything turns out the way we want them to in our lives or we're not going to be joyful until all the leaks are repaired in the roof of our lives...THEN we're never going to experience joy. There's an alternative. You don't have to wait until you're happy with your life. Deep spiritual joy in your life will always bring you happiness. But the pursuit of happiness won't always bring you joy. People have a hard time understanding the difference. Worldly happiness almost always relies on some situation or event to make us feel good. If something good happens, we'll feel good, but if something bad happens, we won't. By contrast, spiritual joy doesn't depend on present situation. In fact, spiritual joy can often exist despite our circumstances. Don't let other people steal your joy. If the roof is leaking and you can't get someone to fix it right away, move your chair. Change your perspective. Lay hold of joy and take control of your circumstances, rather than swinging with your emotions and continuing to look for happiness. What's the purpose of mentioning Frank Lloyd Wright?
A. To show his success in architecture.
B. To introduce the topic of the passage.
C. To show his talent for communication skills.
D. To tell readers how to deal with leaking roofs.
Answer:B | 19,903 | 19,903 |
0 | [
"television can make us active",
"television encourages us to buy things that we don't need",
"television gives us a worse picture of society",
"television takes time away from a lot of activities"
]
| Television has changed our lives in many ways. Many people now spend more time watching TV than doing anything else. Researchers in the USA has estimated that when most students leave school they have spent 11,000 hours in the classroom and 22,000 hours watching television. But what effect does this have? Benefits of television: 1. Television helps us to learn more about the world and to know and see many mew things. Television can offer present information to us in a more effective way than books. It can also make things more _ . 2. It entertains us. It is an enjoyable way to relax. For millions of people around the world, television is a source of companionship and helps them to cope with everyday life. 3. It has increased the popularity of sports and arts. 4. It has made us aware of our global responsibilities. In 2000, for example, 1.5billion people in 147 countries watched a TV pop concert and helped to collect more than $100million for people in Africa. Dangers: 1. Television can make us passive . We don't have to think and our brains become lazy. 2. It encourages us to buy things that we don't need, and can make us unhappy with our own life. 3. It takes time away from activities such as reading, conversation, and games. 4. It gives a false picture of society. A study in 2003 showed that people who watch a lot of TV are more afraid of crime. They also think that there is a lot more crime than there really is . 5. Some critics say that television make people violent. A ten-year study in the United States showed that children who watch violent television programmes are more likely to be violent themselves. According to the passage, the dangers of watching TV too much included all the following except that _ . | Television has changed our lives in many ways. Many people now spend more time watching TV than doing anything else. Researchers in the USA has estimated that when most students leave school they have spent 11,000 hours in the classroom and 22,000 hours watching television. But what effect does this have? Benefits of television: 1. Television helps us to learn more about the world and to know and see many mew things. Television can offer present information to us in a more effective way than books. It can also make things more _ . 2. It entertains us. It is an enjoyable way to relax. For millions of people around the world, television is a source of companionship and helps them to cope with everyday life. 3. It has increased the popularity of sports and arts. 4. It has made us aware of our global responsibilities. In 2000, for example, 1.5billion people in 147 countries watched a TV pop concert and helped to collect more than $100million for people in Africa. Dangers: 1. Television can make us passive . We don't have to think and our brains become lazy. 2. It encourages us to buy things that we don't need, and can make us unhappy with our own life. 3. It takes time away from activities such as reading, conversation, and games. 4. It gives a false picture of society. A study in 2003 showed that people who watch a lot of TV are more afraid of crime. They also think that there is a lot more crime than there really is . 5. Some critics say that television make people violent. A ten-year study in the United States showed that children who watch violent television programmes are more likely to be violent themselves. According to the passage, the dangers of watching TV too much included all the following except that _ .
A. television can make us active
B. television encourages us to buy things that we don't need
C. television gives us a worse picture of society
D. television takes time away from a lot of activities
Answer:A | 17,277 | 17,277 |
2 | [
"Exams are not a good way of testing children.",
"Children are natural cheats.",
"If adults cheat, children will cheat too.",
"Everyone including children cheats."
]
| Everybody cheats. Whether it's the taxi driver who tricks a visitor and takes them the long way round, or the shop assistant who doesn't give the correct change, or the police officer who accepts a bribe - everybody's at it. Cheats in the nest include the scientist whose research was based on fake data, the game show competitors who worked with a friend in the audience or win a million pounds, and the doctor who made up his qualifications and wasn't really a doctor at all. Everybody cheats; nobody's playing the game. Is cheating acceptable, a natural way of surviving and being successful? Or is it something that should _ , and young people discouraged from doing? If it's the latter how can we explain to children why so many bend the rules? Take sport for example. The Word Cup was filled with cheating. Whether diving, pretending to be hurt or denying a handball, footballers will do anything for a free - kick or a penalty shot. France striker Henry denied cheating to win the free - kick which led to his side's second goal in their 3 - 1 victory over Spain. Many footballers, however, are often putting it on. Whatever the nationality there's one common ploy: the player rolls over holding their leg, ankle or head seeming to be in great pain. As a result a yellow card and / or free - kick is given for the foul and then, a few seconds later, the player is up and about as if nothing had happened ! The ref may be taken in by it but youngsters watching the game aren't. they also see their heroes getting away with it. Of course it's not just football. In 1998 the Tour de France, the world's greatest cycling event, was hit by a drug - taking scandal . The 40 bottles of forbidden drugs found with the Fustian team caused a massive investigation that almost caused the Tour to be abandoned. One rider, Veronique, was banned for 9 months. He claimed: "You have cheats in sport, just as you do in business - there will always be people trying to take a short cut. At least we're not turning a blind eye to the problem, which other sports are." Is it all unavoidable? There's huge pressure on all athletes to perform for their fans and for their sponsors. It's success, money and power that rule professional sport rather than an honest at tempt to do the best one can. Meanwhile companies around the world are losing billions of dollars to fake products. From cut price CDs and DVDs to sportswear, cheap fake products are everywhere. It has become socially acceptable to buy fake Gucci bags and illegal copies of films. If parents are doing this, their children will follow. So perhaps it's not surprising that around the world more pupils than ever are caught cheating during exams. In one case missing exam papers were put up for sale on the Internet. In another, widespread cheating took place by pupils using their mobile phones to receive tested answers. They blame the pressure put on them to do well in exams. It doesn't help that their role models are also cheats. Surely we can't complain when we're setting such a bad example. Which of the following is the main idea of the passage? | Everybody cheats. Whether it's the taxi driver who tricks a visitor and takes them the long way round, or the shop assistant who doesn't give the correct change, or the police officer who accepts a bribe - everybody's at it. Cheats in the nest include the scientist whose research was based on fake data, the game show competitors who worked with a friend in the audience or win a million pounds, and the doctor who made up his qualifications and wasn't really a doctor at all. Everybody cheats; nobody's playing the game. Is cheating acceptable, a natural way of surviving and being successful? Or is it something that should _ , and young people discouraged from doing? If it's the latter how can we explain to children why so many bend the rules? Take sport for example. The Word Cup was filled with cheating. Whether diving, pretending to be hurt or denying a handball, footballers will do anything for a free - kick or a penalty shot. France striker Henry denied cheating to win the free - kick which led to his side's second goal in their 3 - 1 victory over Spain. Many footballers, however, are often putting it on. Whatever the nationality there's one common ploy: the player rolls over holding their leg, ankle or head seeming to be in great pain. As a result a yellow card and / or free - kick is given for the foul and then, a few seconds later, the player is up and about as if nothing had happened ! The ref may be taken in by it but youngsters watching the game aren't. they also see their heroes getting away with it. Of course it's not just football. In 1998 the Tour de France, the world's greatest cycling event, was hit by a drug - taking scandal . The 40 bottles of forbidden drugs found with the Fustian team caused a massive investigation that almost caused the Tour to be abandoned. One rider, Veronique, was banned for 9 months. He claimed: "You have cheats in sport, just as you do in business - there will always be people trying to take a short cut. At least we're not turning a blind eye to the problem, which other sports are." Is it all unavoidable? There's huge pressure on all athletes to perform for their fans and for their sponsors. It's success, money and power that rule professional sport rather than an honest at tempt to do the best one can. Meanwhile companies around the world are losing billions of dollars to fake products. From cut price CDs and DVDs to sportswear, cheap fake products are everywhere. It has become socially acceptable to buy fake Gucci bags and illegal copies of films. If parents are doing this, their children will follow. So perhaps it's not surprising that around the world more pupils than ever are caught cheating during exams. In one case missing exam papers were put up for sale on the Internet. In another, widespread cheating took place by pupils using their mobile phones to receive tested answers. They blame the pressure put on them to do well in exams. It doesn't help that their role models are also cheats. Surely we can't complain when we're setting such a bad example. Which of the following is the main idea of the passage?
A. Exams are not a good way of testing children.
B. Children are natural cheats.
C. If adults cheat, children will cheat too.
D. Everyone including children cheats.
Answer:C | 48,405 | 48,405 |
0 | [
"Union Square--Fisherman's Wharf--the Golden Gate Bridge--Tiberon--prison of Alcatraz--Sanalito.",
"Union Square--the Golden Gate Bridge--Tiberon--prison of Alcatraz--Sanalito-- Fisherman's Wharf.",
"Union Square--Fisherman's Wharf--the Golden Gate Bridge--Tiberon--Chelsea-- Greenwich Village.",
"Union Square--the Golden Gate Bridge--Tiberon--Chelsea--Greenwich Village-- Fisherman's Wharf."
]
| "San Francisco, open your Golden Gate," sang the girl in the theatre. She never finished her song. The date was 18th, 1906. The earth shook and the roof suddenly divided, buildings crashed to the ground and people rushed out into the streets. The dreadful earthquake destroyed the city that had grown up when men discovered gold in the deserts of California. But today the streets of San-Francisco stretch over more than 40 steep hills, rising like huge cliffs above the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. The best way to see this splendid city, where Spanish were the first to make their homes, is to take one of the old cable cars which run along the nine main avenues. Fares are cheap; they have not risen for almost a hundred years. You leave the palm trees in Union Square -- the heart of San-Francisco and from the shop signs and the faces around you, you will notice that in the city live people from many nations -- Austrians, Italians, Chinese, and others, giving every part of the city a special character. More Chinese live in China Town than in any other part of the world outside China. Here, with Chinese restaurants, Chinese post-boxes, and even odd telephone-boxes that look like pagoda , it is easy to feel you are in China itself. Fisherman's Wharf, a place all foreigners want to see, is the end of the ride. You get out, and then set out to find a table in one of gay little restaurants beside the harbor. As you enjoy the fresh Pacific sea food, you can admire the bright red paint of the Golden Gate Bridge in the harbor and watch the traffic crossing beneath the tall towers on its way to the pretty village of Tiberon. When you finish your meal, you may decide to take a boat-trip around the bay to look at the sights. You can stare at the famous, now empty, prison of Alcatraz. Then why not go to the fishing village of Sansalito -- a little like London's Chelsea or New York's Greenwich Village--to see people painting and to look at their pictures. You will be able to enjoy a view of the city from the sea and take pleasure in the soft red and blue Spanish-type houses shining in the bright Pacific light. If you have time you might like to go by bus to Carmel, a hundred miles south of San-Francisco, where you will discover a wild and wonderful coast with high cliffs. Which is the right order of the travel route given in the passage? | "San Francisco, open your Golden Gate," sang the girl in the theatre. She never finished her song. The date was 18th, 1906. The earth shook and the roof suddenly divided, buildings crashed to the ground and people rushed out into the streets. The dreadful earthquake destroyed the city that had grown up when men discovered gold in the deserts of California. But today the streets of San-Francisco stretch over more than 40 steep hills, rising like huge cliffs above the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. The best way to see this splendid city, where Spanish were the first to make their homes, is to take one of the old cable cars which run along the nine main avenues. Fares are cheap; they have not risen for almost a hundred years. You leave the palm trees in Union Square -- the heart of San-Francisco and from the shop signs and the faces around you, you will notice that in the city live people from many nations -- Austrians, Italians, Chinese, and others, giving every part of the city a special character. More Chinese live in China Town than in any other part of the world outside China. Here, with Chinese restaurants, Chinese post-boxes, and even odd telephone-boxes that look like pagoda , it is easy to feel you are in China itself. Fisherman's Wharf, a place all foreigners want to see, is the end of the ride. You get out, and then set out to find a table in one of gay little restaurants beside the harbor. As you enjoy the fresh Pacific sea food, you can admire the bright red paint of the Golden Gate Bridge in the harbor and watch the traffic crossing beneath the tall towers on its way to the pretty village of Tiberon. When you finish your meal, you may decide to take a boat-trip around the bay to look at the sights. You can stare at the famous, now empty, prison of Alcatraz. Then why not go to the fishing village of Sansalito -- a little like London's Chelsea or New York's Greenwich Village--to see people painting and to look at their pictures. You will be able to enjoy a view of the city from the sea and take pleasure in the soft red and blue Spanish-type houses shining in the bright Pacific light. If you have time you might like to go by bus to Carmel, a hundred miles south of San-Francisco, where you will discover a wild and wonderful coast with high cliffs. Which is the right order of the travel route given in the passage?
A. Union Square--Fisherman's Wharf--the Golden Gate Bridge--Tiberon--prison of Alcatraz--Sanalito.
B. Union Square--the Golden Gate Bridge--Tiberon--prison of Alcatraz--Sanalito-- Fisherman's Wharf.
C. Union Square--Fisherman's Wharf--the Golden Gate Bridge--Tiberon--Chelsea-- Greenwich Village.
D. Union Square--the Golden Gate Bridge--Tiberon--Chelsea--Greenwich Village-- Fisherman's Wharf.
Answer:A | 21,397 | 21,397 |
3 | [
"are difficult to make",
"are expensive",
"are important but not necessary",
"are very helpful"
]
| Now machines are widely used all over the world. Why are machines so important and necessary for us? Because they can help us to do things better and faster. A washing machine helps us to wash clothes fast. A printing machine helps us to print a lot of books, newspapers, magazines and many other things fast. Bikes, cars, trains and planes are all machines. They help us to travel faster than on foot. The computer is a wonderful machine. It was invented not long ago. It not only stores information but also stores numbers millions of times as fast as a scientist does. Let's study hard and try to use all kinds of machines to build China into a modern country. Machines can help us to do things better and faster, so they _ . | Now machines are widely used all over the world. Why are machines so important and necessary for us? Because they can help us to do things better and faster. A washing machine helps us to wash clothes fast. A printing machine helps us to print a lot of books, newspapers, magazines and many other things fast. Bikes, cars, trains and planes are all machines. They help us to travel faster than on foot. The computer is a wonderful machine. It was invented not long ago. It not only stores information but also stores numbers millions of times as fast as a scientist does. Let's study hard and try to use all kinds of machines to build China into a modern country. Machines can help us to do things better and faster, so they _ .
A. are difficult to make
B. are expensive
C. are important but not necessary
D. are very helpful
Answer:D | 76,071 | 76,071 |
3 | [
"$ 350.",
"$ 390.",
"$ 430.",
"$ 470."
]
| Though the last book of the spectacular Harry Potter series was released seven years ago in 2007, the young wizard continues to be extremely popular with both kids and adults. Over the years, Harry Potter fans have been able to experience numerous aspects of the young wizard's life, right down to his favorite drink -- butter beer. Now thanks to a British hotel, they can also spend a night in the wizard's Hogwarts Castle dormitory room. The four-star Georgian Hotel in Central London, which recently opened its two wizard chambers , is ideally suited to reproducing J.K. Rowling's school of wizardry . That's because the hotel, which is still run by the descendants of the original owners, dates all the way back to 1851. It still remains its original styles inside. According to the owner of the 163-year-old Georgian Hotel, the idea originated as a way to create a kid-friendly environment in a hotel that is well-known for its Victoria Classic and Belgravia Boutique rooms. The wizard chambers that have been refinished to resemble the Hogwarts Castle dormitory rooms are furnished with everything a wizard fan could think of -- four-poster beds, stone wash basins, potion bottles, cauldrons (,), spelling books and even study tables. In order to make them appear even more magical, the hotel owners have added their own special touches that include placing a wand in the hand of the Mona Lisa painting that is in one of the chambers. As you may have guessed, these unique accommodations are not cheap. The rooms, breakfast included, cost about $350 for two people. Kids sharing the same room pay only an additional $40 each. Given that the big wizard chamber can contain up to five people, the overall cost is perfect for families that are all Harry Potter fans. Special packages include a Muggle Walking Tour that takes Harry Potter fans through the areas of the city where parts of the movies were filmed or a visit to Warner Brothers Studio, home of the Harry Potter films' sets and props . The hotel is certainly generating a lot of buzz among Harry Potter fans! If Mr Green and his wife with three children want to stay in the hotel for a night, how much should they pay? | Though the last book of the spectacular Harry Potter series was released seven years ago in 2007, the young wizard continues to be extremely popular with both kids and adults. Over the years, Harry Potter fans have been able to experience numerous aspects of the young wizard's life, right down to his favorite drink -- butter beer. Now thanks to a British hotel, they can also spend a night in the wizard's Hogwarts Castle dormitory room. The four-star Georgian Hotel in Central London, which recently opened its two wizard chambers , is ideally suited to reproducing J.K. Rowling's school of wizardry . That's because the hotel, which is still run by the descendants of the original owners, dates all the way back to 1851. It still remains its original styles inside. According to the owner of the 163-year-old Georgian Hotel, the idea originated as a way to create a kid-friendly environment in a hotel that is well-known for its Victoria Classic and Belgravia Boutique rooms. The wizard chambers that have been refinished to resemble the Hogwarts Castle dormitory rooms are furnished with everything a wizard fan could think of -- four-poster beds, stone wash basins, potion bottles, cauldrons (,), spelling books and even study tables. In order to make them appear even more magical, the hotel owners have added their own special touches that include placing a wand in the hand of the Mona Lisa painting that is in one of the chambers. As you may have guessed, these unique accommodations are not cheap. The rooms, breakfast included, cost about $350 for two people. Kids sharing the same room pay only an additional $40 each. Given that the big wizard chamber can contain up to five people, the overall cost is perfect for families that are all Harry Potter fans. Special packages include a Muggle Walking Tour that takes Harry Potter fans through the areas of the city where parts of the movies were filmed or a visit to Warner Brothers Studio, home of the Harry Potter films' sets and props . The hotel is certainly generating a lot of buzz among Harry Potter fans! If Mr Green and his wife with three children want to stay in the hotel for a night, how much should they pay?
A. $ 350.
B. $ 390.
C. $ 430.
D. $ 470.
Answer:D | 13,655 | 13,655 |
0 | [
"surfing the Internet has become an important part of teenagers' lives",
"parents shouldn't leave teenagers alone at home",
"teenagers don't usually do their homework during their school holidays",
"a park is the best place to meet a friend"
]
| Teenagers in England do much the same as children in America do. They enjoy sending messages by their mobile phones and they also like swimming, listening to the latest music, watching TV and surfing the Internet. How do teenagers in England spend their free time and holidays? Let's follow Sally, a British teenager, and spend five days with her during her school holiday. Day One After breakfast, Sally's mother went out and left her alone at home. She checked her mobile phone during lunch --one of her friends sent her a message early in the morning. Dinner was at 6:30 p.m. After that, she finished her English home-work. Then she surfed the Internet. Day Two Sally and her mother paid a visit to their friends and went swimming together. Later, they went shopping for clothes and books, and had dinner in a restaurant. Day Three She went to the supermarket with her mother to buy fish and chips for lunch as well as some pens. After she got back home, she spent the next few hours surfing the Internet and watching TV. Day Four She surfed the Internet. Her mother took her out for lunch before she went to work. She then read stories after lunch. Day Five She woke up at 2 p.m., and so did her mother. They went to a park. Her mother met some friends there. When they got home, it was already time for dinner. Afterwards, she did her homework until 10 p.m. According to the passage, it can be inferred that _ . | Teenagers in England do much the same as children in America do. They enjoy sending messages by their mobile phones and they also like swimming, listening to the latest music, watching TV and surfing the Internet. How do teenagers in England spend their free time and holidays? Let's follow Sally, a British teenager, and spend five days with her during her school holiday. Day One After breakfast, Sally's mother went out and left her alone at home. She checked her mobile phone during lunch --one of her friends sent her a message early in the morning. Dinner was at 6:30 p.m. After that, she finished her English home-work. Then she surfed the Internet. Day Two Sally and her mother paid a visit to their friends and went swimming together. Later, they went shopping for clothes and books, and had dinner in a restaurant. Day Three She went to the supermarket with her mother to buy fish and chips for lunch as well as some pens. After she got back home, she spent the next few hours surfing the Internet and watching TV. Day Four She surfed the Internet. Her mother took her out for lunch before she went to work. She then read stories after lunch. Day Five She woke up at 2 p.m., and so did her mother. They went to a park. Her mother met some friends there. When they got home, it was already time for dinner. Afterwards, she did her homework until 10 p.m. According to the passage, it can be inferred that _ .
A. surfing the Internet has become an important part of teenagers' lives
B. parents shouldn't leave teenagers alone at home
C. teenagers don't usually do their homework during their school holidays
D. a park is the best place to meet a friend
Answer:A | 7,777 | 7,777 |
2 | [
"People in other houses were",
"Peter's parents were",
"Nobody was",
"Peter was"
]
| Peter was a small boy. He lived with his parents in a small house near some hills .The people there were all poor .One night it was very dry and windy .When everybody was asleep,Peter suddenly heard some noise .It came out from the kitchen . He got up and walked to the kitchen .He found that the wood beside the stove was burning .There was no water tap in the house,so he could not put out the fire .He shouted loudly to wake up everyone in the house .Then he ran out of his house and knocked on the doors of many houses to wake the people up .They all left their houses quickly .At last the fire was put out by the firemen .Many houses were burnt .But nobody was hurt in the fire . _ hurt in the fire | Peter was a small boy. He lived with his parents in a small house near some hills .The people there were all poor .One night it was very dry and windy .When everybody was asleep,Peter suddenly heard some noise .It came out from the kitchen . He got up and walked to the kitchen .He found that the wood beside the stove was burning .There was no water tap in the house,so he could not put out the fire .He shouted loudly to wake up everyone in the house .Then he ran out of his house and knocked on the doors of many houses to wake the people up .They all left their houses quickly .At last the fire was put out by the firemen .Many houses were burnt .But nobody was hurt in the fire . _ hurt in the fire
A. People in other houses were
B. Peter's parents were
C. Nobody was
D. Peter was
Answer:C | 73,435 | 73,435 |
1 | [
"the effect of money can only last until we put it down",
"money is both psychologically and socially helpful to us",
"the result of the research hasn't been confirmed by experts",
"credit cards have the same effect on us as money"
]
| Who cares if money can't buy you love? But it can still be your best friend forever. That's one of the surprising findings in a new research paper, "The Power of Money", published in me journal Psychological Science. Like any best friend forever, money demonstrated to researchers its ability to _ us, reduce our sense of social exclusion and even reduce life's painful moments. "I was surprised" says Katherine Vohs, one of the researchers and professor at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. "The findings were surprising because no one had connected the meaning of money to pain. The money wasn't buying the subjects more friends; it was only psychologically helpful." In the research ,students were told they would be participating in a test of finger dexterity . One group was given some paper money to count, while the other group was given blank pieces of paper. Once the counting was complete, all the test subjects were asked to dip their fingers into bowls of water heated to 122 degrees--roughly the temperature of a very hot bath. Result? Those who had been counting money reported less pain than those who had not. Subjects also were asked about their feelings. Those who handled actual money reported feeling stronger even 10 minutes after they put down the cash. Combined with previous experiments, the findings confirmed what researchers have long doubted, that money acts as a general panacea in the brain, giving us social self-confidence and reducing physical pain without having to spend a dime on aspirin. But can we get the same effect by using credit cards? "No, credit cards do not have the same effect, " Vohs says. "They are scary for most people, and they in fact represent debt m many ways." The findings could have an interesting effect in the business world, where recent trends have been to issue non-monetary rewards and bonuses instead of what was thought of as "cold, hard cash". We can 1earn from the passage that _ . | Who cares if money can't buy you love? But it can still be your best friend forever. That's one of the surprising findings in a new research paper, "The Power of Money", published in me journal Psychological Science. Like any best friend forever, money demonstrated to researchers its ability to _ us, reduce our sense of social exclusion and even reduce life's painful moments. "I was surprised" says Katherine Vohs, one of the researchers and professor at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. "The findings were surprising because no one had connected the meaning of money to pain. The money wasn't buying the subjects more friends; it was only psychologically helpful." In the research ,students were told they would be participating in a test of finger dexterity . One group was given some paper money to count, while the other group was given blank pieces of paper. Once the counting was complete, all the test subjects were asked to dip their fingers into bowls of water heated to 122 degrees--roughly the temperature of a very hot bath. Result? Those who had been counting money reported less pain than those who had not. Subjects also were asked about their feelings. Those who handled actual money reported feeling stronger even 10 minutes after they put down the cash. Combined with previous experiments, the findings confirmed what researchers have long doubted, that money acts as a general panacea in the brain, giving us social self-confidence and reducing physical pain without having to spend a dime on aspirin. But can we get the same effect by using credit cards? "No, credit cards do not have the same effect, " Vohs says. "They are scary for most people, and they in fact represent debt m many ways." The findings could have an interesting effect in the business world, where recent trends have been to issue non-monetary rewards and bonuses instead of what was thought of as "cold, hard cash". We can 1earn from the passage that _ .
A. the effect of money can only last until we put it down
B. money is both psychologically and socially helpful to us
C. the result of the research hasn't been confirmed by experts
D. credit cards have the same effect on us as money
Answer:B | 23,025 | 23,025 |
3 | [
"the evolvement of mammals on Earth",
"the gradual process of climate change",
"the importance of the balance of ecosystem",
"the cause of the extinction of the dinosaurs"
]
| Planet Earth would be a scary place for humans if dinosaurs still ruled the world. Though there are still some traces of life from the Jurassic Period, the Age of Dinosaurs more than 65 million years ago. This mass extinction is believed to be the result of an asteriod hitting Earth. A new report by the journal Biological Reviews called " The Extinction of Dinosaurs" concludes that this impact was, indeed, the cause of the dinosaurs' _ . But the space blast wasn't the only reason these creatures aren't still around today. Dinosaurs need food to survive. Meat-eating monsters like the Tyrannosaurus Rex were at the top of the food chain, and fed off plant eaters like the horned Triceratops . These herbivores were decreasing in population after the asteroid hit Earth, which left the meat-eating species less food to survive on. "In any ecosystem where you remove links to key species, that community has problems," Richard Butler, one of the review's authors, told National Ceographic. While the herbivore population was going down, Earth's temperatures were rising when volcanoes erupted. Hot vapors and gases began wiping out some of the dinosaur population and weakening the survivors. These changes made the asteroid's impact especially powerful. It caused more volcanoes to erupt, heated up Earth's atmosphere, and led to a sharp drop in the level of oxygen in the oceans. With the dinosaurs gone, mammals began to evolve into bigger and more diverse species. Many animals we see today, like birds, sharks, and even some cats and dogs, appeared after the asteroid hit Earth. But none rule Earth quite like the dinosaurs did.. The text is mainly about _ . | Planet Earth would be a scary place for humans if dinosaurs still ruled the world. Though there are still some traces of life from the Jurassic Period, the Age of Dinosaurs more than 65 million years ago. This mass extinction is believed to be the result of an asteriod hitting Earth. A new report by the journal Biological Reviews called " The Extinction of Dinosaurs" concludes that this impact was, indeed, the cause of the dinosaurs' _ . But the space blast wasn't the only reason these creatures aren't still around today. Dinosaurs need food to survive. Meat-eating monsters like the Tyrannosaurus Rex were at the top of the food chain, and fed off plant eaters like the horned Triceratops . These herbivores were decreasing in population after the asteroid hit Earth, which left the meat-eating species less food to survive on. "In any ecosystem where you remove links to key species, that community has problems," Richard Butler, one of the review's authors, told National Ceographic. While the herbivore population was going down, Earth's temperatures were rising when volcanoes erupted. Hot vapors and gases began wiping out some of the dinosaur population and weakening the survivors. These changes made the asteroid's impact especially powerful. It caused more volcanoes to erupt, heated up Earth's atmosphere, and led to a sharp drop in the level of oxygen in the oceans. With the dinosaurs gone, mammals began to evolve into bigger and more diverse species. Many animals we see today, like birds, sharks, and even some cats and dogs, appeared after the asteroid hit Earth. But none rule Earth quite like the dinosaurs did.. The text is mainly about _ .
A. the evolvement of mammals on Earth
B. the gradual process of climate change
C. the importance of the balance of ecosystem
D. the cause of the extinction of the dinosaurs
Answer:D | 40,011 | 40,011 |
3 | [
"call on readers to learn from Michael Jackson",
"show love and respect for Michael Jackson",
"prove Michael Jackson is a great person",
"offer readers some facts about Michael Jackson"
]
| Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958. He was born in Gary, Indiana. He was the seventh child out of nine children in his family. Michael was often physically abused by his father, beaten up and also verbally abused. But Michael also owed his success to his father's being strict. Michael was always an entertainer . Even when he just joined school, he would perform in front of friends and classmates. Michael started his professional music career at the age of 11, as a member of the Jackson Five. He's well-known for increasing the popularity of MTV through his music videos. Before this, music videos were made just to promote the albums . But Michael's videos managed to change that in videos being made as an art, and for big business. Some of the music videos that are good examples of this fact are Beat It, Billie Jean, and Thriller. Through these works of his, the world got caught onto the idea of music videos and dedicated music video channels. Michael _ his fans and audiences with his style of singing, dressing, and his complex dance moves, especially the "Moonwalk". The moonwalk is something that people from every part of the globe loved and try to copy People have also done mass moonwalks all around to show their love towards him. Michael Jackson supported 39 charities . Through his work and various foundations, he raised and gave millions toward charity, much more than any other showman. He had great love for children, especially the poor ones, and he felt children were the next best thing after God. Michael planed to start a 50-concert tour in July 2009. Sadly, on 25thJune, 2009, Michael passed away at home. Michael Jackson was a great performer, showman, and entertainer, besides the good human and charitable person that he was. It's very unlikely that there will ever be another entertainer like Michael Jackson ever again. The purpose of the passage is to _ . | Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958. He was born in Gary, Indiana. He was the seventh child out of nine children in his family. Michael was often physically abused by his father, beaten up and also verbally abused. But Michael also owed his success to his father's being strict. Michael was always an entertainer . Even when he just joined school, he would perform in front of friends and classmates. Michael started his professional music career at the age of 11, as a member of the Jackson Five. He's well-known for increasing the popularity of MTV through his music videos. Before this, music videos were made just to promote the albums . But Michael's videos managed to change that in videos being made as an art, and for big business. Some of the music videos that are good examples of this fact are Beat It, Billie Jean, and Thriller. Through these works of his, the world got caught onto the idea of music videos and dedicated music video channels. Michael _ his fans and audiences with his style of singing, dressing, and his complex dance moves, especially the "Moonwalk". The moonwalk is something that people from every part of the globe loved and try to copy People have also done mass moonwalks all around to show their love towards him. Michael Jackson supported 39 charities . Through his work and various foundations, he raised and gave millions toward charity, much more than any other showman. He had great love for children, especially the poor ones, and he felt children were the next best thing after God. Michael planed to start a 50-concert tour in July 2009. Sadly, on 25thJune, 2009, Michael passed away at home. Michael Jackson was a great performer, showman, and entertainer, besides the good human and charitable person that he was. It's very unlikely that there will ever be another entertainer like Michael Jackson ever again. The purpose of the passage is to _ .
A. call on readers to learn from Michael Jackson
B. show love and respect for Michael Jackson
C. prove Michael Jackson is a great person
D. offer readers some facts about Michael Jackson
Answer:D | 61,906 | 61,906 |
2 | [
"demand equal rights for women",
"emphasize the importance of appearance",
"discuss the negative aspects of being attractive",
"give advice to jobseekers who are attractive"
]
| Beauty has always been regarded as something praiseworthy. Almost everyone thinks attractive people are happier and healthier,have better marriages and have more respectable occupations. Personal consultants give them better advice for finding jobs. Even judges are softer on attractive defendants .But in the executive circle,beauty can become a _ . While attractiveness is a positive factor for a man on his way up the executive ladder,it is harmful to a woman. Handsome male executives were thought as having more integrity than plainer men;effort and ability were thought to account for their success. Attractive female executives were considered to have less integrity than unattractive ones;their success was attributed not to ability but to factors such as luck. All unattractive women executives were thought to have more integrity and to be more capable than the attractive female executives. Interestingly,though,the rise of the unattractive overnight successes was attributed more to personal relationships and less to ability than that of attractive overnight successes. Why are attractive women not thought to be able?An attractive woman is thought to be more feminine and an attractive man more masculine than the less attractive ones. Thus,an attractive woman has an advantage in traditionally female jobs,but an attractive woman in a traditionally masculine position appears to lack the "masculine" qualities required. This is true even in politics. "When the only clue is how he or she looks,people treat men and women differently,"says Anne Bowman,who recently published a study on the effects of attractiveness on political candidates. She asked 125 undergraduate students to rank two groups of photographs,one of men and one of women,in order of attractiveness. The students were told the photographs were of candidates for political offices. They were asked to rank them again,in the order they would vote for them. The results showed that attractive males utterly defeated unattractive men,but the women who had been ranked most attractive invariably received the fewest votes. The author writes this passage to _ . | Beauty has always been regarded as something praiseworthy. Almost everyone thinks attractive people are happier and healthier,have better marriages and have more respectable occupations. Personal consultants give them better advice for finding jobs. Even judges are softer on attractive defendants .But in the executive circle,beauty can become a _ . While attractiveness is a positive factor for a man on his way up the executive ladder,it is harmful to a woman. Handsome male executives were thought as having more integrity than plainer men;effort and ability were thought to account for their success. Attractive female executives were considered to have less integrity than unattractive ones;their success was attributed not to ability but to factors such as luck. All unattractive women executives were thought to have more integrity and to be more capable than the attractive female executives. Interestingly,though,the rise of the unattractive overnight successes was attributed more to personal relationships and less to ability than that of attractive overnight successes. Why are attractive women not thought to be able?An attractive woman is thought to be more feminine and an attractive man more masculine than the less attractive ones. Thus,an attractive woman has an advantage in traditionally female jobs,but an attractive woman in a traditionally masculine position appears to lack the "masculine" qualities required. This is true even in politics. "When the only clue is how he or she looks,people treat men and women differently,"says Anne Bowman,who recently published a study on the effects of attractiveness on political candidates. She asked 125 undergraduate students to rank two groups of photographs,one of men and one of women,in order of attractiveness. The students were told the photographs were of candidates for political offices. They were asked to rank them again,in the order they would vote for them. The results showed that attractive males utterly defeated unattractive men,but the women who had been ranked most attractive invariably received the fewest votes. The author writes this passage to _ .
A. demand equal rights for women
B. emphasize the importance of appearance
C. discuss the negative aspects of being attractive
D. give advice to jobseekers who are attractive
Answer:C | 49,452 | 49,452 |
1 | [
"has nothing to do with school teaching activities",
"aims to help kids make rapid progress in their studies.",
"assures parents they can teach their kids at home",
"is a great challenge to American schools"
]
| Designed specifically for kids that live online, Discovery announced a new fun and interactive homework tool that uses the power of broadband and media to help achieve academic breakthroughs at home. It's COSMEO. With a click of a mouse, kids have instant access to the only online video destination for homework help, report research and learning games. COSMEO boasts more than 30,000 video clips from the top educational publishers and producers in the world, including Discovery. COSMEO also has 15,000 interactive quizzes and 200 subject-related Brain Games---making homework fun! And most importantly-----all the content is aligned by state curriculum standards and grade level----- COSMEO gives kids the tools they need to succeed and gives parents the reassurance that the content is not only safe, but powerfully engineered to help their kids with academic breakthroughs. COSMEO is built on the proven success of Discovery's in-school video streaming resource, which is available in 70,000 schools and reaches 30 million students in the United States. Students who were exposed to their service in the classroom have been scientifically proven to perform 12 to 15 percent better than those who were not. Now kids can access this proven content in their homes, and COSMEO presents the information in a way that is kid-friendly, interactive, appealing and fun. COSMEO is structured for use by multiple children in the same family. Parents simply select the grade level of the user for access to age-appropriate learning materials. COSMEO can help a third-grader with multiplication tables and an older student with algebra equations . COSMEO uses a multimedia, multi- sensory environment to let kids learn in the way they learn best----- in formats they know, use and, most importantly, enjoy! [ We can learn from the passage the COSMEO _ . | Designed specifically for kids that live online, Discovery announced a new fun and interactive homework tool that uses the power of broadband and media to help achieve academic breakthroughs at home. It's COSMEO. With a click of a mouse, kids have instant access to the only online video destination for homework help, report research and learning games. COSMEO boasts more than 30,000 video clips from the top educational publishers and producers in the world, including Discovery. COSMEO also has 15,000 interactive quizzes and 200 subject-related Brain Games---making homework fun! And most importantly-----all the content is aligned by state curriculum standards and grade level----- COSMEO gives kids the tools they need to succeed and gives parents the reassurance that the content is not only safe, but powerfully engineered to help their kids with academic breakthroughs. COSMEO is built on the proven success of Discovery's in-school video streaming resource, which is available in 70,000 schools and reaches 30 million students in the United States. Students who were exposed to their service in the classroom have been scientifically proven to perform 12 to 15 percent better than those who were not. Now kids can access this proven content in their homes, and COSMEO presents the information in a way that is kid-friendly, interactive, appealing and fun. COSMEO is structured for use by multiple children in the same family. Parents simply select the grade level of the user for access to age-appropriate learning materials. COSMEO can help a third-grader with multiplication tables and an older student with algebra equations . COSMEO uses a multimedia, multi- sensory environment to let kids learn in the way they learn best----- in formats they know, use and, most importantly, enjoy! [ We can learn from the passage the COSMEO _ .
A. has nothing to do with school teaching activities
B. aims to help kids make rapid progress in their studies.
C. assures parents they can teach their kids at home
D. is a great challenge to American schools
Answer:B | 43,447 | 43,447 |
1 | [
"A Special Day",
"Pure Brightness Festival in China",
"What the Chinese Do on Tomb-sweeping Day",
"A Chinese Traditional Custom"
]
| Pure Brightness Festival, also known as Tomb-sweeping Day in China, falls on the 4thor 5thof April each year. It was started in the Han Dynasty. On this day, whole families, young and old, with flowers visit the graves of their ancestors to pay their respects. Following the custom, tomb sweepers clean and tidy the graves, decorate them with flowers. They burn paper money made for the dead, set off firecrackers and bow before their ancestors' tombstones. On this day, they don't cook. Only cold food is served. However, tomb sweeping is not the only activity during Pure Brightness Festival. This day is also a time for people to enjoy themselves. Other activities include spring outing, flying kites, planting trees, tasting tea and so on. In April, everything in nature takes on a new look. Trees turn green, flowers come out and the sun shines brightly. So it is a good time to be out to appreciate the beauty of nature. People fly kites not only in the daytime but at night. In the dark, some people fly kites with lanterns, which are called "God's lanterns". They plant trees because young trees which are planted during this period are easy to grow up. And they enjoy tea because the tea produced around the festival is said to have good quality. Which of the following do you think is the best title for the passage ? | Pure Brightness Festival, also known as Tomb-sweeping Day in China, falls on the 4thor 5thof April each year. It was started in the Han Dynasty. On this day, whole families, young and old, with flowers visit the graves of their ancestors to pay their respects. Following the custom, tomb sweepers clean and tidy the graves, decorate them with flowers. They burn paper money made for the dead, set off firecrackers and bow before their ancestors' tombstones. On this day, they don't cook. Only cold food is served. However, tomb sweeping is not the only activity during Pure Brightness Festival. This day is also a time for people to enjoy themselves. Other activities include spring outing, flying kites, planting trees, tasting tea and so on. In April, everything in nature takes on a new look. Trees turn green, flowers come out and the sun shines brightly. So it is a good time to be out to appreciate the beauty of nature. People fly kites not only in the daytime but at night. In the dark, some people fly kites with lanterns, which are called "God's lanterns". They plant trees because young trees which are planted during this period are easy to grow up. And they enjoy tea because the tea produced around the festival is said to have good quality. Which of the following do you think is the best title for the passage ?
A. A Special Day
B. Pure Brightness Festival in China
C. What the Chinese Do on Tomb-sweeping Day
D. A Chinese Traditional Custom
Answer:B | 72,351 | 72,351 |
0 | [
"a mother starts to feel left out",
"it is the time when mother and daughter get on joyfully increases",
"she wants to look cool",
"All of the above"
]
| What happens to mother-daughter relationships when girls become teenagers. It seems that girls go from playing "dress up", to arguing with their mothers about how they should dress. When a girl is 3-4 years old they love to "dress up" in their mothers' clothes, put on their mothers' makeup, cook, and do whatever else their mother does. This is the time when she can be classified as being a mama's girl. How come girls change so much from childhood to the teenage years? Many parents seek the answer when their daughter becomes a teen. Often when a girl enters high school her behavior changes as well as her physical appearance. When I was young I always liked playing "dress up". It made me feel older and more like my mother. Even when I entered middle school, I still depended a lot on my mother to choose and buy my clothes. Once I entered high school there was a big change. To me, my mother's clothes were no longer "in fashion", and neither was her opinion. I started becoming interested in boys and tried to improve the way I looked. It was not that I wanted to look cool, I just wanted to look my age. This is the time that the mother-daughter relationship can take a turn. It's difficult for a mother to know that her daughter is no longer totally dependent on her. When the daughter starts wearing revealing clothing, dating, and just wanting to be more independent, a mother starts to feel left out, or not needed. The number of arguments increases, and the number of times when the mother and daughter get along happily decreases. When these things start to happen, it is a sign that the daughter wants her independence and the freedom to grow up. When you notice how much your relationship had changed, try to believe positive things come out of the change. Put all the negatives aside and concentrate on what your mother is feeling instead of just on what you're feeling. When it seems too hard to handle, take some quiet time and write out your feelings. Maybe at another time, you can share them with your mother and try to find a way to better your relationship as mother and daughter. If you don't feel comfortable sharing your feelings, at least write them down so you can get them out. It's better than keeping them bottled up inside. When the daughter starts wanting to be more independent, _ . | What happens to mother-daughter relationships when girls become teenagers. It seems that girls go from playing "dress up", to arguing with their mothers about how they should dress. When a girl is 3-4 years old they love to "dress up" in their mothers' clothes, put on their mothers' makeup, cook, and do whatever else their mother does. This is the time when she can be classified as being a mama's girl. How come girls change so much from childhood to the teenage years? Many parents seek the answer when their daughter becomes a teen. Often when a girl enters high school her behavior changes as well as her physical appearance. When I was young I always liked playing "dress up". It made me feel older and more like my mother. Even when I entered middle school, I still depended a lot on my mother to choose and buy my clothes. Once I entered high school there was a big change. To me, my mother's clothes were no longer "in fashion", and neither was her opinion. I started becoming interested in boys and tried to improve the way I looked. It was not that I wanted to look cool, I just wanted to look my age. This is the time that the mother-daughter relationship can take a turn. It's difficult for a mother to know that her daughter is no longer totally dependent on her. When the daughter starts wearing revealing clothing, dating, and just wanting to be more independent, a mother starts to feel left out, or not needed. The number of arguments increases, and the number of times when the mother and daughter get along happily decreases. When these things start to happen, it is a sign that the daughter wants her independence and the freedom to grow up. When you notice how much your relationship had changed, try to believe positive things come out of the change. Put all the negatives aside and concentrate on what your mother is feeling instead of just on what you're feeling. When it seems too hard to handle, take some quiet time and write out your feelings. Maybe at another time, you can share them with your mother and try to find a way to better your relationship as mother and daughter. If you don't feel comfortable sharing your feelings, at least write them down so you can get them out. It's better than keeping them bottled up inside. When the daughter starts wanting to be more independent, _ .
A. a mother starts to feel left out
B. it is the time when mother and daughter get on joyfully increases
C. she wants to look cool
D. All of the above
Answer:A | 20,730 | 20,730 |
2 | [
"roommates",
"good friends",
"competitors",
"booksellers"
]
| Even at school there had been an unhealthy competition between George and Richard. "I'll be the first millionaire in Coleford!" Richard used to boast. "And you'll be sorry that you knew me," George would reply "because I'll surely be the best lawyer in our town!" After graduation, George never became a lawyer and Richard was anybody but a millionaire .... Instead, it happened that both men opened bookshops on opposite sides of Coleford High Street, while it was hard to make much money from books then, which made the competition between them worse. Eventually, Richard closed down his, dreaming of making a fortune elsewhere. Now, with only one bookshop in the town, business was better for George. But sometimes he sat in his narrow old kitchen and gazed out of the dirty window, thinking about his former rival . Perhaps he missed him? George was very interested in old dictionaries, and he had recently found a collector in Australia who was selling a rare first edition. When the parcel arrived, the book was in perfect condition and George was quite delighted. But while he was having lunch, George glanced at the photo in the newspaper that the book had been wrapped in. He was astonished -- the smiling face was older than he remembered but unmistakable! Trembling, George started reading: "Bookends Company has bought ten bookstores from its competitors. The company, owned by multi-millionaire Richard Pike, is now the largest bookseller in this country." George and Richard were _ at school. | Even at school there had been an unhealthy competition between George and Richard. "I'll be the first millionaire in Coleford!" Richard used to boast. "And you'll be sorry that you knew me," George would reply "because I'll surely be the best lawyer in our town!" After graduation, George never became a lawyer and Richard was anybody but a millionaire .... Instead, it happened that both men opened bookshops on opposite sides of Coleford High Street, while it was hard to make much money from books then, which made the competition between them worse. Eventually, Richard closed down his, dreaming of making a fortune elsewhere. Now, with only one bookshop in the town, business was better for George. But sometimes he sat in his narrow old kitchen and gazed out of the dirty window, thinking about his former rival . Perhaps he missed him? George was very interested in old dictionaries, and he had recently found a collector in Australia who was selling a rare first edition. When the parcel arrived, the book was in perfect condition and George was quite delighted. But while he was having lunch, George glanced at the photo in the newspaper that the book had been wrapped in. He was astonished -- the smiling face was older than he remembered but unmistakable! Trembling, George started reading: "Bookends Company has bought ten bookstores from its competitors. The company, owned by multi-millionaire Richard Pike, is now the largest bookseller in this country." George and Richard were _ at school.
A. roommates
B. good friends
C. competitors
D. booksellers
Answer:C | 27,286 | 27,286 |
3 | [
"There were 18 substitutes for Rip.",
"Rip jumped at the 1922 dog show.",
"Warners got into financial trouble .",
"Rip acted successfully as a wolf."
]
| On 15 September 1918 Lee Duncan, an American soldier, rescued a half-starved shepherd and her five puppies from a bombed dog's kennel on the battle fields ofprefix = st1 /France.Duncanchose two of the dogs, a male and female, while members of his group took the mother and the others back to camp. The only survivors over the next few months were the two pups Duncan had claimed, naming them 'Rin Tin Tin' and 'Nannette' after tiny French puppets the French children would give to the American soldiers for good luck. When the war ended, Duncan made special arrangements to take his pups back to his home in Los Angeles, but during the Atlantic crossing, Nannette became ill and died, shortly after arriving inAmerica. In 1922, Duncan and Rin Tin Tin attended an LA dog show, his dog performing for the crowd with an impressive high jump. After the show,Duncanreceived $350 for Rin's performance. That was the beginning of Rin Tin Tin's later involvement in many films and television series It happened that Warners had difficulty shooting an exterior scene with a wolf as they got into a low budget. Duncanquickly approached the director and told them that his dog could do the scene in one take. True to his word, Rin did the scene in one take. As a result, he and his dog were hired for the entire shoot of "Man From Hells River". The film was a hit and Rin Tin Tin became a box-office star. It was the first American dog movie star. It made 26 pictures for Warners while starring in his own live 1930s radio show "The Wonder Dog". At the peak of his popularity, Warners kept 18 trained stand-ins to reduce any stress on their dog star. The star dog was worthy of the honor of having its private _ to prepare daily lunches for him. As a band was playing classical music it slowly consumed a lunch of tenderloin steak. Which of the following is important for Rip and his master to be hired by Warners? | On 15 September 1918 Lee Duncan, an American soldier, rescued a half-starved shepherd and her five puppies from a bombed dog's kennel on the battle fields ofprefix = st1 /France.Duncanchose two of the dogs, a male and female, while members of his group took the mother and the others back to camp. The only survivors over the next few months were the two pups Duncan had claimed, naming them 'Rin Tin Tin' and 'Nannette' after tiny French puppets the French children would give to the American soldiers for good luck. When the war ended, Duncan made special arrangements to take his pups back to his home in Los Angeles, but during the Atlantic crossing, Nannette became ill and died, shortly after arriving inAmerica. In 1922, Duncan and Rin Tin Tin attended an LA dog show, his dog performing for the crowd with an impressive high jump. After the show,Duncanreceived $350 for Rin's performance. That was the beginning of Rin Tin Tin's later involvement in many films and television series It happened that Warners had difficulty shooting an exterior scene with a wolf as they got into a low budget. Duncanquickly approached the director and told them that his dog could do the scene in one take. True to his word, Rin did the scene in one take. As a result, he and his dog were hired for the entire shoot of "Man From Hells River". The film was a hit and Rin Tin Tin became a box-office star. It was the first American dog movie star. It made 26 pictures for Warners while starring in his own live 1930s radio show "The Wonder Dog". At the peak of his popularity, Warners kept 18 trained stand-ins to reduce any stress on their dog star. The star dog was worthy of the honor of having its private _ to prepare daily lunches for him. As a band was playing classical music it slowly consumed a lunch of tenderloin steak. Which of the following is important for Rip and his master to be hired by Warners?
A. There were 18 substitutes for Rip.
B. Rip jumped at the 1922 dog show.
C. Warners got into financial trouble .
D. Rip acted successfully as a wolf.
Answer:D | 60,319 | 60,319 |
1 | [
"they suffer the effects of their diet and lifestyle",
"the organs stop to perform appropriately",
"their cells continue to renew themselves",
"they develop arthritis and Alzheimer's"
]
| Even if we have an extremely healthy diet and lifestyle, the human body is programmed to wear out at a maximum of about 120 years, and usually less. We all have a biological clock inside us which determines the moment when our organs cease to function properly. This is because our cells have stopped renewing themselves and our body can no longer repair itself. This is also the moment when we are more likely to begin to suffer from the diseases of old age such as arthritis and Alzheimer's. However, rapid advances in DNA research are beginning to throw light on the secrets of the ageing process. By the end of this century we could literally have the power of life over death. Although it has long been accepted that humans have a fixed lifespan, it is also a fact that certain other organisms, such as reptiles and amphibians, appear to _ . The only reason we do not see 500-year-old alligators is because in the wild their lives are always in danger, from man, from pollution and from other animals. When they are kept in zoos they do not seem to age at all after they are fully grown. The same is true of some species of fish, which grow indefinitely and show no signs of ageing. The existence of animals with no fixed lifespan seems to indicate that an age gene really does exist. It is this gene which scientists are searching for, which may delay or repair damage to the body caused by ageing. Another new area of research involves the oxidation theory, which says that ageing is caused by the same process that makes iron rust. In controlled experiments, the lifespans of certain animals were shown to be lengthened with anti-oxidants; for example, the lifespan of mice can be increased by 30%. Antioxidants are already being used in face creams and other cosmetics, and they are likely to play an important part in keeping people physically young. Perhaps the most immediate advance we are likely to see in the battle to halt the ageing process will be organ replacement. By the year 2020 it is likely that we will be replacing injured bones or even organs like livers and kidneys with ones "grown" in laboratories. By 2050 perhaps every organ in the body, except the brain, will have become commercially available. Recent experiments also show that it may one day be possible to "grow" new organs inside our body to replace worn-out ones, something which lizards and alligators already do. Suddenly immortality(,) seems within reach. We can begin to imagine a future where we are born, we grow to maturity, but we never grow old and die. But do we really want to live forever? When all humans reach a certain age, _ . | Even if we have an extremely healthy diet and lifestyle, the human body is programmed to wear out at a maximum of about 120 years, and usually less. We all have a biological clock inside us which determines the moment when our organs cease to function properly. This is because our cells have stopped renewing themselves and our body can no longer repair itself. This is also the moment when we are more likely to begin to suffer from the diseases of old age such as arthritis and Alzheimer's. However, rapid advances in DNA research are beginning to throw light on the secrets of the ageing process. By the end of this century we could literally have the power of life over death. Although it has long been accepted that humans have a fixed lifespan, it is also a fact that certain other organisms, such as reptiles and amphibians, appear to _ . The only reason we do not see 500-year-old alligators is because in the wild their lives are always in danger, from man, from pollution and from other animals. When they are kept in zoos they do not seem to age at all after they are fully grown. The same is true of some species of fish, which grow indefinitely and show no signs of ageing. The existence of animals with no fixed lifespan seems to indicate that an age gene really does exist. It is this gene which scientists are searching for, which may delay or repair damage to the body caused by ageing. Another new area of research involves the oxidation theory, which says that ageing is caused by the same process that makes iron rust. In controlled experiments, the lifespans of certain animals were shown to be lengthened with anti-oxidants; for example, the lifespan of mice can be increased by 30%. Antioxidants are already being used in face creams and other cosmetics, and they are likely to play an important part in keeping people physically young. Perhaps the most immediate advance we are likely to see in the battle to halt the ageing process will be organ replacement. By the year 2020 it is likely that we will be replacing injured bones or even organs like livers and kidneys with ones "grown" in laboratories. By 2050 perhaps every organ in the body, except the brain, will have become commercially available. Recent experiments also show that it may one day be possible to "grow" new organs inside our body to replace worn-out ones, something which lizards and alligators already do. Suddenly immortality(,) seems within reach. We can begin to imagine a future where we are born, we grow to maturity, but we never grow old and die. But do we really want to live forever? When all humans reach a certain age, _ .
A. they suffer the effects of their diet and lifestyle
B. the organs stop to perform appropriately
C. their cells continue to renew themselves
D. they develop arthritis and Alzheimer's
Answer:B | 55,756 | 55,756 |
0 | [
"Family members gather for a big meal.",
"Friends eat dumplings together.",
"They borrow money from friends.",
"They give each other hong bao."
]
| The Spring Festival is the biggest festival for Chinese people all around the world.. The celebration usually lasts for 15 days. There is a lot to do. On the eve of the Spring Festival, family members get together and have big meals. Their favourite dish on this day is dumplings. Days before the Spring Festival, families will clean their homes. People think cleaning sweeps away bad luck. It makes the house ready for good luck. The colour red is everywhere during the Spring Festival. People think red is a happy colour and will bring them a bright future. People wear red, too. They decorate their homes with pieces of red paper. Kids get a lot of "hong bao". It is a red paper bag with money in it. Usually, older people give younger ones hong bao. They think it brings good luck. The Spring Festival is the time to make everybody happy. So don't say any bad words or do anything that will bring unhappiness to other people. For instance, you'd better not say any bad words like "death". Don't break anything. People think that it means your luck is _ Also, don't borrow or lend money on these days. If you have borrowed money, return it before the Spring Festival. ,: What do most people do on the eve of the Spring Festival? | The Spring Festival is the biggest festival for Chinese people all around the world.. The celebration usually lasts for 15 days. There is a lot to do. On the eve of the Spring Festival, family members get together and have big meals. Their favourite dish on this day is dumplings. Days before the Spring Festival, families will clean their homes. People think cleaning sweeps away bad luck. It makes the house ready for good luck. The colour red is everywhere during the Spring Festival. People think red is a happy colour and will bring them a bright future. People wear red, too. They decorate their homes with pieces of red paper. Kids get a lot of "hong bao". It is a red paper bag with money in it. Usually, older people give younger ones hong bao. They think it brings good luck. The Spring Festival is the time to make everybody happy. So don't say any bad words or do anything that will bring unhappiness to other people. For instance, you'd better not say any bad words like "death". Don't break anything. People think that it means your luck is _ Also, don't borrow or lend money on these days. If you have borrowed money, return it before the Spring Festival. ,: What do most people do on the eve of the Spring Festival?
A. Family members gather for a big meal.
B. Friends eat dumplings together.
C. They borrow money from friends.
D. They give each other hong bao.
Answer:A | 70,907 | 70,907 |
3 | [
"Because Pepys was among those putting out the fire.",
"Because Pepys also wrote about the fire.",
"To show that poor people suffered most.",
"To give the reader a clearer picture of the fire."
]
| The Great Fire of London started in the very early hours of 2 September 1666. In four days it destroyed more than three-quarters of the old city, where most of the houses were wooden and close together. Over one hundred people became homeless, but only a few lost their lives. The fire started on Sunday morning in the house of the King's baker in Pudding Lane. The baker, with his wife and _ , was able to get out through a window into the roof. A strong wind blew the fire from the bakery into a small hotel next door. Then it spread quickly into Thames Street. That was the beginning. By eight o' clock three hundred houses were on fire. On Monday nearly a kilometer of the city was burning along the River Thames. Tuesday was the worst day. The fire destroyed many well-known buildings, old St Pauls and the Guildhall among them. Samuel Pepys, the famous writer, write about the fire, "People threw their things into the river. Many poor people stayed in their houses until the last moment. Birds fell out of the air because of the heat ." The fire stopped only when the King finally ordered people to destroy hundreds of buildings in the path of the fire. With nothing left to burn, the fire became weak and finally died out. After the fire, Christopher Wren, the architect , wanted a city with wider streets and fine new houses of stone. In fact, the streets are still narrow, but he did build more than fifty churches, among them the mew St Pauls. The fire caused great pain and loss, but after it London was a better place: a city for the future and not just of the past. Why did the writer cite Samuel Pepys? | The Great Fire of London started in the very early hours of 2 September 1666. In four days it destroyed more than three-quarters of the old city, where most of the houses were wooden and close together. Over one hundred people became homeless, but only a few lost their lives. The fire started on Sunday morning in the house of the King's baker in Pudding Lane. The baker, with his wife and _ , was able to get out through a window into the roof. A strong wind blew the fire from the bakery into a small hotel next door. Then it spread quickly into Thames Street. That was the beginning. By eight o' clock three hundred houses were on fire. On Monday nearly a kilometer of the city was burning along the River Thames. Tuesday was the worst day. The fire destroyed many well-known buildings, old St Pauls and the Guildhall among them. Samuel Pepys, the famous writer, write about the fire, "People threw their things into the river. Many poor people stayed in their houses until the last moment. Birds fell out of the air because of the heat ." The fire stopped only when the King finally ordered people to destroy hundreds of buildings in the path of the fire. With nothing left to burn, the fire became weak and finally died out. After the fire, Christopher Wren, the architect , wanted a city with wider streets and fine new houses of stone. In fact, the streets are still narrow, but he did build more than fifty churches, among them the mew St Pauls. The fire caused great pain and loss, but after it London was a better place: a city for the future and not just of the past. Why did the writer cite Samuel Pepys?
A. Because Pepys was among those putting out the fire.
B. Because Pepys also wrote about the fire.
C. To show that poor people suffered most.
D. To give the reader a clearer picture of the fire.
Answer:D | 53,313 | 53,313 |
1 | [
"now scientists have found out practical treatment for colds",
"different people may have different ways to fight against colds",
"working in freezing weather is the main reason for colds",
"colds can be passed from animals to human beings"
]
| As we know, it is common for people to catch a cold in winter and most people believe they know the reason for colds. However, scientists say people have some wrong beliefs about the cause of colds. Many people think that once you get infected by colds, you will not be easy to be attacked by colds for the rest of your life. That's not the case. There are about 200 different viruses that cause the common cold. You catch a cold because of one kind of them this time, but you might catch a cold next time because of another. Others believe that people get sick just because of the cold weather in winter. That is also wrong. It's because people tend to stay closer in winter and the cold virus is _ from one person to another through handshakes, sneezing, or coughing. While there is no actual cure for the common cold, scientists say there are still a few things you can do to help you. Some experts say honey and chicken soup are effective against colds. Especially honey. There is increasing evidence that it helps shorten the duration of the common cold sometimes even by two to three days particularly in children. Chicken soup also helps reduce the duration of the cold. In addition, if you do have a cold and you don't feel like eating anything, it's not going to hurt you but you have to drink a lot and you can drink water or tea because doctors say the water cycle in your bodies helps to cure colds. That's very important. Though there is more than one way to deal with colds, doctors say the best advice is to continue using whatever works best for you. It can be inferred from the passage that _ . | As we know, it is common for people to catch a cold in winter and most people believe they know the reason for colds. However, scientists say people have some wrong beliefs about the cause of colds. Many people think that once you get infected by colds, you will not be easy to be attacked by colds for the rest of your life. That's not the case. There are about 200 different viruses that cause the common cold. You catch a cold because of one kind of them this time, but you might catch a cold next time because of another. Others believe that people get sick just because of the cold weather in winter. That is also wrong. It's because people tend to stay closer in winter and the cold virus is _ from one person to another through handshakes, sneezing, or coughing. While there is no actual cure for the common cold, scientists say there are still a few things you can do to help you. Some experts say honey and chicken soup are effective against colds. Especially honey. There is increasing evidence that it helps shorten the duration of the common cold sometimes even by two to three days particularly in children. Chicken soup also helps reduce the duration of the cold. In addition, if you do have a cold and you don't feel like eating anything, it's not going to hurt you but you have to drink a lot and you can drink water or tea because doctors say the water cycle in your bodies helps to cure colds. That's very important. Though there is more than one way to deal with colds, doctors say the best advice is to continue using whatever works best for you. It can be inferred from the passage that _ .
A. now scientists have found out practical treatment for colds
B. different people may have different ways to fight against colds
C. working in freezing weather is the main reason for colds
D. colds can be passed from animals to human beings
Answer:B | 14,461 | 14,461 |
1 | [
"don't have to pay for taking buses",
"pay less for their ride if they have a special card",
"have to pay the full price for their ride",
"have to pay their special card"
]
| Senior citizens are permitted to travel cheaply on a bus if they have a special card. Women may get cards when they are sixty. Mrs. Matthews lived in the country but she went into town once a week to buy food and other things for the house, and she usually went by bus. She always had to pay the full price for her ride. Then she reached the age of sixty and got her senior citizen's card, but when she used it for the first time on the bus, it made her feel very old. The bus driver had often seen her traveling on the bus before, and he noticed that she was feeling unhappy, so after she had paid her money, he winked at her and whispered, "Don't forget to give your mother's card back to her when you see her again." Mrs. Matthews was very happy when she heard this. Women over sixty _ . | Senior citizens are permitted to travel cheaply on a bus if they have a special card. Women may get cards when they are sixty. Mrs. Matthews lived in the country but she went into town once a week to buy food and other things for the house, and she usually went by bus. She always had to pay the full price for her ride. Then she reached the age of sixty and got her senior citizen's card, but when she used it for the first time on the bus, it made her feel very old. The bus driver had often seen her traveling on the bus before, and he noticed that she was feeling unhappy, so after she had paid her money, he winked at her and whispered, "Don't forget to give your mother's card back to her when you see her again." Mrs. Matthews was very happy when she heard this. Women over sixty _ .
A. don't have to pay for taking buses
B. pay less for their ride if they have a special card
C. have to pay the full price for their ride
D. have to pay their special card
Answer:B | 42,609 | 42,609 |
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