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On my first trip in the United States , I went to San Antonion . I was on foot . So I went to only three places there : the Alamo , the River Walk , and the Art Gallery . I especially enjoyed visiting the Alamo , a well- known building in America .
When I arrived at the Alamo , I was deeply impressed because it was well kept and in good shape . The Alamo was erected in about 1722, was later used as a fort , and has been kept as a state monument to the Texan War of Independence against Mexico . During the battle , all of the Texan defenders were killed . I was surprised at the exhibition of rifles , guns , cannons and swords .
I was especially attracted by the paintings of a war . The paintings expressed the feelings of a painter very well . Even thought about 160 years have passed since the Battle of the Alamo , the exhibit is well kept . When I came out after seeing the exhibition , I felt as if I had a victory . The outer wall of the Alamo was destroyed here and there . When I touched the wall , I could feel the damage . After the war , little remained of the Alamo . All of the windows and doors were destroyed . The top part of the gate way disappeared without a trace . I will remember the Alamo forever . It is one of the best places to visit in San Antonio . | Which of the following may be the best title for this passage ? | My Impressions of the Alamo in San Antonio , Texas . | ['A Famous Building in America', 'My First Visit to America .', 'The Texan War of Independence against Mexico .'] |
I first experienced a loss of sexual desire several years ago, just after I turned 40. For a long time, I thought it was me. I thought maybe it was my age.
After reading every book and article I could find on sex, relationships, and marriage, I started to wonder if maybe it wasn’t me. Maybe it was my marriage, maybe it was my husband.
I never wanted to be “that woman“. The one that screwed around on her husband. But, I had an affair about six or seven years ago. It didn’t last long. But, that’s when I knew my marriage was over. It wasn’t a lack of sexual desire, it was a lack of desire for my husband. I didn’t want him or the marriage. There was nothing wrong with my sex drive.
I told my husband that I’d had an affair. He changed for about a month or so. He was very loving and attentive. But it didn’t last. He loves differently than I need to be loved and it’s just not in him to love me that way.
A few months after I ended the affair, I got involved with someone else. I know. I shouldn’t have. I’ve experienced things with this other man that I never thought possible. Felt things I thought were only possible in movies.
He’s a romantic. Not flowers or candy or jewellery, but he talks and listens. He hears me. He tries to understand me and give me what I need. Deep, intimate conversations. Looking into one another’s eyes. Soft caresses. Words of adoration. These things he gives me almost daily.
I never knew I needed romance because I’d never had it. This is how I need to be loved.
After having felt this way, I can’t stay in my marriage. It’s not fair to either of us.
I’m not sure what happened.
Did we grow apart?
Did one or both of us change?
Do people’s needs change as they get older? | What change did the author blame on her age? | a loss of sexual desire | ["her husband's loss of interest in her", 'having an affair', 'not enough information'] |
It is knickle size right now .... I am worried I was not completely over the infection part but the skin was . which means the cut I had has decided to take over the infection sence the rest has healled . I ' m not happy about this . I ' m worried . | What is NOT a symptom they are suffering from in this injury ? | Gingivitis | ['None of the above choices .', 'Pain and tenderness', 'Redness'] |
One day an American friend invited me to a party. It wasn't a real party, it was some kind of informal get-together. Since it was summer time, he had a cookout where most of his American friends and s were known to me, but there were others I had never met before.
It was the most embarrassing party for me when I noticed that everybody was wearing jeans and simple T-shirts for the day, while I arrived in proper dress with my shoes and my hair all fixed for a fancy party. It was hard to explain my embarrassment to other guests. When one of them turned around and said, "What nice clothes! What's the occasion?" I felt my face burning hot with embarrassment. I did not answer at all. If she knew how bad I already felt, she wouldn't have come near me. But she did. Maybe she didn't ask _ to make me feel bad or uncomfortable, but my reaction had to do with the way I already felt. I could have told her I had to go to another party afterwards, but I did not want to continue the conversation.
Many times I thought about going home and changing, but I knew that they would notice. It would be even worse for me, because I knew they would quickly think that I felt out of place. So I wanted to pretend that I was okay...
I had already realized their customs were different from mine; but after I talked to my friend, I was more convinced that people here are more casual (,). They care less about formality, unless it is a special occasion, like a wedding or a very formal invitation.
In contrast, my culture is totally the opposite. For instance, inprefix = st1 /CapeVerdeanculture, if a friend invited me to his house on a special day, even if it is not a real party, one should appear well dressed or otherwise the host will be annoyed thinking you are disrespectful to him or the other guests. We do dress casually for going on picnic or on ordinary days, but not normally to go over to a friend's when invited, especially if other people will be there.
After all, I think that my problem at the party wasn't that I wasn't accepted by the Americans; but my feeling was so bad that I couldn't fit in the group even if nobody noticed, because I was the one who discovered the difference in the first place. It doesn't matter if people dress differently, but I was the only one different in the group. I felt I was the one who should adjust to their customs. After that, I decided to learn more about American culture, so now I don't have as many problems as I've had in the past. | This story is mainly about _ . | culture differences | ['living in theUnited States', 'what to do at a cookout', 'how to get prepared for a cookout'] |
For a moment, Paul wasn't even sure who had walked into the room. Chloe had totally transformed herself since he'd last seen her. She wore a wig for starters, and a very good one. It was light brown and shoulder length. It looked so natural that if he didn't know she had much shorter hair, he would have guessed that she had dyed it. But it was the outfit that made the change. She wore a well-tailored, very professional, gray woman's skirt/blazer combo with a yellow silk blouse. Her wrist sported what looked to Paul's uneducated eye like an expensive and fashionable gold lady's watch from which he thought he detected a glint of diamond. In short, she looked just like the high priced lawyer she was supposed to be. She was certainly the best-dressed person in the room.
Chloe reached across the table to shake Greg's hand, stretching forward as she did so. Paul watched Greg glance down at her cleavage while he shook her hand. "I'm Rachel Roth, here on behalf of Mr. Paul Reynolds."
"Hi," said Greg. "I'm Greg Driscol, and this is..."
"I know the rogues gallery here," said Chloe cutting Greg off and looking around at the assembled board members. "I've learned all about you gentlemen."
Marie stood up and shook Chloe's hand. "Marie Cooper, from Johnson, Myers, and Wick," she said.
"Nice to meet you," she said. "Ok, we've got the intros down, shall we get on with the dirty business?"
"Um, sure," Greg said as he sat back down. "I was just about to turn things over to Marie."
The plan was now in action, and so far so good. But Paul knew that this was a crucial moment. Chloe didn't really know the law - just a few points that her friend had helped her out with. She couldn't let the real lawyer take over the meeting. Her dramatic, unexpected entrance had them off guard, and Paul hoped she seized the moment and pressed on. | What does Paul think of Chloe's new look? | He is impressed by how dramatically different she looks | ['He is doubtful that she can fool others into thinking she is professional', 'not enough information', "He doesn't think her wig looks real"] |
I’ll go one farther back than that. I almost never had a first date. A young lady I met in the hospital cafeteria where I worked as a pharmacy intern (she was an X-ray tech) I asked out on a date. Would you like to follow me home? she asked. I said SURE!
She got in her car, hit the freeway, went over the top of the hill..and was gone. I went 75 mph desperately trying to keep her tail lights in my line of sight while swerving in and out of traffic. I thought if you don’t really want to go out with me, just tell me, don’t try to ditch me! I finally caught up with her but found out she always drives that way. If Janet Guthrie wasn’t the first woman to drive in the Indy 500, she would have been.
Over the years as she got older, collecting speeding tickets got old so she became a more responsible driver. I’m glad, because I had to help pay for those tickets over the last 30+ years we’ve been married. Glad I caught up to her that one night on the freeway.
EDIT, AND BACKSTORY:
She ate lunch with her X-ray tech coworkers. She left the table first and I approached the others and asked what was her name, the girl that just left. They told me, and about a half hour later called the radiology department from the pharmacy phone and asked for her.
She said all the girls in the department were huddled around the phone and giggling while we talked. It’s the handsome blonde intern in the pharmacy, they told each other. Oh, you mean THAT one?! Ooooh! Like the final scene from “An Officer And A Gentleman.” Pretty funny. | The pharmacy intern and xray tech got married how lng after the first date | not enough information | ['1 year', 'a year and a half', '2 years'] |
Walt Disney is credited for creating such wonderful things as Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse. However, he cannot take the credit for creating other well-loved characters, such as Cinderella and Snow White. _ are almost automatically associated with Disney because Disney turned old fables into cartoon movies.
The original Cinderella varies very much from the Disney version we know today. It started off with the girl mourning her mother's death and going to her tomb three times a day. In addition, there were only birds that helped Cinderella; there was no such thing as a fairy godmother or helpful mice, nor was there mention of a horse and carriage.
The stepsisters were cruel: they always threw Cinderella's food into the ashes of the fire and made her sleep on the ashes on the floor, hence her name.
In the original story, the king's ball actually lasted for three days. With the help of the birds, the girl, beautifully dressed, danced with the prince on all three nights and the prince fell in love with her. However, she broke away from him to rush back home each night. On the last night, the prince placed soothing sticky on the stairs; as Cinderella made her escape, a shoe got stuck on it.
Here now is where the story becomes unpleasant: when the prince went to the house looking for the girl whose foot fit the shoe, the wicked stepmother told one of her two daughters to cut off her big toe to fit into the shoe. The daughter did as told. So the prince took her away to be his bride. But when they passed the tomb of Cinderella's mother, the birds called out to the prince,
"Turn and peep, there's blood in the shoe;
the shoe is too small, the true bride waits for you." ZXXK
Realizing he had been tricked, the prince returned the daughter to her mother. The other then had to cut off part of her heel in order to fit into the shoe, with the same result. Only Cinderella's foot fit perfectly and so the prince chose to marry her. The story ends with the wedding day: as Cinderella's two stepsisters followed her, pretending to be devoted to her so that they could enjoy the king's riches, two birds flew by and plucked out their eyes. Because of their wickedness and falsehood, they had to spend the rest of their days blind.
The original Cinderella is so different from the Disney version. Thank goodness Disney made such changes; it indeed was a wise move. | How did Cinderella get her name? | It came from the word "ash". | ['The Birds came up with it.', 'It was given by Disney.', 'She got it from her mother.'] |
Among the four skills in learning English ,which of these is the "Odd-Man-Out"?The answer is speaking. The other three you can do alone on your own. But you can't really speak alone! Speaking to yourself can be "dangerous" because men in white coats may come and take you away!
Where can you find people to speak English? And how can you practise speaking when you are alone?At school if you pay to go to a language school ,you should use the chance to speak .If your teacher asks you to speak in pairs or groups with other students ,try to say as much as possible. Don't worry about your mistakes. Just speak!
Conversation Clubs Many cities around the world have conversation clubs where people can exchange one language for another .Look in your local newspaper to find a conversation club near you .They are usually free although some may charge a small entrance fee.
Shopping Even if you don't want to buy anything ,you can ask questions about products that interest you in a shop."How much does this cost?" "Can I pay by cheque?" Often you can start a real conversation--and it costs you nothing!
Cafe and Bars There are often American, Britain, Irish and Australian bars in many large cities .If you can find one, you'll probably meet many people speaking English as a first or second language.
Language is all around you Everywhere you go, you find language .Shop names, street names ,advertisements ,notices ,and car numbers....When you walk down the street ,practise reading the words and numbers that you see .Say them to yourself .It's not exactly a conversation ,but it will help you to "think" in English .But don't speak too loud!
Songs and Video Repeat the words of an English-language song singing with the music until it becomes automatic. It's good practice for your memory and for the mouth muscles that you need for English.
Above all ,speak as much as possible! Make as many mistakes as possible! When you know that you have made a mistake, you know that you have made progress! | What does "Odd-Man-Out" probably mean according to the passage? | Someone or something appearing different from others. | ['Someone or something standing out of the group.', 'Someone or something arranged in pairs.', 'Someone or something easily mistaken for another.'] |
Good point Robin , she was SCARY ! ! ! ! I really enjoyed tonights show ! ! There was alot of talent and there were NO SOB STORIES ! ! ! ! None that I saw anyway ! ! ! | What kind of shows do I not care for ? | Stories about people who have sad or unfortunate situations in their lives . | ['Shows that are very scary to me and sad .', 'None of the above choices .', 'Shows with performers that have quite a bit of talent .'] |
Health experts have long worried about the increasing rate of obesity in kids. It's an important concern: Being weight or obese during childhood can lead to serious problems normally seen in adults, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Poor diets and a lack of exercise are usually the causes. But would you ever have imagined there might be a connection between the bacteria that lived in your guts when you were a baby and the chance that you would become overweight?
Scientists in Finland recently found just such a link. In a recent study, they showed that overweight kids had different species of bacteria living in their guts.
You probably think of bacteria only as germs that can make you sick. While it's true that some bacteria can make people ill, your body actually depends on some types of bacteria to help you digest food and extract nutrients from it. These "good" bacteria live in your guts, where they process the food you eat.
Human babies get these bacterial helpers from their moms. When a baby is born, some of the bacteria in the mother move into the baby's body. Growing babies get additional "good" bacteria from the milk their mothers produce. And it turns out the bacteria might play an important role in regulating weight just six years later.
So how could these bacteria affect weight? The researchers still haven't tested that question, but future tests might lead to an answer. | Which of the following is NOT the function of "good" bacteria? | Making a person ill. | ['Helping to digest food.', 'Helping to take nutrients from food.', 'Helping to regulate weight.'] |
Gunshots rang out once again on a campus in the United States on Wednesday.
Students and faculty raced out of harm's way, ducked under furniture, barricaded doors and hid in interior rooms, bathrooms and labs. The short-lived nightmare on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles came one day before Wear Orange: National Gun Violence Awareness Day.
Wear Orange was inspired by friends of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old Chicago high school student killed by gunfire in 2013. The group decided to honor her life by wearing orange — the color worn by hunters in the woods to protect themselves and others.
While the idea has been embraced by civic organizations, politicians and celebrities, it has been rejected by gun rights advocates. The National Rifle Association has attacked the campaign as "pointless," and said "participating is an easy way of scoring points for being 'socially conscious.'"
Here is a look at the unique relationship between Americans and their guns.
Any law-abiding citizen in the United States is allowed to own or carry a gun.
That right comes from the U.S. Bill of Rights and the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It says: "A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."
The Second Amendment was based partially on English common law, which describes an auxiliary right, supporting the natural rights of self-defense, resistance to oppression, and the civic duty to act in concert in defense of the state.
To purchase a gun in the majority of states, a person needs to be of age, pass the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check and fill out a firearms transaction record.
However, background checks are not currently required for private sales, including those conducted at gun shows.
Certain people are banned from owning weapons, including convicted criminals, people with mental health illnesses or non-U.S. citizens. But the system has major holes in it. | What is likely true about the Wear Orange political movement? | Its participants are likely young individuals and students that fear for their safety and the safety of their colleagues. | ['not enough information', 'Its participants are not well versed or knowledgeable about gun rights and ownership.', 'Its participants are mostly older individuals that wish better for the next generation of US citizens.'] |
This is a simple story of an online purchase that went well despite a problem . The fact that this is sufficiently rare to make me want to write about it is sad , but that 's how it is . What happened was , I need a new computer monitor , knew the one I wanted , and the manufacturer 's web site suggested CDW as a reseller . Turns out CDW has a decent web - site that let me track it down despite some fuzziness about the model designation , the price was reasonable , and in fact had two of them sitting in a warehouse in a nearby suburb . | What was the narrator trying to purchase ? | They were purchasing a display screen | ['They were purchasing a CD', 'They were purchasing a computer', 'None of the above choices .'] |
One evening in February 2007, a student named Paula Ceely brought her car to a stop on a remote road in Wales. She got out to open a metal gate that blocked her path. That's when she heard the whistle sounded by the driver of a train. Her Renault Clio was parked across a railway line. Seconds later, she watched the train drag her car almost a kilometre down the railway tracks.
Ceely's near miss made the news because she blamed it on her GPS . She had never driven the route before. It was dark and raining heavily. Ceely was relying on her GPS, but it made no mention of the crossing. "I put my complete trust in the device and it led me right into the path of a speeding train." she told the BBC.
Who is to blame here? Rick Stevenson, who tells Ceely's story in his book When Machines Fail Us, points the finger at the limitations of technology. We put our faith in digital devices, he says, but our digital helpers are too often not up to the job. They are filled with small problems. And it's not just GPS devices: Stevenson takes us on a tour of digital disasters involving everything from mobile phones to wireless keyboards.
The problem with his argument in the book is that it's not clear why he only focuses on digital technology, while there may be a number of other possible causes. A map-maker might have left the crossing off a paper map. Maybe we should blame Ceely for not paying attention. Perhaps the railway authorities are at fault for poor signalling system. Or maybe someone has studied the relative dangers and worked out that there really is something specific wrong with the GPS equipment. But Stevenson doesn't say.
It's a problem that runs through the book. In a section on cars, Stevenson gives an account of the advanced techniques that criminals use to defeat computer-based locking systems for cars. He offers two independent sets of figures on car theft; both show a small rise in some parts of the country. He says that once again not all new locks have proved reliable. Perhaps, but maybe it's also due to the shortage of policemen on the streets. Or changing social circumstances. Or some combination of these factors.
The game between humans and their smart devices is amusing and complex. It is shaped by economics and psychology and the cultures we live in. Somewhere in the mix of those forces there may be a way for a wiser use of technology.
If there is such a way, it should involve more than just an awareness of the shortcomings of our machines. After all, we have lived with them for thousands of years. They have probably been fooling us for just as long. | In the writer's opinion, Stevenson's argument is _ . | one-sided | ['reasonable', 'puzzling', 'well-based'] |
I knew who this woman was . I knew what she had done to me all those years ago . I wonder again why I agreed to this arrangement . " Listen , " I said , looking at her in the eye for the first time in eighteen years , " I have to get back to work so if we could hurry this up ... " I say trailing off . | What kind of person is this woman ? | She 's a horrible person who did horrible things to me in the past . | ["She 's a great woman .", 'None of the above choices .', "She 's a kind hearted woman ."] |
News that Microsoft made a $44.6 billion bid to buy Yahoo resulted in heated discussions made by many Internet users. Here are some responses:
Diane Burke of Weeks bury, Kentucky
I think it would definitely be an interesting combination. Everyone recognizes the names Yahoo and Microsoft, but everyone also says, "Did you Google it?" Such a catchphrase is going to be hard to beat.
Shaun Carney of Laurelville, Ohio
I think the merger will provide more competitions for Google. I don't think the merger will allow Microsoft to develop faster than Google, though. I believe the increased competition this merger brings will force Google to stay on top of its game by offering more fresh and original Internet tools and expanding on the tools it already offers.
Toni Suarez of Hacienda Heights, California
I view the merger as a necessary element in preventing a monopolization . Perhaps it would bring better high technology innovations to e-mail and help in researching and developing a better Internet!
Rick R. of Edgewater, Florida
It sounds like a disaster to me. If this were to happen, I would stop using my Yahoo e-mail account because I don't like the feeling of Microsoft spying upon my business. I will sign up for Google.
Antonio Glosser of Kansas City, Missouri
Right now, Yahoo offers a lot of features and tools at no cost for all different levels of Internet users. Microsoft seeks nothing but profit. Undoubtedly, they'll do nothing other than find ways to start removing Yahoo's formerly non-priced features. Microsoft's greed will ruin the great thing that Yahoo currently is. | The passage is mainly about _ . | opinions on the merger of Yahoo and Microsoft | ['the strengths of Yahoo and Microsoft', 'the strengths and weaknesses of large companies', 'the future of Yahoo and Microsoft'] |
We had a second breakfast at McDonald 's , where I had a green tea and Oreo McFlurry . It was interesting , to say the least . To fill our time , we went to Harajuku , a normal destination for me whenever I ' m town . I did some shopping and somehow managed to get a morning discount ! | What may have happened before they went on their trip ? | They had booked their flight to Japan . | ["They had booked their family 's flight to Japan .", 'None of the above choices .', 'They had invited their family to Japan .'] |
People in cities all over the world shop in supermarkets. Who decides what you buy in the supermarket? Do you decide? Does the supermarket decide?
When you enter the supermarket, you see shelves full of food. You walk in the aisles between the shelves. You push a shopping cart and put your food in it.
You probably hear soft, slow music as you walk along the aisles. This may be an attempt to please you, so you will enjoy shopping. Some supermarkets want to increase their profits by playing soft and slow music, because the slow music makes you walk slowly and you have more time to buy things.
Fresh fruit and vegetables are usually put near the entrance. When you arrive at the supermarket, you think about the kinds of fruit and vegetables you need first. Once you've got that out of the way, you can relax and do the rest of the shopping without any hurry. Besides, if you see fresh goods first, it gives you a "feel good" impression of freshness, so you can not help spending your money.
Maybe you go to the meat department then. There is some meat on sale, and you want to find it. The manager of the supermarket knows where customers enter the meat department. The cheaper meat is at the other end of the meat department, away from where the customers enter. You have to walk past all the expensive meat before you find the cheaper meat. Maybe you will buy some of the expensive meat instead of the meat on sale.
Most of the food in supermarkets is very attractive. It all says "Buy me quickly!" to the customers. The fresh fruit and vegetables say "Buy me quickly!" as you walk by. The expensive meat says "Buy me quickly!" The supermarket tells you what to buy. | If you see fresh goods first in the supermarket, _ . | you'll get a fresh impression | ['you know where to get things', 'it brings you good luck', 'it makes you spend less money'] |
On Sept. 11, an unseen enemy launched an attack on economic, military and governmental
Landmarks of the United States.
Beyond the tremendous loss of innocent lives and physical property, the attack was clearly aimed at the ideals of America--our values and the economic system that has made the U.S. economy the envy of the world.
Those responsible for these acts portray the United States as the embodiment of all that is evil
With globalization and the worldwide economy it has spawned. They use the failures of globalization as an excuse to exploit their millions of constituents in the underdeveloped world.
Sometime soon, the U.S. military will strike back against those who it is determined have committed these acts. A military response is appropriate - some would say overdue . But even if the military objective is achieved, that alone will not get to the heart of the matter.
It is crucial that the U.S. economy return to full speed ahead and continue to be the driving force behind expansion of the global economy.
Globalization, or at least the present phase of it, generally is viewed as having started with the end of the Cold War in 1989. And for all its shortcomings, the free flow of goods, services, capital and labor across the borders of the world's trading nations -- the process that has come to be called globalization--still offers the best chance to fulfill the dreams of so many of the world's poor. | The attack on Sept. 11 caused _ . | a large variety of losses among the American people | ['loss to both the military forces and the ordinary citizens in the U.S.', 'greater loss to the American government than the citizens', 'less loss in the economy of the U.S. than the American ideals'] |
On Monday, Sept.25, hundreds of people gathered outside the Library of Congress, in Washington D.C., to celebrate public libraries. For more than 100 years, libraries have played an important role in keeping America informed and educated. But how are these book-filled buildings changing with the times? You may be surprised to find out.
Benjamin Franklin famously founded America's first lending library in 1731 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. And the public library system developed greatly in the late 1800's. Businessman Andrew Carnegie donated millions of dollars to help build free public libraries across the country. Between 1886 and 1919, Carnegie's donations helped build 1,679 new libraries!
Carnegie believed in the opportunities that libraries could offer Americans young and old. He knew that the more libraries there were, the more people would have access to books, lectures, news and more. "There are now more public libraries in the United States than McDonald's restaurants," said Clara Hayden, of Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Free Library.
Chances are that there is a public library in or near your community . After all, the United States is home to 9,225 public libraries. Today, libraries continue to develop and grow. Seven out of ten libraries offer free Internet access. This opens any doors for community members who cannot go online at home, including the opportunity to apply for jobs online.
Libraries are also teaching kids about the fun of reading. One new program called Read! Play! ----- combines reading with playtime. As kids listen to a book being read aloud, they use Legos to build images from the story. "Today's libraries are always looking for creative programming to bring people into the library," Lego's Michael McNally said.
Benjamin Franklin once said, "The doors of wisdom are never shut." As long as the doors of public libraries are open, his statement is most certainly true! | Clara Hayden would agree that in America _ . | you can find public libraries almost everywhere | ["there are too many McDonald's restaurants", 'restaurants are as important as libraries', 'it is convenient to enjoy meals while reading'] |
If you are a sleep deprived teacher, you may not be aware of the term woodpeckering , but you've probably done it. It happens the day following a bad night's sleep. You're sitting in a long meeting and you can barely keep your eyes open, so you support your head up with your hand. Next thing you know, you are moving your sleeping head back to its upright position. Do this a few times and you are woodpeckering.
I thought I knew sleep deprivation when I did my medical internship in hospital. That year I frequently went 36 hours with no sleep. When I finished my stay in neurology , I welcomed the promise of full nights of sleep ever after. It went pretty well for the next 10 years until I became a school teacher and experienced a whole new level of sleep deprivation.
Teachers' working hours go far beyond the 8 am to 5 pm schedule of kids in school. There are hours spent at staff meetings, correcting homework, preparing for the next day- and then there is the worrying. What I did in a hospital emergency room required no more intensive mental energy than what is need to keep 30 kids attentive enough to learn what I was teacher.
Good teachers are like magicians keeping a dozen balls in the air to come at right time, with alarm set for 6 am to finish grading papers, memories of the day that's gone- including the students who didn't understand something, forgot their lunch or were embarrassed by wrong answers. All these will become sleep-resistant barriers. And also with some financial stress, you'll have a cycle of insomnia with unwelcome consequences.
With inadequate sleep comes irritability , forgetfulness, lower tolerance of even minor annoyances, and less efficient organization and planning. These are the very mental useless that teachers need to meet the challenges of the next day. In wanting to do a better job the next day, the brain keeps bringing up the worries that deny the rest it needs. | After a bad night's sleep, usually the direct effect for the next day is to _ . | keep nodding like a woodpecker | ["keep one's eyes open all the time", 'move head back and forth', "raise one's head in upright position"] |
well last night i came clean ... i got really wasted in cleveland and do nt know how i got to the hotel that night then i had a womens number in my phone and pics i could nt explain . | Why had the speaker lost their memory about the events of that night in Cleveland ? | The alcohol had suppressed their ability to form memories about the events of that evening | ['They had suffered a head injury and as a result had developed retrograde amnesia about the events', 'None of the above choices .', "They had lost their glasses , and because they could n't make out any details , they had a hard time remembering specifics"] |
Ladies and Gentlemen, some strange, wild and wonderful stories colored the news in 2010, you may like them.
* A Copenhagen bus company has put "love seats" on 103 of its buses for people looking for a partner. "Even love at first sight is possible on the bus," said a spokesman for the company to explain the two seats on each bus that are covered in red cloth and a "love seat" sign.
* Shoppers at an international luxury fair in Italy, found a cell-phone-equipped golden coffin among the items on display. The phones will help "the dead" contact relatives if they have been buried alive by mistake.
* A man in New York came up with a disarming way to perform his latest bank _ , approaching the clerk's window with a large bunch of flowers and handing over a note saying "give me the money!"
* An Englishman who lost all his legs and arms in an electrical accident successfully swam across the Channel, a challenge he had been preparing for two years. The whole cost is 400 dollars.
* A set of artificial teeth made for Britain's war-time prime minister Winston Churchill known as "the teeth that saved the world" sold for nearly 18,000 pounds (21,500 euros, 24,000 dollars) at auction .
* A British woman caused an Internet hate campaign after she was caught on camera dumping a cat in a rubbish bin. She was fined 250 pounds (400 dollars, 280 euros) after pleading guilty.
* The BBC apologized completely and without any doubts after a radio presenter jokingly announced that Queen Elizabeth II had died.
* Two Australian men needed surgery after shooting each other in the bottoms during a drinking session to see if it would hurt and they were charged 400 dollars separately.
* A Kuwaiti MP suggested state-aid for male citizens to take second wives, in an effort to reduce the large number of unmarried women in the oil-rich state. | Who has to spend 400 dollars to do the surgery? | An Australian man who was shot in bottom to test the hurt. | ['A British woman who dumped a cat in a rubbish bin.', "One who bought Winston Churchill's artificial teeth.", 'An Englishman crossing the Channel without legs and arms.'] |
Lee Humberg, district manager for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, is the man in charge of figuring out how to remove the flocks of 15,000 to 20,000 Canada geese that could strike planes flying in and out of the New York area. The Port Authority, the agency that manages airport in New York and New Jersey, estimates that there have been as many as 315 bird strikes annually in the past 30 years.
Bird strikes have been a hot topic since a US Airways jet suffered a "double strike" and made an emergency landing on the Hudson River in January 2009. All 155 passengers were rescued safely and the flight was called "Miracle on the Hudson". The plane finally ended up at the Carolinas Aviation Museum. The next major bird strike may not have such a happy ending.
To thin the flocks, Humberg and his team have tracked down goose nests and killed eggs with corn oil. They've also terrified the birds with dogs, remote-controlled boats and kites that look like eagles. But the only method that effectively decreases the goose population is the one that angers animal lovers the most: gassing hundreds at a time.
"If all you are doing is goose harassment every day, it's very frustrating, because you are just playing Ping-Pong with the birds," Humberg told New York magazine. "It's basically an arms race to come up with the tools to deal with them."
Now New York City plans to send the geese captured to Pennsylvania to be cooked and distributed at food banks as meals for the poor. That might just be a fate better than flying into a 747 engine. | Why was the flight called "Miracle on the Hudson"? | It succeeded in landing on a river. | ['It suffered a "double strike".', 'It arrived at a plane museum.', 'It only caused a few deaths.'] |
What could be cuter than your puppy giving his doggy friend a kiss on the nose? Nothing, really. But is your dog actual-fly planting a kiss on his friend? Yes, but that's only one of the reasons your dog may lick another dog's nose. Here are some other reasons why your dog may lick another dog's nose.
During an introduction, a shy and lower-ranking dog will lower his head, avoid direct eye contact and gently extend his tongue to lick the nose of a more confident and high-ranking dog. The first dog licks the nose of the second dog to simply make it know that:he comes in peace.
Dogs who are already friends will also trade kisses. Two strongly bonded dog pals will lick and clean each other. They give each other "dog kisses" showing friendship.
Puppies also "kiss" their mothers, but it's not a gesture of love. When puppies stop suckling their mothers' tits for milk and start to eat semisolid food instead;they lick their mothers' mouths and noses in the hope of getting the mother to regurgitate some semi-digested food.
So how to help your _ dog make friends with other dogs? You can carefully select confident-but-friendly and good-tempered dogs to play with your shy dog, to help him develop his social skills. Also consider taking him to a special training class that focuses on socialization and positive training technique.
Do not disturb them when your two dogs play "kiss" briefly with each other. Sit back and enjoy this display of friendship. Then call them over and have them do a command such as "sit'' or "shake paws". Offer them treats as a reward for being good to each other.
If you foster a dog and have three or more resident dogs, introduce the foster dog to your brood dog one at a time and let muzzle licking between them happen naturally. Start with your least reactive or most friendly dog. Never force an in production between the dogs because this can deepen the foster dog's submissiveness or spark a fight. | The writer wrote this passage to _ . | explain why a dog kisses other dogs | ['tell us about a study he did recently', 'tell us how to raise dogs', 'help us to make friends with dogs.'] |
Last July, my parents and I went to visit my aunt and uncle in Seattle, a city on the northwest American coast. Dad did some research and had no difficulty in finding us cheap tickets online.
On the day of our flight, we had to wake up very early. When we checked our bags in, we found that one bag weighed too much, so we had to pay a fine. After that, Dad insisted that we go and have some breakfast at the airport restaurant. We had a lot of fun watching many different people there. Then we realized it was getting late, so we rushed to the gate. It took one hour for everyone to get on the plane, but finally the door was shut and we were on our way!
I think my favorite experience during our trip was our visit to Mount Rainier, a volcano near Seattle. It was nothing like I had expected. Before we left, my aunt lent us hats to protect us from getting sunburned, so I supposed that it would be very hot. Imagine my surprise when we drove up the mountain and I discovered the top was covered in snow and ice!
My uncle led us to a small path beyond the main trails to increase our chances of seeing wildlife. We walked over a small hill, and suddenly before us there appeared a field of snow. Small wild flowers grew up through the snow; underneath the snow we could hear rushing water -- a small stream. Little animals stood still to avoid being noticed; tiny birds rose into the air. It was the most beautiful sight that I'd ever seen. | Why did they pay a fine? | Because their bag was overweight. | ['Because they got up late.', "Because they didn't wait in line.", 'Because they came to the airport late.'] |
The writings of Shakespeare are today little read by young people in Britain. His young readership is limited to those who choose to study literature at university.
Shakespeare's work, together with most other classics, is seen as remote, and written in a 400-year-old version of English that is about as inviting as toothache.
Still, in Britain schools, it is compulsory to study the bard , and when something is made compulsory, usually the result is boredom, resentment or both.
This was my experience of the classics at school. But when I reached my late teenage years, I had a change of heart. Like every other young person since the dawn of time, the world confused me. I wanted answers, so I turned to books to find them.
I went on to take a PhD in literature and have taught it in Britain and China. I have never regretted it. There is something in literature that people want, even if they don't read books. You see this in the popularity of TV and movie adaptations of great works, the recent film version of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice being _ . These popular adaptations may help increase people's interest in the classics.
Reading a simplified Romeo and Juliet may perhaps lead to a reading of Shakespeare's actual play. If that is the case, then I welcome the trend. But do not make the mistake of thinking that it is the same thing. Shakespeare is a poet. His greatness is in his language. Reading someone else's rewriting of his work is like peeling a banana, throwing away the fruit, and eating the skin. Take on the original. It really is worth the effort. | Which of the following is true according to the passage? | British students usually find compulsory reading dull. | ['The language used in classics is no longer in use today.', "Only those studying literature read Shakespeare's works.", "For British people, Shakespeare's works are no longer classics."] |
A few days ago I got a call from my old college friend whom I haven't seen for a very long time. The topic, which was about all the good old times that we had changed to a touching story when he started talking about his father.
His father's declining health made him stay at the hospital. Because of his illness, his father suffered from insomnia and often talked to himself. My friend, who had not been able to sleep for a few days as he had to keep watching his father's condition, became irritated and told his father to keep silent and try to get some sleep. His father said that he really wanted to sleep well because he was very tired and told my friend to leave him alone in the hospital if he did not want to keep him company.
After his father finished talking, he fell unconscious . My friend was very sorry for speaking the ill words towards his father. My friend, whom I knew as a tough person, cried as a baby on the other end of the telephone. He said that from that moment on, he prayed every day, asking God to let his father wake up from his coma. He promised himself that whatever words came out from his father's mouth after he regained his consciousness, he would gladly take them. His only hope for God was to give him a chance to _ his past mistake.
Often, we complain when we have to accompany or watch over our parents for years, months, days, hours or even minutes. But do we realize that our parents keep us company and watch over us for as long as we (or they) live? From the day we were born to our adulthood, and even when deaths come to us, they are always at our side.
Imagine how sad our parents will be when they hear a seemingly innocent word of "no" come out from our mouths. We can make promises to ourselves that from now on there will be no more complaints that come out from our mouths when we have to watch over or accompany our parents. No more complaints come out from our mouths when we feel that our parents have treated us like little children. There are so many unlucky ones who have neither fathers nor mothers. They long to have the things that we most complain about, but never have them.
Actually, it takes only a second to think and light the lamp that will bring us to a place where peace is dwelling. | What does the writer want to tell us in the passage? | Be good to your parents when you still have the chance. | ['Your parents will keep talking to themselves when they are old.', "You will regret in your life if you don't show your kindness to your parents.", 'It is not easy to take good care of sick old parents.'] |
While reading a book in English, every few lines of text, you run across a word or two that you don't know. You look up every new word in the dictionary. Bad move. All that does slow you down. Even electric or CD -ROM dictionaries can get in the way of your reading progress. A dictionary is like a road map. It can help you if you get lost and point you in the right direction. But if you stop to look at the "map" each time you take a step, you'll get nowhere fast.
On your English learning "journey", a dictionary can be a helpful "travel companion "--if it is not overused. To help you start thinking in English, use an English-to-English dictionary. Otherwise, you will always depend on your native language and end up translating in your head.
A good dictionary can help you do more than just find the meaning of a word. It can help you verify spelling, check word forms and grammar usage, find example sentence and learn pronunciation. Some dictionaries even provide exercises to teach you how to use their resources.
Take time to get to know your dictionary. Learn the pronunciation symbols. Understand what the abbreviations mean. Try to master the important grammar rules. Look for charts, diagrams and lists
might be useful in the future. You will discover how helpful it can be to make friends with your dictionary. And as they say, "A friend in need is a friend indeed." | According to the passage, which statement can lead you to believe? | The more you use the resources in a dictionary, the more you can benefit from it. | ['The more you use a dictionary, the better you can understand the article.', 'The more you use a dictionary, the faster you may read.', 'The better a dictionary is, the more expensive it is.'] |
People in the United States honor their parents with two special days:Mother's Day, on the second Sunday in May, and Father's Day, on the third Sunday in June. These days are set aside to show love and respect for parents. They raise their children and educate them to be responsible citizens. They give love and care. These two days make us think about the changing roles of mothers and fathers. More mothers now work outside the home. More fathers must help with child care.
These two special days are celebrated in many different ways. On Mother's Day people wear carnations. A red one symbolizes a living mother. A white one shows that the mother is dead. Many people attend religious services to honor parents. It is also a day when people whose parents are dead visit the cemetery .On these days families get together at home, as well as in restaurants. They often have outdoor barbecues for Father's Day. These are days of fun and good feelings and memories.
Another tradition is to give cards and gifts. Children make them in school. Many people make their own presents. These are valued more than the ones bought in stores. It is not the value of the gift that is important, but it is "the thought that counts". Greeting card stores, florists, candy makers, bakeries, telephone companies, and other stores do a lot of business during these holidays. | Which of the following is NOT a reason for children to show love and respect for parents? | Parents pass away before children grow up. | ['Parents bring up children.', 'Parents give love and care to children.', 'Parents educate children to be good persons.'] |
It drives super straight with no vibrations , funny noises or issues at all at any speed or under braking . The exterior condition on this vehicle is extra clean , paint is smooth and glossy with deep luster shine . The interior is clean and in good condition , free of any odors , and has no evidence that it 's ever been smoked in . All of the electrical and optional equipment on this vehicle work like new . | Why is the vehicle in the condition it 's in ? | It 's been taken well care of . | ['The exterior is quite dirty .', 'It smells like it was smoked in .', 'It was neglected .'] |
In-line skating is a fun sport that everyone can enjoy. Follow these safety tips to keep skating safe and fun.
Step 1: Gear up!
Even before you put on your skates, put on all your safety gear .
Step 2: Buckle up!
Strap on your skates. Make sure they fit well and are snugly around your ankles. This helps your ankles stay strong and straight.
Step 3: Fall down!
You probably do not usually try to fall. But it is good to practice falling on skates. Fall forward onto your knee pads. Put out your hands and let your wrist guards hit the ground. See? Are you surprised that it doesn't hurt?
Practice falling until it is easy to fall forward and get up again. If you are not afraid to fall, you will try new things. Knowing how to fall will help you be a better skater and find your balance. When you can stay balanced, you won't fall as much.
Step 4: Stop!
Make sure you can stop on your skates. The quickest and safest is probably the brake stop. The brake is usually on the back of the right skate.
The brake stop:
Roll forward with your skates pointing the same way. Let your right skate roll a little forward. Bend your knees as if you are sitting down. Then press your right heel down hard. This will make your brake pad drag on the ground until you stop.
The T stop:
Roll forward with your skates pointing the same way. Then turn your right foot out so the toes are pointing to your right. Drag your right skate. Let the wheels drag on the ground until you come to a stop.
Another way to stop is to run or jump onto the grass.
Step 5: Roll around!
Find a flat, smooth place to practice. Do not skate in streets. Parks and playgrounds are good places to practice. Look for "No skating" signs to make sure you can skate there. | How is the passage organized? | It gives step-by-step instructions. | ['It tells stories about skating.', 'It gives descriptions of skates.', 'It uses a question-and-answer form.'] |
The joy part of today is just seeing them both do things together . Yesterday Alex was trying to get Ethan to play with the cars like he does . Rolling them on the ground under the table at that moment . | Why is seeing the two play well together the joyful part of the speaker 's day ? | It is encouraging to see the boys get along and it makes the speaker feel grateful | ['They are excited to see that the two new employees will be a good fit for the team', 'None of the above choices .', "They are the boy 's teacher and feel hopeful that the class will now be more peaceful"] |
The oceans are unique to our planet. No other planet in our solar system has liquid water. The oceans cover about 70% of the earth's surface. They contain about 97% of the earth's water supply. Life on earth originated in the seas. The oceans continue to be home to an incredible number of plants and animals.
We know very little about the oceans. Because they are so deep and dark, they are hard to study. But scientists are discovering new strange creatures all the time. We are learning more by using satellites to look at the oceans' surfaces and by using buoys ( ) to measure temperature and saltiness. Special vehicles can now travel deep into the dark oceans to see what mysteries can be discovered.
More of the sun's heat is assimilated by water along the equator than at the poles. This means the water at the equator is warmer than water at the poles. These different water temperatures cause the water in the oceans to move. This is called an ocean current.
The air above ocean currents also moves. The warm or cold ocean air moves over the land as wind. Oceans are also a really important part of the water cycle. Evaporation from oceans creates most of the world's rainfall. Plants on land need the rain to absorb nutrients from the soil.
The oceans are also home to all kinds of sea life. These include fish, whales, dolphins, octopi, lobsters, crabs and shrimps. There are also jellyfish and starfish.Many kinds of plants, such as plankton, kelp and sea grass are part of the "forest of the seafloor."
Carbon dioxide in-oxygen out! Oceans help to capture and store carbon dioxide(C02). They are the largest natural "carbon sinks" in the world. Oceans trap about1/4of the CO2 that humans put into the air. Oceans also release oxygen. Half of the world's oxygen is produced by these tiny plants! | What does the author think of oceans? | They are amazing. | ['They are common.', 'They are boundless.', 'They are unimaginable.'] |
Kindergarten outside? Yes, indeed. It's part of a growing worldwide trend toward outdoor education. The schools are called forest kindergartens.
The numbers are small so far in the U.S., but the idea is well established in Europe, with schools in Scotland, England, and Switzerland. By far the most such schools are in Germany, which has more than 400 forest kindergartens.
Some schools feature several hours of outdoor schooling. This is certainly the case with the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs. Children there will be venturing out on the nearby Hemlock Trail to learn more about the natural world. Some lessons are focused on nature; others are academic topics delivered in a natural setting. In all cases, students are active-not sitting at desks or on mats on the floor but walking, running, jumping, solving problems like how to get the mud off the bottoms of their shoes before their parents find out.
Seriously, the focus is on activity at these schools. Studies have shown that children's immune systems actually get stronger after all of the outdoor activity, and that graduates of forest kindergartens show a higher ability to learn when they progress through their academic careers.
Other schools are all outdoors, all the time. This is the case with the Cedar Song Nature School, on Vashon Island, Washington. Students at this school spend their whole three-hour day outdoors, in a private five-acre forest, doing all kinds of physical activities.
At these forest kindergartens, students learn science by observing and doing it, learn math by applying it to the natural world around them, learn letters and words by putting them together using sights and sounds. These students learn how to get along with one another, individually and in a group. They also develop healthy levels of self-confidence.
Nowadays many children become obese because of sedentary activities like watching television and playing video games. These outdoor schools give children chances to learn just as much, if not more, from opening their eyes to the real world around them. | What is special about forest kindergartens? | They value activity very much. | ['Kids learn more than those at ordinary kindergartens.', 'Students go outside when weather permits.', 'They are situated in forests.'] |
With the growth of the Internet and the ease of publishing content, more and more creative minds are coming online to share videos, music, software, products, services, opinions, and more. While the technology has empowered a generation to build new audiences and share interesting things, an unfortunate side-effect has been a culture in which some consumers of this content have provided feedback in a form that is personalized, mean-spirited, disrespectful, and in some cases, malicious.
We have all seen it…the trolls, the haters, the comment boxes filled with venom and vitriol, typically pointed at people just trying to do good and interesting things.
Unfortunately, this conduct can be jarring for many people, with some going as far to give up sharing their creative endeavours so as not to deal with the “wrath of the Internet”.
As some of you will know, this has been bothering me for a while now. While there is no silver bullet for solving these issues, one thing I have learned over the years is how to put negative, anti-social, and non-constructive comments and feedback into perspective.
To help others with this I have written a free book called Dealing With Disrespect.
Dealing With Disrespect is a short, simple to read, free book that provides a straight-forward guide for handling this kind of challenging feedback, picking out the legitimate criticism to learn from, and how to not just ignore the haters, but how to manage them. The book helps put all communication, whether on or offline, into perspective and helps you to become a better communicator yourself.
My goal with the book is that when someone reads something anti-social that demotivates them, a friend can recommend ‘Dealing With Disrespect’ as something that can help put things in perspective. | Why did the narrator write his book? | To help people put feedback into perspective | ['To build new audiences', 'not enough information', 'To share his creative endeavours'] |
The frenetic lifestyle that many people live today is very harmful. Rushing here and there, being constantly on call, balancing multiple layers of responsibility may give you a sense of accomplishment – even make you feel important, but it takes a huge toll on every aspect of life.
When you constantly push yourself to take on more and more challenges, it is easy to lose sight of why you wanted to be successful in the first place. For many, the reason was to be able to spend less time working and enjoy life more. A frenetic, high-pressure lifestyle creates exactly the opposite.
There is a very dark side to constantly pushing yourself to produce more and more. Unfortunately, it creeps up on you and becomes a serious case of self-negligence.
When you are busy and driven every minute of every day and well into the evening, it is easy to neglect important things in life that keep you healthy, happy, and create quality of life. A continual stream of urgent tasks that must be completed will overshadow the not-so-urgent, but important activities that make life worth living.
It is not just physical well-being that is neglected – mental and emotional well-being also suffer when there is no time for self-care.
When your daily schedule is crammed to overflowing one of the first areas of neglect is your diet. Eating regular, nutritious meals become a thing of the past. You are not only too busy to sleep or even take a deep breath now and then, there is no time to prepare decent meals
Convenience foods, frozen dinners, take out and fast foods become the norm. It is a steady diet of additive filled, sugar and fat-filled dishes, loaded with empty calories that provide minimal nutrition and damage the body. It is impossible to sustain any level of good health on such a diet. | What bad effect does being busy bring? | Self-neglect | ['Feeling important and productive', 'not enough information', 'Success in your field'] |
I want to talk about the economy.Not "the economy" we hear about endlessly in the news each day and in politicians' speeches.I want to talk about the real economy, the one we live in day by day.
Most people aren't particularly interested in "the economy"."Share prices are flying high; interest rates are soaring; the Dow Jones Index closed sixty-three points down on 8472.35." We hear this and subconsciously switch off.
Notice that "the economy" is not the same as the economy, "The economy" is what men in suits play with to make vast personal wealth.The economy is where the rest of us live on a daily basis, earning our living, paying our taxes, and purchasing the necessities of life.
We are supposed to be benefiting from all the advantages of a well-off society.So why do we feel tired and stressed? We have no time for anything other than work, which is ridiculous given the number of labor-saving devices in our lives.Our towns become more and more crowded.We poison our air and seas, and our food is full of chemicals.There's something wrong here.If times were truly good, then you may think we'd all feel optimistic about the future.Yet the majority of us are deeply worried.More than 90 percent of us think we are too concerned about ourselves and not concerned enough about future generations.
The term "economic expansion" suggests something desirable, but expansion simply means spending more money.More spending doesn't mean that life is getting better.We all know it often means the opposite - greed, crime, poverty, pollution.More spending merely feeds our whole economic system, which is based on production and consumption.Unless money keeps circulating, the economy breaks down.If we don't keep consuming, the whole system goes into stalemate .
How do we break the cycle and make some changes? We need to become far more aware of the results of our actions.We buy clothes that are made in sweat shops by virtual slaves in poor parts of the world.We create mountains of waste.We demand cheap food, mindless of the fact that it totally lacks taste and is produced using chemicals that poison the land.
The consumption culture makes us unaware of the effect of our own behavior.Our main problem is not that we don't know what to do about it.It is gathering the desire to do it. | The author writes the passage mainly to _ . | call on us to change our behavior | ['suggest a solution for over-consumption', 'make a distinction between two economies', 'inform us of the effects of economic expansion'] |
John loves outer space and things associated with it ( esp . rockets ) . Well , he has taken it to a new level . This morning , we were discussing how we lived in Rockville , not the other towns around us . | What may be the reason why space interests him ? | He wants to be a scientist . | ['He wants to learn about where Earth is headed .', 'None of the above choices .', 'He is in alien .'] |
There's a story told about an elderly lady in Arkansas.The state voted to increase welfare payments to the poor.Hoping for a tear-jerker story,a television interviewer went into the back hills where many welfare recipients lived.
The old woman he chose to interview lived in a one-room shack :cold in winter;hot in summer.Her bed was a few rough planks nailed together,with a pine-needle mattress.A couple thin blankets,and a fireplace,did little to protect her from the cold.
Her furniture,a table and two chairs,were fashioned from the same rough wood as her bed.Some shelves held a few cans of food from the general store.a three mile walk down the road.Several jars of preserves and a few squash completed her larder .
She had no fridge or freezer.The fireplace provided heat for cooking.With no phone or television her only connection with the outside world was an old radio that pulled in two or three local stations on a good day.
The old woman had one convenience, running water.A crystal clear stream.flowed a short distance behind her home.
A small garden near her back door provided fresh vegetables during the summer,and some squash and turnips for the winter.A tidy flower garden brightened the front of her house.
The television crew arrived and set up their big expensive cameras.Their mobile station. broadcast pictures of the woman and the place she called home.
Eventually the interviewer asked the old woman,"If the government gave you $200 more each month,what would you do with it?"
Without hesitation the woman replied,"I'd give it to the poor." | What do we know about the woman? | She must he content with her life. | ['She knows nothing about the outside world.', 'She is living a lonely and miserable life.', 'She must be better-off than many others in the area.'] |
Cell phone cameras are a wonderful invention . Especially when they help to land a scumbag harasser into police custody . While walking up the stairs at the Dyckman Street station , a 28 year - old woman noticed a man following her and taking pictures up her skirt with his cell phone . | What will happen to the man with the camera near by the subway ? | He will be arrested . | ['None of the above choices .', 'He will be commended for his artwork .', 'He will be encouraged .'] |
I feel bad not having money all the time . So its something to consider atleast :) I do nt have to work a full 40 hours , anything would be good maybe even 20 to start . We shall see what happens though . Um anything else ? | What may happen if you start out working 40 hours a week ? | 'd miss what I have been able to do with the time I previously had . | ['I would see that this is easier than working all of those hours of overtime .', 'None of the above choices .', 'I would ask for even more hours because I would want to make more money than that .'] |
Mum said she did so much walking she had to take pain killers for her knees . I keep forgetting she 's not as young as she used to be . Afterwards I hopped on a 141 and was soon near the Orwell . For a long time I was the only one there but after quite a wait Iain , Paul and Glenn walked in . By now Laura ( the owner ) was here , so people said happy birthday and there was food and cake . | How old might the narrator 's mom be ? | The narrator 's mom might be a 60 year old woman who is starting to develop arthritis . | ["The narrator 's mom just celebrated her 41st birthday .", "The narrator 's mom is 25 since the narrator just celebrated her fifth birthday .", 'None of the above choices .'] |
Anyway , from the long wait in the waiting room to the over anxious feelings about seeing our child for the first time on the monitor , we also had a chance to get to know our Delivering Dr. who we are very excited about ! Our next appointment she said we will be able to hear the heart beat , and we are both soooo excited ! ! We are due November 9 , 2008 giving us a new little one by the Holidays ! Stay tuned to see what happens next . | Where are they when they are waiting ? | They are in the waiting room waiting to see the obstetrician . | ['They are at the dentists office .', 'They are in the waiting room of the cardiologist .', 'They are in the waiting room of their primary doctor .'] |
One day,Jack's parents told him that his grandpa would retire after working for forty years.Jack said in surprise, "I'm only seven, so it means Grandpa has been... er ... A really long time!"
His parents said, "Yes. That's why we are going to have a surprising party for him. "
Jack loved his grandpa and wanted to do something special for him. He remembered the business card his grandpa had given him two years before. He knew that his grandpa would no longer have the position on that card, so he decided to build a new one for his grandpa.
When the big day came, Jack was ready. But he didn't want to put his gift together with others'. He carried it around with him the whole evening.
When all the other people left, he took his grandpa's hand and brought him over to a chair and gave him the gift.
His grandpa smiled, "Well, it must be a beautiful gift. May I open it now?" "Sure!" Jack said excitedly.
As Grandpa opened the gift, tears came into his eyes. Jack gave him the greatest gift he had ever got! They were business cards with new position: FULL-TIME GRANDPA! Jack said, "Now your full-time job is my grandpa!"
Well, how much do I get paid?" his grandpa asked, smiling. "As many hugs as you want!" With these
words, Jack gave Grandpa a hug. " Well, I guess that means I'm the richest man in the world! " said Grandpa. | Who was going to retire? | Jack's grandpa. | ["Jack's grandma.", "Jack's mother.", "Jack's father."] |
Brighton: It is a seaside resort on the English Channel. Only 50 miles from London, it offers a good variety of lively entertainment. It is a cheerful place, busy and crowded in the summer, but alive in every season of the year. Its royal pavilion is a masterpiece of English architecture.
Durham: Whatever travelers see or don't see in England, they must see this city, in the northeast, just south of NewcastleuponTyne. No one will forget the sight of its cathedral and castle rising together on a steep hill overlooking a loop in the River Wear, which almost surrounds them. The cathedral itself is one of the great medieval(,476~1500)buildings in Europe.
Liverpool: A port in the northwest of England which possesses a quality that is not found in quite the same way anywhere else in England: the quality of grandeur . Liverpool has this grandeur in its site on the broad River Mersey (more than half a mile wide) with the houses rising near it; in its great dock buildings, its broad streets, and its two enormous cathedrals.
Edinburgh: It has long been the capital of Scotland. Edinburgh Castle is Edinburgh's important building, controlling the city from its perch on a rock over a hundred meters above sea level. Another important building is the Palace of Holyrood House, begun by James III around 1500. Between the castle and the palace is the Royal Mile, which was the center of Edinburgh life before the 17th century and is fascinating to visit now. | From this article, which of the following statements is WRONG? | The Palace of Holyrood House is much older than the cathedral in Durham. | ['Around the broad River Mersey you can enjoy the unique quality of Liverpool .', "The sight of Durham's cathedral and castle is probably best seen from the banks of the Riverwear .", 'Edinburgh Castle was built over a hundred meters above sea level.'] |
Young children from poor families are more likely to consume junk food and fizzy drinks than their richer companions. A study of 1,800 four- and five-year-olds found more than half of those from poor backgrounds drank at least one a week, compared to just four in ten _ kids. They also drank less milk and consumed more fruit juice which is also linked to child obesity caused by high sugar intake .
The phenomenon also relates to children who spend more than two hours a day in front of a TV or playing computer games--whatever their social circumstances. A companion study also found children from poor families were more likely to eat chips, sweets and chocolate. Professor Kate Storey said, "when you are looking at that age group, and such a large percentage of very young kids in the study are consuming a large amount of soda ,it is quite concerning. "
The researchers carried out the study by surveying the parents of their participants to find out their dietary habits. Professor Storey said, "If you are drinking a lot of soda and fruit juice, they can displace consumption of water and milk, which are important not just for ending thirst, but for developing healthy bones and teeth, and health and wellness in general."
Co-researcher Dr John Spence said, "Dietary behavior and intake patterns are influenced heavily by what happens in the first few years with children, and they maintain those patterns throughout childhood and into adolescence ." In addition to basic health education, this study identifies a need in how we are dealing with poverty and recognizing there is more to poverty than simply the number of dollars people have.
Professor Storey said that shows how education can make a difference and lead to healthier eating habits, regardless of what is happening at home. "Many families live in places that might not be very healthy for them and, as a result, they make unhealthy food choices. You can start making a difference in different places. It calls for action in multiple settings, schools and communities, for example. That light-bulb moment can happen in a variety of places," Professor Storey added. | Professor Storey considers that healthier eating habits can be _ . | gradually changed by education | ["finally determined by parents' life habits", "gently changed by parents' life habits", 'suddenly changed by family situation'] |
I had similar conversation recently with both Countrygirl and Polly Poppins , and what it comes down to is this . There are two kinds of kids in this world . There are your puppy kids - the ones who clamor all over you looking for attention and affection and will do just about anything to get it . And there are your cat kids - the ones who might , if you 're lucky , deign to cuddle with you . | What may happen if I come upon a puppy kid . | They will immediately hug me . | ['None of the above choices .', 'They will sleep .', 'They will cry .'] |
Barefoot and dirty, the girl just sat and watched the people go by. She never tried to speak. Many people passed, but never did one person stop.
The next day I decided to go back to the park, curious to see if the little girl would still be there. Right in the very spot as she was yesterday, she sat with the saddest look in her eyes.
Today I was to make my own move and walk over to the little girl. As we all know, a park full of strange people is not a place for young children to play alone.
As I began walking towards her, I could see the back of the little girl's dress indicated a deformity . I smiled to let her know it was okay, I was there to help, to talk. I sat down beside her and opened with a simple "Hello". I smiled and she shyly smiled back. We talked until darkness fell and the park was completely empty. I asked the girl why she was so sad. The little girl looked at me and with a sad face said, "Because I'm different."
I immediately said "That you are!" and smiled. The little girl acted even sadder. She said, "I know." She looked at me and smiled. Slowly she stood to her feet, and said, "Really?"
"Yes, dear, you're like a little guardian angel sent to watch over all those people walking by." She nodded her head "yes" and smiled, and with that she spread her wings and said with a twinkle in her eye, "I am. I'm your guardian angel."
I was speechless, sure I was seeing things. She said, "For once you thought of someone other than yourself, my job here is done."
Immediately I stood to my feet and said, "Wait, so why did no one stop to help an angel!?" She looked at me and smiled, "You're the only one who could see me, and you believe it in your heart." ...and she was gone.
And with that my life changed dramatically. So, when you think you're all you have, remember, your angel is always watching over you. Mine is! | What does "You're all you have" mean? | You are alone. | ['You are ugly.', 'You are strong.', 'You are rich'] |
That day, my mother picked me up from school, wearing the yellow sundress and shawl I remembered from our trip with Father the year before. She looked just like she did most days back then--a glamour queen, a movie star ("Just like Lena Horne," my friend Chloe had once said, "only darker--oh, sorry, Leah!"), but today her beauty somehow had a harder, more defiant edge to it. I could smell the expensive Dior perfume as soon as I opened the door, which surprised me, because my mom was usually fastidious about not getting perfume on her clothes. She was wearing her bug glasses--huge dark things with lenses that bulged out like fly eyes and reflected my face like a fun-house mirror. She had tied a yellow silk scarf around her hair and was taking deep pulls on a cigarette held between two immaculately manicured fingers. Only I knew about the nicotine stains she carefully covered with her special order "forest sable" cream each morning.
Tiffany, a stupid but vicious senator's daughter who I had the misfortune of sharing a classroom with, suddenly dashed from inside the school, her face flushed.
"Hello, Mrs. Wilson," she called. Before my mother could respond, she giggled and ran back to three of her friends waiting beyond the door. I could hear them laughing, but I was glad I couldn't understand their words. They were all fascinated with my mother--the black housekeeper who dressed like Katharine Hepburn and drove a Cadillac, whose daughter's "light toffee" skin indicated that she might just like her coffee with a lot of cream.
Sometimes I hated those girls.
"Get in the car, Leah," my mother said. Her already husky voice was pitched low, as though she'd been crying. That made me nervous. Why was she here?
"Ma, Chloe was going to show me her dad's new camera. Can't I go home on the bus?"
My mom pulled on the cigarette until it burned the filter, and then ground it into the car ashtray--already filled with forty or so butts. She always emptied out the ashtray each evening. | Who was Tiffany? | A daughter of somebody important | ['A friend', 'A bully', 'not enough information'] |
Is it an extreme case of helicopter parenting or a smart move to keep kids safe? That's what parents are asking after hearing about a Long Island middle school's decision to ban most balls during break. No longer allowed at the Weber Middle School in Port Washington, New York: footballs, baseballs, soccer balls, lacrosse balls and any other hardballs that could injure a child.
"We want to make sure our children have fun but are also protected," Dr. Kathleen Maloney, superintendent of Port Washington Schools, said in a local television interview, noting how playground injuries can "unintentionally" become very serious.
The school district, in a press release, said that due to construction going on at the school, there is "limited space" for the children to play during their 20-minute break. "With children in close proximity to each other, it is not safe for them to be engaged in unstructured play with hardballs," said the district.
It's not clear when the construction project will come to an end at the school and whether kids will be able to return to normal ball-playing after it wraps up. A call to the superintendent's office for confirmation has not yet been returned.
"This isn't smart. It's actually counter-productive," said Donna Daniels in an email to CNN. "It saddens me to think that children no longer experience the joy of kickball, tag, dodgeball and simple outdoor games I remember so fondly when I reflect on my childhood. Our kids don't experience physical activity unless it involves downloading an app. "
"Without opportunities to learn how to navigate space with their bodies, and to negotiate rules, risks, and experimentation of cooperative play, how are children going to ever be able to handle themselves in any society as adults ?" said Alex Martin, an associate director at a Manhattan nursery school.
On the other side, there were some people who thought the school's actions were appropriate. "Freedom is great until the parents accuse the school district," said Tyler Parker on Facebook. "I don't think kids should have their fun past times discontinued, but head wound can be serious," said Marilyn Decker on Facebook. | What Marilyn Decker said on Facebook means that _ . | safety should be considered while playing | ['children should spend more time studying', 'children should stop playing ballgames', 'learning is more important than playing'] |
ever since my daughter was born she was never good with milk drinks we really struggled getting anything into her . Then she was diagnosed with a silent reflux which she eventually outgrew at about 5 months luckily . When we weaned her it was great she would eat anything pureed ! | What happened after after 5 months ? | The milk intolerance was gone | ['The baby stayed very sick', 'The baby never had milk again', 'The baby died'] |
The singer, Mick Jagger, of the Rolling Stones sings a song that tells people they can't always get what they want but if we try sometimes we can get what we need. The past years in my life my parents have told me this saying many times. I've always complained about the quote . Although over time I have told myself to learn from it.
This year my girlfriend flew off to college in West Palm, Florida. This has been a killer for me because I haven't been able to see her and she is having a rough time in school. The last two months have been hard but we are working through it. I have been trying to get my dad to buy me a plane ticket to go down there. My dad told me if I brought him some money he would help me pay for the ticket. I started to complain to him because I had no way of getting any money to give him. I spent several days and nights thinking of ways to earn money to go see my girlfriend. I finally came to the conclusion that I would get a job and work hard to earn some money to give to my dad. I applied to Safeway and I ended up getting the job.
I have been working at Safeway for about a month now and work hard to earn money to go see my girlfriend. The other day my mom had surprised me and told me that she asked her boss if she could use their business miles to buy me a ticket down to Florida for two weeks. I was very thankful and told her I would help pay for anything that I have to. The thought of me working hard and getting a job showed my mom that I really cared and was trying my best to be a successful person. I believe that you can't always get what you want but if you try sometimes, you get what you need. | By writing the passage, the author tries to show_. | we should try to rely on ourselves for everything | ['we can do nothing without money', 'fathers are strict while mothers are kind', "it's hard for parents to bring up their children"] |
Young undocumented immigrants seeking permanent status in the United States received an unexpected boost Thursday on Capitol Hill as a small group of House Republicans mounted a last-minute effort to bring up an immigration vote in Congress.
The group of eight Republicans — some freed from political considerations by upcoming retirements and others facing tough re-elections races — defied their own party leadership, quickly persuading 10 more Republicans to sign on to a petition that would force debate on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
With all 193 Democrats expected to sign on, Republicans will have to persuade just seven more members of their own party to join the petition to trigger a vote on several immigration bills on the House floor.
But Republican leadership said the effort would be wasted if the end result is a presidential veto.
"I think it's important for us to come up with a solution that the president can support," House Speaker Paul Ryan told reporters Thursday. These types of petitions are rare and seen as a threat to leadership's ability to direct legislative action.
"It's better to use the legislative process," Republican Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy told reporters Wednesday.
But that argument appears to be losing sway with House members who see an opportunity for legislative action in a mid-term election year. The growing group of House Republicans are joining Democratic colleagues who have long criticized Ryan for not bringing immigration bills up for a vote.
"This is about making sure we're not consolidating power in the White House," said Representative Mia Love, a Republican from Utah and one of the first lawmakers to sign petition.
The immigration issue had all but died after an effort to pass a DACA fix collapsed in the U.S. Senate earlier this year.
The program has been the focus of fierce negotiations on Capitol Hill since last September, when President Donald Trump announced he was ending the 2012 Obama-era program and called for a legislative fix. | Trump will likely continue to: | try to remove Obama-era programs | ['try to enforce Obama-era programs', 'try to become the next Obama', 'not enough information'] |
by Dan and Diane Hsieh White In Yilan , we baked sweet potatoes the old fashioned way . We had to build a fire pit using bricks and wrap the potatoes in foil . After the potatoes had cooked for an hour , we knocked the bricks down and dug out the goods . | What is the old fashioned way of baking potatoes ? | They make them in a fire put . | ['None of the above choices .', 'They cook them in an oven .', 'They make them in a microwave .'] |
Did you ever look up at the moon and think you saw a man's face there?When the moon is round and full,the shadows of the moon mountains and the lines of the moon valleys sometimes seem to show a giant nose and mouth and eyes. At least,some people think so.
If there were a man on the moon -- instead of mountains and valleys that just look like the face of a man -- what would he be like?
He would not be like anyone you know. He would not be like anyone anybody knows.
If the man on the moon were bothered by too much heat or cold the way Earth people are,he could not stay on the moon.
The moon becomes very,very hot. It becomes as hot as boiling water. And the moon becomes very,very cold. It becomes colder than ice.
Whatever part of the moon the sun shines on is hot and bright. The rest of the moon is cold and dark.
If the man on the moon had to breathe to stay alive,he couldn't live on the moon because there's no air there.(He'd have to carry an oxygen tank,as astronauts do.) There's no food on the moon,either. Nothing grows -- not even weeds.
If the man on the moon liked to climb mountains,he would be very happy. There are many high places there,such as the raised land around the holes,or craters,of the moon. Some of these _ are as tall as Earth's highest mountains.
But if the man on the moon liked to swim,he would be unhappy. There is no water on the moon -- just dust and rock.
When you think of what it's like on the moon,you may wonder why it interests our scientists. One reason is that the moon is Earth's nearest neighbor -- it is the easiest place in space to get to.
Going back and forth between the moon and Earth,astronauts will get a lot of practice in space travel. Things learned on moon trips will be of great help to astronauts who later take long,long trips to some of the planets.
Scientists are also interested in the moon because it has no air. The air that surrounds Earth cuts down the view of the scientists who look at the stars through telescopes. A telescope on the moon would give them a clearer,closer view of the stars. | Which of the following is the best title of the passage? | The Man on the Moon | ['The Moon', 'Research on the Moon', 'What Is It Like on the Moon?'] |
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday blasted former FBI director James Comey as an "untruthful slime ball," and said it was his "great honor" to fire him.
Trump's barrage of insults comes as Comey engages in a publicity campaign for his book, "A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership," which is set to be released next week.
The memoir promises a deep look at Comey's fraught relationship with the U.S. president who fired him, and whom Comey has accused of interfering in the independence of the FBI.
On Twitter, Trump said Comey should be prosecuted.
Trump's comments are in line with an online campaign, organized by his supporters, to discredit Comey.
The Republican National Committee on Thursday launched a new website, Lyin'Comey.com, which features quotes from prominent Democrats who have criticized the former FBI director in the past. The GOP plans to fact-check Comey's book and use the website for "rapid response" to highlight any "misstatements" or "contradictions," Fox News reports.
Comey's book blasts Trump as unethical and "untethered to truth'' and calls his leadership of the country "ego driven and about personal loyalty.'' The book also contains several personal jabs at Trump, including references to what Comey says are the "bright white half-moons" under Trump's eyes, which he surmises were the result of Trump using tanning goggles.
Comey also casts Trump as a Mafia boss-like figure who sought to blur the line between law enforcement and politics, and tried to pressure him regarding his investigation into Russian election interference, according to multiple early reviews of the book.
Trump fired Comey in May 2017, setting off a storm of charges from Democrats that the president sought to hinder an investigation into whether his campaign colluded with Russians.
The firing led to the appointment of Robert Mueller as special counsel overseeing the Russia investigation. Mueller's probe has expanded to include whether Trump obstructed justice by firing Comey, an idea the president denies. Trump has assailed Comey as a "showboat'' and a "liar.'' | How long did it take for Comey to write his book? | About 1 year | ['not enough information', 'About 15 years', 'About 10 years'] |
Nothing could be changed anymore , was what the Ellimist was telling me . Things were set . This was the way it was . Picking myself up off the ground was a slow and painful process , but he waited patiently while I moved . " Okay , " I said , drawing the word out . | Why would the narrator be upset at the Ellimist 's response ? | The narrator feels they are defeatist . | ['The narrator feels they are violent .', 'The narrator feels they are angry .', 'The narrator feels they are aggressive .'] |
A failed plot to kill Barack Obama, uncovered by US federal agents recently, has reminded people of the ideas that some humans associate with simple numbers.
Two white American Neo-Nazi racists had planned to kill 88 African Americans, before finally assassinating Obama. The number "88" is equated with "HH", initials for the Nazi greeting, "Heil Hitler". "H" is the eighth letter of the alphabet .
Many people were not familiar with the Neo-Nazi importance of 88, but associations attached to other numbers are more well-known, if not always believed. The number 13, for instance, is considered deeply unlucky.
In the US, many buildings do not have a floor numbered 13. They instead label it 12A, or use the letter M, which is the 13th letter in the English alphabet. New York's John F. Kennedy International airport does not have a gate number 13. And the popular Irish flight carrier, Ryan Air, has banished row 13 from all its planes.
Last year when Brussels Airline put 13 dots in their new logo, the flood of complaints was so vast the airline was forced to change their "unlucky logo" and add an additional dot.
The fear comes from a Bible story, which states that Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th to sit at the table in the Last Supper.
But the most fascinating fear of the number relates to Friday the 13th. It's a day of double bad luck. In the US, many people would not schedule a wedding for Friday the 13th. According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in the US, an estimated 17 to 21 million Americans are affected by a fear of this day. | If you are in the US, you will probably not_. | live on the 13th floor | ['attend a wedding on Saturday the 14th', 'see a floor numbered 3', 'have an M floor'] |
When you use our university libraries there are different learning spaces available so you can decide what is best for your purpose.
Social learning area
We recognize that you can learn from your friends so we have provided social study areas in all our libraries. Here you can discuss your work with your friends without worrying about disturbing others as a reasonable level of noise is accepted, though we do ask that you're considerate of other students and staff.
Group study rooms
There are bookable group study rooms of various sizes in the libraries. These rooms are well equipped so that you can easily work in groups or practice presentations.
*Bookings are available to groups of 3 or more students
*Bookings can be made in hourly blocks up to a maximum of 2 hours per group per day
*Bookings can be made for the current week and the following week
*Contact the library Help Desk to book a room. Bookings are restricted to student use only.
Silent study spaces
We know that on occasion you may prefer to study on your own. To help you achieve this we have individual quiet or silent study areas.
In order to preserve the quiet study environment and to avoid disturbing other students, discussion about your course work or exams, or using mobile phones isn't permitted anywhere in these areas.
Food, drink and phones
Cold snacks and drinks can be consumed in most areas of the libraries though we ask that you help keep the learning environment clean and pleasant for everyone by clearing rubbish into the bins provided.
Mobile phones can be used in the social learning areas and group study rooms but not in the silent study spaces or the hallways or stairs that lead to those areas. We ask that you switch your phone to silent mode when you come in the library. | What can we know about bookings of group study rooms in the library? | They are available only to students. | ['They can be made by phone.', 'They can be made several weeks ahead.', 'They are available to groups of any size.'] |
He asked me , " Did you hear what happened today ? " I asked him what was up , and he told me that he and two other managers in the sales department had been let go . I asked him if I should be worried about my job , but he said he felt like I was safe . Then , later last night I got an IM from David , one of the salespeople on my Internet team , and he told me that they 'd also laid off a service advisor and one mechanic . | What may happen to my job ? | I will keep my job . | ['I wll get a raise .', 'None of the above choices .', 'I will be transferred to a new location .'] |
I had a nice day today . I did all of my wash and cleaned up the house . My friend Jan Fick came by in the afternoon and we went up to Romeo MI . to do some shopping and then had ice cream . | Why did they go shopping and eat ice cream ? | they enjoy shopping and ice cream | ['they used to enjoy shopping and ice cream', 'None of the above choices .', 'they were with family that enjoyed shopping and ice cream'] |
The world has changed and being intelligent isn't normally equal to being a successful person. Look at the example of the blue whale: it has a huge brain, but it still doesn't know how to avoid whalers or use its large size and weight to deal with those who try to use their body for profit. Scientists hold an opinion that the blue whale is just like some highly intelligent people who fail to succeed. Those highly intelligent people can't succeed in life because they can't communicate well with the world around them.
Intelligence is a word in life that makes you think you are better than others. Intelligence can blind these very people from how others view them. These people also think that the route to power and success results purely from intelligence and they sometimes live in a fantasy world that they create by their supposed brain power.
This is a distance that develops whether or not they realize it and sometimes, a person can be disliked simply because of his or her intelligence. This distance is sometimes so far apart that it gets to the position where they can't listen to each other. One side thinks the other is stupid and the other thinks he/she is haughty . And most of the time it is the intelligent people who lose themselves in this situation. They become unpopular with most of the people around them. This affects them in whatever they do and sooner or later they will lose their confidence.
It doesn't help that they get a culture shock --- especially when they leave college and realize success and richness don't always and sometimes never come naturally with intelligence. While some might think this is a dramatic picture to paint, it is sometimes the end result of some people. | What makes the intelligent people lose their confidence? | They become separated from other people and lose their support. | ["They often can't get higher positions though they are intelligent.", "They can't persuade those stupid people to accept their ideas.", "They often can't make good use of their advantages."] |
Planning your to-do list for the coming year? To help you out, we've collected our favorite must-see events across Canada. Ready, go!
Red or white?
Every spring wine growers get together to celebrate the beginning of another grape-growing season at the Okanagan Spring Wine Festival. The best time to visit the Okanagan is usually from May 1 to 10. The festival allows visitors to taste the best wines in Canada together with unique dishes representing the latest developments in local cuisine.
The jazz festival
Montreal's downtown comes alive every summer during the International Jazz Festival.
The Festival International de Jazz de Montreal is an annual jazz festival held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Jazz Fest held the 2004 Guinness World Record as the world's largest jazz festival. This year the event is scheduled to run from June 29 to July 9. Stages replace cars along busy streets. With a host of free outdoor shows, you'll be snapping your fingers to anything from Dixieland to blues, African beats to modern trip-hop, and everything in between.
Are you ready?
Just head east to the Newfoundland Targa Rally, which runs from September 9 to 16 this year. The 2,200-kilometre race dashes across the eastern and central parts of the province, and is the largest race of its kind in North America. On these sections you race against the clock rather than other competitors. This is a great chance to test your car's limits and your skills.
Hello spring!
In 1945, thousands of tulip bulbs gifts from Holland, were planted on Ottawa's Parliament Hill, Canada. These gifts were a thank-you to Canadian soldiers who helped set Holland free in World WarII. Since then, the capital has become home to the Canadian Tulip Festival. From May 4 to 22, Ottawa and Gatineau (a city of southwest Quebec) will be covered with beautiful flowers. Besides three million tulips, visitors can also attend concerts, featuring some of Canada's brightest musical stars. | The passage is most probably talking about . | popular events in Canada | ['the geography of Canada', 'historical events of Canada', 'traditional cultures in Canada'] |
What Will Be Done-With All This Denim?
All the denim will be donated to Cotton From Blue to Green, which recycles jeans into UltraTouch Natural Cotton Fiber Insulation , which is used to help build houses in places that have been damaged by hurricanes and other natural disasters. Your jeans will help keep clothes out of landfills , and build houses for families to live in! UltraTouch is made of 85% recycled fibers and is an environmentally safe, natural cotton fiber insulation.
It's a Fact
It takes about 500 pairs of jeans to recycle enough denim to insulate one average-size U.S house.
Here's How You Can Get Involved!
1. Get a parent's permission and select as many denim jeans as you like. (Any denim clothing is OK)
2. The denim must be used.
3. The denim can be any brand.
4. The denim can be any color or size but must have been worn by a human (no doll clothes!).
5. Jeans must be received by June 30, 2017.
By donating denim, you can give it a "new life" by converting it into UltraTouch Natural Cotton Fiber Insulation. _ for more information about the denim drive.
UltraTouch is composed of 85% recycled fibers and is an environmentally safe, non- itch natural cotton fiber insulation. For more information about UltraTouch, _ | You can find the advertisement _ . | on a Web page | ['in the newspaper', 'by watching TV', 'in a magazine'] |
i could never relate . When other people ( usually older ) than me lamented that they were at the crossroads of life . I thought they were being all drama , or going through some sort of mid - life crisis . But it had happened to me . | Why is the narrator suddenly feeling anxiety ? | They are having a mid - life anxiety attack . | ['They are ill .', 'They are experiencing a lot of drama in their life .', 'They are unable to relate to people .'] |
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — The conservative leader of South Korea’s main opposition party on Thursday spoke out against the upcoming U.S.–North Korea summit. He also voiced concern that political considerations are driving U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in to compromise joint security for more false denuclearization promises from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
“I am rather pessimistic about whether this negotiation will work out well or not. The only means for North Korea to maintain its regime is its nuclear program. The moment that North Korea gives up its nuclear program, and the moment it opens up to reform, the Kim Jong Un regime will collapse,” said Hong Joon-pyo, the chairman of the Liberty Korea Party.
On June 12, Trump and Kim will meet in Singapore to try to reach an agreement to end the North’s threatening nuclear weapons program in exchange for economic incentives and security guarantees that could include a formal peace treaty to replace the armistice that has been enforced since the end of the Korean War in 1953.
Many South Korean conservatives had voiced strong support for Trump’s “maximum pressure” polices to force Pyongyang to unilaterally give up its nuclear weapons through tough international sanctions in place that ban 90 percent of the country’s trade, and the threat of military action.
But they have been troubled by recent statements coming from the Trump administration indicating the United States may be willing to soften its demands for the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement (CVID) of the North’s nuclear program before offering any sanctions relief.
Hong is worried that Trump may seek a deal that would quickly end the North’s intercontinental ballistic missile program that directly threatens the U.S., and leave the regional nuclear threat to be resolved later.
Trump seems overly intent to achieve a diplomatic breakthrough, Hong said, to shift the media focus away from the ongoing special prosecutor investigation he is facing over Russia’s alleged involvement in the 2016 election. Trump has strongly denied any allegations of collision with Moscow and has called the investigation a politically motivated “witch hunt.” | What is probably true about the negotiations between U.S. and North Korea? | they probably will be limited | ['not enough information', 'they probably will work out completely', 'they probably will not work out at all'] |
After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. The other woman my wife wanted me to visit was my mother, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it impossible to visit her often.
That Friday after work, when I arrived at her house, my mother waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary.
We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and comfortable. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady.
During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation, nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie.
As we arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you." I agreed.
A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her.
Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place Mother and I had dined. An attached note said "I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but, nevertheless, I paid for two plates--one for you and the other for your wife. You w ill never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son."
At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time 'I love YOU' and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve.
Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve because these things cannot be put off till some "other" time. | It can be inferred from the passage that _ . | the author regretted for not showing much love to his mother | ['the author was satisfied to do something for his mother', 'the mother felt happy to pay for the bill in advance', 'the mother was sorry for inviting her son to have dinner'] |
One of the more surprising objects in the Getty Villa’s newly reinstalled gallery of later Roman sculpture is a marble bust of a youth leaning out of a circular frame, mounted high on the gallery wall. J. Paul Getty originally acquired this particular sculpture in 1973, but it has been off view for many years. The recent reinstallation of the Getty Museum’s antiquities collection at the Villa provided the opportunity to resurrect many such objects from storage and put them on display.
Bringing this strange object back to the public eye enabled us to ask—and answer—several questions about it. Who—if anyone—does it represent? When was it carved? Where was it made, and how did it end up in Los Angeles? In preparation for its display, we researched and reinterpreted the object, exploring both its ancient function and modern history.
In its new display, this object is fittingly surrounded by other examples of late Roman sculpture from the third and fourth centuries. Its inclusion in this gallery was not always a given, however, as the figure was long misidentified as a portrait of young Caracalla, who at ten years old became joint emperor with his father in A.D. 198.(1) But recent scholarship questioned the Caracalla identification and the object’s date, suggesting it was carved at least a hundred years later.(2) In light of this research, curator Jens Daehner pushed to reexamine the sculpture and consider including it in the reinstallation.
In early 2015, the Antiquities Department brought this tondo and many other potential objects for the new galleries out of storage for viewing, providing curators, conservators, mount makers, preps, and registrars a chance to approve and prepare artworks for possible display.
After the storage viewing and subsequent research, we updated the object record to conform with what scholars had suggested: this is not a second-century portrait of Caracalla but a fourth-century bust of a youth or divinity. To answer our next question of who the tondo represents, we then had to take a closer look at the curious origin and function of this sculpture type. | What was incorrectly thought to be second-century portrait of Caracalla? | The marble bust | ['The Getty Villa', 'not enough information', 'Curator Jens Daehner'] |
Flexible working hours, homeworking opportunities and cover for emergencies or school holidays are the top concerns for working mothers, according to a British survey on Thursday.
The survey of 1,677 people by specialist employment advice website workingmums.co.uk showed that despite a tougher job climate, in which redundancies had risen dramatically during the crisis, mothers demanded for a more flexible schedule.
Flexible hours for full-time jobs came top of the list for 85 percent of respondents who were asked what they thought made for a family-friendly employer. That came just ahead of homeworking opportunities.
"Flexibility is really key and able to help achieve an element of work/life balance," workingmums.co.uk founder Gillian Nissim told reporters.
She said the crisis had not reduced the urgency of this issue for working mums and that employers who want to be prepared for the eventual upturn would do well to listen to them rather than risk losing them to more forward-thinking rivals.
Many women said they had considered setting up their own business as a way around the flexibility problem and nearly half (45 percent) of respondents said they had looked into it.
Nissim said the workingmums.co.uk database alone showed that on average working mums have more than 15 years of work experience and a range of valuable skills picked up in the workplace and from their parenting experiences.
"So the benefits to employers of being able to accommodate a degree of flexibility is significant," she said.
Part-time work, flexibility around emergency cover or school holidays were the next highest concerns with extended maternity pay as well on the list of concerns.More than half (54 percent) of respondents said they would accept a less well-paid job in return for flexibility, with 40 percent prepared to consider this option. | If you are the editor of a newspaper, which column will you fit this article in? | Career. | ['Advertisements.', 'People.', 'Education.'] |
Do you know how many Immortals she 's killed ? Do you want a list ? " I actually had a list and I would have given it to him if he would have taken it or even considered that I knew what I was talking about . " You 're better with a blade than her , yes . | Why may some interpret the female subject as dangerous ? | She has killed immortals . | ['None of the above choices .', 'She makes lists of enemies .', 'She is a member of the Immortals .'] |
Once upon a time, there was a farmer in central China. He didn't have money, so instead of a tractor , he used an old horse to plow his field .
One afternoon, while working in the field, the horse fell down, dead. Everyone in the village said, "Oh, what a horrible thing!" The farmer said simply, "We'll see." He was so peaceful and so calm that everyone in the village got together and, admiring his attitude, gave him a new horse as a gift.
Everyone's reaction now was, "What a lucky man!" And the farmer said, "We'll see."
A couple of days later, the new horse jumped over a fence and ran away. Everyone in the village shook their heads and said, "What a poor fellow!"
The farmer smiled and said, "We'll see."
Eventually, the horse found his way home, and everyone said, "What a fortunate man!"
The farmer said, "We'll see."
Later in the year, the farmer's young boy went out riding the horse and fell and broke his leg. Everyone in the village said, "What a poor boy!"
The farmer said, "We'll see."
Two days later, the army came into the village to draft new recruits .When they saw the farmer's son had a broken leg, they decided not to recruit him.
Everyone said, "What a fortunate young man!"
The farmer smiled again and said, "We'll see."
There's no use in overreacting to the events and circumstances of our everyday lives. When our hearts are in the right place, all events and circumstances are gifts that we can learn valuable lessons from. | Which of the following is True according to the passage? | The farmer didn't use a tractor to plow his field. | ['The farmer was very sad because his own horse was dead.', 'The new horse ran away and never came back.', 'Because the army came into the village to draft new recruits, the son had his leg broken.'] |
Several months ago I stubbed my toe on our thing you put your feet on that comes with the living room set . I had a gross black mark for months . Well , today I was looking on my toe and noticed that I no longer have a toenail there . I am so glad I did n't know when it came off because I would have thrown up . | What may be the reason why their toenail fell off ? | Because of the trauma to the foot . | ['Because they ripped it off by accident .', 'Because they had it removed .', "Because their feet are numb , the could n't tell ."] |
Open Letter to an Editor
I had an interesting conversation with a reporter recently -- one who works for you. In fact, he's one of your best reporters. He wants to leave.
Your reporter gave me a copy of his resume and photocopies of six stories that he wrote for you. The headlines showed you played them proudly. With great enthusiasm, he talked about how he finds issues, approaches them, and writes about them, which tells me he is one of your best. I'm sure you would hate to lose him. Surprisingly, your reporter is not unhappy. In fact, he told me he really likes his job. He has a great assignment , and said you run a great paper. It would be easy for you to keep him, he said. He knows that the paper values him. He appreciates the responsibility you've given
him, takes ownership of his profession, and enjoys his freedom.
So why is he looking for a way out?
He talked to me because he wants his editors to demand so much more of him. He wants to be
pushed, challenged, coached to new heights.
The reporter believes that good stories spring from good questions, but his editors usually ask how
long the story will be, when it will be in, where it can play, and what the budget is.
He longs for conversations with an editor who will help him turn his good ideas into great ones. He wants someone to get excited about what he's doing and to help him
, exploring the best ways to report it. He wants to be more valuable for your paper. That's what you want for him, too, isn't it?
So your reporter has set me thinking.
Our best hope in keeping our best reporters, copy editors, photographers, artists -- everyone -- is to work harder to make sure they get the help they are demanding to reach their potential. If we can't do it,
they'll find someone who can. | Which of the following is nearest to the meaning of " _ " in the passage? | Study his story idea in details. | ['Get some general idea of his story.', 'Turn his writing over and over.', 'Find some reasons to kill his story.'] |
The plane landed with a gentle stop at the airport in Paris. I looked out of the window and noticed the boiling hot sun was shinning down on the city.
I stepped down the stairs into the luggage room, and my family were practically busy. I walked down to the convey belt and waited for my suitcase to come along. I must wait there for about ten minutes before it actually came, by then my family had signed forms so we could be let into the country properly.
I met up with my dad by the main entrance. My extremely annoying sister Talia was waving at us from the exit of the airport. My dad and I walked over and left the airport.
We walked around for an hour before we actually found our hotel. The French taxi driver had dropped us off at the wrong hotel, and we found out the hotel he had dropped us off about an hour away from where our hotel was. We walked around different streets. We walked into different shops, but they all had the same answer "sorry". My mom was so annoyed that she took about several mouthfuls of her vodka she'd bought at this alcohol shop before.
When we finally made it to the hotel, we checked in and made our way to our rooms. We were on the 17th floor, so the elevator ride up was rather long. I also had to share a room with Talia, which didn't really make my day. Ks5u
I got into my room and sat on my bed. I took my shoes and socks off and rubbed my hurt feet. Could this day get any worse? Well it could. "Let's go," my mom said excitedly. "Go where?" I said unwillingly. "Outside of course, we're in France! I want to taste the snails, the frogs' legs, the ... French wine!" she said.
We stepped out of the hotel entrance and lights came from everywhere. It looked wonderful and a bit like New York, but the building weren't as high and everyone looked so kind.
We walked down to the Eiffel Tower which was amazing, it was beautiful. I know I had to see this again, but maybe when I wasn't so tired. I sat down on the grass, and looked up at the sky, Paris looked wonderful at night, and the stars in the sky added to the effect. I looked back down and someone caught my eye, his face was not very familiar... | From the passage, what is the author's nationality? | America. . | ['France .', 'China .', 'Britain'] |
Have you ever had a day when everything seemed to go wrong, and nothing seemed to go right? Not too long ago I was having one of those days. I was discouraged, weary, and plain sad. My focus was on me. After all, no one else was experiencing the same trials I was.
I expressed my upset state to my mother, hoping for some pity. Instead, she said, "I heard Jamie was having a difficult day too. Why don't you make her some cookies and take them to her this afternoon?"
I didn't really want to, but decided that I didn't want to go back to my other problems just yet. I made the cookies and arranged them on a little plate. Then I made a card with a sunflower on it and wrote a small note of empathy.
That afternoon I dropped by my friend's house. I went to the door and rang the bell. Soon, Jamie came to the door and looked at me in surprise for the unexpected visit. Before she could say anything I rushed, " I heard you were having a hard day and decided to bring you something. I hope your day goes better." The look that came over Jamie's face was one that I could never put into words. It was as if a darkened sky was suddenly lit with the golden rays of the sun; it was as if in that small act, her day was brightened.
I got back into the car and for some amazing reason; I felt a lot better myself. That day I experienced the truth that James Barri attempted to describe, " Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves." | Which of the following is the best title for the passage? | Sunshine on a Rainy Day | ['Discouraged by Nothing', 'Giving Help to a Friend', 'Experience a Cheerless Day'] |
People who drink alcohol earn more at their jobs than non-drinkers, according to a US study that highlighted "social capital " gained from drinking.
The study concluded that drinkers earn 10-14 percent more than _ and that men who drink socially bring home an additional seven percent in pay.
"Social drinking builds social capital," said Edward String ham, an economics 'professor, "Social drinkers are outgoing, building relationships, and keeping in contacts, which results in bigger paychecks."
The researchers said the most likely explanation is that drinkers have a wider range of social contacts that help provide better job and business opportunities.
"Drinkers may be able to socialize more with clients and co-workers, giving drinkers ;an advantage in important relationships.Drinking may also provide individuals with opportunities to learn people, business, and social skills."
They also said these conclusions provide arguments against policies aimed at controlling alcohol use in university and public places.
"Not only do anti-alcohol policies reduce drinkers' fun, but they may also decrease earnings," the study said, "One of the consequences of alcohol restrictions is that they push drinking into private behavior.By preventing people from drinking in public, anti-alcohol policies ignores one of the most important aspects of drinking: increased social capital."
The researchers found some differences in the economic effects of drinking among men and women.They concluded that men who drink earn 10 percent more than non-drinkers and women drinkers earn 14 percent more than non-drinkers.
However, unlike men, who get a 7 percent income increase from drinking in bars, women drinkers who visit bars frequently do not show higher earnings than those who do not visit bars. | What's the best title of the passage? | Drinking Helps Increase Income | ['Income Differences Between Man And Woman', 'To Build Social Capital, Drink!', 'Anti-alcohol Policy is Reasonable'] |
Some of my friends are making big decisions in their life: Which universities should they apply to? I also notice that many high school students in China are thinking of studying at universities abroad. Unluckily, from what I've seen, the information given by some websites and other media about studying abroad is very limited and sometimes even wrong.
There was once a Chinese girl who hoped that she could go to Columbia University in the US because she wanted to major in journalism. However, they have no journalism program at the undergraduate level! What's more, in both Canada and the US, it's not suggested that students throw themselves into journalism right after high school. School say that students should take in more knowledge about the world and writing before entering that field.
The University of Waterloo, a Canadian university famous for its engineering program, is another example. The emphasis of engineering in this school may go beyond your expectations. According to our teachers, this university spent millions of dollars building a library just for engineering students. The school's computer science, mathematics and accounting are also great programs for students.
But, to be honest, according to my friends who have visited this university, the campus and the food are not very nice. Maybe this is because the school stresses its academic( )strengths too much, thereby paying little attention to personal comforts.
Now you see, choosing a university is really not that easy. We need to do good research and consult as many people as possible before making a decision. | For high school students it's very important to _ . | choose a proper university | ['study at American universities', 'learn the information about websites', 'supply the information about studying abroad'] |
A little stream flowed down from a high mountain far, far away through many villages and forests, until it reached a desert. The stream then thought, "I've been through countless obstacles. I should have no problem crossing this desert!" But when she decided to start her journey, she found herself gradually disappearing into the mud and sand. After numerous tries, she found it was all in vain and was very upset. "Maybe it's my destiny ! I'm not destined to reach the vast ocean in the legend, " she murmured sadly to herself.
At this time, a deep voice came, saying, "If a breeze can cross the desert, so can a river."
It was the voice of the desert. Unconvinced, the little stream replied, "That's because a breeze can fly, but I can't."
"That's because you stick to what you are. If you're willing to give it up, and let yourself evaporate into the breeze, it can take you across, and you can reach your destination," said the desert in its deep voice.
The little stream had never heard of such a thing. "Give up what I am now and disappear into the breeze? No! No!" She could not accept this idea. After all, she had never experienced anything like it before. Wouldn't it be self-destruction to give up what she was now?
"How do I know if this is true?" asked the little stream.
"The breeze can carry the vapor across the desert and release it as rain at an appropriate site. The rain will form a river again to continue its course," answered the desert very patiently.
"Will I still be what I am now?" asked the little stream.
"Yes, and no. Whether you're a river or invisible vapor, your inner nature never changes. You stick to the fact that you're a river because you don't know your inner nature," answered the desert.
Deep down, the stream vaguely remembered that before she became a river, it was perhaps also the breeze that carried her halfway up a high mountain, where she turned into rain and fell onto the ground and became what she was now. Finally the little stream gathered her courage and rushed into the open arms of the breeze, which carried her to the next stage of her life.
Perhaps you can try asking yourself these questions: What is my inner nature? What is it that I cling to? And what is it that I really want? | In the text the writer compares the stream to _ . | the course of life | ['the Truth', 'the courage', 'the obstacles in life'] |
That summer I drank every day, everywhere I went. I had a bottle in my drawer next to me and a bottle next to my bed. I never did another drug, but I drank so much that my family finally asked a priest for help. My father gave me a bottle of medicine for alcoholism that produces unpleasant symptoms when users drink alcohol. I drank while taking it, which made me very sick. And I still drank.
When the priest came, he said, "Jimmy, doctors said that with your diseases and the amount of drinking you're doing, _ . So your choice is either to stop drinking and live or to continue drinking and die within six months."
I said, "I know I can't stop, so guess I'll have to die." The priest told my family what I said. My little brother-who is like my soul mate, looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "But we don't want you to die." All I could think of was how desperately I had to get out of that room at that moment and have a drink.
But I finally stopped drinking. I was on the care team of my dentist Russell. A lot of people in New York knew him. At the time he was the most famous dentist in the city. He drank heavily and was also with AIDS, so I was selected to be on his care team. Everybody on the team was sober but me. He went through dementia and died so quickly before my eyes. I stopped drinking and I've been with the disease for 35 years now. | How did the author stop drinking? | He was persuaded by the dentist Russell's death. | ['The dentist Russell helped him to stop it.', 'His care team managed to inspire him.', "His little brother's soul saved him."] |
I used to work as a Certified Nurse Assistant at this rehabilitation/skilled nursing facility.
I just started my shift that afternoon, got endorsements from the previous shift, and prepared myself to meet my residents.
One of my residents that day was post-op total knee replacement. I went to her room, introduced myself as her CNA, and asked her if she needed anything before I leave her room. And then, she told me she’s having a hard time using the commode the previous nurses gave her when she was admitted to our facilty as it was very small for her given the fact that she also had a recent TKA (total knee arthroplasty). Because of this, I told her I’ll do my best to look for a commode that will fit her.
I looked in our two storage areas and fortunately, I found one that was perfect for her! Voila!
I disinfected it really well and returned to her room with her new commode. Her face immediately lighted up when she saw what I was carrying and she started tearing up! Startled by her reaction, I asked her what’s wrong and why was she crying. And then she told me she’s been asking the previous shifts for two days and no one’s bringing the right commode for her. They kept on telling they’re going to bring her a new one, but they probably ended up forgetting her request.
She was so ecstatic! I helped her try the commode and it really was perfect for her and she didn’t have a hard time using it.
She thanked me so much, and oh, it was mother’s day that day! She told me one of the most touching thing, “happy Mother’s day to your Mom and thank your Mom for me. She raised you really well.”
I had no idea a simple commode can bring so much joy to my resident. Small things really do matter! | The amount of time that the CNA took to look for a new commode probably was | 30 minutes | ['2 weeks', 'not enough information', '3 days'] |
As a nurse, what is the most difficult news you have ever had to break to a patient?
Sadly in my job (Ob/gyn nurse) there is one thing I have to report fairly often, that a pregnancy is not going to happen. Sometimes the mom’s are bleeding and they kind of know that this is going to happen, but sometimes, they are not bleeding and it is a gut punch without any warning. This can be an ultrasound that shows no heartbeat or a lab test that is declining.
Nothing is worse than the look on a woman’s face when she is looking forward to her first glimpse of her baby only to be told that the baby is not alive. It doesn’t get any easier, no matter how many times you do it.
My own daughter called me one day to announce she was pregnant and two days later, we found out she was miscarrying and I bawled all day. I never even knew this baby, but now, 15 years later, just writing this now is making my eyes water.
I have to do a lot of this over the phone and that makes it even harder because I am not able to offer comfort and I don’t know where they are or what they are doing when they get this news. If they call me for their lab results, they might be driving, they might be walking around the mall, they will have to call their significant other and break the news, such difficult conversations to have over the phone.
I have been very, very lucky that the few times I have seen advanced pregnancies that underwent a fetal demise were handled by the physicians that I have worked with. I can’t imagine being almost ready to deliver and having all your hopes and dreams crushed. Obstetricians sometimes have the very best job, bringing new lives into the world and seeing the new families bonding, but sometimes they also have the very worst job. | How long has the nurse likely worked in the OB/GYN field? | Several years | ['One year', 'not enough information', 'A few weeks'] |
Once again, I've analysed my year of travel to see if I'm any closer to reducing it year on year. It's an annual habit, and if often kicks off new ideas that might affect my team's next year of work. The good answer is: yes, there is less travel! And not just that, but having reduced the schlepping I do, I've been able to hire more amazing people to lead on our work, and celebrate one of NoTosh's best years ever in terms of the quality, quantity and breadth of work we're doing.
Key to traveling less has been a marked increase in the number of folk who see and are now reaping the value of working with us online. I've avoided as many as 20,000 miles of travel thanks to greener clients, who are also many dollars better off having not paid for the airmiles that are wrapped up in our regular fee structure.
The quality of our work is better, too, thanks to this. We are doing fewer of those day-long workshops with teachers or leaders, when an hour or even thirty minutes before the day gets started is more worthwhile. We're seeing more school leaders take this up, although it's harder to get teachers into the habit of taking 30 minutes 'me time' to jump into a coaching session on the day or week ahead. But it's starting, and the value to us all is huge. Coaching is very different to 'consulting a Personal Learning Network' on Twitter. It's intense, targeted, focussed and involves a one-on-one discussion that arrives quickly at resolutions to current day challenges that will have a long-term impact. And we come back to measure whether that impact actually happened. I don't think it's a way of working that many are used to in Education, although many corporate clients have had some rare experience with it. Encouraging both groups to take more regular time out for coaching, little and often, is a real challenge, but we're beginning to see some huge impact from relatively little input (and relatively few dollars!). | What is probably true about airmiles? | Airmiles are costly | ['Airmiles are rewarding', 'not enough information', 'Airmiles are inexpensive'] |
I felt encouraged by his words and began to swim more calmly.But my clothes stuck to me like a heavy weight.I could hardly stay above the surface.
Counsel saw this."Shall I cut them?"he asked.
With a knife he cut my clothes from top to bottom and took them of quickly while I swam for both of us.
Then I did the same for Counsel,and we continued to swim near each other.
But we were in serious trouble.The crew might not have noticed our disappearance.
And if they had,they could not return because the rudder had broken.Counsel thought of all this,and calmly made his plans.We decided to wait for the ship as long as possible,because we had no other hope of safety.I suggested that we save our strength so that both of us would not be tired out at the same time.This was how we did it:While one of us lay on his back,quite _ ,with arms crossed and legs stretched out ,the other would swim and push him along.We changed every ten minutes or so.In this way we could swim for hours,perhaps till daylight.The crash of the ship and the whale had appeared at about eleven o'clock.We had about eight hours to swim before daylight.This seemed possible,if the sea remained calm. | n order to save their strength, _ . | one of them pushed the other while swimming and then they changed | ['they both swam calmly', 'they crossed their arms and stretched their legs on the water', 'they lay on their backs instead of swimming'] |
Now that the stroke job is over , Mike talked about this on his show today . It 's an obituary that was posted in a local newspaper called the Daily Breeze in a community close to Los Angeles . When it first made the rounds on the internet it was believe it was a hoax . But it 's not , it 's been verified by the newspaper which has a copy of the death certificate . | How was it known that the death was not a hoax after all ? | The information that was on the internet was investigated . | ['Nobody thought it was a hoax because the internet always speaks the truth .', 'None of the above choices .', 'No obituary was ever posted in the local newspaper'] |
Since my last post , I went on a quick spur - of - the - moment trip to southwestern Colorado and northwestern New Mexico . My husband was there on business . Believe it or not , I stumbled across an airfare of $ 154 round - trip ( Houston to Albuquerque ) . And that price included tax and all the fees ! | What does the speaker think about the price of the tickets ? | It is very affordable . | ['It is not worth the trip .', 'It is a reasonable business expense .', 'None of the above choices .'] |
Four out of ten women who diet end up heavier than when they started watching their waistline, a study revealed today. The research also showed that a large percentage of women start noticing the pounds creeping back on just 21 days after reaching their ideal weight.
Yesterday, Dr Ian Campbell of the Jenny Craig weight management program said, 'In the UK 61.4 percent of adults are overweight or obese. Successful weight management requires a long-term commitment in order to lose weight successfully and for good. Dieting can be a real challenge so setting realistic goals and remaining focused on them is important. Otherwise as this research shows, women could end up heavier than when they started.'
The "Food, Body, Mind" report was publicized by Jenny Craig who quizzed 2000 women aged between 18 and 65 who diet regularly on their attitudes, beliefs and behaviors around weight loss. Six in ten said they were currently on a diet and one in five women said they were on a continuous diet.
It found the most common triggers to start dieting was seeing their reflection in the mirror, preparing for a summer holiday or unflattering photos posted on social networking sites. Other popular reasons include comments by friends or relatives or their other half.
However, the study showed that one in ten give up within one day, while almost a fifth manage to make it to a week or more. The average is ten days. Many blamed pressure they put on themselves to lose weight too quickly for the weight gain, which leaves them with a bigger appetite than normal. Others blamed colleagues, who tuck into fatty lunches and snacks unaware of the effect it has on the dieter, while mothers' polishing off their children's leftovers was another common cause of weight gain. | In the UK, women who go on a diet _ . | are likely to gain weight again after reaching their ideal weight | ['are all overweight or obese', 'all fail because they are not persistent enough', 'end up heavier than when they start to diet'] |
(1)Secretary. Part time. 20 hours a week. Busy doctor's office. Experience preferred. Good typing. Call 555-2438.
(2)BABY SITTER. 3 to 6 weekday afternoons. I will take you home. $5.00 an hour. Call 555-5593.
(3)Guitar lessons. Your home or mine. Experienced musician. Master's degree in music. Call Louise 555-6131.
(4)TENTH STREET BLOCK PARTY. Sunday, July 15. Noon to 8. Food, games, prizes, live band, Tenth Street between Main and North,
(5)APARTMENT FOR RENT. 3 sunny rooms on high floor, great view. Separate kitchen. Wall-to-wall carpeting. The living room can be used as dining room. Email: [email protected].
(6)TAXI DRIVER WANTED. Full or part time. Experience necessary. A good knowledge of the city is required. Call 555-8860 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekday.
(7)A stereo system for sale, It has two speakers. The system has an AM/FM radio. It also has a tape deck and turntable. It is in good condition. The stereo was owned for only one year. The price is $200 including the speakers. The owner will also take the highest price offered if the asking price is not met. Call Bill after 6 p.m., at 555-9834. | We may learn from the ads above that _ . | a baby sitter is paid by the hour | ['the party will be held without any music', 'the rooms for rent cannot get good sunlight', 'people can get guitar lessons at any places they like'] |
He 's always requesting custom videos from Me and Monique and Ceara ... and I ' m sure others , too . He 's actually really fucking annoying . Well apparently little miss jamie is a pain - slut too . | Why is the narrator annoyed with " him " ? | He has asked for the same thing a bunch of times . | ["He wo n't leave Miss Jamie alone for being a slut .", 'He made a custom video of them .', 'He is a pain and a slut .'] |
Ennis had stewed about it , but the airline folks had said that there was nothing they could do so he just had to bear it , knowing the part of his plan about arriving before Jack left for the game had to be scrapped . He realized , though , that he could go straight to the rink via cab and it would be even better to surprise him at the game . That would be the last place Jack would ever expect to see him . | What was Ennis stewing about ? | None of the above choices . | ['The plane Ennis was on crashed and most people died .', "Ennis was mad because he did n't get a good first class seat .", "The credit card Ennis had did n't work ."] |
Suppose you are reading a book. Suppose, too, you suddenly close your eyes. Can you still see the book? "Of course not," you will say. But can you tell why? You would probably say, "When I close my eyes my eyesight cannot get out of my eyes to get to the book. " But this explanation is wrong.
You cannot see any object unless light from that object gets into your eyes. Some of the things you see give off light of their own. The sun, the stars, a lighted lamp are examples of that can be seen by their own light. Such things are luminous. Most of the things you see are not giving off light of their own. They are simply reflecting light that falls on them from the sun or some other luminous body. The moon, for example, does not give off any light of its own. It is non-luminous. You see it because sunlight falls on it and some of it reflects in your direction. So moonlight is only second-hand sunlight.
When you look at a book, it sends to your eyes some of the light which falls on it, and you see the book. If light could be kept out from where you are so that there would be no light for the book to reflect, then you could not see the book even with your eyes wide open.
Light travels so fast that the time in which it travels from the book you are reading to your eyes is so short as if there were no time at all. Light reaches us from the moon, which is about 380,000 kilometres away, in only a little more than a second. | _ have light of their own. | The sun and the stars | ['The sun and the moon', 'The stars and the earth', 'The moon and the earth'] |
so last night when i went clubbing this girl said to me in the washroom wow you look super skinny ! and i was like i m sorry what ? and made her repeat because i was in such disbelief ! | Why was the writer in such disbelief ? | Because a girl in the washroom said she looked skinny . | ['Because when she went clubbing there was another girl in the washroom .', 'Because she made the girl in the washroom repeat herself .', 'Because she was very sorry when she met the girl in the washroom .'] |
In a small bowl , mix 2 tablespoons of the milk with the cornstarch . In another large bowl , whisk the cream cheese until smooth . In a large saucepan , combine the remaining milk with the heavy cream , sugar , and corn syrup . | What will need to be done before I can complete the task making this recipe ? | Any ingredients not on hand will have to be purchased . | ['I will mix 3 tablespoons of milk with the cornstarch .', 'I will find a medium sized bowl to whisk the cream cheese .', "I will go to the neighbor 's to buy a large saucepan ."] |
There used to be a term that was used to describe someone who drove their vehicles down the highway while staring at the scenery. These drivers just drove slowly, taking their own sweet time, as if they had nothing to do and no place in particular to go. Thus, the expression, " _ ", was born. Consequently, a Sunday driver wasn't necessarily someone who was driving on a Sunday. A person could be a Sunday driver any day of the week. _ .
The expression probably came about because there was a time when people would often decide to go for a relaxing drive on Sunday afternoons. A Sunday drive was a common occurrence years ago and especially on a nice warm sunny day. There were no stores open on Sunday because of the "blue laws", so you needed to be sure and fill up the gas tank and make any other needed purchases before Sunday arrived.
Some of the states had strict blue laws that even prohibited some activities on Sunday. However, there is still a lot to be said for the slow, gentle life that once existed. It was a time when very few people worked on Sunday except for those professions vital to our well-being such as those in the medical profession. It was a day "set apart" that was used to rest, visit with neighbors and friends, or maybe go to grandma's house for supper. Today there are many who return to work and children who go back to school overly tired on Monday due to a lack of rest. Perhaps there would be less stress related illnesses if we really kept Sunday as a day of rest. | According to the passage, "Sunday driver" refers to the person who _ . | drives for fun and relaxation | ['drives his vehicle on Sundays', 'enjoys a weekend break', 'makes a Sunday purchase'] |
When I was a patrolman working the 11PM to 7AM shift we received a phone call from a police department about 200 miles away in a neighboring state. It seems that department was holding one of our elderly residents who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.
Earlier in the day this gentlemen got the keys to his wife’s car and went for a ride. He quickly became confused and lost, so he just kept driving. The last 60 miles of his journey consisted of a low speed police chase. This poor man was scared to death and only pulled over when his vehicle ran out of gas.
A request was made for us to send an officer to transport this gentleman the 200 miles back to his home. Because we were at minimum shift strength, the Sergeant determined that a family member would have to go and get him.
I returned to work the following night and at nightly briefing, I asked if anyone had an update on the man’s transport. The sergeant said he hadn’t heard anything, which is when a junior patrolman spoke up. He said that man is from my neighborhood and after I got home from work this morning, I drove the 400 mile round trip and picked up my neighbor and returned him home to his wife. I just got back into town about an hour ago, so I changed into my uniform, and I’m here for my shift!
I learned later that this patrolman had taken it upon himself to contact the man’s wife and the only vehicle they owned was out of gas 200 miles away. So this officer stayed up all day after a working the midnight shift and used his own car for the 400 mile trip. The officer said when he picked the man up at the station; he looked at the officer and smiled. He recognized his neighbor. This frail elderly man surely did not remember this selfless act of kindness. But it made a lasting impression on me, and on what it means to be a good cop. | How long did the round trip take? | About 8 hours. | ['not enough information', 'About 4 hours', "The junior patrolman's entire shift"] |
( that 's what they called Sandy ) . They loved the idea and asked me countless times , " is she really gon na get them ? " Their eyes were full of such hope that they would reach their Grammy with these balloons . I reassured them that they would bring a huge smile to her face . | What may be a fact about this family ? | They have a grandmother that had passed away . | ['They are having a big ceremony for their grandmother .', 'They believe God will receive their balloons .', 'None of the above choices .'] |
SeaWorld San Diego is one of the world's famous marine adventure parks with 200 acres of world-class shows, thrilling rides and unforgettable animal encounters. More than 80 million visitors have explored the mysteries of the sea here.and spent the day checking out all eleven shows including the performance of Shamu the killer whale. In between shows you can enjoy yourself on Shipwreck Rapids. When you find that the excitement has drained your energy you can take a break to watch Shamu close! Summer special SeaWorld San Diego 7-days pass
Adults at Kid's Price! Unlimited admission to SeaWorld San Diego for up to 7 consecutive days from date of first use.(available through September 30, 2010)
Adult (ages 13+) Gate Price $69.00 Your Price$56.50
Child (ages 3-12) Gate Price $59.00 Your Price $56.50
7-Day Pass FREE BONUS: SeaWorld San Diego
The Go San Diego Card is your ticket to the best San Diego has to offer. For one price you can enter over 55 attractions - including the San Diego Zoo, The U.S.S. Midway, Legoland, Whale Watching Excursions, and much more. The Go Card is the only ticket you need, saving you up to 55% compared to buying individual admissions. Plus, enjoy VIP access to some of San Diego's top attractions.(available April 1, 2010 - March 31, 2011)
Adult (ages 13+) Gate Price $284.00
Child (ages 3-12) Gate Price $210.00
Child's Ticket for Only $5.00
For nearly 50 years, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has been rescuing and rehabilitating animals in need. We also work to support conservation efforts around the world. It's our passion and our duty. We would like to invite you to be a part of it.
Now through December 31, 2010, when U.S. residents purchase a full-price adult admission, children ages 3-12 receive a ticket to SeaWorld for only $5.00. (Limit of one $5.00 SeaWorld Cares child ticket with each adult ticket purchased - up to a maximum of 6 child tickets). If you require more child tickets, you'll need to purchase these from the 7-day child ticket listed above. 100% of the proceeds will be donated by SeaWorld to the SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Conservation Fund.
Adult (ages 13+) Gate Price $69.00 Your Price$69.
Child (ages 3-12) Gate Price $59.00 Your Price $5 | If your couple and your child(age 11)take a tour during Summer special SeaWorld San Diego, _ . | you can start your visit any day before September 30, 2010 | ["you'll have to pay more than $179.50", 'you can visit the park any day you like during the season', 'you have only to pay no more than $184.50'] |
i guess i enjoy the time i spend with my current girlfriend . we laugh a lot . playing video games brings some small amount of joy . i do n't know if this happiness is outweighing the other , though . | What may the narrator and their girlfriend do on a date night ? | Stay in and watch movies . | ['None of the above choices .', 'Go to the theater .', 'Go to an expensive restaurant .'] |
More than half of Americans do not take all their vacation days,even though they think they need one more holiday. And nearly a third of workers who take a break check their emails from the boss every other day and some even keep in touch hourly.
"We're workaholics ',"said Samuel Nahmias."From a general perspective,this has a lot to do with the economic situation in the US. More and more people are unemployed."
With jobless numbers reaching 9.6 percent,people who have jobs seem to be unwilling to take time off." _ People are not going on vacation as much and those who are going on vacation are being more selective about where they are going."Nahmias explained.
Unlike European countries where four or more weeks of holiday each year is normal,27 percent of people questioned in the poll said they had 6 to 10 days of annual leave and 20 percent had less than 3 days.With more people on unemployment lists in America,those still with jobs are facing more responsibility at work,which is reflected in their lack of time off.
The majority of workers who did not take time off mentioned too many responsibilities or stress at work,while some people said they simply did not have time to plan a holiday."People are more conscious of what they are doing and when they are going on vacation because they don't want to look bad in this situation,"Nahmias explained.
Technology is also playing a part with smartphones enabling workers to keep in contact in ways that were not possible before.It has to do with technology and the level of concern about what is going on in the office. | What's the main idea of the text? | Many Americans don't choose to take vacations. | ['Americans are all workaholic.', 'Unemployment is going from bad to worse.', 'US economic situation becomes worse and worse.'] |
Title : The Five People You Meet in HeavenFandom : AnimorphsCharacter(s ) , Pairings : Tobias , mentions of othersRating : TWarnings : Book!verse with spoilers through the WHOLE series . Seriously . Ending and all . | Why would the narrator seek to read the aforementioned book . | The narrator is looking to become more religious . | ['None of the above choices .', 'The narrator is looking to become more worldly on science matters .', 'The narrator is looking to become more athletic .'] |
Xian Dongmei is a " mommy " gold medalist , and she 's caused a sensation for it in China . Xian is the first mother who 's captured a gold medal in China . She already had one gold medal under her belt for judo at the Athens 2004 Games . | What country may Xian currently be living in ? | China | ['Vietnam', 'United States', 'Guyana'] |