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XDD So because I answered the question right , I got a keychain - ma - thing that has Mike and Sulley on it and on it it says ' Screen Debut 2002 ' . XD I ' m assuming it was a Cast Member exclusive pin when the movie first came out in Japan but it 's really cool cuz it says Tokyo Disneyland on the back . One of the Japanese girls gave it to me as my ' reward ' I guess . | Why was the narrator gifted a key chain ? | They got a question right . | ['It was a giveaway for attending the event .', 'It was a consolation prize .', 'It was the consolation prize after answering incorrectly .'] |
I believe this was just before Raise Your Hands . By Your Side . : ) < 3You know , I thought it peculiar how Bill every time Bill left the stage , he ran . Well , at least two out of three times . | What may be a plausible fact about me ? | I am talking about a concert . | ['None of the above choices .', 'I am talking about the movies .', 'I am talking about school .'] |
Buying a house for most of the people is a once in a lifetime decision, which means people decide to do so only after coming across the ideal house. Surprisingly, eight in every 10 home buyers are unhappy with their houses.
A survey conducted by the Beijing Consumers' Association (BCA) recently shows about 80 percent of the 2,315 respondents in 23 residential complexes of Beijing are dissatisfied with the soaring house prices.
They think the reasonable price in Beijing should be between 3,000 yuan and 7,000 yuan per square meter.
The quality of the buildings, the surrounding environment and traffic and property management are the other factors that play a role in people's decision to buy a house.
The BCA has suggested strict sales regulations and contracts to ease house-owners' sufferings. It has urged the authorities to impose severe punishment on developers found violating building and other rules and joining hands with others to bid up property prices, About 41.2 percent of the respondents have complained that their house have defective designs, while nearly 40 percent say the lighting and ventilation are far from satisfactory.
The landscapes in the residential areas are a source of unhappiness for 43.2 percent of the respondents, and about one-third say they were "
" into buying "third grade" house. And more than half are not satisfied with the sport and entertainment facilities in their neighborhood.
Property management in the buildings, 56.5 percent of the respondents say, is way below standard compared to the high fee charged by the complexes.
60 percent of the consumers doubt the contents of developers' advertisements, with only 6.3 percent being satisfied.
Experts have suggested consumers gather thorough knowledge about a developer and their work before deciding to buy a house from it. They should check the day-light conditions and ventilation in different weather conditions in advance, if possible. | If you want to buy a flat, according to the survey, you will consider the following EXCEPT _ . | the height of the building | ['property management', 'the surrounding environment', 'the quality of the buildings'] |
I have never had a lot of money. But I don’t believe you have to have a lot for it to become burdensome. Money has always seemed to be a burden. Either you have it and the obligation and responsibility becomes a burden (so I’ve been told, ha) or you don’t have it and life without money becomes a burden. I guess money became a burden to me when I started paying my own bills.
Let me explain. I raised my 2 girls by myself. I was fortunate to have a good job as an office manager for a doctor in Dallas. I was able to pay my bills and juggle things around to afford what the girls needed for school and what not. When I didn’t have money for something they wanted I felt like I carried the world on my shoulders. I didn’t let them know how stressful it all was because I felt like it was none of their business. They were kids and needed to be kids. They would soon enough be feeling the stress of managing their own household and shouldn’t be asked to help shoulder that burden as kids.
Once, me and my youngest daughter, who was an adult at this time, went to a drive in fast food place and got a couple of drinks. My daughter was treating me and when the car hop came to deliver the drinks, my daughter gave her $5.00 as a tip, which was more than the drinks! I, of course, asked why she did that and she told me that they live off their tips and she knew what that was like having been a waitress before. I said something about her needing the money as well and how money makes the world go around. She said “No, Mom, you can be dead-assed broke and the world is still going to go around.”
That was when I quit letting money be a burden. | What did the mother do? | Raised two girls alone | ['Raised dogs for a living', 'not enough information', 'Raised two boys alone'] |
American Girl
It's packed with the things that matter most to girls: party plans, games, crafts and girl-to-girl advice.
American Girlis an appealing, age-appropriate teen magazine that allows young girls to be themselves.
The magazine features fun contests, puzzles, giggles, and more! Stories, creative games, cool contests and great sports tips for girls aged 7-11 are available in each issue ofAmerican Girl magazine.
Issues per year: 6 Cover price: $ 27.95 Sale price: $22.95
Ladybug
Beautiful, colorful, and delightful to read, each issue is filled with charming read-aloud stories, games for memory and skill building, songs, poems, and activities for beginning readers. Parents can visit our online Parents Companion that recommends additional activities, crafts, and books.
Issues per year: 9 Cover price: $44.50 Sale price: $33.95
Cicada
A monthly magazine for teenagers and young adults aged 14 and up. It offers high-quality fiction and poetry dealing with the issue of growing up, leaving the joys and pains of childhood behind, and becoming an adult. Cicadamagazine also encourages its teen readers to submit their own writing for publication. It's so inspiring and humorous that you will not be able to put it down.
Issues per year: 6 Cover price: $51.00 Sale price: $33.95
Sorts Illustrated for Kids
It covers sports kids like. Featuring interviews with sports heroes, entertaining comics, breathtaking action photos, tips from the pros , news items of recent notes, games, puzzles, cartoons, fiction, advice from athletes, etc.Sports Illustrated for Kidsis a magazine for children aged 8 and up.
Issues per year: 12 Cover price: $47.88 Sale price: $ 24.95 | Which of the four magazines is the most suitable for a 4-year-old child? | Ladybug. | ['American Girl.', 'Cicada.', 'Sports Illustrated for Kids.'] |
Many people say dolphins are very intelligent. They seem to be able to think, understand, and learn things quickly. But are they smart like humans or more than cats or dogs? Dolphins use their brains differently from people. But scientists say dolphin intelligence and human intelligence are similar in some ways. How?
Fact 1: Talk to me
Like humans, every dolphin has its own "name". The name is a special whistle. Each dolphin chooses a specific whistle for itself, usually by its first birthday. Actually, scientists think dolphins, like people, "talk" to each other about a lot of things, such as their age, their feelings, or finding food. And, like humans, dolphins use a system of sounds and body language to communicate. But understanding their conversations is not easy for humans. No one speaks "dolphin" yet, but some scientists are trying to learn.
Fact 2: Let's play
Dolphins are also social animals. They live in groups, and they often join others from different groups to play games and have fun--just like people. In fact, playing together is something only intelligent animals do.
Fact 3: Fishermen's helper
Dolphins and humans are similar in another way: both make plans to get something they want. In the seas of southern Brazil, for example, dolphins use an interesting strategy to get food. When fish are near a boat, dolphins show signs to the fishermen to put their nets in the water. Using this method, the men can catch a lot of fish. What is the advantage for the dolphins in doing so? They get to eat some of the fish. | Why do dolphins join others from different groups? | To play games. | ['To learn to "talk".', 'To meet their families.', 'To find food.'] |
In many parts of the world, cars play an important role in daily life and many societies would not exist without them. So the idea that in 20 years' time, no one will own cars may be hard to believe. But this is the prediction made by a team of transport researchers who are taken seriously, not only by government but also by car manufacturers.
The Human Science and Advanced Technology Institute at Loughborough in the UK is part of an international research program. The team there believes that by 2020 all cars will be computerized. That will mean much saving, no accidents and better use of roads. The super-intelligent car in the future will drive itself. And it will not be owned by one individual. Instead, we will have a choice of cars and change them as frequently as we change our clothing.
According to Dr. David Davis, who leads the research team, these predictions are based on the rising cost of the car culture, which had blocked up our cities, polluted our air, and caused more deaths than both world wars put together.
Davis says, cars will be fitted with some intelligent devices to regulate the distance between one car and another. The car will automatically speed up, or slow down, to match the speed of the car in front. computers are much safer drivers than people, so cars in a road train will be able to drive much closer together than cars driven by people.
By 2016, Dr. David Davis believes, car technology will give motorists a clear view of the road, whatever the weather conditions, by projecting an image of the road ahead on to the car's windscreen. And by 2020, cars will travel in line, linked to each other electronically. Cars will be connected by an electronic tow bar to the car in front to form "road-trains". "The front vehicle in such a train burns the normal amount."says Davis. "but all the others in the train would burn about ten percent of the normal amount, and so produce about ten percent of the pollution." | Which of the following sentences can explain "better use of roads"by 2020 mentioned in the passage? | Computer-driven cars drive much closer together than cars driven by people. | ['Motorists can have a clear view of the road whatever the weather conditions are.', 'Cars will travel in convoy, linked to each other by an electronic tow bar.', 'Intelligent cruise control devices can regulate the distance between one car and another.'] |
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened tariffs on an additional $100 billion worth of Chinese goods, on top of the $50 billion in import taxes he already has proposed against Beijing. Though none of the tariffs have taken effect, it's the latest posturing in a trade dispute that some fear could escalate into a trade war.
For decades, Trump has complained about China's trade practices. One of his main complaints is what he calls Beijing's theft of U.S. intellectual property.
Last month, Trump cited IP theft as justification for his proposed tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese goods. China retaliated by threatening its own tariffs on the same amount of U.S. goods. Trump then escalated the dispute, saying he would consider tripling the amount of goods to which tariffs would be applied.
China gains access to U.S. technology by employing several tactics, which many observers have said are unfair or illegal.
Beijing has long required that U.S. businesses transfer technology to Chinese companies as a precondition of entering the Chinese market. For instance, if you are a U.S. carmaker who wants to sell automobiles to China, Beijing requires that you team up with a local Chinese company, or face steep tariffs on imported vehicles.
In other cases, China requires U.S. companies to comply with localization requirements by storing sensitive data in the Chinese mainland. That increases the risk of intellectual property theft through means such as cyberattacks.It's difficult to quantify the value of technological knowledge. But according to an estimate last month by the U.S. trade representative, Chinese theft of American intellectual property costs between $225 billion and $600 billion every year.
That rate is unsustainable, said top White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow. "We can't afford to give up our technology," Kudlow said Friday. "When they steal our technology ... they're stealing the guts of our American future."
The Chinese government has always denied carrying out the cyberattacks that frequently target U.S. companies. | At the end of this story Trump is probably: | complaining about Chinese trade | ['not enough information', 'protecting Americas future', 'posturing in public'] |
Riding School:
You can start horse - riding at any age.Choose private or group lessons any weekday between 9:00 a.m.and 8: 30 p.m.(3: 30 p.m.on Saturdays).There are 10 kilometers of tracks and paths for leisurely rides across farmland and open country.You will need a riding hat.
Opening Hours: Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m.--8:30 p.m.
Phone: (412) 396 -6754 Fax: (412) 396 -6752 .
Sailing Club:
Our Young Sailor's Course leads to the Stage I Sailing qualification.You'll learn how to sail safely and the course also covers sailing theory and first aid.Have fun with other course members, afterwards in the clubroom.There are 10 weekly two - hour lessons ( Tuesdays 6 p.m.-- 8 p.m.).
Opening Hours: Tuesdays: 6:00 p.m.--8:00 p.m.
Phone: (412) 396 -6644 Fax: (412) 396 -6644
Diving Centre:
Our experienced instructors offer one - month courses in deep - sea diving for beginners.There are two evening lessons a week, in which you learn to breathe underwater and use the equipment safely.You only need swimming costume and towel. Reduced rates for couples.
Opening Hours: Monday and Friday: 6: 30 p.m.--8:30 p.m.
Phone: (412) 396 -6312 Fax: (412) 396 -6706
Medical Center:
The staff of the Medical Center aim to provide convenient and comprehensive medical care to students and staff of the university. The center is well equipped and the staff here are trained to deal with a broad range of medical problems.Both female and male doctors as well as nursing staff are available for consultation. Also, all kinds of medicines are sold here and are cheaper for students than other drugstores.
Opening Hours: 24 hour from Monday to Sunday
Phone: (412) 396 -6649 Fax:(412)396 -6648
Watersports Club:
We use a two - kilometer length of river for speedboat racing, and water - skiing, a beginners course consists of ten 20 - minute lessons. You will learn to handle boats safely and confidently, but must be able to swim. The club is in a convenient central position and is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4: 00 p.m., with lessons all through the day.
Opening Hours: Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m.--4:00 p.m.
Phone:(412)396 -6899 Fax:(412)396 -6890 | If you are planning to explore the ocean depths, you should attend your lessons at _ . | Monday and Friday: 6: 30 p.m.- 8: 30 p.m. | ['24 hour from Monday to Sunday', 'Monday through Friday : 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.', 'Tuesdays: 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.'] |
I dropped out of Reed College after the first 6 months, but then stayed around as a drop-in for another l8 months or so before I really quit. So why did I drop out?
It started before I was born. My biological mother was a young, unmarried college graduate student, and she decided to, put me up for adoption. She felt very strongly that I should be adopted by college graduates, so everything was all set for me to be adopted at birth by a lawyer and his wife. Except that when I popped out they decided at the last minute that they really wanted a girl. So my parents, who were on a waiting list, got a call in the middle of the night asking: "We have an unexpected baby boy; do you want him?" They said: "Of course. " My biological mother later found out that my mother had never graduated from college and that my father had never graduated from high school. She refused to sign the final adoption papers, She only gave in a few months later when my parents promised that would someday go to college.
And 17 years later I did go to college. But I artlessly chose a college that was almost as expensive as Stanford, and ail of my working class parents' savings were being spent on my college tuition. After six months, I couldn't see the value in it. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and no idea how college was going to help me figure it out. And here I was spending all of the money my parents had saved their entire life. So I decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out OK. It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made. The minute I dropped out I could stop taking the required classes that didn't interest me, and begin dropping in on the ones that looked interesting.
It wasn't all romantic. I didn't have a dorm room, so I slept on the floor in friends' rooms, I returned coke bottles for the $ 5 deposits to buy food with, and I would walk the 7 miles across town every Sunday night to get one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna temple. I loved it. And much of what I stumbled into by following my curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless later on. | Why did the author think dropping out was a good decision? | He could follow his passion. | ['He could transfer to Stanford.', "He didn't have to attend classes any more.", 'He could spend more time in Hare Krishna temple.'] |
So , last night I had this insane dream that I was supposed to go see Rigoletto at the Met , but when I got there ( a little late ) my friend and I had separate tickets and were n't seated together . So I went walking around looking for a place to sit , and ended up as the overture started on the mezzanine level where there were these cafe tables . I know , you 're saying Overture ? | Where did he find a place to sit ? | At the cafe tables . | ['At the Overture .', 'None of the above choices .', 'Together with his friend .'] |
Because this system is so amazing , its going to make headlines . Incredibly ... you are first in line and in position to discover secrets only a handful of people on the Internet know about Craigslist . Secrets that up until now , have n't been shared with anyone ... | Why is the narrator so excited about Craigslist ? | The narrator sees a uniqueness in it . | ['The narrator sees it as par for the course .', 'None of the above choices .', 'The narrator sees it as routine .'] |
She has on a soft pink bra and panty that show off her lovely skin and accent her massive bust . She loves to model and show off so it wasn?t long until she was naked and spreading her pussy for the cameras . Watch her use her red vib while licking her lips and moaning like a bitch in heat ! | Why is the narrator so worked up ? | They are getting intimate . | ['They are angry about a broken bra .', 'They are upset at the pink paint on their car .', 'They are mad about the shoddy bra they bought .'] |
Today many people say that women have the same chance as men in society. But this was not always so. In the past, women all over the world had to fight to get the same chance as men in education and jobs. Many people said that women should not receive much education because they would not do as well as men when they went to work.
One woman who showed that women should have the same chance was Marie, a scientist. In the 1800s scientists knew that a metal, uranium, gave off radiation. They also knew how much radiation came from his element. But they didn't know what this radiation was like; they wondered why and how uranium gave off radiation. Marie Curie set out to answer these questions. In one of her experiments she was studying a certain material which, she knew, contained uranium, But it gave off 4 times as much radiation as usually does. What could explain this fact? Marie Curie thought that there must be another source of radiation in this material.
In 1898 Marie Curie set out to find out this new source of radiation, which she named "radium". Her husband, who was also a scientist, helped her. They set up a laboratory in an old building behind a school. For four years Curies searched, doing many experiments, And one morning in 1902 Marie found the source of the radiation.
Marie Curie proved to the world that there was element that gave off radiation. And she also proved to the world that, if women are given truly equal chance, they can really help society. | Marie Curie proved to people . | both B and C | ['that there was a new element uranium', 'that there was a new element radium', 'that women could do their work as well as men if they were really given the same conditions'] |
Recently I went to the Tsavo National Park in northern Kenya for a film. We set off early for a distant water hole. A huge elephant,covered with dry mud,drank calmly and deeply. He might have traveled 50 km to reach the water. He wasn-t going to hurry now. He-d drink a while and then rest in the shade, and then drink again-or so we thought. What actually happened was that he drank deeply and stepped away. Then he suddenly fell down. Within minutes he was dead.
We called animal doctor Jeremiah Poghon immediately. He removed the head of a poisoned arrow from the eLephant s body,and let out over 100 litters of pus -the result of the elephants meeting with a poacher months before.
Today's poacher shoots from a blind. He fires an arrow,covered with poison,into the body of an elephant. If the poacher is lucky,the elephant might die in an hour or two; if not,he might have to follow the elephant for days before it dies. Often the arrow head fails to kill the elephant at once-it doesn't mean the poison won't finally kill the elephant,but it will be a slow death. Living in Tsavo through these times,l could see the results of poaching from time to time.
When I think about the death of that elephant,what stays with me is the extraordinary silence after the shocking sound of his body hitting the ground. I took some comfort from the knowledge that as the dead body returned to the soil,some animals would benefit-but I couldn't escape the feeling that with the death of such a large animal,the world seemed a poorer and emptier place. | Why did the author write the text? | To show the cruelty of poaching. | ['To introduce African elephant.', 'To describe his filming experience.', 'To ask readers to protect wild animals.'] |
He was a part of me in a way I would never know while living . And here , in the distorted heaven projected around me , I finally could . And damn if the words did n't make tears sting in my eyes . I would have been embarrassed , but I think I was past all that . | What will the narrator do related to the subject ? | The narrator will mourn for the subject . | ['The narrator will explode on the subject .', 'The narrator will ignore the subject .', 'The narrator will yell at the subject .'] |
Researchers have established that when people are mentally engaged, biochemical changes occur in the brain that allow it to act more effectively in cognitive areas such as attention and memory. This is true regardless of age.
People will be alert and receptive if they are faced with information that gets them to think about things they are interested in. And someone with a history of doing more rather than less will go into old age more cognitively sound than someone who has not had an active mind.
Many experts are so convinced of the benefits of challenging in the brain that they are putting the theory to work in their own lives. "The idea is not necessarily to learn to memorize large amounts of information," says James Fozard, associate director of the National Institute of Ageing. "Most of us don't need that kind of skill. Such specific training is of less interest than being able to maintain mental alertness." Fozard and others say they challenge their brains with different mental skills, both because they enjoy them and because they are sure that their range of activities will help the way their brains work.
Gene Cohen, acting director of the same institute, suggests that people in their old age should engage in mental and physical activities individually as well as in groups. Cohen says that we are frequently advised to keep physically active as we age, but older people need to keep mentally active as well. Those who do are more likely to maintain their intellectual abilities and to be generally happier and better adjusted. "The point is, you need to do both," Cohen says. Intellectual activity actually influences brain-cell health and size. | What is the passage mainly about? | The importance of mental activities in the efficiency of the brain. | ['Special mental training for old people.', 'Biochemical changes in the human brain.', 'The influence of intellectual activities on brain-cell size.'] |
Carly Zalenski's eyes filled with tears as the dusty bus ran down a dirt road in southern Vietnam. The 14-year-old and her family had traveled by plane from Canton, Ohio. Now, as they approached the village, hundreds of cheering schoolchildren lined the entrance to the Hoa Lac School, a two-story concrete building that Carly had raised money for.
Carly started helping others at eight, handing out Thanksgiving baskets at church to families in need. It was a snowy day, and she saw many girls didn't have warm coats. The next November, she went door to door asking for used coats, hats, gloves and scarves, and then handed them out with the baskets.
But Carly wanted to do more. She remembered her grandmother's Rotarv Club ("") had, years earlier, raised money to build a school in Vietnam. That was what she now wanted to do.
At 12, she began to raise money for Vietnamese children with a PowerPoint presentation. "The kids in rural Vietnam don't have decent schools. I want to give them a place to make their lives better," she told a room of 200 Rotarians.
That summer, Carly set off with her family across Ohio, visiting three or four Rotarv Clubs a week. "We traveled like crazy people to all these meetings," recalls her mother, Kris.
At first they got no donations. But one night, Carly and her dad, Fred, pulled up to a building in Minerva, Ohio. Carrying a laptop, a projector and a screen, they walked into a bar where 15 people were sitting around a long table. There was dead silence after Carly finished her presentation. Fred thought that was never going to work. Then someone made a motion: "Let's give this girl check right now." Minutes later, Carly walked out with her first donation: $500.
Not everyone was _ about the idea of helping Vietnam. "Why should we help it?" asked one veteran . Carly replied simply, "They're kids. And I'm just a kid who wants to help out."
As word spread, individual donors sent checks for as little as $5. A restaurant chain contributed $1,000. Carly's coach organized a tournament that netted $4,000. A bible camp bought 500 backpacks for the children. In two years, Carly raised $50,000. | Why did Carly once collect used clothes from door to door? | To give them to people in need. | ['To donate them to a charity.', 'To help Vietnamese children.', 'To raise money for a Rotary Club.'] |
Teenagers who do not get enough of the nutrients commonly found in fruits and fish are easier to have bad lungs, coughing and wheezing .Teens who eat the least of fruit and especially vitamin C have weaker lungs compared to the others.
Teens who take in less vitamin E, found in vegetable oil and nuts, are more likely to have asthma , Jane Bums at the Harvard School of Public Health found.
Based on these findings.Bums said that current recommended dose of vitamin C, 85 mg a day, may not be enough for teens to have healthy lungs.Teens who eat less fruit and don't take in enough fatty acids are more likely to have asthma and the signs of breathing difficulty.
Proper amounts of fatty acids are protective, Bums said, though fish, the best source of fatty acids, is particularly unpopular with teenagers.Fatty acids are also found in some nuts as well as some green vegetables'.Smokers who avoid vitamin C will increase their chances of coughing, wheezing and developing phlegm .
More than 80 percent of teens are getting their recommended doses of vitamin C - mainly from fruit drinks."I wouldn't approve of drinking them, but at least they're getting their vitamin C from somewhere," Burns said.
Burns added that there are several different ways to get the necessary nutrients."I think vitamin supplements are fine.I think adding vitamin D to orange juice is fine.But I do think there are added benefits that we don't fully understand of eating whole foods like fruits and vegetables and fish," she said.The researchers did not account for poverty and other factors that often distinguish less-healthy eaters and may explain their findings. | Which of the following is NOT mentioned by the researchers in the passage? | Whether poor teens can prove their findings. | ['The amount of nutrients teens should take in a day.', 'How teens can take in enough nutrients.', "The fact that teens don't like fish."] |
I ca n't get the Beatles song ' Day Tripper ' out of my head . Please make it stop . Got a good reason for taking the easy way out , Got a good reason for taking the easy way out - now , She was a day tripper , One way ticket , yeh , It took me so long to find out , and I found out . She 's a big teaser , she took me half the way there , She 's a big teaser , she took me half the way there - now , She was a day tripper , One way ticket , yeh . | What is this situation called ? | An earworm | ['An earache', 'An earthworm', 'An earbug'] |
If God could sing, his name must be Declan Galbraith. The boy was born on December 19, 1991 in the UK. He is an English singer of Scottish and Irish origin. His grandfather, who was in a band and played several instruments, often took Declan to concerts he was participating in. The mix of Scottish and Irish musical traditions inspired Declan and became his early musical influence. k%s5$u
Declan's talent was publicly acknowledged for the first time when, at just 7 years old, he insisted on singing at the annual Rochester Dickens Festival, a two-day event where people were invited to dress up in Victorian costumes to celebrate the life and times of the famous novelist Charles Dickens and his links with town. Little Declan, dressed up as a chimney sweep, started singing. Soon after this, he started to enter local talent contests and within a year he had won 15 titles and more than PS1000.
His first self-titled album, Declan, with Irish traditional songs and some specially written materials became a big success and charted in the UK and Ireland. Within the year of release , it had 200 000 copies in Germany.
Although Declan is a British citizen and singer, Declan is better-known abroad, especially in China where his songs were chosen as part of the Chinese education curriculum for children learning English. In May 2008, Declan undertook a successful tour in China, and the cities included were Beijing and Shenzhen. | What greatly affected Declan Galbraith in his early singing career? | Musical traditions of Scotland and Ireland. | ['His great success in Irish traditional songs.', "His grandfather's band.", "Charles Dickens' novels."] |
As people in Beijing and northern China struggle with severe air pollution this winter,the toxic air is also making life hard for plants and even food crops of China.
"in the last 50 years there has been a 1 6-fold increase in ozone pollution"in the Beijing area,said Hanqin Tian of Auburn University in Alabama,who studies the effects of China's pollution and climate change on plants.
Ozone is particularly harmful to plants because it damages the pores on leaves,called stomata,which plants use to regulate how much water evaporates from the leaves.That,in turn,affectS how much water a plant must take up through its roots.Changes in water uptake by plants have been documented in other parts of the world,including the United States,as having major impacts on regional groundwater and surface water supplies.
In studies of the long-term productivity of plants,Hanqin Tian and some of his colleagues show that ozone pollution,along with climate change,has been lowering plant productivity in China,which reduces the amount of carbon and other pollutants that the plants Can absorb to fight all the emissions from the burning offossil fuels.
The worst effects on plants are likely to be in areas where the growing pollution problem is just fairly new, said Arthur Chappelka, also a plant researcher at Auburn University.Some plants are more resistant to pollutants than others,he said,and the plants that are living today in long-polluted urban areas are likely to be only those that are very pollution tolerant.
Away from the cities, however, where crops are necded to feed China's yast population, the effeets of the growing pollution on crops is a significant concern.
"In some ways it affects the crop production and food securiy of China,"said Hanqin Tian."Air quality is really important for human health, plants and ecosystem and sustainability."
The problem is bound to get worse as China continues to develop economically, he said, and so he and other researchers continue to urge the Chinese government to take action to reduce emissions from cars and industries. | ozone does harm to plants mainly by _ . | damaging the structure of their leaves | ['exposing them to strong sunlight', 'adding more pores to the roots', 'making the land unfit for the plants to grow'] |
Was just about to climb into bed at 11.45 last night when the home phone rang . The phone does nt normally ring at this time , it was Di whispering " Can you come over here , Justins just had a heart attack ' . Yeah I 'll be there in 5 ! | what would happen if the ringing phone had not been picked up ? | I would have directly gone to sleep | ['None of the above choices .', 'I would leave the bedroom', 'I would talk to Di'] |
Singing had always been an important part of Gloria Estefan's life. " Since I was three years old, I sang. I sang everything," Gloria said. "Gubans," she added, "are a musical people."
Gloria was born in Cuba in 1957. Her family left the country just before Fidel Castro came to power. In Miami, where the family settled, many people did not accept Cuban immigrants. In first grade, she spoke little English, but she worked hard to learn the language. Six months after she entered school, she won an award for reading in English!
When Gloria was ten , her father returned from the Vietnam War. Soon, the family realized he wasn't well. They soon found out that he was badly ill. Her mother went back to teaching at school to support the family. Gloria cared for her father and her younger sister.
She still made the honor roll, and she still had her music, but Gloria was lonely. However, when the band leader Emilio Estefan came to speak at her high school, Gloria sang for him. He asked her to join his band. It was the beginning of the Miami Sound Machine. Within a few months, the Miami Sound Machine was the top band in Miami. In 1978, Gloria and Emilio married.
At first, the Miami Sound Machine was known only in Miami. Then the band signed with CBS Records. Estefan and his band became stars.
Since then, the Miami Sound Machine has sold millions of records. Estefan has done more than just singing when Hurricane Andrew hit central Florida in 1992. She used only two weeks to organize an all-star concert that raised $ 2 million for the people who suffered in the hurricane. "We needed a party after that _ ," she said.
Estefan said, "You have to stay true to the music you really love to do. There will always be people who will tell you, 'that won't work.' You've got to be firm in spite of difficulties. Stick to it----that's the main thing." | According to the passage, probably Estefan did the following except _ . | teaching at school to support the family | ['organizing an all-star concert for Hurricane victims', 'winning an award for reading in English', 'taking care of her father and sister'] |
BEIJING,Feb.5,2013(Xinhua)-Chinese health authorities on Tuesday launched a campaign to fight against assisted reproductive technology (ART:) abuse.Unauthorized ART use,surrogate motherhood and the illegal collection and supply of sperm and eggs,as well as the illegal sale and abuse of ovulation induction medicine,will be targeted.
The Ministry of Health and health department of the People's Liberation Army General Logistics Department jointly announced the campaign at a conference.Both departments also ordered all of their local branches to _ permits for new organizations that wish to offer ART treatments.That is,new organizations will not appear recently.Official figures showed that at the end of 2012,China had 358 organizations authorized to conduct ART treatment.
The health ministry also delivered a brief statement of the country's current infertility rate and ART use.The infertility rate in China is now between 7 and 10 percent,the ministry said.Some 70 to 80 percent of women who are suffering from infertility can be pregnant after changing their lifestyles and receiving medical treatment.Around 20 percent of infertile couples have to resort to ART to have babies.In 2011,about 350,000 people received ART treatment and more than 60,000 infertile couples successfully had children with the help of ART,the ministry said. | What's the best title of the passage? | China targets ART abuse | ['ART is used in China', 'ART is illegal in China', 'China increases ART using'] |
On May 12, 2008, an earthquake of 8 magnitude struck prefix = st1 /Sichuan. Everyone inChinawas shocked, and quickly became heartbroken as reported deaths climbed from 10,000 to 32,000 to more than 62,000 people. The death toll is still rising, and the number of injured and missing is many times more.
The Chinese people faced this disaster with compassion and courage. I was touched by the teacher who died forming a bridge with his body between two desks, protecting four surviving students under him, by the trapped child who told the rescue workers to save others first, and by the dying mother who texted her baby, "My Treasure: If you survive, always remember I love you." She died using her own body to protect her 3-month-old from harm. But don't worry about this baby growing up without a family. Thousands of families in Chinahave already volunteered to adopt earthquake orphans.
And the Chinese people faced this disaster with resourcefulness and tenacity . A brave CEO took his weekend SUV, drove hundreds of miles, started digging, and saved several lives. A child used his hands to dig out two fellow students. His hands were severely injured, but his friends survived. Cab drivers turned their cars into ambulances and delivery trucks. More than 100,000 brave soldiers risked (and some gave) their lives to find every survivor.
These are the heroes among us, whether they use an SUV, a shovel or a phone. Their heroic deeds and selflessness inspired me so deeply that I can recall only one other such occasion. It was 9/11---I vividly remember the police officers, the firefighters, and of course the passengers and crew on United Flight 93.
As a Chinese American, I hope that the Chinese and the Americans will see that they have so much in common---their compassion, courage, and generosity. I hope that people will see that these heroic commonalities are much stronger than any differences. And I hope that these heroes from 9/11 and 5/12 will inspire all of us to turn our anxiety into courage, our misery into tenacity, and our sorrow into love. | The author compares the 5/12 earthquake to 9/11 attacks because _ . | both Americans and Chinese were brave and full of compassion in emergencies | ['they were both natural disasters', 'he is a Chinese American', 'both killed a large number of people'] |
La Gomera is the only place in the world which has a whistle language. We do not know how and why it began because we do not know the complete history of the island. But we can certainly imagine the reasons for the beginning of the whistle language. There are many deep valleys on the island. A person on one side of a valley can not easily shout to a person on the other side. But he can whistle and be heard. Some of the best whistlers can be heard from four miles away and the record is seven miles.
The people who live on the island usually have good teeth, and this helps them to whistle well. They must also have good ears so that they can hear other whistlers.
We can understand why the whistle language continues. It is very useful on the island, and quite easy to learn. When somebody is hurt or ill, the whistle language takes the place of telephone. If the sick person is quite far away from the town, people pass the message from one to another. A boy guarding cattle on a hillside whistles to a man fishing from his boat. The last one is able to describe the trouble fully and exactly to the doctor in town. People help one another in the same way when a car breaks down or a cow is lost.
The whistle language is hundreds of years old, and probably it will continue to live on for hundreds of years more. Radio and TV often kill the special ways of speaking in different parts of a country. But on La Gomera you are nobody if you cannot whistle. Perhaps soon after TV arrives on the island, people there will be whistling the news and other facts and opinions. | If a person on La Gomera is ill, _ . | the whistle language will help pass the message to the doctor | ['others will phone the doctor in town', 'people will take him to town by carriage', 'his family will take him to the hospital'] |
Scientists have created a way to control a robot with signals from human brain.By generating the proper brainwaves--picked up by a cap with electrodes that sense the signals and reflect a person's instructions--scientists can instruct a humanoid robot to move to specific locations and pick up certain objects.
The commands are limited to moving forward,picking up one of two objects and bringing it to one of two locations.The researchers have achieved 94 percent accuracy between the thought commands and the robot's movements.
"This is really a proofofconcept demonstration," said Rajesh Rao,a researcher from the University of Washington who leads the project."It suggests that one day we might be able to use semiautonomous robots for such jobs as helping disabled people or performing routine tasks in a person's home."
The person wearing the electrode cap watches the robot's movements on a computer screen through two cameras installed on and above the robot.
When the robot's cameras see the objects that are to be picked up they pass on the information to the user's computer screen.Each object lights up randomly on the computer screen.When a person wants something picked up and it happens to light up,the brain registers surprise and sends this brain activity to the computer and then to the robot.The robot then proceeds to pick up the object.
A similar algorithm is used to decide where the robot will go.
"One of the important things about this demonstration is that we're using a 'noisy' brain signal to control the robot," Rao said."That means we can only obtain brain signals indirectly from sensors on the surface of the head,not where they are generated deep in the brain.As a result,the user can only generate highlevel commands such as indicating which object to pick up or which location to go to,and the robot needs to be autonomous enough to be able to execute such commands."
In the future,the researchers hope to make the robots more adaptive to the environment by having them carry out more complex commands. | What is special about the robot introduced in the passage? | It is controlled by human thoughts. | ['It can be made humanoid.', 'It can be used to help the disabled.', 'It has high intelligence itself.'] |
It 's got character . You know what they say : ' If it ai n't too broke , do n't fix it ' . " Howard stood up in his pyjamas that smelled of Vince , and looked out of the window . He repeated Vince 's aphorism over and over until his heartbeat settled a little . | What was Howard doing when he walked to the window | He was thinking | ['He was sneezing', 'He was chewing gum', 'He was scratching his lap'] |
The World Health Organization warns that millions of people are dying every year from indoor air pollution. The WHO finds that poor cooking, heating and lighting technologies are killing millions of people each year.
Indoor air pollution results from the use of dangerous fuels and cook-stoves in the home. To help fight the problem, the WHO announced, new guidelines aimed at reducing household pollutants.
WHO officials say nearly three billion people are unable to use clean fuels and technologies for cooking? heating and lighting. And they say more than seven million people die from exposure to indoor or outdoor air pollution each year. Of that number, the WHO says about 4. 3 million people die from household air pollution given off by simple coal cook-stoves. Most of the deaths are in developing countries.
Carlos Dora is Coordinator in the WHO's Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health. He says people should not use unprocessed coal and kerosene fuel indoors. He says opening a window or door to let out the harmful air will not improve the situation. It will only pollute the outdoors.
WHO officials say indoor pollution leads to early deaths from stroke, heart and lung disease, childhood pneumonia and lung cancer. Women and girls are the main victims. The United Nations found that more than 95 percent of households in sub-Saharan Africa depend on solid fuels for cooking. It says huge populations in India, China and Latin American countries, such as Guatemala and Peru, are also at risk.
Nigel Bruce is a professor of Public Health at the University of Liverpool. He says researchers are developing good cook-stoves and other equipment to burn fuels in a more efficient way.
WHO experts note some new, safe and low-cost technologies that could help are already available. In India, you can buy an induction stove for about $ 8.00. And in Africa a you can buy a solar lamp for less than $ 1. 00. | What has been done to reduce indoor air pollution? | The WHO issues official advice to cut down pollution, | ['The WHO provided selfless assistance for the poor.', 'People are forbidden to use coal-stoves inside.', 'People are taught how to correctly use their stoves.'] |
It was around 9 pm. Before heading to dinner in Jayanagar T Block, I was told by my wife that the rickshaw fare would be 40 rupees. Anyhow I had 150 rupees in my pocket. My wife said that if the drivers of rickshaws see out-of-town travelers, they'll scam them one way or another.
At a crowded stop, a young girl extended her hand through the iron bars on the side of our rickshaw to ask for some money. After we refused, or rickshaw driver started his remarks on giving.
"Giving is good. Every human should give. But we should know how to give." The rickshaw driver continued, "Most of these kids are trained by some guy who keeps all the money. It's run like a business. All of us should give, but this is just not the right place to give."
He talked a bit more before we arrived. I asked about the fare. "39 rupees," he said.
Now, most people who get cheated end up saying, "Well, you know, I don't mind paying extra if it is a good guy but I refuse to be cheated." I gave him 40 rupees, and he gave me a 1 rupee coin in return (Most folks would just round up). So I put the coin in my wallet, and took out a 100 rupee note.
"Can you do me a favor?" "Of course, sir," he replied politely. "We were talking about art of giving. You seem to know how and where to give. Can you put the 100 rupees to good use somewhere?"
"Give me your address and I'll make sure I get a receipt of where I gave," He replied without hesitation. I didn't understand him at first. Then I smiled and told him, "I trust you."
So on the way back, instead of taking a bus to my place, I walked for the whole distance since I didn't have enough money. It was almost 1 a.m and I had to wake up at 6 a.m the next day. But I still walked. | It can be inferred from the passage that _ . | the driver would give away the 100 rupees instead of the author | ['the author gave the driver 100 rupees for his kindness', 'the author walked home to save money', 'the dinner which the author had was not free of charge'] |
The number of big-production movies shot in San Francisco has _ with the rise of digital technology. Instead of going on location, producers can recreate the city's look in studios with the help of computers at lower cost. But San Francisco still attracts moviemakers, as its long history of film offers plenty of iconic spots to visit. Here are just a few:
Alcatraz: The Enforcer (1976), Escape From Alcatraz(1979), Murder in the
First (1995), The Rock (1996)
A federal prison from 1934 to 1963, Alcatraz housed notorious criminals. Now a national park, Alcatraz offers visitors a chance to tour the prison, including a look at one of the cells portrayed in Clint Eastwood's Escape from Alcatraz, with the concrete chipped away behind the vent .
Fort Point, Golden Gate Bridge: High Anxiety (1977), Foul Play (1978), The Presidio(1988), Dopamine(2003)
Built to protect the San Francisco Bay area from attacks during the Civil War, Fort Point is where James Stewart saved Kim Novak in Vertigo, right at the base. The bridge has also been blown up countless times on films, including inX-Men:The last Stand (2006) andMonsters vs. Aliens(2009). The best view is from the north side, looking back to the city.
Coit Tower: The Enforcer, Inner Space(1987), The Presidio, Sister Act 2(1993),
The Rock, Dr. Dolittle (1998), Boys and Girls(2003)
The narrow white concrete column at the top of Telegraph Hill has been a part of San Francisco's skyline since 1933, and offers amazing views of the bay and the city. Coit Tower has been in the backdrop of numerous movies filmed in San Francisco.
City Hall: A view to a Kill(1985),Class Action(1991),Final Analysis(1992),Bedazzled(2000),The Wedding Planner(2001), Milk(2008)
City Hall has one of the largest domes in the world and it replaced a structure destroyed in the 1906 earthquake. It was used at the end of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and Metro City Hall in the 2010 animated movie,Megamind, was an homage to San Francisco's City Hall. | This passage is most likely to be found in the _ section of a newspaper. | travel | ['people', 'science', 'adventure'] |
It's certain:for twins,life really does imitate art.My twin brother,Kirk,and I grew up being constantly mistaken for each other.Classmates,friends,teachers,even relatives couldn't tell us apart. As a result,we were often unfairly punished or rewarded.
Eventually,we learned how to use the Mistaken Identity Syndrome (MIS) to our advantage.For example,we would play tricks on our friends and classmates,pretending to be the other twin.Nor were teachers immune to our tricks.On at least one occasion,when Kirk was sick,I covered for him by taking his tests.We also tried our little game out on Mom,but she always knew who was who.Once we grew up,we even covered for each other at work.We didn't mean any harm;we simply started this as an experiment to see whether our bosses and co-workers could tell the difference.
As a bank manager, I meet with dozens of clients on a daily basis, while my brother manages a staffing service for local employers. As a result, Kirk is constantly approached by people who want to discuss their various money accounts, while I'm frequently thanked on the street as a department store customer service representative.
However, the MIS took a truly embarrassing turn when Kirk and I found ourselves unable to tell each other apart. Once, my brother and I were traveling in a car with several friends. My brother's hair must always be in place. Kirk was driving when he noticed in the rearview mirror that his hair was a bit messy.
He lifted his right hand to brush his hair back into place and was disturbed when his hand didn't appear in the mirror. Several times he repeated this action. Finally, he started laughing. | According to the passage, the Mistaken Identity Syndrome is_. | the situation of mistaking identities | ['a kind of disease difficult to cure', 'the tricks that children like to play', 'the way to separate two similar things'] |
A new genius in physics like Einstein will emerge , scientists say. But it may take a long time .After, more than 200 yeas separated Einstein from his nearest rival , Isaac Newton. Many physicists say the next Einstein hasn't been yet, or is a baby now.
And researchers say there are many factors working against another Einstein emerging anytime soon. For one thing, physics is a much different field today. In Einstein's day, there were only a few thousand physicists worldwide, and the theoreticians who could intellectually rival Einstein probably would fit into a streetcar with seats to spare. Education is different, too. One essential aspect of Einstein's training that is overlooked is the years of philosophy he read as a teenager--Kant, Schopenhauer and Spinoza, among others, It taught him how to think independently and abstractly about space and time. Einstein was also an accomplished musician. The interplay between music and math is well known. Einstein would furiously play his violin as a way to think through a knotty physics problem. Today, universities have produced millions of physicists. There aren't many jobs in science for them, so they go to Wall Street and Silicon Valley to apply their analytical skills to more practical and rewarding efforts.
"Maybe there is an Einstein out there today," said Columbia University physicist Brian Greene, "but it would be a lot harder for him to be heard." Especially considering what Einstein was promoting. "The actual structure of space and time bending? My God, what an idea!" Greene said at a recent gathering at the Aspen Institute. "It takes a certain type of person who will knock his head against the wall because you believe you'll find the solution." Perhaps the best examples are the five scientific papers Einstein wrote in his "miracle year" of 1905. These" thought experiments" were pages of calculations signed and submitted to the prestigious journal Annalen der Physik by an unknown.What might happen to such a submission today? "We all get papers like those in the mail," Greene said. "We put them in the junk file." | The writer mentioned Newton in the text to _ . | explain why there won't be a new Einstein soon | ['show other scientists are no equal to Einstein except Newton', 'explain the difficulty to find a talented physicist', 'praise his scientific contribution to the world'] |
It did n't kick too bad , but after five or ten I bet it would hurt . It had a metal buttplate and would be a nice ride if I would have had a sissy pad . The one on the right is a pre-64 Winchester .308 iirc . | What may be a valid thing the narrator is talking about ? | He is describing the accessories for a firearm . | ['He is describing a bucking bronco .', 'He is telling us about a sturdy old - time saddle .', 'None of the above choices .'] |
The computer , forex , was on an extremely non - ergonomic " desk " ( I use that term loosely ) . And I was thinking I wanted to shift the orientation of the other desk . And while I was at it , it was high time to unpack my textbooks and , er , toys , and pretend like I actually belonged there . | What is meant by " pretend I actually belonged here " ? | I am being facetious I actually mean to settle in and really feel I belong . | ['None of the above choices .', 'I am pretending to be a regular employee but I am actually the boss .', 'I mean I will play a game in this office where I just sort of wandered in .'] |
Oh, yes, I accidentally insulted a bully.
It was awesome.
This was about a month ago. It was the last day I worked. Memorial Day at the city rec center is SLOW, especially when it's beautiful outside, but for some reason, we had two front desk attendants: me, and “bully #1”.
Bully #1 clearly had a major distaste for me. She hated my tattoos, the way I would get into a heated debate one day with a police officer patron, then have a fantastic conversation with him days later about legalizing marijuana. She hated that I was liked, but still could give fuck-all about what others thought of me.
Bully #2 was our financial director, who got stuck as the manager on duty that day. I honestly never had a clue she didn't like me. She was intense and sarcastic with everyone. I liked her style.
On this day, I really got the feeling they were trash talking me pretty hard, the way they kept disappearing, talking over me, laughing like mean girls. I blew it off, because I was down an internet rabbit hole, trying to wrap my brain around some concepts.
I was looking at a word, and while I like to think I know exact definitions, sometimes I ask people their take on it. Many psychological terms have some subjective meaning.
I spun around in my chair, locked eyes with #2, and asked her:
“What do you know about Machiavellianism?”
I swear to God, all I wanted was her take on it (she's a smart cookie), and all hell broke loose. I now realize that she thought I was passive-aggressively accusing her of said word. They got really nasty (behind my back, of course). They retreated to the back for awhile, and left me by myself. Cue loud, mean girl laughter.
When #1 resumed her post next to me at the front desk, I calmly told her, “I'm cashing out, and leaving. I'm uncomfortable.”
And I did.
It was noon. We were closing at 1. I figured those bitches could handle it on their own. | What holiday was it? | Memorial Day | ['not enough information', 'Arbor Day', 'Labor Day'] |
The US space agency NASA is looking for people to go to Mars, and stay there. This attractive career is for people who want a huge change of scenery and planet. The project is called the Hundred Years Starship, which aims to colonize other lands such as the red planet Mars.
Settlers would travel to the red planet and live there forever. NASA says it would be too expensive to bring humans back to Earth. The space agency can afford, however, to send supplies to the astronaut pioneers from Earth. Astronauts would be landed on the planet's surface and would never be able to return home due to the cost.
NASA has started the project with $1.6 million, and hopes to attract investment from space-living billionaires. Google co-founder Larry Page told NASA he would be interested if the cost of a one-way ticket can go down from $10 billion to $2 billion.
The journey to Mars could take 4 months. Setting on the red planet would be extremely dangerous, especially given the freezing temperatures there. The thin atmosphere would be another problem as it is mostly carbon dioxide, so oxygen supplies are a must. A director in NASA said that he believed the trip might start with visiting Mars's moons first. He claimed that humans could be on Mars's moons by 2030.
Many scientists think colonizing space is absolutely necessary. Steven Hawking believes we must move to other planets to survive as a species. He said: "Once we spread out into space and establish independent colonies, our future should be safe." Scientists Dirk' Schulze-Makuch and Paul Davies also call it a "desirable goal", though there surely are huge risks to explore new lands. | Which of the following is TRUE about the Hundred Years Starship? | It aims to explore new lands in the universe. | ['It has cost NASA around $10 billion.', 'It is expected to be conducted on Mars in 2030.', 'It is a project first raise by Steven Hawking.'] |
I added chopped walnuts . I got 16 muffins . Oatmeal Muffins ( Adapted from " 500 Cupcakes " by Fergal Connolly)Makes 12 - 16 muffins2 cups all - purpose flour1 cup packed light brown sugar1 tbsp . baking powder1 tsp . | What will happen if too many nuts are added to the mixture ? | The muffins will fall apart . | ['The muffins will bake more quickly .', 'The muffins will taste better .', 'None of the above choices .'] |
" We never gave up . We kept digging , kept trying , and after we scored the first goal , we had some good chances to tie the game . It 's just part of the game where you get chances and you miss them . We just have to do a better job overall . | What happened for the final result of the game ? | After we scored the first goal , we still ended up losing by a thin margin despite our best efforts . | ['After we scored the first goal , we managed to keep improving our score until we got a draw .', 'None of the above choices .', 'After we scored the first goal , we lost our momentum and lost a horrific defeat to the other team .'] |
At the onset of a northern winter, many dream of warmer climates.In 1934 the Canadian-born composer Colin Mcphee did more than dream. He set out for the island of Bali.
In his bookA House in Bali,Colin Mcphee described how he first gained insight into the essence of Balinese music.For about a month he had been working on transcribing a complete score to a Balinese play he had seen. It seemed impossible that so much beauty could be achieved with a scale of only five tones.
But the distinctive embellishments of the music _ him.Fortunately a young household helper and his friend decided to assist. One morning they set two objects next to Mcphee's piano.They were gangas--metal keyed instruments.The two boys played them in what struck Mcphee as"a fast duet in Morse code".
At last the composer had found the key to Balinese music."Wait!" Mcphee would call out from the piano as the boys flew along,"Stop!Please!That bit once more!"
Patiently the boys would stop and began again.But soon they were flying again,faster than ever, amazing Mcphee with their memory and precision. Sometimes the patterns repeated.Sometimes they opened up into something new. Then, suddenly the whole duet would fly apart and the boys would burst out laughing,breaking the spell.
Although Colin Mcphee left the island in 1939,he remained spellbound by Balinese music.And its rich,distinctive sound would colour many of the compositions he would write for the next quarter century. | Colin Mcphee was astonished because _ . | The two boys played their instruments so precisely and skillfully | ['the two locals played part of Balinese music once more unwillingly', 'Colin Mcphee eventually found the key to Balinese music', 'The Balinese music displayed something new for Colin Mcphee'] |
I’ve often been asked, “What is a blog?” This is my attempt to answer that question in a simple way.
The word blog is short for web log and although the quick answer for me would be “a web journal” or “online diary,” I think blogs encompass more than that.
Blogs are platforms for people to write about pretty much anything and everything. I was first introduced to the concept when a few friends starting writing family blogs as a way to keep in touch with distant friends and relatives or keep up with documenting their lives for themselves or their children. Sort of like a modern day scrapbook or baby book.
Then, I followed a couple friends as they blogged about traveling around America. One’s purpose was to find a small town to settle in and the other’s purpose was to kill time while unemployed and waiting for a call to serve as a minister.
Now I follow all sorts of blogs. There are blogs about dogs, traveling, kids, cooking, religion, fitness, politics, crafts, parenting, writing, educating, interior design, you name it! There are even blogs about blogging!
Individuals run blogs. Groups of friends run blogs. Businesses run blogs. Religious institutions run blogs.
Blogs are a way for people to connect over certain topics and interests, socializing in the ever-growing blogosphere. Chances are, you’ve read blog posts without even realizing it. Most look like an article you’d find on any website. But blog posts typically have a personal touch.
They’re a wonderful way for people to share tips, tricks, tutorials, inspiration, and more with others.
If you want a more thorough definition of the term blog, this one is from Wikipedia.
Blogs are also a way for businesses to advertise through honest reviews and giveaways. They partner up with bloggers to spread the word about their products or services. So, some bloggers are also advertisers. | Where does the writer publish his writing? | not enough information | ['on Wikipedia', "on a friend's blog", 'on his own blog'] |
Then she finally convinced me to purchase this one : Yes , my very first pair of Havaianas . An unexpected milestone for me . So after our shopping spree , we decided to kill time by watching Robert De Niro and Al Pacino 's movie Righteous Kill . After that , we bummed around Greenbelt 3 by laying on one of the couches and reading EGM . | What product category can we reasonably assume that the item Havainas falls under ? | We can reasonably guess that Havainas are a brand of sneakers . | ['Havainas are most likely a brand of earrings', 'We can conclude that Havainas is an automobile brand', 'None of the above choices .'] |
He is so sweet to them . He loves to make us laugh , and he tries really hard to help me be a happy mom . I love talking to him at night ( when he spills his guts ) , I am always amazed at how he handles the day 's situations . Since the day Tyler could walk , he has carried a hockey stick . | Why is the female narrator so grateful to the man ? | He is a great dad . | ["He is a good step dad to the narrator 's son .", 'None of the above choices .', "He is a great hockey coach for the narrator 's son ."] |
Lindsay Lohan has stepped up to her big sister role by squashing claims her younger sibling , Ali Lohan , has breast implants . Speaking out on her celebrity blog on the social network MySpace , the former Herbie starlet lashed out at the paparazzi for the outlandish rumor . She wrote : " ... two paparazzi come up out of nowhere ( like usual ) and start throwing questions at me ... one of them being , " Hey Lindsay , what do you have to say about people commenting on your sisters implants ? " ... ... My response simply was , " Did you really just ask me that ? | How does Lindsay feel about the people asking questions ? | They are inappropriate and intrusive . | ['None of the above choices .', 'They are correct about the rumors .', 'They have too many comments .'] |
Xinhua Sept.25,2008
JIUQUAN, Gansu---China launched successfully its third manned spacecraft on Thursday with three astronauts on board to attempt the country's first-ever space walk.
The spaceship Shenzhou VII blasted off on a Long March II-F carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the northwestern Gansu Province at 9:10pm.after a breathtaking countdown to another milestone on China's space journey.
On board pilots Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng are expected to orbit the earth for three days, when one of them will float out of the cabin about 343 kilometers above the earth.
When they make it, China will become the third country in the world who is able to conduct extravehicular activity (EVA) in space following the former Soviet Union and the United States.
President Hu Jintao watched the historic moment at the launch center, joined by Chinese experts and other work staff.
Hu briefly met the trio astronauts before they entered the spacecraft Thursday afternoon, wishing them "a complete success in this glorious and sacred mission".
"During the mission, you will carry out China's EVA with homemade EVA space suit, which is a great leap for China's space technology." said Hu.
Other tasks of the Shenzhou VII crew include the release of a small monitoring satellite and a trial of the data relay of the satellite Tianlian-I.
If successful, the mission would be of great significance to the country's future plans to build a space lab and a space station, said ZhangJianqi, deputy chief commander of the manned space project. | The tasks of the Shenzhou VII crew include the following EXCEPT _ . | building a space lab and a space station | ['the release of a small monitoring satellite', 'a trial of the data relay of the satellite Tianlian-I', "carrying out China's EVA with homemade EVA space suit"] |
Let me just say it 's a really good thing a little white bag was provided because I used it . About 5 times on that short little ride . It took me a good two and half hours to feel better after having some carby french fries , a drink and just sitting out of a few rides watching the rest of the family . From then on DD12 and DH pointed out the kiddie rides saying they might be more my speed . | What is the reason for the little white bag ? | It is an airline throw up bag . | ['None of the above choices .', 'It is the peanut bag .', 'it is the leftover bag of french fries and snacks for the trip .'] |
Late that afternoon I took the train back to Sydney. There I found another surprise waiting for me. My room at the hotel had been given to somebody else and they had no room for me. Harkin had known my travel plans and had planned everything. How could he have booked the room only for three days? There was nothing to be done but to find another hotel. The waiters were happy to find me a new hotel, and when I said that I was happy to stay at the airport, thinking it might be cheaper than staying in the city, they suggested the Holiday Inn at the airport. There was one small matter: the room rate was 300$ per night. The best hotel in Katoomba had wanted only 145$. I asked if there was anything cheaper they might suggest but they warned that most hotels would already be full by this time.
The hotel was far from the train station, so I had to take a taxi, as 25$. On the way to the Holiday Inn, we passed a hotel just two blocks from the Holiday Inn that advertised a room rate of 104$. At the desk I asked if their room rate could go down a lot. "No, this is a 4star hotel," the waiter told me. "In that case," I replied, "I'll just walk the two blocks to the cheap hotel." But she warned me that they were probably full and that if I didn't take the room, it might not be available when I came back. Finally, I decided to take the room.
The room itself was big, but the air conditioning couldn't keep up with the Australian heat. I couldn't get to sleep until about 1:00 am. | What was the weather like at that moment? | Hot. | ['Cold .', 'Cool.', 'Warm.'] |
Howard reached tentatively behind him , all the while wondering what he got up to last night , his mind whirling with potential possibilities . The smell of alcohol and perfume brought him back to his senses : of course , it was Vince . Who else would it be ? | What may be the reason his mind was whirling with possibilities ? | He has a history of exercising poor judgement when he is drunk . | ['None of the above choices .', 'He has a history of waking up at home wondering who he is .', 'He has done alot of amazing things when drunk that he forgets .'] |
Online educational learning games is an effective way with endless option for teaching kids of all age groups, and children are also able to operate it without much assistance. Parents find it easier to teach kids through these programs, who become familiar with operating the computer.
Kids have fun learning phonetics, spelling and even a new language. Children are not willing to learn math tables or difficult words at school. They find it fun to sit in front of a computer and learn language and solve mathematical problems. In this age of computers, computers are becoming an important part of the child's daily curriculum with parents opting to teach these children new things each day with the help of online educational games.
Computers are also known to improve the motor skills in children. In addition, the level of these games can be adjusted according to the level and learning ability of the kids. The makers of the games keep the kids' interest in mind while designing them so that their interest is maintained. Another advantage of these games is that you can find free online games and do not have to invest in these expensive products. Other activities that are available on the internet include online coloring games. This is also a constructive way that children can use to pass their leisure time.
Another advantage is that the children can lay in the comfort of their homes. Kids who are fond of playing on the computer can spend their time learning educational material instead on video games that teach violence.
Parents have to keep an eye on their kids and make sure that they do not spend their time on the computer playing games that could be harmful for them. It is essential to direct the kids to educational sites that have beneficial games and are known to help the progress of these children. | What is the main idea of this text? | Online games can be helpful to kids. | ['Online games can be harmful to kids.', 'Kids like to play games online.', 'Parents are worried about their kids.'] |
For whatever reason , Ennis had changed , and Jack was excited to be the recipient of his new feelings . Still , a small part of Jack remained guarded . Ennis 's history required a bit of self - preservation , and Jack could n't help that . It hurt , but it was necessary . | Why is Jack heartened by the behavior of Ennis ? | Jack feels that Ennis is more empathetic . | ['Jack feels that Ennis is more honest now .', 'Jack feels that Ennis is more ready to make money .', 'None of the above choices .'] |
Though the first time we went to the ice skating ring she almost cried because my cousin did n't let her skate because he was afraid that if she fell she would get hurt . But then the next day she was not moving at all and my other cousin was just laughing but April had the fun feeling so she was laughing too . Then the second hotel we went to was really small and we were on the down right first floor . | Why did the speaker 's cousin claim to fear for the girl 's safety , refusing to let her ice skate ? | He was being truthful . He genuinely did n't want the child to get hurt | ['He was resentful at the child and wanted to prevent her from having a good time', 'He wanted the rink to himself so that he could show off for the ladies , not wanting the child to steal his thunder', 'None of the above choices .'] |
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Thursday pushed back against a North Korean state media report that U.S. President Donald Trump agreed during this week’s Singapore summit with Kim Jong Un to gradually lift sanctions against Pyongyang, saying Trump had been very clear about the sequence of steps in the process.
The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Trump offered to lift sanctions against it as relations improve, indicating a phased-in approach where concessions would be provided at various stages of the denuclearization process.
Speaking at a news conference in Seoul alongside South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono, the U.S. secretary of state said the Trump administration would not repeat the mistakes made by past presidents that rewarded Pyongyang for denuclearization promises.
“When we refer to the mistakes of the past. They were providing economic and financial aid relief before the complete denuclearization had taken place. That is not going to happen. President Trump made that clear,” Pompeo said.
President Trump described his meeting with Kim as a resounding success and in a tweet said, “There is no longer a nuclear threat from North Korea.” But the U.S.-North Korea joint declaration was vague on details, providing no clear definition on what constitutes denuclearization, set no timeline for the dismantlement process, and said nothing about outside verification requirements.
Pompeo, however, pointed out that in the Singapore statement both countries reaffirmed the inter-Korean Panmunjom declaration from April, in which both South and North Korea agreed to uphold all past agreements that did specify detailed nuclear prohibitions and verification requirements.
The secretary of state and his counterparts in Seoul and Tokyo said they are united in support of the U.S.-North Korea agreement, and in agreement on the goal of complete, irreversible, verifiable dismantlement of North Korea’s nuclear program.
After the summit, President Trump surprised allies in the region by calling the joint military exercises with South Korea “provocative” and saying they will no longer be held, as long as North Korea continues to make progress toward denuclearization. | After the end of this story, North Korea probably: | starts the denuclearization process | ['goes to war with the US', "doesn't start the denuclearization process", 'not enough information'] |
Founded in 1764 by French traders, St. Louis today is the fifteenth largest urban area in the United States. There are many attractive destinations for touists.
American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog
Dog lovers who visit St. Louis won't want to miss this 14,000-square-foot museum. Inside are over 500 paintings,prints, watercolors,and a variety of other dog art objects.
The Museum is open year round,Tuesday through Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM, and Sunday 1 PM to 5 PM. Admission is $5 for adults,$2.50 for seniors, and $1 for children up to 14.
Anheuser Busch Brewery
The Anheuser Buxch Brewery tour is not just for beer lovers.The tour includes the historic Brew House.Then the tour continues to the modern Bevo Packaging Plant. The best will be the Budweiser Clydesdale stables. The tours are always free.
Gateway Arch
Designed by Eero Sarinen and Hannskari Bandel, it took over two years and 900 tons of stainless steel to build. It is the tallest of the country's National Monuments. The Arch is part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. About one milion people per year come to the top of the Arch, where there is an observation platform providing a great view of the city.
The St. Louis Zoo
First version of the St. Louis Zoo opened in 1904 at the St. Louis World's Fair, but in the century since it has grown into one of the chief zoos in the world. The passenger train takes visitors around the Zoo,which contains over 9,000 animals of over 800 species.
The Zoo is open every day but Christmas and New Year,with summer hours of 8 AM to 7 PM,and hours the rest of the year of 9 AM to 5 PM.Admission to the Zoo is free. | Which of the following statements about Gateway Arch is TRUE? | People can see the city clearly on the top of the Arch. | ['It was designed by two famous Italian architects.', 'It took 900 tons of stainless steel and cement to build.', "It is the largest of the country 's National Monuments."] |
On behalf of the Obama family,I want to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving.
Like many of you. we'll spend the day with family and friends,catching up,eating some good food and watching a little football.Before we lift a fork,we lend a hand by going out in the community to serve some of our neighbors in need.And we give thanks for each other, and for all of God's blessings.We all share this day,united by the gratitude for the bounty of this nation.
And we welcome the contributions of all people-no matter their origin or color or beliefs-who call America home, and who enrich the life of our nation. It is a belief as old as our founding:"Epluribus unum" -- _ . We are reminded that this creed, and America itself was never an inevitability, but the result of ordinary people in every generation doing their part to uphold our founding ideals-by taking the blessings of freedom, and multiplying them for those who would follow.
As President Kennedy once wrote, even as we give thanks for all that we've inherited from those who came before us-"the decency(,) of purpose, steadfastness of resolve and strength of will, for the courage and the humility, which they possessed." we must also remember that "the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them."
Today,we are grateful to all Americans who do their part to live by those ideals, including our brave men and women in uniform overseas and their families, who sacrifice so much to keep America safe.We are grateful to the countless Americans who serve their communities in soup kitchens and shelters,looking out for those who are less fortunate,and lifting up those who have fallen on hard times.
This generosity, this compassion, this belief that we are each other's keepers, is essential to who we are, not just on this day,but every day.It's easy to focus on what separates us.But as we gather with loved ones on this Thanksgiving, let's remember and be grateful for what ties us together.
Our love of country.Our commitment to justice and equality.Our belief that America's best days are ahead,and that her destiny is ours to shape-and that our inherited ideals must be the birthright of all of our children.
That's what today is all about: _ Thank you, God bless you. | What makes America as it is today? | The persistent efforts of all Americans. | ['The blessings of God.', 'The contributions of people from different origin.', 'The bonus of World War II.'] |
Pirate gold. Coins, rings, ingots. Necklaces of emeralds and opals and sapphires. Chalices, bracelets, daggers inlaid with diamonds and lapis and ivory. Malone rolled over in the soft hotel bed. Not just gold but the things it would buy. A two-story house of brick and wrought iron. Greek columns in front and coaches parked in the drive. Built high on the center of Galveston Island, away from the deadly storms of the Gulf, away from the noise and stink of the port. White servants and negro slaves. Fair-haired women to sit at the piano in his parlor. Dark-skinned women to open their legs to him in the secrecy of the night... He sat up in a sweat. I will think no evil thoughts, he told himself. Outside, the sun rose over New Orleans. Horse-drawn carts creaked and rattled through the streets, and chickens complained about the light. The smell of the Mississippi, damp and sexual, floated through the open window. Malone got up and put a robe on over his nightshirt, despite the heat. He turned up the gas lamp over the desk, took out pen, ink and paper, and began to write. 'My dearest Becky...' * He smelled the French Market before he saw it, a mixture of decayed fruit, coffee, and leather. He crossed Decatur Street to avoid a side of beef hung over the sidewalk, swarming with flies. Voices shouted in a dozen different languages. All manner of decrepit wooden carts stood on the street, their contents passed from hand to hand until they disappeared under the yellow canvas awnings of the market. Beyond the levee Malone could see the tops of the masts of the tall ships that moved toward the Governor Nicholl's Street Wharf. | Who is Becky? | not enough information | ["Malone's wife.", "Malone's sister.", "Malone's niece."] |
Most of us remember our teachers well. Three successful Americans talk about the teachers who encouraged them.
Kevin Henkes is an excellent author and illustrator whose books include Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, The Year of Billy Miller, and Kitten's First Full Moon, which won the Caldecott medal. "I grew up in the school days of silent hallways and desks in neat,evenrows. One day, our forth-grade teacher allowed the class to move the desks out of rows intogroups of four. It might seem like a small thing now, but it taught me that you could do things differently; you could think outside the box. That teacher helped me view my world differently. Good teachers can change lives."
Katherine Applegate has won many awards for her books, including the Newbery Medal for The One and Only Ivan. She also created the Animorphs series with her husband, Michael Grant."My sixth-grade teacher in Michigan sensed that 1 wanted to write,so one day she sent me home to write about the word'blue'in as many ways as possible. Because of that,for the first time in my life, I thought of myself as someone with special skills as a writer, someone who was unique. My teacher's actions said'I see something special in you.'"
In his role as U.S.Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan is in charge of the department that collects data and directs research on America's schools."My high school English teacher was amazing. She challenged us to express our ideas clearly in class and in our writing. There was no such thing as a bad question. She wanted to hear from us and encouraged us to speak up and express ourselves. She pulled things out of me that I didn't know I had inside. I think that is the genius of good teachers." | What does the passage mainly tell us? | The best students learn from the heart,not from the book. | ['He who makes no mistakes makes nothing', "Don't put all your eggs in one basket.", 'Take things as they come.'] |
The political landscape in the United States looks a bit different in the wake of Tuesday's Senate election victory by Democrat Doug Jones in Alabama.
In an outcome few could have imagined several weeks ago, Jones defeated controversial Republican candidate Roy Moore, who had the backing of President Donald Trump. In the wake of Jones' victory, Democrats are more confident about success in next year's congressional midterm elections, and Republicans are looking for a way to rebound.
Late Tuesday, Jones paid tribute to the voters and staffers who supported him in his longshot victory over Moore. "This campaign has been about common courtesy and decency and making sure everyone in this state, regardless of which ZIP code you live in, is going to get a fair shake in life!" he told supporters.
Moore was unable to overcome allegations of sexual misconduct stemming back decades involving several women who were teenagers at the time while Moore was in his 30s.
Moore stopped short of conceding the race, however, saying, "We have been painted in an unfavorable and unfaithful light. We have been put in a hole, if you will, and it reminds me of a [Bible] passage in Psalms 40, 'I waited patiently for the Lord.' That is what we have got to do."
Moore had the full backing of the president in the final days of the campaign after Trump initially held back his endorsement in the wake of the allegations against Moore.
The president responded Wednesday to questions at the White House about the Alabama race and said that he had hoped for a different result.
"I wish we would have gotten the seat. A lot of Republicans feel differently. They are very happy with the way it turned out," he said. "But as the leader of the party, I would have liked to have the seat. I want to endorse the people who are running."
Jones won in large part because of a strong Democratic turnout, especially by African-Americans. Moore was hurt by a depressed Republican turnout and a write-in campaign that drained away votes. | When did Jones pay tribute to voters and staffers who supported him in his longshot victory over Morre? | Tuesday | ['not enough information', 'Monday', 'Wednesday'] |
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Feel free to call us at 8447367 or email us [email protected] if you have any questions. | What do we know about SmartWR PENS? | It has a history of over 30 years. | ['It has built up a large pen market.', 'It has its name printed on each pen.', 'It charges a low price for extra service.'] |
In a nation with a one-child family planning policy, it's understandable for parents to worry over whether they are petting their children. Are the children truly as fragile as sometimes made out to be?
The concern has been brought into focus with the popularity of a hit reality TV series, Hunan TV's Dad! Where Are We Going? and Zhejiang TV's First Time In Life. In both, children as young as three have become new public figures. In the show First Time In Life, children chosen from ordinary families are given small tasks to complete by themselves;the ongoing Dad! show centers on five celebrity fathers and their children who are forced to live a simple life in rural areas, far outside their comfort zone.
Regardless of their family background, the children's reactions to new environments have struck the public.
In one episode of Dad! , the five-year-old daughter of former Olympic diving champion Tian Liang cries and hides behind her father when they arrive at a rural village. In an episode of the other series, a young girl in Tianjin breaks down into a tearful fit after being asked by her father to go out alone to buy eggs and a pancake.
In the eyes of some observers, these kids show no sense of independence, and the reason is put down to parents who are overly sheltering. But television viewers and parents were heartened when the sobbing Tianjin girl finally wiped away her tears as she returned holding the pancake. In the case of Tian's daughter, she eventually began to take care of her younger companions and learned to seek help from people she didn't know.
The father of the Tianjin girl felt "delightfully shocked" and said. "She used to have to be accompanied by her mother or grandmother. Now she has the courage to do it all by herself. "
The shows have led many parents to change how they raise their children. Shanghai mother Liang Jing said she would try to "give some training" to her shy son, asking him to tidy up his toys. Lin Yi, a parenting expert in Beijing, said giving kids a chance to do things for themselves helps to raise their sense of achievement, which carries benefits throughout their lives. " | What attracts the audience's eyes in the programs? | How children react to new environments. | ["What the kids' family background is like.", "Where children's real comfort zone is.", 'Why those children are independent.'] |
I say this because when I was working with a young player ; his father had made the observation that his sons running mechanics did not resemble Maurice Greene or Tim Montgomery ? I almost fell over . The boy was only 12 years old and just looking for support . He was nowhere near his physical limit . | What type of sport does the young boy play ? | The boy plays track . | ['The boy is a long - distance runner .', 'The boy is a soccer player .', 'The boy is a marathon runner .'] |
Those of you who are regular readers of Beauty Best Friend will know that I suffer from a very sensitive, itchy scalp and I am constantly on the hunt for haircare products that are natural and non-irritating but that also treat my hair well and leave it feeling soft, shiny and clean.
So far my experience has generally shown me that natural, SLS-free shampoos and conditioners do not irritate the scalp as much as their chemical filled cousins, but that they do not always clean the hair as well and can leave it looking and feeling greasy, sad and lifeless.
One of the first SLS-free shampoo and conditioners that I tried, back in 2013, was Mild Shampoo and Gentle Conditioner from Naked. The relief that I got from my itchy scalp was almost instant, but I did find that it didn’t remove grease and oil from my hair too well, and I had to wash my hair a lot more often. Since then I’ve tried lots of different SLS-free haircare products, all of which have had their benefits and downfalls.
For the past month I have been using Rescue Intensive Care Shampoo & Conditioner from Naked, aimed at frizzy, dry and damaged hair. As I had found such relief from my itchy scalp when using Naked products previously I wanted to try out another variant to see if it cleaned my hair any better.
Prior to using the Rescue duo I had been having a really hard time with my scalp, but after just the first use of these natural products the itching had subsided about by 75%. Both the shampoo and conditioner have a lovely rich almond scent which stays on the hair after it is dry. The conditioner is a thick, rich cream and it feels like it is giving dry hair a real treat. Unfortunately these Naked products still don’t clean my hair as well as some other products, and I still feel that my hair can look greasy and lank the day after I’ve washed it. I have tried the ‘reverse poo’ method which helps a bit – this means conditioning your hair first, then shampooing it second – but my hair can get very tangled after the shampooing stage. | What color hair does the writer have? | not enough information | ['brown', 'blonde', 'black'] |
Lack of exercise is considered a risk factor for cancer. There is considerable evidence that inactivity is connected with increased risk for lung cancer, breast cancer, etc.
In the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study, more than 32,000 people (25,000 men and 7,000 women) were given a preventive medical examination that included a machine exercise test to measure physical fitness. They were given a physical fitness score, with one being the lowest and five being the highest fitness level. Then these people were followed for an average of 8 years. During this time, 179 men and 44 women died of cancer.
Data from the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study show people have lower rates of cancer with higher levels of physical fitness. Studies from the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research in Dallas suggest that men with high fitness levels are less likely to die of cancer.
The Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study also found that fitness level was more important than weight in predicting longevity . While results showed that fitness and normal weight are the ideal combination, researchers found that men who were fat but performed well in the machine performance had just a slightly increased all-cause death rate, including cancer, compared to the more slim men. The fat, but fit, men particularly lived longer than the slim, but flabby , men.
These statistics called for a warning to the overweight: The first health goal for the overweight should be to become as fit as possible at their current weight. | 67. The text mainly talks about _ . | the effect of exercise on reducing chances of cancer | ['how to lose weight effectively', 'different ways to keep slim', 'fat men live longer than slim ones'] |
hidden spy nanny cams .Time is very precious . We can not afford to waste time on simple little things . In today 's stimulating era , we all need to be more attentive do something new to make things easy in life . | According to the excerpt , what is a good reason to install a hidden spy nanny cam ? | To make sure that the nanny is engaging with the children . | ['None of the above choices .', 'To make sure that the children are behaving well .', 'To make sure that the children are not abused .'] |
While training , like running , the same time and distance every day is admirable , you can get better results by varying your training . One of my training buddies , who used to compete in cycling on an international level , showed me how to use interval training to improve my running . Instead of plugging with distance running , I would run for one minute and walk for one minute over the same distance . | What likely motivated me to speak with my friend ? | I was interested in strategies for improving my exercise outcomes . | ['I was interested in whether I should take up walking or running .', 'None of the above choices .', 'I needed a new strategy for my cycling routine .'] |
This is simply the bleak reality for parents of young children without live - in nannies . Second is the need for comfort . I come from a family of tea grannies , and ever since I was a child , tea represented the immediate , if temporary , solution for almost all problems . | What may happen to a parent if they get a nanny ? | Raising children will become easier . | ['They will have a difficult time raising kids .', 'They will have less free time .', 'They will balk at raising kids .'] |
"Everybody in this city wants a car, and I'm no exception. A car brings with it the freedom to travel", said a friend of mine while reading a car magazine. I might not agree with him, but no doubt he was speaking for a rapidly growing number of middle-class Chinese. While it is true that all the waiting, walking, being part of a crowd, and sweating, are somewhat unpleasant, there are many problems which can arise when our lives rely too much on this invention.
First of all, in terms of polluting the environment, driving a car is the worst act an average person can _ . Beijing now finds itself at the top of the list of the most polluted capital cities in the world with Mexico City in the second place. Research also shows that by 2010 around 90% of total pollutants in Shanghai have come from cars. These pollutions are extremely dangerous to our health. They can damage the lungs, cause cancer, and damage the brain.
Apart from environmental problems, relying too much on cars also creates social problems such as traffic jams, road accidents, and noise pollution. The jeeps that proudly drive through the Hutongs in Beijing as if they are in a race often annoy me, and to make it worse, these drivers seldom respect cyclists.
Of course, we cannot forget the convenience that cars bring us when we need to travel far, but I often find it faster to cycle from one place to another within the city of Beijing, especially with the growing traffic jams.
Since people travel further and more frequently than before, cars will certainly be important in the future. At the same time, however, let us work hard to make sure that this invention brings us a more convenient lifestyle rather than trouble and disease. Let us make good use of cars. | What is this passage mainly about? | Problems brought about by cars. | ['Environmental problems.', 'Traffic jams in Beijing.', 'Benefits of using cars.'] |
Nowadays,the Internet,with its ability to connect people throughout the world,is changing the way people learn languages.There is still no way to avoid the hard work through vocabulary lists and grammar rules,but the books,tapes and even CDs are being replaced by email, video chat and social networks.
Livemocha, a Seattle company, has created a website devoted to helping people learn more than 38 languages by exchanging messages over the Internet and then correcting each other's messages. The lessons,whether they are flashcards,quizzes,audio recordings or written and spoken essays,are delivered through the Intemet.
Michael Schutzler, Livemocha's chief executive , says the website's advantage is the ability to practicel with a real person. "The great irony is that even if you have learned a foreign language in the classroom for years,you don't have confidefice to go into a restaurant and have a conversation with a foreigner,"he said.The casual connection with real people throughout the world, however brief, are not just fun and surprising but show more about how the language is really used.
Livemocha is now experimenting with a variety of ways that resemble the games on other social websites to motivate people.The flashcard exercises,for instance,are scored, and the totals earned by studying and teaching appear on the users'front page.
Besides,each person can set up a profile which includes a short description of his age,location and what language he would like to learn.Therefore,if you want to study one language,you will easily find many people who are fluent in it.Andl an email or two is all it takes to find a study partner.
There are more and more companies like Livemocha offeritig online language learning to students throughout the world. And instead of merely helping people practice different languages,they also enable people to share interests and make new friends. | What is the advantage of the Internet language learning? | Leamers can practice languages with real people. | ['Books,tapes and even CDs are completely out of use.', 'People can learn more than 38 languages in all.', 'There is no need to learn vocabulary and grammar.'] |
It was late in a spring afternoon. I was sitting at a fruit stand beside Beihai Lake looking at the shinning ripple , which awoke me to a full sense of life.
A mother and her daughter were sitting opposite to me. The latter, a lovely girl of seven or eight with a pretty, small nose, was occupied with an ice cream. Her mother, holding the child's sweater, was whispering to her.
A sudden breeze blew and the child sneezed. Her mother rapidly put the sweater on her and began to button it up. In her hurry the buttons were wrongly matched, which was unnoticed by her until several had been done. The mother at once unbuttoned the sweater and did it again. Such an unimportant incident, however, did not escape the child's eye. "Ha-ha, mum, see how your mind has wandered!" said the girl with a loud laughter, which brought a bit angry look to the mother's face.
As an onlooker, I imagined a good dressing down for the little girl because of the impolite remark she made. But instead there was only an embarrassing interval of a few seconds. Then I heard the mother's gentle voice: "Yes, it surely has, for my heart has gone out to you!" said the mother, pointing a kind finger at the girl's little chest. The child blinked puzzlingly, hiding her red face in the arms of her mother who hugged her gently. A smile of satisfaction spread over the mother's face.
I was deeply moved by the scene of motherly love. What was the most praiseworthy thing about the mother was her way of treating the child's behavior. Nowadays many people seem to forget that the best way to educate a child is not tolerating or blaming, or even moral lecturing, but tender enlightening with love. | How did the mother treat her daughter's loud laughter? | She enlightened her daughter with love. | ['She tolerated it.', 'She gave her daughter a lesson.', 'She ignored it.'] |
If a person forgets names, places or facts --and has trouble with everyday things like reading or shopping --it may not mean you are getting old. It could be Alzheimer's disease. So it's important to see a doctor as soon as you can.
There is no cure for Alzheimer's. But a drug called ARICEPT has been used by millions of people to help their symptoms .
In studies, ARICEPT has been proved to work for Alzheimer's . It has helped people improve their memory over time. It has also helped them to keep doing everyday things on their own.
Ask your doctor if ARICEPT is right for you or your loved one. It is the Number One drug for Alzheimer's in the world. The sooner you know it's Alzheimer's, the better ARICEPT can help .
ARICEPT is good for many but may not be good for everyone. Some people may experience not sleeping well, feeling very tired, or not wanting to eat. In studies, these side effects weren't serious at all and went away over time. Some people taking ARICEPT may feel light-headed. In this case you should tell your doctors because your condition may get worse. | What is ARICEPT? | A medicine to reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer's. | ["A medicine to cure Alzheimer's", 'A medicine to delay signs of aging.', 'A medicine to cure brain damage.'] |
For many years, Hawaii has been a magic name to people who like to travel. People on both sides of the Pacific Ocean, in Japan and in America, dream of seeing these beautiful islands in the middle of the ocean. Their dreams always include at least one scene of a sunset over the ocean. In the tropical lands, the sun drops, like a ball of golden fire, into the sea, and it droops so quickly that you can almost see it move. The sun leaves behind a glow that lights the skies and shines in the quiet water.
People often have a quiet, peaceful time ---perfect for a leisurely walk along the water. This scene is not too different from the dramatic beauty that greeted the first strangers to these islands centuries ago. They were Polynesian people who came from Tahiti in canoes not much bigger than small boats.
They found the beautiful white sand beaches and the waving palm trees, but there were no giant hotels like the ones we see nowadays. The first people came to Hawaii nearly two thousand years ago, but skyscraper hotels were only built in the last 25 years. Now jet planes make it possible to fly to for a weekend from Tokyo. Wherever the people come from, they really want to see the original beauty of Hawaii. They want to see the lovely beaches and the mountain called Diamond Head which is almost hidden by the tall hotels. | The best title of the passage is _ | Hawaii A Magic Name. | ['Islands Scenery.', 'Traveling In Hawaii.', 'The Dramatic Beauty.'] |
"I had a test and didn't want to do it, so I pretended to be ill", says 13-year-old Mary. But Mary did not enjoy her day off. "It was boring. I wished I had gone to school."
Mary's story is not unusual in Britain. According to the latest government figures, pupil absences are rising, despite schools _ truancy .
Dr Philip James from Cardiff University thinks she knows why: "As schools make more efforts to find and punish missing students, students find better ways to avoid being caught."
For several years, James has researched teenager truancy and discovered that most truancy was "a response to factors within the school". Students that skip school are not necessarily less advanced or less intelligent. They complained of teachers who failed to engage them, and of "boring" lessons. "Many of them really enjoy school and believe in education, but drop out when aspects of it are ineffective." James says.
The views of students like Adam, who believes that skipping lessons has little impact on his schooling, are common. "I only take off for a lesson, or a couple of days. It doesn't affect my education," he told James.
James believes that schools need to address the question of why pupils want to leave in the first place. "Pupils need help from the start." she says. "Schools need to look at the reasons for truancy rather than the number, so that instead of walking away from school, students have the skills and chances to talk through problems and make a change." | What does Dr James suggest schools do about truancy? | Improve communication with students. | ['Fire all their unqualified teachers.', 'Develop better ways to discover truancy.', 'Introduce more serious punishments.'] |
This was probably one of my favorite races to date . It was in this small community outside the north entrance to Yellowstone . It was a first annual fundraiser for the local grade school and there was only like 59 runners . I knew like 30 of them so it was great to be in that atmosphere surrounded by friends . | What may have happened before they participating in the marathon ? | They had trained for the marathon . | ['None of the above choices .', 'They had traveled far to Yellowstone .', 'They had told their friends about it .'] |
Many birds migrate. This means that every year they fly somewhere warm in the winter and then return to the place they came from in the spring. One mystery is how birds know how to travel such long distances without getting lost. Scientists have wondered for years whether they are born with the knowledge of where to go or whether they learn it after they are born. Now, researchers have found evidence that shows that one type of bird, at least, learns how to migrate.
The bird is the whooping crane , a tall, white bird that lives in the United States. In the 1940s, the number of these birds decreased to fewer than 25 individuals, and many people feared that they would die out. Thanks to efforts to save them, they have now increased to about 600. However, the birds are not very good at taking care of their young. Because of this, eggs are brought to a site in Maryland. There, scientists from the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership raise the baby birds.
Later, the young birds are taken from Maryland to Wisconsin, where the scientists teach them how to fly. From there, they fly about 2,200 kilometers south to Florida to spend the winter. The first time, scientists lead the way in a small airplane. From the second year, though, the birds travel by themselves. For 14 years, the scientists have kept a careful record of every flight the birds have taken between Wisconsin and Florida. They have also recorded which birds fly together, the relationships between the birds, and the gender of each bird.
When scientists analyzed the data, they were surprised by the results. These showed that each bird took a very different route. However, as they got older, they flew more and more directly between Wisconsin and Florida. This continued until they were five years old. This indicates that the birds gradually learned the best route to take. Moreover, when an older bird was in a group, the whole group flew more directly. This suggests that the older birds taught the younger ones a quicker route. Scientists say that this evidence marks a big step toward solving the mystery of bird migration. | What do we learn from the data? | Younger birds are able to gain an important skill from older ones. | ['Most birds like to visit new places when migrating.', 'Most birds stop flying to Florida when they are five years old.', 'Younger birds prefer not to fly together with older birds.'] |
had a check up with my midwife yesterday , everything is going very well and she was a little shocked to find the little bugger positioned exactly as i told her i thought it was . | What sickness my I possibly have ? | Pregnancy | ['Cancer', 'Endometriosis', 'None of the above choices .'] |
There have been many great inventions that changed the way we live.The first great invention was one that is still very important today--the wheel.This made it easier to carry heavy things and to travel long distances.For hundreds of years after that there were few inventions that had as much effect as the wheel.Then in the early 1800's the world started to change.There was little unknown land left in the world.People did not have to explore much anymore.They began to work instead to make life better.In the second half of the 19th century many great inventions were made.Among them were the camera, the electric light and the radio.These all became a big part of our life today.
The first part of the 20th century saw more great inventions.The helicopter in 1909.Movies with sound in 1926.The computer in 1928.And jet planes in 1930.This was also a time when a new material was first made.Nylon came out in 1935.It changed the kind of clothes people wear.The middle part of the 20th century brought new ways to help people get over disease. _ worked very well.They made people healthier and let them live longer lives.By the 1960's most people could expect to live to be at least 60.By this time most people had a very good life.
Of course new inventions continued to be made.But man now had a desire to explore again.The world was known to man but the stars were not.Man began looking for ways to go into space.Russia made the first step.Then the United States took a step.Since then other countries, including China and Japan, have made their steps into space.In 1969 man took his biggest step away from the earth.Americans first walked on the moon.This is certainly just a beginning though.
New inventions will someday allow us to do things we have never yet dreamed of. | Why did the world start to change in the early 1800's? | Because people began to work to make life better instead of exploring unknown world. | ['Because there were few inventions that had as much effect as the wheel for hundreds of years.', 'Because there was little unknown land left in the world.', 'Because people did not have to explore much anymore.'] |
Dec. 24, 1848
Dear Johnston,
Your request for eighty dollars, I do not think it best to satisfy now. At the various times when I have helped you a little, you have said to me, "We can get along very well again," but in a very short time I find you in the same difficulty again. Now this can only happen by some fault in your behavior. What that fault is, I think I know. You are not lazy, and still you are an idler . I doubt whether since I saw you, you have done a good whole day's work, in any other day. You do not very much dislike to work, and still you do not work much, merely because it does not seem to you that you could get much for it.
This habit of uselessly wasting time is the whole difficulty; it is vastly important to you, and still more so to your children, that you should break this habit. It is more important to them, because they have longer to live, and can keep out of an idle habit before they are in it, easier than they can get out after they are in.
You are now in need of some ready money; and what I suggest is, that you shall go to work hard, for somebody who will give you money for it.
Let father and your boys take charge of your things at home-prepare for a crop, and make the crop, and you go to work for the best money wages, or to pay back any debt you owe. And to secure you a fair reward for your labor, I now promise you that for every dollar you will, between this and the first of May, get for your own labor, I will then give you one other dollar. By this, if you hire yourself at ten dollars a month, from me you will get ten more, making twenty dollars a month for your work.
Now if you will do this, you will soon be out of debt, and what is better, you will have a habit that will keep you from getting in debt again. But if I should now clear you out, next year you will be just as deep in as ever. You say you would almost give your place in Heaven for $ 70 or $80. Then you value your place in Heaven cheaply, for I am sure you can with the offer I make you get the seventy or eighty dollars for four or five months' work. You say if I furnish you the money you will deed me the land, and if you don't pay the money back, you will deliver possession-Nonsense! If you can't now live with the land, how will you then live without it? You have always been kind to me, and I do not now mean to be unkind to you. On the contrary, if you will but follow my advice, you will find it worth more than eight time eighty dollars to you.
Affectionately
Your brother
A. Lincoln | Abraham Lincoln wrote the letter to Johnston mainly to _ . | decline his request and motivate him | ['show his concern for him', 'recommend him to save money', 'introduce him a new job'] |
A family living in an apartment house in the suburbs of a large city had a cat of which they were very much fond. One day the cat got sick and finally dies. As there was no back yard to their home in which to bury the cat. Father was forced to wrap the cat up in a newspaper and take it with him, being carefully reminded by Mother to throw the package from the train window when on the way to his work.
Father placed his bag upon the package shelf over his seat, but started to have a conversation with a traveler and forgot to throw the bag out of the window. He took the package on to his office, thinking that he would deal with it on his way home that evening. But again he got to talking to someone on the train, forgot about the cat, and still had the package under his arm when he arrived home. His wife scolded him about it and Father promised to take care of the matter the next day. But once more his memory failed him. When for the third time he arrived home still carrying the package, the poor Mother became quite angry.
"You've got to deal with that cat right now," she said. "Put it in the stove right now as the fireman is seldom there at this hour." Well, Father decided perhaps he'd better take it to the room and put it in the stove, but as he lifted the bag from a table, it fell open, and to their surprise there was a boiled ham!
(2,6) | Which of the following sentences is true? | The family lived in the suburbs, who were fond of the cat. | ['The family living in the middle of the city liked a cat very much.', 'No one in the family was fond of the cat.', 'The family except the mother liked the cat very much.'] |
The bed should be reserved as a place for sleep, but people tend to read an iPad a lot in bed before they go to sleep.
Charles Czeisler, a professor at Harvard Medical School, and his colleagues got a small group of people for an experiment. For five days in a row, the people read either a paper book or an iPad for four hours before sleep. Their sleep patterns were monitored all night. Before and after each trial period, the people took hourly blood tests to paint a day-long picture of just how much melatonin was in their blood at any given time.
When subjects read on the iPad as compared to the paper books, they reported feeling less sleepy at night and less active the following morning. People also took longer to fall asleep on the iPad nights, and the blood tests showed that their melatonin secretion was delayed by an hour and a half.
The researchers conclude in today's journal article that given the rise of e-readers and the increasingly widespread use of e-things among children and adolescents, more research into the long-term consequences of these devices on health and safety is urgently needed. Czeisler and colleagues go on, in the research paper, to note:"Reading an iPad in bed may increase cancer risk."
However, software has been developed that can reduce some of the blue light from the screens of phones and computers according to time of day, and there are also glasses that are made to filter short wavelengths. While they seem like a logical solution for the nighttime tech users, it needs more research. | Which of the following can be the best title for the text? | No e-reading in bed before sleep | ['New software for night e-readers', 'Wrong behaviors before bedtime', 'No games on iPad in bed'] |
Just graduated high schooll ! ! and finally have the summer off for the first time . No summer job and no summer school . I just lay around the house and hang out with my friends . | Why was John spending his summer with his friends instead of working or going to summer school ? | This might be the last summer he had all to himself to do what he wanted . | ['John was with his friends all summer because they were going to the same college in the fall and needed to prepare themselves .', 'John spent a lot of time with his friends this summer because they all were on the same baseball team and practiced all the time .', 'None of the above choices .'] |
When it's 10:15 in New York, it's 9:15 in Salt Lake City, and 7:15 in San Francisco - isn't it? This consistent and orderly time system, based on a grid of time zones, seems so natural that people rarely give it a moment's thought. So you may find it surprising to learn that prior to the late 1800s each community established its own time - by looking at the sun. When the sun shone directly overhead in Washington, D.C., for example, it was 12:00 noon there; up the road in Philadelphia, however, it was 12:07, and in Boston it was 12:24. To measure time with accuracy, it is necessary to move the clock about one minute for every twelve miles of distance; so according to "sun time" your pocket watch would be slightly incorrect if you ventured only a few miles down the road.
It was not until the advent of widespread railroad travel that a need arose for regularized time. At one point over 300 local times were honored within the country, making it literally impossible for trains to arrive consistently on time everywhere. As a result, in 1883 the continental, United States was divided into four time longitude. The standardization resulting from this system proved so helpful that in 1884 the International Meridian Conference applied the same procedure to establish time zones around the world. Thus, if it is 11:07 p.m. in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, a little simple research will quickly determine that in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, it is 9:07 A.M. - and not 9:15. | Before the 1880s, each town_. | established its own time by the sun | ['had its own train station', 'had the same time as towns 20 or more miles away', 'believed that a system of regulating time was needed'] |
I just wore this cute blue top I bought from my work . So we got a ride there even though it 's like 2 minutes away because it was wet and cold and rainy . When we got there , we found some of michelle 's friends from her new school . They seemed like they could be very bitchy but whatever I was glad michelle had friends from her new school . | What may be the reason we got a ride ? | The weather was bad . | ['I had to get to work .', 'It was far away .', "Michelle 's friends picked us up ."] |
found out today that my best friend will be leaving for his new house on the day of my birthday because his boyfriend has to start work the day after . its such a kick in the balls for your best friend to choose his new boyfriend over you . i had an excellent birthday last year , so i suppose i will have a shit one this year . | Why is the narrator so down on their birthday ? | They will not have all their loved ones there . | ['They will be feeling old .', 'They will be 50 years old .', 'None of the above choices .'] |
When you get tired of homework, several minutes' walk in a nearby green park helps you relax at once. Or you may stand facing the lake or the seas. They will calm (not to be excited or nervous) you just like the green plants.
Wonder why? Color is a key part of the answers. Since it is so, green and blue help make people feel more quiet and safe.
All colors have special power. Scientists have found that many colors have specific effects on people's mind and feelings.
Try an easy and interesting experiment and you'll see how color " _ " you sometimes. Wrap two boxes of the same size with colored paper, one red and the other white. Then weigh the two boxes with your hands. Which one is heavier? Most people will think that the red box is heavier, even though they weigh the same.
Colors can affect learning. Scientists have found that students spend more time reading if they read information written in blue text. Blue helps most people calm down and think more.
Clever uses of colors in daily life are to be seen everywhere. Hospitals and libraries seldom paint their walls, tables and desks red. They use light colors, like light blue or green. Red makes people excited while light colors help them relax. Haven't worked out how color affects your daily life? Start with your small room. Try to make some changes in it and you'll get to know how important color is! | Which of the following is NOT true? | The passage has told us clearly why some colors are warm and other colors are cool. | ["When you are going to have a rest, you'd better sit in the room painted green", 'Scientists have known some differences among some colors', 'When you get tired of homework, you should look at the green plants far away'] |
The Apple iPhone's impact was widely evident at the Consumer Electronics Show, as new touch-screen devices could be found everywhere.
The consumer electronics industry came unbuttoned in Las Vegas this week. At the annual Consumer Electronics Show, companies from around the world
many devices boasting (...) touch - sensitive technology, rather than traditional push-button controls.
Motorola, Sony, and LG Electronics all showed off touch-screen phones this week. Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates praised and offered a touch-screen computer, the Surface, related to a flat panel TV for a tabletop. Even camera makers, such as Kodak,included touch-screen LCDs in their devices. Touch-screen tech has been in use for years,but the push to develop and weave it into consumer electronics gathered steam with the June introduction of Apple's iPhone. "The touch-screen industry is really getting hot," says Jennifer Colegrove, a senior analyst at iSuppli. "Since the iPhone came out, there are a lot of companies that did not have a relationship with touch screens before that decided, 'OK, I want to make a touch screen, too.'"
The touch-screen tech ecosystem now includes more than 100 companies specializing in everything from smudge-proof screens to sensors able to detect fingers before they even contact the screen. Sales of leading touch-screen technologies,such as those used in mobile phones and navigation devices,are expected to rise to $ 4.4 billion in 2012, up from $ 2.4 billion in 2006,according to iSuppli estimates. | What can we learn from the passage? | The touch-screen technology will be more widely used in electronics devices. | ['The touch-screen technology will disappear.', 'The touch-screen technology will be replaced by traditional push-button controls.', 'The touch-screen technology will be as important as traditional push-button controls.'] |
ROLAND HELD HIS BODY STIFF AS HE FACED THE CATHAR FORTRESS and watched the tall wooden doors swing open. He saw now that the fire of that final night's battle, now fifteen days past, had left no structure standing but the stone keep. Inside the limestone walls stood forlorn, crude shelters made of tent cloths spread over blackened beams.
Cries of farewell and loud wailing came from the battlements above and from the open gateway, as the condemned emerged from the fortress, a long line of men and women in black. Roland's heartbeat broke its rhythm.
During the fifteen days of grace granted under the terms of surrender, he had waited in camp with the other crusaders. Now that Diane and Perrin were safely off on the road to Paris, he felt impelled to be with the Cathars in their final moments, to bear witness. He had volunteered, despite his dread, to help escort the prisoners to their execution. Those Cathars who joined the Catholic religion would now be allowed to leave in peace, though they would be forced to give everything they owned to the Church and wear the yellow crosses for the rest of their lives. But those who clung to their faith would die.
As the Cathars emerged, a man-at-arms directed each to stop at a table beside the doorway, where two Dominican friars sat with parchment scrolls. The friars recorded the name of each person about to die. This meticulous record-keeping, Roland thought, was one source of the Inquisition's power.
At the head of the procession was the Cathar bishop. Bertran d'en Marti's head glowed with the red-gold rays of the low afternoon sun striking his white hair, as if it were already enveloped in flames.
"Form around them," called the leader of Roland's party.
Roland reluctantly stepped forward with the other crusaders. His longsword and dagger swung heavy at his waist. He wore them only because, as a knight, he was expected to. He had left his helmet and mail shirt back in his tent. | How long did it take Roland to escort the prisoners to their execution? | less than an hour. | ['not enough information', 'fifteen days.', 'all week.'] |
Dear editor,
I am writing to ask what has happened to our young people.They are not as polite or hard-working as my generation(I will give you two examples.
Last Friday, I got on the underground at 9:15 a.m. It was very crowded so there was no free seat.There were some boys sitting on the seats near me.I didn't know why they were not at school.They were talking and laughing loudly. It was difficult for me to read my newspaper with all the noise.At the next stop, a pregnant woman and her daughter got on with lots of shopping bags.I expected the boys to let them sit down.They saw the woman but they did nothing.I had to ask them to give the woman and her daughter seats. They did so but gave me a rude look.
Last Saturday, I had dinner with my friend's family.I was glad to see his children, who I hadn't seen for ten years.During the dinner, I started talking about world politics with the children.It soon became clear that they didn't know much about it.They couldn't tell me the name of the King of Spain or President of Italy.All they knew about was the Internet or which singers were the most beautiful.In my days, students knew the kings, the queens and the presidents of every country in Europe.
I worry about the future of Germany.How could these young people become good workers and parents? They sit around McDonald's after school instead of going to the library like I did at their age.Maybe they have too much money.Perhaps some readers can give us some ideas about what to do with this "lost generation".
Yours sincerely,
Frantz Vogts. | Mr Vogts was disappointed at the dinner because _ . | the children did not know much about world politics | ['he was not politely treated', 'he had different opinions on the world politics from his friend', 'the children cared more about the Internet than he'] |
Moving can either be out of necessity or an act of desire. Whatever the case, moving rarely comes at a convenient time and involves so many variables that it is difficult to exhale until all of the documents are signed.
Even then, that point in the process instantaneously starts a whole new chapter in the book of moving.
No matter how long it takes to sell (or not sell) your previous home, whether you’re able to find your dream kitchen or settle for less, if you’re moving down the street, across the country, or around the world, the act of moving can be completely overwhelming.
Long story short: Moving is a process.
In the midst of all the uncertainties, there are a few ways to stay organized while moving. This short list is meant to guide you through steps to keep you on track during a stressful time.
The largest piece of advice I can give you is to start by decluttering your current living space. Having less to deal with will help you feel more in control of the situation.
Finding a realtor that you trust and feel comfortable working with will put your mind at ease (most of the time) about the process of listing your house and finding a buyer. Let your realtor do the work for you so you can concentrate on keeping your home “show ready” and begin to look at options on the other side of the move, like where you’ll be working, spending your time, and researching schools or neighborhoods.
Make a list of people you’ll need to update contact information with once you leave. This should include any and all businesses you frequent or subscribe to, like pest control services, lawn maintenance, even all of your neighborhood loyal buyer programs you participate in. Do not overlook your banks, investment companies, retirement funds, healthcare providers for you and your family members, and even you pets. And, of course, family and friends. | What is probably necessary to get your house in the best shape | Hire a cleaning person | ['not enough information', 'Let the new people handle it', 'Demolish it'] |
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Mail coupon today! Or call the number below 1-800-372-1589. Call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Website: www. Harcourt-learning. com. E-mail: [email protected]. | Which of the following is NOT clearly mentioned in this advertisement? | Tuition price. | ['The way how you will get your degree.', 'The hot fields you will be preparing yourself for.', 'The length of time it will take you to get a degree.'] |
I once went out to have fun with a friend of a different nationality, and she wanted to go to a place that featured the music of her culture. Since I have always been interested in other cultures, I was happy to go along. While we were sitting at a table together, an older man came up and asked to buy me a drink. I told him “no thank you, I do not drink”. My arm was laying on top of the booth because I was sitting sideways since my big old pregnant belly would not fit under the table. He reached over and took my hand and said “ Come dance with me then”. I again told him I was not interested in dancing. He began to squeeze my hand and insisting I get up and dance with him. I kept telling him no, and pointing to my belly and saying I would not be dancing with anyone. He just kept squeezing my hand harder and trying to pull me out of the booth. I got angry when I felt something break in my hand and screamed at him “Get your effing hands off me!” The bar owner came over to see what the problem was. I explained that “this jerk just hurt my hand because I would not drink or dance with him!” The owner looked at me crying, and the man laughing, and kicked my friend and I out of the place! Seems the rude SOB was his best friend. I got a bad taste for places of that culture (although I do love the cuisine) and a broken bone in my left hand for my trouble. She and I never went out again because she was so embarrassed about what the guy did to me, but she did take me to the ER on the way home. | What did the club owner do? | he came over to see what was wrong | ['he looked at the crying pregnant woman', 'he kicked the pregnant woman and her friend out of the bar', 'not enough information'] |
Last week the American Medical Association voted, for the first time, to declare obesity a disease. How should the rest of us respond? When we meet obese people, should we cast them a knowing glance of concern and ask how they are doing? Should we send flowers and "get well soon" cards to obese family members and friends?
Should the U.S. declare war on obesity, as we once did on cancer?
If obesity truly is a disease, then over 78 million adults and 12 million children in America just got classified as sick. Yet many sensible people know that declaring obesity a disease is a mistake. Simply put, obesity is not a disease. To be sure, it is a risk factor for some diseases.
Yet everyone who is obese does not get sick, and many normal-weight people do not stay healthy. I have known slim people who took good care of themselves throughout their lives yet fell ill and died young. Others who exhibited no particular interest in their health and did not watch their weight lived to an old age. In most cases, we simply cannot tell from a person's weight what lies ahead for them in life. Consider Winston Churchill. Though average in height, Churchill weighed up to 250 pounds. He smoked cigars and drank ly heavily. He did not work out. Yet he became perhaps the most important statesmen of the 20th century and one of the greatest politicians in history. He lived to age 90.
Is obesity bad for people? For some, especially patients who are extremely overweight, the answer is almost certainly yes. Would many overweight people benefit from exercising more and eating less? Again, the answer is likely yes. But this does not make obesity a disease. Many people are not harmed by carrying extra pounds, some may actually benefit from it. For these reasons, we should be careful before labeling obese people diseased. | Where can we probably find the text? | A popular science magazine | ['A government report', 'A website about losing weight', 'A book about famous people'] |
Only about 10 people in the entire office of a usual 200 . Both bosses are off . Hopefully Boardwalk comes and replaces my fridge today . That would be swell . Had a really wicked weekend with Mark too ( despite feeling like I was never going to wake up again ) . | Why does the narrator feel more laid back at work ? | Lot of absent colleagues . | ['They have a holiday .', 'They are naturally chill .', 'They are typically laid back .'] |
Now he 's happily sleeping on the doormat ( do n't ask me why , but he likes it there ) which is fine by me because that 's a good out - of - the way corner . It was a nice break from researching health insurance , though . Ugh . | What would happen if I sold the doormat ? | He would be upset . | ['He would be thankful .', 'He would be glad .', 'He would thank me .'] |
The trauma of his wife 's death pushed him over the edge : he was given a psychological discharge , and he spent three years locked in his own mind , attempting to solve the one murder to which he was too close . At that time , Sharona Flemming was assigned to be his assitant and caretaker . Under her supervision , he began to recover , though all of his compulsive tendancies and phobias were now intensified . He was able , with her help , to work as a consultant for the department by which he was once employed . For four years , Sharona handled his 3 a.m. phone calls , his small terrors , and his peculiar behaviour , until one day , she simply quit , returning to her home in New Jersey and leaving Adrian without any explanation . | Why is the man 's life in shambles ? | His loved one died . | ['His parents died in New Jersey .', 'His dad in New Jersey died .', 'None of the above choices .'] |
Well about 10 minutes ago during my lunch period I decided to go outside for a quick smoke . I did my usual routine of going out the science hallway doors and across the street were I sit down behind whatever car is their at the time . So as I m standing up behind this car digging through my pockets for some matches and my cig this lady comes out from the house behind me . She s is asking me what am i doing and telling me that its her car and I said I was n't doing anything to the car and what I was doing was n't her business . | Why did the lady question what the narrator was doing ? | She was concerned about her vehicle . | ['None of the above choices .', 'She also wanted a quick smoke .', 'She needed access to the street .'] |
He had a point , I must admit . So now I ' m sitting here , drinking a beer , playing on the internets while we watch the men 's 10,000 meter race . ( Which reminds me , I really must do an Olympics post soon . ) We are going out to eat tonight because I am too fucking tired to cook . | What about watching the race made the speaker realize that it is high time to do a post related to the Olympics ? | The race is part of the Olympics and they realized that this would be a good subject to blog about | ['They have been offered a sponsorship by the olympics to blog about the event in question', 'None of the above choices .', "The man they 're watching the men 's 10,000 meter race with is blogging about the olympics so they will too"] |
On the night of May 9, 2011, musician Gao Xiaosong ran his car into three other cars in Beijing.
But it wasn't just a car accident--he was drunk .
Now, Gao has to go to prison for six months and pay a 4,000 yuan fine.
Gao is the first star to be punished under China's new drunk driving law.
From May 1 on, drunk drivers will pay a fine, and be banned from driving for five years or even forever.
Drunk driving has become a serious social problem in China.According to the Ministry of Public Security , police caught more than half a million drunk drivers last year, a 68 % increase from 2009.
The new law sees drunk driving as a crime.
In the West, drunk driving is also a crime. In the US, for example, if the police catch a drunk driver, the driver will pay a fine, lose his or her license and even go to prison. If the driver wants to drive again, he or she must do public service, and take part in educational programs.
You may think: drunk driving is a crime? Isn't this law too unkind? But experts say, "Not at all."
"It is to protect people's rights to life and health," Li Gang, lawyer in Chengdu, told China Daily. "Drunk driving is very dangerous. No matter what the results are, it should not be allowed." | Mr. Gao ran his car into three other cars because _ . | he drank too much wine | ['there was something wrong with his car', 'he went home too late', 'the road was too crowded'] |
With eight bloodshot eyes fixed on a flying object, the pains of a two-year project were about to bear fruit.
It was Wang Hongyi's first test flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed and assembled with his teammates from the Aero-Sport Club at Shanghai Jiaotong University.
Wang is a senior mechanical engineering and automation major. He has been a plane model fan since childhood. As a freshman, he spent two nights building a model aircraft and took it to the sports field just for fun. Wu Junqi, the coach of Shanghai Jiaotong University's Aero-Sport Club, spotted Wang and told him his model was outdated.
"I was a little angry, so he took me to the lab," says Wang. He was immediately drawn to the modern equipment and decided to join the club. As a technology fan, Wang spends most of his spare time in the lab. "He loves what he's doing, so he can stand the loneliness of doing research that others seldom have the persistence to carry out." says coach Wu.
When Wang and his teammates were building UAV, they lived together in the lab. "We tried to spend as much time together as possible because there were thousands of problems that needed to be solved." Wang says. They didn't even have time to celebrate when the first test flight of the UAV went well. "We needed to list the problems that occurred during the flight and analyze them to find solutions." he says.
"Our UAV isn't finished yet, but there are many design projects and people with similar interests waiting for me." Wang says. "The UAV is just the beginning, not the end of my aircraft journey." | Why did Wang succeed in doing the research? | He loved what he did and would stick to it. | ['He majored in mechanical engineering and automation.', 'He had a good coach and wonderful teammates.', 'He was highly thought of by Wu Junqi.'] |
I went over to a guy's house to see a movie that he had acted in. It was our first date. He starts the movie and I settle back to watch. I was in film school and the guy, Nick, had told me he wanted my “professional” opinion.
We're five minutes into the movie when Nick reaches for the remote and says, “Let's fast forward to my part.” I reply that, in order to adequately critique the movie, I should see it from the beginning. Nick assures me that his scene is self-contained and needs no context.
A fight scene plays. Nick pauses and asks, “What did you think?” I look confused and Nick says, “Did you miss me? Let's play it again.” I watch the scene again, but still can't make out Nick. Nick rewinds, plays and pauses. “There I am,” he says, gazing fondly at the screen.
Except the screen was gray. No actors. No landscape. Nothing, but gray snow.
“What do you think,” he asked, his eyes never leaving the empty screen.
At that point, I realized Nick was crazy.
“That's great!,” I said. “But look at the time. Time sure flies when you're having fun.” Nick was still staring at the screen with a strange little smile.
I stood up. Nick stood up, now not smiling.
“You're not going anywhere,” Nick said.
It's funny how fear works. I've found that in times of danger, adrenaline supersedes fear. I managed to trick Nick, hide from Nick and finally to escape after more than an hour of suspense.
Turns out it wasn't even Nick's place. He had taken me to the house of someone he had ripped off in a drug deal.
I am very wary now of going to a guy's home unless I know him extremely well. | When did Nick show her the fight scene? | On their first date. | ['After 5 minutes', 'not enough information', 'After she realized he was crazy'] |
Now I ' m not renowned for my emotional side but this really gets to me , for some reason . Likewise , when driving up here yesterday , I saw a man whose car had broken down trying to push it over the kerb and onto the sidewalk out of the road . As he was having difficulty getting it over the kerb , another man rushed across the road , quick as a flash , and lent a hand . These people had never met before but had joined together in a common goal , without words being exchanged and without any bargaining taking place beforehand . | Why has this series of events led to an activation of the speaker 's hypoactive emotional side ? | The display of basic human kindness was something they had never seen before , but they liked it | ['They were angry because they knew the man being helped was a corrupt local politician', 'They were frustrated and irritable because they needed to get to work , and these people were in their way', 'None of the above choices .'] |