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Many people will remember the flight of the space shuttle Challenger, in June, 1983. The achievement of Sally Ride, America's first woman astronaut to fly into space, made this flight especially memorable. Students from two Camden, New Jersey, high schools, however, are probably to remember Norma rather than Sally whenever they think about the flight.
Norma didn't travel alone. She brought about 100 companions along with her. Norma was an ant, a queen ant who, with her subject, made up the first ant colony to travel into space. The ants were part of a science experiment designed by students to test the effects of weightlessness on insects.
The equipment designed by the students for their colony functioned perfectly throughout the long space trip. The young scientists and their teachers were very sad to find that their insect astronauts had all died at some point before the container was returned to the school and opened. The problem didn't occur in space, but on the ground after challenger had landed. The container remained in the desert for nearly a week before the ant colony was moved. The hot, dry desert air dried out the colony's container and the ants died from lack of moisture .
The project was tested success because it did provide useful information. Students will continue their efforts to pinpoint what went wrong. They will try to prevent the same difficulties from recurring on future missions. They don't want to be discouraged either by the demise of the ants or by the $10,000 shuttle fare they will have to pay to send the next colony of ants into space. Ks5u | The ants were not able to live because _ . | they dried out in the desert | ['no one fed them in space', 'weightlessness damaged them', 'space caused too much pain'] |
"If you can answer three questions," the dog said, "you can wear the magic shoes."
Tommy looked up and down the deserted street. "Did you ... say something?"
"That's right. Didn't you hear me?" It was a gruff voice, with just a trace of an English accent, and it was definitely coming out of the dog.
"You're a dog." In fact it was a huge, fat bulldog, with big flaps of skin hanging off the sides of its face. From where it sat, on the front steps of the abandoned motel, it looked Tommy straight in the eye.
"That's correct," the dog said.
Tommy stared hard at the dusty windows of the motel office. "This is a trick, right? There's a TV camera back there and you want to make me look stupid."
"No tricks, Tommy. Just three questions."
"C'mon," Tommy said. He deepened his voice. "Sit up." The dog stared at him. "Roll over. Play dead."
"Cut the crap, Tommy. Do you want the shoes or not?"
"Let me see 'em."
The dog shifted its weight to one side, revealing a battered pair of red Converse All-Stars. "Yuck," Tommy said. "Those are gross."
"Maybe," the dog said, "but they're magic."
"What are the questions?"
"Which of the following presidents died in office? Lincoln, McKinley, F.D.R.?"
"C'mon. They all did. That's the same dumb question they use when they're trying to sell you a free portrait on the telephone."
"Which weighs more, a pound of feathers or a pound of lead?"
"They both weigh a pound. This is stupid. Next you're going to ask me who's buried in Grant's Tomb."
The dog narrowed its eyes. "Have you done this before?"
"Ulysses S. Grant," Tommy said. "Lemme see the shoes."
They were just his size and felt pretty good, even though they were scuffed up and the metal things were gone out of the side vents. "I don't feel any different," Tommy said.
"You need the shoes to look for the treasure," the dog said.
"What treasure?"
"When you're wearing the shoes, you can open the doors of the motel rooms." | Who tells Tommy about the magic shoes? | A bulldog. | ['Abraham Lincoln.', 'not enough information', 'Ulysses S. Grant.'] |
i looked through the faqs and everything but i ca nt find any help on this so i m going to post it here . i have been playing epsxe for a long time when it suddenly stoped working . i reinstalled many times and after every reinstall it would work but stop after i shut down my computer or if i exit out of it . | What may be the reason to post this ? | To ask for tech support | ['Book reviews', 'None of the above choices .', 'User reviews'] |
Then in one fluid movement , Vince trailed his fingers along Howard 's stomach into the dark pubic hair , brushing his hand gently over Howard 's penis , and then cupped his balls , hard and tight , in his hand . Howard jumped up in surprise , and stuttered , " What are you doing ? Howard Moon 's not into this ... .no , sir ... " . | Why might Howard have jumped when Vince touched him ? | Howard does not feel romantic interest toward Vince . | ['Howard was excited that Vince touched him .', 'Howard had been hoping that Vince was attracted to him .', 'None of the above choices .'] |
To live a happy, healthy, balanced life, you must learn to focus your energy on well-being. Self-care on all levels should be an integral part of your lifestyle.
There is an abundance of information available about the benefits of eating well and exercising regularly to sustain a healthy mind and body. In fact, I write about both regularly. But today I want to move in a little different direction.
In addition to those two very basic and critical activities, there are a number of other things you can to improve your mental health and overall well-being. By incorporating them into your daily life, you will be better able to manage most challenges – including struggles with self-doubt, anxiety, and mild depression.
Practices that Focus Your Energy on Well-being
Accept Your Feelings
Stuffing or ignoring your emotions is more damaging than it is helpful. Everyone has emotions. They are a natural part of being human. Bottling them up may seem like a good solution in the moment, but when you do it all the time, you are potentially creating a time bomb that will eventually explode.
Unfortunately, you are hurting yourself as you hold them in and you run the risk of hurting those you love when the eruption finally occurs.
Rather than acknowledging what you are feeling and allowing yourself to experience emotions, you may medicate, rationalize, blame, bury, deny, smother, drink, or stuff them (pretend they don’t exist). Emotions have become the enemy and many people will do anything to avoid them – especially the big three: fear, anger and sadness.
It takes a lot of mental, physical and emotional energy to avoiding your feelings and creates high levels of stress and anxiety.
Don’t stuff your emotions!
Let yourself laugh, cry, scream, yell, or pound something (preferably a pillow, grass, sand – not the wall or someone else). Do whatever you need to do, probably in private is the best choice. But, if emotions erupt in public, excuse yourself and let it rip. This is nature’s way of releasing stress. Don’t beat yourself up afterward! | Who is concerned about the well-being of people? | The author | ['The YMCA', 'not enough information', 'The U.S. government'] |
Once I mentioned the story of a friend getting something made for me to give my daughter as a present, and then not letting me pay her back. Writing about that made me think about the problem of communicating feelings, particularly in cross - cultural situations. Let me explain.
If I say to a fellow English - speaker, "I know how you feel," what I am actually saying is that I can imagine myself in the same position, and therefore can imagine how I would feel. But my friend could perfectly correctly reply, "No, you don't! You can't." In truth we can communicate how strongly we feel, but we cannot communicate exactly what we feel.
But if we come from the same linguistic and cultural background, the match can be close enough.
Culture and language cannot be separated, and I think that we have the feelings that are recognized in our culture and therefore represented in our language. One might say that we feel the things that our language allows us to express. So when it comes to trying to explain feelings to someone of a different mother tongue, the difficulties are huge.
I could not explain to my friend how I felt about her not letting me repay her, because Chinese culture, it seems, does not recognize the same feelings on such occasions.
She could understand the words that I was using, but could not understand what I was trying to say.
Some time ago, I was going up in the lift, and a colleague with whom I merely have a nodding acquaintance was offering round some sweetmeat. I knew that I really could not eat it, so I refused politely, only to be told that I was making her lose face.
I have no idea how serious the colleague was being. Causing someone to lose face is a serious social mistake. We have to do all we can to learn the types of situation in which it happens, and to try to avoid them. But we can only know about losing face, we can't feel losing face, as the term is merely a literal translation of Chinese, not one that is native to English. | What does the author mean by saying "... the match can be close enough." | They can share similar opinions and thoughts. | ['They can make a perfect couple.', 'There can be some competition between them.', 'They are even in a match.'] |
Cloud seeding is a method of artificially causing clouds to produce precipitation in the form of rain or snow.Cloud seeding has also been used in attempts to modify the severity of hail storms and hurricanes.The effectiveness of cloud seeding remains controversial .but it continues to be used in some regions to try to increase rainfall for agriculture and to build snow packs for water supplies and power production.
Cloud seeding was developed by American scientists Irving Langmuir and Vincent Joseph Schaefer during and after World War II.Their work began as an effort to learn more about the buildup of ice on airplane wings, and eventually led them to attempt to create rainfall by releasing several pounds of crushed frozen carbon dioxide into a cloud from an airplane.In this form, the carbon dioxide is called dry ice.On November 13, 1946, the technique appeared to produce snow directly under the cloud; the snow then turned to rain as it fell to the ground.
For their experiment, Langmuir and Schaefer selected a supercooled cloud, one in which the water droplets remain liquid in subfreezing temperatures.Their theory was that small grains of dry ice falling through the cloud would cause tiny droplets of water vapor in the cloud to freeze into crystals that attracted more water vapor.Their theory proved to be correct and eventually the crystals became heavy enough to fall from the cloud as snow.As the snow reached the warmer temperatures closer to the ground, it melted and became rain.
Another scientist, Bernard Vonnegut, produced a method of cloud seeding using silver iodide .He used particles of silver iodide because its crystal structure resembled that of ice in clouds.Silver
iodide also had practical advantages over frozen carbon dioxide It could be stored at room temperature
and did not require an airplane as a delivery mechanism.Instead, silver iodide crystals could be fired by
cannons high into the air, where wind carried them into the clouds. | How many methods of cloud seeding are mentioned in the passage? | two | ['three', 'one', 'four'] |
It wo n't be too difficult , since most of the sites are really close to me!I was wondering what the hell to do with my long weekends , so hiking it is ! Some of the routes are attached to hot springs with private baths too . Luckily since I live in Shingu I do n't have to actually stay over , so that saved cash for when I go on bigger jaunts to Tokyo . | Why would the narrator be hoarding cash despite going on a recent trip ? | They want to save for a lavish trip . | ['They want to save for a car .', 'They want to save for a house .', 'None of the above choices .'] |
I started out writing this whole lovely entry focused on one topic , and then I just decided I ' m in no mood for serious bloggage . NO MOOD ! Why do n't the " end " and " home " keys on Macs take you to the end or beginning of a line ? ! It 's ridiculous ! | What brand of computer is she using ? | Apple | ['Razer', 'HP', 'Dell'] |
I was in high school , but I was a vampire who had to hide it . ( Twilight much ? ) I was pretty much Edward in my own body - I was fast & could read minds . I did n't feel any need to drink blood , though , but for some reason , I still knew I was a vampire . | Why did I have to hide the fact that I was a vampire ? | Others would be scared . | ['Others would try to praise me .', 'Others would try to befriend me .', 'Others would find it funny .'] |
It 's amazing how economics works these days . It used to be a matter of supply and demand . Too many consumers , not enough product -- prices go up . Too much product , not enough consumers -- prices go down . | Why are they amazed by today 's economics ? | Economics have dramatically changed over the years . | ['They had just learned about how the economy works .', 'They are wondering why the economy works how it does .', 'None of the above choices .'] |
"I honestly have no idea how that cat got up there.It's a hundred--foot--metal pole.There's no way he climbed that thing,"Jim said to the worried woman.It wasn't even her cat,but she was passing by and saw it.immediately calling the fire--station to come to save it.Jim saw a lot of strange things as a fireman,often sad or upsetting things,but this was new.
"I suppose we could get the blanket and see if we can convince the poor cat to jump down* But he doesn't really look too scared..."Jim said to the woman.
"Dave,get over here!" Jim called over his shoulder to the fire truck driver.Dave walked over and looked where Jim was pointing.
"How'd he get up there?"
Jim shrugged,similarly puzzled."Do you suppose we could get the blanket and convince him to jump?"
Dave shrugged in response."I don't see why not."
Jim looked up at the black mass on the top of the flagpole,the American nag waving proudly beneath _ .It was definitely a cat,and he regarded the people gathered below as if they were his subjects and he their king,his yellow eyes scanning his surroundings with apparent disinterest.
When the blanket was spread out below the cat,Jim and Dave began striking the flagpole.The cat looked down,and then gazed into the sky as if it were looking for something.Jim and Dave followed his gaze.Suddenly,out of the clear sky,appeared a dark figure.The figure swooped low toward the flagpole.It was an eagle! As it got closer,the cat leaped down the pole swiftly onto the ground,and then got lost in the bushes.
Jim,Dave,and the old woman were left with their mouths open.They all agreed it was the best way to get it down. | Who saved the cat? | The cat itself. | ['An eagle.', 'The firemen.', 'The people around.'] |
"Hey, guy."
"No, this is Ray." He smiled, leaned back in his chair.
It was, of course, Pete. Pete was the night shift guy at Crossroads Detox across town. Ray called it the Jesus Shop because it was wholly supported by a contingent of local churches who saw addicts as a potential ministry.
Apparently Jesus saved--not only from sin and hell, but also from Dark Eyed Jim Beam.
Pete was a relatively innocuous born again fundie who volunteered his time two or three nights a week. When he was not saving the world, his Clark Kent was actually a steady CPA job with the local H&R Block. He'd been pulling shifts for about six months, knew nothing about drugs beyond that bad people used them to escape their problems and that they were tools of Satan, and he always needed Ray's advice about one thing or another. This arrangement was not problematic as Pete had long ago given up trying to convert him. Pete was also the only guy in the city who was, as Ray figured it, making less money than he was at such an hour. In return for Ray's magnanimity, Pete had done Ray's taxes for free last year.
They had never actually met, though Ray had faxed him the tax forms and Pete had faxed back a photo of his two pre-teen daughters and his geriatric Lab.
"What's the problem?" Ray asked.
"I have a recalcitrant."
That's what he called them, the drunk and definitely disorderly. Pete's vocabulary did not include the word shithead either in its singular or plural.
"Pete, they're all like that. Alcohol is bad medicine. That's why places like ours are in business. To make them calcitrant."
"I know that." Pete sounded a little annoyed.
There was some commotion in the background, a knocking on doors. | Who is at the door? | not enough information | ['a drunk', 'Pete', "Pete's daughter"] |
Angela Hammerly dedicated her life to becoming District Attorney. At 42, she had never been married, or even seriously dated. All she could think about, night and day, was her ultimate goal. And her dream finally came true, thanks to the death of 74-year-old Porter Strickley.
She could not deny that she had learned the job well, working for that old pain-in-the-butt. He was 57 when she interviewed for the position of Assistant District Attorney. At the time, she thought he was 70.
Two months ago, she had become the District Attorney. She loved seeing her name on the door. And she felt a rush of adrenaline every time a judge referred to her as 'The District Attorney' in open court. The D.A.'s office would be better than ever--now that she was running the show.
There was a soft knock, and Andrea Newly opened the door just enough to peek in.
"Come in, Andrea." Angela sometimes wondered if she had made a mistake two weeks ago when she hired this timid young lady as her assistant. Angela had been impressed with her resume. But in person, Andrea was quiet, and seemed to be rather intimidated by Angela.
But Andrea was enthralled with every word Angela spoke. And the new D.A. couldn't resist the prospect of being god to her assistant. She had hired her on the spot, even though she knew Andrea would stress her patience.
But Angela was confident the 25-year-old could be molded into her mentor's image. And thereby, become a powerful force for justice in the D.A.'s office.
Andrea took a chair across from the D.A. The furniture in the District Attorney's office was similar to that found in most old government offices-largely unchanged since the 1950s. Yet the hardwood chairs and desks were of such good quality that an exact replacement would be cost prohibitive in today's market. Angela planned to upsize her diminutive desk as soon as possible, even if the money came out of her own pocket. | How old did Angela think Porter was when he she interviewed to become the district attorney? | 70 | ['57', 'not enough information', '42'] |
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. | What is probably true about the writer? | that he likes blogs | ['not enough information', "that he doesn't like blogs", 'that he is indifferent to blogs'] |
QUEBEC CITY, CANADA — On the eve of the G-7 summit in Canada, the U.S. president lashed out at host Justin Trudeau and the White House announced Donald Trump would skip some of the sessions.
In two tweets Thursday evening, Trump accused the Canadian prime minister, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron, of “charging the U.S. massive tariffs” and creating “non-monetary barriers.”
Trump also said Trudeau was being “indignant” about the cross-border trade relationship. Later Thursday night, Trump took to Twitter again to urge the European Union and Canada to “Take down your tariffs & barriers or we will more than match you!”
Trump’s tweets came after Macron threatened to exclude the United States from the G-7 final statement to be issued in the mountainous tourism destination of Charlevoix.
In his own tweets in French and English, Macron stated that while Trump “may not mind being isolated” the other six leaders meeting in Canada would also not mind signing an agreement among themselves.
“American jobs are on the line because of his actions and because of his administration,” Trudeau said at a joint news conference with Macron earlier in the day in Ottawa. “When we can underscore this, and we see that there’s a lot of pressure within the U.S., perhaps he will revise his position.”
“A trade war doesn’t spare anyone,” Macron said. “It will start to hurt American workers. The cost of raw materials will rise and industry will become less competitive.”
After the contentious salvos on social media and the Trudeau-Macron news conference, the White House announced Trump would depart the summit at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, following the session on women’s empowerment.
"The president will travel directly to Singapore from Canada in anticipation of his upcoming meeting with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un Tuesday. G-7 sherpa and deputy assistant to the president for international economic affairs Everett Eissenstat will represent the United States for the remaining G-7 sessions," White House Press Secretary SarahSanders said in a statement.
Even before these developments, it had become clear that this would be one of the more contentious G-7 meetings in memory. | What is probably true about Emmanuel Macron? | He speaks two languages | ['not enough information', 'He talks to the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders in French', 'He speaks French only'] |
One time I was walking my puppy (profile pic) who was then around 5 months, with my mum and grandma. By the time we were about to reach our house, we spot two dogs, a German Shepherd and a Husky, both male, on the other side of the street sniffing around with no owner in sight. I was ready to hightail out of there with my dog, but I knew if I ran they would chase, so we formed a wall in front of her to hide her. Of course she decides to stick out her head and start barking. Those two dogs whipped their heads so fast and came running towards us to see her. Since she is a puppy she has zero impulse control and starts throwing herself at them, at their backs, face, plus the fact that she doesn’t like being sniffed at her rear (which they are trying very hard to get to). Here I am nervously sweet talking to them, my voice trembling saying good boys. My grandma is her despair grabs the GS’s neck, and his hair bristled and growled for a second before turning back to our pup. At this point my baby girl is sitting down with her tail tucked close, ears flattened, and head down. I thought “Dear Lord someone’s losing a limb today.” When suddenly this car comes pulling up and this man comes out with a leash, the owner. He practically had to wrestle the GS into the car. A woman in a pickup truck comes next trying to get the husky but he ran away again, but my mom didn’t care, she scooped up our pup and ran, the leash trailing behind her, and even my grandma who has troubles in her knees speed walked. My mom would later laugh at me because I became so pale and because I tried to baby talk a dog to leave us alone. | What did a man come in to get his German Shepherd? | A car | ['a taxi', 'a bus', 'not enough information'] |
The following are selected contributors' notes for an essay collection.
KATY BUTLER, a 2004 finalist for a National Magazine Award, has written for The New Yorker, the New York Times, Mother Jones, Salon, Tricycle, and other magazines. She was born in South Africa and raised in England, and came to the United States with her family at the age of eight. "Everything Is Holy," her essay about nature worship, Buddhism , and ecology, was selected for Best Buddhist Writing 2006. In 2009 she won a literary award from the Elizabeth George Foundation. "What Broke My Father's Heart" was named a "notable narrative" by the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard, won a first-place award from the Association of Health Care Journalists, and was named one of the 100 Best Magazine Articles of All Time. Butler has taught narrative nonfiction at Nieman Foundation conferences and memoir writing at Esalen Institute. Her current book project is Knocking on Heaven's Door: A Journey Through Old Age and New Medicine to be published in 2013.
VICTOR LAVALLE is the author of a collection of stories, Slapboxing with Jesus, and two novels, The Ecstatic and Big Machine, for which he won the Shirley Jackson Award, the American Book Award, and the Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence. He is a 2010 Guggenheim Award winner and an assistant professor at Columbia University's School of the Arts. About "Long Distance" he says: "This essay actually came about when I was asked to write about my life after having lost a great deal of weight. And yet, when I sat down to work, all I could do was return to that time when I was much heavier and deeply unhappy. Why? I sure didn't miss those days. And yet, I felt I couldn't write about my present without touching on that past. But, of course, I never reach the true present in the essay. Maybe I still don't know how to talk about a life with greater happiness. "
BRIDGET POTTER was born in Brompton-on-Swale, Yorkshire, and came to the United States as a teenager in 1958. She spent the first forty years of her career in television, beginning as a secretary, then as a producer and an executive, including fifteen years as senior vice president of original programming at HBO. In 2007 she earned a BA in cultural anthropology from Columbia University. This year she will complete an MFA in nonfiction, also from Columbia, where she has been an instructor in the University Writing Program. She is currently working on her first book, a memoir / social history of the 1960s, from which her essay "Lucky Girl" is adapted.
PATRICIA SMITH is the author of five books of poetry, including Blood Dazzler, chronicling the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, which was a finalist for the 2008 National Book Award, and Teahouse of the Almighty, a National Poetry Series selection. Her work has appeared in Poetry, The Paris Review, TriQuarterly, and The Best American Poetry 2011. She is a Pushcart Prize winner and a four-time individual champion of the National Poetry Slam, the most successful poet in the competition's history.
RESHMA MEMON YAQUB wouldn't even be fit to write a grocery list were it not for her guardian editors. Her stories owe many glorious plot twists to Zain, eleven, and Zach, seven. Ditto their dad (Amer) and grandparents (Ali, Razia, Muhammad, Nasreen). Costars: Sophie, Sana, Yousef, and Maryam. Miss Yaqub lives in Bethesda, Maryland. Her next project is an investigation into the whereabouts of two missing people: Mr. Right and Ms. Memoir Literary Agent. | Which of the following won the Shirley Jackson Award? | Big Machine. | ['Best Buddhist Writing 2006.', 'Teahouse of the Almighty.', 'Mother Jones.'] |
One day Marilla said, "Anne, your new teacher, Miss Stacy, spoke to me yesterday. She says you must study for the examinations for Queen's College in two years' time. Then if you do well, you can study at Queen's in Charlottetown for a year, and after that you'll be a teacher!"
"That doesn't matter, Anne. When Matthew and I adopted you three years ago, we decided to look after you as well as we could. Of course we'll pay for you to study."So in the afternoons Anne and some of her friends stayed late at school, and Miss Stacy helped them with the special examination work. Diana didn't want to go to Queen's, so she went home early, but Gilbert stayed. He and Anne still never spoke and everybody knew that they were enemies, because they both wanted to be first in the examination. Secretly, Anne was sorry that she and Gilbert weren't friends, but it was too late now.
For two years, Anne studied hard at school. She enjoyed learning, and Miss Stacy was pleased with her. But she didn't study all the time. In the evenings and at weekends she visited her friends, or walked through the fields with Diana, or sat talking to Matthew.
"Your Anne is a big girl now. She's taller than you," Rachel Lynde told Marilla one day.
"You're right, Rachel!" said Marilla in surprise.
"And she's a very good girl now, isn't she? She doesn't get into trouble these days. I'm sure she helps you a lot with the housework, Marilla."
"Yes, I don't know what I'd do without her," said Marilla, smiling.
"And look at her! Those beautiful grey eyes, and that red-brown hair! You know, Marilla, I thought you and Matthew made a mistake when you adopted her. But now I see I was wrong. You've looked after her very well."
"Well, thank you, Rachel," replied Marilla, pleased.
That evening, when Matthew came into the kitchen, he saw that his sister was crying.
"What's the matter?" he asked, surprised. "You haven't cried since... well, I can't remember when."
"It's just... well, I was thinking about Anne," said Marilla. "I'll...I'll miss her when she goes away."
"When she goes to Queen's, you mean? Yes, but she can come home at weekends, on the train."
"I'll still miss her," said Marilla sadly."
In June the Avonlea boys and girls had to go to Charlottetown to take their examinations.
"Oh, I do hope that I've done well," Anne told Diana when she arrived back at Green Gables. "The examinations were very difficult. And I've got to wait for three weeks before I know! Three weeks! I'll die!"
Anne wanted to do better than Gilbert. But she also wanted to do well for Matthew and Marilla. That was very important to her.
Diana was the first to hear the news, she ran into the kitchen at Green Gables and shouted, "Look, Anne! It's in Father's newspaper! You're first... with Gilbert... out of all the students on the island! Oh, how wonderful!" Anne took the paper with shaking hands, and saw her name, at the top of the list of two hundred. She could not speak.
"Well, now, I knew it," said Matthew with a warm smile.
"You've done well, I must say, Anne," said Marilla, who was secretly very pleased.
For the next three weeks Anne and Marilla were very busy. Anne needs new dresses to take to Charlottetown. | Why are Anne and Gilbert enemies? Because _ . | they were competitors in school | ["they didn't like each other", "it wasn't mentioned in the passage", 'their parents were enemies'] |
I lost my baby boy at 31 weeks of pregnancy in February 2013.
My heart shattered into a million pieces that weekend in February.
I knew that I wanted the chance to bring home another live, healthy baby in my arms.
I had some medical issues that would concern doctors during a uncomplicated pregnancy and would put me at high risk if, and that at the time was a big if I was able to get pregnant, and could I make it past the second trimester.
I had doctors who supported my decision to try again, but my body wasn’t co operating.
2015. I got pregnant, straight on the medication I needed, lots of blood tests.
Got a horrible sinking feeling something went wrong at the 6 week stage, bleeding at 8 weeks. At 9weeks of pregnancy, got a scan and no heartbeat was found. I choose the d&c operation, I couldn’t deal with seeing the miscarriage blood for days.
I tried to convince myself to give up, move on. Wasn’t an easy thing to do, but the depression and sadness wasn’t fair to my 6 year old son. He needed his mummy who was always sad, in his mind.
About 6 months later, I was having a scan. This time, I had a strong heart beat on screen.
The pregnancy was extremely high risk, consultant led, daily injections, scans every 2 weeks from 18 weeks. No guarantees of a good outcome.
Planned c section at 38 weeks. Healthy baby girl. I was lucky, I got the chance to have my happy ever after.
Was it worth the heartache and infertility caused by stress - yes
Was it worth the terrifying 34 weeks of pregnancy- yes
Do I miss and wish the baby boy I lost at 31 weeks was here - every day
For me, being bloody minded and stubborn worked out for me. | Who didn't deserve to see the writer be sad and depressed | the writer's 6 year old son | ["the writer's husband", 'not enough information', "the writer's parents"] |
David Beckham was born on 2nd May, 1975, in the suburbs of London, at a place called Leytonstone. When he was a young boy, his greatest passion was football. He played it whenever he had the chance. Sometimes he would go and watch a game with his friends. When David Beckham was 12 years old, he won the Bobby Charlton Soccer Skill award. This was an important step forward for this young boy, and it led to him going for a visit to a football training camp in Spain. As a boy at secondary school he played for the schools of Essex and also for his county team.
On 8th July, 1991, he became a trainee with Manchester United. This meant that he could practice football as much as he wanted to and play for the highly successful Manchester United Youth Cup team and Under- 21 team. On 2nd April, 1995, he played his first major football league game against Leeds United. During 1995 and 1996, David became a regular member of the team and Manchester United won in both seasons , with David scoring many goals.
His goals made him a household name. In the first game of the 1997/7 season, he scored an amazing goal from beyond the halfway line. Seeing the goalkeeper a little way out of his goal, David sent the ball over the goalkeepers head and into the goal. It was a wonderful goal and Beckham became famous overnight. He continued to score astonishing goals, especially from free-kicks. The speed of one of his shots was timed at 157kph. He also had the ability to make the ball curl from left to right, or right to left, whenever he chose. He could made it glide high through the air, or dive down steeply. Goalkeepers were never sure where the ball was going, and it regularly ended up in the goal. | The unusually surprising way that he scored goals _ . | made him popular in many British homes | ['helped him to gain many prizes for Essex', 'kept him playing for Leeds United', 'offered him the chance to join the national team'] |
It 's keeping opponents from light up the scoreboard that 's been the problem in Cincinnati . The Bengals have made a collective effort to improve their defense in the past three drafts , using their last three first round picks on that side of the ball . In 2006 , Cincy selected South Carolina corner Jonathan Joseph with their first round pick and in 2007 the Bengals took another defensive back with their first pick in Michigan 's Leon Hall . This past draft , the team tabbed USC outside linebacker Keith Rivers in the first round . | What is the reason the Bengals keep losing ? | Their defense needs improving . | ['Jonathan Joseph stayed with South Carolina .', 'Keith Rivers remained at USC', 'Leon Hall stayed at Michigan .'] |
Road closures all around . Wheeeee . So , fine . Let 's just bear with the s l o w traffic and blockages and get on with it . | What is the reason you would say Wheeeeeee about road closures ? | It is sarcasm , because the closures are BAD . | ['It is fun to have to do extra time driving .', 'If roads are bad you might slide', 'None of the above choices .'] |
Students from Florida International University in Miami walked on water Thursday for a class assignment.To do it,they wore aquatic shoes they designed and created.
Alex Quinones was the first to make it to the other side of a 175-foot lake on campus in record time--just over a minute.Quinones,who wore oversized boat-like shoes,also won last year and will receive $ 500.Students had to wear the aquatic shoes and make it across the lake in order to earn an "A" on the assignment for Architecture Professor Jaime Canaves,Materials and Methods Construction Class."It's traditional in a school of architecture to do boats out of cardboard for a boat race.I thought our students were a little bit more special than that," Canaves said." We decided to do the walk on water event to take it to the next level."
A total of 79 students competed in the race this year in 41 teams.Only 10 teams failed to cross the lake.Others who fell got back up and made it to the end.The race is open to all students and anyone in the community.The youngest person to ever participate was a 9-year-old girl who competed in place of her mother,while the oldest was a 67-year-old female.
A large crowd on campus joined Canaves as he cheered on the racers.He shouted encouraging words,but also laughed as some unsteadily made their way to the end.
"A part of this is for them to have more understanding of designing and make it work better," he said.It is also a lesson in life for the students.
"Anything,including walking on water,is possible,if you do the research,test it and go through the design process seriously." | Which of the following is true about the race? | The youngest competitor competed instead of her mother. | ['The students who fell into the water had to quit.', 'More than 20 teams failed to cross the lake.', 'The students kept silent when the other racers competed.'] |
As a mother, I’m right now navigating the hardest moment with my two daughters and my son …
I was raped at 15 and molested by a teacher from 15–16 … it took 13 years of fighting before I saw any justice for those crimes and it paled in comparison to having to live with that trauma for the last 25 years.
I thought I had moved past it for the most part, thanks to supportive family and lots of counseling and medication to treat my treatment resistant depression I’ve struggled over the last 25 years. I will be 40 this year.
My son, the oldest, turned 15 this year … the same age I was when it began. I see how young he is and recognized for the first time just how young I had been when I was abused. That was really hard for me, emotionally.
Now, I look at my two girls, ages 9 and 3, and worry for their safety - probably more than I should, but understandable given what I went through. We have had lots of “body safety” talks and my older daughter understands the very basics of what I went through, mainly because I have spent a great part of this past year writing a memoir about my experiences and have begun speaking publicly about what I went through and what it means to be a survivor. This is challenging because it’s hard to talk about and explain to a child in a way that they understand without making them fear the world. I struggle with this often.
I’ve chosen to use it as an opportunity to teach them about activism and the power of speaking the truth, what it means to be a survivor instead of a victim. I hope they grow up and see just how strong their mother is and how she has worked in the community to raise awareness and help others. | What are some truths about the author? | She is strong and very brave. | ['she has overcome trauma.', 'not enough information', "she's an excellent role model."] |
U.S. first lady Michelle Obama and her family have just ended their one-week trip in China. The whole world has paid attention to the two elegant and beautiful first ladies who have made a difference in the relationship between China and the U.S.A.
Mrs. Obama has visited the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, and the pandas. She has tasted Peking Duck and experienced some other Chinese traditional culture. It is hoped that this trip to China can bring a real understanding of our eastern world to the first family of the United States.
Today, the number of exchange students between China and the U.S. has reached more than 4 million every year. There are more than 11,000 people traveling to and from each side of the Pacific. If the two countries can increase the exchange in travel, language, cuisine, and cultural understanding, this will help a lot in improving the understanding between the two countries.
Education was an important theme of Mrs. Obama's visit, and it is crucial to the development of Sino-US relationship. China has an ancient tradition of placing a high value on education, and the first lady herself is an outstanding example of a person who changed her own destiny through education. She took education as the key theme of her speech at Peking University, encouraging students from the two countries to learn more about and get wider experience of each other. | Mrs. Obama has visited the following places except _ . | the Summer Palace | ['Terracotta Warriors', 'the Forbidden City', 'the Great Wall'] |
As his days in office wane, U.S. President Barack Obama is pushing to commute sentences of non-violent drug offenders convicted under what the White House called "outdated and unduly harsh" sentencing laws. It has become the centerpiece of his effort to reform the country’s criminal-justice system, which has the highest incarceration rate in the world.
Last Friday, the President granted commutations to 42 convicted nonviolent offenders, bringing the total so far in his presidency to 348 commutations — more than any president has in nearly half a century. His predecessor, George W. Bush granted clemency in just 11 cases.
It's not just Obama pushing for reform. Top Republicans and Democrats in Congress also support relaxing the sentencing laws that have tripled the federal and state prison populations in the last 30 years, reaching more than 1.56 million inmates at the end of 2014.
However in Congress, the main legislative effort for sentencing changes, the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015, has failed to pass either chamber of Congress. The bill would reduce long mandatory minimum sentences for many nonviolent drug crimes, give judges more control over the terms of punishment and provide inmates with more opportunities to get out early by participating in rehabilitation programs.
Failing congressional help, Obama has in recent months relied on his presidential powers to commute the sentences of non-violent offenders.
Under the Constitution, the president has the power to grant “pardons for offenses against the United States” or to commute federal sentences. A pardon is an act of presidential forgiveness and wipes away any remaining legal liabilities from a conviction. A commutation reduces a sentence but does not eliminate a conviction or restore civil rights lost as a result of the conviction.
The American Bar Association has joined Obama's push and put its support behind the Clemency Project 2014, a national effort by multiple justice groups to help inmates who meet U.S. Department of Justice criteria apply for sentence commutations. | Why did Obama fight for lower sentences for drug crimes? | Obama thought the sentences were outdated and unduly harsh | ['he thought the people were really innocent', 'he had a relative who he wanted released', 'not enough information'] |
Valentine’s Day sucks. Which may sound odd coming from someone who ceaselessly praises love and sex, but it is true. I am not a fan.
My mother and father were married in a small Baptist Church on Valentine’s Day in 1959. They are no longer together. They are still technically married but my father now lives in a residential care home for dementia patients and my mother lives alone. My father’s disease makes him angry and aggressive leaving my mother with blurred and fading memories of his kindness. It is a sad day for all those whose partners are transformed into strangers by illnesses.
Some things aren’t fair.
It is my step(ish) daughter’s birthday on Valentine’s Day (I am not married to my boyfriend so I can’t claim to be a step-mum and there is no other term for it). The end of my boyfriend’s marriage has put continents between him and his children. When he hangs up the phone after talking to his daughter, his eyes are dark with pain. It is a sad day for all those whose love is diluted by oceans.
Some things can’t be changed.
I remember the last Valentine’s Day I spent with my ex-husband. I was a couple of weeks away from moving out but I hadn’t told him yet. I felt sick and scared and heartbroken. My husband and I passed the entire day without speaking. As I stood on the edge of the cliff summoning up the courage to jump, I felt entirely alone. It is a sad day for all those whose love has withered away.
Some things can’t be fixed.
I want to believe that “love is all you need” because it feels as though it could almost be true, but then I remember, on days like this, that for as many hearts that sing, there are equally as many that struggle to beat. | Why does the writer hate valentine's? | Her ex ruined it | ['her parents ruined it', 'not enough information', 'her kid has birthday on it'] |
I could sit and listen to her and sit and listen to myself . She 'd listen to my kid stories and would offer stated support and the knowledge that I could do anything that I wanted . So rare . | Why did the woman listen the narrator 's stories ? | The woman wanted to encourage the narrator to follow their dreams . | ['The woman wanted support to deal with the narrator .', 'The woman wanted to listen to herself speak .', 'None of the above choices .'] |
Years prior to this , Kanye has thrown a man tantrum over the fact that he did n't win a Grammy for his music . Stop the presses ! ! Kanye is not satisfied with his fame , his money , his notoriety , his fans , his praise that every music critic with a pulse gives him , support from Mtv , BET , Rolling Stone , Vibe , Source , XXL , and of course his own view of himself . So last night he stopped the music to praise his mom for popping him out . | Why is the narrator annoyed with the artist ? | They feel he has a big ego . | ['They feel he has too much fame .', 'They feel he has no right to win a grammy .', 'None of the above choices .'] |
The largest bird that cannot fly also happens to be the largest living bird in the world. This is the huge North African ostrich . When the male is fully grown, he reaches a height of nearly eight feet and many weigh close to three hundred pounds. His wings are very small and the wing feathers are very soft, and therefore he does not fly.
You have probably heard the old saying about "the foolish ostrich burying his head in the sand". Well, the ostrich is not nearly as foolish as he is said to be. In the daytime, when the hen is sitting on the eggs, she does not want to be seen; instead of sticking her long neck up into the air, she bends her neck and head down. That way, she can best protect the eggs and herself.
Because the ostrich cannot fly up into the air to escape from danger on the ground, he has to remain alert at all times. Luckily, he has very good eyesight and hearing, so he can stop danger in time to run away. The ostrich can run so fast that it almost seems as if he is flying.
Sometimes, when a person has a small appetite , we say that he "eats like a bird". Of course, that bird is not the ostrich! An ostrich will eat anything under the sun. When an ostrich died in a zoo, scientists cut it open to see what he had eaten. Here are some of the things found in its stomach: three pieces of wood, part of a film roll, a French coin, four pennies, and so on. | Ostriches bury their heads in the sand because they _ . | can avoid being attacked | ['are too lazy to do anything', 'can relax by doing so', 'are very shy'] |
Apparently,we are safe neither at home nor in the business office.We use water in both places,but the research shows that chemicals added to our local water supply to kill harmful bacteria can have unwanted side effects.These chemicals can cause potential harm through drinking and in seemingly harmless activities as cleaning one's house.They are released(set free)from water by daily actions like water running out of tap,spraying from garden pipes,or splashing in dishwashers and washing machines.As the water is moving.these chemicals are released into the air and then breathed in. Once inside our bodies, they start to affect our health.
Does this mean we should stop bathing? No, say the scientists, but _ . Activities at home such as the burning of coal, cooking oil, or even candles release carbon monoxide and particulates such as cigarette ashes which have been proven as harmful to health as working or living near heavy traffic. New tugs, bedding, and even clothing give off that"new smell, "which is a sure sign of chemicals. In the office, newly applied paint, newly purchased telephones and other telecommunications equipment, and computers release polluting chemicals, too. As offices and homes often have inadequate ventilation , these chemicals can build up to become health problems. Their poisonous effects are only now being slowly recognized.
These facts suggest that, at a minimum, proper airing of newly purchased goods with an obvious chemical smell is a wise warning. Home and office windows should be opened during good weather. Even one's car needs to be ventilated as well while in the garage.
We need further research to understand better other potential health dangers, too. For example, the effects of overcrowding of schools (carbon dioxide build-up ), the factory work environment ( an endless list of potentially dangerous substances ), and even home heating and cooling (the air conditioner may be our enemies, not our friends) have only recently started to come to light. Until we understand the effects of our new technological environment better, we can only hope that"there is no place like home." | What is the purpose of the passage? | To make us aware of the pollution around us. | ['To call on us to guard our water.', 'To show us that no place is like home.', 'To argue that neither homes nor offices are safe.'] |
Upset by reading bad news daily,Neil Pasricha decided to try to focus on the positive and come up with l,000 simple,free,good things,posting one each day on a blog .
Pasricha,aged 30,said his blog aimed to focus on life's simple pleasures,such as finding forgotten money in a pocket, or fixing a TV set with a heavy blow.Little did he realize his blog would attract 40,000 people a day to join his discussions.He was amazed to win two Webby awards.known as "the Oscars of the Internet,'' something positive at a time when his marriage broke up and one of his closest friends killed himself.
"I turned the worst year of my life into my best year by focusing on the positive," Pasricha told reporters in a telephone interview."Every day I try to find something that is happy,free and universal to share, 1ike the smell of a bakery or when a cashier opens up a new line at a store*"
Pasricha said when he began his blog in June 2008 he thought he might have trouble finding out l,000 simple, happy moments in life but now he is more than halfway through and ideas keep crowding in,from himself and from followers of his blog.
"These moments can start a huge conversation.Most of our life is really about hitting green lights on the way home from work,or waking up before your alarm clock rings and realizing you have more time in bed. But it is those small moments we forget about."
Although his blog got a great success.Pasrieha does not want to change his daily life."I travel regularly for an hour a day to work.I like work because I like the people in my office.I'm not a writer and I don't know the writing skills either.I just like observing the world and putting it down." he said. | Neil Pasricha determined to post positive feelings or things on his blog because _ . | daily bad news and broken marriage saddened him | ['he wanted to forget his marriage life', 'he wanted to make his bloc successful', '1,000 simple,free,happy things excited him'] |
Pocket money
Most British parents give their teenagers pocker money. Teenagers get between PS7 and PS20 a week. They spend it on fast food, designer clothes, the cinema, concert, magazines and mobile phones.
Lazy parents?
37% of parents pay teenagers to clean the lounge, 66% of parents pay teenagers to take the rubbish out.
Lazy teens?
51% of teenagers don't make their beds before they leave home.Only 13% of teenagers wash the car for money.Some parents even pay their teenagers to do their homework.
Equality? Not yet!
Boys get more money than girls for most odd jobs.For washing the dishes, boys get about PS4 and girls get about PS1.
And if you need some more money?
Teens get an extra PS250 a year out of their parents on top of pocket money!About 50% of teens get gifts of money from their grandparents.Go to Mum if you need extra money!She gives more than Dad.
Where you live makes a difference!
Parents in prefix = st1 /Scotlandand the North of England give most pocket money.
Spending
51% spend their money on clothes.39%buy cosmetics, juwellery and toiletries.Less than 40% of teenagers save any money.Here are some children who tell us about their pocket money:I get PS30 a month, I have to take the rubbish out and tidy my room. --Emma,15, Edinburgh .I get PS10 a week. But I have to clean the car, hoover the house and load and unload the dishwasher. I usually save the money. --James, 12, Sheffield..I getPS7.5 a week.I have to be "good" but I don't have to do any jobs for the money. --Lain, 13, Cardiff.I getPS5 a week. But our neighbors go away a lot and they give me PS25 a week for looking after their cats. --Richard, 13, Belfast | We can infer from the text that _ . | most children spend their pocket money | ['boys earn more money at home than girls', 'girls earn more money at home than boys', 'only rich parents give children pocket money'] |
A chip inserted in a young quadriplegic's brain is already improving his quality of life. Soon the benefits may be more widespread.
A 25-year-old man unable to move from the neck down recently did what many assumed impossible. After a knife attack that had left him paralyzed, all he could move was his head, which he used to push a switch and call for a nurse. And he could turn his wheelchair by blowing into a straw near his face. That was it.
Then last June, a Foxborough (Mass.) company called Cyber Kinetics opened the man's skull and inserted a special chip no larger than a baby aspirin. That insert has given him a few additional and precious abilities. When connected to a special computer via a cable, the chip translates the young man's thoughts into commands that let him move a cursor across a PC screen and open e-mail. He can draw a circle with a computer painting program. And he can use a robotic hook to perform simple tasks like picking up a candy and sliding it across a table.
All he has to do is to think.
Several new studies have begun or been completed in the past year. In fact, more than half of the scientific papers in this field, called brain-to-computer interaction (BCI), have been published in the past two years, notes Jonathan Wolpaw, a research physician at Wadsworth Center, the New York State Health Dept.'s research laboratory.
Brain surgeries are no longer rare: Thousands of Parkinson's disease patients have had special devices inserted in their brains to ease uncontrollable shaking and other symptoms. The inserts themselves have improved, so the body doesn't reject them as furiously . And significant development has been achieved in software used to interpret the brain's signals and change them into commands understood by computers.
But increased demand for thought technology remains the biggest reason for the field's progress. Today, 4 million Americans live with paralysis according to the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation.
Scientists hope that thought technology will reduce the impact of such disabilities. People with spinal-cord injuries, for example, often lose their ability to walk because the communications network between their brain and their legs has been interrupted. The brain still commands the leg muscles to move, but they don't hear its orders.
Thought technology, scientists hope, will bridge this communications gap. "Our goal is for you to see paralyzed people eating at a restaurant and for you not to know that they are paralyzed," says John Donoghue, founder and chief scientific officer at Cyber Kinetics. | What is the passage mainly about? | Thought technology | ['Communications gap', 'Brain surgeries', 'Human brains'] |
Trying to recover from a devastating economic crisis, Spain is considering moving the country's clock back by one hour.
Many people regard long afternoon naps and late dinners as perfect aspects of the Spanish way of life. Until the 1940s, Spain was on the same time as Britain and Portugal. In World War II, Spain and Portugal moved the clocks forward to align them with Nazi Germany. The same happened in Portugal. After the defeat of Hitler, Portugal returned to Greenwich Mean Time, but Spain did not.
"The fact that for more than 71 years Spain has not been in its proper time zone means we sleep almost an hour less than the World Health Organization recommends," lawmakers in the Spanish Parliament wrote in a proposal."This has a negative effect on productivity, absenteeism, stress, accidents and school drop-out rates."
Last September, a parliamentary commission recommended that the government turn back the clocks by one hour and introduce a regular eight-hour workday. For the time being, the Spanish government is treating the campaign seriously but it hasn't taken any action yet.
Spain's time zone issue explains why everything in Spain happens later, from meal times to broadcast entertainment (primetime doesn't start until 10 pm). Many urban Spaniards complain of a never-ending workday that begins in the morning but is interrupted by a traditional late-morning break and then again by the midday siesta--a two-hour long lunch and nap that usually start at 2 pm. If workers return to their desks at 4 pm, they end up working late into the evening.
Under the proposed new schedule, the lunchtime break would be cut to an hour or less. The interruption-filled Spanish workday would be replaced by something closer to a 9-to-5 schedule. Ignacio Buqueras, president of the Association for the Rationalization of Spanish Working Hours, told The New York Times that changing the Spanish schedule would be good news for working mothers. It would also allow families more free time together and boost Spain's economic recovery.
Maria Angles Duran, a sociologist with the Spanish National Research Council, is skeptical that changing the time zone will reverse low productivity, which she attributes more to the structure of the service-oriented economy. But she agreed that a more normal work schedule would help women, who often complain that their husbands deliberately schedule meetings in the early evening.
"For men, this is perfect," Duran said, "They arrive home and the children have already had their baths! Timetables can be used as a sort of weapon." | According to the passage, Duran may agree with the following except that _ . | the new schedule will allow families more free time | ['women will probably benefit from the new schedule', 'economic structure influences economic performance', 'men can escape housework in the existing schedule'] |
Jimbob Blakey wasn't so much given birth to as clambered right out of his mother himself. He weighed in at almost thirteen pounds, came ready-fitted with a shock of fat black hair and a couple of razor teeth. Jimbob's folks loved him like most folks love their little ones, maybe more. They'd been trying so hard for a child, suffered more mid-term miscarriages than the ewes they shuttled off to market most Thursdays. They dressed him in a one-year babygro and took him home to their hill farm. They fought to get up nights and give him his milk. His teeth made breast-feeding impossible. They sat hours gazing down in his cot. They dressed him fine and took him to their church and gave their thanks. Showed him off like the proud parents they were. Others cooed and smiled. But they never asked to hold. They gave thanks the Blakeys were happy, and that the monkey-baby had not been born to them. Jimbob's folks never gave a second thought that their boy might be different. The first Spring he walked, he stomped the moors in his welly-boots helping herd the pregnant ewes down in-by. He copied his father, kicking and cuffing at the stragglers, when the flock was returned to the hills in May. As Jimbob grew, his hair became thicker, his arms longer. His head shrunk down on his shoulders. At check-ups, nurses fixed smiles and pronounced him healthy. Doctors said, 'he'll make you a strapping lad.' His mother smiled, her heart swelled. When he was three, she sent him to nursery. She wanted him to mix with other kids. To taste life off the hard hills. She said, 'it'll do him the world of good.' Jimbob hated leaving the farm. He clung to his mother. She drove away, blinking tears. On the third day, she took a phone call. 'It's Jimbob,' they said. 'He's scaring the other kids.'The truth hit Jimbob's mother like a hammer. | Jimbob Blakey hair become thiker | After he grow up | ['not enough information', 'When he got old', 'before he become bold'] |
Many a online shopper stayed up until 2 am on Sunday, looking through the Internet to buy products being sold at half price before they could _ (be bought)by other shoppers. Tens of millions of the Internet users were crazy to take advantage of the halfprice promotion, started by the ecommerce giant Alibaba Group on Sunday, Nov. 11, which is known as Singles' Day in China, and is the Chinese answer to Cyber Monday in the United States.
By 7 pm on Sunday, 14.1 billion yuan's worth of sales was made on tmall. com and taobao. com. That could make Singles' Day the biggest ecommerce sales day on record. The research company comScore said US online retailers saw $ 1.25 billion of sales during last year's Cyber Monday, the day after Thanksgiving weekend and the busiest day for online retailers as US shoppers start to prepare for Christmas.
Singles' Day originated with university students, and was later adopted by ecommerce companies as a promotional opportunity. Ecommerce companies, including Jingdong Mall and Amazon China, also took part in the promotion." In the past, people only shopped online occasionally, but now, online shopping is a lifestyle accepted by many," said Zhang Yong, Tmall president.
Alibaba began to hold Singles' Day promotions in 2009, and last year, its sales totaled 5.2 billion yuan."I don't know whether we would lose money, but I don't think we could earn much on this day by selling goods at half price," said Hao Hongfeng, chairman of Beijing Jiuxian ECommerce, a liquor retailer in Beijing who took part in the event. He said it is a good opportunity for online retailers to get their names known. | Why were the online retailers so active in the promotion? | To make their names known to more people. | ['To make a lot more money.', 'To make more business friends through the event.', 'To sell more products.'] |
He came from out of the country to attend this wedding , just like me from out of town . As young as he was he and his brothers were so nice and pro - active in helping us - the bride family - to put together everything for the wedding . So , in short , my sense is going wrong for this guy . | What did the bride 's family need help with ? | Organizing a large event . | ['None of the above choices .', 'Watching their young brothers .', 'Moving out of town .'] |
I had slept in until 8:36 a.m. and I did n't know if I could forgive myself for wasting so much dazzling daylight . I slammed down some breakfast , slathered on the SPF 50 , and raced out the door , determined to soak in all of the rays the Juneau Powers That Be were willing to send my way . I raced my mountain bike to the base of Mount Juneau , and in my typical way - too - excited - about - a - nice - day style , I burned a lot of matches getting there . I have to admit I was pretty fried just six miles in , but I had so much ground to cover and so little time to do it , I could n't hold back . | What may be the reason why they got a sunburn even though they put sunscreen on ? | They sweat so much that the sunscreen came off . | ["They did n't use a high enough SPF .", "They did n't apply enough .", 'None of the above choices .'] |
I have been the brunt of cruelty from a doctor a number of times but I will relate one that has always stayed with me since I was a child.
I was approximately 8 years and it happened to be summer. Baseball was a true love and my brothers and friends played daily. In the summer, all we wore were cut off jeans and nothing else. I had stepped on a rusty nail and it became infected. Time for a Tetanus shot! This was a typical occurrence for us during the summer.
There was only one doctor within a one hundred square mile area and his name was Doctor Brandenbury. He was a very unpleasant, elderly man that my brothers and I did not care for since he was just a mean, old bastard.
So I am shuffled off to his office and of course after hearing what had a occurred and examining my foot agreed I needed the Tetanus shot.
I make a very innocent request as he is about to give me the shot. Since I knew the shot would stiffen my arm and essentially cause pain I would take it in my left arm so my throwing arm would not be affected.
I tried to request this from the doctor but he did not wish to hear anything from me. He said "I don't give a fuck what arm you get it in." He grabbed me roughly by the right arm and used the needle like a dart and just slammed it into my arm. I had never had a problem with shots before but that REALLY hurt. I started crying. He instructed my mother "To get me the Hell out of his office."
Needless to say my mother never took any of us to see this old, miserable bastard again. She found another doctor that actually treated us like we were human. | How often had the narrator had such an injury occur? | it was very typical occurrence in the summer time | ['it was the only time', 'not enough information', 'a few times'] |
When Beijing is hit by smog, residents often joke that the Chinese capital needs to build giant fans to clear out the polluted air.Mountains to the north and west help trap smog in the city, and a strong wind from Mongolia is the surest way to ensure cleaner air.
Beijing officials are now considering ways to help that process.Though giant fans are not on the menu, at least not yet, city planners are looking at ways to create corridors that encourage wind flow through the capital.The plan is inspired by research on urban heat islands, which shows that large buildings that block the wind are one of the causes of higher average temperatures in cities as opposed to those in the countryside.
"This isn't controlling pollution.It's shifting the problem." Wang Bing, a Beijing-based author, wrote on Sina Weibo.But the plan has received some interest from residents who have grown tired of repeated periods of heavy pollution.
Peng Yingdeng, an air pollution expert at the Beijing Municipal Research Institute of Environmental Protection, told the newspaper that the plan was more likely to require an adjustment of related laws to limit building heights and numbers in some areas.Similar proposals are under consideration in other major Chinese cities including Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shenyang and Wuhan.
"This kind of work to search for ways to reduce pollution is really worth applauding," the state-run news agency Xinhua said in a commentary."If scientists confirm it is effective, then we should promote it on a much larger scale."
Some experts have expressed doubts whether the plan would make a significant difference.Serious pollution is usually associated with periods of little or no wind, and air corridors do little good if the wind isn't blowing, Song Guojun, an environmental science professor told The Beijing News.Solving the air pollution problem mainly requires controlling pollution sources. | Why do people say "the Chinese capital needs to build giant fans"? | Because the pollution is too serious. | ['Because the weather in Beijing is very hot.', 'Because they think air corridors are a good idea.', 'Because Beijing is surrounded by mountains.'] |
Touhou 11 : Subterranean Animism came out in Japan today , which means everyone is on Share / Torrent / Etc waiting for the Japanese to bloody upload it so us Americans can play the new game . | Which of the following statements is true ? | The Japanese get the game before the Americans . | ['None of the above choices .', 'The Japanese would not share the game with Americans .', 'The Americans and Japanese got the game at the same time .'] |
We could n't even exit the train because of the crowd about 500 people deep ... no kidding . It took us probably 20 minutes to make our way about 5 feet . It became so bad at one point that in order to get us moving , I literally screamed at the top of my lungs EXCUSE ME ! ! ! ! Rest assured it echoed throughout the train station , but the impatient American in me could n't handle it anymore . | How might this person be described in this situation ? | They are frustrated with the massive train crowds . | ['They are late to their train stop .', 'None of the above choices .', 'They are late to their destination .'] |
There are stories about two U.S . presidents,Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren,which attempt to explain the American English term OK.We don't know if either story is true,but they are both interesting.
The first explanation is based on the fact that President Jackson had very little education.In fact,he had difficulty reading and writing.When important papers came to Jackson,he tried to read them and then had his assistants explain what they said.If he approved of a paper, he would write "all correct"on it.The problem was that he didn't know how to spell.So what he really wrote was "ol korekt".After a while,he shortened that term to "OK".
The second explanation is based on the place where President Van Buren was born,Kinderhook,New York.Van Buren's friends organized a club to help him become President .They called the club the Old Kinderhook Club,and anyone who supported Van Buren was called"OK". | .According to the second story,the term "K" _ . | was used to call Van Buren's supporters in the election | ['was the short way to say"ld Kinderhook Club"', 'meant the place where President Van Buren was born', "was the name of Van Buren's club"] |
I also took a tour to the nearby island which houses a federal bird sanctuary as well as the lighthouse and the lighthouse keeper 's cottage - very cool to climb to the top of the lighthouse and look out . This past week my parents drove up and was introduced to my preceptor , which essentially felt like I was back in school and having a parent teacher meeting . My dad had no qualms within a few seconds of being introduced to ask , ' So how is she doing ? ' | Why was the narrator so happy with their trip to the island ? | They got to see some protected animals . | ['They got to go swimming .', 'None of the above choices .', 'They got to lounge on the beach .'] |
Mad was at her parents house so I got some drinking / fishing done . Eric is temporarily taking residence in my music room before reimbarking on his epic journey.hating job stuff right now . I got an email saying that I am hired .. however no official job offer letter was included . So they have to guarentee a job , but not what I would be paid . | Why is the narrator out fishing ? | The narrator 's spouse is away . | ['The narrator is competing in a competition .', 'The narrator is looking to get something to eat .', 'None of the above choices .'] |
Staying in our apartment on the North Shore of Vancouver, we were tucked into a sleepy, suburban idyll where once off the busy highway, kids played ball games in the street and cats strolled around their own home territories without a care in the world. It is also home to the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge, but warned that the crowds in mid-August would be overwhelming, we were given the tipoff that the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge and the surrounding park is a lovely place to while away an afternoon.
Smaller, free and with loads of walks and picnic areas, I sent my intrepid husband ahead to brave the canyon bridge whilst I sipped a much-needed coffee in the local cafe.
It was beautiful.
It’s mostly because the thought of hopping onto a swaying bridge above the ravine gives me the heebie-jeebies, whereas he will stride across panels of transparent glass suspended metres above busy streets (like Tower Bridge) or gondola rides that skim well above the treetops (like Japan lake or the Bavarian Alpine range.)
Watching the shower of golden pine needles drift down from the redwoods whilst I typed out a blog post, I enjoyed seeing squirrels scamper and birds twitter their way around the boughs and branches. That blur below? A local black squirrel who was foraging amongst the cooing tourists for snacks…
About 20 minutes later his grinning face floated back into view, and he brandished his phone with images of his quick wander through the trails.
Lynn Canyon Park officially opened to the public in 1912; there are several trails throughout the park to choose from for a leisurely hike including the popular Baden Powell Trail and there are also many breathtaking waterfalls and popular swimming holes which are perfect during the summer months.
Lynn Canyon Park covers 617 acres today and comprises of second growth forest with most of the trees aged approximately 80 to 100 years old. | How long does it take to hike the trails in the Lynn Canyon park? | probably about a few hours or less | ['probably a few weeks', 'not enough information', 'probably a few days'] |
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly is a great film, and often regarded as one of the greatest films of all time. I never much paid attention to how the film was lit, but on examination I don’t know what I think of the lighting. Maybe i’m totally wrong, but the lighting seems quite obvious when you pay attention to it, which makes me thing it could have been done better? Certainly the lighting is masterfully done, in the way it properly exposes the characters faces and splashes off and around certain props and objects, adding a great deal of dimension to many of the shots. But it does look quite obvious, once you pay attention to it, especially when you can see multiple shadows coming from a single character. All that said, the lighting is still pretty masterful and I’m very intrigued to properly analyse it.
The first shot of the scene has extremely beautiful (even though it is obvious 😉 ) lighting. As the cowboy stands in the hallway you can tell that there is a strong key light coming from the left of the frame, that will light his face once he steps out of the shadows. It seems like there is another light, maybe coming from high up near the roof, lighting the right hand side of the frame, near the back of the hallway. Most likely facing towards the character to light him from his right hand side, to seperate him from the background. The lighting setup of this shot is extremely beautiful the way it enhances the various pieces of wood and props within the frame, and how they’ve managed to keep the cowboy drenched in shadows as he sneaks around, even though there is quite a lot of light within the frame. It looks like they may have used a cutter to achieve that effect as its a very specific area, essentially just the top half of the cowboy thats drenched ins shadow. Theres also this curious black circular shadow which exists at the very top of the door near the cowboys head which permanently stays extremely dark, much darker than the rest of the shadows in the frame. I wonder how they achieved this effect? Maybe a very specifically located circular cutter. | What does the author think of the lighting in the film? | he thinks some was well done, but there was room for improvement | ['he thought it was impossible to notice anything about it', "he thought it was perfect and he wouldn't change a thing", 'not enough information'] |
The south and east of the Great Lakes is famous for the huge amounts of snow it receives. When the snow starts to fall every year, people start discussing the phrase "lake-effect snow".
Lake-effect snow which is influenced by the movement of cold air over the relatively warm water of the Great Lakes often comes in late autumn and early winter. Because of the at least 20 degrees' difference between the lake water and the overrunning air, it's easy to form huge amounts of snow.
As the cool air crosses the water of Great Lakes, the lowest levels of the atmosphere begin to warm and pick up moisture. This newly warmed atmosphere is lighter than the cold air above it, so it starts rising. As the changed air continues to climb higher and higher, it finally meets much colder atmosphere which changes the moisture into water drops and ice, forming clouds. After this course repeats a number of times, the clouds become heavier and heavier, and then they are changed into snow and fall down.
The most important point that decides the amount of snowfall is the direction of the wind. If the wind runs perpendicularly across the lake, there won't be plenty of time for clouds to develop. However, if the wind runs in the opposite direction, clouds will form easily. The longer the cold air travels over the lake, the more moisture it is able to produce, which leads to a greater amount of snow.
The largest amount of the lake-effect snow was found across the U.P. of Michigan, the northwestern Pennsylvania and the far southwestern and northwestern New York, which are all along the south or east of the Great Lakes. It has been over 100 inches of snowfall in a winter season. | The passage is mainly about _ . | how the lake-effect snow forms around the Great Lakes | ['the influences of the lake-effect snow for local people', 'the weight between moisture and atmosphere', 'how the phrase "lake-effect snow" comes in New York'] |
A long time ago, when humans still lived in cities, on a cold morning near the end of a long, cruel winter, in magnificent Central Park in the middle of magnificent New York City, a young squirrel named Patch was awakened very early by the growls of his empty stomach. A squirrel's home is called a drey. Patch's drey was very comfortable. He lived high up an old oak tree, in a hollowed-out stump of a big branch that had long ago been cut off by humans. The entrance was only just big enough for Patch to squeeze in and out, but the drey itself was spacious, for a squirrel. Patch had lined his drey with dry leaves, grasses and bits of newspaper. It was warm and dry, and on that cold morning he would have liked nothing better than to stay home all day and sleep. But he was so hungry. Hunger filled him like water fills a glass. The cherry and maple trees had not yet started to bud; flowers had not yet begun to grow; the juicy grubs and bugs of spring had not yet emerged; and it had been two days since Patch had found a nut. Imagine how hungry you would feel if you went two whole days without eating, and you may have some idea how Patch felt that morning. Patch poked his head out of the drey into the cold air and shivered as he looked around. Clumps of white, crumbly ice still clung to the ground. Gusts of cold wind shook and rustled the trees' bare branches. The pale and distant sun seemed drained of heat. Patch took a moment to satisfy himself that there were no dangers nearby, no hawk circling above or unleashed dog below. Then he emerged from his drey and began to look for acorns. But what marvels, what miracles, what mysteries are hidden inside those simple words! | Who was hungry? | a squirrel | ['a dog', 'a hawk', 'not enough information'] |
It can be hard to encourage families of preschoolers to turn off the TV,but there are plenty of highquality shows that promote learning and positive relationships rather than violence,researchers noted.
"Although clearly kids watch too much,what's more worrying is that they watch poor quality shows," said Dr Christakis,the lead researcher on the new study from the University of Washington in Seattle.His former survey of parents of threeto fiveyearold children showed the kids often watched violent cartoons and movies that are "totally inappropriate".
For their study,he and his colleagues randomly divide 565 preschoolers into two groups.In one group,parents recorded notes about kids' normal TV viewing,without receiving any guidelines to reduce or change those habits.In the other group,researchers made visits and calls and sent monthly newsletters encouraging parents to replace violent TV with educational programming.After six and 12 months,parents reported their kid's angry,aggressive or anxious behaviors on a questionnaire.At both time points,children in the TV intervention program had slightly fewer problems than those in the comparison group.Boys in lowincome families seemed to benefit most from the change in programming,the researchers found.
"The point is,this is something that is as effective as other things we do to try to guide behavior in children,and it's fairly simple," Christakis said.
Another study published in Pediatrics found the more TV kids and teens watched,the more likely they were to have a crime or other problems in society.Children may imitate violence they see--or more time in front of the TV could simply mean less communication with peers and families,and worse performance in school.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends kids watch no more than one to two hours of highquality programming each day.Researchers agreed parents should be mindful of what exactly their young kids are watching on TV as well."It's not just about turning the TV off,it's about changing the channel," Christakis said. | We can learn from the survey mentioned in Para.3 that _ . | Kids watching highquality programs have fewer problems | ["Children don't like being disturbed while watching TV", 'Preschoolers seems to like newsletters more than TV', 'Poor children prefer to watch educational programming'] |
When Julio Diaz stepped off the subway after work one night, he was simply planning to go to his favorite local diner for a meal. But when a teenage boy approached him with a knife, Diaz knew the evening was about to take a more dramatic turn.
The young man demanded Diaz's wallet, and Diaz passed it over without objection . But just as he turned to walk away, Diaz called, "Hey, wait a minute. You forgot something."
The young man turned around, surprised.
"If you're going to rob people for the rest of the night, you might as well take my coat to keep warm."
The teenager looked at Diaz in disbelief, and asked why he would do such a thing. Diaz replied, "If you're willing to risk your freedom for a few dollars, I guess you must really need the money."He said he was heading out for dinner, and that he would be happy to take someone with him.
The young man decided to _ his offer. As they were sitting at the table, the manager, dishwashers and waiters all stopped over to say hello to Diaz, and the young man was amazed at his popularity.
"Haven't you been taught that you should be nice to everybody?"Diaz asked him.
"Yeah, but I didn't think people actually behaved that way," the teenager replied. Thanks to Diaz, he was beginning to see that kindness wasn't so strange, after all.
When the bill came, Diaz told the teen that he'd have to get the check. After all, he still had Diaz's wallet.
But the teenager put the wallet on the table without a moment's thought, and Diaz treated him to dinner. Diaz also gave the would-be robber a $20 bill -- in exchange for his knife. "I figure, you know, if you treat people right, you can only hope that they treat you right," Diaz said. | The teenager gave the wallet back to Diaz maybe because _ . | he began to realize people should be nice to others | ['Diaz was so popular with people in the restaurant', 'Diaz had to pay for the meal they had together', 'he had been given a $20 bill to take with him'] |
From bankers to factory staff, employees in the West face a cold _ of losing their jobs as a global recession starts to bite. For colleagues in the East, the pain is more likely to come through a pay cut.
Human resource experts say cultural differences explain why Asian companies try harder to preserve jobs in difficult times, which will prevent unemployment and may help Asian economies survive at a time of slowing exports. The East Asian attitude may also make it easier for companies to recover quickly from the economic downturn since they will not need to rehire or train new staff, but build up a more loyal and devoted group.
"In the Confucian mindset , the right thing to do is to share the burden , which is the sense of collective responsibility. While in the West, it's more about individual survival," said Michael Benoliel, associate professor of organizational behavior at Singapore Management University (SMU).
In contrast, local Western companies from General Motors to Goldman Sachs plan to lay off workers by the thousands, but at the Asian units of Western multinationals or western units of Asian groups, job cuts will probably be less severe.
Japan's jobless rate was 4 percent in September, up from 3.8 percent in January, while Hong Kong's was flat at 3.4 percent. But US unemployment is expected to have jumped to 6.3 percent last month from below 5 percent in January.
Experts say that while there are noticeable differences in labor practices in East and West, the gap will narrow as more firms become more multinational and competition forces firms to adopt the best practices of rivals from abroad. | Compared with job cuts, pay cuts can bring the following benefits EXCEPT that _ . | it costs the company less money to survive | ["it's helpful to the economy recovery", 'it can form a team working harder and more loyally', 'it will keep the experienced and skilled workers'] |
My first born son is mentally handicapped, yet in so many ways he is far wiser than I am. He has an intuitive knowledge of what is important in life. When we go out he looks people in the eyes, calls them by name, and shares his smile far more easily than I do. He goes through life with a soul full of love, joy and kindness that he gives to everyone he meets. He makes others feel better. He makes each day shine brighter. He makes this world more beautiful just by being in it. He may not understand everything in life, but he knows how to live happily and lovingly. He shows me everyday that life is simple. It is we who make it complicated.
You see, life is just the choices we make each day. We can choose to love or we can choose to be afraid. We can choose to help or we can choose to turn away. We can choose to forgive or we can choose to hate. We can choose to be kind or we can choose to be cruel. We can choose to trust or we can choose to be suspicious. We can choose to give or we can choose to take. We can choose to laugh or we can choose to cry. We can choose to smile or we can choose to stress. We can choose to shine our souls or we can choose to dwell in darkness.
My son knows these choices by heart and always makes the right ones. I hope to one day get there as well. Until then I will do my best to live simply, to be wise, and to choose well. Until then I will do my best to love family, myself, and others. May you do the same. | According to the author, the son lives a happy life due to _ . | his less considering | ["the author's intensive care", 'his living in a peaceful age', 'the kindness and love of the people around him'] |
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill Thursday that would protect from arbitrary dismissal the special counsel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.
The measure, backed by 10 Democrats and four Republicans, would codify Justice Department regulations that the special counsel can only be fired by the attorney general or a designee for "misconduct, dereliction of duty, incapacity, conflict of interest, or other good cause."
The proposal would give the special counsel 10 days to challenge a dismissal in court. If a court determines the firing was not for "good cause," the special counsel would be reinstated. The measure would also require the Justice Department to notify Congress when a special counsel is appointed and to report the findings of an investigation.
While marking a strong show of support for Special Counsel Robert Mueller who is under frequent attack by President Donald Trump and some Republicans, the bill is unlikely to become law in the face of Republican opposition.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said last week that Trump will not fire Mueller and that there was no need to bring the measure to the Senate floor for a vote. House Speaker Paul Ryan has also opposed the idea.
The legislation was introduced by four Senators earlier this month after Trump's sharp criticism of an FBI raid on his personal lawyer's home and office rekindled fears that Trump may fire Mueller and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who supervises Mueller.
Mueller is heading the federal investigation into Russia's electoral interference and possible collusion with the Trump presidential campaign. Trump has said there was no collusion and repeatedly denounced the probe as a "witch hunt."
Despite his harsh criticism of the Special Counsel and the Justice Department, Trump has dismissed reports that he's privately talked about firing Mueller. He told the cable show Fox and Friends on Thursday that he'll "try and stay away" from the Justice Department, but "at some point, I won't."
Supporters of the Special Counsel bill hailed it as a victory for the rule of law and said it would send a message that the president doesn't have unfettered authority. | When was the legislation introduced? | Earlier this month | ['Thursday', 'This week', 'not enough information'] |
As we go through life , we learn lessons from a variety of teachers . I have come to the decision that there are two extremely wise teachers that we learn from - Wisdom and Consequences . As you experience life , you are probably learning from both of these wise teachers . We can learn a great deal from both of them - I know I have . | Why might the person be feeling this ? | They have made some mistakes in life | ['They are trying to comfort a friend', 'They are stoned', 'they are teaching a philosophy class'] |
So , Tuesday was fun . I went to Ocean City and had a pretty good time . I did n't get to go in the ocean this time , but I ' m scared of it anyway , so that was n't much of a loss for me . | Why is the narrator unwilling to go swimming ? | None of the above choices . | ['They do not know how to swim .', "They ca n't swim .", 'It is too cold to swim .'] |
The Black Bears will attempt to pull off one of the biggest upsets in college football history on Saturday iowa football buckeye football . Iowa football : The objective is plain : Beat Maine . Hawkeyes well aware of the pitfalls , resolve to avoid them . H.S iowa football iowa vs maine . | What may happen if the Black Bears win on Saturday ? | The Black Bears will celebrate their win with their team . | ['The Black Bears will not celebrate with their team .', 'The Black Bears will play another game with the same team .', 'None of the above choices .'] |
Last week my youngest son and I visited my father at his new home in Tucson, Arizona. He moved there a few years ago, and I was eager to see his new place and meet his friends.
My earliest memories of my father are a tall, handsome, successful man devoted to his work and his family, but uncomfortable with his children. He seemed to expect too much of me. He seemed unhappy with me unless I got straight A's and unhappy with my boyfriends if their fathers were not as "successful" as he was. Whenever I went out with him on weekends, I used to feel very nervous.
On the first day of my visit, we went out with one of my father's friends for lunch at an outdoor cafe. We talked along that afternoon, did some shopping, ate on the street table, and laughed over my son's funny facial expressions. Gone was my father's critical air and strict rules. After my visit to Tucson , My father seemed to be so friendly and gentle. What had held him back before?
The next day dad pulled out his childhood pictures and told me quite a few stories about his own childhood. Although our times together became easier over the years, I never felt closer to him at that moment. After so many years, I'm at last seeing another side of my father. And in doing so, I'm delighted with _ . My dad, in his new home in Arizona, is back to me from where he was. | Why did the writer feel uncomfortable about her father as a young adult? | He expected too much of her. | ['He was silent most of the time.', 'He was too proud of himself.', 'He did not love his children.'] |
i have purpose . i am no longer afraid . a man can take and kill my body , but he will NEVER take my heart , mind or soul ! Jesus will never leave my side or my heart . | Why is the narrator experiencing more confidence despite stress ? | They have found religion . | ['None of the above choices .', 'They have found assistance from colleagues .', 'They have found some money .'] |
Auckland, New Zealand
After two months of learning, Monty, and Porter were able to drive an automobile around a racetrack. "We wanted to prove how smart rescue dogs are," animal behaviorist Mark Vette says. Vette first used voice commands and treats to teach the dogs how to turn a steering wheel and how to change gear .
The dogs' ride only accelerated up to 7.5 miles an hour, and trainers could stop the auto using a remote control.
GOLDEN ZEBRA
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Zoe the zebra's markings are special. The animal has white and golden stripes. Zoe's appearance resulted from a rare condition called amelanosis . Her body doesn't make enough melanin, the substance in an animal's skin and hair cells that produces color. "Only 25 other golden zebras are known to exist in the world,"says Ann Goody, who runs the wildlife refuge where Zoe lives. In the wild, life may be difficult for animals with amelanosis because predators can easily spot them. But Zoe is protected at her refuge.
COCKATOO MAKES TOOLS
Vienna, Austria
When Figaro the cockatoo spots food lying just out of reach from his cage, he builds a tiny wooden tool to sweep the tasty prize in his way.
The bird first revealed his talent when a stone he was playing with rolled out of his cage. The cockatoo couldn't reach the stone. So he flew away and returned with a small branch, slipping it through the fence to slide the stone toward him.
Wondering if he would do it again, scientists placed a nut exactly where the stone had been. This time, Figaro pulled out a small piece of wood in his cage and dragged the nut toward him. | If Zoe the zebra is set free in the wild, she will _ . | be easily found for her appearance | ['meet no natural predators', 'not get along with other zebras', 'manage to make enough melanin'] |
Last year college students in America spent an estimated $700 on textbooks on average. The National Association of College Stores reported more than five billion dollars in sales of textbooks and course materials.
The association spokesman Charles Schmidt says electronic textbooks now just make up 2%~3% of sales. But he says that is expected to reach 10%~15% by 2012.
Online versions are now available for many of the most popular college textbooks. An etextbook can cost half the price of a new print textbook. But students usually lose access to them after the end of the term. And the books cannot be placed on more than one device ,so they are not easy to share.
So what do students think of etextbooks?Administrators at Northwest Missouri State University wanted to find it out. Earlier this year they tested them with 500 students in 20 classes.
The university is unusual. It provides laptop computers for all 7,000 of its fulltime students. It does not require students to buy their textbooks either. They rent them to save money. The school aims to save even more by moving to etextbooks.
The students in the survey reported that downloading the books from the Internet was easy. They liked the idea of carrying lighter backpacks. And 56% said they were better able to find information.
But most found that using etextbooks did not change their study habits. And 60% felt they read more when they were reading on paper. In all,almost half the students said they still liked physical textbooks better.
But the survey found that cost could be a big influence.55% said they would choose etextbooks if using them meant their textbook rental fee would not increase.
Roger Von Holzen heads the Center for Information Technology in Education at Northwest Missouri State University. He tells us that administrators are disappointed with the etextbooks now available because the majority are not interactive .
He thinks growth will come when more digital books include video,activities,games and other ways to interact with the information. The technology is improving. But for now,most of the books are just words on a screen. | It can be inferred from the text that in the future _ . | the digital books available need improvement | ['digital books will be more popular', 'free digital books are available online', 'digital books will replace print textbooks'] |
April 1, 2006 Walter died today. Found out this morning over breakfast. Suicide. Walter. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it. Suicide. Walter wasn't suicidal. I know that, know it for a fact. But he is dead. Why? I am not foolish enough to suspect "foul play" as they say in the mystery stories. No one cares enough about a community college art teacher to murder him. But suicide? Something is wrong here. Very wrong. April 2, 2006 I didn't realize until this morning that yesterday was April Fools day. Some kind of sick joke? But that's not like Walter either. He was a little crazy, but not that kind of crazy. Still I keep half expecting to pick up my voice and hear his voice yell, "Gotcha!" But it is no joke. I know he is dead. (Later) Got a package today. From Walter. Scary considering what I wrote about expecting him to call. I can't express the chill I got when I saw his name on the label. A message from the dead. Surely it's not a good Omen. It's a painting. Or at least I think it is. The package is the right shape, and knowing Walter it seems likely, but...I haven't yet worked up the courage to open it yet. I'm afraid of what I might find. April 3, 2006 Went to the funeral today. Walter's wife, Martha, was in hysterics. Can't say I blame her. It was awkward being there seeing someone in the most vulnerable possible condition. I didn't know her that well. Walter and I rarely interacted outside of work, so I have very little knowledge of his personal life. Sylvia went up to her and hugged her even though she'd never met her before in her life. It must be something with women to be able to make that kind of spontaneous connection. I just shook her hand, and told her I was sorry. I don't make a habit of crying in public, but seeing her so shaken up brought tears to the edges of my eyes, and I did nothing to wipe them away. After five years of friendship it's the least Walter deserves of me. One other thing. The package. It's still sitting there in my study. Mocking me. That's how it feels anyway. Should I open it? | How many days after Walter's death was his funeral held? | 2 days | ['1 day', '3 days', 'not enough information'] |
When the US started the war in Iraq a year ago, Spain was a firm supporter. But on April 18, the Spanish government started to remove its troops, becoming the first country in the US-led coalition to bring its soldiers home. The person behind this surprise move is the new Spanish prime minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.
A few months ago, he was hardly known outside his small hometown in northern Spain. Even a week before last month's general election, Zapatero was still considered an outsider for the top job. But just three days before the vote, a series of bomb attacks on three train stations in Madrid killed 191 people and injured some 1,900. It was Spain's worst ever terrorist attack and it changed everything -- even making Zapatero prime minister.
From the beginning, the 43-year-old former lawyer, knew the weaknesses of Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar and his hand-picked successor, Mariano Rajoy. About 90 per cent of the Spanish people were against the war in Iraq and were unhappy that Aznar had taken them into it. So Zapatero promised: "If this party wins the election and the UN still can't take charge in Iraq, the new government will pull its 1,400 troops out of Iraq."
Despite focusing on this and other Aznar mistakes, Zapatero's chances of victory were still thin until the Madrid bombings. At first, the government blamed ETA, a separatist terror group from the Basque region of northern Spain. But later evidence suggested the attack was carried out by al-Qaida members angry at Spain's presence in Iraq.
The people were upset, and they showed this by voting for Zapatero. Many accused the government of covering up information about the bombings and only blaming ETA so it wouldn't lose to an anti-war vote. In a move that was as shocking to the world as his election victory, Zapatero chose to carry out his promise the day after he took office. And its effect could be long-lasting. As the situation in Iraq worsens, several countries are considering their positions. The US is worried that other coalition members might follow Spain's lead and also bring their soldiers home. | The main idea of the passage is that _ ? | Zapatero won the election and became Prime Minister of Spain. | ['a series of bomb attacks happened in Madrid.', 'Spain got its troops out of Iraq.', "the US feels worried about Spain's move out of Iraq."] |
I looked at the face in the mirror . It seemed familiar , as if residing under the layers of flesh and bone , was something I once knew . You used to have a name , said I , reaching out towards the face . But my fingers touched glass , cold , smooth ; blind glass . | What may be a fact about this person ? | They are trying to discover themselves . | ['None of the above choices .', 'They like to look at themselves .', 'They like to look at themselves in a mirror .'] |
ABOARD XUELONG--The stranded Chinese icebreaker, Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, broke through the Antarctic's heavy ice Hoes at about 6 pm, on Tuesday, January 7th, 2014 and headed for open water, according to Xinhua Agency. After being stranded in heavy ice for five days, the ship had broken free by Tuesday evening and was making its way through lighter ice, China Central Television reported on Tuesday.
The vessel, which had been conducting China's 30th Antarctic expedition before going to the aid of the Russian ship Akademik Shokalskiy, will now continue with its scheduled activities. The trapped Russian ship was also trying to free itself on Tuesday, with the favorable west wind loosening the surrounding ice, according to CCTV. A helicopter onboard Xuelong _ 52 passengers onboard Akademik Shokalskiy to an Australian vessel on Thursday. The Russian ship had been stuck in the ice for 10 days. However, Xuelong became trapped during the rescue effort, with the ice surrounding the vessel three to four meters thick, far beyond the ship's ice-breaking capability.
Qu Tanzhou, director of the Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration under the State Oceanic Administration, told China Daily via telephone on Tuesday that Xuelong's attempts at the breakout started on Tuesday morning. "A west wind is blowing on Tuesday, as we expected, which makes the floes and ice surrounding Xuelong more loose , creating favorable conditions for sailing on Wednesday," Qu said.
On Tuesday morning, Xuelong broke ice for about 100 meters at a speed of 6 km per hour, but later became trapped in the broken floes, according to Xinhua. The efforts bore fruit on Tuesday afternoon with the ship sailing through the area of heavy ice. All the 101 crew members onboard are faring well, with entertainment facilities such as ping-pong tables, a gym and a library accessible. There is enough food onboard to last until April, sufficient water for a month and oil for four months, Qu said in a previous interview. | Which of the following is WRONG? | An east wind made the floes and ice surrounding Xuelong more loose. | ["The vessel had been conducting China's 30th Antarctic expedition.", 'The Russian ship had been stuck in the ice for 10 days.', 'Xuelong became trapped during the rescue effort.'] |
Last week I talked with some of my students about what they wanted to do after they graduated, and what kind of job prospects they thought they had.
Given that I teach students who are training to be doctors, I was surprised do find that most thought that they would not be able to get the jobs they wanted without "outside help". "What kind of help is that?" I asked, expecting them to tell me that they would need a or family friend to help them out.
"Surgery ," one replied.
I was pretty alarmed by that response. It seems that the graduates of today are increasingly willing to go under the knife to get ahead of others when it comes to getting a job .
One girl told me that she was considering surgery to increase her height. "They break your legs, put in special extending screws, and slowly expand the gap between the two ends of the bone as it re-grows, you can get at least 5 cm taller!"
At that point, I was shocked. I am short, I can't deny that, but I don't think I would put myself through months of agony just to be a few centimetres taller. I don't even bother to wear shoes with thick soles, as I'm not trying to hide the fact that I am just not tall!
It seems to me that there is a trend towards wanting "perfection" , and that is an ideal that just does not exist in reality.
No one is born perfect, yet magazines, TV shows and movies present images of thin, tall, beautiful people as being the norm. Advertisements for slimming aids, beauty treatments and cosmetic surgery clinics fill the pages of newspapers, further creating an idea that "perfection" is a requirement, and that it must be purchased, no matter what the cost. In my opinion, skills, rather than appearance, should determine how successful a person is in his/her chosen career. | We can know from the passage that the author works as a_. | teacher | ['doctor', 'model', 'reporter'] |
One might say that I ' m being all Raj Thackeray - ish ( or 90 's Bal Thackeray - ish ) but the Marathi manoos of today has got to err on the side of caution these days . Maybe this is what is called overkill or what being cranky and nitpicky is all about - or all of the above . NB : Given the absurdity of statements one gets to hear these days , I unfortunately find it necessary to clarify that I am actually kidding . If you ca n't joke about religion , what can you joke about ? | Why does the speaker feel the need to clarify that they are only joking ? | We live in an increasingly politically correct cultural climate , and the speaker is simply trying to abide by this | ["They are a family friendly entertainment channel and they do n't want to have a negative influence on younger viewers", 'They are sponsored by a company that requires them to not say anything that can be deemed offensive', 'In order for their site to accept credit card payments , the processor requires them to not say anything too questionable'] |
This week could turn out to be pivotal for the Trump White House as both major parties get ready for midterm congressional elections in November.
President Donald Trump’s decision to reverse a policy of separating families coming across the U.S. southern border came in the wake of a political firestorm that fired up opposition Democrats and alarmed even some Republicans. At the very least, it likely set the stage for immigration to be a key issue in November.
Trump was in combat mode Wednesday during a political rally in Duluth, Minnesota, where he vowed to make immigration a central focus in the upcoming congressional campaign.
“If you want to create a humane, lawful system of immigration then you need to retire the Democrats and elect Republicans to finally secure our borders,” Trump said to an enthusiastic crowd, some chanting, “Build the wall!”
Just hours earlier, the president reversed his controversial policy of separating children from their parents by signing an executive order in the White House.
“We are going to have strong, very strong, borders. But we are going to keep the families together,” he said.
Trump decided to back away from the controversial policy of separating families after an outcry from around the country that included protests in several states, including Arizona, Texas, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.
Also driving the outrage was a recording of children crying out for their parents released by the investigative journalist group ProPublica.
The separation policy drew condemnation from Republicans including former first lady Laura Bush and a host of Democrats.
“We should be able to agree that we will not keep kids in child internment camps indefinitely and hidden away from public view,” said Maryland Democratic Congressman Elijah Cummings. “What country is that? This is the United States of America!”
Advocates for a tough border policy sided with the president including Art Arthur of the Center for Immigration Studies. He cited a recent upsurge in attempted border crossings. | When did the president reverse his policy of separating children from their parents | Before the rally in Duluth | ['After an upsurge in border crossings', 'After the rally in Duluth', 'not enough information'] |
When he was driving home one evening on a country road, he saw an old lady, strained on the side of the road. He stopped in front of her car and got out. Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. He looked poor and hungry. He knew how she felt. He said, "I am here to help you, madam. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way, my name is Joe."
She had a flat tire . Joe crawled under the car, changed the tire. But he got dirty and his hands hurt. She could not thank him enough and asked him how much she owed him. He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed, and Joe added," And think of me."
She drove off. A few miles down the road the lady saw a small restaurant. She went in. The waitress had a sweet smile, and was nearly eight months pregnant. The old lady wondered how someone like her who seemed poor could be so kind to a stranger. Then she remembered Joe. After the lady finished her meal, the waitress went to get her change from a hundred-dollar bill. But she stepped right out the door.
When the waitress came back, she noticed something written on a napkin, "I am helping you because someone once helped me. If you really want to pay me back, here's what you do ---Do not let the chain of love end with you."
That night when she got home, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. She and her husband needed money with the baby due next month. She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she whispered, "Everything's going to be all right. I love you, Joe" | By telling the story, the writer tries to show that_. | Kindness can be spread | ['helping others is helping oneself', 'poverty is not a threat to a happy marriage', 'a happy family depends on a happy marriage.'] |
When I was entering my Sophomore year in High School, we had just moved from a single 4-way stop-sign town, to a bigger city with actual city buses! In order to get to school, I had to ride a city bus for the 1st time, without information/assistance! I barely managed to squeeze in and had to stand on the step of the packed bus on the way to school. BTW, smoking was STILL happening on these buses! I noticed every time we went around a corner, it seemed a bell would ring. I falsely assumed it meant HANG ON! So, when it was time to return home, the bus was not as crowded, and I actually was able to sit down. Again, every time we turned the corner, a bell would ring. So I held on tight! As we neared my bus stop to get off, the bus whizzed past it, without stopping! Panic began to set in quickly. I already had a very strange, long day in a new 3 story school building, and I smelled like cigarette smoke! I quickly moved to the empty seat behind the driver, and told him he didn’t stop where I needed to get off. He asked me if I rang the bell. I admitted to him, I had no knowledge of riding on a city bus. He was kind, explained to pull the bell pull 1 block prior to my stop. He explained he would circle back around and I could get off at my stop on the return trip. I was SO relieved! However, now I was 1/2 hour late getting home, especially stressed and tired from the new school and bus fiasco, AND I smelled like cigarette smoke! When I walked into my house, I was immediately confronted on why was I late, why did I smell like smoke, etc.! I burst into tears, and had to tell about my horrible day, but I didn’t get into trouble! WHEW! | When did the writer move to the big city? | His sophomore year in High School | ['When he was 10 years old', 'not enough information', 'Last year'] |
Although the New Year is already here, the great moments of the past year are still in the memory. Let's look back at some of them.
United States
One of the world's largest New Year's Eve parties was held in Times Square, New York. The festival attracted hundreds of thousands of people to watch a brightly-lit ball drop on a landmark building at the stroke (, ) of midnight.
A great amount of confetti was released from the sky at zero o'clock.
Britain
Painted in shinning colors, blowing whistles, 50,000 party-goers arrived in London's Millennium Dome to dance in the New Year. The Millennium Dome came to life at midnight as 50 DJs started up, competing on five separate dance floors to warm the crowd into the party mood.
Russia
New Year is the biggest holiday in Russia. It is traditional to put up a tree for celebrations with family and friends.
On the very last day of last year, Russians with a taste for a very cold swim braved freezing temperatures to plant traditional, festival trees on the bed of the Northern Ocean and at the bottom of Lake Baikal, the world's deepest lake.
Malaysia
Brave skydivers threw themselves off the world's tallest building near midnight and floated towards the New Year.
The jump from the 452-metre Petronas Twin Tower was called a real leap from one year to the next since the group took off in the last second of the old year and landed a minute later in the New Year. "That was really cool," said Roland Simpson, "over crowds of onlookers to the landing spot." | In New York the brightly-lit ball dropped _ . | at the point between the old and the New Year | ['form the sky onto the Times Square', 'into the hundreds of thousands of watchers', 'to welcome the arrival of Christmas'] |
When I was six years old, my mother started making me take piano lessons. Every morning, she would make sure I sat in front of the piano and practiced for at least one hour. After two years, I still didn't like it. When the time for my Grade I examination, I couldn't go through with it. I cried because I didn't want to play the piano anymore. In the end, I was spared from going for any more lessons. That was the end of my music career.
When I look back at that time, I ask myself--why did I do that for two years? I didn't think abut it then but the answer seems obvious now--I didn't think I had a choice.
Then for twelve years, I felt that my life had no meaning. I felt that I really couldn't go on. I kept waiting for something outside of me to happen to make me happy. But the universe intervened and sent me help disguised in the form of a sales call.
One afternoon a lady called me about a Tony Robbins event called Unleash the Power Within. Part of me was curious; but when the time came, I still was considering if I should go in or go to the beach instead. I made a choice to give it a try. In that hall filled with 4,000 people, Tony gave me back something I never knew I had---the power of choice. I left there renewed and refreshed, excited about my new life, knowing from that point forward that in life there are no victims, only choices. To this day, I sometimes wonder how differently my life would have turned out if I had missed taking that sales call.
Sometimes in life, we are stuck in certain situations and it may seem that there is nothing we can do about it. Just remember that everything in life is about choice. You can make a choice to remove yourself from any situation that is not serving you right now. The question is---will you? | What is main idea of the passage? | We aren't helpless; we can control our own lives. | ['People should try different things in life.', 'Somehow we will get help in the end.', 'We should participate in more activities.'] |
On Thursday afternoon Mrs. Clarke, dressed for going out, took her handbag with her money and her key in it, pulled the door behind her to lock it and went to the over 60s Club. She always went there on Thursdays. It was a nice outing for an old woman who lived alone.
At six o'clock she came home, let herself in and at once smelt cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke in her house? How? How? Had someone got in? She checked the back door and the windows. All were locked or fastened, as usual. There was no sign of forced entry.
Over a cup of tea she wondered whether someone might have a key that fitted her front door -- " _ " perhaps. So she stayed at home the following Thursday. Nothing happened. Was anyone watching her movements? On the Thursday after that she went out at her usual time, dressed as usual, but she didn't go to the club. Instead she took a short cut home again, letting herself in through her garden and the back door. She settled down to wait.
It was just after four o'clock when the front door bell rang. Mrs. Clarke was making a cup of tea at the time. The bell rang again, and then she heard her letter-box being pushed open. With the kettle of boiling water in her hand, she moved quietly towards the front door. A long piece of wire appeared through the letter-box, and then a hand. The wire turned and caught around the handle on the door-lock. Mrs. Clarke raised the kettle and poured the water over the hand. There was a shout outside, and the skin seemed to drop off the fingers like a glove. The wire fell to the floor, the hand was pulled back, and Mrs. Clarke heard the sound of running feet. | The lock on the front door was one which _ . | could be opened from inside without a key | ['needed a piece of wire to open it', "couldn't be opened without a key", 'used a handle instead of a key'] |
A beautiful, sexy redhead sat across from Greg Tenorly. He was nervous about the closed door, but she had insisted. The slightest hint of impropriety would spark a blaze of rumors.
Greg tried to concentrate on her story. But his mind wandered to his 34-year-old receding hairline and bulging stomach. The part-time music minister had been feeling good about himself ten minutes ago. Time to start exercising again.
"I grew up in Marshall. Graduated from East Texas State, and got a job at a bank in Greenville. Three years ago, I moved here so I could be closer to Mom. She still lives in Marshall. I met Troy at a high school football game. He was fun, down-to-earth. We've been married for two years."
Cynthia Blockerman was a vice president at First State Bank, yet only in her late 20's. She certainly looked the part, dressed in an expensive brown business suit, matching shoes and tasteful jewelry. And her shoulder-length hair was the kind you only see in shampoo commercials. Greg felt underdressed in his faded golf shirt, baggy slacks, and generic running shoes.
"Everything was fine for the first six months or so. But I guess he was just playing the part of a good husband. Then I started to see his real personality. As soon as he gets home from work, he goes straight for the beer. By nine, there's a pile of cans next to his recliner, and he's calling me names, and throwing things.
"Sometimes he hits me. He did it one time before we got married, but he said he was so sorry. And even broke down and cried. He promised he'd never do it again."
"Is there anything in particular you say or do that seems to set him off?" It was a dumb question, but the only one he could think of.
"No. It doesn't matter. I can be extra sweet, or mean, or just ignore him. He still gets mad and crazy. I don't know what to do. I want to leave him, but I'm afraid he'll come after me." | Who is a part-time music minister? | Greg | ['Cynthia', 'not enough information', 'Troy'] |
The Texas church where a gunman opened fire during Sunday services, killing 26 and injuring 20, may not reopen.
Pastor Frank Pomeroy of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs told leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention earlier this week that it would be too painful to continue using the church as a place of worship.
Pomeroy, who lost his own 14-year-old daughter in the massacre, proposed turning the site into a memorial and building another church on a different site.
The final decision on the fate of the building will be made by the denomination's top leaders, who traveled to the rural community in a show of support. But a national Southern Baptist spokesman said the pastor's wishes will be taken into consideration.
Other sites of mass shootings have been torn down, including Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, where a gunman killed 20 children and six adults in December 2012. A new school was built elsewhere.
A one-room Amish schoolhouse near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was torn down in 2006, 10 days after an assailant took children hostage and shot and killed five girls ages 6 to 13. The original site of the school is now a pasture. A nearly identical schoolhouse with a security fence was erected nearby.
Also Thursday, the father of the Texas gunman broke his silence to say his family is in mourning.
Michael Kelley spoke to ABC News on Wednesday from his home in New Braunfels, about 55 kilometers north of Sutherland Springs.
He refused to comment further, saying he does not want the "media circus'' surrounding the attack by Devin Patrick Kelley to destroy "our lives, our grandchildren's lives.''
A motive for the carnage remains unclear, but the younger Kelley appears to have targeted the church because it was attended by his wife's family. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after being shot and chased by two residents as he was leaving the church. | What does Frank Pomeroy think about Michael Kelley? | not enough information | ['He is guilty.', "He is responsible for his daughter's death.", 'He is innocent.'] |
Electricity bills can be highly expensive and the power we consume comes at an even greater cost to the environment when you consider that over 85% of the electricity produced in the United States comes from fuels. Whether you're concerned about cleaning up the environment or you simply want to reduce your electricity bill,residential wind power generators could be a solution.
Producing wind power at home will not work for everyone. If you live in a over-populated residential area,there may be certain laws and zoning requirements that prohibit the use of windmills .If you live on 1 acre of land or more,you probably won't have any issues but you should investigate carefully to make sure that wind power generators are both legal and practical where you live. Even if there are no laws or regulations prohibiting wind power generators you still need to be in a location that gets enough wind on a regular basis.
Some producers of wind generators recommend that you live in an area with wind speeds that average at least 10 mph. Newer models have been developed recently that can operate with wind speeds as low as 4 mph but maximum efficiency is achieved at higher wind speeds. Before you fix a wind powered system,you will have to determine your power requirements. Will you be using it to charge a small battery for a boat or vehicle or will you need enough power to run your entire household and be completely off the grid ?Once you know what your power requirements are,you can start shopping around for a system that can meet those needs.
Wind power generators are a great solution for a lot of people.They're an ideal solution for remote locations where it would be impractical or simply too expensive to tap into the grid.They are quiet and totally clean,producing no pollution. They require no fuel and very little maintenance. Residential wind power offers a lot of benefits but it's not for everyone. You'll have to have some money up front to pay for the system and equipment;however,you could save quite a bit of money if you're able to do much of the work yourself. You'll also need to live in an area that gets enough wind to make the equipment worthwhile. You'll need to do your homework before you make a purchase,but wind power generators could be a great solution for producing clean, low-cost energy. | What is the best title for the passage? | Alternative Solution-Wind Power | ['Ways of Fully Using Wind Power', 'How to Reduce Your Electricity Bill', 'Function of Wind Power Generators'] |
Certainly, a well-rounded education is the foundation from which all of us spring forth. I am grateful to the many incredible teachers who have inspired me to do greater things, and have fired my enthusiasm for everlasting learning!
I have also been honored to have the most amazing teachers in all of my children's lives. These are extraordinary people who not only teach our children, but love them, challenge them, and provide an environment where a child learns how to learn.
But, sometimes I wonder if the outline of our educational plan is lacking something. I watched the movie Easy A with my older daughter. The main character's parents were loving, supportive, and built great confidence in their daughter and developed her ability to handle her own problems.
There was a scene where the mother was speaking to the younger child and he announced that he received an "A" on his spelling test. She replied, "That' s great, honey, but everything has spell check these days. " It was funny --- but TRUE ! I don't mean that we shouldn't teach our children how to spell, but maybe some of our time should be spent educating them about the dangers of posting things on Facebook.
Maybe we might want to spend time showing them how real life works - the credit card isn't free money - you will have to pay it back at sometime. Oh, and get this - they charge you for borrowing that money. Perhaps, we should spend some time on interpersonal relationships. I worry that our kids do not know how to relate to one another.
Choosing a career is a daunting task. My daughter is in her second year in college and has changed her major twice. It' s not that she didn't know what she wanted to do. What she "wanted to do" and the degree she chose did not match.
I have learned many college students do not know what they want to do because they haven' t seen what it looks like in the real world. Being a journalist in the real world looks very different from writing stories. Maybe if we spent some time exposing them to real life experience - maybe two or three courses m areas of interest in high school that give them a "feel" for what that particular field would look like, they might be better prepared. I do not know the solution, but it seems that it should at least be a topic of discussion. | What is mainly discussed in the passage? | Schools should prepare students for the real life. | ['What students learn in school should be practiced in life.', 'Life experience is of greater importance than school education.', 'Students should spend more time discussing practical problems.'] |
Let Baby Cry
The parents with their three-year-old son went to see a film.
When they walked into the cinema, the attendant said to them, "you'll have to go out if your son cries. But we'll refund you the tickets."
About half an hour later, the husband asked his wife, "What do you think of the film?"
"I've never seen such a boring film." His wife answered. "It's not worth seeing."
"I don't think much of it, either." The husband said. "Wake the child up and let him cry."
Blindfold Them
Stan: I won 92 goldfish.
Fred: Where are you going to keep them?
Stan: In the bathroom.
Fred: But what will you do when you want to take a bath?
Stan: Blindfold them!
Einstein and God
Einstein climbs to the top of Mt. Sinai to get close enough to talk to God. Looking up, he asks the Lord...
"God, what does a million years mean to you?"
The Lord replies, "A minute."
Einstein asks, "And what does a million dollars mean to you?"
The Lord replies, "A penny."
Einstein asks, "Can I have a penny?"
The Lord replies, " _ ." | Which of the following is the most suitable for the missing part of the third story? | In a minute | ['In no way', 'By all means', 'In a while'] |
Is there link between humans and climate change or not? This question was first studied in the early 1900s. Since then, many scientists have thought that our actions do make a difference. In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol explained our role in the Earth's changing atmosphere and set international limits for gas emissions from 2008 to 2012. Some countries have decided to continue these reductions until 2020. More recently, the Paris Agreement, stuck by nearly 200 countries, also aims to limit global warming. But just now how much warmer it will get depends on how deeply countries cut carbon emissions.
3.5degC
This is how much temperatures would rise by 2100 even if nations live up to the initial Paris promises to reduce carbon emissions; this rise could still put coastal cities under water and drive over half of all species to extinction.
2degC
To meet this minimum goal, the Agreement requires countries to tighten emissions targets every five years. Even this increase could sink some islands, worse drought and drive a decline of up to a third in the number of species.
1.5degC
This is the most ambitious goal for temperature rise set by the Paris Agreement, after a push by low-lying island nations like Kiribati, which say limiting temperature rise to 1.5degC could save them from sinking.
0.8degC
This is how much temperatures have risen since the industrial age began, putting us 40% of the way to the 2degC point.
0degC
The baseline here is average global temperature before the start of the industrial age. | If nations could only keep the initial promises of the Paris Agreement, what would happen by the year 2100? | The Agreement's minimum goal would not be reached. | ['The human population would increase by one third.', 'Little over 50% of all species would still exist.', 'Nations would not need to tighten their emissions targets.'] |
Among the many things that Brisbane , Australia, does really well, the care for kids is the best one. Here is a list of places that will be suitable for your kids.
Swimming pools
Simple way for happiness: mix kids with water. Of course, this is a choice for the hot summer months.
Parks
Free outdoor fun: it's suitable for kids of all ages. It's a place for parents to let kids run wild.
The Children's Art Centre
The Children's Art Centre has been very popular. Kids' favorite here is some exhibitions specially designed for children. But we must pay some money.
South Bank Parklands
South Bank Parklands has everything you need to keep kids amused. Take them for a swim at the man-made beach. On weekends, go through the arts market or go to a cheap movie. South Bank Parklands often gives free performances too.
Roma Street Parkland
Close to bus transport, this parkland is easily accessible . It's ideal for kids of all ages. Younger kids can take a trip on the Jelly Bean Express, a 1.3 km trackless train ride around the parkland. Free entry and open every day. | . If your kids want to watch performances for free, you can take them to _ . | South Bank Parklands | ['Roma Street Parkland', "The Children's Art Centre", 'Parks'] |
A school board in the eastern state of Virginia has filed an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to halt a ruling that allows a transgender student to use the boys’ restroom next school year.
The Gloucester County School Board is trying to prevent Gavin Grimm from using the bathroom that matches his gender identity when school resumes later this year, saying it will "put parents' constitutional rights in jeopardy.''
Grimm sued the school district last year for the right to use the boys’ restroom after the school board enacted a policy limiting bathroom use to the one corresponding with a person’s biological sex rather than the gender with which the student identifies.
Grimm was born female but identifies as male.
"Depriving parents of any say over whether their children should be exposed to members of the opposite biological sex, possibly in a state of full or complete undress, in intimate settings deprives parents of their right to direct the education and upbringing of their children,'' attorneys for the school board wrote.
The ACLU, which is defending Grimm, has argued that forcing him to use the girls' bathroom is a violation of Title IX and the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The issue is one that has been hotly debated in schools, courts and state legislatures across the U.S.
The Obama administration in May directed the nation’s public schools to allow transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity or risk losing their federal funding. Twenty-one states have sued to overturn the directive.
The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Grimm in April. The court reinstated Grimm's Title IX claim and sent it back to the district court for further consideration.
The school board wants the Supreme Court to put Grimm's district court case on hold until the justices decide whether to review the appeals court decision. The board says it plans to file its petition for Supreme Court review by late August. | How does Grimm feel about all of this? | just quit all the talk and let me use the boys | ["he doesn't care", "he's ready for it to be over", 'not enough information'] |
Reach for the stars at the Euro Space Center. Find out everything you need to know about space -- from the origins of the universe to the future space exploration plans. Light, sound and special effects help to bring your space journey to life. Throughout your tour, our specially trained guides will answer your questions and provide you with any information you require.
Begin your tour with our exhibition about the planets, then move on to the Space Laboratory and see some of the experiments carried out in space. Visit our international space station, where you can climb into our full-scale Space Shuttle model and experience life on board as an astronaut.
You will know all about space by now and to help you further, our Space Center astronaut will tell you about how young people train as astronauts in our own training school. Finally, you can watch our amazing Space Show in our IMAX cinema, which will help you understand everything you have learned during your visit better.
Outside we have an outdoor exhibition including a giant solar system, full-size rocket models and outdoor games. Don't worry if it rains -- much of this is under cover.
After that, why not visit our restaurant Resto Space for food and drink on a space theme? And don't forget our Space Shop, offering you a lot of gifts to take home.
The Euro Space Center is open every day during school holidays, and also during other times except Mondays. Opening times are 10:00-5:00. For entrance fees, call our booking service on + 32-61-650133. Or you can email us for up-to-date entry information at [email protected]. | On schoolday Mondays, the Euro Space Center _ . | will be closed for the whole day | ['will be open all day long', 'will be open only for 5 hours', 'will have a space show in the IMAX cinema'] |
I just got back in to NYC after staying in Los Angeles for a week after Comic Con . Yes , I felt that nasty Earthquake . The con and especially the WRATH OF CON PARTY were a blast . I left the con inspired , so I decided to go on a little stealth mission all around L.A. and hit up my sources to see what I can dig up comic book and/or sci - fi related . | What is comic con ? | None of the above choices . | ['A little stealth mission all around L.A.', 'The WRATH OF CON PARTY .', 'A nasty earthquake .'] |
In the course of working my ways through school , I took many jobs I would rather forget . But none of these jobs was as dreadful as my job in an apple plant. The work was hard ; the pay was poor ; and, most of all , the working conditions were terrible.
First of all , the job made huge demands on my strength . For ten hours a night , I took boxes that rolled down a metal track and piled them onto a truck . Each box contained twelve heavy bottles of apple juice. I once figured out that I was lifting an average of twelve tons of apple juice every night .
I would not have minded the difficulty of the work so much if the pay had not been so poor. I was paid the lowest wage of that time -- two dollars an hour. Because of the low pay , I felt eager to get as much as possible . I usually worked twelve hours a night but did not take home more than $ 100 a week.
But even more than the low pay, what made me unhappy was the working conditions. During work I was limited to two ten-minute breaks and an unpaid half hour for lunch. Most of my time was spent outside loading trucks with those heavy boxes in near-zero-degree temperatures. The steel floors of the trucks were like ice, which made my feet feel like stone. And after the production line shut down at night and most people left, I had to spend two hours alone cleaning the floor.
I stayed on the job for five months , all the while hating the difficulty of the work, the poor money , and the conditions under which I worked . By the time I left , I was determined never to go back there again. | The following facts describe the terrible working conditions of the plant EXCEPT _ . | working and studying at the same time | ['loading boxes in the freezing cold', 'having limited time for breaks', 'getting no pay for lunch time'] |
Many people go to work each day to a job they hate.The harmful feelings influence their entire life,putting a negative cloud over the home, their friends and many of their other activities.There is a better way to live your 1ife.Meaningful purpose is a driving force that adds enthusiasm to your days.Here are a few steps to get the new career rolling:
Do some self-analysis.Ask yourself--What really matters to me? What problem or wrong would I like to fix? What do I enjoy? Where are my interests and hobbies? What are my priorities? What is my secret passion? What do I want to do with the rest of my life? Reviewing these questions can give you new insight to where you want to go.
Use your unique genius and talents.Every person is born with a unique set of natural abilities.Talents,such as managing,creating,researching,training others,drawing,can all seem like easy work because you have a natural ability for them.True happiness comes from combining your natural talents,developing and excelling in them,and working in a field,job,industry that you have a passionate interest in.
Make a decision.Only action can change your life.Read a book.Take vocational tests.Use a good career--management professional.Do some career exploration and gather all the information you need.Then make a decision and go forward.Outline the action steps to reach your career goal.Finding meaning,passion and purpose every day you go to work is the wonderful reward, so don't wait any longer.Begin right now and set in motion to live a happier,more satisfying life. | According to the passage,it's easier to make success in the work which we_. | have a natural talent for | ['have a little experience at', 'have professional moral about', 'have been performing for a long time'] |
I then decided to try Soy milk and it was grosser ( sorry english majors ) . So i think i ' m just going to stick with Organic Milk . I know it 's more expensive to eat healthy but if i cut back on going out to eat and wasting money on things i do n't need then i think i can work it into my budget . I think i decided that i was actually going to do this when i went home and my sister told me i look like a marshmellow and my other sister told me that it was really starting to show that i put on weight so what was i going to do about it ? | What may be the reason for going back to drinking organic milk ? | The soy milk makes them gain weight . | ['None of the above choices .', 'They have lowered the price .', 'The soy milk helps them lose weight .'] |
Living abroad to study can certainly be an interesting experience but is that alone a good enough reason for spending years far away from home? To make the experience truly worthwhile, there has to be a goal behind the decision to study abroad. This may be a wish to perfect language skills in a foreign language environment, or a clever move in your career development. You must also consider the costs, not just of living and studying abroad, but of applying. Most universities now charge application fees for international students.
If after considering these points you are sure that you want to apply to study abroad, your next step is to choose the right programme of studies. Research your choices and select carefully. You must do your homework well. Most universities have information online but you can also email and ask them to send you more details. You can find a lot of information on school ranking from education websites. But read carefully. Different universities emphasize different strengths. Don't just think about the university's reputation ; look for the most suitable for your goals.
Next, you must deal with a large pile of paperwork. This involves filling in application form, preparing your school records, and getting reference letters. Reading the instructions and requirements of the universities carefully is of great importance. Sadly, many fine applicants get kicked out in the first round, simply because they don't follow the application procedure properly.
Money is another important consideration. Some scholarships are provided by governments, others by schools and colleges. This information, again, can be found on the Internet. If you find a scholarship that is suitable for you, follow the application procedure carefully; the earlier you apply, the better your chance of getting it. | What are the three basic steps when you apply? | Prepare reference letters, prepare school records, and fill in the application form. | ['Buy an airplane ticket, read the instructions and requirements, and study.', 'Prepare school records, do paperwork, and work hard.', 'Write a reference letter, do paperwork, and study.'] |
Do you want to get home from work knowing you have made a real difference in someone's life? If yes. don't care about sex or age! Come and join us, then _ !
Position: Volunteer Social Care Assistant
(No Pay with Free Meals)
Place: Manchester Hours: Part Time
We arc now looking for volunteers to support people with learning disabilities to live active lives! Only 4 days left. Don't miss the chance of lending your warm hands to help others!
Role:
You will provide people with learning disabilities with all aspects of their daily lives. You will help them to develop new skills. You will help them to protect their rights and their safety. But your primary concern is to let them know they are valued.
Skills and Experience Required:
You will have the right values and great listening skills. You will be honest and patient. You will have the ability to drive a car and to communicate in fluent written and spoken English since you'll have to help those people with different learning disabilities. Previous care-related experience will be a great advantage for you. | The text is meant to _ . | carry an advertisement | ['leave a note', 'send an invitation', 'present a document'] |
Naturally , as Saturday night was Sharam of Deep Dish playing at Crobar , I wanted to be well rested ( I was nervous to see Sharam again . ) I napped , restlessly , then awoke to get ready . I had bought an amazing blue dress with silver heels . | What may happen after I wake up from my nap ? | I put on the blue dress that I bought . | ['None of the above choices .', 'I begin to feel nervous .', 'I take another nap again .'] |
"That'll be $9.87."
Rebecca Ranghorn flipped up the top of the box, pulled out a glazed donut, and took bite.
The young secretary behind her looked on in disbelief. She was so ready for the weekend. But first she had to get to the office and put in her lousy eight hours. Why couldn't this woman just pay and get out of the way?
Rebecca tossed the box at the clerk. A couple of donuts flew out and fell on the floor behind the counter.
"Those are yesterday's donuts. I told you to give me the fresh ones."
"But, ma'am, these are the fresh--." The look in her eyes stopped him cold. He dumped the box in the trash and picked out a fresher dozen.
"Now, that'll be $9.87, please."
"Keep your drawers on, Jack." She sampled the new batch. "That's more like it." She threw a ten dollar bill on the counter and walked out with her donuts and large bottle of orange juice.
Her enormous black 1979 Lincoln Continental Town Car was four feet longer and twice the weight of the young secretary's Toyota Corolla parked next to it. It was costing her a fortune to drive her dad's old car. But it made her feel close to him--even though he had been dead for eleven years. She rarely had an occasion to drive out of town--and it was not a big town. Sherman, Texas has about 36,000 residents.
She pulled into the old strip mall parking lot. Most of the stores and other businesses were barely hanging on. The place hadn't seen decent shopping traffic since the 1980s. But it was the perfect location for Rebecca and her partner. They didn't need shoppers. All they needed was cheap office space. Theirs was narrow, but deep, with a reception area, two offices and a bathroom. | How many other businesses are in the strip mall? | not enough information | ['Three', 'Two', 'More than four'] |
He was quickly inducted to his group where his trainer was on hand to brief and walk him through the registration process . A while later , he handed me his excess cash in foreign currency and off he went to his group leaving us to fend for ourselves as we wandered around to catch a glimpse of him to say goodbye but to no avail . In the end we could only wave him goodbye from a distance and drove off . | Why was the narrator 's friend quickly shuffled away ? | That is the military procedure . | ['None of the above choices .', 'He was behind schedule .', 'There was an emergency going on .'] |
In that posting , I described how to disable autorun for Windows XP and Windows 2000 and I just revised it to include Vista . In his December blog , Abrams writes , " Fundamentally , there are two types of readers here . The first type will disable autorun and be more secure . The second type will eventually be victims . " Do n't be a victim , disable autorun ( also known as autoplay ) for all devices . | Why would someone disable autorun on the computer ? | Autorun disabling is recommended by computer experts . | ['Computer experts encourage the use of Autorun .', 'Autorun is considered effective by computer experts .', "Computer experts think people are victims if they do n't use autorun ."] |
It sounds like a pretty cool job . I did not get to spend a lot of time with Heather , but since she is going to be in my wedding , we will get to talk more in a month . HolyCrapIGetMarriedInAMonth!Scary . Here are pictures from our trip . Heather & SeanThe wedding was on a farm . I liked the pig . I dragged everyone to the San Diego beach . | What is the reason for this celebration ? | Heather 's friend decided to get married . | ['The is a big anniversary party coming up and celebration is due', 'There is a party to celebrate five years of marriage .', 'None of the above choices .'] |
The coughing is annoying , but for the most part , I do n't mind at all , because I get my painkiller induced cough syrup becasue of it . That 's just a side story to my mysterious illness story . Joey has been spending a good amount of time at my house this summer . One day when he was here , he had a coughing fit which he does sometimes after he runs around a lot , running of course being something he does constantly when he 's here . | What might be true of my friend ? | They have a hard time staying still . | ['They spend a lot of time sedentary .', 'None of the above choices .', 'They sleep more than anything .'] |
But its the fact that I lied time and time again about why I had been up there , the fact that it ate away at you for so long , the prospect of some secret meeting that in all reality never took place burned a hole in your chest . And once again , my lie had caused you a deep pain even though the truth would have initially made you upset in the long run it would have been better , I know this now . But what I know now does nt ever seem to heal the wounds of the past does it ? | Why does the narrator seem to have a regret ? | They were caught in a lie . | ["They were caught defending someone 's lie .", "They were caught as they ate someone 's food .", 'None of the above choices .'] |
A major earthquake rocked Haiti at 4:53 pm local time on Jan.12, 2010, killing possibly thousands of people but no official figure has been released so far.
The quake, which struck about 15km (10 miles) south-west of the capital, Port-au-Prince, was quickly followed by two strong aftershocks. In the space of a minute, numerous buildings fell down. A five-story U.N. building was also brought down by the 7.3 magnitude quake, the most powerful to hit Haiti in more than 200 years according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
As night fell, the whole city is in total darkness. You can see thousands of people sitting in the streets with nowhere to go. There are people running, crying, screaming. Describing the earthquake as a "catastrophe", Haiti's president said the cost of the damage could run into billions.
Haiti became the first independent Caribbean state in the early 19th century. Haiti's location, history and attracting climate once made it a tourist hot place. However, decades of poverty, environmental pollution and violence have left it as the poorest nation in the Americas. It has suffered a lot, including four hurricanes and storms in 2008 that killed hundreds. | What's the meaning of the word in bald "catastrophe"? | disaster. | ['chance.', 'joke.', 'illness.'] |
The boy is out of town this weekend , and he left me his car and keys - in case of emergency , he said . I had a nagging feeling that something was not right . I went to check on his car yesterday evening and the front passenger side window was smashed in . Someone broke the car window to steal less than a dollar in change . | What happened when he left his car for the weekend ? | The wondow got smashed . | ['None of the above choices .', 'His parents put less then a dollar in his car .', 'His dad went ahead and washed the windows .'] |
I asked . She continued with a tremor in her voice , " After weeks of this , people became fed up and needed a scapegoat . Myself being a Wood Elf , ' prove to thievery ' the people said , they blamed it on me . Andil saw me walking around one night but I was not stealing ! I was trying to catch the thieves in the act and end their looting of Vos . | What is meant by " scapegoat " | None of the above choices . | ['It means getting a goat to dress up .', 'It means letting the goats escape .', 'It means freeing the livestock .'] |