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Starting college can be a difficult experience. You have to deal with new responsibilities, growing independence, a challenging course load, and of course, the social scene. When a roommate is thrown into the mix, it may feel like you're struggling with all that stuff while living in a small box with a stranger.
But having a roommate doesn't need to be one more thing to worry about. When students go into their living situations with realistic expectations and a willingness to _ , things can work out just fine.
When you first meet your roommate, chances are that you'll be on your best behavior. You want to get along since this is the person who's going to be sharing your living space for the next year. But try to think ahead to potential worst cases, too.
For example, imagine it's 2 am and you're working on a paper that's due in 8 hours. Your roommate comes in from a party and wants to continue the party in your room.
At times like these, you can't be feeling good. That's why talking about issues that might come up ahead of time and respecting each other's wishes when the time comes is so important.
Talk about the things that are really important to you, and make sure your roommate understands. Then encourage him or her to do the same.
For instance, does it make you angry when people take things without asking first? Let your roommate know your feelings about these types of things from the start. There are some things to talk to your roommate about so that both of you have a feel for each other's likes, dislikes and habits.
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[{'question': 'When you go to college you have to _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['learn to look after yourself', 'quarrel with others often', 'take care of a stranger', 'throw yourself into a separate room']}, {'question': 'You should try to be polite to your roommate because _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['you will stay in touch with each other for a year', 'you would like to get along well with each other', 'something bad must take place in the future', 'a stranger is very difficult to deal with actually']}, {'question': 'What should you do if your roommate interrupts your preparing for the final examination?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Show anger to him or her.', 'Blame him or her.', 'Talk with him or her.', 'Praise him or her.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is TRUE according to this passage?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['It is really a worrying thing to have a roommate.', 'It is difficult to get along well with your roommate.', 'It is your duty to help your roommate in the daily life.', 'It is very important for you and your roommate to understand each other.']}]
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Teenagers are under a lot of pressure to be thin. They resort to starving, vomiting and eating only diet foods to try and be thin. Television is a big influence on them. They watch shows like Beverly Hills 90210 andMelrose Placeand feel they need to look as thin as the actresses on these shows. Society is brainwashing young people into believing that being thin is important and necessary.
Diet commercials are constantly appearing on our television screens telling us that once we lose weight, we will be happy. While you're standing at the grocery store you are surrounded by magazines claiming to have the newest and best diet. Each month another new diet appears claiming to be the diet to end all diets. If diets really worked, then why are there so many of them? The reason a new diet pops up each month, is that last's month's diets did not work. The truth of the matter is that DIETS DON'T WORK.
The diet and fashion industries are not totally to blame for society's obsession with thinness. We are the ones keeping them in business. We buy into the idea that we can attain the "ideal" body image. We allow ourselves to believe the lies being thrown at us constantly. We are throwing away our hard earned money trying to live up to the standards that society has set for us. It's unfortunate, but in today's society, people have forgotten that it's what's inside a person that counts, not what's on the outside. We need to start loving and accepting each other for who we are, not what we look like.
Once again, I would like to stress the fact that diets don't work. Eating three healthy meals a day, a few snacks and doing moderate exercise, will allow your body to go to its natural set point. Next time you decide that you are going to start another diet because you feel you are too fat, stop, sign up for a self-esteem class instead. That would be money well spent.
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[{'question': 'What areBeverly Hills 90210andMeltrose Place ?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Fashion shows.', 'Two famous place in America.', 'Popular TV shows.', 'Two TV channels.']}, {'question': 'According to the author, which of the following statements is NOT true ?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Our society is flooded with diet commercials.', 'The latest diet is necessarily better than all the previous ones.', 'People in North America become crazy over Dieting.', 'All diets are useless in fact']}, {'question': 'We can infer from this passage that _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ["if your diet doesn't work, the only thing you can do is to accept your body image .", 'attending a self-esteem class will help you keep fit.', "we shouldn't pay attention to the size of our body.", "what's inside a person is much more important than his/her appearance."]}]
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A weather system known as a polar vortex brought dangerously cold weather to large parts of the United States this week. A polar vortex is a cold, thick low pressure system. The air turns counter-clockwise when on the move.
The polar vortex started up in Canada. After crossing the border, it moved deep into the southeastern United States. The polar vortex brought the coldest temperatures in more than 20 years to many areas. Alice Jenkins lives in Washington D.C.
"I have a coat on. I have three sweaters. I have two blouses. But I don't feel like I have anything on."
Another woman, named Amanda, lives nearby in Maryland.
"It's D.C. It's not supposed to be this cold."
The extreme weather started with a low-pressure system near the North Pole. The Arctic air was pushed as far south as Alabama on wind currents known as the jet stream. The bitter cold covered much of the central United States, forcing schools, government offices and businesses to
close.
But the polar vortex did not have the same effect everywhere.
Interestingly enough, it is warmer in Alaska and also somewhat warmer over Greenland because when you exhaust cold air in the North Pole and the Arctic region, when it's forced southward, it can't all stay there. Basically it's rushing towards us in the United States."
Camden Walker, a weather expert, says the weather system moved away quickly from places like Washington. But the cold air and high winds were staying longer in the middle of the country.
Temperatures of minus 10 degrees Celsius or lower were reported in Washington, New York, Boston and Philadelphia. In fact, temperatures in all or parts of the 50 states were below freezing at some point on Tuesday. Even in Hawaii, it was minus six degrees at the top of the state's highest mountain.
The effect of the polar vortex was extensive. Airline companies cancelled more than 11,000 flights over a four day period. The cold weather also interfered with train service. In the south, the Tennessee Valley Authority said it set a single day record for electricity as homeowners struggled to stay warm. But there was more to the picture.
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[{'question': 'Which of the following statements about the polar vortex is NOT true?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['It came from around the North Pole area.', 'All the places it swept across became extremely cold.', 'It caused Washington,', 'It caused great losses in the U.S.']}, {'question': 'Central U.S. was more severely affected by the cold because _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['it was the place where the polar vortex was born', 'it was too low here for the polar vortex to leave', 'it was close to Washington,', 'it was the cold air and high winds that stayed longer here']}, {'question': 'The passage is probably going to talk about _ if it continues.', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['other damage the polar vortex caused', 'how long the extreme weather will last', 'what can be done to stop it happening again', 'the best way to stay warm this winter']}]
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How do you get a man to do his share of the house work? If you are like most of the women, you will face the question the hard way.
A man will enjoy a clean, orderly house, but he usually won't make the effort to clean or organize it. This doesn't mean that a woman has to do all the housework; she may have to manage many of household duties, and request his partner's participation. A woman can often say that men and women should take equal responsibility for housework.
Very few men are raised to be fully responsible for housework, and many men look on housework as women's work. On the other hand, most men will readily work around the yard, make repairs and complete projects on weekends or evenings, and it's important that you give your man appreciation for those things too. Most man will take a little additional housework around the house if asked politely. They are even more likely to do housework if they choose what they want to do, and do it without being monitored.
Here is the key; men want to feel that they are doing housework because they want to please their women. Men are much less likely to take on household tasks they consider uninteresting and unimportant. In other words, _
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[{'question': 'The passage is mainly about how to _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['get men to do some housework', 'get men to serve their families', "praise men's housework", 'make men do all the housework.']}, {'question': 'According to the passage a man _', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['is willing to do housework.', 'likes to be told how to do housework', 'is taught to be responsible for housework from childhood', "likes a clean house but doesn't make effort to do it."]}, {'question': 'In order to get men to do some housework, women should often _', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['order them to do their share.', 'ask them to do some housework politely', "blame men's laziness", "monitor men's work"]}, {'question': 'According to the passage, which of the following would a husband most probably like to do?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['clean the table', 'cook breakfast', 'repair the fence', 'ask his wife to work on the yard.']}]
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Whales live in the ocean, but they are not fish. They are warm-blooded mammals and must have air to breathe. The babies are born alive and drink milk from the mother's body. It took millions of years for the whale to develop as it is today.
Every spring groups of whales swim hundreds of kilometers to warm places to bear their young. Each group goes to the same place every year. The mothers take very good care of their babies. The fully grown whales are very gentle and playful with each other, and with humans. They "talk" to each other with a high noise that sounds beautiful. This"talking" can be heard for more than 300 kilometers in open waters.
Yet humans kill over a hundred whales a day. They kill them to make whale oils and a lot of other things. Killing them is a modern business with modern machines and even harpoons( ) that explode( ) inside the whales. A whale dies very slowly and in great pain. Some ships kill every whale they can find, even the mothers and babies. Then there are no young whales to grow up or to bear more young.
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[{'question': 'A commonly mistaken belief is that _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['whales are mammals', 'whales must have air to breathe', "whales' babies drink milk", 'whales are fish']}, {'question': 'In the passage "mammals" refer to _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['the animals which live in water', 'the animals which have wings and feathers', "the animals which are fed on their mothers' milk", 'the things which live in earth and have no backbones']}, {'question': 'Every spring each group of whales _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['swim only a few kilometers', 'return to the same place as they did before', 'go to different places', 'go to cold places to bear their young']}, {'question': 'When whales talk, it sounds like _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['talking', 'whispering', 'quarreling', 'singing']}, {'question': 'Every year humans kill _ all over the world.', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['nearly forty thousand whales', 'less than four million', 'about four thousand whales', 'about fourteen thousand whales']}]
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Have you ever intended to be fully absorbed in your work but found yourself distracted by e-mail, the Internet and other things throughout the day? According to the survey made by a famous university in the USA, most people have the experience.
"People often lose their concentration when they are bored, of course, but also when they are engaged in challenging tasks," says Peter Bregman, the head of the survey. "They sometimes have a feeling to escape from what's difficult or boring, so they jump out," he says. The part of the brain devoted to attention is connected to the brain's emotional center. Any strong emotion --quarrels with colleagues, problems at home --can interrupt our attention. Studies over the last decade have shown that too much work to do at a time can easily lead to distraction.
Refocusing is hard for many people. Robert Epstein suggests the following, "Stop and listen to some soft music for a few minutes. Find a good friend or a teacher and say out your matter on your mind. Go for a short walk or take a deep breath, where you breathe in deeply, count to five slowly, hold it and breathe out very slowly." This can "blow out all the tension and the unwanted in your mind to _ your focus."
Take more control by structuring your time and becoming more aware of your behaviors. "Setting the phone alarm to go off every hour is my way of creating awareness," Mr. Bregman says. "You have to inform yourself that you've lost focus in order to do something about it." Starting the day with a to-do list is also important, such as when to eat, when to go to the gym or take a walk. But if it's overly ambitious, you will put yourself in a state of anxiety, which makes it hard for the brain to concentrate. "Choosing three or four things as your priority for the day allows your brain to settle down and focus," he says.
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[{'question': 'According to the passage, which is NOT the reason why some people can be distracted from their work?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ["They don't want to be devoted to their work.", 'They are disturbed by the Internet and other things.', "They can't find interest in their work.", 'They feel their work is too hard for them.']}, {'question': 'Which incident might NOT interrupt your attention?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['You were scolded by your teacher.', 'You had words with your good friend.', 'You went to school at six as usual.', 'Your mother and father had a quarrel.']}, {'question': 'According to Robert Epstein, how can we refocus on what we should do?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Listen to rock music for some time.', 'Turn to your good friends or teachers for help.', 'Run around the playground for some time.', 'Take a breath from time to time.']}]
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Many people keep the stamps in a drawer at home because they'll never know when they might need them! The trouble is that they have no idea of how many stamps they have left. When they want to send something by post, it's very annoying to find out that they have run out of stamps!
The Internet is possible to solve the problem. The United States Postal Service has come up with a system which allows people to print their own postage stamps at their own home! This is the perfect solution for those people that have busy lives!
Whenever you go to the post office to buy a stamp, you are buying a boring and standard postage stamp. They are red in color, and you can easily buy them on the Internet as well. For example, you can just order a regular 1st class stamp and then print it off using your own printer .
These days, you can have much more fun with your stamps. You can buy them online instead of going to the post office. You can decorate, preview and print your stamps all at your own home. You are able to use any of your own photos as part of your postage stamp as well.
These stamps aren't just allowed to be used in the United States; they can be used to send your mail throughout the world. They are perfect to use for many special occasions, such as weddings, festivals and even birthdays! They are fantastic!
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[{'question': 'The problem of keeping stamps at home is that _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['the stamps may lose color', 'you may not find them anywhere', 'the stamps may be out of date', 'you do not know how many are left']}, {'question': 'With the system of the United States Postal Service, people can _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['buy photo stamps at a very low price', 'send their international mails for free', 'design their own photo stamps', 'have their letters delivered faster than before']}, {'question': "What's the writer's attitude toward the new type of stamps?", 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['He thinks they are a great idea.', 'He is afraid they may cause trouble.', 'He thinks they save a lot of money.', 'He thinks they are as good as the traditional ones.']}]
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Centerville High School Essay Contest "Write All About It"
Calling All Aspiring Authors--Centerville High School Essay Contest
*Rules
1.Students are asked to present essays of 500 to 700 words of their own work. Any essay containing material plagiarized from another source will be disqualified .
2.Manuscripts should be typed double-spaced,with the student's name,address,and grade level on a separate sheet of paper.
3.Essays must be turned in by 4:00 p.m. on November 30.They can be brought to Mrs. Elton in Rom 104 or to Mr. Markham in the school library.
*Essay-Writing Tips
1.Catch your readers' interests--Your opening should immediately pull your readers into your essay. Asking a question or starting with an story,quotation,or surprising statement is a good way to do this.
2.Create a picture--Use active words that show your readers what is happening. Instead of telling your readers vaguely that "the room was disordered",paint a picture using active verbs and lively adjectives.
3.Have a purpose--Well-written essays do more than just describe an incident or express a viewpoint,and they also communicate a message.
4.Check for mistakes--Read your paper over to check for mistakes. Ask another student to read your paper and make suggestions. Another pair of eyes will often spot a mistake you've overlooked.
5.Format your essay--Neatly type your essay on white paper. Choose an attractive cover for submission. The computer lab will be open after school from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. each day this month so that students can use the computers.
*Prizes
Winning essays will be published in the Centerville Times. Every contestant will also receive a free pass to enter one school activity or athletic game this year.
First Prize: $150
Second Prize: Dictionary and thesaurus
Third Prize: Pen set and journal
Special thanks to the Centerville Writers' Association for the prizes to help encourage our aspiring authors. Good luck to all contestants.
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[{'question': 'The first writing tip given is mostly about _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['the use of quotations and stories in an essay', 'using active verbs and lively adjectives', 'how a student should begin an essay', 'how to submit your essays']}, {'question': 'Information in the passage suggests that _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['the essay contest has been carefully planned', 'the students of the school are all athletic lovers', 'most essay contestants have published their work previously', 'Mr. Markham is an English teacher at Centerville High School']}, {'question': 'The prize section of the poster is included in order to _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['show organizations how to donate prizes', 'inform teachers of the prizes available', 'persuade students to enter the essay contest', 'convince students to buy the local newspaper']}, {'question': "Thanks are given to the Centerville Writers' Association because it has _ .", 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['offered to judge the contest', 'prepared the essay-writing tips', 'organized the essay contest', 'donated prizes for the contest']}, {'question': 'What do we know by inference from the passage?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['The computer lab usually closes at 4:15 p.m. each day.', 'Winning essays will be published in the Centerville Times.', 'Every contestant will benefit from the essay contest.', 'The essay contest is held annually at Centerville High School.']}]
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Driver Wanted
Clean driving license .
Must be of smart appearance.
Age over 25.
Apply to : Capes Taxi, 17 Palace Road, Royston.
Air Hostesses for International Flights Wanted
Applicants must be between 20 and 33 years old.
Height: 1.6 m to 1.75 m.
Education to GCSE standard.
Two languages. Must be able to swim.
Apply to: Recruitment office, Southern Airlines, Heathrow Airport West. HR 37 KK.
Teachers Needed
For private language school.
Having college education.
Teaching experience unnecessary.
Apply to: The Director of Studies, Instant Languages Ltd. 279 Canal Street, Royston.
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[{'question': 'What prevents Jack, an experienced taxi driver, working for Capes Taxi?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Fond of beer and wine.', 'Punished for speeding and wrong parking.', 'Unable to speak a foreign language.', 'Not having college education.']}, {'question': 'What prevents Mary, aged 25, becoming an air hostess?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['She once broke a traffic law and was fined', "She can't speak Japanese very well.", 'She has never worked as an air hostess before.', "She doesn't feel like working long hours flying abroad."]}, {'question': 'Which of the following is not mentioned in the three advertisements?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Marriage.', 'Male or female.', 'Education.', 'Working experience.']}]
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The crowd cheered and cheered. The man with the horn waved and smiled his great smile. "More! More!" cried the crowd. And Louis Armstrong took his horn and began to play again.
Here he was in England. Now a famous man, he was rich. He knew many important people. Wherever he went, people knew his name. They wanted to hear his music. As he played the sad, slow songs, Louis thought of his home in New Orleans. He lived there as a boy. It was a busy, exciting city. But Louis's family was very poor. He went to work to help his mother. He also went to school. One of Louis's teachers asked him to join the school band. "This horn is yours until you leave our school," his teacher said. Louis's music was jazz and he loved it. He remembered all the music he heard. He didn't learn to read music until he was a man.
When he left school, he played on many bands. He loved his work and people loved him. They knew that he had a wonderful talent. Louis played in little towns and in big cities. Armstrong's horn had as many sounds as ten horns--sometimes slow and sometimes sweet; sometimes fast and hot, high and low. His music was always strong and exciting. "He does make wonderful music," said the man who listened happily. "Yes," said another man, "he makes that horn speak. "
The music ended and the crowd cheered. Louis Armstrong spoke with tears in his eyes, "I think, my friends, you can listen to as much jazz as I can play. I thought jazz was my music; but now I understand it is ours. It is beautiful that music brings us together. "
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[{'question': 'Louis went to work when he was _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['a schoolboy', 'a musician', 'famous', 'a man']}, {'question': "Louis was very smart but he didn't learn to read music until _ .", 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['he left school.', 'he was in the school band.', 'he became famous.', 'he became a grown-up.']}, {'question': 'He was famous for _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['his horn', 'his sad songs', 'his love for music', 'his wonderful jazz music']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is the best title for this story ?.', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Musician', 'A beautiful horn', 'Sweet smiles', 'The man with the horn']}]
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No one wants to look stupid or do the wrong thing at a new job. It is important to make the right impression from the very first day. You will face new people. You will be in a new place.
It may be difficult to know what to do. Here are five tips to help you make it through the first days at a new job:
1. First impressions can last forever. Make sure you make a good one. Before your first day, find out if your new job has a dress code (rules about what you can wear to work). If so, be sure to follow it. No matter what, always be neat and clean.
2. Get to work on time.
3. Pay attention to introductions. One of the first things that your supervisor may do is to introduce you to co-workers. These co-workers will be important to you. They are the ones who will answer your questions when the boss is not around.
4. Ask plenty of questions. Make sure that your supervisor has told you what is expected of you. If he or she has not told you your duties, ask for a list. Set daily and weekly goals for yourself.
5. Never be the first one to leave. Observe what your co-workers do around quitting time . It does not look good for you to be eager to leave.
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[{'question': 'Before you arrive at work on the first day, you should _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['dress in a right way', 'introduce yourself', 'know your duties', 'know your co-workers well']}, {'question': 'According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['You should be the first one to arrive at work.', 'You should ask your co-workers about your duties.', 'You should not be eager to go back home after work.', 'You are required to arrive 15 minutes earlier']}, {'question': 'According to the passage, your supervisor is most likely your _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['visitor', 'teacher', 'workmate', 'leader']}, {'question': 'What is the best title for this passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Getting a New Job.', 'Tips on How to Work.', 'The First-day Work.', 'The Importance of Co-workers.']}]
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All the oceans of the world will be dead in the future unless action is taken at once. How can this happen?
We have already seen that people allow all sorts of waste products to flow into the sea. It is almost impossible to measure how much waste water and industrial waste in our oceans, but we can find out how much oil is poured into them legally and illegally. It is illegal to pour oil into the sea close to the shore, but when a ship is many miles out to sea, there are no such rules. Scientists have different ideas as to the amount of oil putting into the sea, but the lowest figure for oil poured in European waters alone is nearly 200 000 tons every year. Some people say the figure could be ten times as high.
It is not only our coasts that suffer from oil pollution. Many shell fish, for example, now have high amounts of poisonous substances . Next time you have shell fish to eat, how can you be sure that they are free from oil pollution? You cannot see the effects and you cannot taste them, either. It is really quite a problem.
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[{'question': 'This passage is mainly about _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['pollution in the oceans', 'oil pollution in the waters', 'the amounts of poison in shell fish', 'the amounts of oil in the sea']}, {'question': 'According to the passage, what is the main cause of oil pollution?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Oil ships which meet and strike each other.', 'Oil poured at sea when the oil tanks are cleaned out.', 'Oil from waste water and industrial waste.', 'Oil coming out of the bottom of the sea.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is illegal according to the passage?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Pouring oil into the sea from land, especially when there is no other choice.', 'Pouring oil at seaside.', 'Allowing waste materials to flow into the waters.', 'Going fishing when the water is polluted by oil.']}, {'question': 'According to the passage, which one is TRUE?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['The amount of oil put into the sea is nearly 2000 000 tons in the globe.', 'Every year, the figure for oil poured in the ocean is 1000 000 tons in Europe.', 'Some people think the figure for oil poured is estimated too low.', 'The highest amount of oil put into the oceans reaches 1000 000 tons in globe.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following statements is WRONG according to the passage?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['The water body of the earth will be dead by the year 2010 without any effective measure.', 'All the Oceans in the world are polluted by oil.', "It's possible that all the creatures in the sea will die out if no action is taken.", 'Some kinds of the living things in waters have been poisoned and we must be careful of them.']}]
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Star Wars Millennium Falcon
This is a gift that, if we're being honest, many dads want to own for themselves. This huge ship is the greatest Star Wars toy. It lights up and makes some noises. Every boy from 3 to 53 will absolutely like it, if they can find room for it. I dare say even a few grandfathers might go for it.
Biscuit--the Loving Pup
You may clearly know that a pet can be a great thing to a child's development but you probably don't think that you can take care of a dog properly. The robot dog Biscuit is less likely to
the disorder of your house and except for a few dead batteries, won't leave any surprises on the floor. It will be a good playmate for your kids.
JVC KD-10 Headphones
It's increasingly common for kids to enjoy themselves on long journeys with a portable DVD player or an iPod MP3, but the headphones that come with expensive electronics are seldom suitable for young ears. Kids should use JVC headphones that have a sound limiter that can be set by the concerned parent.
Sparrow-kids Routemaster Kit
Sparrow-kids Kit makes a huge range of craft tools. There are lots of pretty but achievable projects for young girls to take up their (safe plastic) needles and sew.
Holz Wooden Airport
It might be said that Britain doesn't need another airport but when it's a traditional wooden toy like this all of you would agree that it's a good thing. Treated with a little care, this play-set could easily entertain your young air traffic controllers.
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[{'question': 'Which of the gifts is designed mainly for girls?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Holz Wooden Airport.', 'Sparrow-kids Routemaster Kit', 'Star Wars Millennium Falcon.', 'Biscuit--the Loving Pup.']}, {'question': 'The five things listed in the passage are _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['presents for the whole family', 'gifts mainly for children', 'craft tools for children', 'the latest high-tech products']}]
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Take That Tiger Mom
In the ongoing battle between Tiger Moms, French Mamas, and everyone else who wants to know what is the best way to raise their kids, a new study adds evidence that the extreme Tiger-style may do more harm than good.
Authoritarian parents are more likely to end up with disrespectful children with violent behaviors, the study found, compared to parents who listen to their kids with the goal of gaining trust.
It was the first study to look at how parenting styles affect the way teens view their parents and, in turn, how they behave.
The study considered three general styles of parenting. Authoritative parents are demanding and controlling while also being warm and sensitive to their children's needs.
Authoritarian parents, on the contrary, are demanding and controlling without the appearance of caring, attachment and receptiveness. They take a "my way or the highway" approach to their kids.
Permissive parents, the third group, have warm and receptive qualities, but they set few boundaries and carry out few rules.
Using data on early 600 kids from an ongoing study of middle school and high school students in New Hampshire, researchers from the University of New Hampshire were able to find "my way or the highway" parenting with more violent behaviors like robbery, drug-taking, and attacking someone else with the intention of hurting or killing.
Firm but loving parenting, on the other hand, led to fewer lawbreakers. Permissive parenting, surprisingly, didn't seem to make much of a difference either.
To explain the link between parenting style and behavior in kids, the researchers suggested that what matters most is how reasonable kids think their parents' power is. This sense comes when kids trust that their parents are making the best decisions for them and believe that they need to do what their parents say even if they don't always like how their parents are treating them.
When kids respect the power of their parents, the researchers reported in the journal of Adolescence, their behavior is better. Previous research has also linked firm but caring parenting with kids who have more self-control and independence.
"When children consider their parents to be the reliable figure, they trust the parents and feel that they have a duty to do what their parents tell them to do," said lead researcher Pick Trinkner. "This is very important as the parent doesn't have to rely on a system of rewards and punishments to control behavior and the child is more likely to follow the rules when the parent is not physically present."
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[{'question': 'Tiger Moms and French Mamas are mentioned in the passage to _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['give an example of authoritarian parenting', 'show the advantage of parenting', 'compare two types of parenting', 'introduce the topic']}, {'question': "According to the research, what kind of parenting style is likely to cause children's criminal behaviors?", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Caring parenting.', 'Permissive parenting.', 'Authoritarian parenting.', 'Authoritative parenting.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following probably belongs to the action of the permissive parents?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Allowing the kids to stay up late at weekends as the kids like.', "Beating the kids if the kids don't follow their instructions.", "Listening to the kids' request and giving their demands.", "Setting some rules and checking the kids' behaviors."]}, {'question': 'According to the passage, children are more likely to obey the rules when _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['their parents listen to them totally', 'they believe in and accept their parents', 'their parents are sensitive to their needs', 'their parents demand and control their behaviors']}]
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Tim Welford, aged 33, and Dom Mee, aged 30, both from England, were keen on (="like..." very much) rowing boats. They made a plan to row across the Pacific Ocean from Japan to San Francisco. The name of their rowboat was "Crackers". It was about seven meters long.
They set out from Japan on May 17,2001. They had rowed nearly 5,500 miles when their boat was hit by a fishing ship on September 17,2001. Luckily they both escaped unharmed, but their boat was badly damaged and they had to abandon( =" stop)their" journey.
In a radio interview, Dom expressed his disappointment and explained how the accident took place.
"A fishing ship came towards us with nobody on the bridge and ran us down. It all happened so quickly. I managed to dive into the water. Tim felt it would be safer to stay on board. He was trapped inside as the boat was driven under the water. Finally some people appeared on the ship and saw me in the water. I shouted at them to stop the ship and to get Tim out. When the ship stopped, I eventually saw Tim, and I was very, very happy that we were still alive. We were very disappointed that we couldn't reach San Francisco. But we are alive. That above everything is the most important. "
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[{'question': '41. How long had Tim and Dom been at sea when their boat was hit by a fishing boat?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['For one month', 'For two months.', 'For three months.', 'For four months.']}, {'question': '42. According to Dom, the main reason for the accident was that _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Tim and Dom were too careless', 'the speed of the fishing ship was too fast', 'nobody on the fishing ship saw them', 'their rowboat was not strong enough']}, {'question': '43. Dom said that the most important thing in this accident was that _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['their rowboat was not damaged', 'both of them existed after a dangerous time', 'they enjoyed this journey', 'they failed to reach San Francisco']}, {'question': '44. Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Some people on the fishing ship saved them.', 'Tim and Dom were going to San Francisco in the rowboat because they had no money to buy airplane tickets.', 'Dom dived into the water when the accident happened because he thought it would be dangerous to stay on board.', 'Dom told people about their dangerous experience when he was interviewed on the radio.']}]
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I was in my third year of teaching writing at Ralph High School in New York, when one of my students,15-year-old Mikey,gave me a note from his mother.It explained his absence from class the day before:
"Dear Mr. McCort,Mikey's grandmother,who is eighty years of age,fell down the stairs from too much coffee and I kept Mikey at home to take care of her and his baby sister so I couldn't go to my job. Please excuse Mikey and he'll do his best in the future.P.S.His grandmother is OK."
I had seen Mikey writing the note at his desk.I said nothing.Most parental-excuse note, I received were penned by my students.The writers of those notes didn't realize that honest excuse notes were usually dull: "Peter was late because the alarm clock didn't go off."
The students always said it was hard putting 200 words together on any subject, but when they produced excuse notes, they were excellent.So I decided to give the first class to study the art of the excuse note.
"Today I'd like you to write 'An Excuse Note from Adam to God' or 'An Excuse Note from Eve to God'."Heads went down.Pens raced across paper.They had to be asked to go to lunch by their friends.
The next day everyone had excuse notes.Heated discussions followed.But suddenly I saw the headmaster at the door.He entered the classroom and walked up and down,looking at papers,and then said."I'd like you to see me in my office."My heart sank.
When I stepped into his office,he came to shake my hand and said,"I just want to tell you that lesson, that ask, was great.Those kids were writing on the college level.Thank you."
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[{'question': 'We can inter that when Mikey was absent from the class, he was _', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['somewhere enjoying himself', 'taking care of his baby sister', 'looking after his grandmother', 'studying the art of the excuse note']}, {'question': "How did the author usually find out his students' parental-excuse notes were dishonest?", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['They were written in dull words.', 'They were more like stories than facts.', 'He called their parents and found out the truth.', "The handwriting obviously looked like children's."]}, {'question': "Why did the author's heart sink?", 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['He thought the headmaster would scold him.', 'The heated discussions angered the headmaster.', 'The students were not behaving themselves.', "The headmaster was looking at his students' papers."]}, {'question': 'Which of the following best describes the author as a teacher?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Honest.', 'Strict.', 'Hardworking.', 'Wise.']}]
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International Schools Services
Experience teaching overseas
Have you thought of working overseas? International Schools Services is looking for teachers for thousands of positions.Schools are looking for experienced, well-trained persons who must meet two of the three criteria:
*A four-year bachelor's degree
*Certification in a subject
*Two years' successful teaching experience in a public or private school
Attend one of our International Recruitment Conferences .Hundreds of schools will be available.Over 2,000 positions are expected to be filled.
*Atlanta--December 4,201 1--December 6, 2011
*Bangkok--January 4, 2012~January 7, 2012
*Boston--February 5, 2012~February 9, 2012
*San Francisco--February 13, 2012~February 16, 2012
Becoming an international educator will offer you a journey you will value for decades to come.In addition, while each school experience is unique, you'll teach your subject in English, earn a competitive salary and enjoy excellent benefits packages , high-quality facilities, small class sizes.[:Ks5u.com]
You'll meet new people i have a lasting effect on children across the world and discover a new world.
If you or someone you know is interested in teaching overseas, contact the Educational Staffing Department at edustaf fing@iss, eduor by phone at 609-452-0990.
Visit www.iss.edu to learn more.
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[{'question': 'Which of the following is NOT related to the basic requirements for a teaching position?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Travelling experience.', "A four-year bachelor's degree.", 'Certification in a subject.', 'Certain teaching experience.']}, {'question': 'If Mike has free time from February 6 to 8, which city would he fly to for a recruitment conference?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Atlanta.', 'Bangkok.', 'Boston.', 'San Francisco.']}, {'question': 'Which would be the best choice to fill in the blank in the passage?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Have an unforgettable journey', 'Earn a good salary overseas', 'Meet new people overseas', 'Accept the opportunity of a lifetime']}]
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After two classes, I started to recognize several of the faces in each class. There was always someone braver than the others who would introduce themselves and ask me questions about how I was liking Forks. I tried to be
, so mostly I just lied a lot to appear to be skilled at dealing with people. At least I never needed the map.
One girl sat next to me in both Trig and Spanish, and she walked with me to the cafeteria for lunch. She was tiny, several inches shorter than my five feet four inches, but her wildly curly dark hair made up a lot of the difference between our heights. I couldn't remember her name, so I smiled and nodded as she gossiped about teachers and classes. I didn't try to keep up.
We sat at the end of a full table with several of her friends, who she introduced to me. I forgot all their names as soon as she spoke them. They seemed impressed by her bravery in speaking to me. The boy from England Eric, waved at me from across the room.
It was there, sitting in the lunchroom, trying to make conversation with seven curious strangers, that I first saw them.
They were sitting in the corner of the cafeteria, as far away from where I sat as possible in the long room. There were five of them. They weren't talking, and they weren't eating, though they each had a tray of untouched food in front of them. They weren't staring at me, unlike most of the other students, so it was safe to stare at them without fear of meeting an over interested pair of eyes. But it was none of these things that caught and held my attention.
I stared because their faces, so different, so similar, were all extremely, inhumanly beautiful. They were faces you never expected to see except perhaps on the airbrushed pages of a fashion magazine, or painted by an old master as the face of an angel. It was hard to decide who was the most beautiful -- maybe the perfect blond girl, or the bronze-haired boy.
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[{'question': 'From the passage, we can infer that _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['"I" was really liking the new place.', '"I" had a bad memory, so it\'s hard to remember names.', '"I" was good at making friends.', '"I" was not interested in what the girl said.']}, {'question': 'According to the passage, which statement is NOT true?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['The girl walked with "me" was a little short.', '"I" saw the five students for the first time.', 'Those students sitting in the corner had finished their food.', '"I" probably wanted to know more about those five students.']}]
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Here are some of the best movies you like. I believe they can accompany you to spend your dull weekend.
In this story a computer hacker searches for the truth behind the mysterious force . In the 22nd century it turns out that the world is controlled by a magic computer system called the Matrix and people live in an unreal world. The computer hacker and his comrades overcome much difficulty and at last find the way to take over the Matrix and save the world.
This comedy is about J and K, agents in a top secret agency , and they fight bravely with the alien to save the galaxy from a bad-tempered alien "bug" and save the Earth from being destroyed .
Harry has lived under the stairs at his aunt and uncle's house. But on his 11th birthday, he learns he's a powerful wizard----with a place waiting for him at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There, he uncovers the truth about his parents' deaths and about the bad man who's to blame .
When a satellite crashes in New Mexico, the Air Force sends two men to reach it. To their horror, they discover that the probe carries an alien virus that's already killed all but two of the residents of the town where it landed. Now, scientists must stop the virus from spreading .
In the year 2035, James Cole is forced to be sent back to 1996 by scientists to discover the origin of a virus that wiped out nearly all of the earth's population. When Cole is mistakenly sent to 1990, he's arrested and locked up in a mental hospital, where he meets the son of a famous virus expert.
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[{'question': 'Harry Potter _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ["does't know he's a powerful wizard until he is 11 years old", 'has a happy and pleasant childhood with his aunt and uncle', 'hates to stay at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry', 'Knows how his parents died before he goes to the Hogwarts school']}, {'question': 'The author writes the passage in order to _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['let readers know more about the latest movies', 'increase the income of the cinemas of the city', 'tell readers some interesting summaries of movies', 'help readers to choose the best movie they like']}]
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Every child has written their names on the beach at some point.
But whereas most people's "handwriting" is washed away, one super-rich Arab sheikh has ensure that his graffiti will last a little longer.
Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, 63, has scrawled his name in sand on an island he owns with letters so big that they be seen from space.
The word "HAMAD" measures 1,000 meters high and is a staggering two miles long from the "H" to the "D" on the Al Futaisi Island.
And rather than allow the writing to be washed away by the ocean, the letters actually form waterways that absorb the encroaching tide. The ruler's name is even visible on Google's map service.
Hamad dreamed up the idea and had his workmen work hard for weeks to craft the enormous piece of sand graffiti. It is not known how much it cost to make.
However, the sheikh boasts a personal fortune second to the Saudi king's.
Hamad, also known as the "Rainbow Sheikh", is a member of the Abu Dhabi Ruling Family.
He is understood to have some 200 cars including seven Mercedes 500 SELs painted in different colors of the rainbow which he stores in a giant pyramid.
The Arab sheikh had a taste for doing things on a large scale. He built the world's largest truck--eight times the size of the Dodge Power Wagon, with four bedrooms inside the cabin.
Hamad constructed a motor home in the shape of a giant globe which is exactly 1 millionth the size of the actual earth.
Alongside his displays of wealth he has become a well-known philanthropist in medicine and supplied a complete Kinney stone operating theatre to a public hospital in Morocco where he continues to fund its stuff.
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[{'question': 'Which of the following in NOT true according to the passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Hamad is a man who wants himself to be well-known from apace.', 'Hamad is a super-rich person who always does something unusual.', 'Hamad is a man who is always so mean in his family', "Hamad is a man who boasts his fortune is second to the Saudi king's"]}, {'question': 'Why does Hamad have his seven Mercedes-Benz500 SELs painted in different colors?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Perhaps he hoped his cars were stored in a giant pyramid safely.', 'In some ways he could make a very strange rainbow.', 'Maybe he just wanted to show off his wealth.', 'He is always interested in making his cars like these.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following might be the best title for the passage?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ["The Rainbow Sheikh's name can be seen from space", "The richest Arab sheikh's name has made many funny things", 'A great person likes doing things on a large scale', 'A well-known philanthropist displays his wealth']}]
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There's a guy like me in every state and federal prison in America,I guess--I'm the guy who can get these for you:cigarettes,a bag of cigar,if you want that,a bottle of wine to celebrate your son or daughter's high school graduation,or almost anything else...within reason,that is.It wasn't always that way.
I came to Shawshank when I was just twenty,and I am one of the few people in the prison who is willing to admit what he did.I committed murder.I put a large insurance policy on my wife,who was three years older than 1 was,and then I fixed the brakes of the car her father had given us as a wedding present.It worked out exactly as I had planned,except I hadn't planned on her stopping to pick up the neighbour woman and the woman's son on the way down Castle Hill and into town.The brakes let go and the car crashed through the bushes,gathering speed.Bystanders said it must have been doing fifty or better when it hit the base of the Civil War statue in the town arid burst into flames.
I also hadn't planned on getting caught,but caught 1 was.I got a pass into this place.My state has no death penalty ,but I was tried for all three deaths and given three life sentences,to run one after the other.That fixed up any chance of parole I might have,for a long,long time.The judge called what I had done'an extremely evil crime', and it was ,but it is also in the past now.
Have I transformed myself,you ask ?I don't know what that word means,at least as far as prisons and corrections go.I think it's a politician's word.It may have some other meaning,and it may be that 1 will have a chance to find out,but that is the future...
I was young,good--looking,and from the poor side of town.I met a pretty,headstrong girl who lived in one of the fine old houses on Carbine Street.She got pregnant later.Her father was agreeable to the marriage if 1 would take a job in the company he owned and 'work my way up'.I found out that what he really had in mind was keeping me in his house and under his thumb,like a disagreeable pet that has not quite been housebroken and which may bite.Enough hate eventually piled up to cause me to do what I did.
Given a second chance 1 would not do it again,but I'm not sure that means I am transformed.
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[{'question': 'What do we know about the man from the passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['He is treated unfairly in the prison.', 'He is in charge of the federal prison.', 'He is quite an able person as a prisoner.', 'He is the most powerful man in the prison.']}, {'question': 'By saying that"I got a pass into this place"(in Para.3),the man means that _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['he has got to stay in prison', 'he was allowed to go home', 'he was caught by the police without a pass', 'he has stayed in the federal prison before']}, {'question': 'The man committed such an evil crime because _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['he had made a secret deal with an insurance company', 'he had been angry for a long time with his father--in--law', "his wife's family members had disapproved of their marriage", "his wife had looked on him as a pet and he didn't feel respected"]}, {'question': 'Which of the following is TRUE about the man?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['He regrets having committed the crime.', 'He will be out of prison in the near future.', 'He thinks the trial a mistake and is unfair.', 'He has found out the']}]
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European Work Experience Program(E.W.E.P.)is an independent British organization which began in 1991 in the city of London.E.W.E.P.provides the opportunity for students from the 25 countries of the European Union and nationals from Norway,Iceland,Switzerland and Liechtenstein to live in England,to gain work experience,to practice their English and to get a better insight into the British social and eulturallife.
To apply you must meet the following requirements:
*Preferred age: 18 to 28 years old
*Be able to work in the UK for a period of at least two months.
*Must have a good knowledge of English.
*Due to work permit restrictions,European Work Experience Program Ltd will only select you if you are a European Union Member or national from Norway,Iceland,Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
European Work Experience Program Ltd will find you a suitable job and an accommodation.A representative of E.W.E.P.will be available during your stay to help you and you will get a 24-hour help line service during your stay.The TOTAl fee for our services is PS264.63(394.35 Euros).
Should you require any further information,please contact us:
European Work Experience Program Ltd
Unit 1,Red Lion Court, Alexandra Road
Hounslow,Middlesex,TW3 1JS
United Kingdom
Tel: 44 208 572 2993
Fax:44 208 572 1114
E--mail:[email protected]
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[{'question': "What's the purpose of writing the text?", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['To introduce a new program in England.', 'To attract more students to work in England.', 'To describe the working conditions in England.', 'To make clear the requirements for students working in England.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is NOT the purpose of the program?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['To get a lot of work experience.', 'To improve their English rapidly.', 'To have better understanding of the British culture.', 'To make more money in Britain.']}, {'question': 'If you apply for the program.you _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['must be 18 to 26 years old', 'must be able to speak at least three languages', 'must be nationals from the countries mentioned in the text', 'should have some working experience in a foreign country']}, {'question': 'You can get in touch with E.W.E.P.by the following ways EXCEPT by _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['making a teJephone call', 'sending the organization a fax', 'writing an e-mail to the organization', 'going there in person by air']}, {'question': 'Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the text?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['European Work Experience Program Was set up in the 19th century.', "You'll work in the UK for at least two months if you attend the program.", 'You can get a 24-hour help from a representative during your stay.', "You don't have to hand in 394.35 Euros after you have got a job in Britain."]}]
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Another of President Bush's critics on climate change and his former rival for the White House, Al Gore, is inprefix = st1 /Londonon Friday to launch an environmental project with the head of the Virgin Business Company, Richard Branson. They're announcing a multi-million dollar international prize to encourage development and research into new forms of low carbon technology. The prize will be available to anyone who can apply a successful method of removing large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Almost all scientists agree that we are experiencing global warming due to increased amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is released when fuel is burned. Oil, coal and wood are all fuels that release the gas. When biological wasted breaks down, it also releases carbon dioxide.
Environmental campaigners and climate change scientists tell us we're pumping an unbearable amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. One way to reduce that will be to use less fossil fuel , the burning of which is a key resource to our way of life, but sharp reduction of oil and coal use is unpopular with governments and people alike.
So technologies are being developed, like carbon capture and storage that aim to take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, compress it and pump it into the ground. But that's still in its early stages, so the purpose of this prize is to encourage research into new ways of decarbonizing the atmosphere. A scientific panel, chaired by Al Gore, will judge any entries. Environmental campaigners are hoping such a significant prize will attract large amounts of publicity and brainpower.
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[{'question': 'Which of the following sentences is correct according to the text?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ["Al Gore doesn't agree with President Bush's Policy on climate.", 'Only a group or an organization will receive the prize.', 'The prize will be given to anyone who can do research into low carbon technology', 'Al Gore would like to help President Bush to solve the problem.']}, {'question': 'Carbon dioxide will be produced when_.', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['we are experiencing global warming.', 'fossil fuel is burned', 'biological waste is thrown away.', 'gas is released']}, {'question': "People would like to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but they don't like the method of_.", 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['compressing it and pumping it into the ground', 'burning the fossil fuel', 'pumping it into the atmosphere.', 'reducing too much fossil fuel']}, {'question': 'What is the main idea of the passage?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['We should pay more attention to the solution to an environmental problem', 'An project is launched to award those who can find ways to solve an environmental problem.', 'Al Gore is going to present a prize to the person who can solve an environmental problem.', 'A lot of people will apply methods to solve an environmental problem.']}]
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Wang Lu, 24, one of many students studying abroad who'll come home for work, majors in business & management studies at Edinburgh's Napier University. She had planned what to do after graduation in the UK: two years' work experience at a restaurant and a tour around Europe. But now her plans are up in the air.
Following the UK Home Secretary's meeting on reform of the student immigration system, the UK government recently announced the end of the post-study work visa from April 2012. This will force tens of thousands of Chinese students to leave the UK after graduation.
Sadly, the domestic job market doesn't welcome them with open arms. A report by Tigtag.com at the end of 2011 showed that over 35 percent of students admitted that they have employment problems.
"Returning students often have fluent English, creative minds and a serious attitude toward work," said Zhang Tingwen, an HR expert in ChinaHR.com. "But lack of work experience is a big problem." Xia Lei, an HR manager, responded to Zhang. "We need people who can work for us. We don't need people from big name universities to attract customers".
Difference in work practices is another problem that worries employers, Zhang pointed out. "Some returning students might be used to Western ways of dealing with people and things."
Huang Shanshan, 25, got a job in a communication company in Shenzhen. "I once worked part-time in UK. My colleagues ate snacks when they felt hungry, even during working time or in meetings." Huang brought some cakes to the office and ate them. When her manager saw that, he told her not to eat at workplace. "It took me some time to adjust to company rules in China," said Huang.
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[{'question': 'Why is Wang Lu forced to leave the UK after graduation?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Because post-study work visa will come to an end.', 'Because she has no effective ways to learn English.', 'Because there are no majors that suit her in Britain.', 'Because different work practices worry employers.']}, {'question': 'From Xia Lei, we can learn that _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['the domestic job market gives welcome to returnees with open arms', 'employers prefer people who can work to those from top universities', 'returnees are used to Western ways to deal with people and things around', 'it is hard for returning students with creative minds to take work seriously']}, {'question': 'It can be inferred from the text that _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['the reform of immigration system has great effects on the British people', 'some practices like eating snacks are allowed at the workplace in China', 'lack of work experience is a big problem to find a suitable job in the UK', 'returning students are expected to adapt to the new working environment']}, {'question': 'Where can we most probably read this text?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['In a science fiction.', 'In a travel magazine.', 'In a newspaper.', "In a student's book."]}]
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Every language has its own special words and expressions. And a story can be told about each of them. "Hot" is a simple, easily-understood word. So are most of the expressions made with the word "hot". But not always, as we shall see.
Take the phrase "hot potato" for example. The potato is a popular vegetable in the United States. Many people like baked potatoes, cooked in an oven or fire. Imagine trying to carry a hot, baked potato in your hand. It would be difficult, even painful, to do so. One such hot potato is taxes. Calling for higher taxes can mean defeat for a politician. And yet, if taxes are not raised, some very popular government programs could be cut, which can also make a politician very unpopular.
Another expression is "not so hot". If you ask someone how she feels, she may answer: "Not so hot. " What she means is that she does not feel well. "Not so hot" is also a way of saying that you do not really like something.
"A hot shot" is a person, often a young person, who thinks he can do anything. At least he wants to try. He is very sure he can succeed. But often he fails. The expression came from the army. A hot shot was a soldier who fired without aiming carefully.
A person who becomes angry easily is called "a hothead". An angry person's neck often becomes red. We say he is "hot under the collar". You could say that your friend is no hothead. But he got hot under the collar when someone took his radio.
The hot line was a direct communication link between the leaders of the Soviet Union and the United States. The hot line had an important purpose: to prevent accidental war between the two competitors during the period known as the Cold War. The American president and the Soviet leader were able to communicate directly and immediately on the hot line.
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[{'question': 'If you describe something as a hot potato, it _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['is very popular', 'has a high temperature', 'is very difficult to deal with', "can't be held in your hand"]}, {'question': 'According to the text, which of the following statements is not true?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['All of the expressions made with the word hot are simple, easily-understood.', 'Taxes can be a hot potato for a politician if not handled carefully.', 'The expression "a hot shot" was born in the military forces.', 'If you say that the new play you saw last night is not so hot, you do not consider it a success.']}, {'question': 'The purpose of the first hot line was _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['to stop the Cold War', 'to prevent accidental war between the two superpowers', 'to promote the cooperation between the Soviet Union and the United States', 'to make direct telephone links for the people in Moscow and Washington']}]
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John and Booby joined a wholesale company together just after graduation from college the same year. Both worked very hard. After several years, however, the boss promoted Bobby to the position of manager but John remained an ordinary employee . John could not take it any more, so he sent his resignation and complained that the boss did not value hard working workers but only promoted those who said good words of him.
The boss knew that John worked very hard for the years. He thought for a moment and said, "Thank you for telling me, but I have a request. I hope you will do one more thing for our company before you leave. Perhaps you will change your mind and take back your resignation."
John agreed. The boss asked him to go and find out anyone selling watermelons in the market. John went and returned soon. He said he had found out a man selling watermelons. The boss asked how much per kg, John shook his head and went back to the market to ask and returned to tell the boss $1.2 per kg.
The boss told John to wait a second, and he called Bobby to go and find anyone selling watermelons in the market. Bobby went, returned and said only one person sold watermelons. $1.2 for a kg, $10 for 10kg and his watermelons added up to 340. On the table 58 melons, every melon weighs about 2 kg, bought from the south two days ago and they were fresh, red and good quality.
John was surprised and realized the difference between himself and Bobby. He decided not to go away but to learn from Bobby.
The story tells us that a more successful person is more concerned and thinks more. Chances are there in the daily details. For the same thing, a person sees one year ahead, while another sees only tomorrow. The difference between a year and a day is 365 times, how could you win?
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[{'question': 'John wanted to stop his job in his company because _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Bobby was promoted but he was not', "he didn't want to say good words of his boss", "he thought the boss didn't take his hard work seriously", "he didn't want to be an ordinary employee"]}, {'question': 'The boss asked John to find out where watermelons were sold in order to _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['persuade him to stay in the company', 'prove he was a hardworking worker', 'buy some watermelons for the company', 'prove his abilities at work for himself']}, {'question': 'From what Bobby did, we can see that he was promoted only because _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['he was a more concerned businessman', 'he knew how to do business', 'he was more experienced at work', 'he knew details about the watermelon market']}, {'question': 'We can conclude from the story that _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ["one should stop his job if the boss doesn't think much of his work", "it's necessary to know the market when you buy a watermelon", "detail plays a very important part in one's success", 'one should get along well with his boss if he wants to be promoted']}, {'question': 'What can be the best title of the passage?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['More Concerned, More Successful', 'How to Buy Watermelons', 'Who Is More Successful', 'Proud John']}]
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Recently I have discovered it's often easier for me to do something every day than to do it just some days. I post to my blog six days a week. I take notes every day. I write in my one-sentence journal every day. Many people have told me that they find it easier to exercise when they exercise every day. If I try to do something just four days a week, I spend a lot of time arguing with myself: Is today the day, or is it tomorrow, or the next day? Does the week start on Sunday or Monday?
If you do something every day, you tend to fall into a routine. Routine has a bad reputation for lacking excitement. It's true that novelty and challenge bring happiness and that people who break their routines, try new things, and go to new places are happier, but I think that some routine activities also bring happiness. The pleasure of doing the same thing, in the same way, every day, shouldn't be overlooked. By repeating, you can find happiness in activities like doing dishes or sweeping the floor as well as in your beloved morning coffee-and-news routines.
Two geniuses whom I know of also wrote about the power of doing something every day. Andy Warhol wrote, "Either once only, or every day. If you do something once it's exciting, and if you do it every day it's exciting. But if you do it, say, twice or just almost every day, it's not good any more." Gertrude Stein made a similar point, "Anything one does every day is important and anywhere one lives is interesting and beautiful."
So if there's something that you wish you did more regularly, try doing it every day; if you do something every day, take great pleasure in it.
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[{'question': 'People usually tend to break their routines because they _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['hope to have a better reputation', 'would like to get rid of the old habit', 'want to have fun and excitement', 'are willing to face new challenges']}, {'question': 'Which of the following statements does Andy Warhol probably agree to?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Doing something that is exciting.', 'Doing something almost every day.', 'Doing something every day, not only once.', 'Doing something every day or only once.']}, {'question': 'Which can be the best title of the passage?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['A Way To Form A Habit', 'Do Anything Every Day', 'Repeat Regularly', 'Power Of Everyday Repetition']}]
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Millions of girls grow up with the hope of becoming a famous singer. Some even win local talent competitions as children, but only a few such early successes and dreams turn into reality. Jessica Andrews is one of the few whose dreams have come true.
Andrews, first taste of success came at the age of 10. She won a talent competition in her home town of Huntingdon, Tennessee, singing I Will Always Love You, originally sung by Whitney Houston. Houston's version of the song appeared on The Bodyguard sound track, which happened to be the first album Andrews ever bought.
Within two years, talk of Andrews had spread to Nashville and caught the attention of producer Byron Gallimore, whose credits include work with Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Jo Dee Messina. With Gallimore signed on to produce, Andrews soon had a recording contract with Dream Works' Nashville label.
Andrews' professional career was launched with 1999's Heart Shaped World, recorded when she was 14 years old. The album included the country hit I Will Be There For You, which also appeared on The Prince Of Egypt . She followed up the release of the album by touring as a support act for such country superstars as Faith Hill and Trisha Yearwood.
With the release of 2001's, Who I Am, Andrews became a star in her own right. The album was certified gold for sales of 500,000 copies. Andrews returned in April 2003 with Now,an album that she promised would show a new side of the young artist. "This album has a very different feeling for me," she said. "It's a lot more personal and there's a confidence that wasn't quite there on the first two. I feel especially connected to this group of songs."
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[{'question': 'According to the passage, who mostly helped Andrews to achieve success ?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Tim McGraw', 'Whitney Houston', 'Faith Hill', 'Byron Gallimore']}, {'question': 'Which of the following statements is WRONG according to the passage?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['The Bodyguard was the first album Andrews ever bought.', 'After Andrews sang Who I Am,she became a star in her own right.', 'I Will Always Love You was originally sung by Whitney Houston.', 'Now expresses a new feeling of Andrews.']}, {'question': "Which of the following may NOT be Andrews' album?", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Now.', 'Heart Shaped World.', 'The Prince of Egypt.', 'Who IAm']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is the best title of the passage?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ["Jessica Andrews' Life", "Jessica Andrews' Dream", "Jessica Andrews' Songs", "Jessica Andrews' Success as a Singer"]}]
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Learning a Second Language
Some people learn a second language easily. Other people have trouble learning a new language. How can you help yourself learn a new language, such as English? There are several ways to make learning English a little easier and more interesting.
The first step is to feel confident about learning English. If you believe that you can learn, you will learn. Be patient. You don't have to understand everything all at once. It is natural to make mistakes when you learn something new. We can learn from our mistakes.
The second step is to practise your English. For example,write in a diary every day. You will get used to writing in English,and you will feel comfortable expressing your ideas in English. After several weeks, you will see that your writing is improving. Besides, you must speak English every day. You can practise with your classmates after class. You will all make mistakes, but gradually you will become comfortable _ in English.
The third step is to keep a record of your language learning. You can write this in your diary. After each class, think about what you did. Did you answer a question correctly? Did you understand anything the teacher explained? Perhaps the lesson was difficult, but you tried to understand it. Write these achievements in your diary.
You must be active in learning English and believe that you can do it. It is important to practise every day and make a record of your achievements. You will enjoy learning English, and you will feel more confidence in yourself.
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[{'question': 'When you learn English, you do not need to _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['be patient', 'make mistakes', 'express your ideas in English', 'understand everything at once']}, {'question': 'What is not helpful for you to enjoy learning English?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['To communicate in English.', 'To worry about making mistakes.', 'To think about what you did after each class.', 'To make a record of the achievements.']}, {'question': 'What is the main idea of this passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['It is very important to learn a second language.', 'Some people learn a second language easily while other people do not.', 'There are ways to help you learn a second language more easily.', "Don't worry about making mistakes when learning a second language."]}]
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Big Brothers Big Sisters is based on the simplicity and power of friendship. It is a program which provides friendship and fun by matching _ (ages 7-17) with a volunteer adult who can be both a role model and a supportive friend.
Volunteer tutors come from all walks of life--married, single, with or without children. Big Brothers and Big Sisters are not replacement parents or social workers. They are tutors: someone to trust, to have fun with, to talk and go to when needed.
A Big Sister and Little Sister will generally spend between one and four hours together three or four times each month for at least twelve months. They enjoy simple activities such as a picnic at a park, cooking, playing sport or going to a football match. These activities improve the friendship and help the young person develop positive self-respect, confidence and life direction.
Big Brothers Big Sisters organizations exist throughout the world. It is the largest and most well-known provider of tutor services internationally and has been operating for 25 years.
Emily and Sarah have been matched since March 2008. Emily is a 10-year-old girl who has experienced some difficulties being accepted by her schoolmates at school. "I was pretty sure there was something wrong with me."
Emily's mum came across Big Brothers Big Sisters and thought it would be of benefit to Emily by "providing different feedback about herself other than just relying on schoolmates to measure her self-worth. "
Sarah wanted to get involved in a volunteer program. "I paid close attention to it and found out how to be a part of it. I thought it would be fun for me to get involved in making time to do something because sometimes it's all work and no play. "
Big Brothers Big Sisters has been of great benefit and enjoyment to both Emily and Sarah. They love and look forward to their time together and the partnership has certainly helped Emily be more comfortable in being the wonderful, happy and unique girl she is!
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[{'question': 'What is the aim of Big Brothers Big Sisters?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['To offer students public services.', 'To provide partnership and fun for young people.', 'To organize sport activities for young people.', 'To help students improve their grades.']}, {'question': 'A volunteer is usually expected to work within a year for at least _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['24 hours', '72 hours', '48 hours', '36 hours']}, {'question': "According to Emily's mother, this program may provide Emily with _ .", 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['a new way to assess herself', 'advice from her teachers', 'a new way to judge her schoolmates', 'more comments from her schoolmates']}, {'question': 'Why did Sarah want to get involved in the program?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['She used to be a volunteer.', 'She felt a bit bored with her life.', 'She needed a part-time job.', 'She wanted to get a challenging job.']}]
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May 28 (Reuters Life!) - A Japanese university is giving away Apple Inc's (AAPL.O) trendy iPhone to students for free, but with a catch: the device will be used to check their attendance.
The project, which is being tested ahead of its formal launch in June, involves 550 first and second year students and some staff of a department at Aoyama Gakuin University, which is located just outside Tokyo in Sagamihara city.
The school's iPhones are meant to create a mobile information network between students and professors, but they are also a convenient way for the teachers to take attendance in class. As students enter the room, instead of writing their name on a sheet, they simply type in their ID number and a specific class number into an iPhone application. To prevent students from logging in from home or outside class, the application uses GPS location data and checks which router the students have logged in to.
"We don't want to use this to simply take attendance. Our hope is to use this to develop a classroom where students and teachers can discuss various topics," professor Yasuhiro Iijima told Reuters as he demonstrated the application.
University officials insist the project is not intended to infringe on students' privacy or track them down.
"With Japanese cellphones it's possible that the location data is automatically sent. However, with the iPhone, you must always confirm before the GPS data can be sent," Iijima said.
Many of the students testing the system said they were happy with it.
"Up until now, we've been using little slips of paper to take attendance. But with a cell phone, you don't have to spend time collecting all of those and so I think it's quite nice," 20-year-old student Yuki Maruya.
When the system goes fully online next month, the university also hopes to provide video podcasts of lectures to help students who missed classes, or just can't remember their lessons.
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[{'question': 'The news report mainly tells us that _', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Iphone has got well developed in Japan', 'Iphone is to take attendance at Japanese universities', 'Iphone has been accepted by many students', 'Iphone is free of charge at Japanese universities']}, {'question': 'The iphone being tested at Aoyama Gakuin University is mainly to _', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['help students to study hard', "check students' attendance", 'help learn the information network', 'develop a special classroom']}, {'question': 'Teachers at Aoyama Gakuin University can finish taking attendance by asking students to _', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['write their names on the paper', 'Type in their ID and class numbers into iphone', 'log in from home or outside class ahead', 'put in right GPS location data and their router']}, {'question': "what about the future of Apple Inc's iphone", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['It still has many disadvantages', "It goes against many students' interest", 'It will receive some other uses.', "It will avoid students' being late for class"]}]
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It is a reply to a letter written by Zhai Mingjun, a 16-year-old girl in the class. The two astronauts thank the student for her concerns and wish the class luck in their future studies.
"I' m so happy that the two space men replied with a few encouraging words," said Zhai. Her letter was one of the 10 winning letters taken into space by Fei and Nie, who have succeeded in traveling space in the Sixth Shenzhou Spaceship. Zhai wrote the letter as if she were a younger sister of the astronauts. "As the single child in my family, I always hoped that I would have an elder brother that I could be proud of," Zhai said. "I thought that the astronauts would be lonely during such a long space trip. I hoped they would feel happy and warm when reading my letter." Many of Zhai' s classmates also wrote their words of encouragement and admiration to the astronauts. "The letter to the astronauts made us believe that we can also be part of the manned space programme," said Zhao Dongxu.
All the students have high expectations for China' s future space programme. "I heard that Snoopy is the mascot for US astronauts. I hope I can design a mascot for our heroes," said Liu Mengjie, 16. "A physics class taught by astronauts in outer space would be very interesting. I want to be the astronaut who teaches students about zero gravity with my head upside down in the spaceship," said Han Yinan.
Many students think that the manned space program is still far away from them. But they feel proud that ordinary students could participate in such a great scientific achievement and hope there will be more possibilities to take part.
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[{'question': 'The best title of this passage can be _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['The mascot', 'A reply from space', 'The manned space program', 'The letter to the astronauts']}, {'question': 'The passage is mainly about _ ?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['what the students think of the manned space program', 'how two astronauts thank and encourage the students', 'how the letter from space makes the students care more for astronautics', "how the students have expectations for China' s future space program"]}, {'question': 'What can you conclude from the passage?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ["All the students look forward to China' s later space program", 'Astronauts feel lonely during such a long space trip', 'There is no gravity in the spaceship', 'A composition con test had been held before the spaceship was launched']}, {'question': '"Such a great scientific achievement" refers to _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ["China' s future space program", 'The achievement that US astronauts achieved', 'Fei and Nie succeeded in traveling space in the Sixth Shenzhou Spaceship.', 'Fei and Nie made their head upside down in the spaceship']}]
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Most of us spend our lives seeking the natural world.We go fishing,sit in the garden,have a picnic,live in the suburbs or go to the seaside.The most popular leisure activity in Britain is going for a walk.When joggers jog,they don't run the streets.Every one of them tend to go to the park or the river.
But despite this,our children are growing up nature deprived .I spent my boyhood climbing trees.These days,children are robbed of these ancient freedoms,due to problems like crime,traffic,the loss of the open spaces and strange new ideas about what is best for children,that is to say,things that can be bought,rather than things that can be found.
The truth is to be found elsewhere.A study in the US: families had moved to better housing and the children were assessed for ADHD--attention deficit hyperactivity disorder .Those whose accommodation had more natural views showed an improvement of 19%; those who had the same improvement in material surroundings but no nice view improved just 4%.
ADHD is one of the great problems of modern childhood.One study after another indicates that contact with nature gives huge benefits to ADHD children.However,we spend money on drugs rather than on green places.
The life of old people is measurably better when they have access to nature.The increasing concern for the growing population of old people is in quality rather than quantity of years.And study after study finds that a garden is the single most important thing in finding that quality.Even problems with crime and aggressive behaviour are reduced when there is contact with the natural world.
We need the wild world.It is essential to our well-being,our health and our happiness.
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[{'question': 'According to the author,people enjoy _ to seek nature.', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['jogging on the street', 'sitting in the garden', 'shopping in the supermarket', 'running in the gym']}, {'question': 'In what way do people benefit from their contact with nature?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Children with ADHD can be cured.', "A garden nearby improves the quality of old people's life.", 'Problems with crime and violent behavior will easily be solved.', "Children's performance at school is greatly improved."]}]
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It's not easy to find a person with the qualities it takes to be a hero. I didn't really understand the meaning of the word "hero" until my third year in the college.
If you saw her, you wouldn't think she really looks the part, but she is stronger than Superman could ever be. Her name is Sandra Keierleber. I first met her at volleyball tryouts , but didn't notice anything special at first. As the week passed, however, she showed she had more heart than anyone. She stood out because she never gave up, no matter what.
Sandra isn't the tallest or the fastest --- in fact, this was her first time playing volleyball and it showed--- but that didn't stop her. She was always the first to arrive and the last to leave. By the end of tryouts she had found a place in everyone's heart. When the name list for new members was put up, we all waited nervously as she checked. When she stood at the door and smiled happily, all we could do was cheer.
After Sandra made the team, she worked even harder to improve her game. When she asked for help, we gladly taught her. She also became our fan, attending almost every school game and even joining us in the city games. We all like her, because she never thinks about doing things the easy way, or loses that smile. Because of her great efforts, she makes herself a true hero--- and my hero, too.
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[{'question': 'What did the writer think of Sandra Keierleber at the beginning?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Common', 'Honest', 'Pretty.', 'Strong']}, {'question': 'Sandra began to play volleyball when _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['she was tall enough', 'she was at college', 'she became a hero', 'she met the Superman']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is true about Sandra?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['She was born a volleyball player.', 'She is popular with her teammates', 'She does things in an easy way.', "She isn't the tallest but the fastest."]}, {'question': 'Why does the writer think of Sandra Keierleber as a true hero?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['She did very well at the tryouts.', 'She asked for help from her teammates.', 'She took part in the city matches.', 'She worked hard and never gave up.']}]
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PEOPLE who have had a painful experience may wish they could wipe the memory from their minds. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University, US, say that this may someday be possible.
A drug remains far off, but researchers have laid a foundation with their discovery that proteins can be removed from the brain's fear center to cut memories forever.
Previous research had already shown that a special behavior therapy could cut painful memories. But relapse was possible because the memory hadn't necessarily disappeared.
By looking at that process, Richard Huganir and Roger Clem, two researchers from Johns Hopkins University, discovered a "window of vulnerability " when proteins are created. The proteins help signals travel within the brain as painful memories are made. Because the proteins are unstable, they can be easily removed with drugs or behavior therapy to cut memories.
Researchers used mice to find the window, but think the process would be the same in humans. They used electric shocks to make the mice fear a certain sound. The sound triggered the creation of the proteins, called calcium-permeable AMPARS, which formed for a day or two in the fear centers of the mice's brains.
The researchers are working on ways to reopen the window by recalling the painful memory and using drugs to remove the protein. They published their report online last month in Science Express.
Their research has drawn interest and concern from experts in mental healthcare.
Kate Farinholt, a mental health expert with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Maryland, US, said many people suffering from a painful event might benefit from erasing a memory. "Erasing a memory and then everything bad built on that is an amazing idea, and I can see all sorts of potential ," she said.
But there are a lot of unanswered questions, too.
"Completely deleting a memory is a little scary. How do you remove a memory without removing a part of someone's life," Farinholt said. "And is it best to do that, considering that people grow and learn from their experiences?"
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[{'question': 'What have researchers at Johns Hopkins University found recently?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['A new drug to erase painful memories from human brains.', 'A special behavior therapy to erase painful memories.', 'Removing certain proteins from the brain can wipe painful memories.', "Erasing memory damages a patient's brain functions."]}, {'question': "What is Kate Farinholt's opinion of the research?", 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['People may lose the chance to learn from their bad experiences.', 'The research will be a great breakthrough in treating painful memories.', 'People could suffer long-term memory loss.', 'People could forget happy memories as well.']}]
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Today, Mount Qomolangma's peak is not a lonely place any more. More than 3,500 people have successfully climbed the 8,844m mountain, and more than a tenth of that number reached the peak just over the past year. As more and more people try to test themselves against Qomolangma, many a time the mount can be very crowded. Climbers have complained about waiting for hours in the bottlenecks on the way to the peak. If bad weather strikes, climbers can and do die.
But the dangerous crowds aren't the only problem on Qomolangma. All those climbers need to bring a lot of _ --much of them ends up being left on the mountain, sometimes even the peak itself. Mount Qomolangma is becoming the world's tallest rubbish dump. Here's mountaineer Mark Jenkins writing in National Geographic about the state of Qomolangma: "The two standard routes, the Northeast Ridge and the Southeast Ridge, are not only dangerously crowded but also badly polluted."
But the good news is that some mountaineers are taking it upon themselves to clean up Qomolangma. Mountaineer Paul Thelen and his friend Eberhard Schaaf are part of the annual Eco Everest Expedition, which has been cleaning up rubbish from base camps to the peak since 2008. So far they've collected over 13 tons of garbage.
Some of that rubbish is even being used for a higher purpose. As part of the Mount Everest 8844 Art Project, a group of 15 artists from Nepal collected 1.5 tons of garbage brought down the mountain by climbers. They've changed the cans and oxygen tanks--in one case, part of the remains of a helicopter--into 74 pieces of art that have already gone on exhibition in Nepal's capital. Part of the profit from sales will go to the Everest Peakeers Association, which has helped collect tons of rubbish off the mountain.
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[{'question': "What do we learn about the bottlenecks on the way to Mount Qomolangma's peak?", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['They are relatively safe.', 'They are often crowded.', 'They are very easy to pass.', 'They are sites of base camps.']}, {'question': 'The group of 15 Nepali artists _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['created works of art using rubbish from Qomolangma', 'were employed by the Everest Peakeers Association', 'climbed Qomolangma and collected 1.5 tons of trash', "painted 74 beautiful pictures of Mount Qomolangma's peak"]}, {'question': 'What can be the best title for the text?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Test Yourself Against Qomolangma', 'Qomolangma has Become a Huge Mess', 'Eco Everest Expedition Proves Successful', 'How to Climb Qomolangma']}]
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Norway tops the list of countries that offers the best social policies for people over 60. Afghanistan is rated the worst. The rankings appear in the new Global Age Watch Index. Help Age International published the index of 96 countries that are home to 790-million people 60 and older. Chief Executive Officer Toby Porter said, "For too long, older people have been excluded from international and national development planning. We have a world which is ageing fast. And what the index does is to compare and rank countries from best to worst countries in the world to grow old," he said. The Global Age Watch Index rates countries in four categories. "Health, income, what we call capability - ability to carry on contributing employment. And then the final one about enabling environment - what do older people think about the environment that they live in."
"The focus on the report this year is on pensions - on retirement income that older men and women can expect." The index reports only one in four older people over 65 in low and middle income countries have any kind of retirement saving. Norway gets the highest ranking in the index. Rounding out the top 10 are Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Iceland, the United States, Japan and New Zealand. Afghanistan is at the bottom of the list following many years of conflict. There are 10 African countries on the index - all near the bottom. South Africa ranks the highest among them at 80. However, Porter said South Africa is doing some positive things. "We've seen some very encouraging public statements from some senior politicians in South Africa that they recognize the contribution and the importance of supporting their older population. South Africa is one of the so-called BRICS nations - countries with strong emerging economies. Other members include Brazil, ranked 58 - Russia, ranked 65 - India, 69 and China, 48. Porter said, "A lot of the impetus behind China introducing pension provision for all of her older citizens was to provide an motivation for them to start using their purchasing power earlier in their lives in spending money rather than saving it for a pension." Help Age International recommended African nations begin providing pensions when people turn 60. However, if countries are poor, they might not be able to institute a pension system to every eligible person at once. Another factor is Africa's youth population, which is much greater than most parts of the world. Therefore, governments are already hard pressed to provide education and jobs.
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[{'question': 'What is the focus on the report of this year?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Pension', 'Capability', 'Employment', 'Health']}, {'question': 'The so-called BRICS nations do not include _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Russia', 'China', 'South Africa', 'New Zealand']}, {'question': 'According to Toby Porter, he does not agree that _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['older people have not been included in the developing plan for a long time', 'it makes little sense to rank countries from best to worst in the world to grow old', 'more attention should be paid to older people in a world that is ageing fast', "South Africa is doing lots of positive things to improve the older people's conditions"]}, {'question': 'The purpose of The Global Age Watch Index is to _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['warn governments of the severe environmental problems in their countries', 'tell the difference between developing countries and developed countries[]', 'get governments and people to care more about older people in the world', 'urge governments to take measures to stop political and military conflicts']}]
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After 10 seasons wearing the No.8 on his back, Kobe Bryant will become No.24 next season. The reason for the surprising decision by the Los Angeles Lakers super guard last week has become a hot topic for debate.
Bryant wore No.24 when he was in early high school, but he changed to No.33 in his senior year. He switched to No.8 when he was selected by the Lakers in 1996, and has been not changed since.
Bryant has refused to explain the decision until the end of the play-offs. So guessing Bryant's motive has become a popular game among NBA fans and newspaper columnists.
There are all kinds of speculations . Many say that Bryant wants to leave the past behind and have a fresh start. He has often been criticized for playing to benefit himself and not the team as a whole. Others say that he may be trying to compare himself to Michael Jordan. prefix = st1 /Jordanwas famous for his No. 23 jersey . Some, such as NBC Sport columnist Michael Ventre, argue that it is "all about money". Bryant will make more money by selling new jerseyto his fans.
Some speculations are more about fun. For example, there is an opinion that Kobeis actually just a diehard fan of the popular TV drama "24".
All this talk has turned the number change into a major issue. It seems that there is a lot of fuss over something that should be pretty simple.
Jersey numbers have their own special significance in American sports, especially basketball. Players choose their number when they join a team and they usually stick with that number for the rest of their career. When a great player retires, his team will honor him by retiring his number.
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[{'question': 'Bryant plays for _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['The Los Angels Lakers', 'TheHoustonrockets', 'The ChicagoBulls', 'TheMiamiHeats']}, {'question': 'Bryant wore No. 8 _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['for two years and a half', 'for ten years', 'since he entered high school', 'since he left high school']}, {'question': "Which of the following is NOT a speculation about Bryant's motive to change his number?", 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['He wants to leave his past behind and have a fresh start.', 'He wants to compare himself to Jordan.', 'He wants to earn more money.', 'He wants to show that he is man of great importance.']}]
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With a good shopping position and the right amount of money , any educated person ought to be able to make a living out of a bookshop . It is not a difficult trade to learn and the large chain-stores can never force the small bookseller out of existence as they have done to the corner shop . But the hours of work are very long-I was only doing a part-time job , but my boss put in a seventy-hour week ,besides regular journeys out of shopping hours to buy books .
The real reason why I should not like to be back in the book trade for life , however , is that while I was in it, I lost my love of books . A bookseller cannot always tell the truth about his books , and that gives him a dislike for them . There was a time when I really did love books--loved the sight and smell and feel of them--if they were fifty or more years old , that is . Nothing pleased me quite so much as to buy a bargain lot of them on sale for several pounds . There is a peculiar flavour about the unexpected books you pick up in that kind of collection: little-known eighteenth-century poets , or out-of-date geography books . For occasional reading--in your bath , for example , or late at night when you are too tired to go to bed--there is nothing as good as a very old picture story-book .
But as soon as I went to work in the bookshop, I stopped buying books . Seen in a mass, five or ten thousand at a time , books were dull and even a little tiresome . Nowadays I do buy one occasionally , but only if it is a book that I want to read and can't borrow , and I never buy rubbish .
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[{'question': 'According to the passage ,_is one of the necessary conditions to run a bookshop .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['an educated shop-owner', 'a good position at a street corner', 'a regular journey out of the shop', 'the force of large chain-stores']}, {'question': 'The author should not like to be back as a bookseller for life because_.', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['he hated his job of selling books', 'selling books was only a part-time job', 'the books in the shop gave him a dislike', 'he was unable to be honest about the books he sold']}, {'question': 'The books preferred by the author should be those_.', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['stories making readers sleepless', 'valuable ones bought on sale', 'peculiar ones with great expectation', 'geography ones from the eighteenth century']}, {'question': 'The author will only buy new books_.', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['if he feels dull and tired', 'after he gives up his job as a bookseller', 'which are interesting but hard to borrow', 'when he throws away old ones']}]
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For a long time now, I've been fascinated by common phrases and their origins- and just why we say what we say. I decided to consult the experts, sort through all the research and compile the answers. Here are a few of the standouts.
Q: Why do we"tie the knot "when we get married?
A: Knots have been a common metaphor in marriage ceremonies all over the world and through time. The expression means"to unite in manage". In the Hindu marriage ceremony, the groom ties a ribbon around the bride's neck. In ancient Rome, the bride wore a belt that was tied in a knot. The groom would then unfasten it on their first night together as husband and wife.
Q: Why do we say"Many happy returns"?
A: The phrase is short for"Many happy returns of the day", which is to say,"May this day return many times"or"May you have many more birthdays. "
Q: How about"It's not over till the fat lady sings"? Where does that come from?
A: This expression is usually phrased as"The opera isn't over till the fat lady sings. "It got its start as a popular saying when it was used by a sportswriter Dan Cook in 1976 to indicate that a sporting contest wouldn't end until time was called.
Q: What's the story of"under the weather,"especially when the weather's just fine?
A: There's probably a nautical explanation. In days gone by, when people felt seasick, they were told to go below-decks and find a spot in the middle of the ship where the motion would be less noticeable. In that way, they literally took themselves"under the weather."
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[{'question': 'The phrase"It\'s not over till the fat lady sings"was first used in _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['sport', 'opera', 'movie', 'music']}, {'question': 'According to the passage, which of the following phrases is related to the sea?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Tie the knot.', 'Many happy returns.', "It's not over till the fat lady sings.", 'Under the weather.']}, {'question': 'What can we learn from the passage?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['"Tie the knot"has different meanings in different cultures.', '"Many happy returns"is often used when people celebrate birthdays.', '"It\'s not over till the fat lady sings"got its start in 1976.', '"Under the weather"means the weather is bad.']}, {'question': 'The purpose of the passage is to _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['tell us some funny stories', 'tell us the origins of some phrases', 'tell us some interesting experiences', 'tell us the history of the English language']}]
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We human beings haven't been good friends to animals. For thousands of years, we have been polluting the environment, making it hard for animals to live on the planet. We have been killing animals for their fur, feathers or meat, or simply because they are dangerous. As a result, many kinds of animals have disappeared forever. Hundreds more are on the endangered list today.
Should we care about animals? Of course we should. If animals of a certain kind all disappear, they will never come back again. Animals are more than just resources of things we need. Every kind of animal has its place in the balance of nature. Destroying any kind of animal can lead to many problems. For example, when farmers killed large numbers of hawks, the corn and grain that the farmers stored were destroyed by rats and mice. Why? Because hawks eat rats and mice. With less and less hawks to keep down their numbers, rats and mice multiplied quickly. And if people kill too many birds, more and more insects will eat the crops.
Luckily, we've realized that we shouldn't kill animals any more. And people are working hard to save those animals that would disappear soon. The government also passed laws to protect the endangered animals. In fact, quite a few countries have passed such laws. These laws forbid the killing of any kind of animal on the endangered list. We should try our best to protect and save the endangered animals.
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[{'question': 'The text calls on us to _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['keep animals at home', 'protect the environment', 'protect the endangered animals', 'know more about the balance of nature.']}, {'question': 'Why do people kill animals?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Animals cause many serious problems.', 'They kill animals for something they need.', 'Animals destroy their natural resources.', 'They kill animals to protect the environment']}, {'question': 'The example that farmers killed hawks shows that _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['there were too many rats and mice', 'hawks are the most important in the nature', 'animals are good food resources', 'every kind of animal is important in nature']}]
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Every year in the first week of English class, some students inform me that writing is too hard. They never write, unless homework requires it. They find the writing process painful and difficult.
How awful it is to be able to speak in a language but not to write in it, especially with its rich vocabulary. Being able to speak but not write is like living in _ and never leaving one small room. When I meet students who think they can't write, I know, as a teacher my duty is to show them the rest of the rooms. My task is to build fluency and accuracy while providing the opportunity in any writing activity to enhance the moral and emotional development of my students.
One great way to do this is by having students write in a journal in class every day.
Writing ability is like strength training. Writing needs to be done just like exercise; just as muscles grow stronger with exercise, writing skills improve quickly with writing practice daily. I often see a rise in student confidence and performance after only a few weeks of journal writing.
Expressing oneself in writing is one of the most important skills I teach to strengthen the whole students. When my students practice journal writing, they are practicing for their future academic, political, and emotional lives. They build skills so that some say they might write a great novel, a piece of sorely needed legislation , or the perfect love letter. That they write in their journals every day puts them a step closer to fluency, eloquence and command of the language.
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[{'question': 'What is the purpose of the passage?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['To encourage students to keep a journal every day.', "To analyze students' problems in learning languages.", 'To stress the importance of writing in language learning.', "To introduce an effective way of improving students' writing."]}, {'question': "In the author's view, what can students benefit from the journal writing?", 'answer': 'A', 'options': ["It is beneficial to students' future career.", 'It can make students more emotional.', "It is helpful to students' homework.", "It can enlarge students' vocabulary."]}]
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My mother used to ask me what the most important part of the body is. Through the years Iwould take a guess at what I thought was the correct answer. When I was younger, I thought sound was very important to us as humans, so I said: "My ears, Mommy." She said: "No. Many people are deaf. But you keep thinking about it and I will ask you again soon."Several years passed before she asked me again. Since making my first attempt, I had contemplated the correct answer. So this time I told her: "Mommy, sight is very important to everybody, so it must be our eyes." She looked at me and told me: "You are learning fast, but the answer is not correct because there are many people who are blind."
Mother asked me a couple more times and always her answer was "No. But you are getting smarter every year, my child."Then last year, my grandpa died. Everybody was hurt. Everybody was crying. My momlooked at me when it was our turn to say our final goodbye to grandpa. She asked me: "Do you know the most important body part yet, my dear?"
I was shocked when she asked me this now. She told me: "This question is very important,especially at this moment. How you answer it can truly shows whether you have
learned about life. For every body part you gave me in the past, I have told you were wrong
and I have given you an example why. But today is the day you need to learn this important
lesson."
I saw her eyes well up with tears. She said: "My dear, the most important body part is your
shoulder.""Is it because it holds up my head?" I asked."No, it is because it can hold the head of a friend or a loved one when they cry," she replied:"Everybody needs a shoulder to cry on somet ime in life, my dear. I only hope that you have enough love and friends that you will always have a shoulder to cry on when you need it."
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[{'question': 'The mother ask the question again after the grandfather died because _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['the answer was a way of honoring the grandfather.', 'at that moment, other body parts were less important.', 'the answer needed to be given to all members of the family.', 'at that moment the answer seemed especially true.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the article?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['The author was becoming smarter by answering the question.', 'The mother wanted the author to be both loving and loved.', 'The mother was trying to train the author to think on his or her own.', "The author didn't think the mother's answer was correct."]}, {'question': 'The best title for this article might be _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['The Most Import ant Body Part', 'The Importance of family', 'The Importance of the Shoulder', 'A Life-long Question']}]
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The United Nations says forty million people or so around the world went hungry in 2008, mainly because of higher food prices. Early estimates from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) show that 963 million people did not get enough to eat.
World food prices have dropped since early 2008. Prices of major crops have decreased by more than half from their height earlier last year. But they remain high compared to earlier years.
But FAO official Hafez Ghanem says lower prices have failed to end the food crisis in many poor countries. "For millions in developing countries," he says, "getting enough food every day to live an active and healthy life is a distant dream."
The FAO says food shortage is a threat to people's health. Today, two-thirds of the world's _ people live in just a few countries. These are India, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Ethiopia and so on.
A report on food insecurity warns that the current economic crisis could send even more people into hunger and poverty.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the percentage of the people who continually go hungry fell from 34% in 1997 to 30% in 2008. But the FAO says Ghana is the only country that has reached two sets of hunger reduction targets. These were set by the 1996 World Food Summit and the Millennium Development Goals. The main reason is the growth in agricultural production in Ghana.
The FAO says some countries in Southeast Asia like Thailand and Vietnam have made progress in hunger reduction goals. But South Asia and Central Asia haven't, and North Korea is still in hot water.
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[{'question': 'What FAO official Hafez Ghanem says implies _', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ["it's easy but takes long to provide people with enough food", 'enough food can make people more active and healthier', 'there is difficulty solving the food shortage in a short time', 'people in developing countries will never get enough food']}, {'question': 'Ghana has reached the targets of hunger reduction mainly because of _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['the still high food prices', 'the donation of developed countries', 'the two targets of hunger reduction', 'the growth in agricultural production']}, {'question': 'Which country has not made progress in hunger reduction?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['North Korea', 'Thailand', 'Vietnam', 'Ghana']}, {'question': 'What is the best title of this passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['The food production of the world', 'The hunger reduction target of the FAO', 'The food shortage around the world', 'The solution to the global food shortage']}]
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We live in a dangerous world. The figures for crime go up year by year. If you were attacked in the street, would you be able to defend yourself? Not very well probably, especially if someone was pointing a gun at you. We all see a lot of violence of films, but recently some programs on television showed how people can defend themselves without guns. For example, in one film a woman was attacked from behind. She threw the man, who was heavier and stronger than she was, over her head. Then she held him tightly on the ground. How? She knew Judo.
Jiu-jitsu, as judo is sometimes called, means "muscle science" in Japanese. The student of judo needs to learn a lot about the body, its bones and muscles. Judo uses a number of "falls", "holds" and "throws". Someone who does not know judo cannot defend himself against them. If you know judo you can defend yourself against a person who is stronger than you. You had better not practice judo on your friends unless they can fall without hurting themselves! Being strong is one thing, but using the body wisely is another. In judo, you use the other person's body to help you. You "throw" him to the ground and "hold" him there, so that he cannot move. Of course, it takes time and practice, but knowing judo is useful. In a violent world you ought to be able to defend yourself.
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[{'question': 'According to passage, in fact "judo" is _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['the same as "Jiu-jitsu"', 'a kind of fighting', 'a kind of muscle science', 'is helpful to a strong man']}, {'question': 'Why does the writer say the world is dangerous?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['The number of violence and crime is increasing every year.', 'Because many people carry guns.', 'Because there too many films.', 'Because people are not able to defend themselves.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following statement is true about the woman in the passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['The woman held the man over her head.', 'The woman was heavier than the man.', 'The woman was able to defend herself.', 'The woman attacked the man from behind.']}, {'question': 'If a man knows judo, he _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['will be good at muscle science.', 'will be able to avoid being attacked from his back.', 'may defeat any strong person.', "can help himself by using the other person's body"]}, {'question': "What's the best title for this short passage?", 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['How to defend oneself', 'Violence in films', 'How to practise judo', 'Something about judo']}]
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A good friend of mine was complaining about her son the other day."Did you notice," she started, "how he didn't wait for me to get my salad before he dove into his?"
True enough, the boy attacked his plate faster than a cat in the wild.Without manners, we're no more than animals.Actually, that's not true.I've been watching and feeding a group of wild cats, and they show unusual politeness toward each other.Even when food is _ , they take turns, leaving at least a small part for the next in line.
My mother educated her three children to have good manners all the time.We were made to feel very uncomfortable as if we were sitting on pins and needles until we got used to saying please, thank you, pardon me, and I'm sorry.And I have to say, while it was a painful learning experience, it was one of the most valuable.
I can't tell you how often I sat with my friends, eating at their dinner tables, and their parents thought highly of my good manners.While it was a little embarrassing, I knew even then that my mother's teachings were paying off.
Many years later, when I was attending seminars across the country, my manners were quite useful.
While I regret that I haven't been a perfect example, I'm still working on it.I suppose, in this regard, my mother lives on through me.I didn't have her beautiful singing voice or her green eyes, but she did make sure I received one of her finest characteristics.
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[{'question': "What did the writer's friend most probably complain about?", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ["Her son's eating too quickly.", "Her son's not having a healthy diet.", "Her son's not having good table manners.", "Teenagers' not having good manners."]}, {'question': "We learn that the writer's mother _ .", 'answer': 'A', 'options': ["was strict about her children's manners", 'never punished her children', 'had beautiful blue eyes', 'was not good at singing']}, {'question': 'What does the writer think of her experience of learning good manners?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Easy and relaxing', 'Painful and valuable', 'Easy but useless', 'Too horrible']}, {'question': 'We can infer from the passage that the writer _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['is surely liked by everyone around her', "is not satisfied with most people's manners around her", 'thinks she has been a perfect example to the young', 'thanks her mother for teaching her the good manners a lot']}]
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They tell us when to get up or when we're running late for work and whether we are in danger of missing our favourite TV programme. But while our daily routines rely on clocks that tell us the time, science is discovering that our well-being is influenced by a very different kind of timepiece. Circadian rhythms---the human body's own internal clock---have a powerful influence on our health and behaviour. _ are programmed from birth and control functions ranging from temperature and blood pressure to sleep patterns.
In recent years researchers have also discovered that this built-in mechanism can influence everything from the way we react to medicines to how well we learn music.
The latest example, from experts at Harvard University in the US, shows that the human body clock can even dictate whether or not we are likely to tell the truth. Researchers found it was easier for people to fib in the afternoon because, as they were tired, the self control that would normally prevent them from lying started to break down. Tiredness made it harder to resist the temptation to tell lies---especially if it meant they got a financial reward at the end.
"The body clock has a great effect on us all," says Professor Jim Horne from the Sleep Research Centre at Loughborough University. "Most people tend to feel good around late morning and then decline in the early afternoon. But the time most of us will feel our sharpest is between 6pm and 8pm. That's because sleepiness tends to build up throughout the day. By early evening our body clock kicks in to wake us up. One reason may be to ensure we get home safely. When our ancestors were coming home after hunting all day their internal clocks kicked in to get them home in one piece."
So what effects do circadian rhythms have and what's the best time of day to take advantage of them?
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[{'question': 'According to the passage, when are people most quick-thinking?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['In the morning.', 'Around midday.', 'In the late afternoon.', 'In the early evening.']}, {'question': 'What is the best title for the passage?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Rebuild your body clock', 'Timing is everything', 'Sleep more, lie less', 'Your time is limited']}]
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Actress Hayden Panettiere recently got into trouble with Japanese fishermen as she tried to stop them from killing dolphins.
The 18-year-old star with some other surfers sailed out to reach the dolphins in order to stop them from being driven into a nearby pool and killed, but the six surfers, from Australia and the United States, were stopped by a fishing boat before they could reach them. The fishermen blocked their way with a boathook . It was an ugly, unfriendly and life-threatening struggle before the surfers were forced to return to the beach. It is believed that the dolphins were later taken into a pool and killed.
Panettiere, who is a brave surfer and loyal animal protector, made up her mind to save the dolphins of Japan and said, "It was really frightening. Some of us were hit by the boathook, but in the end all we were really worried about the dolphins. It was so sad. We were so close to them and they were jumping out of the water to see us." Breaking down in tears, she added, "One little baby dolphin stuck his head out and looked at me and the thought that it's no longer with us is really hard to take."
The surfers left the country to avoid arrest by the Japanese police. Panettiere is now back in Los Angeles.
More than 22,000 dolphins are killed by fishermen in Japan every year. Many Japanese believe dolphins should be treated like fish. They have been hunting dolphins for centuries and see any criticism of this as an attack on their culture.
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[{'question': 'Why did the surfers get into trouble with the fishermen in Japan?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['They said something that hurt the fishermen.', "They entered a pool which wasn't allowed to go into.", 'They attacked Japanese culture.', 'They tried to stop the fishermen from killing the dolphins.']}, {'question': 'From Paragraph 3, we can learn that Panettiere _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['was really frightened and sad', 'succeeded in saving the dolphins', 'cried when they were hit by the boathook', "didn't like the Japanese fishermen"]}, {'question': 'Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['What Happened While Surfing in Japan', 'Hayden Panettiere Cried in the Sea of Japan', 'People Worldwide Are Against Killing Dolphins', 'Protect the Wild Animals']}]
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Sir,
The majority(=Most) of your readers must have been surprised and shocked to read a letter from Mr.R.Hogg,published in last Wednesday's Herald.Mr.Hogg seems to think that his own convenience and that of motorists in general are the only things that matter in our city.
I would have supported Mr.Hogg if he had just made suggestions to improve the situation.No doubt his problems would be partly solved if the local government built a multi-storey car park in the city center,instead of encouraging motorists to use public transport.All the same,judging from the tone of Mr.Hogg's letter,I suspect that motorists who are so careless of pedestrians' safety that they would rather park their ears on the pavement than hold up the traffic would probably be too lazy to use a multi-storey car park if they had to walk a few hundred yards to their destination afterwards.
My main reason for writing,however,is much more important.Does Mr.Hogg realize that,according to figures showed by the Department of Transport,13,000 people were knocked down in Britain last year because of ears being illegally parked either on the pavement or on crossings? In fact,although the total pedestrian casualty rate has fallen over the last ten years,there has been an increase in accidents caused when pedestrians have to step out into the mad to avoid parked cars on the pavement and cannot see oncoming traffic.
I cannot share Mr.Hogg's view that the government have paid little attention to"long-suffering motorists":and I think the punishment for dangerous parking should be made severe enough to stop all motorists from breaking the law in this way.
A WALKER,
Proudfoot Lane,Carchester
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[{'question': 'The letter above is written in answer to the letter by _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['art editor', 'a certain Mr.R.Hogg', 'some readers', 'some motorists']}, {'question': 'The topic for the two letters is _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['parking problems in the city center', 'building a multi-storey car park in the city center', 'public transport', 'the increase in accidents caused by parked cars on the pavement']}, {'question': 'What Mr.A.Walker does want to make known in his letter is that _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['the total pedestrian casualty rate has fallen', 'careless parking may cause serious traffic accidents', 'the convenience of motorists in general matters much', 'the safety of pedestrians matters lithe']}, {'question': "In Mr.A.Walker's opinion,severer punishment should be given to _ .", 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['all the careless motorists', 'all the law breakers', 'all who step out into the road', 'all who do dangerous parking']}]
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Have you ever wanted to feel like you were in a western film? Or maybe you wanted to feel like you were a pioneer traveling the west? It is possible to experience such things during a Wild West vacation! Here are four of the best Wild West vacation locations available:
Walk the Lewis and Clark Trail
Walk some or all of the 3,700 miles trail that was traversed by Mariwether Lewis and William Clark, two of the world's greatest explorers. Though not all the trails are marked, there are various stops that have been preserved by various historic societies. There is also a coach that makes a 16-day _ following the trail. This begins in St. Louis, Missouri, and ends in Astoria, Oregon.
Venture Route 66
Take a tour or go to see it yourself -- ride on the famous Route 66. The road is nearly 2,500 miles long. Harley Davidson offers motorcycle tours that last two weeks. Route 66 will provide an experience that may only be found on the open road. The historic road is still well taken care of.
Visit the Grand Canyon
Visit the greatest canyon in the world, located in Northern Arizona. Raft down the Colorado River, or hike the various trails that run throughout the canyon. If walking is not your thing, there are donkey and horse riding adventures available. In addition, there are motorized boats that float down through the canyon in a week's time.
Visit Deadwood
Located in South Dakota, Deadwood is a historic landmark. It is the kind of town that comes to mind when one thinks of an old western film. Actors who act as gunslingers will often be seen in the streets playing their roles. Winter activities are popular in this old town, and there is always something to do.
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[{'question': 'Which of following riding adventures can tourists take on Route 66?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['A horse riding adventure.', 'A coach riding adventure.', 'A motorcycle riding adventure.', 'A donkey riding adventure.']}, {'question': 'If you want to hike various trails you are advised to _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['visit the Grand Canyon', 'visit Deadwood', 'venture Route 66', 'walk the Lewis and Clark Trail']}, {'question': 'What do we know from the passage?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ["A number of historic stops aren't protected well.", 'William Clark was a pioneer who explored the west.', 'Western films are the most popular among Americans.', 'None of the trails in the west are marked.']}]
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Alaska's Arctic lakes now freeze later and melt earlier in the year than in 1950,leaving them easy to suffer water loss from evaporation and possibly adding to local warming,a new study finds.The winter ice season near Barrow,Alaska,is shorter than in 1950,researchers reported Jan.30 in the journal The Cryosphere.
Lake ice is also thinner each winter.The scientists surveyed 402 lakes on the North Slope,where permafrost (permanently frozen ground)and shallow lakes dominate the areA. In 2011,the lake ice was 38 percent thinner than in 1950,and 22 percent fewer lakes froze through to their bottoms.
"When we saw the actual numbers we were shocked at how dramatic the change has been,"lead study author Cristina Surdu,of the University of Waterloo in Canada,said in a statement.Surdu and her co-authors analyzed the changes in lake--ice thickness and ice cover with satellite images and climate model simulations(satellite images are only available from 1991).
The climate models suggest the Arctic lakes froze almost six days later and broke up about 18 days earlier in the winter of 2011 compared with the winter of 1950."The changes in ice and the shortened winter affect Northern communities that depend on ice roads to transport goods,"Surdu saiD. For example,every winter,oil companies build roads over frozen lakes to carry supplies to Prudhoe Bay.
"The dramatic changes in lake ice may also contribute to further warming of the entire region,because open water on lakes contributes to warmer air temperatures,"Surdu saiD. The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet,for reasons that may include its layered atmosphere,which traps heat,and the loss of sea ice and snow cover,which help reflect the sun's energy when present.
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[{'question': 'What does the text mainly tell us?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Arctic 1akes now freeze earlier and melt 1ater.', "Alaska's local warming is decreasing sharply.", 'Arctic lakes are losing ice.', 'Arctic lakes hold more flesh water than before.']}, {'question': "According to the text,the great changes of Alaska's Arctic lakes _ .", 'answer': 'A', 'options': ["are totally beyond Surdu's expectations", "are completely within Surdu's expectations", 'come as no surprise to Surdu and her co-authors', 'come as a great excitement to Surdu']}, {'question': 'How many days was the winter ice season of Arctic 1akes in 2011 shorter than that in 1950?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['6 days.', '12 days.', '18 days.', '24 days.']}]
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When animals and plants use color1 to be noticed it is called advertising color1ation .Advertising color1ation can be used to either warn or attract animals.
The bright color1s of flowers and berries are advertising color1ation that attract animals.Flowers need to be pollinated to reproduce.Bees and hummingbirds are attracted to bright color1s and will pollinate the flowers.Some pollinated plants will produce berries.These berries will turn a bright color1 when they are ripe.The bright color1 lets berry-eating birds know the fruit is sweet and safe to eat.After birds eat the berries,the seeds will pass through their digestive system and be left behind.Some of the seeds left behind will grow into new plants!
Color is also used to attract mates. Many male birds like the northern cardinal are brightly color1ed to attract females.Bright feathers can be a sign of how healthy the bird is! Female birds are naturally attracted to healthier males because their offspring will be healthier.Female birds are often less colorful. This helps hide them when they are nesting.
Advertising color1ation is also used to warn animals away.The ladybug has bright orange wings with black spots.Its color1ing warns meat-eating animals that the ladybug tastes awful. The striped skunk has white stripes that are a warning to meat-eating animals that they may be in for a nasty surprise if they try to attack.
Some animals,like the red-eyed tree frog,may scare prey away with their color1, Red-eyed tree frogs sleep during the day.If a meat-eating animal comes up to them and they open their eyes,the bright red color1 of their eyes might shock the predator long enough to give the red-eyed flog time to hop away to safety.
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[{'question': 'Which of the following would the writer probably agree with?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['female northern cardinal may have color1ful and bright feathers.', 'Red - eyed tree frogs sleep during the day with their eyes open.', 'the striped skunk use white stripes to attract their animals', 'the color1 of the ladybugs tells meat-eating animals they taste terrible']}]
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Dave Bruno works as an online marketing manager. Several years ago, one weekend Bruno and his family did a major house cleanup and then donated several bags of unneeded items to the local Goodwill store. "After all were done, I looked around and realized that I still had too much stuff", says Bruno, " _ " That realization prompted the 39-year-old father of three to try an experiment, "The 100Thing Challenge".
With the goal of breaking free of what he calls a "bad habit of consumerism , Bruno was determined to live for one year with just 100 personal items. He cut down his possessions to 94 items, including a Bible, laptop, guitar, wedding ring, car and clothes. He created some guidelines for the experiment since his wife and daughters did not participate, familyshared and household items did not count as personal items. He also grouped together some basic things such as underwear and socks. Bruno began blogging about his new lifestyle and eventually wrote a book, The 100 Thing Challenge: How I Got Rid of Almost Everything, Remade My Life, and Regained My Soul.
Since completing the experiment, Bruno has continued to live by the motto: reduce, refuse, and rearrange and maintains just 110 personal things. " Nearly three years of living with a minimal amount of personal possessions, I'm no longer in the habit of consuming for the sake of consumption ," he wrote in his blog last week, "That has freed me up for all sorts of better endeavors than shopping--like spending time with family and writing a book and planning for business opportunities."
Bruno's project has also inspired others to live minimally, many of whom post their own 100 Thing Challenge updates on YouTube. "The reality is that the 100 Thing Challenge is surprisinglyeasy", says Bruno, "I'm not saying there were no challenges or disappointments. I miss some things, but not that much. Frankly, it's far easier to live with less stuff than with excessive trash."
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[{'question': "The things were included in Bruno's 94 items EXCEPT _ .", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['socks', 'a Bible', 'cookers', 'a wedding ring']}, {'question': 'What is the best title for the passage?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Live with 100 Things', 'Defeat 100 Challenges in Life', 'Survive by Your Motto', "Consume for Consumption's Sake"]}]
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No one knows for certain why people dream, but some dreams misht be connected to the mental processes that help us learn. In a recent study, scientists found a connection between nap-time dreams and better memory in people who were learning a new skill.
"I was astonished by this finding," Robert Stickgold told Science News. He is a cognitive neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School who worked on the study of-how the brain and nervous system work, and cognitive studies look at how people learn and reason. So a cognitive neuroscientist may study the brain processes that help people learn.
In the study, 99 college students between the ages of 18 and 30 each spent an hour on a computer, trying to get through a virtual maze . The maze was difficult, and the study participants had to start in a different place each time they tried - making it even more difficult. They were also told to find a particular picture of a tree and remember where it was.
For the first 90 minutes of a five-hour break, half of the particularity stayed awake and half were told to take a short nap. Participants who stayed awake were asked to describe their thoughts. Participants who took a nap were asked about their dreams before sleep and after steep - and they were awakened within a minute of sleep to describe their dreams.
About a dozen of the 50 people who slept said their dreams were connected to the maze. Some dreamed about the music that had been playing when they were working; others said they dreamed about seeing people in the maze. When these people tried the computer maze again, they were generally able to find the tree faster than before their naps. However, people who had other dreams, or people who didn't take a nap, didn't show the same improvement.
Stickgold suggests the dream itself doesn't help a person learn - it's the other way around.
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[{'question': 'It is a cognitive scientists job to study _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['how people dream and learn', 'the structure of the nervous system', 'whether someone is reasonable', 'the process of understanding']}, {'question': 'The purpose of the study attended by 99 college students is to _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['find the hidden tree in the maze', 'test the design of a difficult virtual maze', "train people's memory", 'see how dreams and learning are connected']}, {'question': 'The better performance in working out the maze is connected with _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['how people dream', 'what people dream', 'when people dream', 'where people dream']}]
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A pair of pandas being lent by China to Japan was set to arrive in Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the Japanese capital and raising hopes that the animals may help improve bilateral ties.
Bi Li and his female partner, Xian Nu, both 5, were due to
at Narita international Airport in Tokyo on a flight from Shanghai.
Together with their keeper, the pair were transferred from Chengdu, to Shanghai on Monday morning, said Li Desheng, deputy chief of the Wolong Nature Reserve.
The pair, which are young adults, will be the first pandas at Ueno Zoo since April 2008, when the institution's beloved Ling Ling died.
Ueno Zoo had spent 90 million yen ($1.1 million) installing under-floor heating, a playground with a sandbox and landscaping.
The pair will dine on rare bamboo from the central Japanese mountain of Izu that is similar to what they are used to at home in China.
The zoo's first pair of pandas arrived in 1972, marking the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Expectations are running high that the pandas that will stay in Japan for 10 years will boost the local economy and improve troubled relations between Tokyo and Beijing.
Business and tourism officials expect them to bring in around 20 billion yen a year, or 10 percent of the local economy.
In 1993, a year after Ling Ling arrived in the zoo, an additional 1 million people visited the attraction. Visitors have fallen to around 3 million a year from 3.5 million since Ling Ling's death.
Since a boat collision near the Diaoyu Islands in September, Sino-Japanese relations have been at a low point. The media outlets expressed hope that bilateral relations will improve with the arrival of the pandas.
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[{'question': 'The passage mainly tells us _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['a pair of pandas was lent to Japan by China', 'the pair of pandas from China brought hope of improving Sino-Japanese relations', 'the normalization of diplomatic ties between China and Japan', 'sino-Japanese relations have been at a low point since the Diaoyu Island incident']}, {'question': 'en the pair of pandas arrives in Japan, _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['an additional 1 million people will visit the zoo', 'they will eat what they are used to from China', 'they will stay there for 10 years', 'the']}, {'question': 'According to the passage, we know that Ling Ling stayed in Japan for about _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['5 years', '10 years', '15 years', '20 years']}, {'question': 'The arriving of the pandas is expected to bring several positive effects except _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['boosting the local economy', 'improving the troubled relations between China and Japan', 'bringing in around 20 billion yen a year', 'attracting 3.5 million visitors from China']}]
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The interview had been going on for about 20 minutes and everything seems to be going well. Then,suddenly,the interviewer asks an unexpected question,"Which is more important,law or Dove?"
Job applicants in the West increasingly find themselves asked strange questions like this. And the signs are that this is beginning to happen in China.
Employers want people skilled,enthusiastic and devoted. So these are the qualities that any reasonably intelligent job applicants will try to show no matter what his or her actual feelings are. In response,employers are increasingly using questions which try and show the applicant's true personality.
The question in the first paragraph comes from a test called the Keirsey Personality Sorter. It is an attempt to discover how people solve problems,rather than what they know. This is often called an aptitude test .
According to Mark Baldwin, many job applicants in China are finding this type of questions difficult. When a Chinese person fills out an aptitude test, he or she will think there is a right answer and they may fail because they try to guess what the examiner wants to see.
This is sometimes called the prisoner's dilemma. Applicants are trying to act cleverly in their own interest. But they fail because they don't understand what the interviewer is looking for. Remember that in an aptitude test,the correct answer is always the honest answer.
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[{'question': 'The writer wrote the passage to _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['give you a piece of advice on a job interview', 'tell you how to meet a job interviewer', 'describe the aptitude test', 'advise you how to find a job']}, {'question': 'Why do the interviewers ask such questions?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['They want to discover what the interviewees know.', 'They are curious about the answers.', 'They try to discover the ability of the interviewees solving problems.', 'They just ask questions without thinking much.']}, {'question': 'According to the writer, in an aptitude test, Chinese job applicants should _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['not tell the truth', 'learn to tell what they really think', 'be more enthusiastic', 'try to find out what the examiner really want to know']}, {'question': 'From the passage we know that _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['job applicants are always asked such questions', 'more Chinese applicants fail to find a job', 'applicants should not act as reasonably as a prisoner', 'the aptitude test is becoming popular worldwide']}]
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A young man went to a town and worked there. He did not have a wife and a servant did the work in his house.
The young man liked laughing a lot. He nailed the servant's shoes to the floor on Monday, and then laughed, because he put his feet in them and fell down.
The servant was not angry, but smiled. Then the young man put brushes in his bed on Tuesday. The servant got into bed and hit the brushes with his feet. He was afraid. The young man laughed loudly again. Again the servant was not angry, but smiled.
Then on Wednesday the young man said to his servant, "You're a nice, kind man. I am not going to be unkind to you again."
The servant smiled and said, "And I'm not going to put any more mud from the street in your coffee."
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[{'question': 'The young man went to a town _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['to study', 'to work', 'to see his relative', 'to spend his holiday']}, {'question': 'He played a joke on the servant because _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['he hated him', 'he was not satisfied with the food the servant prepared for him', 'he wanted to get pleasure', 'he liked to show off himself']}, {'question': 'When the young man played a joke on him, the servant was not angry but smiled because _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ["he liked the young man' s action", 'making the young man laugh is his job', 'he was afraid to be fired', "he thought he shouldn't be angry with a child"]}, {'question': 'What did the servant do in return to the young man?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['He stole something from the house.', 'He gave a smile to the young man.', 'He had a fight with him.', "He put mud into the young man's coffee."]}, {'question': 'Why did the young man stop playing jokes on the servant?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Because the servant showed kind and nice behaviour to him', 'Because the servant told him the truth', 'Because he wanted to be a good man', 'Because his father told him to do so']}]
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"A good parent" can be a confusing phrase. It is almost impossible for one person to be "a good parent" at all stages of a child's life. Some parents are at their best before their children begin to speak. Others are most successful before their children enter elementary school. Still others make their finest contribution to older children or teenagers. Every parent can understand one stage of a child's development better than another. It is hard for a person to possess superior capacities throughout the entire period of a child's growth.
A mother might be "a good parent" from her baby's birth until it is three; that is the period when it needs her protection and loving care. Then the start of her child's independence might upset and alarm her, and she might then become less helpful for a few years. A father might be awkward and uncomfortable with a younger child, but could turn into an excellent parent when the child is old enough to be taught the skills of cycling, fishing and so on, or to be taken on trips. Some parents feel easier with boys, and others with girls -- and then only at certain ages or stages.
It is important for parents to understand and accept their own limitations in these matters, just as they must accept the child's faults of personality and limitations of talent. Otherwise, fathers and mothers will feel guilty and blame themselves for weaknesses that may not be their faults. Much of the guilt experienced by modern parents comes from the mistaken feeling that they ought to be all things at all times to the child, which is clearly mistaken. In past ages, grandparents and uncles and aunts lived with the family, and provided different kinds of support; in our present "nuclear" family, too many roles are demanded of the two parents, which they cannot possibly fulfill.
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[{'question': 'Confusion arises about what it means to be "a good parent" because _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ["it is normal to be a successful parent during most stages of a child's development", 'most parents are only good at helping older children or teenagers', 'parents are usually at their best before their children go to school', "parents do not realize they cannot perform equally well through a child's growth"]}, {'question': 'Parents would feel guilty if _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ["their children can't accept their own limitations of talent", 'they realize their weaknesses in raising children', "their grandfathers and uncles and aunts don't live with them", "they don't know their limitations in raising children"]}, {'question': 'Parents of "nuclear" families sometimes feel at a loss because _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ["they believe that such a family prevents the healthy growth of a child's personality and talent", 'they dislike the support that other family members give to their children', 'they do not always have the help of other family members in child-raising', 'they no longer regard grandparents, uncles and aunts as good educators of their children']}]
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TANG Dynasty writer Du Mu once wrote in a poem titled Qingming: "The ceaseless drizzle drips all the dismal day; So broken-hearted fares the traveler on the way.Where can a wine house be found to drown his sadness ?A cowherd points to Almond Flower (Xing Hua) Village in the distance."
Qingming, the traditional tomb-sweeping day on the Chinese lunar calendar, falls on April 4 this year. Qingming Jie was proclaimed a Chinese national holiday in 2008. It is a time for remembering loved ones who have departed . People visit their ancestors' graves to sweep away the dirt and get rid of any weeds. They also leave offerings of food and flowers, and burn incense and paper money. Chinese tombs are usually built in the woods or on mountains, far from the city. It is believed that an area that faces south, with many pine trees, is a proper place for a tomb. People believe such a place will make the ancestors happy, and in return, they will look after the living family.
Nowadays, more and more residents are choosing environmental-friendly ways to spend the holiday such as flower sacrifices and memorial ceremonies on the Internet or at home. As one of the traditional ways to celebrate Tomb-sweeping Day - burning paper or incense - isn't exactly good for air quality.
In contrast to the sadness of the tomb sweepers, people also enjoy hope of Spring on this day. The Qingming Festival is a time when the sun shines brightly, the trees and grass become green and nature is again lively. Since ancient times, people have followed the custom of Spring outings. At this time tourists are everywhere.
Many people fly kites on Tomb Sweeping Day. They are usually made from a bamboo crossbow with coloured paper. The kite vibrates and buzzes as it rises into the sky, counterbalanced by its tail. Large kites can be as broad as three metres across, with a tail of six to ten metres. Most kites have a rectangular shape, and many have patterns of crabs, centipedes, butterflies, dragonflies, or Chinese characters such as "good fortune" or "long life". (361words)
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[{'question': 'All of the following practices are mentioned on tomb-sweeping day EXCEPT _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Weeping over the passed-away.', 'Flying kites made from bamboo and paper', "Sending flowers to their ancestors' graves.", 'Burning incense and paper money for the dead.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is correct according to passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Du Mu ,the well-known poet in Song Dynasty wrote a poem about Qing Ming.', 'Qingming Festival used to be a Chinese national holiday.', 'People have the custom of flying kites on Qing Ming.', 'Those whose ancestors were buried in proper places will have a bright future.']}, {'question': 'The writer write the passage in order to _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['enable us to observe traditional tomb-sweeping day.', 'show traditional and present ways to spend Qingming Festival .', 'educate people to show their respect to the ancestors', "raise people's awareness of environmental protection."]}]
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Scientists are using a kind of eye-tracking equipment to learn how babies look at the world. In the lab, children 5 months and older crawl and walk up, down and over adjustable wooden slopes , gaps and steps.
It may seem like the set for a new reality television show, but there are no prizes, except perhaps for the researchers. They hope to understand what makes one child respond to another, how babies adjust their look to their hands and feet to handle objects, and how these very young children adapt to changes.
The findings provided by these eye-trackers suggest that babies may be more capable of understanding and acting on what they see than had been thought. "Quick looks at their mothers' faces may be all they need to get the information they want. They seem to be surprisingly efficient," said John Franchak who studies psychology at New York University.
Although sight might largely seem effortless to us, in reality we actively choose what we look at, making about two to four eye movements every second for some 150,000 motions daily, said Karen Adolph, also a developmental psychologist at N.Y.U. "Sight is not passive," she said. "We actively adjust our eye movements to the motions of our hands and bodies."
Eye-tracking studies have existed for more than a century, but the instruments involved were typically desk machines. The wearable eye-trackers that Dr. Adolph, Mr. Franchak and their colleagues use are based on equipment developed over the last decade by Positive Science, a New York company, with money from the United States Naval Research Laboratory. They were designed to help scientists. Eye-trackers are currently being used in studies to learn the differences in how amateur and professional geologists scan landscapes and how people examine signs when looking for exits during emergencies.
The researchers also found that during the studies babies looked at their mothers just 16 percent of the time. "That is lower than expected." Dr. Adolph said. A large body of past research has placed importance on children watching the faces of adults as they name objects to learn languages. These findings suggest children may not have to look very long to get the information they need, either from people or objects. This gives a new understanding of how much information they need, or how quickly children might process the information.
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[{'question': 'How do babies get the information they need?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['By using their own language.', "By looking at their mothers' eyes.", "By watching their mothers' facial expression.", 'By listening to others.']}, {'question': 'What does Dr. Adolph think of the result of the research?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Exciting.', 'Unacceptable.', 'Strange.', 'Surprising.']}, {'question': 'The text is most probably taken from _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['a website about relationship between mothers and children', "a science magazine about children's actions", 'a book about how to teach children', 'a newspaper about processing information']}]
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As computers become more popular in China , Chinese people are increasingly relying on computer keyboards to input Chinese characters . But if they use the computer too much , they may end up forgetting the exact strokes of each Chinese character when writing on paper . Experts suggest people , especially students , write by hand more .
Do you write by hand more or type more ? In Beijing , students start using a computer as early as primary school . And computer dependence is more widespread among university students . Almost all their assignments and essays are typed on a computer .
All the students interviewed say they usually use a computer .
It's faster and easier to correct if using a computer . And that's why computers are being applied more and more often to modern education . But when people are
computers increasingly , problems appear .
" When I'm writing with a pen , I find I often can't remember how to write a character , though I feel I'm familiar with it ."
" I'm not in the mood to write when faced with a pen and paper ."
Many students don't feel this is something to worry about . Now that it's more convenient and efficient to write on a computer , why bother to handwrite ?
Many educators think differently . Shi Liwei , the headmaster of a famous primary school in the capital said " Chinese characters enjoy both practical and aesthetic value . But those characters typed with computer keyboards only maintain their practical value . All the artistic beauty of the characters is lost . And handwriting contains the writer's emotion . Through one's handwriting , people can get to know one's thinking and personality . Beautiful writing will give people a better first impression of them ."
To encourage students to handwrite more , many primary schools in Beijing have made writing classes compulsory and in universities , some professors are asking students to turn in their homework and essays written by hand .
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[{'question': 'Which of the following can best serve as the title of the passage ?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['The Importance of Handwriting and Typing .', 'To Type or to Handwrite .', 'Writing by Computer Will Replace Writing by Hand', 'Practical and Aesthetic Value of Chinese Characters']}, {'question': 'The students interviewed prefer to write using a computer mainly because _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['they are usually asked to email their homework and essays', 'they can correct the mistakes they make quickly and conveniently', 'they find it not easy to remember how to write a character', 'computers have become a trend and fashion in China']}, {'question': 'Which of the following statements is NOT true of the advantages of handwriting ?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ["Handwriting contains the writer's emotion .", "The writer's thinking and personality are shown in his or her handwriting .", "Handwriting can impress people well and build one's self-confidence .", 'Chinese characters enjoy both practical and aesthetic value .']}, {'question': 'We can draw the conclusion from the passage that _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['more and more students will give up writing on a computer', 'writing by hand will give way to typing by computer one day', 'more and more students will pay attention to handwriting', "the typing article better expresses one's emotion and quality"]}]
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When you sleep somewhere else--like at summer camp or a friend's house--you know you're in for a fun time. It can be exciting to get away from the same old bed in the same old room in the same old house. But fun as this is, for some kids being away from home can be scary and sad. They want to go and have fun with their friends, but once they're there, they start to miss their good old bed, their good old parents, and all that everyday stuff at home. It's called being homesick.
Homesick means you're upset, sad, and maybe scared. But don't feel surprised. A lot of people get homesick, even grownups. When you're used to having certain people and things around you, it can be scary when they're gone. When you're dealing with other problems, you will feel homesick, too. Some kids may feel more homesick than usual if their parents are getting divorced or if someone they loved has recently died.
Here are some ideas to help you feel less homesick.
Bring a little bit of home with you. If you're going away from home, bring your pillow or pictures of the people you'll be apart from and look at them any time you want.
Keep busy. The more fun stuff you do, the less time you'll have to feel homesick. Try to join in activities wherever you are.
Stay in touch. You can make a plan for when you'll call your mom or dad. You can also email or text message to stay in touch with family and friends. When you do get in touch with someone, make sure to talk about the fun things you're doing!
Talk to someone where you are. Maybe you can tell a friend that you feel homesick. He or she might have some ideas to help you feel better.
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[{'question': "One feels homesick means he's not _ .", 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['upset', 'sad', 'scary', 'full']}, {'question': '_ is NOT TRUE according to the passage.', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Kids can keep touching with their family with telephone', 'You can tell friends you are feeling homesick', 'Bringing some familiar things with you can help to feel less homesick', 'Only kids get homesick, grownups never feel homesick']}, {'question': "Kids won't feel homesick when _ .", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['they are dealing with the problems', 'the people and things they get used to are around them', 'someone they loved has recently died', 'their parents are getting divorced']}, {'question': 'There are _ ideas to help you feel less homesick mentioned in this passage.', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['five', 'four', 'three', 'Two']}, {'question': 'The BEST title for this passage is " _ ".', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Homesickness', 'Why Do You Feel Homesick', 'How to Be Less Homesick', 'When Will Kids Feel Homesick']}]
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It's enough to give anyone an earache. Women spend an average of about five years on the phone during their working lives, research has shown.
You won't be surprised to learn that women spend 18 months longer than men on the phone -- who only chat for an average of three years.
Both sexes make and receive almost the same number of calls -- 277,000 for men and 288,000 for women. But women spend 13,500 more hours in total on their conversations.
More than half of those chats are work-related but people spend on average twice as long on a personal call (10 minutes ) as on a business one.
Despite the explosion in mobile phone ownership, most people still prefer to use landlines, the poll found.
However, when people are tired of talking, the top excuse for getting a caller off the line is to say "Someone's at the door." Other favorites include "I'm cooking" and "I need to go to the toilet".
Eight out of ten phone users admitted not answering their phones on purpose if they did not want to speak to the caller.
One in three people thought calls after 10 pm were unacceptable but a quarter of those polled said they did not mind calls up to midnight.
Two-thirds admitted they had people in their address books who they should ring but never got round to doing so.
Joseph Blass, managing director of telecom company Toucan, said, "As a nation, we love to chat on the phone but it is quite astonishing when we look at the total number of calls we make in a lifetime."
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[{'question': 'According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Women spend about five years talking on the phone during their lifetime.', 'Women make and receive the same number of calls as men do.', 'On average, work-related calls are only half as long as personal calls.', 'Usually a call made by a man is longer than one by a woman.']}, {'question': 'From the text, we know that _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['calls around midnight are acceptable to some people', '80% of people always refuse to answer a phone call', 'people never ring the people in their address books', 'Joseph Blass was one of the people who were polled']}]
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Music for Humans and Humpback Whales
As researchers conclude in Science, the love of music is not only a universal feature of the human species, but is also deeply fixed in complex structures of the human brain, and is far more ancient than previously suspected.
In the articles that discuss the field of bio-musicology, the study of the biological basis for the creation and appreciation of music, researchers present various evidence to, show that music-making is at once an original human "business", and an art form with skillful performers throughout the animal kingdom.
The new reports stress that humans hold no copyright on sound wisdom, and that a number of nonhuman animals produce what can rightly be called music, rather than random sound. Recent in-depth analyses of the songs sung by humpback whales show that, even when their organ would allow them to do otherwise, the animals _ the same choices relating to sounds and beauty, and accept the same laws of song composition as those preferred by human musicians, and human ears, everywhere.
For example, male humpback whales, who spend six months of each year doing little else but singing, use rhythms similar to those found in human music and musical phrases of similar length--a few seconds. Whales are able to make sounds over a range of at least seven octaves , yet they tend to move on through a song in beautiful musical intervals, rather than moving forwards madly. They mix the sounds like drums and pure tones in a ratio which agrees with that heard in much western music. They also use a favorite technique of human singers, the so-called A-B-A form, in which a theme is stated, then developed, and then returned to in slightly revised form.
Perhaps most impressive, humpback songs contain tunes that rhyme. "This suggests that whales use rhyme in the same way we do: as a technique in poem to help them remember complex material," the researchers write.
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[{'question': 'Which of the following shows the advanced musical ability in humpback whales?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['They can remember complex material.', 'They can create pleasing patterns of music.', 'They can make sounds like drums continuously.', 'They can sing along with rhythms of western music.']}, {'question': 'What is the main idea of the article?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Animals are able to compose and enjoy music like humans.', 'Human beings borrow ideas in music from humpback whales.', 'Humpback whales are skillful performers in the animal kingdom.', 'Music-making, an ancient activity of both humans and animals.']}, {'question': 'The main purpose of the passage is to _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['argue and discuss', 'inform and explain', 'compare and advertise', 'examine and assess']}]
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The historic center of Vienna has been added to UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage list. Thus, St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Imperial Palace and many other historic buildings are now recognized as being among the 700 outstanding cultural and natural monuments of mankind - others include the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur, the historic center of Rome, the Kremlin with the Red Square, the Chinese Wall, the Taj Mahal and the Grand Canyon.
Vienna's historic center, in its unity, is considered one of the most beautiful city landmarks in Europe. Three eras left their mark on the former residence of the Habsburgs: the Middle Ages with Gothic St. Stephen's Cathedral whose spire points toward heaven, one of Vienna's landmarks; the Baroque whose most important achievement is the Imperial Palace with its sumptuous cupolas . And the Ring Boulevard era of the late nineteenth century, when such splendid buildings as the Vienna State Opera and the Museum of Fine Arts were built to replace the former city walls.
The _ of the center of Vienna is enhanced by numerous churches, mansions and parks, as well as by rich art collections gathered by wealthy rulers. And the centuries-old musical tradition ranges from the Court Chapel of the Imperial Palace to Mozart's immortal music and the waltzes of Johann Strauss. Also inseperably linked to the center of the city are the delights of Viennese cuisine, the gemutlichkeit of Viennese coffeehouses and nostalgic shopping at former purveyors to the imperial court.
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[{'question': 'Which of the following is not mentioned as cultural and natural monuments ofman-kind?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['the Taj Mahal', 'the Pyramid Fields', 'the Kremlin with the Red Square', 'the Court Chapel']}, {'question': 'What is the passage mainly about ?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['The universal value of the world heritage in Vienna', "Vienna's becoming one of the cultural and natural monuments of mankind", 'The introduction of the historic center of Vienna', 'The special culture atmosphere of the historic center of Vienna']}]
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Hi, everybody. On Friday, I had a discussion with working women in Rhode Island about the economic challenges they face in their own lives--challenges shared by many of you.
Thanks to the work we've all put in, our economy has come a long way these past six years. Over the past 55 months, our businesses have added 10.3 million new jobs. For the first time in six years, the unemployment rate is below 6 percent. And on Thursday, we learned that over the past six months, our economy has grown at its fastest pace since 2003.
But the gains of a growing economy aren't yet felt by everyone. So we've got to harness this momentum , and make the right choices so that everyone who works hard can get ahead.
In recent weeks, I've talked about these choices, from raising the minimum wage to creating new jobs in construction and manufacturing. Today, I want to focus on what I discussed with those women -- the choices we need to make to help more women get ahead in today's economy.
Right now, women make up almost half of our workers. More women are their family's main _ than ever before. So the simple truth is, when women succeed, America succeeds. And we should be choosing policies that benefit women--because that benefits all of us.
Women deserve fair pay. Even though it's 2014, there are women still earning less than men for doing the same work. We don't have second-class citizens in this country--we shouldn't in the workplace, either. So let's make sure women earn equal pay for equal work, and have a fair shot at success.
Women deserve to be able to take time off to care for a new baby, an ailing parent, or take a sick day for themselves without running into hardship. So let's make sure all Americans have access to paid family leave .
Pregnant workers deserve to be treated fairly. Even today, women can be fired for taking too many bathroom breaks, or forced on unpaid leave just for being pregnant. That's wrong--and we have to choose policies that ensure pregnant workers are treated with dignity and respect.
New parents deserve quality, affordable childcare. There's nothing like the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your kids are safe while you're at work. And the benefits that children get out of early enrichment can pay off for a lifetime. But in many states, sending your kid to daycare costs more than sending them to a public university. So let's start demanding Pre-K for our kids.
And when most low-wage workers are women, but Congress hasn't passed a minimum wage increase in seven years, it's long past time that women deserve a raise. About 28 million workers would benefit from an increase in the minimum wage to ten dollars and ten cents an hour. And more than half of those workers are women. The local businesses where these workers spend their money would benefit, too. So let's do this -- let's give America a raise.
All of these policies are common sense. All of them are within our reach. We've just got to speak up and choose them. Because they'll build a stronger America for all of us.
Thanks, and have a great weekend.
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[{'question': 'Which is the true fact according to the passage?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['During the last half year, our economy has grown fastest since 2003.', 'All of us have felt the gains of a growing economy.', 'We have never fires any women because of her taking too many bathroom breaks.', 'The local businesses will not benefit a lot because of the increase in the minimum wage.']}, {'question': 'Which is NOT included in the new policies that would help women and working families get ahead?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Equal pay for equal work.', 'Increase access to high-quality child care and paid family leave.', 'Raise the minimum wage.', 'Get rid of racial discrimination.']}, {'question': 'The best title for this Weekly Address may be _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Say no to sex discrimination.', "It's time to help women and working families.", "Let's build a stronger country.", 'Equal pay for equal work.']}]
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More than 4 in 10 cancers -- 600,000 in the UK alone -- could be prevented if people led healthier lives, say experts. The population of the UK is about 63,000,000.
Latest figures from Cancer Research UK show smoking is the biggest avoidable risk factor , followed by unhealthy diets. The charity advises people to live healthily, limit alcohol intake and do regular exercise.
According to the figures from 2007 to 2011, more than 300,000 cases of cancer recorded were linked to smoking. A further 145,000 were linked to unhealthy diets containing too much processed food. Obesity contributed to 88,000 cases and alcohol to 62,200. Sun damage to the skin and physical inactivity were also contributing factors.
Professor Max Parkin, a Cancer Research UK statistician, says, "There's now little doubt that certain lifestyle choices can have a big influence on cancer risk, with research around the world all pointing to the same key risk factors."
"Of course everyone wants to enjoy some extra treats during the Christmas holidays so we don't want to ban beef pies and wine but it's a good time to think about taking up some healthy habits."
"Leading a healthy lifestyle can't guarantee someone won't get cancer but _ by taking positive steps."
Public Health England says a healthy lifestyle can play an important role in reducing cancer risk. It says campaigns such as Smokefree, Dry January and Change4Life Sugar Swaps all aim to raise public awareness. It's important that we not only continue to make progress in noticing cancer earlier and improving treatments, but helping people understand how they can reduce their risk of developing cancer in the first place remains important in dealing with cancer.
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[{'question': 'Which of the following is the third biggest avoidable cancer factor?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Obesity.', 'Alcohol intake.', 'Unhealthy diets.', 'Physical inactivity.']}, {'question': 'According to Professor Max Parkin, _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ["it's OK to drink wine during festivals", 'the causes of cancer are still unclear now', 'unhealthy food should be completely banned', 'a healthy lifestyle will protect us from cancer']}, {'question': "What's the main idea of the text?", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Most cancers are caused by smoking.', 'Cancer is greatly linked to our lifestyle.', 'There are different factors that lead to cancer.', 'Public awareness should be raised to prevent cancer.']}]
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Bernie was smart and wanted to be his own boss.When Bernie was 25 he took a wife. Bernie had saved some money and decided on a dry goods and grocery store combined.
Marie had a knack for arranging the merchandise to appeal to customers and Bernie didn't mind the long hours. He was happy, and life was good.The business thrived until the great depression hit the entire country. No one had money to purchase pretty things or even food. In 1930, Marie had a heart attack and left Bernie alone.
Following Marie's death, which Bernie felt was brought about from worrying about the store, He lost interest in everything. He had few customers and did not make them feel welcome, Bernie wandered about the store , dusting a bit and sweeping the floor. His inventory remained almost the same, as nothing much was sold .A deep depressing set in. He had lost Marie , his true love , and now his business seemed lost as well, Why did he want to live ?
A few houses down the street lived a family who had also fallen on hard times. They seldom had three meals a day. Julie , the youngest girl, was fourteen . Julie worried about Mr. Mears' getting so thin. At meal time, she would take a portion of their meal to Bernie. She would stay and talk to him, dusting and cleaning .
After several months Bernie began to improve. He still had no customers to speak of, but from what he had left in the stor , he would sack a few cans to take to Julie's family.
In early spring, Julie saw her father planting a garden. This gave her an idea. She suggested Bernie making a garden in the big space beside the store, which they had once thought would become a parking lot , and sell the produce really cheap in the store. It would help the neighbors and also Bernie to have money for new merchandise. They would plant half the garden space now and half in three weeks giving them fresh produce for a long time .
Julie prayed hard as they placed the seeds in the ground. When the seeds sprouted, Julie looked anxiously at the rows and there were no empty spots. They all came up and produced the best crop of vegetables Bernie had ever seen. They soon became well-known in the community for having the best prices and finest produce in town . They also extended credit to their neighbors and accepted various items as trade for merchandise.
The two of them worked hard throughout the 1930s and made a very successful business. Julie earned a salary . As the economy picked up, so did sales at the store.
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[{'question': "What's the best title of this passage ?", 'answer': 'A', 'options': ["Mears' Family Store", "A Neighbor of Mears'", 'The Deep Depression', 'Vegetables in Garden']}, {'question': "According to Bernie , Marie's death is mainly because of _ .", 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['the heart attack', 'the position of the shop', 'the hard work', 'the worry about the store']}, {'question': "How did Bernie's business begin to improve ?", 'answer': 'D', 'options': ["With the help of Julie's family", 'By selling the cheap fresh produce and food', 'By means of planting vegetables and fruits', 'By providing customers with different services.']}, {'question': 'We can infer from the passage that sales at the store has been _ throughout the 1930s.', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['decreasing', 'increasing', 'changing', 'reducing']}]
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You may have heard of the book Moby Dick(<<>> ), written by the American author Herman Melville. You may also know that Moby Dick is considered one of the greatest novels ever written. However, it might surprise you to find out Herman Melville was not always a highly regarded author.
Melville's first two novels, Typee and Omoo, were widely read and financially successfully. They were both exciting tales of adventures at sea and experiences with people in foreign lands. Melville became quite famous. However, upon the publication of his third book, Mardi, Melville's popularity began to weaken. He was no longer interested in telling tales of pure adventure, and his writing took on a style that alienated the general reading public of his time.
Melville published Moby Dick in October of 1851. it was an original novel, combining aspects of sociology and philosophy, which confused readers by its complex symbolism. The book sold poorly.
Melville's next book, Pierre, was almost completely disregarded by the public. Debt frustration and ill health finally forced Melville to take a low-paying job as a customs inspector. Eventually, Melville abandoned prose and began to write poetry.
The Civil War is the main subject of Melville's poetry. He and his brother made a trip to the front line, and he published a book of poems, Battle-Pieces and Aspects of War, based on this experience.
Melville died in 1891 at the age of 72. at this point, his work had been completely forgotten by the public. His talent was to go unrecognized for the next thirty years. Then, in 1920s, his reputation began to improve as critics and readers rediscovered his work. Today Moby Dick is one of the best-known novels ever penned by an American author.
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[{'question': "What were Melville's first two novels mainly about?", 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['His travel experience.', 'His successful communication skills.', 'Adventurous experiences in the front line.', 'Adventurous voyages and foreign experiences.']}, {'question': 'We can learn from the text that Moby Dick _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['sold a little better than Pierre.', "was Melville's favorite novel.", 'was copied from other books.', 'made Melville popular again.']}, {'question': 'The text may be taken from _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['a writing guide', 'a literary journal.', 'a science magazine.', 'a critical book on literature.']}, {'question': 'What is the text mainly about?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['The main works of Melville.', "The skills in Melville's writing.", 'The ups and downs of Melville.', "The reason for Melville's failure."]}]
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Black has long been praised for its ability to better women's figures and suit every occasion. But the color has a side-effect--it ages the face.
While black does give the appearance of a slimmer figure by making the shadows less visible, wearing it next to the face brings out a negative effect. Black clothing can highlight dark lines under the chin, shadows around the eyes and wrinkles on the face. The effect can be as serious as making women feel exhausted, self-conscious and upset. Wrinkles and sunken areas appear deeper and more pronounced, meaning the effect is more obvious in older women.
Dark scarves, hats and high-collared coats are apparently particularly likely to emphasize aging features of the face. But fear not. The effect can be _ by a splash of color around the neck--in the form of a scarf or a piece of jewelry--or a low neckline.
Famous actress Joan Collins is among the few who can get away with the side-effect. But those who should consider changing their dresses include many European stars. The majority of women who have what is known as a "warm" skin tone, based on yellow and gold colors, will not look young and healthy with black against their faces. Warm skins do not match well with black against their faces as it takes away all the golden glow that they have as a basic skin tone. Black looks for dark things on the face and highlights them, particularly as women age.
The good news for those who like black dress is that a simple test can help determine whether they can wear black well: Hold the color up against your face, stand in front of the mirror and look for dark lines under the chin, shadows around the eyes or lines on the face that are highlighted. If there are no dark areas or shadows, you can probably wear black close to your face and look great. Otherwise, change your ways.
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[{'question': 'According to the passage, wearing black clothes probably _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['makes the wearer less energetic', "gives away the wearer's age", "darkens the wearer's skin tone", 'makes the wearer feel confident']}, {'question': 'We can infer from the passage that _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['high-collared coats are not suitable for warm-skinned women', 'a woman from eastern Asia may not look young with black against her face', 'men with deep wrinkles would look unhealthy in black', 'Joan Collins has a warm skin tone']}, {'question': 'The black dress will be probably suitable for you on condition that there are no _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['wrinkles on your face', 'dark circles around your eyes', 'sunken areas that are highlighted', 'dark areas or shadows on the face']}]
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Ten years ago,Morgan Zuch,a two--year--old girl from Long Island,New York,was diagnosed with leukemia .The day that Morgan's father Rod knew it,he made a promise,"If my daughter gets better,I will devote the rest of my life to helping others who are in the Same condition."
Fortunately.Morgan recovered gradually,and since then,Rod and his wife Nancy,have been helping other families with cancer.stricken children through the Morgan Center.It is the country's first preschool for children with cancer.
Because of the risk of germs, children with cancer are usually forbidden from playing with other kids.They must spend their days in hospital rooms or lying in bed at home.The Zuchs believed that children with cancer should have the opportunity to play,too.
The center offers the kids and their families a safe place to connect with others who have the same problem.To reduce the risk of infections,the center's staff wash their own and the children's hands frequently,and provide each child with his or her own toys and supplies.
"You feel like you're not the sick kid's mom,"said one child's mother,Maura Lewinger."It is nice because none of the parents at the center are alienated ."
The Zuchs run the center as a non-profit organization and any family can bring their children to the center for free.Nancy Zuch works as the head teacher-with a little help from her daughter Morgan, now l2 years old.Today,Morgan is strong and healthy,and loves to provide support for the children who are going through the difficult time that she once went through.She says she wants to be a teacher at the Morgan Center when she grows up.
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[{'question': 'The Zuchs created the Morgan Center _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['to help their daughter to realize her dream', 'to invite other children to play with their daughter', 'to build a school for their daughter and her friends', 'to provide a healthy place for children with cancer']}, {'question': 'What can we learn from the text?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['The kids can share all their toys there.', 'The kids can receive free medical care.', 'The kids have to keep their hands clean.', "The kids' parents must pay for the supplies."]}, {'question': 'Which of the following is NOT true?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Morgan has regained her health.', 'The Center is run by the government.', 'Morgan helps in the Center sometimes.', 'Both kids and parents like the Center.']}, {'question': 'This text is mainly about _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ["Long Island's first preschool for kids with cancer", 'the pain that the kids in the Morgan Center suffer', 'the contributions Morgan has made to the Center', 'the Zuchs,the creators of the Morgan Center']}]
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When Steve Jobs was born on Febuary24,1955, in San Francisco , California, his unmarried mother decided to put him for adoption because she wanted a girl. So in the middle of the night, his mother called a lawyer named Paul Jobs and said, "We have an unexpected baby boy; do you want him?" But his mother told his future parents to promise that they would send Jobs to college. After Steve Jobs graduated from high school, he went to college but decided to drop out because it was so expensive that he had to sleep on the floor in his friends' rooms.
At 20, he and a friend(Steve Wozniak) started a company in a garage on April 1, 1976. Jobs named their company ----Apple in memory of a happy summer he had spent as an orchard in Oregon.
After 10 years of hard time and failures, starting from two kids working in a garage, Apple computer eventually grew into a big company with over 4000 employees.
At 30, Jobs , however, was fired from the company he co-founded. But after he had to leave the company, Apple was under heavy pressure from rival Microsoft and in 1996 posted billions of dollars in losses. Apple needed Steve Jobs and he was appointed as Apple' CEO in1997. Under his leadership, Apple returned to profitability and introduced new products such as the iPod, the iPhone and the iPod.
Steve Jobs once said, "Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick, Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking.
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[{'question': "Steve Jobs didn't finish his college education because he _ .", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['wanted to start a company.', 'had financial problems.', 'took no interest in his major.', 'hated to share rooms with his friends.']}, {'question': 'It can be inferred that Apple _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['was founded in Oregon', 'developed from a garage', 'had a difficult beginning', 'had a successful beginning']}, {'question': 'What can we learn from what Steve Jobs said?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Interest is key to success.', 'Hope helps us succeed.', 'Attitude is everything.', 'Courage goes with confidence.']}]
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The first reality TV show in the world was called Expedition Robinson and it was shown in Sweden in 1997. Half the population of the country watched the final event and a new kind of TV program was born. Two years later in Holland , the first series of Big Brother was filmed. Again, it was a great success and the final program was watched by 15 million people. Now more than 20 countries around the world have Big Brother or Expedition Robinson on their TV screens. The ordinary people who take part in the programs are known by millions of people in their own countries and reality TV has become big, big business.
For the TV producers, reality TV is a dream come true because many of the programs cost nothing to make. At some point, the television viewers are asked to telephone the program to vote or to apply to take part in the show. It is the cost of these telephone calls that pays for the shows. One of the most popular shows is Pop Idol. In the show a group of attractive young people are made into pop stars. TV viewers vote for their favorite person on the show. The winner makes a record and millions of copies of the record are sold. His or her pictures are published on the covers of magazines or on the front pages of newspapers, and then, they are quickly forgotten.
But not everyone is happy about reality TV. In Portugal, two TV channels got into trouble because they showed too much of the personal lives of the people in the shows. In France, reality TV is called "rubbish TV" and the TV studios of Big Brother were attacked three times in one week. In Greece, Big Brother was described as " against human rights and civilization".
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[{'question': 'Those who take part in the reality TV shows are usually _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['common people', 'pop TV stars', 'attractive people', 'famous film stars']}, {'question': 'Who would pay for the cost of the reality TV shows according to the passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['TV producers who make reality TV shows', 'TV actors who take part in reality TV shows.', 'TV viewers who telephone reality TV shows', 'TV companies which broadcast reality TV shows']}, {'question': 'It can be concluded from the passage that _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['everyone is happy about reality TV.', 'reality TV will do well in many countries.', 'all the people in Europe are in favor of reality TV', 'reality TV will not be broadcast in any countries.']}]
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Have you ever heard the saying " _ "?
Here is how a new teacher made friends with the girls and boys in her class on the first day of school. As the bell rang, the teacher smiled at each girl and boy. Then she said in a quiet voice, "Good morning. How nice it is to have all of you in my class this year. I'd like to know each of you. I am sure we will enjoy working together." Everyone felt that she meant what she said because of her sweet voice and her friendly look.
She told the girls and boys her name and wrote it on the blackboard. Then she told them some of the things she liked to do and she was hoping to do with them during the year.
Then she said to the class, "Now you know my name and the things I like and I want to know your names and the things you like. Then I will feel that I know you."
Could you make friends by doing the same as this teacher did?
One way of getting to know girls and boys in your class is to find out more about them. It is often easy to be friends with those people who have the same hobbies with you. You play the same games and go on journeys together.
You may find that some new comers in your class miss their old friends and feel strange and lonely. You can invite them to take a walk or to ride bikes with you. You will find many things in common to talk about. Just talking together in a friendly manner is one good way to make friends.
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[{'question': "The teacher's sweet voice and her friendly look _ .", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['made every girl and boy happy', 'told the girls and boys everything about herself', "showed that she would like to be a friend of the girls and boys'", 'meant she wanted to tell the boys and girls something interesting']}, {'question': 'A new comer will be your friend if _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['he always thinks of his old friends', 'you ask him to do something', 'he knows you', 'you talk with him in a friendly way']}, {'question': "If you want to make friends with others, which of the following shouldn't you do?", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Learn more about them.', 'Go on journeys together.', 'Find out your differences.', 'Try to be the same as them.']}, {'question': 'What is the best title for this passage?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['How to Make Friends', 'Teachers Can Make Friends with Students', 'A Friend in Need Is a Friend Indeed', 'How to Be Friends with New Comers']}]
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Just five one-hundredths of an inch thick, light golden in color1 and with a perfect "saddle curl," the Lay's potato chip seems an unlikely weapon for global domination. But its maker, Frito-Lay, thinks otherwise. "Potato chips are a snack food for the world," said Salman Amin, the company's head of global marketing. Amin believes there is no corner of the world that can resist the charms of a Frito-Lay potato chip.
Frito-Lay is the biggest snack maker in prefix = st1 /Americaowned by PepsiCo and accounts for over half of the parent company's $3 billion annual profits. But theU.S.snack food market is largely saturated, and to grow the company has to look overseas.
Its strategy rests on two beliefs: first a global product offers economies of scale with which local brands cannot compete. And second, consumers in the 21st century are drawn to "global" as a concept. "Global" does not mean products that are consciously identified as American, but ones that consumes--especially young people are linked across cultures by shared beliefs and tastes. Potato chips are an American invention, but most Chinese, for instance, do not know that Frito-Lay is an American company. Instead, Riskey, the company's research and development head, would hope they associate the brand with the new world of global communications and business.
With brand perception a crucial factor, Riskey ordered a redesign of the Frito-Lay logo .The logo, along with the company's long-held marketing image of the "irresistibility" of its chips would help facilitate the company's global expansion.
The executives acknowledge that they try to swing national eating habits to a food created in America, but they deny that amounts to economic imperialism . Rather, they see Frito-Lay as spreading the benefits of free enterprise across the world. "We're making products in those countries, we're adapting them to the tastes of those countries, building businesses and employing people and changing lives," said Steve Reinemund, PepsiCo's chief executive.
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[{'question': "It is the belief of Foito-Lay's head of global marking that _ .", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Potato chips can hardly be used as a weapon to dominate the world market', "People all over the world enjoy eating their company's potato chips", "The light golden color1 enhances the charm of their company's potato chips", 'Their company must find new ways to promote domestic sales']}, {'question': 'One of the assumptions on which Frito-Lay bases its development strategy is that _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['consumers worldwide today are attracted by global brands', 'local brands cannot compete successfully with American brands', "products suiting Chinese consumers' needs bring more profits", 'products identified as American will have promising market value']}, {'question': "Frito-Lay's executives claim that the promoting of American food in the international market _ .", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ["won't affect the eating habits of the local people", 'will lead to economic imperialism', 'will be in the interest of the local people', "won't spoil the taste of their chips"]}]
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During a state of deep relaxation, several physiological changes take place in the body: the body's oxygen consumption is reduced; the heart beat decreases; muscle tension and sweating ease, and there is decreased sympathetic nervous system activity.This restful state not only allows the body to repair and restore itself, but it has a calming effect on the consciousness.
How to achieve this state of relaxation, however, is a matter of opinion, and in some medical circles, a matter of controversy.A recent report by Dr.David Holmes of the University of Kansas in the journal "American psychologist" said that simply sitting in an armchair has just as many beneficial characteristics for the body as meditation does.Researchers of other relaxation techniques disagree.These experts believe that more structured techniques, such as meditation, lead to a condition of deep relaxation.
The debate goes on, but one thing appears to be clear: the relaxation response can be reached by a number of methods, and the methods themselves are not as important as _ .One day, one method may work best; on another day, an alternative method may be more appropriate.Once you are aware of all the methods, you can find the one that works best on you.
Some of the relaxation techniques are meditation, auto analysis and progressive muscle relaxation response.More than just sitting quietly in a chair, they have the added benefit of structure and discipline, and for these reasons appear to be more effective for most individuals.
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[{'question': 'According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true when a person is in a state of deep relaxation?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['The body takes in less oxygen.', 'The heart beats less frequently.', 'Muscles become tense and the body sweats easily.', 'The consciousness becomes more or less calmed.']}, {'question': 'People seem to agree that _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['sitting in an armchair benefits a person as meditation does', 'structured relaxation techniques are more beneficial for a person', 'to achieve a state of deep relaxation is possible through various means', 'what people are all struggling for is a state of deep relaxation']}, {'question': "The author's attitude toward relaxation discussed in the passage is best described as _ .", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['sceptical', 'objective', 'optimistic', 'critical']}]
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According to the dictionary definition of 'create',ordinary people are creative every day. To create means to bring into being,to cause to exist something each of us does daily. We are creative whenever we look at or think about something in a new way.
First,this includes an awareness of our surroundings. It means using all of our senses to become aware of our world. This may be as simple as being aware of color1 and texture ,as well as taste, when we plan a meal. Above all,it is the ability to notice things that others might miss.
A second part of creativity is an ability to see relationships among things. If we believe the expression,there is nothing new under the sun,the creativity is remaking or recombining the old in new ways. For example,we might do this by finding a more effective way to study or a better way to arrange our furniture,or we might make a new combination of camera lenses and filters to create an unusual photograph.
A third part of creativity is the courage and drive to make use of our new ideas,to ask for them to achieve some new results. To think up a new idea is one thing;to put the idea to work is another. These three parts of creativity are included in all the great works of geniuses,but they are also included in many of our day to day activities.
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[{'question': 'Which of the following activities is NOT a creative one according to the passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['To prepare for a meal.', 'To arrange the furniture in a special way.', 'To buy some books from a bookstore.', 'To write a letter with the computer.']}, {'question': 'There is nothing new under the sun really implies that _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['a new thing can only be created at the basis of earliest things', 'a new thing is only a tale', 'we can seldom create new things', 'we can hardly see really new things in the world']}, {'question': 'What does the author think about the relationship between a new thought and its being put into practice?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ["It's more difficult to create a new thought than to use it in practice.", 'To find a new thought will clearly lead to the production of a new thing.', 'A man with an excellent ability of practice can easily become an inventor.', 'One may come up with a new thought,but can not put it into practice.']}]
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Elizabeth Mitchell's new "Liberty's Torch" is the fascinating story of how the Statue of Liberty came to be. The Statue of Liberty's rough history is explored in "Liberty's Torch".
Frederic Auguste Bartholdi is an all-but-forgotten figure in American history. He was, however, responsible for one of the most enduring symbols of the United States: the Statue of Liberty. A Frenchman from Alsace, he designed and built the Statue of Liberty which stood on Bedloe's Island in New York Harbor. How this statue came to be is the fascinating subject of Elizabeth Michell's new book "Liberty's Torch".
The power of Mitchell's narrative is convincing . We recognize the Statue of Liberty now as a symbol of hope and opportunity for a nation of immigrants. At the time, though, people could not see that-nor did they even imagine that. Instead, the construction of the statue was born of one man's desire to set up a great monument.
For this reason, perhaps, "Liberty's Torch" relies on Bartholdi as the connecting thread. Bartholdi went to Egypt to make photographic copies of the main monuments. On the boat, Bartholdi met and began a lifelong relationship with Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who would build the Suez Canal. Maybe it was this friendship, or maybe it was seeing Egypt's huge monuments, but finally the trip inspired Bartholdi's dream to create the largest statue ever built. Failure to bring this to completion in Egypt, followed by his exile from Paris, led Bartholdi to sail to America.
By explaining the Statue of Liberty's hard history and showing Bartholdi's brave spirit, Mitchell has done a great service.
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[{'question': 'It can be inferred from the text that _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['American people have never forgotten Frederic August Bartholdi', "the Statue of Liberty wasn't originally regarded as a symbol of hope", 'Bartholdi finished the Suez Canal', 'Bartholdi was a famous architect from Egypt.']}, {'question': 'What was the main reason for Bartholdi to build the Statue of Liberty?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['To finish his education in the arts.', 'To mark his friendship with Ferdinand.', 'To create something better than Egyptian monuments.', 'To achieve his dream to create the largest statue.']}, {'question': 'What type of writing is the passage?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['A travel guide.', 'A book review', 'An announcement', 'An architecture report.']}]
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For years, experts have been encouraging people to exercise, using steps as simple as taking the stairs instead of a lift and walking to work, where possible. A recent study _ this advice -- it shows that frequent active exercise throughout the day can have great health benefits.
The study, published in the magazinePreventive Medicine, found that just 2 minutes of stair-climbing several times a day can lower total cholesterol , raise HDL ("good") cholesterol and improve the heartbeat in young women who do not have much activity during the day."such improvements may have important effects on the health of women, since, like cigarette smoking, poor fitness have been shown to be a high risk for heart disease and death in women,"said Dr.Colin Boreham with the University of Ulster in Belfast, Ireland and the fellow researchers of this study group. Furthermore, improvements in total cholesterol levels achieved in the study could cut the rate of heart disease in women by a third, they noted.
The team of researchers from Britain studied 12 women between 18-22 years old, before and after the exercise program. The women used a public staircase for about 2 minutes a day for 5 days a week. Compared with a group of 10 women who did not take part in the stair-climbing program, the women who climbed stairs showed marked improvements in health and fitness levels after 7 weeks. However, they did not show any signs of weight loss."A short-term stair-climbing program can give great health benefits to young women. Stair-climbing may be a particularly suitable way of combining exercise with an individual's daily lifestyle,"they pointed out.
Experts advise visiting your doctor before beginning a new exercise program.
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[{'question': 'According to the study done by Dr.Boreham and his group, improvements in cholesterol levels are important in _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['helping women to give up smoking', 'enabling women to take exercise', 'preventing women from having heart disease', 'helping women to lose weight']}, {'question': 'What would be the best title for the text?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['How to Prevent Heart Disease -- What Do Doctors Say?', 'Stair-climbing Attracts More', 'Good Health Advice--take the Stairs', 'Yes, Exercise Is Good for You']}]
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Sometimes it is difficult to talk to taxi drivers. They must give all their attention to the road as they work out the shortest way to the place where you are going. However, passengers from Wangfujing were in surprise when they took a taxi. The driver just would not stop talking - in English.
Organized by the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy, "Dare to Speak" examines if Chinese people will speak English in "real-life" situations.
Matthew Knowles, an acting student from South Carolina at Beijing Film Academy, acted the part as the "driver". He collected six passengers on Saturday morning, most of whom were female white-collar workers.
"Of course they were surprised at first, wondering why I'm driving a taxi, and wondering whether this is a real taxi, but then most of them were pretty willing to speak," he said. Knowles said he was also surprised by his "passengers". "Apart from my first 'passenger', who could speak very little English, all the rest spoke English very well, and it was fun to communicate with them," he said, adding that some "passengers" were quite talkative.
The "foreign taxi driver" project was just one of the "Dare to Speak" activities, which have been going on since the end of October. Other projects included a foreign store owner near a high school in Beijing, a cook in a Shanghai university canteen. They were testing the willingness of Chinese people, especially students and white-collar workers, to speak to foreigners in English.
Rong Xin, senior manager of IELTS with the British Embassy, said they hoped to let IELTS takers in China know that communication is the _ goal of IELTS.
"We hope that more and more IELTS takers in China can realize the importance of communicating in English in real life, instead of just getting high test scores," she said.
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[{'question': 'Why did Matthew Knowles drive a taxi?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['He took part in the project "Dear to speak"', 'He played the role of a taxi driver in a film.', 'He enjoyed chatting with people in English.', 'He wanted to improve his Chinese while driving.']}, {'question': 'The Chinese may meet and talk to _ in "Dear to speak" projects.', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['a white-collar worker', 'a foreign store owner', 'a restaurant manager', 'a high school student']}, {'question': 'The purpose of the project "Dear to Speak" is to _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['attract more foreigners to start business in China', "draw Chinese people's attention to IELT", 'remind language learners of the goal of learning', 'give more chances for English learners in China']}]
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Parties held by the wealthy seldom welcome poor guests.But last week China made it through the doors into a gathering of the world's richest countries.
Jin Renqing ,Chian's finance minister,and Zhou Xiaochuan,governor of the People's Bank of China,joined a meeting of the Group of Seven(G7)on October1,2004.It is the fist time that China has had direct talks with the club.It was a good chance to share the world powers'thoughts about critical economic issues and _ understanding.
China'a participation is a natural part of its increasingly important role in the global economy.China is the world 's factory and the biggest market.
America and China made up almost half of global economic growth last year."If Anerican consumers and Chinese producers were to reduce their activities at the same time,global growth would drop greatly,"said the Economist,a leading British economics magazine.
Up to now chinese economic stability has been closely related to world development."The increasingly connected global economy means that China should be a part of the meeting."said Stephen Roach,a world famous economist.
During the meeting,China represented developing countries.It callde on the world's developed nations to increase their spending on aid to poorer countries.Jin said that overall official help from developed countries is only 0.23 per cent of their Gross Domestic Product ,much lower than the 0.7per cent UN targert.And this should be changed.
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[{'question': 'According to the passage,China particpates in the meeting of G7 because _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['China has become one of the richest countries of the world', 'China is playing a more important part in the world economy', 'China has more factories than any other countries in the world', 'developing countries want China to speak for them']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is true?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ["China's participation in the meeting of G7 is the first time that China has talks with the developed countries.", 'The stable economy of China has done a great deal to the development of the world.', 'The developed nations are trying their best to help the poorer countries at present', 'America has as large a market as China has.']}, {'question': 'From the passage we can infer that _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Chinese producers as well as American consumers contribute a lot to the growth of the world economy', "the author doesn't think it necessary for China to participate in the meeting", 'China produces a lot but consumes a little', 'the economist thinks that American consumers and Chinese producers will reduce their activitres at the same time']}]
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Chinese President Hu Jintao, on his way to talks with President George W. Bush in prefix = st1 /Washington, on Tuesday met with Bill Gates.
After the meeting with Gates, the world's richest man, at Microsoft's headquarters, Hu restated that China would move against software pirates all the time.
At Microsoft Corp.'s campus, Hu said on Tuesday he admired what Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates had achieved. He also sought to reassure Gates that China is serious about protecting intellectual property rights .
"Because you, Mr. Bill Gates, are a friend of China, I'm a friend of Microsoft," Hu said.
"Also, I am dealing with the operating system produced by Microsoft every day," he added, to laughter.
Gates responded: "Thank you, it's a fantastic relationship," and then said: "And if you ever need advice on how to use Windows, I'll be glad to help."
"Chinais focused on and has already accomplished much in creating and enforcing laws to protect intellectual property." he said. "We take our promises very seriously."
Hu also said he would certainly welcome a further increase in Microsoft's investment in China.
"I'd also like to take this opportunity to assure you, Bill Gates, that we will certainly honor our words in protecting intellectual property rights," Hu said.
In his brief visit to the Microsoft campus, Hu, accompanied by Gates and company CEO Steve Ballmer, saw some business technology demonstrations and toured Microsoft's Home of the Future, which features experimental technology that might someday be used in people's living spaces.
Following the visit at Microsoft, about 100 guests, including former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and former Gov. Gary Locke, the first Chinese-American governor, were invited to Gates' $100 million lakeside house on Lake Washington for a dinner.
China has recently begun requiring Chinese computer makers to load legal software on their machines.
In Seattle's Chinatown, many stores hung Chinese and U.S.flags to welcome Hu, and many in the crowd outside the stately Fairmont Hotel on Monday night where Hu was staying were there to support the Chinese president.
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[{'question': "How many issues are mentioned in President Hu's visit to Microsoft?", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['One.', 'Two.', 'Three.', 'Four.']}, {'question': 'What measure is not mentioned to protect intellectual property rights?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Moving against software pirates', 'creating and enforcing laws', "increasing Microsoft's investment in China", 'requiring Chinese computer makers to load legal software on their machines']}, {'question': 'What is the best title for the passage?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Hu Visits Microsoft.', 'Protecting Intellectual Property Rights.', "Bill Gate's, A Friend of China.", 'Americans Welcome President Hu.']}]
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Eighteen-year-old Dana Kiger is happily running after balls on the soccer field. But not long ago, she couldn't remember her love of the game, her parents' faces or even her name.
At 16, the Tennessee honor student and star athlete was hit from behind while playing in a soccer game. She fell to the ground, her head striking the hard ground. The blow knocked out nearly all of Kiger's memories.
With no physical injury or unusual change in her brain, doctors thought Kiger's memory would return in a few days. But it did not. And two and a half years later, it still hasn't. Kiger--who has no memory of her family, her childhood or her life before her injury--has had to create new memories, restart relationships and relearn old skills.
"The only thing I had ...I could walk, write, but I didn't know what to write," Kiger said of the days after the accident. "Physically, I was OK, I guess, but mentally I was troubled." Doctors say long-term amnesia brought on by a less severe brain injury like Kiger's is unusual. "It's very rare for people to have this lasting problem with memory recovering," said Dr Roger Hartl at Weill Cornell Medical College.
Kiger's parents tried to help their daughter return to the life she once lived. "She didn't know what food was," Kiger's mom said. "She said, 'What is that?' I said, 'Lettuce." She said, 'Do I like it?' I said, 'That's up to you to decide.'"
Kiger's natural ability on the soccer field was the one part of her earlier life that died immediately. And soon, she'll begin a new life at Slippery Rock University, where she plans to study physical therapy . Kiger said that while parts of her past still remain a mystery, she's focused on what's to come. "It is about my future," she said.
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[{'question': 'What would be the best title for this text?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ["Parents Worried about Child's Injury", "Soccer Injury Wipeed Out Teen's Memory", 'Teen Suffered from Bad Memory', 'Doctors Helped Teen Recreate Memories']}, {'question': 'According to the doctors, the case of Kiger is _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['natural', 'frightening', 'surprising', 'common']}, {'question': 'From the dialogue between Kiger and her mother, we can infer that _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['life was new to Kiger', 'her family were united', 'her mother was positive', 'Kiger liked eating lettuce']}, {'question': 'According to the text, which of the following is TRUE of Kiger?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Now she appears on the soccer field again.', 'She has recovered from her physical injury.', 'At age 16, she began showing interest in soccer.', 'She will explore her past memories in college.']}]
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As the Internet's influence grows, the potential for danger also escalates . One of these dangers is from cyber-bullying. Cyber-bullying is repeatedly hurting someone else through the use of technology. It consists of sending or posting cruel messages, photos, or videos on the Internet or other electronic media with the intent of damaging the reputation of the target. Imagine being a 13-year-old girl discovering a cell phone picture of her changing clothes for gym class has been sent to all her classmates. Or imagine being an 11-year-old boy who is scared to go to school because an unknown bully sent him an instant message saying that he is so fat that he should kill himself. Cases such as these are happening every day, leading kids to be depressed and unable to concentrate.
Worse yet, parents are oblivious to what is happening. Only 15 percent of parents even know what cyber-bullying is. And anyone who thinks that their child is not a victim or a bully is probably wrong. 90 percent of middle school students have had their feelings hurt online and 75 percent have admitted to visiting a website attacking another student.
Unlike traditional schoolyard bullying, where a bully has a name and a face, cyber-bullying gets much of its power from anonymity . A cyber bully might design a website posting cruel remarks about a classmate and never tell anyone that he or she was the creator. The cyber-bullying also gets its power from the scope of its audience. Within seconds, a cyber bully can send an e-mail to everyone he or she knows, inviting them to take part in an online poll of who is the ugliest kid in their class. Victims can be picked on day and night from any place.
The good news is that you can help stop cyber-bullying. By making parents and educators aware of what is going on and encouraging them to take quick and strong action when cyber-bullying cases happen, you can help make technology constructive, not destructive, for young people.
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[{'question': 'What does the author think of the cyber-bullying?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['It is not as harmful as people think.', 'It is too complex a problem to settle.', 'It will not affect the relationship between classmates.', 'It can be stopped through our efforts.']}, {'question': 'What will probably be discussed in the following passage?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['How to prevent cyber-bullying.', 'What parents and educators think of cyber-bullying.', 'How to make parents aware of cyber-bullying.', 'How to make good use of technology.']}]
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More than two thirds of the world's polar bears will be wiped out by 2050,according to a shocking new study. By then,scientists say,global warming will have melted 42 percent of the Arctic sea ice. By 2100,only a very few of these important creatures will be left.
The report has been produced by the US Geological Survey. The scientists have publicized their findings in the hope of influencing US Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne,who has been asked to put polar bears on the US endangered species list.
Polar bears depend on floating sea ice as a platform for hunting seals,which are their main food. Without enough ice,polar bears would be forced to go onto the land,where they are poorly skilled hunters,and would be unlikely to adapt to the life on the land in time. Experts say few little bears would survive and the stress could make many females unable to get pregnant.
The team of American and Canadian scientists spent six months studying bears,on the ground,from spotter planes and in the lab,using computer models.
Some team members fear the result is even worse for the bears than what their report says. They say the Arctic is warming faster than anywhere in the world and much faster than their computer had been forecasting. Satellite observations have showed that the ice has decreased to an all-time low.
However,not everyone in the scientific community believes that global warming is happening on such an alarming scale. Another investigation has found that polar bears are still being hunted by wealthy "sportsmen" who want their skins and heads. At least ten international companies offer bear-hunting trips.
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[{'question': 'What do we know about Dirk Kempthorne according to the passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['He is an animal scientist.', 'He is a protector of animals working for the US government.', 'He was asked to put polar bears on the US endangered species list.', 'He offered to put polar bears on the endangered species list.']}, {'question': 'Why will polar bears die out if there is not enough sea ice?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ["Because polar bears can't catch enough food without ice.", 'Because polar bears eat ice when they feel thirsty.', 'Because polar bears will be easily found by hunters without ice.', 'Because most female bears are used to giving birth under ice.']}, {'question': 'After a six-month study,some scientists fear that _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['there is something wrong with their computers', 'polar bears will disappear even faster than they ever expected', 'their computer models are not as accurate as they expected', 'global warming will destroy everything in the Arctic']}]
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Matt grow the best vegetables in the village.He grows fruit too--big , sweet apples and oranges.And what else ? Well , the biggest and the prettiest flowers.Things grow in Matt' s garden all through the year.He cuts some flowers for his sitting room table ; and of course , he eats some fruit and vegetables.But he sells everything else in the market.Matt is not a poor man.
He knows a few other gardens ; but he does not have any friends.You might ask , " What is that ? Why doesn ' t he have friends ? "
I will tell you.People do not understand him.And they do not understand his garden, " Why not ? " you will ask." It' s a very good garden , isn' t it ? "
It is a wonderful garden.Matt plants things in spring , summer and autumn and winter .After that he does very little work.He sits in the garden with his small radio .And everything grows .
People ask , " How does Matt grow these wonderful things ? He waters the plants sometimes , but he doesn' t do anything else .He just sits under an orange tree with his radio .He listens to music nearly all day ! " And that is all quite true , people cannot understand it , and so they don' t like it very much .
Matt likes music .But what about the garden ? Who does the work ? I will tell you another true thing : the music does the work .All plants love music ; and Matt knows that .
Do you want big vegetables and the loveliest flowers ? Well , just give your plants a lot of music ,
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[{'question': "There are not only vegetables and flowers , but also _ in Matt' s garden .", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['plants', 'fruit trees', 'ants', 'crops']}, {'question': 'Matt makes a living by _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['selling his vegetables , fruit and flowers', 'growing trees in his garden', 'working in the market', 'helping other people growing plants']}, {'question': "Everything in Matt' s garden grows well because _", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['he has a good garden', 'he is good at growing things and likes listening to the radio', 'music helps his plants a lot', 'he is very hardworking']}, {'question': 'People think that _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ["Matt' s garden is better than theirs", 'Matt works harder than they', 'Matt knows how to grow vegetables well', 'the radio helps Matt to grow veveything well in his garden']}, {'question': "People don' t like Matt because _ .", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ["he doesn' t give thim any vegetables or fruit", 'he listens to the radio too much', 'they are jealous of him', "Matt doesn' t let them listen to his radio"]}]
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What is it: Work & Travel USA
Who are qualified: Fulltime college students, above 18 years old
About the program: Application for the 2009 Work & Travel USA program has just started. It's an 8~16 weeks' summer program for college students to work and travel in the U.S.. Employers include Boeing, Hilton Hotel and 7Eleven. For next summer, about 3,500 positions are open to Chinese students. Applicants must pass a language test and sometimes an interview, and pay a registration fee to join the program.
(source : www. Cultureexchange. org)
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What is it: Shanghai Volkswagen jobs
Who are qualified: College students graduating in 2009
About it: Shanghai VW offers over 300 positions from engineering to marketing to college students graduating in 2009. Applicants should have an excellent academic record, CET6 or the same level language certificate in German, and good computer skills. Campus talks will take place in Shanghai, Changchun, Harbin, Wuhan, Changsha, Nanjing, Beijing and Xi'an from October.
(source: campus chinahr. com/2009/pages/csvw)
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What is it: Oak Pacific Interactive (OPI) internships
Who are qualified: College juniors and firstyear postgraduate students
About it: OPI is now offering internship positions for test engineer, development engineer and assistant to the director of corporate culture. For engineering positions, candidates should major in computer science or a related field, have communication ability and be familiar with various development languages. For assistant to the director positions, candidates should be adept in document writing, activities organizing and office software.
(source: campus. xiaonei. com)
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[{'question': 'These advertisements are most probably advertisements _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['on the Internet intended for the general public to read', 'in a newspaper intended for large companies to read', 'on the Internet intended for college students to read', 'in a newspaper intended for college students to read']}, {'question': 'The opportunity of _ is offered only to college students graduating in 2009.', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['working in America', 'traveling in America', 'positions in VW', 'OPI internship']}, {'question': 'If you want to apply for assistant to the director positions you must _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['be good at document writing', 'study computer science', 'have communication ability', 'be familiar with various languages']}]
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In the dark and damp market,Chen ShuChu,near her sixties,owns a stall that her father left her.The stall,called YuanJin Vegetables,is her everything.Chen earns only a little money by selling vegetables,but she has donated about $321,550 to help poor children.
In March,Forbes magazine named her one of the 48 great philanthropists from the AsiaPacific region.A month later,TIME magazine selected the year's top 100 influential people and Chen was one of them.Although she has received many honours and rewards,Chen only cares about her vegetable stall and whether her regular customers buy her vegetables or not."I do not place great importance on money.When I donate to help others,I feel happy and I can sleep well at night." Chen said.
Chen's ability to donate such a great deal of money has led many to ask,"How can a vegetable seller donate so much?"
"Spend only on what you need,and you'll be able to save a lot of money!" Chen said.Chen leads a very simple life.All she needs is food and a place to sleep.Everything else is a luxury .Neither does she have any desire for material gains nor any form of enjoyment.Work,she says,is her enjoyment."I love my work.If I don't how would I be able to work 16 hours a day?"Being the first to arrive and last to leave,she has been given the title of "market manager."
She is content with what she has.She feels that as long as she lives the life she wishes for and does the things she wants,that is good enough.
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[{'question': "In Chen's eyes,a luxury is about _ .", 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['any form of enjoyment', 'doing what she wants', 'gaining material benefits', 'everything except food and a bed']}, {'question': 'Why has Chen been called "market manager"?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Because she has received many honours and rewards.', 'Because she often arrives early and leaves late in the market.', 'Because she has donated much money to the market.', 'Because her vegetable stall is the biggest one in the market.']}, {'question': 'From the text,we can learn that Chen is _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['confident and kindhearted', 'wealthy and simple', 'hardworking and selfless', 'proud and serious']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is NOT true about Chen?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Her vegetable stall is called YuanJin Vegetables.', 'She is a famous philanthropist in China.', 'She cares about what clothes she wears very much.', "Many people are surprised by Chen's donation."]}]
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The story of Juno and Lucas is one of the most touching stories about the amazing relationship between humans and their companion animals.
Juno is a Belgian Malinois . The dog was beautiful but was given up by its owners, as they did not want to take on the responsibility.
Lucas, a little boy, had a strange illness, a condition that stops the body's ability to process enzymes .As his life continues, he will lose the ability to speak and his physical and mental abilities will degrade till he is left in a vegetative state. The average life expectancy for the patients is 15 years.
Chester, the boy's father, wanted his child to enjoy his life on earth as much as possible and looked into getting a service dog for the child. However, Lucas wasn't a good candidate due to his deteriorating abilities, not to mention the $15,000 cost of the animal.
Not terrified by all of this, Chester looked into adopting a dog for his son. He found Juno on a website and drove two hours to meet her. Chester had worked with the breed in the police force and was familiar with how to train them. He put in patience and hard work, and trained Juno while allowing her to become accustomed to Lucas. Now, not only will Juno not leave Lucas' side, she is also helping with his illness. Chester said, "She has the ability to notice his neurological changes. Now she reminds us when Lucas is about to have a seizure or if his oxygen levels drop really low. She has saved him several times."
Companion animals are beautiful things and they establish a bond that can't be described without experiences. I know that I held my adopted dog a little closer after hearing this story. There are a lot of dogs out there that need good homes and that won't be as lucky as Juno. So, if you think you're prepared, you should consider giving one a nice home.
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[{'question': 'Chester wanted to find a service dog to _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['protect Lucas from being injured', 'help the boy recover from the disease', 'accompany Lucas to enjoy his time left', 'show their love for the beautiful dog']}, {'question': 'Chester got the dog Juno by _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['asking for help from the police force', 'donating a lot of money', 'picking it up near the house', 'searching on the Internet']}, {'question': 'Which of the following statements is NOT true?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['The author has also adopted a dog and loves it.', 'Juno has gained some skills accompanying Lucas.', "Chester was very satisfied with Juno's performances.", 'Lucas recovered from the disease accompanied by Juno.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Unlucky boy, lucky dog', 'A love for a dog, a companion for a boy', 'A faithful friend--Juno', 'Love me, love my dog']}]
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Men sometimes say: "We are better and cleverer than women. Women never invented things. We do." It is true that men have invented a lot of useful things: the alphabet, machines, rockets, and guns, too. But scientists and archeologists now agree that women invented one very important thing. It had changed the history. They invented agriculture.
Before the invention of agriculture men were hunter. They went out every day. Sometimes they killed animals-sometimes animals killed them. Life was difficult and dangerous. Women had to go out every day, too. They collected roots, fruit and grass. Then, one day, more than 10,000years ago a woman dropped some grass seeds. She dropped them near her home in the Middle East. They grew--and the first wheat was born. The idea grew, too. Women planted roots and fruit trees. Then they could stay at home and look after the children and the animals. Women liked baby animals: dogs, cows, sheep and goats. That idea grew, too. Then their husbands did not have to go hunting for meat. They stayed at home. They built villages and cities. Men began civilization---after women invented agriculture.
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[{'question': 'Sometimes men think that _ .', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['they have rights as equal as women', 'women have changed the history', 'they have more abilities than history', 'women are not so bright as they are']}, {'question': 'Before agriculture was invented, life was difficult and dangerous because _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['sometimes animals killed men', 'women had to go hunting with their husbands', 'men had to fight against animals', 'only men went out for food every day']}, {'question': "When the first wheat appeared, which of the following sentences show woman's ideas had grown?", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['They dropped some grass seeds.', "They didn't go out to get food any longer.", 'They began to grow plants.', 'They stayed at home and looked after their children and animals.']}, {'question': 'How do you understand agriculture? It means _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['collecting roots, fruit and grasses', 'growing plants and raising animals', 'hunting and looking for food', 'planting crops']}, {'question': 'Which one do you believe according to the passage?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Women are better and cleverer than men.', 'Women invented many useful things like men.', 'Women played a very important part in agriculture.', 'Women were great in civilization.']}]
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Beijing (Xinhua) -- In 2010, some 108,000 people returned to the Chinese mainland from abroad, a number that had risen 56.2 percent from the previous year, according to statistics recently published by the Ministry of Education.
"For Chinese employers, a 70 percent willingness to hire overseas workers, although that is still lower than the average rate of 76 percent for Asia, is quite a high figure when compared with the past," said Emma, regional director of Hays in Hong Kong and the mainland, who was in charge of the survey .
Company executives , she said, have recently come to prefer hiring Chinese natives who have returned home after studying or working elsewhere.Expatriates have fallen to a second choice, she said.
In the past, expatriates and returned Chinese have earned three to four times as much money as Chinese residents who do not have overseas experience.Expatriates would often rise to the senior positions within an company, while returned Chinese could find positions as mid-level executives with ease.
But all overseas job candidates, especially those who lack practical experience, are gradually losing their advantages among a trend of pay increases in China.
In 2010, the country recorded the greatest rise in wages in Asia.Of all Chinese employees surveyed that year, 68 percent said they had received a raise worth 3 percent to 10 percent of their salaries, according to the survey.
Moreover, 51 percent of the Chinese surveyed were expecting to get raises of 6 to 10 percent in 2011, and 33 percent thought their income increase will go beyond 10 percent.
"Now it's common in many companies to see overseas candidates earning the same salaries as their Chinese coworkers," said Emma."Even some experienced expatriates, on average, earn only 20 percent more than their Chinese peers."
Emma said overseas workers with little work experience no longer enjoy a great advantage over graduates of Chinese universities.But those with two to three years of work experience are still "red-hot".
There are now about 45 million native Chinese living outside the country, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council said on Jun 16, 2010.
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[{'question': 'What is the best title of this article?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['A fast increasing number of Chinese returned from abroad.', 'Overseas workers have higher qualification than home coworkers.', 'China recorded the greatest rise in wages in Asia in 2010.', 'Company executives prefer native candidates to overseas Chinese.']}, {'question': 'Why are overseas job candidates gradually losing their advantage?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Because more and more overseas candidates are returning home.', 'Because their qualifications are decreasing little by little.', "Because the job markets don't need overseas workers any more.", "Because China is raising workers' salaries on a large scale."]}, {'question': 'What can be inferred from this news report?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Employers without overseas experiences are gaining increasing equality.', 'Overseas candidates have received better education and training.', 'Chinese employers have a prejudice against native employees.', 'Overseas candidates still have better chances to rise to executives.']}]
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I took the bus to work for many years. No one knew each other; the passengers all sat there sleepily in the morning. The bus was cheerless and silent.
One of the passengers was a small gray-haired man who took the bus to the center for senior citizens every morning. No one ever paid very much attention to him.
One July morning he said good morning to the driver and smiled. The driver nodded guardedly . The rest of us were silent.
The next day, the old man boarded with a big smile and said in a loud voice: "A very good morning to you all!" Some of us looked up, amazed, and murmured "Good Morning" in reply.
The following weeks, our friend was dressed in a nice old suit and tie. His thin hair had been carefully combed. He said good morning to us every day and we gradually began to nod and talk to each other.
One morning he even had a bunch of wild flowers in his hand. The driver turned around smiling and asked: "Have you got yourself a girlfriend, Charlie?" We never got to know if his name really was "Charlie", but he nodded shyly and said yes. The other passengers whistled and clapped at him. Charlie waved the flowers before he sat down on his seat.
Every morning after that Charlie always brought flowers. Some passengers also brought flowers for him. The bus became a happy place.
Then, one morning, as autumn was closing in, Charlie wasn't waiting at his usual stop. When he wasn't there the next day and the day after that, we started wondering if he was sick or--hopefully - on holiday somewhere.
When we came nearer to the center for senior citizens, one of the passengers asked the driver to wait. We all held our breaths when he went to the door.
The old gentle man was fine, but one of his close friends had died over the weekend. How silent we were the rest of the way to work.
The next Monday Charlie was waiting at the stop, stooping a bit more, a little bit more gray, and without a tie. Inside the bus was silent. Even though no one had talked about it, all of us sat there silently, our eyes filled with tears and a bunch of wild flowers in our hands.
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[{'question': 'From the passage, we can infer that _', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['people always cared about each other on the bus', 'people were unhappy and sleepy on the bus because they were tired', 'smiles can shorten the distance between people', 'people are not good at communicating in the country']}, {'question': 'What are we sure about the old man?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['His name was Charlie.', 'He worked at the center for senior citizens.', 'He got sick over the weekend.', 'He was in great sorrow when we saw him the next Monday.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is not true?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['The atmosphere on the bus was cheerful and lively at first.', "People were surprised at the old man's first greeting.", "People were worried about the old man's absence.", 'People on the bus at last shared happiness and sorrow together.']}, {'question': 'Which would be the best title for the passage?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['How to Shorten the Distance between People', 'Smiles Make a Bus Feel Like Home', 'Charlie, A Smiling Gentle Man', 'The Key to Friendship -- Communication']}]
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In Britain arrangements for inviting and entertaining guests at a wedding are usually the responsibility of the bride's family.In most cases it is mainly friends and relations of both families who are invited but when bride's father is a businessman of some kind, the wedding reception may provide a useful occasion for establishing social connections with clients or customers and other people whose goodwill may be of advantage to him.it is, however, the bride's mother who has the job of sending out the formal printed invitation cards.
In the case of a church wedding, the vicar of each parish in which the bride and bridegroom live is normally informed about a month in advance of the ceremony so that an announcement of the coming wedding can be made in church on each of three Sundays before it takes place.Anyone who may know of an existing marriage of either partner is ordered to give information, though this means of avoiding bigamy must have been more effective in the days when people attend the religious service and the bride usually wears the traditional long white dress and veil, while her bridesmaids, who are children, wear long dresses in attractive colors.This may also happen in the case of a civil wedding in a register office but is probably less usual.
The reception which follows may be held in a restaurant, a local hall or, when there are few guests, in the bride's own home.Refreshments are provided, a special iced wedding-cake is cut(usually to the accompaniment of speeches)and distributed to the guests, toasts are drunk and dancing may follow.At some point in the celebrations, the bride goes off to change into everyday clothes and then leaves the party with her husband to go on their honeymoon, the journey they will make together, often in romantic surrounding abroad.
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[{'question': "It is the bride's parents who normally have to _ .", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['make all the arrangements for the wedding', 'provide hospitality for the people attending', 'decide who shall be invited', 'pay all expenses involved']}, {'question': 'What possible difference is suggested between a church and a civil wedding?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Civil weddings are less commonly followed by a reception.', 'It is less usual for guests to attend the civil wedding formalities.', 'Guests at civil weddings are less formally dressed.', 'There could be less attention paid at the latter to convention and picturesque effect.']}, {'question': "The reception normally takes place in the bride's home if _ .", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['this is a large one.', 'there is enough room to entertain the people invited.', 'the parents cannot afford to hire a hall.', 'there is to be no party afterwards.']}, {'question': 'The couple leave for their honeymoon _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['after the church or register office ceremony', 'immediately after the cake has been cut and the speeches made', 'at the end of the reception', 'as soon as the bride is ready']}]
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What teaches you more about China: learning the language or making friends with Chinese people? Doing both would be perfect of course and maybe some people would say you cannot separate the two.
I arrived in China in September 2010 and have been fortunate over the last year to teach English at a small university in Zhejiang province,about half an hour from Hangzhou.Despite starting with the best of aims to learn Chinese.in each term something seemed to prevent me.In the first term it was a bad cold and judging some public English speech contests,and then my father's death sent me home for a while.
But if I miss Chinese lessons this year I will make friends with several of the Chinese teachers at the university who also teach English.It's been a wonderful thing to be welcomed into their lives, to be taken and trusted as a friend.We have dinner together every Fright night,do shopping together, and drink coffee for hours in the cafes at the weekend and talk about anything and everything.
It has reminded me that while language is important to understand people and cultures,opening your heart and mind is far more important.I've concluded that in spite of my lack of progress in speaking Chinese, the best foreign Chinese speaker will never understand anything about China if they can't open their heart to the people they live and work with.I,of course,have been lucky that my Chinese friends speak close to perfect English.
What has surprised me is that many foreign teachers don't make the effort to make friends with their Chinese _ .Some do,of course,and I am by no means unique.I don't speak much Chinese yet but this never stops me appreciating the best of China:its people.
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[{'question': "In the author's spare time, he _ .", 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['usually learns to cook Chinese food', 'spends long enjoying coffee alone', 'develops fit deeper relationship with his Chinese friends', 'tries his best to know as many local Chinese people as possible']}, {'question': 'Which country may the author come from?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Russia.', 'America.', 'Japan', 'Korea.']}, {'question': 'Which of the following is the best title for the passage?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['What teaches you most about China?', 'How do you make friends in China?', 'What do you do with the Chinese language?', 'How do you appreciate the most in China?']}]
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Are you a creative person?
Are you looking for a challenging and unique work environment?
Picture yourself at CRIENGLISH.com
Positions open to native English Speakers Only
Video reporters/editors:
1. Video editing experience with an understanding of Final Cut Pro software.
2. Resourceful and creative when it comes to finding original stories.
3. A comfortable demeanor in front of the camera.
4. Enjoy working with others in a team oriented environment.
News presenters:
1. Journalistic and radio experience, good news-writing skills.
2. Able to work the night and early morning shifts.
3. Team spirit and flexibility.
Biz News Reporter/Presenter:
1. Journalistic experience, particularly in the field of business news.
2. Good reading and presentation skills.
3. Able to work at irregular hours.
Copyeditors:
1. Journalistic experience and good news-writing skills.
2. A good command of the English language.
3. Able to work at irregular hours.
Music DJs:
1. Well versed in music types like in pop, country, contemporary, etc, but not hard rock and heavy metal music.
2. Personal charm on the air.
3. Relevant experience.
For job possibilities, please email your CV, demos and preferably photograph to [email protected]. The CV should include such information as your citizenship, age, academic degree, working experience, contact numbers and, if you are already in China, type of visa. Thanks.
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[{'question': "What's the purpose of the passage?", 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['To advertise a website.', 'To attract some talents.', 'To introduce a radio station.', 'To introduce a company.']}, {'question': 'To apply for the positions above, one must _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['work long hours', 'have related working experience', 'have team spirit', 'live in English-speaking countries']}, {'question': 'Which of the following positions require irregular work hours?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['Video reporters&News presenters', 'News presenters&Biz News Reporter', 'Biz News Reporter&Copyeditors', 'Copyeditors&Music DJs']}]
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Collections were the inspiration for a project at Thomas Tallis School, which formed part of the Imagine Children's Literature Festival last autumn. Each child (aged 12-13) beatified a box and wrote a story on the subject of collections to throw inside it. The boxes were spread within the Royal Festival Hall's Ballroom. Some were left empty to encourage
The subject chosen by Luren was an imaginative one. "It's a sort o f Cinderella story," she told me, inspired by a collection of letters from her cousin, ha the story these become love letters, burned by a creel stepmother. Lauren's best friend Charlotte is the stepmother. "I'm in Charlotte's story too," says Lauren, "and I get run over." Charlotte's tale was inspired by the girls' coin collection. "We've collected foreign coins for years - since our families went on holiday to Tenerife." she explains. "That was before the Euro, so we put pesetas in." Lauren continues: "I fred a coin in the road, go to get it and get run over. I'm in hospital and then I die." Charlotte adds: "Or she might not die. I haven't decided yet."
Millie Murray, who is a tea-novel author, thinks that setting the subject of collections was a useful inspiration to their creativity rather than a restriction . "In the beginning I thought, 'Will the children be able to do it?'" she says. "But it's been fruitful. Some have their own collection, some have parents who do, and some have wlstten complete stories. It's made them think about something they wouldn't have otherwise, winch can only be a good thing."
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[{'question': 'What were the children asked to do in the project?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['To meet friends at Thomas Tallis School', 'To write stories on the subject of collections.', 'To encourage visitors to write their own stories.', 'To have their friends for characters in the stories.']}, {'question': 'From the stories by Lauren and Charlotte, we know that _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Charlotte hurt herself when getting a coin', 'both of them developed their imagination', "both of tram will die in each other's stories", "Latwen's cousin posted her some love letters"]}, {'question': 'Millie Murray thinks _ .', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['collections could inspire writing creativity', 'it was good for parents to have collections', 'inspirations were very useful in writing stories', 'setting collection subjects restricted inspirations']}]
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Kabul,Oct.28 (Xinhuanet)--- Unknown armed men in military uniform kidnapped three staff of the United Nations in the Afghan capital city at broad daylight Thursday ,Afghan officials confirmed .
"Three armed men in military uniform _ a UN car in Baraki area ofprefix = st1 /Kabulcity early afternoon and took away three persons including two women with them, "Rohullah, a witness at the site told Xinhua.
The kidnappers also badly beat up the Afghan driver of the UN car, added Rohullah who is a lorry driver in the city. The area has been watched over by UN guards.
UN officials as well as Afghan confirmed the incident but refused to provide further information. The three kidnapped , according to some officials , who are from Britain, Ireland and Kosovo, were working for the UN-sponsored Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB) overseeing the first presidential elections held on Oct.9 across Afghanistan and in Iran and Pakistan.
This is the first time that such an incident has taken place in the Afghan capital over the last three years
So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. However, remnants of the former Taliban regime who failed to stop the great presidential elections have promised to continue holy war until the US-led troops leave Afghanistan.
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[{'question': 'When did this kidnapping take place?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['At night', 'In the daytime', 'Early in the morning', 'at dawn']}, {'question': 'What does the underline word _ probably mean ?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['destroyed', 'damaged', 'stopped', 'bombed']}, {'question': 'What happened when the kidnapping took place?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['A lorry driver was badly beaten up', 'three men and two women were taken away', 'No one else witnessed the sudden kidnapping', 'Two women together with one man was kidnapped']}, {'question': 'Which of the following description is not correct ?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['The three kidnapped persons were in Afghan waiting for the coming election.', 'No UN staff had been kidnapped before this kidnapping', 'It is still uncertain who started this kidnapping, though there is some clue.', 'The US-led troops are disliked by the remnants of the former Taliban regime.']}, {'question': 'What is the best title of the news report ?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Successful Presidential Election in Afghan', 'US-led Troops Acting in Afghan', 'Holy War in Afghan', '3 UN staff kidnapped in Kabul']}]
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As the new semester begins, millions of college students across the country are trying hard to remember how best to write a paper or, more likely, how best to delay that paper.
Procrastination is the thief of time and a lot of students suffer from it. They can spend whole days in the library doing nothing but staring into space, eating snacks, surfing the Internet, watching videos and looking at other students sitting around them, who, most likely, are doing nothing either.
Paralyzed by their habit to procrastinate, they write micro blogs about their fears, asking their online friends if they sometimes have the same issue. But this does nothing to break the spell .
According to a recent report, 95 percent of us procrastinate at some point and 20 percent of the world's population are always procrastinating. The figures are disappointing. Procrastinators are less wealthy, less healthy and less happy than those who don't delay. Procrastinators like to find excuses to justify their behavior, but BBC columnist Rowan Pelling says they are all wrong.
Many procrastinators tell themselves they are perfectionists who work best under pressure. Pelling says this is nonsense, as work done at the last minute is more likely to have mistakes than work done on time. The behavior of procrastinators often makes them feel ashamed, inconveniences others and annoys loved ones.
Pelling also points out that procrastination feels particularly delinquent in a society that thinks of speedy action as admirable, and, at times, even as a moral good.
Fortunately, social scientists have thrown their weight behind efforts to understand this behavioral mistake and offer strategies to control it. Piers Steel, a Canadian social scientist and author of The Procrastination Equation, believes human is "designed" to procrastinate. Nevertheless, he suggests a couple of good ways to get through the task at hand.
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[{'question': 'Which behavior belongs to procrastination?', 'answer': 'D', 'options': ['Never dream away the time.', 'Always complete the tasks ahead of time.', 'Never put off till tomorrow what should be done today.', 'Always wait to work until the "good mood" or "good time".']}, {'question': 'According to the passage, which of the following statements is not true?', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['Procrastination makes people waste their time.', 'Procrastinators usually complete their tasks perfectly.', 'Speedy action is considered as a moral standard in the society.', 'Procrastination is common among people.']}]
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Along a long path we came to a deep valley, on the far side of which the path led into some very thick bushes. Rather than push through up again and rejoin the path on the far side of the bushes
As I climbed down into the valley a bird flew off h rock on which I had put my hand. On looking at the spot from which the bird had risen, I saw two eggs. They were the kind that I did not have in my collection, so I placed them carefully in my bag, wrapped in a little dry grass.
As we went further down the valley the sides became steeper and not far from where I had entered. It came to drop of about twelve to fourteen feet. The water that rushed down all these small valleys in the rainy season had worn the rock as glass. As it was too deep to climb down, I handed my gun to one of the men and slid down it. My feet had hardly touched the sandy bottom when the two men jumped down, one on each side of me. They quickly gave me the gun and asked me if I had heard the tiger. In fact, I had heard nothing; possibly because of the noise I made sliding down the rock. The men said they had heard a tiger growling somewhere nearby, but they did not know from which direction the noise had come.
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[{'question': 'According to the text we know that _', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['the writer decided to push through the thick bushes', 'the writer decided to walk along the valley', 'the writer wanted to stop climbing', 'the writer tried to find two eggs']}, {'question': 'When the writer found the eggs, he _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['wrapped them in dry grass and put them aside', 'wrapped them in dry grass and took them with him', 'tried to find the bird', 'made the bird fly off']}, {'question': 'At the end of the story, the writer knew that _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['a tiger had run away', 'a tiger was close to them', 'the men had seen a tiger', 'a tiger had seen them']}, {'question': 'Which of the following orders is RIGHT about what happened in their travel?', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['hear the sound of tiger-find eggs-push through the bushes-climb down into the valley', 'climb down into the valley-push through the bushes-hear the sound of tiger-find eggs', 'push through the bushes-climb down into the valley-find eggs-hear the sound of tiger', 'find eggs-climb down into the valley-hear the sound of tiger-push through the bushes']}]
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Try imagining what the world will be like in the year 3000. Some serious thinkers are starting to imagine just that.
Bart: I don't know that present-day electronic chips are, but some sort of chips -- I'd guess maybe plastic. Our three-pound brain is definitely a wonder, perhaps the greatest wonder of natural biology. In this coming century, we'll be re-engineering the brain a piece at a time, first with implants and finally engineering an complete replacement. There's no question that in the distant future we'll play the music of the mind on instruments different from the current ones. So, yes, chips are our destiny .
Edward: In 3000 perhaps the biggest difference from today is that there will be no more men. Females can have female children, without any need for men. In about ten years, we'll find the cocktail that women can take to have female children. There'll be no need for men at all.
Greg: What is Heaven? Heaven's a place where you can create worlds at will, and the ideal Heaven is where you run the whole thing yourself. The current means of getting to Heaven involve various supernatural systems for which, at this point, there's no scientific evidence. So I think we can reduce Heaven to an engineering project which we're doing. The demand for Heaven is great--witness the desire of every human heart, from the people who built the ancient pyramids to modern society, to live beyond one's given time. Our plan is to change human consciousness from the brain to bits of information in a computer chip, or some other kind of computational medium, so that just by thinking we'll be able to create our own personal world. And I think the first stage of Heaven will be the feeling world, and beyond that I think we'd find a higher, more spiritual plane.
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[{'question': 'According to Bart, the brain may be the greatest wonder in the future because _ .', 'answer': 'B', 'options': ['it may weigh as much as 3 pounds', 'it may be driven by plastic chips', 'it may be replaced by robots', 'it may play the music of the mind']}, {'question': 'What does Bart refer to by saying "chips are our destiny"?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['Chips are our last choice in the future.', 'Chips are on the way to controlling mind.', 'Chips are the production of future technology.', 'Chips are the implants in the distant future.']}, {'question': 'In 3000, what about the population of the world?', 'answer': 'A', 'options': ['It will be all made up of females.', 'It will be larger than that of present.', 'It will mainly consists of children.', 'It will be reduced by a drink of cocktail.']}, {'question': 'According to Greg, Heaven in the future is a place where _ .', 'answer': 'C', 'options': ['your scientific idea exists', 'you have once traveled', 'your own thought travels', 'your material world is formed']}]
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