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Question: Dear editor, Several days ago, I heard that a dear friend of mine had killed herself. I was deep in sorrow by the sudden news. I can't keep calm any longer. I'm always thinking about life and death. Life is so precious. If we can slip into death in an impulsive moment, what use in all our efforts and hopes? Our families, our ambitions, everything is flung into total darkness. And death allows no time for regret. Nevertheless, the suicide rate increases year by year, particularly of young people. Reasons may vary from person to person, yet I think they share something in common. First, today's young people are morally weak. They hunger for success but can not face failure; they are eager to be understood but afraid of opening their hearts to others. They live in a wide world, from east to west, ancient to present, but their hearts beat in a narrow desert, closed tight, unable to communicate. Each becomes an isolated fortress , lonely, and weak. My friend is a good example of that. As a young teacher, she was devoted to her work but was disappointed with her students' occasional failures. She fell in love with a colleague but he deserted her. With no close friends, disappointed at work and in love, death seemed to her the only remaining choice and she took it. Another reason for the weakness of today's youth, in my opinion, comes from society's pressures. The young are forced to try too hard to succeed. On the other hand, society refuses to accept that children sometimes do fail. But failure is more important because it can teach the young how to win next time. What can we do to save the desperate young? The passage wants to tell us_. Choices: A. a lot of young people choose death to escape from the society B. the number of people who take suicide is larger and larger C. the young people should go to see doctors to solve the spiritual problems D. the reason why the young kill themselves lies in two main kinds
D
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Question: Beaches are not only great for lying on and doing water sports, and in fact one of the best ways of enjoying them is a classic beach walk. Here at iWantSun. Co. Uk, we've been searching the globe to find you the world's best and most glorious beach walks, and here's our pick of the top. The Footpath of the Gods, Amalfi Coast, Italy The name says it all really and you truly do feel up there to walking along this wonderful mountain coastal path, which offers some of the most striking views on the planet. The path begins at town of Bomerano to charming Positano along the UNESCO World Heritage area of the Amalfi Coast. The whole walk will take you approximately four and a half hours to complete and pass over narrow rocky paths, past sheer cliffs and shining blue bays. Sydney's Great Coastal Walk, Australia Sydney's coastline is one of the most beautiful and diverse in the world. Here you have national parks, historic sites, steep cliffs, sparkling beaches and quiet bays all in one place. Sydney's Great Walk runs all the way from Barrenjoey in the north to Royal National Park in the south and takes an incredible seven days to complete. However, if you're not up to doing the full walk, then there are many different parts of the walk that you can do right in the city. Walking from the city's famous Bondi Beach to the sweeping curve of Bronte Beach takes just an hour, which takes in some top scenery. Great Ocean Walk, Australia The Great Ocean Walk stretches 104 km along Victoria's famous Great Ocean Road, located on the southern coast of Australia, from the resort town Apollo Bay to the magnificent Twelve Apostles. The Twelve Apostles are the area's famous stone landmarks which stand out like giants from the sea. The walk passes through a range of landscapes and sights, from national parks, famous surfing spots and deserted beaches, to wild coastlines, cascading waterfalls, lush forests, historic lighthouses and ghostly shipwrecks. Day walks and shorter three-hour walks such as the Wreck Beach Walk or the Lighthouse Cemetery and Lookout Walk can also be enjoyed. So next time when you're looking for a beach holiday don't just think about the resorts and the sand, but consider a more active sun holiday, discovering some of the best beaches in the world. What is special about Sydney's Great Coastal Walk? Choices: A. It starts from Royal National Park in the south. B. It takes about more than five hours to complete. C. It really has the longest coastline in the world. D. It provides visitors a variety of great landscapes.
D
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Question: What is the name for the process where data in the genes is transferred to amino acids? Choices: A. translation B. mutation C. transpiration D. generation
A
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Question: Each year about a quarter of a million Americans study abroad. For many of them, a summer or a semester in a foreign country now involves more than just sitting in classrooms and hanging out with other American students. Instead, they are encouraged and sometimes required to be involved in the local communities they are studying in. "It's ly important that they know something about how people in other parts of the world live and think, and how they behave," says William Finlay, head of the sociology department at the University of Georgia. In 2008, he co-founded a study abroad program with South Africa's Stellenbosch University. It combines traditional academic in-class learning with community involvement. "We've been working with a non-government organization in the township. Our students typically either work with little children in day care centers or work in the library and teach very basic computer skills to young children," says Finlay. The three-week program proved to be an unforgettable experience for Hillary Kinsey. She says, "It was interesting to learn the history of the area and then talk to these people and see what the social dynamics were, and how certain groups felt about other groups." When Hillary Kinsey returned home from South Africa, she and other students in the program established a non-profit group. Kinsey says the group wants to contribute to advancing education and development in South Africa. "One of the purposes of the group is that we hope to raise money and awareness about the situation where those people live and help to promote any sort of educational development that we can, " Kinsey added. While many study abroad programs focus on helping Americans to learn foreign languages, others take a more intensive approach. "In all of our locations, we place students with local roommates," says Mark Lenhart, director of CEF Academic Programs, which sends more than a thousand students to China, Korea and other countries each year. He says American students benefit from such one-on-one interactions, in spite of the challenges they face. Lenhart says, "They have to adjust to the local life. This will enable students to become more employable when they graduate." Which of the following CANNOT be used to describe Hillary Kinsey's feelings about studying abroad? Choices: A. Interested. B. Surprised. C. Impressed. D. Unforgettable.
B
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Question: Which of the following is a consumer? Choices: A. grain B. rabbit C. vegetable D. tree
B
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Question: Psychology tells us that many people hate to take risks. But it is good for us to take risks, especially when the risk is to achieve a desired result. In that way, we become stronger and braver. Our human nature should be to take risks, but some people just sit and wish they didn't have the fear to move on. This is because of one or two failures in their lives. Please step out and don't let the past hold you back from living life to the fullest. Move forward and move on! In studying the psychology of taking risks, we find that human nature provides us with the desire to experiment and take chances. Risk taking is a great benefit that allowed our ancestors to become stronger and stronger day by day. By taking risks they fought off enemies and discovered new territories . _ has become a part of our modern culture. Riding a roller coaster is a common risk taking activity that even the average person seems to enjoy although they have the understanding that it is dangerous. This psychological and biological connection creates an interesting connection between what is unsafe and what humans enjoy. Getting in a car each day is a risk. Getting out of bed is a risk. There is such thing as perfect safety. We need to take risks so that we can complete (finish) many things. Astronauts take risks when they get inside a rocket; however, the things they achieve are great. Businessmen take a risk when they buy parts of a company. However, without doing that, they could not make more money. We need to take risks so that we can gain something. It is impossible to move forward in life, earn money, enjoy a relationship, play a sport, or do anything else without taking a risk. It is all part of the game. It's one of the most important parts of life. Some people don't want to take risks, mainly because _ . Choices: A. they are too lazy to move on B. they feel pleased with the present life. C. they have experienced some failures before D. they show little interest in the strange world outside
C
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Question: What do tadpoles change into? Choices: A. reptiles B. adult frogs C. mud puppies D. toads
B
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Question: Which human organ system produces sperm or egg cells? Choices: A. digestive system B. nervous system C. respiratory system D. reproductive system
D
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Question: Hannah was born and raised in a poor framily. She wore hand -me -downs from her older sisters.For Christmas she usually got used toys and books .As a chilld ,she wanted to have the beautiful clothes ,cars ,and homes that she often saw on TV and in magazines. Five years after college,she became a manager.Her dream came true.She had her own company near Central Park.She took skiing vacations in the winter and travelled by ship in the summer .At the age of 30,Hannah was on top of the world. Then she had her usual health check-up.Her doctor told her that she had a serious illness.Her doctor guessed that she had less than a year to live. He advised ,"If you have any once -in -a-life time plans,do them now." Hannah spent her last months in her company.She was looked after by hospice workers.Her family and friends often visited her .The moment before she died ,she opened her eyes and said,"If you have your health,you have everything." Why did the doctor ask Hannah to do some once-in-a-lifetime plans? Choices: A. Because she had a lot of time after vacations. B. Because she would not live for more than a year. C. Because she was busy every day . D. Because she had enough money to do so.
B
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Question: Thirdgeneration mobile phones, known as 3G, are the next big step for the telecom industry. Data speed in 3G networks is much quicker than present technology. This means users can have highspeed Internet access and enjoy video and CDquality music on their phones. "Mobile data is not a dream; it's not an option but a requirement." said Len Lauer, head of a US communications company,Sprint PCS,at a 3G conference in Bangkok earlier this month. With 3G, you can forget about text messages telling you yesterday's news; a 3G phone can receive video news programs, updated four times a day. Internet access will also be much quicker, making it easier to surf the Web on your phone than on your computer at home. Facetoface video calls And don't worry about getting lost. 3G phones offer map services so you can find a new restaurant just by pressing a few keys on your handset. However, the most impressive part of 3G technology is video calling. With live twoday video communication, you can have facetoface talks with friends and family on your mobile phone. Many European countries have already launched the service. In May 2000 the US Government issued five licenses to run 3G wireless services, while the first 3G phones arrived in Italy in March this year. International telecom companies can't wait to sell 3G in China, the world's largest mobile telecommunications market. But they will have to be patient. At the moment, China is busy testing its 3Gbased technologies, networks and services. This will be followed by a trial period before the phones can finally hit the shops. "We need to create a pool of 3G customers before the largescale commercial launch of the service." said Fan Yunjun, marketing manager for Beijing Mobile. "We expect that the 3G licenses will be issued late next year. " With 3G, you can do the following EXCEPT _ . Choices: A. find your way easily B. learn what's going on in the world C. make your computer run faster D. make facetoface video telephone calls
C
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Question: an animal is controlled by a Choices: A. collection of neurons B. friend C. weather condition D. higher power
A
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Question: Rock singer Wu Tong says mixing musical styles is not only creative, it also shows that people can live together harmoniously. The track Linglong Tower was Wu's most popular piece when he performed in Tianjin, a city with a long tradition of quyi or narrative music. Honored as the "Shakespeare of the Asian," Cao Yu was one of the greatest playwrights of 20th-Century China. "Sunrise", Cao Yu's second play, was published in 1936. Following his first work "Thunderstorm," In 1937, the young playwright's third play, "The Wilderness," was released. In 1940, Cao Yu completed the writing of his fifth play, "Peking Man," A winner of the 2011 L'Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards, Professor Reng Yonghua says she could not have done it without the backing of her family. As a mother of two daughters, 12 and 14, Reng said she is lucky to have been supported by her family. Joan Chen, Gong Li, Zhang Ziyi - who's the next of their ilk? Most agree 24-year-old Liu Yifei is the likely contender to become an internationally Chinese actress.Born to a French-language professor and a dancer, Liu received training in dancing, singing and piano as a little girl. She moved to the United States at 10 and spent four years in New York City's Long Island. Wang Zhiming grew up in a family of instrument makers, but he is the only one who could actually play a violin.Wang, 51, has been making violins for more than 30 years. He grew up around violins and musical instruments. He is the third generation of instrument makers in his family, following his grandfather and father. , . Wang Zhiming has been making violins for more than _ years. Choices: A. 30 B. 51 C. 24 D. 14
A
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Question: Music can be a great power to change people's lives. Regina del Carmen Sanchez, 14, always believes this. The girl from Kansas City, US, leads a hard life. She lives in a small house with her mom and grandparents. Her mom gets a very low pay. But it doesn't stop Sanchez's love of music. She wrote her first song Keep Your Head Up when she was 12. It described the bad situation at her home, but it also sent the message of hope: "My house is old and poor, but it beats being homeless... Love yourself and never give up. You'll see a better life if you keep your head up..." It took Sanchez several months to finish the song. Sometimes during a break in class, when lyrics came into her head, "I would have to write them down right then," she told the local newspaper The Kansas City Star. Jeremy Lillig was a spokesman for Bright Futures, a charity fund. When he saw the video of the song, he was _ He shared it through social media . The fund has provided money for poor students in Kansas City. Now Sanchez often plays the song in public. "I want to help people understand what is happening in the world in an easy way," she said. The word "moved" can be replaced by _ . Choices: A. surprised B. interested C. touched D. excited
C
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Question: What is the midpiece of sperm packed with? Choices: A. urine B. glucose C. protein D. mitochondria
D
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Question: October 15th is Global Handwashing Day. Activities are planned in more than twenty countries to get millions of people in the developing world to wash their hands with soap. Experts say people around the world wash their hands but very few use soap at so-called extremely moments. These include after using the toilet,after cleaning a baby and before touching food. Global Handwashing Day is the idea of the Public Private Partnership for handwashing with soap. The goal,they say,is to create a culture of handwashing with soap. The organizers say all soaps are equally effective at removing disease-causing germs .They say the correct way to wash is to wet your hands with a small amount of water and cover them with soap. Rub it into all areas,including under the fingernails. Then,wash well under running water. Finally,dry your hands with a clean cloth. The Partnership says soap is important because it increases the time that people spend washing. Soap also helps to break up the dirt that holds most of the germs. And it usually leaves a pleasant smell,which increases the chances that people will wash again. It also says that washing hands with soap before eating and after using the toilet could save more lives than any medicine. It could help reduce cases of diarrhea ,which is the second leading cause of child deaths,killing more than one and a half million children a year,by almost half. Which fact can't explain why soap is important? Choices: A. It gives people a longer handwashing time. B. It helps to remove a lot of germs from hands. C. It attracts people to do more handwashing. D. It gets all people into the habit of washing hands.
C
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Question: When John Weston awoke that morning, he remembered that his mother was going into hospital. He hadn't worked out quite what was wrong with her. He knew, though that she hadn't been well for some time now, and it had become almost familiar to him to see her eyes narrowed in a sudden attack of pain, and her hand pressing against her heart. Their own doctor, who she had finally gone to for advice, had sent her to an expert who knew all about these things. He had told her that just as soon as there was a bed for her, she would have to come into his hospital where he could look after her himself. During the weeks since then the pains had come even more frequently, and the narrowed eyes became an almost permanent part of her expression. Always rather sharp, she began losing her temper over little things so that John's father kept his thoughts to himself more and more. John, as ready as possible to make allowances, tried to think what it would be like to have toothache all the time and how bad-tempered that would make you. So his mother would go into hospital for a few days. He was going to stay with his Aunt Daisy till she came back, and his father would stay on at home by himself. John's cousin, Mona, was to come in and make the bed and wash the pots and dust round now and again. That was the arrangement, and John didn't care much for it. Apart from missing his mother(and he was glad she was going away because they would make her better), he wasn't very fond of his Aunt Daisy because she was even more bad-tempered than his mother. John regarded _ as most bad-tempered. Choices: A. his father B. his mother C. his cousin Mona D. his aunt Daisy
D
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Question: Why are some rocks smoother and rounder than others? Choices: A. They have the shapes of the minerals from which they are made. B. They were smoothed by the action of wind and water. C. They were squeezed up through the soil. D. They hardened in rounded pockets of soil.
B
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Question: An area of dirt may have rivets in it depending on Choices: A. if soil is piled up B. if there is more soil C. if soil has been altered D. if soil has been added
C
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Question: Retirement Age Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely.The " standard" retirement age varies from country to country, but it is generally between 50 and 70, according to the latest statistics, 2011.However, for a long time, people have got into an argument about whether the age of retirement should be increased or reduced in their own countries. There are several arguments for allowing older people to continue working as long as they are able.Many people think that older employees have a large amount of knowledge and experience which can be lost to a business or organization if they are made to retire.Besides, older employees are often extremely faithful employees to and are more willing to _ company policies than the young.A more important point is regarding the attitudes in society to old people.To force someone to resign or retire at 60 or 65 indicates that the society does not value the input of these people and that effectively their useful life is over. Allowing old people to work indefinitely , however, is not always a good policy.Some people took the strong view that age alone is no guarantee of ability.Many young employees have more experience or skills than older staff, who may have been stuck in one area for most of their working lives.Having compulsory retirement allows new ideas in an organization.On the other hand, older people should be rewarded by society for their life' s labor by being given generous pensions and the freedom to enjoy leisure.They can have time to do whatever they like, that is, they can have their own plans or roles and achieve their retirement goals. With many young people unemployed or frustrated in low-level positions, there are often calls to compulsorily retire older workers.However, this can affect the older individual' s freedom--and right--to work.In my opinion, giving workers more choices over their retirement age will benefit society and the individual. According to the passage, older people should go on with work because _ . Choices: A. they will help the business not to fail quickly B. they have grasped much practical experience C. they need to have a sense of achievement D. they want to learn more knowledge
B
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Question: Though it is mere 1 to 3 percent of the population,the upper class possesses at least 25 percent of the nation's wealth.This class has two segments:upper-upper and lower- upper.Basically,the upper-upper class is the"old rich"-families that have been wealthy for several generations-an aristocracy of birth and wealth.Their names are in the Social Register,a listing of acceptable members of high society.A few are known across the nation,such as the Rockefellers,Roosevelts,and Vanderbilts.Most are not visible to the general public.They live in grand seclusion ,drawing their income from the investment of their inherited wealth.In contrast,the lower-upper class is the"new rich". Although they may be wealthier than some of the old rich,the new rich are anxious to make their money like everybody else lower than their class.Thus their prestige is generally lower than that of the old rich,who have not found it necessary to lift a finger to make their money,and who tend to look down upon the new rich. However its wealth is acquired,the upper class is very,very rich.They have enough money and leisure time to cultivate an interest in the arts and to collect rare books, paintings,and sculptures.They generally live in exclusive areas,belong to exclusive social clubs,communicate with each other,and marry their own kind-all of which keeps them so distant from the common people that they have been called the out-of-fight class.More than any other class,they tend to be conscious of being members of a class.They also command an enormous amount of power and influence here and abroad,as they hold many top government positions,run the Council on Foreign Relations,and control multinational corporations.Their actions affect the life of millions. The reason why the"old rich"look down upon the'new rich'is that_. Choices: A. the former are wealthier than the latter B. the latter sweat themselves to make money C. the"new rich"have no interest in arts D. the"old rich"are conscious of being members of the upper class
B
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Question: "Dad," I say one day, "let's take a trip. Why don't you fly out and meet me?" My father had just retired after 27 years as a manager for IBM. His job filled his day, his thought, his life. While he woke up and took a warm shower, I screamed under a freezing waterfall in Peru. While he tied a tie and put on the same Swiss watch, I rowed a boat across Lake of the Ozarks. My father sees me drifting aimlessly, nothing to show for my 33 years but a passport full of funny stamps. He wants me to settle down, but now I want him to find an adventure. He agrees to travel with me through the national parks. We meet four weeks later in Rapid City. " What is our first stop?" asks my father. "What time is it?" "Still don't have a watch?" Less than an hour away is Mount Rushmore. As he stares up at the four Presidents carved in granite , his mouth and eyes open slowly, like those of a little boy. "Unbelievable," he says, "How was this done?" A film in the information center shows sculptor Gutzon Borglum devoted 14 years to the sculpture and then left the final touches to his son. We stare up and I ask myself, Would I ever devote my life to anything? No directions, no goals. I always used to hear those words in my father's voice. Now I hear them in my own. The next day we're at Yellowstone National Park, where we have a picnic. "Did you ever travel with your dad?" I ask. "Only once," he says. "I never spoke much with my father. We loved each other--but never said it. Whatever he could give me, he gave." _ In Glacier National Park, my father says, "I've never seen water so blue." I have, in several places of the world, I can keep traveling, I realize--- and maybe a regular job won't be as dull as I feared. Weeks after our trip, I call my father. "The photos from the trip are wonderful," he says. "We've got to take another trip like that sometime." I tell him I've decided to settle down, and I'm wearing a watch. What does the author realize at Mount Rushmore? Choices: A. His father is interested in sculpture. B. His father is as innocent as a little boy. C. He should have a specific aim in life. D. He should learn sculpture in the future.
C
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Question: Dear Editor, I am unhappy these days.I am a student in Grade 3 of a middle school. I want to be a policewoman in the future. But my mother doesn't like the job. She always says it is too dangerous for a girl to work as a policewoman. She thinks girls should work in the office. She hopes that I can work as a teacher. But I really dislike being a teacher. I don't like work with children. When I talk with her about it , she is often angry. She always thinks she is right. I don't know what to do. Can you help me? Yours, Lily Why doesn't Lily's mother like the job as a policewoman? Choices: A. Because it's too busy. B. Because it's too difficult. C. Because it's too dangerous. D. Because it's too boring.
C
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Question: Most American children begin to go to school when they are five years old. American schools begin in September. There are two terms in a school year. The first term is from September to January, and the second is from February to June. Then the students have a great summer vacation. High school students have only four or five subjects each term. They usually have same lessons every day, and teachers don't ask them to do much homework. After school, they can do many interesting things like playing sports. Most students are seventeen years old when they finish high school. After high school, many students go to college . They can go to a small one or big one. They need a lot of money to go to college. So many college students work after school to _ . Most children go to college when they are _ in America. Choices: A. twenty B. seventeen C. fifteen D. thirteen
B
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Question: Metalloids, metals, and nonmetals are all classes of what? Choices: A. matter B. elements C. compounds D. protons
B
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Question: High can be visually represented by Choices: A. valleys B. mountains C. basins D. deep sea
B
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Question: Self-employed private physicians who charge a fee for each patient visit are the foundation of medical practice in the United States. Most physicians have a contract relationship with one or more hospitals in the community. They send their patients to this hospital, which usually charges patients according to the number of days they stay and the facilities(operating room, tests, medicines that they use). Some hospitals belong to a city, a state or, in the case of veteran's hospitals, a federal government agency. Others are operated by religious orders or other non-profit groups. Some medical doctors are on salary. Salaried physicians may work as hospital staff members, or residents, who are often still in training. They may teach in medical schools, be hired by corporations to care for their workers or work for the federal government's Public Health Service. Physicians are among the best paid professionals in the United States. In the 1980s, it was not uncommon for medical doctors to earn incomes of more than $ 100 000 a year. Specialists, particularly surgeons, might earn several times that amount. Physicians list many reasons why they deserve to be so well rewarded for their work. One reason is the long and expensive preparation required to become a physician in the United States. Most would be physicians first attend college for four years, which can cost nearly $ 20 000 a year at one of the best private institutions. Prospective physicians then attend medical school for four years. Tuition alone can exceed $ 10 000 a year. By the time they have obtained their medical degrees, many young physicians are deeply in debt. They still face three to five years of residency in a hospital, the first year as an apprentice physician. The hours are long and the pay is relatively low. Setting up a medical practice is expensive, too. Sometimes several physicians will decide to establish a group practice, so they can share the expense of maintaining an office and buying equipment. These physicians also take care of each other's patients in emergencies. Physicians work long hours and must accept a great deal of responsibility. Many medical procedures, even quite routine ones, involve risk. It is understandable that physicians want to be well rewarded for making decisions which can mean the difference between life and death. Sometimes several physicians set up a group medical practice mainly because _ . Choices: A. there are so many patients that it is difficult for one physician to take care all of them B. they can take turns to work long hours C. facilities may be too much of a burden for one physician to shoulder D. no one wants to assume too much responsibility
C
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Question: Happiness is a journey We always convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, than another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with.36. _ . We always tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together. when we get a nice car, and are able to go on a nice vocation when we retire. 37. _ If not now, when? Our life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to ourselves and decide to be happy anyway. One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred Souza. He said."for a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin, real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid.38. _ At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life." This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment that you have. 39. _ So stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school; until you get married, until you get divorced; until you have kids; until you retire; until you get a new car or home; until spring; until you are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy.... _ So, work like you don't need money, love like you've never been hurt, And dance like no one's watching. Choices: A. Looking back, we may think it's really an extraordinary journey. B. The truth is, there's no better time than right now. C. And remember that time waits for no one. D. we will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. E. The more you have a sense of belonging, the happier you will be. F. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. G. Then life would begin.
D
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Question: When it comes to human resources, hiring highly-skilled staff is not usually enough for a company to function successfully. Besides the knowledge in their particular fields, employees must always have additional skills-----those of co-operation. In the case that work tasks can only be carried out by communicating with people, accepting common decisions, solving problems, sharing information and helping one another, teamwork skills are important. While some jobs may require talent, the ability to work as a team is learned. There are no complicated formulas ; you don't need to have any special qualities or exceptional mental abilities. Individuals can be effective as a team if they have developed certain behaviors or habits of communication. Many companies, clubs and organizations use team building activities. Team building activities may include a number of teamwork elements. They are aimed at encouraging active participation in task accomplishment while all members have their roles as individuals and are able to co-operate towards a common goal as a team. Many team building activities focus on problem solving and discussing team issues; thus argument as a way to common consensus is encouraged. Team building activities often involve recognition and identification of team member skills, talents, knowledge, and experiences which allow the team members to learn more about each other and fully utilize those skills where appropriate . Many team activities are focused on developing keys to trust during challenging times. Team building activities are good for _ . Choices: A. hiring employees with special talent B. encouraging employees to co-operate C. helping employees work independently D. training employees in their special fields
B
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Question: Mr. Li worked in a post office in Weihai. Last month he retired. His son works in America. Five years ago Mrs. Li went to America to look after their grandson. So Mr. Li decided to see them. Mr. Li was afraid of taking the plane so he decided to go to America by ship. On the first morning on the ship, Mr. Li met an American. The man said to him, "Good morning!" Mr. Li thought the man told him his name. So he said to him, "Li Haitao." On the second morning, Mr. Li met his son's friend on the ship. He told him about the American. After hearing that, his son's friend laughed and said, "He said hello to you in the morning." On the third morning when Mr. Li met the American again, he said, "Good morning!" And the American said to him, "Li Haitao, sir." Mr. Li didn't take the plane because _ . Choices: A. he was afraid to take the plane B. the plane ticket was too expensive C. it took a long time to take the plane D. his son asked him to take the ship
A
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Question: The world's oceans are slowly getting more acidic, say scientists. The researchers from California say the change is taking place in response to higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The lowering of the waters' pH value is not great at the moment but could pose a serious threat to current marine life if it continues, they warn. Ken Caldeira and Michael Wickett, from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, report their concerns in the journal Nature. Increasing use of fossil fuels means more carbon dioxide is going into the air, and most of it will eventually be absorbed by seawater. Once in the water, it reacts to form carbonic acid. Scientists believe that the oceans have already become slightly more acidic over the last century. But these researchers have tried to predict what will happen in the future by combining what we know about the history of the oceans with computer models of climate change. "This level of acidity will get much more extreme in the future if we continue releasing CO2 into the atmosphere," said Dr Caldeira. "And we predict amounts of future acidity will exceed anything we have seen over the last several hundred million years, let alone perhaps after rare catastrophic events such as asteroid impacts ." If carbon dioxide release continues unabated , ocean pH could be reduced by as much as 0.77 units, the authors warn. It is not ly clear what that means for marine life, however. Most organisms live near the surface, where the greatest pH change would be expected to occur, but deep-ocean lifeforms may be more sensitive to pH changes. Coral reefs and other organisms whose skeletons or shells contain calcium carbonate may be particularly affected, the team speculate. They could find it much more difficult to build these structures in water with a lower pH. In recent years some people have suggested deliberately storing carbon dioxide from power stations in the deep ocean as a way of curbing global warming. But Dr Caldeira said that such a strategy should now be re-considered. "Previously, most experts had looked at ocean absorption of carbon dioxide as a good thing - because in releasing CO2 into the atmosphere we warm the planet; and when CO2 is absorbed by the ocean, it reduces the amount of greenhouse warming. Most experts once believed storing carbon dioxide in the ocean would reduce _ . Choices: A. the CO2 absorbed by the ocean B. the acidity of the ocean C. the amount of greenhouse warming D. the gradual release of CO2
C
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Question: Sometimes just when we need the power of miracles to change our beliefs, they materialize in the places we'd least expect. They can come to us as a drastic alteration in our physical reality or as a simple synchronicity in our lives. Sometimes they're big and can't be missed Other times they're so subtle that if we aren't aware, we may miss them altogether. They can come from the lips of a stranger we suddenly and mysteriously encounter at just the right instant. If we listen carefully, we'll always hear the right words,at the right time, to dazzle us into a realization of something that we may have failed to notice only moments before. On a cold January afternoon in 1989,I was hiking up the trail that leads to the top of Egypt's Mt. Horeb. I'd spent the day at St. Catherine's Monastery and wanted to get to the peak by sunset to see the valley below. As I was winding up the narrow path,I'd occasionally see other hikers who were coming down from a day on the mountain. While they would generally pass with simply a nod or a greeting in another language,there was one man that day who did neither. I saw him coming from the last switchback on the trail that led to the backside of the mountain. As he got closer,I could see that he was dressed differently from the other hikers I'd seen. Rather than the high-tech fabrics and styles that had been the norm,this man was wearing traditional Egyptian clothing. He wore a tattered, rust-colored galabia and obviously old and thick-soled sandals that were covered in dust. What made his appearance so odd,though,was that the man didn't even appear to be Egyptian! He was a small-framed Asian man, had very little hair,and was wearing round,wire-rimmed glasses. As we neared one another,I was the first to speak."Hello,"I said,stopping on the trail for a moment to catch my breath. Not a sound came from the man as he walked closer. I thought that maybe he hadn't heard me or the wind had carried my voice away from him in another direction. Suddenly he stopped directly in front of me on the high side of the trail, looked up from the ground, and spoke a single sentence to me in English,"Sometimes you don't know what you have lost until you've lost it."As I took in what I had just heard,he simply stepped around me and continued his descent down the trail. That moment in my life was a small miracle. The reason is less about what the man said and more about the timing and the context. The year was 1989,and the Cold War was drawing to a close. What the man on the trail couldn't have known is that it was during my Egyptian pilgrimage, and specifically during my hike to the top of Moses's mountain,that I'd set the time aside to make decisions that would affect my career in the defense industry,my friends,my family,and,ultimately,my life. I had to ask myself what the chances were of an Asian man dressed in an Egyptian galabia coming down from the top of this historic mountain just when I was walking up,stopping before me,and offering his wisdom,seemingly from out of nowhere. My answer to _ was easy: the odds were slim to none! In an encounter that lasted less than two minutes on a mountain halfway around the world from my home, a total stranger had brought clarity, and the hint of a warning, regarding the huge changes that I would make within a matter of days. In my way of thinking,that's a miracle. I suspect that we all experience small miracles in our lives every day. Sometimes we have the wisdom and the courage to recognize them for what they are. In the moments when we don't,that's okay as well. It seems that our miracles have a way of coming back to us again and again. And each time they do,they become a little less _ ,until we can't possibly miss the message that they bring to our lives! The key is that they're everywhere and occur every day for different reasons, in response to the different needs that we may have in the moment. Our job may be less about questioning the extraordinary things that happen in our daily lives and more about accepting the gifts they bring. Why did the author make a pilgrimage to Mt. Horeb in Egypt? Choices: A. He was in search of a miracle in his life. B. It was a holy place for a religious person to head for. C. He intended to make arrangements for his life in the future. D. He waited patiently in expectation of meeting a wise person.
C
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Question: More than 700 business leaders, government officials and investors gathered in Mountain View, California in December,2012 to attend the Social Innovation Summit. It is an invitation-only conference aimed at finding new ways to deal with old problems. Traffic jam is a problem that Bruggemann hopes to solve."Traffic is really bad in most countries and we thought there must be some way of doing something about it."Last week, his team, winning the prize for its"nunav"traffic management system, received a Microsoft Imagine Cup Grant of $100,000."Everyone that's using our system sends his present position as well as the destination to our servers every 30 seconds. And with that information our central system can reroute all of the cars in a way that everyone gets his individual best possible route." Bruggemann says early research with the system has been promising."We found out that it could be possible to save up to 20 percent of the fuel consumption. Even more interesting, it can save up to 50 percent of the time you spend in traffic so you could get to your destination twice as fast." Team Cypher256 from Uganda also was invited to the Social Innovation Summit. They developed a device ,called WinSenga, aimed at improving health care for pregnant women in Africa. It measures the early baby's heart sounds to help test the heart rate, age and position of the baby in the mother. The device is similar in operation to an ultrasound test, but is far less costly and very practical in Africa. This is the third year for the Social Innovation Summit. The event is held twice a year, once in New York and once in California. The first one in 2012 was held in May. The United Nations'Office for Partnerships helped to organize the event. What can be inferred from the text? Choices: A. The"nunav"system is popular in Africa. B. Common people in Africa can afford to use WinSenga. C. The United Nations offered financial help to the"nunav"system. D. The Social Innovation Summit has been held three times so far.
B
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Question: Coffee has become the most popular American drink. Today people in the United States drink more coffee than people in any of the other countries. People drink coffee at breakfast, at lunch, at dinner and between meals. They drink hot coffee or coffee with ice in it. They drink it at work and at home. They eat coffee ice-cream and coffee candy. Coffee is black and very _ . Different people like to drink it in different ways. Some people like coffee with cream or sugar in it. Other people like coffee with both cream and sugar in it. In all ways it is served. Coffee has become an international drink. Different people like to drink coffee Choices: A. at work or at home B. in different ways C. with cream or sugar D. between meals
B
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Question: TOURNAMENT OF ROSES ----5 Days Los Angeles Day 1 Los Angeles.( Sun.Dec.30) Welcome to Los Angeles! This evening mixes with your traveling friends at the welcome reception. Day 2 Los Angeles.( Mon.Dec.31) Head to Pasadena for the always colorful ROSE BOWL FAMILY FESTIVAL and watch the floats decorated with tens of thousands of flowers.This afternoon, you can take the included visit to the GETTY MUSEUM.This evening, join your travelling friends at a special New Year's Eve DINNER AND DANCE GALA , complete with hats, party favors and live music.You'll toast the New Year a little early tonight to consider an early morning departure to the Rose Parade. Day 3 Los Angeles.Tournament of Roses Parade ( Tue.Jan.1) Happy New Year! Get ready for one of the world's most popular parades, and you'll see it live! Globus has booked the GRANDSTAND SEATS at the beginning of the parade route for a good view.See the wonderful colorful floats, marching bands from around the world, and the famous people. Day 4 Los Angeles.( Wed.Jan.2) This morning view the individual floats in the POST PARADE VIEWING AREA.For many this is the most exciting part of the entire event.Be sure to bring your camera and plenty of film! Another special dinner tonight--a special GLOBUS FAREWELL CELEBRATION DINNER. Day 5 Los Angeles.( Thu.Jan.3) The tour ends today, with tour guests departing on individual schedules. What activity can visitors enjoy on Dec.31? Choices: A. Tournament of Rose Parade. B. A farewell celebration dinner. C. Post parade viewing area. D. A dinner and dance gala.
D
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Question: How often do you let other people like a bad driver, a rude waiter, or an angry boss, change your mood ? Sixteen years ago I learned a lesson. I got in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver used his brakes , the tires made a loud noise, and at the very last moment our car stopped just 3cm from the back of the other car. I couldn't believe it. But then I couldn't believe what happened next. The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, turned his head around and he started shouting at us. I couldn't believe it! My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. So, I said, "Why did you just do that? This guy could have killed us!" And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck". He said, "Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of anger and disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they look for a place to dump it. And if you let them, they'll dump it on you. So I started thinking how often I let Garbage Trucks run right over me and how often I take their garbage and spread it to other people. I began to see Garbage Trucks. I see _ people are carrying. I see them coming to dump it. And like my taxi driver, I don't take it personally. I just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. When the author saw his taxi driver smile and wave at the driver of the black car, he _ . Choices: A. got very angry B. was deeply impressed C. felt quite disappointed D. praised him for his manners
B
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Question: Imagine sailing through the sky, high above buildings and trees, in perfect peace and quiet. No noisy engines. No window with dirty marks in your way. No strong wind blowing in your face. You can't feel or hear the wind because you're traveling in the exact same direction and at the exact same speed it is. A hot-air balloon has three main parts: the balloon, called an envelope; a basket, where passengers ride; and a burner system, which supplies the hot air. Most balloon envelopes are made of strong, lightweight nylon. They vary in size and shape, but they have to be really, really big to lift even a single person. Most weigh more than an adult man and use more fabric than you'd need to cover a baseball diamond . The basket is usually made of wicker ,which is strong but not too stiff . It needs to bend a bit for a soft landing, just like a good jumper bends her legs instead of keeping them stiff and straight when she lands. When the burner system blasts flames, it makes a noisy sound, but once the balloon is flying , the burner can be turned off. The air in the envelope will then slowly cool, and the balloon will gradually sink unless the pilot starts the burner again. To operate, a pilot adds hot air to the balloon to go up or deflates it to go down, until he finds a breeze blowing in the direction he wants to fly. But no matter which way the wind blows them, balloonists have an amazing bird's-eye view of the world. The soft landing of a hot-air balloon requires that the basket _ . Choices: A. should be made of nylon B. should be controlled by a good jumper C. should be a little soft D. should be big enough to lift one person
C
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Question: Around the world there are some festivals that for some of us may sound _ . In England they celebrate the rolling cheese race, which occurs every year during the last Monday in May. This festival's characteristic is a contest where an official rolls cheese down a steep hill and festival- goers go chasing after it. The winner is the first one to reach and catch the cheese. Another festival celebrated in England is the world championship of grimaces . It is a celebration that dates back to 1297 and is celebrated during the month of September. The task is to perform the best grimace using anything you can to win. The worldwide championship of wife lifting is celebrated in Finland. The game is based on Viking traditions where a man should carry away his neighbor's wife. According to the rules, any woman above 17 is considered as a wife, so if you are within this age, take care while visiting this country during the month of July. Many of you have watched Pirates of the Caribbean and have known something about pirates. The 19thof September has been declared worldwide as the day to talk like a pirate. Plenty of people have celebrated it thanks to the publicity on the Internet. First staged in 1998, the Boryeong Mud Festival is an attraction that pulls more than a million visitors to the South Korean City. As you all know, the town is said to be rich in minerals, so there is no shortage of mud. Mud is trucked onto Daecheon Beach for tourists and locals to enjoy the festival to their best. The Monkey Buffet Festival is held in Thailand to develop tourism. It's an unusual feast held for about 600 monkeys. The Monkey Buffet Festival is held in honor of the Hindu gods Ram and Hanuman and involves 3,000 kilograms of vegetables and fruits being laid out for monkeys to stuff themselves. According to the writer, a girl above 17 should be careful when enjoying _ . Choices: A. the worldwide championship of wife lifting B. the world championship of grimaces C. the Boryeong Mud Festival D. the Monkey Buffet Festival
A
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Question: "A Long Walk Home"-----life as Eli Reed saw it American photographer and photojournalist Eli Reed has been documenting "life as I saw it" for more than 40 years. His career retrospective , "Eli Reed: A Long Walk Home", is an extraordinary search of beauty while recording hardship. With a heart of love, Reed uses a style that uncovers humanity at every turn. According to Reed, "A Long Walk Home" is about what it means to be a human being. It all began with a photo he took of his mother and his memory of her smile. Raised in New Jersey, reed was originally a painter. Primarily self-taught in photography, he became a freelance photographer in 1970. after producing some impressive photos that drew much attention, he joined the famous company Magnum Photos---the first black photographer invited to do so. His photos are remarkable in their lack of judgment of the people or the situations he comes across. In Beirut, Lebanon, a man removes a tree branch from a car in a recently bombed parking lot. An old man wrapped in a sheet plays a drum in front of a sign reading "God Is the Way" while National Guardsmen lift their guns during a war in Miami. A young boy upside down with his legs in the air in a Kenyan refugee camp, his determined look faces the camera. In Harlem, New York, a group of laughing children take over an abandoned car, using it as a jungle gym. Where another photographer might have focused on the _ of these situations. Reed's camera smiles. His images show how humans cope, rise above, and carry on. This is what gives " A Long Walk Home" its power. Considering the places Reed has been to, there are very few photos of guns or obvious violence. Instead, Reed focuses on the varied human responses to hardship. We smile along with Reed in a gesture of compassion and solidarity. We recognize our fellow human beings. In his work "A Long Walk Home". Reed's photos _ . Choices: A. aim to draw others' sympathy B. were taken only in America C. reflect the strength of humans D. focus on war and violence
C
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Question: Inventors Can you patent and profit from your idea? We have been assisting inventors since 1975. Full range of patenting and marketing services. Confidentiality guaranteed American Inventors Corp. Call for free information: 1-800=338-5656 or visit www.aic.com *Parents* Can you afford to raise your hearing impaired child without the insights this highly valued book has to offer? Make life easier for you and your child! Bradford Publications For information: 1-800-354-2760 or visit www.bpublications.com Earn up to$25,000 a year as a Medical Transcriptionist! No experience is needed, Work the hours you choose. Train at home in your spare time. The medical profession needs skilled transcriptionists. So if you can type, or are willing to learn, we can train you to work at home doing medical transeriptions from tapes dictated by doctors. Get free information! At-Home Profession Corp. Call Toll Free 1-800-475-0100 or visit www. athome. Com Globe Insurance Company Since 1951, Globe has grown in financial strength and reputation With over 2.8 million policies in force. Globe is committed to providing affordable life, health and accident insurance for the entire family. It only costs$1 to start your Long Life coverage. Globe Insurance Company Call Toll Free, Seven Days A Week, 24-hours A Day. 1-800-358-1945 or visit www.globeic.com The best title of the 3rd advertisement would be_. Choices: A. Training at Home B. Learning at Home C. Recording Work D. Working at Home
D
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Question: Reader's Digest is a monthly magazine. Before the 1980s, it belonged to a privately held company, which was started in 1922 by Lila Bell Wallace and Dewitt Wallace. This magazine is small and easy to carry, just half the size of most American magazines, which caused a phrase in 2005, "America in your pocket." It is the best selling magazine in the USA. At present, its circulation in the USA has reached 10 million copies and the number of the readers there is 38 million. It also has 40 million overseas readers in more than another 70 countries. This magazines focus is not news but more of cultural views because the editors think people now can get timely news from somewhere else. They hope this magazine can give readers something that is about special personal experiences, something the readers can share with their families. In different countries, this magazine provides a window to the world for the local readers. Some parts of the magazine are about the local customs and interests of the local readers. The other parts give the local readers information from all over the world. How many people all over the world read this magazine? Choices: A. 38 million B. 40 million. C. 78 million. D. 108 million.
C
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Question: If you had the chance to leave the life you have now, what would you do? Students from Fair-grounds Middle School, New Hampshire, US, chose to lead a special life for a week. They left the city and lived a different life by working on a farm. They handed over their cell phones and lived like any farmer's children. And they enjoyed it! "I didn't know what would happen when we got there," said Tyler Swift, 14, "but there were so many fun things. So much hard work, too. It was a _ ." "Getting up at 6 every morning, the students milked cows, spread hay , and washed hundreds of sticky buckets . The hardest part was cleaning up piles of poop in the animal houses. It smelled bad, but it was lots of fun! None of the students said no to the work. "With the farmers' help, they did the work better and better. And they learned a lot more than just farming work." said Rick Brown, a science teacher at Fair-grounds. "You get to know who can do what and learn to work with different people. The children all showed great team work." said Nick Quadros. How long did the children work on the farm? Choices: A. For a week. B. For about half a month. C. For a month. D. For ten days.
A
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Question: The marsh willow herb is a plant native to the northeastern United States. It grows best in damp habitats. Which of the following environmental changes would most likely cause a decrease in the marsh willow herb population in an area? Choices: A. a rainstorm lasting several weeks B. a drought lasting twelve months C. unusually low temperatures during the month of July D. unusually high temperatures during the month of January
B
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Question: Here is some information from a tourist guide to Patapsco Valley state Park Maryland, USA. Wildlife and Nature Appreciation While visiting Patapsco Valley State Park, you will see a variety of natural habitats. Throughout spring and fall, dogwoods, maples, redbuds, and many varieties of wildflowers color the forest. This park is also home to many small mammals and birds. If you pause during your journey through tile forest, you are likely to see rabbits, grey squirrels, and red foxes. Along the banks of tile river, birdwatchers will spot Canada geese and wood ducks all year round Fishing The Patapsco River meanders through the park and is a popular attraction for anglers . The Department of Natural Resources' Fisheries Service assigns the river as a put-and-take fishery with adult rainbow and brown trout in spring and fall. Anglers also enjoy catching naturally reproducing smallmouth and largemouth bass, bluegill, redbreast sunfish and yellow perch. Fishing opportunities have been specially set aside at Lost Lake for youth under 16 and seniors 62 years of age and older. This area is also designed for anglers with disabilities. Trails Adventure seekers will enjoy hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding on the park's popular trail system. More than 17 miles of challenging and rough single track trails follow the ridges, steep hillsides and stream valleys in the park. These trails are also excellent gateways for wildlife viewing, bird watching and general nature appreciation. Please respect the rights of nearby private property owners by using only blazed trails. Remember that the park is a natural area with certain dangers, such as poison ivy, slippery trail surfaces, insects, etc. You are responsible for having the necessary skills, knowledge and equipment for a safe visit. Discover History Along the Trail Enter another time as you explore Patapsco's trails. Layer upon layer of history tells the story of man's interaction with nature. Native American hunted, gathered and fished here for centuries. In the 1700s, the valley became one of the earliest sites for America's Industrial Revolution. Early settlers cut down trees for charcoal used to fire iron furnaces . The river's current was dammed and channeled to power iron, paper, grain and textile mills . Towns and tobacco farms were established throughout the valley. While walking along the trails, tourists are reminded to _ . Choices: A. feed the birds they meet B. visit some private buildings C. pay attention to self- protection D. protect the natural environment
C
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Question: It's that time of year when people need to lock their cars. Is it because there are many criminals stealing cars? Not indeed. Rather, it's because of good-hearted neighbors who want to share their harvest. Sharon recently had a good year for tomatoes. She and her family had eaten and canned so many that they'd begun to feel their skin turn slightly red. That's when she decided it was time to share her blessings. Eventually she found a neighbor willing to have the tomatoes."Feel free to take whatever you want,"Sharon told her. Later that day, Sharon found that her garden had indeed been harvested. She thought it a good way to help someone and the food didn't go to waste. A few days later, the neighbor knocked at the door, holding a loaf of bread:"I want to thank you for all of the tomatoes, and I have to admit that I took a few other things and hoped you wouldn't mind."Sharon couldn't think of anything in her garden that had been worth harvesting and said so."But you did,"the neighbor said."You had some of the prettiest zucchini." Sharon was confused. She hadn't even planted any zucchini. But her neighbor insisted that there were bright green zucchini. Sharon's curiosity got the better of her and she had to go to see where the zucchini had grown. When the neighbor pointed at the long green vegetables, Sharon smiled."Well, actually, those are cucumbers that we never harvested, because they got too big, soft and bitter." The neighbor looked at Sharon, shock written all over her face. She hesitated a few times, and then smiling, held out the bread, part of a batch she had shared all over the neighborhood,"I brought you a loaf of cucumber bread. I hope you like it." Which is true about the loaf of bread? Choices: A. It was baked for Sharon only. B. The neighbor had tasted it. C. It was made from zucchini. D. It might not taste good.
D
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Question: The days of a pain-free visit to the dentist may not be far off. This is thanks to a little Japanese woman in a pink sweater, named Simroid. With a limited vocabulary, Simroid, the 160cm-tall robot is happy to feel your pain. Simroid is designed to be used at medical colleges. She has realistic looking skin, eyes, and a mouth fitted with replica teeth. Her chest also rises and falls as if she is breathing. Simroid releases a clear "ouch!" whenever a trainee dentist presses her teeth too hard with a tool. And she gives a reassuring "that's better" when the drill hits the right place. "We want to use the robots to train dentists to worry about whether patients are comfortable, and not just focus on medical techniques," said Naotake Shubui, a professor at Nippon Dental University inprefix = st1 /Japanwho helped develop Simroid. The robot was one of hundreds of cutting-edge devices on display at the world's biggest robot exhibition last week inJapan. As scientists improve the design of robots, they could soon be serving tea to office workers or directing shoppers. Today's robots look and act much like the humans who invented them. InJapan, robots can already be found working as home helps, office receptionists and security guards, as well as on the factory floor. There were more than 370,000 industrial robots in use inJapanin 2005, according to a report by Macquarie bank,40 percent of the world total, with 32 robots for every 1,000 workers. The economy ministry believes that the Japanese robot market will be worth more than $52 billion by 2025. Human work is being helped, and even replaced, by mechanical efficiency in almost every area, from golf-bag carriers to public toilet cleaners. But many scientists believe the age of the service robot is not far off. It will arrive once machines are capable of connecting with humans on an emotional level. Judging by theTokyoexhibition, _ has already begun. We can learn from the text that _ . Choices: A. robots are widely used in Japan B. Japan has taken the lead in developing robots C. the Japanese robot market has greatest potential in the world D. the world's biggest robot exhibition is held in Japanevery year
A
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Question: As the forceful king of Macedonia , Alexander the Great overthrew the Persian Empire, becoming a hero that would survive centuries after his death. Born in 356 B.C., Alexander III was the son of Philip II and Olympias. Alexander's parents wanted him to receive the finest education, and arranged for him to study under Aristotle, regarded as one of the greatest scholars. Alexander's father was a strong leader. Philip II built an impressive army and established the Macedonian kingdom; he was even planning to attack Persia shortly before his death. In 336, Philip was murdered by one of his guards. Although it was obvious that the guard had a personal hatred, there are clues that other people were related to it. After Alexander was cleared as a suspect, he succeeded his father without opposition, and killed those said to be responsible for his father's murder, as well as all rivals. He was then just 20 years old. He then prepared to attack Persia. In the spring of 334, Alexander led the army made up of nearly 50,000 soldiers into Asia, which is called "the most powerful military expedition ever to leave Greece", He soundly defeated the Persian army at the Granicus River, sending a strong message to Darius III, leader of the Persian Empire. In 333, Alexander faced Darius at Issus, a mountain pass. The Macedonian army was greatly outnumbered but able to work the narrow mountain passageway to their advantage. Darius managed to escape. Continuing down the Mediterranean Coast, Alexander took every city in his path. In 332 Alexander declared Egypt to be part of the Greek Empire and was crowned Pharaoh . When Alexander left Egypt in 331, he defeated the Persians again and was crowned leader of Asia. In 323, however, Alexander developed a fever on the way back home and died 10 days later at Babylon. He was just 33 years old. According to the passage, we can infer _ . Choices: A. Aristotle taught Alexander how to defeat other nations B. Alexander was happy about his father's death C. Persia is tougher to defeat than Egypt D. Macedonia soon declined after Alexander died
C
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Question: Paperback: 264 pages Publisher:. Sams (March 29,2005) ISBN: 0672327627 Product Dimensions: 8.4x5.5x0.6 inches OVERVIEW This book offers straightforward practical answers when you need fast results. By working through each 10-minute lesson, you'll learn what you need to begin to use the PHP scripting language to make your websites interactive and dynamic. REVIEW When I first laid eyes on this book and its title, Teach Yourself PHP in 10 minutes, my first thought was that I was going to see this! So I opened it up and figured I'd look through it for ten minutes and see what would hit me. Well, 10 minutes turned into 20, 20 into 30 and 30 into a valuable resource that sits on my desk. Not only are the lessons within brief, but they are very easy to understand, well presented and very easy to understand for the beginner. Each lesson comes with tips to point out shortcuts, cautions to help you avoid common mistakes and notes to additional infomation. This book can be used in two ways, as a reference or as a complete tutorial on PHP basics. That alone is something that is very rare in teaching type books these days. Some of the more valuable and informative lessons will take you into the areas of: --Strings and variables --Processing HTML forms --Controlling and filtering data --User authentication --Cookies and sessions --Security practices --Configuring PHP and more!!! The book is pretty basic for experienced PHP coders, but for new or intermediate users this book is worth more than the small $19.99 CAN suggested price. Although the cover suggests it covers PHP 5.0, the coding found within also applies to PHP 4.X CONCLUSION This book completely surprised me with its value and does indeed teach you in ten minutes what other books claim to do in 24 hours. Full marks to author Chris Newman for this handy guide. What is the price of the book? Choices: A. $19.99 CAN. B. US$19.99 C. The author doesn't tell us. D. $ 20.
A
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Question: All students should have good study habits. When you have good study habits, you can learn things quickly. You also remember them easily . Do you like to study in the living-room? This is not a good place because it is usually too noisy. You should study in a quiet place, like your bedroom. A quiet place will help you only think about one thing, and you will learn better. Before you begin to study, do not forget to clean your desk. A good desk light is important, too .You'll feel tired easily if there is not much light . Which place is good for study according to the passage? Choices: A. the living room B. the kitchen C. the bedroom D. the restaurant
C
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Question: During a sporting event, a referee uses a whistle to alert the teams to start and stop playing. What causes the sound from the referee's whistle to travel in all directions? Choices: A. vibrations on the ground B. vibrations of the air C. seismic waves D. light waves
B
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Question: Most children now chat daily either online or through their mobile phones. They are connecting to a huge number of other children all over the world. Some are shy "in real life" but are confident to communicate with others online; others find support from people of their own age on relationship issues, or problems at home. Sometimes the online world, just like the real word, can introduce problems, such as bullying or arguments. Going online is great fun, but there are also a few people who use the Internet for offensive or illegal aims. Children must be made _ of both the good things and the danger. To keep children safe your management must cover the family computer. Just as you decide which TV programs are suitable, you need to do the same for the websites and chat rooms your children visit. Remind your children that online friends are still strangers. Reminding them of the risks will keep them alert. Computer studies are part of schoolwork now, so it's likely that your children may know more than you do. We get left behind when it comes to the latest gadgets and interactive areas of websites, like chat rooms and message boards, which are especially strange. The language of chat is strange to many parents, too. Chatters love to use abbreviations such as: atb-- all the best; bbfn-- bye by for now; cul8er --see you later; gr8--great; idk-- I don't know; imbl-- it must be love; kit --keep in touch; paw-- parents are watching; lol--laugh out loud; xlnt-- excellent! Which of the following will the author probably agree with? Choices: A. Children shouldn't chat so much online. B. People had better not use the net language in real life. C. Parents are advised to choose suitable websites and chat rooms for their children. D. Children should surf the Internet together with their parents.
C
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Question: The high cost of living in Sydney causes city parents to worry more about their children. New research by the Financial Services Council (FSC)shows that 75% of metropolitan mums and dads say their ability to earn is important to the well-being of their kids, Tet a greater proportion of Sydney parents think children suffer emotionally by having two full-time working parents .AS a result 46%of Sydneysiders feel their Kids could be happier , against 38%of both Melbourne and regional New South Wales mums and dads. The FSC research ,which interviewed 1200 parents across the country ,also shows 66% of Sydneysiders believe the happiness of their children would be greatly affected if they or their partner couldn't work. The FSC undertook the survey as part of its Lifewise campaign ,to encourage Australians to protect themselves against financial hardship. Chairman of the Lifewise campaign John Crosswell said:"The research findings quite clearly highlight that Sydney parents prioritise their ability to earn money and yet because they are so busy doing so, it seems that their ability to spend time with their family is affected .Sydney parents are dedicated to earning money but as a consequence, perhaps they don't have the time to enjoy spending it with their family." In sydney ,the top factor for creating an ideal childhood is financial security ,at 92%.Fewer parents rate having a tigh-knit family(89%)or living near friends and family (85%)as important. David and Ari Dearnley ,of North Manly ,said money pressure was hard to avoid in Sydney ,They both work and said family finances would be severely hard if one of them couldn't But only Mrs Dearnly has income-protection insurance, "I think that I don't really need it yet",Mr Dearnly ,37, said. "I think he's mad",Mrs Dearnly ,also 27 ,said,"If David couldn't work it would have a huge impact on our lifestyle." "Looks like I'll be getting _ tomorrow,"Mr Dearnly responded. What does Lifewise campaign aim to? Choices: A. Encouraging Australian people avoid the harm of financial problems B. Helping Sydney parents find a suitable job? C. Making Australian people improve their ability to earn D. A ttracting Sydney people to buy insurance
A
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Question: It gives me great pleasure today to say a few words in praise of a man we will all miss very much. To be honest, I can't imagine we will do without him when he's gone. Bill Masters almost single-handed built up our sales force in the Houston area and developed the market position that we enjoy today. In only six years, he has brought the firm from a very low fifth position in the area sales to the point where we now outsell all but one of our competitors. Not only have we got 37 per cent of the market under Bill's leadership; we are increasing our share with each passing month. As you know, the company has moved Bill to northern California to work his sales magic in one of this company's most competitive areas. But we know that if anyone can do it, Bill Masters can, and I know you all join me in wishing him the best of luck in his new work. The speech was made _ . Choices: A. at a welcome meeting B. at the opening of a new school term C. when somebody was leaving D. when they had a new manager
C
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Question: Many people have heard stories of the California gold rush during the 19thcentury, when lots of people went there in search for gold. Panning for gold has a rich and interesting history. Nowadays some people continue to pan for gold in California. Although it cannot be regarded as a method for earning income, taking on gold-panning as a hobby can give you a feeling of being in the old west and get you out into nature. The only tool that is required to pan for gold is a gold pan. You can use a regular old flat pan, but "officially" gold pans are quite cheap so you may as well buy one that is made for the task. Most sold pans come in either plastic or medal. Once you have your pan you will want to start practicing your gold panning technique. Panning for gold works because gold is much heavier than most rocks. To pan for gold you add rock and dirt form the bottom of a stream to your pan and then gently let water flow through the pan. The lighter-weight rocks are slowly swept away while any gold will be left behind in the pan. To start panning for gold, first you will need to find a good location. Try checking maps of your area and old history books to find location where there were gold mines in the past. Even though most of the gold have already been removed, there are likely to be small leftovers that you can find. Once you have found an area that looks promising, look for any small stream or river where you can try out panning for gold. Panning for gold requires patience and it may be a long time before you hit anything of value. However, it is an enjoyable hobby and provides a great opportunity to get outdoors, so don't give up too quickly. In which part of a newspaper would you probably find this article? Choices: A. Lifestyle. B. Health. C. Travel. D. Sports.
C
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Question: An old man lived in a nice house with a large garden. He took care of his flowers all the time, watering and fertilizing them. One day a young man went by the garden. He looked at the beautiful flowers, imagining how happy he could be if he lived in such a beautiful place. Then ,suddenly he found the old gardener was blind. He was very surprised about this and asked,"You can't see these flowers. "Why are you busy taking care of them every day?" The old man smiled and said ,"I can tell you four reasons. First, I was a gardener when I was young, and I really like this job. Second, although I can't see these flowers, I can touch them. Third, I can smell the sweetness of them. As to the last one, that's you." "Me? But you don't know me."said the young man. "Yeah, it's true that I don't know you. But I know that flowers are angels that everybody knows. We enjoy the happiness these flowers have brought us." The blind man's work opened our eyes and pleased our hearts, which also made his life happier. It was just like Beethoven, who became deaf in his later life and wrote many great musical works. Beethoven himself couldn't hear his wonderful music, but his music has encouraged millions of people to face their difficulties bravely. Isn't it a kind of happiness? The young man was very surprised because _ . Choices: A. The old man was deaf. B. The old man could see nothing. C. The old man took care of flowers every day. D. The flowers was very beautiful.
B
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Question: Diving or Drowning A rich young man decided that he would like to do some diving in the sea, so he bought a rubber suit and all the other things that he needed, and took some lessons at a diving school. Then one day he walked into the water by himself and began to explore the bottom of the sea. He saw a lot of beautiful fish and other things, and then, after half an hour, he suddenly saw a man waving his arms and legs around wildly near the bottom of the sea. He was wearing only a bathing suit. The rich young man was very surprised to see him, so he took out a plastic notebook and a special pencil, which could write under water, and wrote, "What are you doing here?" He showed the notebook to the other man, who then took the pencil and wrote, "Drowning!" What did the rich young man do? Choices: A. He talked with him. B. He pulled the man out of water. C. He communicated with the man by writing. D. He gave his suit to the man.
C
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Question: Losing a baby tooth can be fun for a kid. You can put it under your pillow and look forward to finding some money there in the morning. And then you can watch your new permanent tooth grow in its place. But if a permanent tooth falls out, that's a problem. There isn't another one under the gum that can replace it. Unfortunately, this happens to some older people. And if permanent teeth fall out-or need to be pulled-an older person might need dentures. Dentures, known as false teeth, are a set of replacement teeth for any teeth that are missing. There are partial dentures, which take the place of only a few teeth and prevent the others from changing position. If all the teeth are gone, the person would need complete dentures, which replace every tooth in the mouth. Dentures can cause pains at first and take little time to get adjusted to. They also need special care. They should be brushed daily with a special denture brush and cleanser and soaked in denture solution when not in the mouth. Dentures are important for older folks because, without teeth, it's hard to smile, talk, and eat properly. But it can be a little _ if you see someone take out his or her dentures. It can also be strange to see someone, like a grandparent, without dentures in because he or she won't have any teeth. Try not to make fun of the person because this could cause hurt feelings. People usually lose their permanent teeth due to periodontal disease, or gum disease, which is caused by bacteria that attacks the gums. Diseased gums aren't strong and healthy, so teeth can get loose and fall out. Older people often have many cavities that have been filled over the years, and these fillings can weaken over time, leading to more tooth decay. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage? Choices: A. Partial dentures can prevent the remaining teeth from changing position. B. Old people will find it hard to smile, talk, and eat properly without teeth. C. A person's teeth will possibly get loose if diseases strike his gums. D. It is hard for a person to wear dentures if all his teeth have fallen out.
D
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Question: A strong magnet will separate a mixture of Choices: A. clear glass and green glass. B. paper cups and plastic cups. C. iron nails and aluminum nails. D. sand and salt.
C
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Question: I had hidden the long black bag in the garage for the past two days. Tonight, in the dark, I would finally take it away. If everything went OK, it would be done by morning. But I had to be sure no one, not even my wife, saw me. It was more difficult to get away from the party than I expected. I said that the children were tired and needed to get to bed. It was partly true. But the main reason for leaving was that I wanted to complete my plan. First I had to get the kids to sleep. That was never easy at any time and tonight it was even more difficult. The eldest one wanted to know why we left the party early. I told him 10:30 pm was not early. As usual, I read them a bed time story, but I had to stop myself reading too quickly or _ would learn my secret. Silence finally came, and feeling like a thief in the night, I went out of the house and into the garage. Taking one end, I dragged the bag out from its hiding place and took it into the garden. I was worried that my neighbours might see me and call the police. It was already eleven o'clock. By the light of the moon I started working, trying to make as little noise as possible. And that was not easy with a saw and a hammer. After much effort, my work was finally completed. I looked down at my watch. It was exactly 4:00 am. Then I went inside to have a shower and get a few hours of sleep. It wouldn't be long now before the kids would rush into my room and wake me up to tell me about the new tree-house Father Christmas had brought them this year. How would the children feel when they saw the man's work? Choices: A. Sleepy. B. Angry. C. Tired. D. Excited.
D
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Question: Digital technology -- email and smart phones especially--have vastly improved workers' ability to be productive outside of a traditional office. Even so, most white-collar work still happens in an office. One reason is that, according to findings of a new survey of office workers conducted by Wakefield Research for the IT company Citrix, most bosses are doubtful about remote working. Half of the workers say their boss doesn't accept it, and only 35 percent say it's tolerated. Skeptical bosses will likely have their doubts reinforced by the same survey, which shows that 43 percent of workers say they've watched TV or a movie while "working" remotely, while 35 percent have done housework,and 28 percent have cooked dinner. It is true, however, that working at home makes people much more efficient , because it allows workers to take care of annoying housework while still getting their jobs done. It's much faster, for example, to shop for groceries at a quarter to three than to stand in line during the after-work rush. The fact that such practices remain officially unaccepted reflects how far we haven't come as a society from the days when we expected every full-time worker to be supported by a full-time homemaker. More broadly the Wakefield survey suggests that employers may be missing a low-cost way to give workers something of value. Sixty-four percent of those survey participants who haven't worked remotely would rather give up some bonus in order to get even one day a week working from home. Under such circumstances, smart firms need to find ways to let their employees have enough ability to change or be changed easily to suit a different situation to manage their time efficiently. What seems to be most workers' attitude toward remote working? Choices: A. Favorable. B. Doubtful. C. Reserved. D. Disapproving.
A
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Question: What would provide the most nutrients? Choices: A. a used popcorn bucket B. an empty can of corn C. a dead strawberry bush D. a pickled jicama root
D
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Question: There's a great article in the New York Times this week about the tradition of buying a coffee for a stranger at the same time that you buy your own. They call it _ , the name for "suspended coffee" in its birthplace. In some cafes, folks in need may claim a suspended coffee and drink it without cost. No doubt the free coffee will be welcomed by people who love coffee but for one reason or another don't have the money to buy one. But I also like the opportunity it offers customers to become philanthropists . Every time they order a coffee, they can give one to somebody in need. This is a tradition that began some 100 years ago in Naples, Italy. In Naples, as reported by the Times, people love this kind of giving: "To me, the philosophy of the suspended coffee is that you are happy today, and you give a coffee to the world, as a present." -- Luigi Solito "It's a simple act of generosity: an act in which donors and recipients never meet each other. The donor doesn't show off and the recipient doesn't have to show gratitude." --Laura Cozzolino "Coffee consumptions started earlier than the unification of Italy by more than 200 years, so the traditions around it are very ancient. In Naples, coffee is a world in itself, both culturally and socially." -- Andrea Illy The practice of buying suspended coffees has grown in popularity -- with websites popping up and hundreds of cafes from Canada to Brazil to Hungary to the US offering the service. How can someone get a suspended coffee? Choices: A. He can ask for one in any cafe. B. He can apply for one on websites. C. He can buy one in a cafe offering the service. D. He can drink one in a cafe that has prepaid coffees.
D
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Question: Carboxylic acids are weak acids, meaning they are not 100% ionized in what? Choices: A. liquid B. air C. ethanol D. water
D
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Question: He has breakfast at 2 a.m.because Johnny Barnes, Mr.Happy Man, has work to do.From 4 to 10 a.m.,he greets commuters as they drive by on their way to work. For years he worked as an electrician on the Bermuda railway and drove buses.When he retired, he still wanted to feel useful.So he positions himself on a patch of grass next to a roundabout that leads into Hamilton, Bermuda's largest city.He smiles and waves at every single person who passes by.He tells them he loves them - and means it. In the Matt Morris's short documentary, he says: I'm just little Johnny Barnes.I'm just a little , small instrument in the hand of God be used any way he feels fit.What I do every day , 2:00 in the morning I'm getting my break fast.You're still sleeping [he tells the interviewer] , I guess. From 20 to four until ten I stand on the corner and just greet people, let them know that life is sweet and beautiful. No matter what happens in life, it's always sweet to be alive. No matter what the weather is like , he is there from Monday to Friday , spreading love. On the rare occasion he is not there , people call the radio station to see if he is OK.. He was 88 when the film was posted in 2012.Every day he was spreading love, straight from his generous heart. So well known and beloved is Barnes that the city of Hamilton built up a statue in his honour.The figure wears the same full beard and straw hat that are Barnes's trademarks.So even when the day comes for the real Johnny Barnes to pass from this life, his smile and his memory will still be at that corner, spreading love to every passer--by. Which of the following is the best title for the passage? Choices: A. Mr.Happy Man B. Beautiful Struggle C. A Special Statue D. Memorable Travels
A
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Question: For a clearer picture of what the student knows, most teachers use another kind of examination in addition to objective tests. They use "essay" tests, which require students to write long answers to broad, general questions such as the following: "Mention several ways in which Benjamin Franklin has influenced thinking of people in his own country and in other parts of the world." One advantage of the essay test is that it reduces the element of luck. The student cannot get a high score just by making a lucky guess. Another advantage is that it shows the examiner more cares about the student's ability to put facts together into a meaningful whole. It should show how deeply he has thought about the subject. Sometimes, though, essay tests have disadvantages, too. Some students are able to write rather good answers without really knowing much about the subject, while other students who actually know the material have trouble expressing their ideas in the essay form. Besides, in an essay test the student's score may depend upon the examiner's feelings at the time of reading the answer. If he is feeling tired or bored, the student may receive a lower score than he should. Another examiner reading the same answer might give it a much higher mark. Because of _ , the objective test gives each student a fairer chance, and of course it is easier and quicker to score. Whether an objective test or an essay test is used, problems arise. When some objective questions are used along with some essay questions, however, a fairly clear picture of the student's knowledge can usually be gotten. According to the passage, which of the following statements about the objective test is NOT true? Choices: A. It is more objective than the essay test in terms of scoring. B. It allows the student to guess the correct answer without really knowing the material. C. It shows the student's ability to think about difficult problems. D. It is easy and quick to score.
C
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Question: Two Christmas traditions have come under attack in recent years from environmentalists: Christmas cards and Christmas trees. Paper cards are seen as wasteful and, for some people, going card-free is another way of going green. They also argue that in a world of e-mail, Skype, Facebook and Twitter, people are in touch all the time anyway; they no longer need the yearly card that connects them with long lost friends. If you want to send Christmas greetings, there are free e-cards, which get the job done with no postage or wasted paper. However, especially for people who didn't grow up with e-mail, there is something missing from a Christmas e-mail. The first Christmas cards appeared in London in 1843 and were designed by the same man who had introduced the world's first postage stamp three years earlier. His name was Sir Henry Cole. They rose in popularity throughout the 20th century. Many people sent cards that were sold for charity. The most famous of these are the ones sold for UNICEF. In the UK this year, in the three weeks before Christmas, the post office expects to handle 100 million cards every day. Environmental awareness also means that nowadays many people recycle their cards; this helps raise money to plant more trees, as well as recreating more paper. When we think of trees at Christmas, there is one that immediately springs mind---the evergreen tree that people decorate with ornaments and place their presents under. The custom dates back almost a thousand years to Germany. Nowadays 33 to 36 million Christmas trees are produced in America and 50 to 60 million in Europe each year. Some trees are sold live with roots and soil so people can plant them later and reuse them next year. Some people prefer artificial trees as they are reusable and much cheaper than their natural alternative. However, environmentalists point out that they are made from petroleum products and so have many pollution issues. What can we conclude from the article? Choices: A. The first Christmas cards were designed earlier than the world's first stamps. B. This year has seen a dramatic drop in Christmas card sales. C. Environmentalists advise people to buy cards that are sold for charity. D. Growing environmental awareness is encouraging people to recycle their cards.
D
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Question: People in China are among the most fearful of getting old, a new global survey suggests. According to Bupa, a British healthcare organization, which asked 12262 people in 12 countries about their attitudes toward aging, 28 percent of the Chinese polled said they feel depressed when they think about getting old. And although 72 percent of all respondents aged 65 and over said they do not feel old, the survey conducted in June and July this year found more than half of those aged 45 to 54 in China already consider themselves to be elderly. About 30 percent of Chinese respondents said they worry about who will look after them in later years, while 91 percent agreed the government of the world's most populous nation should improve care for the elderly. However, because people in China think about their future earlier, research suggests the country could be one of the best prepared for addressing the aging problem. About one third of Chinese respondents--more than double the global average--said they have put money aside for retirement, while 46 percent have taken out insurance, the poll showed. Despite being one of the best prepared nations, three fifths of those surveyed in China expect their family to care for them when they can no longer do so themselves. A Bupa-sponsored report,however, revealed that the "informal care network" (the traditional pattern of families looking after the elderly) is disintegrating. This is due to a number of factors, said the report, including structural changes to the population, the increase of women in employment, the increase of one-person households and the rise in divorce rates. The first batch of Chinese couples with only one child are largely in their 50s or 60s because the country's family planning policy was adopted in the late 1970s. Li Yinping, 55, a retired accountant, said she thinks only people in their 70s can be called old. She said her pension is enough to support her in later years and that her only hope is that her son can visit regularly. "I don't worry about my later years at all," said Li. "When I'm old, I can turn to a rest home. The local hospital can deliver the medicine I need with just a phone call." Xiao Zhe, a 26-year-old computer engineer in Beijing, is an only child whose parents live in his hometown of Chongqing. "I'm so busy with my work that I can't go back to visit them often," he said. "When they're not able to care for themselves, I will hire a nurse to look after them." China will become the oldest society in the world by 2030, according to a recent report by a Beijing-based government think tank. The United Nations also forecasts that people aged 60 and over will account for 28 percent of the country's total population by 2040. Many factors EXCEPT _ have a great impact on informal care network. Choices: A. structural changes to the population B. the increase of women in employment C. the development of economy D. the rise in divorce rates
C
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Question: Many scientists find that colours can change people's feelings. It's very interesting. Some colours can make people feel relaxed,and some colours can make people feel nervous. Now,this kind of knowledge is being used in many places. For example, school walls are always painted green because green makes students feel relaxed. It is also good for the students' eyes. Some books are also green or light blue for the same reason. Restaurant owners not only have to know how to make food,but also have to know how to make money. Here are some things they've learned from scientific studies. The colour red makes people hungry. Many fast food restaurants have red furniture or walls. Soft colours like pink and light blue make people feel relaxed,so they spend more time eating. Loud music may be nice at first,but it soon makes people want to leave. Hard seats also make customers want to eat quickly and leave. Many restaurants,especially fast food restaurants,use this knowledge to make customers eat faster. What's the best title for this passage? Choices: A. Colour and restaurant. B. Use colour to make money. C. Colour and science. D. Use colour to change feelings.
D
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Question: If you want to be a better reader,what should you know about the speed of reading? Some people read very quickly,when others read very slowly. But which one is better? The quick reader may be a good reader when he reads a story-book for fun. But he may not be able to slow down to read instructions carefully. The slow reader may be a good reader. But he may spend too much time reading a story for fun. So the reader who reads everything quickly or the one who reads everything slowly isn't really a good reader. Here are four things to remember about the speed of reading. Knowing why you are reading will help you to know whether to read quickly or slowly. Some things should be read slowly _ . Examples are instructions for making or doing something. Math books,science and story-books are full of important information. You must read these things slowly to understand and remember every important idea. Some things should be read quickly throughout. Examples are stories for enjoyment,letters from friends,and some news from newspapers. In some of your reading,you must change your speed from fast to slow and slow to fast. You will need to read some pages quickly and then slow down and do more careful reading when you come to important ideas. Which following is true? Choices: A. Reading everything quickly is a good reader. B. A slow reader isn't a good reader. C. Reading instructions must be carefully. D. You must change your speed from fast to slow.
C
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Question: Corn is widely being used in the United States to make ethanol for use in automobile fuel. How might the overproduction of corn negatively affect the environment? Choices: A. decreasing soil fertility B. decreasing oil transportation C. increasing the greenhouse effect D. increasing carbon dioxide emissions
A
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Question: Driving in a foreign country is always different in at least some ways from driving in your own country. Here are some general points regarding driving in New Zealand. Visitors wishing to drive in New Zealand do not require an international driver's license but are required to carry their local driver's license whenever driving. Vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road as they do in Britain, Australia, and Japan. Most rental vehicles will have a sticker reminding you of this important fact. When the traffic light is red, you must stop. There is no left turn rule as in North America. New Zealand road rules follow international standards but please note that in New Zealand vehicles turning left must give way to traffic turning right. In general, if you are turning left (where there are give-way signs or no signs), give way to vehicles that not turning. In all other situations, give way to vehicles crossing or coming from your right. Seat belts must be worn at all times while driving in New Zealand. This stands for the driver and passengers. The driver is responsible for ensuring all passengers are wearing their seatbelts. Do not drink alcohol before driving in New Zealand--drinking and driving laws are strictly enforced. Speed limits are in kilometres per hour (kph), not miles per hour (mph). Speed conversion: 1 kph equals 0.621 mph; 1 mph equals 1.61 kph. The speed limit on the open road is 100km/h. In towns and cities the speed limit is 50km/h. Be sure to obey all school crossing speed reductions as speed cameras operate regularly throughout New Zealand. For further information and up to date road conditions visit: http://www.transit.govt.nz This passage is most likely _ . Choices: A. a travel brochure for locals B. a website travel introduction C. an advertisement of travel D. a travel column in a geographical magazine
B
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Question: Shielding should be used when receiving x-rays to limit exposure to what potentially harmful form of energy? Choices: A. radiation B. evaporation C. convection D. pollution
A
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Question: Enjoy an unforgettable day in the French capital on this luxury day trip from London to Paris,with an included Champagne lunch at the Eiffel Tower! Travel on Eurostar from St Pancras International and enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour taking in Paris'top sights. Highlights /Romantic experience,perfect for couples /Round--trip fares /Travel by boat and see the sights from the water /Lunch included Make your own way to St Pancras International station and meet your professional guide.The departure time is 6 am.Board the Eurostar and relax as it takes you to Paris in Just over 2 hours.If you wish,upgrade to 1st Class and enjoy breakfast served on board and dinner on your return journey. Once you arrive in Paris ,join your guide on an air-conditioned coach for a patioramic sightseeing tour.See top Paris attractions such as the Champs-Elysees,Arc de Triomphe and Opera House as you hear fascinating facts about the city. Next,arrive at the Eiffel Tower for your Champagne lunch.Skip the possible long admission lines with your fast-aecess ticket and ride the elevator to the stylish 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant on the first floor.Take your seat and enjoy a glass of Champagne and delicious 2-course lunch with the full views of the city providing a truly magical baekdrop! Afterward,enjoy a 1-hour sightseeing tour along the Seine River.Take photos and listen to the helpful commentary as you pass sights, such as soaring Notre Dame Cathedral and the island,Ile de la Cite Next,either choose to use some free time to shop or sightsee,or take a guided visit to the magnificent Louvre Museum(own expense)to see Leonardo da Vinci's exquisite Mone Lisa and other masterpieces. In the late afternoon,return to Gard du Nord,station and catch the Eurostar back to St.Pancras.Your tour ends when you arrive at around 8:30pm. In order to enjoy the dinner on the Eurostar,you should _ . Choices: A. pay extra dinner fees B. place an order beforehand C. arrive earlier at Gard du Nord station D. upgrade to 1st Class of the Eurostar
D
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Question: Eating different colored foods can keep you healthy, as well as change your mood and behavior. Here is a list of colors, which can change your life. Blue/Purple Blue is considered to be peaceful and calming and it has the same effect on our health. The blue / purple color in food is due primarily to their anthocyanins which are antioxidants that are particularly heart healthy and may help support healthy blood pressure. Out of all the blue and purple foods available, blueberries are considered to have the highest antioxidant level. An analysis of the latest data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study found that people who eat purple and blue fruits and vegetables are at a reduced risk for high blood pressure and are less likely to be overweight. A food and health expert says that blue and purple color foods can prevent blood mass formation, and they also lower the risk of cancer. Foods that contain blue and purple colors are: reddish eggplant (especially the skin), blueberries, blackberries, purple grapes, etc. Green We all know that we should eat green as green symbolizes nature. The green foods are rich in isothiocyanates, which help resist cancer. Dr. Ashok Agarwal, a food and nutrition specialist, explains, "They are excellent sources of folic acid, vitamin K, as well as carotene . Diets high in those above are associated with lowered blood pressure." Foods that contain the green color are: broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, etc. Red Lycopene in reddish fruits and vegetables is a powerful antioxidant that has been associated with a reduced risk of some cancers, and also provides protection against heart attacks. Dr. Smiths says, "Cooked tomato sauces are associated with greater health benefits as compared with the uncooked version as the heating process allows lycopene to be more easily absorbed by the body. Obtaining the most benefit from food depends on proper selection, storage and cooking of the produce." Foods that contain red color are: Tomatoes and tomato products, watermelon, guava, red onions, red chili, red apples, red grapes, cherries, etc. Orange The orange foods are also rich in carotene, which are particularly good antioxidants. These foods are commonly considered eyesight foods because they contain vitamin A. "Orange fruits and vegetables also play a part in preventing cancer, particularly of the lungs and stomach. Foods that contain the color orange are: Carrots, mangoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, etc. The passage tries to tell us that _ . Choices: A. colors mean a lot to people and their health B. foods of different colors will have different benefits C. eating foods with a color must prevent diseases D. what people should eat in their daily lives
B
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Question: Light travels at a speed which is about a million times faster than the speed of sound. You can get some idea of this difference by watching the start of a race. If you stand some distance away from the starter, you can see smoke from his gun before the sound reaches your ears. This great speed of light produces some strange facts. Sunlight takes about 8 minutes to reach us. If you look at the light of the moon tonight, remember that the light rays left the moon 1.3 seconds before they reached you. The nearest star is so far away that the light that you can see from it tonight started to travel towards you four years ago at a speed of nearly 2 million km. per minute. In some cases, the light from one of tonight's stars had started on its journey to you before you were born. Thus, if we want to be honest, we can't say, "The stars are shining tonight." We have to say instead, "The stars look pretty. They were shining four years ago, but their light has only just reached the earth." Sunlight obviously _ than the light of the moon. Choices: A. has to travel a greater distance B. moves less quickly C. travels much more quickly D. is less powerful
A
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Question: Today, when a fire breaks out, you can be sure a citizen with a cell-phone camera has posted it to Facebook or Twitter, or sent it to the media.But up to now, that citizen has not been able to easily send images and details of what is happening to the people who need it most: police, firefighters and building-security people who must respond, and whose ability to help is often measured in minutes, if not seconds. That's about to change.A one-year old company called Elerts has developed a system that's designed to mobile and social technologies to speed the flow of information between citizens and emergency workers in time of danger.The system involves free mobile applications--iPhone and iPad app is available now--that eyewitnesses can use to report incidents and get public-safety warnings.And Elerts is offering a management console for security firms and universities to receive the reports and distribute warnings and instructions, like a map with the best evacuation route . The service is the brainchild of Chris Russo, deputy fire chief in the coastal town of Hull, Mass.As mobile communications sped up, he grew increasingly frustrated by his inability to communicate effectively with colleagues and the public, particularly with people who are at the scene and might be able to provide help. "Remembering situations when communications failed _ ," Mr.Russo says.Last summer, he was in a search at a beach for a missing boy, who went into a bathhouse but didn't come out.First responders feared an abduction on the beach or shark attack.The child's mother, who didn't speak English well, was so sad that she couldn't remember what color1 shorts he had on.Mr.Russo had no photo of the child, and no ability to turn to beachgoers. Two long hours later, the boy was spotted by a low-flying helicopter lost and alone on the beach crying--a lucky break."If 5 percent of beachgoers had an app to receive a message and send in sightings of a lost boy, the happy ending might have come much sooner," Mr.Russo said. What is the passage mainly about? Choices: A. An app for reporting emergency. B. A moving story of Chris Russo. C. A cell-phone instant service. D. An app for firm management.
A
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Question: It is said that people born on different dates have different characteristics. For example, people who were born between March 21 and April 20 are likely to be active and strong. They like power and enjoy adventures. People who were born between April 21 and May 21 are likely to learn more slowly, but they can remember what they learn well. They love children and usually have many friends. People who were born between May 22 and June 21 are bright and humorous. They like to talk and enjoy wearing fine clothes. People who were born between June 22 and July 22 think deeply. They would rather hide their feelings than express them. People who were born between July 23 and August 22 are interested in many subjects and it is interesting to hear them talk. People who were born between August 23 and September 22 are said to be calm and thoughtful. They like to read and often become successful scientists. If you have free time, you can read about star signs to see if your characteristics match your birth date. People who were born between March 21 and April 20 are _ . Choices: A. patient B. modest C. energetic D. kind
C
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Question: In Britain you may often hear "Drop in any time" or "Come to see me soon", but you can't really do that. People just say those things to make you feel welcome. It is better to telephone before visiting someone at home. If you receive a written invitation to an event that says "RSVP", you should reply to let the person who sent the invitation know whether or not you plan to go. You should never accept an invitation unless you really plan to go. You may refuse by saying "Thank you for inviting me, but I will not be able to come. " If, after accepting, you are unable to go, be sure to tell those who are expecting you as soon as possible that you will not be there. Although it is not necessarily expected that you give a gift to your host, it is considered polite to do so, especially if you have been invited for a meal. Flowers, chocolate, or a small gift are all appropriate. A thank-you note or telephone call after the visit is also considered polite and is an appropriate way to express your appreciation for the invitation. What can you do when a British friend says " Drop in any time"? Choices: A. Visit him or her at any time. B. Say no time to him or her seriously. C. Telephone him or her before visiting. D. Visit him or her soon.
C
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Question: Spending more than two hours a night doing homework leads to better results in English,math and science, according to a major study (by Pam Sammons, England) which has tracked the progress of3,000 children over the past 15 years. Spending any time doing homework showed advantages, but the influence was greater for the students who put in two to three hours a night, according to the study published by the Department for Education in England. The scientists who did the research say their study empbasizes what students actually do rather than how much work the school has set. Pam Sammons, a professor of education at Oxford University, said that time spent on homework showed the influence of the school-if children were expected to do homework and if they enjoy their subjects. "That's one of the reasons Indian and Chinese children do better.They put more time in it." he added. It's also reported that students who enjoyed school got better results. "Schools could make sure children had a better experience by improving the school environment, making school work interesting and making children feel supported by teachers." Sammons said. It is suggested that children aged 5 t0 7 should be set one-hour homework a week, half an hour a night for 7 t0 11-year-olds. Secondary schools were encouraged to set up two hours a night for 14 t0 16-year-olds. "Head teachers should make their own homework policy ," the government says. From the passage, we can know that _ . Choices: A. Students should become interested in their results. B. Students should do bomework as mucb as possible. C. Parents should encourage their children to do homework D. Teachers should make their children feel supported.
D
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Question: Fluid-filled thylakoids are the site of glucose production in the second stage of what process? Choices: A. birth B. glycolysis C. photosynthesis D. measurements
C
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Question: When people hear that I'm the youngest person to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean, they all have the same question: How did a 22-year old woman row a 19-foot boat for 70 days through high winds and crashing waves? Well, the biggest difficulty for me wasn't physical. By the time I decided to do the ocean row, I had already biked 3,300 miles cross-country, run across the Mojave Desert, and swum the 325-mile length of the Allegheny River. No, the tough part would be mental: How would I handle the loneliness, the boredom of the vast sea? I set off on January 3, 2010. I set my sights on getting past the quarter-way mark, which would take about 20 days. Day 20, January 22, was gray and cloudy. _ I was suffering from terrible loneliness. I hadn't seen landing over two weeks. Every day was beginning to feel the same. Eating, rowing, sleeping, watch the sky, watch the ocean. Then, around sunset, I saw something move on the horizon. They were dolphins! They circled my boat. Suddenly I felt so grateful. They had come to help me celebrate, just when I needed them. I rowed at full strength for the next 20 minutes with the dolphins around. By the time we went our separate ways, I was no longer lonely. Better yet, I knew I would be okay. I did make it, all 2,817 miles. I hit the coast of Guyana, South America, on March 14, after 70 days and five hours at sea. My ocean row raised $70,000 for the Blue Planet Run Foundation, which funds drinking water programs around the world. I know some athletes spend the entire journey imagining the end, and that helps them get through. But for me, the secret is to focus on the moment, where you experience the personal growth -- those moments of awareness of being connected to the sun, the weather, and the waves. And, on the best day of my life, those dolphins, which freed myself from terrible loneliness. Which can be the best title of the passage? Choices: A. The day I stopped being lonely B. The only challenge for a 22-year old C. How to overcome loneliness at sea. D. How to row alone across the Atlantic
A
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Question: Michael has a pencil case made of pine wood. The surface of the pencil case scratches and dents easily. He wants to make a new pencil case that will not scratch or dent easily. Which of the following should Michael do to make a new pencil case that will not scratch or dent easily? Choices: A. make the pencil case a different size B. use a different material to make the pencil case C. make the pencil case from another piece of pine wood D. use a thicker piece of pine wood to make the pencil case
B
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Question: Each of us can live strong,healthy,energetic lives for a long time to come.The key?Actually,there are many of them. Eat fewer calories,but more food Slimming down can help prevent disease,and cutting way back on the amount you eat may even slow the aging process.When nutrition researchers invited themselves over for dinner in kitchens across the globe-from Greece to Japan to the state of Pennsylvania--they discovered a stomach-satisfying secret to good health:Pile your plate high with vegetables and fruits,add respectable parts of beans and whole grains,and ignore high-calorie food like cheeseburgers,cream sauces,and fatty meats. Use exercise as an anti-aging vaccine Exercise can help you gain a better quality of life as you age.It's no secret that physical activity strengthens muscles,burn calories,and puts a happy bounce in your step.But recently,researchers discovered a new,extra benefit:Exercise acts as a powerful way against the aging process itself. When exercise physiologists put healthy people aged 60 to 85 on Weight-training programs for six months then tested them for signs of free-radical damage,they were surprised by the results.By the end of the study,low-intensity exercisers had a drop in free-radical damage,while high-intensity exercisers had a slight increase. Find something interesting to do Life is always busy no matter what your age.But the truth is,when people are retired,time usually does become more available for adults after 60.With this time come choices.The easy one is merely to relax:watch more TV,eat out more often,talk on the phone as much as you want.The better choice? Discover something more meaningful to devote yourself to and do it wholeheartedly. The new discovery of exercise probably is that _ . Choices: A. it can help you live a better life B. it can strengthen muscles C. it can burn calories D. it can prevent aging process
D
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Question: Elephants are the only species on the earth known to have death ritual besides man. They show a strong interest in the bones of their own kind.They are often seen gently touching the bones with their trunks and feet while remaining very quiet.Sometimes elephants completely unrelated to the dead will still visit their graves. Elephant researcher Meredith recalls something in his book about a typical elephant death ritual.The entire family of a dead elephant,including her young baby,were all gently touching her body with their trunks,trying to lift her. The elephant herd were all rumbling :The baby elephant was even observed to be weeping and made sounds that sounded like a scream,but then the entire herd fell incredibly silent.Then they began to throw leaves and dirt over the body and broke off tree branches to cover her.They spent the next two days quietly standing over her body.They sometimes had to leave to get water or food,but they would always return. Events of elephants behaving this way around human beings are common throughout Africa. On many occasions,they have buried dead or sleeping humans or helped them when they are hurt. An old woman fell asleep under a tree.When she woke up,there was an elephant standing over her,gently touching her.She kept very still because she was frightened.As other elephants arrived,they began to scream loudly and buried her under branches.She was found the next morning by the local people,unharmed. George Adamson also recalls when he shot all elephant from a herd that kept breaking into the farmers'gardens.George gave the:elephant's meat to 1ocal men and then dragged the rest of the body miles away.That night,the other elephants found the body,took the leg bones,returned them to the exact spot the elephant was killed,and made the death ritual. Elephants touch the bones of their own kind to _ . Choices: A. express sorrow at the death B. search for the hunter C. clean their trunks and feet D. call for other elephants
A
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Question: Mary is an American girl. She is now in Beijing with her parents. Mary doesn't know much Chinese, but she is studying it. She often speaks Chinese with her Chinese friends. Sometimes they can't understand her, because she can't speak Chinese very well. It's Saturday morning. She goes out. She is walking in the street. She wants to go to the zoo to see the elephants and monkeys, but she doesn't know how to get there. She asks a Chinese boy the way. The boy can't understand her. Then she takes out a pen and a piece of paper. She draws an elephant on it, and shows the picture to the boy. The boy understands, and shows her the way to the zoo. Mary doesn't know how to get to _ . Choices: A. the zoo B. the park C. her home D. her school
A
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Question: China may be the world's most populous country ,and it won the most gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. But its prowess at soccer is lamentable. China is ranked 84th in the sport's world standing. Chinese are huge soccer fans, and hundreds of millions are expected to tune in to the World Cup, with all the matches broadcast live on public TV. But this time the Chinese don't have their own team to root for. "Chinese have a reputation of being good at math, but they have trouble explaining why a population of 1.3 billion cannot produce a winning 11-member soccer team," said Xu Guoqi, a history professor at the University of Hong Kong. Journalists and soccer fans offer a number of reasons, most often money issues, politics, corruption and culture, and sometimes a combination of the four. Even though China now boasts wealthy companies and individuals who could sponsor teams, there is little support as long as Chinese teams are perceived as perennial losers. "This is a very bad circle," Ma said. "No results, no money. No money, no results." Few Chinese children are playing soccer. Some sports journalists and fans attribute the lack of interest partly to schools de-emphasizing sports in general and the lack of playing venues in the country's dense urban areas. "What can Chinese kids do?" said Fan Huiming, 61, a Chinese soccer fan who grew up watching matches at Beijing's Workers' Stadium, which was built in 1958 near his childhood home. "If they play soccer, the ball may fly directly into the glass of someone's home." For young people, soccer has largely been _ by basketball, thanks in part to Chinese NBA players who are treated like rock stars. Journalists and fans say NBA's aggressive campaign of marketing and merchandise in China has helped swell the popularity of basketball. By comparison, they noted that international soccer does not even have an office in China. Rowan Simons, a Briton who came to China more than two decades ago and discovered he wasn't able to play weekend soccer, has been on a campaign to popularize the sport here. Simons said the main problem is that soccer elsewhere has traditionally started as a series of neighborhood clubs, but in China, "there's virtually no football at community level". "Football in China can only succeed if it's a grass-roots activity organized by the people," he said. This time the Chinese don't have their own team to root for in the World Cup because _ . Choices: A. China is ranked 84th in soccer 's world standing. B. they are angry about why China cannot produce a winning soccer team. C. the Chinese huge soccer fans support other soccer teams. D. the Chinese soccer team is not capable to go as far as the final part of the World Cup.
D
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Question: When I was fourteen, I earned money in the summer by cutting lawns , and within a few weeks I had built up a body of customers. I got to know people by the flowers they planted that I had to remember not to cut down, by the things they lost in the grass or struck in the ground on purpose. I reached the point with most of them when I knew in advance what complaint was about to be spoken, which request was most important. And I learned something about the measure of my neighbors by their preferred method of payment: by the job, by the month--or not at all. Mr. Ballou fell into the last category, and he always had a reason why. On one day, he had no change for a fifty, on another he was flat out of checks, on another, he was simply out when I knocked on his door. Still, except for the money apart, he was a nice enough guy, always waving or tipping his hat when he'd seen me from a distance. I figured him for a thin retirement check, maybe a work-related injury that kept him from doing his own yard work. Sure, I kept track of the total, but I didn't worry about the amount too much. Grass was grass, and the little that Mr. Ballou's property comprised didn't take long to trim . Then, one late afternoon in mid-July, the hottest time of the year, I was walking by his house and he opened the door, mentioned me to come inside. The hall was cool, shaded, and it took my eyes a minute to adjust to the dim light. "I owe you," Mr Ballou said, "but..." I thought I'd save him the trouble of thinking of a new excuse. "No problem. Don't worry about it." "The bank made a mistake in my account," he continued, ignoring my words. "It will be cleared up in a day or two. But in the meantime I thought perhaps you could choose one or two volumes for a down payment. He gestured toward the walls and I saw that books were stacked everywhere. It was like a library, except with no order to the arrangement. "Take your time," Mr. Ballou encouraged. "Read, borrow, keep, or find something you like. What do you read?" "I don't know." And I didn't. I generally read what was in front of me, what I could get from the paperback stack at the drugstore, what I found at the library, magazines, the back of cereal boxes, comics. The idea of consciously seeking out a special title was new to me, but, I realized, not without appeal--- so I started to look through the piles of books. "You actually read all of these?" "This isn't much," Mr. Ballou said. "This is nothing, just what I've kept, the ones worth looking at a second time." "Pick for me, then." He raised his eyebrows, cocked his head, and regarded me as though measuring me for a suit. After a moment, he nodded, searched through a stack, and handed me a dark red hardbound book, fairly thick. "The Last of the Just," I read. "By Andre Schwarz-Bart. What's it about?" "You tell me," he said. "Next week." I started after supper, sitting outdoors on an uncomfortable kitchen chair. Within a few pages, the yard, the summer, disappeared, and I was plunged into the aching tragedy of the Holocaust, the extraordinary clash of good, represented by one decent man, and evil. Translated from French, the language was elegant, simple, impossible to resist. When the evening light finally failed I moved inside, read all through the night. To this day, thirty years later, I vividly remember the experience. It was my first voluntary encounter with world literature, and I was amazed by the concentrated power a novel could contain. I lacked the vocabulary, however, to translate my feelings into words, so the next week. When Mr. Ballou asked, "Well?" I only replied, "It was good?" "Keep it, then," he said. "Shall I suggest another?" I nodded, and was presented with the paperback edition of Margaret Mead'sComing of Age in Samoa(a very important book on the study of the social and cultural development of peoples--anthropology ). To make two long stories short, Mr. Ballou never paid me a cent for cutting his grass that year or the next, but for fifteen years I taught anthropology at Dartmouth College. Summer reading was not the innocent entertainment I had assumed it to be, not a light-hearted, instantly forgettable escape in a hammock (though I have since enjoyed many of those, too). A book, if it arrives before you at the right moment, in the proper season, at an internal in the daily business of things, will change the course of all that follows. Before his encounter with Mr. Ballou, the author used to read _ . Choices: A. anything and everything B. only what was given to him C. only serious novels D. nothing in the summer
A
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Question: Contrary to people's previous knowledge, it's food shortage not dietary preference that motivates birds to migrate thousands of miles back and forth between breeding and nonbreeding areas each year, a new research shows. "It's not whether you eat insects,fruits or candy bars or where you eat them that counts,but how reliable that daytoday food source is," said the study leader W.Alice Boyle of the University of Arizona. To figure out the underlying pressure that drives some birds to leave home for the season,Boyle examined 379 related species of New World flycatchers and compared their sizes,food types, habitats, migratory behaviors and whether or not they fed in flocks. To compare the birds,the researchers constructed a "supertree" showing the exact evolutionary relationships among different species. A computer analysis then determined whether a particular species was migratory because it ran in the "family" or whether something in the bird's environment was forcing it to leave each season.Boyle and her colleagues found that food shortage was the number one issue that predicted a species' migratory behavior. "Food availability is the underlying pressure, not diet and habitat," Boyle said. An alternative strategy that the birds use to handle food shortage is to hunt in flocks, since a group is more likely to find a new source of food than an individual. "If you suffer from food shortage, you have two options," Boyle said."You can either hunt with other birds or you can migrate." For what purpose does the author write the text? Choices: A. Educating readers. B. Informing readers. C. Drawing people's attention. D. Condemning the bad environment.
B
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Question: I first went to Harrow in the summer term.The school had the biggest swimming pool I had ever seen.It was a good joke to come up behind a naked boy, and push him out the pool. I made quite a habit of this with boys of my own size or 1ess. 0ne day I saw a boy wrapped in a towel on the side of the poo1.He was no bigger than 1 was,so I thought him _ .Coming secretly behind,I pushed him in,holding on to his towel so that it would not get wet.1 was surprised to see an angry face come out from the water, and being of great strength making its way by face strokes to the shore.I fled,but didn't succeed.He overtook me,pulled me hard,and threw me into the deepest part of the poo1.I soon climbed out on the other side,and found myself surrounded by a crowd of younger boys."Do you know what you have done? " They said."It's Amery:heis in Grade Six.He is champion at gym.he has won his football award." 1 was frightened and felt ashamed.How could I tell his position when he was wrapped in a bath towel and so small.He didn't seem pleased at all.so I added in a most brilliant word."My father.who is a great man.is also small."At this be laughed,and after some general words about my rude behavior and how I had better be careful in the future,expressed all was over. The writer thought Amery "a fair game" because the boy _ . Choices: A. 1ooked like an animal B. 1oved games C. was of similar size D. was good at sports
C
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Question: What do microbes use to make food? Choices: A. plants B. sunlight C. nitrogen D. chemicals
D
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Question: Fund Tianhong Zenglibao has become the first fund in China to hit 100 billion yuan ($16.30 billion) of sales thanks to its cooperation with Yu'ebao, Alibaba's wealth management product. Alipay , attached to the e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, announced in June it would offer its users the option to directly invest with the private Tianhong Fund using spare cash from Alipay accounts. The business is called Yu'ebao. The past five months have seen this fund blossom, owing to the prosperous Interet e-commerce platform, and the Singles Day shopping spree on November 11 had helped Yu'ebao. In the process of a deal on Taobao, once the buyer pays for the order, his or her money is first accepted by Alipay, then after he or she receives the goods, a final confirmation is made and Alipay then gives the money to the seller. If a buyer forgets to confirm payment, the money is transferred into the seller's account after 10 days by the system. The Singles Day had a total volume of 35 billion yuan($5.75 billion) and thus a large amount of money passed through Alipay's account. Analysts estimated that Alipay may have also bought the fund using the extra income, which powerfully enlarged the scale of Yu'ebao. Profit purchasing investors tend to choose safe financial management tools. The relatively stable yields of Yu'ebao is favored by most customers, the report said. Chinese e-commerence giant Alibaba allows consumers to invest their spare cash in the money market funds through its Alipay online payment service. The product, called Yu'ebao, or "Leftovers Treasure," has netted 130 billion yuan so far, making the fund's management firm, Tianhong Fund, the country's largest fund management company. Meanwhile, due to the cooperation with Alipay, the management scale of Tianhong monetary fund has doubled from 55.653 billion yuan at the end of September to over 100 billion yuan. During the Singles Day, the frequency of payment of Alipay and Yu'ebao exceeded 188 million and 16.79 million with total transaction volume at 35 billion yuan and 6 billion yuan. Which of the following is the best title of the passage? Choices: A. Yu'ebao, the right choice to invest B. Alibaba helps make China's largest fund C. Celestica, the largest fund in China D. Alipay, a branch of Alibaba group
B
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Question: Winter weather has returned to northern areas of the world. In much of the United States, winter means the return of snow. Snow is a form of frozen water. It contains many groups of tiny ice particles ( ) called snow crystals ( ) . These crystals grow from water particles in cold clouds. They usually grow around a piece of dust. All snow crystals have six sides, but they grow in different shapes. The shape depends mainly on the temperature and water levels in the air. The shape of a snow crystal may change from one form to another as the crystal passes through levels of air with different temperatures. Snow contains much less water than rain. About seventy-five centimeters of snow has as much water as two and one-half centimeters of rain. Generally, the color1 of snow and ice appears white. This is because the light we see from the sun is white. Most natural materials take in some sunlight. However, when light travels from air to snow, some light is sent back, or reflected ( ). Snow crystals have many surfaces to reflect sunlight. It is this light that gives snow its white color1. Much of the water we use comes from snow. Melting snow gives water to rivers and crops. Snowfall helps to protect plants and some wild animals from cold. Fresh snow is made largely of air which is kept among the snow crystals. Because the air has trouble moving, the movement of heat is greatly reduced. However, snow is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people in the United States every year. Many people die in traffic accidents on roads that are covered with snow or ice. How can snow protect plants from the cold? Choices: A. It gives them much heat. B. It has a higher temperature. C. It keeps them from wind. D. It contains air which helps hold heat.
D
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Question: One Sunday, my family had gathered at my parents' house to feast upon Mom's wonderful cooking. During the normal dinner chatter , I noticed that my father was slurring his words. No one mentioned this during dinner, but I felt compelled to discuss it with my mother afterward. We decided that there was something seriously wrong and that Dad needed to see the doctor. Mom phoned me two days later. "The doctor found a brain tumor . It's too large at this point to operate. Maybe they can do something then, but _ ." Even with the treatment, my father's condition worsened, and the doctor finally informed us that this condition was terminal . During one of his stays in the hospital, we brought our baby daughter Chelsey with us when we visited him. By this time he had great difficulty speaking. I finally figured out that he wanted Chelsey to sit on his stomach so he could make faces at her. Watching the two of them together, I realized I was living an experience that would stay with me forever. Though grateful for the times they could share, I couldn't shake the feeling of a clock ticking in the background. On the visit to my parents' home during what we all know was my father's last days, my mother took Chelsey from my arms and announced, "Your father would like to see you alone for a minute." I entered the bedroom where my father lay on a rented hospital bed. He appeared even weaker than the day before. "How are you feeling, Dad?" I asked. "Can I do anything for you?" He tried to speak, but he couldn't make out a word. "I'm sorry, but I can't understand you," I said. With great difficulty he said, "I love you." We don't learn courage from heroes on the evening news. We learn true courage from watching ordinary people rise above hopeless situations. In many ways my father was a strict, uncommunicative man. He found it difficult to show emotion. The bravest thing I ever saw him do was overcome that barrier to open his heart to his son and family at the end of his life. The father had never said "I love you" to the writer before because _ . Choices: A. he believed in strictness and punishment B. he was not so attached to the writer C. he thought there was no need to tell the writer D. he was not used to openly showing his emotions
D
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Question: Why is a healthy diet important? Choices: A. It maintains a constant body temperature. B. It prevents damage to internal organs. C. It makes oxygen for all the cells in the body. D. It supplies the body’s needs for growth and energy.
D
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Question: Every day,it is easy to see advertisements in English all around us.Look at your own bags and clothes,and at the bags and clothes of your classmates.How many different advertisements can you see which use English words? Often bags and clothes show the name of the company that made them. This is a popular form.A special picture or symbol called a logo is sometimes used.Logos appear on many different products .They are popular because when you see a logo,it is hard to forget that product or company. It is common to see advertisements on TV and hear them on the radio.Most advertisements are very short.Sometimes the advertisers use a short sentence which is easy for people to say and remember. Nike,for example,has a simple English sentence which is used all around the world:"Just do it."Advertisements often use funny situations as well.It is simple to remember it. All advertisements are designed to make people buy a product.An advertisement for a soft drink,for example,might show a group of young people who are having fun.The young people are al1 drinking the soft drink.Advertisers are saying to you,"Why don't you buy this drink and be like these people? You can be young and modern." You might think that advertisements are not after you,but the next time you buy a soft drink,ask yourself this question:Why am I buying this particular product? People are most likely to remember an advertisement that is _ . Choices: A. in English B. long C. funny D. famous
C
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Question: "Children need more geography field trips. Schools should organize geography field trips to stop pupils from sitting before computer screens for a long time. And children should be encouraged to see the natural world and study geography," says Michael Palin. The famous actor and writer, Michael Palin, made the comments days after a study showed that pupils in the UK were less likely to take part in science field trips than in most other developed countries. The study found that 13% of schools in the UK failed to take children out of the classroom regularly. Mr. Palin said that field trips were an important part of geography and that he was interested in geography because he had a good geography teacher and he had many opportunities to "get out of the school building". In an interview, Mr. Palin said, "It was important for children to see things for themselves and learn about the rest of the world. You have to show them a mountain, show them a factory, show them a power station." Mr. Palin had been to the North and South Poles, the Himalayas , the Sahara and Eastern Europe. "Geography is about the study of the earth. It is a _ subject," he said. "It's related to everything we do: what we eat, what transport we take to work, where we live, what houses are made of, and so on." He said children needed to get basic geography knowledge first and that once they had the basic knowledge they could move on to deeper problems, such as population and pollution. "Today's children will need to deal with a lot of problems when they grow up. They have to learn geography today," he said. Mr.Palin _ . Choices: A. thinks that population and pollution are small problems B. wanted to be a teacher when he was in middle school C. has organized some field trips for school children D. thinks that children should take part in geography field trips
D
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Question: After achieving a 9 percent GDP growth, hosting a successful Olympic Games and carrying out its first space walk last year, you'd think China would be happy.Yet China is not pleased. That, at least, is the opinion of a new book written by a group of Chinese authors. China Is Not Happy was published in March, 2009.It is a follow-up to the 1996 work China Can Say No, a bestseller that complained about the influence of the West, and the US in particular, on China.Thirteen years later, the authors of China Is Not Happy list their dissatisfaction with how China is being treated in the world today.They argue that China needs to use its growing power and economic resources to build its own position. "From looking at the history of human civilization, we are most qualified to lead this world." the book says. The authors, single out the US for special scorn , and say their book's message has been helped by the economic crisis ," This economic problem has shown the Chinese people that America does have problems, that what we've been saying is right." said Wang Xiaodong, one of the aulhors in an interview with The Wall Street. Since being released on March 13, the book has become a bestseller in many Chinese bookstores.The publisher has printed 270,000 copies, and says sales are far better than expected. Yet much of the response to the book has been negative.Several reviews in the Chinese media have criticized the book's radical opinions. The book is a way to "fish money from the pockets of the angry youth and angry elderly," wrote one critic in the China Youth Daily.Meanwhile, a well-known sociologists Li Yinhe, has said that China needs patriotism , but there is a limit. Wang Xiaodong admitted in an interview that the book's title is a bit of a trick." Those words in the title are just for the purpose of promoting the book in tine marketplace," he says."We didn't choose them.It was the people selling the book who chose the title " The publishers chose the title China Is Not Happy for the book because _ . Choices: A. they thought it would sell well B. the authors of the book asked them to do so. C. they had the right to name the book D. they were not happy with the society today
A
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Question: At the farm, the farmer found that he needed to go to the town to get some tools. He needed to pick up five things at the store. The farmer needed to get a shovel, some hay, extra string, feed for the horses and a tire for his truck. He also found that one of the steps on his ladder was broken and needed to be fixed. He would have to get some wood to fix the ladder. He thought he might like to look at new ladders and see if it was time to get a new one. He went into the house and found his keys. He started driving down the road when he found that he forgot his wallet and needed to go back to the house. He turned the truck around and went back to the house. While he was in the house, he remembered that he also needed to get some milk at the store. He picked up his keys and wallet and went back to his truck. He picked up all the items he needed in town and was still home in time for dinner. Why did he want to look at ladders in town? Choices: A. He forgot his ladder B. He wanted an extra ladder C. He didn't have a ladder D. His ladder was broken
D
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Question: Forty-two of the fifty American states offered some kind of public online learning this past school year.One state,Michigan,now requires all students to have an online learning experience before they finish high school.Even the idea of a school has changed since the rise ofthe Internet in the 1990s. A new report from the Center for Evaluation and Education Policy at Indiana University says eighteen states have full-time virtual schools.There are no buildings.All classes are online. Florida started the first statewide public virtual school in the United States in 1997.Today,the Florida Virtual School offers more man ninety courses.56,000 students were enrolled as of December.Almost sixty percent were female.The school's website says each student was enrolled in an average of two classes. Florida Virtual School has now opened the Florida Virtual Global School.Students in other countries pay for classes.Janet Heiking teaches an English class.She lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.Her students live as far away as Africa and Japan.She says they are taking her Advanced Placement class to prepare for attending an American college.They can earn college credits by passing the AP test. So how good are virtual schools? Studies have shown mixed results, as a new report from Indiana University notes.For example, students at Florida Virtual School earned higher grades than those taking the same courses the traditional way.And they scored higher on a statewide test.But virtual school students in Kansas and Colorado had lower test scores or performed at a lower level than traditional learners.Studies also find that virtual schools may not save much in operating costs. Education experts say the mixed results suggest the need for more research to find the best ways to teach in virtual schools.A1so, they say schools of education need to train more teachers to work in both real and virtual classrooms. The first statewide public virtual school in the USA was started in _ . Choices: A. Florida B. Indiana C. Michigan D. Colorado
A
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Question: Britain's oldest man made his first visit to London yesterday at the age of 101. Mr. John Evans had never found the time or money to make the trip from his home in Forest Fach, near Swansea. But, when British Rail offered him an all-expenses-paid birthday trip to the capital he just could not refuse. He arrived at Paddington Station and smartly turned out in his best suit, favorite Panama hat and a red rose in his buttonhole. "It's very exciting. There's no doubt about it," he said. Until yesterday he had never been far from home, except for one trip to Aberdeen. "But I've been on the seas to that faraway land called Ilfracombe 21 miles from home," he joked. Mr Evans, who spent 60 years working as a miner in South Wales, almost made the journey to London once before, at the turn of the century. "There was a trip to the White City but it was ten shillings return from Swansea -- too much I thought. All my money went to the family then," he said. During the next two days Mr. Evans will be taken on a short tour of London to see the sights. Top of his list is a visit to the House of Parliament organized by his MP, Mr. Gareth Wardell. The only arrangement he does not care for is the wheelchair provided for him if he gets tired. "I don't like the chair -- people will think I am getting old. " he said. His secret for a long and healthy life has been well publicized -- no wine, no tobacco and no anger. Before setting off from Swansea with his 76-year-old son, Amwell, he said jokingly, "I'm glad to see they've given me a return ticket. " Mr Evans didn't like the wheelchair simply because _ . Choices: A. he was not used to traveling in it B. the wheelchair was of poor quality and not easy to operate C. he actually preferred walking to sitting in it at home D. he thought he was still young enough to manage the trip
D
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Question: A British dog-lover has invented a high-tech way of feeding his pet by Twitter( ,). Computer expert Nat Morris ,30, has designed a system to give his pet a "tweet treat" by sending him a Twitter message. His dog Toby gets some delicious dog biscuits from a computer-controlled food machine whenever Nat sends a message to "@ feedtoby". Nat often works away from home and isn't always able to feed Toby by hand. But his new invention allows Nat to feed his dog from anywhere in the world. Nat said, "Toby ly loves it. At first he didn't know what was going on. Now he sits underneath the machine, wagging his tail and waiting for the food to drop." Nat fills the food machine with small pieces of dog biscuits, but not too many in case four-year-old Toby gets too many messages. And Nat has even equipped his house with an online camera so he can see Toby enjoying the food at his home. But one problem is that friends and family have been so amazed with the "tweet treat" machine that they have started sending tweets to Toby too. So Nat has had to restrict feeding time to make sure Toby doesn't turn into Tubby. "People have been sending him tweets at all hours of the day, so I had to limit it to between 9a.m. and 9 p.m. . I'm thinking of doing an updated one which can measure his weight before he is fed, just to make sure he's not putting on too much puppy fat," explained Nat. How Nat's Twitter Feeder works: When a message is sent to @ feedtoby, it is received by a mini -computer that is linked to the feed machine. When the mini-computer receives the message, a bell rings and Toby comes running over and sits in front of the feeding machine. Next, the machine's motor pulls open a trap door which releases a serving of food. The doggy biscuits then drop into Toby's food bowl. Finally a digital camera takes a photo of him and sends it back to Nat on Twitter -- so he knows Toby has been fed. Why has Nat decided to limit the feeding machine's operating time? Choices: A. He doesn't want Toby to get too fat. B. He fears the machine will run out of food. C. He wants his friends to stop feeding Toby. D. He doesn't want Toby to be woken up at night.
A