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Question: A statue and a table are both made of the same type of marble. Which of the following properties will most likely be the same for both of these objects? Choices: A. size B. shape C. weight D. hardness
D
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Question: There are many festivals in Argentina during the year. Therefore, you can enjoy the different interesting festivals when traveling there. First of all, we should talk about the Tango Festival in Argentina, which is held in the capital of this country -- Buenos Aires, from February to March. You ought to know that Argentina is the home of tango, so Argentineans admire this dance very much. Even if you cannot dance perfectly, you should join the people and try to perform this dance. The next festival in Argentina is Open Polo Tournament. You should go to Palermo to see this festival in Argentina. This festival is held every year and is the most important polo tournament in Argentina. This kind of sport is considered the most important in Argentina. Attending this festival in Argentina, you will be able to communicate with different people, admire the fascinating competition between the teams of different countries, such as Argentina, England, Australia, as well as the US. This festival in Argentina is usually held between November and December every year. So don't miss the opportunity if you travel to Argentina at this time. The other festival in Argentina is the Semana Musical Llao Llao. This is a festival of classical music. The festival was created in 1993 and is held at the Llao Llao Hotel, near Bariloche. The festival is held yearly in October. So if you admire this kind of music, you should travel to Argentina in October. There are also many carnivals in October. There are also many carnivals in Argentina in summer. Of course, it's impossible to put everything about festivals in Argentina into just one article. We hope that you have found this article interesting and eye-catching. From the passage, we know that the Tango Festival _ . Choices: A. welcomes everyone to take part in B. is held in summer C. is organized by the government D. holds parties for different dances
A
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Question: A man from a big city with a new cart and a beautiful pair of horses was driving along a country road . He did not give much attention to where he was going. Very soon he knew he lost his way, but he kept on driving hoping he would meet someone or find his way back. It was a long way. For many hours he kept on driving. When it was almost dark he saw a farmer who was working in a field. He stopped and shouted, "Hello, farmer!" "Hello, yourself!" the farmer answered, still working. "Where does this road go?" "I have never seen it go anywhere. It always stays where it is." said the farmer, without stopping his work. "How far is it to the next town?" said the stranger, with a little louder voice. "I don't know. I've never measured it ." Answered the farmer. By the time the city man was getting angry. "What do you know? You're the biggest fool I've seen." The farmer stopped and turned and looked for a while at the man. Then he said, "Maybe I do not know much, perhaps I'm a fool. But at least I'm not lost." The city man said "Hello, farmer" because _ . Choices: A. he was friendly to everyone B. he saw an old man in the country C. he lost his way and he wished the farmer who would show him the way D. he was very happy
C
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Question: Hello, I'm Kate. I like different kinds of food. I like hamburgers, salad and orange juice. For breakfast, I often have some milk and hamburgers. I don't like dessert . My favorite football star, Tony Brown, eats lots of healthy food. He likes eggs and vegetables for breakfast. For lunch, he eats hamburgers, tomatoes, chicken, oranges and apple juice. For dinner, he likes meat and French fries. He doesn't have dessert. "I like football better than dessert." he says. Tony Brown likes _ better. Choices: A. dessert B. basketball C. football D. running
C
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Question: The more people I meet, the more I love my dog. Every day I am reminded why I love him so much. Three weeks before Christmas in 2008 at about 2:00 in the morning, my dog woke us up out of a sound sleep because someone was knocking at our door. He barked in front of me as if to protect me from the stranger who was knocking. My husband answered, and it was a local police officer telling us that my father-in-law had called the police because he forgot our number. My mother-in-law was suffering from a brain disease and was in the hospital. We thanked the officer and raced to the hospital. We would have taken him, but the hospital would consider him to be a dirty pet. After visiting the hospital we drove home and hugged our dog once more. At this point it was unlikely that little dog remembered waking us up. What he did remember was that we left him alone for several hours and he missed us. He thought we missed him, too, so he greeted us at the door with his tail wagging . Someone tried to break in our house that summer, but, once again, our little dog saved the day. Our curtains were damaged, but no one got in. When I got home from work, I found parts of my curtains lying on the floor. We called the police and the officer said that he did a great job. My dog is a loving sweet dog who just wants some attention. I worked with him for months and now he sits, dances, sings, shakes hands, and so much more. The best part is he looks out for me as much as I look out for him. My husband says the dog is spoiled ; I say he finally has a loving home. The purpose of the text is to tell readers _ . Choices: A. why the author's dog is her best friend B. what the proper attitude towards dogs is C. what dogs can bring us D. how to raise dogs
A
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Question: Which organisms form the base of all ecosystems? Choices: A. scavengers B. producers C. consumers D. decomposers
B
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Question: (PARIS) ----An English tourist who was highly praised for rescuing a three-year-old boy in Paris said he didn't think twice before diving into the freezing river. Tuesday's news said 25-year-old John Smith from England was the man who left the spot quickly after the rescue last Saturday. He lifted the little boy out of the water after he fell off the bank. He handed the child to his father, David Anderson, who had dived in after him. "I didn't think at all," John told the News. "It happened very fast. I reacted very fast." John, an engineer on vacation, was walking with his girlfriend along the pier when he saw something falling into the water. He thought it was a doll, but realized it was a child when he approached the river. Immediately, he took off his coat and jumped into the water. When he reached the child, he appeared lifeless, he said. Fortunately, when he was out of the water, he opened his eyes. Anderson said his son slipped off the bank when he was adjusting his camera. An ambulance came later for him, said John, who was handed dry clothes from onlookers. John caught a taxi with his girlfriend shortly after. The rescue happened on the day before he left for England. John said he didn't realize his story had greatly moved Paris until he was leaving the city the next morning. "I don't really think I'm a hero," said John. "Anyone would do the same thing." Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? Choices: A. John thought twice before he jumped into the cold water. B. John dived into the water after the boy's father. C. The rescue happened on the day John left for France. D. John didn't think he was a hero because anyone would do the same thing.
D
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Question: Friends and Buddies This program is planned for teenagers who have special needs with the goal of meeting within a community with other peers . The purpose of the program is that it will lead to a better understanding of friendships. Gym, Swim, Surprise Guest, and Pizza are included. Ages 12-18, numbers of members are limited. Contact: Gloria Bass. This program is held 2 Fridays per month. Fees: $65/$85 Club Saturday Swim This program is available to anyone aged 5-14 who is challenged by mental, physical, or emotional trouble. The program will be held each Saturday afternoon, 12:00-12:30 pm or 12:30-1:00 pm. Fees: $136/$260 Sibshops (Ages 10-13) Sibshops is a program for siblings of children with challenges. It includes group activities and talk treatment ways with the focus on improving sibling relationships and whole family happiness. Location: Hope Church, Wilton CT. Wednesday: 4:00-5:00 pm. Fees: $50/$65 Banana Splits Banana Splits is an educational support group for children in family trouble. Children aged 9-13 will have the opportunity to meet other children whose parents have separated or divorced, learn to recognize feelings, think of healthy coping skills and have a place to share their struggles through verbal , physical, and artistic experiences. Location: Hope Church, Wilton CT. Tuesday:4:30-5:30 pm. Fees: $50/$65 Which of the following is TRUE according to the four passages? Choices: A. They are all in the same place. B. They are all free of charge. C. They all hold activities each week. D. They are all intended for children.
D
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Question: A woman baked bread for members of her family and an extra one for a hungry passer-by. She kept the extra bread on the window-sill , for whomever would take it away. Every day, a hunch-back came and took away the bread. Instead of expressing thanks, he said the following words as he went his way: "The evil you do remains with you. The good you do, comes back to you!" This went on, day after day. Every day, the hunch-back came, picked up the bread and repeated the words. One day, the woman felt angry and decided to do away with him. She added poison to the bread she prepared for him !As she was about to place it on the window sill, her hands trembled. "What is this I am doing?" she thought...As usual, the hunch-back came, picked up the bread and repeated those words. That evening, there was a knock on the door. As usual, the hunch-back came, picked up the bread and repeated those words. That evening, there was a knock on the door. As she opened it, she was surprised to find her son standing in the doorway. His clothes were torn. He was hungry, starved and weak. As he saw his mother, he said, "Mom ,it's a wonder I'm here. While I was but a mile away, I was so hungry that I fell down. I would have died, but just then an old hunch-back passed by. I begged of him for a small part of his food, and he was kind enough to give me a whole bread. As the mother heard those words, her face turned pale and red. She remembered the poisoned bread that she had made that morning. Had she not burnt it in the fire, it would have been eaten by her own son, and he would have lost his life! It was then that she realized the significance of the words: "The evil you do remains with you. The good you do,comes back to you!" The passage is meant to _ . Choices: A. show how kind it was of amother to put bread on the window-sill B. tell people how akind hunch back saved a hungry young man C. encourage people to do good even if it's not appreciated at that time D. show why the mother changed her mind at the last moment
C
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Question: Some plants, like redwood trees, may live for thousands of years. Some plants, like the black-eyed Susan wildflower, may only live a few weeks. What would these plants most likely have in common in order to survive? Choices: A. using cones for spreading seeds B. a successful way to reproduce C. the ability to live in the desert D. thorns to keep away animals
B
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Question: EVERYBODY in this world is different from one another. But do you know that understanding differences can help you better manage your money? As we grow up, we gradually develop a set of our own values or beliefs. These are influenced by society, our family, the education we receive and so on. Once this value system is set up, it's not easy to change later in life. Financial experts say that everyone also has their own belief of how to manage their finances. This is part of our value system and it has a great impact on the way we look after our money. According to our different values, experts put us in three categories. They are: the ant, the cricket and the snail. The ant--works first Just like ants who work heart and soul in summer in order to store food for winter, these people don't care about enjoying the moment. They work very hard and save money they earn so that they can enjoy life when they get old and retire. The ant loves to save but they could make more out of their money if they were willing to invest in some funds and stocks with low risk. The cricket--fun first The cricket wants to enjoy everything now and doesn't think too much about the future. They even borrow money when they really want something. Many young people now belong to this group. These people have little savings. When they get old, they might have problems. They should learn to save and buy insurance. The snail--lives under pressure The snail refers to people who make life difficult for themselves. They take big long-term loans from the bank in order to buy things such as luxury houses. They are happy to take big loans even though they are not sure they can afford it. This can cause problems in the future. They should plan more carefully. The text tells us mainly about _ . Choices: A. understanding differences B. our own values and beliefs C. living behaviors of small animal D. spending nature
D
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Question: Coca-Cola is probably the most famous brand in the world, and in some areasyou can even access it easier than clean drinkable water. Although the company is trying to present itself as a health-conscious company, you can't really say that drinking cola is healthy for you. Still, we all drink cola, some more and some less, and we tell ourselves that it's all okay as long as we don't overdo it. However, Coca-Cola has other functions besides drinking. Cola removes the tarnish from old pennies. Got some old rusty pennies? Not to worry! Put them inside a glass of cola and let them rest for a while. When you get them out, you'll have shiny pennies that will look as if they were coined a couple of days ago. If you couldn't clean those pennies with industrial acids, just buy a can of cola and let it do its magic! You can remove gum from your hair with cola. If you've got gum stuck in your hair and don't know a better way to get it out, don't worry, you won't have to cut it. Just pour some cola into a bowl and dip the part of your hair with gum on it inside. Leave it for a couple of minutes and then simply wipe off the gum. You can make an exploding fountain. You probably know about this one. You can make an exploding fountain by putting a mint inside a two-liter bottle. Then move away from the bottle and get ready for a Coca-Cola explosion. This is a fun thing to do, but it is also a warning -- don't eat a mint and drink cola at the same time, because a similar thing could happen to your stomach. Why can't we eat a mint and drink cola at the same time? Choices: A. It can cause harm to our stomach. B. It might make our stomach smaller. C. Mints with cola will produce heat. D. The mint will release poisonous substances.
A
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Question: Now, it's time for some brief news items. Teens Go Online Some 13 million European children under 18 use the Internet for schoolwork, games and music according to research done by Nielsen's "Net-rating". The study covered Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. Experts advised parents to limit the time their kids spend on line and keep them away from chat rooms. Chat to the magic Mum British author J. K. Rowling, mother of magic boy Harry Potter, will do an Internet interview about her new book "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" on June 26. Before the event, children are invited to send their questions about Harry to the website. The book will hit stores in the US and UK on June 21 and will arrive in China in August. School Soldiers Russian school students will have to do basic military training in their final year of school, the government has decided. The lesson will include learning to fire guns, marching drills and how to deal with a chemical, nuclear or biological attack. The activity is seen as part of a drive toward the education of their love for their country. Is it hard for you to get up early and get ready for classes? Some students at Winter Park High School just roll out of bed in their pajamas and go to class in their own bedrooms, Of course, their teachers and classmates do not see them because all their class work is on the computer. The Florida High School, the state's only online school, has 250 students who are taking classes at home by computer. Students in this first online program take classes in algebra , American government, chemistry, computer, economics, and web-page design. They also have to go to regular school to attend other classes. The last news can be given a title " _ ". Choices: A. Get up Late B. Online School C. Magical Computers D. No Teachers
B
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Question: How to get along with people you don't like? We all have to be friendly to people we don't like. We can't change others, but we can change our own ideas and actions. The following are some methods: *Be polite. Say "Hello" or "have a nice day". Say that he or she looks nice. *Be positive . Think of five good things about the person. Maybe he or she is always on time or works hard. *Really listen when the person talks. Ask questions to understand the person better. This passage is most probably from _ . Choices: A. a map B. a cook book C. a story book D. a magazine
D
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Question: You can improve your child's hearing memory considerably . Once his hearing memory has been greatly improved, he'll be able to use and remember what he listens to in class. The success of these suggestions depends upon your ability to use your child's natural desire to get involved in games he finds simple and fun. A good way to begin is to read aloud a sentence from a book suitable for your child's reading age. Then ask your youngster to repeat the sentence back to you correctly. Next, reread the sentence, leaving out a particular word. See if your child can identify the word you left out. At the beginning use only simple sentences. Gradually, increase the length of the sentences. Make sure you don't rush things along too quickly, or your child may become discouraged and tired of the game. Take your child shopping with you often. He's to remember a list of items you want to buy in the supermarket. First , ask him to remember only a few things. Then, as he shows increased ability to remember, make the list longer and longer. Praise him often and warmly when he shows increased ability to remember things. He'll become proud of his 'good' memory and will happily play the game. Encourage your child to learn easy and short poems. As his ability to do this becomes stronger, encourage him to remember longer poems. Do the same with songs. The suggestions will be successful if _ . Choices: A. you find simple and funny games for your child B. you can stimulate your child's interest in the activity C. you force your child to get involved in more practice D. you improve your own hearing memory first
B
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Question: Several years ago, I worked as a truck driver for a company. On Saturdays I usually spent several hours doing something to keep my truck in good condition. One Saturday, as I was cleaning my truck, I noticed the boss's elderly father came out to ask his grandson to take him fishing after work. The grandson told him all about how much he would love to do that, but he just couldn't because he had other plans already. The old man hobbled off to the house. Then I heard the grandson telling his dad, "I'm not taking that old man fishing! It's worse than taking a kid." That just broke my heart. I _ working immediately and went home to fetch my fishing gear and a chair. Then I came back and invited the old man to go fishing. He accepted happily. When we got to the river, I let him sit in the chair at the edge of the water. It wasn't long before he got a fish. He got one fish after another. His eyes were shining like a child. About half an hour later, he told me he was tired and needed to go home. So I took him and the fish home. Two weeks later, the old man died. His family told me later that all he talked about during that time was his fishing trip. I am satisfied that I have taken an old man on his last fishing trip, but I am sorry that his family have lost their last chance. Whenever you get the chance, don't forget about taking Grandpa fishing. Someday, you may be in the same place and you'll want your family to care about you, too. According to the passage, we can infer that the author is _ . Choices: A. willing to make his boss happy B. in need of care from his family C. prefers fishing to his work D. kind and warm-hearted
D
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Question: What system, which includes the skin, plays important roles in protection, sensing stimuli and thermoregulation? Choices: A. digestive system B. pectins system C. integumentary system D. teleporters system
C
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Question: Waiters wanted King Restaurant needs five waiters. If you want to find a new job, you can come here. Please call John at 678-5342. To get to the restaurant, you just have to cross North Road. It's next to the bank. Teachers wanted Do you want to be a teacher? Are you friendly to kids? Can you sing, dance or play the piano? We need a man teacher and a woman teacher to teach music. It's not difficult! Please call Mr. Clark at 415-3440. My lost pet My pet Nini is a small brown cat. I played ball games with Nini in Central Park last Saturday. Then she ran after the ball and did not come back. I am worried about her. If you see her, please call Sara at 283-2585. Thank you! Specials We have some great specials. We have different kinds of noodles, dumplings and soup. Would you like a big bowl of noodles for 12 yuan or a small one for just 8 yuan? You can also order our delicious chicken soup. It's only 9 yuan. Welcome to our restaurant! ,. . The school needs _ teachersto teach music. Choices: A. five B. four C. three D. two
D
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Question: Beautifully cut grass, elegant white clothes, cheering fans and exciting matches make Wimbledon, in London, the home of tennis. Last Monday, the famous British tournament opened at the All England Lawn Tennis Club. It is the third Grand Slam tournament of the tennis season. Wimbledon comes after the Australian Open and the French Open, and is followed by the US Open. As the oldest tennis tournament in the world, Wimbledon is famous for its special rules and traditions. The players' clothing, including their shoes, must be entirely white. In 2002, the Russian player Anna Kournikova was forced to change from her black shorts into another pair on court. Between 1988 and 1990, US legend Andre Agassi refused to play because of the all-white rule. The UK's unpredictable summer weather is part of the tournament. If it begins to rain, players and fans have to wait patiently for it to stop. Then, they cheer when the covers come off the grass courts. Many British fans do not think the courts should have a roof, because they want to keep tradition. Wimbledon is not just famous for great tennis matches. Fans like to eat strawberries and cream while watching. Every year 27,000 kilos of strawberries and 7,000 liters of cream are eaten. Many British people are very proud of the tournament, but disappointment is another Wimbledon tradition for loyal fans of British players. Wimbledon has not been won by a British woman since 1977, and not by a British man since 1938. It's mentioned in the passage that _ . Choices: A. players must continue their matches even when it rains B. all British fans hope to build a roof to cover the courts C. fans can enjoy eating strawberries and cream while watching D. new rules should be made in Wimbledon
C
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Question: As the sun rose, a dewdrop woke up. There it sat on a leaf, catching the sunlight. Proud of its simple beauty, it was very happy. Around it were other dewdrops, some on the same leaf and some on other leaves. The dewdrop was sure that it was the best, the most special dewdrop of them all. Ah, it was good to be a dewdrop. The wind blew and the plant began to shake, tipping the leaf. The dewdrop became frightened as it started to move towards the edge of the leaf. Why was this happening? Things were comfortable. Things were safe. Why did they have to change? Why? Why? The dewdrop reached the edge of the leaf. It was sure that this was the end. The day had only just begun and the end had come so quickly. It seemed so unfair. It seemed so meaningless. It tried hard to do whatever it could to stay on the leaf, but it was no use. Finally, it fell. Below there was a mirror. A reflection of the dewdrop seemed to be coming up to meet it. Closer and closer they came together until finally.., the small dewdrop became a part of the great pond . Now the dewdrop was no more, but it was not destroyed. It had become one with the whole. Which of the following is TRUE according to the story? Choices: A. There was only one dewdrop on the leaf. B. The dewdrop did nothing before falling. C. The mirror in the story refers to the pond. D. The dewdrop was actually destroyed.
C
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Question: When you think of photographing people, you may think of your family reunion or the Christmas party at work. These types of pictures of people are records of fun events with nice memories. Let's take a look at another idea for taking pictures of people, with an entirely different slant. Much as anthropologists study the diversity of characteristics of people in cultural and environmental contexts, some photographers record these aspects of people in their pictures. They try to capture the emotions and humanity of people, and the photograph draws the viewer into the subject's experience at that moment in time. Taking pictures of people with this goal in mind makes the photographer and the viewer grow in the understanding of human nature. For example, a photograph of a young man trying to hitch a ride in the rain can show the experience. His poncho sparkles with the raindrops flowing in a steady stream to the ground. The lights of passing traffic highlight the contrast between the warm, dry drivers, taking no notice of his misery. Another picture of a child sleeping on a bench at a busy train station can capture the innocence of childhood contrasted with a busy world of hurried grown-ups. If you'd like to experiment with this form of photographs of people, look for ordinary people in contrasting environments or contexts. Children and the elderly pose extraordinary possibilities. The lined faces of the aged often make great subjects, reflecting character and wisdom. People are such interesting subjects. Facial expressions can convey a thousand moods and feelings. Taking pictures of people with an eye to the feel and magic of the moment will make you a better and more enthusiastic photographer. You may find yourself so taken with this new experience. Photographing people is an artful endeavor. Take the leap! It is suggested in this passage that you photograph _ . Choices: A. common people B. important people C. strange people D. poor people
A
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Question: What type of compound is hydrogen chloride? Choices: A. covalent B. ionic C. metal D. polar
A
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Question: Convenient location 5 minutes from Washington ,D.C. and one block to Crystal City METRO ,Crystal City Underground. Alexandria. Free Parking, free Deluxe Continental Breakfast and complimentary Hotel Shuttle Service to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. 14000 Jefferson Davis Hwy(endurance on S. Eads St.) Phone (703) 979-3722 DAYS INN ARLINGTON Days Inn Arlington is located two miles from the Pentagon ,Lincoln Memorial .There is a restaurant which serves American style food ,plus two meeting rooms and an outdoor pool. Complimentary shuttle service runs to the Rosslyn Metro Station. Complimentary parking is available on the property .An experienced staff welcomes our guests. Phone(703)525-0300 THE HIGHLANDER MOTOR INN Comfortable rooms at moderate rates . Convenient location only minutes away from Washington area attraction. Near VA Square METRO Station and Ballston Commons Shopping Mall. Free continental breakfast ,free parking. Phone(703)524-4300 HYATT REGENCY CRYSTAL CITY Conveniently located next to Washington National Airport and two miles from Washington D.C. Complimentary Shuttle to and from National Airport ,metro ,local restaurants and shopping .Experience a view to remember at out rooftop restaurants "Chesapeake Grill." Call for Reservations. Phone(073)418-12341 Steven loves the idea of having delicious meal while enjoying the night view of Washington D.C. He will probably reserve a room by calling _ . Choices: A. (703)524-4300 B. (073)418-12341 C. (703)525-030 D. (703)979-3722
B
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Question: An Afghan Hound get all its hair from Choices: A. its parents B. the water C. the sun D. its siblings
A
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Question: It was such an extremely freezing day that I decided to get a cup of hot drinking first after work. As my colleague, Ricky, and I were making our way to a coffee shop, I noticed an old gentleman rather poorly dressed sitting on a bench nearby. Obviously he was frozen, seemingly one of the homeless or someone like that. We joined the line and waited to be served. Ricky handed the server a twenty-dollar bill, ordered three cups of hot coffee, and gestured the sever to give one to the old gentleman outside on the bench as a favour. The server looked at Ricky, a little _ , without full comprehension of the request. Afterwards, there was a wonderful exchange between the server and the old man in need of some attention. I only wished I had taken a photo of the smiles on the both faces. As I was thinking about this event later on, I wondered to myself why Ricky didn't perform this act of kindness himself. I suspect that deep down in his heart he was hoping that this act of kindness might inspire others to do something for this old man as well. Absolutely beautiful! There are many ways of thinking when we met someone as the old man in need of kindness and attention. Perhaps he needs a little helping hand and thanks God for my colleague who inspired the others to goodness as well. Oh, by the way, the last words Ricky told the server was, "There go I, but for the Grace of God." Why didn't Ricky give the favour to the old gentleman himself? Choices: A. He didn't know the old gentleman. B. He was too shy to speak to strangers. C. He tried to influence others to be kind. D. He feared the old man would refuse his help.
C
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Question: Dear Cary, I'm writing because I've understood you've struggled with alcoholism . I've been fighting mine ever since I went through 9-11. After that, I've been more or less useless. Professionally, I'm a lawyer, and have had to leave my job because I passed out , drunk in front of my computer. I've taken some medicine and it has helped somewhat. I can manage about a month without drinking, but after that I end up having a crazy stage where nothing matters except drinking. After a week or so of heavy drinking, I start having nightmares of people jumping. After that, it's a week of not being able to get out of bed. I was supposed to travel to a conference but didn't make it because I got so drunk at the airport that I fell down on my face and spent the rest of the day in the emergency room. I have been hiding from my family since then. Fortunately they won't be expecting me to come back for a week or so. Otherwise, they would notice the bump on my forehead and two black eyes. I don't really know what I'm asking you about. Cary, I need a way out that doesn't cause pain to my family. I'm taking medicine, but I still have these attacks every few months. If there's alcohol in the house, I can't stay away from it. It seems that this will never end. I'm worried about what will happen if something bad happens, like a family member dying, or getting fired again. Thanks for reading. Yours T What is the author worried about? Choices: A. Losing his temper. B. Missing the conference. C. Bringing pain to his family. D. Giving up drinking.
C
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Question: No one knows for sure when advertising first started. It is possible that it grew out of the discovery that some people did certain kinds of work better than others did them. That led to the concept of specialization, which means that people would specialize, or focus, on doing one specific job. Let's take a man we'll call Mr. Fielder, for example. He did everything connected with farming. He planted seeds, tended the fields, and harvested and sold his crops. At the same time, he did many other jobs on the farm. However, he didn't make the bricks for his house, grind the wheat for his flour, or cut his trees into boards. He also did not make the plows , the work boots, or any of the other hundreds of things a farm needs. Instead, he got them from people who specialized in doing each of those things. Suppose there was another man we shall call Mr. Plowright. Using what he knew about farming and working with iron, Mr. Plowright invented a plow that made farming easier. Mr. Plowright did not really like farming himself and wanted to specialize in making really good plows. Perhaps, he thought, other farmers will trade what they grow for one of my plows. How did Mr. Plowright let people know what he was doing? Why, he advertised, of course. First he opened a shop and then he put up a sign outside the shop to attract customers. That sign may have been no more than a plow carved into a piece of wood and a simple arrow pointing to the shop door. It was probably all the information people needed to find Mr. Plowright and his really good plows. Many historians believe that the first outdoor signs were used about five thousand years ago. Even before most people could read, they understood such signs. Shopkeepers would carve into stone, clay, or wood symbols for the products they had for sale. A medium, in advertising talk, is the way you communicate your message. You might say that the first medium used in advertising was signs with symbols. The second medium was audio, or sound, although that term is not used exactly in the way we use it today. Originally, just the human voice and maybe some kind of simple instrument, such as a bell, were used to get people's attention. A crier, in the historical sense, is not someone who weeps easily. It is someone, probably a man, with a voice loud enough to be heard over the other noises of a city. In ancient Egypt, shopkeepers might hire such a person to spread the news about their products. Often this primitive form of advertising involved a newly arrived ship loaded with goods. Perhaps the crier described the goods, explained where they came from, and praised their quality. His job was, in other words, not too different from a TV or radio commercial in today's world. To advertise his plows, Mr. Plowright _ . Choices: A. praised his plows in public B. placed a sign outside the shop C. hung an arrow pointing to the shop D. showed his products to the customers
B
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Question: As the temperature of water decreases what happens to the speed of the water molecules? Choices: A. begin to boil B. slow down C. evaporate D. move faster
B
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Question: Most friendships die a nature death: people move, change jobs, or start different stages of life. Other friendships, however, end unexpectedly. When a friendship is over and you don't understand why, it can be especially painful. Sometimes a friend ends your relationship without telling you why. The loss of friendship might be worth _ . Knowing when a friendship is over and why it ends may help you build stronger friendships in the future. *See if you can find a problem. When a friendship is over, examine your relationship. Perhaps you remember your friend complaining that you're always late. Maybe you seldom return your friend's phone calls. When a friend ends your relationship, try to find out the reasons why the friendship is over. * Writer a letter to your friend . Express you feelings about the friendship. Do you miss seeing them? Do you have any regrets? Would you act differently if you were still friends? Make it an honest communication. * Express you feeling of being hurt or anger. Write or talk about how you feel in a letter. When a friendship is over, it's important to communicate exactly how hurt you feel, and why. Write until you have nothing left to say. When a friend ends your relationship, you do have the right to express yourself. * Communicate that you are open to pick up the friendship . When a friendship is over and you want to reconnect some day, send Christmas, or birthday cards. Say hi and send greetings through mutual friends. When a friendship is over, don't give up until you're ready. * Decide to make your present friendships better. An adviser once told me that simply talking about your relationship strengthens your relationship. Talk to your present friends. Are they happy with your friendship? If a friend ends your relationship, learn something from it. When a friendship is over, you may do all the following EXCEPT _ . Choices: A. ask your friends whose fault on earth it is B. talk about how you feel about your friendship C. write a letter to your friend to tell your regrets D. send your greetings to your friend before giving up
A
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Question: Tom arrived at the bus station quite early for Paris bus. The bus for Paris would not leave until five to twelve. He saw a lot of people waiting in the station. Some were standing in line , others were walking around. There was a group of schoolgirls. Their teacher was trying to keep them in line. Tom looked around but there was no place for him to sit. He walked into the station cafe . he looked up at the clock there. It was only twenty to twelve. He found a seat and sat down before a large mirror on the wall. Just then, Mike, one of Tom's workmates came in and sat with Tom. "What time is your bus?" asked Mike. "There's plenty of time yet," answered Tom. "Well, I'll get you some more tea then," said Mike. They talked while drinking. Then Tom looked at the clock again. "Oh! It's going backward !" he cried. "A few minutes ago it was twenty to twelve and now it's half past eleven." "You're looking at the clock in the mirror." said Mike. Tom was so sad . The next bus was not to leave for another hour. Since then Tom has never liked mirrors. ,. Tom went into the station cafe because . Choices: A. Mike asked him to have a cup of tea. B. it was quite early and he could find a seat there. C. he didn't like to stay with the schoolgirls. D. he wanted to have a drink with his workmate there.
B
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Question: Every winter the Indians caught beavers .They sold these beaver furs to men from France. In the 1600s and 1700s,people in France wanted beaver furs for coats and hats. Other countries wanted these furs, too . Wearing a beaver fur hat became a sign .It said ,"Look at this man! This man is rich!" In the 1800s,men in this country began to wear beaver hats. They too, wanted to wear the sign that said," Look at those men! They are rich!" Soon it was hard to find beavers. To get more beaver furs, traders had to move West. Traders began to explore this new country. They came back with wonderful stories about the new land. Before long, many people wanted to go West to live. Where people go, towns grow. Soon there were new towns in the West. Men looking for beaver for fancy(,) hats helped the West grow. Wearing a beaver hat was a sign that a man was _ . Choices: A. a hunter B. rich C. a trader D. an Indian
B
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Question: The engineer Camillo Olivetti was 40 years old when he started the company in 1908. At his factory in Ivera, he designed and produced the first Italian typewriter. Today the company's head office is still in Ivrea, near Turin, but the company is much larger than it was in those days and there are offices all around the world. By 1930 there was a staff of 700 and the company turned out 13,000 machines a year. Some went to customers in Italy, but Olivetti exported more typewriters to other countries. Camilllo's son, Adriano, started working for the company in 1924 and later he became the boss. He introduecd a standard speed for the production line and he employed technology and design specialists. The company developed new and better typewriters and the calculators .In 1959 it produced the ELLA computer system. This was the first mainframe computer designed and traded in Italy. After Adriano died in 1960, the company had a period of financial problems. Other companies, especially the Janpanese, made faster progress in electronic technology than the Italian company. In 1978, Carlo de Benedetti became the new boss. Olivetti increased its marking and service networks and made agreements with other companies to design and produce more advanced office equipment. Soon it became one, of the world's leading companies in information technology and communications. There are now five independent companies in the Olivetti group --- one for personal computers,one for other office equipment, one for systerms and services, and two for telecommunications. What do we know about Olivetti ? Choices: A. It produced the best typewriter in the word. B. It designed the word's first mainframe computer. C. It exported more typewriter than other computer. D. It has five independent companies with its head office in lvrea.
D
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Question: How often do you go on holiday? Going on holiday makes you feel good while you're there-you gain the health benefits for months, new research shows. Jetting off to exotic destinations such as the Maldives cuts your blood pressure, helps you sleep better and bounce back from stress, it found. The benefits last at least a fortnight longer than the vacation and can be felt for months in some cases where it is claimed. Experts say workers should always take their full holiday entitlement each year-as many as one in three don't-to get the benefits. The study compared key health markers in holidaymakers visiting Thailand, Peru or the Maldives, with people who stayed at home and continued working. The average blood pressure of those on holiday dropped by 6% while the workers saw their blood pressure rise by 2% over the same period. The sleep quality of holiday-makers improved by 17% while that of the non-holidaymakers _ by 14%. The study also found the ability of vacationers to recover from stress--known as the stress-resilience test-improved by 29%. There was a 71% fall in stress resilience scores among workers. Test showed a fall in blood glucose levels, reducing the risk of diabetes, trimmer waistlines and enhanced mood and energy levels, with the effects sustained for at least 2 weeks after returning home. The Holiday Health Experiment was conducted by tour operator Kuoni and Nuffield Health, the UK's largest healthcare charity. The best title of the passage is _ . Choices: A. A Holiday Health Experiment B. Key Health Markers in Holidaymakers C. Health Benefits from Holiday D. Health Problems of Having Holiday
C
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Question: Have you ever walked down a city street and suddenly seen a bright garden full of vegetables and flowers? It may be a community garden. The community gardens are planted by the people in the community. They are not just pretty places. They improve the neighborhoods. People first started planting these gardens during the 1970s. At that time, the price of vegetables and fruits was rising. In many city neighborhoods, crime was increasing. There were also many other problems. People decided to get together to plant gardens to fight against these problems. The gardeners thought they might make the area more beautiful and improve people's life. These gardeners were right! Community gardens have many benefits. They improve their neighbourhoods. They also make people feel they belong to the community. When people work together in a garden, they feel they are connected with each other. People work on a small area within the garden. They grow vegetables or fruits. Each person decides what he or she is going to grow. However, they also work together to help each other. Some members have gardening experience. They can help those who are just learning how to grow vegetables and fruits. Sometimes, garden members pay for supplies. The supplies usually include small plants and tools. Many community gardens have sponsors . They pay for the supplies for the gardens. It helps to keep the gardens going every year. Sponsors may be parks, schools and local companies. Some groups want to be a part of the community. They help clean up and beautify a neighborhood. They also pay for the supplies. Community gardens give people a chance to work together. They can make the community stable . There are many programs of community gardens. Some gardens provide programs for children and elder people. They may provide classes. They may give the vegetables and fruits to poor people. Community gardens also improve air. Today there are about 10,000 community gardens in cities in the US. They have become popular because of their benefits. People enjoy having vegetables and flowers in their neighborhoods. People started to plant community gardens because _ . Choices: A. it was a good way to learn gardening B. they liked fresh vegetables and flowers C. it helped them get more experience D. they wanted to solve the problems
D
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Question: Tom is thirteen years old. He is in Grade Seven this year. He likes playing football and watching football matches. And he often reads newspapers. He does his best to know when and where there is going to be a football match. Now Tom is having lunch and he is also reading newspapers. He is very happy because there is going to be a nice football match on TV at four this afternoon. He wants to watch it very much, but he is going to have English and maths lessons in the afternoon. He thinks hard and finds a way. "Hello, Mrs Black,"Tom says to his teacher on the telephone."Tom is ill in bed. He wants to ask for half a day's leave ." "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that,"says Mrs Black."But who is that?" "It's my father, Mrs Black,"Tom answers. Why does Tom ask for half a day's leave? Choices: A. Because he is ill. B. Because he wants to watch the football match on TV. C. Because he doesn't like maths lessons. D. Because he wants to see a movie.
B
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Question: Attractions in Wisconsinks5u Wisconsin Historical Museum 30 N. Carroll Street on Madison's Capitol Square Discover Wisconsin's history and culture on four floors of exhibits. Open for public programs. Admission is free. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (608)264-6555 www.wisconsinhistory.org/museum Swiss Historical Village 612 Seventh Ave, New Glarus The Swiss Historical Village offers a delightful look at pioneer life in America's heartland. 14 buildings in the village give a full picture of everyday life in the nineteenth-century Midwest. Tue. - Fri., May 1st- Oct. 31st, 10:a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Admission is$20. (608)527-2317 www.swisshistoricalvillage.com Artisan Gallery & Greamery Cafe 6858 Paoli Rd, Paoli, WI One of the largest collections of fine arts and crafts in Wisconsin. Over 5,000 sq. ft. of exhibiton space in a historical creamery. While visiting enjoy a wonderfully prepared lunch at our cafe overlooking the Sugar River. Just minutes from Madison! Galleriy open Tue. - Sun., 10:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. Cafe open Wed. - Sat., 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Sun. brunch with wine, 10:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. (608)845-6600 www.artisangal.com Christopher Columbus Museum 239 Whitney St. Columbus World-class exhibit - 2000 quality souvenirs marking Chicago's 1893 World Columbus Exhibition. Tour buses are always welcome. Open daily, 8:15 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (920)623-1992 www.columbusantiquemall.com Where can you go for a visit on Monday? Choices: A. Wisconsin Historical Museum. B. Swiss Historical Village. C. Artisan Gallery & Greamery Cafe. D. Christopher Columbus Museum.
D
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Question: Name the missing type of friction: static, rolling, fluid _____? Choices: A. turning B. sliding C. falling D. dragging
B
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Question: New findings suggest that brainy card games such as contract bridge may temporarily raise production of a key blood cell including in fighting off illness. After 90 minutes of play, bridge players had increased level of immune cell, according to research reported last week. A researcher, Diamond, studies bridge players from a woman's bridge club. She chose bridge players because the game includes skills stimulating a part of the brain called the dorsolateral cortex. Earlier animal research suggests that this part of the brain may play a role in the immune system. The findings are based on blood samples drawn from 12 women players. Their blood samples showed a rise in levels of white blood cells called T cells after they played bridge for 90 minutes. T cells are produced by the thymus gland and used by the immune system against diseases. The T cells count jumped significantly in eight of the bridge players, and slightly in the other four. The findings contribute to the field of neuroimmunology , whose name reflects the fact that the nervous system and the immune system are not considered separate and isolated systems. What isn't clear is whether the help to the immune system from an activity like contract bridge is lasting or temporary. It's also not clear whether the increase in T cells could finally be targeted against special illness. A T cell is _ . Choices: A. a brain cell B. a white blood cell C. a red blood cell D. a kind of dangerous blood
B
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Question: The first newspapers were written by hand and put up on walls in public place. The earliest daily newspaper was started in Rome in 59 BC. In the 700's the world's first printed newspaper was published. Europe didn't have a regularly published newspaper until 1609, when one was started in Germany. The first regularly published newspaper in the English language was printed in Amsterdam in 1620. In 1621, an English newspaper was started in London and was published once a week. The first daily English newspaper was the Daily Courant . It came out in March 1702. In 1690, Benjamin Harris printed the first American newspaper in Boston. But not long after it was first published, the government stopped the paper. In 1704, John Campbell started The Boston Newsletter , the first newspaper published in the American colonies. By 1760, the colonies had more than thirty daily newspapers. There are now about 1,800 daily papers in the United States. Today, as a group, English language newspapers have the largest circulation in the world. But the largest circulation for a newspaper is that of the Japanese newspaper Asahi Dhimbun . It sells more than eleven million copies every day. The first printed newspaper in America came out in _ . Choices: A. Washington B. Boston C. New York D. New Orleans
B
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Question: Presents For Children's Day Charles M. Schulz was born in 1922 in Minneapolis, the only child of a housewife and a barber. His interest in comics was encouraged by his father, who loved the funny pages. Charles M. Schulz sold seventeen cartoons to the Saturday Evening Post from 1948 to 1950 and Li'l Folks to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Peanuts debuted on October 2, 1950, and ran without interruption for the next fifty years. Charles M. Schulz died in 2000. *IT'S A DOG'S LIFE SNOOPY It's a Dog's Life, Snoopy brings all your familiar friends together for great times and fun. *IT'S A BIG WORLD CHARLIE BROWN Charlie Brown faces some of life's little challenges with the help of Snoopy, Lucy, Peppermint Patty, Linus, and the rest of the gang in It's a Big World, Charlie Brown. *PEANUTS 2000 The last one is the special edition Peanuts 2000, which includes all the last year's Peanuts comic strip and Charles M. Schulz's famous farewell strip. Come and visit our website at www.ballantinebooks.com or come to Ballantine Bookshop, you'll have a big surprise. What do you think the passage is? Choices: A. A novel B. A menu C. A diary D. An advertisement
D
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Question: Henry had been a journalist for many years. He had worked on many international newspapers and magazines and traveled all over the world. Henry had _ wars and natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and erupting volcanos . He had reported on serious accidents such as major fires and airline crashes. He had seen every kind of terrible crime and strange event there was. He had met and written about some of the most unusual people in the world. In fact, there wasn't much that Henry had not seen or done. Now he was retired from journalism. He owned a very expensive restaurant and spent his days talking to his wealthy and important customers. He liked to say that nothing surprised him. One day he was sitting at the bar in his restaurant when a big gorilla walked in and asked for a table. Henry showed no surprise. He took the gorilla to a table and handed him a menu. He treated him politely and pretended there was nothing at all strange about having a gorilla in his restaurant. The gorilla looked through the menu and ordered a salad. Henry served the gorilla his salad personally, knowing that his waiters and waitresses would be too frightened. At last the gorilla finished his salad and asked for the bill. Henry wrote out the bill and handed it to the big animal. The gorilla studied it, shook his head sadly, then gave Henry fifty dollars. "Thank you", Henry said, and then to make conversation he added, "We don't get many gorillas in this restaurant." "At fifty dollars for a salad," the gorilla said, "I'm not surprised." The gorilla was _ . Choices: A. angry with the salad B. still hungry after his salad C. not surprised by the cost of the food D. surprised by the prices
D
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Question: An example of a fossil is the bones of what kind of animal? Choices: A. toy B. live C. programmed D. wiped out
D
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Question: Girls should take part in competitive sport to build confidence, the leader of a group of girls' schools will argue this week. Helen Fraser, director of the Girls Day School Trust (GDST), will tell the group that sport can help girls cope with failure. "All girls and not just the sporty ones should take physical exercise", Ms Fraser will say. Research that girls are far less active than boys is worrying, she argues. Ms Fraser will tell the group that she backs "sport for all". "That's why I love it when our schools have A, B ,C and D teams and beyond", she will say. The GDST draws on research from the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation which suggests only a quarter of girls in England meet basic levels ( )of activity each week. One in five girls do no activity at all, twice the proportion of boys, the research suggests. Ms Fraser says other research suggests that more than 80% of women business leaders played sports while growing up. She uses the examples of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, once a skater and tennis player, while the head of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, was in the French national swimming team. Ms Fraser says Olympic medallists like Jessica Ennis, Katherine Grainger and Nicola Adams are excellent role models for young women but says women's sport needs more money and more news reports.. Valerie Dunsford, head of Sheffield High School, part of GDST, said it was important to offer a large number of sports to attract different types of girls. "Not everyone wants to be out playing the hockey ", said Ms Dunsford. Which of the following ideas would Ms Fraser agree with? Choices: A. Those taking part in the sport are always failures. B. More should be done to make girls do sports. C. Girls are less confident than boys. D. Boys are born to be sport lovers.
B
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Question: Youth, friendship and love are the main themes of this year's Chinese movies, such as So Young(<<>> ) and American Dreams in China(<<>> ). Tiny Times(<<>> ), one of the most popular movies this summer, also has the same features. The movie was based on author and director Guo Jingming's novel of the same name. It tells a story about four girls who come from different backgrounds and of different personalities. Since it was shown on June 27, Tiny Times has made 483 million yuan at the box office. The sequel of it was shown on Aug 8 and it has also been a big box office hit. Cao Yuhan, 13, a high school student at Beijing Jianhua Experimental School, is a big fan of the movie. "I'm deeply touched by their friendship," Cao said. "When Nan Xiwang is in trouble, the other three girls try their best to help her, even running barefoot in the snow. However, not everyone has had good things to say. The people's Daily said that the film went too far in encouraging youths to become materialistic . Film commentator Raymond Zhou wrote on his online blog that "Buying luxury goods seems as a way to express love or friendship, and the word 'money' is repeated over and over again. Song Kexin, 14, a high school student at Zhida Middle School in Taiyuan, Shanxi, shows a typical example of a fan's attitude . And that's to look for the positive value. "That movie is a little far from our daily life. My friends and I are not having parties every day," Song said, "But I admire Tang Wanru's optimistic attitude. She's always looking at the bright side of life. I should learn from her." Which is NOT one of the main themes of this year's Chinese movies? Choices: A. Youth B. Love C. War D. Friendship
C
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Question: The period of life between the start of puberty and the beginning of adulthood is called? Choices: A. adolescence B. youth C. old age D. prenatal
A
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Question: More than a hundred reporters from around the world thronged and bustled in the Stock Exchange Building in Stockholm's Old Town for about an hour before the doors to the Swedish Academy swung open. Notably, there were many Japanese reporters present, hoping to break the news that Haruki Murakami had won the prize. Finally, the Swedish Academy's Permanent Secretary Peter Englund stepped out from the doors and said Canadian short story writer Alice Munro has won the 2013 Nobel Prize in Literature. The following is a truncated Q&A with reporters and Englund. (The questions have been simplified and clarified.) Why did Alice Munro win? We gave her the Nobel Prize in Literature because she is a master of the contemporary short story. Which book to begin with? One of the amazing things about her is that she has no weak works in her writing. She has always worked to the best of her ability; she has always cultivated the short story to perfection. And she has never really written a weak or bad book. So you can take your pick. 'The Moons of Jupiter' was the first book I read by her and you can see both her different themes in that book and also her very special narrative mode, you can find it there. She tells her stories a bit like nobody else. She has a very economical language and sparse style. You can find that in 'The Moons of Jupiter.' You can take your pick. The latest one is obviously very interesting, 'Dear Life,' which contains a number of autobiographical sketches at the end that gives a key to the entire authorship of Alice Munro. How was she informed? Well, I left a message on her answering machine. I couldn't reach her and it was of course pretty early in the morning. But she will be notified by courier, by email to her both agents, by standard mail and so on. What kind of message did you leave? Basically, congratulations! You've won the Nobel Prize in literature. What's the Importance of a woman winning? Don't ask me. We picked her for excellence, nothing else. Of course it matters when you start doing the headcount. But she is no representative. She has received this prize just because of what she has done. Nothing else. So the sexual balance doesn't count? We don't have these kinds of quotas; thank god ... We don't have any quotas. We could, if we wanted to, award this prize four times in a row to a children's book writer working in the United States. If we wanted to. We can do as we please. We don't have to fill any quotes in any direction. We just give it to authors who show an extraordinary literary quality. One of these is Mrs. Alice Munro. Alice Munro is best known for her work _ . Choices: A. "Dear Life", which contains a number of autobiographical sketches that gives a key to her entire authorship B. "The Moons of Jupiter", which represented both her different themes and also her very special narrative mode C. "DanceoftheHappyShades", which helped her win the first Governor General's Award D. no specific work, but the uniqueness and perfection reflected in all her works
D
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Question: Welcome to Cambridge Dictionaries Online! Cambridge University Press publishes a range of dictionaries for learners of English all around the world. You can search our dictionaries using the search box at the top of the page. New for elementary learners We've added two new choices to Cambridge Dictionaries Online-Essential British English and Essential American English. Both are for elementary, and lower intermediate learners of English, and are specially written to make the definitions and examples easy to understand. They cover all of the vocabulary that elementary and lower intermediate students need to make progress, and help students to arrange their learning by showing the words that should be known at Al, A2, and B1 levels. You can look up the dictionaries from the dropdown box at the top of the page. More than just a dictionary Don't forget to visit our New Words, which keeps you up to date with those words and meanings that are just starting to be used in English. There's also About Words, our fascinating blog about how the English language behaves. You can give your opinion on new expressions or blog posts by voting or leaving comments, so get involved! Tell your friends! If you find something you like, you can now share it with your friends. Just elide on the relevant icon to spread the word. You can also become a fan on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or add a Cambridge Dictionary toolbar to your computer -- it's now easier than ever. Do you like Cambridge Dictionaries Online? Could you make it even better? Let us know your thoughts and ideas! Email us and let us know: dictionary@cambridge.org. Paul Heacock Dictionaries Publishing Manager Cambridge University Press If you have any suggestions for Cambridge dictionaries, you're advised to _ . Choices: A. writer a letter . B. write an e-mail C. leave a comment D. make a phone call.
B
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Question: I will never forget the year when I was 12.My mother told us that we would not get Christmas gifts because there was not enough money .I felt sad and thought, "What shall I say when the other kids ask me about my gifts?" I started to hope the Christmas wouldn't come that year. Just then three women came to our house with gifts for all of us. For me,they brought a doll .I felt so happy. Years later, my life changed a lot. So one Christmas, I wanted to do something special. I asked forty friends to help me. We visited 125 orphans to come to our Christmas party. For every child, we prepared a beautiful gift. Finally the moment came. I called out," One, two, three. Open your gifts!" As the children opened their boxes, the whole room was full of their bright smiles. The feeling I got from that Christmas so long ago came again. Which of the following is WRONG according to the passage? Choices: A. The writer's family was very poor when she was a child. B. The writer wanted to do something special for the old people at Christmas. C. The three women taught the writer how to help others. D. The writer and her friends invited 125 orphans to come to the Christmas party.
B
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Question: Look at this photo. 1 _ . He has two sisters. 2 _ . The other one in the yellow dress is his sister, Mary. Rose and Mary have the same age. They look the same. They are 3 _ . John and his sisters are in different schools.4 _ . Their dad and mom are English teachers. They like their students. The family are happy. ,. (10) : 1. Choices: A. The boy is Jhon. B. The boy name is Jone C. The boy are John D. The boy isn't John : 2, .
A
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Question: We all want to live in good neighborhoods, but not everyone lives in a good neighborhood. How can you build a better community for yourself and your family? There are many things you can do. Paint your intersection . A street intersection is not something you think of as interesting. However, In Portland, people in some neighborhoods have made them really worth stopping for. Some paint, creative people and a bright design are all it takes to bring neighbors together and produce something the whole community can be proud of. Make a poetry box. The idea is simple, really - create a box with a glass or clear plastic front. Put this box on a post. Write your own poem or print out your favorite classic and display it in the box for all your neighbors to see. You can also set up a drop box and encourage neighbors to write their own poems and drop them in the box. Display the poems from your neighbors as the poems come in. Set up a tool library. How often do you need a leaf blower? Or a chain saw? And how often do you use that electric cake mixer? To01 libraries have space where neighbors can drop their hardly used tools to share. Check with a local business, community center or church group about space that can house a tool library. Turn your front yard into your backyard. How often do you meet your neighbors in your backyard? Probably never. Moving your typical backyard activities to the front immediately makes you more visible . You can create front-yard gardens, build community benches and even just barbecue in your front yard. They are all great ways to connect with your community. With effort, you'll make your neighborhood a much better place. How many ways are mentioned to build a better community? Choices: A. Three. B. Four. C. Five. D. Six.
B
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Question: Gina's sister lives in England. She knows something about China on TV. But she wants to know more. So she is looking forward to visiting China. She will have a holiday next week. She is going to visit Beijing because she likes Chinese culture. She is going there by plane and then stay in a hotel. In Beijing she is going to do sightseeing, and visit the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and walk up the Great Wall. Gina's sister also likes animals. She likes Chinese pandas very much. So she is going to visit Beijing Zoo to see the pandas there and take some photos of them. On the last day in Beijing she is going shopping. She wants to buy Gina a present. She knows that Gina likes Chinese silk and Chinese paintings. Why is Gina's sister looking forward to visiting China? Because _ . Choices: A. she is going to know something more about China B. she lives in America C. she can know China on television D. she is not Chinese
A
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Question: When should a child start learning to read and write? This is one of the questions I am most frequently asked. There is no hard and fast rule, for no two are alike, and it would be wrong to set a time when all should start being taught the intricacies of reading letters to form words. If a three-year-old wants to read(or even a two-year-old for that matter), the child has the right to be given every encouragement. The fact that he or she might later be "bored" when joining a class of non-readers at child school is the teacher's affair. It is up to the teacher to see that such a child is given more advanced reading material. Similarly, the child who still cannot read by the time he goes to junior school at the age of seven should be given every help by teachers and parents alike. They should make certain that he is not dyslexic(having difficulty in reading). Although parents should be careful not to force youngsters aged two to five to learn to read( if badly done it could put them off reading for life ), there is no harm in preparing them for simple recognition of letters by labeling various items in their rooms. For instance, tie a nice piece of cardboard to their bed with BED written in neat, big letters. Should the young child ask his parents to teach him to read, and if the parents are capable of doing so, such an attraction should not be ignored. But the task should never be made to look like a hard job and the child should never be forced to continue, or his interest should start to flag. The purpose of labeling items in the room is to _ . Choices: A. make it more colorful B. help children recognize simple letters C. force children to develop the habit of reading D. teach children to write neatly
B
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Question: Mammals are endothermic vertebrates that have four limbs and produce what type of eggs? Choices: A. umbilical B. gymnoic C. epithelial D. amniotic
D
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Question: English is fast becoming the only language of a new generation of educated Arabs. This isn't a good thing for the region or the rest of the world. The journalism school at the AUD is the only modern program in the Middle East that allows students to study in Arabic. Still, many students arrive with poorly written Arabic and the formal spoken language and require refresher Arabic language courses. Literacy in the Gulf States is 98%, according to UNESCO. But that literacy is increasingly in English, not Arabic. This English bias starts early, with children in private "model" schools in the United Arab Emirates studying all their subjects, including math and science, in English. But the trend appears to be taking hold regionwide. In Saudi Arabia, many upper-middle-class families speak English at home -- not just at work . One Arabic official told me his own children do not speak Arabic fluently. He said he put them in English schools to help ensure they'd have great career prospects. But now he says he regrets that his children don't feel comfortable speaking the language of their forefathers. Why is there the anxiety among these elites? I am continually told that what I've experienced anecdotally is true: The wealthier the family, the less likely its members speak Arabic at home. If people in the same country don't speak the same language, how can they work across class lines to solve the problems of high unemployment that affect even oil-rich Saudi Arabia? For executives trying to build local businesses, the English bias is a challenge. The dean of the AUD's school of journalism, Ali Al Jaber, told me, "If you can't address your own people, then you can't be successful." Sure, English is the world's business language. More Chinese are learning English right now than there are Americans in the U.S. But China has struck a bilingual balance. Its research universities teach some of the world's brightest minds in Chinese. Professor Wardeh finds much for Arab nations to admire in _ . We can know from the passage that _ . Choices: A. the popularity of English in Saudi Arabia is a good thing B. there is no problem of unemployment in Saudi Arabia C. the poor in Saudi Arabia are more likely to speak Arabic D. the English bias doesn't affect the local business
C
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Question: Beijing (Xinhua): When she appeared on stage, singing a Japanese song, hundreds of excited teenagers crowded around shouting, "Curarpikt !Its Curarpikt!" At the Beijing Comic and Animation Expo last week, that's exactly who Shi Jia was. The Senior 1 girl was cosplaying "Curarpikt", a character from the popular Japanese comic book Hunter X Hunter (<<>> ) by Yoshihiro Togashi. "I cosplay Curarpikt because I like him," said the pretty 15-year-old girl. "I'm moved by his sad story and I'm attracted by his courage and personality." In the adventure comic story, Curarpikt, a handsome and kind-hearted boy, struggles to become a hunter so he can capture the people who killed his tribe. Shi has read all the comic books and is a big fan of the animated series of Hunter X Hunter. Then last year she saw a real "Curarpikt" in a cosplay show. "I had watched cosplay shows before but only for fun," she explained. "It's really exciting to see young people wearing the make up and costumes of characters that you've read about and are familiar with." "But that time I just fell in love with cosplaying, probably because I like Curarpikt so much. I thought I could play the character better, so I decided to have a go." Shi bought some cloth and asked a tailor to make a Curarpikt costume for her. She was delighted to find out there was a cosplay show in Beijing in October. "It's a great way to spend the national holiday. Posing on the stage for all the comic book fans, I knew I was doing something I had always wanted to do," she said. But she never talks about her hobby with her parents. "They think it will distract me from my studies. I don't want to upset them, that's my secret hobby," she said. "It's also why I don't dye my hair for cosplaying like all the others." Which of the following is WRONG? Choices: A. Curarpikt was created by a Japanese cartoonist. B. Shi Jia's parents were in favor of her performance. C. Shi Jia cosplayed Curarpikt successfully. D. Cosplay is popular with some teenagers.
B
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Question: On a Monday, a mother was in the kitchen cooking ham for the family. She was in quite the hurry because she had to pick the kids up from school. Without knowing, she stuck a spoon in the ham and put the ham in the oven. She wasn't paying attention because of being in a hurry and also because the dog was playing with a ball. The ball flew past her head as she had finished putting the ham in the oven. She yelled at the dog and made him play with the ball outside. She saw clouds in the sky as she let the dog out. Seeing that the clouds were so pretty that she wanted to take a picture of them. She got her camera and took a few pictures as the dog played happily in the yard. What was the mother cooking in the kitchen? Choices: A. a ball B. a ham C. a dog D. a cloud
B
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Question: Rene Descartes' explanation of pain has long been acknowledged in medicine. He proposed that pain is a purely physical phenomenon - that tissue injury makes specific nerves send a signal to the brain, causing the mind to notice pain. The phenomenon, he said, is like pulling on a rope to ring a bell in the brain. It is hard to overstate how deeply fixed this account has become. In medicine, doctors see pain in Descartes' terms-- as a physical process, a sign of tissue injury. The limitations of this explanation, however, have been apparent for some time, since people with obvious injuries sometimes report feeling no pain at all. Later, researchers proposed that Descartes' model be replaced with what they called the gate control theory of pain. They argued that before pain signals reach the brain, they must first go through a gating mechanism in the spinal cord . In some cases, this imaginary gate could simply stop pain signals from getting to the brain. Their most _ suggestion was that what controlled the gate was not just signals from sensory nerves but also emotions and other "output" from the brain. They were saying that pulling on the rope need not make the bell ring. The bell itself--the mind-- could stop it. This theory led to a great deal of research into how such factors as mood, gender, and beliefs influence the experience of pain. In a British study, for example, researchers measured pain threshold and tolerance levels in 53 ballet dancers and 53 university students by using a common measurement: after immersing your hand in body-temperature water for two minutes to establish a baseline condition, you put your hand in a bowl of ice water and start a clock running. You mark the time when it begins to hurt: that is your pain threshold. Then you mark the time when it hurts too much to keep your hand in the water: that is your pain tolerance. The test is always stopped at 120 seconds, to prevent injury. The results were striking. On average female students reported pain at 16 seconds and pulled their hands out of the ice water at 37 seconds. Female dancers were almost three times as long on both counts. Men in both groups had a higher threshold and tolerance for pain, but the difference between male dancers and male nondancers was nearly as large. What explains that difference? Probably it has something to do with the psychology of ballet dancers--a group known for self-discipline, physical fitness, and competitiveness, as well as by a high rate of chronic injury. Their driven personalities and competitive culture evidently accustom them to pain. Other studies along these lines have shown that outgoing people have greater pain tolerance and that, with training, one can reduce one's sensitivity to pain. There is also striking evidence that very simple kinds of mental suggestion can have powerful effects on pain. In one study of 500 patients undergoing dental procedures, those who were given a placebo injection and promised that it would relieve their pain had the least discomfort-- not only less than the patients who got a placebo and were told nothing but also less than the patients who got actual drug without any promise that it would work. Today it is abundantly evident that the brain is actively involved in the experience of pain and is no more bell on a string. Today every medical textbook teaches the gate control theory as fact. There's a problem with it, though. It explains people who have injuries but feel no pain, but it doesn't explain the reverse, which is far more common-- the millions of people who experience chronic pain, such as back pain, with no signs of injury whatsoever. So where does the pain come from? _ . The author implies that the reason why the gate control was "amazing" was that it _ Choices: A. offered an extremely new and original explanation B. was just opposite to people's everyday experiences C. was grounded in an ridiculous logic D. was so sensible it should have been proposed centuries before
A
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Question: A study suggests that although most students at UK universities are happy with their courses, dissatisfaction has grown as fees rise.The study highlights a big variation in teaching time, and lists different ideas about the value of getting university degrees. Katharine Collins, a second-year college student The course has been very interesting, but I was expecting a little more one-to-one time with my teacher. We do about four assignments each term, each of which is about 3,000 words.However, sometimes they are not that helpful.We hope to be given the right to write feedback after every assignment, but we had no feedback at all throughout the first year.We are given grades about three weeks after we hand the assignments in.There is no feedback on where we have gone wrong or how we might improve. Lee Millington, a creative-writing student I choose the courses because of its reputation.There is a lack of one-to-one teaching.I would like personalized feedback from an expert in my field of writing.Some of the lectures have been quite helpful but they try to use too many different styles of writing.For example, if you want to be a poet, you might find that the lectures focus too much on novels. I think there is too much attention paid to sharing our work in workshops and giving each other feedback.I think there should be more time given to actual teaching, rather than to feedback from people who are at a similar level to me. Reporters from Hounsdown Secondary School, Ella, 16 When I work independently, I feel I have more freedom to develop my ideas and come up with more original viewpoints.The price of university will still be worth it to get the qualifications necessary for better jobs. Tyier, 16 Although the cost of university is very high now, I think university is required for gaining a good and well-paid job. Agencies We can learn from the beginning of the article that _ . Choices: A. Most of the university students at UK are dissatisfied with their courses. B. The higher and higher pay for their courses accounts for the rise of the UK students' dissatisfaction. C. All the students at UK universities hold a similar attitude towards the value of getting university degrees. D. The student's purpose is to highlight the importance of gaining a university diploma.
B
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Question: Annie Oakley was born in 1860 in Darke County, Ohio. Her family was very poor. She decided to help her family even when she was very young, so she learned to use a gun, and began hunting animals for food. She could shoot them without losing the important parts of the meat. Soon her shooting ability became well known. When she was sixteen, she was invited to a competition with a famous marksman , Frank Butler. Annie surprised everyone by winning the competition. Later that year she and Frank married. In 1882, Annie Oakley and Frank Butler started putting on shows together. Frank Butler was the star of the show and she was his assistant. The famous Native American leader, Sitting Bull, thought so highly of her shooting ability that he called her "Little Sure Shot". Later Annie Oakley became the star of the show and Frank Butler was her assistant. Posters for the show called her the "Champion Markswoman". During World War One, Annie Oakley wanted to train a group of women volunteers for the army, but the United States did not accept it. She gave American soldiers shooting lessons, and traveled across the country visiting many training camps. She gave shooting performances and raised money to support the American soldiers. Annie Oakley died on November 3, 1926. Eighteen days later, Frank Butler died too. Which of the following names was given by Sitting Bull? Choices: A. Annie Oakley. B. Frank Butler. C. Little Sure Shot. D. Champion Markswoman.
C
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Question: Many of the world's pollution problems have been caused by the crowding of large groups of people into the cities. Supply for the needs of the people leads to further pollution by industry. If the rapid increase of world population in countries continues at the present rate, there may be much greater harm to human beings. Some scientists speak of the increase in numbers of people as "population pollution." About 2,000 years ago, the world population was probably about 250 million. It reached a billion in 1850. By 1930 the population was two billion. It is now three and a half billion. It is expected to double by the year 2,000. If the population continues to grow at the same rate, there will be 25 billion in the world a hundred years from now. Man has been using the earth's resources more and more rapidly over the past years. Some of them are almost used up. Now many people believe that man's greatest problem is how to control the growth of the population. The material supplies in the world will be far from enough to support the human population in time to come, if the present rate of increase continues. Already there is overcrowding in many cities and starvation in some countries. Should man's population keep on growing so rapidly as before? Many people believe that human survival in the future depends on the answer to this question. Which of the following is Wrong according to the passage? Choices: A. In 1850 the world population reached a billion. B. Man must fight a battle against population pollution. C. The world's population is increasing with years. D. All of the earth's resources are gone now.
D
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Question: When liquefied soil flows over carcasses and drys it will become Choices: A. lakes B. diamonds C. bubbles D. fossilized
D
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Question: It was Molly's job to hand her father his brown paper lunch bag each morning before he headed off to work. One morning, in addition to his usual lunch bag, Molly handed him a second paper bag. This one was worn and held together with staples . "Why two bags?" her father asked. "The other is something else," Molly answered. "What's in it?" "Just some stuff. Take it with you." Not wanting to discuss the matter, he put both bags into his briefcase, kissed Molly and rushed off. At midday he opened Molly's bag and took out the contents: two hair ribbons , three small stones, a plastic dinosaur, a tiny sea shell, a small doll, and 13 pennies... The busy father smiled, finished eating, and swept the desk clean into the wastebasket, Molly's stuff included. That evening, Molly ran up behind him as he read the paper. "Where's my bag?" "What bag?" "The one I gave you this morning." "I left it at the office. Why?" "I forgot to put this note in it," she said. "And, besides, Daddy, the things in the sack are the things I really like -- I thought you might like to play with them. You didn't lose the bag, did you, Daddy?" "Oh, no," he said, lying. "I just forgot to bring it home. I'll bring it tomorrow." While Molly hugged her father's neck, he unfolded the note that read: "I love you, Daddy." Molly had given him her treasures -- all that a 7-year-old held dear. Love in a paper bag, and he missed it -- not only missed it, but had thrown it in the wastebasket. So back he went to the office. Just ahead of the night janitor , he picked up the wastebasket. He put the treasures inside and carried it home carefully. The bag didn't look so good, but the stuff was all there and that's what counted. After dinner, he asked Molly to tell him about the stuff in the sack. It took a long time to tell. Everything had a story or a memory. "Sometimes I think of all the great times in this sweet life," he thought. We should all remember that it's not the destination that counts in life, but the journey. That journey with the people we love is all that really matters. It is such a simple truth but it is so easily forgotten. After father heard what his daughter said, he felt _ . Choices: A. regretful B. surprised C. sad D. satisfied
A
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Question: The federal school lunch program for 30 million low-income children was created more than half a century ago to combat malnutrition . A breakfast program was added during the 1960s, and both attempted to improve the nutritional value of food served at school. More must be done to fight the childhood obesity epidemic, which has caused a frightening peak in weight-related disorders like diabetes, high-blood pressure and heart disease among young people. The place to start is schools, where junk food sold outside the federal meals program--through snack bars and vending machines--has pretty much canceled out the benefits of all those efforts. Federal rules that govern the sales of these harmful foods at school are limited and have not been updated for nearly 40 years. Until new regulations are written, children who are served healthy meals in the school cafeteria will continue to buy candy drinks and high sodium snacks elsewhere in school. Many states' school districts have taken positive steps, but others are likely to resist, especially districts that sell junk food to finance athletic program extracurricular activities, and even copier expenses. Those districts should take note of a study released in 2009 in West Virginia showing that the budgetary costs of switching from sodas to healthy drinks such as fruit juice, milk, and water were very little. Even if the switch costs money, so be it. The school should not be trading their students' health to buy office supplies. Over the last five decades, the obesity rates for adolescents have tripled. Unless there is decisive action, weight and inactivity-related disorders will bother a steady larger proportion of the work force and replace smoking as the leading cause of premature death. According to this passage, _ are to blame for the childhood obesity. Choices: A. weight-related disorders B. high calorie snacks C. parents' bad habits D. unhealthy lunches and breakfast
B
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Question: Yesterday, I overheard our 9-year-old son, Aaron, talking to his friend, Zach. "Oh, God!" Zach began, peering in Aaron's closet. "Where are all your toys?" "Oh, we are doing something called 'Simplicity Plan' , so I basically got rid of 80% of my staff." "What? Did your mom and dad make you do this?" "No. I decided to do it because I wanted to. When I give away a lot of my things, I have time for family activities. I did it because I wanted to live differently and have less staff in my life." "But still, why would you choose to get rid of most of your toys?" "Part of the reason is that my parents were doing it with their stuff. And my mom talked to me about it and explained how they felt happier afterwards. And I thought maybe I really had spent a lot of my time in my room playing with toys instead of spending time with my parents and sister." "I feel proud because I am a person who has just what I need and not more. And I'm starting new activities like writing how I feel, reading more, and spending more time doing housework around the house." "Ok. Let me get this straight. You have fewer toys, more housework, and you feel happier?" "Well, it's not that the housework is fun. But I do it with my parents. We talk and connect while we are doing it, so that is the fun. And we've been doing more activities together, like reading aloud at night. And on weekends, we have conversations or go out together, instead of my dad being at his computer, my mom cleaning and me playing with my toys." "Maybe you are right." After Aaron's parents got rid of some of their stuff, they _ . Choices: A. hoped Aaron wouldn't do it B. decided to buy some new stuff. C. found it benefited them D. regretted and wanted them back
C
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Question: Mom was right! If you say thank you, for even the smallest gift or slightest show of kindness, you'll fell happy. Gratitude , says Robert A. Emmons, a professor of psychology at the University of California, is an extremely important element of happiness, In his most recent book, Thanks! (Houghton Mifflin, $30.95), Emmons uses the first major study on gratitude to prove mom's point. In acknowledging and promoting this much-ignored expression of thankfulness, he explains how people have benefited --even improved their health. As one of the leading scholars of the positive psychology movement, he admits gratitude may be difficult to express. He recommends you begin by acknowledging that life is good and full of events and elements that make daily existence a wonder. Second, recognize that the source of life's goodness is more than just you. That source may be your mom, a friend, partner, child, colleague at work or play, a caregiver or God --or any combination of these. Expressing gratitude should not be a reaction. Instead, it should be a state of mind, To feel grateful when life is a breeze and you have more than what you need is easy, To be grateful in times of crisis --anger, hatred and bitterness--is easier. Also, too many people are aware of life's blessings only after these are lost. It's crisis and chaos--danger, disease, disability and death -- that bring many individuals to realize just how dependent they are on others. Yet it's the way each of us begins life and ends it. It's too hard that so many people waste those decades in between laboring under the illusion that they are self-sufficient, says Emmons. I'm not a reader or advocate of self-help books, but I am thankful for the reference I found in a newspaper article to the research Emmons was conducting on gratitude involving organ donors and recipients . The chance discovery led me to this book. Mom implied that kindness seems to find its way back to the giver because life really is all about giving, receiving and repaying. So I'll follow her advice and say: Thank you, Professor Emmons. Mom may most probably agree with the following point that _ . Choices: A. it is easy to express your gratitude B. kindness may somehow be repaid C. people should always think of giving rather than receiving D. only deeds like organ donation are worth your gratitude
B
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Question: A man came home from work late, tired, to find his 5-year-old son waiting for him at the door. "Daddy, how much money do you make each hour?" "If you must know, I make $20 each hour." "Oh," the little boy answered, with his head down. He thought for a moment, looked up and said, "Daddy, could you lend me $10?" The father was _ , "If you asked f or the money to buy a toy or some other rubbish, the go straight to your room and think about why are you so selfish !" The little boy went to his room no words and shut the door. After a short while, the father calmed down, and started to think, "Maybe he really needs to buy something and he didn't really ask for money very often." So he went to the little boy's room. "Sorry!Maybe I was too hard on your just now." said the man, "Here's $10." "Oh, thank you Daddy!" he said happily. Then the boy took out some coins. When the father found that the boy already had money, he got angry again. "Why do you want more money since you already have some?" the father shouted angrily. "Because I didn't have enough, but now I do." The little boy replied, "Daddy, I have $20 now. Can I buy one hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you. " The boy wanted tobuy _ with twenty dollars. Choices: A. a new novel forhimself B. a nice present for his father C. a toy for his own birthday D. one hour of his father's time
D
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Question: Scientists have written a report on the future of trade and industry. They talk about the role robots will play in industry. What is a robot?Basically ,it is a machine which is designed to do the work of a human being. It is usually controlled by a computer. Once it has been given a set of things to do,it will do the job on its own. Nowadays,Britain has 120 robots at work in industry. This compares badly with other industrial countries. In Japan,there are 4,000 robots in use. In the USA there are 2,000 and in Germany there are 500. According to the report,the government must help people understand how robot technology can be used. Also,people must be educated to know how important this new technology is. The designing of new robots will be very important in the future. The report says that special robot centres should be set up where people who design robots and people who will use them work together. The assembly work of the future will be complex . So firms must develop robots to do it. The report was written by _ scientists. Choices: A. English B. American C. German D. Japanese
A
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Question: The topography of Nevada is dominated by basins and mountain ranges associated with which geological phenomena? Choices: A. faults B. trenches C. hot spots D. hydrothermal vents
A
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Question: Brief Introduction (Adeline) Virginia Woolf (nee Stephen; 25 January 1882 - 28 March 1941) was an English novelist and essayist, regarded as one of the foremost modernist literary figures of the twentieth century.During the interwar period, Woolf was a significant figure in London literary society and a member of the Bloomsbury Group. Her most famous works include the novels Mrs Dalloway (1925), To the Lighthouse (1927) and Orlando (1928), and the book-length essay A Room of One's Own (1929), with its famous dictum, "a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction."Main body My dear, 'Dearest, I feel certain I am going mad again. I feel we can't go through another of those terrible times. And I shan't recover this time. I begin to hear voices, and I can't concentrate. So I am doing what seems the best thing to do. You have given me the greatest possible happiness. You have been in every way all that anyone could be. I don't think two people could have been happier till this terrible disease came. I can't fight any longer. I know that I am spoiling your life, that without me you could work. And you will I know. You see I can't even write this properly. I can't read. What I want to say is I owe all the happiness of my life to you. You have been entirely patient with me and incredibly good. I want to say that - everybody knows it. If anybody could have saved me it would have been you. Everything has gone from me but the certainty of your goodness. I can't go on spoiling your life any longer. I don't think two people could have been happier than we have been ...........................form the last letter of virginia woolf Where can I see this article? Choices: A. newspaper B. biography C. German Literature D. television
B
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Question: The Himalayas are mountains that are located in South Asia. They are a part of Nepal, India, Pakistan, China and Bhutan. The mountains are the highest in the world, reaching almost 9,000 meters sea level. The Himalayas separate the Indian subcontinent from the inner part of Asia. The word Himalaya means " home of snow". 14 mountains are over 8,000 meters high, among them the K2, Nanga Parbat and Mount Everest, at 8,848 meters, the world's highest mountain. The Himalayas extend over 1,500 miles( 2,400km ) from the Indus valley in the west to the Brahmaputra Valley in the east. Many of the mountain peaks are sacred to the people who live in the surrounding areas . Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims go there and pray to God. The Himalayas belong to the youngest mountain ranges in the world. They were formed when the Indian subcontinent, which was originally a part of the southern landmass, drifted to the north and crashed into Asia. This movement started about 70 million years ago and has been going on up to the present day. The Himalayas are still becoming taller, moving at about 7 cm per year. Earthquakes and volcanoes are evidences that the area is still very active. Glaciers and permanent snow fields cover the higher regions of the Himalayas. They are the source of streams that flow into the two big rivers of the region. The Indus flows to the west and through Pakistan into the Arabia Sea. The Ganges and Brahmaputra flow to the east and get together in Bangladesh. They form the largest delta in the world. Why do Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims go to Himalayas and pray to God? Choices: A. Because they live in the surrounding areas. B. Because they believe the mountain peaks are sacred. C. Because the word Himalaya means " home of snow". D. Because the Himalayas are the youngest mountain ranges in the world.
B
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Question: If you were on the street in Mexico today you might think you were in an operating room, surrounded by doctors. You could see many concerned people with masks trying their best to stop the swine flu . And the masks aren't only being used in Mexico. A friend of mine traveling from New York City to Florida was given a mask and a pair of gloves just after he reached the airport. And another friend went to get a haircut only to be faced with a hairdresser wearing a mask! But do the masks really work? Is covering your nose and mouth the key to stopping the swine flu? To find out the truth, ABC's reporter Sharyn Alfonsi talked with germ expert Dr. Elaine Larsen. It turns out that when you sneeze the air coming out of your mouth at a speed of one hundred miles per hour carries germs which can travel anywhere around you and make people around you infected . However, whether you become infected actually depends on the weather. As Sharyn reported, when you sneeze, the germs leave your body in small drops of water coming out of your mouth. If the weather is wet, the wet air will make the small drops bigger and heavier and they drop down towards our feet. If this happens, we won't become infected. But if the air is dry, those small drops can float higher up, making it possible for them to touch someone else's nose, mouth or their mask. Larsen says the masks can stop the germs well but after a few hours, they start to get wet, holding a lot of germs they come across and causing you to breathe them in. The masks do work, but the key to stopping the germs is changing your masks often. What should we pay attention to when wearing masks? Choices: A. Keeping the masks dry. B. Changing the masks often. C. Choosing very thick masks. D. Wearing big masks.
B
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Question: Antarctica is in the most southern part of the world. It is like nowhere else on the earth. It is much larger than Europe, and nearly twice the size of Australia. Antarctica is the coldest and windiest place in the world, even colder and windier than the North Pole. In summer, the sun shines for twenty-four hours a day, but in winter it's completely dark for about three months. Very few plants grow there, but there is some wildlife, including whales, seals and penguins. When Captain James Cook traveled around Antarctica in the 1770s by ship, he found no one living there. Today, a few scientists work in Antarctica, but they only spend a short time there. Many scientists are studying the _ , which is getting thinner and thinner worldwide. The biggest "hole" is above Antarctica, and weather there is getting warmer. Scientists think that this cold and lonely place can teach us a lot about the earth and how to keep the earth safe. When did Captain James Cook travel around Antarctica? Choices: A. In the 1670s. B. In the 1760s. C. In the 1770s. D. In the 1780s.
C
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Question: Welcome here! The Southern Spring Home & Garden Show will be held at The Park Expo and Conference Center. This show will last from Wednesday (March 2) to Sunday (March 6,2012). Admission : Adults $10.00. Teenagers under 15 free with a paying adult. Join Lincolnton's own Tammie Davis as she performs her original country songs at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday,March 5th. Special Days: The Spring for Kids First Night Gala benefiting the Council for Children's Rights will take place from 7 p.m. to 10p.m. on Wednesday, March 2,2012. Tickets are $50 and include an access to Freedom Hall, where you can enjoy delicious food, beverage and entertainment free of charge. Seniors Day(55+):Wednesday is for them. Cost is $7.00 but without coupons . Hours :Wednesday,Thursday &Sunday :10 a.m.---5p.m.;Friday &Saturday :10 a.m.----9 a.m. Wheelchairs are available on a first come first served basis for you. The cost is $1.00 and you are required to leave a valid driver's license or ID. Parking :All Day Parking: $6.00;Half Day Parking:$3.00; Every Hour Parking:$1.00 For more Information: Come to visit Mardee Woodward in person. E-mail: mwoodward@southernshows.com Telephone:704-376-4085 We can infer from the text that _ . Choices: A. old people can visit the show only on Wednesday B. the disabled can use the wheelchairs free of charge C. there are not enough wheelchairs for the disabled D. kids' tickets on Wednesday don't include beverage
C
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Question: What is an upward force that fluids exert on any object that is placed in them? Choices: A. gravity force B. efficient force C. buoyant force D. warm force
C
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Question: The word's largest aircraft made its public debut last week at Europe's biggest factory, a purpose built assembly line in Toulouse, souther, n France.The Airbus A380 will have 50 per cent more floor space than American rival Boeing's 747 Jumbo, with room for duty-free shops, restaurants and even a sauna.This new arrival is expected to change the face of air travel. The A380 will enter service in early 2006 with Singapore Airlines. Airbus claims the A380 will burn less fuel, make less noise, create less pollution and cost 17 per cent less per seat than the 747.It will also reduce traffic problems in the skies. The aircraft, which cost between PS140 million(US$250m) and PS157 million (US$280m) each compared with PS84 million (US$150m) for Boeing's new Dreamliner jet, is being built at 16 factories in Germany, France, Spain and the UK. But activists have warned of more noise and pollution from the Superjumbo, while Boeing believes huge aircraft will not be in great demand over the next decade. As a result, it is putting faith in the much smaller 7E7 Dreamliner.But Airbus is pinning its hopes on the "big is beautiful" theory, gambling on size being the key factor in the US-European battle for the skies. Airbus said it was in talks with half a dozen global airlines about buying the A380. China Eastern Airlines, already an Airbus customer, is said to be targeted, while executives made it plain that they wanted to fight for the Japanese market, which had traditionally been controlled by Boeing. Over the next 20 years, Airbus hopes to sell 750 of the new planes into a market worth PS185billion (US$330bn).The company already has129 firm orders for the A380, with 52 options. According to Airbus, which of the following is not the advantage of A380 compared to Boeing 747? Choices: A. Making less noise, causing less traffic problems B. Using less fuel, costing less money C. Creating less pollution, having less weight D. Having more floor space, creating less pollution
C
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Question: People always think about "the problem of youth". If there is one -which I take leave to doubt- it is older people who create it, not young themselves. Let us get down to fundamental s and then the young are after all human beings -people just like their elders. There is only one difference between and old man and young one: the young man has a beautiful future before him while the old man a splendid future behind him and maybe that id where the rub is. When I was a teenager, I felt that I was just young and unknown -that I was a new boy in a hug w school, and I would have been very pleased to be regarded as something so interesting as a problem. For one thing, being a problem gives you a certain identity, and that is one of the thing s the young are busily engaged in seeking. I find young people exciting .they have and air of freedom, and they have not a dull promise to mean ambitious or love of comfort .they are not anxious social climbers, and they have no devotion to important things .all this seems to me to ling then with life, and the origin of things .it's as if they were some sense of cosmic beings in violent and lovely contract with us suburban creatures. all that is in my mind when I need a young person .he may be too proud, ill-mannered or self-satisfied, but I do not turn for protection to boring cliches about respect for elders as if age were a reason for respect .I accept that we are equals, and I will argue with them, as an equal, if I think he is wrong. One of the thing s the young are engaged in is that they want t o _ Choices: A. climb up the social ladder B. have freedom C. be know D. make troubles
C
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Question: Nelson Mandela is respected and admired across the world. And to South Africans he is a superstar. He is a hero who shocked the world by fighting for peace between races, despite the 27 years he spent in the prison of the South Africa's white, racist regime Mandela, who won the nation's first all-race elections after the fall of apartheid in 1944,retired in 1999. But he remains as popular as ever. "He's loved by all people, whether you're white or black, whether you're young or old," said Ali Bacher, South Africa's former cricket chief. His popularity has inspired an entire national industry. His portrait has appeared at many places, including on some goods. His face has appeared on a South African coin, a metropolitan area was named in his honor and some business leaders hope to build a massive, rotating statue in his likeness---- the Statue of Freedom. It would stand taller than New York's Statue of Liberty. His popular appeal is similar to that of John F. Kennedy wth US or Winston Churchill in Britain, but few politicians in his times have achieved his level of admiration, said Tom Lodge, head of the political science department of the University of the Witwatersrand." Sometimes it isn't completely appreciated what a skilled performer Mandela has been throughout his political career. He is a very ,very clever man,"However , he is far from perfect. Most articles for his birthday, which appeared in every major South African newspaper on the day, briefly mentioned that Mandela did have his shortcomings. Then they returned to their flowing praises. "Through the ages, the human race has had its icons ---- men and women who rose above ordinary people to inspire their generation," The Mail and Guardian Weekly said. Which of the following statements about Mandela's portrait is true ? Choices: A. It helps develop business B. It appears on the Statue of Freedom C. It is used to raise money for the Statue of Freedom D. It is similar to that of John F. Kennedy or Winston Churchill
A
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Question: Oprah Winfrey has come a long way from her poor childhood home in a small Mississippi town. She was an unwanted child whose parents never married. She was brought up on her grandmother's farm. The possibility that she would become rich and famous was slim. Oprah's mother left her child in her mother's care, so she could go to work in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was a strict and difficult life for Oprah. But it also led the way for her future. She was a highly intelligent child. By the age of three, she had learned to read and write. She also made her first public appearance at that age. Oprah's intelligence was resented by other children of her age. They called her unkind names and pushed her away. Oprah felt very isolated and unwanted. It made her feel worse that she didn't live with her mother and father. She felt that no one loved her. This made her angry and rebellious . These feelings brought her much trouble as she was growing up. She often behaved badly, causing her grandmother to punish her. By the age of seven, she was too much for her grandmother to discipline. Then Oprah went to live with her mother, Vernita, who worked very hard as a housekeeper in Milwaukee. It was hard for her to work and take care of her bright, troublesome child. They lived in poverty in a small apartment. Oprah took out all her angry feelings on her mother. When Oprah was eight, Vernita sent her to live with her father and stepmother in Nashville, Tennessee. But she moved again a few months later when Vernita married a man with two children. Vernita wanted Oprah to be with her and her new family. Unfortunately, she felt she didn't belong with them. She believed she wasn't loved by anyone. Her angry and frustration grew stronger. She struck back by misbehaving and running away from home. Her parents found her impossible to discipline. When she was 14, they tried to send her to a special center for troubled girls. But there was no room for her. So Vernita sent Oprah back to live with her father. Vernon Winfrey was by then a successful businessman and family man. He took one look at his daughter and knew she needed love, guidance and discipline. He gave her all three. It was a turning point in Oprah's life. He was strict about his daughter's education. He gave her homework in addition to her schoolwork. She was allowed to watch only one hour of television a day. She became an A student and a popular girl in her class. Oprah watched Barbara Walters, a famous journalist, and decided that was what she wanted to be. When she was still in high school, she got a part-time job reading news on the radio. In her senior year she won a beauty contest and a four-year scholarship to Tennessee State University. While still in college she was offered a job as a news broadcaster at a local television station. She was the first female and the first African-American newscaster in Nashville. She was promoted to anchor, the most important position on the news team, while still a senior. After Oprah graduated she got a job with a Baltimore news station. But she soon realized that broadcasting news wasn't enough for her. She had to let her personality shine through. She wanted to show emotion when she told a story, not just report it. Meanwhile the station managers were thinking the same way. They removed her from the anchor spot and wondered what to do with her. Finally they put her on an early morning talk show called People Are Talking. No one knew what to expect. The show was a great success. In a very short time, the managers and Oprah all knew what she was born to do. She was everything a talk show host should be. She was so successful that she got a show with a bigger station in Chicago. In 1985 the show was changed to The Oprah Winfrey Show. It was broadcast nationally and soon became the most popular talk show on television. By the age of 35, Oprah Winfrey was one of the most famous celebrities in America. What probably led to Oprah's desire to be a journalist? Choices: A. The confidence from a contest's success. B. The suggestions of station managers. C. The guidance of Vernon Winfrey. D. The influence of Barbara Walters.
D
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Question: Daniel Boone was born in the United States in 1734. He didn't go to school and couldn't read, although he learned all about the forests, streams and hunting. He could move silently like an Indian leaving no marks. He loved to live alone in the woods where nothing frightened him. When he grew up, he married and tried to settle down on a farm. A year later, however, he wasn't satisfied and decided to go into the unknown western lands, crossing the Appalachian Mountains. When he returned after two years, he became famous for his long journey. He brought valuable animal skins and told stories about the Indians. After this, he chose to keep travelling to unknown places. Once he lost to the Indians in battle and was taken away. The Indians liked him and became his friends. Daniel Boone died at the age of 86. He is remembered as an explorer and a pioneer who lived an exciting life in the early years of American nation. When he got married, Daniel Boone first planned to _ . Choices: A. set up a large farm B. go on a journey with his wife C. find food, new land for his farm D. live a peaceful life with his family
D
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Question: The 31st Summer Olympics will be held in Brazil in 2016. Before this global sporting event, we started thinking about sports that didn't exist any more and sports that were maybe a little strange. Read the following ones that have ever been included in the past Olympic Games. Live Pigeon Shooting (1900) This bloody event was only held once, at the 1900 Paris Games. Nearly 300 birds were killed during the competition, leaving a crime scene of feathers and blood. This is the only event in Olympic history that involved killing live animals. Kabaddi (1936) This sport is popular in South Asia. The object is for one member of a team to enter the other side's half of the field, and score points. The attacker then returns to his half of the field. 12 Hour Bicycle Race (1896) Seven riders got on their bikes at 5 a.m. and rode until 5 p.m. Four riders dropped out before noon, but the winner, Adolf Schmal of Austria, managed about 180 miles. Only Schmal and one other finished. Tug of War (1900--1920) This may seem like a basic PE class sport more than an Olympic event, but Tug of War was actually one of the first sports played at the Olympic games in 500 BC. There are two teams of eight; the winning team must pull the other team six feet forward. Swimming Obstacle Race (1900) The athletes had to climb over a pole and a row of boats, and then swim under another row of boats. All of this was done in the Seine River, so they also had to fight against the water. This event was only ever held in 1900, in Paris. What do you probably think of these events? Choices: A. Strange. B. Fantastic. C. Modern. D. Interesting.
A
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Question: The morning for our snowmobiling adventure finally arrived, and we set off on the hour-and-a-half drive to the resort . A fresh powder had fallen the night before, and everything was frosted white. We couldn't have asked for more perfect conditions. The sun sparkled on the snow, and the trails were completely empty - not another person or snowmobile in sight. We were thrilled at being the only people for miles around until we got going. As we drove through the deserted wilderness, my excitement became stone-cold fear. I had no idea what I was afraid of, or why I was afraid, but suddenly every turn, every hill, every steep side of the mountain frightened me to death. I kept imagine us crashing headlong into a tree or falling off the side of a drop. But after lunch things changed. We were the only humans who had been there since the snowfall. The peaceful place, the incredible beauty of the landscape, and the almost sacred experience of sharing a mountain with the wildlife touched my very core . My mind cleared and quieted and my muscles relaxed. As we drove the last leg of the run, I began to _ being afraid to drive. Deep down, I wanted to be in charge of the thing that scared me. It made me angry that fear was keeping me from something I really wanted to do. The day was coming to an end, and the resort was only a few miles away. I knew that if I didn't take my chance now, I would regret it. I signaled for my husband to pull over. I wanted to drive, although my heart pounded . I started off slowly and felt the wind in my face. I smiled and sped up a little. With a "Yee-haw!" I went full out, taking my husband on the best ride of the day. We ended the day on that breathless, carefree note, and I felt proud of myself - proud of overcoming my fear. According to the article, after lunch the author _ . Choices: A. gradually calmed down B. stopped to enjoy the beautiful scenery C. saw some wildlife on the mountain D. was afraid to continue her journey
A
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Question: Metamorphosis is complete at Choices: A. adulthood B. embryo C. hatching egg D. larva
A
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Question: Stephen used to work in a company. Unfortunately , he got serious heart disease . He couldn't work for a long time. Thinking he could still do something for others, he decided to be a volunteer at a Children's Hospital. Stephen loved children very much. With his love, he did his job well. Sometimes he lost his children. They died. At that time, he would tell these sad parents that he would soon be with their children in heaven and he would take care of them. His words seemed to help those parents. There was a girl who could not walk because of a disease. She couldn't do anything and she was very sad. What was worse, the doctors said that they could do little for her. Stephen decided to try to help her. He started visiting her, bringing paints, brushes and paper. He put the brush in his mouth and began to draw. He didn't use his hands at all. Only his head would move. He always told her that she could do anything she wanted. At last she began to draw with her mouth. She and Stephen became friends. By and by, the little girl was getting better and better. She was allowed to leave the hospital. One day. to Stephen's great surprise, she walked to see him on her own feet! She gave him a picture she had drawn. At the top, it read: "Thank you for helping me walk. It's all because of your love." Love can sometimes be more powerful than doctors and medicines. Love makes our world more beautiful and colorful. Stephen died a few days after the girl gave him the picture. Which is the best title of the passage? Choices: A. The girl's disease B. Stephen's work C. How the girl was saved D. Love is more powerful
D
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Question: Walt Disney was born in 1901. He created the Mickey Mouse in 1927 . It made him very famous . He died in 1966, but his work and his dreams did not die. Now people all over the world enjoy his Mickey Mouse and other cartoons. Walt Disney was a man who did not _ easily. One summer, he wanted a job in a post office, but they told him that he was too young. He went home, drew some lines on his face. And put on his father's suit and hat. Then he went back to the same office and told them he was 18. He got the job finally. Later in his life, Mr. Disney had a dream . He wanted to build a new kind of amusement park. It would be clean and beautiful. The children could play happily there and the adults could live in nice hotels . It would be fun for people of all ages . It was called Disneyland. Engineers told him it was an impossible dream. His family and friends thought he was mad. But Mr. Disney did not give up his idea. In1955, Disneyland opened to the public and became the most successful amusement park in the USA. Walt Disney's dream came true. The first Disneyland opened to the public in _ in 1955 . Choices: A. China B. America C. Japan D. We don't know
B
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Question: BUKHANNON, West Virginia--Two rescue teams slowly moved along a two-mile path on Monday night to the site of a coal mine explosion that trapped 13 miners, who had not been heard from since the early morning accident. Meanwhile, at a nearby church, more than 250 family members and friends gathered, waiting for updates on the rescuers' progress. The miners were trapped at about 6:30 and many families weren't informed of the accident until about 10 a.m-more than three hours after it happened."It's very upsetting, but you've got to be patient, I guess," said John Helms, whose brother, Terry, was trapped in the mine. The trapped miners were about 260 feet underground and about 10,000 feet from the Sago Mine's entrance, said Roger Nicholson, general counsel from International Coal Group. At a late night news conference, Nicholson said one team had advanced about 4, 800 feet in the four hours since entering the mine just before 6 p.m.Another team entered the mine about 30 minutes later. He said the crew was very experienced, with some members having worked underground for 30 to 35 years.The miners were equipped with about one hour of breathable oxygen each.The company has not released the names of the miners. The teams test the air about every 500 feet, and have to disconnect (remove) the power to the phones they use to communicate with the surface before doing that." We don't want to be energizing anything if it's in an atmosphere with burnable gases," Kips said. The cause of the explosion was not immediately known.High levels of carbon monoxide were discovered shortly after the explosion, which delayed rescue efforts, but those levels have since subsided , authorities said. Where can the passage be seen? Choices: A. In a magazine. B. In a newspaper. C. In a science book.. D. On an advertisement.
B
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Question: One day,four lawyers were riding their horses along a country road. There had been a rain. Water was dripping from the trees,and the grass was wet. They rode slowly,talking and laughing. Suddenly they heard some noises from the tree above them. "What is the matter?" asked the first lawyer. "Oh, it's only some old birds!" said the second lawyer. "The storm made one of the babies fall out of the nest. It is too young to fly, and the mother bird is very worried." "What a pity! It'll die down there in the grass," said the third lawyer. "It doesn't matter. It's only a bird," said the second lawyer. Then they rode on, talking and laughing as before. But the fourth lawyer, whose name was Abraham Lincoln, stopped. He got down from his horse and took the little one in his big warm hands. "Never mind, my _ ," said Mr. Lincoln. "I will put you back in your little nest." He climbed up the tree and put the bird softly into their warm little home. A few minutes later, Mr. Lincoln joined them again. His shoes were covered with mud and he was wet. Then the other three laughed at him. They thought it was foolish for a strong man to do so much just for a young bird. "Gentlemen," said Mr. Lincoln, "I could not sleep tonight if I had left the helpless bird in the grass." Later Abraham Lincoln became very famous as a lawyer. He also became the president of America. He was one of the greatest American presidents. From the passage we know Lincoln _ . Choices: A. liked riding horses B. was very kind and loved birds and animals C. liked being laughed at D. wanted to be the president of America then
B
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Question: When we buy a house, we all want to have nice neighbours, because most of us think that it is helpful to live with some good neighbours. But what kind of neighbour is good? The answers are different from people to people. Here are my answers. First, it is very important to respect each other. If our neighbours try to know more about our life, what will we feel? He or she may also talk with others about our life. Do you want to live with him or her any more? The answer is "No". We will feel very sad to have this kind of neighbour and move away quickly. Next, a good neighbour is always ready to give us a hand when we need him or her. For example, if we are not at home, our good neighbours will watch our house for us. Finally, a good neighbour should love the environment . He or she never puts rubbish here and there. Good neighbours should keep the place clean, because the good environment can make us comfortable and happy. I think we all should learn to be good neighbours, and I also hope everyone will have good neighbours and live a happy life. We'll feel _ in the good environment . Choices: A. tired and sick B. comfortable and happy C. warm and free D. strong and busy
B
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Question: A person makes dresses and everyone in a location buys them. Once everyone has bought a dress, the dress sales Choices: A. boom B. grow C. cease D. increase
C
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Question: My name is Amy. I'm a 25-year-old graduate student who likes yoga, home-decorating shows and eating spoonfuls of peanut butter straight from the jar. Oh yeah, and I'm an iPhone addict. I wasn't always an addict. In fact, for many years I told myself I didn't want a fancy cellphone. They seemed like too much work, always ringing and demanding attention. I was perfectly content with my simple cellphone, and I didn't feel like changing my mind any time. However, about a year ago, I found myself envious of all those proud iPhone owners, holding their shiny new phones and showing them off to all their friends. I started to _ conversations about "iPhone apps", feeling like a tourist listening to a language I couldn't speak. Eventually I couldn't ignore my iPhone instinct any longer, and I welcomed my new iPhone into my life. I instantly fell in love with the little bundle of joy, and could no longer imagine a life without it. To my surprise, I suddenly found myself with a whole new circle of friends--other iPhone owners I could go to for advice and support as I learned the various functions of my new device. They responded to my iPhone-related queries when my other friends couldn't, and didn't roll their eyes when I bragged about all the things little Eloise (yes, I named her) could do. For a couple months I built my new life with Eloise. However, I realized I had a problem when one day I found myself Google-mapping my way to my mailbox, which happens to be right outside my front door. When I reflected upon the past few months, I couldn't believe I didn't see this coming. All the warning signs were there. Eloise slept right beside me and was the first thing I reached for in the morning. I checked my e-mail about 20 times a day. I also experienced attachment anxiety when I left poor Eloise in the changing room at the gym. What if she rang and needed my response? Or, even worse, what if a careless gym-goer knocked her out of my bag and caused her screen to crack? Once I admitted I had a problem, things started to change. What used to feel like friendly messages now felt like constant complaining to respond. I hated that I could no longer leave the house without Eloise in my hand. Eventually, I felt angry with Eloise so much that I wanted to throw her at the wall. I decided something had to be done. But, as I quickly realized, iPhones are like cigarettes and not easy to quit. Then, while taking the bus to work one day, I was unexpectedly forced to quit--at least temporarily. When I reached into my purse to grab Eloise, I found her overcome by fever. My head swam with panic as I attempted to solve the problem, but without result. I couldn't call anyone for advice. I couldn't Google whether this had happened to any fellow iPhone owners. The Apple Store was closed by the time I finished work, so I headed home with fear into an Eloise-less night. But, after a couple hours without any text alerts, push notifications, or even good old-fashioned phone calls, I felt ... calmer. Without my electronic bed partner, I drifted off into the deepest sleep I'd had in months. The next morning, I read the news from the simplicity of the newspaper, instead of from my iPhone. I even noticed the cherry blossoms blooming. My goodness, what had I been missing? IPhones' _ can not be listed among the reasons why the writer was addicted to it. Choices: A. diverse application B. excellent service C. bundle of joy D. good company
B
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Question: 1Rio2 is a great movie. Blu, Jewl and their three kids leave their home in the city for a trip to the Amazon rainforest . When they get there, they try to adapt to the new life in the rainforest. But Blu finds they're in danger. What do the family members do next? You can find the answer in the movie, but now let's get to know about the family members. 2Blu is the father of the family. He likes making food for his family and he likes watching soccer games. 3Jewel is the mother of the family. She wants to take her children to live a different life. 4Bia is very smart. She goes everywhere with a book in her hand. She is very kind, but she doesn't like flying. 5Carla is the eldest of the three children. She is very beautiful and she likes listening to music all day. 6Tiago is the youngest of the kids. He looks very thin, but he is good at dancing. What is Rio2? Choices: A. A book. B. A movie. C. A song. D. A comic .
B
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Question: NASA-s New Horizons probe flew by Pluto this morning, sending back history's first up-close looks at the vast freezing-cold world. Closest approach came at 7:49 a.m. EDT. To celebrate, NASA gave out the latest photo of Pluto. It showed a reddish world with an amazing heart-shaped feature on its surface. After today's close encounter, all the nine solar system's traditionally recognized planets have now been visited by a spaceship-a huge project begun in 1962 when NASA's Mariner 2 probe flew past Venus, a planet in the solar system. More than l,200 scientists, NASA guests and important persons, including 200 reporters, watched the flyby live at New Horizons' mission control center. That close encounter has been a long time coming. The$723 million New Horizons mission launched in January 2006 but began taking shape in 1989. "New Horizons is'a capstone mission'," Glen Fountain, mission project manager told Space, com. "It is the first completion of the observations of our solar system. It-s giving us a new idea about how we human beings fit into the universe." New Horizons "faced a crazy number of challenges," Stern, a driving force behind New Horizons said, "So many people stuck with this for so long. They got knocked down; they stood up. They got knocked down again; they stood up again." In a coincidence, today's close approach falls on the 50th anniversary of the first flyby of Mars, another planet, which was completed by NASA-s Mariner 4 spaceship. There are no longer nine officially recognized planets, of course. The International Astronomical Union regarded Pluto as "a dwarf planet" in 2006 in a decision that remains controversial today. Glen Fountain may probably agree that _ . Choices: A. it is the most difficult to land on Pluto in the solar system B. New Horizons mission is a long and troublesome project C. their strong determination leads to the successful flyby D. people are likely to find new ways to fit into space
D
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Question: Many of us feel uneasy when someone stands too close to us, talks to us too loudly or makes eye contact with us for too long. But have you ever wondered why those things make you uncomfortable? It's all about personal peace, which means not only an imaginary space around the body, but also the space around all the senses. People feel that their space is being violated when they meet with an unwelcome sound, smell or look. This is probably why a man on a crowded bus shouting into his mobile phone or a woman next to you putting on strong perfume makes you feel angry. Whether people have had a stronger wish to protect their personal space in recent times is hard to say. Yet studies of airlines show that people have a strong desire to have space to themselves. In a survey by Trip Advisor, a travel website, people said that if they had to pay more for some extra service, they would rather have larger seats than extra food. Although people may need their personal space, some hardly realize it. For example, people on a bus who hold newspapers in front of their faces to read in fact keep a distance from strangers. Go and watch a library table. You will notice that one of the corner seats will usually be taken first, because they are the farthest way. What if someone sits opposite to you? Maybe you will pile up books as if to make a wall. Preference for personal space are different from culture to culture. Scientists have found that Americans generally prefer more personal space than people from other cultures. In Latin cultures, however, people are more comfortable standing close to each other. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? Choices: A. The space around the body is more needed than that around all the senses. B. If you hold newspapers on the bus, your personal space won't be violated. C. People usually choose the corner seats first in a library for personal space. D. Different cultures share the same preferences for personal space.
C
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Question: In the more and more competitive service industry , it is no longer enough to promise customer satisfaction. Today , customer "delight" is what companies are trying to achieve in order to keep and increase market share. It is accepted in the marketing industry , and confirmed by a number of researches, that customers receiving good service will promote business by telling up to 12 other people : those treated badly will tell their tales of woe to up to 20 people, 80 percent of people who feel their complaints are handled fairly will stay loyal New challenges for customer care have come when people can obtain goods and services through telephone call centers and the Internet. For example , many companies now have to invest a lot of money in information technology and staff training in order to cope with the " _ "--caused by delays in answering calls ,being cut off in mid-conversation or left waiting for long periods. "Many people do not like talking to machines ,"says Dr . Storey Senior Lecturer in Marketing at City University Business School. "Banks, for example, encourage staff at call centers to use customer data to establish instant and good relationship with them .The aim is to make the customer feel they know you and that you can trust-- the sort of comfortable feelings people have during face-to-face chats with their local branch manager." Recommended ways of creating customer delight include: under-promising and over-delivering (saying that a repair will be carried out within five hours ,but getting it done within two );replacing a faulty product immediately : throwing in a gift voucher as an unexpected "thank you" to regular customers ;and always returning calls ,even when they are complaints. Aiming for customer delight is all very well , but if services do not reach the high level promised , disappointment or worse will be the result . This can be eased by offering an apology and an explanation of why the service did not meet usual standards with _ (for example, "I know how you must feel") , and possible solutions (replacement , compensation or whatever fairness suggests best meets the case). Airlines face some of the toughest challenges over customer care . Fierce competition has convinced them that delighting passengers is an important marketing tool, while there is great potential for customer anger over delays caused by weather , unclaimed luggage and technical problems . For British Airways staff , a winning telephone style is considered vital in handling the large volume of calls about bookings and flight times. They are trained to answer quickly , with their name , job title and a "we are here to help" attitude. The company has invested heavily in information technology to make sure that information is available instantly on screen. British Airways also says its customer care policies are applied within the company and staff are taught to regard each other as customers requiring the highest standards of service. Customer care is obviously here to stay and it would be a foolish company that used slogans such as "we do as we please". On the other hand , the more customers are promised, the greater the risk of disappointment. Customer delight is important for airlines because _ . Choices: A. their telephone style remains unchanged B. they are more likely to meet with complaints C. the services cost them a lot of money D. the policies can be applied to their staff
B
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Question: I was small for my age. I was shy and sometimes it was hard for me to make friends with the others. However, learning came fairly easy for me. I was the best in most of my classes, but PE class was my nightmare and made me feel that I was not as good as the others. Miss Forsythe was our PE teacher. She was young and energetic. Everyone liked her. She said that we all had to come to her classes. No one could hide from Miss Forsythe! One day she told me that she wanted me to play a game with another girl in a PE show. I was rather worried that I wouldn't do a good job when she explained her idea, but she was excited. With her encouragement, I had no choice but to agree. It was a "boy meets girl" game. I played the boy and my classmate, Margaret Ann, played the girl. We were dressed in evening clothes and danced around the floor. According to Miss Forsythe, I had to pick up Margaret Ann when we finished the dance. Since I was not strong enough to pick the tallest girl up, it was she who picked me up. I suddenly felt ten feet tall! It was a huge success and everybody applauded for our excellent performance. What a wonderful ending! Afterwards, I smiled confidently . Miss Forsythe's understanding and willingness to create a place for me in her show (which certainly did not need me) gave me some much needed confidence. She was and always will be my favorite teacher. What do we know about Miss Forsythe? Choices: A. She was good at dancing. B. She was young and energetic. C. She liked to play games with the students after class. D. She taught students how to dance.
B
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Question: Cats are creatures of habit. They like to go to sleep about the same time every day and for a certain length of time. They seem to have a natural clock inside them that tells them when to sleep. Cats increase their regular sleep with occasional cat naps . Some experts feel that humans could also benefit from this habit. Cat naps help to build up energy in the body. They are also a good way to get rid of trouble! Since cats have the same moods as humans, some experts believe that people can improve their moods. People might become happier. A number of famous people have copied cats by taking cat naps during the day. The naps would usually last from 15 to 30 minutes. Winston Churchill took cat naps. So did Presidents Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson. These famous men were known for their energy. They were also able to work long hours, often into the night. Napping was their secret. From this selection we know that cats _ . Choices: A. do not have regular sleep B. have occasional sleep as well as naps every day C. take naps to add to their regular sleep D. take naps when they are not happy
C
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Question: New Year's Eve is a time to celebrate and enter the new year with a smile on your face. This year, there're plenty of local activities for all ages and interests, so the smiles will come easily. BLUE CONCERT Blues band the Coyotes is playing at the Dance Barn,at 8 Barn View in Sudden Valley, The show will start at 9 p. m. and benefit the charity Bikers Fighting Cancer. Tickets cost $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Call 224-2308 for more information. NEW YEAR'S LAUGHS Ring in the New Year and laugh out the old one at the Upfront Theatre Comic improvisers will hit on all the highlights of the year with The Last Laugh of 2008. The 9 p. m. show will cost $15 and is open to all ages. The 11 P. m. show is open to 21 and older and costs $18, which includes a champagne toast. Call 733-8855 for more information. MAZE For a fun activity earlier in the evening,walk the labyrinth at the Leopold Crystal Bellroom. Wander through the maze, based on the French Chartres Cathedral, for free from 4 to 9 p. m. Call 752-0048 for more information. COUNTRY DANCING At the Bellingham Eagles Hall, live local music will help get the dance started at 8 p. m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and free for kids 12 and younger. For more information, call 676-1554. If you want to know something about the Coyotes at 8 Barn view, you'd better call _ . Choices: A. 676-1554 B. 733-8855 C. 752-0048 D. 224-2308
D
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Question: What is the name of the process in which solid food waste is passed out of the body? Choices: A. regurgitation B. elimination C. extinction D. evaporation
B
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Question: Lee Humberg, district manager for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, is the man in charge of figuring out how to remove the flocks of 15,000 to 20,000 Canada geese that could strike planes flying in and out of the New York area. The Port Authority, the agency that manages airport in New York and New Jersey, estimates that there have been as many as 315 bird strikes annually in the past 30 years. Bird strikes have been a hot topic since a US Airways jet suffered a "double strike" and made an emergency landing on the Hudson River in January 2009. All 155 passengers were rescued safely and the flight was called "Miracle on the Hudson". The plane finally ended up at the Carolinas Aviation Museum. The next major bird strike may not have such a happy ending. To thin the flocks, Humberg and his team have tracked down goose nests and killed eggs with corn oil. They've also terrified the birds with dogs, remote-controlled boats and kites that look like eagles. But the only method that effectively decreases the goose population is the one that angers animal lovers the most: gassing hundreds at a time. "If all you are doing is goose harassment every day, it's very frustrating, because you are just playing Ping-Pong with the birds," Humberg told New York magazine. "It's basically an arms race to come up with the tools to deal with them." Now New York City plans to send the geese captured to Pennsylvania to be cooked and distributed at food banks as meals for the poor. That might just be a fate better than flying into a 747 engine. It can be inferred from the passage that _ . Choices: A. Canada geese can fly as high as planes B. New York airlines are in poor management C. bird strikes happen once a week on average D. the poor may also benefit from Humberg's work
D
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Question: Teens are gaining weight. Today most teenagers are at least one size larger than teens were 20 years ago. Even clothing sizes have changed. Did you know that a small today used to be a medium, 20 years ago? A recent research shows 97%of teens need more exercise. It's bad news because too little exercise means you are missing a lot of good things in life. Exercise helps in two ways. First,exercise helps your body. Physical activity can make your body strong. It can also keep you at a healthy weight. Doctors say that people who stay at a healthy weight have fewer health problems. Second,exercise can help your mind. People who get plenty of physical activity might worry less and sleep better at night. You may even learn better in school. Students who are healthy can listen and understand better in class. So you can change your life and be more active at any point. It's never too late. An article called "How to Limit Screen Time and Get Moving"gives these ideas: Step away from the screen. Doctors call watching TV or playing video games screen time. You should have no more than two hours of screen time a day. You will enjoy life more if you live it instead of watching it! Start slowly. An hour a day can seem like a long time. Start with 10 minutes of new activities every day. Add more as you get stronger. Think about walking. Take the stairs instead of the lift. You will feel healthier. Make fitness fun. Find a sport you like. It doesn't need to be the traditional sports of basketball, soccer,or baseball. Those are all great sports and if you like them, play them. However,you can also try hiking,skateboarding,or even rope jumping. If you enjoy the sport,you will do it. Choose food carefully. Help your family shop for healthy food. Read the labels .Look for healthy foods. Eat lots of fiuits and vegetables. Stop buying soft drinks and junk foods. You will feel better if you eat right. Exercise with others. Find a friend or family member to exercise or play with you. You will have more fun and it helps keep you responsible for going. Which of the following is a FACT from the passage? Choices: A. You should have no more than two hours of screen time a day. B. You will have more fun and it helps keep you responsible for going. C. A recent research shows 97%of teens need more exercise. D. However,you can also try hiking,skateboarding,or even rope jumping.
C
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Question: Making friends might seem to come easy for some persons, but it's maybe very hard for most persons. No matter how many friends you might already have, it is always a good idea to make new friends. Being shy keeps a lot of people from making friends. Also, making friends might need a person to step outside of their comfortable places, which are hard for a lot of people, whether they are shy or not. However, overcoming the shyness to step out of your box is an important step in making friends. There are lots of ways to meet new friends. First of all, remember that a good friendship is based on interests, so if you are ready to make friends, start to join clubs or go places where you have interest. For instance, if you like to play sports, join a sports team or after school sports club. If you have interests in music or writing, join clubs or organizations that you are interested in. When you see someone in a place like that, and you think that they look nice, it is always a good idea to go up to them and introduce yourself and ask interesting questions so that you can start a conversation. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, and remember that friendships don't always happen quickly. Some friendships happen right away, and you'll be able to tell if someone will be a great friend right after you meet them. Some friendships take a long time to develop. Anyway, the friends that you meet are going to be worth it. If a friendship develops quickly, it doesn't mean that it is extra valuable, and if a friendship takes a long time to develop, it doesn't mean that it isn't worth it because it's too hard. Making friends might be a bit difficult for you, and the friends you will make may not look anything like you. However, even though it might be scary to start conversations, you are worth doing it. All friendships start with a single hello. If you want to make friends, you should _ . Choices: A. ask your parents for help B. go out of your own box C. obey others' requests D. talk more with shy persons
B