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Upset by reading bad news daily,Neil Pasricha decided to try to focus on the positive and come up with l,000 simple,free,good things,posting one each day on a blog .
Pasricha,aged 30,said his blog aimed to focus on life's simple pleasures,such as finding forgotten money in a pocket, or fixing a TV set with a heavy blow.Little did he realize his blog would attract 40,000 people a day to join his discussions.He was amazed to win two Webby awards.known as "the Oscars of the Internet,'' something positive at a time when his marriage broke up and one of his closest friends killed himself.
"I turned the worst year of my life into my best year by focusing on the positive," Pasricha told reporters in a telephone interview."Every day I try to find something that is happy,free and universal to share, 1ike the smell of a bakery or when a cashier opens up a new line at a store*"
Pasricha said when he began his blog in June 2008 he thought he might have trouble finding out l,000 simple, happy moments in life but now he is more than halfway through and ideas keep crowding in,from himself and from followers of his blog.
"These moments can start a huge conversation.Most of our life is really about hitting green lights on the way home from work,or waking up before your alarm clock rings and realizing you have more time in bed. But it is those small moments we forget about."
Although his blog got a great success.Pasrieha does not want to change his daily life."I travel regularly for an hour a day to work.I like work because I like the people in my office.I'm not a writer and I don't know the writing skills either.I just like observing the world and putting it down." he said. | We know from the passage that Pasricha _ . | [
"has finished collecting 1,000 simple,free,happy things",
"gets ideas for l,000 simple,free,happy things on his own",
"is on his way to collecting 1,000 simple,free,happy things",
"gets ideas for l,000 simple,flee,happy things with trouble"
] | C | 2 | high |
Upset by reading bad news daily,Neil Pasricha decided to try to focus on the positive and come up with l,000 simple,free,good things,posting one each day on a blog .
Pasricha,aged 30,said his blog aimed to focus on life's simple pleasures,such as finding forgotten money in a pocket, or fixing a TV set with a heavy blow.Little did he realize his blog would attract 40,000 people a day to join his discussions.He was amazed to win two Webby awards.known as "the Oscars of the Internet,'' something positive at a time when his marriage broke up and one of his closest friends killed himself.
"I turned the worst year of my life into my best year by focusing on the positive," Pasricha told reporters in a telephone interview."Every day I try to find something that is happy,free and universal to share, 1ike the smell of a bakery or when a cashier opens up a new line at a store*"
Pasricha said when he began his blog in June 2008 he thought he might have trouble finding out l,000 simple, happy moments in life but now he is more than halfway through and ideas keep crowding in,from himself and from followers of his blog.
"These moments can start a huge conversation.Most of our life is really about hitting green lights on the way home from work,or waking up before your alarm clock rings and realizing you have more time in bed. But it is those small moments we forget about."
Although his blog got a great success.Pasrieha does not want to change his daily life."I travel regularly for an hour a day to work.I like work because I like the people in my office.I'm not a writer and I don't know the writing skills either.I just like observing the world and putting it down." he said. | Which of the following would be the best title for the passage? | [
"Hard Life for a Blogger",
"Busy Life for a Blogger",
"Great Awards for a Blogger",
"Great Success for a Blogger"
] | D | 3 | high |
Museums in Texas
Depot Museum And Children's Discovery Center
The museum is in the depot's waiting room and office. The warehouse is a hands-on learning center. See the 1908 "Arnold Outhouse", log cabin, doctor's office, dogtrot cabin, oil derrick, cotton gin, print shop, and syrup mill.
Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat.
Admission charge.
Address: 514 N. High St. in the restored 1901 Missouri Pacific Railroad depot, Henderson
Phone: 903/657-4303
Tex-Ark Antique Auto Museum
It is designed to preserve, collect, operate and interpret a collection of autos and auto transportation equipment. Library and archive collection available.
Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. and 1-5 p.m. Sun.
Admission charge.
Address: 217 Laurel St., Texarkana
Phone: 903/938-9201
Jefferson Historical Society Museum
Find four floors of documents and antiques, including mementos of pioneer days, early steamboat commerce and antebellum society. See paintings and sculpture from the D.D. Feldman collection. It also has an outstanding doll collection.
Open 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily.
Admission charge.
Address: Old Federal Building, Austin and Market streets, Jefferson
Phone: 903/665-2775
The Woodlands Children's Museum
The museum provides hands-on, interactive exhibits designed to immerse children and adults in play that stimulates curiosity and provides opportunities for learning in a nurturing environment.
Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. and noon-5 p.m. Sun.[:##]
Admission charge.
Address: 4775 W. Panther Creek Drive, the Woodlands
Phone: 281/465-0955 | What do the four museums have in common? | [
"They all have a long history.",
"They all charge for admission.",
"They all provide hands-on programmes.",
"They are all in the same city."
] | B | 1 | high |
Museums in Texas
Depot Museum And Children's Discovery Center
The museum is in the depot's waiting room and office. The warehouse is a hands-on learning center. See the 1908 "Arnold Outhouse", log cabin, doctor's office, dogtrot cabin, oil derrick, cotton gin, print shop, and syrup mill.
Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat.
Admission charge.
Address: 514 N. High St. in the restored 1901 Missouri Pacific Railroad depot, Henderson
Phone: 903/657-4303
Tex-Ark Antique Auto Museum
It is designed to preserve, collect, operate and interpret a collection of autos and auto transportation equipment. Library and archive collection available.
Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. and 1-5 p.m. Sun.
Admission charge.
Address: 217 Laurel St., Texarkana
Phone: 903/938-9201
Jefferson Historical Society Museum
Find four floors of documents and antiques, including mementos of pioneer days, early steamboat commerce and antebellum society. See paintings and sculpture from the D.D. Feldman collection. It also has an outstanding doll collection.
Open 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily.
Admission charge.
Address: Old Federal Building, Austin and Market streets, Jefferson
Phone: 903/665-2775
The Woodlands Children's Museum
The museum provides hands-on, interactive exhibits designed to immerse children and adults in play that stimulates curiosity and provides opportunities for learning in a nurturing environment.
Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. and noon-5 p.m. Sun.[:##]
Admission charge.
Address: 4775 W. Panther Creek Drive, the Woodlands
Phone: 281/465-0955 | If you are free on Sunday afternoons, you may visit the following museums except _ . | [
"Tex-Ark Antique Auto Museum",
"The Woodlands Children's Museum",
"Jefferson Historical Society Museum",
"Depot Museum And Children's Discovery Center"
] | D | 3 | high |
Museums in Texas
Depot Museum And Children's Discovery Center
The museum is in the depot's waiting room and office. The warehouse is a hands-on learning center. See the 1908 "Arnold Outhouse", log cabin, doctor's office, dogtrot cabin, oil derrick, cotton gin, print shop, and syrup mill.
Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat.
Admission charge.
Address: 514 N. High St. in the restored 1901 Missouri Pacific Railroad depot, Henderson
Phone: 903/657-4303
Tex-Ark Antique Auto Museum
It is designed to preserve, collect, operate and interpret a collection of autos and auto transportation equipment. Library and archive collection available.
Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. and 1-5 p.m. Sun.
Admission charge.
Address: 217 Laurel St., Texarkana
Phone: 903/938-9201
Jefferson Historical Society Museum
Find four floors of documents and antiques, including mementos of pioneer days, early steamboat commerce and antebellum society. See paintings and sculpture from the D.D. Feldman collection. It also has an outstanding doll collection.
Open 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily.
Admission charge.
Address: Old Federal Building, Austin and Market streets, Jefferson
Phone: 903/665-2775
The Woodlands Children's Museum
The museum provides hands-on, interactive exhibits designed to immerse children and adults in play that stimulates curiosity and provides opportunities for learning in a nurturing environment.
Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. and noon-5 p.m. Sun.[:##]
Admission charge.
Address: 4775 W. Panther Creek Drive, the Woodlands
Phone: 281/465-0955 | Which of the following is not true according to the advertisement? | [
"Interactive exhibits are offered in the Woodlands Children's Museum.",
"Dolls are on display in Depot Museum And Children's Discovery Center.",
"Paintings and sculpture can be seen in Jefferson Historical Society Museum.",
"You can read and borrow books in Tex-Ark Antique Auto Museum."
] | B | 1 | high |
Matt and his wife lived in the country. Matt was very mean and hated spending money. One day a fair came to the nearby town.
They went to the fair and looked at all the things to buy. Matt's wife wanted to buy a hat only costing $28, but was refused. Later on, a comb of $5 attracted her attention, but he would not let her spend any money.
Then, in a nearby field, they saw a small airplane. "Fun flight!" the notice said, "$10 for 10 minutes."
Matt had never been in an airplane and he wanted to go on a fun flight. However, he didn't want to pay for his wife either. "I've only got $10," he told the pilot. "Can my wife come with me for free?" The pilot wasn't selling many tickets, so he said, "I'll make a bargain with you. If your wife doesn't scream, she can have a free flight."
Matt agreed, and got into the small airplane with his wife. The pilot took off and made his airplane do all kinds of things. At one moment it was flying upside down.
When the plane landed, the pilot said, "OK, your wife didn't make a sound. She can have her ride free."
"Thank you," Matt said, "it wasn't easy for her, you know, especially when she fell out." | How much did the couple spend at the fair? | [
"$28.",
"$5.",
"$43.",
"$10."
] | D | 3 | high |
Matt and his wife lived in the country. Matt was very mean and hated spending money. One day a fair came to the nearby town.
They went to the fair and looked at all the things to buy. Matt's wife wanted to buy a hat only costing $28, but was refused. Later on, a comb of $5 attracted her attention, but he would not let her spend any money.
Then, in a nearby field, they saw a small airplane. "Fun flight!" the notice said, "$10 for 10 minutes."
Matt had never been in an airplane and he wanted to go on a fun flight. However, he didn't want to pay for his wife either. "I've only got $10," he told the pilot. "Can my wife come with me for free?" The pilot wasn't selling many tickets, so he said, "I'll make a bargain with you. If your wife doesn't scream, she can have a free flight."
Matt agreed, and got into the small airplane with his wife. The pilot took off and made his airplane do all kinds of things. At one moment it was flying upside down.
When the plane landed, the pilot said, "OK, your wife didn't make a sound. She can have her ride free."
"Thank you," Matt said, "it wasn't easy for her, you know, especially when she fell out." | The pilot flew the airplane upside down in order to _ . | [
"throw the wife out of the plane",
"get another $10 by making the wife shout",
"show off his perfect flying skills",
"provide the couple with pleasure of excitement"
] | B | 1 | high |
Matt and his wife lived in the country. Matt was very mean and hated spending money. One day a fair came to the nearby town.
They went to the fair and looked at all the things to buy. Matt's wife wanted to buy a hat only costing $28, but was refused. Later on, a comb of $5 attracted her attention, but he would not let her spend any money.
Then, in a nearby field, they saw a small airplane. "Fun flight!" the notice said, "$10 for 10 minutes."
Matt had never been in an airplane and he wanted to go on a fun flight. However, he didn't want to pay for his wife either. "I've only got $10," he told the pilot. "Can my wife come with me for free?" The pilot wasn't selling many tickets, so he said, "I'll make a bargain with you. If your wife doesn't scream, she can have a free flight."
Matt agreed, and got into the small airplane with his wife. The pilot took off and made his airplane do all kinds of things. At one moment it was flying upside down.
When the plane landed, the pilot said, "OK, your wife didn't make a sound. She can have her ride free."
"Thank you," Matt said, "it wasn't easy for her, you know, especially when she fell out." | The passage is intended to _ . | [
"teach readers a lesson",
"attract tourists",
"make readers laugh",
"praise the couple"
] | C | 2 | high |
Matt and his wife lived in the country. Matt was very mean and hated spending money. One day a fair came to the nearby town.
They went to the fair and looked at all the things to buy. Matt's wife wanted to buy a hat only costing $28, but was refused. Later on, a comb of $5 attracted her attention, but he would not let her spend any money.
Then, in a nearby field, they saw a small airplane. "Fun flight!" the notice said, "$10 for 10 minutes."
Matt had never been in an airplane and he wanted to go on a fun flight. However, he didn't want to pay for his wife either. "I've only got $10," he told the pilot. "Can my wife come with me for free?" The pilot wasn't selling many tickets, so he said, "I'll make a bargain with you. If your wife doesn't scream, she can have a free flight."
Matt agreed, and got into the small airplane with his wife. The pilot took off and made his airplane do all kinds of things. At one moment it was flying upside down.
When the plane landed, the pilot said, "OK, your wife didn't make a sound. She can have her ride free."
"Thank you," Matt said, "it wasn't easy for her, you know, especially when she fell out." | What can we infer from the passage? | [
"Matt loved money more than his wife.",
"Matt would like to buy everything for his wife.",
"The pilot didn't mind whether Matt's wife would pay.",
"Matt's wife enjoyed her riding in the plane."
] | A | 0 | high |
Educators across the U.S. are calling for major changes to the admission process in higher education.
The National Center for Educational Statistics (or NCES) reported that U.S. colleges and universities received more than 9 million applications between 2013 and 2014 and admitted more than 5 million students. But the problem is not in the number of students, a new report says. The report is called "Turning the Tide -- Making Caring Common."
The report argues that the process schools use to choose students causes major problems. David Hawkins is the Executive Director for Educational Content and Policy. He says that most colleges and universities require many things from students when they apply.
Schools usually require an essay describing a student's interests or why they want to study at that school. The schools also ask for letters from teachers describing why a student is a good candidate. But, Hawkins says, schools are most concerned with a student's high school grades and standardized test results.
The Education Conservancy is an organization that fights to make higher education equal and available. Lloyd Thacker is the Executive Director of the Education Conservancy, saying that the college admission process has changed a lot.
"Over the past 30 years, college admissions have become more complex." He says that ranking systems for colleges and universities are a big part of the problem.
U.S. News and World Report is a media company that creates a list of what it calls "America's Best Colleges." The company bases the list on information collected from colleges and universities across the country. This information includes results of standardized tests like the SAT from all of a school's students. Higher average test results help put schools higher on the list.
Thacker claims, "Too many students are learning to do whatever it takes in order to get ahead, even if that means sacrificing their own individuality, their health, their happiness and behavior..."
"The impact on students and on parents is that college is all about where you go. The rank has nothing to do with the quality of education that goes on at the college."
The Harvard report states that the best way to change the admission process is by changing college applications. | When choosing students, colleges and universities attach greatest importance to _ . | [
"their personal interest",
"their academic performance",
"their teachers' opinion",
"their reasons for application"
] | B | 1 | high |
Educators across the U.S. are calling for major changes to the admission process in higher education.
The National Center for Educational Statistics (or NCES) reported that U.S. colleges and universities received more than 9 million applications between 2013 and 2014 and admitted more than 5 million students. But the problem is not in the number of students, a new report says. The report is called "Turning the Tide -- Making Caring Common."
The report argues that the process schools use to choose students causes major problems. David Hawkins is the Executive Director for Educational Content and Policy. He says that most colleges and universities require many things from students when they apply.
Schools usually require an essay describing a student's interests or why they want to study at that school. The schools also ask for letters from teachers describing why a student is a good candidate. But, Hawkins says, schools are most concerned with a student's high school grades and standardized test results.
The Education Conservancy is an organization that fights to make higher education equal and available. Lloyd Thacker is the Executive Director of the Education Conservancy, saying that the college admission process has changed a lot.
"Over the past 30 years, college admissions have become more complex." He says that ranking systems for colleges and universities are a big part of the problem.
U.S. News and World Report is a media company that creates a list of what it calls "America's Best Colleges." The company bases the list on information collected from colleges and universities across the country. This information includes results of standardized tests like the SAT from all of a school's students. Higher average test results help put schools higher on the list.
Thacker claims, "Too many students are learning to do whatever it takes in order to get ahead, even if that means sacrificing their own individuality, their health, their happiness and behavior..."
"The impact on students and on parents is that college is all about where you go. The rank has nothing to do with the quality of education that goes on at the college."
The Harvard report states that the best way to change the admission process is by changing college applications. | The media company ranks the schools on the basis of _ . | [
"peoples' attitude towards the schools",
"employment rate of its graduates",
"the schools' teaching quality",
"information like test results"
] | D | 3 | high |
Educators across the U.S. are calling for major changes to the admission process in higher education.
The National Center for Educational Statistics (or NCES) reported that U.S. colleges and universities received more than 9 million applications between 2013 and 2014 and admitted more than 5 million students. But the problem is not in the number of students, a new report says. The report is called "Turning the Tide -- Making Caring Common."
The report argues that the process schools use to choose students causes major problems. David Hawkins is the Executive Director for Educational Content and Policy. He says that most colleges and universities require many things from students when they apply.
Schools usually require an essay describing a student's interests or why they want to study at that school. The schools also ask for letters from teachers describing why a student is a good candidate. But, Hawkins says, schools are most concerned with a student's high school grades and standardized test results.
The Education Conservancy is an organization that fights to make higher education equal and available. Lloyd Thacker is the Executive Director of the Education Conservancy, saying that the college admission process has changed a lot.
"Over the past 30 years, college admissions have become more complex." He says that ranking systems for colleges and universities are a big part of the problem.
U.S. News and World Report is a media company that creates a list of what it calls "America's Best Colleges." The company bases the list on information collected from colleges and universities across the country. This information includes results of standardized tests like the SAT from all of a school's students. Higher average test results help put schools higher on the list.
Thacker claims, "Too many students are learning to do whatever it takes in order to get ahead, even if that means sacrificing their own individuality, their health, their happiness and behavior..."
"The impact on students and on parents is that college is all about where you go. The rank has nothing to do with the quality of education that goes on at the college."
The Harvard report states that the best way to change the admission process is by changing college applications. | Which of the following does Lloyd Thacker probably agree with? | [
"Colleges are supposed to admit more and more students.",
"It is necessary to apply for a proper university by referring to the rank.",
"There is little relationship between colleges' rank and the quality of education.",
"The better the applicants' grades are, the more likely they will be admitted."
] | C | 2 | high |
Educators across the U.S. are calling for major changes to the admission process in higher education.
The National Center for Educational Statistics (or NCES) reported that U.S. colleges and universities received more than 9 million applications between 2013 and 2014 and admitted more than 5 million students. But the problem is not in the number of students, a new report says. The report is called "Turning the Tide -- Making Caring Common."
The report argues that the process schools use to choose students causes major problems. David Hawkins is the Executive Director for Educational Content and Policy. He says that most colleges and universities require many things from students when they apply.
Schools usually require an essay describing a student's interests or why they want to study at that school. The schools also ask for letters from teachers describing why a student is a good candidate. But, Hawkins says, schools are most concerned with a student's high school grades and standardized test results.
The Education Conservancy is an organization that fights to make higher education equal and available. Lloyd Thacker is the Executive Director of the Education Conservancy, saying that the college admission process has changed a lot.
"Over the past 30 years, college admissions have become more complex." He says that ranking systems for colleges and universities are a big part of the problem.
U.S. News and World Report is a media company that creates a list of what it calls "America's Best Colleges." The company bases the list on information collected from colleges and universities across the country. This information includes results of standardized tests like the SAT from all of a school's students. Higher average test results help put schools higher on the list.
Thacker claims, "Too many students are learning to do whatever it takes in order to get ahead, even if that means sacrificing their own individuality, their health, their happiness and behavior..."
"The impact on students and on parents is that college is all about where you go. The rank has nothing to do with the quality of education that goes on at the college."
The Harvard report states that the best way to change the admission process is by changing college applications. | Which of the following is the best title of the passage? | [
"Higher Rankings Matter a Great Deal.",
"Colleges Look to Change Admission Process.",
"Colleges' Admission Process Makes a Difference.",
"Testing Results Determine Students' Fate."
] | B | 1 | high |
A drink of water is just a matter of turning on a tap for most of us. However, water for those in drought-stricken northwestern China can't be taken for granted. Its present shortage is a matter of life and death to them.
The tragedy is the direct result of the drought that has hit a large area of northwestern China, and is affecting more than 50 million people.
The drought began last spring, ravaging Gansu, Qinghai and Shaanxi. Experts say the drought is a result of less rainfall, insufficient water reserves, high temperatures, dated irrigation projects, environmental damage and global climate change.
More than 15 million people are having difficulties getting safe drinking water. The drought is also affecting schoolchildren's studies. "I am worried that my family will get no harvest this year. In that case, my family will not be able to afford my living costs," an unnamed boarding schoolgirl at Naqing Primary School in Shandan, Zhangye, told Dazhong Daily.
But thanks to measures taken under the leadership of the central government, the drinking water problem has been greatly eased. Each person in the five worst-hit provinces is being supplied with drinking water and 20 liters of water for other purposes each day.
Local authorities are digging deep wells and creating artificial rain. Military personnel are helping to transport water from others province to Gansu and Qinghai, according to CCTV. In Shaanxi, locals are turning to drought resistant crops. Other parts of China are helping by giving water and donating other resources. | Which of the following is not the cause of the drought mentioned in the passage? | [
"Less rainfall.",
"Insufficient water reserves.",
"Digging deep wells.",
"Environmental damage."
] | C | 2 | high |
A drink of water is just a matter of turning on a tap for most of us. However, water for those in drought-stricken northwestern China can't be taken for granted. Its present shortage is a matter of life and death to them.
The tragedy is the direct result of the drought that has hit a large area of northwestern China, and is affecting more than 50 million people.
The drought began last spring, ravaging Gansu, Qinghai and Shaanxi. Experts say the drought is a result of less rainfall, insufficient water reserves, high temperatures, dated irrigation projects, environmental damage and global climate change.
More than 15 million people are having difficulties getting safe drinking water. The drought is also affecting schoolchildren's studies. "I am worried that my family will get no harvest this year. In that case, my family will not be able to afford my living costs," an unnamed boarding schoolgirl at Naqing Primary School in Shandan, Zhangye, told Dazhong Daily.
But thanks to measures taken under the leadership of the central government, the drinking water problem has been greatly eased. Each person in the five worst-hit provinces is being supplied with drinking water and 20 liters of water for other purposes each day.
Local authorities are digging deep wells and creating artificial rain. Military personnel are helping to transport water from others province to Gansu and Qinghai, according to CCTV. In Shaanxi, locals are turning to drought resistant crops. Other parts of China are helping by giving water and donating other resources. | The damages the drought brought about are the following EXCEPT_. | [
"causing many to die of thirst",
"making it hard for millions to get drinking water",
"making it difficult for school children with parents facing money problems",
"destroying the harvest"
] | A | 0 | high |
A drink of water is just a matter of turning on a tap for most of us. However, water for those in drought-stricken northwestern China can't be taken for granted. Its present shortage is a matter of life and death to them.
The tragedy is the direct result of the drought that has hit a large area of northwestern China, and is affecting more than 50 million people.
The drought began last spring, ravaging Gansu, Qinghai and Shaanxi. Experts say the drought is a result of less rainfall, insufficient water reserves, high temperatures, dated irrigation projects, environmental damage and global climate change.
More than 15 million people are having difficulties getting safe drinking water. The drought is also affecting schoolchildren's studies. "I am worried that my family will get no harvest this year. In that case, my family will not be able to afford my living costs," an unnamed boarding schoolgirl at Naqing Primary School in Shandan, Zhangye, told Dazhong Daily.
But thanks to measures taken under the leadership of the central government, the drinking water problem has been greatly eased. Each person in the five worst-hit provinces is being supplied with drinking water and 20 liters of water for other purposes each day.
Local authorities are digging deep wells and creating artificial rain. Military personnel are helping to transport water from others province to Gansu and Qinghai, according to CCTV. In Shaanxi, locals are turning to drought resistant crops. Other parts of China are helping by giving water and donating other resources. | What does the writer mainly want to tell readers in this passage? | [
"It's important to save water in our everyday life.",
"The entire nation is making an effort to fight against the drought.",
"The causes of the drought in these areas are various.",
"Water is a matter of life and death to us."
] | B | 1 | high |
Our clothes are a powerful tool that can make us feel better about ourselves. One way in which this works is by wearing different color1s of clothes.
Normally when we are sad, we will wear dark color1ed clothes. Oppositely, when we are happy, we often choose to wear brightly color1ed clothes. The reason for this is that our choice of color1 mirrors is how we are feeling.
Those who don't believe in the idea are often heard saying, "if only this truly worked". Well in reply to those people, there has been a lot of research into what happens to someone's feelings when they are asked to wear just one color1 of clothes. It has been proven that if we wear particular color1s of clothes they can change our feelings.
Suppose we are feeling sad, if we wear black we may begin to feel worse. However, if we wear green, red or yellow, we may begin to feel better.
Each color1 is said to have its own healing power. So remember, if you are not feeling your best, you can always try out some different color1ed clothes. If one color1 has no effect on your feelings, maybe another will. | In the article, one way to change our mind is by_. | [
"wearing different styles of clothes",
"changing hair-style",
"wearing different color1s of clothes",
"Playing games"
] | C | 2 | high |
Our clothes are a powerful tool that can make us feel better about ourselves. One way in which this works is by wearing different color1s of clothes.
Normally when we are sad, we will wear dark color1ed clothes. Oppositely, when we are happy, we often choose to wear brightly color1ed clothes. The reason for this is that our choice of color1 mirrors is how we are feeling.
Those who don't believe in the idea are often heard saying, "if only this truly worked". Well in reply to those people, there has been a lot of research into what happens to someone's feelings when they are asked to wear just one color1 of clothes. It has been proven that if we wear particular color1s of clothes they can change our feelings.
Suppose we are feeling sad, if we wear black we may begin to feel worse. However, if we wear green, red or yellow, we may begin to feel better.
Each color1 is said to have its own healing power. So remember, if you are not feeling your best, you can always try out some different color1ed clothes. If one color1 has no effect on your feelings, maybe another will. | When you are feeling sad, you'd better not wear_. | [
"red",
"black",
"yellow",
"green"
] | B | 1 | high |
Our clothes are a powerful tool that can make us feel better about ourselves. One way in which this works is by wearing different color1s of clothes.
Normally when we are sad, we will wear dark color1ed clothes. Oppositely, when we are happy, we often choose to wear brightly color1ed clothes. The reason for this is that our choice of color1 mirrors is how we are feeling.
Those who don't believe in the idea are often heard saying, "if only this truly worked". Well in reply to those people, there has been a lot of research into what happens to someone's feelings when they are asked to wear just one color1 of clothes. It has been proven that if we wear particular color1s of clothes they can change our feelings.
Suppose we are feeling sad, if we wear black we may begin to feel worse. However, if we wear green, red or yellow, we may begin to feel better.
Each color1 is said to have its own healing power. So remember, if you are not feeling your best, you can always try out some different color1ed clothes. If one color1 has no effect on your feelings, maybe another will. | When we are happy, we often choose to wear_clothes. | [
"dark color1ed",
"white",
"light color1ed",
"brightly color1ed"
] | D | 3 | high |
Our clothes are a powerful tool that can make us feel better about ourselves. One way in which this works is by wearing different color1s of clothes.
Normally when we are sad, we will wear dark color1ed clothes. Oppositely, when we are happy, we often choose to wear brightly color1ed clothes. The reason for this is that our choice of color1 mirrors is how we are feeling.
Those who don't believe in the idea are often heard saying, "if only this truly worked". Well in reply to those people, there has been a lot of research into what happens to someone's feelings when they are asked to wear just one color1 of clothes. It has been proven that if we wear particular color1s of clothes they can change our feelings.
Suppose we are feeling sad, if we wear black we may begin to feel worse. However, if we wear green, red or yellow, we may begin to feel better.
Each color1 is said to have its own healing power. So remember, if you are not feeling your best, you can always try out some different color1ed clothes. If one color1 has no effect on your feelings, maybe another will. | What's the author's attitude toward "wearing particular color1s of clothes can change our feelings"? | [
"Believe.",
"Doubt.",
"Opposite.",
"Enjoy."
] | A | 0 | high |
On November 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln went to Gettysburg to speak at the National Soldiers Cemetery . The Civil War was still going on. There was much criticism of President Lincoln at the time. He had been invited to speak at Gettysburg only out of politeness. The other speaker was to be Edward Everett, a famous statesman and speaker of the day. Everett was a handsome man and very popular everywhere.
It is said that Lincoln prepared his speech on the train while going to Gettysburg. Later that night, alone in his hotel room and tired out, he again worked briefly on the speech. The next day Everett spoke first. His speech lasted an hour and 57 minutes and it was a perfect example of the day. Then Lincoln rose. The crowd of 15,000 people at first paid little attention to him. He spoke for only nine minutes. At the end there was little applause . Lincoln turned to a friend and said, "I have failed again."
Some newspapers at first criticized the speech. But little by little, as people read the speech, they began to like its simplicity and its deep meaning. It was a speech which only Abraham Lincoln could have made.
Now everyone thinks of it as one of the greatest speeches ever given in American history. | In 1863, Abraham Lincoln was _ in Gettysburg. | [
"warmly welcomed",
"unpopular",
"greatly praised",
"very polite"
] | B | 1 | high |
On November 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln went to Gettysburg to speak at the National Soldiers Cemetery . The Civil War was still going on. There was much criticism of President Lincoln at the time. He had been invited to speak at Gettysburg only out of politeness. The other speaker was to be Edward Everett, a famous statesman and speaker of the day. Everett was a handsome man and very popular everywhere.
It is said that Lincoln prepared his speech on the train while going to Gettysburg. Later that night, alone in his hotel room and tired out, he again worked briefly on the speech. The next day Everett spoke first. His speech lasted an hour and 57 minutes and it was a perfect example of the day. Then Lincoln rose. The crowd of 15,000 people at first paid little attention to him. He spoke for only nine minutes. At the end there was little applause . Lincoln turned to a friend and said, "I have failed again."
Some newspapers at first criticized the speech. But little by little, as people read the speech, they began to like its simplicity and its deep meaning. It was a speech which only Abraham Lincoln could have made.
Now everyone thinks of it as one of the greatest speeches ever given in American history. | Lincoln was invited to speak at the National Soldiers Cemetery because he was _ . | [
"a famous speaker of the day",
"very handsome and polite",
"President of the United States at the time",
"a popular statesman"
] | C | 2 | high |
On November 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln went to Gettysburg to speak at the National Soldiers Cemetery . The Civil War was still going on. There was much criticism of President Lincoln at the time. He had been invited to speak at Gettysburg only out of politeness. The other speaker was to be Edward Everett, a famous statesman and speaker of the day. Everett was a handsome man and very popular everywhere.
It is said that Lincoln prepared his speech on the train while going to Gettysburg. Later that night, alone in his hotel room and tired out, he again worked briefly on the speech. The next day Everett spoke first. His speech lasted an hour and 57 minutes and it was a perfect example of the day. Then Lincoln rose. The crowd of 15,000 people at first paid little attention to him. He spoke for only nine minutes. At the end there was little applause . Lincoln turned to a friend and said, "I have failed again."
Some newspapers at first criticized the speech. But little by little, as people read the speech, they began to like its simplicity and its deep meaning. It was a speech which only Abraham Lincoln could have made.
Now everyone thinks of it as one of the greatest speeches ever given in American history. | It can be inferred from the text that _ . | [
"Lincoln had prepared his speech very carefully before he went to Gettysburg",
"Lincoln was very busy at the time and didn't have much time to prepare his speech",
"Lincoln's speech seemed to be a failure for the first time",
"Lincoln's speech was a little shorter than Everett's one"
] | B | 1 | high |
On November 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln went to Gettysburg to speak at the National Soldiers Cemetery . The Civil War was still going on. There was much criticism of President Lincoln at the time. He had been invited to speak at Gettysburg only out of politeness. The other speaker was to be Edward Everett, a famous statesman and speaker of the day. Everett was a handsome man and very popular everywhere.
It is said that Lincoln prepared his speech on the train while going to Gettysburg. Later that night, alone in his hotel room and tired out, he again worked briefly on the speech. The next day Everett spoke first. His speech lasted an hour and 57 minutes and it was a perfect example of the day. Then Lincoln rose. The crowd of 15,000 people at first paid little attention to him. He spoke for only nine minutes. At the end there was little applause . Lincoln turned to a friend and said, "I have failed again."
Some newspapers at first criticized the speech. But little by little, as people read the speech, they began to like its simplicity and its deep meaning. It was a speech which only Abraham Lincoln could have made.
Now everyone thinks of it as one of the greatest speeches ever given in American history. | Lincoln's speech was _ . | [
"an immediate success",
"not accepted at all",
"a total failure",
"not well-received at first"
] | D | 3 | high |
On November 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln went to Gettysburg to speak at the National Soldiers Cemetery . The Civil War was still going on. There was much criticism of President Lincoln at the time. He had been invited to speak at Gettysburg only out of politeness. The other speaker was to be Edward Everett, a famous statesman and speaker of the day. Everett was a handsome man and very popular everywhere.
It is said that Lincoln prepared his speech on the train while going to Gettysburg. Later that night, alone in his hotel room and tired out, he again worked briefly on the speech. The next day Everett spoke first. His speech lasted an hour and 57 minutes and it was a perfect example of the day. Then Lincoln rose. The crowd of 15,000 people at first paid little attention to him. He spoke for only nine minutes. At the end there was little applause . Lincoln turned to a friend and said, "I have failed again."
Some newspapers at first criticized the speech. But little by little, as people read the speech, they began to like its simplicity and its deep meaning. It was a speech which only Abraham Lincoln could have made.
Now everyone thinks of it as one of the greatest speeches ever given in American history. | Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE? | [
"Lincoln's speech has deep meaning though it is simple in style.",
"Neither Lincoln's speech nor Everett's was popular then.",
"Lincoln's speech proved to be a great success later.",
"Everett's speech was thought to be perfect at that time."
] | B | 1 | high |
Shopping green can make an important contribution to protecting the planet and conserving its resources.
Today's consumer faces a wider range of choices than ever before, Add to that the steady stream of sales campaigns, and shopping smart only gets harder. To buy economically and reduce waste, safeguard health and protect the environment, you'll need to follow some basic principles and have a clear idea of what you want.
1. Do Your Homework
Before making any major purchase, take the time to research it. Plentiful resources are usually available online. Avoid buying in a hurry, and don't be persuaded by overenthusiastic salespeople. _ it if necessary--you won't regret giving yourself some extra time to think.
2. Take the Long View
Consider the running costs as well as the initial price of any item you buy. Many environmentally friendly products cost more to buy, but save you money in the long run. Choose items that are made to last. For example, pick a sofa that has a hardwood or steel frame rather than one made of softwood, which may break easily.
3. Skip the Disposable Option
Buy reusable products like washable cloth towels, handkerchiefs, serviettes and cleaning cloths rather than paper, single-use varieties. Avoid other disposable supplies like cups, glasses, and chopsticks, too.
4. Take the Local Route
Buy local products that are in season. It's usually cheaper and fresher and has less harm to the environment. Markets and roadside stands are good sources. Some supermarkets also buy from local producers. Support it if you have one.
5. Avoid Wasteful Packaging
Better not buy products that have too much packaging. It's estimated that approximately 10 percent of every shopping bill is actually paying for packaging--which you normally just throw away! Moreover, significant amounts of energy are used in the production of packaging. Purchasing refillable and renewable containers can also help cut this kind of waste. | What could be the best title for this passage? | [
"Protection of the Planet",
"Green Shopping Principles",
"Environmentally Friendly Products",
"Resource Conservation"
] | B | 1 | high |
Shopping green can make an important contribution to protecting the planet and conserving its resources.
Today's consumer faces a wider range of choices than ever before, Add to that the steady stream of sales campaigns, and shopping smart only gets harder. To buy economically and reduce waste, safeguard health and protect the environment, you'll need to follow some basic principles and have a clear idea of what you want.
1. Do Your Homework
Before making any major purchase, take the time to research it. Plentiful resources are usually available online. Avoid buying in a hurry, and don't be persuaded by overenthusiastic salespeople. _ it if necessary--you won't regret giving yourself some extra time to think.
2. Take the Long View
Consider the running costs as well as the initial price of any item you buy. Many environmentally friendly products cost more to buy, but save you money in the long run. Choose items that are made to last. For example, pick a sofa that has a hardwood or steel frame rather than one made of softwood, which may break easily.
3. Skip the Disposable Option
Buy reusable products like washable cloth towels, handkerchiefs, serviettes and cleaning cloths rather than paper, single-use varieties. Avoid other disposable supplies like cups, glasses, and chopsticks, too.
4. Take the Local Route
Buy local products that are in season. It's usually cheaper and fresher and has less harm to the environment. Markets and roadside stands are good sources. Some supermarkets also buy from local producers. Support it if you have one.
5. Avoid Wasteful Packaging
Better not buy products that have too much packaging. It's estimated that approximately 10 percent of every shopping bill is actually paying for packaging--which you normally just throw away! Moreover, significant amounts of energy are used in the production of packaging. Purchasing refillable and renewable containers can also help cut this kind of waste. | Why does the author advise us to buy lasting products? | [
"Because they are less expensive to buy.",
"Because they save money in the long run.",
"Because they will never break.",
"Because they are local products."
] | B | 1 | high |
Shopping green can make an important contribution to protecting the planet and conserving its resources.
Today's consumer faces a wider range of choices than ever before, Add to that the steady stream of sales campaigns, and shopping smart only gets harder. To buy economically and reduce waste, safeguard health and protect the environment, you'll need to follow some basic principles and have a clear idea of what you want.
1. Do Your Homework
Before making any major purchase, take the time to research it. Plentiful resources are usually available online. Avoid buying in a hurry, and don't be persuaded by overenthusiastic salespeople. _ it if necessary--you won't regret giving yourself some extra time to think.
2. Take the Long View
Consider the running costs as well as the initial price of any item you buy. Many environmentally friendly products cost more to buy, but save you money in the long run. Choose items that are made to last. For example, pick a sofa that has a hardwood or steel frame rather than one made of softwood, which may break easily.
3. Skip the Disposable Option
Buy reusable products like washable cloth towels, handkerchiefs, serviettes and cleaning cloths rather than paper, single-use varieties. Avoid other disposable supplies like cups, glasses, and chopsticks, too.
4. Take the Local Route
Buy local products that are in season. It's usually cheaper and fresher and has less harm to the environment. Markets and roadside stands are good sources. Some supermarkets also buy from local producers. Support it if you have one.
5. Avoid Wasteful Packaging
Better not buy products that have too much packaging. It's estimated that approximately 10 percent of every shopping bill is actually paying for packaging--which you normally just throw away! Moreover, significant amounts of energy are used in the production of packaging. Purchasing refillable and renewable containers can also help cut this kind of waste. | Which of the following can be considered green shopping? | [
"Following the stream of sales campaigns.",
"Buying disposable chopsticks.",
"Focusing on packaging.",
"Purchasing from local markets."
] | D | 3 | high |
Restoring the quake-hit ecosystems is a question of balancing the interests of the local people and the environment.Rural methane projects can reduce the number of locals taking fire-wood from the mountainsides.The use of straw as food for animals will ensure that vegetation can grow.In Sihai township and Dazhuangke village, in Beijing, they now have a forestry coverage of 85% or more, compared to the 30% they had 15 years ago.Back then, land was used very inefficiently: one person would use 20 mu of forest just for firewood.With those pressures on the ecosystem, no amount of spending on reforestation will succeed.Then the government relocated the population and paid those who remained to tend the forest and provide coal.This reduced the pressures on the ecosystem and it was able to recover naturally.
When an ecosystem has not been pushed past certain limits, it is able to recover on its own.Human involvement should only play a minor role, including after an earthquake.This is particularly the case for sandy grasslands, grasslands deserts, the mountains of the south and the northern sides of mountains in the north.In these areas soil remains and the water, light, heat and nutrients needed are available.Less human involvement is even more appropriate in areas with a small population, where it can avoid money being wasted on ineffective efforts, such as creating forests in dry areas.
The creation of nature reserves should be a model to allow damaged ecosystems to recover.Funding can start at the national level; centrally-funded nature reserves can enforce environmental protection laws and help to promote the local economy.This will solve the problems of reserves being run to make money.When national reserves are funded, local governments will be able to adopt the same model and provide the funds for nature reserves from their own budgets.The first project should be established in nature reserves hit by the quake; these can then become models for other areas. | To restore the quake-hit ecosystem, government should _ . | [
"forbid locals from taking firewood from the mountainside",
"encourage local people to feed their animals just with straw",
"spend large amounts of money relocating the population",
"protect the environment without harming locals' interests"
] | D | 3 | high |
Restoring the quake-hit ecosystems is a question of balancing the interests of the local people and the environment.Rural methane projects can reduce the number of locals taking fire-wood from the mountainsides.The use of straw as food for animals will ensure that vegetation can grow.In Sihai township and Dazhuangke village, in Beijing, they now have a forestry coverage of 85% or more, compared to the 30% they had 15 years ago.Back then, land was used very inefficiently: one person would use 20 mu of forest just for firewood.With those pressures on the ecosystem, no amount of spending on reforestation will succeed.Then the government relocated the population and paid those who remained to tend the forest and provide coal.This reduced the pressures on the ecosystem and it was able to recover naturally.
When an ecosystem has not been pushed past certain limits, it is able to recover on its own.Human involvement should only play a minor role, including after an earthquake.This is particularly the case for sandy grasslands, grasslands deserts, the mountains of the south and the northern sides of mountains in the north.In these areas soil remains and the water, light, heat and nutrients needed are available.Less human involvement is even more appropriate in areas with a small population, where it can avoid money being wasted on ineffective efforts, such as creating forests in dry areas.
The creation of nature reserves should be a model to allow damaged ecosystems to recover.Funding can start at the national level; centrally-funded nature reserves can enforce environmental protection laws and help to promote the local economy.This will solve the problems of reserves being run to make money.When national reserves are funded, local governments will be able to adopt the same model and provide the funds for nature reserves from their own budgets.The first project should be established in nature reserves hit by the quake; these can then become models for other areas. | The forestry coverage in rural Beijing has increased greatly because _ . | [
"pressures on land were reduced",
"a large amount of coal is provided",
"no people live in that area",
"locals take good care of the forest"
] | A | 0 | high |
Restoring the quake-hit ecosystems is a question of balancing the interests of the local people and the environment.Rural methane projects can reduce the number of locals taking fire-wood from the mountainsides.The use of straw as food for animals will ensure that vegetation can grow.In Sihai township and Dazhuangke village, in Beijing, they now have a forestry coverage of 85% or more, compared to the 30% they had 15 years ago.Back then, land was used very inefficiently: one person would use 20 mu of forest just for firewood.With those pressures on the ecosystem, no amount of spending on reforestation will succeed.Then the government relocated the population and paid those who remained to tend the forest and provide coal.This reduced the pressures on the ecosystem and it was able to recover naturally.
When an ecosystem has not been pushed past certain limits, it is able to recover on its own.Human involvement should only play a minor role, including after an earthquake.This is particularly the case for sandy grasslands, grasslands deserts, the mountains of the south and the northern sides of mountains in the north.In these areas soil remains and the water, light, heat and nutrients needed are available.Less human involvement is even more appropriate in areas with a small population, where it can avoid money being wasted on ineffective efforts, such as creating forests in dry areas.
The creation of nature reserves should be a model to allow damaged ecosystems to recover.Funding can start at the national level; centrally-funded nature reserves can enforce environmental protection laws and help to promote the local economy.This will solve the problems of reserves being run to make money.When national reserves are funded, local governments will be able to adopt the same model and provide the funds for nature reserves from their own budgets.The first project should be established in nature reserves hit by the quake; these can then become models for other areas. | According to the passage _ play(s) a major role in ecosystem recovery. | [
"local people",
"nature itself",
"human involvement",
"government's effort"
] | B | 1 | high |
Bantham Beach, Devon
The South Devon coast is knee deep in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Bantham is a golden bank of sand. There are rock pools for younger children and for their elders. This is one of the county's favourite surfing beaches.
The 14th-century Sloop Inn (01548 560489, sloopatbantham.co.uk) has summer doubles from PS145 per night (and it's only a couple of hundred yards to the beach).
Camber Sands, East Sussex
Head to the western end of the overflow car park and then it ,s a pleasant walk through dunes to your own private area on the endless sands.
If you haven't bought a picnic, the village's Rye Bay Cafe is good for lunch and the nearby Rye Bay Nature Reserve provides walking, cycling and bird watching options.
Charming double rooms at The Galivant (01797 225057, thegalivant.co.uk) start at PS115 per night.
Aberdour Silver Sands, Fife
This small, rural, sandy beach is beside woodland and offers dreamy views out to the islands of Inchmickery and Inchcolm.
The Fife coastal path passes through and there's a good walking road following the cliff top to Hawkcraig with views across the river Forth to Edinburgh.
Lunch at Sands beachfront cafe and book a room at Forth View Hotel (01383 860402,forthviewhotel.co.uk), where doubles cost from PS85 per night.
Druridge Bay, Northumberland
Druridge Bay has 99 acres of golden, sweeping sands. The kids can explore the towering grassland dunes that shelter the bay, and just 300 yards from the beach is the Druridge Bay County Park and Visitor Centre with wildlife displays and play areas.
Food can be had at the Widdrington Inn (eight miles away) while Eshott Hall (01670 787 454, eshotthall.co.uk) has doubles from PS120 per night. | If you want to watch wild life displays, you can go to_. | [
"Bantham Beach, Devon",
"Camber Sands, East Sussex",
"Aberdour Silver Sands, Fife",
"Druridge Bay, Northumberland"
] | D | 3 | high |
The hardworking businessman Jones used to work all day in his shop and so hard-working was he that at times he would make the sparks fly from his hammer.
The son of Mr. Smith, a rich neighbor, used to come to see him every day and for hours and hours he would enjoy himself watching how the man worked.
" Young man, why don't you try your hand to learn to make shoe tacks , even if it is only to pass the time ? " said Jones. " Who knows, one day, it may be of use to you ."
The lazy boy began to see what he could do. But after a little practice he found that he was becoming very skilled and soon he was making some of the finest tacks.
Old Mr. Smith died and the son because of the war lost all his goods. He had to leave home and was forced to live in another country. It so happened that in this village there were many shoemakers who were spending a lot of money buying tacks for their shoes and even at times when they paid high prices they were not always able to get what they wanted, because in that part of the country there was a high demand for soldiers' shoes.
Our young Mr. Smith, who was finding it difficult to earn his daily bread, remembered that once upon a time he had learned the art of making tacks and had the sudden idea of making a bargain with the shoemakers. He told them that he would make the tacks if they would help to get him settled in the workshop. The shoemakers were only too glad of the offer. And after a while, Mr. Smith found that he was soon making the finest tacks in the village.
" How funny it seems, " he used to say, " even making tacks can make money. My trade is more useful to me than all my former riches." | The young man learnt to make shoe tacks because _ . | [
"his father told him to",
"he wanted to learn a skill",
"Jones encouraged him to",
"he just wanted to pass his time"
] | C | 2 | high |
The hardworking businessman Jones used to work all day in his shop and so hard-working was he that at times he would make the sparks fly from his hammer.
The son of Mr. Smith, a rich neighbor, used to come to see him every day and for hours and hours he would enjoy himself watching how the man worked.
" Young man, why don't you try your hand to learn to make shoe tacks , even if it is only to pass the time ? " said Jones. " Who knows, one day, it may be of use to you ."
The lazy boy began to see what he could do. But after a little practice he found that he was becoming very skilled and soon he was making some of the finest tacks.
Old Mr. Smith died and the son because of the war lost all his goods. He had to leave home and was forced to live in another country. It so happened that in this village there were many shoemakers who were spending a lot of money buying tacks for their shoes and even at times when they paid high prices they were not always able to get what they wanted, because in that part of the country there was a high demand for soldiers' shoes.
Our young Mr. Smith, who was finding it difficult to earn his daily bread, remembered that once upon a time he had learned the art of making tacks and had the sudden idea of making a bargain with the shoemakers. He told them that he would make the tacks if they would help to get him settled in the workshop. The shoemakers were only too glad of the offer. And after a while, Mr. Smith found that he was soon making the finest tacks in the village.
" How funny it seems, " he used to say, " even making tacks can make money. My trade is more useful to me than all my former riches." | Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage ? | [
"Old Mr. Smith enjoyed making the shoe tacks.",
"Jones had said the young man must be in need of the skill.",
"The higher prices they paid, the more tacks the shoemakers would get.",
"The young man earned his living by his skills learnt when he was young."
] | D | 3 | high |
The hardworking businessman Jones used to work all day in his shop and so hard-working was he that at times he would make the sparks fly from his hammer.
The son of Mr. Smith, a rich neighbor, used to come to see him every day and for hours and hours he would enjoy himself watching how the man worked.
" Young man, why don't you try your hand to learn to make shoe tacks , even if it is only to pass the time ? " said Jones. " Who knows, one day, it may be of use to you ."
The lazy boy began to see what he could do. But after a little practice he found that he was becoming very skilled and soon he was making some of the finest tacks.
Old Mr. Smith died and the son because of the war lost all his goods. He had to leave home and was forced to live in another country. It so happened that in this village there were many shoemakers who were spending a lot of money buying tacks for their shoes and even at times when they paid high prices they were not always able to get what they wanted, because in that part of the country there was a high demand for soldiers' shoes.
Our young Mr. Smith, who was finding it difficult to earn his daily bread, remembered that once upon a time he had learned the art of making tacks and had the sudden idea of making a bargain with the shoemakers. He told them that he would make the tacks if they would help to get him settled in the workshop. The shoemakers were only too glad of the offer. And after a while, Mr. Smith found that he was soon making the finest tacks in the village.
" How funny it seems, " he used to say, " even making tacks can make money. My trade is more useful to me than all my former riches." | What can we learn from the story ? | [
"Practice makes perfect.",
"Skill makes life easy.",
"A good beginning makes good ending.",
"Every man has his gift."
] | B | 1 | high |
In October, Ubayd Steed, a sixth grader in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was taking a math test when he noticed a classmate looking at his paper. " I quickly turned my paper over," he said. Later that day, Ubayd met the cheater and told him not to do it again.
Unfortunately, Ubayd' s experience is not unusual. Whether it's kids copying class -mates' answers during tests or friends sharing homework, cheating happens in schools every day. Experts say the behavior starts in the lower grades. Surveys show that one in three elementary students admits to cheating.
Jacob Harder, a fourth grader in Ware, Massachusetts, has had classmates ask to copy his homework. "I wouldn't want to just tell them the answers," he says. So instead, he explains the task and encourages his classmates to do it themselves.
But many kids find it hard to say no. "l hear from kids all the time, ' I can' t say no to a friend,'" says Eric Anderman, a professor at The Ohio State University who studies cheating in school. He says it' s important to say no from the start. "Then you _ , and the other kid gets the message," he says. Plus, he points out, "a real friend is not going to disown you because he or she couldn't copy your math homework."
The kids doing the copying may feel they need to cheat to be accepted by other kids. And some students may cheat simply because others do. "If you' re in an atmosphere where cheating is common, you may think that if you don' t cheat, you' re at a disadvantage," says Michael Josephson, founder of the Josephson Institute of Ethics.
But Josephson says students shouldn't think that way. "There are a lot of things kids do," he says. "You have to decide what kind of person you' re going to be."
When school becomes too challenging, Anderman suggests going to the teacher rather than relying on the work of others. "It' s good to ask for help," he says. | Ubayd' s experience serves as a(n) _ | [
"explanation",
"introduction",
"comment",
"background"
] | B | 1 | high |
In October, Ubayd Steed, a sixth grader in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was taking a math test when he noticed a classmate looking at his paper. " I quickly turned my paper over," he said. Later that day, Ubayd met the cheater and told him not to do it again.
Unfortunately, Ubayd' s experience is not unusual. Whether it's kids copying class -mates' answers during tests or friends sharing homework, cheating happens in schools every day. Experts say the behavior starts in the lower grades. Surveys show that one in three elementary students admits to cheating.
Jacob Harder, a fourth grader in Ware, Massachusetts, has had classmates ask to copy his homework. "I wouldn't want to just tell them the answers," he says. So instead, he explains the task and encourages his classmates to do it themselves.
But many kids find it hard to say no. "l hear from kids all the time, ' I can' t say no to a friend,'" says Eric Anderman, a professor at The Ohio State University who studies cheating in school. He says it' s important to say no from the start. "Then you _ , and the other kid gets the message," he says. Plus, he points out, "a real friend is not going to disown you because he or she couldn't copy your math homework."
The kids doing the copying may feel they need to cheat to be accepted by other kids. And some students may cheat simply because others do. "If you' re in an atmosphere where cheating is common, you may think that if you don' t cheat, you' re at a disadvantage," says Michael Josephson, founder of the Josephson Institute of Ethics.
But Josephson says students shouldn't think that way. "There are a lot of things kids do," he says. "You have to decide what kind of person you' re going to be."
When school becomes too challenging, Anderman suggests going to the teacher rather than relying on the work of others. "It' s good to ask for help," he says. | We learn from the text that cheating in elementary school _ . | [
"results from difficult tasks",
"is popular among students",
"mainly happens during tests",
"is unusual in lower grades"
] | B | 1 | high |
In October, Ubayd Steed, a sixth grader in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was taking a math test when he noticed a classmate looking at his paper. " I quickly turned my paper over," he said. Later that day, Ubayd met the cheater and told him not to do it again.
Unfortunately, Ubayd' s experience is not unusual. Whether it's kids copying class -mates' answers during tests or friends sharing homework, cheating happens in schools every day. Experts say the behavior starts in the lower grades. Surveys show that one in three elementary students admits to cheating.
Jacob Harder, a fourth grader in Ware, Massachusetts, has had classmates ask to copy his homework. "I wouldn't want to just tell them the answers," he says. So instead, he explains the task and encourages his classmates to do it themselves.
But many kids find it hard to say no. "l hear from kids all the time, ' I can' t say no to a friend,'" says Eric Anderman, a professor at The Ohio State University who studies cheating in school. He says it' s important to say no from the start. "Then you _ , and the other kid gets the message," he says. Plus, he points out, "a real friend is not going to disown you because he or she couldn't copy your math homework."
The kids doing the copying may feel they need to cheat to be accepted by other kids. And some students may cheat simply because others do. "If you' re in an atmosphere where cheating is common, you may think that if you don' t cheat, you' re at a disadvantage," says Michael Josephson, founder of the Josephson Institute of Ethics.
But Josephson says students shouldn't think that way. "There are a lot of things kids do," he says. "You have to decide what kind of person you' re going to be."
When school becomes too challenging, Anderman suggests going to the teacher rather than relying on the work of others. "It' s good to ask for help," he says. | Who advises kids to turn to teachers for help when they fall behind in studies'? | [
"Ubayd Steed.",
"Jacob Harder.",
"Eric Anderman.",
"Michael Josephson."
] | C | 2 | high |
This is a dangerous world we live in. The number of murders goes up every year, people are dying of cancer, more people contract HIV, more teens are using drugs, ect. You know this because you've heard all the statistics on the news and in the paper. But do you really have an accurate idea what they mean? The numbers are going up, but how do they compare to the growth in population? Are more cases of these diseases being reported because of better testing techniques, or are the diseases more common? The fact is that without knowing the background statistics mean very little.
This growing trend of reporting only part of the information is becoming dangerous. For example, several years ago a high school student reported the dangers of the chemical known as dihydrogen monoxide. This chemical, found in most cancerous tumors, is often found in the blood of people drunk on alcohol, and causes complete physical and mental dependence for those who take the chemical even once. After reading his report, more than 75% of his Advanced Placement Chemistry class voted to forbid this dangerous chemical! Every one of the above statement is true, yet this chemical is necessary to all life on earth. The students made a mistake because they voted knowing only a few statements and statistics, rather than the chemical's full background.
The point of this article is that one should be aware of what is and is not being said. When one finds a new fact or number, one should try to consider other important information before forming an opinion with only half-truths. Always remember that the author is trying to convince you of his or her own view, and will leave our information that is different from his view. For example, look again at the statistics that suggest skiing is safe. Only 32 people die each year when skiing, while 897 die from lightening strikes, but which is really more dangerous? If you think more about it, you will realize far fewer people go skiing each year than the number of people in danger of a lightning strike. When you think about it again, skiing is more dangerous than you might at first think when looking at the statistics. If we teenagers are to be left in this world, we had better be able to think critically, and form our own views, rather than be easily persuaded by another's. To be warned is just to be prepared. | Relative information is often left out because _ . | [
"it is not important",
"the author is trying to show what he or she says is true",
"readers will consider other important information",
"readers are able to form an opinion with half-truths"
] | B | 1 | high |
This is a dangerous world we live in. The number of murders goes up every year, people are dying of cancer, more people contract HIV, more teens are using drugs, ect. You know this because you've heard all the statistics on the news and in the paper. But do you really have an accurate idea what they mean? The numbers are going up, but how do they compare to the growth in population? Are more cases of these diseases being reported because of better testing techniques, or are the diseases more common? The fact is that without knowing the background statistics mean very little.
This growing trend of reporting only part of the information is becoming dangerous. For example, several years ago a high school student reported the dangers of the chemical known as dihydrogen monoxide. This chemical, found in most cancerous tumors, is often found in the blood of people drunk on alcohol, and causes complete physical and mental dependence for those who take the chemical even once. After reading his report, more than 75% of his Advanced Placement Chemistry class voted to forbid this dangerous chemical! Every one of the above statement is true, yet this chemical is necessary to all life on earth. The students made a mistake because they voted knowing only a few statements and statistics, rather than the chemical's full background.
The point of this article is that one should be aware of what is and is not being said. When one finds a new fact or number, one should try to consider other important information before forming an opinion with only half-truths. Always remember that the author is trying to convince you of his or her own view, and will leave our information that is different from his view. For example, look again at the statistics that suggest skiing is safe. Only 32 people die each year when skiing, while 897 die from lightening strikes, but which is really more dangerous? If you think more about it, you will realize far fewer people go skiing each year than the number of people in danger of a lightning strike. When you think about it again, skiing is more dangerous than you might at first think when looking at the statistics. If we teenagers are to be left in this world, we had better be able to think critically, and form our own views, rather than be easily persuaded by another's. To be warned is just to be prepared. | What can we learn from the passage? | [
"Some measures must be taken to protect our dangerous world.",
"The growing trend of reporting only half-truths is getting out of control.",
"Teenagers ought to improve their ability of telling right from wrong.",
"We should learn to think critically and look at problems from all sides."
] | D | 3 | high |
Our society reports many negative messages about bicycling in traffic. Bicycling in traffic is considered by many to be reckless and sometimes rude. The most common advice given to cyclists is to avoid busy roads that provide convenient access to important places, which means they should only go to unpopular destinations on undesirable and inconvenient roads. Another popular idea is that cyclists should stay as close to the edge of the road as possible in order to stay out of the way of cars. Getting in the way of cars is considered to be an invitation to death, because car drivers are often expected to run into anything that is slower or more vulnerable. Going together with motor traffic used to be regarded as a nice idea for cyclists, but today it is thought to be suicide. Roads are believed to be designed for cars and not for bicycles. Inferior bicycles may hold that they have the right to use the road, but they had better stay out of the way of superior users or they will be "dead right".
As a result of these "common-sense" beliefs, bike safety programs developed by motoring organizations and "pedestrian-style" cyclists during the 20th century attempted to teach cyclists to provide a clear path to motorists at all times by hugging the edge of the road, riding on sidewalks so cyclists can see when to get out of the way. Some towns tried to prohibit bicyclists from operating on important roads or roads without shoulders. Engineering projects designed for bicycle safety have involved construction of side paths to get cyclists off roads and bike lanes to keep cyclists out of the way of motorists. The benefit of these efforts is to protect cyclists from collisions from behind, which are widely believed to be the greatest danger to cyclists and caused by cyclists' failure to keep up with the desired speed of motor traffic. This is the taboo that harms the bicycle transportation policy: that bicyclists must be kept out of the paths of motorists or they will surely be killed. | According to the author, bicycling should be _ . | [
"supported",
"banned",
"controlled",
"cancelled"
] | C | 2 | high |
Our society reports many negative messages about bicycling in traffic. Bicycling in traffic is considered by many to be reckless and sometimes rude. The most common advice given to cyclists is to avoid busy roads that provide convenient access to important places, which means they should only go to unpopular destinations on undesirable and inconvenient roads. Another popular idea is that cyclists should stay as close to the edge of the road as possible in order to stay out of the way of cars. Getting in the way of cars is considered to be an invitation to death, because car drivers are often expected to run into anything that is slower or more vulnerable. Going together with motor traffic used to be regarded as a nice idea for cyclists, but today it is thought to be suicide. Roads are believed to be designed for cars and not for bicycles. Inferior bicycles may hold that they have the right to use the road, but they had better stay out of the way of superior users or they will be "dead right".
As a result of these "common-sense" beliefs, bike safety programs developed by motoring organizations and "pedestrian-style" cyclists during the 20th century attempted to teach cyclists to provide a clear path to motorists at all times by hugging the edge of the road, riding on sidewalks so cyclists can see when to get out of the way. Some towns tried to prohibit bicyclists from operating on important roads or roads without shoulders. Engineering projects designed for bicycle safety have involved construction of side paths to get cyclists off roads and bike lanes to keep cyclists out of the way of motorists. The benefit of these efforts is to protect cyclists from collisions from behind, which are widely believed to be the greatest danger to cyclists and caused by cyclists' failure to keep up with the desired speed of motor traffic. This is the taboo that harms the bicycle transportation policy: that bicyclists must be kept out of the paths of motorists or they will surely be killed. | Why do many people do not agree that people should ride bicycles on roads? | [
"Most people think roads are designed for cars not for cyclists.",
"People riding bicycles are considered to be inferior.",
"People's riding on the road is against the law of the country.",
"People riding bicycles are not experienced."
] | A | 0 | high |
As he looks up at the Jade Dragon Mountain, Zhang Jinpeng basks in the sunshine on the roof-top of his youth hostel in Lijiang, a popular tourist destination in Yunnan province in Southwest China. He is content and excited at the same time, since the hostel, which he named after his best-seller A Decade of Backpacking, opened earlier this month.
Published in 2010, Zhang's book was considered a milestone in Chinese travel writing. It sold more than 600,000 copies and triggered a wave of travel books by other Chinese writers who were born in the late 1970s and 1980s. Different from travel guides and traditional Chinese travel literature that mainly depict landscapes and scenery, these books by young travelers tell stories of their personal growth through traveling.
In A Decade of Backpacking, Zhang recounts his travels around the world since 2001, after he graduated from Nan Kai University in Tianjin and decided to see the world. "At the time my book came out, there were few books that catered to young people's longing while traveling." Zhang's book ignited a Chinese craze for travel writing. Featuring different themes, travel writing became a popular genre. But most of the books have one thing in common: The travelers are mostly young people. The Late Gap Year (2009), written by Sun Dongchun, tells the story of a young man who gave up a white-collar job and started a three-month trip for a volunteer program in Southeast Asia. The trip turned into a year-long travel. What's more, he even found his Miss Right and got married by the end of the story. We Always Travel Hand in Hand, published in 2012, was written by a young couple. Their travel romance, complete with beautiful pictures, first went viral on a Chinese micro-blog. Song Zhenshao, counselor at the psychological counseling center of Beijing Normal University, says: "To step out of ordinary life is a deep desire associated with freedom in people's hearts, and the hustle and bustle of city life intensifies the desire."
But as more similar travelogues hit the bookshelves, the average sales for new travel books have dropped. "The market for travel writing has become saturated ," says Li Shen, editor of several travel books at the Beijing-based China Civic Press. "We have been very cautious in accepting manuscripts from new travel writers. We don't publish them unless they have a very unique perspective or unusual experiences." Zhang Jinpeng, too, has been changing the direction in his writing. After A Decade of Backpacking, he published Why We Travel in 2012. His next book will be titled Don't Forget the Road Back Home. | "A Decade of Backpacking" was considered a milestone because _ . | [
"it has stimulated a Chinese craze for travel writing",
"its author was born in the late 1970s and 1980s",
"a hostel in Lijiang Yunnan province is named after this book",
"it is the first book to tell people when and where to travel"
] | A | 0 | high |
As he looks up at the Jade Dragon Mountain, Zhang Jinpeng basks in the sunshine on the roof-top of his youth hostel in Lijiang, a popular tourist destination in Yunnan province in Southwest China. He is content and excited at the same time, since the hostel, which he named after his best-seller A Decade of Backpacking, opened earlier this month.
Published in 2010, Zhang's book was considered a milestone in Chinese travel writing. It sold more than 600,000 copies and triggered a wave of travel books by other Chinese writers who were born in the late 1970s and 1980s. Different from travel guides and traditional Chinese travel literature that mainly depict landscapes and scenery, these books by young travelers tell stories of their personal growth through traveling.
In A Decade of Backpacking, Zhang recounts his travels around the world since 2001, after he graduated from Nan Kai University in Tianjin and decided to see the world. "At the time my book came out, there were few books that catered to young people's longing while traveling." Zhang's book ignited a Chinese craze for travel writing. Featuring different themes, travel writing became a popular genre. But most of the books have one thing in common: The travelers are mostly young people. The Late Gap Year (2009), written by Sun Dongchun, tells the story of a young man who gave up a white-collar job and started a three-month trip for a volunteer program in Southeast Asia. The trip turned into a year-long travel. What's more, he even found his Miss Right and got married by the end of the story. We Always Travel Hand in Hand, published in 2012, was written by a young couple. Their travel romance, complete with beautiful pictures, first went viral on a Chinese micro-blog. Song Zhenshao, counselor at the psychological counseling center of Beijing Normal University, says: "To step out of ordinary life is a deep desire associated with freedom in people's hearts, and the hustle and bustle of city life intensifies the desire."
But as more similar travelogues hit the bookshelves, the average sales for new travel books have dropped. "The market for travel writing has become saturated ," says Li Shen, editor of several travel books at the Beijing-based China Civic Press. "We have been very cautious in accepting manuscripts from new travel writers. We don't publish them unless they have a very unique perspective or unusual experiences." Zhang Jinpeng, too, has been changing the direction in his writing. After A Decade of Backpacking, he published Why We Travel in 2012. His next book will be titled Don't Forget the Road Back Home. | The books by young writers are different from the traditional ones in that _ . | [
"they have attached lots of amazing photos in their books",
"they tell their own personal growth stories through travelling",
"they provide some information about landscapes in their books",
"they tell people how to choose the most suitable destinations"
] | B | 1 | high |
As he looks up at the Jade Dragon Mountain, Zhang Jinpeng basks in the sunshine on the roof-top of his youth hostel in Lijiang, a popular tourist destination in Yunnan province in Southwest China. He is content and excited at the same time, since the hostel, which he named after his best-seller A Decade of Backpacking, opened earlier this month.
Published in 2010, Zhang's book was considered a milestone in Chinese travel writing. It sold more than 600,000 copies and triggered a wave of travel books by other Chinese writers who were born in the late 1970s and 1980s. Different from travel guides and traditional Chinese travel literature that mainly depict landscapes and scenery, these books by young travelers tell stories of their personal growth through traveling.
In A Decade of Backpacking, Zhang recounts his travels around the world since 2001, after he graduated from Nan Kai University in Tianjin and decided to see the world. "At the time my book came out, there were few books that catered to young people's longing while traveling." Zhang's book ignited a Chinese craze for travel writing. Featuring different themes, travel writing became a popular genre. But most of the books have one thing in common: The travelers are mostly young people. The Late Gap Year (2009), written by Sun Dongchun, tells the story of a young man who gave up a white-collar job and started a three-month trip for a volunteer program in Southeast Asia. The trip turned into a year-long travel. What's more, he even found his Miss Right and got married by the end of the story. We Always Travel Hand in Hand, published in 2012, was written by a young couple. Their travel romance, complete with beautiful pictures, first went viral on a Chinese micro-blog. Song Zhenshao, counselor at the psychological counseling center of Beijing Normal University, says: "To step out of ordinary life is a deep desire associated with freedom in people's hearts, and the hustle and bustle of city life intensifies the desire."
But as more similar travelogues hit the bookshelves, the average sales for new travel books have dropped. "The market for travel writing has become saturated ," says Li Shen, editor of several travel books at the Beijing-based China Civic Press. "We have been very cautious in accepting manuscripts from new travel writers. We don't publish them unless they have a very unique perspective or unusual experiences." Zhang Jinpeng, too, has been changing the direction in his writing. After A Decade of Backpacking, he published Why We Travel in 2012. His next book will be titled Don't Forget the Road Back Home. | If new travel writers want to impress the editors, _ . | [
"they should write from a special view point",
"they should change their writing styles",
"they should go to some dangerous areas",
"they should provide their personal stories"
] | A | 0 | high |
As he looks up at the Jade Dragon Mountain, Zhang Jinpeng basks in the sunshine on the roof-top of his youth hostel in Lijiang, a popular tourist destination in Yunnan province in Southwest China. He is content and excited at the same time, since the hostel, which he named after his best-seller A Decade of Backpacking, opened earlier this month.
Published in 2010, Zhang's book was considered a milestone in Chinese travel writing. It sold more than 600,000 copies and triggered a wave of travel books by other Chinese writers who were born in the late 1970s and 1980s. Different from travel guides and traditional Chinese travel literature that mainly depict landscapes and scenery, these books by young travelers tell stories of their personal growth through traveling.
In A Decade of Backpacking, Zhang recounts his travels around the world since 2001, after he graduated from Nan Kai University in Tianjin and decided to see the world. "At the time my book came out, there were few books that catered to young people's longing while traveling." Zhang's book ignited a Chinese craze for travel writing. Featuring different themes, travel writing became a popular genre. But most of the books have one thing in common: The travelers are mostly young people. The Late Gap Year (2009), written by Sun Dongchun, tells the story of a young man who gave up a white-collar job and started a three-month trip for a volunteer program in Southeast Asia. The trip turned into a year-long travel. What's more, he even found his Miss Right and got married by the end of the story. We Always Travel Hand in Hand, published in 2012, was written by a young couple. Their travel romance, complete with beautiful pictures, first went viral on a Chinese micro-blog. Song Zhenshao, counselor at the psychological counseling center of Beijing Normal University, says: "To step out of ordinary life is a deep desire associated with freedom in people's hearts, and the hustle and bustle of city life intensifies the desire."
But as more similar travelogues hit the bookshelves, the average sales for new travel books have dropped. "The market for travel writing has become saturated ," says Li Shen, editor of several travel books at the Beijing-based China Civic Press. "We have been very cautious in accepting manuscripts from new travel writers. We don't publish them unless they have a very unique perspective or unusual experiences." Zhang Jinpeng, too, has been changing the direction in his writing. After A Decade of Backpacking, he published Why We Travel in 2012. His next book will be titled Don't Forget the Road Back Home. | From the passage, we can infer that _ . | [
"it is a dream for people to open a hostel named after their favorite book",
"travel books written by young people will surely become best sellers",
"the idea to get away from the present routine life appeals to many people",
"it is much easier for a single to find one's Mr. or Miss. Right while travelling"
] | C | 2 | high |
In addition to the official basketball world, various other types of basketball are practiced around the world.
Wheelchair Basketball
Wheelchair basketball was invented in 1946 by former American basketball players, who, after wartime injury, wanted once again to experience the excitement of a highly athletic sport within a team environment. It is now played in more than 80 countries by over 25,000 men, women and children with a physical disability which prevents them playing competitive basketball on their feet.
http://www.iwbf.org
Beach Basketball
Beach basketball is an exciting, non-stop action game played in the sand. The game was born more than forty years ago on the physical education fields of Gulf Shores School. This kind of basketball, invented by Philip Bryant, has grown from an extremely effective skill improvement game to a very popular, widespread competitive sport.
http://www.beachbasketball.com
Street Basketball
Street Basketball or streetball is mainly played as a leisure game, but streetball players can also compete against each other. There are no specific streetball rules and the game is played outdoors; the players make up their own rules to play. Streetball is very popular among younger players and allows players to publicly show their own individual skills.
http://www.streetball.com
Deaf Basketball
Basketball for the deaf (unable to hear in one or both ears) men and women has been played since the early 1920s. The game today has exactly the same rules as FIBA.
http://wwwdibf.org
Bankshot Basketball
Bankshot is a new game of skill and challenge that is often described as "mini golf, but with a basketball." Bankshot is the only sports system that allows the able-bodied and athletes with a disability to play together at the same time. This game is about no running, jumping, or body contact and relies on the shooting skill.
http://www.bankshot.com | Which of the following types of basketball has the longest history? | [
"Bankshot Basketball",
"Deaf Basketball",
"Wheelchair Basketball",
"Beach Basketball"
] | B | 1 | high |
In addition to the official basketball world, various other types of basketball are practiced around the world.
Wheelchair Basketball
Wheelchair basketball was invented in 1946 by former American basketball players, who, after wartime injury, wanted once again to experience the excitement of a highly athletic sport within a team environment. It is now played in more than 80 countries by over 25,000 men, women and children with a physical disability which prevents them playing competitive basketball on their feet.
http://www.iwbf.org
Beach Basketball
Beach basketball is an exciting, non-stop action game played in the sand. The game was born more than forty years ago on the physical education fields of Gulf Shores School. This kind of basketball, invented by Philip Bryant, has grown from an extremely effective skill improvement game to a very popular, widespread competitive sport.
http://www.beachbasketball.com
Street Basketball
Street Basketball or streetball is mainly played as a leisure game, but streetball players can also compete against each other. There are no specific streetball rules and the game is played outdoors; the players make up their own rules to play. Streetball is very popular among younger players and allows players to publicly show their own individual skills.
http://www.streetball.com
Deaf Basketball
Basketball for the deaf (unable to hear in one or both ears) men and women has been played since the early 1920s. The game today has exactly the same rules as FIBA.
http://wwwdibf.org
Bankshot Basketball
Bankshot is a new game of skill and challenge that is often described as "mini golf, but with a basketball." Bankshot is the only sports system that allows the able-bodied and athletes with a disability to play together at the same time. This game is about no running, jumping, or body contact and relies on the shooting skill.
http://www.bankshot.com | If those having poor hearing want to play basketball, they're advised to visit _ . | [
"http://www.iwbf.org",
"http://www.beachbasketball.com",
"http://wwwdibf.org",
"http://www.streetball.com"
] | C | 2 | high |
In addition to the official basketball world, various other types of basketball are practiced around the world.
Wheelchair Basketball
Wheelchair basketball was invented in 1946 by former American basketball players, who, after wartime injury, wanted once again to experience the excitement of a highly athletic sport within a team environment. It is now played in more than 80 countries by over 25,000 men, women and children with a physical disability which prevents them playing competitive basketball on their feet.
http://www.iwbf.org
Beach Basketball
Beach basketball is an exciting, non-stop action game played in the sand. The game was born more than forty years ago on the physical education fields of Gulf Shores School. This kind of basketball, invented by Philip Bryant, has grown from an extremely effective skill improvement game to a very popular, widespread competitive sport.
http://www.beachbasketball.com
Street Basketball
Street Basketball or streetball is mainly played as a leisure game, but streetball players can also compete against each other. There are no specific streetball rules and the game is played outdoors; the players make up their own rules to play. Streetball is very popular among younger players and allows players to publicly show their own individual skills.
http://www.streetball.com
Deaf Basketball
Basketball for the deaf (unable to hear in one or both ears) men and women has been played since the early 1920s. The game today has exactly the same rules as FIBA.
http://wwwdibf.org
Bankshot Basketball
Bankshot is a new game of skill and challenge that is often described as "mini golf, but with a basketball." Bankshot is the only sports system that allows the able-bodied and athletes with a disability to play together at the same time. This game is about no running, jumping, or body contact and relies on the shooting skill.
http://www.bankshot.com | Which of the following types of basketball allows physically strong and disabled players to play together? | [
"Street Basketball",
"Beach Basketball",
"Bankshot Basketball",
"Wheelchair Basketball"
] | C | 2 | high |
In addition to the official basketball world, various other types of basketball are practiced around the world.
Wheelchair Basketball
Wheelchair basketball was invented in 1946 by former American basketball players, who, after wartime injury, wanted once again to experience the excitement of a highly athletic sport within a team environment. It is now played in more than 80 countries by over 25,000 men, women and children with a physical disability which prevents them playing competitive basketball on their feet.
http://www.iwbf.org
Beach Basketball
Beach basketball is an exciting, non-stop action game played in the sand. The game was born more than forty years ago on the physical education fields of Gulf Shores School. This kind of basketball, invented by Philip Bryant, has grown from an extremely effective skill improvement game to a very popular, widespread competitive sport.
http://www.beachbasketball.com
Street Basketball
Street Basketball or streetball is mainly played as a leisure game, but streetball players can also compete against each other. There are no specific streetball rules and the game is played outdoors; the players make up their own rules to play. Streetball is very popular among younger players and allows players to publicly show their own individual skills.
http://www.streetball.com
Deaf Basketball
Basketball for the deaf (unable to hear in one or both ears) men and women has been played since the early 1920s. The game today has exactly the same rules as FIBA.
http://wwwdibf.org
Bankshot Basketball
Bankshot is a new game of skill and challenge that is often described as "mini golf, but with a basketball." Bankshot is the only sports system that allows the able-bodied and athletes with a disability to play together at the same time. This game is about no running, jumping, or body contact and relies on the shooting skill.
http://www.bankshot.com | What do we know from the text? | [
"Beach basketball was originally designed to improve one's skills.",
"Disabled players can play in two of the five types of basketball.",
"Wheelchair basketball was invented by Philip Bryant.",
"Streetball rules are very strict."
] | A | 0 | high |
The regular use of text messages and e-mails can lower the IQ more than twice as much as smoking marijuana . Psychologists say that sending/receiving messages or looking through the many menu options your mobile phone has, lowers a person's IQ by almost 10 points. British researchers have named this situation "infomania". Instead of fixed on what they are doing, people's minds are constantly focused on reacting to the technology surrounding them. This means they don't pay full attention to the work they are paid to do. The report also added that the brain can not do so many things at once. If you try to do too many things, mistakes begin to occur. And while modern technology can have huge benefits, too much use can be damaging not only to a person's mind, but to their social life.
The more televisions 4-year-old children watch, the more likely they are to become bullies later on in school, a newest U.S. study said. At the same time, children whose parents read to them, take them on outings and just generally pay attention to them are less likely to become bullies, said the report from the University of Washington. Researchers also found gaps in learning and understanding such things as social skills early in life makes it more difficult for children to relate with other children. Watching violence on television leads to aggressive behavior.
You could soon be able to add your favorite perfume to your e-mails. UK net provider Telewest Broadband is testing a system to let people send e-mails over the Internet with sweet smell. It has developed a kind of hi-tech air freshener that plugs into a PC and sprays a smell linked to the message. Telewest says it could be used by supermarkets to attract people with the smell of fresh bread or by holiday companies seeking to stir up images of sun-kissed beachers. | . | [
"children whose parents care about them",
"children whose parents give them more freedom",
"children whose parents direct them over watching TV",
"children whose parents stop them watching TV"
] | A | 0 | high |
To my Charlie on his wedding day--
I know you think these notes are silly. I have watched you wear a long face over the years when I give them to you. But understand that sometimes I want to tell you something and I want to get it just right. Putting it down on paper helps me do that. I wish I had been a better writer. I wish I had gone to college. If I had, I think I would have studied English and maybe my vocabulary would have improved. So many times I feel I am using the same words over and over. Like a woman wearing the same dress every day. So boring!
What I want to say to you, Charley, is you are marrying a wonderful girl. I think of Catherine in many ways like I think of Roberta. Like a daughter. She is sweet and patient. You should be the same with her, Charley.
Here is what you are going to find out about marriage: you have to work at it together. And you have to love three things. You have to love
1) Each other.
2) Your children (when you have some).
3) Your marriage.
What I mean by that last one is, there may be times that you fight, and sometimes you and Catherine won't even like each other. But those are the times you have to love your marriage. It's like a third party. Look at your wedding photos. Look at any memories you've made. And if you believe in those memories, they will pull you back together.
I'm very proud of you today, Charley. I am putting this in your tuxedo pocket because I know how you lose things.
I love you every day!
Mom | Why did the mother write the letter to Charlie? | [
"To congratulate her son.",
"To give him some advice.",
"To show her pity.",
"To talk things through."
] | B | 1 | high |
To my Charlie on his wedding day--
I know you think these notes are silly. I have watched you wear a long face over the years when I give them to you. But understand that sometimes I want to tell you something and I want to get it just right. Putting it down on paper helps me do that. I wish I had been a better writer. I wish I had gone to college. If I had, I think I would have studied English and maybe my vocabulary would have improved. So many times I feel I am using the same words over and over. Like a woman wearing the same dress every day. So boring!
What I want to say to you, Charley, is you are marrying a wonderful girl. I think of Catherine in many ways like I think of Roberta. Like a daughter. She is sweet and patient. You should be the same with her, Charley.
Here is what you are going to find out about marriage: you have to work at it together. And you have to love three things. You have to love
1) Each other.
2) Your children (when you have some).
3) Your marriage.
What I mean by that last one is, there may be times that you fight, and sometimes you and Catherine won't even like each other. But those are the times you have to love your marriage. It's like a third party. Look at your wedding photos. Look at any memories you've made. And if you believe in those memories, they will pull you back together.
I'm very proud of you today, Charley. I am putting this in your tuxedo pocket because I know how you lose things.
I love you every day!
Mom | What kind of feeling is mainly revealed in the letter? | [
"Regret.",
"Pride.",
"Care.",
"Complaint."
] | C | 2 | high |
To my Charlie on his wedding day--
I know you think these notes are silly. I have watched you wear a long face over the years when I give them to you. But understand that sometimes I want to tell you something and I want to get it just right. Putting it down on paper helps me do that. I wish I had been a better writer. I wish I had gone to college. If I had, I think I would have studied English and maybe my vocabulary would have improved. So many times I feel I am using the same words over and over. Like a woman wearing the same dress every day. So boring!
What I want to say to you, Charley, is you are marrying a wonderful girl. I think of Catherine in many ways like I think of Roberta. Like a daughter. She is sweet and patient. You should be the same with her, Charley.
Here is what you are going to find out about marriage: you have to work at it together. And you have to love three things. You have to love
1) Each other.
2) Your children (when you have some).
3) Your marriage.
What I mean by that last one is, there may be times that you fight, and sometimes you and Catherine won't even like each other. But those are the times you have to love your marriage. It's like a third party. Look at your wedding photos. Look at any memories you've made. And if you believe in those memories, they will pull you back together.
I'm very proud of you today, Charley. I am putting this in your tuxedo pocket because I know how you lose things.
I love you every day!
Mom | What is implied about Charley in the letter? | [
"He is forgetful.",
"He is patient.",
"He is boring.",
"He is worried."
] | A | 0 | high |
In Colombia , there are some unwritten rules that people are used to , These rules are not officially established , but people do respect them . For example , on a bus , a person keeps a distance from another person , and people don't like to touch each other . Many people come to work late because they prefer to wait for another bus if the first one is too crowded . They don't want to have to stand too close to another person , or maybe they are afraid of starting a conversation .
A friend of mine in Colombia once said his mom got angry because he came home late , so he asked her , " Mom , what do you think of most people arriving at their jobs so late ? " That gave her the answer to her question since everyone knows no one wants to get on a bus that is too crowded . His mother realized at that moment that customs have a big influence on a person's life .
Sometimes , people don't like to make any kind of conversation or make eye contact with others . For example , when they are in line at a bank , they prefer to look up or down rather than look at other people .
Moreover , people usually look down when they are in an elevator . Not only on a bus , in line at a bank , and in an elevator do people usually avoid talking to other people , but also in the streets when they are walking , they prefer to look down and to avoid contact with others . | Why do many people get to work late in Colombia ? | [
"They always think the next bus will be better .",
"They don't want to get on crowded buses .",
"It's an official rule in Colombia .",
"They get into conversations and miss their buses ."
] | B | 1 | high |
In Colombia , there are some unwritten rules that people are used to , These rules are not officially established , but people do respect them . For example , on a bus , a person keeps a distance from another person , and people don't like to touch each other . Many people come to work late because they prefer to wait for another bus if the first one is too crowded . They don't want to have to stand too close to another person , or maybe they are afraid of starting a conversation .
A friend of mine in Colombia once said his mom got angry because he came home late , so he asked her , " Mom , what do you think of most people arriving at their jobs so late ? " That gave her the answer to her question since everyone knows no one wants to get on a bus that is too crowded . His mother realized at that moment that customs have a big influence on a person's life .
Sometimes , people don't like to make any kind of conversation or make eye contact with others . For example , when they are in line at a bank , they prefer to look up or down rather than look at other people .
Moreover , people usually look down when they are in an elevator . Not only on a bus , in line at a bank , and in an elevator do people usually avoid talking to other people , but also in the streets when they are walking , they prefer to look down and to avoid contact with others . | From the text we learn that _ . | [
"customs influence people's lives",
"a mother always understands her son",
"people respect each other in Colombia",
"people like to talk in elevators in Colombia"
] | A | 0 | high |
In Colombia , there are some unwritten rules that people are used to , These rules are not officially established , but people do respect them . For example , on a bus , a person keeps a distance from another person , and people don't like to touch each other . Many people come to work late because they prefer to wait for another bus if the first one is too crowded . They don't want to have to stand too close to another person , or maybe they are afraid of starting a conversation .
A friend of mine in Colombia once said his mom got angry because he came home late , so he asked her , " Mom , what do you think of most people arriving at their jobs so late ? " That gave her the answer to her question since everyone knows no one wants to get on a bus that is too crowded . His mother realized at that moment that customs have a big influence on a person's life .
Sometimes , people don't like to make any kind of conversation or make eye contact with others . For example , when they are in line at a bank , they prefer to look up or down rather than look at other people .
Moreover , people usually look down when they are in an elevator . Not only on a bus , in line at a bank , and in an elevator do people usually avoid talking to other people , but also in the streets when they are walking , they prefer to look down and to avoid contact with others . | When people in Colombia are in line at banks , they _ . | [
"make eye contact",
"look at other people",
"make conversation",
"look up or down"
] | D | 3 | high |
In Colombia , there are some unwritten rules that people are used to , These rules are not officially established , but people do respect them . For example , on a bus , a person keeps a distance from another person , and people don't like to touch each other . Many people come to work late because they prefer to wait for another bus if the first one is too crowded . They don't want to have to stand too close to another person , or maybe they are afraid of starting a conversation .
A friend of mine in Colombia once said his mom got angry because he came home late , so he asked her , " Mom , what do you think of most people arriving at their jobs so late ? " That gave her the answer to her question since everyone knows no one wants to get on a bus that is too crowded . His mother realized at that moment that customs have a big influence on a person's life .
Sometimes , people don't like to make any kind of conversation or make eye contact with others . For example , when they are in line at a bank , they prefer to look up or down rather than look at other people .
Moreover , people usually look down when they are in an elevator . Not only on a bus , in line at a bank , and in an elevator do people usually avoid talking to other people , but also in the streets when they are walking , they prefer to look down and to avoid contact with others . | What would be the best title for the text ? | [
"What People Do in Different Situations",
"Avoid Getting on a Crowded Bus",
"Special Customs in Colombia",
"Obeying Unwritten Rules"
] | C | 2 | high |
Susan Boyle was just an ordinary middle-aged British woman before she appeared on the reality show .
She lives in a house with her cat Pebbles in a tiny Scottish town. Because of learning difficulties, she doesn't have much education. But what she does have is a very good voice. As a kid, she sang in church and school plays. For a living, she sang at local pubs.
When she took the stage on April 10th, her hair was untidy and her clothes seemed _ rags .The audience laughed at her.
But then she opened her mouth. A few bars into the song and the laughing audience went silent. A beautiful voice was singing I Dreamed a Dream from the musical Les Miserables. Everyone was amazed. At the end of the song, the audience jumped to their feet and applauded wildly.
Almost overnight, Susan became a household name. She won fans and millions of admirers. Her online videos have drawn over 85.2 million hits.
Susan's story proved the truth of an old saying: "Never judge a book by its cover." | The audience jumped and applauded wildly because _ . | [
"her hair was untidy and her clothes seemed\njust one step up from rags",
"she looks very funny",
"she sang so well that everyone was amazed",
"she made a foolish mistake in the end"
] | C | 2 | high |
Susan Boyle was just an ordinary middle-aged British woman before she appeared on the reality show .
She lives in a house with her cat Pebbles in a tiny Scottish town. Because of learning difficulties, she doesn't have much education. But what she does have is a very good voice. As a kid, she sang in church and school plays. For a living, she sang at local pubs.
When she took the stage on April 10th, her hair was untidy and her clothes seemed _ rags .The audience laughed at her.
But then she opened her mouth. A few bars into the song and the laughing audience went silent. A beautiful voice was singing I Dreamed a Dream from the musical Les Miserables. Everyone was amazed. At the end of the song, the audience jumped to their feet and applauded wildly.
Almost overnight, Susan became a household name. She won fans and millions of admirers. Her online videos have drawn over 85.2 million hits.
Susan's story proved the truth of an old saying: "Never judge a book by its cover." | Susan Boyle has many fans now because of _ . | [
"her beautiful face",
"her knowing how to dress",
"her good education",
"her beautiful voice and courage"
] | D | 3 | high |
Susan Boyle was just an ordinary middle-aged British woman before she appeared on the reality show .
She lives in a house with her cat Pebbles in a tiny Scottish town. Because of learning difficulties, she doesn't have much education. But what she does have is a very good voice. As a kid, she sang in church and school plays. For a living, she sang at local pubs.
When she took the stage on April 10th, her hair was untidy and her clothes seemed _ rags .The audience laughed at her.
But then she opened her mouth. A few bars into the song and the laughing audience went silent. A beautiful voice was singing I Dreamed a Dream from the musical Les Miserables. Everyone was amazed. At the end of the song, the audience jumped to their feet and applauded wildly.
Almost overnight, Susan became a household name. She won fans and millions of admirers. Her online videos have drawn over 85.2 million hits.
Susan's story proved the truth of an old saying: "Never judge a book by its cover." | The passage is mainly about _ . | [
"how to win fans",
"how to sing well",
"a woman's sudden success",
"a woman's simple life"
] | C | 2 | high |
Kenya wants to organize a major international conference to discuss how to fight piracy off the coast of Somalia. The conference may also deal with ways to rescue Somalia from seventeen years of civil war. More than forty percent of its people depend on food aid.
Kenyan Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula says the world cannot end piracy and civil war without dealing with Somalia's political problems.
Somali pirates operate in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. The Gulf of Aden connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean by way of the Suez Canal. The pirates have fast boats, modern weapons and equipment like satellite phones and global positioning systems.
Pirates hijacked the Sirius Star off the coast of Kenya and moved it to waters off Somalia.
The tanker Sirius Star, at three hundred thirty meters long, is the biggest ship ever known to have been captured by pirates. It also happened farther south than most attacks, and farther out at sea ---- more than eight hundred kilometers from land.
The ship was headed for the United States with two million karrels of oil, worth an estimated one hundred million dollars. A Saudi Arabian company owns the tanker. The pirates have reportedly demanded twenty-five million dollars in negotiations to release the ship and its crew of twenty-five.
Somali pirates generally do not steal goods or kill hostages. They are believed to be holding seventeen ships with about three hundred crew members. Among the ships is a Ukrainian vessel hijacked in September with a load of military weapons including tanks.
The increase in piracy is raising the cost of insuring ships. Also, oil from the Middle East and exports from East Asia could take longer to arrive.
Some of the world's heaviest shipping traffic passes the Somali coast. But major shipping companies have begun to consider new routes. One of the world's biggest shippers, A.P, Moeller Maersk, says it will avoid the Gulf of Aden. A move away from the Suez Canal could hurt Egypt's economy.
American and other foreign navy ships are now watching for pirates. This week the Indian Navy destroyed a heavily armed "mother ship" in the Gulf of Aden. But the area to protect covers more than one hundred sixty million square kilometers. | According to the passage, which of the following is the key to solving the piracy in Somalia? | [
"Providing lots of money.",
"Ending Civil war.",
"Supplying enough food.",
"Handling Somalia's political problems."
] | D | 3 | high |
Kenya wants to organize a major international conference to discuss how to fight piracy off the coast of Somalia. The conference may also deal with ways to rescue Somalia from seventeen years of civil war. More than forty percent of its people depend on food aid.
Kenyan Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula says the world cannot end piracy and civil war without dealing with Somalia's political problems.
Somali pirates operate in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. The Gulf of Aden connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean by way of the Suez Canal. The pirates have fast boats, modern weapons and equipment like satellite phones and global positioning systems.
Pirates hijacked the Sirius Star off the coast of Kenya and moved it to waters off Somalia.
The tanker Sirius Star, at three hundred thirty meters long, is the biggest ship ever known to have been captured by pirates. It also happened farther south than most attacks, and farther out at sea ---- more than eight hundred kilometers from land.
The ship was headed for the United States with two million karrels of oil, worth an estimated one hundred million dollars. A Saudi Arabian company owns the tanker. The pirates have reportedly demanded twenty-five million dollars in negotiations to release the ship and its crew of twenty-five.
Somali pirates generally do not steal goods or kill hostages. They are believed to be holding seventeen ships with about three hundred crew members. Among the ships is a Ukrainian vessel hijacked in September with a load of military weapons including tanks.
The increase in piracy is raising the cost of insuring ships. Also, oil from the Middle East and exports from East Asia could take longer to arrive.
Some of the world's heaviest shipping traffic passes the Somali coast. But major shipping companies have begun to consider new routes. One of the world's biggest shippers, A.P, Moeller Maersk, says it will avoid the Gulf of Aden. A move away from the Suez Canal could hurt Egypt's economy.
American and other foreign navy ships are now watching for pirates. This week the Indian Navy destroyed a heavily armed "mother ship" in the Gulf of Aden. But the area to protect covers more than one hundred sixty million square kilometers. | Somali pirates do the following things except that _ . | [
"they demand money",
"they hold the ships with crew",
"they kill some of the hostages",
"they hijack ships with military weapons"
] | C | 2 | high |
Almost every child is scared of something, from monsters in the cupboard to dogs in the park. But the fact that such fears are common and normal doesn't mean they can be taken lightly. Kids experience fears and phobias much more strongly than adults. And the influence of the fear can be physical as well as psychological . It can build up so they almost seem scared of everything--a kind of childhood anxiety. Dr. Creswell says: "Your child may always seem to expect the worst to happen and lack confidence in his or her ability to deal with any challenge." So don't make the same old mistake of treating them as if they're silly for being a"scaredy cat". Handling the fears is essential.
Children can be born nervous and, if you have such a baby, you'll tend to prevent them from getting worried. So if they fear dogs, you'll keep them away from dogs, but in fact that can just confirm to the child that dogs are scary. What is worse, keeping your child away from what they fear can turn that feeling into a phobia. Instead, you should encourage them to get in touch with the thing they fear, in a safe and supportive environment. Dr. Andy Field, a researcher of childhood fears, says: "You shouldn't force, for example, a dog anxious child to go up to a dog. But you can approach it yourself, show them there is nothing to be afraid of, stroke( ) it, and talk about the dog being friendly. Once your child dares to stroke a dog-one that's good with children, of course---then you should encourage them to carry on until they feel calmer, and reward them for'being brave'." | Children's fears are usually taken lightly because _ . | [
"they will not develop into phobias",
"their influence is psychological",
"they exist widely in the world",
"they will disappear gradually"
] | C | 2 | high |
Almost every child is scared of something, from monsters in the cupboard to dogs in the park. But the fact that such fears are common and normal doesn't mean they can be taken lightly. Kids experience fears and phobias much more strongly than adults. And the influence of the fear can be physical as well as psychological . It can build up so they almost seem scared of everything--a kind of childhood anxiety. Dr. Creswell says: "Your child may always seem to expect the worst to happen and lack confidence in his or her ability to deal with any challenge." So don't make the same old mistake of treating them as if they're silly for being a"scaredy cat". Handling the fears is essential.
Children can be born nervous and, if you have such a baby, you'll tend to prevent them from getting worried. So if they fear dogs, you'll keep them away from dogs, but in fact that can just confirm to the child that dogs are scary. What is worse, keeping your child away from what they fear can turn that feeling into a phobia. Instead, you should encourage them to get in touch with the thing they fear, in a safe and supportive environment. Dr. Andy Field, a researcher of childhood fears, says: "You shouldn't force, for example, a dog anxious child to go up to a dog. But you can approach it yourself, show them there is nothing to be afraid of, stroke( ) it, and talk about the dog being friendly. Once your child dares to stroke a dog-one that's good with children, of course---then you should encourage them to carry on until they feel calmer, and reward them for'being brave'." | If we fail to help children to overcome fears, they will _ . | [
"make the same old mistake",
"overcome them by themselves",
"experience the worst of things",
"grow up lacking self-confidence"
] | D | 3 | high |
Almost every child is scared of something, from monsters in the cupboard to dogs in the park. But the fact that such fears are common and normal doesn't mean they can be taken lightly. Kids experience fears and phobias much more strongly than adults. And the influence of the fear can be physical as well as psychological . It can build up so they almost seem scared of everything--a kind of childhood anxiety. Dr. Creswell says: "Your child may always seem to expect the worst to happen and lack confidence in his or her ability to deal with any challenge." So don't make the same old mistake of treating them as if they're silly for being a"scaredy cat". Handling the fears is essential.
Children can be born nervous and, if you have such a baby, you'll tend to prevent them from getting worried. So if they fear dogs, you'll keep them away from dogs, but in fact that can just confirm to the child that dogs are scary. What is worse, keeping your child away from what they fear can turn that feeling into a phobia. Instead, you should encourage them to get in touch with the thing they fear, in a safe and supportive environment. Dr. Andy Field, a researcher of childhood fears, says: "You shouldn't force, for example, a dog anxious child to go up to a dog. But you can approach it yourself, show them there is nothing to be afraid of, stroke( ) it, and talk about the dog being friendly. Once your child dares to stroke a dog-one that's good with children, of course---then you should encourage them to carry on until they feel calmer, and reward them for'being brave'." | According to Dr. Andy Field, if a child is afraid of a cat, parents should _ . | [
"tell the child not to be afraid of it",
"show the child how to approach it",
"keep the child away from it",
"ask the child to stroke it"
] | B | 1 | high |
For thousands of years, people have seen things they didn't understand in the sky. The United States Air Force first used the words "Unidentified Flying Object" to describe them. Today everyone uses the term UFO. When people see a UFO, it is usually no more than a weather balloon or an airplane. But the Center for UFO Studies goes on to receive hundreds of reports each year.
In 1947 a businessman and pilot, Kenneth Arnold, was flying near Mount Rainier, Washington when he saw nine shiny, round objects flying through the air. He told a newspaper reporter they looked like "pie plates skipping over water." The reporter used the words "flying saucer " in his story and today that is the popular name for UFOs.
The Center for UFO Studies lists three kinds of contacts with flying saucers. "Encounters of the first kind" are reports of unknown objects or lights in the sky. People have "Encounters of the second kind" when a UFO leaves burn marks or other signs on the ground. People report "Close encounters of the third kind" when they see aliens in or near a UFO. | Who used the term UFO first? | [
"The United States Air force.",
"The Center for UFO Studies.",
"Kenneth Arnold.",
"A report."
] | A | 0 | high |
For thousands of years, people have seen things they didn't understand in the sky. The United States Air Force first used the words "Unidentified Flying Object" to describe them. Today everyone uses the term UFO. When people see a UFO, it is usually no more than a weather balloon or an airplane. But the Center for UFO Studies goes on to receive hundreds of reports each year.
In 1947 a businessman and pilot, Kenneth Arnold, was flying near Mount Rainier, Washington when he saw nine shiny, round objects flying through the air. He told a newspaper reporter they looked like "pie plates skipping over water." The reporter used the words "flying saucer " in his story and today that is the popular name for UFOs.
The Center for UFO Studies lists three kinds of contacts with flying saucers. "Encounters of the first kind" are reports of unknown objects or lights in the sky. People have "Encounters of the second kind" when a UFO leaves burn marks or other signs on the ground. People report "Close encounters of the third kind" when they see aliens in or near a UFO. | The Center for UFO Studies _ . | [
"usually sees no more than a weather balloon or an airplane every year",
"is a branch of the United States Air Force",
"receive hundreds of reports every year",
"used \"pie plates skipping over water\" to describe the UFO seen by the people first"
] | C | 2 | high |
For thousands of years, people have seen things they didn't understand in the sky. The United States Air Force first used the words "Unidentified Flying Object" to describe them. Today everyone uses the term UFO. When people see a UFO, it is usually no more than a weather balloon or an airplane. But the Center for UFO Studies goes on to receive hundreds of reports each year.
In 1947 a businessman and pilot, Kenneth Arnold, was flying near Mount Rainier, Washington when he saw nine shiny, round objects flying through the air. He told a newspaper reporter they looked like "pie plates skipping over water." The reporter used the words "flying saucer " in his story and today that is the popular name for UFOs.
The Center for UFO Studies lists three kinds of contacts with flying saucers. "Encounters of the first kind" are reports of unknown objects or lights in the sky. People have "Encounters of the second kind" when a UFO leaves burn marks or other signs on the ground. People report "Close encounters of the third kind" when they see aliens in or near a UFO. | Why did the newspaper reporter use the words "flying saucer" to describe the UFO that Kenneth Arnold said he saw? | [
"Because the UFO that Kenneth Arnold saw was flat.",
"Because Kenneth Arnold told the newspaper that what he had seen in the sky was round.",
"Because Kenneth Arnold described what he has seen looked like a plate flying in the sky.",
"Because what Kenneth Arnold saw was pie plates flying in the air."
] | C | 2 | high |
The Pathfinder
When we found him, he was a sorry sight. His clothes were torn, his hands bleeding. Before we reached him, we saw him fall. He lay a moment. Then he pulled himself to his feet, walked unsteadily a few yards through the woods and fell again.
After we got him out, we went back to find the gun that he had thrown down. His tracks showed that for two days he had circled in the forest, within 200 yards of the road. His senses were so dulled by fear and tiredness that he did not hear the cars going by or see the lights at night.
We found him just in time.
This man, like others before him, had simply been frightened when he knew he was lost. What had been a near disaster might have turned out as only a pleasant walk, had he made a few preparations before he stepped from the highway or off a known path.
Whatever sense of direction that a man may have, it's still largely a question of observation. A skilled woodsman always keeps an eye on his surroundings. He notes that the shape of a mountain, the direction water flows through a swamp, and the way a tree leans across a path. With these in mind, he may be turned around many times, but he is seldom lost.
There are exceptions, of course, and once in a while a man does come across some strange problem that puts him into the "lost" situation. A rainstorm or sudden blizzard may catch him without a compass in his pocket. Darkness may find him in a rough area, where travel is dangerous without a light.
When this happens, the normal first reaction is the fear of being laughed at as a result of his poor knowledge in the woods. He may also be concerned about the inconvenience that he will cause his friends when he doesn't show up. This false pride may lead him to keep on the move in a false effort to find his way against all difficulties.
The person who thinks ahead is seldom in great danger. He'll be safe if he observes carefully, thinks ahead, and remains calm. | The author suggested that if the man had not been found, he would have _ . | [
"been shot by a gun",
"become confused",
"been attacked by wild animals",
"been in great danger"
] | D | 3 | high |
The Pathfinder
When we found him, he was a sorry sight. His clothes were torn, his hands bleeding. Before we reached him, we saw him fall. He lay a moment. Then he pulled himself to his feet, walked unsteadily a few yards through the woods and fell again.
After we got him out, we went back to find the gun that he had thrown down. His tracks showed that for two days he had circled in the forest, within 200 yards of the road. His senses were so dulled by fear and tiredness that he did not hear the cars going by or see the lights at night.
We found him just in time.
This man, like others before him, had simply been frightened when he knew he was lost. What had been a near disaster might have turned out as only a pleasant walk, had he made a few preparations before he stepped from the highway or off a known path.
Whatever sense of direction that a man may have, it's still largely a question of observation. A skilled woodsman always keeps an eye on his surroundings. He notes that the shape of a mountain, the direction water flows through a swamp, and the way a tree leans across a path. With these in mind, he may be turned around many times, but he is seldom lost.
There are exceptions, of course, and once in a while a man does come across some strange problem that puts him into the "lost" situation. A rainstorm or sudden blizzard may catch him without a compass in his pocket. Darkness may find him in a rough area, where travel is dangerous without a light.
When this happens, the normal first reaction is the fear of being laughed at as a result of his poor knowledge in the woods. He may also be concerned about the inconvenience that he will cause his friends when he doesn't show up. This false pride may lead him to keep on the move in a false effort to find his way against all difficulties.
The person who thinks ahead is seldom in great danger. He'll be safe if he observes carefully, thinks ahead, and remains calm. | According to the passage, if a person gets lost in the forest, at the very beginning, he would _ . | [
"worry about being laughed at",
"push himself to find his way out",
"feel it is convenient to ask for help from his friends",
"be concerned about being frightened by wild animals"
] | A | 0 | high |
The Pathfinder
When we found him, he was a sorry sight. His clothes were torn, his hands bleeding. Before we reached him, we saw him fall. He lay a moment. Then he pulled himself to his feet, walked unsteadily a few yards through the woods and fell again.
After we got him out, we went back to find the gun that he had thrown down. His tracks showed that for two days he had circled in the forest, within 200 yards of the road. His senses were so dulled by fear and tiredness that he did not hear the cars going by or see the lights at night.
We found him just in time.
This man, like others before him, had simply been frightened when he knew he was lost. What had been a near disaster might have turned out as only a pleasant walk, had he made a few preparations before he stepped from the highway or off a known path.
Whatever sense of direction that a man may have, it's still largely a question of observation. A skilled woodsman always keeps an eye on his surroundings. He notes that the shape of a mountain, the direction water flows through a swamp, and the way a tree leans across a path. With these in mind, he may be turned around many times, but he is seldom lost.
There are exceptions, of course, and once in a while a man does come across some strange problem that puts him into the "lost" situation. A rainstorm or sudden blizzard may catch him without a compass in his pocket. Darkness may find him in a rough area, where travel is dangerous without a light.
When this happens, the normal first reaction is the fear of being laughed at as a result of his poor knowledge in the woods. He may also be concerned about the inconvenience that he will cause his friends when he doesn't show up. This false pride may lead him to keep on the move in a false effort to find his way against all difficulties.
The person who thinks ahead is seldom in great danger. He'll be safe if he observes carefully, thinks ahead, and remains calm. | When a person tries to find his way in the woods, _ is the most important. | [
"intelligence",
"observation",
"direction",
"chance"
] | B | 1 | high |
The Pathfinder
When we found him, he was a sorry sight. His clothes were torn, his hands bleeding. Before we reached him, we saw him fall. He lay a moment. Then he pulled himself to his feet, walked unsteadily a few yards through the woods and fell again.
After we got him out, we went back to find the gun that he had thrown down. His tracks showed that for two days he had circled in the forest, within 200 yards of the road. His senses were so dulled by fear and tiredness that he did not hear the cars going by or see the lights at night.
We found him just in time.
This man, like others before him, had simply been frightened when he knew he was lost. What had been a near disaster might have turned out as only a pleasant walk, had he made a few preparations before he stepped from the highway or off a known path.
Whatever sense of direction that a man may have, it's still largely a question of observation. A skilled woodsman always keeps an eye on his surroundings. He notes that the shape of a mountain, the direction water flows through a swamp, and the way a tree leans across a path. With these in mind, he may be turned around many times, but he is seldom lost.
There are exceptions, of course, and once in a while a man does come across some strange problem that puts him into the "lost" situation. A rainstorm or sudden blizzard may catch him without a compass in his pocket. Darkness may find him in a rough area, where travel is dangerous without a light.
When this happens, the normal first reaction is the fear of being laughed at as a result of his poor knowledge in the woods. He may also be concerned about the inconvenience that he will cause his friends when he doesn't show up. This false pride may lead him to keep on the move in a false effort to find his way against all difficulties.
The person who thinks ahead is seldom in great danger. He'll be safe if he observes carefully, thinks ahead, and remains calm. | The author tells the story of the lost man as an example of people who _ . | [
"go into the woods by themselves",
"don't know how to signal for help properly",
"are frightened when they think they are lost",
"notice everything when stepping from the highway"
] | C | 2 | high |
You may have seen a talking parrot on a TV show, in a movie, or even in someone's home. The parrot has learned to copy sounds that people make. Birds are not the only animals that can copy the noises they hear. Dolphins, bats, and some apes also copy sounds. Now we can add elephants to this list of copycats.
Dr. Joyce Poole is a zoologist. She studies the sounds of elephants. While she was in Kenya, she would hear strange noises made by Mlaika after sunset. Mlaika was a 10-year-old African elephant.
Mlaika lived near a highway. Dr. Poole says, "I could not tell the difference between Mlaika's call and the distant truck noise." She and other scientists studied Mlaika's sounds. It turned out that Mlaika was copying the sounds of the trucks driving by. Why would Mlaika copy trucks that she heard going by on the highway? Animals that are able to copy sounds may enjoy practicing new sounds. When they are kept outside of their natural environment, they may copy unusual sounds. That may be why an elephant would copy the sound of a truck.
"Mlaika was not the only copycat elephant," Dr. Poole says. Calimero is a 23-year-old male African elephant. He spent 18 years with two female Asian elephants. Asian elephants make chirping sounds (sounds made by birds) to talk with one another. African elephants usually do not make chirping sounds. But Calimero now does. He is copying his Asian elephant friends. Dr. Poole says that elephants need to form bonds with their family and friends. She says, "They make sounds to communicate with each other. When they are separated, they use sounds to keep in contact."
Parrots, dolphins, humans, and elephants show that being a copycat is one way that animals and people make new friends and keep old ones. | According to the passage, what does Mlaika copy? | [
"The sound of people.",
"The sound of trucks.",
"The sound of Calimero.",
"The sound of birds."
] | B | 1 | high |
You may have seen a talking parrot on a TV show, in a movie, or even in someone's home. The parrot has learned to copy sounds that people make. Birds are not the only animals that can copy the noises they hear. Dolphins, bats, and some apes also copy sounds. Now we can add elephants to this list of copycats.
Dr. Joyce Poole is a zoologist. She studies the sounds of elephants. While she was in Kenya, she would hear strange noises made by Mlaika after sunset. Mlaika was a 10-year-old African elephant.
Mlaika lived near a highway. Dr. Poole says, "I could not tell the difference between Mlaika's call and the distant truck noise." She and other scientists studied Mlaika's sounds. It turned out that Mlaika was copying the sounds of the trucks driving by. Why would Mlaika copy trucks that she heard going by on the highway? Animals that are able to copy sounds may enjoy practicing new sounds. When they are kept outside of their natural environment, they may copy unusual sounds. That may be why an elephant would copy the sound of a truck.
"Mlaika was not the only copycat elephant," Dr. Poole says. Calimero is a 23-year-old male African elephant. He spent 18 years with two female Asian elephants. Asian elephants make chirping sounds (sounds made by birds) to talk with one another. African elephants usually do not make chirping sounds. But Calimero now does. He is copying his Asian elephant friends. Dr. Poole says that elephants need to form bonds with their family and friends. She says, "They make sounds to communicate with each other. When they are separated, they use sounds to keep in contact."
Parrots, dolphins, humans, and elephants show that being a copycat is one way that animals and people make new friends and keep old ones. | Why is Calimero mentioned in the passage? | [
"To clarify the meaning of copycat elephants.",
"To show the cleverness of African elephants.",
"To add another example of copycat elephants.",
"To introduce a special life skill of Asian elephants."
] | C | 2 | high |
You may have seen a talking parrot on a TV show, in a movie, or even in someone's home. The parrot has learned to copy sounds that people make. Birds are not the only animals that can copy the noises they hear. Dolphins, bats, and some apes also copy sounds. Now we can add elephants to this list of copycats.
Dr. Joyce Poole is a zoologist. She studies the sounds of elephants. While she was in Kenya, she would hear strange noises made by Mlaika after sunset. Mlaika was a 10-year-old African elephant.
Mlaika lived near a highway. Dr. Poole says, "I could not tell the difference between Mlaika's call and the distant truck noise." She and other scientists studied Mlaika's sounds. It turned out that Mlaika was copying the sounds of the trucks driving by. Why would Mlaika copy trucks that she heard going by on the highway? Animals that are able to copy sounds may enjoy practicing new sounds. When they are kept outside of their natural environment, they may copy unusual sounds. That may be why an elephant would copy the sound of a truck.
"Mlaika was not the only copycat elephant," Dr. Poole says. Calimero is a 23-year-old male African elephant. He spent 18 years with two female Asian elephants. Asian elephants make chirping sounds (sounds made by birds) to talk with one another. African elephants usually do not make chirping sounds. But Calimero now does. He is copying his Asian elephant friends. Dr. Poole says that elephants need to form bonds with their family and friends. She says, "They make sounds to communicate with each other. When they are separated, they use sounds to keep in contact."
Parrots, dolphins, humans, and elephants show that being a copycat is one way that animals and people make new friends and keep old ones. | According to the passage, why do some animals like to be copycats? | [
"To keep in touch with nature.",
"To please people and other animals.",
"To make new friends and keep old ones.",
"To avoid the danger from the outside world."
] | C | 2 | high |
New York has taken the title of the world's top fashion capital from Milan. The annual survey suggest that the top five fashion cities are facing competition from Asia and Australia. New York had been the top fashion city for five years, but Milan took the title in 2009. The survey was made by the Global Language Monitor, a US based organization. It tracks the frequency of words and phrases in the media, on the Internet and throughout the blog. With the US economy recovering, New York once again took the top title. Hong Kong took second place. It was followed by London, Paris and Los Angeles. The other top 10 cities were Milan, Sydney, Miami, Barcelona and Madrid.
"Because of the new economic situation, the global fashion centers have also changed a lot, "said Bekka Payack. the Manhattan-based fashion reporter for the Global Language Monitor. "The new list shows that global fashion centers will change now and then. Compared with the traditional fashion cities, some new ones are performing better and better. "She said that perhaps this is new trend, and it is the first sign that the traditional top five fashion cities----New York, Paris, London, Milan, and Rome----do not control global fashion any more.
The biggest changes in the list are Hong Kong, Madrid and Melbourne. The Group said that the top newcomers to the list include Amsterdam at number 17, Cape Town at 23, Johannesburg at 25 and Vienna at 27.
The following are the 10 top fashion cities of 2010 and the changes from 2009.
1. New York(up 1) 2. Hong Kong(up 5)
3. London(up 2) 4. Paris(down 1)
5. Los Angeles(up 1) 6. Milan(down 5)
7. Sydney(up 2) 8. Miami(up 5)
9. Barcelona(up 5) 10. Madrid(up 11) | New York has regained the title of the world's top fashion capital mainly because _ . | [
"the US economy has been recovering",
"Milan faced competition from other cities",
"few big cities took part in the competition",
"the survey was made by an American organization"
] | A | 0 | high |
New York has taken the title of the world's top fashion capital from Milan. The annual survey suggest that the top five fashion cities are facing competition from Asia and Australia. New York had been the top fashion city for five years, but Milan took the title in 2009. The survey was made by the Global Language Monitor, a US based organization. It tracks the frequency of words and phrases in the media, on the Internet and throughout the blog. With the US economy recovering, New York once again took the top title. Hong Kong took second place. It was followed by London, Paris and Los Angeles. The other top 10 cities were Milan, Sydney, Miami, Barcelona and Madrid.
"Because of the new economic situation, the global fashion centers have also changed a lot, "said Bekka Payack. the Manhattan-based fashion reporter for the Global Language Monitor. "The new list shows that global fashion centers will change now and then. Compared with the traditional fashion cities, some new ones are performing better and better. "She said that perhaps this is new trend, and it is the first sign that the traditional top five fashion cities----New York, Paris, London, Milan, and Rome----do not control global fashion any more.
The biggest changes in the list are Hong Kong, Madrid and Melbourne. The Group said that the top newcomers to the list include Amsterdam at number 17, Cape Town at 23, Johannesburg at 25 and Vienna at 27.
The following are the 10 top fashion cities of 2010 and the changes from 2009.
1. New York(up 1) 2. Hong Kong(up 5)
3. London(up 2) 4. Paris(down 1)
5. Los Angeles(up 1) 6. Milan(down 5)
7. Sydney(up 2) 8. Miami(up 5)
9. Barcelona(up 5) 10. Madrid(up 11) | Compared with the 2009 list, which of the following has the greatest change? | [
"Hong Kong",
"Milan",
"Madrid",
"Barcelona"
] | C | 2 | high |
New York has taken the title of the world's top fashion capital from Milan. The annual survey suggest that the top five fashion cities are facing competition from Asia and Australia. New York had been the top fashion city for five years, but Milan took the title in 2009. The survey was made by the Global Language Monitor, a US based organization. It tracks the frequency of words and phrases in the media, on the Internet and throughout the blog. With the US economy recovering, New York once again took the top title. Hong Kong took second place. It was followed by London, Paris and Los Angeles. The other top 10 cities were Milan, Sydney, Miami, Barcelona and Madrid.
"Because of the new economic situation, the global fashion centers have also changed a lot, "said Bekka Payack. the Manhattan-based fashion reporter for the Global Language Monitor. "The new list shows that global fashion centers will change now and then. Compared with the traditional fashion cities, some new ones are performing better and better. "She said that perhaps this is new trend, and it is the first sign that the traditional top five fashion cities----New York, Paris, London, Milan, and Rome----do not control global fashion any more.
The biggest changes in the list are Hong Kong, Madrid and Melbourne. The Group said that the top newcomers to the list include Amsterdam at number 17, Cape Town at 23, Johannesburg at 25 and Vienna at 27.
The following are the 10 top fashion cities of 2010 and the changes from 2009.
1. New York(up 1) 2. Hong Kong(up 5)
3. London(up 2) 4. Paris(down 1)
5. Los Angeles(up 1) 6. Milan(down 5)
7. Sydney(up 2) 8. Miami(up 5)
9. Barcelona(up 5) 10. Madrid(up 11) | We can infer from the text that _ . | [
"New York has lost the top title several times",
"all the traditional fashion cities are in the 2010 list",
"economic situations influence global fashion centers",
"new fashion cities have performed better than traditional ones"
] | C | 2 | high |
New York has taken the title of the world's top fashion capital from Milan. The annual survey suggest that the top five fashion cities are facing competition from Asia and Australia. New York had been the top fashion city for five years, but Milan took the title in 2009. The survey was made by the Global Language Monitor, a US based organization. It tracks the frequency of words and phrases in the media, on the Internet and throughout the blog. With the US economy recovering, New York once again took the top title. Hong Kong took second place. It was followed by London, Paris and Los Angeles. The other top 10 cities were Milan, Sydney, Miami, Barcelona and Madrid.
"Because of the new economic situation, the global fashion centers have also changed a lot, "said Bekka Payack. the Manhattan-based fashion reporter for the Global Language Monitor. "The new list shows that global fashion centers will change now and then. Compared with the traditional fashion cities, some new ones are performing better and better. "She said that perhaps this is new trend, and it is the first sign that the traditional top five fashion cities----New York, Paris, London, Milan, and Rome----do not control global fashion any more.
The biggest changes in the list are Hong Kong, Madrid and Melbourne. The Group said that the top newcomers to the list include Amsterdam at number 17, Cape Town at 23, Johannesburg at 25 and Vienna at 27.
The following are the 10 top fashion cities of 2010 and the changes from 2009.
1. New York(up 1) 2. Hong Kong(up 5)
3. London(up 2) 4. Paris(down 1)
5. Los Angeles(up 1) 6. Milan(down 5)
7. Sydney(up 2) 8. Miami(up 5)
9. Barcelona(up 5) 10. Madrid(up 11) | The text is probably taken from a _ . | [
"science report",
"fashion magazine",
"geography textbook",
"history book"
] | B | 1 | high |
When I was about twelve, I headed to a restaurant for dinner with my family. It was a windy winter night. As my mom and I headed towards the restaurant from our car, a girl about my age and her mother came up to us. They asked if we had any spare dollars. My mom immediately asked where they kept their things. They pointed to an old car in the parking across the street. The girl said there were six of them living in that car, the same size as my own family.
My mom said she had something to do after handing the people a few dollars. She sent me inside the restaurant with my dad and my three siblings .But she didn't come.
Later, I found out she had gone home and emptied our cupboards into a few bags. Then, she brought that food over to the car and handed the bags to the family. I wasn't there when that part happened, but I can imagine the joy it brought to their faces.
A few days later, when I actually found out about what she had done, I asked her why she helped those people. She told me that they were not lucky. I remember the face of that girl who had asked us for dollars; she was the same age as me, yet our lives were so different.
Here I stood, dressed in almost new clothes, headed to a restaurant and then back home to the bedroom I shared with my younger sister. I remember thinking that the girl didn't have any food to eat and that she was heading back to a cold car shared with five other people.
After painting this picture in my mind, I understood my mom. I will never forget what she did that night. And that night I also learned one of the best lessons she taught. | We learn from the passage that the girl about the writer's age _ . | [
"lived a hard life",
"had her own bedroom",
"received a good education",
"made friends with the writer"
] | A | 0 | high |
When I was about twelve, I headed to a restaurant for dinner with my family. It was a windy winter night. As my mom and I headed towards the restaurant from our car, a girl about my age and her mother came up to us. They asked if we had any spare dollars. My mom immediately asked where they kept their things. They pointed to an old car in the parking across the street. The girl said there were six of them living in that car, the same size as my own family.
My mom said she had something to do after handing the people a few dollars. She sent me inside the restaurant with my dad and my three siblings .But she didn't come.
Later, I found out she had gone home and emptied our cupboards into a few bags. Then, she brought that food over to the car and handed the bags to the family. I wasn't there when that part happened, but I can imagine the joy it brought to their faces.
A few days later, when I actually found out about what she had done, I asked her why she helped those people. She told me that they were not lucky. I remember the face of that girl who had asked us for dollars; she was the same age as me, yet our lives were so different.
Here I stood, dressed in almost new clothes, headed to a restaurant and then back home to the bedroom I shared with my younger sister. I remember thinking that the girl didn't have any food to eat and that she was heading back to a cold car shared with five other people.
After painting this picture in my mind, I understood my mom. I will never forget what she did that night. And that night I also learned one of the best lessons she taught. | Which of the following words can best describe the writer's mother? | [
"Patient.",
"Strict.",
"Proud.",
"Kind."
] | D | 3 | high |
When I was about twelve, I headed to a restaurant for dinner with my family. It was a windy winter night. As my mom and I headed towards the restaurant from our car, a girl about my age and her mother came up to us. They asked if we had any spare dollars. My mom immediately asked where they kept their things. They pointed to an old car in the parking across the street. The girl said there were six of them living in that car, the same size as my own family.
My mom said she had something to do after handing the people a few dollars. She sent me inside the restaurant with my dad and my three siblings .But she didn't come.
Later, I found out she had gone home and emptied our cupboards into a few bags. Then, she brought that food over to the car and handed the bags to the family. I wasn't there when that part happened, but I can imagine the joy it brought to their faces.
A few days later, when I actually found out about what she had done, I asked her why she helped those people. She told me that they were not lucky. I remember the face of that girl who had asked us for dollars; she was the same age as me, yet our lives were so different.
Here I stood, dressed in almost new clothes, headed to a restaurant and then back home to the bedroom I shared with my younger sister. I remember thinking that the girl didn't have any food to eat and that she was heading back to a cold car shared with five other people.
After painting this picture in my mind, I understood my mom. I will never forget what she did that night. And that night I also learned one of the best lessons she taught. | It can be inferred from the passage that the writer will _ . | [
"visit the girl in the near future",
"learn from her mother",
"save as much money as possible",
"deal with the world's food problem"
] | B | 1 | high |
For 11 months of every year, I am without doubt, a dedicated lover of shopping. During my lunch breaks, you'll often find me wandering through a nearby department store, sandwich in hand. On the weekends, I'll likely be searching the stores of my local markets and fairs.
Come December however, it's an entirely different story. The time of year generally connected with joy and cheer can be unbelievably stressful. From buying Christmas presents to ransacking grocery stores in preparation for family gatherings, December is a month that traditionally includes spending a lot of time and money in overcrowded shopping centers and supermarkets.
What's worse than this pre-Christmas rush are the sales that happen in its wake. Every year in Britain, Canada and Australia, Boxing Day sales bring thousands of shoppers to malls and department stores. Attracted by the promise of impressive price reductions, some people start lining up outside stores the night before sales even begin. This year, during the US' post-Thanksgiving "Black Friday" sales, 20 were injured after a woman, too eager for a discounted Xbox video game, squirted pepper spray inside a Walmart.
It's madness like this that has now driven me to the world of online shopping. Not only can I avoid having my personal space invaded by crowds of crazy shoppers, but nowadays, most brands and online stores offer their own sales and special deals.
Say goodbye to human rushes and bad department store music.
While websites like eBay are great for general items and secondhand goods, the Internet now offers a huge variety of specialty stores .
For clothes and accessories, ASOS.com (UK) and Shopbop.com (US) are personal favorites. Both of these offer a range of great designers, discounted prices and free worldwide shipping. In terms of brand-name makeup and beauty products, strawberrynet.com (US) is my go-to site, with its large collection and heavily reduced prices.
When shopping online, it's important to stick to safe websites, so be sure to read the privacy and safety policies before making any buying.
When paying, I prefer using third party services, like those provided by PayPal, to make sure my financial details remain secret. Also, if you're looking to buy your Christmas presents online, it's best to keep in mind the shipping time needed. The last thing you want is for your brother's jacket to arrive a week into January. Ks5u | The main reason why the author starts online shopping in December is that _ ? | [
"she has to spend more money shopping in stores",
"the stores are often overcrowded in this month",
"she cannot buy what she needs in stores",
"people may get injured while shopping in stores"
] | B | 1 | high |
For 11 months of every year, I am without doubt, a dedicated lover of shopping. During my lunch breaks, you'll often find me wandering through a nearby department store, sandwich in hand. On the weekends, I'll likely be searching the stores of my local markets and fairs.
Come December however, it's an entirely different story. The time of year generally connected with joy and cheer can be unbelievably stressful. From buying Christmas presents to ransacking grocery stores in preparation for family gatherings, December is a month that traditionally includes spending a lot of time and money in overcrowded shopping centers and supermarkets.
What's worse than this pre-Christmas rush are the sales that happen in its wake. Every year in Britain, Canada and Australia, Boxing Day sales bring thousands of shoppers to malls and department stores. Attracted by the promise of impressive price reductions, some people start lining up outside stores the night before sales even begin. This year, during the US' post-Thanksgiving "Black Friday" sales, 20 were injured after a woman, too eager for a discounted Xbox video game, squirted pepper spray inside a Walmart.
It's madness like this that has now driven me to the world of online shopping. Not only can I avoid having my personal space invaded by crowds of crazy shoppers, but nowadays, most brands and online stores offer their own sales and special deals.
Say goodbye to human rushes and bad department store music.
While websites like eBay are great for general items and secondhand goods, the Internet now offers a huge variety of specialty stores .
For clothes and accessories, ASOS.com (UK) and Shopbop.com (US) are personal favorites. Both of these offer a range of great designers, discounted prices and free worldwide shipping. In terms of brand-name makeup and beauty products, strawberrynet.com (US) is my go-to site, with its large collection and heavily reduced prices.
When shopping online, it's important to stick to safe websites, so be sure to read the privacy and safety policies before making any buying.
When paying, I prefer using third party services, like those provided by PayPal, to make sure my financial details remain secret. Also, if you're looking to buy your Christmas presents online, it's best to keep in mind the shipping time needed. The last thing you want is for your brother's jacket to arrive a week into January. Ks5u | Where will the author visit when she wants to buy some beauty products? | [
"A local specialty store.",
"www. ASOS.com (UK).",
"www. Shopbop.com (US).",
"www. strawberrynet.com (US)."
] | D | 3 | high |
For 11 months of every year, I am without doubt, a dedicated lover of shopping. During my lunch breaks, you'll often find me wandering through a nearby department store, sandwich in hand. On the weekends, I'll likely be searching the stores of my local markets and fairs.
Come December however, it's an entirely different story. The time of year generally connected with joy and cheer can be unbelievably stressful. From buying Christmas presents to ransacking grocery stores in preparation for family gatherings, December is a month that traditionally includes spending a lot of time and money in overcrowded shopping centers and supermarkets.
What's worse than this pre-Christmas rush are the sales that happen in its wake. Every year in Britain, Canada and Australia, Boxing Day sales bring thousands of shoppers to malls and department stores. Attracted by the promise of impressive price reductions, some people start lining up outside stores the night before sales even begin. This year, during the US' post-Thanksgiving "Black Friday" sales, 20 were injured after a woman, too eager for a discounted Xbox video game, squirted pepper spray inside a Walmart.
It's madness like this that has now driven me to the world of online shopping. Not only can I avoid having my personal space invaded by crowds of crazy shoppers, but nowadays, most brands and online stores offer their own sales and special deals.
Say goodbye to human rushes and bad department store music.
While websites like eBay are great for general items and secondhand goods, the Internet now offers a huge variety of specialty stores .
For clothes and accessories, ASOS.com (UK) and Shopbop.com (US) are personal favorites. Both of these offer a range of great designers, discounted prices and free worldwide shipping. In terms of brand-name makeup and beauty products, strawberrynet.com (US) is my go-to site, with its large collection and heavily reduced prices.
When shopping online, it's important to stick to safe websites, so be sure to read the privacy and safety policies before making any buying.
When paying, I prefer using third party services, like those provided by PayPal, to make sure my financial details remain secret. Also, if you're looking to buy your Christmas presents online, it's best to keep in mind the shipping time needed. The last thing you want is for your brother's jacket to arrive a week into January. Ks5u | According to the author what might happen when shopping online? | [
"The goods you buy might arrive too late.",
"The prices online might be actually higher.",
"Websites cannot keep your financial details secret.",
"You have to use third party services when paying."
] | A | 0 | high |
For 11 months of every year, I am without doubt, a dedicated lover of shopping. During my lunch breaks, you'll often find me wandering through a nearby department store, sandwich in hand. On the weekends, I'll likely be searching the stores of my local markets and fairs.
Come December however, it's an entirely different story. The time of year generally connected with joy and cheer can be unbelievably stressful. From buying Christmas presents to ransacking grocery stores in preparation for family gatherings, December is a month that traditionally includes spending a lot of time and money in overcrowded shopping centers and supermarkets.
What's worse than this pre-Christmas rush are the sales that happen in its wake. Every year in Britain, Canada and Australia, Boxing Day sales bring thousands of shoppers to malls and department stores. Attracted by the promise of impressive price reductions, some people start lining up outside stores the night before sales even begin. This year, during the US' post-Thanksgiving "Black Friday" sales, 20 were injured after a woman, too eager for a discounted Xbox video game, squirted pepper spray inside a Walmart.
It's madness like this that has now driven me to the world of online shopping. Not only can I avoid having my personal space invaded by crowds of crazy shoppers, but nowadays, most brands and online stores offer their own sales and special deals.
Say goodbye to human rushes and bad department store music.
While websites like eBay are great for general items and secondhand goods, the Internet now offers a huge variety of specialty stores .
For clothes and accessories, ASOS.com (UK) and Shopbop.com (US) are personal favorites. Both of these offer a range of great designers, discounted prices and free worldwide shipping. In terms of brand-name makeup and beauty products, strawberrynet.com (US) is my go-to site, with its large collection and heavily reduced prices.
When shopping online, it's important to stick to safe websites, so be sure to read the privacy and safety policies before making any buying.
When paying, I prefer using third party services, like those provided by PayPal, to make sure my financial details remain secret. Also, if you're looking to buy your Christmas presents online, it's best to keep in mind the shipping time needed. The last thing you want is for your brother's jacket to arrive a week into January. Ks5u | Which of the following can be the best title of the passage? | [
"Shopping in December.",
"A dedicated lover of shopping.",
"Never to shop in department stores.",
"Websites for shopping."
] | B | 1 | high |
My friend got married. His mother carried two bags of cotton from the countryside by bus and train to his city. After arriving at the city, there was still a long way to his house without any bus passing by the house. His mother walked to his home breathlessly for 40 minutes without taking a taxi in order to save money.
My friend felt bitter as well as funny at his mother's deeds. He pointed to the cashmere and silk quilts and said, "So long as you have money, you can buy anything in the supermarket. There is no need for you to carry so much cotton here in such a long way."
But his mother insisted and said, "The cotton of this year is light and warmth-keeping. Have a try and you will know!"
Maybe every parent is the same, caring for their children with stubborn love without caring about whether they know or like it.
This early spring, I went to visit my grandmother. We had dry beans stew , eggplant salad bar, sauce radish for our dinner, all of which were dried by my grandmother last autumn and tasted wonderful. I loved the dishes to my heart's content and could not help praising them again and again.
After a few days, my grandmother, who seldom visited us, came to my home and unpacked her bag, smilingly taking out bags of dried eggplants, dried beans and dried vegetable. She told me that I left so hastily last time that she forgot to give me some of these foods, so she took this chance to bring me what I liked.
I was speechless at that time. Due to my casual complimentary her food, my grandmother, a nearly 70-year-old lady, by taking three buses from the west of the city to the east, came to my home with the food I liked. But she was bus-sick in life and even seldom went strolling in the street.
My pretty girlfriend had a failed marriage in the past. After divorce, her parents shed the deepest protection and care to her by helping her attend to the child and offering financial aids. Her parents' love made her pull herself together and forgot the man who had hurt her before.
Nonetheless, her father, an honest and upright old man, after hearing his ex-son-in-law got promoted in his company, felt terrifically irritated and went to his company to question his boss why a philandering man with corrupt conducts could get promoted. The whole office fell into a mess immediately and many staff just watched on the sidelines. Some people even whispered lightly, "It is a new era now and the relationship between men and women is very open. No one would care about that anymore!"
The old man stood silently in the office with his hands shivering and eyes tearing.
That night, my girlfriend cried heavily in front of me. I asked her whether it was her father's stupid deeds that made her feel _ But she said that she felt guilty for her dad and that though the rest of the whole world betrayed her, her old father would still back her up and help her get the justice she deserved, just as when she was young and the neighboring boy grabbed her ball, her father would get it back for her. However, this changed world was no longer the stage for her old father and his deeds became funnily obsolete. No one managed to see the real and ever-lasting love to his daughter behind his seemingly rude behaviors.
Now we have grown up so much so that we could support our family and have our own children. But in our parents' heart, they are still worried that we do not have sufficient quilts and dried vegetables. They would not feel troubled to bring all these to us regardless of long tough journey. They even would not like us to suffer a bit and try all means to protect us without caring about whether what they do is awkward and stupid or not.
Who in the world would love us so deeply and relentlessly without asking for any repay? Only our parents! | What does the author want to tell us? | [
"The love from our parents is real and deep though sometimes it doesn't appear so.",
"The love from our parents is awkward sometimes, which is rather annoying.",
"Children should appreciate parents' love because their life is so hard.",
"The world is changing so the love of parents should change too."
] | A | 0 | high |
My friend got married. His mother carried two bags of cotton from the countryside by bus and train to his city. After arriving at the city, there was still a long way to his house without any bus passing by the house. His mother walked to his home breathlessly for 40 minutes without taking a taxi in order to save money.
My friend felt bitter as well as funny at his mother's deeds. He pointed to the cashmere and silk quilts and said, "So long as you have money, you can buy anything in the supermarket. There is no need for you to carry so much cotton here in such a long way."
But his mother insisted and said, "The cotton of this year is light and warmth-keeping. Have a try and you will know!"
Maybe every parent is the same, caring for their children with stubborn love without caring about whether they know or like it.
This early spring, I went to visit my grandmother. We had dry beans stew , eggplant salad bar, sauce radish for our dinner, all of which were dried by my grandmother last autumn and tasted wonderful. I loved the dishes to my heart's content and could not help praising them again and again.
After a few days, my grandmother, who seldom visited us, came to my home and unpacked her bag, smilingly taking out bags of dried eggplants, dried beans and dried vegetable. She told me that I left so hastily last time that she forgot to give me some of these foods, so she took this chance to bring me what I liked.
I was speechless at that time. Due to my casual complimentary her food, my grandmother, a nearly 70-year-old lady, by taking three buses from the west of the city to the east, came to my home with the food I liked. But she was bus-sick in life and even seldom went strolling in the street.
My pretty girlfriend had a failed marriage in the past. After divorce, her parents shed the deepest protection and care to her by helping her attend to the child and offering financial aids. Her parents' love made her pull herself together and forgot the man who had hurt her before.
Nonetheless, her father, an honest and upright old man, after hearing his ex-son-in-law got promoted in his company, felt terrifically irritated and went to his company to question his boss why a philandering man with corrupt conducts could get promoted. The whole office fell into a mess immediately and many staff just watched on the sidelines. Some people even whispered lightly, "It is a new era now and the relationship between men and women is very open. No one would care about that anymore!"
The old man stood silently in the office with his hands shivering and eyes tearing.
That night, my girlfriend cried heavily in front of me. I asked her whether it was her father's stupid deeds that made her feel _ But she said that she felt guilty for her dad and that though the rest of the whole world betrayed her, her old father would still back her up and help her get the justice she deserved, just as when she was young and the neighboring boy grabbed her ball, her father would get it back for her. However, this changed world was no longer the stage for her old father and his deeds became funnily obsolete. No one managed to see the real and ever-lasting love to his daughter behind his seemingly rude behaviors.
Now we have grown up so much so that we could support our family and have our own children. But in our parents' heart, they are still worried that we do not have sufficient quilts and dried vegetables. They would not feel troubled to bring all these to us regardless of long tough journey. They even would not like us to suffer a bit and try all means to protect us without caring about whether what they do is awkward and stupid or not.
Who in the world would love us so deeply and relentlessly without asking for any repay? Only our parents! | How many examples of older generation's love are mentioned in the passage? | [
"One",
"Two",
"Three",
"four"
] | C | 2 | high |
My friend got married. His mother carried two bags of cotton from the countryside by bus and train to his city. After arriving at the city, there was still a long way to his house without any bus passing by the house. His mother walked to his home breathlessly for 40 minutes without taking a taxi in order to save money.
My friend felt bitter as well as funny at his mother's deeds. He pointed to the cashmere and silk quilts and said, "So long as you have money, you can buy anything in the supermarket. There is no need for you to carry so much cotton here in such a long way."
But his mother insisted and said, "The cotton of this year is light and warmth-keeping. Have a try and you will know!"
Maybe every parent is the same, caring for their children with stubborn love without caring about whether they know or like it.
This early spring, I went to visit my grandmother. We had dry beans stew , eggplant salad bar, sauce radish for our dinner, all of which were dried by my grandmother last autumn and tasted wonderful. I loved the dishes to my heart's content and could not help praising them again and again.
After a few days, my grandmother, who seldom visited us, came to my home and unpacked her bag, smilingly taking out bags of dried eggplants, dried beans and dried vegetable. She told me that I left so hastily last time that she forgot to give me some of these foods, so she took this chance to bring me what I liked.
I was speechless at that time. Due to my casual complimentary her food, my grandmother, a nearly 70-year-old lady, by taking three buses from the west of the city to the east, came to my home with the food I liked. But she was bus-sick in life and even seldom went strolling in the street.
My pretty girlfriend had a failed marriage in the past. After divorce, her parents shed the deepest protection and care to her by helping her attend to the child and offering financial aids. Her parents' love made her pull herself together and forgot the man who had hurt her before.
Nonetheless, her father, an honest and upright old man, after hearing his ex-son-in-law got promoted in his company, felt terrifically irritated and went to his company to question his boss why a philandering man with corrupt conducts could get promoted. The whole office fell into a mess immediately and many staff just watched on the sidelines. Some people even whispered lightly, "It is a new era now and the relationship between men and women is very open. No one would care about that anymore!"
The old man stood silently in the office with his hands shivering and eyes tearing.
That night, my girlfriend cried heavily in front of me. I asked her whether it was her father's stupid deeds that made her feel _ But she said that she felt guilty for her dad and that though the rest of the whole world betrayed her, her old father would still back her up and help her get the justice she deserved, just as when she was young and the neighboring boy grabbed her ball, her father would get it back for her. However, this changed world was no longer the stage for her old father and his deeds became funnily obsolete. No one managed to see the real and ever-lasting love to his daughter behind his seemingly rude behaviors.
Now we have grown up so much so that we could support our family and have our own children. But in our parents' heart, they are still worried that we do not have sufficient quilts and dried vegetables. They would not feel troubled to bring all these to us regardless of long tough journey. They even would not like us to suffer a bit and try all means to protect us without caring about whether what they do is awkward and stupid or not.
Who in the world would love us so deeply and relentlessly without asking for any repay? Only our parents! | After the author's girlfriend's former husband got promoted, her father _ . | [
"congratulated him",
"made his daughter marry him again",
"had a quarrel with him",
"argued with his boss"
] | D | 3 | high |
My friend got married. His mother carried two bags of cotton from the countryside by bus and train to his city. After arriving at the city, there was still a long way to his house without any bus passing by the house. His mother walked to his home breathlessly for 40 minutes without taking a taxi in order to save money.
My friend felt bitter as well as funny at his mother's deeds. He pointed to the cashmere and silk quilts and said, "So long as you have money, you can buy anything in the supermarket. There is no need for you to carry so much cotton here in such a long way."
But his mother insisted and said, "The cotton of this year is light and warmth-keeping. Have a try and you will know!"
Maybe every parent is the same, caring for their children with stubborn love without caring about whether they know or like it.
This early spring, I went to visit my grandmother. We had dry beans stew , eggplant salad bar, sauce radish for our dinner, all of which were dried by my grandmother last autumn and tasted wonderful. I loved the dishes to my heart's content and could not help praising them again and again.
After a few days, my grandmother, who seldom visited us, came to my home and unpacked her bag, smilingly taking out bags of dried eggplants, dried beans and dried vegetable. She told me that I left so hastily last time that she forgot to give me some of these foods, so she took this chance to bring me what I liked.
I was speechless at that time. Due to my casual complimentary her food, my grandmother, a nearly 70-year-old lady, by taking three buses from the west of the city to the east, came to my home with the food I liked. But she was bus-sick in life and even seldom went strolling in the street.
My pretty girlfriend had a failed marriage in the past. After divorce, her parents shed the deepest protection and care to her by helping her attend to the child and offering financial aids. Her parents' love made her pull herself together and forgot the man who had hurt her before.
Nonetheless, her father, an honest and upright old man, after hearing his ex-son-in-law got promoted in his company, felt terrifically irritated and went to his company to question his boss why a philandering man with corrupt conducts could get promoted. The whole office fell into a mess immediately and many staff just watched on the sidelines. Some people even whispered lightly, "It is a new era now and the relationship between men and women is very open. No one would care about that anymore!"
The old man stood silently in the office with his hands shivering and eyes tearing.
That night, my girlfriend cried heavily in front of me. I asked her whether it was her father's stupid deeds that made her feel _ But she said that she felt guilty for her dad and that though the rest of the whole world betrayed her, her old father would still back her up and help her get the justice she deserved, just as when she was young and the neighboring boy grabbed her ball, her father would get it back for her. However, this changed world was no longer the stage for her old father and his deeds became funnily obsolete. No one managed to see the real and ever-lasting love to his daughter behind his seemingly rude behaviors.
Now we have grown up so much so that we could support our family and have our own children. But in our parents' heart, they are still worried that we do not have sufficient quilts and dried vegetables. They would not feel troubled to bring all these to us regardless of long tough journey. They even would not like us to suffer a bit and try all means to protect us without caring about whether what they do is awkward and stupid or not.
Who in the world would love us so deeply and relentlessly without asking for any repay? Only our parents! | From the passage we can learn the author's grandmother is _ . | [
"upright and honest",
"loving and troublesome",
"thoughtful and careful",
"generous and active"
] | C | 2 | high |
While working with troubled teens,I used to have them do the Ten Years in the Future exercise. I asked them to write a letter to a friend as if it was ten years in the future. Most of these boys and girls didn't think about the next week,much less ten years to come. Like the Cheshire Cat says in Alice in Wonderland, "If you don't know where you want to go,then it doesn't really matter what road you take!" We had some great conversations as they really thought about what they wanted. For most of them, this was the first time they had ever thought this way!
But the real story is what happened to me. I did the exercise right along with them on many occasions, writing my dreams and visions in detail. In my letter to a friend, I had moved to the country, built my own home,authored a book,and started my own business. Over the next ten years, something magic happened.All my dreams and visions became a reality, almost as if arranged by an unseen hand. I did write books and start my business. We did move to the country and I did build my own home.
This letter to a friend will become a magnetic factor in your life. Your vision will guide you in your yearly goals, your monthly goals,and your daily activities. For example: "Leslie,I just wanted to make contact again and tell you about my life. I started my own gardening business in 2020 and it's really taken off. "
Remember to describe all the details as if they have already happened. Write to a real person who you think may still know in ten years. This will help make it more real for you.
Sit down and write your Ten Years in the Future letter today. | What can we learn from what the Cheshire Cat says? | [
"You should have a goal.",
"You had better not copy others.",
"You may do what you want to do.",
"You may have different ideas."
] | A | 0 | high |
While working with troubled teens,I used to have them do the Ten Years in the Future exercise. I asked them to write a letter to a friend as if it was ten years in the future. Most of these boys and girls didn't think about the next week,much less ten years to come. Like the Cheshire Cat says in Alice in Wonderland, "If you don't know where you want to go,then it doesn't really matter what road you take!" We had some great conversations as they really thought about what they wanted. For most of them, this was the first time they had ever thought this way!
But the real story is what happened to me. I did the exercise right along with them on many occasions, writing my dreams and visions in detail. In my letter to a friend, I had moved to the country, built my own home,authored a book,and started my own business. Over the next ten years, something magic happened.All my dreams and visions became a reality, almost as if arranged by an unseen hand. I did write books and start my business. We did move to the country and I did build my own home.
This letter to a friend will become a magnetic factor in your life. Your vision will guide you in your yearly goals, your monthly goals,and your daily activities. For example: "Leslie,I just wanted to make contact again and tell you about my life. I started my own gardening business in 2020 and it's really taken off. "
Remember to describe all the details as if they have already happened. Write to a real person who you think may still know in ten years. This will help make it more real for you.
Sit down and write your Ten Years in the Future letter today. | It seems that the writer's dreams and visions became a reality because the writer _ . | [
"had put something magic in the letter",
"could foresee what would happen",
"was experienced in writing the Ten Years letter",
"took what was written in the letter as a guide in life"
] | D | 3 | high |
While working with troubled teens,I used to have them do the Ten Years in the Future exercise. I asked them to write a letter to a friend as if it was ten years in the future. Most of these boys and girls didn't think about the next week,much less ten years to come. Like the Cheshire Cat says in Alice in Wonderland, "If you don't know where you want to go,then it doesn't really matter what road you take!" We had some great conversations as they really thought about what they wanted. For most of them, this was the first time they had ever thought this way!
But the real story is what happened to me. I did the exercise right along with them on many occasions, writing my dreams and visions in detail. In my letter to a friend, I had moved to the country, built my own home,authored a book,and started my own business. Over the next ten years, something magic happened.All my dreams and visions became a reality, almost as if arranged by an unseen hand. I did write books and start my business. We did move to the country and I did build my own home.
This letter to a friend will become a magnetic factor in your life. Your vision will guide you in your yearly goals, your monthly goals,and your daily activities. For example: "Leslie,I just wanted to make contact again and tell you about my life. I started my own gardening business in 2020 and it's really taken off. "
Remember to describe all the details as if they have already happened. Write to a real person who you think may still know in ten years. This will help make it more real for you.
Sit down and write your Ten Years in the Future letter today. | According to the writer,"Leslie" in your letter should be the person that _ . | [
"does the same exercise as you",
"will become your friend in ten years",
"you know now and may still know in the future",
"you can imagine when you write your letter"
] | C | 2 | high |
London has become a cycle friendly zone after the launch of a new bike hire scheme.It has been designed to encourage more people to cycle in and around central London.
So how does it work?First you have to sign up to the scheme to be sent a key.The key will unlock one of the bikes,which are kept at docking stations in and around central London.You have to pay an access fee for the key and then you pay as you go,for the length of time you use the bike.
Transport for London, which runs the scheme,are hoping to have 6,000 bikes and 400 docking stations in place by the end of the year.The new hire system is hoping to ease congestion in London and is expected to generate up to 40,000 extra cycle trips a day into the city centre. London Mayor Boris Johnston launched the scheme and said London had been "filled with thousands of gleaming machines that will transform the look and feel of our streets and become as common place on our roads as black cabs and red buses".
However,there have been a few problems since the scheme was launched last Friday.On the first day some people found they couldn't dock their bike properly and their usage of the bike had not registered.Transport for London did admit they had been expecting a few "teething problems" and have said they wouldn't charge for the first day as a"gesture of goodwill".Some other people have criticized the lack of docking stations and locks for the bikes as well as the price it costs to hire the bicycles.
Despite the comments,the green-thinking London Mayor still seems very positive about things,saying,"My campaign for the capital to become the greatest big cycling city in the world has taken a gigantic pedal-powered push forwards." | .Which of the following is NOT the "teething problems" of the scheme? | [
"People were unable to lock properly.",
"People could not dock the bikes properly.",
"People had no enthusiasm about the scheme.",
"It's too expensive for some people to hire a bike."
] | C | 2 | high |
London has become a cycle friendly zone after the launch of a new bike hire scheme.It has been designed to encourage more people to cycle in and around central London.
So how does it work?First you have to sign up to the scheme to be sent a key.The key will unlock one of the bikes,which are kept at docking stations in and around central London.You have to pay an access fee for the key and then you pay as you go,for the length of time you use the bike.
Transport for London, which runs the scheme,are hoping to have 6,000 bikes and 400 docking stations in place by the end of the year.The new hire system is hoping to ease congestion in London and is expected to generate up to 40,000 extra cycle trips a day into the city centre. London Mayor Boris Johnston launched the scheme and said London had been "filled with thousands of gleaming machines that will transform the look and feel of our streets and become as common place on our roads as black cabs and red buses".
However,there have been a few problems since the scheme was launched last Friday.On the first day some people found they couldn't dock their bike properly and their usage of the bike had not registered.Transport for London did admit they had been expecting a few "teething problems" and have said they wouldn't charge for the first day as a"gesture of goodwill".Some other people have criticized the lack of docking stations and locks for the bikes as well as the price it costs to hire the bicycles.
Despite the comments,the green-thinking London Mayor still seems very positive about things,saying,"My campaign for the capital to become the greatest big cycling city in the world has taken a gigantic pedal-powered push forwards." | .From the passage we know _ . | [
"the 'cycling revolution' failed once started",
"the scheme will be put off due to the problems",
"all the citizens in London are in favor of the scheme",
"the London Mayor has great confidence in the scheme"
] | D | 3 | high |
People seem to have a natural need for friends and with good reasons. Friends increase your enjoyment of life and relieve feelings of loneliness. They even can help reduce stress and improve your health. Having good friends is especially helpful when you are going through any kind of hard time such as when you are experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, or depression.
When you are with good friends you feel good about yourself, and you are glad to be with them. A fiend is someone who--
l you like, respect, and trust, and who likes, respects and trusts you
l doesn't always understand you, but accepts and likes you as you are, even as you grow and change
l allows you the space to change, grow, make decisions, and even make mistakes
l listens to you and shares with you both the good times and the bad times
l respects your need for secrets, so you can tell them anything
l lets you freely express your feelings and emotions without judging, teasing, or criticizing you
l accepts the limitations you have put on yourself and helps you to remove them
A person once said, "Friendship is a continuing source of bonding ,releasing, and creating in yourself and with the other person. There is an emotional bond between the two people."
A good friend or supporter may or may not be the same age or the same sex as you, and may not have the same educational, cultural, or religious background, or share interests that are similar to yours. Friendships also have different depths. Some are closer to the heart and some more superficial, but they're all useful and good. | Which of the following is NOT a function of a friend? | [
"He brings you some happiness.",
"He helps you feel less lonely.",
"He helps you get over the difficulties.",
"He helps you cheat in the exam."
] | D | 3 | high |
People seem to have a natural need for friends and with good reasons. Friends increase your enjoyment of life and relieve feelings of loneliness. They even can help reduce stress and improve your health. Having good friends is especially helpful when you are going through any kind of hard time such as when you are experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, or depression.
When you are with good friends you feel good about yourself, and you are glad to be with them. A fiend is someone who--
l you like, respect, and trust, and who likes, respects and trusts you
l doesn't always understand you, but accepts and likes you as you are, even as you grow and change
l allows you the space to change, grow, make decisions, and even make mistakes
l listens to you and shares with you both the good times and the bad times
l respects your need for secrets, so you can tell them anything
l lets you freely express your feelings and emotions without judging, teasing, or criticizing you
l accepts the limitations you have put on yourself and helps you to remove them
A person once said, "Friendship is a continuing source of bonding ,releasing, and creating in yourself and with the other person. There is an emotional bond between the two people."
A good friend or supporter may or may not be the same age or the same sex as you, and may not have the same educational, cultural, or religious background, or share interests that are similar to yours. Friendships also have different depths. Some are closer to the heart and some more superficial, but they're all useful and good. | Which is the best title for the passage? | [
"A Friend in Need Is a Friend Indeed",
"What Kind of person a Friend Should Be",
"To Be a Good Friend",
"How to Get on with Your Friend"
] | C | 2 | high |
People seem to have a natural need for friends and with good reasons. Friends increase your enjoyment of life and relieve feelings of loneliness. They even can help reduce stress and improve your health. Having good friends is especially helpful when you are going through any kind of hard time such as when you are experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, or depression.
When you are with good friends you feel good about yourself, and you are glad to be with them. A fiend is someone who--
l you like, respect, and trust, and who likes, respects and trusts you
l doesn't always understand you, but accepts and likes you as you are, even as you grow and change
l allows you the space to change, grow, make decisions, and even make mistakes
l listens to you and shares with you both the good times and the bad times
l respects your need for secrets, so you can tell them anything
l lets you freely express your feelings and emotions without judging, teasing, or criticizing you
l accepts the limitations you have put on yourself and helps you to remove them
A person once said, "Friendship is a continuing source of bonding ,releasing, and creating in yourself and with the other person. There is an emotional bond between the two people."
A good friend or supporter may or may not be the same age or the same sex as you, and may not have the same educational, cultural, or religious background, or share interests that are similar to yours. Friendships also have different depths. Some are closer to the heart and some more superficial, but they're all useful and good. | Which of the following is NOT true? | [
"A good friend or supporter may or may not be the same age or the same sex as you.",
"A friend is someone who respects your need for secrets, so you can tell them anything.",
"A friend is someone who doesn't allow you the space to change and make mistakes.",
"Some friendships are closer to the heart and some ... | C | 2 | high |
Traveling can be a very fun and exciting way to vacation with your family, but it does not always turn out as expected. I have traveled a lot with my family over the years, but some experiences are worth forgetting altogether. I remember a particular traveling experience which sticks out in my mind for the wrong reasons.
My dad and stepmom had decided to drive to California for our family vacation. This was supposed to provide educational value, since we would be able to stop along the way and look at various sites in each state. Everything was going as planned until we decided to take a break and stop at the Grand Canyon . I had always wanted to see this exciting place and had decided to write a report on it for my eight-grade English class. We got out of the car and were walking on one of the paths to get to a cliff so we could take a family photo when I slipped and fell down. I fell on a piece of rock, and felt great pain run up my leg at once. My dad took me to the nearest hospital and, after an eight-hour wait in the emergency room , found out that I broke two bones in my foot.
Needless to say, our vacation was no fun for me because I was in pain during the whole two-week trip. I ended up making an appointment the day we got home to see a doctor for a check-up. That was definitely not what I consider fun or a great vacation, and it really _ our sightseeing plans. | What is the author's attitude towards traveling? | [
"Curious",
"Positive",
"Satisfied",
"Objective"
] | D | 3 | high |
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