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What is the main topic of the passage? | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Judging from recent surveys, most experts in sleep behavior agree that there is virtually an epidemic of sleepiness in the nation."I can't think of a single study that hasn't found Americans getting less sleep than they ought to," says Dr.David.Even people who think they are sleeping enough would probably be better off with more rest.
The beginning of our sleep-deficit(lack)crises can be traced back to the invention of the light bulb a century ago.From diary entries and our personal accounts from the 18th and 19th centuries, sleep scientists have reached the conclusion that the average person used to sleep about 9.5 hours a night."The best sleep habits once were forced on us, when we had nothing to do in the evening down on the farm, and it was dark." By the 1950s and 1960s, the sleep schedule had been reduced dramatically, to between 7.5 and 8 hours, and most people had to wake to an alarm clock."People cheat in their sleep, and they don't even realize they're doing it," says Dr.David."They think they're okay because they can get by on 6.5 hours, when they really need 7.5, 8 or even more to feel ideally energetic. "
Perhaps the most merciless robber of sleep, researches say, is the complexity of the day.Whenever pressures from work, family, friends and community increase, many people consider sleep the least expensive item on their programs."In our society, you're considered dynamic if you say you need only 5.5 hours' sleep.If you've got to get 8.5 hours, people think you lack drive and ambition."
To determine the consequences of sleep-deficit, researchers have put subjects through a set of psychological and performance tests requiring them, for instance, to add columns of numbers or recall a passage read to them only minutes earlier."We've found that if you're in sleep deficit, performance suffers," says Dr.David."Short-term memory is weakened, as are abilities to make decisions and to concentrate."
Question:
What is the main topic of the passage?
Choices:
A. The history of people's sleeping patterns.
B. The epidemic of sleepiness in the modern times.
C. Research on the causes and consequences of sleep-deficit.
D. The minimum of our sleeping hours. | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high1989.txt | Judging from recent surveys, most experts in sleep behavior agree that there is virtually an epidemic of sleepiness in the nation."I can't think of a single study that hasn't found Americans getting less sleep than they ought to," says Dr.David.Even people who think they are sleeping enough would probably be better off with more rest.
The beginning of our sleep-deficit(lack)crises can be traced back to the invention of the light bulb a century ago.From diary entries and our personal accounts from the 18th and 19th centuries, sleep scientists have reached the conclusion that the average person used to sleep about 9.5 hours a night."The best sleep habits once were forced on us, when we had nothing to do in the evening down on the farm, and it was dark." By the 1950s and 1960s, the sleep schedule had been reduced dramatically, to between 7.5 and 8 hours, and most people had to wake to an alarm clock."People cheat in their sleep, and they don't even realize they're doing it," says Dr.David."They think they're okay because they can get by on 6.5 hours, when they really need 7.5, 8 or even more to feel ideally energetic. "
Perhaps the most merciless robber of sleep, researches say, is the complexity of the day.Whenever pressures from work, family, friends and community increase, many people consider sleep the least expensive item on their programs."In our society, you're considered dynamic if you say you need only 5.5 hours' sleep.If you've got to get 8.5 hours, people think you lack drive and ambition."
To determine the consequences of sleep-deficit, researchers have put subjects through a set of psychological and performance tests requiring them, for instance, to add columns of numbers or recall a passage read to them only minutes earlier."We've found that if you're in sleep deficit, performance suffers," says Dr.David."Short-term memory is weakened, as are abilities to make decisions and to concentrate." | [
"The history of people's sleeping patterns.",
"The epidemic of sleepiness in the modern times.",
"Research on the causes and consequences of sleep-deficit.",
"The minimum of our sleeping hours."
] |
The melting ice maybe helped to form _ . | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Millions years ago much of our earth was covered with blocks of ice. These ice blocks were as tall as high buildings in modern cities. Most of the ice was in the northern part of the world.
Then the ice blocks started to move south. Cold and rain came with the ice. Animals and people had to move.
At last, the ice began to melt . After half a million years, most of it had melted. More than half of the earth became covered with water. The _ became much warmer. Things began to grow. The earth began to look the way it looks today.
Question:
The melting ice maybe helped to form _ .
Choices:
A. mountains and valleys
B. the sun, the moon and the earth
C. cities and countries
D. seas, lakes and rivers | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle2062.txt | Millions years ago much of our earth was covered with blocks of ice. These ice blocks were as tall as high buildings in modern cities. Most of the ice was in the northern part of the world.
Then the ice blocks started to move south. Cold and rain came with the ice. Animals and people had to move.
At last, the ice began to melt . After half a million years, most of it had melted. More than half of the earth became covered with water. The _ became much warmer. Things began to grow. The earth began to look the way it looks today. | [
"mountains and valleys",
"the sun, the moon and the earth",
"cities and countries",
"seas, lakes and rivers"
] |
What seems to be the best title for the passage? | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Televisiozn ---- that most widespread and persuasive of modern technologies, marked by rapid change and growth ---- is moving into a new era, an era of extraordinary advancement and diversity, which promises to reshape our lives and our world. It is an electronic revolution, made possible by the marriage of television and computer technologies.
The word 'television', coming from its Greek ( tele: distant) and Latin ( vision: sight) roots, can literally be interpreted as sight from a distance.
, it works in this way: through an advanced system of electronics, television provides the capability of changing an image ( focused on a special photoconductive plate within a camera ) into electronic impulses, which can be sent through a wire or cable. These impulses, when fed into a receiver (television set), can then be electronically reorganized into that same image.
Television is more than just an electronics system, however. It is a means of expression, as well as a tool for communication, and as such becomes a powerful tool for reaching other human beings. The field of television can be divided into two categories determined by its means of transmission(,). First, there is broadcast television, which reaches the masses through airwave transmission of television signals. Second, there is nonbroadcast television, which provides for the needs of individuals or specific interest groups through controlled transmission techniques.
Traditionally, television has been a medium of the masses. We are most familiar with broadcast television because it has been with us for about thirty-seven years in a form similar to that exists today. During those years, it has been controlled, for the most part, by the broadcast networks, ABC, NBC, and CBS, who have been the major providers of news, information, and entertainment. These giants of broadcasting have actually shaped not only television but our understanding of it as well. We have come to look upon the picture tube as a source of entertainment, placing our role in this dynamic medium as the passive viewer.
Question:
What seems to be the best title for the passage?
Choices:
A. A Powerful Tool of Entertainment.
B. The Means of Transmission of TV.
C. TV: Its Working Rules and Functions.
D. A Brief Introduction to the Development of TV. | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high15486.txt | Televisiozn ---- that most widespread and persuasive of modern technologies, marked by rapid change and growth ---- is moving into a new era, an era of extraordinary advancement and diversity, which promises to reshape our lives and our world. It is an electronic revolution, made possible by the marriage of television and computer technologies.
The word 'television', coming from its Greek ( tele: distant) and Latin ( vision: sight) roots, can literally be interpreted as sight from a distance.
, it works in this way: through an advanced system of electronics, television provides the capability of changing an image ( focused on a special photoconductive plate within a camera ) into electronic impulses, which can be sent through a wire or cable. These impulses, when fed into a receiver (television set), can then be electronically reorganized into that same image.
Television is more than just an electronics system, however. It is a means of expression, as well as a tool for communication, and as such becomes a powerful tool for reaching other human beings. The field of television can be divided into two categories determined by its means of transmission(,). First, there is broadcast television, which reaches the masses through airwave transmission of television signals. Second, there is nonbroadcast television, which provides for the needs of individuals or specific interest groups through controlled transmission techniques.
Traditionally, television has been a medium of the masses. We are most familiar with broadcast television because it has been with us for about thirty-seven years in a form similar to that exists today. During those years, it has been controlled, for the most part, by the broadcast networks, ABC, NBC, and CBS, who have been the major providers of news, information, and entertainment. These giants of broadcasting have actually shaped not only television but our understanding of it as well. We have come to look upon the picture tube as a source of entertainment, placing our role in this dynamic medium as the passive viewer. | [
"A Powerful Tool of Entertainment.",
"The Means of Transmission of TV.",
"TV: Its Working Rules and Functions.",
"A Brief Introduction to the Development of TV."
] |
What happened to June Griffith one evening? | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
One evening,June Griffith was on her way to pick up her son.Almost immediately,she realized that she had gone the wrong way.She'd driven onto railroad tracks and the underside of her car was caught.
As Griffith tried to remove the car,its headlights attracted the attention of a passerby,Jordan Ricks,a college student.He ran over.
Ricks,22,tried to appear calm as he instructed Gdmth to remove the car.Both of them could now see the wheel between the rails and the uneven track bed.Ricks put his hands under the front fender and gave it a push.It didn't move.
He pushed it again with all his strength,Still,no movement.
From about 50 feet away,a group of students from the nearby university watched the scene.Ricks signaled to them,and five of the guys came over.
He directed them to different sides of the car,and they all put their hands under the flame.
"One,two,three" Ricks yelled.They all pushed.
"One,two,three!" he yelled again.The car didn't move.
At that moment,they felt the ground begin to shake.Then four dings signaled an on coming train,apd the railroad gates dropped down.In the distance,an unclear line of light appeared,followed by the loud noise of a horn .
The guys started yelling,"Get out of the car!Get out of the car!"But Griffith felt _ .
When Griffith glanced in the mirror,she saw the train lights approaching.But she worried that the Arthritis in her feet would prevent her from escaping in time and that her car would bedamaged.One of the students,Tommy Stackhouse,20,saw her shocked face and knew he had to act.He reached for the car door and forced it open.
The train was just a few hundred feet away.In the last few seconds,Stackhouse grasped Griffith's arm and pulled her from the car.His friend,Frank DiPietrapaul,18,grasped her other arm,and the pair pulled Griffith aside.
They watched as the train,crashed into the car,cutting it into half its original size and sending metal pieces flying.Griffith sat crying as the police arrived and sorted through the ruins--and wrote her a ticket for no attention to driving.Eventually,the students went home.
A few days later,a reporter asked the young men and Griffith to reunite at a local coffee shop.There a tearful Griffith hugged her rescuers."These boys are heroes,"she would later tell anyone who would listen."They saved my life."
Ricks feels only grateful for the outcone."It was one of those moments," he says,"when we could have been gone together.It makes you think how precious life is."
Question:
What happened to June Griffith one evening?
Choices:
A. She was seriously injured.
B. Her car was stuck in the train tracks.
C. Her car crashed into a train.
D. Her car knocked over a passerby. | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high21574.txt | One evening,June Griffith was on her way to pick up her son.Almost immediately,she realized that she had gone the wrong way.She'd driven onto railroad tracks and the underside of her car was caught.
As Griffith tried to remove the car,its headlights attracted the attention of a passerby,Jordan Ricks,a college student.He ran over.
Ricks,22,tried to appear calm as he instructed Gdmth to remove the car.Both of them could now see the wheel between the rails and the uneven track bed.Ricks put his hands under the front fender and gave it a push.It didn't move.
He pushed it again with all his strength,Still,no movement.
From about 50 feet away,a group of students from the nearby university watched the scene.Ricks signaled to them,and five of the guys came over.
He directed them to different sides of the car,and they all put their hands under the flame.
"One,two,three" Ricks yelled.They all pushed.
"One,two,three!" he yelled again.The car didn't move.
At that moment,they felt the ground begin to shake.Then four dings signaled an on coming train,apd the railroad gates dropped down.In the distance,an unclear line of light appeared,followed by the loud noise of a horn .
The guys started yelling,"Get out of the car!Get out of the car!"But Griffith felt _ .
When Griffith glanced in the mirror,she saw the train lights approaching.But she worried that the Arthritis in her feet would prevent her from escaping in time and that her car would bedamaged.One of the students,Tommy Stackhouse,20,saw her shocked face and knew he had to act.He reached for the car door and forced it open.
The train was just a few hundred feet away.In the last few seconds,Stackhouse grasped Griffith's arm and pulled her from the car.His friend,Frank DiPietrapaul,18,grasped her other arm,and the pair pulled Griffith aside.
They watched as the train,crashed into the car,cutting it into half its original size and sending metal pieces flying.Griffith sat crying as the police arrived and sorted through the ruins--and wrote her a ticket for no attention to driving.Eventually,the students went home.
A few days later,a reporter asked the young men and Griffith to reunite at a local coffee shop.There a tearful Griffith hugged her rescuers."These boys are heroes,"she would later tell anyone who would listen."They saved my life."
Ricks feels only grateful for the outcone."It was one of those moments," he says,"when we could have been gone together.It makes you think how precious life is." | [
"She was seriously injured.",
"Her car was stuck in the train tracks.",
"Her car crashed into a train.",
"Her car knocked over a passerby."
] |
According to the passage, Peter thinks _ . | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
The Rugby World Cup is currently being held in New Zealand. The tournament, due to finish on October 23, is living up to the famous English saying, "Rugby is a thug's game played by gentlemen. "
The games are physically aggressive; the tackles on the pitch are brutal; but the end of each match is a civilized affair. Players shake hands and applaud each other. Of course, the other side to this saying is: "Football is a gentleman's game played by thugs. " Indeed, unlike soccer players, rugby players don't often question the referee's decisions or pretend to be injured when they are not.
"Football could learn a lot from rugby," said Brian Moore, a former England rugby player "The wonderful spirit of rugby is: there is a gentlemanly code to it. You play hard on the pitch, but you always respect your opponent..
Rugby is mainly played in Europe. Australia, New Zealand and parts of Africa. "It is more enjoyable to play than soccer because you are always involved in the game," said Peter, a Welsh rugby coach. "Rugby is also a far superior test of strength, stamina and determination. "
Most professional rugby players are large, strong and weigh over 90 kilograms. People who play the sport need to be tough and be prepared to get hurt. Black eyes, broken bones, lost teeth and being knocked unconscious--all these are common injuries. Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is blind in one eye thanks to a rugby accident at school.
In England, children begin playing the game at school at the age of 8. When they enter high school, many begin to play full contact rugby. Children are taught to play for around one hour a week during their PE lessons. Most schools have a rugby team. Children who play for the school team are usually the sportiest kids, and are seen as brave and athletic.
Question:
According to the passage, Peter thinks _ .
Choices:
A. rugby players pretend to be injured when they are not
B. rugby is not very popular in America and Asia
C. rugby makes people enjoy sports better than soccer
D. rugby needs players' strong will rather than strength | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high9065.txt | The Rugby World Cup is currently being held in New Zealand. The tournament, due to finish on October 23, is living up to the famous English saying, "Rugby is a thug's game played by gentlemen. "
The games are physically aggressive; the tackles on the pitch are brutal; but the end of each match is a civilized affair. Players shake hands and applaud each other. Of course, the other side to this saying is: "Football is a gentleman's game played by thugs. " Indeed, unlike soccer players, rugby players don't often question the referee's decisions or pretend to be injured when they are not.
"Football could learn a lot from rugby," said Brian Moore, a former England rugby player "The wonderful spirit of rugby is: there is a gentlemanly code to it. You play hard on the pitch, but you always respect your opponent..
Rugby is mainly played in Europe. Australia, New Zealand and parts of Africa. "It is more enjoyable to play than soccer because you are always involved in the game," said Peter, a Welsh rugby coach. "Rugby is also a far superior test of strength, stamina and determination. "
Most professional rugby players are large, strong and weigh over 90 kilograms. People who play the sport need to be tough and be prepared to get hurt. Black eyes, broken bones, lost teeth and being knocked unconscious--all these are common injuries. Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is blind in one eye thanks to a rugby accident at school.
In England, children begin playing the game at school at the age of 8. When they enter high school, many begin to play full contact rugby. Children are taught to play for around one hour a week during their PE lessons. Most schools have a rugby team. Children who play for the school team are usually the sportiest kids, and are seen as brave and athletic. | [
"rugby players pretend to be injured when they are not",
"rugby is not very popular in America and Asia",
"rugby makes people enjoy sports better than soccer",
"rugby needs players' strong will rather than strength"
] |
If you have daily positive intentions, you will _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
It does not have to be January 1stto give yourself a chance to make the most out of your day. Every day is a new day and a fresh start to learn, grow, develop your strengths, free yourself from past regrets or hurts, and move forward older and wiser. Every day gives you a chance to reinvent yourself. It is never too late to change things that are not working in your life.
Each day is a new beginning and a piece of blank paper. How would you like to create your day? What would you like to paint on it? If you wake up in a negative mind, you are more likely to paint a dark picture throughout the day, and your picture will not show hope, happiness and joy.
If you take each day to think actively, and have a positive intention for how you would like to create your day, how would your life be different? What can daily positive intentions do for you? Every day you will give yourself the gift of an "attitude of gratitude ".
Each day is a chance to look at things in a different way. You can experience each day in the beauty of the world-and the beauty of you who are in it! You find yourself changing from "I can't" to "I can". With a focus on positive intentions, you feel you are full of power and more like a "winner" than a "loser".
You pay more attention to the present, and will be more likely to live fully in the present each moment of each day. After all, the past is a great place to visit, but you don't want to live there! So how about starting each day taking a moment to think of a positive intention for the day?
Question:
If you have daily positive intentions, you will _ .
Choices:
A. get a positive result
B. have a busy life
C. get gifts from others
D. be a complete loser | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high5606.txt | It does not have to be January 1stto give yourself a chance to make the most out of your day. Every day is a new day and a fresh start to learn, grow, develop your strengths, free yourself from past regrets or hurts, and move forward older and wiser. Every day gives you a chance to reinvent yourself. It is never too late to change things that are not working in your life.
Each day is a new beginning and a piece of blank paper. How would you like to create your day? What would you like to paint on it? If you wake up in a negative mind, you are more likely to paint a dark picture throughout the day, and your picture will not show hope, happiness and joy.
If you take each day to think actively, and have a positive intention for how you would like to create your day, how would your life be different? What can daily positive intentions do for you? Every day you will give yourself the gift of an "attitude of gratitude ".
Each day is a chance to look at things in a different way. You can experience each day in the beauty of the world-and the beauty of you who are in it! You find yourself changing from "I can't" to "I can". With a focus on positive intentions, you feel you are full of power and more like a "winner" than a "loser".
You pay more attention to the present, and will be more likely to live fully in the present each moment of each day. After all, the past is a great place to visit, but you don't want to live there! So how about starting each day taking a moment to think of a positive intention for the day? | [
"get a positive result",
"have a busy life",
"get gifts from others",
"be a complete loser"
] |
What do you call it when adult fish of the same species come together in a group and release gametes into the water at the same time? | null | Answer the following science question clearly and accurately. | What do you call it when adult fish of the same species come together in a group and release gametes into the water at the same time? | spawning | science | null | null | null | poaching | migration | schoaling | spawning | Nearly all fish reproduce sexually and have separate sexes. Fertilization is generally external, and most fish are oviparous. Many adults of the same species may come together in a group and release gametes into the water at the same time, which is called spawning. Fish hatch into larvae that are different from the adult form of the species. | null | null | null |
Why were Mr Smith's ears burnt? | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Mr. Smith was in trouble those days. He drove a car for Mr. Black, a rich businessman. He worked hard and the shopkeeper liked him. But he couldn't work when he drank too much. Once he almost fell into the river when he drove along the bridge. Mr. Black became angry and was going to send him away. Mr. Smith had a big family and was afraid of it and promised he would stop drinking at once. The man told him to wait to be dealt with.
One Monday morning Mr. Smith came into the office with two badly burnt ears. "What happened to your ears?" asked Mr. Black.
"Well, "said the man," I went to watch a football match yesterday while my wife was ironing clothes. She had put the iron near the telephone before she went to cook supper. Our team lost the game and I felt sorry for it. As soon as I went in the sitting -room, the phone rang and I answered the iron!" "And what happened to the other ear?" "When I put the iron down on the table, the telephone rang again!"
Question:
Why were Mr Smith's ears burnt?
Choices:
A. Beacause he had a car accident
B. Because his wife hit him
C. Because he mistake the iron for the telephone and "answer it"
D. Because his boss hit him | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle3792.txt | Mr. Smith was in trouble those days. He drove a car for Mr. Black, a rich businessman. He worked hard and the shopkeeper liked him. But he couldn't work when he drank too much. Once he almost fell into the river when he drove along the bridge. Mr. Black became angry and was going to send him away. Mr. Smith had a big family and was afraid of it and promised he would stop drinking at once. The man told him to wait to be dealt with.
One Monday morning Mr. Smith came into the office with two badly burnt ears. "What happened to your ears?" asked Mr. Black.
"Well, "said the man," I went to watch a football match yesterday while my wife was ironing clothes. She had put the iron near the telephone before she went to cook supper. Our team lost the game and I felt sorry for it. As soon as I went in the sitting -room, the phone rang and I answered the iron!" "And what happened to the other ear?" "When I put the iron down on the table, the telephone rang again!" | [
"Beacause he had a car accident",
"Because his wife hit him",
"Because he mistake the iron for the telephone and \"answer it\"",
"Because his boss hit him"
] |
For what purpose were the first typewriters manufactured? | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
The history of the computer keyboard started way back in 1714, when the first typewriters were manufactured. Then, they looked more like sewing machines, since they were designed by Remington, which also used to manufacture sewing machines. They were not used for commercial purposes but to produce legal documents that were neat. 1868 was the year when Christoper Latham Scholes created the typewriter that is common today and was later mass marketed in 1877.
Before the typewriter advanced to become the modern-day keyboard, there were a few developments that led to it. First there was the combination of the typewriter with the telegraph to create a teletype. Key punches were also created by the combination of the typewriter with punch card systems. The teletype was used to input data in the very first computers, and this is where the development of the computer keyboard started.
How the teletype worked with the computer is that a card was inserted into the teletype. The keys would then be pressed in the teletype and a series of holes would be punched in the card. These were known as key punches, which would then be put into a card reader which analyzed the cards as data. This was in 1946, and in 1948 an electromagnetically controlled teletype was brought into operation for the binary automatic computer .
There later came the video display terminal and electronic keyboards. When people typed, they would immediately see the results on the screen. This was in the 1970s, and people accepted the technology because it was user-friendly. There was no long process involved in getting something typed. The very first designs of these keyboards were big and heavy, and most did not come with the computer. This was later modified to a smaller size and different colours and designs, and that is the keyboard we use today.
Question:
For what purpose were the first typewriters manufactured?
Choices:
A. To produce legal documents.
B. To replace sewing machines.
C. To record the results of research.
D. To create the first computer keyboards. | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high19169.txt | The history of the computer keyboard started way back in 1714, when the first typewriters were manufactured. Then, they looked more like sewing machines, since they were designed by Remington, which also used to manufacture sewing machines. They were not used for commercial purposes but to produce legal documents that were neat. 1868 was the year when Christoper Latham Scholes created the typewriter that is common today and was later mass marketed in 1877.
Before the typewriter advanced to become the modern-day keyboard, there were a few developments that led to it. First there was the combination of the typewriter with the telegraph to create a teletype. Key punches were also created by the combination of the typewriter with punch card systems. The teletype was used to input data in the very first computers, and this is where the development of the computer keyboard started.
How the teletype worked with the computer is that a card was inserted into the teletype. The keys would then be pressed in the teletype and a series of holes would be punched in the card. These were known as key punches, which would then be put into a card reader which analyzed the cards as data. This was in 1946, and in 1948 an electromagnetically controlled teletype was brought into operation for the binary automatic computer .
There later came the video display terminal and electronic keyboards. When people typed, they would immediately see the results on the screen. This was in the 1970s, and people accepted the technology because it was user-friendly. There was no long process involved in getting something typed. The very first designs of these keyboards were big and heavy, and most did not come with the computer. This was later modified to a smaller size and different colours and designs, and that is the keyboard we use today. | [
"To produce legal documents.",
"To replace sewing machines.",
"To record the results of research.",
"To create the first computer keyboards."
] |
What is the main idea of the article? | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Nowadays more and more people are trapped in too busy work to relax themselves. We have no time to tell a bed-time story to our children, or enjoy a nice dinner with our family, or take a break to think about how we live the precious life, or even meet friends. All we notice is that the distinctions that used to guide and steady us --between Sunday and Monday, public and private, here and there--are gone. We have more ways to communicate, but less and less to say. Partly because we're so busy communicating.
Maybe that's why more and more people I know, even if they have no religious belief, seem to be turning to yoga, or meditation, or tai chi. Some friends of mine try to go on long walks every Sunday, or to "forget" their cell phones at home. A series of tests in recent years has shown that their brains become both calmer and sharper after spending time in quiet rural settings.
In my own case, I often turn to extreme measures to try to keep my sanity and ensure that I have time to do nothing at all. I've not yet used a cell phone and I've never Tweeted or entered Face book. I try not to go online till my day's writing is finished, and I moved from Manhattan to rural Japan.
None of this is a matter of principle or asceticism : it's just pure selfishness. Nothing makes me feel better-----calmer, clearer and happier----than being in one place, absorbed in a book, a conversation, a piece of music. It's actually something deeper than mere happiness: it's joy, which David Steindl-Rast describes as "that kind of happiness that doesn't depend on what happens." That is the highest of the highest we have been longing for--The Joy of Quiet.
Question:
What is the main idea of the article?
Choices:
A. The importance of spending time in quiet.
B. We can do some sports such as yoga to relax.
C. To feel better, we should do nothing at all.
D. The more we communicate, the better we will feel. | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high5211.txt | Nowadays more and more people are trapped in too busy work to relax themselves. We have no time to tell a bed-time story to our children, or enjoy a nice dinner with our family, or take a break to think about how we live the precious life, or even meet friends. All we notice is that the distinctions that used to guide and steady us --between Sunday and Monday, public and private, here and there--are gone. We have more ways to communicate, but less and less to say. Partly because we're so busy communicating.
Maybe that's why more and more people I know, even if they have no religious belief, seem to be turning to yoga, or meditation, or tai chi. Some friends of mine try to go on long walks every Sunday, or to "forget" their cell phones at home. A series of tests in recent years has shown that their brains become both calmer and sharper after spending time in quiet rural settings.
In my own case, I often turn to extreme measures to try to keep my sanity and ensure that I have time to do nothing at all. I've not yet used a cell phone and I've never Tweeted or entered Face book. I try not to go online till my day's writing is finished, and I moved from Manhattan to rural Japan.
None of this is a matter of principle or asceticism : it's just pure selfishness. Nothing makes me feel better-----calmer, clearer and happier----than being in one place, absorbed in a book, a conversation, a piece of music. It's actually something deeper than mere happiness: it's joy, which David Steindl-Rast describes as "that kind of happiness that doesn't depend on what happens." That is the highest of the highest we have been longing for--The Joy of Quiet. | [
"The importance of spending time in quiet.",
"We can do some sports such as yoga to relax.",
"To feel better, we should do nothing at all.",
"The more we communicate, the better we will feel."
] |
The afferent arterioles service about 1.3 million of what in each kidney? | null | Answer the following science question clearly and accurately. | The afferent arterioles service about 1.3 million of what in each kidney? | nephrons | science | null | null | null | neurons | dendrites | axons | nephrons | Nephrons and Vessels The renal artery first divides into segmental arteries, followed by further branching to form interlobar arteries that pass through the renal columns to reach the cortex (Figure 25.9). The interlobar arteries, in turn, branch into arcuate arteries, cortical radiate arteries, and then into afferent arterioles. The afferent arterioles service about 1.3 million nephrons in each kidney. | null | null | null |
What would be the best title for this text? | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
There are two kinds of physical activity which require special training. The first demands exact careful movements of the muscles. This kind of activity must be strictly controlled because even a slight movement in the wrong direction will lead a mistake. To type quickly, for example, a person needs training; the slightest movement of a finger in the wrong direction may cause a spelling mistake. A dancer who has to dance on the point of her shoes or turn around on one foot must be trained for a long period of time before she can sense her own center and balance herself. You may have seen a girl walking on a rope across an empty space, which, too, requires a lot of practice.
The second kind of physical activity needs greater strength or extra effort. Most of us get tired if we try to run half a mile without stopping, but a specially-trained person can do this without much effort. Three years ago, some scientists carried out experiments, which produced meaningful and unexpected results. They wanted to find out whether a certain amount of physical exercise would injure those suffering from heart problems. They selected some male patients and trained them in continuous bicycle riding. They were surprised to find that the harmful effect of given amount of physical effort was actually less on the hearts of these trained patients than on those of the patients who were not similarly trained. This is important because it shows that regular physical exercise enables us to make better use of the oxygen we breathe in and that this training, in fact, reduces the amount of work our hearts do. Many tasks which are hard for untrained people are not hard at all for trained people.
Question:
What would be the best title for this text?
Choices:
A. Training Our Bodies
B. Physical Activities
C. Movement Training
D. Extra Body Effort | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high252.txt | There are two kinds of physical activity which require special training. The first demands exact careful movements of the muscles. This kind of activity must be strictly controlled because even a slight movement in the wrong direction will lead a mistake. To type quickly, for example, a person needs training; the slightest movement of a finger in the wrong direction may cause a spelling mistake. A dancer who has to dance on the point of her shoes or turn around on one foot must be trained for a long period of time before she can sense her own center and balance herself. You may have seen a girl walking on a rope across an empty space, which, too, requires a lot of practice.
The second kind of physical activity needs greater strength or extra effort. Most of us get tired if we try to run half a mile without stopping, but a specially-trained person can do this without much effort. Three years ago, some scientists carried out experiments, which produced meaningful and unexpected results. They wanted to find out whether a certain amount of physical exercise would injure those suffering from heart problems. They selected some male patients and trained them in continuous bicycle riding. They were surprised to find that the harmful effect of given amount of physical effort was actually less on the hearts of these trained patients than on those of the patients who were not similarly trained. This is important because it shows that regular physical exercise enables us to make better use of the oxygen we breathe in and that this training, in fact, reduces the amount of work our hearts do. Many tasks which are hard for untrained people are not hard at all for trained people. | [
"Training Our Bodies",
"Physical Activities",
"Movement Training",
"Extra Body Effort"
] |
What can we learn from the passage? | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Maybe you often have arguments with your parens about clothes , homework,friends and many other things. But what's going on when your parents fight with each other? Most teenagers feel sad or afraid when their parents fight. They might think their parents don't love each other any more and that their arguments will lead to a divorce .
In fact, it is normal for parents to disagree and argue sometimes. They might disagree about important things like jobs and family decisions. They might even disagree about little things that don't seem important at all---like what's for dinner. Maybe sometimes parents feel so strongly about their differences that it may lead to arguments. However, these arguments are often over quickly. Parents may say sorry and _ ,and the family returns to normal.
As a family member, you should find out what it really means when your parents fight. When your parents get angry with each other, they might say things they don't really mean.Most people may lose their cool, so if your parents are fighting, don't worry too much about it. Try to find a good way to solve it .
If your parents' fighting really bothers you, you might find it hard to sleep or go to school. If this happens, try talking to your parents about their behavior. They may not even realize it until you tell them how their arguments has affected you. You can also tell other relatives, a teacher or a close friend.
Just remember that no family is perfect and arguments are common in every family.
Question:
What can we learn from the passage?
Choices:
A. Parents'fighting often lasts a long time.
B. Parents might fight over small things.
C. Teenagers should never argue with parents.
D. Teenager shouldn't tell others about parents' fighting. | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle5806.txt | Maybe you often have arguments with your parens about clothes , homework,friends and many other things. But what's going on when your parents fight with each other? Most teenagers feel sad or afraid when their parents fight. They might think their parents don't love each other any more and that their arguments will lead to a divorce .
In fact, it is normal for parents to disagree and argue sometimes. They might disagree about important things like jobs and family decisions. They might even disagree about little things that don't seem important at all---like what's for dinner. Maybe sometimes parents feel so strongly about their differences that it may lead to arguments. However, these arguments are often over quickly. Parents may say sorry and _ ,and the family returns to normal.
As a family member, you should find out what it really means when your parents fight. When your parents get angry with each other, they might say things they don't really mean.Most people may lose their cool, so if your parents are fighting, don't worry too much about it. Try to find a good way to solve it .
If your parents' fighting really bothers you, you might find it hard to sleep or go to school. If this happens, try talking to your parents about their behavior. They may not even realize it until you tell them how their arguments has affected you. You can also tell other relatives, a teacher or a close friend.
Just remember that no family is perfect and arguments are common in every family. | [
"Parents'fighting often lasts a long time.",
"Parents might fight over small things.",
"Teenagers should never argue with parents.",
"Teenager shouldn't tell others about parents' fighting."
] |
Which of the following is not right? _ | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Of all the things we eat and drink, water is the most important. Not all people realize this, but it is quite true. The human body can live without food for a long time, but two or three days without water usually result in death.
Many people do not understand how much water the human body needs, but many people do not drink enough, especially in the hot weather. Most people drink when they are thirsty but often need more water after exercises.
65 to 70 percent of the human body is water. Water is important in several different ways. Most people need five to seven liters of water every day, but we needn't drink this amount because a lot comes from the food we have. If we don't have enough water, however, we will feel tired and many become ill. Do you know what the best drink is? Yes, you are right. Cool water!
Question:
Which of the following is not right? _
Choices:
A. Cool water is the best drink.
B. Few people understand how much water the human body needs.
C. All the people don't realize water is the most important.
D. When we feel tired or become ill, we never need any water. | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high1213.txt | Of all the things we eat and drink, water is the most important. Not all people realize this, but it is quite true. The human body can live without food for a long time, but two or three days without water usually result in death.
Many people do not understand how much water the human body needs, but many people do not drink enough, especially in the hot weather. Most people drink when they are thirsty but often need more water after exercises.
65 to 70 percent of the human body is water. Water is important in several different ways. Most people need five to seven liters of water every day, but we needn't drink this amount because a lot comes from the food we have. If we don't have enough water, however, we will feel tired and many become ill. Do you know what the best drink is? Yes, you are right. Cool water! | [
"Cool water is the best drink.",
"Few people understand how much water the human body needs.",
"All the people don't realize water is the most important.",
"When we feel tired or become ill, we never need any water."
] |
Which of the following statements would the author agree with? | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Do we think only with the brain? Hardly. The brain is like a telephone exchange. It is the switchboard, but not the whole system. Its function is to receive incoming signals, make proper connections, and send the messages through to their destination. For efficient service, the body must function as a whole.
But where is the "mind"? Is it in the brain or perhaps in the nervous system? After all, can we say that the mind is in any particular place? It is not a thing, like a leg, or even the brain. It is a function, an activity. Aristotle, twenty-three hundred years ago, observed that the mind was to the body what cutting was to the ax. When the ax is not in use, there is no cutting. So it is with the mind. "Mind," said Charles H. Woolbert, "is what the body is doing."
If this activity is necessary for thinking, it is also necessary for carrying thought from one person to another. Observe how people go about the business of ordinary conversation. If you have never done this carefully, you have a surprise in store, for good conversationalists are almost constantly in motion. Their heads are continually nodding and shaking sometimes so vigorously that you wonder how their necks can stand the strain. Even the legs and feet are active. As for the hands and arms, they are seldom still for more than a few seconds at a time.
These people, remember, are not making speeches. They are only common people trying to make others understand what they have in mind. They are not conscious of movement. Their speech is not studies. They are just human creatures in a human environment, trying to adapt themselves to a social situation. Yet they converse, not only with oral language, but with visible actions that involve practically every muscle in the body. In short, because people really think all over, a speaker must talk all over if he succeeds in making people think.
Question:
Which of the following statements would the author agree with?
Choices:
A. Thinking is a social phenomenon
B. Thinking is only a brain function
C. Thinking is a function of the nervous system
D. Thinking is the total sum of bodily activities | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high17799.txt | Do we think only with the brain? Hardly. The brain is like a telephone exchange. It is the switchboard, but not the whole system. Its function is to receive incoming signals, make proper connections, and send the messages through to their destination. For efficient service, the body must function as a whole.
But where is the "mind"? Is it in the brain or perhaps in the nervous system? After all, can we say that the mind is in any particular place? It is not a thing, like a leg, or even the brain. It is a function, an activity. Aristotle, twenty-three hundred years ago, observed that the mind was to the body what cutting was to the ax. When the ax is not in use, there is no cutting. So it is with the mind. "Mind," said Charles H. Woolbert, "is what the body is doing."
If this activity is necessary for thinking, it is also necessary for carrying thought from one person to another. Observe how people go about the business of ordinary conversation. If you have never done this carefully, you have a surprise in store, for good conversationalists are almost constantly in motion. Their heads are continually nodding and shaking sometimes so vigorously that you wonder how their necks can stand the strain. Even the legs and feet are active. As for the hands and arms, they are seldom still for more than a few seconds at a time.
These people, remember, are not making speeches. They are only common people trying to make others understand what they have in mind. They are not conscious of movement. Their speech is not studies. They are just human creatures in a human environment, trying to adapt themselves to a social situation. Yet they converse, not only with oral language, but with visible actions that involve practically every muscle in the body. In short, because people really think all over, a speaker must talk all over if he succeeds in making people think. | [
"Thinking is a social phenomenon",
"Thinking is only a brain function",
"Thinking is a function of the nervous system",
"Thinking is the total sum of bodily activities"
] |
The general thinks _ answer is the best. | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
One day a great general asks his soldiers , "What is the strongest power in the world?" Four of his soldiers put up their hands. They want to answer the question.
The general asks the first man to speak. The first man is youngerst, and he is not strong. He says, "My gun is the strongest . It can kill anyone." "Thank you. Next, please." The second man is very strong. He says, "I don't think so. Soldiers use guns. So the soldier is the strongest."
The third man says, "Soldiers use guns, but our general gives orders . So I think our general is the strongest."
The fourth man is the oldest. He says, "Love is the strongest. For love, people don't use guns." The general says noting. He takes out a medal and gives it to him.
Question:
The general thinks _ answer is the best.
Choices:
A. the first man's
B. the second man's
C. the third man's
D. the fourth man's | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle1009.txt | One day a great general asks his soldiers , "What is the strongest power in the world?" Four of his soldiers put up their hands. They want to answer the question.
The general asks the first man to speak. The first man is youngerst, and he is not strong. He says, "My gun is the strongest . It can kill anyone." "Thank you. Next, please." The second man is very strong. He says, "I don't think so. Soldiers use guns. So the soldier is the strongest."
The third man says, "Soldiers use guns, but our general gives orders . So I think our general is the strongest."
The fourth man is the oldest. He says, "Love is the strongest. For love, people don't use guns." The general says noting. He takes out a medal and gives it to him. | [
"the first man's",
"the second man's",
"the third man's",
"the fourth man's"
] |
When did many couples feel happier according to the study? | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Marriages improve after children grow up and move out,according to an academic study,which suggests an" empty nest" is not always a bad thing.
Popular wisdom has it that parents' relationships may suffer once their young fly the coop,because they feel they have lost their purpose in life.However, a new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley,has found that many couples actually feel happier when their children leave home because they are able to enjoy spending time together.
In total,123 American mothers born in the 1930s were tracked for 18 years and asked to rate their satisfaction levels shortly after marrying, when they were bringing up babies,once their children reached their teenage years and finally at age 61,when almost all had" empty nests".
Although not all said they were happier in general,most claimed their marriages had improved since their children had left home.Researchers believe this is not just because the spouses were spending more time together, but because they were able to enjoy each other's company more.
One of the participants in the study, which is published in the journal Psychological Science,said:"Once the kids grow up...there's some of that stress removed...that responsibility removed,so things are a little more relaxed.''
Psychologist Sara Gorchoff, who carried out the investigation,said:"The take-home message for couples with young children is' hang in there'."Her co-author Oliver John added:"Don't wait until your kids leave home to schedule quality time with your partner."
However, Dr Dorothy Rowe,from the British Psychological Society,said the effects of living in an "empty nest'" will depend on the parents'relationship with their children."If yod're just waiting for them to leave home so you Can get on with your life,then of course you'11 be pleased to see them go,"she said,''But if you've built your life around your children you'11 be terribly lonely."For some parents,their world falls apart when their Children leave.''
Question:
When did many couples feel happier according to the study?
Choices:
A. At age 61.when almost all had" empty nests".
B. Shortly after marrying.
C. Once their children reached their teenage years.
D. When they were bringing up babies. | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high23228.txt | Marriages improve after children grow up and move out,according to an academic study,which suggests an" empty nest" is not always a bad thing.
Popular wisdom has it that parents' relationships may suffer once their young fly the coop,because they feel they have lost their purpose in life.However, a new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley,has found that many couples actually feel happier when their children leave home because they are able to enjoy spending time together.
In total,123 American mothers born in the 1930s were tracked for 18 years and asked to rate their satisfaction levels shortly after marrying, when they were bringing up babies,once their children reached their teenage years and finally at age 61,when almost all had" empty nests".
Although not all said they were happier in general,most claimed their marriages had improved since their children had left home.Researchers believe this is not just because the spouses were spending more time together, but because they were able to enjoy each other's company more.
One of the participants in the study, which is published in the journal Psychological Science,said:"Once the kids grow up...there's some of that stress removed...that responsibility removed,so things are a little more relaxed.''
Psychologist Sara Gorchoff, who carried out the investigation,said:"The take-home message for couples with young children is' hang in there'."Her co-author Oliver John added:"Don't wait until your kids leave home to schedule quality time with your partner."
However, Dr Dorothy Rowe,from the British Psychological Society,said the effects of living in an "empty nest'" will depend on the parents'relationship with their children."If yod're just waiting for them to leave home so you Can get on with your life,then of course you'11 be pleased to see them go,"she said,''But if you've built your life around your children you'11 be terribly lonely."For some parents,their world falls apart when their Children leave.'' | [
"At age 61.when almost all had\" empty nests\".",
"Shortly after marrying.",
"Once their children reached their teenage years.",
"When they were bringing up babies."
] |
What's the best title of the passage? | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
The earthquake affected the students of the destroyed areas in many ways: losing parents, being scared and feeling lonely. How can we help them? Teens reporter talked with Lin Dan. the program director of the Sunshine in Your Heart Project at the Red Cross Society of China.
How will the earthquake affect the teenagers mentally?
They'll have feelings of fear, anger and feel they are not safe. They will find it hard to focus. They will tend to cry and shout and tremble. And they might be afraid to be alone.
What will happen if they are not helped?
The teenagers will find it hard to live in a balanced way. If things get worse they might not be able to focus on their studies. They might give up on life.
How can we help them overcome these problems?
The first thing is to build up trust with them. Show your sympathy and sadness, and be their friend. Then you have to give them a sense of safety. Tell them that there's a solution to every problem. Thirdly, try to satisfy their psychological needs. Be a good listener if he or she needs to talk.
Some of us were not directly affected by the quake but have seen images on TV and feel scared. What should we do?
Talk with an adult and/or share your feelings with someone who might feel similar. If this doesn't help then you should see a doctor for professional help.
Question:
What's the best title of the passage?
Choices:
A. The scare caused by the earthquake
B. Dealing with the pain left behind after the earthquake
C. How to get a sense of safety
D. The psychological needs | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high8975.txt | The earthquake affected the students of the destroyed areas in many ways: losing parents, being scared and feeling lonely. How can we help them? Teens reporter talked with Lin Dan. the program director of the Sunshine in Your Heart Project at the Red Cross Society of China.
How will the earthquake affect the teenagers mentally?
They'll have feelings of fear, anger and feel they are not safe. They will find it hard to focus. They will tend to cry and shout and tremble. And they might be afraid to be alone.
What will happen if they are not helped?
The teenagers will find it hard to live in a balanced way. If things get worse they might not be able to focus on their studies. They might give up on life.
How can we help them overcome these problems?
The first thing is to build up trust with them. Show your sympathy and sadness, and be their friend. Then you have to give them a sense of safety. Tell them that there's a solution to every problem. Thirdly, try to satisfy their psychological needs. Be a good listener if he or she needs to talk.
Some of us were not directly affected by the quake but have seen images on TV and feel scared. What should we do?
Talk with an adult and/or share your feelings with someone who might feel similar. If this doesn't help then you should see a doctor for professional help. | [
"The scare caused by the earthquake",
"Dealing with the pain left behind after the earthquake",
"How to get a sense of safety",
"The psychological needs"
] |
How did people cross the Golden Gate Strait before the bridge was built? | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California is one of the world's most beautiful bridges. It is also one of the most visited places in the world. Vehicles cross the bridge an average of 41 million times each year. More than 1,800 hundred million vehicles have used the bridge since it opened more than 70 years ago.
The bridge was painted "International Orange" because that color went well with the natural surroundings. The color also is easier to see in the heavy fog that often covers the area. But the Golden Gate Bridge was not named for its orange color. It was named for the body of water that it crosses, the Golden Gate Strait.
The Golden Gate Strait is the entrance to the San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. The Golden Gate Bridge links the city of San Francisco with Marin County,California.
Planning for the bridge began in the 1920s when the area around San Francisco was growing. People living in the area needed another way to get to the city besides small ferries .
Joseph Strauss was the chief engineer for the project. Work began in 1934. Mr.Strauss demanded the strongest safety protections in the history of bridge building. These included the first use of "hard hats" to protect the workers' heads and special glasses to protect their eyes.
A special safety net was suspended under the bridge. This net saved the lives of 19 men during the construction. However, 11 other workers were killed when they fell from the bridge through the net. Still, this was a new safety record for the time.
The Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937. It extends 1,280 meters across the water. The total length is 2,737 meters. It was the largest suspension bridge in the world until 1964. That is when the Verrazano Narrows Bridge opened in New York City. Today, the Golden Gate Bridge is the ninth longest suspension bridge in the world.
Question:
How did people cross the Golden Gate Strait before the bridge was built?
Choices:
A. By plane.
B. By boat.
C. By road.
D. By train. | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high14362.txt | The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California is one of the world's most beautiful bridges. It is also one of the most visited places in the world. Vehicles cross the bridge an average of 41 million times each year. More than 1,800 hundred million vehicles have used the bridge since it opened more than 70 years ago.
The bridge was painted "International Orange" because that color went well with the natural surroundings. The color also is easier to see in the heavy fog that often covers the area. But the Golden Gate Bridge was not named for its orange color. It was named for the body of water that it crosses, the Golden Gate Strait.
The Golden Gate Strait is the entrance to the San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. The Golden Gate Bridge links the city of San Francisco with Marin County,California.
Planning for the bridge began in the 1920s when the area around San Francisco was growing. People living in the area needed another way to get to the city besides small ferries .
Joseph Strauss was the chief engineer for the project. Work began in 1934. Mr.Strauss demanded the strongest safety protections in the history of bridge building. These included the first use of "hard hats" to protect the workers' heads and special glasses to protect their eyes.
A special safety net was suspended under the bridge. This net saved the lives of 19 men during the construction. However, 11 other workers were killed when they fell from the bridge through the net. Still, this was a new safety record for the time.
The Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937. It extends 1,280 meters across the water. The total length is 2,737 meters. It was the largest suspension bridge in the world until 1964. That is when the Verrazano Narrows Bridge opened in New York City. Today, the Golden Gate Bridge is the ninth longest suspension bridge in the world. | [
"By plane.",
"By boat.",
"By road.",
"By train."
] |
What proteins synthesized in cells act as catalysts? | null | Answer the following science question clearly and accurately. | What proteins synthesized in cells act as catalysts? | enzymes | science | null | null | null | byproducts | hormones | virophages | enzymes | Chemical reactions constantly occur inside the cells of living things. However, under the conditions inside cells, most biochemical reactions would occur too slowly to maintain life. That’s where enzymes come in. Enzymes are catalysts in living things. Like other catalysts, they speed up chemical reactions. Enzymes are proteins that are synthesized in the cells that need them, based on instructions encoded in the cells’ DNA. | null | null | null |
Some high schools in Australia have stopped students from carrying phones _ . | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Mobile phone has become a problem for high schools. Some high-school students in Australia are not allowed to carry mobile phones during school hours.
Mobile phone used among children has become a problem for the school. Several children have got mobile phones as Christmas presents, and more students will want them. Marry Brown, a headmaster, said that mobile phone was a distraction to students during school hours and it also gave teachers so much trouble in their classrooms. Teachers were also saying that sometimes students might use phone messages to _ during exams. She said some schools had tried to ban mobile phones. Some parents felt unhappy because they couldn't get in touch with their children.
Many teachers said students should not have mobile phones at school. But there was a good reason that they could leave their phones at school offices. They also said they were easily lost and were a distraction for studies.
Question:
Some high schools in Australia have stopped students from carrying phones _ .
Choices:
A. because they are students
B. when they are free
C. when they are at school
D. because they are children | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle2215.txt | Mobile phone has become a problem for high schools. Some high-school students in Australia are not allowed to carry mobile phones during school hours.
Mobile phone used among children has become a problem for the school. Several children have got mobile phones as Christmas presents, and more students will want them. Marry Brown, a headmaster, said that mobile phone was a distraction to students during school hours and it also gave teachers so much trouble in their classrooms. Teachers were also saying that sometimes students might use phone messages to _ during exams. She said some schools had tried to ban mobile phones. Some parents felt unhappy because they couldn't get in touch with their children.
Many teachers said students should not have mobile phones at school. But there was a good reason that they could leave their phones at school offices. They also said they were easily lost and were a distraction for studies. | [
"because they are students",
"when they are free",
"when they are at school",
"because they are children"
] |
The boy threw the brick to the car in order to _ . | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
A young and handsome executive was driving down a neighborhood street. He thought he saw something. Then he slowed down, watching out for children rushing out from between parked cars. As his car passed, no kids appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into his door! He slammed on the brakes (make his car stop). The angry driver then jumped out of his car, caught the nearest child and pushed him up against a parked car, shouting, "Who are you and what was that all about?"
The little boy was full of apology, "Please,Mister... Please, I'm sorry...I didn't know what else I could do. I threw the brick because no one else would stop."
With tears dripping down his face, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. "It's my brother," he said. "He fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up."
Now weeping, the boy asked the executive, "Would you please help me to get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."
Touched beyond words, the executive tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the boy back into the wheelchair, then took out his fancy handkerchief and dabbed (a light touch) at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay. "Thank you and may God bless you." The grateful child told the stranger.
Shaken up for words, the man simply watched the little boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.
God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, he has to throw a brick at us. Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!
Question:
The boy threw the brick to the car in order to _ .
Choices:
A. disturb the executive on purpose
B. stop someone to help him
C. ask the driver to drive him home
D. destroy the car of the stranger | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high9366.txt | A young and handsome executive was driving down a neighborhood street. He thought he saw something. Then he slowed down, watching out for children rushing out from between parked cars. As his car passed, no kids appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into his door! He slammed on the brakes (make his car stop). The angry driver then jumped out of his car, caught the nearest child and pushed him up against a parked car, shouting, "Who are you and what was that all about?"
The little boy was full of apology, "Please,Mister... Please, I'm sorry...I didn't know what else I could do. I threw the brick because no one else would stop."
With tears dripping down his face, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. "It's my brother," he said. "He fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up."
Now weeping, the boy asked the executive, "Would you please help me to get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."
Touched beyond words, the executive tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the boy back into the wheelchair, then took out his fancy handkerchief and dabbed (a light touch) at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay. "Thank you and may God bless you." The grateful child told the stranger.
Shaken up for words, the man simply watched the little boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.
God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, he has to throw a brick at us. Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention! | [
"disturb the executive on purpose",
"stop someone to help him",
"ask the driver to drive him home",
"destroy the car of the stranger"
] |
Chinese government thinks current Internet environment is _ . | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
China plans to make new rules to give more controls over the growing number of blogs and webcasts. Nowadays, advanced network technologies, such as blogging and webcasting, are being improved to challenge the government's ability to watch over the Internet.
Chinese government is in the middle of making new rules over Internet publishing, and blogs and websites publishing webcasts will fall under these rules. Government officials hope the new rules will ensure a more healthy and active Internet environment and will fully respect and protect Chinese citizens' freedom of speech. Specific details on what kind of rules will be carried out are still unknown to the public. Despite the growing popularity, bloggers and webcasters have been unpopular with publication institutions. In 2006, a series of cases involving bloggers who had dived into other people's privacy and written materials ruining other's fame urged the government to consider whether to require bloggers to use their real names when they _
Webcasting without copyright and illegally "copying" products from copyrighted materials have also led government officials to consider starting a nationwide check of online video broadcasting, and allow only qualified websites to offer webcasts.
Question:
Chinese government thinks current Internet environment is _ .
Choices:
A. rather hopeful
B. less active
C. quite healthy
D. less controlled | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high22334.txt | China plans to make new rules to give more controls over the growing number of blogs and webcasts. Nowadays, advanced network technologies, such as blogging and webcasting, are being improved to challenge the government's ability to watch over the Internet.
Chinese government is in the middle of making new rules over Internet publishing, and blogs and websites publishing webcasts will fall under these rules. Government officials hope the new rules will ensure a more healthy and active Internet environment and will fully respect and protect Chinese citizens' freedom of speech. Specific details on what kind of rules will be carried out are still unknown to the public. Despite the growing popularity, bloggers and webcasters have been unpopular with publication institutions. In 2006, a series of cases involving bloggers who had dived into other people's privacy and written materials ruining other's fame urged the government to consider whether to require bloggers to use their real names when they _
Webcasting without copyright and illegally "copying" products from copyrighted materials have also led government officials to consider starting a nationwide check of online video broadcasting, and allow only qualified websites to offer webcasts. | [
"rather hopeful",
"less active",
"quite healthy",
"less controlled"
] |
From the passage we can know that now man _ . | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
The earth is our home;we must take Care of it. This means keeping the land,air and water clean.
Pollution is a dirty word. To pollute means to make things unfit or unclean to use. Pollution comes in many ways. We see it,smell it,taste it and drink it. Pollution is beginning to threaten our health,or happiness and our life.
Man. has been polluting the earth from the time he first made fire,washed his clothes in the river and threw his waste on the ground. When land was used up or water became dirty. Men moved to another place. At first the problem was not so serious because there was plenty of clean air,land and water. There weren't so many people then and their wants were fewer. All the dirty things could be absorbed by nature and soon. covered over , But this is no longer true. The increase of population and the development of industry have changed that. Man is slowly polluting. his environment.
Through the use of poison ,mall has polluted land! killing the animal. By putting dirty water and _ into rivers and lakes we have polluted our drinking water,killing the fish.
Our increasing population is part of the problem. More people more waste.
Where is this all to end? Are we turning the world into a big rubbish dump,or is there any hope that we can get rid of the pollution ?Luckily,millions of people have been warned of the danger of pollution. Large numbers of people are now working hard to bring pollution under
Question:
From the passage we can know that now man _ .
Choices:
A. doesn't know how to control pollution
B. still doesn't realize how serious pollution is
C. is doing something to control pollution
D. begins to understand the pollution | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle7947.txt | The earth is our home;we must take Care of it. This means keeping the land,air and water clean.
Pollution is a dirty word. To pollute means to make things unfit or unclean to use. Pollution comes in many ways. We see it,smell it,taste it and drink it. Pollution is beginning to threaten our health,or happiness and our life.
Man. has been polluting the earth from the time he first made fire,washed his clothes in the river and threw his waste on the ground. When land was used up or water became dirty. Men moved to another place. At first the problem was not so serious because there was plenty of clean air,land and water. There weren't so many people then and their wants were fewer. All the dirty things could be absorbed by nature and soon. covered over , But this is no longer true. The increase of population and the development of industry have changed that. Man is slowly polluting. his environment.
Through the use of poison ,mall has polluted land! killing the animal. By putting dirty water and _ into rivers and lakes we have polluted our drinking water,killing the fish.
Our increasing population is part of the problem. More people more waste.
Where is this all to end? Are we turning the world into a big rubbish dump,or is there any hope that we can get rid of the pollution ?Luckily,millions of people have been warned of the danger of pollution. Large numbers of people are now working hard to bring pollution under | [
"doesn't know how to control pollution",
"still doesn't realize how serious pollution is",
"is doing something to control pollution",
"begins to understand the pollution"
] |
Which of the following statements is not true ? | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Vegetable may aid the brain
A study suggests certain vegetables such as broccoli and spinach might help older women keep their minds sharp.
Researchers have discovered that women in their 60s who eat more green leafy vegetables show less signs of mental decline over time, reported Wednesday's CRI online.
They gave participants a bundle of tests measuring memory, oral ability and attention. The study didn't include men, but researchers say a similar diet would likely have the same results.
Eating fish can cut risk of heart rhythm disorder .
US scientists have found that eating fish can reduce the risk of deadly heartbeat disorders. They say baked fish can effectively reduce the risk of atria fibrillation among older men and women, reported Tuesday's CRI online.
Researchers say in their 12 years of research among 4,800 people over the age of 65,they found those who ate fish one to four times per week had a about 30 percent lower risk compared with those who ate fish less than once a month. They say the pmega-3 fatty acids in fish can reduce the risk of a range of heart disorders and is _ to brain development and function.
More than 2 million Americans are affected by atria fibrillation, a chronic condition that causes shortness of breath and an inability to exercise.
Red wine may extend life
US scientists have found that a mixture that makes red wine a healthy drink may also hold the secret to a longer life. They say antioxidant in wine acted on fruit flies and worms in the same way as a method known to extend the life of many animals, which is by sharply limiting how much they eat.CRIENGLISH.com reported Thursday.
Limiting calories has been shown to make animals such as dogs and monkeys live longer, but they are often tired and lose productivity.
The researchers will begin testing the mixture in mice, which are considerably closer to humans biologically.
Question:
Which of the following statements is not true ?
Choices:
A. There're both advantages and disadvantages in limiting calories in animals
B. Those who eat more fish per week may have lower risks of heart disorders
C. A mixture in red wine holds the secret to a longer life.
D. Researchers don't suppose that certain vegetables can keep men's minds sharp | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high13077.txt | Vegetable may aid the brain
A study suggests certain vegetables such as broccoli and spinach might help older women keep their minds sharp.
Researchers have discovered that women in their 60s who eat more green leafy vegetables show less signs of mental decline over time, reported Wednesday's CRI online.
They gave participants a bundle of tests measuring memory, oral ability and attention. The study didn't include men, but researchers say a similar diet would likely have the same results.
Eating fish can cut risk of heart rhythm disorder .
US scientists have found that eating fish can reduce the risk of deadly heartbeat disorders. They say baked fish can effectively reduce the risk of atria fibrillation among older men and women, reported Tuesday's CRI online.
Researchers say in their 12 years of research among 4,800 people over the age of 65,they found those who ate fish one to four times per week had a about 30 percent lower risk compared with those who ate fish less than once a month. They say the pmega-3 fatty acids in fish can reduce the risk of a range of heart disorders and is _ to brain development and function.
More than 2 million Americans are affected by atria fibrillation, a chronic condition that causes shortness of breath and an inability to exercise.
Red wine may extend life
US scientists have found that a mixture that makes red wine a healthy drink may also hold the secret to a longer life. They say antioxidant in wine acted on fruit flies and worms in the same way as a method known to extend the life of many animals, which is by sharply limiting how much they eat.CRIENGLISH.com reported Thursday.
Limiting calories has been shown to make animals such as dogs and monkeys live longer, but they are often tired and lose productivity.
The researchers will begin testing the mixture in mice, which are considerably closer to humans biologically. | [
"There're both advantages and disadvantages in limiting calories in animals",
"Those who eat more fish per week may have lower risks of heart disorders",
"A mixture in red wine holds the secret to a longer life.",
"Researchers don't suppose that certain vegetables can keep men's minds sharp"
] |
Eliana walked 200 steps for her morning exercise, did some press-ups, then added some 300 more steps to her count for the first day. The next day, she walked twice the number of steps she walked on the first day. And on the third day, Eliana walked an additional 100 steps. What's the total number of steps Eliana walked during these three days? | On the first day, she walks 200 + 300 = <<200+300=500>>500 steps.
The next day she walks twice the steps, which is 2*500 = <<2*500=1000>>1000
The total number of steps after the two days are 1000+500 = <<1000+500=1500>>1500
On the third day, she walks an additional 100 steps, bringing the three-day total to 1500+100=<<1500+100=1600>>1600 steps
#### 1600 | Solve the following math problem and explain your reasoning step by step. | Eliana walked 200 steps for her morning exercise, did some press-ups, then added some 300 more steps to her count for the first day. The next day, she walked twice the number of steps she walked on the first day. And on the third day, Eliana walked an additional 100 steps. What's the total number of steps Eliana walked during these three days? | On the first day, she walks 200 + 300 = <<200+300=500>>500 steps.
The next day she walks twice the steps, which is 2*500 = <<2*500=1000>>1000
The total number of steps after the two days are 1000+500 = <<1000+500=1500>>1500
On the third day, she walks an additional 100 steps, bringing the three-day total to 1500+100=<<1500+100=1600>>1600 steps
#### 1600 | math | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null |
Tina has only 34 yuan, and she can buy _ in Tai Ping Clothes Store. | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Do you know Tai Ping Clothes Store? It's a great store. I like it very much. There are lots of things at a very good price in the store. They have sweaters in all colors for 50 yuan . They have bags for sports and school. They sell them for only 4 yuan. They have black T-shirts for only 20 yuan. They have long white socks for just 2 yuan. A red skirt is only 35 yuan. If you want to buy two, You will spend only 65 yuan. You buy many things, and then you will get lots of _ for free . And that's all. You can go to the store and see for yourself.
Question:
Tina has only 34 yuan, and she can buy _ in Tai Ping Clothes Store.
Choices:
A. eight school bags
B. a skirt
C. two black T-shirts
D. a yellow sweater | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle4413.txt | Do you know Tai Ping Clothes Store? It's a great store. I like it very much. There are lots of things at a very good price in the store. They have sweaters in all colors for 50 yuan . They have bags for sports and school. They sell them for only 4 yuan. They have black T-shirts for only 20 yuan. They have long white socks for just 2 yuan. A red skirt is only 35 yuan. If you want to buy two, You will spend only 65 yuan. You buy many things, and then you will get lots of _ for free . And that's all. You can go to the store and see for yourself. | [
"eight school bags",
"a skirt",
"two black T-shirts",
"a yellow sweater"
] |
What is the process of a confined gas escaping through a tiny hole in its container called? | null | Answer the following science question clearly and accurately. | What is the process of a confined gas escaping through a tiny hole in its container called? | effusion | science | null | null | null | dilution | effluent | dissipation | effusion | Another related process is effusion. Effusion is the process of a confined gas escaping through a tiny hole in its container. Effusion can be observed by the fact that a helium-filled balloon will stop floating and sink to the floor after a day or so. This is because the helium gas effuses through tiny pores in the balloon. Both diffusion and effusion are related to the speed at which various gas molecules move. Gases that have a lower molar mass effuse and diffuse at a faster rate than gases that have a higher molar mass. While they are similar processes, there is a key difference between diffusion and effusion. Diffusion describes the process of a gas spreading out at a constant pressure, such as throughout a room. Effusion, on the other hand, describes the process of a gas spreading out from a high pressure surroundings to lower pressure surroundings. | null | null | null |
Billy is breeding mice for an experiment. He starts with 8 mice, who each have 6 pups. When the pups grow up, all the mice have another 6 pups. Then each adult mouse eats 2 of their pups due to the stress of overcrowding. How many mice are left? | First find the number of pups in the first generation: 8 mice * 6 pups/mouse = <<8*6=48>>48 pups
Then add the number of adult mice to find the total number of mice: 48 pups + 8 mice = <<48+8=56>>56 mice
Then find the number of pups per mouse that survive from the second generation: 6 pups/mouse - 2 pups/mouse = <<6-2=4>>4 pups/mouse
Then multiply that number by the number of adult mice to find the number of pups in the second generation: 56 mice * 4 pups/mouse = <<56*4=224>>224 mice
Then add the number of adult mice to the number of second-generation pups to find the total number of mice: 224 mice + 56 mice = <<224+56=280>>280 mice
#### 280 | Solve the following math problem and explain your reasoning step by step. | Billy is breeding mice for an experiment. He starts with 8 mice, who each have 6 pups. When the pups grow up, all the mice have another 6 pups. Then each adult mouse eats 2 of their pups due to the stress of overcrowding. How many mice are left? | First find the number of pups in the first generation: 8 mice * 6 pups/mouse = <<8*6=48>>48 pups
Then add the number of adult mice to find the total number of mice: 48 pups + 8 mice = <<48+8=56>>56 mice
Then find the number of pups per mouse that survive from the second generation: 6 pups/mouse - 2 pups/mouse = <<6-2=4>>4 pups/mouse
Then multiply that number by the number of adult mice to find the number of pups in the second generation: 56 mice * 4 pups/mouse = <<56*4=224>>224 mice
Then add the number of adult mice to the number of second-generation pups to find the total number of mice: 224 mice + 56 mice = <<224+56=280>>280 mice
#### 280 | math | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null |
Why did the old man think for a moment before he called his wife? | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
A TV program was being videoed. Tonight it was to select the sweetest whisper of love ever said between husband and wife.
The final competition was held among 10 married couples. Seven of them were young ones, two middle-aged and one old. The last turn came to the old couple. The old lady took the microphone and said the sweetest whisper of love she had ever heard was: " Are you standing or sitting?"
The host fixed his eyes on her, quite puzzled by her words.
Regardless of all the talking around, she went on with her story. Her husband had been a doctor before he retired. One day when he was on duty at the hospital, he felt a sharp pain at the heart. By his professional knowledge he knew immediately he suffered a fit of heart attack. His colleagues carried him at once to the operation room and prepared him for a bypass operation, which was highly risky. The patient's family members had to be informed before it began. The patient himself was allowed to put in a word. Lying silently on the operation table with a trembling hand, he dialed after a moment's thinking of the number of his wife's phone. Finally a familiar voice came from the other end...
"So many years had passed but memory of this incident remained fresh in my mind. What he said in the beginning was: 'Are you standing or sitting?' He was actually worried about me, wondering how I felt at the news. He was afraid I would have fallen flat onto the ground. In such a critical state as he was then, his thought still went to me..." The old lady concluded slowly, "That's the sweetest whisper of love I've ever heard all my life."
A loud applause followed in the wake of a short silence.
Question:
Why did the old man think for a moment before he called his wife?
Choices:
A. He hesitated to tell her about his condition.
B. He wanted to delay being operated on.
C. He was mindful of his wife's safety.
D. He was too nervous to think up his words. | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high22025.txt | A TV program was being videoed. Tonight it was to select the sweetest whisper of love ever said between husband and wife.
The final competition was held among 10 married couples. Seven of them were young ones, two middle-aged and one old. The last turn came to the old couple. The old lady took the microphone and said the sweetest whisper of love she had ever heard was: " Are you standing or sitting?"
The host fixed his eyes on her, quite puzzled by her words.
Regardless of all the talking around, she went on with her story. Her husband had been a doctor before he retired. One day when he was on duty at the hospital, he felt a sharp pain at the heart. By his professional knowledge he knew immediately he suffered a fit of heart attack. His colleagues carried him at once to the operation room and prepared him for a bypass operation, which was highly risky. The patient's family members had to be informed before it began. The patient himself was allowed to put in a word. Lying silently on the operation table with a trembling hand, he dialed after a moment's thinking of the number of his wife's phone. Finally a familiar voice came from the other end...
"So many years had passed but memory of this incident remained fresh in my mind. What he said in the beginning was: 'Are you standing or sitting?' He was actually worried about me, wondering how I felt at the news. He was afraid I would have fallen flat onto the ground. In such a critical state as he was then, his thought still went to me..." The old lady concluded slowly, "That's the sweetest whisper of love I've ever heard all my life."
A loud applause followed in the wake of a short silence. | [
"He hesitated to tell her about his condition.",
"He wanted to delay being operated on.",
"He was mindful of his wife's safety.",
"He was too nervous to think up his words."
] |
When a wild goose becomes sick or is wounded, _ . | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Next autumn when you see wild geese heading south for the winter flying in a V formation you might think about what scientists have discovered as to why they fly that way.
As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a V formation the whole group adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flies on its own.
People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the push of one another.
When a wild goose falls out of the formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go alone and quickly tries to get back into the formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front. When the head goose gets tired, it flies back into the formation and another goose flies to the front. It is wise to take turns doing difficult jobs whether it be people or wild geese flying south.
Wild geese honk from behind to inspire those up front to keep up their speed. What can we learn from this?
When a wild goose gets sick or wounded by gunshots, and falls out of the formation, two other geese will fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They will stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies, and only then will they go on with their own or with another formation to catch up with their group.
Question:
When a wild goose becomes sick or is wounded, _ .
Choices:
A. it will be left alone and will fall on the ground
B. the whole group will stop flying
C. two other geese will stay with it to offer help
D. other geese will honk to give it encouragement | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high14798.txt | Next autumn when you see wild geese heading south for the winter flying in a V formation you might think about what scientists have discovered as to why they fly that way.
As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a V formation the whole group adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flies on its own.
People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the push of one another.
When a wild goose falls out of the formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go alone and quickly tries to get back into the formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front. When the head goose gets tired, it flies back into the formation and another goose flies to the front. It is wise to take turns doing difficult jobs whether it be people or wild geese flying south.
Wild geese honk from behind to inspire those up front to keep up their speed. What can we learn from this?
When a wild goose gets sick or wounded by gunshots, and falls out of the formation, two other geese will fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They will stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies, and only then will they go on with their own or with another formation to catch up with their group. | [
"it will be left alone and will fall on the ground",
"the whole group will stop flying",
"two other geese will stay with it to offer help",
"other geese will honk to give it encouragement"
] |
.What's the special kind of food for the Spring Festival in China? | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Every year people celebrate the Spring Festival in China. Usually it is in January or February. It's the most important festival in China. So before it comes, everyone buys many things, and they often make a special kind of food called dumplings. It means "come together". Parents always buy new clothes for their children and children also buy presents for their parents. On the Spring Festival eve , all the family members come back home. They sing, dance and play cards. When they enjoy the meal, they give each other the best wishes for the coming year. They all have a good time.
Question:
.What's the special kind of food for the Spring Festival in China?
Choices:
A. Fruit
B. Fish
C. Dumplings
D. chicken | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle584.txt | Every year people celebrate the Spring Festival in China. Usually it is in January or February. It's the most important festival in China. So before it comes, everyone buys many things, and they often make a special kind of food called dumplings. It means "come together". Parents always buy new clothes for their children and children also buy presents for their parents. On the Spring Festival eve , all the family members come back home. They sing, dance and play cards. When they enjoy the meal, they give each other the best wishes for the coming year. They all have a good time. | [
"Fruit",
"Fish",
"Dumplings",
"chicken"
] |
A person suffering from SAD may experience all of the following symptoms EXCEPT _ | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Don't you find that it is getting increasingly darker every day when you wake up for school ? As winter comes ,days become shorter while the nights become longer ,In the past people slept more in winter ,but in modern times we just use more electric light instead of sunlight to continue our normal routines .
But scientific research is finding that manhandling of electric light is making us sick .
Electric light is fooling the body's biological clock into releasing awaking hormones ( )at the wrong times ,scientists say .This might be leading to seasonal fatigue and depression .
Much more than mental health is at stake ,Recent scientific studies have found that women who work at night ,have higher chances of getting breast-cancer .
"Electric lights are wonderful ,but as with a lot of other things ,we really mess ,things up "said David Avery ,a psychiatrist ." Our ancestors evolved in a very regular light -dark cycle ,and our bodies just work better that way ."
Researchers have known for a long time that all living things have a biological clock that is linked to light ,Being of the natural day-night cycle can cause fatigue ,mood change and depression ,This is known as seasonal affective disorder ,or SAD.
Scientists disagree on the cause of SAD ,Some say it is caused by winter's late sunrises , others blame the early sunsets .
However ,they all agree the perfect solution to SAD is to give up artificial light ,It will quickly bring someone into a cycle of long ,restful nights and easy awakenings at dawn .
But realistically most people need to use electric light in their everyday life . Ironically the next best solution is to use more bright lights to reset the body's biological clock .
By getting bright light first thing in the morning it simulates an earlier dawn and shifts the body clock forward ,according to Alfred Lewy ,a psychiatrist at Oregon Health & Science University .
A 2005 study done by the American Psychiatric Association showed that daily exposure to bright light was about as effective as medicine used to treat several forms of depression .
Question:
A person suffering from SAD may experience all of the following symptoms EXCEPT _
Choices:
A. weight loss
B. depression
C. fatigue
D. mood change | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high20094.txt | Don't you find that it is getting increasingly darker every day when you wake up for school ? As winter comes ,days become shorter while the nights become longer ,In the past people slept more in winter ,but in modern times we just use more electric light instead of sunlight to continue our normal routines .
But scientific research is finding that manhandling of electric light is making us sick .
Electric light is fooling the body's biological clock into releasing awaking hormones ( )at the wrong times ,scientists say .This might be leading to seasonal fatigue and depression .
Much more than mental health is at stake ,Recent scientific studies have found that women who work at night ,have higher chances of getting breast-cancer .
"Electric lights are wonderful ,but as with a lot of other things ,we really mess ,things up "said David Avery ,a psychiatrist ." Our ancestors evolved in a very regular light -dark cycle ,and our bodies just work better that way ."
Researchers have known for a long time that all living things have a biological clock that is linked to light ,Being of the natural day-night cycle can cause fatigue ,mood change and depression ,This is known as seasonal affective disorder ,or SAD.
Scientists disagree on the cause of SAD ,Some say it is caused by winter's late sunrises , others blame the early sunsets .
However ,they all agree the perfect solution to SAD is to give up artificial light ,It will quickly bring someone into a cycle of long ,restful nights and easy awakenings at dawn .
But realistically most people need to use electric light in their everyday life . Ironically the next best solution is to use more bright lights to reset the body's biological clock .
By getting bright light first thing in the morning it simulates an earlier dawn and shifts the body clock forward ,according to Alfred Lewy ,a psychiatrist at Oregon Health & Science University .
A 2005 study done by the American Psychiatric Association showed that daily exposure to bright light was about as effective as medicine used to treat several forms of depression . | [
"weight loss",
"depression",
"fatigue",
"mood change"
] |
More common in developing countries, parasitic diseases caused by roundworms often result from poor practice of what? | null | Answer the following science question clearly and accurately. | More common in developing countries, parasitic diseases caused by roundworms often result from poor practice of what? | personal hygiene | science | null | null | null | preventative medicine | agriculture | education | personal hygiene | Diseases caused by roundworms are more common in developing countries. Many parasitic diseases caused by roundworms result from poor personal hygiene. Contributing factors may include. | null | null | null |
How many kinds of dances can he dance? | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Do you know the famous pop singer, Han Geng ? He was born on Feb. 9, 1984.In fact, he is really a handsome boy. He is 181cm high. He can dance, sing , and do a little Kungfu
He is in the famous group of Super Junior. I think he sings best .He is my favorite singer. He not only loves singing and dancing very much but also can dance 56 kinds of dances. And he can also play in the movie very well.
He loves the stage very much and he loves his fans very much ,too. Everyone who knows him says he is really a kind boy. His best friend is Kim Heechul, who also belongs to the Super
Junior. They are best friends in the group.
Question:
How many kinds of dances can he dance?
Choices:
A. Fifteen
B. Sixteen
C. Sixty-five
D. Fifty-six | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle800.txt | Do you know the famous pop singer, Han Geng ? He was born on Feb. 9, 1984.In fact, he is really a handsome boy. He is 181cm high. He can dance, sing , and do a little Kungfu
He is in the famous group of Super Junior. I think he sings best .He is my favorite singer. He not only loves singing and dancing very much but also can dance 56 kinds of dances. And he can also play in the movie very well.
He loves the stage very much and he loves his fans very much ,too. Everyone who knows him says he is really a kind boy. His best friend is Kim Heechul, who also belongs to the Super
Junior. They are best friends in the group. | [
"Fifteen",
"Sixteen",
"Sixty-five",
"Fifty-six"
] |
Clothes in _ are highly recommended when you are going bird watching. | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
This site , all-birds. com, is about bird watching. Enjoy your browsing. There is much to learn and see.
Bird Watching Equipment
Some items that might make bird watching more enjoyable are binoculars ( ) , a camera, some kind of system for keeping notes, and maybe a back pack. Birders often keep lists of the birds they see along with notes about the habits. There is some great bird log software that will let you keep records on your computer. For more details on choosing binoculars see our Binocular -Optics page.
Clothes
If you are walking through a wooded area just wear clothes you would wear on any hike or field trip. You are best off wearing clothes with dull colors that mix into the background. Greens, browns, and grays are good. Avoid fabrics that rustle easily. Depending on the birds you are watching you may want to get rain gear, rubber boots and warm clothing. For birds such as owls that you might look for in the evening a strong flashlight is also handy.
Choosing a Bird Field Guide
Take a good field guide to identify birds. Look for clear color pictures that make it easy to recognize one bird from another. Next to each picture should be detailed descriptions of each bird's anatomy, habits, and what it eats. The guide should have information about what habitat each species uses. Many guides have maps showing the range of different birds along with their migration patterns.
Where and When to see Birds
Learning the habitats of birds in your area will increase the number of birds you see, and make your birding more enjoyable. If you know that Meadow larks are likely to be in open grassy areas, and dippers are forage along stream beds, you may be looking for them if you are in those types of habitats. Edge areas where different types of habitats meet will likely have more species in them. You are more likely to see specific birds at certain times of the day. For example songbirds are easier to see two to three hours after dawn, or just before sunset. This is when songbirds are most actively feeding. Many small birds will be silent or even hidden during the rest of the day. After sunup is the best time to see eagles and hawks. Visibility is best for hunting at this time, and they can soar on the thermal currents from the warmed air. Birds like owls are more likely to be seen in the evening. Many shorebirds and waders rest at high tide and feed when the water rises or falls.
Photographing Birds
Patience in Bird Photography
Most birds are afraid of people, and all species have their own comfort zone. With a little time you can learn the comfort zone of the birds you are photographing. Once they know that you are not a threat you may be able to get closer.
Type or Style
Your reason for photographing birds may determine your style and the kind of equipment you use. If you are just recording the kinds of birds you see you don't need to get as close, and you can use less expensive equipment, then you need for high quality prints.
Photographing Birds in Flight
Photographing birds in flight can be fun. Many digital cameras have a tracking function. With these you focus on the bird, and then as you track it the lens will keep focus.
Use Your Yard
Choose an open area where the birds will get direct sunlight, showing off their magnificent colors.
Try using props
Birds will often land on a stick or post near a seed feeder before going to the feeder. The background was just an out of focus fence but you can use anything you want for a background, and then wait for a bird to perch.
Question:
Clothes in _ are highly recommended when you are going bird watching.
Choices:
A. red
B. yellow
C. brown
D. blue | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high5045.txt | This site , all-birds. com, is about bird watching. Enjoy your browsing. There is much to learn and see.
Bird Watching Equipment
Some items that might make bird watching more enjoyable are binoculars ( ) , a camera, some kind of system for keeping notes, and maybe a back pack. Birders often keep lists of the birds they see along with notes about the habits. There is some great bird log software that will let you keep records on your computer. For more details on choosing binoculars see our Binocular -Optics page.
Clothes
If you are walking through a wooded area just wear clothes you would wear on any hike or field trip. You are best off wearing clothes with dull colors that mix into the background. Greens, browns, and grays are good. Avoid fabrics that rustle easily. Depending on the birds you are watching you may want to get rain gear, rubber boots and warm clothing. For birds such as owls that you might look for in the evening a strong flashlight is also handy.
Choosing a Bird Field Guide
Take a good field guide to identify birds. Look for clear color pictures that make it easy to recognize one bird from another. Next to each picture should be detailed descriptions of each bird's anatomy, habits, and what it eats. The guide should have information about what habitat each species uses. Many guides have maps showing the range of different birds along with their migration patterns.
Where and When to see Birds
Learning the habitats of birds in your area will increase the number of birds you see, and make your birding more enjoyable. If you know that Meadow larks are likely to be in open grassy areas, and dippers are forage along stream beds, you may be looking for them if you are in those types of habitats. Edge areas where different types of habitats meet will likely have more species in them. You are more likely to see specific birds at certain times of the day. For example songbirds are easier to see two to three hours after dawn, or just before sunset. This is when songbirds are most actively feeding. Many small birds will be silent or even hidden during the rest of the day. After sunup is the best time to see eagles and hawks. Visibility is best for hunting at this time, and they can soar on the thermal currents from the warmed air. Birds like owls are more likely to be seen in the evening. Many shorebirds and waders rest at high tide and feed when the water rises or falls.
Photographing Birds
Patience in Bird Photography
Most birds are afraid of people, and all species have their own comfort zone. With a little time you can learn the comfort zone of the birds you are photographing. Once they know that you are not a threat you may be able to get closer.
Type or Style
Your reason for photographing birds may determine your style and the kind of equipment you use. If you are just recording the kinds of birds you see you don't need to get as close, and you can use less expensive equipment, then you need for high quality prints.
Photographing Birds in Flight
Photographing birds in flight can be fun. Many digital cameras have a tracking function. With these you focus on the bird, and then as you track it the lens will keep focus.
Use Your Yard
Choose an open area where the birds will get direct sunlight, showing off their magnificent colors.
Try using props
Birds will often land on a stick or post near a seed feeder before going to the feeder. The background was just an out of focus fence but you can use anything you want for a background, and then wait for a bird to perch. | [
"red",
"yellow",
"brown",
"blue"
] |
What is the best title of the passage? | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
My daughter went to see The Wild One recently and she commented that Marlon Brando was wearing jeans so long ago. Of course he helped set the trend, so that got me thinking about the link between films and trends in fashion. Fashion and films have gone hand in hand for long. The Wild One is a good example: it appeared in 1954, starring Brando. Dressed in a black leather motorcycle jacket, leather cap and jeans, he created a look which is still considered "cool" today. Everyone from Madonna to middle-aged men is seen wearing the classic leather motorcycle jacket.
Another strong influence on fashion trends was Breakfast at Tiffany's, starring Audrey Hepburn. She made famous the simple black dress that looks perfect at either a cocktail party or just standing around an expensive department store like Tiffany's with a pastry and coffee in your hand, as Audrey Hepburn does in the film. She looks so elegant, wearing simple but beautiful dresses, big dark glasses and a string of pearls around her neck. Audrey Hepburn still influences women's fashion with her "Tiffany's look".
In more modern times, the film star Uma Thurman created a major fashion trend when she appeared in the film Pulp Fiction, made in 1994. Her style was very simple. Her black trousers, crisp white shirt and hair style was copied by women in the world.
Influencing fashion trends can often be about timing. The movie Memoirs of a Geisha came just in time to start a trend in Japanese fashion. It started the Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi, who wore beautiful silk kimonos , and it won an Oscar for Costume Design. Many travel companies picked up on the trend and ran "geisha trips" to Japan. The film has also led to a regained interest in kimonos. It is now quite common to see young Japanese women wearing kimonos not just on traditional occasions, but at various social events. The fashion is also beginning to spread to western countries.
Question:
What is the best title of the passage?
Choices:
A. Films and fashion.
B. Stars' fashion.
C. Influential films.
D. Film cultures. | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high14745.txt | My daughter went to see The Wild One recently and she commented that Marlon Brando was wearing jeans so long ago. Of course he helped set the trend, so that got me thinking about the link between films and trends in fashion. Fashion and films have gone hand in hand for long. The Wild One is a good example: it appeared in 1954, starring Brando. Dressed in a black leather motorcycle jacket, leather cap and jeans, he created a look which is still considered "cool" today. Everyone from Madonna to middle-aged men is seen wearing the classic leather motorcycle jacket.
Another strong influence on fashion trends was Breakfast at Tiffany's, starring Audrey Hepburn. She made famous the simple black dress that looks perfect at either a cocktail party or just standing around an expensive department store like Tiffany's with a pastry and coffee in your hand, as Audrey Hepburn does in the film. She looks so elegant, wearing simple but beautiful dresses, big dark glasses and a string of pearls around her neck. Audrey Hepburn still influences women's fashion with her "Tiffany's look".
In more modern times, the film star Uma Thurman created a major fashion trend when she appeared in the film Pulp Fiction, made in 1994. Her style was very simple. Her black trousers, crisp white shirt and hair style was copied by women in the world.
Influencing fashion trends can often be about timing. The movie Memoirs of a Geisha came just in time to start a trend in Japanese fashion. It started the Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi, who wore beautiful silk kimonos , and it won an Oscar for Costume Design. Many travel companies picked up on the trend and ran "geisha trips" to Japan. The film has also led to a regained interest in kimonos. It is now quite common to see young Japanese women wearing kimonos not just on traditional occasions, but at various social events. The fashion is also beginning to spread to western countries. | [
"Films and fashion.",
"Stars' fashion.",
"Influential films.",
"Film cultures."
] |
The passage is most probably from a journal of _ . | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Eat nuts, live longer. Researchers have found that those who eat a handful of peanuts every day significantly decrease their risk of dying from all causes compared to those who do not eat nuts. A new study concludes that all types of nuts seem to be protective.
Researcher Ying Bao is with the Department of Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard University Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. She and her colleagues looked at the impact of nut consumption by analyzing two huge studies that began in 1980 - the Nurses' Health Study, which tracks the
of more than 76,000 women, and 42,000 men enrolled in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.
Among the questions asked at the beginning of the studies was, 'how frequently do you eat nuts?' The information was updated every two to four years. Bao says the participants were followed for three decades.
"What we observed is that people who eat more nuts are less likely to die over the next 30 years," said Bao. "So, for example, if a person eat(s) nuts once per day, that person has a 20 percent lower risk of dying."
Bao says eating a handful of nuts five or more times per week was associated with a 29 percent reduced risk of dying from heart disease and an 11 percent lower risk of cancer death. A serving size is 28 grams.
Nuts contain nutrients, including high quality proteins, vitamins and minerals, all of which have anti-cancer effects and may help protect the heart.
Bao says researchers are planning studies to find out how nuts are beneficial to human health.
The study on the health benefits of nuts was funded by the International Tree Nut Council Research and Education Foundation.
Question:
The passage is most probably from a journal of _ .
Choices:
A. entertainment
B. diet
C. sports
D. science | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high16438.txt | Eat nuts, live longer. Researchers have found that those who eat a handful of peanuts every day significantly decrease their risk of dying from all causes compared to those who do not eat nuts. A new study concludes that all types of nuts seem to be protective.
Researcher Ying Bao is with the Department of Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard University Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. She and her colleagues looked at the impact of nut consumption by analyzing two huge studies that began in 1980 - the Nurses' Health Study, which tracks the
of more than 76,000 women, and 42,000 men enrolled in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.
Among the questions asked at the beginning of the studies was, 'how frequently do you eat nuts?' The information was updated every two to four years. Bao says the participants were followed for three decades.
"What we observed is that people who eat more nuts are less likely to die over the next 30 years," said Bao. "So, for example, if a person eat(s) nuts once per day, that person has a 20 percent lower risk of dying."
Bao says eating a handful of nuts five or more times per week was associated with a 29 percent reduced risk of dying from heart disease and an 11 percent lower risk of cancer death. A serving size is 28 grams.
Nuts contain nutrients, including high quality proteins, vitamins and minerals, all of which have anti-cancer effects and may help protect the heart.
Bao says researchers are planning studies to find out how nuts are beneficial to human health.
The study on the health benefits of nuts was funded by the International Tree Nut Council Research and Education Foundation. | [
"entertainment",
"diet",
"sports",
"science"
] |
During the preparation for photo-taking _ . | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
You surely want to take a good school yearbook photo, for you only get to do it once, and it's what people remember you by for the whole school year. Learn how to look good and look natural in your yearbook photo with these simple tips.
1. Practice smiling in a mirror. It sounds crazy, but figuring out how to make a natural looking smile for the camera does need a little preparation. Don't be shy! Just imagine you are in front of a camera --hold your head high, look straight into the mirror and smile. Keep practicing until you find out your most attractive smiling face.
2. Choose your color wisely. In yearbook photos, lots of people look good in darker colors because they draw attention to the face. Generally, white often isn't the best choice because it can make your skin look a bit gray, especially if you're pale. Besides, stay away from super -bright colors ( bright yellow, bright blue) unless you're really sure they make you look perfect.
3. Avoid unnecessary details. Busy patterns draw attention to themselves in yearbook photos, not to your face and smile. Save them for your everyday fashion experiments. Besides, have your clothes prepared for the day when the yearbook photo is taken. The last thing you want to do is pick out the perfect thing to wear, only to find that it's in the laundry.
4. Avoid big changes to your appearance. Big changes may not turn out the way you hope. Leave some time to do your hair, such as combing it up right before the yearbook photo is taken. Don't overdo it, since you want your hair to stay in one place and your face to draw all the attention, but go for the "less is more" approach.
Question:
During the preparation for photo-taking _ .
Choices:
A. a camera is needed
B. clothes should be in the laundry
C. fashion should be perfectly showed
D. big changes are not needed | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high12630.txt | You surely want to take a good school yearbook photo, for you only get to do it once, and it's what people remember you by for the whole school year. Learn how to look good and look natural in your yearbook photo with these simple tips.
1. Practice smiling in a mirror. It sounds crazy, but figuring out how to make a natural looking smile for the camera does need a little preparation. Don't be shy! Just imagine you are in front of a camera --hold your head high, look straight into the mirror and smile. Keep practicing until you find out your most attractive smiling face.
2. Choose your color wisely. In yearbook photos, lots of people look good in darker colors because they draw attention to the face. Generally, white often isn't the best choice because it can make your skin look a bit gray, especially if you're pale. Besides, stay away from super -bright colors ( bright yellow, bright blue) unless you're really sure they make you look perfect.
3. Avoid unnecessary details. Busy patterns draw attention to themselves in yearbook photos, not to your face and smile. Save them for your everyday fashion experiments. Besides, have your clothes prepared for the day when the yearbook photo is taken. The last thing you want to do is pick out the perfect thing to wear, only to find that it's in the laundry.
4. Avoid big changes to your appearance. Big changes may not turn out the way you hope. Leave some time to do your hair, such as combing it up right before the yearbook photo is taken. Don't overdo it, since you want your hair to stay in one place and your face to draw all the attention, but go for the "less is more" approach. | [
"a camera is needed",
"clothes should be in the laundry",
"fashion should be perfectly showed",
"big changes are not needed"
] |
Sally and her mother went shopping for the second time to buy _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Teenagers in England do much the same as children in America do. They enjoy sending messages by their mobile phones and they also like swimming, listening to the latest music, watching TV and surfing the Internet.
How do teenagers in England spend their free time and holidays? Let's follow Sally, a British teenager, and spend five days with her during her school holiday.
Day One
After breakfast, Sally's mother went out and left her alone at home. She checked her mobile phone during lunch --one of her friends sent her a message early in the morning. Dinner was at 6:30 p.m. After that, she finished her English home-work. Then she surfed the Internet.
Day Two
Sally and her mother paid a visit to their friends and went swimming together. Later, they went shopping for clothes and books, and had dinner in a restaurant.
Day Three
She went to the supermarket with her mother to buy fish and chips for lunch as well as some pens. After she got back home, she spent the next few hours surfing the Internet and watching TV.
Day Four
She surfed the Internet. Her mother took her out for lunch before she went to work. She then read stories after lunch.
Day Five
She woke up at 2 p.m., and so did her mother. They went to a park. Her mother met some friends there. When they got home, it was already time for dinner. Afterwards, she did her homework until 10 p.m.
Question:
Sally and her mother went shopping for the second time to buy _ .
Choices:
A. food for lunch and pens
B. some books and pens
C. some fish and clothes
D. food and books | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high1456.txt | Teenagers in England do much the same as children in America do. They enjoy sending messages by their mobile phones and they also like swimming, listening to the latest music, watching TV and surfing the Internet.
How do teenagers in England spend their free time and holidays? Let's follow Sally, a British teenager, and spend five days with her during her school holiday.
Day One
After breakfast, Sally's mother went out and left her alone at home. She checked her mobile phone during lunch --one of her friends sent her a message early in the morning. Dinner was at 6:30 p.m. After that, she finished her English home-work. Then she surfed the Internet.
Day Two
Sally and her mother paid a visit to their friends and went swimming together. Later, they went shopping for clothes and books, and had dinner in a restaurant.
Day Three
She went to the supermarket with her mother to buy fish and chips for lunch as well as some pens. After she got back home, she spent the next few hours surfing the Internet and watching TV.
Day Four
She surfed the Internet. Her mother took her out for lunch before she went to work. She then read stories after lunch.
Day Five
She woke up at 2 p.m., and so did her mother. They went to a park. Her mother met some friends there. When they got home, it was already time for dinner. Afterwards, she did her homework until 10 p.m. | [
"food for lunch and pens",
"some books and pens",
"some fish and clothes",
"food and books"
] |
Buy Nothing Day started in _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Most people buy a lot of gifts just before Christmas. But some people think we buy too much. They have started a special day called Buy Nothing Day. They don t want anyone to go shopping on that day.
Buy Nothing Day is on November 29th. It is 25 days before Christmas. At that time, we see ads in newspapers and on TV telling us to "buy,buy, buy!"
The idea for Buy Nothing Day started in Vancouver, British Columbia. Now people all over the world celebrate Buy Nothing Day. In California, USA, parents and children get together to read stories, sing songs and paint pictures. The children talk about why they don t need many toys. Last year, in Manchester, England, people dressed up in costumes to tell people that we buy too much.
In Albuquerque, New Mexico,high school students wanted to tell other students about Buy Nothing Day. They organized a dinner to give people information about Buy Nothing Day. They asked restaurants in the neighbours to donate the food. They put up posters and talked to other students about it. The dinner was a big success, many students liked the idea of this new tradition. This year, they want to have another dinner to tell more people about Buy Nothing Day.
Question:
Buy Nothing Day started in _ .
Choices:
A. Vancouver
B. Albuquerque
C. California
D. Manchester | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle5836.txt | Most people buy a lot of gifts just before Christmas. But some people think we buy too much. They have started a special day called Buy Nothing Day. They don t want anyone to go shopping on that day.
Buy Nothing Day is on November 29th. It is 25 days before Christmas. At that time, we see ads in newspapers and on TV telling us to "buy,buy, buy!"
The idea for Buy Nothing Day started in Vancouver, British Columbia. Now people all over the world celebrate Buy Nothing Day. In California, USA, parents and children get together to read stories, sing songs and paint pictures. The children talk about why they don t need many toys. Last year, in Manchester, England, people dressed up in costumes to tell people that we buy too much.
In Albuquerque, New Mexico,high school students wanted to tell other students about Buy Nothing Day. They organized a dinner to give people information about Buy Nothing Day. They asked restaurants in the neighbours to donate the food. They put up posters and talked to other students about it. The dinner was a big success, many students liked the idea of this new tradition. This year, they want to have another dinner to tell more people about Buy Nothing Day. | [
"Vancouver",
"Albuquerque",
"California",
"Manchester"
] |
according to the author ,the use of technology in the classroom may _ | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Students and Technology in the Classroom
I love my blackberry--it's my little connection to the larger world that can go anywhere with me . I also love my laptop computer ,as it holds all of my writing and thought .Despite this love of technology ,I know that there are times when I need to move away from these device and truly communication with others.On occasion ,I teach a course called History Matters for a group of higher education managers. My goals for the class include a full discussion of historical themes and ideas .Because I want students to thoroughly study the material and exchange their ideas with each other in the classroom ,I have a rule --no laptop ,ipads ,phones ,etc .When students were told my rule in advance of the class, some of them were not happy .
Most students assume that year reasons for this rule include unpleasant experiences in the past with students misusing technology . There's a bit of truth to that.Some students assume that I am anti-technology . There's no truth in that at all . I love technology and try to keep up with it so I relate to my students.
The real reason why I ask students to leave technology at the door is that I think there are very few places in which we can have deep conversions and truly
complex ideas. Interruptions by technology often break concentration and allow for too much dependence on outside information for ideas . I want students to think differently and make connections between the course the material and the class discussion .
I've been teaching my history class in this way for many years and the educations reflect student satisfaction with the environment that I create .Students realize that with deep conversation and challenge , they learn at a level that helps them keep the course material beyond the classroom .
I'm not saying that I won't ever change my mind about technology use in my history class, but until I hear a really good reason for the change ,I'm sticking to my plan. a few hours of technology-free dialogue is just too give up.
Question:
according to the author ,the use of technology in the classroom may _
Choices:
A. keep students from doing independent thinking
B. encourage students to have in-depth conversations
C. help students to better understand complex themes
D. affect students' concentration on course evaluation | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high15880.txt | Students and Technology in the Classroom
I love my blackberry--it's my little connection to the larger world that can go anywhere with me . I also love my laptop computer ,as it holds all of my writing and thought .Despite this love of technology ,I know that there are times when I need to move away from these device and truly communication with others.On occasion ,I teach a course called History Matters for a group of higher education managers. My goals for the class include a full discussion of historical themes and ideas .Because I want students to thoroughly study the material and exchange their ideas with each other in the classroom ,I have a rule --no laptop ,ipads ,phones ,etc .When students were told my rule in advance of the class, some of them were not happy .
Most students assume that year reasons for this rule include unpleasant experiences in the past with students misusing technology . There's a bit of truth to that.Some students assume that I am anti-technology . There's no truth in that at all . I love technology and try to keep up with it so I relate to my students.
The real reason why I ask students to leave technology at the door is that I think there are very few places in which we can have deep conversions and truly
complex ideas. Interruptions by technology often break concentration and allow for too much dependence on outside information for ideas . I want students to think differently and make connections between the course the material and the class discussion .
I've been teaching my history class in this way for many years and the educations reflect student satisfaction with the environment that I create .Students realize that with deep conversation and challenge , they learn at a level that helps them keep the course material beyond the classroom .
I'm not saying that I won't ever change my mind about technology use in my history class, but until I hear a really good reason for the change ,I'm sticking to my plan. a few hours of technology-free dialogue is just too give up. | [
"keep students from doing independent thinking",
"encourage students to have in-depth conversations",
"help students to better understand complex themes",
"affect students' concentration on course evaluation"
] |
Grammarphobes refer to people who _ . | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Grammarphobia is the fear of grammar. This fear attacks almost everybody at one time or another, and it's most likely to strike during English or language arts classes. Even people who love reading and writing have been known to get feverish and insecure when they are aware of the possibility of turning in homework with grammar or spelling mistakes. Though writing may be enjoyable, being corrected is definitely not!
Grammarphobes, it's time to put your fears behind you. Grammar isn't that dreadful . Here's why.
Let's assume you like hearing and telling stories and that you enjoy joking with friends. You probably also like emailing and instantmessaging. Well, what do you think makes all these possible? Grammar!
Grammar is simply the art of putting words together to make sentences. Whenever you use words to express yourself, you're using grammar. You do this all the time without even thinking.
So why think about it? Because good grammar helps you convey the ideas you intend. If your words aren't right, or if they are not in the right order, the person you are talking to might get the wrong idea. This can have embarrassing results.
Grammar helps us understand each other. It's like a manual for assembling the words in your head. You have to put your words together the right way if you want them to make sense. They can't do what you want if they aren't put together correctly.
What if everybody you know had a different manual? How would you agree on what others' words mean? People with different grammar manuals might be speaking different languages.
Communicating is similar to playing cards. To make sense, we have to play the same game, by the same rules. What are the rules for playing the game of English? You already know most of them without having to open a book.
Question:
Grammarphobes refer to people who _ .
Choices:
A. consider grammar to be boring
B. are afraid of making grammar mistakes
C. mind grammar too much in writing
D. are worried about grammar homework | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high9880.txt | Grammarphobia is the fear of grammar. This fear attacks almost everybody at one time or another, and it's most likely to strike during English or language arts classes. Even people who love reading and writing have been known to get feverish and insecure when they are aware of the possibility of turning in homework with grammar or spelling mistakes. Though writing may be enjoyable, being corrected is definitely not!
Grammarphobes, it's time to put your fears behind you. Grammar isn't that dreadful . Here's why.
Let's assume you like hearing and telling stories and that you enjoy joking with friends. You probably also like emailing and instantmessaging. Well, what do you think makes all these possible? Grammar!
Grammar is simply the art of putting words together to make sentences. Whenever you use words to express yourself, you're using grammar. You do this all the time without even thinking.
So why think about it? Because good grammar helps you convey the ideas you intend. If your words aren't right, or if they are not in the right order, the person you are talking to might get the wrong idea. This can have embarrassing results.
Grammar helps us understand each other. It's like a manual for assembling the words in your head. You have to put your words together the right way if you want them to make sense. They can't do what you want if they aren't put together correctly.
What if everybody you know had a different manual? How would you agree on what others' words mean? People with different grammar manuals might be speaking different languages.
Communicating is similar to playing cards. To make sense, we have to play the same game, by the same rules. What are the rules for playing the game of English? You already know most of them without having to open a book. | [
"consider grammar to be boring",
"are afraid of making grammar mistakes",
"mind grammar too much in writing",
"are worried about grammar homework"
] |
Which is NOT true according to the passage? | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
An old man, too old to live on his own, went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and a four-year-old grandson. The old man's hands trembled , and he couldn't see clearly. The family ate together at the dinner table every night. But the grandfather's trembling hands and poor sight made eating rather difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he drank milk, he spilled it on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became angry with him. "We must do something about Grandfather," said the son. So the husband and the wife set a small table in the corner. There, the grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner at the dinner table. Since the grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. Sometimes he had tears in his eyes as he ate alone. The four-year-old grandson watched it all in silence.
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy said, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mum to eat your food from when I grow up." The four-year-old boy smiled and went back to work. The words struck the parents and they were speechless. Then tears started to run down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took the grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.
The wise parents should realize that the children are their parents' mirror.
Question:
Which is NOT true according to the passage?
Choices:
A. We should respect the old.
B. We should leave the old in the corner.
C. Parents must set examples to their children.
D. We should love our parents. | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle6285.txt | An old man, too old to live on his own, went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and a four-year-old grandson. The old man's hands trembled , and he couldn't see clearly. The family ate together at the dinner table every night. But the grandfather's trembling hands and poor sight made eating rather difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he drank milk, he spilled it on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became angry with him. "We must do something about Grandfather," said the son. So the husband and the wife set a small table in the corner. There, the grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner at the dinner table. Since the grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. Sometimes he had tears in his eyes as he ate alone. The four-year-old grandson watched it all in silence.
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy said, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mum to eat your food from when I grow up." The four-year-old boy smiled and went back to work. The words struck the parents and they were speechless. Then tears started to run down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took the grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.
The wise parents should realize that the children are their parents' mirror. | [
"We should respect the old.",
"We should leave the old in the corner.",
"Parents must set examples to their children.",
"We should love our parents."
] |
In the experts' opinion,parents _ . | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Earlier this year,my oldest daughter got braces on her teeth,and let's just say she did not go quietly into that dentist's chair. Fear and hate pretty much describe the days leading up to her first appointment.
So when she finally walked out with shiny teeth,a sore mouth and a broken spirit, I told her I was proud of her and took her to Ben & Jerry's for an ice cream reward. Two weeks later, we returned to the scene of the crime.The dentist spent about 45 seconds checking her teeth before sending her on her merry way. Before I could start the car, she was placing her ice cream order. She was shocked when I told her that she wasn't going to get a reward every time we got her teeth checked.
Apparently,she's not alone. According to some parenting experts, kids are easily addicted to a benefitproducing system of parental rewards and bribes --not all ice creams, candies and cool toys.Some parents are offering their children novel prizes just to let them sit down and behave in a restaurant--or sleep in their own beds--or score a goal in the next soccer game.
While the experts agree that occasional awards are okay,the danger lies in the system's overuse.Kids quickly gain a sense of entitlement ,where they come to expect a big reward for every good thing that they do, no matter how small.To keep things in check,experts say parents should reduce the number of rewards they offer, make sure rewards match the behavior and explain the real benefits of behaving.
Question:
In the experts' opinion,parents _ .
Choices:
A. should provide their children with many luxurious things
B. shouldn't give their children too many rewards
C. should give their children more spiritual rewards
D. should tell their children the benefits of rewards | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high7282.txt | Earlier this year,my oldest daughter got braces on her teeth,and let's just say she did not go quietly into that dentist's chair. Fear and hate pretty much describe the days leading up to her first appointment.
So when she finally walked out with shiny teeth,a sore mouth and a broken spirit, I told her I was proud of her and took her to Ben & Jerry's for an ice cream reward. Two weeks later, we returned to the scene of the crime.The dentist spent about 45 seconds checking her teeth before sending her on her merry way. Before I could start the car, she was placing her ice cream order. She was shocked when I told her that she wasn't going to get a reward every time we got her teeth checked.
Apparently,she's not alone. According to some parenting experts, kids are easily addicted to a benefitproducing system of parental rewards and bribes --not all ice creams, candies and cool toys.Some parents are offering their children novel prizes just to let them sit down and behave in a restaurant--or sleep in their own beds--or score a goal in the next soccer game.
While the experts agree that occasional awards are okay,the danger lies in the system's overuse.Kids quickly gain a sense of entitlement ,where they come to expect a big reward for every good thing that they do, no matter how small.To keep things in check,experts say parents should reduce the number of rewards they offer, make sure rewards match the behavior and explain the real benefits of behaving. | [
"should provide their children with many luxurious things",
"shouldn't give their children too many rewards",
"should give their children more spiritual rewards",
"should tell their children the benefits of rewards"
] |
_ lost a jacket. | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Hello, I'm Tommy Smith. This is my room. Look! My schoolbag is on the desk. My Chinese book is on the bed. My baseball is under the sofa. And my CDs are in the bookcase.
My name is Sally Hand. I'm a schoolgirl. English is my favorite subject. I like it because it's interesting. Anna is our English teacher. We all like her very much.
I'm a schoolboy. I'm Dave Clark. I like basketball. My friends and I play basketball after school. It's relaxing.
Hi, my name is Bill Hall. Where is my jacket? Please call me if you find it. My phone number is 5283595. Thanks.
Question:
_ lost a jacket.
Choices:
A. Tommy
B. Bill
C. Dave
D. Sally | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle2405.txt | Hello, I'm Tommy Smith. This is my room. Look! My schoolbag is on the desk. My Chinese book is on the bed. My baseball is under the sofa. And my CDs are in the bookcase.
My name is Sally Hand. I'm a schoolgirl. English is my favorite subject. I like it because it's interesting. Anna is our English teacher. We all like her very much.
I'm a schoolboy. I'm Dave Clark. I like basketball. My friends and I play basketball after school. It's relaxing.
Hi, my name is Bill Hall. Where is my jacket? Please call me if you find it. My phone number is 5283595. Thanks. | [
"Tommy",
"Bill",
"Dave",
"Sally"
] |
Which of the following is true? | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Body language is quiet, secret and most powerful language of all. It speaks louder than words.
According to specialists, our bodies send out more messages than we realize. In fact, non-verbal communication takes up about fifty percent of what we usually mean. And body language is especially important, when we try to communicate across cultures.
Indeed, what is called body language is so much a part of us that it's actually often unnoticed. And misunderstandings happen as a result of it. For example, different cultures treat the distance between people differently. Northern Europeans usually do not like having bodily contact ,even with friends. And certainly not with strangers. People from the Latin American countries, on the other hand, touch each other quite a lot. So it's possible that in conversation it may look like a Latino is following a Norwegian all over the room. The Latino, trying to express friendship, will keep moving closer. The Norwegian, very probably seeing _ as rude behavior, will keep backing away, which the Latino will in return regarded as coldness.
Obviously, a great deal is going on when people talk. And only a part of it is in the words themselves. And when parties are from different cultures, there's a strong possibility of misunderstanding. But whatever the situation is, the best advice is to obey the golden rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated.
Question:
Which of the following is true?
Choices:
A. people around the world have the same body languages
B. body language takes up about 50% of our communication
C. body language is the most important in our communication
D. body language is important when trying to communicate across cultures | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle3197.txt | Body language is quiet, secret and most powerful language of all. It speaks louder than words.
According to specialists, our bodies send out more messages than we realize. In fact, non-verbal communication takes up about fifty percent of what we usually mean. And body language is especially important, when we try to communicate across cultures.
Indeed, what is called body language is so much a part of us that it's actually often unnoticed. And misunderstandings happen as a result of it. For example, different cultures treat the distance between people differently. Northern Europeans usually do not like having bodily contact ,even with friends. And certainly not with strangers. People from the Latin American countries, on the other hand, touch each other quite a lot. So it's possible that in conversation it may look like a Latino is following a Norwegian all over the room. The Latino, trying to express friendship, will keep moving closer. The Norwegian, very probably seeing _ as rude behavior, will keep backing away, which the Latino will in return regarded as coldness.
Obviously, a great deal is going on when people talk. And only a part of it is in the words themselves. And when parties are from different cultures, there's a strong possibility of misunderstanding. But whatever the situation is, the best advice is to obey the golden rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated. | [
"people around the world have the same body languages",
"body language takes up about 50% of our communication",
"body language is the most important in our communication",
"body language is important when trying to communicate across cultures"
] |
Samir climbed 318 stairs yesterday. Veronica climbed 18 more than half that amount. How many stairs did Veronica and Samir climb together yesterday? | Half of 318 is <<318/2=159>>159
159 + 18 = <<159+18=177>>177 stairs
318 + 177 = <<318+177=495>>495
Together they climbed 495 stairs yesterday.
#### 495 | Solve the following math problem and explain your reasoning step by step. | Samir climbed 318 stairs yesterday. Veronica climbed 18 more than half that amount. How many stairs did Veronica and Samir climb together yesterday? | Half of 318 is <<318/2=159>>159
159 + 18 = <<159+18=177>>177 stairs
318 + 177 = <<318+177=495>>495
Together they climbed 495 stairs yesterday.
#### 495 | math | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null |
The similarity of homeschooling and learning at school is that _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
When you learn reading, nlath, and other subjects taught in school from your parents or teaehers who come to your house, it's called homeschooling. A kid may be the only one, or he may be taught with brothers, sisters, or kids from the neighborhood.
Parents choose to homeschool their children for many different reasons. Sometimes a kid is sick and can't go to regular school. But more often, kids are homeschooled beeause their parents feel they can give their children a better education than the local school can. Patents also may choose homeschooling because they want their children's education to include religious instruction, which isn't offered at puhlie schools.
If you don't like school, homeschooling might seem like the perfect solution. But it's better for everyone if homeschooling isn't chosen just as an escape from school or prohlems there. Finding solutions to the problem should be the first step.
Kids who are homeschooled may benefit from the one-on-one attention. For example, if you don't understand something in math, the whole class won't he moving on without you. You might be the whole class! It's also possible that you might learn more than you would in a regular classroom, because if you really good at something, you can keep learning more at your own pace.
Kids who are homeschooled also may get out in their communities more than other kids. They may get to experience hands-on education at museums, libraries, businesses and other community resources. They also might volunteer or take part in "service learning" where they take on local projects.
No matter where a child goes to school, the key to learning is listening to the teacher and asking for help when you need it. A homeschooled child might feel more comfortable with his teacher (a parent), but the child still needs to pay attention and cooperate. Just like in a traditional school, teachers and students need to work together to achieve goals in the classroom.
Question:
The similarity of homeschooling and learning at school is that _ .
Choices:
A. students all should cooperate with their teachers
B. students don't feel lonely
C. students all have many classmates
D. studenls all have more opportunities to get out | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high3454.txt | When you learn reading, nlath, and other subjects taught in school from your parents or teaehers who come to your house, it's called homeschooling. A kid may be the only one, or he may be taught with brothers, sisters, or kids from the neighborhood.
Parents choose to homeschool their children for many different reasons. Sometimes a kid is sick and can't go to regular school. But more often, kids are homeschooled beeause their parents feel they can give their children a better education than the local school can. Patents also may choose homeschooling because they want their children's education to include religious instruction, which isn't offered at puhlie schools.
If you don't like school, homeschooling might seem like the perfect solution. But it's better for everyone if homeschooling isn't chosen just as an escape from school or prohlems there. Finding solutions to the problem should be the first step.
Kids who are homeschooled may benefit from the one-on-one attention. For example, if you don't understand something in math, the whole class won't he moving on without you. You might be the whole class! It's also possible that you might learn more than you would in a regular classroom, because if you really good at something, you can keep learning more at your own pace.
Kids who are homeschooled also may get out in their communities more than other kids. They may get to experience hands-on education at museums, libraries, businesses and other community resources. They also might volunteer or take part in "service learning" where they take on local projects.
No matter where a child goes to school, the key to learning is listening to the teacher and asking for help when you need it. A homeschooled child might feel more comfortable with his teacher (a parent), but the child still needs to pay attention and cooperate. Just like in a traditional school, teachers and students need to work together to achieve goals in the classroom. | [
"students all should cooperate with their teachers",
"students don't feel lonely",
"students all have many classmates",
"studenls all have more opportunities to get out"
] |
Mr. Rock is happy that _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Mr. Rock has some apple trees in his garden . He looks after them carefully . Now there are very good apples on the trees and Mr. Rock is happy.
This afternoon when he looks out of the window, he sees a boy in one of his apple trees. He is eating the nice apples!
Mr. Rock opens the window and shouts. "Hey! What are you doing there? Come down and go away, or I'll go to see your father!"
"Dad!" the boy looks up and cries , " Mr. Rock wants to see you!"
Question:
Mr. Rock is happy that _ .
Choices:
A. his apples are very good
B. he has some trees
C. a boy is in the tree
D. he looks after the tree carefully | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle4649.txt | Mr. Rock has some apple trees in his garden . He looks after them carefully . Now there are very good apples on the trees and Mr. Rock is happy.
This afternoon when he looks out of the window, he sees a boy in one of his apple trees. He is eating the nice apples!
Mr. Rock opens the window and shouts. "Hey! What are you doing there? Come down and go away, or I'll go to see your father!"
"Dad!" the boy looks up and cries , " Mr. Rock wants to see you!" | [
"his apples are very good",
"he has some trees",
"a boy is in the tree",
"he looks after the tree carefully"
] |
According to Dr. Tom Heffernan, the findings _ . | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
People who smoke could lose around one third of their daily memory, researchers say.
A study by a team at Northumbria University showed that smokers lost more of their memory when compared to non-smokers.
And the research also found that those who kicked the habit saw their ability to recollect information restored to almost the same level as non-smokers.
The study involved more than seventy 18-to-25-year-olds and included a tour of the university's campus. Those who took part were asked to recall small details, such as a list of songs played at a campus concert and tasks completed at various points-known as real world memory test. Smokers performed badly, remembering just 59 percent of tasks. But those who had given up smoking remembered 74 percent and those who had never smoked recalled 81 percent of tasks.
Dr. Tom Heffernan, who leads Northumbria University's Collaboration for Drug and Alcohol Research Group, said the findings would be useful in anti-smoking campaigns. He said, "Given that there are up to 10 million smokers in the UK and as many as 45 million in the United States, it's important to understand the effects smoking has on everyday cognitive function-of which prospective memory is an excellent example. "
"This is the first time that a study has set out to examine whether giving up smoking has an _ on memory. We already know that giving up smoking has huge health benefits for the body, but this study also shows how stopping smoking can have knock-on benefits for cognitive functions too. ''
The research will now investigate the effects of passive smoking on memory, while Dr. Heffernan and Dr. Terence O'Neil will look into the effects of third-hand smoking-toxins left on curtains and furniture.
Question:
According to Dr. Tom Heffernan, the findings _ .
Choices:
A. would be really a surprise to the public
B. would contribute to fighting against smoking
C. would be used in real world memory test
D. would be nothing new to the researchers | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high2649.txt | People who smoke could lose around one third of their daily memory, researchers say.
A study by a team at Northumbria University showed that smokers lost more of their memory when compared to non-smokers.
And the research also found that those who kicked the habit saw their ability to recollect information restored to almost the same level as non-smokers.
The study involved more than seventy 18-to-25-year-olds and included a tour of the university's campus. Those who took part were asked to recall small details, such as a list of songs played at a campus concert and tasks completed at various points-known as real world memory test. Smokers performed badly, remembering just 59 percent of tasks. But those who had given up smoking remembered 74 percent and those who had never smoked recalled 81 percent of tasks.
Dr. Tom Heffernan, who leads Northumbria University's Collaboration for Drug and Alcohol Research Group, said the findings would be useful in anti-smoking campaigns. He said, "Given that there are up to 10 million smokers in the UK and as many as 45 million in the United States, it's important to understand the effects smoking has on everyday cognitive function-of which prospective memory is an excellent example. "
"This is the first time that a study has set out to examine whether giving up smoking has an _ on memory. We already know that giving up smoking has huge health benefits for the body, but this study also shows how stopping smoking can have knock-on benefits for cognitive functions too. ''
The research will now investigate the effects of passive smoking on memory, while Dr. Heffernan and Dr. Terence O'Neil will look into the effects of third-hand smoking-toxins left on curtains and furniture. | [
"would be really a surprise to the public",
"would contribute to fighting against smoking",
"would be used in real world memory test",
"would be nothing new to the researchers"
] |
What is the main point of the article? | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
OK, I admit it: emoticons are popular. Some people even think they are fun. Many seem unable to get through an e-mail or Instant Message chat sentence without using one. Some feel that they add feeling and character to otherwise cold digital communications.
Some, however, such as editor and Hollywood scriptwriter John Blumenthal, blast the use of emoticons as "infantile just like the people who use them" He believes that words themselves should be enough. "If you're being funny, happy or sad, that should be apparent from the comment that goes before the emoticon," he argues.
In the eyes of Blumenthal, the use of emoticons is a gender issue. "Men don't use emoticons very much. Maybe not at all," he said. "Teenage girls and women seem to use them a lot. Maybe there' s an emoticon gene."
It's an interesting opinion, but it is not shared by all.
In an interview with The New York Times, Dacher Keltner, professor of psychology at the University of California, said that emoticons are popular because our brains are programmed "to seek out representations of humanity". He believes that they appeal not because they are shortcuts for the lazy, but because they tap into something beyond language. They reach to our need to be with and communicate with people.
All of these arguments may be somehow valid . Each one of us will choose to communicate in our own way. I do not have much time for emoticons. I tried to use one once and felt like I was stealing into a primary school class that I had no place being in. I'd rather let my words do the talking.
Friends, however, send me messages and e-mails full of emoticons. I have no problem with this. I don't regard any of my friends as lazy or immature . It's just a question of individuality. :)
Question:
What is the main point of the article?
Choices:
A. Advice on language used over the Internet.
B. The history of emoticons.
C. Arguments over the use of emoticons.
D. Reasons for the popularity of emoticons. | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high11729.txt | OK, I admit it: emoticons are popular. Some people even think they are fun. Many seem unable to get through an e-mail or Instant Message chat sentence without using one. Some feel that they add feeling and character to otherwise cold digital communications.
Some, however, such as editor and Hollywood scriptwriter John Blumenthal, blast the use of emoticons as "infantile just like the people who use them" He believes that words themselves should be enough. "If you're being funny, happy or sad, that should be apparent from the comment that goes before the emoticon," he argues.
In the eyes of Blumenthal, the use of emoticons is a gender issue. "Men don't use emoticons very much. Maybe not at all," he said. "Teenage girls and women seem to use them a lot. Maybe there' s an emoticon gene."
It's an interesting opinion, but it is not shared by all.
In an interview with The New York Times, Dacher Keltner, professor of psychology at the University of California, said that emoticons are popular because our brains are programmed "to seek out representations of humanity". He believes that they appeal not because they are shortcuts for the lazy, but because they tap into something beyond language. They reach to our need to be with and communicate with people.
All of these arguments may be somehow valid . Each one of us will choose to communicate in our own way. I do not have much time for emoticons. I tried to use one once and felt like I was stealing into a primary school class that I had no place being in. I'd rather let my words do the talking.
Friends, however, send me messages and e-mails full of emoticons. I have no problem with this. I don't regard any of my friends as lazy or immature . It's just a question of individuality. :) | [
"Advice on language used over the Internet.",
"The history of emoticons.",
"Arguments over the use of emoticons.",
"Reasons for the popularity of emoticons."
] |
If you want to enjoy yourself in the evening , you may go to _ . | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Rock House Museum
Take a journey through history with a visit to the exciting museum and historic sites of Wytheville . The Rock House Museum offers glimpses into daily life in the 19th century . The museum is part of the 50 structures featured in Wytheville's Historic Walking Tour . 540/233-3330 .
Grand Caverns
Grand Caverns is America's oldest cave . Beautiful and massive formations . Union troops visited the caverns . Thomas Jefferson visited--you should , too ! Open weekends in March , daily April--October , 9 a.m.--5 p.m. Hour tours leave every 30 minutes . 703/249-5705 .
The News Museum
The News Museum in Arlington is the world's only interactive museum of news . Visitors can be reporters or television newscasters , see today's news as it happens on a block-long video news wall , and be taken behind the scenes to see how news is made . The News museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a. m.--5 p. m. You can visitwww. News museum .Org .
Kenmore Plantation & Gardens
Kenmore Plantation & Gardens has over two hundred years of history from the Revolutionary War , Civil War and into the 21st century . Home of Betty Washington , George Washington's only sister , and Patriot Col. Fielding Lewis . Explore this historic building and city block of restored gardens . Tea and ginger cookies served . 540/373-3381 .
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach offers 11 000 hotel / motel rooms , plus cottages and campgrounds . Enjoy miles of clean beaches and a variety of family attractions . Fine restaurants , various shopping areas , exciting nightlife , and special events are offered throughout the year . 800/822-3224 .
Question:
If you want to enjoy yourself in the evening , you may go to _ .
Choices:
A. The News Museum
B. Kenmore Plantation & Gardens
C. Grand Caverns
D. Virginia Beach | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high1418.txt | Rock House Museum
Take a journey through history with a visit to the exciting museum and historic sites of Wytheville . The Rock House Museum offers glimpses into daily life in the 19th century . The museum is part of the 50 structures featured in Wytheville's Historic Walking Tour . 540/233-3330 .
Grand Caverns
Grand Caverns is America's oldest cave . Beautiful and massive formations . Union troops visited the caverns . Thomas Jefferson visited--you should , too ! Open weekends in March , daily April--October , 9 a.m.--5 p.m. Hour tours leave every 30 minutes . 703/249-5705 .
The News Museum
The News Museum in Arlington is the world's only interactive museum of news . Visitors can be reporters or television newscasters , see today's news as it happens on a block-long video news wall , and be taken behind the scenes to see how news is made . The News museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a. m.--5 p. m. You can visitwww. News museum .Org .
Kenmore Plantation & Gardens
Kenmore Plantation & Gardens has over two hundred years of history from the Revolutionary War , Civil War and into the 21st century . Home of Betty Washington , George Washington's only sister , and Patriot Col. Fielding Lewis . Explore this historic building and city block of restored gardens . Tea and ginger cookies served . 540/373-3381 .
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach offers 11 000 hotel / motel rooms , plus cottages and campgrounds . Enjoy miles of clean beaches and a variety of family attractions . Fine restaurants , various shopping areas , exciting nightlife , and special events are offered throughout the year . 800/822-3224 . | [
"The News Museum",
"Kenmore Plantation & Gardens",
"Grand Caverns",
"Virginia Beach"
] |
The storm lasted _ . | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Last Sunday I saw the hardest storm in years. It came suddenly and went on for more than three hours. After lunch, I went into my room to have a rest. The air was hot, and all was quiet.
Then the strong wind started blowing into my room. Pieces of paper on my desk flew high into the air and some flew out of the open window. As I ran out to catch them, big drops of rain began to fall.
When I came back into the house, it was raining harder. I tried hard to close the window. Then I heard a loudcrashing sound from the back of the house. I ran out of my room to find out what it was--a big tree had fallen down and broken the top of the back room.
Question:
The storm lasted _ .
Choices:
A. more than four hours
B. more than three hours
C. from one to six o'clock
D. from two to five o'clock | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle2702.txt | Last Sunday I saw the hardest storm in years. It came suddenly and went on for more than three hours. After lunch, I went into my room to have a rest. The air was hot, and all was quiet.
Then the strong wind started blowing into my room. Pieces of paper on my desk flew high into the air and some flew out of the open window. As I ran out to catch them, big drops of rain began to fall.
When I came back into the house, it was raining harder. I tried hard to close the window. Then I heard a loudcrashing sound from the back of the house. I ran out of my room to find out what it was--a big tree had fallen down and broken the top of the back room. | [
"more than four hours",
"more than three hours",
"from one to six o'clock",
"from two to five o'clock"
] |
In common cases, people will do the following things to the beggars EXCEPT for _ . | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Outside our hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, a seemingly ancient woman waited beside the door with her hand outstretched. Every day I put my hand in hers as our eyes met. She never failed to return my smile, my grasp, and my greeting.
On the last day of our visit, I found myself alone on a busy corner across the street from our hotel. Bicycles and motorbikes rushed in front of me. As I hesitated on the sidewalk, I felt a hand on my elbow and looked down to see the smile of my small beggar friend looking up at me. She nodded her head toward the street, indicating that she would take me across. Together, we moved slowly into the chaos.
Then we moved on toward the sidewalk, where she pulled my face down to hers, kissed me on both cheeks, and then left, still smiling and waving back to me.
Traveling in poorer nations, I have witnessed a variety of ways to deal with beggars. The most common response of tourists faced with the poverty-stricken is to ignore them and focus their eyes elsewhere. I have seen people push away an outstretched hand in angry annoyance. A few may drop a few coins into the hand in a hurry, hoping that other ragged pursuers won't immediately appear on the scene.
For many reasons, giving money is not the best response to an outstretched hand. Many world travelers have discovered that the greatest gift they can give is their time and respect. Everyone needs recognition, to be seen as worthy of being known, to feel appreciated and loved. And I believe that everyone is worthy and worth knowing.
Question:
In common cases, people will do the following things to the beggars EXCEPT for _ .
Choices:
A. pretending to see nothing
B. handing out some money
C. refusing them angrily
D. greeting them normally | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high10623.txt | Outside our hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, a seemingly ancient woman waited beside the door with her hand outstretched. Every day I put my hand in hers as our eyes met. She never failed to return my smile, my grasp, and my greeting.
On the last day of our visit, I found myself alone on a busy corner across the street from our hotel. Bicycles and motorbikes rushed in front of me. As I hesitated on the sidewalk, I felt a hand on my elbow and looked down to see the smile of my small beggar friend looking up at me. She nodded her head toward the street, indicating that she would take me across. Together, we moved slowly into the chaos.
Then we moved on toward the sidewalk, where she pulled my face down to hers, kissed me on both cheeks, and then left, still smiling and waving back to me.
Traveling in poorer nations, I have witnessed a variety of ways to deal with beggars. The most common response of tourists faced with the poverty-stricken is to ignore them and focus their eyes elsewhere. I have seen people push away an outstretched hand in angry annoyance. A few may drop a few coins into the hand in a hurry, hoping that other ragged pursuers won't immediately appear on the scene.
For many reasons, giving money is not the best response to an outstretched hand. Many world travelers have discovered that the greatest gift they can give is their time and respect. Everyone needs recognition, to be seen as worthy of being known, to feel appreciated and loved. And I believe that everyone is worthy and worth knowing. | [
"pretending to see nothing",
"handing out some money",
"refusing them angrily",
"greeting them normally"
] |
In the author's opinion,_. | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Protests at the use of animals in research have taken on a new and fearful character in
Britain with the attempted murder of two British scientists by the terrorist technique of the pre - planted car - bomb.
The research community will rightly be alarmed at these developments which have two aims: to draw public attention and to frighten people working in research with animals. The scientists insist that everything should be done to identify those responsible for the crimes and to put them on trial. The Defense Research Society has taken the practical step of offering a reward of PS10,000 for information leading to those responsible, but past experience is not encouraging. People are unlikely to be attracted by such offers. The professional police will similarly be challenged by the problem of finding a needle in a haystack.
That is why the intellectual community in Britain and elsewhere must act more strongly in its own defense. There are several steps that can be taken, of which the chief one is to demand of all the organizations that exist with the declared aims of defending the interests of animals that they should declare clearly where they stand on violence towards people. And it will not be enough for the chairman and chairwoman of these organizations to make placatory statements on behalf of all their members. These people should also promise that it will be a test of continuing membership in their organizations that members and would-be members should declare that they will take no part in acts of violence against human beings.
Question:
In the author's opinion,_.
Choices:
A. animal-protecting organizations should be declared illegal
B. the scientists should take effective measures to protect themselves
C. since people can lie, the problem about the rights of scientists can't be solved
D. animal-protecting organizations should help the police to fight against the acts of violence against scientists | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high22346.txt | Protests at the use of animals in research have taken on a new and fearful character in
Britain with the attempted murder of two British scientists by the terrorist technique of the pre - planted car - bomb.
The research community will rightly be alarmed at these developments which have two aims: to draw public attention and to frighten people working in research with animals. The scientists insist that everything should be done to identify those responsible for the crimes and to put them on trial. The Defense Research Society has taken the practical step of offering a reward of PS10,000 for information leading to those responsible, but past experience is not encouraging. People are unlikely to be attracted by such offers. The professional police will similarly be challenged by the problem of finding a needle in a haystack.
That is why the intellectual community in Britain and elsewhere must act more strongly in its own defense. There are several steps that can be taken, of which the chief one is to demand of all the organizations that exist with the declared aims of defending the interests of animals that they should declare clearly where they stand on violence towards people. And it will not be enough for the chairman and chairwoman of these organizations to make placatory statements on behalf of all their members. These people should also promise that it will be a test of continuing membership in their organizations that members and would-be members should declare that they will take no part in acts of violence against human beings. | [
"animal-protecting organizations should be declared illegal",
"the scientists should take effective measures to protect themselves",
"since people can lie, the problem about the rights of scientists can't be solved",
"animal-protecting organizations should help the police to fight against the acts of violence against scientists"
] |
If your fingers are wounded by knife, fire or other means, the structure of skin will _ . | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Every human being has a unique arrangement of the skin on his fingers and this arrangement is unchangeable. Scientists and experts have proved the uniqueness of finger-prints and discovered that no exactly similar pattern is passed on from parents to children, though nobody knows why this is the case.
The ridge structure on a person's fingers does not change with growth and is not affected by surface injuries. Burns, cuts and other damage to the outer part of the skin will be replaced in time by new one which bears a reproduction of the original pattern. It is only when the inner skin is injured that the arrangement will be destroyed. Some criminals make use of this fact to remove their own finger-prints but this is a dangerous and rare step to take.
Finger-prints can be made very easily with printer's ink. They can be recorded easily. With special methods, identification can be achieved successfully within a short time. Because of the simplicity and economy of this system, finger-prints have often been used as a method of solving criminal case. A suspected man may deny a charge but this may be in vain. His finger-prints can prove who he is even if his appearance has been changed by age or accident.
When a suspect leaves finger-prints behind at the scene of a crime, they are difficult to detect with the naked eye. Special techniques are used to "develop" them. Some of the marks found are incomplete but identification is possible if a print of a quarter of an inch square can be obtained.
Question:
If your fingers are wounded by knife, fire or other means, the structure of skin will _ .
Choices:
A. be changed partly
B. be replaced by a different one
C. be the same when the wound is recovered
D. become ugly | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high9439.txt | Every human being has a unique arrangement of the skin on his fingers and this arrangement is unchangeable. Scientists and experts have proved the uniqueness of finger-prints and discovered that no exactly similar pattern is passed on from parents to children, though nobody knows why this is the case.
The ridge structure on a person's fingers does not change with growth and is not affected by surface injuries. Burns, cuts and other damage to the outer part of the skin will be replaced in time by new one which bears a reproduction of the original pattern. It is only when the inner skin is injured that the arrangement will be destroyed. Some criminals make use of this fact to remove their own finger-prints but this is a dangerous and rare step to take.
Finger-prints can be made very easily with printer's ink. They can be recorded easily. With special methods, identification can be achieved successfully within a short time. Because of the simplicity and economy of this system, finger-prints have often been used as a method of solving criminal case. A suspected man may deny a charge but this may be in vain. His finger-prints can prove who he is even if his appearance has been changed by age or accident.
When a suspect leaves finger-prints behind at the scene of a crime, they are difficult to detect with the naked eye. Special techniques are used to "develop" them. Some of the marks found are incomplete but identification is possible if a print of a quarter of an inch square can be obtained. | [
"be changed partly",
"be replaced by a different one",
"be the same when the wound is recovered",
"become ugly"
] |
The African Goliath beetle is _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
The World's Largest Insect .This giant insect can be used as a toy.
A child ties one end of a string to a stick and the other end around the "neck" of an insect. Holding the stick, the child lets the insect go. With a loud whirring sound, the insect takes off, pulling the string in a large curve over the child's head. The child laughs as the stick jumps around. The child is African, and the toy is the African Goliath beetle, the largest insect in the world.
The Goliath is a true insect because it has six legs and a body that is divided into three parts. Like all beetles, it has two pairs of wings. The front pair are thick and stiff and protect the back pair, which are soft. It is these soft back wings that make the beetle fly forward. They also cause the loud whirring sound the beetle makes when it flies. To steer, the beetle twists and turns its legs the same way you steer a bike by turning its front wheel.
African children often use the Goliath beetle as a toy. Although it is over 15 centimeters long, it is quite harmless.
Question:
The African Goliath beetle is _ .
Choices:
A. the world's largest insect
B. a toy used in many parts of the world
C. the only insect found in Africa
D. the world's smallest insect | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high5103.txt | The World's Largest Insect .This giant insect can be used as a toy.
A child ties one end of a string to a stick and the other end around the "neck" of an insect. Holding the stick, the child lets the insect go. With a loud whirring sound, the insect takes off, pulling the string in a large curve over the child's head. The child laughs as the stick jumps around. The child is African, and the toy is the African Goliath beetle, the largest insect in the world.
The Goliath is a true insect because it has six legs and a body that is divided into three parts. Like all beetles, it has two pairs of wings. The front pair are thick and stiff and protect the back pair, which are soft. It is these soft back wings that make the beetle fly forward. They also cause the loud whirring sound the beetle makes when it flies. To steer, the beetle twists and turns its legs the same way you steer a bike by turning its front wheel.
African children often use the Goliath beetle as a toy. Although it is over 15 centimeters long, it is quite harmless. | [
"the world's largest insect",
"a toy used in many parts of the world",
"the only insect found in Africa",
"the world's smallest insect"
] |
The passage is mainly intended to _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
In November of 2007, NBC Universal launched its first official Green Week. Throughout the week, NBC Universal presented over 150 hours of environmentally themed content through multiple platforms .
Now, NBC Universal is proud to present Green Week 2012. With a new theme and message of "Green Your Routine", NBC and NBC.com presents green-themed tips in several of our daytime life, among several other features here on the "Green Your Routine" site.
Fashion & Beauty
Throw a clothes exchange party! Are you dying for that sweater your friend wore the other day? Well, maybe she'll trade for that old T-shirt you have. Here's a website that helps you organize an exchange party (www.swapstyle.com), or just plan your own!
Go natural with organic make-up. Applying unnatural products on your skin wasn't exactly that nature intended. Try switching to a line of organic make-up and cosmetics for a different way to bring out your natural beauty.
Home
Drop a brick in your toilet tank! Literally! According to the EPA, flushing makes up 30 percent of a household's water use (about three to six gallons per flush). By placing a brick in your toilet tank, you can help to conserve the amount of water used during each flush.
Work
Print smarter. Printing and copying can be one of the most costly operations in any office. To save on ink and paper costs, print double-sided and try to fit more than one page on a sheet. More printing tips can be found here: lifehacker.com
Turn off your computer. Do you leave your computer on over night? If so, you're using up a good amount of electricity. If you can, try turning off your computer and the power strip it's connected to. If you can't, shut off your monitor at least.
Transportation
Organize a car pool . There are many benefits to carpooling. You save on gas and you get to ride in the HOV lines. Get connected with your neighbors and co-workers to start sharing rides and check out this website for more tips: www.erideshare.com.
Lose the car and get a bike. If you live close to where you work, try taking a bike instead of driving. You'll keep in shape and save on gas!
Every small step and efforts makes a difference! Be sure to GREEN YOUR ROUTINE!
Question:
The passage is mainly intended to _ .
Choices:
A. call on readers to be environmentally friendly and present some good tips
B. tell readers to be environmentally friendly while travelling
C. persuade readers to ride bicycles when travelling
D. inform readers of measures to improve our environment | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high3902.txt | In November of 2007, NBC Universal launched its first official Green Week. Throughout the week, NBC Universal presented over 150 hours of environmentally themed content through multiple platforms .
Now, NBC Universal is proud to present Green Week 2012. With a new theme and message of "Green Your Routine", NBC and NBC.com presents green-themed tips in several of our daytime life, among several other features here on the "Green Your Routine" site.
Fashion & Beauty
Throw a clothes exchange party! Are you dying for that sweater your friend wore the other day? Well, maybe she'll trade for that old T-shirt you have. Here's a website that helps you organize an exchange party (www.swapstyle.com), or just plan your own!
Go natural with organic make-up. Applying unnatural products on your skin wasn't exactly that nature intended. Try switching to a line of organic make-up and cosmetics for a different way to bring out your natural beauty.
Home
Drop a brick in your toilet tank! Literally! According to the EPA, flushing makes up 30 percent of a household's water use (about three to six gallons per flush). By placing a brick in your toilet tank, you can help to conserve the amount of water used during each flush.
Work
Print smarter. Printing and copying can be one of the most costly operations in any office. To save on ink and paper costs, print double-sided and try to fit more than one page on a sheet. More printing tips can be found here: lifehacker.com
Turn off your computer. Do you leave your computer on over night? If so, you're using up a good amount of electricity. If you can, try turning off your computer and the power strip it's connected to. If you can't, shut off your monitor at least.
Transportation
Organize a car pool . There are many benefits to carpooling. You save on gas and you get to ride in the HOV lines. Get connected with your neighbors and co-workers to start sharing rides and check out this website for more tips: www.erideshare.com.
Lose the car and get a bike. If you live close to where you work, try taking a bike instead of driving. You'll keep in shape and save on gas!
Every small step and efforts makes a difference! Be sure to GREEN YOUR ROUTINE! | [
"call on readers to be environmentally friendly and present some good tips",
"tell readers to be environmentally friendly while travelling",
"persuade readers to ride bicycles when travelling",
"inform readers of measures to improve our environment"
] |
In 1585, Shakespeare left his hometown Stratford-upon-Avon _ . | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Willam Shakespeare was a writer of plays and poems. Some of his most famous plays are Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth .He wrote thirty-seven plays in all. They are still popular today.
He was born in 1564 in England. At school he liked watching plays. He decided to be an actor when he finished school at the age of fourteen. In 1582, he married a farmer's daughter. She was eight years older than he was. Their first child was a daughter .Later they had twins. In1585, Shakespeare left his hometown, Stratford-upon-Avon. His wife and children stayed behind .No one knows why he left or what he did between 1585 and 1592.
At twenty-eight he moved to London and joined a theatre company which opened the Globe Theatre in 1599. He became an actor, and he also wrote plays. He usually acted in his own plays .He earned almost no money from his writing. But he made a lot of money from acting. With the money he bought a large house in his hometown.
At the age of forty-nine, Shakespeare retired and went to live in Stratford-upon-Avon. He died at the age of fifty-two. He left his money to his family. He left his genius to the world. You still see his plays in English and in many other languages. He is one of the most famous writers in the world..
Question:
In 1585, Shakespeare left his hometown Stratford-upon-Avon _ .
Choices:
A. with his wife
B. with his daughter
C. with his wife and children
D. alone | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle1113.txt | Willam Shakespeare was a writer of plays and poems. Some of his most famous plays are Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth .He wrote thirty-seven plays in all. They are still popular today.
He was born in 1564 in England. At school he liked watching plays. He decided to be an actor when he finished school at the age of fourteen. In 1582, he married a farmer's daughter. She was eight years older than he was. Their first child was a daughter .Later they had twins. In1585, Shakespeare left his hometown, Stratford-upon-Avon. His wife and children stayed behind .No one knows why he left or what he did between 1585 and 1592.
At twenty-eight he moved to London and joined a theatre company which opened the Globe Theatre in 1599. He became an actor, and he also wrote plays. He usually acted in his own plays .He earned almost no money from his writing. But he made a lot of money from acting. With the money he bought a large house in his hometown.
At the age of forty-nine, Shakespeare retired and went to live in Stratford-upon-Avon. He died at the age of fifty-two. He left his money to his family. He left his genius to the world. You still see his plays in English and in many other languages. He is one of the most famous writers in the world.. | [
"with his wife",
"with his daughter",
"with his wife and children",
"alone"
] |
What would be the best title of the passage? | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
At Carl Hayden High School in Phoenix, Arizona in the United States, four poor Mexican boys worked together on a strange electric machine. They were encouraged by their teacher Allan Cameron to build the machine. It only cost them $800 to build it. They used pipes , cameras, computer parts, and whatever they could find. All the other students wondered what it was. The machine was like a very small submarine . It could move around in a swimming pool. The boys could control its movement from outside the pool.
Carl Hayden High School had been invited to a competition of high schools and universities. The schools were from the United States and Canada. The school that could build the best machine would be the winner. Many students came from schools that gave them lots of money and support. The Carl Hayden boys had hardly any support and very little money.
Students from eleven schools traveled with their machines to the University of California, including students from the famous university, MIT. When students saw the machine made by the Carl Hayden boys, some of them laughed. Its name was "Stinky" because it had a very strong smell. But when the competition started, _ saw that "stinky" was no joke. It did better than all the other machines, including the ones from MIT, and it took first place in the competition.
Since then, the boys from Carl Hayden High School have become famous. People have even offered them money for college, and a movie producer has asked them if it is OK to make a movie to tell their story.
Question:
What would be the best title of the passage?
Choices:
A. A special machine
B. A high school beat MIT
C. A competition for teens
D. Smart students in the US | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle4369.txt | At Carl Hayden High School in Phoenix, Arizona in the United States, four poor Mexican boys worked together on a strange electric machine. They were encouraged by their teacher Allan Cameron to build the machine. It only cost them $800 to build it. They used pipes , cameras, computer parts, and whatever they could find. All the other students wondered what it was. The machine was like a very small submarine . It could move around in a swimming pool. The boys could control its movement from outside the pool.
Carl Hayden High School had been invited to a competition of high schools and universities. The schools were from the United States and Canada. The school that could build the best machine would be the winner. Many students came from schools that gave them lots of money and support. The Carl Hayden boys had hardly any support and very little money.
Students from eleven schools traveled with their machines to the University of California, including students from the famous university, MIT. When students saw the machine made by the Carl Hayden boys, some of them laughed. Its name was "Stinky" because it had a very strong smell. But when the competition started, _ saw that "stinky" was no joke. It did better than all the other machines, including the ones from MIT, and it took first place in the competition.
Since then, the boys from Carl Hayden High School have become famous. People have even offered them money for college, and a movie producer has asked them if it is OK to make a movie to tell their story. | [
"A special machine",
"A high school beat MIT",
"A competition for teens",
"Smart students in the US"
] |
According to the text, nature should be _ . | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Zoology is the part of science that deals with the study of the animals' growth, home and behavior. It has nothing to do with people, so many students are left wondering why they have to learn it.
Our nature includes not just humans but plants and animals as well. Everything in our environment is connected in a complex cycle. If you have a better understanding of how animals would behave and work with us, then you would value nature better.
Some animals are actually misunderstood by people like sharks and snakes. These creatures are thought of as human killers, and this is mainly because we don't understand why they behave that way. In zoology you would be able to learn natural behavior as well as their homes so you would completely understand why they would behave in a defensive manner when they seem to be threatened. Studying zoology would help people achieve clearness over the common myths we have on different wild animals.
Studying zoology would help people know the real facts about animals. One of the negative facts is the decreasing numbers of some species of animals. It makes people realize that there is a need for nature to be always balanced. We need animals to keep the balance in our environment and for humans to survive as well. It would help us learn the needs that animals lack and we can respond by thinking of solutions we can give to the endangered species of animals.
Modern progress is needed for a country to grow in terms of its economy; however, it should not force us to destroy our rainforests and oceans. People should realize that our modern lives should include the lives of the animals that live with us. They should not be contained in zoos but in their natural homes as well. We will learn that every living creature on the earth has the right to own a home and we need to fight for them to have permanent homes.
Question:
According to the text, nature should be _ .
Choices:
A. left alone
B. treated seriously
C. taken for granted
D. taken lightly | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high5604.txt | Zoology is the part of science that deals with the study of the animals' growth, home and behavior. It has nothing to do with people, so many students are left wondering why they have to learn it.
Our nature includes not just humans but plants and animals as well. Everything in our environment is connected in a complex cycle. If you have a better understanding of how animals would behave and work with us, then you would value nature better.
Some animals are actually misunderstood by people like sharks and snakes. These creatures are thought of as human killers, and this is mainly because we don't understand why they behave that way. In zoology you would be able to learn natural behavior as well as their homes so you would completely understand why they would behave in a defensive manner when they seem to be threatened. Studying zoology would help people achieve clearness over the common myths we have on different wild animals.
Studying zoology would help people know the real facts about animals. One of the negative facts is the decreasing numbers of some species of animals. It makes people realize that there is a need for nature to be always balanced. We need animals to keep the balance in our environment and for humans to survive as well. It would help us learn the needs that animals lack and we can respond by thinking of solutions we can give to the endangered species of animals.
Modern progress is needed for a country to grow in terms of its economy; however, it should not force us to destroy our rainforests and oceans. People should realize that our modern lives should include the lives of the animals that live with us. They should not be contained in zoos but in their natural homes as well. We will learn that every living creature on the earth has the right to own a home and we need to fight for them to have permanent homes. | [
"left alone",
"treated seriously",
"taken for granted",
"taken lightly"
] |
Which of the following is true? | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
There are many unusual hotels around the world. In Greenland , there is a hotel made of ice, open between December and April every year. In Turkey , there is a cave hotel with a television, furniture, and a bathroom in each room. And in Bolivia , there is a hotel named the Salt Palace Hotel.
Thousands of years ago, the area around the Salt Palace Hotel was a large lake. But today, the area has only two small lakes and two salt deserts .
The larger of the two deserts is called Uyuni salt desert. During the day, the desert is bright white because of the salt. There are no roads across the Uyuni desert, so local people must show guests the way to the hotel.
In the early 1990s, a man named Juan Quesada built the hotel. He cut big blocks of salt from the desert and used the blocks to build it. Everything in the hotel is made of salt: the walls, the roof , the tables, the chairs, the beds, and the hotel's bar.
The sun makes the walls and roof warm during the day. At night the desert is very cold, but the rooms are warm. The hotel has twelve rooms. A single room costs$40 a night, and a double room costs$60.
A sign on the hotel's wall tells guests, " Please don't lick the walls." [:Zxxk.Com]
Question:
Which of the following is true?
Choices:
A. You can live in the ice hotel in Greenland in October.
B. You can watch TV in the cave hotel.
C. The salt hotel is in Turkey.
D. If you and your friend want to live in the Salt Hotel, you should pay$40 a night together. | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle3072.txt | There are many unusual hotels around the world. In Greenland , there is a hotel made of ice, open between December and April every year. In Turkey , there is a cave hotel with a television, furniture, and a bathroom in each room. And in Bolivia , there is a hotel named the Salt Palace Hotel.
Thousands of years ago, the area around the Salt Palace Hotel was a large lake. But today, the area has only two small lakes and two salt deserts .
The larger of the two deserts is called Uyuni salt desert. During the day, the desert is bright white because of the salt. There are no roads across the Uyuni desert, so local people must show guests the way to the hotel.
In the early 1990s, a man named Juan Quesada built the hotel. He cut big blocks of salt from the desert and used the blocks to build it. Everything in the hotel is made of salt: the walls, the roof , the tables, the chairs, the beds, and the hotel's bar.
The sun makes the walls and roof warm during the day. At night the desert is very cold, but the rooms are warm. The hotel has twelve rooms. A single room costs$40 a night, and a double room costs$60.
A sign on the hotel's wall tells guests, " Please don't lick the walls." [:Zxxk.Com] | [
"You can live in the ice hotel in Greenland in October.",
"You can watch TV in the cave hotel.",
"The salt hotel is in Turkey.",
"If you and your friend want to live in the Salt Hotel, you should pay$40 a night together."
] |
How did her employees feel at first when they heard Gonzalez's decision? | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Like lots of small-business owners, Lola Gonzalez had to decide to cut down her company's nine-person staff when the economic recovery began to fail last spring. Unlike other companies, she picked an unlikely employee to lay off : herself.
Her business began to have problems in 2008 after going through her books
One day, her husband, Marcos, told her she had to reduce her payroll by one person. Gonzalez said at a meeting, "I want you all to know that I have to lay somebody off and it's been a very difficult decision. And that person is me." Employees first froze in amazement and then burst into laughter until they realized she was serious. Gonzalez 's employees said they were grateful for her kindness.
Her reason was simple. Although she ran the business and her employees did the legwork , she thought she could find work more easily than her staff. Sure enough, she soon got a job as a social worker for a non-profit organization called Devereux Kids. She enjoys her social-worker job now, but the salary cut has required some lifestyle changes. She and Marcos no longer eat out daily; they no longer pay for their son's car and mobile phone, and they changed their car to a smaller one to save $300 a month.
Her business has picked up a bit recently and Marcos has begun to work part-time at Gonzalez's company. Gonzalez says she has no plan to return to work at her company until the economic situation becomes better, perhaps in a year. Her employees, however, will get Christmas bonuses this year.
Question:
How did her employees feel at first when they heard Gonzalez's decision?
Choices:
A. Happy.
B. Grateful.
C. Surprised.
D. Unbelievable. | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high4571.txt | Like lots of small-business owners, Lola Gonzalez had to decide to cut down her company's nine-person staff when the economic recovery began to fail last spring. Unlike other companies, she picked an unlikely employee to lay off : herself.
Her business began to have problems in 2008 after going through her books
One day, her husband, Marcos, told her she had to reduce her payroll by one person. Gonzalez said at a meeting, "I want you all to know that I have to lay somebody off and it's been a very difficult decision. And that person is me." Employees first froze in amazement and then burst into laughter until they realized she was serious. Gonzalez 's employees said they were grateful for her kindness.
Her reason was simple. Although she ran the business and her employees did the legwork , she thought she could find work more easily than her staff. Sure enough, she soon got a job as a social worker for a non-profit organization called Devereux Kids. She enjoys her social-worker job now, but the salary cut has required some lifestyle changes. She and Marcos no longer eat out daily; they no longer pay for their son's car and mobile phone, and they changed their car to a smaller one to save $300 a month.
Her business has picked up a bit recently and Marcos has begun to work part-time at Gonzalez's company. Gonzalez says she has no plan to return to work at her company until the economic situation becomes better, perhaps in a year. Her employees, however, will get Christmas bonuses this year. | [
"Happy.",
"Grateful.",
"Surprised.",
"Unbelievable."
] |
Who created spiderman ? | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Spiderman is one of the most famous comic book heroes of all time. He was created by Stan Lee in 1963 and was first introduced to the world in the pages of Marvel Comic Books.
Spiderman's story is the story of Peter Parker, a child who lost his parents and lives with his aunt and uncle. Peter is a shy, quiet boy wearing glasses and has few friends. One day, on a high school class trip to a science lab, he gets bitten by a special spider. Soon Peter realizes he has amazing powers: he is as strong and quick as a spider and also has a type of sixth sense. He no longer needs his glasses and he can use his super power to fly through the city streets! Remembering something his Uncle Ben has told him _ ,Peter decides to use his powers to fight against enemies who do cruel things to people. And so, Spiderman is born.
Life is not easy for Peter even though he is a superhero. He is in love with Mary Jane but he can't tell her about his amazing powers. Besides, his best friend Harry hates Spiderman! Peter is also short of money and time. He has to sell photos of Spiderman (himself!) to a newspaper and he keeps losing his other jobs because he's so busy saving people! Yet he has to fight against different kinds of cruel enemies.
Question:
Who created spiderman ?
Choices:
A. Stan Lee.
B. Marvel.
C. Peter parker.
D. Superman. | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle736.txt | Spiderman is one of the most famous comic book heroes of all time. He was created by Stan Lee in 1963 and was first introduced to the world in the pages of Marvel Comic Books.
Spiderman's story is the story of Peter Parker, a child who lost his parents and lives with his aunt and uncle. Peter is a shy, quiet boy wearing glasses and has few friends. One day, on a high school class trip to a science lab, he gets bitten by a special spider. Soon Peter realizes he has amazing powers: he is as strong and quick as a spider and also has a type of sixth sense. He no longer needs his glasses and he can use his super power to fly through the city streets! Remembering something his Uncle Ben has told him _ ,Peter decides to use his powers to fight against enemies who do cruel things to people. And so, Spiderman is born.
Life is not easy for Peter even though he is a superhero. He is in love with Mary Jane but he can't tell her about his amazing powers. Besides, his best friend Harry hates Spiderman! Peter is also short of money and time. He has to sell photos of Spiderman (himself!) to a newspaper and he keeps losing his other jobs because he's so busy saving people! Yet he has to fight against different kinds of cruel enemies. | [
"Stan Lee.",
"Marvel.",
"Peter parker.",
"Superman."
] |
Which best describes sexual reproduction in all animals? | null | Answer this science question and explain your reasoning. | Which best describes sexual reproduction in all animals?
Choices:
A. Egg and sperm join together.
B. Pollen and seed join together.
C. Offspring have traits of only one parent.
D. Offspring are identical to one parent. | Correct answer: A | science | Mercury_406732 | {
"text": [
"Egg and sperm join together.",
"Pollen and seed join together.",
"Offspring have traits of only one parent.",
"Offspring are identical to one parent."
],
"label": [
"A",
"B",
"C",
"D"
]
} | A | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null |
What does the author think about the book his grandmother gave him? | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
My grandmother Adele loved culture and was generous with its gifts. When I was a child, she took me to museums, restaurants, dances. She showered me with gifts from her travels around the world. But I can only remember her giving me one book--a book that, to this day, I have not read. She presented me with her own favorite childhood book: Hans Brinker. My grandmother was happy to share this book with me. She even decorated the title page with her proud writing.
I tried to read it. I adored reading, and would dive into a new pile of books from the library all at once. But something about Hans Brinker just wouldn't let me in. The story was set in Holland, a long time ago. It felt dull and unfamiliar--even though I was a fan of classics of other times and places. I simply read the first pages over and over. I could not progress.
Standing on a bookshelf in our living room, the book was like something I avoided. It scolded me for not being interested, for not trying hard enough, for disappointing my grandmother.
The book started to fit in, almost forgotten, until Adele asked. Had I read it? Did I like it? Always determined, she wanted to know the answer. I would make some kind of excuse, feel bad, and open it again, hoping for a new reaction. _ .
Years passed and finally Adele and I both accepted that I would never read Hans Brinker. Eventually I cleared the book from the shelf. The Hans Brinker experience led me to set a rule that I've lived by ever since: Do not ask about a book given as a gift. Don't ask, despite your desire to discuss it to grow closer. The desire for such connection is what gives book-giving with special meaning--and increases the owner's possibility to be a letdown.
Guilt is basically the same as for all gifts, though. If the giver doesn't have the pleasure of seeing or hearing about the gift being enjoyed, and asks whether it is, then the owner--unless she can truthfully say "yes"--either has to admit to not liking the present, or else lie on the spot. Neither is pleasant. So, don't ask.
Question:
What does the author think about the book his grandmother gave him?
Choices:
A. Boring.
B. Interesting.
C. Puzzling.
D. Disappointing. | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high6774.txt | My grandmother Adele loved culture and was generous with its gifts. When I was a child, she took me to museums, restaurants, dances. She showered me with gifts from her travels around the world. But I can only remember her giving me one book--a book that, to this day, I have not read. She presented me with her own favorite childhood book: Hans Brinker. My grandmother was happy to share this book with me. She even decorated the title page with her proud writing.
I tried to read it. I adored reading, and would dive into a new pile of books from the library all at once. But something about Hans Brinker just wouldn't let me in. The story was set in Holland, a long time ago. It felt dull and unfamiliar--even though I was a fan of classics of other times and places. I simply read the first pages over and over. I could not progress.
Standing on a bookshelf in our living room, the book was like something I avoided. It scolded me for not being interested, for not trying hard enough, for disappointing my grandmother.
The book started to fit in, almost forgotten, until Adele asked. Had I read it? Did I like it? Always determined, she wanted to know the answer. I would make some kind of excuse, feel bad, and open it again, hoping for a new reaction. _ .
Years passed and finally Adele and I both accepted that I would never read Hans Brinker. Eventually I cleared the book from the shelf. The Hans Brinker experience led me to set a rule that I've lived by ever since: Do not ask about a book given as a gift. Don't ask, despite your desire to discuss it to grow closer. The desire for such connection is what gives book-giving with special meaning--and increases the owner's possibility to be a letdown.
Guilt is basically the same as for all gifts, though. If the giver doesn't have the pleasure of seeing or hearing about the gift being enjoyed, and asks whether it is, then the owner--unless she can truthfully say "yes"--either has to admit to not liking the present, or else lie on the spot. Neither is pleasant. So, don't ask. | [
"Boring.",
"Interesting.",
"Puzzling.",
"Disappointing."
] |
What would be the best title for the passage? | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
After serving as a ski guide in Utah's back country for more than two decades, a Park City woman is being recognized by Outside Magazine as 2015's Best Ski Guide.
Deb Lovci grew up in Colorado and began skiing when she was five years old. Later she moved to Utah and fell in love with the back country of Wasatch Mountains. Lovci has now served as a Ski Utah Interconnect guide for 27 years. "Anything that you slide on snow, I'm in love with, " she said.
Lovci leads ski tours through the back country of six different resorts located in the Wasatch Mountains. Lovci typically takes a group of eight to ten people on a ski tour each day, and on average, she takes 300 customers on tours through the back country each season. She loves showing off Utah's wilderness. "I love the back country," she said. "I love the snow science behind it. I love the safety ... I just love it."
Along with leading ski tours, Lovci is passionate about anything related to activities. She also runs a bed-and-breakfast in Park City, the Old Town Guest House. As " _ ", she also runs Alpine skis, Nordic skis competitively, and snowboards, and leads mountain bike tours during the summer.
Outside Magazine selected five travel guides in various outdoor fields to name as the best in their Best of Travel April issue. Lovci said she was unexpectedly cheerful when she was selected as 2015's Best Ski Guide by Outside Magazine. "We all work really hard in what we do and we love it and it's really nice to get acknowledged," she said. "I work with a lot of excellent guides and the award could have gone to anybody -- any one of us. I often recall my ski experiences which were fearful at the beginning, but they helped me achieve a success."
In a news release, Ski Utah director of communications, Paul Marshall said, "Deb Lovci is one of the most enthusiastic, focused, knowledgeable guides in the industry. Without her as the forefront of our Interconnect Tour, we would not have the success we have. She has been an enthusiastic part of the Interconnect Tour for 27 years and is thought highly of by our customers."
Question:
What would be the best title for the passage?
Choices:
A. Deb Lovci --2015's Best Ski Guide
B. Deb Lovci and Outside Magazine
C. The Ski Utah Interconnect Tour
D. Deb Lovci -- a ski guide for 27 years | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high13441.txt | After serving as a ski guide in Utah's back country for more than two decades, a Park City woman is being recognized by Outside Magazine as 2015's Best Ski Guide.
Deb Lovci grew up in Colorado and began skiing when she was five years old. Later she moved to Utah and fell in love with the back country of Wasatch Mountains. Lovci has now served as a Ski Utah Interconnect guide for 27 years. "Anything that you slide on snow, I'm in love with, " she said.
Lovci leads ski tours through the back country of six different resorts located in the Wasatch Mountains. Lovci typically takes a group of eight to ten people on a ski tour each day, and on average, she takes 300 customers on tours through the back country each season. She loves showing off Utah's wilderness. "I love the back country," she said. "I love the snow science behind it. I love the safety ... I just love it."
Along with leading ski tours, Lovci is passionate about anything related to activities. She also runs a bed-and-breakfast in Park City, the Old Town Guest House. As " _ ", she also runs Alpine skis, Nordic skis competitively, and snowboards, and leads mountain bike tours during the summer.
Outside Magazine selected five travel guides in various outdoor fields to name as the best in their Best of Travel April issue. Lovci said she was unexpectedly cheerful when she was selected as 2015's Best Ski Guide by Outside Magazine. "We all work really hard in what we do and we love it and it's really nice to get acknowledged," she said. "I work with a lot of excellent guides and the award could have gone to anybody -- any one of us. I often recall my ski experiences which were fearful at the beginning, but they helped me achieve a success."
In a news release, Ski Utah director of communications, Paul Marshall said, "Deb Lovci is one of the most enthusiastic, focused, knowledgeable guides in the industry. Without her as the forefront of our Interconnect Tour, we would not have the success we have. She has been an enthusiastic part of the Interconnect Tour for 27 years and is thought highly of by our customers." | [
"Deb Lovci --2015's Best Ski Guide",
"Deb Lovci and Outside Magazine",
"The Ski Utah Interconnect Tour",
"Deb Lovci -- a ski guide for 27 years"
] |
From the passage we can see that the writer is _ . | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
The customs in different countries are rather different. If I have dinner with a Chinese host, he always puts more food onto my plate as soon as I have emptied it. That often discomforts(......) me greatly. I have to eat the food even if I do not want to. I have also noticed that when a Chinese sits at an American's dinner party, he very often refuses the offer of food or drink though he's in fact still hungry or thirsty. This might be good manners in prefix = st1 /China, but it is not in the West at all. In theUnited States, it is impolite to keep asking someone again and again or insist on his accepting something. Americans have a direct way of speaking. If they want something, they will ask for it. If not, they will say, "No thanks." When an American is served with beer by the host, for example, he might say, "No, thanks. I'll take some orange juice if you have it." That is what an American will do. So when you go to theUnited States, you'd better remember the famous saying: "When inRome, do as Romans do."
Question:
From the passage we can see that the writer is _ .
Choices:
A. a Chinese
B. a Roman
C. an American
D. aThailand | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high17946.txt | The customs in different countries are rather different. If I have dinner with a Chinese host, he always puts more food onto my plate as soon as I have emptied it. That often discomforts(......) me greatly. I have to eat the food even if I do not want to. I have also noticed that when a Chinese sits at an American's dinner party, he very often refuses the offer of food or drink though he's in fact still hungry or thirsty. This might be good manners in prefix = st1 /China, but it is not in the West at all. In theUnited States, it is impolite to keep asking someone again and again or insist on his accepting something. Americans have a direct way of speaking. If they want something, they will ask for it. If not, they will say, "No thanks." When an American is served with beer by the host, for example, he might say, "No, thanks. I'll take some orange juice if you have it." That is what an American will do. So when you go to theUnited States, you'd better remember the famous saying: "When inRome, do as Romans do." | [
"a Chinese",
"a Roman",
"an American",
"aThailand"
] |
Barbie and Bruno have a pile of 144 coconuts that they need to move from one side of their yard to the other side. Barbie can carry 4 coconuts at a time, while Bruno can carry 8 coconuts at a time. If they make trips together carrying their maximum number of coconuts each time, how many trips together would they need to make to move all of the coconuts? | Together, they would carry a combined total of 4+8=<<4+8=12>>12 coconuts per trip.
To move 144 coconuts, they would need to make 144/12=<<144/12=12>>12 trips.
#### 12 | Solve the following math problem and explain your reasoning step by step. | Barbie and Bruno have a pile of 144 coconuts that they need to move from one side of their yard to the other side. Barbie can carry 4 coconuts at a time, while Bruno can carry 8 coconuts at a time. If they make trips together carrying their maximum number of coconuts each time, how many trips together would they need to make to move all of the coconuts? | Together, they would carry a combined total of 4+8=<<4+8=12>>12 coconuts per trip.
To move 144 coconuts, they would need to make 144/12=<<144/12=12>>12 trips.
#### 12 | math | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null |
The passage implies_. | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Twenty years are just a blink in time. But 20 years is also long enough for a man to grow up. It is always painful. For Andre Agassi, maturing in the spotlight of international tennis competition was even harder.
On September 3, the American tennis player said a tearful goodbye to his 21-year career after a third-round defeat in the US Open. The 36-year-old tried his best, but was unable to keep up with German Benjamin Becker, _ years his _
"The scoreboard said I lost today, but what the scoreboard doesn't say is what I've found," Agassi said to the fans. "I have found inspiration and you willed me to succeed." It was an emotional speech at the end of a long career.
Agassi hated tennis as a teenager as much as he loves it now. His father made him play when he was a child. He got bored, and became a rebel . The strict training that his father pushed upon him got in the way of his wild lifestyle. He grew hair long, wore colourful clothes and spat at a judge. Over the years, he has made bad jokes during news conferences Asked what he would say to his 17-year-old self, Agassi answered, "I would say, I understand you a lot more than I want to be you."
The turning point in Agassi's career came in 1992 when he unexpectedly won his first Grand Slam at Wimbledon. It was the first time Agassi understood what real champions finally understand: winning is a test of courage and not just power, it's a marathon, not a sprint .
And what a marathon Agassi was about to begin. He cut his long hair, got fitter and tightened up emotionally. On the court, he was ranked No. 1 for almost two years. His lowest point came in 1997 when his ranking dropped to No. 141. He didn't quit though. "I knew that I would try to get the most out of myself every day from that day forward. That was my promise," he said. "That never stopped."
Question:
The passage implies_.
Choices:
A. after 1997 Agassi began to take up marathon besides tennis
B. Agassi began to play tennis before he was fifteen
C. Agassi decided to quit his sports career
D. the reason why Agassi lost his last competition was that he was lack of courage and power | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high22753.txt | Twenty years are just a blink in time. But 20 years is also long enough for a man to grow up. It is always painful. For Andre Agassi, maturing in the spotlight of international tennis competition was even harder.
On September 3, the American tennis player said a tearful goodbye to his 21-year career after a third-round defeat in the US Open. The 36-year-old tried his best, but was unable to keep up with German Benjamin Becker, _ years his _
"The scoreboard said I lost today, but what the scoreboard doesn't say is what I've found," Agassi said to the fans. "I have found inspiration and you willed me to succeed." It was an emotional speech at the end of a long career.
Agassi hated tennis as a teenager as much as he loves it now. His father made him play when he was a child. He got bored, and became a rebel . The strict training that his father pushed upon him got in the way of his wild lifestyle. He grew hair long, wore colourful clothes and spat at a judge. Over the years, he has made bad jokes during news conferences Asked what he would say to his 17-year-old self, Agassi answered, "I would say, I understand you a lot more than I want to be you."
The turning point in Agassi's career came in 1992 when he unexpectedly won his first Grand Slam at Wimbledon. It was the first time Agassi understood what real champions finally understand: winning is a test of courage and not just power, it's a marathon, not a sprint .
And what a marathon Agassi was about to begin. He cut his long hair, got fitter and tightened up emotionally. On the court, he was ranked No. 1 for almost two years. His lowest point came in 1997 when his ranking dropped to No. 141. He didn't quit though. "I knew that I would try to get the most out of myself every day from that day forward. That was my promise," he said. "That never stopped." | [
"after 1997 Agassi began to take up marathon besides tennis",
"Agassi began to play tennis before he was fifteen",
"Agassi decided to quit his sports career",
"the reason why Agassi lost his last competition was that he was lack of courage and power"
] |
Which word best describes the writer's attitude towards commuters' behaviors? | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Many cities have subways and underground public transportation to take locals and tourists alike rapidly around the city.However, there's something different about riding a London subway.It may not look different, but the historical value of one of England's most popular forms of transportation is enough to make riding the subway a must when visiting London.With a little under 300 different stations, the subway can take you almost anywhere you need to go.
Riding a London subway, a person from other countries will notice one major difference: in London, people do not look at each other.In fact, eye contact is avoided at all times.That's not rudeness --people are just too busy to bother looking.
Busy doing what, you ask? Well, they're certainly not using the time for a moment of quiet thinking.Nor are they reading a book.New technology has replaced quiet habits.Today the only acceptable form of book on the London underground is an e-book.
Apple must earn a fortune from London commuters .Since the launch of the iPhone in 2007, over 40,000--yes, that's 40,000 " _ " have been designed.
Commuters love them because they are the perfect time-fillers.One "app", called iShoot, is a game that features tanks.Another one, Tube Exits, tells passengers where to sit on the train to be closest to the exit of their destination.iSteam clouds the iPhone screen when you breathe into the microphone.You can then write in the "steam" on your phone screen.
For those without an iPhone, another Apple product, the iPod, may be the distraction of choice.It's not just teenagers who "plug in" to their music-iPods are a popular way to pass the time for all ages.
And if games, e-books and music aren't enough to keep you occupied, then perhaps you would prefer a film? The development of palm DVD technology means many commuters watch their favorite TV shows or films on the way to work.With all these distractions, it's amazing that people still remember to get off the train.
Question:
Which word best describes the writer's attitude towards commuters' behaviors?
Choices:
A. for
B. against
C. neutral
D. hateful | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high4251.txt | Many cities have subways and underground public transportation to take locals and tourists alike rapidly around the city.However, there's something different about riding a London subway.It may not look different, but the historical value of one of England's most popular forms of transportation is enough to make riding the subway a must when visiting London.With a little under 300 different stations, the subway can take you almost anywhere you need to go.
Riding a London subway, a person from other countries will notice one major difference: in London, people do not look at each other.In fact, eye contact is avoided at all times.That's not rudeness --people are just too busy to bother looking.
Busy doing what, you ask? Well, they're certainly not using the time for a moment of quiet thinking.Nor are they reading a book.New technology has replaced quiet habits.Today the only acceptable form of book on the London underground is an e-book.
Apple must earn a fortune from London commuters .Since the launch of the iPhone in 2007, over 40,000--yes, that's 40,000 " _ " have been designed.
Commuters love them because they are the perfect time-fillers.One "app", called iShoot, is a game that features tanks.Another one, Tube Exits, tells passengers where to sit on the train to be closest to the exit of their destination.iSteam clouds the iPhone screen when you breathe into the microphone.You can then write in the "steam" on your phone screen.
For those without an iPhone, another Apple product, the iPod, may be the distraction of choice.It's not just teenagers who "plug in" to their music-iPods are a popular way to pass the time for all ages.
And if games, e-books and music aren't enough to keep you occupied, then perhaps you would prefer a film? The development of palm DVD technology means many commuters watch their favorite TV shows or films on the way to work.With all these distractions, it's amazing that people still remember to get off the train. | [
"for",
"against",
"neutral",
"hateful"
] |
From where have the earliest ocean plants thought to have evolved? | null | Answer the following science question clearly and accurately. | From where have the earliest ocean plants thought to have evolved? | green alga ancestor | science | null | null | null | simple alga ancestor | green pepinia ancestor | simple coral ancestor | green alga ancestor | The earliest plants are thought to have evolved in the ocean from a green alga ancestor. Plants were among the earliest organisms to leave the water and colonize land. The evolution of vascular tissues allowed plants to grow larger and thrive on land. The evolution of seeds and pollen allowed them to reproduce on land without moisture. Flowering plants evolved flowers with ovaries that formed fruits. They have been the most successful plants of all. | null | null | null |
Gilbert, the bearded dragon, eats 4 crickets per week when the temperature averages 90 degrees F per day, but he eats twice as many crickets per week when the temperature averages 100 degrees F. How many crickets will he eat over 15 weeks if the temperature averages 90 degrees F for 80% of the time, and 100 degrees F for the remainder of the time? | It will be 90 degrees for 80% of the 15 weeks, for a total of 0.8*15=12 weeks.
It will be 100 degrees F for the remainder of the 15 weeks, or 15-12=<<15-12=3>>3 weeks.
During the 12 weeks when it averages 90 degrees F, he will eat 4 crickets per week for a total of 12*4=<<12*4=48>>48 crickets.
When it averages 100 degrees F, he eats twice as many crickets per week as when it averages 90 degrees F per week, for a total of 2*4=8 crickets per week.
During these 3 weeks, he will eat 8*3=<<8*3=24>>24 crickets.
Therefore, over the 15 weeks, he will eat a total of 48+24=<<48+24=72>>72 crickets.
#### 72 | Solve the following math problem and explain your reasoning step by step. | Gilbert, the bearded dragon, eats 4 crickets per week when the temperature averages 90 degrees F per day, but he eats twice as many crickets per week when the temperature averages 100 degrees F. How many crickets will he eat over 15 weeks if the temperature averages 90 degrees F for 80% of the time, and 100 degrees F for the remainder of the time? | It will be 90 degrees for 80% of the 15 weeks, for a total of 0.8*15=12 weeks.
It will be 100 degrees F for the remainder of the 15 weeks, or 15-12=<<15-12=3>>3 weeks.
During the 12 weeks when it averages 90 degrees F, he will eat 4 crickets per week for a total of 12*4=<<12*4=48>>48 crickets.
When it averages 100 degrees F, he eats twice as many crickets per week as when it averages 90 degrees F per week, for a total of 2*4=8 crickets per week.
During these 3 weeks, he will eat 8*3=<<8*3=24>>24 crickets.
Therefore, over the 15 weeks, he will eat a total of 48+24=<<48+24=72>>72 crickets.
#### 72 | math | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null |
Which of the following is NOT the aim of Save the Children. | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
The Save the Children Fund is known as Save the Children. It is an internationally organization that protects children's rights and helps support children in developing countries. It was set up in the United Kingdom in 1919 in order to improve the lives of children through better education, health care, and economic chances, it also provides food and water for the children in natural disasters, war, and other serious situations.
Except for the UK organization, there are 30 other national Save the Children organizations who are members of Save the Children International, a global network of charity organizations supporting local partners in over 120 countries around the world.
Save the Children helps the local government change so that it can help young people get more rights, it works very well, especially with the support from the UN. Save the Children joins all the members' efforts to protect children from the effects of war.
Question:
Which of the following is NOT the aim of Save the Children.
Choices:
A. To protect children's rights.
B. To help children's parents get more jobs.
C. To support children in developing countries.
D. To improve the lives of children in poor countries. | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle3149.txt | The Save the Children Fund is known as Save the Children. It is an internationally organization that protects children's rights and helps support children in developing countries. It was set up in the United Kingdom in 1919 in order to improve the lives of children through better education, health care, and economic chances, it also provides food and water for the children in natural disasters, war, and other serious situations.
Except for the UK organization, there are 30 other national Save the Children organizations who are members of Save the Children International, a global network of charity organizations supporting local partners in over 120 countries around the world.
Save the Children helps the local government change so that it can help young people get more rights, it works very well, especially with the support from the UN. Save the Children joins all the members' efforts to protect children from the effects of war. | [
"To protect children's rights.",
"To help children's parents get more jobs.",
"To support children in developing countries.",
"To improve the lives of children in poor countries."
] |
People in Spain , Japan and China _ to welcome New Year. | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
On New Year's Eve , people in Italy throw out all the old things. So there are chairs, beds, clothes and plates in the streets. In Spain, New Year comes more quietly. Everyone holds a bag of grapes . When twelve o'clock comes, people start eating the grapes.
In Japan, people eat noodles on New Year's Eve. This food is said to bring long life. Early the next morning, some families climb Mount Fuji . There they watch the first sunrise of New Year. In China people eat dumplings.
Question:
People in Spain , Japan and China _ to welcome New Year.
Choices:
A. throw things away
B. get together
C. eat some food
D. watch the sunrise | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle2488.txt | On New Year's Eve , people in Italy throw out all the old things. So there are chairs, beds, clothes and plates in the streets. In Spain, New Year comes more quietly. Everyone holds a bag of grapes . When twelve o'clock comes, people start eating the grapes.
In Japan, people eat noodles on New Year's Eve. This food is said to bring long life. Early the next morning, some families climb Mount Fuji . There they watch the first sunrise of New Year. In China people eat dumplings. | [
"throw things away",
"get together",
"eat some food",
"watch the sunrise"
] |
This Friday afternoon, the author _ . | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
I am usually in a bad mood after a long day at work, but on this particular Friday afternoon I was in a cheerful mood.I planned to have a good meal and watch Bridget Jones's Diary.
My local supermarket is always busy.The first parking space I spotted was convenient, but I'd noticed a woman in an old car circling for a while.I let her have it.On the edge of the car park I backed into the next available spot--it was a tight fit.
In record time I'd made my way through the supermarket and was back in the fresh air.In such a rush of good spirits, I emptied my purse change into the hands of a homeless man and helped a struggling woman go backwards into a parking space.
Just as I spotted my car, 1 saw the woman I'd let have my car space earlier.I smiled and wished her a pleasant day.
As I got back into my car, I spotted the same lady looking ill at me."Hello," she said, hesitantly."This might sound crazy but I was on my way to drop some of my mother's things off at tile charity bins." I looked quickly at the orange bins in the corner of the parking lot, confused."I saw you helping those people, and you seemed so happy.My mom had a dress just like that."
She looked at me meaningfully.I smiled at her in encouragement, hoping she wouldn't notice that the dress she was admiring was now full of holes."I was going to give these away, but you are just so much like her." She passed a box in through the window.Shocked, unthinking, 1 took it automatically."I think she would like you to have it." She smiled and walked away.
After a pause, I opened the box.Inside was a beautiful gold necklace.It was the nicest gift I'd ever received, and it was from a complete stranger.
Later, I thought back on the day.I didn't feel the usual sense of exhaustion.The necklace was around my neck, a warm reminder of human kindness.
Question:
This Friday afternoon, the author _ .
Choices:
A. watched a new movie
B. was in the mood to help others
C. had trouble parking her car
D. spent a long time in the supermarket | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high18724.txt | I am usually in a bad mood after a long day at work, but on this particular Friday afternoon I was in a cheerful mood.I planned to have a good meal and watch Bridget Jones's Diary.
My local supermarket is always busy.The first parking space I spotted was convenient, but I'd noticed a woman in an old car circling for a while.I let her have it.On the edge of the car park I backed into the next available spot--it was a tight fit.
In record time I'd made my way through the supermarket and was back in the fresh air.In such a rush of good spirits, I emptied my purse change into the hands of a homeless man and helped a struggling woman go backwards into a parking space.
Just as I spotted my car, 1 saw the woman I'd let have my car space earlier.I smiled and wished her a pleasant day.
As I got back into my car, I spotted the same lady looking ill at me."Hello," she said, hesitantly."This might sound crazy but I was on my way to drop some of my mother's things off at tile charity bins." I looked quickly at the orange bins in the corner of the parking lot, confused."I saw you helping those people, and you seemed so happy.My mom had a dress just like that."
She looked at me meaningfully.I smiled at her in encouragement, hoping she wouldn't notice that the dress she was admiring was now full of holes."I was going to give these away, but you are just so much like her." She passed a box in through the window.Shocked, unthinking, 1 took it automatically."I think she would like you to have it." She smiled and walked away.
After a pause, I opened the box.Inside was a beautiful gold necklace.It was the nicest gift I'd ever received, and it was from a complete stranger.
Later, I thought back on the day.I didn't feel the usual sense of exhaustion.The necklace was around my neck, a warm reminder of human kindness. | [
"watched a new movie",
"was in the mood to help others",
"had trouble parking her car",
"spent a long time in the supermarket"
] |
The Englishman's happiness suggests that _ . | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
An Englishman, a Frenchman and a Russian were discussing happiness. "Happiness," said the Englishman, "Happiness is when you return home tired after work, yet find your slippers warming by the fire."
"You English have no romance," said the Frenchman. "Happiness is when you go on a business trip, find a pretty girl who entertains you -then afterwards you part without regrets ."
"You are both wrong," said the Russian. "True happiness is when you are at home in bed and at 4 a.m., you hear a ring at the door and outside stand the secret police, who say to you, 'Ivanovitch, you are under arrest', and you say, 'Sorry, Ivanovitch lives next door.'"
Question:
The Englishman's happiness suggests that _ .
Choices:
A. he should have no time to warm his slippers
B. he enjoys the warmth of the family
C. he thinks it the most important to have slippers
D. he wants someone to warm his slippers | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle3244.txt | An Englishman, a Frenchman and a Russian were discussing happiness. "Happiness," said the Englishman, "Happiness is when you return home tired after work, yet find your slippers warming by the fire."
"You English have no romance," said the Frenchman. "Happiness is when you go on a business trip, find a pretty girl who entertains you -then afterwards you part without regrets ."
"You are both wrong," said the Russian. "True happiness is when you are at home in bed and at 4 a.m., you hear a ring at the door and outside stand the secret police, who say to you, 'Ivanovitch, you are under arrest', and you say, 'Sorry, Ivanovitch lives next door.'" | [
"he should have no time to warm his slippers",
"he enjoys the warmth of the family",
"he thinks it the most important to have slippers",
"he wants someone to warm his slippers"
] |
The "future mail" service is popular among _ . | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Have you ever dreamed about sending a letter to yourself or your friends in the future? While express mail is a fast way to send your letters, there is another type of mail appearing in China as a new business--future mail.
"The letter should be sent next Mother's Day and not a day earlier!" Lin Xiaofan, a college student in Shanghai, tells one of the companies offering the service.
Lin Xiaofan wrote the letter to her mother nearly a year earlier to express her love to her mother for next Mother's Day.
"Offering this service makes people slow down and lets them understand the meaning of 'time' in another way," said Zheng Zhimin, manager at a "future mail" company. Zheng thinks "future mail" letters help remind us of care, friendship and love.
While "future mail" is becoming more and more popular, some people are wondering what will happen if the postal address changes or if the company goes broken before the letters arrive.
Zheng said customers are glad to sign a contract to make sure that they can be _ if their letters are lost or damaged.
Most of the customers are college students and young white-collar workers. Psychologists said that young Chinese might have a new way to express their feelings through this service. Most people put their hopes and wishes in the letter so that they can experience the connection between the past and the present when they receive the letter.
Question:
The "future mail" service is popular among _ .
Choices:
A. junior students
B. college students
C. young children
D. blue-collar workers | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle7229.txt | Have you ever dreamed about sending a letter to yourself or your friends in the future? While express mail is a fast way to send your letters, there is another type of mail appearing in China as a new business--future mail.
"The letter should be sent next Mother's Day and not a day earlier!" Lin Xiaofan, a college student in Shanghai, tells one of the companies offering the service.
Lin Xiaofan wrote the letter to her mother nearly a year earlier to express her love to her mother for next Mother's Day.
"Offering this service makes people slow down and lets them understand the meaning of 'time' in another way," said Zheng Zhimin, manager at a "future mail" company. Zheng thinks "future mail" letters help remind us of care, friendship and love.
While "future mail" is becoming more and more popular, some people are wondering what will happen if the postal address changes or if the company goes broken before the letters arrive.
Zheng said customers are glad to sign a contract to make sure that they can be _ if their letters are lost or damaged.
Most of the customers are college students and young white-collar workers. Psychologists said that young Chinese might have a new way to express their feelings through this service. Most people put their hopes and wishes in the letter so that they can experience the connection between the past and the present when they receive the letter. | [
"junior students",
"college students",
"young children",
"blue-collar workers"
] |
We shouldn't use sprays because _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Growing your own fruit and vegetables is one of the best things in the world. It is very good for your health and also brings happiness to you. To be a successful fruit-and-vegetable grower, check out these tips:
*A family affair
Get all family members to take part in growing. Children will learn where food comes from, and they may like to have their own little field.
*Size doesn't matter
You can work in any place you like, not just in a common vegetable garden. Grow fruit and vegetables in a window box, or use your flowerbed to grow vegetables and beautiful flowers together.
*The natural way
If you want to grow foods organically, you can't use sprays that would harm children, pets and wildlife. You should work with nature rather than against it.
Growing your own food doesn't take up too much time and costs little. A few seeds and some basic tools will be OK. Second-hand tools can often be both cheap and good to use.
Question:
We shouldn't use sprays because _ .
Choices:
A. chemicals are bad for nature
B. children don't like the smell of them
C. they cost too much
D. they are difficult to use | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high22182.txt | Growing your own fruit and vegetables is one of the best things in the world. It is very good for your health and also brings happiness to you. To be a successful fruit-and-vegetable grower, check out these tips:
*A family affair
Get all family members to take part in growing. Children will learn where food comes from, and they may like to have their own little field.
*Size doesn't matter
You can work in any place you like, not just in a common vegetable garden. Grow fruit and vegetables in a window box, or use your flowerbed to grow vegetables and beautiful flowers together.
*The natural way
If you want to grow foods organically, you can't use sprays that would harm children, pets and wildlife. You should work with nature rather than against it.
Growing your own food doesn't take up too much time and costs little. A few seeds and some basic tools will be OK. Second-hand tools can often be both cheap and good to use. | [
"chemicals are bad for nature",
"children don't like the smell of them",
"they cost too much",
"they are difficult to use"
] |
The best advantage of night markets is _ | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Most cities and towns in China have night markets every day. During the day, the streets are quiet . At night, they become crowded and lively . Usually people arrive at three or four in the afternoon. By 6:00, the streets are like rivers of people.
Night markets are fun places to shop in. You can buy clothes, shoes and many other things. If the price is too high, you can _ with sellers . You can also buy nice food. When you are hungry, you can sit down for a meal. Smelly tofu is popular, but it really smells bad.
The best thing is everything at night markets is cheap.
Question:
The best advantage of night markets is _
Choices:
A. you can eat delicious food
B. you can buy different things
C. you can walk around
D. you can have a good time without paying too much money | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle503.txt | Most cities and towns in China have night markets every day. During the day, the streets are quiet . At night, they become crowded and lively . Usually people arrive at three or four in the afternoon. By 6:00, the streets are like rivers of people.
Night markets are fun places to shop in. You can buy clothes, shoes and many other things. If the price is too high, you can _ with sellers . You can also buy nice food. When you are hungry, you can sit down for a meal. Smelly tofu is popular, but it really smells bad.
The best thing is everything at night markets is cheap. | [
"you can eat delicious food",
"you can buy different things",
"you can walk around",
"you can have a good time without paying too much money"
] |
The author does NOT agree that _ . | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
When you buy a T-shirt, or a fur coat in a store, it often carries a label telling who made it or from what store it was bought. Instead, some labels show the dress is famous and it is very expensive, so buyers secretly wish they could be carried forever. On the other hand, buyers who deal with the cheapest products would be pleased to be away with labels _ .
However, there is another label more important than the one showing from which store the dress was bought. When a person buys a fur coat, or a jacket from a store, a label telling what the product is made of should be carried to it.
The label is required by law. Besides telling what the product on show is made of, the label should be in clear English and be where one can find it easily. The information on the label must be true.
The reason for this is that most buyers today aren't expert enough to know exactly what kind of fur or material they are buying. The buyers must believe in the store that sells the products or in what the label says.
Question:
The author does NOT agree that _ .
Choices:
A. buyers should buy the clothes with labels
B. clothing stores should sell cheap dresses
C. all the products should have labels
D. labels should not be true | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high20830.txt | When you buy a T-shirt, or a fur coat in a store, it often carries a label telling who made it or from what store it was bought. Instead, some labels show the dress is famous and it is very expensive, so buyers secretly wish they could be carried forever. On the other hand, buyers who deal with the cheapest products would be pleased to be away with labels _ .
However, there is another label more important than the one showing from which store the dress was bought. When a person buys a fur coat, or a jacket from a store, a label telling what the product is made of should be carried to it.
The label is required by law. Besides telling what the product on show is made of, the label should be in clear English and be where one can find it easily. The information on the label must be true.
The reason for this is that most buyers today aren't expert enough to know exactly what kind of fur or material they are buying. The buyers must believe in the store that sells the products or in what the label says. | [
"buyers should buy the clothes with labels",
"clothing stores should sell cheap dresses",
"all the products should have labels",
"labels should not be true"
] |
How do some people make their lives appear more exciting? | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Your friends' lives may look more exciting than yours on Facebook,but new research shows that is because they are faking it.
A recent survey has found around twothirds of people on social media post images to their personal information to make their lives seem more adventurous.And more than three quarters of those asked said they judged their peers based on what they saw on their Instagram,Snapchat or Facebook pages.
The British survey,by smartphone maker HTC,found that,in order to make our own pages and lives appear more exciting,six percent also said they had borrowed items to include in the images in order to pass them off as their own. More than half of those surveyed said they posted images of items and places purely to show off,causing _ among friends and family.
Behavioural psychologist Hemmings said the trend was unsurprising due to the rise of social media."We're living in a world of instant communication."she said."Fashion and style used to live and die in magazines;now people are in search of authentic ,peertopeer recommendations as well,making social media an equal power house to magazines and newspapers."
"With images being shared in an instant we desire to know what our friends are wearing,or what super stars are buying, as soon as they have got them." Such is the influence of social media sites like Instagram,76 percent of those asked also said seeing items on social media influences them to buy them,with men more likely to take style advice and buy what they see.
Question:
How do some people make their lives appear more exciting?
Choices:
A. By buying pictures.
B. By posting images.
C. By making up stories.
D. By risking their lives. | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high13569.txt | Your friends' lives may look more exciting than yours on Facebook,but new research shows that is because they are faking it.
A recent survey has found around twothirds of people on social media post images to their personal information to make their lives seem more adventurous.And more than three quarters of those asked said they judged their peers based on what they saw on their Instagram,Snapchat or Facebook pages.
The British survey,by smartphone maker HTC,found that,in order to make our own pages and lives appear more exciting,six percent also said they had borrowed items to include in the images in order to pass them off as their own. More than half of those surveyed said they posted images of items and places purely to show off,causing _ among friends and family.
Behavioural psychologist Hemmings said the trend was unsurprising due to the rise of social media."We're living in a world of instant communication."she said."Fashion and style used to live and die in magazines;now people are in search of authentic ,peertopeer recommendations as well,making social media an equal power house to magazines and newspapers."
"With images being shared in an instant we desire to know what our friends are wearing,or what super stars are buying, as soon as they have got them." Such is the influence of social media sites like Instagram,76 percent of those asked also said seeing items on social media influences them to buy them,with men more likely to take style advice and buy what they see. | [
"By buying pictures.",
"By posting images.",
"By making up stories.",
"By risking their lives."
] |
People used different kinds of things as_. | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
People use money to buy food, furniture, books, bicycles and hundreds of other things they need or want. Most of the money today is made of metal or paper. But people used to use all kinds of things as money. One of the first kinds of money was shells. Shells were not the only things used as money. In China, cloth and knives were used. In the Philippine Islands, rice was used as money for a long time. Elephant tusks, monkey tails, and salt were used as money in parts of Africa.
Some animals were used as money too. The first metal coins were made in China. They were round and had a square hole in the center. People _ them together and carried them from place to place. The first coins in England were made of tin . Sweden and Russia used copper to make their money. Later countries began to make coins of gold and silver.
Later the Chinese thought of a way to improve money. They began to use paper money. Money has had an interesting history from the days of shell money until today.
Question:
People used different kinds of things as_.
Choices:
A. gold
B. metal
C. money
D. silver | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high7476.txt | People use money to buy food, furniture, books, bicycles and hundreds of other things they need or want. Most of the money today is made of metal or paper. But people used to use all kinds of things as money. One of the first kinds of money was shells. Shells were not the only things used as money. In China, cloth and knives were used. In the Philippine Islands, rice was used as money for a long time. Elephant tusks, monkey tails, and salt were used as money in parts of Africa.
Some animals were used as money too. The first metal coins were made in China. They were round and had a square hole in the center. People _ them together and carried them from place to place. The first coins in England were made of tin . Sweden and Russia used copper to make their money. Later countries began to make coins of gold and silver.
Later the Chinese thought of a way to improve money. They began to use paper money. Money has had an interesting history from the days of shell money until today. | [
"gold",
"metal",
"money",
"silver"
] |
According to Dr.Jarvik's studies,middle-aged and older persons should expect to . | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Many of us believe that a person's mind becomes less active as he grows older.But this is not true,according to Dr.Lissy F.Jarvik,professor of psychiatry at the University of California,Los Angeles,and a board member of the New Center for Aging at the Veterans Hospital.She has studied the mental functioning of aging persons for several years.For example,one of her studies concerns 136 pairs of twins, who were first examined when they were already 60 years old.As Dr.Jarvik continued the study of the twins into their 70s and 80s,their minds did not generally decline as was expected.
However,there was some decline in their psycho-motor speed. This means that it took them longer to accomplish mental tasks than it used to.But when speed was not a factor,they lost very little intellectual ability over the years.In general,Dr.Jarvik's studies have shown that there is no decline in knowledge or reasoning ability.This is true not only into the 30s and 40s,but into the 60s and 70s as well.
As for learning new things,and ability to remember,studies by Dr.Jarvik and others show that the old are equal to the young.It is true that older people themselves often complain that their memory is not as good as it once was.However,much of what we call"loss of memory"is not that at a11.
In the cases where the older person's mind really seems to decline,it is not necessarilv a sign of a decay due to becoming old or"senility".Often it is simply a sign of a depressed emotional state.This depression usually can be got rid of by counseling with a psychologist,or medicine which fights depression.
In American society,when an older person loses something,we tend to call him or her"senile".But notice that when a younger person loses something,he does not blame it on senility or loss of memory.He finds some other excuse!
Question:
According to Dr.Jarvik's studies,middle-aged and older persons should expect to .
Choices:
A. reason better
B. learn fewer new things
C. remember less
D. 1ose little ability to remember | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high15083.txt | Many of us believe that a person's mind becomes less active as he grows older.But this is not true,according to Dr.Lissy F.Jarvik,professor of psychiatry at the University of California,Los Angeles,and a board member of the New Center for Aging at the Veterans Hospital.She has studied the mental functioning of aging persons for several years.For example,one of her studies concerns 136 pairs of twins, who were first examined when they were already 60 years old.As Dr.Jarvik continued the study of the twins into their 70s and 80s,their minds did not generally decline as was expected.
However,there was some decline in their psycho-motor speed. This means that it took them longer to accomplish mental tasks than it used to.But when speed was not a factor,they lost very little intellectual ability over the years.In general,Dr.Jarvik's studies have shown that there is no decline in knowledge or reasoning ability.This is true not only into the 30s and 40s,but into the 60s and 70s as well.
As for learning new things,and ability to remember,studies by Dr.Jarvik and others show that the old are equal to the young.It is true that older people themselves often complain that their memory is not as good as it once was.However,much of what we call"loss of memory"is not that at a11.
In the cases where the older person's mind really seems to decline,it is not necessarilv a sign of a decay due to becoming old or"senility".Often it is simply a sign of a depressed emotional state.This depression usually can be got rid of by counseling with a psychologist,or medicine which fights depression.
In American society,when an older person loses something,we tend to call him or her"senile".But notice that when a younger person loses something,he does not blame it on senility or loss of memory.He finds some other excuse! | [
"reason better",
"learn fewer new things",
"remember less",
"1ose little ability to remember"
] |
Which of the following is probably TRUE about Dean? | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
James Dean was not very tall-he was less than average height. He had thick, light brown hair and blue eyes. He was so near-sighted that he could hardly see anything without his glasses.
He came to Hollywood when he was eighteen, hoping to get into the movies. At first, he was not successful at all, and for a time he was so short of money that he had to live entirely on dry oatmeal. Then he went to New York. He got a part in a play and was seen by the great director Elia Kazan. Kazan was planning the movie East of Eden and realized Dean would be perfect for one of the main roles.
By this time, Dean already had a reputation for being odd and difficult to work with. He then went back to Hollywood to make East of Eden and then made two more movies, Rebel Withhout a Cause and Giant. He almost always wore the same overcoat and jeans and he had hardly any friends at all. "If he didn't like you, he wouldn't even give you the pleasure of his anger. You could be in the same telephone booth with him, but you wouldn't exist," someone who knew him said later.
In spite of his poor eyesight, he loved driving fast motorcycles and even faster sports cars. A few days after he finished Giant, on September 25, 1955, Dean went for a drive in his new Porsche. It was evening and the light was poor. Dean was not wearing his glasses. Suddenly, he saw a car in front of him. It was slowing down and trying to turn off the highway. Dean tried to slow down too, but it was too late. He hit the car at high speed and was killed immediately.
Two German girls killed themselves when they heard the news because "life would be
unbearable without him." A few years later, a New York salesclerk wrote a book called Jimmy Dean Returns in which she claimed that she was in contact with Dean from the other side of the grave. Half a million copies of the book were sold. It was only the beginning of a strange legend that goes on, even today.
Question:
Which of the following is probably TRUE about Dean?
Choices:
A. He acted in two plays in Hollywood.
B. He was too shy to express himself.
C. He committed suicide on a highway.
D. He was a crazy fan in fast driving. | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high23857.txt | James Dean was not very tall-he was less than average height. He had thick, light brown hair and blue eyes. He was so near-sighted that he could hardly see anything without his glasses.
He came to Hollywood when he was eighteen, hoping to get into the movies. At first, he was not successful at all, and for a time he was so short of money that he had to live entirely on dry oatmeal. Then he went to New York. He got a part in a play and was seen by the great director Elia Kazan. Kazan was planning the movie East of Eden and realized Dean would be perfect for one of the main roles.
By this time, Dean already had a reputation for being odd and difficult to work with. He then went back to Hollywood to make East of Eden and then made two more movies, Rebel Withhout a Cause and Giant. He almost always wore the same overcoat and jeans and he had hardly any friends at all. "If he didn't like you, he wouldn't even give you the pleasure of his anger. You could be in the same telephone booth with him, but you wouldn't exist," someone who knew him said later.
In spite of his poor eyesight, he loved driving fast motorcycles and even faster sports cars. A few days after he finished Giant, on September 25, 1955, Dean went for a drive in his new Porsche. It was evening and the light was poor. Dean was not wearing his glasses. Suddenly, he saw a car in front of him. It was slowing down and trying to turn off the highway. Dean tried to slow down too, but it was too late. He hit the car at high speed and was killed immediately.
Two German girls killed themselves when they heard the news because "life would be
unbearable without him." A few years later, a New York salesclerk wrote a book called Jimmy Dean Returns in which she claimed that she was in contact with Dean from the other side of the grave. Half a million copies of the book were sold. It was only the beginning of a strange legend that goes on, even today. | [
"He acted in two plays in Hollywood.",
"He was too shy to express himself.",
"He committed suicide on a highway.",
"He was a crazy fan in fast driving."
] |
Which of the following statements is TRUE? | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
The moment a college student arrives on campus, he or she _ credit card offers. Advertisements for student credit cards are everywhere: in bags at the bookstore, in the campus newspaper, in your regular mailbox, in the residence halls.
With so many college students graduating with large amounts of credit card debt (figures vary, but most are at least in the thousands), learning how to manage a student credit card can be an important lesson for any student. While using a card wisely can be an important part of building credit and making it through a difficult time, knowing how to use a card wisely can be the hard part.
Stick to the following rules when, and if, you need to use a credit card:
You can repay the charge(s) within the card's next billing cycle.
You must meet your basic needs, like food, clothing and shelter, but set rules and be aware that you will need to repay those charges at the end of the month.
You can talk to the financial aid office in your school for an alternative in "emergency" situations.
If you do want a credit card, just be smart about it. (They let you in to that school because of your brain, right?) Don't automatically get the first one you find. Shop around for a card that has the lowest interest rate possible, and consider places that may not be advertising on campus. Additionally, be aware of any card's repayment options: When will payments be due? How much will they be? A credit card is not like a loan that comes with a grace period after you graduate and waits until you are done with school. That new sweater and nice dinner out will need to be paid back right away.
Question:
Which of the following statements is TRUE?
Choices:
A. A college freshman should be careful when choosing a credit card.
B. Students should take a lesson about how to use a credit card wisely.
C. A credit card will be the only help for students in emergency situations.
D. The author doesn't appreciate the idea of having a credit card on campus. | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high11982.txt | The moment a college student arrives on campus, he or she _ credit card offers. Advertisements for student credit cards are everywhere: in bags at the bookstore, in the campus newspaper, in your regular mailbox, in the residence halls.
With so many college students graduating with large amounts of credit card debt (figures vary, but most are at least in the thousands), learning how to manage a student credit card can be an important lesson for any student. While using a card wisely can be an important part of building credit and making it through a difficult time, knowing how to use a card wisely can be the hard part.
Stick to the following rules when, and if, you need to use a credit card:
You can repay the charge(s) within the card's next billing cycle.
You must meet your basic needs, like food, clothing and shelter, but set rules and be aware that you will need to repay those charges at the end of the month.
You can talk to the financial aid office in your school for an alternative in "emergency" situations.
If you do want a credit card, just be smart about it. (They let you in to that school because of your brain, right?) Don't automatically get the first one you find. Shop around for a card that has the lowest interest rate possible, and consider places that may not be advertising on campus. Additionally, be aware of any card's repayment options: When will payments be due? How much will they be? A credit card is not like a loan that comes with a grace period after you graduate and waits until you are done with school. That new sweater and nice dinner out will need to be paid back right away. | [
"A college freshman should be careful when choosing a credit card.",
"Students should take a lesson about how to use a credit card wisely.",
"A credit card will be the only help for students in emergency situations.",
"The author doesn't appreciate the idea of having a credit card on campus."
] |
The liver has three main components: hepatocytes, bile canaliculi, and this? | null | Answer the following science question clearly and accurately. | The liver has three main components: hepatocytes, bile canaliculi, and this? | hepatic sinusoids | science | null | null | null | blood sinusoids | coronary sinusoids | tissue sinusoids | hepatic sinusoids | Histology The liver has three main components: hepatocytes, bile canaliculi, and hepatic sinusoids. A hepatocyte is the liver’s main cell type, accounting for around 80 percent of the liver's volume. These cells play a role in a wide variety of secretory, metabolic, and endocrine functions. Plates of hepatocytes called hepatic laminae radiate outward from the portal vein in each hepatic lobule. Between adjacent hepatocytes, grooves in the cell membranes provide room for each bile canaliculus (plural = canaliculi). These small ducts accumulate the bile produced by hepatocytes. From here, bile flows first into bile ductules and then into bile ducts. The bile ducts unite to form the larger right and left hepatic ducts, which themselves merge and exit the liver as the common hepatic duct. This duct then joins with the cystic duct from the gallbladder, forming the common bile duct through which bile flows into the small intestine. A hepatic sinusoid is an open, porous blood space formed by fenestrated capillaries from nutrient-rich hepatic portal veins and oxygen-rich hepatic arteries. Hepatocytes are tightly packed around the fenestrated endothelium of these spaces, giving them easy access to the blood. From their central position, hepatocytes process the nutrients, toxins, and waste materials carried by the blood. Materials such as bilirubin are processed and excreted into the bile canaliculi. Other materials including proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates are processed and secreted into the sinusoids or just stored in the cells until called upon. The hepatic sinusoids combine and send blood to a central vein. Blood then flows through a hepatic vein into the inferior vena cava. This means that blood and bile flow in opposite directions. The hepatic sinusoids also contain star-shaped reticuloendothelial cells (Kupffer cells), phagocytes that remove dead red and white blood cells, bacteria, and other foreign material that enter the sinusoids. The portal triad is a distinctive arrangement around the perimeter of hepatic lobules, consisting of three basic structures: a bile duct, a hepatic artery branch, and a hepatic portal vein branch. | null | null | null |
Dr. Haydon asked Dr. Eyck to come to Clens Falls because _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
One night about nine o'clock, Dr. Eyck, a surgeon, had a phone call from Dr. Haydon at the hospital in Clens Falls. The surgeon was asked to go there at once to operate on a very sick boy who shot himself while playing with a gun.
The doctor was soon on his way to Clens Falls. It was 60 miles away. And it was snowing heavily in the city. The surgeon thought he could get there before 12 o'clock.
A few minutes later, the doctor was stopped by a man in an old black coat. Gun in hand, the man ordered the doctor to get out. Then the man drove the car down the road, leaving the doctor in the falling snow.
It was after 2 o'clock in the morning when the doctor arrived at the hospital in Clens Falls. Dr. Haydon told him that the boy had died an hour before.
The two doctors walked by the door of the hospital waiting room. There sat the man in the old black coat with his head in his hands.
"Mr. Cuninghan," said Dr. Haydon to the man, "This is Dr. Eyck. He is the surgeon who walked all the way from Albany to save your boy."
,(A, B, CD),.
Question:
Dr. Haydon asked Dr. Eyck to come to Clens Falls because _ .
Choices:
A. The boy needed the help of a surgeon
B. Dr. Eyck knew the boy was wounded by a shot
C. Dr. Eyck was the boy's father
D. Dr. Eyck was Haydon's friend | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high21829.txt | One night about nine o'clock, Dr. Eyck, a surgeon, had a phone call from Dr. Haydon at the hospital in Clens Falls. The surgeon was asked to go there at once to operate on a very sick boy who shot himself while playing with a gun.
The doctor was soon on his way to Clens Falls. It was 60 miles away. And it was snowing heavily in the city. The surgeon thought he could get there before 12 o'clock.
A few minutes later, the doctor was stopped by a man in an old black coat. Gun in hand, the man ordered the doctor to get out. Then the man drove the car down the road, leaving the doctor in the falling snow.
It was after 2 o'clock in the morning when the doctor arrived at the hospital in Clens Falls. Dr. Haydon told him that the boy had died an hour before.
The two doctors walked by the door of the hospital waiting room. There sat the man in the old black coat with his head in his hands.
"Mr. Cuninghan," said Dr. Haydon to the man, "This is Dr. Eyck. He is the surgeon who walked all the way from Albany to save your boy."
,(A, B, CD),. | [
"The boy needed the help of a surgeon",
"Dr. Eyck knew the boy was wounded by a shot",
"Dr. Eyck was the boy's father",
"Dr. Eyck was Haydon's friend"
] |
In his mother's eyes, the writer _ . | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
When you are little, the whole world feels like a big playground. I was living in Conyers, Georgia the summer it all happened. I was a second grader, but my best friend Stephanie was only in the first grade. Both of our parents were at work and most of the time they let us go our own way.
It was a hot afternoon and we decided to have an adventure in Stephanie's basement. As I opened the basement door, before us lay the biggest room, full of amazing things like guns, dolls, and old clothes. I ran downstairs, and spotted red steel can. It was paint. I looked beyond it and there lay even more paint in bright color1s like purple, orange, blue and green.
"Stephanie, I just found us a project for the day. Get some paintbrushes. We are fixing to paint." She screamed with excitement as I told her of my secret plans and immediately we got to work. We gathered all the brushes we could find and moved all of our materials to my yard. There on the road in front of my house, we painted bit stripes of color1s across the pavement . Stripe by stripe, our color1s turned into a beautiful rainbow. It was fantastic!
The sun was starting to sink. I saw a car in the distance and jumped up as I recognized the car. It was my mother. I couldn't wait to show her my masterpiece. The car pulled slowly into the driveway and from the look on my mother's face, I could tell that I was in deep trouble.
My mother shut the car door and walked towards me. Her eyes glaring, she shouted, "What in the world were you thinking? I understood when you made castles out of leaves, and climbed the neighbors' trees, but this! Come inside right now!" I stood there glaring hack at her for a minute, angry because she had insulted my art.
"Now go clean it up!" Mother and I began cleaning the road. Tears ran down my cheeks as I saw my beautiful rainbow turn into black cement.
Though years have now passed, I still wonder where my rainbow has gone. I wonder if, maybe when I get older, I can find my rainbow and never have to brush it away. I guess we all need sort of rainbow to brighten our lives from time to time and to keep our hopes and dreams color1ful.
Question:
In his mother's eyes, the writer _ .
Choices:
A. was a born artist
B. worked very hard
C. was a problem solver
D. always caused trouble | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high18508.txt | When you are little, the whole world feels like a big playground. I was living in Conyers, Georgia the summer it all happened. I was a second grader, but my best friend Stephanie was only in the first grade. Both of our parents were at work and most of the time they let us go our own way.
It was a hot afternoon and we decided to have an adventure in Stephanie's basement. As I opened the basement door, before us lay the biggest room, full of amazing things like guns, dolls, and old clothes. I ran downstairs, and spotted red steel can. It was paint. I looked beyond it and there lay even more paint in bright color1s like purple, orange, blue and green.
"Stephanie, I just found us a project for the day. Get some paintbrushes. We are fixing to paint." She screamed with excitement as I told her of my secret plans and immediately we got to work. We gathered all the brushes we could find and moved all of our materials to my yard. There on the road in front of my house, we painted bit stripes of color1s across the pavement . Stripe by stripe, our color1s turned into a beautiful rainbow. It was fantastic!
The sun was starting to sink. I saw a car in the distance and jumped up as I recognized the car. It was my mother. I couldn't wait to show her my masterpiece. The car pulled slowly into the driveway and from the look on my mother's face, I could tell that I was in deep trouble.
My mother shut the car door and walked towards me. Her eyes glaring, she shouted, "What in the world were you thinking? I understood when you made castles out of leaves, and climbed the neighbors' trees, but this! Come inside right now!" I stood there glaring hack at her for a minute, angry because she had insulted my art.
"Now go clean it up!" Mother and I began cleaning the road. Tears ran down my cheeks as I saw my beautiful rainbow turn into black cement.
Though years have now passed, I still wonder where my rainbow has gone. I wonder if, maybe when I get older, I can find my rainbow and never have to brush it away. I guess we all need sort of rainbow to brighten our lives from time to time and to keep our hopes and dreams color1ful. | [
"was a born artist",
"worked very hard",
"was a problem solver",
"always caused trouble"
] |
If you are invited for dinner in your Canadian friend's home, _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Don't be surprised when strangers talk to you in Canada! You will find that many Canadians will smile at you as they pass in the street, or say something to you like "Hi!" or "How's it going?" Just reply with something similar. In the UK the reply would be "I'm fine", but in Canada they say "I'm good".
In company, when someone is offering you a second helping of food or more wine, if you don't want any more, use the same expression-- "I'm good". In this case, it means "No, thank you. I've had enough". Most Canadians don't press you to eat more than you want.
In restaurant, your plate will be cleared away almost immediately you have finished eating. When you go into a shop or store, the shop assistant asks you how you are or if they can help you, it is their way of being friendly and making conversation with the customers.
Canadians eat early and go home early. When you are invited to a Canadian's home, you may be asked to arrive at 5:30 pm or 6 pm. But guests in Europe don't expect to arrive until 7:30 pm or 8 pm. Remember to take off your shoes and leave them inside the door without being asked. It's not a religious custom, but it's practical. In winter, there can be a lot of snow and dirt on your shoes, once you are in the warm house it melts and falls off, making a mess. Canadians tend to have light colored carpets or hardwood floors.
If you're invited for dinner, it will be a full sit- down meal. Meat is usually barbecued in the freezing cold of winter. Do take something with you, like a bottle of wine. Arrive on time and don't stay over 10 pm.
Question:
If you are invited for dinner in your Canadian friend's home, _ .
Choices:
A. you will have a full sit-down meal
B. you don't have to bring any gift for the host
C. you are expected to arrive at 7:30 or 8 pm
D. you don't have to take off your shoes when you enter the room | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high16210.txt | Don't be surprised when strangers talk to you in Canada! You will find that many Canadians will smile at you as they pass in the street, or say something to you like "Hi!" or "How's it going?" Just reply with something similar. In the UK the reply would be "I'm fine", but in Canada they say "I'm good".
In company, when someone is offering you a second helping of food or more wine, if you don't want any more, use the same expression-- "I'm good". In this case, it means "No, thank you. I've had enough". Most Canadians don't press you to eat more than you want.
In restaurant, your plate will be cleared away almost immediately you have finished eating. When you go into a shop or store, the shop assistant asks you how you are or if they can help you, it is their way of being friendly and making conversation with the customers.
Canadians eat early and go home early. When you are invited to a Canadian's home, you may be asked to arrive at 5:30 pm or 6 pm. But guests in Europe don't expect to arrive until 7:30 pm or 8 pm. Remember to take off your shoes and leave them inside the door without being asked. It's not a religious custom, but it's practical. In winter, there can be a lot of snow and dirt on your shoes, once you are in the warm house it melts and falls off, making a mess. Canadians tend to have light colored carpets or hardwood floors.
If you're invited for dinner, it will be a full sit- down meal. Meat is usually barbecued in the freezing cold of winter. Do take something with you, like a bottle of wine. Arrive on time and don't stay over 10 pm. | [
"you will have a full sit-down meal",
"you don't have to bring any gift for the host",
"you are expected to arrive at 7:30 or 8 pm",
"you don't have to take off your shoes when you enter the room"
] |
In what season are temperature inversions more common? | null | Answer the following science question clearly and accurately. | In what season are temperature inversions more common? | winter | science | null | null | null | summer | spring | autumn | winter | Sometimes air doesn’t mix in the troposphere. This happens when air is cooler close to the ground than it is above. The cool air is dense, so it stays near the ground. This is called a temperature inversion ( Figure below ). An inversion can trap air pollution near the surface. Temperature inversions are more common in the winter. Can you explain why?. | null | null | null |
Alyssa and Abigail need to collect 100 empty cans for their Science project. As of today, Alyssa collected 30 while Abigail collected 43 empty cans. How many more empty cans should they collect? | Alyssa and Abigail collected a total of 30 + 43 = <<30+43=73>>73 empty cans as of today.
So, they still need to collect 100 - 73 = <<100-73=27>>27 more empty cans.
#### 27 | Solve the following math problem and explain your reasoning step by step. | Alyssa and Abigail need to collect 100 empty cans for their Science project. As of today, Alyssa collected 30 while Abigail collected 43 empty cans. How many more empty cans should they collect? | Alyssa and Abigail collected a total of 30 + 43 = <<30+43=73>>73 empty cans as of today.
So, they still need to collect 100 - 73 = <<100-73=27>>27 more empty cans.
#### 27 | math | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null |
The man cried and told the monkeys _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Long ago there was a man with the name Smith. He made a living by making caps. One day he went to sell his caps. He went through a forest. There were many monkeys in it. It was very hot. The man is very tired and wanted to have a rest. He came up to a large tree, put his caps on the ground, took one of them and put it on his head. Then he lay down and soon fell asleep.
"Where are my caps?" Smith cried when he woke up.He looked up and saw many monkeys in the tree and each monkey had a cap on its head.
"Give me back my caps!" the man shouted at the monkeys.But the monkeys didn't understand him.They only laughed.The man got angry,took off his own cap,threw it on the ground and cried,"If you want all my caps,you may take this one,too!"
And what do you think happened?The little animals did the same. Each monkey took off its cap and threw it on the ground. The man was very glad. He quickly collected all his caps and went on his way.
Question:
The man cried and told the monkeys _ .
Choices:
A. to return his caps
B. not to get away with his caps
C. to buy his caps
D. not to laugh at him | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle2465.txt | Long ago there was a man with the name Smith. He made a living by making caps. One day he went to sell his caps. He went through a forest. There were many monkeys in it. It was very hot. The man is very tired and wanted to have a rest. He came up to a large tree, put his caps on the ground, took one of them and put it on his head. Then he lay down and soon fell asleep.
"Where are my caps?" Smith cried when he woke up.He looked up and saw many monkeys in the tree and each monkey had a cap on its head.
"Give me back my caps!" the man shouted at the monkeys.But the monkeys didn't understand him.They only laughed.The man got angry,took off his own cap,threw it on the ground and cried,"If you want all my caps,you may take this one,too!"
And what do you think happened?The little animals did the same. Each monkey took off its cap and threw it on the ground. The man was very glad. He quickly collected all his caps and went on his way. | [
"to return his caps",
"not to get away with his caps",
"to buy his caps",
"not to laugh at him"
] |
In Mischel's opinion, psychology will _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
For years, there has been a bias against science among clinical psychologists . In a two-year analysis to be published in November inPerspectives on Psychological Science, psychologists led by Timothy B. Baker of the University of Wisconsin charge that many clinical psychologists fail to "provide the treatments for which there is the strongest evidence of effectiveness" and "give more weight to their personal experiences than to science." As a result, patients have no guarantee that their "treatment will be informed by ... science." Walter Mischel of Columbia University is even crueler in his judgment. "The disconnect between what clinical psychologists do and what science has discovered is an extreme embarrassment," he told me, and "there is a widening gap between clinical practice and science."
The "widening" reflects the great progress that psychological research has made in identifying the most effective treatments. Thanks to strict clinical trials, we now know that teaching patients to think about their thoughts in new, healthier ways and to act on those new ways of thinking are effective against depression, panic disorder and other problems, with multiple trials showing that these treatments -- the tools of psychology -- bring more lasting benefits than drugs.
You wouldn't know this if you sought help from a typical clinical psychologist. Although many treatments are effective, relatively few psychologists learn or practice them.
Why in the world not? For one thing, says Baker, clinical psychologists are "very doubtful about the role of science" and "lack solid science training". Also, one third of patients get better no matter what treatment (if any) they have, "and psychologists remember these successes, believing, wrongly, that they are the result of the treatment."
When faced with evidence that treatments they offer are not supported by science, clinical psychologists argue that they know better than some study what works. A 2008 study of 591 psychologists in private practice found that they rely more on their own and colleagues' experience than on science when deciding how to treat a patient. If they keep on this path as insurance companies demand evidence-based medicine, warns Mischel, psychology will "discredit itself."
Question:
In Mischel's opinion, psychology will _ .
Choices:
A. destroy its own reputation if no improvement is made
B. develop faster with the support of insurance companies
C. work together with insurance companies to provide better treatment
D. become more reliable if insurance companies won't demand evidence-based medicine | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high11436.txt | For years, there has been a bias against science among clinical psychologists . In a two-year analysis to be published in November inPerspectives on Psychological Science, psychologists led by Timothy B. Baker of the University of Wisconsin charge that many clinical psychologists fail to "provide the treatments for which there is the strongest evidence of effectiveness" and "give more weight to their personal experiences than to science." As a result, patients have no guarantee that their "treatment will be informed by ... science." Walter Mischel of Columbia University is even crueler in his judgment. "The disconnect between what clinical psychologists do and what science has discovered is an extreme embarrassment," he told me, and "there is a widening gap between clinical practice and science."
The "widening" reflects the great progress that psychological research has made in identifying the most effective treatments. Thanks to strict clinical trials, we now know that teaching patients to think about their thoughts in new, healthier ways and to act on those new ways of thinking are effective against depression, panic disorder and other problems, with multiple trials showing that these treatments -- the tools of psychology -- bring more lasting benefits than drugs.
You wouldn't know this if you sought help from a typical clinical psychologist. Although many treatments are effective, relatively few psychologists learn or practice them.
Why in the world not? For one thing, says Baker, clinical psychologists are "very doubtful about the role of science" and "lack solid science training". Also, one third of patients get better no matter what treatment (if any) they have, "and psychologists remember these successes, believing, wrongly, that they are the result of the treatment."
When faced with evidence that treatments they offer are not supported by science, clinical psychologists argue that they know better than some study what works. A 2008 study of 591 psychologists in private practice found that they rely more on their own and colleagues' experience than on science when deciding how to treat a patient. If they keep on this path as insurance companies demand evidence-based medicine, warns Mischel, psychology will "discredit itself." | [
"destroy its own reputation if no improvement is made",
"develop faster with the support of insurance companies",
"work together with insurance companies to provide better treatment",
"become more reliable if insurance companies won't demand evidence-based medicine"
] |
Which of the following may the writer agree with? | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Bai Yansong, a famous TV host, expressed his support for students wearing green scarves at a primary school in Xi'an. He wore a green tie on a TV program on October 19, 2011. "I just want the students to know that I'm also wearing green. And we are all great people and are as good as those wearing red scarves."
The First Experimental Primary School in Xi'an made children with poor schoolwork and behavior wear green scarves. Parents whose children wore green scarves were angry. "The children still need their self-esteem even though they are very young, and they know the green scarf means something is not quite right," said one mother. Now, the school has stopped the practice.
Educational expert Li Zhenxi said that primary and junior high school students have strong self-esteem. They are eager to be respected and understood. Punishment will hurt them. "It's better to encourage them rather than separating some 'bad' students," he said.
A survey made by the Ministry of Education shows that 75 percent of students feel nervous and scared when the teacher is about to announce their grades. Some schools have done better in protecting students' privacy and encouraging them. In American schools, teachers post test results on the wall. Instead of using student names, they use secret numbers. This way, students know their secret numbers and can check their own grades only. Some teachers might call the students up to the desk and tell them their scores one at a time.
But test scores are not the only measures of a student's ability. Everyone has his own strengths and everyone can make great progress by working hard.
Question:
Which of the following may the writer agree with?
Choices:
A. The green scarves system can make students work hard.
B. Student's ability should not be measured only by test scores.
C. Students who get low marks should use secret numbers.
D. Teachers should tell students their scores secretly one by one. | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle3121.txt | Bai Yansong, a famous TV host, expressed his support for students wearing green scarves at a primary school in Xi'an. He wore a green tie on a TV program on October 19, 2011. "I just want the students to know that I'm also wearing green. And we are all great people and are as good as those wearing red scarves."
The First Experimental Primary School in Xi'an made children with poor schoolwork and behavior wear green scarves. Parents whose children wore green scarves were angry. "The children still need their self-esteem even though they are very young, and they know the green scarf means something is not quite right," said one mother. Now, the school has stopped the practice.
Educational expert Li Zhenxi said that primary and junior high school students have strong self-esteem. They are eager to be respected and understood. Punishment will hurt them. "It's better to encourage them rather than separating some 'bad' students," he said.
A survey made by the Ministry of Education shows that 75 percent of students feel nervous and scared when the teacher is about to announce their grades. Some schools have done better in protecting students' privacy and encouraging them. In American schools, teachers post test results on the wall. Instead of using student names, they use secret numbers. This way, students know their secret numbers and can check their own grades only. Some teachers might call the students up to the desk and tell them their scores one at a time.
But test scores are not the only measures of a student's ability. Everyone has his own strengths and everyone can make great progress by working hard. | [
"The green scarves system can make students work hard.",
"Student's ability should not be measured only by test scores.",
"Students who get low marks should use secret numbers.",
"Teachers should tell students their scores secretly one by one."
] |
Hannah brought $30 to the county fair. She spent half of it on rides and another $5 on dessert. How much, in dollars, is left? | She spent $30/2=$<<30/2=15>>15 on rides.
She spent a total of $15+$5=$<<15+5=20>>20 including dessert.
She has $30-$20=$<<30-20=10>>10 left.
#### 10 | Solve the following math problem and explain your reasoning step by step. | Hannah brought $30 to the county fair. She spent half of it on rides and another $5 on dessert. How much, in dollars, is left? | She spent $30/2=$<<30/2=15>>15 on rides.
She spent a total of $15+$5=$<<15+5=20>>20 including dessert.
She has $30-$20=$<<30-20=10>>10 left.
#### 10 | math | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null |
What's the author's purpose of writing this passage? | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Leadership is the art of getting someone to do something you want done because he wants to do it. People naturally want to follow a good leader. After meeting with an effective leader it is not unusual to feel uplifted , inspired, and motivated to work towards a common goal.
An effective leader makes others feel good about themselves, as well as the work they are doing. The leader has a vision of what he or she wants to achieve, and can communicate that vision to others in a way that makes people want to be part of it. One thing a good leader typically does is to communicate the big picture, so that each employee can see how the particular role he or she plays makes a contribution to the final result.
Good leaders are positive and optimistic when they speak about the future. Their enthusiasm wins them plenty of supporters who help make their vision a reality.
Good leaders also understand that different people are motivated by different things. For employees motivated by a need for achievement, a leader explains how the task offers an opportunity to take on a challenge with an achievable goal. And employees are motivated by hearing how they will be part of a team of people working together.
Good leaders will introduce employees by name first, rather than job titles. They refer to employees as team members, companions, or colleagues, never as "servants". Words have power, including the power to make people feel whether or not they are important to the success of an organization.
Good leaders believe that every team member matters and set up environments that make everyone feel important. It is no wonder they can attract the support they need to help them achieve their goals.
Question:
What's the author's purpose of writing this passage?
Choices:
A. To tell us how to be a good leader at work.
B. To describe the proper relationship between leaders and employees.
C. To inform us of how leaders and employees should communicate.
D. To show the optimism of a leader. | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high2249.txt | Leadership is the art of getting someone to do something you want done because he wants to do it. People naturally want to follow a good leader. After meeting with an effective leader it is not unusual to feel uplifted , inspired, and motivated to work towards a common goal.
An effective leader makes others feel good about themselves, as well as the work they are doing. The leader has a vision of what he or she wants to achieve, and can communicate that vision to others in a way that makes people want to be part of it. One thing a good leader typically does is to communicate the big picture, so that each employee can see how the particular role he or she plays makes a contribution to the final result.
Good leaders are positive and optimistic when they speak about the future. Their enthusiasm wins them plenty of supporters who help make their vision a reality.
Good leaders also understand that different people are motivated by different things. For employees motivated by a need for achievement, a leader explains how the task offers an opportunity to take on a challenge with an achievable goal. And employees are motivated by hearing how they will be part of a team of people working together.
Good leaders will introduce employees by name first, rather than job titles. They refer to employees as team members, companions, or colleagues, never as "servants". Words have power, including the power to make people feel whether or not they are important to the success of an organization.
Good leaders believe that every team member matters and set up environments that make everyone feel important. It is no wonder they can attract the support they need to help them achieve their goals. | [
"To tell us how to be a good leader at work.",
"To describe the proper relationship between leaders and employees.",
"To inform us of how leaders and employees should communicate.",
"To show the optimism of a leader."
] |
From the passage we can infer that if Maveleone had been a well-know artist _ . | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
The small unframed painting called "Fisherman" was signed by a little-known Italian artist, Maveleone (1669-1740). When it was sold recently in New York for $ 27000, the seller, Mr. Oliver Pitt, was asked to explain how the picture had come into his possession.
Pitt said, "I didn't know it was so valuable. I'm not an art expert. Photography is my hobby. I bought 'Fisherman' in Italy in 1970 for $140.the picture was dirty, and I couldn't see the artist's signature. But anyway it wasn't the picture that I like. I bought it because of the frame."
"It's most unusual frame, made of tiny, silvery sea-shells. They are set in such a way that they reflect perfect light onto the surface of a picture. I now have a photograph of my wife in that frame, and I'll never part with it."
"When I returned to New York I showed the painting in its frame to a customs officer. I told him that I had paid $140 for it but admitted I didn't know its actual worth. The customs man valued it at $ 140, and I was asked to pay duty on that value. I did so, there and then."
"Later, I took off the frame, and that uncovered Maveleone's signature. My wife suggested in fun that the painting might be a valuable one, so I cleaned it and put it up for sale."
As a result of his explanation, Oliver Pitt had to appear in court. He was accused of knowingly making a false statement of the value of a picture so as to cheat the Customs Department.
Pitt was not happy. "I told the truth as I knew it then," he said, "What else could I say?"
And then the judge agreed with him. "The Customs Department is to be responsible (blame)," he said, "for making a true valuation of goods bought into the country, so that the correct amount of duty may be charged. Mr Pitt did not cause or try to cause the mistake that was made. He paid the duty that was demanded. If now, the Customs Department finds that its valuation was not correct, it cannot be allowed to have another try. Pitt is not guilty.
Question:
From the passage we can infer that if Maveleone had been a well-know artist _ .
Choices:
A. the painting would have cost much more than $ 140
B. he wouldn't have sold his painting at such a low price
C. the customs officer wouldn't have valued the painting at $ 140
D. Pitt wouldn't have had the intention to buy any of his paintings | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high16342.txt | The small unframed painting called "Fisherman" was signed by a little-known Italian artist, Maveleone (1669-1740). When it was sold recently in New York for $ 27000, the seller, Mr. Oliver Pitt, was asked to explain how the picture had come into his possession.
Pitt said, "I didn't know it was so valuable. I'm not an art expert. Photography is my hobby. I bought 'Fisherman' in Italy in 1970 for $140.the picture was dirty, and I couldn't see the artist's signature. But anyway it wasn't the picture that I like. I bought it because of the frame."
"It's most unusual frame, made of tiny, silvery sea-shells. They are set in such a way that they reflect perfect light onto the surface of a picture. I now have a photograph of my wife in that frame, and I'll never part with it."
"When I returned to New York I showed the painting in its frame to a customs officer. I told him that I had paid $140 for it but admitted I didn't know its actual worth. The customs man valued it at $ 140, and I was asked to pay duty on that value. I did so, there and then."
"Later, I took off the frame, and that uncovered Maveleone's signature. My wife suggested in fun that the painting might be a valuable one, so I cleaned it and put it up for sale."
As a result of his explanation, Oliver Pitt had to appear in court. He was accused of knowingly making a false statement of the value of a picture so as to cheat the Customs Department.
Pitt was not happy. "I told the truth as I knew it then," he said, "What else could I say?"
And then the judge agreed with him. "The Customs Department is to be responsible (blame)," he said, "for making a true valuation of goods bought into the country, so that the correct amount of duty may be charged. Mr Pitt did not cause or try to cause the mistake that was made. He paid the duty that was demanded. If now, the Customs Department finds that its valuation was not correct, it cannot be allowed to have another try. Pitt is not guilty. | [
"the painting would have cost much more than $ 140",
"he wouldn't have sold his painting at such a low price",
"the customs officer wouldn't have valued the painting at $ 140",
"Pitt wouldn't have had the intention to buy any of his paintings"
] |
From the passage we learn that _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Telephone, television, radio, telegraph and the Internet all help people communicate with each other. As a result, ideas and news of events spread quickly all over the world. For example, within seconds, people can know the results of an election in another country. An international football match comes into the homes of everyone with a television set. News of a disaster such as an earthquake or a flood can bring help from distant countries within hours. Help is on the way. Because of modern technology like the satellites that travel around the world, information travels fast.
How has this speed of communication changed the world? To many people, the world has become smaller. Of course this does not mean that the world is actually physically smaller. It means that the world seems smaller. Two hundred years ago, communication between the continents took a long time. All news was carried on ships that took weeks or even months to cross the ocean. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, it took six weeks for news from Europe to reach America. This time difference influenced people's actions. For example, one battle, or fight, in the War of 1812 between England and the United States could have been avoided. A peace agreement had already been signed. Peace was made in England, but the news of peace took six weeks to reach America. During these six weeks, the large and serious Battle of New Orleans was fought. Many people lost their lives after a peace treaty had been signed. They would not have died if news had come in time. In the past, communication took much more time than it does now.
There was a good reason why the world seemed so much larger than it does today.
Question:
From the passage we learn that _ .
Choices:
A. the world now seems smaller because of faster communication
B. the world is actually smaller today
C. the world is changing its size
D. the distance between England and America has changed since the War of 1812 | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high15295.txt | Telephone, television, radio, telegraph and the Internet all help people communicate with each other. As a result, ideas and news of events spread quickly all over the world. For example, within seconds, people can know the results of an election in another country. An international football match comes into the homes of everyone with a television set. News of a disaster such as an earthquake or a flood can bring help from distant countries within hours. Help is on the way. Because of modern technology like the satellites that travel around the world, information travels fast.
How has this speed of communication changed the world? To many people, the world has become smaller. Of course this does not mean that the world is actually physically smaller. It means that the world seems smaller. Two hundred years ago, communication between the continents took a long time. All news was carried on ships that took weeks or even months to cross the ocean. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, it took six weeks for news from Europe to reach America. This time difference influenced people's actions. For example, one battle, or fight, in the War of 1812 between England and the United States could have been avoided. A peace agreement had already been signed. Peace was made in England, but the news of peace took six weeks to reach America. During these six weeks, the large and serious Battle of New Orleans was fought. Many people lost their lives after a peace treaty had been signed. They would not have died if news had come in time. In the past, communication took much more time than it does now.
There was a good reason why the world seemed so much larger than it does today. | [
"the world now seems smaller because of faster communication",
"the world is actually smaller today",
"the world is changing its size",
"the distance between England and America has changed since the War of 1812"
] |
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