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What makes Apple's tablets superior to the competing tablets of other companies? | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Steve Jobs, Apple's chief executive, made his first public appearance since going on medical leave six weeks ago, taking the stage at a San Francisco media event to introduce the iPad 2, the second generation of the company's tablet computer.
Thin but energetic, Mr. Jobs showed off a thinner iPad. " We've been working on this product for a while and I just didn't want to miss this day," he said.
His absence has concerned investors, especially since the group has given no details of his condition. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2004 and had a liver transplant during almost six moths of medical leave in 2009. People close to him said last month his health had been changing.
Apple's stock rose more than 2 percent in the minutes after Mr. Jobs began speaking, then gave up some of its gain as he detailed the iPad 2.
The iPad 2 will go on sale in black and white versions in the US on March 11 and in 26 other countries, including the UK and Germany, on March 25. The table is Apple's biggest product launch since the iPhone three years ago, and is comparable to the iPhone as the most expected in Apple's history.
Most of the improvements in the latest version had been expected, including front and rear-facing video, which allows video conferencing between iPads, Mac computers and the most recent iPhones and iPods, a larger speaker, a faster processor and other upgrades. The iPad 2 is one-third thinner than the original tablet and slightly lighter, with a 9.7-inch touchscreen. It can run movies, books, games and a complete range of applications. In the US it will work with AT&T and Verizon, the top two mobile carriers. The pricing will be the same to the 2010 iPad at its introduction, ranging from $499 to $829 in six models. But Apple dropped prices on the older iPad on Wednesday by $100 across the board.
Apple has made the most of its year-long head start in tablets, selling 15,000,000 units of the older iPad last year and taking about 85 percent of the market. Forrester predicted that the iPad 2 would clain 80 percent of the US market this year, or 20,000,000 out of 24,000,000 total shipped. This prediction was based on both the technical improvements to the iPad 2, and the distribution difficulties and higher prices for Apple's rivals.
Motorola, BlackBerry maker Research in Motion, Samsung and others have brought out competing tablets, many based on Google's Android software.
Mr. Jobs said the rest of the field was still catching up with the first iPad and their markets for applications designed for tablets had, at best, 100 small programs. This compares with 65,000 on Apple's applications store.
Question:
What makes Apple's tablets superior to the competing tablets of other companies?
Choices:
A. the low price
B. the Android software
C. the full kinds of models
D. the tens of thousands of applications | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high1162.txt | Steve Jobs, Apple's chief executive, made his first public appearance since going on medical leave six weeks ago, taking the stage at a San Francisco media event to introduce the iPad 2, the second generation of the company's tablet computer.
Thin but energetic, Mr. Jobs showed off a thinner iPad. " We've been working on this product for a while and I just didn't want to miss this day," he said.
His absence has concerned investors, especially since the group has given no details of his condition. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2004 and had a liver transplant during almost six moths of medical leave in 2009. People close to him said last month his health had been changing.
Apple's stock rose more than 2 percent in the minutes after Mr. Jobs began speaking, then gave up some of its gain as he detailed the iPad 2.
The iPad 2 will go on sale in black and white versions in the US on March 11 and in 26 other countries, including the UK and Germany, on March 25. The table is Apple's biggest product launch since the iPhone three years ago, and is comparable to the iPhone as the most expected in Apple's history.
Most of the improvements in the latest version had been expected, including front and rear-facing video, which allows video conferencing between iPads, Mac computers and the most recent iPhones and iPods, a larger speaker, a faster processor and other upgrades. The iPad 2 is one-third thinner than the original tablet and slightly lighter, with a 9.7-inch touchscreen. It can run movies, books, games and a complete range of applications. In the US it will work with AT&T and Verizon, the top two mobile carriers. The pricing will be the same to the 2010 iPad at its introduction, ranging from $499 to $829 in six models. But Apple dropped prices on the older iPad on Wednesday by $100 across the board.
Apple has made the most of its year-long head start in tablets, selling 15,000,000 units of the older iPad last year and taking about 85 percent of the market. Forrester predicted that the iPad 2 would clain 80 percent of the US market this year, or 20,000,000 out of 24,000,000 total shipped. This prediction was based on both the technical improvements to the iPad 2, and the distribution difficulties and higher prices for Apple's rivals.
Motorola, BlackBerry maker Research in Motion, Samsung and others have brought out competing tablets, many based on Google's Android software.
Mr. Jobs said the rest of the field was still catching up with the first iPad and their markets for applications designed for tablets had, at best, 100 small programs. This compares with 65,000 on Apple's applications store. | [
"the low price",
"the Android software",
"the full kinds of models",
"the tens of thousands of applications"
] |
Mrs Wilson went home _ . | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
One day Mrs Wilson took Trudy and Ben to go shopping. They went to the supermarket in the new shopping mall . "Why do you buy things here, Mum?" Trudy asked. "Because they are cheaper than those at the corner store," Mrs Wilson said. "Help me check the prices." The Wilsons were not wealthy and Mrs Wilson was always careful with her money. She looked carefully at the prices of things. She bought some groceries in the supermarket. When they got home, the children said, "We don't think you saved money by going to the supermarket there." "Of course I did," said Mrs Wilson, "everything was cheap there." "We know," said the children, "but we came home by taxi because we had too much to carry. The cost of the taxi was more than the money you saved!" Mrs Wilson added everything up and found her children were right. "Well done,"she said, "next time we will do shopping near our home."
Question:
Mrs Wilson went home _ .
Choices:
A. by bus
B. by minibus
C. by taxi
D. on foot | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle4081.txt | One day Mrs Wilson took Trudy and Ben to go shopping. They went to the supermarket in the new shopping mall . "Why do you buy things here, Mum?" Trudy asked. "Because they are cheaper than those at the corner store," Mrs Wilson said. "Help me check the prices." The Wilsons were not wealthy and Mrs Wilson was always careful with her money. She looked carefully at the prices of things. She bought some groceries in the supermarket. When they got home, the children said, "We don't think you saved money by going to the supermarket there." "Of course I did," said Mrs Wilson, "everything was cheap there." "We know," said the children, "but we came home by taxi because we had too much to carry. The cost of the taxi was more than the money you saved!" Mrs Wilson added everything up and found her children were right. "Well done,"she said, "next time we will do shopping near our home." | [
"by bus",
"by minibus",
"by taxi",
"on foot"
] |
Which is acceptable according to the passage? | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Children are children after all, and most of them speak their mind. When they are just toddlers , they are all lovely and lively. And it's so interesting to watch them speak like a grown-up. But as they grow, these same kids seem annoying and ill-mannered if they try to be a grown-up.
Conflicts go between parents and children. It's hard to tell who are right and who are wrong. A child of 7-8 always finds some reasons to have a conflict with it's parents. Whether it is about some toy, studies, a party or a company, there is always a difference between them. And it becomes worse when they answer you back. Scientists tell us that children should be treated with care. Yes, sure they should respect their elders.
We are partly responsible for this. At an early age we encourage children to behave like adults, just because we find it funny. The kids on the other hand consider this same behavior as normal and get used to it. And when it is not funny for us any more, we expect them to stop it, but by then it is already too late. Only when they reach a certain maturity will the children realize that answering back and being rude are not acceptable . Until then, most of the time their behavior is difficult to change, unless by force . And use of force is against the every good idea, as it weakens the child's confidence.
So it is one thing to bring a child into this world but quite another to make them into well mannered citizens. The best way is to be a good example ourselves, as our children are the mirrors of us adults.
Question:
Which is acceptable according to the passage?
Choices:
A. Answering back.
B. Being rude.
C. Using force.
D. Respecting elders. | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle3585.txt | Children are children after all, and most of them speak their mind. When they are just toddlers , they are all lovely and lively. And it's so interesting to watch them speak like a grown-up. But as they grow, these same kids seem annoying and ill-mannered if they try to be a grown-up.
Conflicts go between parents and children. It's hard to tell who are right and who are wrong. A child of 7-8 always finds some reasons to have a conflict with it's parents. Whether it is about some toy, studies, a party or a company, there is always a difference between them. And it becomes worse when they answer you back. Scientists tell us that children should be treated with care. Yes, sure they should respect their elders.
We are partly responsible for this. At an early age we encourage children to behave like adults, just because we find it funny. The kids on the other hand consider this same behavior as normal and get used to it. And when it is not funny for us any more, we expect them to stop it, but by then it is already too late. Only when they reach a certain maturity will the children realize that answering back and being rude are not acceptable . Until then, most of the time their behavior is difficult to change, unless by force . And use of force is against the every good idea, as it weakens the child's confidence.
So it is one thing to bring a child into this world but quite another to make them into well mannered citizens. The best way is to be a good example ourselves, as our children are the mirrors of us adults. | [
"Answering back.",
"Being rude.",
"Using force.",
"Respecting elders."
] |
We can learn that Winter Vinecki's father died _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Most teenagers in the United States spend their time trying to make time for school,family and friends.But some choose bigger goals.
At age 15,Winter Vinecki has already had more successes than most people have in their lifetime."I recently completed a marathon on all seven continents and became the youngest person in the world to do so.And I was really doing this for my dad."
Doctors discovered that Winter's father had a rare and deadly form of prostate cancer when she was nine years old.Then he died 10 months later."When he was first diagnosed with prostate cancer I immediately knew I had to do something to help him.That's when I formed Team Winter for prostate cancer research and awareness."
Through Team Winter and social media,Winter Vinecki has raised almost 500,000 dollars.She has taken prostate cancer education worldwide through foot races called marathons,on seven continents.In the United States she travels continually to talk about prostate cancer and urge others to act.
Winter Vinecki attended a conference recently in Los Angeles,California and spoke at the conference as one of several teenagers who spoke about young people who were living extraordinary lives.
"So prostate cancer is much more common but men don't want to talk about it.So that is why a ten-year-old girl had to go out there and start talking about it for them."
Another speaker was Jack Andraka who invented a sensor which is not as expensive as traditional equipment that can't be afforded by most common people.It can identify cancers of the pancreas and lungs.He was 15 at the time.
Jack is now 17 and seeking patents for his latest inventions.He has developed low-cost water quality equipment which can help identify and remove heavy metals and poisonous chemicals from water.
"I hope to see them used in the developing nations such as Bangladesh and parts of China and India,especially as well as in parts of Africa,where these heavy metal and pesticides and other kinds of waste are a major problem."
Question:
We can learn that Winter Vinecki's father died _ .
Choices:
A. about 5 years ago
B. not long ago this year
C. only 10 months ago
D. when she was about 15 | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high14176.txt | Most teenagers in the United States spend their time trying to make time for school,family and friends.But some choose bigger goals.
At age 15,Winter Vinecki has already had more successes than most people have in their lifetime."I recently completed a marathon on all seven continents and became the youngest person in the world to do so.And I was really doing this for my dad."
Doctors discovered that Winter's father had a rare and deadly form of prostate cancer when she was nine years old.Then he died 10 months later."When he was first diagnosed with prostate cancer I immediately knew I had to do something to help him.That's when I formed Team Winter for prostate cancer research and awareness."
Through Team Winter and social media,Winter Vinecki has raised almost 500,000 dollars.She has taken prostate cancer education worldwide through foot races called marathons,on seven continents.In the United States she travels continually to talk about prostate cancer and urge others to act.
Winter Vinecki attended a conference recently in Los Angeles,California and spoke at the conference as one of several teenagers who spoke about young people who were living extraordinary lives.
"So prostate cancer is much more common but men don't want to talk about it.So that is why a ten-year-old girl had to go out there and start talking about it for them."
Another speaker was Jack Andraka who invented a sensor which is not as expensive as traditional equipment that can't be afforded by most common people.It can identify cancers of the pancreas and lungs.He was 15 at the time.
Jack is now 17 and seeking patents for his latest inventions.He has developed low-cost water quality equipment which can help identify and remove heavy metals and poisonous chemicals from water.
"I hope to see them used in the developing nations such as Bangladesh and parts of China and India,especially as well as in parts of Africa,where these heavy metal and pesticides and other kinds of waste are a major problem." | [
"about 5 years ago",
"not long ago this year",
"only 10 months ago",
"when she was about 15"
] |
There was some food in _ of the small boxes. | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Mr Smith made many tests with different animals and the monkey was the cleverest of all the animals.
One day Mr Smith put a monkey in a room. He also put some small boxes in it. In one of the boxes there was some food. "How long will it take the monkey to find the food? " Mr Smith said to himself. " Let me wait and see. " He left the room and waited outside. Three minutes later, he put his eye to the keyhole . What did he see? He saw the eye of the monkey. The monkey was on the other side of the door and looked at Mr Smith through the keyhole.
Question:
There was some food in _ of the small boxes.
Choices:
A. some
B. none
C. one
D. each | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high8465.txt | Mr Smith made many tests with different animals and the monkey was the cleverest of all the animals.
One day Mr Smith put a monkey in a room. He also put some small boxes in it. In one of the boxes there was some food. "How long will it take the monkey to find the food? " Mr Smith said to himself. " Let me wait and see. " He left the room and waited outside. Three minutes later, he put his eye to the keyhole . What did he see? He saw the eye of the monkey. The monkey was on the other side of the door and looked at Mr Smith through the keyhole. | [
"some",
"none",
"one",
"each"
] |
Scientists study El Nino in order that _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Scientists around the world have been studying the warming of waters in the Pacific Ocean known as El Nino . The appearance of El Nino is known to affect the weather around the world. Scientists still do not completely understand it. Yet they now find they can use it to tell about the future in different areas of the world.
One example is the work of two scientists at Columbia University in New York, Mark Cane and Gordon Eshel. A scientist of Zimbabwe , Roger Buckland worked with them. They have found that when El Nino appears, Zimbabwe has little or no rain. This means corn crops in Zimbabwe are poor. The last El Nino was in 1991 to 1993. That was when southeastern Africa suffered a serious lack of rain.
The scientists wrote about their recent work in the publication Nature. Their computer program can tell when an El Nino will develop up to a year before it does. They suggest that this could provide an effective early warning system for southern Africa, and could prevent many people from starving.
Question:
Scientists study El Nino in order that _ .
Choices:
A. they can provide a kind of early warning to the place that will suffer from drought
B. they can tell why Zimbabwe has little or no rain
C. they can do some research work in this field.
D. they can put all this information into their computers. | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high16484.txt | Scientists around the world have been studying the warming of waters in the Pacific Ocean known as El Nino . The appearance of El Nino is known to affect the weather around the world. Scientists still do not completely understand it. Yet they now find they can use it to tell about the future in different areas of the world.
One example is the work of two scientists at Columbia University in New York, Mark Cane and Gordon Eshel. A scientist of Zimbabwe , Roger Buckland worked with them. They have found that when El Nino appears, Zimbabwe has little or no rain. This means corn crops in Zimbabwe are poor. The last El Nino was in 1991 to 1993. That was when southeastern Africa suffered a serious lack of rain.
The scientists wrote about their recent work in the publication Nature. Their computer program can tell when an El Nino will develop up to a year before it does. They suggest that this could provide an effective early warning system for southern Africa, and could prevent many people from starving. | [
"they can provide a kind of early warning to the place that will suffer from drought",
"they can tell why Zimbabwe has little or no rain",
"they can do some research work in this field.",
"they can put all this information into their computers."
] |
At the first half of the match, _ . | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
We have fun with our school life every day. Our school often holds different after-school activities. There was a football match on the school playground yesterday afternoon.
Our class played against Class Two. Every player tried their best as soon as the match began at 4:00 o'clock. The players from the two teams played very hard and well. At the beginning of the match, a big and strong player from Class Two got the ball and passed several of our players. He kicked the ball hard to the goal."Oh, dear!"my classmates shouted surprisedly. Luckily, our goalkeeper Steve caught the ball. At the end of the first half of the match, there was no score.
After resting for ten minutes, the match began again. Our headteacher Mr. Zhang cheered us on all the time."Teamwork! Teamwork!"he kept shouting. At this time, Kangkang got the ball. He kicked the ball to Jack and Jack kicked the ball to our captain Li Lei. He passed four players with the ball and then kicked the ball into the goal. The crowd jumped cheerfully. My classmates felt excited. Finally, we won 1 to 0.
My school life is colorful. I love my school life.
,.
Question:
At the first half of the match, _ .
Choices:
A. Class Two got score
B. the writer's team got score
C. the result was 1 to 0
D. there was no score | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle3817.txt | We have fun with our school life every day. Our school often holds different after-school activities. There was a football match on the school playground yesterday afternoon.
Our class played against Class Two. Every player tried their best as soon as the match began at 4:00 o'clock. The players from the two teams played very hard and well. At the beginning of the match, a big and strong player from Class Two got the ball and passed several of our players. He kicked the ball hard to the goal."Oh, dear!"my classmates shouted surprisedly. Luckily, our goalkeeper Steve caught the ball. At the end of the first half of the match, there was no score.
After resting for ten minutes, the match began again. Our headteacher Mr. Zhang cheered us on all the time."Teamwork! Teamwork!"he kept shouting. At this time, Kangkang got the ball. He kicked the ball to Jack and Jack kicked the ball to our captain Li Lei. He passed four players with the ball and then kicked the ball into the goal. The crowd jumped cheerfully. My classmates felt excited. Finally, we won 1 to 0.
My school life is colorful. I love my school life.
,. | [
"Class Two got score",
"the writer's team got score",
"the result was 1 to 0",
"there was no score"
] |
Which of the following statements is NOT true? | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
American researchers have developed a technique that may become an important tool in fighting AIDS virus from attacking its target-cells in the body's defense system.When AIDS virus enters the blood,it searches for blood cells called T4 lymphocytes .The virus connects to the outside of T4 lymphocytes.Then it forces its way inside.There it directs the cells' genetic material to produce copies of the AIDS virus.This is how AIDS spreads.
Researchers think they may be able to stop AIDS from connecting to T4 ceils.When AIDS virus finds a T4 cell,it actually connects to a part of the cell called CD4 protein.
Researchers want to fool the virus by putting copies or clones of the CD4 protein into the blood.This way the AIDS virus will connect to cloned protein instead of the real ones.Scientists use genetic engineering methods to make the clones.Normally a CD4 protein remains on the T4 cell at all times;the AIDS virus must go to it.
In a new technique,however,the cloned CD4 protein is not connected to a cell.It floats freely,so a lot more can be put into the blood to keep the AIDS virus away from real CD4 protein on T4 cells.One report says the.AIDS virus connects to cloned protein just as effectively as it connects to real protein.That report was based on tests with blood cells grown in labs.The technique is just now beginning to be tested in animals.If successful,it may be tested in humans within a year.
Question:
Which of the following statements is NOT true?
Choices:
A. The new technique has been tested in labs.
B. The new technique is being tested in animals.
C. The new technique may be tested in humans.
D. The new technique is now under clinic test. | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high525.txt | American researchers have developed a technique that may become an important tool in fighting AIDS virus from attacking its target-cells in the body's defense system.When AIDS virus enters the blood,it searches for blood cells called T4 lymphocytes .The virus connects to the outside of T4 lymphocytes.Then it forces its way inside.There it directs the cells' genetic material to produce copies of the AIDS virus.This is how AIDS spreads.
Researchers think they may be able to stop AIDS from connecting to T4 ceils.When AIDS virus finds a T4 cell,it actually connects to a part of the cell called CD4 protein.
Researchers want to fool the virus by putting copies or clones of the CD4 protein into the blood.This way the AIDS virus will connect to cloned protein instead of the real ones.Scientists use genetic engineering methods to make the clones.Normally a CD4 protein remains on the T4 cell at all times;the AIDS virus must go to it.
In a new technique,however,the cloned CD4 protein is not connected to a cell.It floats freely,so a lot more can be put into the blood to keep the AIDS virus away from real CD4 protein on T4 cells.One report says the.AIDS virus connects to cloned protein just as effectively as it connects to real protein.That report was based on tests with blood cells grown in labs.The technique is just now beginning to be tested in animals.If successful,it may be tested in humans within a year. | [
"The new technique has been tested in labs.",
"The new technique is being tested in animals.",
"The new technique may be tested in humans.",
"The new technique is now under clinic test."
] |
A. knowledge of the local language allows international business people _ . | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Successful people in international business understand the cultures of other countries and learn to change their practices in different cultures. They understand the importance of avoiding business decisions based on misconceptions--mistaken ideas.
One cause of misconceptions is ethnocentrism, the belief that one's own culture's way of doing things is better than the way of other cultures. It's ethnocentrism that leads to failure in international business. To avoid ethnocentrism, it's necessary to study the different elements of culture: language, values and attitudes, and customs and manners.
Language
A. knowledge of the local language can help international business people in four ways. First, people can communicate directly. Second, people are usually more open in their communication with someone who speaks their language. Third, an understanding of the language allows people to infer meanings that are not said directly. Finally, knowing the language helps people to understand the culture better.
Values are people's basic beliefs about the difference between right and wrong, good and bad . An attitude is a way of thinking or acting. Values and attitudes influence international business. For example, many people in the United States believe that chocolate from Switzerland is better than chocolate from other countries, and they buy a lot of it.
Customs and manners
Customs are common social practices. Manners are ways of acting that the society believes are polite. For example, in the United States, it is the custom to have salad before the main course at dinner, not after. It's not acceptable to talk with food in mouth at table. Failure to understand the customs and manners of other countries will bring difficulty selling their products. Orange juice as a breakfast drink of an American company in France doesn't sell well because the French don't usually drink juice with breakfast.
Question:
A. knowledge of the local language allows international business people _ .
Choices:
A. to be more open with their customers
B. to have a better idea of their own culture
C. to express their thoughts indirectly
D. to communicate without outside help | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high3014.txt | Successful people in international business understand the cultures of other countries and learn to change their practices in different cultures. They understand the importance of avoiding business decisions based on misconceptions--mistaken ideas.
One cause of misconceptions is ethnocentrism, the belief that one's own culture's way of doing things is better than the way of other cultures. It's ethnocentrism that leads to failure in international business. To avoid ethnocentrism, it's necessary to study the different elements of culture: language, values and attitudes, and customs and manners.
Language
A. knowledge of the local language can help international business people in four ways. First, people can communicate directly. Second, people are usually more open in their communication with someone who speaks their language. Third, an understanding of the language allows people to infer meanings that are not said directly. Finally, knowing the language helps people to understand the culture better.
Values are people's basic beliefs about the difference between right and wrong, good and bad . An attitude is a way of thinking or acting. Values and attitudes influence international business. For example, many people in the United States believe that chocolate from Switzerland is better than chocolate from other countries, and they buy a lot of it.
Customs and manners
Customs are common social practices. Manners are ways of acting that the society believes are polite. For example, in the United States, it is the custom to have salad before the main course at dinner, not after. It's not acceptable to talk with food in mouth at table. Failure to understand the customs and manners of other countries will bring difficulty selling their products. Orange juice as a breakfast drink of an American company in France doesn't sell well because the French don't usually drink juice with breakfast. | [
"to be more open with their customers",
"to have a better idea of their own culture",
"to express their thoughts indirectly",
"to communicate without outside help"
] |
Which of the following may not contribute to the e-bike's going mainstream? | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Sales of electric bicycles, or e-bikes, a hot item in consumer green tech, are expected to grow by more than 50% in North America during 2013. Actor William Shatner, who is no stranger to futuristic tech, recently purchased two e-bikes for him and his wife.
I've been shopping for an e-bike now for a few weeks, and I've had my eye on the folding electric bike. I've had folding bikes in the past and love the convenience of being able to throw my bike into my car.
The e -bike market is ready to go mainstream in the U.S. The price for e-bikes has come down greatly in recent months. At one time, most e-bikes with good components and proper weight were in the $3,000range. Now you can find reasonable quality e-bikes in the $1,000range. With gas prices at all-time highs, e-bikes are an attractive, low-cost option to gas efficient vehicles.
E-bike owners are finding that they are great for commuting to work, as traditional bikes can be a problem with office dress and sweat.
People who use e-bikes range from commuters to casual cyclers who like a little help with hills and wind,to those who decided to save money on buying a motor bike.These are not for the serious road cycler or professional mountain biker.
If you're considering all e--bike, it pays to do some research first.Cheaper e-bikes are going to be heavier and have less battery--power.Higher priced bikes will be made from lighter materials and have better batteries.
Another consideration is local motor vehicle laws.For example,according to US federal law,as long as your electric bike is under 750 watts and does not go over 20 MPH then it is a bicycle and not a motor vehicle.Most consumer e--bikes in the $1,000 range don't fit the motorized vehicle description.
Question:
Which of the following may not contribute to the e-bike's going mainstream?
Choices:
A. The price for e-bikes has come down greatly.
B. E-bikes are much cheaper to use than gas vehicles.
C. The local motor vehicle laws are not strict enough.
D. Some folding e-bikes are convenient to put into a car. | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high23593.txt | Sales of electric bicycles, or e-bikes, a hot item in consumer green tech, are expected to grow by more than 50% in North America during 2013. Actor William Shatner, who is no stranger to futuristic tech, recently purchased two e-bikes for him and his wife.
I've been shopping for an e-bike now for a few weeks, and I've had my eye on the folding electric bike. I've had folding bikes in the past and love the convenience of being able to throw my bike into my car.
The e -bike market is ready to go mainstream in the U.S. The price for e-bikes has come down greatly in recent months. At one time, most e-bikes with good components and proper weight were in the $3,000range. Now you can find reasonable quality e-bikes in the $1,000range. With gas prices at all-time highs, e-bikes are an attractive, low-cost option to gas efficient vehicles.
E-bike owners are finding that they are great for commuting to work, as traditional bikes can be a problem with office dress and sweat.
People who use e-bikes range from commuters to casual cyclers who like a little help with hills and wind,to those who decided to save money on buying a motor bike.These are not for the serious road cycler or professional mountain biker.
If you're considering all e--bike, it pays to do some research first.Cheaper e-bikes are going to be heavier and have less battery--power.Higher priced bikes will be made from lighter materials and have better batteries.
Another consideration is local motor vehicle laws.For example,according to US federal law,as long as your electric bike is under 750 watts and does not go over 20 MPH then it is a bicycle and not a motor vehicle.Most consumer e--bikes in the $1,000 range don't fit the motorized vehicle description. | [
"The price for e-bikes has come down greatly.",
"E-bikes are much cheaper to use than gas vehicles.",
"The local motor vehicle laws are not strict enough.",
"Some folding e-bikes are convenient to put into a car."
] |
Jason learned to write and color by holding the pen _ . | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
When Jason's parents saw him for the first time, they were shocked .This lovely little baby with shining blue eyes and curly hair was born disabled . But soon the young couple accepted this fact: Jason's arms are just half without hands and his legs aren't fully grown either. They even forgot to think of him as disabled.
At the age of six, he told his mother he wanted to get down from the prosthetics and play with other kids. This was the last time Jason had worn them. He now has an electric wheelchair , but he never uses it at home or when it is easy for him to move using only his body.
Jason learned handwriting and coloring at school, holding the pen between the ends of his arms. He also learned to eat with forks at home. When he was ten, he fell in love with football. He never had a pair of shoes in his life because of the shape of his feet. He only wore socks on the football field. He never won a match, but he refused to give up. His strong arms and body, as well as some fantastic ways made him a respected player on the school team. He went to a famous university after high school.
Now Jason still faces many _ in life, but he will make you believe that you can do what he has done. "Never be afraid of any difficulty", Jason often encourages others in his speeches.
Question:
Jason learned to write and color by holding the pen _ .
Choices:
A. between his legs
B. between his arms
C. between his teeth
D. between his hands | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle6012.txt | When Jason's parents saw him for the first time, they were shocked .This lovely little baby with shining blue eyes and curly hair was born disabled . But soon the young couple accepted this fact: Jason's arms are just half without hands and his legs aren't fully grown either. They even forgot to think of him as disabled.
At the age of six, he told his mother he wanted to get down from the prosthetics and play with other kids. This was the last time Jason had worn them. He now has an electric wheelchair , but he never uses it at home or when it is easy for him to move using only his body.
Jason learned handwriting and coloring at school, holding the pen between the ends of his arms. He also learned to eat with forks at home. When he was ten, he fell in love with football. He never had a pair of shoes in his life because of the shape of his feet. He only wore socks on the football field. He never won a match, but he refused to give up. His strong arms and body, as well as some fantastic ways made him a respected player on the school team. He went to a famous university after high school.
Now Jason still faces many _ in life, but he will make you believe that you can do what he has done. "Never be afraid of any difficulty", Jason often encourages others in his speeches. | [
"between his legs",
"between his arms",
"between his teeth",
"between his hands"
] |
According to the passage, why did the Sochi Winter Olympics cost so much? | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Millions of sports lovers are still thinking about one thing----the Winter Olympics in Sochi Russia. Close to 2900 men and women competed in the 2014 Winter Games about a month ago.
The Olympics brought a lot of attention to Sochi, a city on the Black Sea, which is a popular area for vacation travelers. The area is known for its mild winters.
At least $50 billion was spent on the 2014 Winter Games, making it the costliest Olympics in history. Seven billion dollars was spent on the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada. Olympic officials chose Sochi to host the 2014 games almost seven years ago. At that time, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the games would cost about $13 billion. Yet the actual expenses exceeded his estimate. So where did all the money go?
Some observers say the high cost is partly the result of security measures. Brian Jenkins, a terrorism expert from the RAND Corporation, gave the following explanation. There were anywhere between 70,000 and 100, 000 policemen and military troops deployed around the city.
The main threat came from separatist and Islamist groups from the North Caucasus, especially from Chechnya and Dagestan. One group claimed responsibility for two suicide bombings in Volgograd last December. The attacks killed more than 30 people. The city is only about 600 kilometers away from Sochi.
Bruce Hoffman is a terrorism expert from Georgetown University in Washington DC. He says the increased security made Sochi a difficult target for terrorists.
It is thought that the terrorists' intention was to make life difficult for the Russians and to create some sort of incident that would take away the enjoyment.
The last Olympians from around the world on Russian soil were in 1980. That was a year after Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan. More than sixty countries didn't take part in the Moscow Summer Games to show their anger.
Question:
According to the passage, why did the Sochi Winter Olympics cost so much?
Choices:
A. Because it was held at an area popular for vacation travelers.
B. Because the Russian government wanted to make it the best ever held.[:]
C. Because security measures at Sochi were stricter than before.
D. Because the original plan was made 7 years before. | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high9125.txt | Millions of sports lovers are still thinking about one thing----the Winter Olympics in Sochi Russia. Close to 2900 men and women competed in the 2014 Winter Games about a month ago.
The Olympics brought a lot of attention to Sochi, a city on the Black Sea, which is a popular area for vacation travelers. The area is known for its mild winters.
At least $50 billion was spent on the 2014 Winter Games, making it the costliest Olympics in history. Seven billion dollars was spent on the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada. Olympic officials chose Sochi to host the 2014 games almost seven years ago. At that time, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the games would cost about $13 billion. Yet the actual expenses exceeded his estimate. So where did all the money go?
Some observers say the high cost is partly the result of security measures. Brian Jenkins, a terrorism expert from the RAND Corporation, gave the following explanation. There were anywhere between 70,000 and 100, 000 policemen and military troops deployed around the city.
The main threat came from separatist and Islamist groups from the North Caucasus, especially from Chechnya and Dagestan. One group claimed responsibility for two suicide bombings in Volgograd last December. The attacks killed more than 30 people. The city is only about 600 kilometers away from Sochi.
Bruce Hoffman is a terrorism expert from Georgetown University in Washington DC. He says the increased security made Sochi a difficult target for terrorists.
It is thought that the terrorists' intention was to make life difficult for the Russians and to create some sort of incident that would take away the enjoyment.
The last Olympians from around the world on Russian soil were in 1980. That was a year after Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan. More than sixty countries didn't take part in the Moscow Summer Games to show their anger. | [
"Because it was held at an area popular for vacation travelers.",
"Because the Russian government wanted to make it the best ever held.[:]",
"Because security measures at Sochi were stricter than before.",
"Because the original plan was made 7 years before."
] |
In the advertisement, there was a _ and a _ on the bicycle. | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Tom saw an advertisement in a newspaper for a beautiful bicycle. It cost 55 pounds. So he went to the shop and asked to see one of the wonderful bicycles.
The owner of the shop was harpy to show one to Tom. Tom examined it carefully, and turned to the owner and said, "There isn't a lamp on this bicycle. hut there was one on the bicycle in your advertisement."
"Yes, Sir, "answered the man." But the lamp isn't included in the price of bicycle."
"Not included in the price of bicycle?" Tom said angrily. "But that's not honest. If the lamp is in the advertisement, it should be included in the price.""Well, Sir," answered the shop owner coldly. "There is also a girl on the bicycle in the advertisement. but we cannot give you a girl with the bicycle, either."
Question:
In the advertisement, there was a _ and a _ on the bicycle.
Choices:
A. lamp; man
B. picture; lamp
C. lamp; girl
D. newspaper; shop owner | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle7954.txt | Tom saw an advertisement in a newspaper for a beautiful bicycle. It cost 55 pounds. So he went to the shop and asked to see one of the wonderful bicycles.
The owner of the shop was harpy to show one to Tom. Tom examined it carefully, and turned to the owner and said, "There isn't a lamp on this bicycle. hut there was one on the bicycle in your advertisement."
"Yes, Sir, "answered the man." But the lamp isn't included in the price of bicycle."
"Not included in the price of bicycle?" Tom said angrily. "But that's not honest. If the lamp is in the advertisement, it should be included in the price.""Well, Sir," answered the shop owner coldly. "There is also a girl on the bicycle in the advertisement. but we cannot give you a girl with the bicycle, either." | [
"lamp; man",
"picture; lamp",
"lamp; girl",
"newspaper; shop owner"
] |
Who once failed to find a job? | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Who do you think was the most important woman of the past 100 years?
Jane Addams (1860 - 1935)
Addams helped the poor and worked for peace. She created shelters, education opportunities and services for people in need. In 1931, Addams became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Rachel Carson (1907 - 1964)
Rachel Carson was born in the rural river town of Springdale, Pennsylvania in America. The popular 1962 book "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson made people realize the dangers and the harmful effects of pollution on humans and on the world's lakes and oceans.
Angela Merkel (1954 - )
In 2005, Germans chose Angela Merkel as their first woman head of the country. She had been a scientist in the past. As Germany's leader, she has had an effect on the whole world.
Sandra Day O'Connor (1930 - )
When Sandra Day O'Connor finished her class at Stanford Law School, in 1952, she could not find work because she was a woman. However, she became the first woman to join the U.S. Supreme Court in 1981 after years of hard work.
Margaret Thatcher (1925 - )
In 1979, Margaret Thatcher became Britain's first woman Prime Minister . She served until 1990, which made her the first British leader to serve three terms in a row. Because of her high standards and strong will, people called her Britain's Iron Lady.
Marie Curie (1867-19245102534)
Polish-born scientist Marie Curie discovered that some types of metal give off energy called radiation . Her research led to new medical treatments and arms. She received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 and in Chemistry in 1911.
Question:
Who once failed to find a job?
Choices:
A. Jane Addams.
B. Sandra Day O'Connor.
C. Rachel Carson.
D. Margaret Thatcher. | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high1408.txt | Who do you think was the most important woman of the past 100 years?
Jane Addams (1860 - 1935)
Addams helped the poor and worked for peace. She created shelters, education opportunities and services for people in need. In 1931, Addams became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Rachel Carson (1907 - 1964)
Rachel Carson was born in the rural river town of Springdale, Pennsylvania in America. The popular 1962 book "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson made people realize the dangers and the harmful effects of pollution on humans and on the world's lakes and oceans.
Angela Merkel (1954 - )
In 2005, Germans chose Angela Merkel as their first woman head of the country. She had been a scientist in the past. As Germany's leader, she has had an effect on the whole world.
Sandra Day O'Connor (1930 - )
When Sandra Day O'Connor finished her class at Stanford Law School, in 1952, she could not find work because she was a woman. However, she became the first woman to join the U.S. Supreme Court in 1981 after years of hard work.
Margaret Thatcher (1925 - )
In 1979, Margaret Thatcher became Britain's first woman Prime Minister . She served until 1990, which made her the first British leader to serve three terms in a row. Because of her high standards and strong will, people called her Britain's Iron Lady.
Marie Curie (1867-19245102534)
Polish-born scientist Marie Curie discovered that some types of metal give off energy called radiation . Her research led to new medical treatments and arms. She received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 and in Chemistry in 1911. | [
"Jane Addams.",
"Sandra Day O'Connor.",
"Rachel Carson.",
"Margaret Thatcher."
] |
As a first time mother, the author _ . | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Education plays a very important role in everybody's life. We go to school because we want to know more about the world around us. The typical classroom used to be the place where teachers and students were working and exploring the wonderful world of knowledge together, but now everything has changed.
The Internet is one of those approaches. Learning via the Internet is a new style that seems to become successful than the traditional teaching. The Internet provides schools with a large amount of learning material that is accessible to students online. Owing to the choices of courses online, completing a program becomes much easier.
We used to go to the library when we needed information and spend hours searching for the right sources. Today there is a "library" in our house and it is available 24 hours a day. From my personal experience, being a first time mother, I find that using information online is very helpful. While I am at home with my baby, I can still search for the material I need and exchange thoughts and information with my classmates without leaving my house.
The Internet is not only a big information provider but also a money and time saver. People predict that education will be much cheaper in the future because of Internet access to information. The cost of land, building and wages for teachers are continuously increasing. In addition, regular courses (offline) depend heavily on books and other paper-based materials, while online education posts lectures, and assignments electronically, which saves thousands of dollars every year.
With no physical restrictions, the Internet classes and courses are also very convenient. In classroom-based education there is a limitation on the number of students while Internet education is available to everyone. Students don't have to struggle in order to register for classes they like.
Students will have more choices to take their courses and classes online. The Internet offers a wonderful opportunity to obtain knowledge in a more convenient and less expensive way. In my opinion, online life in the future is simply inescapable.
Question:
As a first time mother, the author _ .
Choices:
A. stays at home alone
B. keeps in touch with classmates through the Internet
C. keeps going to school
D. searches for information in a traditional library | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high21069.txt | Education plays a very important role in everybody's life. We go to school because we want to know more about the world around us. The typical classroom used to be the place where teachers and students were working and exploring the wonderful world of knowledge together, but now everything has changed.
The Internet is one of those approaches. Learning via the Internet is a new style that seems to become successful than the traditional teaching. The Internet provides schools with a large amount of learning material that is accessible to students online. Owing to the choices of courses online, completing a program becomes much easier.
We used to go to the library when we needed information and spend hours searching for the right sources. Today there is a "library" in our house and it is available 24 hours a day. From my personal experience, being a first time mother, I find that using information online is very helpful. While I am at home with my baby, I can still search for the material I need and exchange thoughts and information with my classmates without leaving my house.
The Internet is not only a big information provider but also a money and time saver. People predict that education will be much cheaper in the future because of Internet access to information. The cost of land, building and wages for teachers are continuously increasing. In addition, regular courses (offline) depend heavily on books and other paper-based materials, while online education posts lectures, and assignments electronically, which saves thousands of dollars every year.
With no physical restrictions, the Internet classes and courses are also very convenient. In classroom-based education there is a limitation on the number of students while Internet education is available to everyone. Students don't have to struggle in order to register for classes they like.
Students will have more choices to take their courses and classes online. The Internet offers a wonderful opportunity to obtain knowledge in a more convenient and less expensive way. In my opinion, online life in the future is simply inescapable. | [
"stays at home alone",
"keeps in touch with classmates through the Internet",
"keeps going to school",
"searches for information in a traditional library"
] |
The Romans took over the Olympics by _ . | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
The ancient Olympic Games were held in a sacred valley at Olympia at western Greece. The earliest records of the Games go back to 776 B.C.. These contests were held every four years. They were important to the Greeks. When they took place, all wars were stopped. No one dared to break the truce of Olympic.
Criers announced the names of winning athletes everywhere in the land. Artists made statues of them. Poets wrote about the Olympic heroes.
The first Olympians raced the length of the stadium at Olympia--about 200 yards. But later other events were added:longer races, broad jumping, the javelin throw, the marathon race, and the discus throw. Then boxing, wrestling and horseback riding were also added.
In the beginning, only Greeks competed in the Games. But in later centuries, athletes from other lands joined.
In 146 B.C. the Romans conquered Greece. Soon the Games began to change. Under the Romans, they became rougher, wilder, and bloodier. Many professionals took part, which was against the spirit of the Olympics. Finally, Emperor Theodosius of Rome decided that the Olympics were a public danger. He died away with them after the Games of A.D. 392. They had lasted over 1,000 years.
Fifteen hundred years passed. Then, in the 1890's, Baron Pierre de Coubertin of France began to interest nations in bringing the Games back. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. They have been held every four years since then, except during the two world wars.
Question:
The Romans took over the Olympics by _ .
Choices:
A. thinking of new games
B. outrunning the Greeks
C. having better athletes
D. defeating the Greeks in battle | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high23037.txt | The ancient Olympic Games were held in a sacred valley at Olympia at western Greece. The earliest records of the Games go back to 776 B.C.. These contests were held every four years. They were important to the Greeks. When they took place, all wars were stopped. No one dared to break the truce of Olympic.
Criers announced the names of winning athletes everywhere in the land. Artists made statues of them. Poets wrote about the Olympic heroes.
The first Olympians raced the length of the stadium at Olympia--about 200 yards. But later other events were added:longer races, broad jumping, the javelin throw, the marathon race, and the discus throw. Then boxing, wrestling and horseback riding were also added.
In the beginning, only Greeks competed in the Games. But in later centuries, athletes from other lands joined.
In 146 B.C. the Romans conquered Greece. Soon the Games began to change. Under the Romans, they became rougher, wilder, and bloodier. Many professionals took part, which was against the spirit of the Olympics. Finally, Emperor Theodosius of Rome decided that the Olympics were a public danger. He died away with them after the Games of A.D. 392. They had lasted over 1,000 years.
Fifteen hundred years passed. Then, in the 1890's, Baron Pierre de Coubertin of France began to interest nations in bringing the Games back. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. They have been held every four years since then, except during the two world wars. | [
"thinking of new games",
"outrunning the Greeks",
"having better athletes",
"defeating the Greeks in battle"
] |
What is the chief organ of the urinary system? | null | Answer the following science question clearly and accurately. | What is the chief organ of the urinary system? | kidney | science | null | null | null | lung | liver | bladder | kidney | The kidneys are the chief organs of the urinary system. | null | null | null |
Jodi starts off walking 1 mile a day for 6 days a week. On the second week, she walks 2 miles a day, 6 days a week. On the third week, she walks 3 miles a day, 6 days a week. Finally on the fourth week, she walks 4 miles a day, 6 days a week. How many miles has she walked in 4 weeks? | The first week she walked 1 mile, 6 days a week for a total of 1*6 = <<1*6=6>>6 miles
The second week she walked 2 miles, 6 days a week for a total of 2*6 = <<2*6=12>>12 miles
The third week she walked 3 miles, 6 days a week for a total of 3*6 = <<3*6=18>>18 miles
On the fourth week, she walked 4 miles, 6 days a week for a total of 4*6 = <<4*6=24>>24 miles
Over four weeks she has walked 6+12+18+24 = <<6+12+18+24=60>>60 miles
#### 60 | Solve the following math problem and explain your reasoning step by step. | Jodi starts off walking 1 mile a day for 6 days a week. On the second week, she walks 2 miles a day, 6 days a week. On the third week, she walks 3 miles a day, 6 days a week. Finally on the fourth week, she walks 4 miles a day, 6 days a week. How many miles has she walked in 4 weeks? | The first week she walked 1 mile, 6 days a week for a total of 1*6 = <<1*6=6>>6 miles
The second week she walked 2 miles, 6 days a week for a total of 2*6 = <<2*6=12>>12 miles
The third week she walked 3 miles, 6 days a week for a total of 3*6 = <<3*6=18>>18 miles
On the fourth week, she walked 4 miles, 6 days a week for a total of 4*6 = <<4*6=24>>24 miles
Over four weeks she has walked 6+12+18+24 = <<6+12+18+24=60>>60 miles
#### 60 | math | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null |
The author wrote the passage to _ . | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
As we all know sewing-machine repair is one of the fastest growing businesses in the world today. Newspapers, women's magazines, high schools and colleges are all encouraging millions of American women to do their own sewing, not only to make their own shirts and sweaters, but also to make nice clothes for their husbands, sons, or boyfriends. The lattes figures show that over 89 million American women, because of the high costs of ready-to-wear clothing are now making almost all of their families' clothes. Most of these women get great satisfaction from making the family clothes on their own sewing machines. So it is natural that the demand for excellent service of sewing machines is growing.
Think of it! 89 million or more sewing machines, not including another 10 million sewing machines in schools of all kinds, need service at least once a year, and quite possibly four or more times each year. I know some women who return their sewing machines to repairmen time after time to get them fixed properly. I've seen sewing machines come out of repair shops in worse condition than they were when they went in.
So I've decided to write an introduction book to sewing-machine repair and teach people how to repair their own sewing machines at home. It's not that difficult. In the book, I will teach you everything you need to know about how to repair your sewing machine.
Question:
The author wrote the passage to _ .
Choices:
A. teach women to repair their sewing machines.
B. explain his or her purpose in writing the book
C. introduce the reasons for doing one's own sewing
D. tell us that sewing-machine repair is a fast-growing business | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high11475.txt | As we all know sewing-machine repair is one of the fastest growing businesses in the world today. Newspapers, women's magazines, high schools and colleges are all encouraging millions of American women to do their own sewing, not only to make their own shirts and sweaters, but also to make nice clothes for their husbands, sons, or boyfriends. The lattes figures show that over 89 million American women, because of the high costs of ready-to-wear clothing are now making almost all of their families' clothes. Most of these women get great satisfaction from making the family clothes on their own sewing machines. So it is natural that the demand for excellent service of sewing machines is growing.
Think of it! 89 million or more sewing machines, not including another 10 million sewing machines in schools of all kinds, need service at least once a year, and quite possibly four or more times each year. I know some women who return their sewing machines to repairmen time after time to get them fixed properly. I've seen sewing machines come out of repair shops in worse condition than they were when they went in.
So I've decided to write an introduction book to sewing-machine repair and teach people how to repair their own sewing machines at home. It's not that difficult. In the book, I will teach you everything you need to know about how to repair your sewing machine. | [
"teach women to repair their sewing machines.",
"explain his or her purpose in writing the book",
"introduce the reasons for doing one's own sewing",
"tell us that sewing-machine repair is a fast-growing business"
] |
Which of the following is the suitable title for the text? | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
James Cleveland Owens was the son of a farmer and the grandson of black slaves:His family moved to Cleveland when he was 9.There,a school teacher asked the youth his name.
"J.C."he replied.
She thought he had said"Jesse",and he had a new name.
Owens ran his first race at age 13.After high school,he went to Ohio State University.He had to work part time so as to pay for his education.As a second-year student, in the Big Ten games in 1935,he set even more records than he would in the Olympic Games a year later.
A week before the Big Ten meet, Owens accidentally fell down a flight of stairs.His back hurt so much that he could not exercise all week,and he had to be helped in and out of the car that drove him to the meet.He refused to listen to the suggestions that he give up and said he would try, event by event.He did try, and the results are in the record book .
The stage was set for Owens' victory at the Olympic Games in Berlin the next year, and his success would come to be regarded as not only athletic but also political.Hitler did not congratulate any of the African American winners.
"It was all right with me,"he said years later."I didn't go to Berlin to shake hands with him,anyway."
Having returned from Berlin,he received no telephone call from the president of his own country, either.In fact, he was not honored by the United States until 1976,four years before his death.
Owens'Olympic victories made little difference to him.He earned his living by looking after a school playground,and accepted money to race against cars,trucks,motorcycles,and dogs.
"Sure,it bothered me," he said later."But at least it was an honest living.I had to eat."
In time,however, his gold medals changed his life."They have kept me alive over the years," he once said,"Time has stood still for me.That golden moment dies hard."
Question:
Which of the following is the suitable title for the text?
Choices:
A. Jesse Owens,a Great American Athlete
B. Golden Moment,a Life-time Struggle
C. Making a Living as a Sportsman
D. How to Be a Successful Athlete. | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high16835.txt | James Cleveland Owens was the son of a farmer and the grandson of black slaves:His family moved to Cleveland when he was 9.There,a school teacher asked the youth his name.
"J.C."he replied.
She thought he had said"Jesse",and he had a new name.
Owens ran his first race at age 13.After high school,he went to Ohio State University.He had to work part time so as to pay for his education.As a second-year student, in the Big Ten games in 1935,he set even more records than he would in the Olympic Games a year later.
A week before the Big Ten meet, Owens accidentally fell down a flight of stairs.His back hurt so much that he could not exercise all week,and he had to be helped in and out of the car that drove him to the meet.He refused to listen to the suggestions that he give up and said he would try, event by event.He did try, and the results are in the record book .
The stage was set for Owens' victory at the Olympic Games in Berlin the next year, and his success would come to be regarded as not only athletic but also political.Hitler did not congratulate any of the African American winners.
"It was all right with me,"he said years later."I didn't go to Berlin to shake hands with him,anyway."
Having returned from Berlin,he received no telephone call from the president of his own country, either.In fact, he was not honored by the United States until 1976,four years before his death.
Owens'Olympic victories made little difference to him.He earned his living by looking after a school playground,and accepted money to race against cars,trucks,motorcycles,and dogs.
"Sure,it bothered me," he said later."But at least it was an honest living.I had to eat."
In time,however, his gold medals changed his life."They have kept me alive over the years," he once said,"Time has stood still for me.That golden moment dies hard." | [
"Jesse Owens,a Great American Athlete",
"Golden Moment,a Life-time Struggle",
"Making a Living as a Sportsman",
"How to Be a Successful Athlete."
] |
By saying "my car doesn't do anything that my brother's Studebaker didn't do", the author means that _ . | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Like many other small boys, I was fascinated by cars, not least because my oldest brother was a bit of a car guy and subscribed to cool magazines like Car and Driver and Motor Trend. Every so often, one of those magazines would run an article on the "Car of the Future". They featured unconventional styling and things like small nuclear reactors as power sources. Yet, frankly, my car doesn't do anything that my brother's Studebaker didn't do. It goes, it stops, it burns gasoline, it plays music. I still have to steer it, and it still runs into things if I don't steer it carefully.
But guess what? All of these things are subject to change in the not-so-distant future. It will still go and stop, but it may not burn gasoline, I may not have to steer it, and it may be a lot better at not running into things.
Airbags aren't the be-all and end-all in safety. In fact, considering the recent news about people occasionally being killed by their airbags in low-speed collisions ,they obviously still need some development. But they aren't going away, and in fact, you can expect to see cars appearing with additional, side-impact airbags, something some European car manufacturers already offer.
Better than systems to minimize injury in the event of an accident, however, are systems that minimize the likelihood of an accident happening in the first place. Future cars may be able to eliminate many of the major causes of accidents, including drunk-driving, tailgating and sleepiness. Cars could be equipped with sensors that can detect alcohol in a driver's system and prevent the car from being started, for example. Many accidents are caused by people following the car in front too closely. As early as next year, you'll be able to buy cars with radar-equipped control systems. If the radar determines you're closing too quickly with the car in front, it will ease up on the throttle . For city streets, expect other radar devices that will give advance warning that the car in front of you has slowed abruptly and you should step on the brakes-or that may even brake for you.
Will cars eventually be able to drive themselves? There's no reason to think it won't be technically possible, and Mercedes is working on a system that can brake, accelerate and steer a vehicle down a highway on its own. Nobody really expects people to give up all control to their cars, but such systems could be used as failsafe systems to keep cars on the road and bring them safely to a stop even if the driver suddenly became disabled.
Question:
By saying "my car doesn't do anything that my brother's Studebaker didn't do", the author means that _ .
Choices:
A. my car is far better than my brother's
B. my car is not as good as my brother's
C. not much has changed in the performance of cars so far
D. much improvement has been made in the design of cars recently | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high13980.txt | Like many other small boys, I was fascinated by cars, not least because my oldest brother was a bit of a car guy and subscribed to cool magazines like Car and Driver and Motor Trend. Every so often, one of those magazines would run an article on the "Car of the Future". They featured unconventional styling and things like small nuclear reactors as power sources. Yet, frankly, my car doesn't do anything that my brother's Studebaker didn't do. It goes, it stops, it burns gasoline, it plays music. I still have to steer it, and it still runs into things if I don't steer it carefully.
But guess what? All of these things are subject to change in the not-so-distant future. It will still go and stop, but it may not burn gasoline, I may not have to steer it, and it may be a lot better at not running into things.
Airbags aren't the be-all and end-all in safety. In fact, considering the recent news about people occasionally being killed by their airbags in low-speed collisions ,they obviously still need some development. But they aren't going away, and in fact, you can expect to see cars appearing with additional, side-impact airbags, something some European car manufacturers already offer.
Better than systems to minimize injury in the event of an accident, however, are systems that minimize the likelihood of an accident happening in the first place. Future cars may be able to eliminate many of the major causes of accidents, including drunk-driving, tailgating and sleepiness. Cars could be equipped with sensors that can detect alcohol in a driver's system and prevent the car from being started, for example. Many accidents are caused by people following the car in front too closely. As early as next year, you'll be able to buy cars with radar-equipped control systems. If the radar determines you're closing too quickly with the car in front, it will ease up on the throttle . For city streets, expect other radar devices that will give advance warning that the car in front of you has slowed abruptly and you should step on the brakes-or that may even brake for you.
Will cars eventually be able to drive themselves? There's no reason to think it won't be technically possible, and Mercedes is working on a system that can brake, accelerate and steer a vehicle down a highway on its own. Nobody really expects people to give up all control to their cars, but such systems could be used as failsafe systems to keep cars on the road and bring them safely to a stop even if the driver suddenly became disabled. | [
"my car is far better than my brother's",
"my car is not as good as my brother's",
"not much has changed in the performance of cars so far",
"much improvement has been made in the design of cars recently"
] |
In the writer's opinion, _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Everybody is afraid of something.That's what more than 1,700 kids told us when we asked them about fears and scary stuff.We gave kids a list of 14 scary things and asked which one frightened them most.Here are the top 5 answers from our survey :1 Scary movies and TV shows;2Scary dreams;3Thunderstorms,hurricanes ;and other horrible weather;4War and terrorism ;5Sounds heard at night.
But not everyone is afraid of the same thing.And what makes one person scared can be of no big deal for someone else.Plenty of kids said their biggest fear wasn't on our list.
What is fear?
Fear is a feeling that eyeryone has--it's programmed into all of us--and that's a good thing because fear is there to protect us.We're born with a sense of fear so we can react to something that could be dangerous.The baby cries,and their mom comes over to comfort him or her,helping the baby feel safe and OK again.Real vs.Pretend
The best way to get over a fear is to get more information about it.As kids get older,they understand more and start seeing the difference between what is real and unreal.So when William's imagination leads him to think of witches,he can tell himself,"Wait a minute.They're only pretend things.I don't need to worry about them."
The same goes for the dark.A kid's imagination can start playing tricks when the lights go out.What's under my bed?Is that a thief I hear?With the help of a parent,kids can get more comfortable in the dark.Using a nightlight or shining a flashlight under the bed to see that there's nothing there can help kids fight that fear.
Question:
In the writer's opinion, _ .
Choices:
A. having a sense of fear is not a bad thing
B. babies have a weak sense of fear
C. fear is not something that we are born with
D. not all people can react to dangerous things | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high6535.txt | Everybody is afraid of something.That's what more than 1,700 kids told us when we asked them about fears and scary stuff.We gave kids a list of 14 scary things and asked which one frightened them most.Here are the top 5 answers from our survey :1 Scary movies and TV shows;2Scary dreams;3Thunderstorms,hurricanes ;and other horrible weather;4War and terrorism ;5Sounds heard at night.
But not everyone is afraid of the same thing.And what makes one person scared can be of no big deal for someone else.Plenty of kids said their biggest fear wasn't on our list.
What is fear?
Fear is a feeling that eyeryone has--it's programmed into all of us--and that's a good thing because fear is there to protect us.We're born with a sense of fear so we can react to something that could be dangerous.The baby cries,and their mom comes over to comfort him or her,helping the baby feel safe and OK again.Real vs.Pretend
The best way to get over a fear is to get more information about it.As kids get older,they understand more and start seeing the difference between what is real and unreal.So when William's imagination leads him to think of witches,he can tell himself,"Wait a minute.They're only pretend things.I don't need to worry about them."
The same goes for the dark.A kid's imagination can start playing tricks when the lights go out.What's under my bed?Is that a thief I hear?With the help of a parent,kids can get more comfortable in the dark.Using a nightlight or shining a flashlight under the bed to see that there's nothing there can help kids fight that fear. | [
"having a sense of fear is not a bad thing",
"babies have a weak sense of fear",
"fear is not something that we are born with",
"not all people can react to dangerous things"
] |
To further open financial sector, China has taken many measures EXCEPT | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
BEIJING----China will further open its financial sector in "an active and safe" way, the country's central bank vowed on Friday.
"China will gradually broaden the chance for the participation of foreign capital in the domestic financial market," said the People's Bank of China in a report. "We will strengthen the connections between China's financial market and international ones by attracting more foreign capital in Renminbi-denominated financial products," the report said.
Meanwhile, channels will also be expanded to allow Chinese investment in foreign financial markets.
The bank said it would ease restrictions on enterprises and individuals possessing and using foreign currencies and increase the number of qualified foreign institutional investors and the value of their investment quotas . "We will make use of the financial market to achieve balanced international payments," said the bank.
Last year, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) raised the annual quota for individuals buying foreign currency from US $ 20,000 to US $ 50,000.
"China will work hard for a more efficient and vigorous financial market that can better serve international needs," the bank said.
The country will adjust its financial market rules so they are accepted around the world, encourage reforms and promote more flexible, diversified ways of trading, according to the bank.
China fully opened its financial market to foreign capital on December 11 last year, ending a five-year transitional period after entering WTO.
Question:
To further open financial sector, China has taken many measures EXCEPT
Choices:
A. Giving more chances to the participation of foreign capital
B. Strengthening the connections between China and other countries by the leaders' paying visits to each other's countries
C. Broadening the quotas of enterprises and individuals possessing and using foreign currencies
D. Opening its domestic financial market step by step | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high11929.txt | BEIJING----China will further open its financial sector in "an active and safe" way, the country's central bank vowed on Friday.
"China will gradually broaden the chance for the participation of foreign capital in the domestic financial market," said the People's Bank of China in a report. "We will strengthen the connections between China's financial market and international ones by attracting more foreign capital in Renminbi-denominated financial products," the report said.
Meanwhile, channels will also be expanded to allow Chinese investment in foreign financial markets.
The bank said it would ease restrictions on enterprises and individuals possessing and using foreign currencies and increase the number of qualified foreign institutional investors and the value of their investment quotas . "We will make use of the financial market to achieve balanced international payments," said the bank.
Last year, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) raised the annual quota for individuals buying foreign currency from US $ 20,000 to US $ 50,000.
"China will work hard for a more efficient and vigorous financial market that can better serve international needs," the bank said.
The country will adjust its financial market rules so they are accepted around the world, encourage reforms and promote more flexible, diversified ways of trading, according to the bank.
China fully opened its financial market to foreign capital on December 11 last year, ending a five-year transitional period after entering WTO. | [
"Giving more chances to the participation of foreign capital",
"Strengthening the connections between China and other countries by the leaders' paying visits to each other's countries",
"Broadening the quotas of enterprises and individuals possessing and using foreign currencies",
"Opening its domestic financial market step by step"
] |
According to the passage, it is clear that _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
It is a very common thing for a person to have a good friend. My good friend is Diana. She is a rich and proud girl. She often thinks that she is too good for anyone, so nobody wants to be her friend.
One day after school, I was waiting for Diana when Vivien came up to me. She gave me a biscuit. I accepted it. We talked and joked, and from then on, I began to spend more time with Vivien than with Diana. I felt a little uneasy.
After a few days, I went to see Diana with some snacks when Vinien came and sat with me. She offered me a sandwich. She also offered one to Diana, but Diana refused it. She walked away. I was angry with Diana for being so rude .
"Never mind." Vivien said, "I'm used to it."
After school, I tried to catch up with Diana. While walking home, I tried to correct her attitude , but she didn't listen to me. She said, "Go and join your dear Vivien. I know you make a new friend and forget the old one."
For the next few weeks, we didn't talk to each other. Then one day, Diana came to Vivien and me, saying, "I'm really sorry about what I did. Would you please forgive me?" Vivien and I looked at each other and smiled. From then on, Diana, Vivien and I have been best friends.
Question:
According to the passage, it is clear that _ .
Choices:
A. Diana, Vivien and the writer became good friends at last
B. Diana didn't like the sandwich
C. Vivien didn't want to make new friends at all
D. the writer forgot her old friend after she had a new one | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high8427.txt | It is a very common thing for a person to have a good friend. My good friend is Diana. She is a rich and proud girl. She often thinks that she is too good for anyone, so nobody wants to be her friend.
One day after school, I was waiting for Diana when Vivien came up to me. She gave me a biscuit. I accepted it. We talked and joked, and from then on, I began to spend more time with Vivien than with Diana. I felt a little uneasy.
After a few days, I went to see Diana with some snacks when Vinien came and sat with me. She offered me a sandwich. She also offered one to Diana, but Diana refused it. She walked away. I was angry with Diana for being so rude .
"Never mind." Vivien said, "I'm used to it."
After school, I tried to catch up with Diana. While walking home, I tried to correct her attitude , but she didn't listen to me. She said, "Go and join your dear Vivien. I know you make a new friend and forget the old one."
For the next few weeks, we didn't talk to each other. Then one day, Diana came to Vivien and me, saying, "I'm really sorry about what I did. Would you please forgive me?" Vivien and I looked at each other and smiled. From then on, Diana, Vivien and I have been best friends. | [
"Diana, Vivien and the writer became good friends at last",
"Diana didn't like the sandwich",
"Vivien didn't want to make new friends at all",
"the writer forgot her old friend after she had a new one"
] |
The author noticed Adrian Charter mostly because Adrian Charter _ . | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
I regularly train at a local boxing gym and I'm lucky enough to meet an amazing man, Adrian Charter. Adrian comes to the gym to train, just like me. The difference is, I'm 31 years old, and Adrian is 72!
I watched Adrian as he was training, early on a Sunday morning, and he was hitting the punching bag harder and quicker than most men in their twenties would. Adrian was a former boxer whose last professional fight was in 1972. Even though he has stopped competing as a boxer, his discipline still makes him stick to a training rule.
It simply amazed me as to how a 72-year-old man could train so hard. Believe me, boxing is one of the most difficult sports on the earth, needing much patience,skill, and effort.
What surprised me even more was that a few days earlier he did some running. He ran 9 kilometers. He does this on a regular basis. For me, I can run 5 kilometers at most.
When I questioned him about how he kept such discipline, he calmly replied, "It is all in my mind."
I thought about it for a moment. If discipline can push a 72-year-old man to train so hard and enjoy it, could I imagine how discipline could serve every single human being on the earth? Right at this point, as you read this story, please pause and ask yourself, "What is my level of discipline?"
Adrian's example told me that the power of discipline will get us to the finishing line! _
Question:
The author noticed Adrian Charter mostly because Adrian Charter _ .
Choices:
A. was a famous former boxer
B. was the oldest in the boxing gym
C. acted faster even than young people
D. didn't want to compete any longer | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high14267.txt | I regularly train at a local boxing gym and I'm lucky enough to meet an amazing man, Adrian Charter. Adrian comes to the gym to train, just like me. The difference is, I'm 31 years old, and Adrian is 72!
I watched Adrian as he was training, early on a Sunday morning, and he was hitting the punching bag harder and quicker than most men in their twenties would. Adrian was a former boxer whose last professional fight was in 1972. Even though he has stopped competing as a boxer, his discipline still makes him stick to a training rule.
It simply amazed me as to how a 72-year-old man could train so hard. Believe me, boxing is one of the most difficult sports on the earth, needing much patience,skill, and effort.
What surprised me even more was that a few days earlier he did some running. He ran 9 kilometers. He does this on a regular basis. For me, I can run 5 kilometers at most.
When I questioned him about how he kept such discipline, he calmly replied, "It is all in my mind."
I thought about it for a moment. If discipline can push a 72-year-old man to train so hard and enjoy it, could I imagine how discipline could serve every single human being on the earth? Right at this point, as you read this story, please pause and ask yourself, "What is my level of discipline?"
Adrian's example told me that the power of discipline will get us to the finishing line! _ | [
"was a famous former boxer",
"was the oldest in the boxing gym",
"acted faster even than young people",
"didn't want to compete any longer"
] |
The light-sensing cells in the retina are called rods and what else? | null | Answer the following science question clearly and accurately. | The light-sensing cells in the retina are called rods and what else? | cones | science | null | null | null | light cells | sensor cells | stents | cones | The back of the eye is covered by a thin layer called the retina. This is where the image of the object normally forms. The retina consists of special light-sensing cells called rods and cones. Rods sense dim light. Cones sense different colors of light. | null | null | null |
If you are interested in ice-skating, you may find more information in _ . | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Thunderbird Lodge in Canyon de Chelly
A one-night stay at the historic lodge starts at $59 for a single room and the lodge offers half-day tours of Canyon de Chelly ( $41 for adults and $32 for children aged 12 and under).
Time: May 31, 2009 ~ Nov. 1, 2009
Details: Hotel taxes are an additional 17.1 percent
Contact: 800/679-2473, tbirdlodge.com
CALIFORNIA
Zephyr Cove Resort at Lake Tahoe
A three-night stay in a lakeside cabin for two people, an Emerald Bay sightseeing for two, free breakfast and lunch. Rates are $299 per couple - saving of up to $400.
Details: Hotel taxes are included
Time: Through Dec. 15, 2009
Contact: 800/234-8946, zephyrcove.com
NEVADA
Montelago Village at Lake Las Vegas
A one-night stay at the mediterranean-style Montelago Village, 17 miles from Las Vegas. Rates start at $65 per person including ice-skating fees and skate rentals.
Details: Hotel taxes are an additional 12 percent
Time: Nov. 17, 2009~Jan. 15, 2010
Contact: 866/399-2753, montelagovillage.com
YELLOWSTONE
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel
A two-night stay, breakfast daily, full day ski rental, unlimited ice-skating and skates and a book of Yellowstone photos. Rates start at $119 per person. A one-night stay at the hotel starts at $65.
Details: Hotel taxes are an additional 8 percent
Time: Jan .1, 2010~May 2, 2010
Contact: 866/439-2473, travelyellowstone.com
Question:
If you are interested in ice-skating, you may find more information in _ .
Choices:
A. tbirdlodge.com and zephyrcove.com
B. montelagovillage.com and tbirdlodge.com
C. zephyrcove.com and travelyellowstone.com
D. travelyellowstone.com and montelagovillage.com | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high15125.txt | Thunderbird Lodge in Canyon de Chelly
A one-night stay at the historic lodge starts at $59 for a single room and the lodge offers half-day tours of Canyon de Chelly ( $41 for adults and $32 for children aged 12 and under).
Time: May 31, 2009 ~ Nov. 1, 2009
Details: Hotel taxes are an additional 17.1 percent
Contact: 800/679-2473, tbirdlodge.com
CALIFORNIA
Zephyr Cove Resort at Lake Tahoe
A three-night stay in a lakeside cabin for two people, an Emerald Bay sightseeing for two, free breakfast and lunch. Rates are $299 per couple - saving of up to $400.
Details: Hotel taxes are included
Time: Through Dec. 15, 2009
Contact: 800/234-8946, zephyrcove.com
NEVADA
Montelago Village at Lake Las Vegas
A one-night stay at the mediterranean-style Montelago Village, 17 miles from Las Vegas. Rates start at $65 per person including ice-skating fees and skate rentals.
Details: Hotel taxes are an additional 12 percent
Time: Nov. 17, 2009~Jan. 15, 2010
Contact: 866/399-2753, montelagovillage.com
YELLOWSTONE
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel
A two-night stay, breakfast daily, full day ski rental, unlimited ice-skating and skates and a book of Yellowstone photos. Rates start at $119 per person. A one-night stay at the hotel starts at $65.
Details: Hotel taxes are an additional 8 percent
Time: Jan .1, 2010~May 2, 2010
Contact: 866/439-2473, travelyellowstone.com | [
"tbirdlodge.com and zephyrcove.com",
"montelagovillage.com and tbirdlodge.com",
"zephyrcove.com and travelyellowstone.com",
"travelyellowstone.com and montelagovillage.com"
] |
All living things need air and this to survive? | null | Answer the following science question clearly and accurately. | All living things need air and this to survive? | water | science | null | null | null | ecosystem | stimuli | habitat | water | null | null | null | |
Why did the author give up school in her second year of college? | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
In the fall of 1985, I was a bright-eyed girl going to Howard University, aiming at a law career and dreaming of sitting on a Supreme Court bench somewhere. Twenty-one years later I am still a bright-eyed dreamer and one with quite a different story to tell.
My grandma, an amazing woman, graduated from college at the age of 65. She was the first in our family to reach that goal. But one year after I started college, she developed cancer. I made the choice to leave college to care for her. It meant that school and my personal dream would have to wait.
Then I got married with another dream: building my family with a mix of adopted and biological children. In 1999, we adopted our first son. To put eyes on him was wonderful---and very emotional. A year later came our second adopted boy then followed son No.3. in 2003, I gave birth to another boy.
You can imagine how engaged I became, raising four boys under the age of 8! Our home was a complete zoo---a joyous zoo. Not surprising, I never did make it back to college full-time. But I never gave up on the dream either. I had only one choice: to find a way. That meant taking as few as one class each term
The hardest part was feeling sorry about the time I spent away from the boys. They often wanted me to stay home with them. There certainly were times I wanted to give up, but I knew I should set an example for them to follow through the rest of their lives.
In 2007, I graduated from the University of North Carolina. It took me over 21 years to get my college degree!
I am not special, just single-minded. It always struck me that when you are looking at a big challenge from the outside it looks huge, but when you are in the middle of it, it just seems normal. Everything you want won't arrive in your life on one day. It's a process . Remember: little steps add up to big dreams.
Question:
Why did the author give up school in her second year of college?
Choices:
A. She wanted to study by herself.
B. She fell in love and got married.
C. She suffered from a serious illness
D. She decided to look after her grandma. | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high8119.txt | In the fall of 1985, I was a bright-eyed girl going to Howard University, aiming at a law career and dreaming of sitting on a Supreme Court bench somewhere. Twenty-one years later I am still a bright-eyed dreamer and one with quite a different story to tell.
My grandma, an amazing woman, graduated from college at the age of 65. She was the first in our family to reach that goal. But one year after I started college, she developed cancer. I made the choice to leave college to care for her. It meant that school and my personal dream would have to wait.
Then I got married with another dream: building my family with a mix of adopted and biological children. In 1999, we adopted our first son. To put eyes on him was wonderful---and very emotional. A year later came our second adopted boy then followed son No.3. in 2003, I gave birth to another boy.
You can imagine how engaged I became, raising four boys under the age of 8! Our home was a complete zoo---a joyous zoo. Not surprising, I never did make it back to college full-time. But I never gave up on the dream either. I had only one choice: to find a way. That meant taking as few as one class each term
The hardest part was feeling sorry about the time I spent away from the boys. They often wanted me to stay home with them. There certainly were times I wanted to give up, but I knew I should set an example for them to follow through the rest of their lives.
In 2007, I graduated from the University of North Carolina. It took me over 21 years to get my college degree!
I am not special, just single-minded. It always struck me that when you are looking at a big challenge from the outside it looks huge, but when you are in the middle of it, it just seems normal. Everything you want won't arrive in your life on one day. It's a process . Remember: little steps add up to big dreams. | [
"She wanted to study by herself.",
"She fell in love and got married.",
"She suffered from a serious illness",
"She decided to look after her grandma."
] |
How did the residents in the VrainSchool Districtrespond to the budget shortage? | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
In communities north of prefix = st1 /Denver, residents are pitching in to help teachers and administrators as the Vrain school District tries to solve a $13.8 million budget shortage blamed on mismanagement . " We're worried about out teachers and principals, and we really don't want to lose them because of this," one parent said," If we can help ease their financial burden, we will."
Teachers are grateful, but know it may be years before the district is solvent . They feel really good about the parent support, but they realize it's impossible for them to solve this problem.
The 22,000-student district discovered the shortage last month. " It's extraordinary. Nobody would have imagined something happening like this at this level," said State Treasurer Mike Coffman.
Coffman and district officials last week agreed on a state emergency plan freeing up a $ 9.8 million loan that enabled the payroll to be met for 2,700 teachers and staff in time for the holidays. District officials also took $ 1.7 million from student -activity accounts of its 38 schools.
At Coffman's request, the District Attorney has begun investigating the district's finances. Coffman says he wants to know whether district officials hid the budget shortage until after the November election, when voters approved a $ 212 million bond issue for schools.
In Frederick, students' parents are buying classroom supplies and offering to pay for groceries and utilities to keep first-year teachers and principals in their jobs.
Some $ 36,000 has been raised in donations from Safeway. A Chevrolet dealership donated $ 10,000 and forgave the district's $ 10,750 bill for renting the driver educating cars. IBM contributed 4,500 packs of paper.
" We employ thousands of people in this community," said Mitch Carson, a hospital chief executive, who helped raise funds." We have children in the school, and we see how they could be affected."
At Creek High School, three students started a website that displays newspaper articles, district information and an email forum ." Rumors about what's happening to the district are moving at lighting speed," said a student, " We wanted to know the truth, and spread that around instead."
Question:
How did the residents in the VrainSchool Districtrespond to the budget shortage?
Choices:
A. They felt somewhat helpless about it.
B. They accused those responsible for it
C. They pooled their efforts to help solve it.
D. They demanded a thorough investigation | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high23370.txt | In communities north of prefix = st1 /Denver, residents are pitching in to help teachers and administrators as the Vrain school District tries to solve a $13.8 million budget shortage blamed on mismanagement . " We're worried about out teachers and principals, and we really don't want to lose them because of this," one parent said," If we can help ease their financial burden, we will."
Teachers are grateful, but know it may be years before the district is solvent . They feel really good about the parent support, but they realize it's impossible for them to solve this problem.
The 22,000-student district discovered the shortage last month. " It's extraordinary. Nobody would have imagined something happening like this at this level," said State Treasurer Mike Coffman.
Coffman and district officials last week agreed on a state emergency plan freeing up a $ 9.8 million loan that enabled the payroll to be met for 2,700 teachers and staff in time for the holidays. District officials also took $ 1.7 million from student -activity accounts of its 38 schools.
At Coffman's request, the District Attorney has begun investigating the district's finances. Coffman says he wants to know whether district officials hid the budget shortage until after the November election, when voters approved a $ 212 million bond issue for schools.
In Frederick, students' parents are buying classroom supplies and offering to pay for groceries and utilities to keep first-year teachers and principals in their jobs.
Some $ 36,000 has been raised in donations from Safeway. A Chevrolet dealership donated $ 10,000 and forgave the district's $ 10,750 bill for renting the driver educating cars. IBM contributed 4,500 packs of paper.
" We employ thousands of people in this community," said Mitch Carson, a hospital chief executive, who helped raise funds." We have children in the school, and we see how they could be affected."
At Creek High School, three students started a website that displays newspaper articles, district information and an email forum ." Rumors about what's happening to the district are moving at lighting speed," said a student, " We wanted to know the truth, and spread that around instead." | [
"They felt somewhat helpless about it.",
"They accused those responsible for it",
"They pooled their efforts to help solve it.",
"They demanded a thorough investigation"
] |
What's the main idea of the text? | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Movie fans know that their action hero Superman does not really fly.And, in the movie Superman Returns, another visual trick is played on viewers.The man they see flying is not real.He is what is called a virtual actor.The first step in creating this digital actor is to have a real person stand in a room called a light stage.A computer then captures the outlines and shapes of his face and records how they throw off light .Paul Debevec is with the Institute for Creative Technologies at the University of Southern California.
"We can light them with very specially computer-controlled illumination and take photos of them from seven different viewpoints with high quality digital still cameras."
Mr.Debevec is part of a team working to create computerized images of people, objects and environments that look and act real.The light stage permits actors to be turned into digital versions of themselves much like the blue creatures in the movie Avatar.The real world could soon be using a similar technology.Computer experts at the Institute are developing a 3-D video teleconferencing system.It would send a video image of a person into a meeting room.That image would be able to work with the people in the room, who would see it in 3-D without special eyeglasses.Paul Debevec says:
"The person who is being transmitted to a remote location can actually look around at the people in the room and everybody in that room knows who they're looking at .And that's such a fundamental part of human communication."
He believes the business world will begin to use3-D video teleconferencing in the next five years." It's also a medium with which young people today are particularly comfortable," he said.A demonstration of an interaction between an earthquake survivor and students may be possible in a year.In 10 years, we may be able to play 3-D video games without special glasses.
Question:
What's the main idea of the text?
Choices:
A. 3-D goes from movies to real world.
B. 3-D film becomes popular worldwide.
C. 3-D teleconferencing system comes into being.
D. 3-D games without special glasses becomes true. | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high13779.txt | Movie fans know that their action hero Superman does not really fly.And, in the movie Superman Returns, another visual trick is played on viewers.The man they see flying is not real.He is what is called a virtual actor.The first step in creating this digital actor is to have a real person stand in a room called a light stage.A computer then captures the outlines and shapes of his face and records how they throw off light .Paul Debevec is with the Institute for Creative Technologies at the University of Southern California.
"We can light them with very specially computer-controlled illumination and take photos of them from seven different viewpoints with high quality digital still cameras."
Mr.Debevec is part of a team working to create computerized images of people, objects and environments that look and act real.The light stage permits actors to be turned into digital versions of themselves much like the blue creatures in the movie Avatar.The real world could soon be using a similar technology.Computer experts at the Institute are developing a 3-D video teleconferencing system.It would send a video image of a person into a meeting room.That image would be able to work with the people in the room, who would see it in 3-D without special eyeglasses.Paul Debevec says:
"The person who is being transmitted to a remote location can actually look around at the people in the room and everybody in that room knows who they're looking at .And that's such a fundamental part of human communication."
He believes the business world will begin to use3-D video teleconferencing in the next five years." It's also a medium with which young people today are particularly comfortable," he said.A demonstration of an interaction between an earthquake survivor and students may be possible in a year.In 10 years, we may be able to play 3-D video games without special glasses. | [
"3-D goes from movies to real world.",
"3-D film becomes popular worldwide.",
"3-D teleconferencing system comes into being.",
"3-D games without special glasses becomes true."
] |
When it is 7:00 pm , what may the French do ? | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Building up a close relationship with friends in important in all cultures . But different cultures have different ways of socializing .
The Chinese love going to restaurants . Family , friends and co - workers all go out to eat as a way of relaxing . That is why there are so many drunken drivers in China , who could face criminal punishment .
Although British people socialize by going out for dinner , most people meet in pubs . They go there in the evening and sometimes during the day . Most people order wine or beer . Going out for a drink with friends or workmates after work is particulary important British tradition .
But for the French , the place to socialize is in cafes . _ are a central part of daily life in France and its culture . People will go to cafes at all times during the day . In the morning , people may go there to buy a newspaper and a cup of coffee . At lunch they may go there for something to eat . Then when it's evening they may return to enjoy a glass of wine .
In the US , dinner parties are a common way for friends to spend their time together . One person will host a party by cooking a large meal for a group and the guests will bring drinks or small dishes like desserts .
Question:
When it is 7:00 pm , what may the French do ?
Choices:
A. They may go to cafes to buy a newspaper and a cup of coffee .
B. They may host a party by cooking a large meal for a group at home .
C. They may go to cafes for something to eat .
D. They may go to cafes to enjoy a glass of wine . | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle2835.txt | Building up a close relationship with friends in important in all cultures . But different cultures have different ways of socializing .
The Chinese love going to restaurants . Family , friends and co - workers all go out to eat as a way of relaxing . That is why there are so many drunken drivers in China , who could face criminal punishment .
Although British people socialize by going out for dinner , most people meet in pubs . They go there in the evening and sometimes during the day . Most people order wine or beer . Going out for a drink with friends or workmates after work is particulary important British tradition .
But for the French , the place to socialize is in cafes . _ are a central part of daily life in France and its culture . People will go to cafes at all times during the day . In the morning , people may go there to buy a newspaper and a cup of coffee . At lunch they may go there for something to eat . Then when it's evening they may return to enjoy a glass of wine .
In the US , dinner parties are a common way for friends to spend their time together . One person will host a party by cooking a large meal for a group and the guests will bring drinks or small dishes like desserts . | [
"They may go to cafes to buy a newspaper and a cup of coffee .",
"They may host a party by cooking a large meal for a group at home .",
"They may go to cafes for something to eat .",
"They may go to cafes to enjoy a glass of wine ."
] |
Name the type of system that a jellyfish does not have? | null | Answer the following science question clearly and accurately. | Name the type of system that a jellyfish does not have? | circulatory | science | null | null | null | hereditary | nervous | reproductive | circulatory | The half-life of titanium-44 is 60.0 y. A sample of titanium contains 0.600 g of titanium-44. How much remains after 100.0 y?. | null | null | null |
Mari made 4 more than five times as many decorated buttons as Kendra. Sue made half as many as Kendra. Sue made 6 buttons. How many did Mari make? | Kendra made 2*6=<<2*6=12>>12.
Mari made 4+5*12=<<4+5*12=64>>64.
#### 64 | Solve the following math problem and explain your reasoning step by step. | Mari made 4 more than five times as many decorated buttons as Kendra. Sue made half as many as Kendra. Sue made 6 buttons. How many did Mari make? | Kendra made 2*6=<<2*6=12>>12.
Mari made 4+5*12=<<4+5*12=64>>64.
#### 64 | math | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null |
According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE? | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Can you swim? Do you like swimming? Well, how can you learn to swim? I think the best way is to go into the water and learn. I'm afraid you'll never learn to swim just by reading books about Swimming or looking at others swimming. It's the same with the English study. We must practice, practice and practice.
Listening and speaking are very important for beginners. We can listen to English programs on radio. You may just understand a few words. It doesn't matter. Just be relaxed, try to catch every word.
Somebody may be a good listener, but he is afraid to speak because he's afraid of making mistakes. You know we sometimes make mistakes when we speak Chinese. Don't be afraid. We must be brave. If you really want to learn English well, you must try to speak with everyone as long as he knows English. When there's nobody to talk with, you can talk to yourself in English. It's interesting and also a good way to practice your spoken English. Remember, the more you speak, the fewer mistakes you'll make.
Reading and writing are more important for senior school students. First we must choose the books we're interested in. A lot of reading will improve your language sense. This is very important.
It's easier said than done. Well, let's do more practice from now on. I'm sure you'll learn English well in this way.
,A, B, C, D,. (10)
Question:
According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?
Choices:
A. Listening is very important while speaking is not.
B. The more you speak, the more mistakes you'll make.
C. Listening and speaking are very important for beginners.
D. You can only learn English by listening. | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle1204.txt | Can you swim? Do you like swimming? Well, how can you learn to swim? I think the best way is to go into the water and learn. I'm afraid you'll never learn to swim just by reading books about Swimming or looking at others swimming. It's the same with the English study. We must practice, practice and practice.
Listening and speaking are very important for beginners. We can listen to English programs on radio. You may just understand a few words. It doesn't matter. Just be relaxed, try to catch every word.
Somebody may be a good listener, but he is afraid to speak because he's afraid of making mistakes. You know we sometimes make mistakes when we speak Chinese. Don't be afraid. We must be brave. If you really want to learn English well, you must try to speak with everyone as long as he knows English. When there's nobody to talk with, you can talk to yourself in English. It's interesting and also a good way to practice your spoken English. Remember, the more you speak, the fewer mistakes you'll make.
Reading and writing are more important for senior school students. First we must choose the books we're interested in. A lot of reading will improve your language sense. This is very important.
It's easier said than done. Well, let's do more practice from now on. I'm sure you'll learn English well in this way.
,A, B, C, D,. (10) | [
"Listening is very important while speaking is not.",
"The more you speak, the more mistakes you'll make.",
"Listening and speaking are very important for beginners.",
"You can only learn English by listening."
] |
How many years is it since the electronic cigarette was first invented according to the passage? | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Since around the later part of the 1950s, society started to realize that tobacco cigarettes caused health problems. As research progressed along with increasing numbers of people that developed lung cancer, emphysema, and other smoking related illnesses, cigarette smoking has become less accepted and popular. Unfortunately, the nicotine contained in cigarettes is one of the most addictive substances on the planet and makes quitting smoking one of the hardest things to do. In 2003, Chinese pharmacist, Hon Lik invented the electronic cigarette as a safer, and cleaner way to breathe in nicotine after his father, a heavy smoker, passed away from lung cancer attributed to smoking tobacco cigarettes.
Hon Lik applied for his first patent on the electronic cigarette in 2003 and afterwards introduced e-cigs to the Chinese market in the following year through his employer, Golden Dragon Holdings. Golden Dragon Holdings later changed the company's name to "Ruyan" in order to better match the company's name(Ruyan means "almost like smoke")to the new product. Since the renaming, the Ruyan company has continued e-cigarette development and grown to be one of the largest global e-cig manufactures.
Dr.Sam Han, CEO of Cixi E-CIG Technology, Inc, Ltd. also has a number of e-cig related inventions, including four patents in the United States and two in China that are electronic cigarette and e-liquid technology related. Similar to Hon Lik's father. Dr. Han was a heavy smoker for more than 40 years before beginning to work on electronic cigarette technologies in order to help himself and others make the shift to vapor smoking. Dr.Han continues to market and conduct R&D in e-cig related techonologies to this date.
After the successful deployment of Ruyan and Cixi E-CIG electronic cigarettes in China and Asia, the products started to be sold in significant quantities on the Internet.
Question:
How many years is it since the electronic cigarette was first invented according to the passage?
Choices:
A. About 5 years.
B. About 11 years.
C. About15 years.
D. About 20 years. | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high10880.txt | Since around the later part of the 1950s, society started to realize that tobacco cigarettes caused health problems. As research progressed along with increasing numbers of people that developed lung cancer, emphysema, and other smoking related illnesses, cigarette smoking has become less accepted and popular. Unfortunately, the nicotine contained in cigarettes is one of the most addictive substances on the planet and makes quitting smoking one of the hardest things to do. In 2003, Chinese pharmacist, Hon Lik invented the electronic cigarette as a safer, and cleaner way to breathe in nicotine after his father, a heavy smoker, passed away from lung cancer attributed to smoking tobacco cigarettes.
Hon Lik applied for his first patent on the electronic cigarette in 2003 and afterwards introduced e-cigs to the Chinese market in the following year through his employer, Golden Dragon Holdings. Golden Dragon Holdings later changed the company's name to "Ruyan" in order to better match the company's name(Ruyan means "almost like smoke")to the new product. Since the renaming, the Ruyan company has continued e-cigarette development and grown to be one of the largest global e-cig manufactures.
Dr.Sam Han, CEO of Cixi E-CIG Technology, Inc, Ltd. also has a number of e-cig related inventions, including four patents in the United States and two in China that are electronic cigarette and e-liquid technology related. Similar to Hon Lik's father. Dr. Han was a heavy smoker for more than 40 years before beginning to work on electronic cigarette technologies in order to help himself and others make the shift to vapor smoking. Dr.Han continues to market and conduct R&D in e-cig related techonologies to this date.
After the successful deployment of Ruyan and Cixi E-CIG electronic cigarettes in China and Asia, the products started to be sold in significant quantities on the Internet. | [
"About 5 years.",
"About 11 years.",
"About15 years.",
"About 20 years."
] |
How many cities are mentioned in this passage? | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
In the early hours of March 8, a Boeing 777 took off from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Its destination was Beijing. But for unknown reasons, it never arrived there.
There were 239 people on the Malaysia Airlines flight, including 154 Chinese. As of March 13, 12 different countries, including Malaysia, China, Vietnam and the US, were searching for the plane.
The disappearance is an "aviation mystery", Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, the head of Malaysia's Civil Aviation Authority, said on March 10.There was no clear sign of a crash by March 13.
Between 1-2 hours after takeoff, the plane suddenly lost contact with people on the ground. The weather was clear, and the pilots didn't make any calls . No evidence was found in the area where the flight last made contact. People are also talking about a possible hijacking .
International police agency Interpol confirmed on March 9 that at least two passengers on the flight had used stolen passports to get on board. "We are looking at all possibilities," said Malaysian Transport Minister Hishamuddin Hussein. The incident is now being called simply a "plane disappearance".
So, what are some possible causes of a plane disappearance? An AP story provided a summary.
1. A failure of the plane's body or its engines. However, even if both engines stopped working, the plane could still glide for up to 20 minutes, giving pilots time to make an emergency call.
2. Bad weather. Planes are designed to fly through most severe storms. However, in June 2009, an Air France flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris crashed during a bad storm over the Atlantic Ocean.
3. A bomb. Throughout history, several planes have been brought down by bombs.
4. An accidental shoot-down by some country's military. In July 1988, the US Navy accidentally shot down an Iran Air flight. In September 1983, a Korean Air Lines flight was shot down by a Russian fighter jet.
No matter how unlikely a situation, it's too early to determine what really happened to MH370. It could take months, if not years, to _ any possibilities, say experts..
Question:
How many cities are mentioned in this passage?
Choices:
A. Four cities.
B. five cities.
C. Six cities.
D. Seven cities. | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high6594.txt | In the early hours of March 8, a Boeing 777 took off from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Its destination was Beijing. But for unknown reasons, it never arrived there.
There were 239 people on the Malaysia Airlines flight, including 154 Chinese. As of March 13, 12 different countries, including Malaysia, China, Vietnam and the US, were searching for the plane.
The disappearance is an "aviation mystery", Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, the head of Malaysia's Civil Aviation Authority, said on March 10.There was no clear sign of a crash by March 13.
Between 1-2 hours after takeoff, the plane suddenly lost contact with people on the ground. The weather was clear, and the pilots didn't make any calls . No evidence was found in the area where the flight last made contact. People are also talking about a possible hijacking .
International police agency Interpol confirmed on March 9 that at least two passengers on the flight had used stolen passports to get on board. "We are looking at all possibilities," said Malaysian Transport Minister Hishamuddin Hussein. The incident is now being called simply a "plane disappearance".
So, what are some possible causes of a plane disappearance? An AP story provided a summary.
1. A failure of the plane's body or its engines. However, even if both engines stopped working, the plane could still glide for up to 20 minutes, giving pilots time to make an emergency call.
2. Bad weather. Planes are designed to fly through most severe storms. However, in June 2009, an Air France flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris crashed during a bad storm over the Atlantic Ocean.
3. A bomb. Throughout history, several planes have been brought down by bombs.
4. An accidental shoot-down by some country's military. In July 1988, the US Navy accidentally shot down an Iran Air flight. In September 1983, a Korean Air Lines flight was shot down by a Russian fighter jet.
No matter how unlikely a situation, it's too early to determine what really happened to MH370. It could take months, if not years, to _ any possibilities, say experts.. | [
"Four cities.",
"five cities.",
"Six cities.",
"Seven cities."
] |
After 12 months into the study, _ . | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Not all think laughter is the best medicine, but it seems to help.So scientists carried on a new study of diabetes patients who were given a good dose of humor for a year to prove it.
Researchers divide 20 high-risk diabetic patients into two groups.Both groups were given standard diabetes medicine.Group L viewed 30 minutes of humor of their choice, while Group C, the control group, did not.This went on for a year of treatments.
By two months into the study, the patients in the laughter group had lower level of the hormones epinephrine , considered to cause stress, which is known to be deadly.After the 12 months, _ rises 26 percent in Group L but only 3 percent in Group C.In another measure, C-reactive proteins, a maker of heart disease, drop 66 percent in the laughter group but only 26 percent in the control group.
"The best doctors believe that there is a physical good brought about by the positive emotion, happy laughter," said study leader Lee Berk of Loma Linda University.And other research has found that humor makes us more hopeful.Still, more study is needed, Berk said.The research by Berk found that humor can bring about similar changes in body chemistry, which was proved in the new study.The research result will be presented this month at the meeting in the US.Research at the University of Maryland School of Medicine shows that laughter causes the inner lining of blood vessels to expand, increasing blood flow in a way thought to be healthy.
"Lifestyle choices have an important effect on health and these are choices which we and patients should pay attention to, rather than prevention and treatment," Berk said in a statement this week.
Question:
After 12 months into the study, _ .
Choices:
A. C-reactive proteins increase 66 percent in Group C
B. the level of the hormones epinephrine stays the same in both groups
C. the level of the hormones epinephrine has dropped
D. C-reactive proteins reduced 66 percent in Group L | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high2299.txt | Not all think laughter is the best medicine, but it seems to help.So scientists carried on a new study of diabetes patients who were given a good dose of humor for a year to prove it.
Researchers divide 20 high-risk diabetic patients into two groups.Both groups were given standard diabetes medicine.Group L viewed 30 minutes of humor of their choice, while Group C, the control group, did not.This went on for a year of treatments.
By two months into the study, the patients in the laughter group had lower level of the hormones epinephrine , considered to cause stress, which is known to be deadly.After the 12 months, _ rises 26 percent in Group L but only 3 percent in Group C.In another measure, C-reactive proteins, a maker of heart disease, drop 66 percent in the laughter group but only 26 percent in the control group.
"The best doctors believe that there is a physical good brought about by the positive emotion, happy laughter," said study leader Lee Berk of Loma Linda University.And other research has found that humor makes us more hopeful.Still, more study is needed, Berk said.The research by Berk found that humor can bring about similar changes in body chemistry, which was proved in the new study.The research result will be presented this month at the meeting in the US.Research at the University of Maryland School of Medicine shows that laughter causes the inner lining of blood vessels to expand, increasing blood flow in a way thought to be healthy.
"Lifestyle choices have an important effect on health and these are choices which we and patients should pay attention to, rather than prevention and treatment," Berk said in a statement this week. | [
"C-reactive proteins increase 66 percent in Group C",
"the level of the hormones epinephrine stays the same in both groups",
"the level of the hormones epinephrine has dropped",
"C-reactive proteins reduced 66 percent in Group L"
] |
From what Lord May of Oxford said, we can learn that _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
The teaching of physics in schools is in danger of dying out unless urgent action is taken to deal with a serious lack of teachers, the government is warned today.
The number of students taking physics at A-level has fallen 38% since 1990, according to a research. At the same time the number of mew physics teachers has dropped sharply while the shortage is likely to worsen as older teachers retire.
prefix = st1 /Britain's leading scientists and engineers expressed alarm over the findings, which they say are part of the problems in science education generally. Lord May of Oxford, president of the Royal Society, theUK's National Academy of Science, said, "The problems facing science at A-level are well beyond physics. We have over and over again noted the general downward trend of students studying the sciences beside biology and math at A-level. If we fail to deal with this then we may lose the ability to train the next generation of scientists, technologists and engineers."
Alan Smithers and Pamela Robinson, who did the research in 432 schools and colleges inEnglandandWales, said that since 1990, the number of physics students had fallen by 38%, from 45,334 to 28,119. Nearly 10% of state schools now do not offer A-level physics, and of those that do 39.5% had five students or fewer taking it this year.
Over the same period, the research discovered, the number of people who are allowed to become physics teachers dropped from about a third of the science total to 12.8%. The supply of physics teachers is not _ itself, with nearly twice as many aged over 50 as 30 or younger. Another danger is the redefinition of science subjects to "general science".
Professor Smithers and Dr Robinson warn that the subject is in danger of dying out in schools." Physics in schools and colleges is at risk through redefinition and lack of teachers with expertise in the subject," they said. "If physics is to survive in schools, both as basic education and as a platform for higher level study and research, there is a need for immediate action."
Question:
From what Lord May of Oxford said, we can learn that _ .
Choices:
A. he worries about the future of science education.
B. the top scientists have not noticed the problem until recently.
C. the UKhas lost the ability to train scientists and engineers
D. biology and math do not face the same problems as physics. | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high17665.txt | The teaching of physics in schools is in danger of dying out unless urgent action is taken to deal with a serious lack of teachers, the government is warned today.
The number of students taking physics at A-level has fallen 38% since 1990, according to a research. At the same time the number of mew physics teachers has dropped sharply while the shortage is likely to worsen as older teachers retire.
prefix = st1 /Britain's leading scientists and engineers expressed alarm over the findings, which they say are part of the problems in science education generally. Lord May of Oxford, president of the Royal Society, theUK's National Academy of Science, said, "The problems facing science at A-level are well beyond physics. We have over and over again noted the general downward trend of students studying the sciences beside biology and math at A-level. If we fail to deal with this then we may lose the ability to train the next generation of scientists, technologists and engineers."
Alan Smithers and Pamela Robinson, who did the research in 432 schools and colleges inEnglandandWales, said that since 1990, the number of physics students had fallen by 38%, from 45,334 to 28,119. Nearly 10% of state schools now do not offer A-level physics, and of those that do 39.5% had five students or fewer taking it this year.
Over the same period, the research discovered, the number of people who are allowed to become physics teachers dropped from about a third of the science total to 12.8%. The supply of physics teachers is not _ itself, with nearly twice as many aged over 50 as 30 or younger. Another danger is the redefinition of science subjects to "general science".
Professor Smithers and Dr Robinson warn that the subject is in danger of dying out in schools." Physics in schools and colleges is at risk through redefinition and lack of teachers with expertise in the subject," they said. "If physics is to survive in schools, both as basic education and as a platform for higher level study and research, there is a need for immediate action." | [
"he worries about the future of science education.",
"the top scientists have not noticed the problem until recently.",
"the UKhas lost the ability to train scientists and engineers",
"biology and math do not face the same problems as physics."
] |
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is _ | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
I often dreamed about Pisa when I was a boy .I read about the famous building called the Leaning Tower of Pisa. But when I read the word Pisa, I was thinking of pizza. I thought this tower was a place to buy pizza. It must be the best place to buy pizza in the world, I thought.
Many years later finally saw the Leaning Tower . I knew then that it was Pisa and no pizza. But there was still something special about it for me. The tower got its name because it really does lean to one side. Some people want to try to fix it. They are afraid it may fall over and they don't like it leans over city.
I do not think it's a good idea to try to fix it. The tower probably will not fall down. It is 600 years old. Why should anything happen to it now? And , if you ask me, I like what it looks like. To me it is a very human kind of leaning. Nothing is perfect, it seems to say.
And who cares? Why do people want things to be perfect? Imperfect things may be more interesting. Let's take the tower in Pisa. Why is it so famous? There are many other older, more beautiful towers in Italy. But Pisa tower is the most famous. People come all over the world to see it.
Question:
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is _
Choices:
A. modern
B. falling down
C. 600 years old
D. 60 years old | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle4295.txt | I often dreamed about Pisa when I was a boy .I read about the famous building called the Leaning Tower of Pisa. But when I read the word Pisa, I was thinking of pizza. I thought this tower was a place to buy pizza. It must be the best place to buy pizza in the world, I thought.
Many years later finally saw the Leaning Tower . I knew then that it was Pisa and no pizza. But there was still something special about it for me. The tower got its name because it really does lean to one side. Some people want to try to fix it. They are afraid it may fall over and they don't like it leans over city.
I do not think it's a good idea to try to fix it. The tower probably will not fall down. It is 600 years old. Why should anything happen to it now? And , if you ask me, I like what it looks like. To me it is a very human kind of leaning. Nothing is perfect, it seems to say.
And who cares? Why do people want things to be perfect? Imperfect things may be more interesting. Let's take the tower in Pisa. Why is it so famous? There are many other older, more beautiful towers in Italy. But Pisa tower is the most famous. People come all over the world to see it. | [
"modern",
"falling down",
"600 years old",
"60 years old"
] |
According to the author, people's anxieties about managing money result from their understanding of money as the only source of _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
One day in my class, Maria shared her feelings about money, "Money worries me. I think I want to live without money because I hate it. I HATE MONEY." We were all touched by Maria's words as they reminded us of the spiritual burdens that money managing can bring to us. After class I offered to help Maria deal with her financial problems. She hesitated to accept my offer, and I could see from the expression on her face that she was afraid of what it might involve. I quickly promised her that I wouldn't make her do more than she was able to. I told her frankly that I didn't enjoy managing my money any more than she did hers and wouldn't burden her with guilt, judgments, or impossible tasks. All I would ask her to do was to let me help her look at her fears and try to make some sense of them.
Maria still resisted my offer, and I can remember the excuses she gave me as they were the repeated complaints I had heard from so many people. "I'11 never understand money," she said. "My facts are meaningless." "I don't deserve to have money." "I never have enough," "I have too little to manage." "My financial position isn't worth looking at." and the most _ one of all, "I just can't do it."
Going home that day, I couldn't get Maria out of my mind: Her attitude conveyed the same negativity and fear that I believed annoyed many people. I was sure it was this attitude that prevented people from managing their money effectively. My counseling has taught me that these anxieties are inseparably connected to our self-doubts and fear for survival. Many of us are terrified of handling our money because we don't believe we can do it well, and to do it wrong would put our very existence at risk.
On a deeper level we know that money is not the source of life, but sense of worth drives us to act as if it were. It locks us up in self-doubts and prevents us from tapping into the true source of our management power, our spirit.
Question:
According to the author, people's anxieties about managing money result from their understanding of money as the only source of _ .
Choices:
A. life
B. values
C. spirit
D. power | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high24086.txt | One day in my class, Maria shared her feelings about money, "Money worries me. I think I want to live without money because I hate it. I HATE MONEY." We were all touched by Maria's words as they reminded us of the spiritual burdens that money managing can bring to us. After class I offered to help Maria deal with her financial problems. She hesitated to accept my offer, and I could see from the expression on her face that she was afraid of what it might involve. I quickly promised her that I wouldn't make her do more than she was able to. I told her frankly that I didn't enjoy managing my money any more than she did hers and wouldn't burden her with guilt, judgments, or impossible tasks. All I would ask her to do was to let me help her look at her fears and try to make some sense of them.
Maria still resisted my offer, and I can remember the excuses she gave me as they were the repeated complaints I had heard from so many people. "I'11 never understand money," she said. "My facts are meaningless." "I don't deserve to have money." "I never have enough," "I have too little to manage." "My financial position isn't worth looking at." and the most _ one of all, "I just can't do it."
Going home that day, I couldn't get Maria out of my mind: Her attitude conveyed the same negativity and fear that I believed annoyed many people. I was sure it was this attitude that prevented people from managing their money effectively. My counseling has taught me that these anxieties are inseparably connected to our self-doubts and fear for survival. Many of us are terrified of handling our money because we don't believe we can do it well, and to do it wrong would put our very existence at risk.
On a deeper level we know that money is not the source of life, but sense of worth drives us to act as if it were. It locks us up in self-doubts and prevents us from tapping into the true source of our management power, our spirit. | [
"life",
"values",
"spirit",
"power"
] |
Addilynn went to the grocery store and bought six dozen eggs for use in her house. After two weeks, she used half of the eggs, then accidentally broke 15 of the remaining eggs while moving them to clean the shelves. How many eggs are left on the shelf? | Since a dozen has 12 eggs, the total number of eggs that Addilynn bought is 6 dozen * 12 eggs/dozen = <<6*12=72>>72 eggs.
If she used half of the eggs, the number of eggs left is 72 eggs / 2 = <<72/2=36>>36 eggs.
While moving the eggs to clean the shelves, she broke 15 eggs, leaving 36 eggs - 15 eggs = <<36-15=21>>21 eggs.
#### 21 | Solve the following math problem and explain your reasoning step by step. | Addilynn went to the grocery store and bought six dozen eggs for use in her house. After two weeks, she used half of the eggs, then accidentally broke 15 of the remaining eggs while moving them to clean the shelves. How many eggs are left on the shelf? | Since a dozen has 12 eggs, the total number of eggs that Addilynn bought is 6 dozen * 12 eggs/dozen = <<6*12=72>>72 eggs.
If she used half of the eggs, the number of eggs left is 72 eggs / 2 = <<72/2=36>>36 eggs.
While moving the eggs to clean the shelves, she broke 15 eggs, leaving 36 eggs - 15 eggs = <<36-15=21>>21 eggs.
#### 21 | math | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null |
What is the current trend in higher education discussed in the text? | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
When next year's crop of high-school graduates arrive at Oxford University in the fall, they will be joined by a new face: Andrew Hamilton, the 55-year-old provost of Yale, who will become Oxford's vice-chancellor -- a position equal to university president in America.
Hamilton isn't the only educator crossing the Atlantic. Schools in France, Egypt, Singapore, etc. have also recently made top-level hires from abroad. Yet the talent flow isn't universal. High-level personnel tend to head in only one direction: Outward from America.
The chief reason is that American schools don't tend to seriously consider looking abroad. For example, when the board of the University of Colorado searched for a new president, it wanted a leader familiar with the state government, a major source of the university's budget. "We didn't do any global consideration," says Patricia Hayes, the board's chair. The board finally picked Bruce Benson, a 69-year-old Colorado businessman and political activist who is likely to do well in the main task of modern university presidents: fund-raising. Fund-raising is a particularly American thing, since U.S. schools rely heavily on donations. The fund-raising ability is largely a product of experience and necessity.
Many European universities, meanwhile, are still mostly dependent on government funding. But government support has failed to keep pace with rising student numbers. The decline in government support has made fund-raising an increasingly necessary ability among administrators , and has made hiring committees hungry for Americans.
In the past few years, well-known schools around the world have joined the trend. In 2011, when Cambridge University appointed Alison Richard, another former Yale provost, as its vice-chancellor, the university publicly stressed that in her previous job she had overseen " a major strengthening of Yale's financial position".
Of course, fund-raising isn't the only skill outsiders offer. The globalization of education means more universities will be seeking heads with international experience of some kind to promote international programs and attract a global student body. Foreigners can offer a fresh perspective on established practices.
Question:
What is the current trend in higher education discussed in the text?
Choices:
A. Institutions worldwide are hiring administrators from the U.S.
B. More international students are being admitted to American universities.
C. University presidents are paying more attention to fund-raising.
D. A lot of activists are being hired as administrators. | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high2105.txt | When next year's crop of high-school graduates arrive at Oxford University in the fall, they will be joined by a new face: Andrew Hamilton, the 55-year-old provost of Yale, who will become Oxford's vice-chancellor -- a position equal to university president in America.
Hamilton isn't the only educator crossing the Atlantic. Schools in France, Egypt, Singapore, etc. have also recently made top-level hires from abroad. Yet the talent flow isn't universal. High-level personnel tend to head in only one direction: Outward from America.
The chief reason is that American schools don't tend to seriously consider looking abroad. For example, when the board of the University of Colorado searched for a new president, it wanted a leader familiar with the state government, a major source of the university's budget. "We didn't do any global consideration," says Patricia Hayes, the board's chair. The board finally picked Bruce Benson, a 69-year-old Colorado businessman and political activist who is likely to do well in the main task of modern university presidents: fund-raising. Fund-raising is a particularly American thing, since U.S. schools rely heavily on donations. The fund-raising ability is largely a product of experience and necessity.
Many European universities, meanwhile, are still mostly dependent on government funding. But government support has failed to keep pace with rising student numbers. The decline in government support has made fund-raising an increasingly necessary ability among administrators , and has made hiring committees hungry for Americans.
In the past few years, well-known schools around the world have joined the trend. In 2011, when Cambridge University appointed Alison Richard, another former Yale provost, as its vice-chancellor, the university publicly stressed that in her previous job she had overseen " a major strengthening of Yale's financial position".
Of course, fund-raising isn't the only skill outsiders offer. The globalization of education means more universities will be seeking heads with international experience of some kind to promote international programs and attract a global student body. Foreigners can offer a fresh perspective on established practices. | [
"Institutions worldwide are hiring administrators from the U.S.",
"More international students are being admitted to American universities.",
"University presidents are paying more attention to fund-raising.",
"A lot of activists are being hired as administrators."
] |
What was Tommy's hobby? | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Nancy was new to America. She had an 8-year-old son.
They found a house in New York. They were there for only two months when a neighbor's dog jumped into their yard. The dog ran toward Nancy's son. Nancy put her body in between the dog and her son. The dog stopped when it saw Nancy standing in front of it. She was going to hit it on the nose. The dog turned around.
Shaking, Nancy took her son upstairs. They stayed in the house all the weekend. Then Nancy found another house. It was close to her son's school.
She and her son walked everywhere. They found there was a park and a supermarket near the house. Nancy was very happy. Her son Tommy liked playing badminton, and he could practice in the park every morning.
Question:
What was Tommy's hobby?
Choices:
A. Keeping dogs.
B. Traveling.
C. Playing badminton.
D. Reading. | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle4930.txt | Nancy was new to America. She had an 8-year-old son.
They found a house in New York. They were there for only two months when a neighbor's dog jumped into their yard. The dog ran toward Nancy's son. Nancy put her body in between the dog and her son. The dog stopped when it saw Nancy standing in front of it. She was going to hit it on the nose. The dog turned around.
Shaking, Nancy took her son upstairs. They stayed in the house all the weekend. Then Nancy found another house. It was close to her son's school.
She and her son walked everywhere. They found there was a park and a supermarket near the house. Nancy was very happy. Her son Tommy liked playing badminton, and he could practice in the park every morning. | [
"Keeping dogs.",
"Traveling.",
"Playing badminton.",
"Reading."
] |
Sue borrowed 15 books and 6 movies. She returned 8 books. She then returned a third of the movies to the library and checked out 9 more books. How many movies and books does Sue now have? | Sue has 15-8 = <<15-8=7>>7 books left after returning at the library.
Sue returned 6/3 = <<6/3=2>>2 movies to the library.
Sue had 6-2 = <<6-2=4>>4 movies left.
Sue had 7+9 = <<7+9=16>>16 books after checking out at the library.
Sue has 16+4 = <<16+4=20>>20 movies and books combined.
#### 20 | Solve the following math problem and explain your reasoning step by step. | Sue borrowed 15 books and 6 movies. She returned 8 books. She then returned a third of the movies to the library and checked out 9 more books. How many movies and books does Sue now have? | Sue has 15-8 = <<15-8=7>>7 books left after returning at the library.
Sue returned 6/3 = <<6/3=2>>2 movies to the library.
Sue had 6-2 = <<6-2=4>>4 movies left.
Sue had 7+9 = <<7+9=16>>16 books after checking out at the library.
Sue has 16+4 = <<16+4=20>>20 movies and books combined.
#### 20 | math | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null |
The marsh willow herb is a plant native to the northeastern United States. It grows best in damp habitats. Which of the following environmental changes would most likely cause a decrease in the marsh willow herb population in an area? | null | Answer this science question and explain your reasoning. | The marsh willow herb is a plant native to the northeastern United States. It grows best in damp habitats. Which of the following environmental changes would most likely cause a decrease in the marsh willow herb population in an area?
Choices:
A. a rainstorm lasting several weeks
B. a drought lasting twelve months
C. unusually low temperatures during the month of July
D. unusually high temperatures during the month of January | Correct answer: B | science | MCAS_2008_5_5623 | {
"text": [
"a rainstorm lasting several weeks",
"a drought lasting twelve months",
"unusually low temperatures during the month of July",
"unusually high temperatures during the month of January"
],
"label": [
"A",
"B",
"C",
"D"
]
} | B | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null |
By "I couldn't put my fingers on it", the writer means that_. | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
The end of my sophomore year was approaching.Mom called me at the dorm one evening during the last week of May.My summer break would be spent with grandma and grandpa, helping out around their farm.The arrangement made good sense to all the family.I wasn't fully convinced of that myself but guessed it was just one summer.Next year would be my little brother's turn.
I arrived late that afternoon.Grandma had fixed more food than the three of us could possibly eat.She loved me entirely too much.The next morning, Grandpa fixed breakfast for the two of us. He told me Grandma had tired herself out yesterday and was going to rest in bed a little longer.I made a mental note to myself to not ask her to do things for me while I was there.I was there to help, not be a burden.
Weeks passed.I gradually settled into a routine of daily work with Grandpa.In the evenings I usually read or talked with Grandma.She never grew tired of hearing about college or anything I was involved in.She told me stories about her childhood, family and the early years after she and Grandpa had married.
The last Saturday in June, Grandpa suggested going fishing.We hadn't expected what we saw when we got to the pond that morning: One of the swans was dead.Grandpa had given the pair of swans to Grandma on their 50th anniversary."Why don't we see about buying another one," I suggested, hoping the situation could somehow be righted.Grandpa thought for a few moments before answering.
He finally said, "no...it's not that easy, Bruce.You see, swans mate for life." He raised his finger to point, holding the fishing pole in his other hand."There's nothing we can do for the one that's left.He has to work it out for himself."
A few days later, we drove by the pond while doing our morning check on the cows.We found the other swan lying near the same spot we had found the first one.It, too, was dead.
The month of July started with me and Grandpa putting up a new stretch of fence.Then July 12 came.That was the day Grandma passed away.Grandma had died suddenly that morning of a stroke.By the afternoon, my parents were there.The old house was soon crowded with s and Grandpa's friends.
The funeral was held the next day.Grandpa had insisted on having it as soon as possible.On the second day after the funeral, Grandpa announced at the breakfast table, "This is a working farm. We have a lot of things to do.The rest of you should get back to your own lives." Most of the family had already left, but this was Grandpa's way of telling the rest it was time for them to go home.My parents were the last to leave after lunch.
Grandpa was not a man who could outwardly express his grief around others, and we all worried about him.The rest of the summer flowed by.We stayed busy working.I thought there was something different about Grandpa but couldn't quite put my finger on it.
September was nearing, and part of me did not want to leave.I thought of skipping the fall semester and staying around a few more months.When I mentioned it, grandpa quickly told me that my place was back at college.
The day finally came for me to pack my car and leave. I shock his hand and chanced a hug. As I drove down the driveway, I saw him in the rear view mirror.He waved to me and then walked to the pasture gate to start the morning livestock check.
Mom called me at school on a stormy October day to tell me Grandpa had died.A neighbor had stopped by that morning for coffee and found him in the kitchen.He died of a stroke, the same as Grandma.At that moment, I understood what he'd clumsily tried to explain to me about the swan on that morning we fished together by the pond.
Question:
By "I couldn't put my fingers on it", the writer means that_.
Choices:
A. I could do nothing to help him out of grief
B. I was so busy that I couldn't give a hand to Grandpa
C. I couldn't tell exactly what was different about my Grandpa
D. I stayed busy working and couldn't keep Grandpa's company | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high16654.txt | The end of my sophomore year was approaching.Mom called me at the dorm one evening during the last week of May.My summer break would be spent with grandma and grandpa, helping out around their farm.The arrangement made good sense to all the family.I wasn't fully convinced of that myself but guessed it was just one summer.Next year would be my little brother's turn.
I arrived late that afternoon.Grandma had fixed more food than the three of us could possibly eat.She loved me entirely too much.The next morning, Grandpa fixed breakfast for the two of us. He told me Grandma had tired herself out yesterday and was going to rest in bed a little longer.I made a mental note to myself to not ask her to do things for me while I was there.I was there to help, not be a burden.
Weeks passed.I gradually settled into a routine of daily work with Grandpa.In the evenings I usually read or talked with Grandma.She never grew tired of hearing about college or anything I was involved in.She told me stories about her childhood, family and the early years after she and Grandpa had married.
The last Saturday in June, Grandpa suggested going fishing.We hadn't expected what we saw when we got to the pond that morning: One of the swans was dead.Grandpa had given the pair of swans to Grandma on their 50th anniversary."Why don't we see about buying another one," I suggested, hoping the situation could somehow be righted.Grandpa thought for a few moments before answering.
He finally said, "no...it's not that easy, Bruce.You see, swans mate for life." He raised his finger to point, holding the fishing pole in his other hand."There's nothing we can do for the one that's left.He has to work it out for himself."
A few days later, we drove by the pond while doing our morning check on the cows.We found the other swan lying near the same spot we had found the first one.It, too, was dead.
The month of July started with me and Grandpa putting up a new stretch of fence.Then July 12 came.That was the day Grandma passed away.Grandma had died suddenly that morning of a stroke.By the afternoon, my parents were there.The old house was soon crowded with s and Grandpa's friends.
The funeral was held the next day.Grandpa had insisted on having it as soon as possible.On the second day after the funeral, Grandpa announced at the breakfast table, "This is a working farm. We have a lot of things to do.The rest of you should get back to your own lives." Most of the family had already left, but this was Grandpa's way of telling the rest it was time for them to go home.My parents were the last to leave after lunch.
Grandpa was not a man who could outwardly express his grief around others, and we all worried about him.The rest of the summer flowed by.We stayed busy working.I thought there was something different about Grandpa but couldn't quite put my finger on it.
September was nearing, and part of me did not want to leave.I thought of skipping the fall semester and staying around a few more months.When I mentioned it, grandpa quickly told me that my place was back at college.
The day finally came for me to pack my car and leave. I shock his hand and chanced a hug. As I drove down the driveway, I saw him in the rear view mirror.He waved to me and then walked to the pasture gate to start the morning livestock check.
Mom called me at school on a stormy October day to tell me Grandpa had died.A neighbor had stopped by that morning for coffee and found him in the kitchen.He died of a stroke, the same as Grandma.At that moment, I understood what he'd clumsily tried to explain to me about the swan on that morning we fished together by the pond. | [
"I could do nothing to help him out of grief",
"I was so busy that I couldn't give a hand to Grandpa",
"I couldn't tell exactly what was different about my Grandpa",
"I stayed busy working and couldn't keep Grandpa's company"
] |
Which of the following can't be carried in the author's pocket? | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
I am a person who does not like to wait.I don' t like lines, being put on hold when making a phone call, arriving at an appointment to find that my companion will be delayed and of course, I don * t like waiting rooms.
However, I realize that my agony will not be good for me, as an increasingly, crowded world can only mean one thing--more waiting.
Owing to this, I have taken a measure and decided to turn my disappointment to productive ends.In short, I am looking for what I call "waiting in line books".
These are books that contain material designed for being read in shortened words, so there is no extended story line to lose track of.Another requirement is that they be small enough to slip neatly into my back pocket.
The other day I went to the supermarket.Convinced that the rain would keep most people away, I was surprised to see that the place was crowded with shoppers.Every checkout was open--and jammed! But I could take out my pocket book and go to work.
The more the world demands that I wait, the more I learn from my waiting library.Look at these titles: One Hundred Things Every American Should Know; The Poetry of Robert Frost; Living Thoughts of Leading Thinkers; Still More Toasts.I have learned interesting and enriching things and much knowledge from these books.
On a recent visit to the general store, I placed my order at the counter along with six or seven other people.The one female employee seemed to have her hands full as she rushed about."Just be patient," she said to me.
No problem.I quietly opened my dictionary of prose and poetical quotations. Perhaps the other customers regarded me as a bookish, lonely soul.But little did they realize that I was enjoying the company of Shakespeare, Thoreau, Homer and Ben Johnson.
Question:
Which of the following can't be carried in the author's pocket?
Choices:
A. One Hundred Things Every American Should Know
B. The Poetry of Robert Frost
C. Living Thoughts of Leading Thinkers
D. Homer and Ben Johnson | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high12340.txt | I am a person who does not like to wait.I don' t like lines, being put on hold when making a phone call, arriving at an appointment to find that my companion will be delayed and of course, I don * t like waiting rooms.
However, I realize that my agony will not be good for me, as an increasingly, crowded world can only mean one thing--more waiting.
Owing to this, I have taken a measure and decided to turn my disappointment to productive ends.In short, I am looking for what I call "waiting in line books".
These are books that contain material designed for being read in shortened words, so there is no extended story line to lose track of.Another requirement is that they be small enough to slip neatly into my back pocket.
The other day I went to the supermarket.Convinced that the rain would keep most people away, I was surprised to see that the place was crowded with shoppers.Every checkout was open--and jammed! But I could take out my pocket book and go to work.
The more the world demands that I wait, the more I learn from my waiting library.Look at these titles: One Hundred Things Every American Should Know; The Poetry of Robert Frost; Living Thoughts of Leading Thinkers; Still More Toasts.I have learned interesting and enriching things and much knowledge from these books.
On a recent visit to the general store, I placed my order at the counter along with six or seven other people.The one female employee seemed to have her hands full as she rushed about."Just be patient," she said to me.
No problem.I quietly opened my dictionary of prose and poetical quotations. Perhaps the other customers regarded me as a bookish, lonely soul.But little did they realize that I was enjoying the company of Shakespeare, Thoreau, Homer and Ben Johnson. | [
"One Hundred Things Every American Should Know",
"The Poetry of Robert Frost",
"Living Thoughts of Leading Thinkers",
"Homer and Ben Johnson"
] |
Which is true ? _ | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
It was a Saturday in May. When Mrs. Black opened the door and looked out, she smiled and said, "It's a beautiful day." She woke her small son up at eight thirty and said to him, " Get up, Tod. Let's go to the zoo today. Wash your hands and face, brush your teeth and eat your breakfast quickly. We are going to New York by train."
Tod was six years old. He was very happy now, because he liked going to the zoo very much, and he also liked going by train. He said, "I dreamed about the zoo last night, Mummy."[:++Z+X+X+K]
His mother was busy, but she stopped and smiled at her little son, "And what did you do in the zoo in your dream?" Tod laughed and answered, "You know, Mummy! You were there in my dream, too."
Question:
Which is true ? _
Choices:
A. The story happened on a April morning
B. The story happened in England
C. They went to the zoo by train
D. Mrs Black woke up her son at night | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle3105.txt | It was a Saturday in May. When Mrs. Black opened the door and looked out, she smiled and said, "It's a beautiful day." She woke her small son up at eight thirty and said to him, " Get up, Tod. Let's go to the zoo today. Wash your hands and face, brush your teeth and eat your breakfast quickly. We are going to New York by train."
Tod was six years old. He was very happy now, because he liked going to the zoo very much, and he also liked going by train. He said, "I dreamed about the zoo last night, Mummy."[:++Z+X+X+K]
His mother was busy, but she stopped and smiled at her little son, "And what did you do in the zoo in your dream?" Tod laughed and answered, "You know, Mummy! You were there in my dream, too." | [
"The story happened on a April morning",
"The story happened in England",
"They went to the zoo by train",
"Mrs Black woke up her son at night"
] |
The writer lost her best friend because _ . | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
My 10-year-old Donna said, "Mom, I made a new friend at school today. Can she come over tomorrow?" Donna was a shy girl and I wanted her to make some friends _ .
"Sure, honey, that sounds great." I said, thinking back to my own best friend, Lillian. We lived across the street from each other in Washington Heights, New York. We met at the age of 10, too. Like my daughter, I was shy, but Lillian drew me out. She was one of the friendliest people in school, with shiny black hair and a mile-wide smile.
In senior high school, Lillian went on a trip to Florida. This was the first time we had to be away from each other for a few days. "I'll be back soon." she told me. But three days later, Lillian's sister told me that she had fallen into a river and hadn't come out any more. Soon, my family moved to New Jersey. Whenever I thought of her, tears came into my eyes.
The next day Donna brought her new friend home. "Hi, Mrs. Loggia." the little girl said. Her hair was so shiny and black and she shot me a big smile. "My name is Laura."
My daughter's new friend was so much like Lillian. I was still puzzled when Laura's mom came to pick her up later that afternoon. I opened the door to let her in. "Judy!" she cried. "It's me, Lillian's sister, from Washington Heights." Yes, my daughter's friend looked familiar . She was Lillian's niece.
Question:
The writer lost her best friend because _ .
Choices:
A. she moved to New Jersey
B. they were different from each other
C. her best friend moved to Florida
D. her best friend lost her life on a trip | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle6800.txt | My 10-year-old Donna said, "Mom, I made a new friend at school today. Can she come over tomorrow?" Donna was a shy girl and I wanted her to make some friends _ .
"Sure, honey, that sounds great." I said, thinking back to my own best friend, Lillian. We lived across the street from each other in Washington Heights, New York. We met at the age of 10, too. Like my daughter, I was shy, but Lillian drew me out. She was one of the friendliest people in school, with shiny black hair and a mile-wide smile.
In senior high school, Lillian went on a trip to Florida. This was the first time we had to be away from each other for a few days. "I'll be back soon." she told me. But three days later, Lillian's sister told me that she had fallen into a river and hadn't come out any more. Soon, my family moved to New Jersey. Whenever I thought of her, tears came into my eyes.
The next day Donna brought her new friend home. "Hi, Mrs. Loggia." the little girl said. Her hair was so shiny and black and she shot me a big smile. "My name is Laura."
My daughter's new friend was so much like Lillian. I was still puzzled when Laura's mom came to pick her up later that afternoon. I opened the door to let her in. "Judy!" she cried. "It's me, Lillian's sister, from Washington Heights." Yes, my daughter's friend looked familiar . She was Lillian's niece. | [
"she moved to New Jersey",
"they were different from each other",
"her best friend moved to Florida",
"her best friend lost her life on a trip"
] |
What do increasing greenhouse gas concentrations in the air do to the earth's temperature? | null | Answer the following science question clearly and accurately. | What do increasing greenhouse gas concentrations in the air do to the earth's temperature? | raise it | science | null | null | null | Pollute | Lower it | stable it | raise it | null | null | null | |
What kind of food should people eat more of? | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Life is not easy in senior high school. You've got the pressure of studies and exams.
From time to time, you may feel depressed and frustrated. When depression strikes, you have to take measures to fight it. One of the strangest ways to fight depression is to eat salt, scientists have found.
Salt acts as a natural anti-depressant , researchers say. While too much can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease, not enough can cause "psychological depressions", a study has reported.
The study, by researchers at the University of Iowa in the US, discovered that when rats are _ in salt, they don't do activities they normally enjoy.
The recommended daily salt intake for an adult is four grams, although experts say the body needs only half as much.
However, most adults in the developed world consume around ten grams a day, mainly because their diets contain high salt amounts. Today, 77 percent of US salt intake comes from processed and restaurant foods, like frozen dinners and fast food.
The minerals in salt are required by the body--in small quantities--to help move liquid in and out of cells. But too much can cause diseases, for example high blood pressure.
Today scientists are finding that salt is an addictive substance--almost like a drug.
One sign of addiction is using a substance even when it's known to be harmful. Many people are told to eat less salt due to health concerns, but they have trouble doing so because they like the taste and find low-salt foods tasteless.
Humans have a long history of eating salt. In the Stone Age, people didn't need to find salt, because they hunted most of their food, and ate a lot of red meat, which has plenty of salt in it. But when people began to farm, about 10,000 BC, they started to eat mainly grains like rice and wheat, and very little meat. Then they had to find another way to get salt.
Question:
What kind of food should people eat more of?
Choices:
A. Frozen food
B. Fast food
C. Red meat
D. Low-salt food | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high14504.txt | Life is not easy in senior high school. You've got the pressure of studies and exams.
From time to time, you may feel depressed and frustrated. When depression strikes, you have to take measures to fight it. One of the strangest ways to fight depression is to eat salt, scientists have found.
Salt acts as a natural anti-depressant , researchers say. While too much can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease, not enough can cause "psychological depressions", a study has reported.
The study, by researchers at the University of Iowa in the US, discovered that when rats are _ in salt, they don't do activities they normally enjoy.
The recommended daily salt intake for an adult is four grams, although experts say the body needs only half as much.
However, most adults in the developed world consume around ten grams a day, mainly because their diets contain high salt amounts. Today, 77 percent of US salt intake comes from processed and restaurant foods, like frozen dinners and fast food.
The minerals in salt are required by the body--in small quantities--to help move liquid in and out of cells. But too much can cause diseases, for example high blood pressure.
Today scientists are finding that salt is an addictive substance--almost like a drug.
One sign of addiction is using a substance even when it's known to be harmful. Many people are told to eat less salt due to health concerns, but they have trouble doing so because they like the taste and find low-salt foods tasteless.
Humans have a long history of eating salt. In the Stone Age, people didn't need to find salt, because they hunted most of their food, and ate a lot of red meat, which has plenty of salt in it. But when people began to farm, about 10,000 BC, they started to eat mainly grains like rice and wheat, and very little meat. Then they had to find another way to get salt. | [
"Frozen food",
"Fast food",
"Red meat",
"Low-salt food"
] |
In the evening _ first came to the small boy's room. | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
A small boy lived with his mother and grandmother in a big house. His father had died.
A bucket of water fell on the small boy's left foot, and it began hurting a hot. His mother said, "I'm going to put something very hot on your foot tonight. That's always very good. Tomorrow your foot won't hurt any longer."
In the evening, the small boy's mother came to his bedroom. She had a hot poultice in a bowl. The small boy looked at it and said, "I don't want that. I had one a month ago. Poultices hurt."
His mother sat down on his bed and said, "You're going to have this poultice on." She pulled his sheets and blankets away, and put the poultice near his foot, but the boy pulled it away quickly, and poultice fell on the bed.
His mother was angry. She went down stairs and came back with his grandmother and a stick. She said to her son, "Your grandmother's going to put the poultice on your foot, and I'm going to hold this stick. Now don't be a stupid boy."
She held the stick over the boy, and the grandmother took his foot and put the poultice near it. The boy said. "Stop, you..." but his mother brought the stick nearer, and he did not say anything else.
The grandmother brought the poultice near the foot again, and the boy stopped her again, but his mother was angry now and said, "I'm going to hit you." The boy did not finish his words, and his grandmother put the poultice on his foot. He let it there for a few minutes and then took it off again.
The boy's mother and grandmother put the sheets and blankets over him again and he said, "My left foot hurts, but you put the poultice on my right foot. I stopped you twice, but you didn't listen to me."
Question:
In the evening _ first came to the small boy's room.
Choices:
A. his mother
B. his father
C. his grandmother
D. his grandfather | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle887.txt | A small boy lived with his mother and grandmother in a big house. His father had died.
A bucket of water fell on the small boy's left foot, and it began hurting a hot. His mother said, "I'm going to put something very hot on your foot tonight. That's always very good. Tomorrow your foot won't hurt any longer."
In the evening, the small boy's mother came to his bedroom. She had a hot poultice in a bowl. The small boy looked at it and said, "I don't want that. I had one a month ago. Poultices hurt."
His mother sat down on his bed and said, "You're going to have this poultice on." She pulled his sheets and blankets away, and put the poultice near his foot, but the boy pulled it away quickly, and poultice fell on the bed.
His mother was angry. She went down stairs and came back with his grandmother and a stick. She said to her son, "Your grandmother's going to put the poultice on your foot, and I'm going to hold this stick. Now don't be a stupid boy."
She held the stick over the boy, and the grandmother took his foot and put the poultice near it. The boy said. "Stop, you..." but his mother brought the stick nearer, and he did not say anything else.
The grandmother brought the poultice near the foot again, and the boy stopped her again, but his mother was angry now and said, "I'm going to hit you." The boy did not finish his words, and his grandmother put the poultice on his foot. He let it there for a few minutes and then took it off again.
The boy's mother and grandmother put the sheets and blankets over him again and he said, "My left foot hurts, but you put the poultice on my right foot. I stopped you twice, but you didn't listen to me." | [
"his mother",
"his father",
"his grandmother",
"his grandfather"
] |
The accident perhaps happened at _ . | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
A military train carrying soldiers has derailed south of Egypt's capital Cairo, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 100, officials say.
The train was travelling to an army camp in Cairo when it came off the tracks in the Badrashin area of Giza.
It is not yet known what caused the accident.
Egypt's roads and railways have a poor safety record. Last November 50 children died after a train crash into their school bus.
Both the transport minister and the head of the railway authority were forced to resign as a result of the crash, which took place in November near Manfalut, 350km south of Cairo.
Investigations later showed the barriers at the crossing were not closed because the signal operator had fallen asleep.
Monday's incident occurred as the army train was heading from Upper Egypt into Cairo.
Reports say more than 1,300 passengers were aboard the train when the accident happened shortly after midnight.
The passengers wounded in the accident have been taken to hospitals, the governor of Giza said.
An eyewitness told BBC Arabic that he saw two dozen dead bodies at the scene of the accident.
The latest incident could increase the pressure on the government to deal with the safety of trains, the BBC's Said Shehata reports from Cairo.
Four years ago, some 18 people were killed and dozens injured in an accident crash between two passenger trains in the Giza area.
And in 2002, a train caught fire in Cairo, killing 373 people.
Question:
The accident perhaps happened at _ .
Choices:
A. 1 p.m.
B. 2 p.m.
C. 6 a.m.
D. 1 a.m. | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high24052.txt | A military train carrying soldiers has derailed south of Egypt's capital Cairo, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 100, officials say.
The train was travelling to an army camp in Cairo when it came off the tracks in the Badrashin area of Giza.
It is not yet known what caused the accident.
Egypt's roads and railways have a poor safety record. Last November 50 children died after a train crash into their school bus.
Both the transport minister and the head of the railway authority were forced to resign as a result of the crash, which took place in November near Manfalut, 350km south of Cairo.
Investigations later showed the barriers at the crossing were not closed because the signal operator had fallen asleep.
Monday's incident occurred as the army train was heading from Upper Egypt into Cairo.
Reports say more than 1,300 passengers were aboard the train when the accident happened shortly after midnight.
The passengers wounded in the accident have been taken to hospitals, the governor of Giza said.
An eyewitness told BBC Arabic that he saw two dozen dead bodies at the scene of the accident.
The latest incident could increase the pressure on the government to deal with the safety of trains, the BBC's Said Shehata reports from Cairo.
Four years ago, some 18 people were killed and dozens injured in an accident crash between two passenger trains in the Giza area.
And in 2002, a train caught fire in Cairo, killing 373 people. | [
"1 p.m.",
"2 p.m.",
"6 a.m.",
"1 a.m."
] |
The writer says that modern art contains _ | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Every artist knows in his heart that he is saying something to the public. Not only does he want to say it well, but he wants it to be something that has not been said before. He hopes that the public will listen and understand ----he wants to teach them, and he wants them to learn from him.
What visional artists like painters want to teach is easy to make out but difficult to explain, because painters translate their experience into shapes and colors, not words. They seem to feel that a certain choice of shapes and colors, out of the countless billions possible, is very interesting for them and worth showing to us. Without their work we should never have noticed these particular shapes and colors, or have felt the delight which they brought to the artists.
Most artists take their shapes and colors from the world of nature and from human bodies in movement and at rest; their choices show that these aspects of the world are worth looking at, that they contain beautiful sights. Modern artists might say that they only choose subjects that provide an interesting pattern, that there is nothing more in it. Yet even they do not choose totally without thinking about the character of their subjects.
If one painter chooses to paint a decaying leg and another a lake in moonlight, each of them is directing our attention to a certain aspect of the world . Each painter is telling us something, showing us something, emphasizing something - all of which means that, consciously or unconsciously, he is trying to teach us.
Question:
The writer says that modern art contains _
Choices:
A. nothing but meaningless patterns
B. uninteresting aspects of the world
C. subjects chosen partly for their meaning
D. completely meaningless subjects | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high16290.txt | Every artist knows in his heart that he is saying something to the public. Not only does he want to say it well, but he wants it to be something that has not been said before. He hopes that the public will listen and understand ----he wants to teach them, and he wants them to learn from him.
What visional artists like painters want to teach is easy to make out but difficult to explain, because painters translate their experience into shapes and colors, not words. They seem to feel that a certain choice of shapes and colors, out of the countless billions possible, is very interesting for them and worth showing to us. Without their work we should never have noticed these particular shapes and colors, or have felt the delight which they brought to the artists.
Most artists take their shapes and colors from the world of nature and from human bodies in movement and at rest; their choices show that these aspects of the world are worth looking at, that they contain beautiful sights. Modern artists might say that they only choose subjects that provide an interesting pattern, that there is nothing more in it. Yet even they do not choose totally without thinking about the character of their subjects.
If one painter chooses to paint a decaying leg and another a lake in moonlight, each of them is directing our attention to a certain aspect of the world . Each painter is telling us something, showing us something, emphasizing something - all of which means that, consciously or unconsciously, he is trying to teach us. | [
"nothing but meaningless patterns",
"uninteresting aspects of the world",
"subjects chosen partly for their meaning",
"completely meaningless subjects"
] |
What type of waves travel through the body of a planet? | null | Answer the following science question clearly and accurately. | What type of waves travel through the body of a planet? | body waves | science | null | null | null | energy waves | vacuum waves | gas waves | body waves | Body waves travel through the body of a planet. Surface waves travel along the surface. | null | null | null |
Bacteria are responsible for many types of what in humans? | null | Answer the following science question clearly and accurately. | Bacteria are responsible for many types of what in humans? | diseases | science | null | null | null | food | colors | smells | diseases | Bacteria are responsible for many types of diseases in humans. | null | null | null |
His parents _ let him stay long. | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Tom was three years old. He liked to watch TV with his parents after supper, but his parents never let him stay long. Mother would say, "It's eight o'clock now. It's time for you to go to bed, Tom."
"But why don't you go to bed, too?" Tom always asked.
"We are adults ," mother would say, "And adults go to bed late."
One evening Tom asked his mother for an apple.
"But it's too late," his mother didn't want to give him anything to eat at bedtime. "The apples are already asleep."
"But not all of them, Mom." Tom said, "The baby apples are perhaps asleep, but their parents are surely awake."
Question:
His parents _ let him stay long.
Choices:
A. never
B. sometimes
C. often
D. usually | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle3147.txt | Tom was three years old. He liked to watch TV with his parents after supper, but his parents never let him stay long. Mother would say, "It's eight o'clock now. It's time for you to go to bed, Tom."
"But why don't you go to bed, too?" Tom always asked.
"We are adults ," mother would say, "And adults go to bed late."
One evening Tom asked his mother for an apple.
"But it's too late," his mother didn't want to give him anything to eat at bedtime. "The apples are already asleep."
"But not all of them, Mom." Tom said, "The baby apples are perhaps asleep, but their parents are surely awake." | [
"never",
"sometimes",
"often",
"usually"
] |
Who would be the most helpful to the school now? | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Do you have any skiing equipment you no longer need? A ski school in the far north of India could put it to good use.
In March we published a photo story about the extraordinary Zsnskar region in northern India,which is cut off from the outside world for more than seven months of the year,and only accessible via a frozen river.We also included information about the limited use of skiing in the region and the recent creation of the Zanskar Ski School:
"Despite the difficulties of travelling through the region when the snow comes,skiing hasn't traditionally been used as a means of transport by the locals,largely because trees don't grow here, so there is little in the way of raw materials from which to make skis.In 1995, a group of British scientists in the region noticed the lack of skis and one of them returned to set up the Zanskar Ski School in Padam.The school provides lessons for a small fee and rents skis to the local people. Among the benefits that the school hopes to bring are improved education--children often find it difficult to get to school through the deep snow--and the possibility of offering ski tours to tourists in the future.So far,more than 300 local people have received training,and local doctors and policemen regularly borrow skis."
But what we weren't able to include in the article is that the ski school is always on the look out for old skiing equipment--particularly of a size suitable for children--and, I thought. Now the European ski season is drawing to a close,there might be a few of you out there who have some old equipment you'd like to see go to a good home.If that's the ease you can get in touch with the school via their website www.zanskarski school.org.
Question:
Who would be the most helpful to the school now?
Choices:
A. People having old skiing equipment.
B. Students in the Zanskar Ski School
C. Locals in Zanskar region
D. Tavellers enjoying skiing | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high4272.txt | Do you have any skiing equipment you no longer need? A ski school in the far north of India could put it to good use.
In March we published a photo story about the extraordinary Zsnskar region in northern India,which is cut off from the outside world for more than seven months of the year,and only accessible via a frozen river.We also included information about the limited use of skiing in the region and the recent creation of the Zanskar Ski School:
"Despite the difficulties of travelling through the region when the snow comes,skiing hasn't traditionally been used as a means of transport by the locals,largely because trees don't grow here, so there is little in the way of raw materials from which to make skis.In 1995, a group of British scientists in the region noticed the lack of skis and one of them returned to set up the Zanskar Ski School in Padam.The school provides lessons for a small fee and rents skis to the local people. Among the benefits that the school hopes to bring are improved education--children often find it difficult to get to school through the deep snow--and the possibility of offering ski tours to tourists in the future.So far,more than 300 local people have received training,and local doctors and policemen regularly borrow skis."
But what we weren't able to include in the article is that the ski school is always on the look out for old skiing equipment--particularly of a size suitable for children--and, I thought. Now the European ski season is drawing to a close,there might be a few of you out there who have some old equipment you'd like to see go to a good home.If that's the ease you can get in touch with the school via their website www.zanskarski school.org. | [
"People having old skiing equipment.",
"Students in the Zanskar Ski School",
"Locals in Zanskar region",
"Tavellers enjoying skiing"
] |
The author would probably agree that_. | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
School uniforms are becoming more and more popular across the U.S.A. That's no surprise,because they offer many benefits. They immediately end the powerful social sorting and labeling that come from clothing. If all students are dressed in the same way,they will not pay too much attention to their clothing,and some of them will not be laughed at for wearing the "wrong" clothes.
Some people are against the strict rule of school uniforms,but they do not realize that students already accept a kind of rule -- wanting to look just like their friends. The difference is that the clothing students choose for themselves creates social barriers ; school uniforms tear those barriers down.
As in other places,uniforms remind the wearers of their purposes and duties. For example,when a man or woman puts on a police uniform,he or she becomes,for a time,the symbol of law and order. The uniform means to the wearer his or her special duties and sends the same message to everyone the wearer meets. People with different jobs wear uniforms of one kind or another. For students,the school uniform reminds them that their task for the six or seven hours they are in school is to get an education.
Some parents are unhappy about uniforms,saying that school uniforms will affect their children's "creativity". First,as noted above,the clothes students choose to wear do not necessarily express their individuality . They just copy their classmates. Second,students have the rest of the day to be as creative as they like. While they're in school,their job is to master reading,writing,and maths; this should take up all the creativity they have. Mastery of those skills will be good for the students to build up their creativity in every way.
Question:
The author would probably agree that_.
Choices:
A. it makes no difference whether to wear school uniforms or not
B. students' individuality may not come from school education
C. students' creativity is related to the clothes they choose
D. school uniforms help to create equality among students | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high1934.txt | School uniforms are becoming more and more popular across the U.S.A. That's no surprise,because they offer many benefits. They immediately end the powerful social sorting and labeling that come from clothing. If all students are dressed in the same way,they will not pay too much attention to their clothing,and some of them will not be laughed at for wearing the "wrong" clothes.
Some people are against the strict rule of school uniforms,but they do not realize that students already accept a kind of rule -- wanting to look just like their friends. The difference is that the clothing students choose for themselves creates social barriers ; school uniforms tear those barriers down.
As in other places,uniforms remind the wearers of their purposes and duties. For example,when a man or woman puts on a police uniform,he or she becomes,for a time,the symbol of law and order. The uniform means to the wearer his or her special duties and sends the same message to everyone the wearer meets. People with different jobs wear uniforms of one kind or another. For students,the school uniform reminds them that their task for the six or seven hours they are in school is to get an education.
Some parents are unhappy about uniforms,saying that school uniforms will affect their children's "creativity". First,as noted above,the clothes students choose to wear do not necessarily express their individuality . They just copy their classmates. Second,students have the rest of the day to be as creative as they like. While they're in school,their job is to master reading,writing,and maths; this should take up all the creativity they have. Mastery of those skills will be good for the students to build up their creativity in every way. | [
"it makes no difference whether to wear school uniforms or not",
"students' individuality may not come from school education",
"students' creativity is related to the clothes they choose",
"school uniforms help to create equality among students"
] |
Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage? | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Anyone who has worn a cast knows that rebuilding muscle strength once the cast is removed can be difficult. Now researchers at the Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute (OMNI) at Ohio University have found that the mind is _ in maintaining muscle strength following a long period of not moving and that mental imagination may be key in reducing the associated muscle loss.
Strength is controlled by a number of factors----the most studied by far is skeletal muscle. However, the nervous system is also an important, though not fully understood, determining factor of strength and weakness.
Brian C. Clark and colleagues set out to test how the system functions in strength development. They designed an experiment to measure changes in wrist muscle strength in three groups of healthy adults. Twenty-nine subjects wore a hard cast that extended from just below the elbow past the fingers, effectively preventing the hand and wrist from moving, for four weeks. Fifteen subjects who did not wear casts served as the control group.
Of the 29 people wearing a hard cast, half were asked to regularly perform an exercise, imagining they were strongly contracting their wrist for five seconds and then resting for five seconds. This was repeated four times in a row followed by a one-minute break for a total of 13 rounds per session and five sessions per week. The other half performed no imagination exercises.
At the end of the four-week experiment, both groups who wore casts had lost strength in their unmoving limbs when compared to the control group. But the group that performed imagination exercises lost 50% less strength than the non-imagination group. The nervous system's ability to fully make the muscle recover also returned more quickly in the imagination group compared to the non-imagination group.
Question:
Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?
Choices:
A. Scientists have partly understood the nervous system.
B. Whoever has worn a cast for long may have difficulty in muscle recovery.
C. Scientists have already spent a lot of time in studying skeletal muscle.
D. The number of the subjects in the experiment was 29 in all. | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high11039.txt | Anyone who has worn a cast knows that rebuilding muscle strength once the cast is removed can be difficult. Now researchers at the Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute (OMNI) at Ohio University have found that the mind is _ in maintaining muscle strength following a long period of not moving and that mental imagination may be key in reducing the associated muscle loss.
Strength is controlled by a number of factors----the most studied by far is skeletal muscle. However, the nervous system is also an important, though not fully understood, determining factor of strength and weakness.
Brian C. Clark and colleagues set out to test how the system functions in strength development. They designed an experiment to measure changes in wrist muscle strength in three groups of healthy adults. Twenty-nine subjects wore a hard cast that extended from just below the elbow past the fingers, effectively preventing the hand and wrist from moving, for four weeks. Fifteen subjects who did not wear casts served as the control group.
Of the 29 people wearing a hard cast, half were asked to regularly perform an exercise, imagining they were strongly contracting their wrist for five seconds and then resting for five seconds. This was repeated four times in a row followed by a one-minute break for a total of 13 rounds per session and five sessions per week. The other half performed no imagination exercises.
At the end of the four-week experiment, both groups who wore casts had lost strength in their unmoving limbs when compared to the control group. But the group that performed imagination exercises lost 50% less strength than the non-imagination group. The nervous system's ability to fully make the muscle recover also returned more quickly in the imagination group compared to the non-imagination group. | [
"Scientists have partly understood the nervous system.",
"Whoever has worn a cast for long may have difficulty in muscle recovery.",
"Scientists have already spent a lot of time in studying skeletal muscle.",
"The number of the subjects in the experiment was 29 in all."
] |
Which of the following states had wildfires within its borders? | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Climate change will increase U.S wildfires, and the smoky air will cause terrible problems in areas far beyond those burned, reports an environmental group Thursday.
Two-thirds of Americans, or nearly 212 million, lived in states suffering from wildfire smoke three years ago, according to the report by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). These areas, which had smoke for at least a week, were nearly 50 times greater than those burned directly by fire.
" It affects a much wider area of the United States than people have realized, " says author Kim Knowlton, a Columbia University health professor, adding the smoke can move up to hundreds of miles. She says the smoke contains air pollution and can cause several kinds of disease.
Texas was hit hardest in 2011, when smoke stayed for at least a week in areas that are home to 25 million people, according to NRDC's report. Illinois, which recorded no wildfires within its borders( ) ,ranked ( ) second with nearly 12 million people affected by smoke that moved in from elsewhere. The other eight states with the most people exposed ( ) to smoky air were, in descending ( ) order: Florida, Missouri, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Alabama, Oklahoma and Iowa.
Nearly two dozen states had no wildfires within their borders in 2011, but eight of them still had at least one week of smoky air: Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio.
Only 18 states and the District of Columbia had no people exposed to at least a week of smoke that year, although five of them----Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah---had a large area burned by wildfires.
The problem will only get worse, Knowlton say. Scientific research shows climate is causing higher temperatures and health problems.
Question:
Which of the following states had wildfires within its borders?
Choices:
A. Texas
B. Kansas.
C. Ohio
D. California. | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high17653.txt | Climate change will increase U.S wildfires, and the smoky air will cause terrible problems in areas far beyond those burned, reports an environmental group Thursday.
Two-thirds of Americans, or nearly 212 million, lived in states suffering from wildfire smoke three years ago, according to the report by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). These areas, which had smoke for at least a week, were nearly 50 times greater than those burned directly by fire.
" It affects a much wider area of the United States than people have realized, " says author Kim Knowlton, a Columbia University health professor, adding the smoke can move up to hundreds of miles. She says the smoke contains air pollution and can cause several kinds of disease.
Texas was hit hardest in 2011, when smoke stayed for at least a week in areas that are home to 25 million people, according to NRDC's report. Illinois, which recorded no wildfires within its borders( ) ,ranked ( ) second with nearly 12 million people affected by smoke that moved in from elsewhere. The other eight states with the most people exposed ( ) to smoky air were, in descending ( ) order: Florida, Missouri, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Alabama, Oklahoma and Iowa.
Nearly two dozen states had no wildfires within their borders in 2011, but eight of them still had at least one week of smoky air: Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio.
Only 18 states and the District of Columbia had no people exposed to at least a week of smoke that year, although five of them----Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah---had a large area burned by wildfires.
The problem will only get worse, Knowlton say. Scientific research shows climate is causing higher temperatures and health problems. | [
"Texas",
"Kansas.",
"Ohio",
"California."
] |
Which of the following statements is TRUE according to this passage? | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889, in memory of the 100th birthday of the French Revolution. The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII of England, opened the tower. Of the 700 suggestions that were handed in, Gustave Eiffel's was chosen.
However, at first, it was not well accepted by all and a group of people -- including many well-known writers and painters at that time -- were fiercely against its design.
Being about 300 meters in height, and 7,000 tons in weight, it was the world's tallest building until 1930. It was a great project for France. 300 workers took two years to build it. It isn't an ordinary building, since it is almost made of steel. For example, its body moves around at most 12 cm in heavy wind. Moreover, its height changes up to 15 cm according to the temperature.
It was almost destroyed in 1909, but was saved because of its antenna , which is used for communication at that time. Beginning in 1910 it became part of the International Time Service. French radio and French television have also made good use of its height.
The Eiffel Tower has also seen a few strange things. In 1923, a journalist rode a bicycle down from the first level of it. And in 1954, a mountain climber climbed on top of it and tried to measure its exact height.
Anyway, although its birth was difficult, it is now well accepted all over the world. It has been considered as one of the symbols of Paris.
Question:
Which of the following statements is TRUE according to this passage?
Choices:
A. Many people couldn't accept the Eiffel Tower at the beginning.
B. It was the world's tallest building for hundreds of years.
C. A journalist rode down from the Eiffel Tower in 1954.
D. The Eiffel Tower was saved because of its height. | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high2659.txt | The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889, in memory of the 100th birthday of the French Revolution. The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII of England, opened the tower. Of the 700 suggestions that were handed in, Gustave Eiffel's was chosen.
However, at first, it was not well accepted by all and a group of people -- including many well-known writers and painters at that time -- were fiercely against its design.
Being about 300 meters in height, and 7,000 tons in weight, it was the world's tallest building until 1930. It was a great project for France. 300 workers took two years to build it. It isn't an ordinary building, since it is almost made of steel. For example, its body moves around at most 12 cm in heavy wind. Moreover, its height changes up to 15 cm according to the temperature.
It was almost destroyed in 1909, but was saved because of its antenna , which is used for communication at that time. Beginning in 1910 it became part of the International Time Service. French radio and French television have also made good use of its height.
The Eiffel Tower has also seen a few strange things. In 1923, a journalist rode a bicycle down from the first level of it. And in 1954, a mountain climber climbed on top of it and tried to measure its exact height.
Anyway, although its birth was difficult, it is now well accepted all over the world. It has been considered as one of the symbols of Paris. | [
"Many people couldn't accept the Eiffel Tower at the beginning.",
"It was the world's tallest building for hundreds of years.",
"A journalist rode down from the Eiffel Tower in 1954.",
"The Eiffel Tower was saved because of its height."
] |
The purpose of the passage is to _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Most people agree that it's important to have a sense of humor. Having the ability to laugh can help one overcome anxiety, and make better decisions in difficult situations. People with a well-developed sense of humor appear to be happier, and some are healthier as well. This suggests that having a sense of humor is good for you. Humorless people may find themselves being treated as a fool, and become anxious and upset.
A sense of humor also plays an important role in human relationships. However, not everyone has a sense of humor. People with developmental disabilities can sometimes have no sense of humor, or have a very strange one.
A number of factors affect a person's sense of humor, with the age probably being the main one. Young children are often highly amused by simple jokes or shows, while teenagers prefer to enjoy the ironic events. Educational level, culture, and religious faith also affect one's sense of humor. While Christians, for example, may have a deep appreciation of jokes about the Bible, others may find them disrespectful.
Many people believe that a sense of humor is something that develops on its own, and that you cannot teach someone to understand why jokes, certain comments, situations or events are funny. However, things can be done to _ one's sense of humor. Children, for example, benefit from being told jokes and encouraged to laugh, although some children's jokes might seem rather strange to adults. If you have children, try to encourage them to tell jokes and think about what makes things funny. And it will help them develop a sense of humor.
Question:
The purpose of the passage is to _ .
Choices:
A. explain what influences a person's sense of humor
B. tell readers the importance of being healthy
C. explain how to make better decisions
D. tell readers how to understand jokes | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high4570.txt | Most people agree that it's important to have a sense of humor. Having the ability to laugh can help one overcome anxiety, and make better decisions in difficult situations. People with a well-developed sense of humor appear to be happier, and some are healthier as well. This suggests that having a sense of humor is good for you. Humorless people may find themselves being treated as a fool, and become anxious and upset.
A sense of humor also plays an important role in human relationships. However, not everyone has a sense of humor. People with developmental disabilities can sometimes have no sense of humor, or have a very strange one.
A number of factors affect a person's sense of humor, with the age probably being the main one. Young children are often highly amused by simple jokes or shows, while teenagers prefer to enjoy the ironic events. Educational level, culture, and religious faith also affect one's sense of humor. While Christians, for example, may have a deep appreciation of jokes about the Bible, others may find them disrespectful.
Many people believe that a sense of humor is something that develops on its own, and that you cannot teach someone to understand why jokes, certain comments, situations or events are funny. However, things can be done to _ one's sense of humor. Children, for example, benefit from being told jokes and encouraged to laugh, although some children's jokes might seem rather strange to adults. If you have children, try to encourage them to tell jokes and think about what makes things funny. And it will help them develop a sense of humor. | [
"explain what influences a person's sense of humor",
"tell readers the importance of being healthy",
"explain how to make better decisions",
"tell readers how to understand jokes"
] |
Why does the author take China as an example in Para.4? | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
From our smartphones to our latest weaponry, the technology that underpins modern life would be impossible without rare earth metals. The importance of rare earths has only grown as emerging markets increase their demand for technologies made with it, as does the renewable energy industry.
The 17 metallic elements are common in the earth-s crust, but the technique used to extract and refine them is labor-intensive, environmentally hazardous and increasingly costly. Thomas Gradael, a professor of geology and geophysics at the Yale School of Forestry Environmental Studies, explains that thecriticality" of rare earths was only recently understood after China, which dominates the world-s supply of the minerals, cut exports by 40% in 2010, citing concerns over how polluting the rare earth industry was.
Along with colleagues at Yale, Gradael decided to investigate the metals used in modern technologies to determine if there were viable substitutes."Twenty or thirty years ago electronics were being made with 11 different elements," explains Gradael. "Today's computers and smartphones use something like 63 different elements." Their findings showed that there were no "readily apparent" substitutes for a metal that would not compromise on quality or performance.
However increased mining for these scarce resources can have some nasty side effects for the environment. China, which has intensively mined for rare earths with little regulation, allowing it to dominate the global industry since 1990, has acknowledged the incredible environmental harm caused by the process. "Excessive rare earth mining has resulted in landslides, clogged rivers, environmental pollution emergencies and even major accidents and disasters, causing great damage to people's safety and health and the ecological environment," read a white paper issued by the Chinese cabinet in June last year.
Recycling metal has been advocated by some as a possible way of managing these precious resources-the European Parliament adopted a law curbing dumping of electric waste in 2012. But Gradael says that for rare earths, recycling will have little impact.
Question:
Why does the author take China as an example in Para.4?
Choices:
A. To tell the wide use of rare earth in China.
B. To prove the side effects of rare earth mining.
C. To warn people of the possible damage.
D. To teach other countries a lesson to follow. | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high9588.txt | From our smartphones to our latest weaponry, the technology that underpins modern life would be impossible without rare earth metals. The importance of rare earths has only grown as emerging markets increase their demand for technologies made with it, as does the renewable energy industry.
The 17 metallic elements are common in the earth-s crust, but the technique used to extract and refine them is labor-intensive, environmentally hazardous and increasingly costly. Thomas Gradael, a professor of geology and geophysics at the Yale School of Forestry Environmental Studies, explains that thecriticality" of rare earths was only recently understood after China, which dominates the world-s supply of the minerals, cut exports by 40% in 2010, citing concerns over how polluting the rare earth industry was.
Along with colleagues at Yale, Gradael decided to investigate the metals used in modern technologies to determine if there were viable substitutes."Twenty or thirty years ago electronics were being made with 11 different elements," explains Gradael. "Today's computers and smartphones use something like 63 different elements." Their findings showed that there were no "readily apparent" substitutes for a metal that would not compromise on quality or performance.
However increased mining for these scarce resources can have some nasty side effects for the environment. China, which has intensively mined for rare earths with little regulation, allowing it to dominate the global industry since 1990, has acknowledged the incredible environmental harm caused by the process. "Excessive rare earth mining has resulted in landslides, clogged rivers, environmental pollution emergencies and even major accidents and disasters, causing great damage to people's safety and health and the ecological environment," read a white paper issued by the Chinese cabinet in June last year.
Recycling metal has been advocated by some as a possible way of managing these precious resources-the European Parliament adopted a law curbing dumping of electric waste in 2012. But Gradael says that for rare earths, recycling will have little impact. | [
"To tell the wide use of rare earth in China.",
"To prove the side effects of rare earth mining.",
"To warn people of the possible damage.",
"To teach other countries a lesson to follow."
] |
Which of the following statement is TRUE? | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Don't you think your schoolbag is too heavy to bear? The e-schoolbag will free you from the weight.
It is said that e-schoolbags are going to be brought into use in Chinese middle schools soon. An experiment with several hundred e-schoolbags will begin in seven cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Taiyuan and Shijiazhuang. And the e-schoolbags are going to cover all over China if the experiment proves to be successful. In fact, the e-schoolbag should perhaps be called an e-notebook. It is a small hand-held computer for school students.
Heavy schoolbags have long been a serious problem for school students. The average schoolbag of middle school students weighs up to 5 kilos. But the e-schoolbag will change everything. It is much lighter than a usual schoolbag, weighing under 1 kilo.
Also, it is no bigger than a usual book, but it can still hold all the things for study, such as a textbook, a notebook and exercise book. They could be made into chips that are as small as a stamp. The students can read the text page by page on the screen. They can still take notes using a special electronic pen. If they want to know the meaning or the pronunciation of a new word, or even e-mail their teachers, it's just a press of a button.
In some foreign countries, it is becoming common. But it is hard to tell when people will receive this new form of study. Some say that e-textbooks can be easily broken, some say that it is not good to students' eyesight to look at the screen for long. But only time will tell.
Question:
Which of the following statement is TRUE?
Choices:
A. All the students in China will be required to use this new schoolbag soon.
B. All the people think highly of e-textbooks.
C. E-notebooks are very convenient to students.
D. We will not make notes because the e-notebook can make all by itself. | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high15457.txt | Don't you think your schoolbag is too heavy to bear? The e-schoolbag will free you from the weight.
It is said that e-schoolbags are going to be brought into use in Chinese middle schools soon. An experiment with several hundred e-schoolbags will begin in seven cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Taiyuan and Shijiazhuang. And the e-schoolbags are going to cover all over China if the experiment proves to be successful. In fact, the e-schoolbag should perhaps be called an e-notebook. It is a small hand-held computer for school students.
Heavy schoolbags have long been a serious problem for school students. The average schoolbag of middle school students weighs up to 5 kilos. But the e-schoolbag will change everything. It is much lighter than a usual schoolbag, weighing under 1 kilo.
Also, it is no bigger than a usual book, but it can still hold all the things for study, such as a textbook, a notebook and exercise book. They could be made into chips that are as small as a stamp. The students can read the text page by page on the screen. They can still take notes using a special electronic pen. If they want to know the meaning or the pronunciation of a new word, or even e-mail their teachers, it's just a press of a button.
In some foreign countries, it is becoming common. But it is hard to tell when people will receive this new form of study. Some say that e-textbooks can be easily broken, some say that it is not good to students' eyesight to look at the screen for long. But only time will tell. | [
"All the students in China will be required to use this new schoolbag soon.",
"All the people think highly of e-textbooks.",
"E-notebooks are very convenient to students.",
"We will not make notes because the e-notebook can make all by itself."
] |
As a matter of fact, _ . | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
The dream of flying into outer space, cherished by the Chinese people for centuries, will soon come true.
China launched its fourth unmanned spacecraft "Shenzhou IV" on December 30 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Gansu Province. It was the 27th consecutive( )and successful launch of China - made rockets since October 1996. This launch has made it more realistic for China to send a person into space on its own following Russia and the USA.
Qi Faren,leading designer of the spacecraft system, said all the functions designed for manned flights have withstood the test of three previous, successful launches and return landings of the "Shenzhou" spaceships.
China launched the "Shenzhou I ", "Shenzhou II "and "Shenzhou III "spacecrafts in 1999,2001 and 2002 respectively.
"Shouzhou IV" was to make it a more comfortable place in which astronauts can live and work. All parts of the application system for manned flight are aboard the "Shenzhou IV"craft in all test flights.
China's manned flight programme began in 1992. A number of unmanned test flights will be launched before Chinese astronauts are sent into space.
Leading scientists in charge of China's manned space programme said the successful launch of the "Shenzhou IV" laid a solid foundation for the country's future task of sending Chinese astronauts to outer space.
The spacecraft returned to the earth on January 5, after completing seven experiments in space.
Officials at the centre said that" Shenzhou V", a manned spacecraft, is expected to be launched later this year.
Question:
As a matter of fact, _ .
Choices:
A. "Shenzhou V "has been launched
B. "Shenzhou IV" was a manned spacecraft
C. "Shenzhou III "and" Shenzhou IV" were not launched in the same year
D. the dream of man flying into outer space has come true in China | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high1700.txt | The dream of flying into outer space, cherished by the Chinese people for centuries, will soon come true.
China launched its fourth unmanned spacecraft "Shenzhou IV" on December 30 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Gansu Province. It was the 27th consecutive( )and successful launch of China - made rockets since October 1996. This launch has made it more realistic for China to send a person into space on its own following Russia and the USA.
Qi Faren,leading designer of the spacecraft system, said all the functions designed for manned flights have withstood the test of three previous, successful launches and return landings of the "Shenzhou" spaceships.
China launched the "Shenzhou I ", "Shenzhou II "and "Shenzhou III "spacecrafts in 1999,2001 and 2002 respectively.
"Shouzhou IV" was to make it a more comfortable place in which astronauts can live and work. All parts of the application system for manned flight are aboard the "Shenzhou IV"craft in all test flights.
China's manned flight programme began in 1992. A number of unmanned test flights will be launched before Chinese astronauts are sent into space.
Leading scientists in charge of China's manned space programme said the successful launch of the "Shenzhou IV" laid a solid foundation for the country's future task of sending Chinese astronauts to outer space.
The spacecraft returned to the earth on January 5, after completing seven experiments in space.
Officials at the centre said that" Shenzhou V", a manned spacecraft, is expected to be launched later this year. | [
"\"Shenzhou V \"has been launched",
"\"Shenzhou IV\" was a manned spacecraft",
"\"Shenzhou III \"and\" Shenzhou IV\" were not launched in the same year",
"the dream of man flying into outer space has come true in China"
] |
Where does Bruce live? | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Bruce is an English boy. Now he lives in a big house in Beijing with his parents, but he can't speak Chinese, he can only speak English. He likes swimming very much, and his house is near a river. He often goes to swim with his friends in the river. There are three people in his family. His father is a bank clerk, his mother is a teacher. It's Sunday today, Bruce doesn't go to school. Their parents aren't at work. They go to the park by bus. Now they are in the park, they enjoy themselves very much.
Question:
Where does Bruce live?
Choices:
A. He lives in a hotel.
B. He lives in a school.
C. He lives in a bank.
D. He lives in a big house. | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle4661.txt | Bruce is an English boy. Now he lives in a big house in Beijing with his parents, but he can't speak Chinese, he can only speak English. He likes swimming very much, and his house is near a river. He often goes to swim with his friends in the river. There are three people in his family. His father is a bank clerk, his mother is a teacher. It's Sunday today, Bruce doesn't go to school. Their parents aren't at work. They go to the park by bus. Now they are in the park, they enjoy themselves very much. | [
"He lives in a hotel.",
"He lives in a school.",
"He lives in a bank.",
"He lives in a big house."
] |
Where is the passage most likely to be taken from? | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Parents often think that time spent with their kids will gradually decrease in adolescence. But a new study suggests that while teens try to avoid spending a lot of time together with their parents, private parent-child meetings may actually increase in their early adolescent years. And that may raise a teenager's self-esteem and social confidence, especially if it is the time that spent with Dad, the researchers added. The researchers created a long-term study in which they invited families in 16 school districts in central Pennsylvania to participate. In each family, a teenager, a younger sibling , their mother and their father were interviewed at home and then asked about their activities and self-worth five times over a period of seven years.
The study authors were surprised to discover that when fathers spent more time alone with their teenagers, the kids reported they felt better about themselves. Something about the father's role in the family seemed to improve self-esteem among the teenagers in the study, said study co-author Susan McHale, a professor of human development at Pennsylvania State University.
"Time with Dad often involves joking, teasing, and other playful interactions. Fathers, compared to mothers, were more involved in leisure activities and had more peer-like interactions with their children, which is crucial for youth social development," the study showed. But Marta Flaum, a psychologist in Chappaqua, New York, said, "How these findings reflect the real world is a real question. The sample in the study is so small and so unrepresentative of most families in the country today that I'm not sure how much we can generalize from it. In my community in Westchester County, I don't see parents and teenagers spend much time together at all. Parents are often working so hard and have less time to be together with their kids."
However, Flaum encourages parents to make time for their kids no matter how much work they have to do. "Research like this reminds us of how important _ is. The time we have with them is so short," she said.
Question:
Where is the passage most likely to be taken from?
Choices:
A. Science magazine.
B. A news report.
C. A research plan.
D. An advertisement. | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high13692.txt | Parents often think that time spent with their kids will gradually decrease in adolescence. But a new study suggests that while teens try to avoid spending a lot of time together with their parents, private parent-child meetings may actually increase in their early adolescent years. And that may raise a teenager's self-esteem and social confidence, especially if it is the time that spent with Dad, the researchers added. The researchers created a long-term study in which they invited families in 16 school districts in central Pennsylvania to participate. In each family, a teenager, a younger sibling , their mother and their father were interviewed at home and then asked about their activities and self-worth five times over a period of seven years.
The study authors were surprised to discover that when fathers spent more time alone with their teenagers, the kids reported they felt better about themselves. Something about the father's role in the family seemed to improve self-esteem among the teenagers in the study, said study co-author Susan McHale, a professor of human development at Pennsylvania State University.
"Time with Dad often involves joking, teasing, and other playful interactions. Fathers, compared to mothers, were more involved in leisure activities and had more peer-like interactions with their children, which is crucial for youth social development," the study showed. But Marta Flaum, a psychologist in Chappaqua, New York, said, "How these findings reflect the real world is a real question. The sample in the study is so small and so unrepresentative of most families in the country today that I'm not sure how much we can generalize from it. In my community in Westchester County, I don't see parents and teenagers spend much time together at all. Parents are often working so hard and have less time to be together with their kids."
However, Flaum encourages parents to make time for their kids no matter how much work they have to do. "Research like this reminds us of how important _ is. The time we have with them is so short," she said. | [
"Science magazine.",
"A news report.",
"A research plan.",
"An advertisement."
] |
Why did James Joyce stay abroad almost all his life? | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
James Joyce was an Irish novelist who revolutionized the methods of depicting characters and developing a plot in modern fiction. his astonishing way of constructing a novel, his frank portrayal(, )of human nature in his books, and his complete command of English have made him one of the outstanding influences on literature in the 20th century. Many critics judge that _ in his mastery of the English language. Joyce was deeply influenced by Ireland and wrote all his books about Dublin.
When he was in Dublin College, he studied languages and spent his spare time reading books. He refused to take part in the nationalist movement like his fellow students, but he became passionately(, )interested in literature. He wrote outspoken articles of literary criticism that shocked his teachers and even taught himself norwegian so that he could read Ibsen's works in the original.
When he graduated in 1902, he knew he would become a writer and an exile(, ), because he felt he could not be one without the other. In order to preserve his ideal of writing truthfully, fully, and as objectively as he knew how, about the people and places he knew best, he had to escape from all temptations to become involved in popular opinion or public life. He went to France, Italy and Switzerland, where he lived in poverty and obscurity for the first 20 years, only returning to Ireland when his mother was dying. Except for a couple of brief trips, he stayed abroad all his life.
Question:
Why did James Joyce stay abroad almost all his life?
Choices:
A. Because he wanted to live in poverty and obscurity.
B. Because he wanted to write the people and places he knew best.
C. Because he wanted to escape from all temptations to become involved in popular opinion or public life.
D. Because he wanted to preserve his ideal of writing truthfully, fully and objectively about the people and the places he knew best. | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high10634.txt | James Joyce was an Irish novelist who revolutionized the methods of depicting characters and developing a plot in modern fiction. his astonishing way of constructing a novel, his frank portrayal(, )of human nature in his books, and his complete command of English have made him one of the outstanding influences on literature in the 20th century. Many critics judge that _ in his mastery of the English language. Joyce was deeply influenced by Ireland and wrote all his books about Dublin.
When he was in Dublin College, he studied languages and spent his spare time reading books. He refused to take part in the nationalist movement like his fellow students, but he became passionately(, )interested in literature. He wrote outspoken articles of literary criticism that shocked his teachers and even taught himself norwegian so that he could read Ibsen's works in the original.
When he graduated in 1902, he knew he would become a writer and an exile(, ), because he felt he could not be one without the other. In order to preserve his ideal of writing truthfully, fully, and as objectively as he knew how, about the people and places he knew best, he had to escape from all temptations to become involved in popular opinion or public life. He went to France, Italy and Switzerland, where he lived in poverty and obscurity for the first 20 years, only returning to Ireland when his mother was dying. Except for a couple of brief trips, he stayed abroad all his life. | [
"Because he wanted to live in poverty and obscurity.",
"Because he wanted to write the people and places he knew best.",
"Because he wanted to escape from all temptations to become involved in popular opinion or public life.",
"Because he wanted to preserve his ideal of writing truthfully, fully and objectively about the people and the places he knew best."
] |
What would be the best title for the passage? | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
The scene in the Hollywood movie The Day After Tomorrow, when global warming could soon turn the global climate into a new ice age, may never occur, according to a new research.
The next ice age could be 15,000 years away, say European scientists who last month announced a continuous record of 740,000 years of climate data obtained from the Antarctic ice.
Scientists from 10 nations have now almost completely drilled through a 3,000-meter depth of ice high in the Antarctic mainland. They figure out that the area, where summer temperatures can fall to - 40degC, has at least 900,000 years of snowfalls, kept as neatly as the growth rings of a tree. And the ice and air caught in each layer have begun to answer questions about the climates in the past..
The results show that there have been eight ice ages in the past 740, 000 years and eight warmer periods. And by comparing the pattern of global conditions today with those of the past, the researchers reported in Nature that the present warm period could last another 15, 000 years.
Research suggests that there is a very close connection between greenhouse gas levels and global average temperatures. It also shows that carbon dioxide levels are the highest for at least 440,000 years.
"If people say to you: 'the greenhouse effect is a good thing because we would go into an ice age otherwise,' our data say no, a new ice age is not hanging over our heads," said Eric Wolff from the British Antarctic Survey. "Now we have eight examples of how the climate goes in and out of ice ages... and you can learn what the rules are that go into the climate models that tell us about the future."
Scientists found that whenever temperatures rose in the frozen record, so did carbon dioxide level. "In 440,000 years we have never seen greenhouse gas get as thick as it is today," said Dr Wolff.
Question:
What would be the best title for the passage?
Choices:
A. Research over the Antarctic area.
B. Warm period to last about 15, 000 years.
C. Report on the eight ice ages in the past.
D. Hollywood movies and the global climate. | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high8189.txt | The scene in the Hollywood movie The Day After Tomorrow, when global warming could soon turn the global climate into a new ice age, may never occur, according to a new research.
The next ice age could be 15,000 years away, say European scientists who last month announced a continuous record of 740,000 years of climate data obtained from the Antarctic ice.
Scientists from 10 nations have now almost completely drilled through a 3,000-meter depth of ice high in the Antarctic mainland. They figure out that the area, where summer temperatures can fall to - 40degC, has at least 900,000 years of snowfalls, kept as neatly as the growth rings of a tree. And the ice and air caught in each layer have begun to answer questions about the climates in the past..
The results show that there have been eight ice ages in the past 740, 000 years and eight warmer periods. And by comparing the pattern of global conditions today with those of the past, the researchers reported in Nature that the present warm period could last another 15, 000 years.
Research suggests that there is a very close connection between greenhouse gas levels and global average temperatures. It also shows that carbon dioxide levels are the highest for at least 440,000 years.
"If people say to you: 'the greenhouse effect is a good thing because we would go into an ice age otherwise,' our data say no, a new ice age is not hanging over our heads," said Eric Wolff from the British Antarctic Survey. "Now we have eight examples of how the climate goes in and out of ice ages... and you can learn what the rules are that go into the climate models that tell us about the future."
Scientists found that whenever temperatures rose in the frozen record, so did carbon dioxide level. "In 440,000 years we have never seen greenhouse gas get as thick as it is today," said Dr Wolff. | [
"Research over the Antarctic area.",
"Warm period to last about 15, 000 years.",
"Report on the eight ice ages in the past.",
"Hollywood movies and the global climate."
] |
What was the probable cause of Henry Watson's death? | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
When someone who is in good health dies suddenly ,there is usually an inquest .A coroner will do it.His job is to find out exactly how a person died.
If there is nothing suspicious about the death,he will decide that the person died from
natural causes or an accident.if, however ,he is suspicious,he may decide that the person's death was caused by a person or persons unknown.
One day the coroner was trying to find out exactly what had caused the death of a local businessman,Henry Watson.
The man's wife was explaining something.She was very sad and had to stop from time to time.The coroner did not want to make her sadder than necessary ,but he had to find out the truth.There were questions he had to ask.
"Mrs.Watson,I know this is painful for you,"he said,"but i want you to think very carefully and then answer my questions.You and your husband were having dinner at home.Is that correct? "
"Yes."
''Suddenly he fell to the floor? "
"Yes."
"You stood up and hurried to him ?You knelt beside him ?His stomach was in great pain? "
"Yes."
"Did he say anything? "
The wife kept her head down.
"Please,Mrs.Watson,you must answer the question.What were his last words? "
The wife took a deep breath and then spoke."He said,"She replied in a very low voice,"I'm not surprised that seafood we had for dinner cost you only 50 cents,"
Question:
What was the probable cause of Henry Watson's death?
Choices:
A. Eating the food that went bad.
B. Getting too old.
C. Having a serious heart attack.
D. Being murdered by his cook. | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle5114.txt | When someone who is in good health dies suddenly ,there is usually an inquest .A coroner will do it.His job is to find out exactly how a person died.
If there is nothing suspicious about the death,he will decide that the person died from
natural causes or an accident.if, however ,he is suspicious,he may decide that the person's death was caused by a person or persons unknown.
One day the coroner was trying to find out exactly what had caused the death of a local businessman,Henry Watson.
The man's wife was explaining something.She was very sad and had to stop from time to time.The coroner did not want to make her sadder than necessary ,but he had to find out the truth.There were questions he had to ask.
"Mrs.Watson,I know this is painful for you,"he said,"but i want you to think very carefully and then answer my questions.You and your husband were having dinner at home.Is that correct? "
"Yes."
''Suddenly he fell to the floor? "
"Yes."
"You stood up and hurried to him ?You knelt beside him ?His stomach was in great pain? "
"Yes."
"Did he say anything? "
The wife kept her head down.
"Please,Mrs.Watson,you must answer the question.What were his last words? "
The wife took a deep breath and then spoke."He said,"She replied in a very low voice,"I'm not surprised that seafood we had for dinner cost you only 50 cents," | [
"Eating the food that went bad.",
"Getting too old.",
"Having a serious heart attack.",
"Being murdered by his cook."
] |
Mr Baker went to the sea _ . | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Mr Baker worked in a big factory. He was busy all the time and had little time to rest. One summer, he decided to go to the sea to spend his holidays.
One afternoon, it was very hot. Mr Baker came into a restaurant, sat at a table and wanted to drink. Just then, an old man came up to him and said, "How do you do, sir?" "How do you do?" Mr Baker asked the old man to sit next to him. "Have you been here before?" "No, I haven't." "You look lonely, don't you?" said the old man. "Let's have a bet, shall we?"
It interested Mr Baker, "But what shall we bet on?" "I can bite my left eyeball," said the old man, "I can bet you five dollars."
Mr Baker didn't believe and passed $5 on the table.
The old man took out his glass eyeball, put it into his mouth and bite it. Mr Baker had to give his money.
"It doesn't matter young man," the old man said. "I'll give you a chance to win the money back. I can also bite my right eye. I'll bet you $10."
"I'm sure he's able to see. And I must win his money," he thought. So he took out ten dollars from his wallet.
But he was very surprised, the old man took out his false teeth and bit his right eye with it. Then he put the money into his pocket and went away quickly.
Question:
Mr Baker went to the sea _ .
Choices:
A. to swim
B. to have a rest
C. to drink something
D. to make a bet | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle3703.txt | Mr Baker worked in a big factory. He was busy all the time and had little time to rest. One summer, he decided to go to the sea to spend his holidays.
One afternoon, it was very hot. Mr Baker came into a restaurant, sat at a table and wanted to drink. Just then, an old man came up to him and said, "How do you do, sir?" "How do you do?" Mr Baker asked the old man to sit next to him. "Have you been here before?" "No, I haven't." "You look lonely, don't you?" said the old man. "Let's have a bet, shall we?"
It interested Mr Baker, "But what shall we bet on?" "I can bite my left eyeball," said the old man, "I can bet you five dollars."
Mr Baker didn't believe and passed $5 on the table.
The old man took out his glass eyeball, put it into his mouth and bite it. Mr Baker had to give his money.
"It doesn't matter young man," the old man said. "I'll give you a chance to win the money back. I can also bite my right eye. I'll bet you $10."
"I'm sure he's able to see. And I must win his money," he thought. So he took out ten dollars from his wallet.
But he was very surprised, the old man took out his false teeth and bit his right eye with it. Then he put the money into his pocket and went away quickly. | [
"to swim",
"to have a rest",
"to drink something",
"to make a bet"
] |
A good course of science is _ . | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Governors, lawyers and business leaders have to deal with scientists, and every educated person finds his views affected by science. Yet our science teaching of non-scientists, in school and college, has built up mistaken ideas, dislikes, and the common boast, "I never did understand science.' Even those students who arrive at college with plans to become scientists usually bring a mistaken picture of science: some have a collection of unorganized facts about science, and some regard the study of science as a game which includes getting the right answer.
The first of these attitudes seems to come from a kind of course which provides various kinds of information; the second, from a training course on how to pass examinations that do not ask about the student's understanding but simply require him to put the numbers in the right formulas . Neither type of courses (in school or college) seems to give students and understanding of science as we find it among scientists. Neither shows students how real scientists work and think how the facts are gathered, how discoveries are made, and what they mean. Young people need good teaching of science, not so much a great wealth of knowledge as a healthy understanding of the nature of science. They need an understanding of knowledge leading to sympathy with science and an eagerness of the way scientists work. Given these, it is easy to encourage later reading and learning.
Question:
A good course of science is _ .
Choices:
A. to teach students to do things according to formulas
B. to provide students with all kinds of information
C. to help students have a good understanding and form a correct attitude to science
D. to encourage students to have a good command of knowledge | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high6694.txt | Governors, lawyers and business leaders have to deal with scientists, and every educated person finds his views affected by science. Yet our science teaching of non-scientists, in school and college, has built up mistaken ideas, dislikes, and the common boast, "I never did understand science.' Even those students who arrive at college with plans to become scientists usually bring a mistaken picture of science: some have a collection of unorganized facts about science, and some regard the study of science as a game which includes getting the right answer.
The first of these attitudes seems to come from a kind of course which provides various kinds of information; the second, from a training course on how to pass examinations that do not ask about the student's understanding but simply require him to put the numbers in the right formulas . Neither type of courses (in school or college) seems to give students and understanding of science as we find it among scientists. Neither shows students how real scientists work and think how the facts are gathered, how discoveries are made, and what they mean. Young people need good teaching of science, not so much a great wealth of knowledge as a healthy understanding of the nature of science. They need an understanding of knowledge leading to sympathy with science and an eagerness of the way scientists work. Given these, it is easy to encourage later reading and learning. | [
"to teach students to do things according to formulas",
"to provide students with all kinds of information",
"to help students have a good understanding and form a correct attitude to science",
"to encourage students to have a good command of knowledge"
] |
What is the stored food in a seed called? | null | Answer the following science question clearly and accurately. | What is the stored food in a seed called? | endosperm | science | null | null | null | larval | pollin | membrane | endosperm | The stored food in a seed is called endosperm . It nourishes the embryo until it can start making food on its own. | null | null | null |
Who runs faster? | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
A young man is sitting by the road eating something. A policeman is coming over. At once ,the man gets up quickly and runs down the road. The policeman runs after him. The man runs very fast. But the policeman runs faster. After a few minutes, the policeman catches him. 'Where are you going?' says the policeman. 'You must be a criminal if you run like that when you see a policeman.' 'No, no,' says the man, 'I'm not a criminal. I'm just too fat, you see. The doctor says to me that I must always run fast after eating.' 'I see,' says the policeman, 'You are running to help to lose some weight .'
Question:
Who runs faster?
Choices:
A. The young runs faster than the policeman.
B. The policeman runs faster than the young man.
C. The doctor runs faster than the young man.
D. No one runs faster than the young man. | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle7452.txt | A young man is sitting by the road eating something. A policeman is coming over. At once ,the man gets up quickly and runs down the road. The policeman runs after him. The man runs very fast. But the policeman runs faster. After a few minutes, the policeman catches him. 'Where are you going?' says the policeman. 'You must be a criminal if you run like that when you see a policeman.' 'No, no,' says the man, 'I'm not a criminal. I'm just too fat, you see. The doctor says to me that I must always run fast after eating.' 'I see,' says the policeman, 'You are running to help to lose some weight .' | [
"The young runs faster than the policeman.",
"The policeman runs faster than the young man.",
"The doctor runs faster than the young man.",
"No one runs faster than the young man."
] |
From the passage, we can learn that left-handers _ . | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Are You Right Handed or Left Handed?
Which hand do you use when write? About 8 to 15 percent of people are left handed. They often have to use tools that are designed for right-handed people. So it is difficult for left-handers to use most tools. If you are right handed, try this experiment: Take a knife with your left hand and try cutting a potato into pieces. Don't be surprised if you feel awkward .
In the past, people thought it was strange to use the left hand. Young students looked down upon their left-handed classmates. Some children were even punished for using their left hand to write. But these days parents and teachers have accepted that. In almost every school in the world, left-handed students can use their left hand to write.
What causes people to be left handed or right handed? Experts have searched long and hard on this. They conclude that left-handed people are left handed for the same reason that right-handed people are right handed. One out of every ten people just is a left-handed people are right handed. One out of every ten people just is a left-hander. It's simply like the color of our eyes - some people have brown eyes, while some others have black eyes.
However, may researchers think that left-handers and right-handers are different in some aspects. Right-handers are more talkative and outgoing than left-handers. Many right-handed people understand spoken words better. For example, after they listen to directions to a supermarket, they can find it easily. Right-handers are good at organizing people, too. They are also better basketball guards. Just ask Yao Ming.
Research shows that left-handers are creative and artistic. Many famous performers, like Jim Carrey and Paul McCartney, are left handed. Many left-handers learn better visually . In art, both Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were left handed. In music, Ludwig van Beethoven was left handed. In science, you find Newton and Einstein. The left-handed people are also really good at tennis and other single sports.
If you prefer one hand, but you are still good at writing with the other, you are mixed. Research shows mixed-handers can remember everyday things better than other people. What did you eat for lunch two weeks ago? If you're mixed handed, you can probably remember.
Question:
From the passage, we can learn that left-handers _ .
Choices:
A. may be more talkative and outgoing
B. are ordinary people like right-handers
C. might remember everyday things better
D. no longer need to use right-handed tools | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle7346.txt | Are You Right Handed or Left Handed?
Which hand do you use when write? About 8 to 15 percent of people are left handed. They often have to use tools that are designed for right-handed people. So it is difficult for left-handers to use most tools. If you are right handed, try this experiment: Take a knife with your left hand and try cutting a potato into pieces. Don't be surprised if you feel awkward .
In the past, people thought it was strange to use the left hand. Young students looked down upon their left-handed classmates. Some children were even punished for using their left hand to write. But these days parents and teachers have accepted that. In almost every school in the world, left-handed students can use their left hand to write.
What causes people to be left handed or right handed? Experts have searched long and hard on this. They conclude that left-handed people are left handed for the same reason that right-handed people are right handed. One out of every ten people just is a left-handed people are right handed. One out of every ten people just is a left-hander. It's simply like the color of our eyes - some people have brown eyes, while some others have black eyes.
However, may researchers think that left-handers and right-handers are different in some aspects. Right-handers are more talkative and outgoing than left-handers. Many right-handed people understand spoken words better. For example, after they listen to directions to a supermarket, they can find it easily. Right-handers are good at organizing people, too. They are also better basketball guards. Just ask Yao Ming.
Research shows that left-handers are creative and artistic. Many famous performers, like Jim Carrey and Paul McCartney, are left handed. Many left-handers learn better visually . In art, both Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were left handed. In music, Ludwig van Beethoven was left handed. In science, you find Newton and Einstein. The left-handed people are also really good at tennis and other single sports.
If you prefer one hand, but you are still good at writing with the other, you are mixed. Research shows mixed-handers can remember everyday things better than other people. What did you eat for lunch two weeks ago? If you're mixed handed, you can probably remember. | [
"may be more talkative and outgoing",
"are ordinary people like right-handers",
"might remember everyday things better",
"no longer need to use right-handed tools"
] |
Judging from the text,Lewis and Clark were most probably _ . | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Grey clouds move as low as smoke over the treetops at Lolo Pass. The ground is white. The day is June 10.It has been snowing for the past four days in the Bitterroot Mountains.Wayne Fairchild is getting worried about our trek over the Lolo Trail-95 miles from Lolo Montana to Weippe in Idaho, across the roughest country in the West. Lewis and Clark were nearly defeated 200 years ago by snowstorms on the Lolo.Today Fairchild is nervously checking the weather reports.He has agreed to take me across the toughest,middle section of the trail.
When Lewis climbed on top of Lemhi Pass,140 miles south of Missoula,on Aug.12,1805,he was astonished by what was in front of him;"high mountain chains still to the West of us with their tops partially covered with snow."Nobody in what was then the US knew the Rocky Mountains existed,with peaks twice as high as anything in the Appalachians back East.
Today their pathway through those mountains holds more attraction than any other ground over which they traveled,for its raw wilderness is an evidence to the character of two cultures:the explorers who braved its hardships and the Native Americans who prize and conserve the path as a sacred gift. It remains today the same condition as when Lewis and Clark walked it.
The Lolo is passable only from July to mid-September.Our luck is holding with the weather,although the snow keeps getting deeper.As we climb to Indian Post Office,the highest point on the trail at 7,033 ft,we have covered 13 miles in soft snow,and we hardly have enough energy to make dinner.After a meal of chicken,I sit on a rock on top of the ridge .There is no light visible in any direction,not even another campfire.For four days we do not see another human being.We are occupied with the things that mix fear with joy.In our imagination we have finally caught up with Lewis and Clark.
Question:
Judging from the text,Lewis and Clark were most probably _ .
Choices:
A. two native Indians
B. explorers of the early 19th century
C. merchants who did business with the Indians
D. travelers whose curiosity took them over the Lolo Pass | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high15022.txt | Grey clouds move as low as smoke over the treetops at Lolo Pass. The ground is white. The day is June 10.It has been snowing for the past four days in the Bitterroot Mountains.Wayne Fairchild is getting worried about our trek over the Lolo Trail-95 miles from Lolo Montana to Weippe in Idaho, across the roughest country in the West. Lewis and Clark were nearly defeated 200 years ago by snowstorms on the Lolo.Today Fairchild is nervously checking the weather reports.He has agreed to take me across the toughest,middle section of the trail.
When Lewis climbed on top of Lemhi Pass,140 miles south of Missoula,on Aug.12,1805,he was astonished by what was in front of him;"high mountain chains still to the West of us with their tops partially covered with snow."Nobody in what was then the US knew the Rocky Mountains existed,with peaks twice as high as anything in the Appalachians back East.
Today their pathway through those mountains holds more attraction than any other ground over which they traveled,for its raw wilderness is an evidence to the character of two cultures:the explorers who braved its hardships and the Native Americans who prize and conserve the path as a sacred gift. It remains today the same condition as when Lewis and Clark walked it.
The Lolo is passable only from July to mid-September.Our luck is holding with the weather,although the snow keeps getting deeper.As we climb to Indian Post Office,the highest point on the trail at 7,033 ft,we have covered 13 miles in soft snow,and we hardly have enough energy to make dinner.After a meal of chicken,I sit on a rock on top of the ridge .There is no light visible in any direction,not even another campfire.For four days we do not see another human being.We are occupied with the things that mix fear with joy.In our imagination we have finally caught up with Lewis and Clark. | [
"two native Indians",
"explorers of the early 19th century",
"merchants who did business with the Indians",
"travelers whose curiosity took them over the Lolo Pass"
] |
Joy is winding balls of yarn for her cat to play with. The first ball is half the size of the second ball. The third ball is three times as large as the first ball. She used 27 feet of yarn for the third ball. How many feet of yarn did she use for the second ball? | The first ball is a third of the size of the third ball, so it used 27 / 3 = <<27/3=9>>9 feet of yarn.
The second ball is twice the size of the first ball, so she used 9 * 2 = <<9*2=18>>18 feet of yarn.
#### 18 | Solve the following math problem and explain your reasoning step by step. | Joy is winding balls of yarn for her cat to play with. The first ball is half the size of the second ball. The third ball is three times as large as the first ball. She used 27 feet of yarn for the third ball. How many feet of yarn did she use for the second ball? | The first ball is a third of the size of the third ball, so it used 27 / 3 = <<27/3=9>>9 feet of yarn.
The second ball is twice the size of the first ball, so she used 9 * 2 = <<9*2=18>>18 feet of yarn.
#### 18 | math | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null |
Why does the author think well of the conventions he attended? | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
There are many people who could be Olympic Champions. I'd estimate five million people could have beaten me in the pole-vault on the years when I won it, at least five million. Men were stronger, bigger, and faster than I could have done it, but they never picked up a pole, never made the efforts to vault their legs off the ground to try to get over the bar.
Greatness is all around us. It's easy to be great because great people will help you. What was fantastic about all the conventions I went to was that the greatest in the business would come and share their ideas, their methods and their techniques with everyone else. I have seen the greatest salesmen showing young salesmen exactly how they did it. They didn't hold back. I have also found it true in the world of sports.
I'll never forget the time I was trying to break Dutch Warmer Dam's record. I was about a foot below his record, so I called him on the phone. I said, "Dutch, can you help me? I seem to have _ . I can't get any higher."
He said, "Sure, Bob, come on up to visit me and I'll give you all I got." I spent three days with the master, the greatest pole-vaulter in the world. For three days, Dutch gave me everything he'd seen. There were things that I was doing wrong and he corrected them. To make a long story short, I went up eight inches. That great guy gave me the best that he had.
Great people will share. Great people will tell you their secrets. Look for them, call them on the phone or buy their books. Go where they are, get around them and talk to them. It is easy to be great when you get around great people.
Question:
Why does the author think well of the conventions he attended?
Choices:
A. Because many great people also attended them.
B. Because they were supported by many great businessmen.
C. Because he learned to share his greatness with others.
D. Because great people were willing to share. | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high14418.txt | There are many people who could be Olympic Champions. I'd estimate five million people could have beaten me in the pole-vault on the years when I won it, at least five million. Men were stronger, bigger, and faster than I could have done it, but they never picked up a pole, never made the efforts to vault their legs off the ground to try to get over the bar.
Greatness is all around us. It's easy to be great because great people will help you. What was fantastic about all the conventions I went to was that the greatest in the business would come and share their ideas, their methods and their techniques with everyone else. I have seen the greatest salesmen showing young salesmen exactly how they did it. They didn't hold back. I have also found it true in the world of sports.
I'll never forget the time I was trying to break Dutch Warmer Dam's record. I was about a foot below his record, so I called him on the phone. I said, "Dutch, can you help me? I seem to have _ . I can't get any higher."
He said, "Sure, Bob, come on up to visit me and I'll give you all I got." I spent three days with the master, the greatest pole-vaulter in the world. For three days, Dutch gave me everything he'd seen. There were things that I was doing wrong and he corrected them. To make a long story short, I went up eight inches. That great guy gave me the best that he had.
Great people will share. Great people will tell you their secrets. Look for them, call them on the phone or buy their books. Go where they are, get around them and talk to them. It is easy to be great when you get around great people. | [
"Because many great people also attended them.",
"Because they were supported by many great businessmen.",
"Because he learned to share his greatness with others.",
"Because great people were willing to share."
] |
Alkynes are what type of compound? | null | Answer the following science question clearly and accurately. | Alkynes are what type of compound? | unsaturated hydrocarbons | science | null | null | null | Split Hydrocarbons | reversible hydrocarbons | proteins hydrocarbons | unsaturated hydrocarbons | Unsaturated hydrocarbons that contain one or more triple bonds are called alkynes . The names of specific alkynes always end in –yne and have a prefix for the number of carbon atoms. The structural formula in the Figure below represents the smallest alkyne, named ethyne, which has two carbon atoms and two hydrogen atoms (C 2 H 2 ). Ethyne is also called acetylene. It is burned in acetylene torches, like the one pictured in the Figure below . The flame of an acetylene torch is so hot that it can melt metal. | null | null | null |
The writer turned off the tape-recorder because _ . | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Once I invited a group of friends round to my house, telling them that I was going to record their speech. I said I was interested in their regional accents, and that it would take only a few minutes. Thus, on one evening, three people turned up at my house and were shown into my front room. When they saw the room they were a bit alarmed, for it was laid out as a studio. In front of each easy chair there was a microphone at head height, with wires leading to a tape-recorder in the middle of the floor. I explained that all I wanted was for them to count from one to twenty. Then we could relax and have a drink.
I turned on the tape-recorder and each in turn seriously counted from one to twenty in their best accent. When it was over, I turned the tape-recorder off and brought round the drinks, and for the rest of the evening there was general cheerful conversation--interrupted only by the fact that I had to take a telephone call in another room, which unfortunately lasted some time.
Or at least that was how it would appear. For, of course, the microphones were not connected to the tape-recorder in the middle of the room at all but to another one, which was turning happily away in the kitchen. The participants, having seen the visible tape-recorder turned off, paid no more attention to the microphones which stayed in front of their chairs, only a few inches from their mouths, thus giving excellent sound quality. And my lengthy absence meant that I was able to obtain as natural a piece of conversation as it would be possible to find.
I should add, perhaps, that I did tell my friends what had happened to them, after the event was over, and gave them the choice of destroying the tape. None of them wanted to--though for some years afterwards it always seemed to be my round when it came to the buying of drinks. Linguistic research can be a very expensive business.
Question:
The writer turned off the tape-recorder because _ .
Choices:
A. he had to answer a phone call
B. he wanted his friends to enjoy some drinks
C. he thought the tape-recorder might bother his friends
D. he wanted to make his friends believe he had finished the recording | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high7087.txt | Once I invited a group of friends round to my house, telling them that I was going to record their speech. I said I was interested in their regional accents, and that it would take only a few minutes. Thus, on one evening, three people turned up at my house and were shown into my front room. When they saw the room they were a bit alarmed, for it was laid out as a studio. In front of each easy chair there was a microphone at head height, with wires leading to a tape-recorder in the middle of the floor. I explained that all I wanted was for them to count from one to twenty. Then we could relax and have a drink.
I turned on the tape-recorder and each in turn seriously counted from one to twenty in their best accent. When it was over, I turned the tape-recorder off and brought round the drinks, and for the rest of the evening there was general cheerful conversation--interrupted only by the fact that I had to take a telephone call in another room, which unfortunately lasted some time.
Or at least that was how it would appear. For, of course, the microphones were not connected to the tape-recorder in the middle of the room at all but to another one, which was turning happily away in the kitchen. The participants, having seen the visible tape-recorder turned off, paid no more attention to the microphones which stayed in front of their chairs, only a few inches from their mouths, thus giving excellent sound quality. And my lengthy absence meant that I was able to obtain as natural a piece of conversation as it would be possible to find.
I should add, perhaps, that I did tell my friends what had happened to them, after the event was over, and gave them the choice of destroying the tape. None of them wanted to--though for some years afterwards it always seemed to be my round when it came to the buying of drinks. Linguistic research can be a very expensive business. | [
"he had to answer a phone call",
"he wanted his friends to enjoy some drinks",
"he thought the tape-recorder might bother his friends",
"he wanted to make his friends believe he had finished the recording"
] |
What can we know from Dr. Howard Weiss' words? | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
There is a discovery that students who rely on working at night to improve their grades might want to sleep on that strategy: a new survey in the US says those who never study all night have slightly higher grades than those who do.
A survey of 120 students at St. Lawrence University found that students who have never pulled an all-nighter on average have higher grades than those who have. The survey found those who did not study through the night had a grade point average of 3.2 compared to 2.95 for those who have.
The study, by assistant professor of psychology Pamela Thacher, is to be included in the January issue of Behavioral Sleep Medicine. "It's not a big difference, but it's pretty striking," Thacher said. "I am primarily a sleep researcher and I know nobody thinks clearly at 4 in the morning. You think you do, but you can't."
Many college students, of course, have inadequate or irregular sleep, for reasons ranging from excessive caffeine to poor time management.
"A lot of students were under the impression that all-nighters were a very useful tool for accomplishing work, that caffeine intake was very useful in meeting deadlines and stuff like that," said Chatani, who had a 3.4 grade point average last term.
Dr Howard Weiss, a physician at St. Peter's Sleep Center in Albany, said the study results make sense.
"Certainly that data is out there showing that short sleep duration ly interferes with concentration, interferes with performance on objective testing," he said.
Some night owls do get good grades, of course, which may be explained by circadian rhythms , Weiss said. Some people have different 24-hour body clocks than others, and may do better depending on class and testing times, Weiss said.
Question:
What can we know from Dr. Howard Weiss' words?
Choices:
A. Thacher's study is not convincing enough.
B. He believes in Thacher's study.
C. Thacher's study makes no sense.
D. Thacher should take exceptions into consideration. | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high21367.txt | There is a discovery that students who rely on working at night to improve their grades might want to sleep on that strategy: a new survey in the US says those who never study all night have slightly higher grades than those who do.
A survey of 120 students at St. Lawrence University found that students who have never pulled an all-nighter on average have higher grades than those who have. The survey found those who did not study through the night had a grade point average of 3.2 compared to 2.95 for those who have.
The study, by assistant professor of psychology Pamela Thacher, is to be included in the January issue of Behavioral Sleep Medicine. "It's not a big difference, but it's pretty striking," Thacher said. "I am primarily a sleep researcher and I know nobody thinks clearly at 4 in the morning. You think you do, but you can't."
Many college students, of course, have inadequate or irregular sleep, for reasons ranging from excessive caffeine to poor time management.
"A lot of students were under the impression that all-nighters were a very useful tool for accomplishing work, that caffeine intake was very useful in meeting deadlines and stuff like that," said Chatani, who had a 3.4 grade point average last term.
Dr Howard Weiss, a physician at St. Peter's Sleep Center in Albany, said the study results make sense.
"Certainly that data is out there showing that short sleep duration ly interferes with concentration, interferes with performance on objective testing," he said.
Some night owls do get good grades, of course, which may be explained by circadian rhythms , Weiss said. Some people have different 24-hour body clocks than others, and may do better depending on class and testing times, Weiss said. | [
"Thacher's study is not convincing enough.",
"He believes in Thacher's study.",
"Thacher's study makes no sense.",
"Thacher should take exceptions into consideration."
] |
The first and last scenic spots he visited in Xi'an are _ . | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
14 days from just PS2,090 pp
Fully inclusive from the UK
Price covers, international airfares, departure taxes, fuel charge, local transportation all meals, entrance fees, guides, daily tours and visas for UK citizens.
* Days 1-3: UK-Shanghai
Fly to the great city of shanghai and in the evening _ traditional shanghai food. Visit the beautiful Yu Garden, Old Town. Shanghai Museum, cross the Grest Nanpu Bridge and tour the Pudong area. Also explore Xintiandi with its 1920's style Shikomen buildings and end your stay in Shanghai with an amazing Huangpu River evening tour.
* Days 4-7: Shanghai-Yangtze River Tour
Fly to Yichang and change(approx: one hour)to board your Yangtze River ship for the next four nights. Enjoy a tour of the three Gorges Dam before sailing on the grand Yangtze River, passing through the impressive Three Gorges. We take a side trip to the Lesser Three Gorges or travel up the Shennong Stream in a peapod boat and enjoy various shore trips along the way.
* Day 8: Chongqing--Chengdu
Get off in Chongqing and drive to Chengdu for an overnight stay.
* Day 9-10: Chengdu-Xi'an
Visit the famous Panda Reserve to see the lovely animals. We then fly to the historic city of Xi'an for two nights, stay and enjoy traditional Shuijiao. Next day, explore one of the most important discoveries of the 20th century--the Terracotta Warriors ,followed by the ancient City Wall and a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing.
* Day11-13: Xi'an-Beijing
Visit little wild Goose Pagoda and see the ancient objects at the well-known Shanxi Provincial Museum before walking through the lively Muslim Quarter to see the Great Mosque. Later fly to Beijing for three nights' stay and try Peking Duck. During our stay in Beijing, we stroll through Tian'anmen Square to the Forbidden city, the largest and best preserved collection of ancient buildings in China, and visit the summer palace. Next day we take a walk on the Great wall, tour the unique Temple of Heaven and enjoy an attractive Chinese Acrobatic Show.
* Day 14: Beijing-UK
Fly back to the UK, arriving home later the same day filled with happy memories.
Question:
The first and last scenic spots he visited in Xi'an are _ .
Choices:
A. the Terracotta Warriors and Shanxi Provincial Museum
B. the Terracotta Warriors and the Great Mosque
C. little wild goose Pagoda and Great Mosque
D. Little wild goose Pagoda and the Muslim Quarter | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high14763.txt | 14 days from just PS2,090 pp
Fully inclusive from the UK
Price covers, international airfares, departure taxes, fuel charge, local transportation all meals, entrance fees, guides, daily tours and visas for UK citizens.
* Days 1-3: UK-Shanghai
Fly to the great city of shanghai and in the evening _ traditional shanghai food. Visit the beautiful Yu Garden, Old Town. Shanghai Museum, cross the Grest Nanpu Bridge and tour the Pudong area. Also explore Xintiandi with its 1920's style Shikomen buildings and end your stay in Shanghai with an amazing Huangpu River evening tour.
* Days 4-7: Shanghai-Yangtze River Tour
Fly to Yichang and change(approx: one hour)to board your Yangtze River ship for the next four nights. Enjoy a tour of the three Gorges Dam before sailing on the grand Yangtze River, passing through the impressive Three Gorges. We take a side trip to the Lesser Three Gorges or travel up the Shennong Stream in a peapod boat and enjoy various shore trips along the way.
* Day 8: Chongqing--Chengdu
Get off in Chongqing and drive to Chengdu for an overnight stay.
* Day 9-10: Chengdu-Xi'an
Visit the famous Panda Reserve to see the lovely animals. We then fly to the historic city of Xi'an for two nights, stay and enjoy traditional Shuijiao. Next day, explore one of the most important discoveries of the 20th century--the Terracotta Warriors ,followed by the ancient City Wall and a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing.
* Day11-13: Xi'an-Beijing
Visit little wild Goose Pagoda and see the ancient objects at the well-known Shanxi Provincial Museum before walking through the lively Muslim Quarter to see the Great Mosque. Later fly to Beijing for three nights' stay and try Peking Duck. During our stay in Beijing, we stroll through Tian'anmen Square to the Forbidden city, the largest and best preserved collection of ancient buildings in China, and visit the summer palace. Next day we take a walk on the Great wall, tour the unique Temple of Heaven and enjoy an attractive Chinese Acrobatic Show.
* Day 14: Beijing-UK
Fly back to the UK, arriving home later the same day filled with happy memories. | [
"the Terracotta Warriors and Shanxi Provincial Museum",
"the Terracotta Warriors and the Great Mosque",
"little wild goose Pagoda and Great Mosque",
"Little wild goose Pagoda and the Muslim Quarter"
] |
What is the photosynthesis factory of the plant? | null | Answer the following science question clearly and accurately. | What is the photosynthesis factory of the plant? | chloroplast | science | null | null | null | genome | pistil | stamen | chloroplast | The chloroplast is the photosynthesis factory of the plant. | null | null | null |
From the passage we can infer that _ . | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
It's a goal for millions and millions of families every year to keep the Christmas spending within a certain amount of money, but you can still afford the gifts because your loved ones will
enjoy them. This concern is becoming greater and greater theses days. Even so, there are several things that you can do to help.
Hit the sales. No one wants to get up at four o'clock in the morning and fight to get a good deal on Black Friday (the first Friday at Christmas time). It's surely very difficult to pick up the courage and get out there in the cold for a good deal. But sometimes it can be well worth. Many retailers offer _ all through the day. Some even offer online Black Friday specials, so we may still be able to get a great deal on Black Friday.
Read advertisements regularly.Once the Christmas shopping season is coming, retailers will be hungry for business. They will try their best to get us into the store. Please read the weekly advertisements of sales among the major retailers from time to time. We may be lucky enough to find different prices for the same thing in different shops.
Shop online. Some of us don't like running from store to store to get the best price on the perfect gift. Some of us don't like to go out in the cold at all, and then, we can do online shopping. The world of online shopping makes it possible for us to visit all the major retailers and some specialty stores on the Internet. We can find exactly what we are looking for at the best possible price without even having to leave the house. With traditional Christmas shopping, it will always take us a long time to wait if we want to get the perfect gift.
Question:
From the passage we can infer that _ .
Choices:
A. people are surely able to get a good deal on Friday
B. it is possible for people to buy the perfect Christmas gifts with less money
C. retailers will be hungry because they are busy selling Christmas gifts
D. with traditional Christmas shopping, people can't buy the perfect gifts | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle6586.txt | It's a goal for millions and millions of families every year to keep the Christmas spending within a certain amount of money, but you can still afford the gifts because your loved ones will
enjoy them. This concern is becoming greater and greater theses days. Even so, there are several things that you can do to help.
Hit the sales. No one wants to get up at four o'clock in the morning and fight to get a good deal on Black Friday (the first Friday at Christmas time). It's surely very difficult to pick up the courage and get out there in the cold for a good deal. But sometimes it can be well worth. Many retailers offer _ all through the day. Some even offer online Black Friday specials, so we may still be able to get a great deal on Black Friday.
Read advertisements regularly.Once the Christmas shopping season is coming, retailers will be hungry for business. They will try their best to get us into the store. Please read the weekly advertisements of sales among the major retailers from time to time. We may be lucky enough to find different prices for the same thing in different shops.
Shop online. Some of us don't like running from store to store to get the best price on the perfect gift. Some of us don't like to go out in the cold at all, and then, we can do online shopping. The world of online shopping makes it possible for us to visit all the major retailers and some specialty stores on the Internet. We can find exactly what we are looking for at the best possible price without even having to leave the house. With traditional Christmas shopping, it will always take us a long time to wait if we want to get the perfect gift. | [
"people are surely able to get a good deal on Friday",
"it is possible for people to buy the perfect Christmas gifts with less money",
"retailers will be hungry because they are busy selling Christmas gifts",
"with traditional Christmas shopping, people can't buy the perfect gifts"
] |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on neighboring farms fell into conflict . It was the first serious one between them in 40 years of farming peacefully side by side. In the end, they fell apart.
One morning, a man with a carpenter's toolbox came for some work. The elder brother said, "I just have a job for you. Look at the farm across the creek . My younger brother lives there. It was he who used his bulldozer to dig the creek last week to spite me. So I want you to build me a fence, an 8foothigh fence, in order not to see his place any more." The carpenter smiled and said, "I see. I'll try to do a job that satisfies you." Then the elder brother went downtown.
At sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide! To his surprise, there was no fence there at all! Instead, there was a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work! He saw his younger brother coming to him with the hands outstretching. The brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hands. They turned to see the carpenter lift his toolbox on his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other work for you," said the elder brother. "I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but I have so many more bridges to build."
Question:
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
Choices:
A. The elder brother used his bulldozer to dig a creek.
B. The elder brother helped the carpenter build the bridge.
C. The brothers were both satisfied with the carpenter's work.
D. The carpenter planned to build an 8foothigh fence as asked to. | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high13078.txt | Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on neighboring farms fell into conflict . It was the first serious one between them in 40 years of farming peacefully side by side. In the end, they fell apart.
One morning, a man with a carpenter's toolbox came for some work. The elder brother said, "I just have a job for you. Look at the farm across the creek . My younger brother lives there. It was he who used his bulldozer to dig the creek last week to spite me. So I want you to build me a fence, an 8foothigh fence, in order not to see his place any more." The carpenter smiled and said, "I see. I'll try to do a job that satisfies you." Then the elder brother went downtown.
At sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide! To his surprise, there was no fence there at all! Instead, there was a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work! He saw his younger brother coming to him with the hands outstretching. The brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hands. They turned to see the carpenter lift his toolbox on his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other work for you," said the elder brother. "I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but I have so many more bridges to build." | [
"The elder brother used his bulldozer to dig a creek.",
"The elder brother helped the carpenter build the bridge.",
"The brothers were both satisfied with the carpenter's work.",
"The carpenter planned to build an 8foothigh fence as asked to."
] |
I wished to get out of the house because _ | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
My parents were in a huge argument, and I was really upset about it. I didn't know who I should talk with about how I was feeling. So I asked Mom to allow me to stay the night at my best friend's house. Though I knew I wouldn't tell her about my parents' situation, I was looking forward to getting out of the house. I was in the middle of packing up my things when suddenly the power went out in the neighborhood. Mom came to tell me that I should stay with my grandpa until the power came back on.
I was really disappointed because I felt that we did not have much to talk about. But I knew he would be frightened alone in the dark. I went to his room and told him that I'd stay with him until the power was restored. He was quite happy and said, "Great opportunity "
" What is ?" I asked.
" To talk, you and I," he said. "To hold a private little meeting about what we're going to do with your mom and dad, and what we're going to do with ourselves now that we're in the situation we are in."
"But we can't do anything about it, Grandpa," I said, surprised that here was someone with whom I could share my feelings and someone who was in the same "boat" as I was.
And that's how the most unbelievable friendship between my grandfather and me started. Sitting there in the dark, we talked about our feelings and fears of life--from how fast things change, to how they sometimes don't change fast enough. That night, because the power went out, I found a new friend, with whom I could safely talk about all my fears and pains, whatever they may be.
Suddenly, the lights all came back on. "Well," he said, " I guess that means you'll want to go now. I really like our talk. I hope the power will go out every few nights!"
Question:
I wished to get out of the house because _
Choices:
A. I was angry about my parents' quarrel
B. I found nobody to share my feelings with
C. I wanted to escape from the dark house
D. I planned to tell my friend about my trouble | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high3904.txt | My parents were in a huge argument, and I was really upset about it. I didn't know who I should talk with about how I was feeling. So I asked Mom to allow me to stay the night at my best friend's house. Though I knew I wouldn't tell her about my parents' situation, I was looking forward to getting out of the house. I was in the middle of packing up my things when suddenly the power went out in the neighborhood. Mom came to tell me that I should stay with my grandpa until the power came back on.
I was really disappointed because I felt that we did not have much to talk about. But I knew he would be frightened alone in the dark. I went to his room and told him that I'd stay with him until the power was restored. He was quite happy and said, "Great opportunity "
" What is ?" I asked.
" To talk, you and I," he said. "To hold a private little meeting about what we're going to do with your mom and dad, and what we're going to do with ourselves now that we're in the situation we are in."
"But we can't do anything about it, Grandpa," I said, surprised that here was someone with whom I could share my feelings and someone who was in the same "boat" as I was.
And that's how the most unbelievable friendship between my grandfather and me started. Sitting there in the dark, we talked about our feelings and fears of life--from how fast things change, to how they sometimes don't change fast enough. That night, because the power went out, I found a new friend, with whom I could safely talk about all my fears and pains, whatever they may be.
Suddenly, the lights all came back on. "Well," he said, " I guess that means you'll want to go now. I really like our talk. I hope the power will go out every few nights!" | [
"I was angry about my parents' quarrel",
"I found nobody to share my feelings with",
"I wanted to escape from the dark house",
"I planned to tell my friend about my trouble"
] |
The study lasted for more than _ . | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Older women who regularly drink green tea may have slightly lower risks of stomach and throat cancers than women who don't, according to a Canadian study that followed thousands of Chinese women over a decade.
For the study, researchers used data from a long-running health study of over 69,000 middle-aged and older Chinese women. The researchers found that those who drank green tea at least three times a week were 14 percent less likely to develop a cancer of the digestive ( ) system. More than 19,000 were considered regular green-tea drinkers, who drank it more than three times a week. Over 11 years, 1,255 women developed a digestive system cancer, In general, the risks were somewhat lower when a woman drank green tea often and for a long time. Green tea contains certain chemicals which may reduce the body-cell damage that can lead to cancer and other diseases.
Women who _ a lot of green tea in the study were also younger, ate more fruits and vegetables, exercised more and had higher-income jobs. None of the women smoked or drank alcohol regularly, and the researchers also collected information on their diets, exercise habits, weight and medical history. Yet even with all these things factored in, women's tea habits remained linked to their cancer risks, they noted, even though this type of study cannot prove cause and effect.
The study adds to debate over the effect of green tea on cancer risks, Past studies have so far come to conflicting findings on whether green tea drinkers really do have lower cancer risks.Nobody can say whether green tea itself is the reason, since green tea lovers are often more health-conscious in general.
Question:
The study lasted for more than _ .
Choices:
A. three years
B. five years
C. eight years
D. ten years | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high22446.txt | Older women who regularly drink green tea may have slightly lower risks of stomach and throat cancers than women who don't, according to a Canadian study that followed thousands of Chinese women over a decade.
For the study, researchers used data from a long-running health study of over 69,000 middle-aged and older Chinese women. The researchers found that those who drank green tea at least three times a week were 14 percent less likely to develop a cancer of the digestive ( ) system. More than 19,000 were considered regular green-tea drinkers, who drank it more than three times a week. Over 11 years, 1,255 women developed a digestive system cancer, In general, the risks were somewhat lower when a woman drank green tea often and for a long time. Green tea contains certain chemicals which may reduce the body-cell damage that can lead to cancer and other diseases.
Women who _ a lot of green tea in the study were also younger, ate more fruits and vegetables, exercised more and had higher-income jobs. None of the women smoked or drank alcohol regularly, and the researchers also collected information on their diets, exercise habits, weight and medical history. Yet even with all these things factored in, women's tea habits remained linked to their cancer risks, they noted, even though this type of study cannot prove cause and effect.
The study adds to debate over the effect of green tea on cancer risks, Past studies have so far come to conflicting findings on whether green tea drinkers really do have lower cancer risks.Nobody can say whether green tea itself is the reason, since green tea lovers are often more health-conscious in general. | [
"three years",
"five years",
"eight years",
"ten years"
] |
Over 1,000 students and parents visited the school because _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Will Nanfang University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen announce a new beginning for China's higher education reform? It's too early to answer. But its presence is challenging the Ministry of Education. Even without the approval of the ministry it seems that the school is determined to move forward and enroll 50 students, so-called child prodigies , to begin classes on March l, 2011.On graduating in 2015, these students will receive a diploma unauthorized by the Ministry of Education----unlike the students of their age from the state-run universities.
The school is committed to modeling itself on Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, but if the government will not approve the school, the situation could cause a lot of trouble for those 50 students if they want to do graduate studies at other higher learning institutions. Other schools could turn their applications down for their unauthorized diplomas.
The difficulties, however, have not frightened students and their parents away. On Dec.18, 2010 more than 1,000 students and their parents visited Nanfang University of Science and Technology for interviews.
Private investment marks the school out from other higher learning institutions in the nation. Not a penny comes from the government. So the government will have no voice in how the school will be run.
The Ministry of Education has published a comprehensive plan for education reform and development between 2011 and 2020.The goal is to make China's higher education internationally competitive. To accomplish this goal, the government should have the courage to let the educators who have big ideas try them out. The ministry should have applauded the independence. The school in Shenzhen has shown and encouraged more to do likewise.
Education reform in China has reached a new and crucial stage. Nanfang University of Science and Technology has a long way to go to prove itself competitive rather than a diploma mill.
Question:
Over 1,000 students and parents visited the school because _ .
Choices:
A. they believe that the school will have a bright future
B. they believe the government is sure to approve the school
C. the school models itself on Hong Kong University successfully
D. they will never do graduate studies at other higher learning institutions | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high9280.txt | Will Nanfang University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen announce a new beginning for China's higher education reform? It's too early to answer. But its presence is challenging the Ministry of Education. Even without the approval of the ministry it seems that the school is determined to move forward and enroll 50 students, so-called child prodigies , to begin classes on March l, 2011.On graduating in 2015, these students will receive a diploma unauthorized by the Ministry of Education----unlike the students of their age from the state-run universities.
The school is committed to modeling itself on Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, but if the government will not approve the school, the situation could cause a lot of trouble for those 50 students if they want to do graduate studies at other higher learning institutions. Other schools could turn their applications down for their unauthorized diplomas.
The difficulties, however, have not frightened students and their parents away. On Dec.18, 2010 more than 1,000 students and their parents visited Nanfang University of Science and Technology for interviews.
Private investment marks the school out from other higher learning institutions in the nation. Not a penny comes from the government. So the government will have no voice in how the school will be run.
The Ministry of Education has published a comprehensive plan for education reform and development between 2011 and 2020.The goal is to make China's higher education internationally competitive. To accomplish this goal, the government should have the courage to let the educators who have big ideas try them out. The ministry should have applauded the independence. The school in Shenzhen has shown and encouraged more to do likewise.
Education reform in China has reached a new and crucial stage. Nanfang University of Science and Technology has a long way to go to prove itself competitive rather than a diploma mill. | [
"they believe that the school will have a bright future",
"they believe the government is sure to approve the school",
"the school models itself on Hong Kong University successfully",
"they will never do graduate studies at other higher learning institutions"
] |
What probably made the EU think of the idea? | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
A NEW weapon is on the way in the fight against smoking in Europe. Soon when smokers buy cigarettes they might see a shocking photo of a blackened lung or a cancer patient staring back at them from the packet . Some boys may think of smoking as cool and sexy. Their friends won't agree when they see their packets of cigarettes lying on the table.
The European Union announced on October 22 that it had chosen 42 photos that showed the damage cigarettes could do to the body. It called on member nations to put these pictures on packets to discourage smokers. To catch the attention of teenagers, the special packets warn of long-term medical dangers, like cancer. Short-term effects, like bad skin, are also on the list. "The true face of smoking is disease, death and horror. That is the message we should send to the young," said David Byrne, an EU health official. "Hopefully these pictures will shock students out of their love for cigarettes." The EU head office hoped the pictures would work better than current written warnings on packs of cigarettes. The warnings included "smoking kills" and "smoking can lead to a slow and painful death." So far, Ireland and Belgium have shown interest in the photos. Canada has used similar pictures and warnings on cigarette packs since 2000. The country has recently seen a fall in the number of smokers. According to studies, smoking is the single biggest cause of avoidable death in EU. Every year more than 650,000 smokers die, more than one person a minute.(272)
Question:
What probably made the EU think of the idea?
Choices:
A. A country`s success in this aspect
B. People`s fear of disease and death
C. The youth`s fear of losing beauty
D. The increasing seriousness of smoking | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high21046.txt | A NEW weapon is on the way in the fight against smoking in Europe. Soon when smokers buy cigarettes they might see a shocking photo of a blackened lung or a cancer patient staring back at them from the packet . Some boys may think of smoking as cool and sexy. Their friends won't agree when they see their packets of cigarettes lying on the table.
The European Union announced on October 22 that it had chosen 42 photos that showed the damage cigarettes could do to the body. It called on member nations to put these pictures on packets to discourage smokers. To catch the attention of teenagers, the special packets warn of long-term medical dangers, like cancer. Short-term effects, like bad skin, are also on the list. "The true face of smoking is disease, death and horror. That is the message we should send to the young," said David Byrne, an EU health official. "Hopefully these pictures will shock students out of their love for cigarettes." The EU head office hoped the pictures would work better than current written warnings on packs of cigarettes. The warnings included "smoking kills" and "smoking can lead to a slow and painful death." So far, Ireland and Belgium have shown interest in the photos. Canada has used similar pictures and warnings on cigarette packs since 2000. The country has recently seen a fall in the number of smokers. According to studies, smoking is the single biggest cause of avoidable death in EU. Every year more than 650,000 smokers die, more than one person a minute.(272) | [
"A country`s success in this aspect",
"People`s fear of disease and death",
"The youth`s fear of losing beauty",
"The increasing seriousness of smoking"
] |
It can be learned from the text that _ . | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
(Reuters)--- A Michigan man credited his dog with saving his life by chewing off his diseased big toe as he lay passed out in a drunken stupor
Jerry Douthett, 48, who woke up on a Saturday night in late July in his Rockford, Michigan home to find his Jack Russell Terrier, Kiko, had _ his right big toe.
"The dog always lies with me on the bed", said Douthett. "That night, I woke up and looked down at my foot, and it was wet. When I looked, it was blood and there was the dog looking at me with a blood moustache."
Douthett's wife, Rosee, rushed him to a hospital where doctors found he was suffering from Type 2 diabetes. His toe was badly infected and surgeons amputated the remainder of the toe.
Douthett's wife, a registered nurse, had been urging him for weeks to have his infected toe examined by a doctor.
On the night Kiko ate his toe, Douthett said he had been out with his wife and drank about six or seven beers and a pair of giant margaritas--big enough to put goldfish in.
"I was self-medicating at this point," he said. "The moral of the story is that the dog saved my life, because otherwise I would never have gone to see a doctor."
The couple said they were amazed that Kiko appeared to know Douthett had an infection that needed treatment.
"He kind of chewed off the infected part and stopped at the good bone," said Rosee. "We joked that we shouldn't have had to pay the co-pay because he did half the job by chewing off half of the toe."
Question:
It can be learned from the text that _ .
Choices:
A. Douthett's wife was a doctor
B. Douthett's wife felt something about his disease
C. Douthett never got that drunk
D. Douthett had seen a doctor for his disease | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high12449.txt | (Reuters)--- A Michigan man credited his dog with saving his life by chewing off his diseased big toe as he lay passed out in a drunken stupor
Jerry Douthett, 48, who woke up on a Saturday night in late July in his Rockford, Michigan home to find his Jack Russell Terrier, Kiko, had _ his right big toe.
"The dog always lies with me on the bed", said Douthett. "That night, I woke up and looked down at my foot, and it was wet. When I looked, it was blood and there was the dog looking at me with a blood moustache."
Douthett's wife, Rosee, rushed him to a hospital where doctors found he was suffering from Type 2 diabetes. His toe was badly infected and surgeons amputated the remainder of the toe.
Douthett's wife, a registered nurse, had been urging him for weeks to have his infected toe examined by a doctor.
On the night Kiko ate his toe, Douthett said he had been out with his wife and drank about six or seven beers and a pair of giant margaritas--big enough to put goldfish in.
"I was self-medicating at this point," he said. "The moral of the story is that the dog saved my life, because otherwise I would never have gone to see a doctor."
The couple said they were amazed that Kiko appeared to know Douthett had an infection that needed treatment.
"He kind of chewed off the infected part and stopped at the good bone," said Rosee. "We joked that we shouldn't have had to pay the co-pay because he did half the job by chewing off half of the toe." | [
"Douthett's wife was a doctor",
"Douthett's wife felt something about his disease",
"Douthett never got that drunk",
"Douthett had seen a doctor for his disease"
] |
Jane picked 64 apples at the orchard. She sorted them into 4 different baskets to send to her friends. When Jane wasn't looking her sister took 3 apples from each of the baskets. How many apples are in each basket now? | Before her sister took some there were 64/4=<<64/4=16>>16 apples in each basket
After her sister took some each pile had 16-3=<<16-3=13>>13 apples in each basket
#### 13 | Solve the following math problem and explain your reasoning step by step. | Jane picked 64 apples at the orchard. She sorted them into 4 different baskets to send to her friends. When Jane wasn't looking her sister took 3 apples from each of the baskets. How many apples are in each basket now? | Before her sister took some there were 64/4=<<64/4=16>>16 apples in each basket
After her sister took some each pile had 16-3=<<16-3=13>>13 apples in each basket
#### 13 | math | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null |
The writer thinks that how a person dresses _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
These days, I'm surprised at what my classmates have changed since school started. It's not just the new teachers, new buildings, or new rules. I also notice how people are dressing differently. Dressing is not just a choice to keep warm. It's also a healthy personal choice in so many ways.
Dress rules: Many schools have dress rules. They tell students what to wear at school. The teachers don't hope to see their students wear unsuitable clothes in the classroom.
_ : The way we dress shows the way we feel about ourselves. If we aren't confident or need lots of attention, we'll often dress in ways that help us get that attention. If you want to get attention in a healthy way, you don't need to dress in an interesting way to express your mind.
Body image : If some kids look very bad or ugly, dressing properly can cover them. And it can also help them feel beautiful and comfortable among their friends.
Being what you wear: Dressing is important. Dressing in a wrong way can make people mistake you. People like to judge according to what they see. Clothing can often give people a wrong idea.
Question:
The writer thinks that how a person dresses _ .
Choices:
A. isn't just a choice to keep warm
B. can't express his or her mind
C. is giving people the wrong idea
D. can't get other people's attention | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle3374.txt | These days, I'm surprised at what my classmates have changed since school started. It's not just the new teachers, new buildings, or new rules. I also notice how people are dressing differently. Dressing is not just a choice to keep warm. It's also a healthy personal choice in so many ways.
Dress rules: Many schools have dress rules. They tell students what to wear at school. The teachers don't hope to see their students wear unsuitable clothes in the classroom.
_ : The way we dress shows the way we feel about ourselves. If we aren't confident or need lots of attention, we'll often dress in ways that help us get that attention. If you want to get attention in a healthy way, you don't need to dress in an interesting way to express your mind.
Body image : If some kids look very bad or ugly, dressing properly can cover them. And it can also help them feel beautiful and comfortable among their friends.
Being what you wear: Dressing is important. Dressing in a wrong way can make people mistake you. People like to judge according to what they see. Clothing can often give people a wrong idea. | [
"isn't just a choice to keep warm",
"can't express his or her mind",
"is giving people the wrong idea",
"can't get other people's attention"
] |
The passage is mainly about _ . | D | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Reading for pleasure is the easiest way to become a better reader in English. It is also the most important way.
Some students say they don't want to read for pleasure. They say they want to use their time to learn the rules of the language and new words. They say that pleasure reading is too busy.
Many experts say pleasure reading is very important for learning English. Dr Stephen Krashen, a famous expert on learning languages, says that pleasure reading helps you learn many important things about English. Students learn more grammar and more words when they read for pleasure. They also learn more about good writing.
Dr Krashen tells us that pleasure reading helps each student in a different way. Each student needs to learn something different. Pleasure reading makes it possible for each student to learn what he or she needs.
Reading for pleasure is not the same as studying. When you read for pleasure, you choose your own books, and you don't have to remember everything. There are no tests on your pleasure reading books. Pleasure reading will help you:
*learn how English speakers use English
*read faster in English
*find examples of good writing in English
*learn new words
*learn about the culture of English speakers
Question:
The passage is mainly about _ .
Choices:
A. pleasure reading in a different way
B. pleasure reading in the same way
C. pleasure reading in an easy way
D. pleasure reading in an important way | Answer: D | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle6260.txt | Reading for pleasure is the easiest way to become a better reader in English. It is also the most important way.
Some students say they don't want to read for pleasure. They say they want to use their time to learn the rules of the language and new words. They say that pleasure reading is too busy.
Many experts say pleasure reading is very important for learning English. Dr Stephen Krashen, a famous expert on learning languages, says that pleasure reading helps you learn many important things about English. Students learn more grammar and more words when they read for pleasure. They also learn more about good writing.
Dr Krashen tells us that pleasure reading helps each student in a different way. Each student needs to learn something different. Pleasure reading makes it possible for each student to learn what he or she needs.
Reading for pleasure is not the same as studying. When you read for pleasure, you choose your own books, and you don't have to remember everything. There are no tests on your pleasure reading books. Pleasure reading will help you:
*learn how English speakers use English
*read faster in English
*find examples of good writing in English
*learn new words
*learn about the culture of English speakers | [
"pleasure reading in a different way",
"pleasure reading in the same way",
"pleasure reading in an easy way",
"pleasure reading in an important way"
] |
Did the pilots make any distress calls before the plane went missing? | B | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
In the past month,we've been holding our breath for news about a Boeing 777 plane,MH 370.
It took off from Kuala Lumpur ,Malaysia.On March 8.It was heading to Beijing.But about two hours into the flight, the plane went missing.
There were 239 people on the flight,including 154 Chinese.
A total of 12 countries including China and the US have joined the search for the plane.
Did it crash? We know that the weather was clear that day.The pilots didn't make any distress calls .And as of March l3,experts have not found any broken parts of the plane.
Was it hijacked ? Two Iranians used stolen passports to get into the flight.But now they do not appear to be linked to any possible hijacking of the plane,international police agency Interpol official said on March 11.
The search is still going on.It could take months or even years to find out what happened
to the flight.
Question:
Did the pilots make any distress calls before the plane went missing?
Choices:
A. Yes,they did.
B. No,they didn't.
C. We don't know.
D. Maybe | Answer: B | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle2921.txt | In the past month,we've been holding our breath for news about a Boeing 777 plane,MH 370.
It took off from Kuala Lumpur ,Malaysia.On March 8.It was heading to Beijing.But about two hours into the flight, the plane went missing.
There were 239 people on the flight,including 154 Chinese.
A total of 12 countries including China and the US have joined the search for the plane.
Did it crash? We know that the weather was clear that day.The pilots didn't make any distress calls .And as of March l3,experts have not found any broken parts of the plane.
Was it hijacked ? Two Iranians used stolen passports to get into the flight.But now they do not appear to be linked to any possible hijacking of the plane,international police agency Interpol official said on March 11.
The search is still going on.It could take months or even years to find out what happened
to the flight. | [
"Yes,they did.",
"No,they didn't.",
"We don't know.",
"Maybe"
] |
When they got to the supermarket, Mark went in _ . | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
When my son, Mark, was in the third grade, he saved all his pocket money for over three months to buy holiday presents. The third Saturday in December Mark said he had made his list and had twenty dollars in his pocket.
I drove him to a nearby supermarket. Mark picked up a hand basket and went in while I waited and watched in the car. It took Mark over 45 minutes to choose his presents. Finally he came to the checkout counter and reached into his pocket ... Mark stood there holding his basket, tears falling down his face.
Then a surprising thing happened. A woman came up to Mark and took him in her arms. "You would help me a lot if you let me pay for you," said the woman. "It would be the most wonderful gift you could give me. I only ask one day you will pass it on. When you grow up, I would like you to find someone you can help. When you help others, I know you will feel as good about it as I do now."
Mark took the money, dried his tears and ran back to the checkout counter as fast as he could. That year we all enjoyed our gifts almost as much as Mark enjoyed giving them to us.
I would like to say "thank you" to that very kind woman, and tell her that four years later, Mark went house to house collecting blankets and clothes for the homeless people in the fire. And I want to promise her that Mark will never forget to keep passing
on.
Question:
When they got to the supermarket, Mark went in _ .
Choices:
A. by himself
B. with the writer
C. with the woman
D. with his friends | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle8235.txt | When my son, Mark, was in the third grade, he saved all his pocket money for over three months to buy holiday presents. The third Saturday in December Mark said he had made his list and had twenty dollars in his pocket.
I drove him to a nearby supermarket. Mark picked up a hand basket and went in while I waited and watched in the car. It took Mark over 45 minutes to choose his presents. Finally he came to the checkout counter and reached into his pocket ... Mark stood there holding his basket, tears falling down his face.
Then a surprising thing happened. A woman came up to Mark and took him in her arms. "You would help me a lot if you let me pay for you," said the woman. "It would be the most wonderful gift you could give me. I only ask one day you will pass it on. When you grow up, I would like you to find someone you can help. When you help others, I know you will feel as good about it as I do now."
Mark took the money, dried his tears and ran back to the checkout counter as fast as he could. That year we all enjoyed our gifts almost as much as Mark enjoyed giving them to us.
I would like to say "thank you" to that very kind woman, and tell her that four years later, Mark went house to house collecting blankets and clothes for the homeless people in the fire. And I want to promise her that Mark will never forget to keep passing
on. | [
"by himself",
"with the writer",
"with the woman",
"with his friends"
] |
Now, _ is very popular. | A | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
China is very famous for its food in the world. There are many kinds of food in China. They're Cantonese food, Sichuan food, Shanghai food, Hunan food and so on. And I like Sichuan food best.
Now, Sichuan food is very popular. There are many Sichuan food restaurants all over the country. Sichuan food is very hot , but people love it. In some famous Sichuan food restaurants, you can see many people waiting there. Now in Beijing, there are more and more Sichuan food restaurants.
Question:
Now, _ is very popular.
Choices:
A. Sichuan food
B. Cantonese food
C. sweet food
D. Shanghai food | Answer: A | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle766.txt | China is very famous for its food in the world. There are many kinds of food in China. They're Cantonese food, Sichuan food, Shanghai food, Hunan food and so on. And I like Sichuan food best.
Now, Sichuan food is very popular. There are many Sichuan food restaurants all over the country. Sichuan food is very hot , but people love it. In some famous Sichuan food restaurants, you can see many people waiting there. Now in Beijing, there are more and more Sichuan food restaurants. | [
"Sichuan food",
"Cantonese food",
"sweet food",
"Shanghai food"
] |
The letter is NOT about _ . | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Dear David,
How are you? I'm fine. I'm in London , at a school of English. I'm in Class Seven. It has eight students. They are from different countries ----Spain, Japan , Argentina, Switzerland and Thailand. Our teacher's name is Henry Briscall. He's very nice. He's a good teacher.
I live with an English family, Mr. and Mrs. Brown. They have two sons and a daughter. Thomas is fourteen, Catherine is twelve, and Andrew is seven. They are all very friendly to me, and we are good friends.
London is very big and very interesting. The weather is good and the parks are nice! Hyde Park, Green Park and St. James' Park are all in the city center .
English food is OK, but the coffee is not good!
Are you all right at home in Shanghai? Is everything OK? Write to me.
Love,
Paul
Question:
The letter is NOT about _ .
Choices:
A. the writer's classmates
B. the writer's teacher
C. the writer's dinner
D. London | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | middle4337.txt | Dear David,
How are you? I'm fine. I'm in London , at a school of English. I'm in Class Seven. It has eight students. They are from different countries ----Spain, Japan , Argentina, Switzerland and Thailand. Our teacher's name is Henry Briscall. He's very nice. He's a good teacher.
I live with an English family, Mr. and Mrs. Brown. They have two sons and a daughter. Thomas is fourteen, Catherine is twelve, and Andrew is seven. They are all very friendly to me, and we are good friends.
London is very big and very interesting. The weather is good and the parks are nice! Hyde Park, Green Park and St. James' Park are all in the city center .
English food is OK, but the coffee is not good!
Are you all right at home in Shanghai? Is everything OK? Write to me.
Love,
Paul | [
"the writer's classmates",
"the writer's teacher",
"the writer's dinner",
"London"
] |
The British and Americans both use _ | C | Read the passage and answer the question. | Passage:
Do you think Great Britain and the United States are alike? Winston Churchill once joked that the people of Britain and the people of America are separated only by their language. Do you think that is true? The British and the Americans both speak English as the official language. However, each uses some different words.We Americans are similar to the British. After all , our country was once owned by Great Britain , so we have a lot in common. But there are many differences between us.
Great Britain has a king or queen, and the leader of the government is the Prime Minister. The United States has no kings or queens. Our leader is the President.
Both the British and Americans use pounds and ounces, oints, quarts, and gallons. Both use miles, yards,and feet. Our money is different,though. The British use pounds and pence. Americans use dollars and cents.
Driving in a car is very different in England. They drive on the left side of the road. We drive on the right. What we call the hood of the car, the British call the "bonnet". British cars run on "petrol",which we call gasoline.
In our everyday lives, we do many of the same things as the British. But we describe them differently. A young mother here might push a baby in a baby carriage. A British mom pushes a "pram". The British watch the "telly", while we watch TV. We like to eat French fries, but the British call them "chips". Millions of Americans drink coffee, but most British prefer tea.
So we are different in many ways. But we stay friendly anyway.
Question:
The British and Americans both use _
Choices:
A. miles and dollars
B. pints and pence
C. gallons and feet
D. yards and cents | Answer: C | reading | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | high8651.txt | Do you think Great Britain and the United States are alike? Winston Churchill once joked that the people of Britain and the people of America are separated only by their language. Do you think that is true? The British and the Americans both speak English as the official language. However, each uses some different words.We Americans are similar to the British. After all , our country was once owned by Great Britain , so we have a lot in common. But there are many differences between us.
Great Britain has a king or queen, and the leader of the government is the Prime Minister. The United States has no kings or queens. Our leader is the President.
Both the British and Americans use pounds and ounces, oints, quarts, and gallons. Both use miles, yards,and feet. Our money is different,though. The British use pounds and pence. Americans use dollars and cents.
Driving in a car is very different in England. They drive on the left side of the road. We drive on the right. What we call the hood of the car, the British call the "bonnet". British cars run on "petrol",which we call gasoline.
In our everyday lives, we do many of the same things as the British. But we describe them differently. A young mother here might push a baby in a baby carriage. A British mom pushes a "pram". The British watch the "telly", while we watch TV. We like to eat French fries, but the British call them "chips". Millions of Americans drink coffee, but most British prefer tea.
So we are different in many ways. But we stay friendly anyway. | [
"miles and dollars",
"pints and pence",
"gallons and feet",
"yards and cents"
] |
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