questions list | article stringlengths 9 6.44k | id stringlengths 9 14 |
|---|---|---|
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "It is written for people who don't have much time"
},
"options": [
"You can cook all the dishes in it quickly",
"There is over 1,000 recipes in it",
"It is written for people who don't have much time",
"It tells you how... | Many of people like cooking but never have much time for it. Helen Fry's new book Quick Cookinghas been specially written for busy people. It has over 1,000 recipes, from the famous Spanish gazpacho to Swedish smorgasbord. The book is well written and the photographs and drawings are clear. (They are like those in the excellent littleQuick DressmakingandQuick Gardening.) The book has a strong plastic cover. It is easy to find your way around it too. And busy people, notice this, Mrs Fry tells you how much time you need in order to get each dish ready.
Quick Cooking has four parts, one for each season. This helps you to use fresh fruit and vegetable when they are cheaper--and, of course, better. There are a lot of exciting ideas from foreign countries, and most of the recipes are easy to follow. You take something simple like a chicken or some cheese, and make an unusual dish out of it. For example, there are no fewer than 40 recipes for eggs! Mrs Fry does not plan complete meals for the "quick book". The beginners will have to find out a lot of things for himself or herself. But this ought to be difficult with such a good book. I wanted to try many of the recipes as soon as I read them. For people with little spare time, Helen Fry's Quick Cooking is excellent value. | high20747.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "they have difficulty finding qualified personnel at home"
},
"options": [
"they find foreign employees are usually more talented",
"they need original ideas from employees hired overseas",
"they want to expand their business ... | Interest in searching for international careers has increased to a high level in recent years, improved by lasting personnel shortages that are causing companies to search beyond their home borders for talent. Professionals seek career experience outside of their home countries for a variety of reasons. They may feel the need to recharge their batteries with a new challenge. They may want a position with more responsibility that encourages creativity and initiative . Or they may wish to expose their children to another culture, and the opportunity to learn a second language.
When applying for a job, one usually has to hand in a resume or curriculum vitae (CV). The two terms generally mean the same thing: one or two pages describing one's educational qualifications and professional experience. However, guidelines for preparing a resume are constantly changing. The best advice is to find out what is suitable regarding the corporation culture, the country culture, and the culture of the person making the hiring decision. The challenge will be to include two or more cultures in one page. The following list is a good place to start.
* Educational requirements differ from country to country. In almost every case of 'crossborder' job hunting, just stating the title of your degree will not be an adequate description. Provide the reader with details about your studies and any related experience.
* Pay attention to the resume way you use: chronological or reversechronological order. Chronological order means listing your 'oldest' work experience first. Reversechronological order means listing your current or most recent experience first. Most countries have preferences about which way is most acceptable. If you find no specific guidelines, the general preference is for the reversechronological way.
* If you hand in your resume in English, find out if the recipient uses British English or American English because there are differences between the two versions. For example, university education is often referred to as 'tertiary education' in the United Kingdom, but this term is almost never used in the United States. A reader who is unfamiliar with these differences may think that your resume contains errors. | high21459.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Tom, an athletic freshman"
},
"options": [
"Tom, an athletic freshman",
"Lucy, a second-year student",
"Jack, a second-year student",
"Rose, a first-year student"
],
"question": "Of the following university stud... | The survey by The Harvard Crimson was emailed to incoming first-year undergraduates; 1,600 students responded. Results showed that at least a tenth of the students polled admitted to having cheated on an exam before staring at the university, while almost half admitted to cheating on their homework.
Athletes were apparently the most prone to cheating. 20 percent of students who played a university sport admitted to cheating on an exam compared to 9 percent of students who did not.
The survey also revealed that men were not only more likely to cheat but were also more likely to admit to it.
The results, compared to a previous survey done on the class of 2013, suggested that cheating may be becoming more commonplace. Of the outgoing seniors only 7 percent admitted to cheating on an exam and another 7 percent said they had been dishonest on a take-home test. 32 percent of the seniors said they had cheated on homework during their undergraduate years.
The survey come in the wake of a cheating scandal at the university which saw 120 students investigated for sharing answers on an exam in 2022. One recent graduate stated:" Cheating was commonplace when I was at Harvard, especially with students in their first year or two. I would say as many as 60 percent of students took notes into some exams. No one really cared and the faculty, will some of them at least, seemed to recognize and yet ignore the problem. "
In an email to NBC news, Jeff Neal, a Harvard representative, explained that a committee, made up of faculty, staff and students had been established to tackle cheating, which "is a national problem in American education". | high17855.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "may keep children from further imaginations"
},
"options": [
"can attract more attention from children than a cardboard box",
"can work more than a Barbie",
"may become anything else such as a cardboard",
"may keep chil... | Children are losing the ability to play properly because they are being given too many toys and games, according to new research.
The studies show that children, especially those under five, are often overwhelmed and actually play less than those with fewer toys. It may even harm their development. The studies show that giving children too many toys or toys of the wrong type can actually be doing them harm. They get overwhelmed and cannot concentrate on anything long enough to learn from it.
The conclusions have been backed up by British research looking at children with ly fewer toys, whose parents spend more time reading, singing or playing with them. It showed such children surpass youngsters from richer backgrounds, even those who could use computers.
Some parents notice the ill effect early. Orhan Ismail, a researcher saw a change for the worse in Cameron, his 10-month-old son, after he was given a lot of toys last Christmas. Ismail said, " If there are too many toys in front of him, he will just keep flitting around them and then end up going off and finding something like a slipper to play with. Now we just get out one or two toys and hide the rest in a box. "
Alexander and her husband also decided to limit the toys their 6 daughters play with. She believed many toys restrict children's imaginations. She said, " A Barbie can only work as a Barbie. But a cardboard box can become anything. The only limitations are in the child's mind. " Experts hesitate to put a figure on the number of toys children should have, but many believe two dozen is enough for children of preschool age. | high20021.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "the cost of living there is affordable for them"
},
"options": [
"they offer a multicultural landscape",
"they belong to the world's best ones",
"the students can get their degrees easily",
"the cost of living there is ... | Studying abroad will shape you in various ways. You will learn things you never would have if you study overseas. But college is expensive in the United States. It's cheap or free in other countries even for foreigners, so why not get out of here and come back smarter?
More and more American students are currently studying at German colleges. That number has increased by 20% over the last three years. Living costs are about $7,000 a year, which is even lower than in other European countries and a great appeal to many students wanting to studying abroad. Besides, Germany encourages international students. They create a multicultural landscape that benefits German students as well. According to a new report, Germany is home to six of the world's 100 best universities. These schools offer around 900 degrees completely in English and many German students speak the language.
You could be part of Finland's excellent education system. The Finns charge no tuition and offer a number of courses purely in English. They would be happy for you to add flavor to their school scene. Cost of living there is high. Be prepared for frosty winters, but you will get that sweet midnight sun in the summer.
Many other European nations provide cheap or free college for foreign students, but if South America is more your thing, try Brazil. Most of the education will take place in Portuguese, so if that is in your plan you can study near beautiful beaches and jungles. The University of Sao Paulo and State University of Campinas are both highly ranked internationally. Your money will go a long way there, too.
Living on the economy in a foreign country will keep you on your toes. You will learn new customs, how to bargain, stay safe, budget and become more flexible with people. There is no better way to learn a language than by immersing yourself in it. What's more, you will become a more balanced person. New situations and challenges, from buying bread to traveling across town, will pop up daily. You will handle them and you'll make it by yourself. Before long, you will be ready for anything. Life in any part of the world will no longer surprise you. In your future career, this will be a benefit. International study on your resume will speak to your adaptability. | high19878.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "They influence the choices their children make."
},
"options": [
"Kids like playing with them.",
"They influence the choices their children make.",
"They are the money-makers in their families.",
"Kids like toys bought ... | Perhaps you have seen them on the playground, at preschool drop-off or piano lessons, or even in TV shows like Up All Night. They are the stay-at-home dads, and lately, it seems they're everywhere.
The latest research shows that 32 percent of dads regularly care for their children, and among those with preschool-age kids, one in five dads is the primary caregiver. In families where mom works, that figure rises to nearly one in three. Stay-at-home dads have become so common that even toy makers like Mattel are catering to them.
A recent study finds that today's full-time fathers aren't trying to be "Mr. Moms". Instead, they're carving out their own unique roles as parents. I spoke with some experienced stay-at-home dads, who agreed that their parenting styles are different. "I do let the kids take more risks on the playground, while my wife tends to get nervous that they'll fall and hurt themselves," says Kyle, 38, an artist.
Besides, as there are more and more stay-at-home dads, they are turning to each other for support. They have created Meet Up groups and held Dads Nights Out. Kyle admits he had noticed a change recently. "Several years ago, I was checking out at a store with the kids, and the cashier was very curious why I was buying food instead of my wife. I told her that I was a full-time dad, and she commented, 'Wow, I have never met one of you before.' Now, my next-door neighbor is a dad who works from home and we often trades off watching the kids after school. "
As for my own husband, although he admits that being a full-time dad is encouraging, he's also proud of the strong bond with our daughter, which will offer her benefits that last for years. Children wit caring dads tend to have higher intelligence and more confidence, and do better in school. They also are less likely to experience depression or get into trouble, and have better social skills. | high8836.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Jeremy Lin led New York Knicks to win all the recent games this month"
},
"options": [
"Jeremy Lin led New York Knicks to win all the recent games this month",
"David Stern said Lin was the only instant popular player in NBA's hist... | NBA commissioner David Stern was in Orlando on Thursday night, getting ready for Sunday's All-Star Game. Of course, all he could talk about was the only player anyone wants to talk about these days: New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin.
Hours before Lin took the court against the Heat, a few hundred miles South down I-95 in Miami, Stern told reporters that Lin's instant popularity hasn't ever been matched in sports history, not even by Sunday's biggest names, LeBron James or Kobe Bryant.
The Associated Press had the details.
"I haven't done a calculation, but it's fair to say that no player has created the interest and the craze in this short period of time, in any sport, that I'm aware of like Jeremy Lin has," Stern said Thursday.
Lin, an undrafted guard from Harvard, has become the NBA's biggest story since coming off the Knicks' bench earlier this month to lead them to nine wins in 11 games heading into their matchup with Miami on Thursday night.
With Lin's popularity in Asia as the league's first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent, and with the religious community because of his strong Christian faith, Stern says he's "never quite seen anything like" the attention on Lin.
"It's fascinating," Stern said after the All-Star Jam Session opening ceremonies.
The top five videos on NBA.com since Feb. 4, when Lin joined the circulation, are all Lin or Knicks related. Lin went from 190,000 followers on Sina, China's version of Twitter, on Feb. 2 to more than 1 million as of Feb. 16.
Indeed, Lin's popularity is so _ that the NBA made a late list switch to ensure his participation in the Rising Stars Challenge on All-Star Saturday, a game that includes the NBA's best rookies and sophomores. Lin is in such high demand that all of the game's other participants will meet with the media following a team practice on Friday while Lin will have his own, separate press conference later in the night.
This is Jeremy's world, folks. We're all just living in it. Even David Stern and the rest of the league's All-Stars, at least for the moment. | high438.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "they wanted Russiato end his fighting against rebelling Chechens"
},
"options": [
"their Chechen families were threatened to blow up",
"the plane was forced to fly from Istanbul to Saudi Arabia",
"they wanted Russiato end his... | MEDINA, Saudi Arabia: 3 people were killed when Saudi special forces stormed a Russian airliner and freed more than 100 passengers from hijackers on Friday. The hijackers admitted to be Chechens and threatened to blow up the plane. They seized the airliner on Thursday after it took off from Istanbul and forced it to fly to prefix = st1 /Saudi Arabia. There they demanded that Russiatake back its army in the Muslim district of Chechnya, which goes against the Russian government for its independence.
SAN FRANCISCO: California's officials warned on Tuesday that tight electricity supplies could lead to a second following day of statewide power failure. "If we can get some more resources from outside the state of Californiaand if people can save a great deal, that would certainly help. " Said a local official.
JAKARTA: 4 teenage girls were pressed to death in a shopping center in the Indonesian capital on Sunday. The accident happened when the British boy band ALwas performing. Hundreds had gathered to the popular shopping center in Jakartato hear the group perform. Foreign bands nowadays seldom come to Indonesia.
KABUL: Afghanistan's ruling Taliban killed 100 cows at the presidential palace inKabulon March 19. The Taliban carried out the cruel deed to make up for not acting earlier to destroy all the country's statues. The world has found fault with the destruction of the valuable fortune of the world. | high23528.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "a passer-by"
},
"options": [
"a granny",
"a two-old girl",
"a housewife",
"a passer-by"
],
"question": "From the letter we know the author was _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer"... | Dear Guys,
I'd like to talk to you about the two minutes of total embarrassments you put me through last night. You a group of fit, young men, were playing soccer on the field across from my apartment building, I, a beautiful looking young woman, was walking by with my groceries. That's when your ball came flying over the fence and landed at my feet. One of you came to me, and asked politely if I would throw the ball back to you.
Fighting the urge to flee screaming down the street, I agreed. And I put my bags down, picked up the ball and with eyes half shut, threw it as hard as I could. It hit the middle of the fence and bounced right back to me.
I picked up the ball again and threw the ball upward with all my strength. The ball once again hit slightly higher up on the fence and bounced back to me. This is the point where I start to blame you. Wouldn't it have been a better use of your time, and mine, if you had just walked around the fence and collected the ball then? I was clearly struggling. And yet you all just stood there, staring.
Seeing that you weren't going to get the ball yourselves, I become desperate. But I picked up the soccer ball for the third time. I forced a smile while crying inside as you patiently shouted words of support over the fence at me like I was a two-year-old holding a beech ball for the first time.
"Throw it granny-style!" one of you said. "Just back up a little end throw it hard!" another offered And, most embarrassing of all, "You can do it!" I know you thought you were being encouraging, but it only served to deepen the embarrassment. However, I accepted your advice, took a deep breath, and let it fly. It hid the edge of the -fence and bounced back to me.
I hoped that I would have a heart attack and pass out, just so I'd be put out of my misery. Alas, the heart attack didn't happen. Finally, I had to pick up the ball, walked close to the fence, and said angrily, "Please just come top get it." And you did. And thanks to you, I decided at that moment I would never throw anything over again, except scornful glances at people who play sports.
Sincerely yours,
Jen Cordery | high22636.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "750,000,000."
},
"options": [
"37,500,000.",
"375,000,000.",
"750,000,000.",
"75,000,000."
],
"question": "How many people learn English as a second language?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
},
{
... | English is a language spoken all around the world. There are more than 42 countries where the majority of the people speak English. Most native speakers of English are found in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Ireland and New Zealand. In total, for more than 375 million people, English is their mother tongue. An equal number of people learn English as a second language. These people will perhaps speak the language of their own country at home with their family, but the language of the government, schools, newspapers and TV is English.
However, the number of people who learn English as a foreign language is more than 750 million. Everywhere in the world children go to school to learn English. In China, students learn English at school as a foreign language, except for those in hong Kong, where many people speak English as a first or a second language.
In only fifty years, English has developed into the language most widely spoken and used in the world. English is the working language of most international organizations, international trade and tourism. English is also the language of global culture, such as popular music and the Internet. You can listen to English songs on the radio or use English to communicate with people around the world through the Internet. With so many people communicating in English every day, it will become more and more important to have a good knowledge of English. | high24253.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "paid little attention to them"
},
"options": [
"kept watering them every morning",
"talked to them to get their attention",
"paid little attention to them",
"beat them to make them grow deep roots"
],
"question"... | When I was growing up, I had an old neighbor named Doctor Gibbs. He didn't look like any doctor I'd ever known. He never yelled at us for playing in his yard, but was always very kind.
When Doctor Gibbs wasn't saving lives, he was planting trees. He had some interesting theories about planting trees. He believed in the principle: "No pain, no gain". He hardly watered his new trees, an attitude which flew in the face of conventional wisdom.
Once I asked why and he told me that watering plants spoiled them because it made them grow weaker. He said you had to make things tough for the trees so that only the strongest could survive. He talked about how watering trees made them develop shallow roots and how, if they were not watered, trees would grow deep roots in search of water.
So, instead of watering his trees every morning, he'd beat them with a rolled-up newspaper. I asked him why he did that, and he said it was to get the tree's attention.
Doctor Gibbs died a couple of years after I left home. Every now and then, I walked by his house and looked at the trees that I'd watched him plant some 25 years ago. They were tall and strong.
I planted a couple of trees myself a few years ago. Two years of attending these trees meant they grew up weak. Whenever a cold wind blew, their branches trembled. _ seemed to benefit Doctor Gibb's trees in ways comfort and ease never could.
Every night before I go to bed, I check on my two sons. I often pray that their lives will be easy. But lately I've been thinking that it's time to change my prayer. I know my children are going to encounter hardship. There's always a cold wind blowing somewhere. What we need to do is to pray for deep roots, so when the rains fall and the winds blow, we won't be torn apart. | high8822.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Nirvana in Fire shares the same score with Journey to the West on Douban."
},
"options": [
"Lin Shu changed his face and name in order to take revenge.",
"Lin Shu and the crown prince were childhood friends and Lin helped him to be... | The hottest TV drama in China - "Nirvana in Fire" or "Langya Bang" has just ended. Millions of people waited every day after midnight for the latest (two) episodes. Are you one of them? What is the story about? Why the show is so popular?
"Nirvana in Fire" is based on an Internet novel by author Hai Yan, who was invited to pen the screenplay for the television adaptation. The 55-episode series, set in a fictionalized kingdom, weaves together two storylines -- one about a betrayed general's revenge and the other about princes fighting for the throne.
The series was put on screen on Sep. 19th, and the number of Internet views exceeded 140 million times the next day. Only during the week of National holiday, the number increased by 1.6 billion.
It's now the hottest Chinese TV show with a very high score of 9.3 on Douban. (The classical TV drama, Journey to the West, produced in 1986 is with the same score). Previous and recent costume dramas such as "The Journey of Flower" and "Yun Zhong Ge" only scored 6.4 and 3.5.
Drawing comparisons to "The Count of Monte Cristo", the story revolves around a gifted young man named Lin Shu, whose father serves as a general. Already a high-ranking military officer by his teenager years, Lin Shu enjoyed a close friendship with Prince Xiao Jingyan and was even engaged to Princess Nihuang.
At age 17, however, Lin Shu's life turned upside down when his father's army was _ and destroyed by a foxy political rival. Lin Shu escaped death, but due to the poisoning, his body became weak and frail, and he lost his martial arts abilities. From then on, his face was pale and his fingers always ice-cold.
After twelve years, Lin Shu returned to his country's capital with a new name, Mei Changsu, and a new identity, the leader of the Jiang Zuo Alliance. He then became the strategic adviser for his friend, Prince Jingyan, who had been exiled by the king. Despite the efforts of Prince Xiao Jingheng and the crown prince to win the throne for themselves, Mei Changsu succeeds in paving the road for his friend to take over as king, as well as the avenging the injustices dealt to his troops many years before. | high12939.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "The visitors must love peace."
},
"options": [
"It must be thrilling.",
"It is family-orientated.",
"You are advised to keep calm.",
"The visitors must love peace."
],
"question": "What can we infer about the to... | Great Yarmouth is an English seaside town situated at the mouth of the River Yare, about 120 miles to the northeast of London. Around 5 million people visit Great Yarmouth every year, making it one of Britain's most popular seaside resorts.
Formerly the home of one of the most profitable fishing industries, Great Yarmouth is a busy and very popular seaside resort. Undoubtedly, one of the most popular attractions is Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, a historic free entry pleasure park, which draws annually 1.5 million visitors. The two piers , Britannia Pier and Wellington Pier, both contain family-orientated entertainment. As well as the usual thrills one would expect on a classic British seafront, Great Yarmouth also has a quieter side, with a fascinating heritage quarter to explore. Not many people know that Great Yarmouth has the most complete city walls after York, with heritage walks to help you discover this medieval attraction along with several museums and houses dating back to many centuries. If ghost walks are more your cup of tea, Eerie Tales and Yarmouth Yarns is the tour for you.
Great Yarmouth is also a centre for the North Sea oil and gas industry and increasingly for offshore wind power. The Great Yarmouth Outer Harbour is a huge development currently taking place which can see larger ships coming to the town. The Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival in September each year celebrates Great Yarmouth's maritime heritage.
Over the past few years, Great Yarmouth has seen significant construction spending to improve and modernize the popular seafront area and to ensure it is linked to the town centre. Regent Road has a brilliant ceiling of light which is lit up in the evenings and is now a lovely street leading from the town centre to the seafront area. | high14390.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "has decreased"
},
"options": [
"has increased greatly",
"has decreased",
"hasn't shown any change",
"has become zero"
],
"question": "The number of students applying to universities _ compared to this time las... | Next autumn, studying for a degree in Britain will become more expensive, and the results are already clear. This week, figures from UCAS(the Universities and College Admissions service)show a 15-percent downturn in applications from this time last year. With fees having reached PS9,000 a year, some students are beginning to consider other ways of getting higher education--including distance learning, which allows them to get a degree while still living, and earning money, at home.
That is important, because fees are only part of the picture. The National Union of Students says that UK students pay an average of PS4,900 a year for basics such as rent, food, books, equipment, field trips and the like. If those costs can be reduced, the burden of fees will be lessened. Therefore, many people are thinking not only about what and where to study, but how--that is, whether they have to be on campus to get a degree.
Distance learning is best suited to certain subjects and to ultra-motivated student, according to Carrie-Anne Rice of Resource Development International(RDI)."The advantage is that the fee system is more flexible , and you can have full-time work while studying, Rice says.""You graduate three years ahead of possible competitors -- with the same degree, but with three years of work experience and without the debt."
"I left school and went straight into work. But at the age of 23, I changed career and soon realized I needed a degree to advance. Because of lack of money ad time, full-time university wasn't a good choice, but I discovered that distance learning was financially flexible and enabled me to work and gain skills from my workplace without affecting the quality of my life," Andy Cain, a distance learning student says.
Although distance learning has many advantages, a campus-based university experience remains the dream of most school-leavers. There is no question that "being there" is not only fun, but rich in shared experience, pooled knowledge, and--perhaps most importantly--friendships that will go on long after the degrees have been awarded. | high3977.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "was talking with a friend when her son slipped onto the stage"
},
"options": [
"was pleased to see her son playing the piano on the stage",
"admired the master so much that she went to watch his performance",
"encouraged her ... | A mother, who wished to encourage her son's progress in playing the piano, bought tickets for a performance by the great Polish pianist Ignace Paderewski.When the evening arrived, they found their seats near the front of the concert hall and eyed the impressive Steinway waiting on the stage.Not long after they arrived, the mother came across a friend in the hall and they began to talk with each other.Meanwhile the boy slipped away and could be found nowhere.
At eight o'clock, the lights in the concert hall began to fail, and then the spotlights came on.Only then did they notice the boy who was up on the piano bench, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star".Seeing this, his mother was shocked and embarrassed.But before she could bring her son back, the master appeared on the stage and quickly moved to the keyboard.
He whispered gently to the boy, "Don't quit.Keep playing." Learning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in the bass part.Soon his right arm reached around the other side and performed a delightful accompaniment .Together, the old master and the young boy performed so wonderfully and harmoniously on the stage and they held the attention of the crowd with their beautiful music.
In all our lives, we receive helping hands from time to time--some we notice; some we don't.Equally we ourselves have countless opportunities to offer helping hands--sometimes we want our assistance to be noticed, sometimes we don't.Little of what we all achieve is without learning from others and without support from others.We are supposed to hand out what we have received. | high10690.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "better known"
},
"options": [
"taller",
"older",
"better designed",
"better known"
],
"question": "The writer believes that the Eiffel Tower is _ than any other famous structure in the world.",
"question_... | Do you know the Eiffel Tower when you see a picture of it? Of course you do! So do a lot of other people. In fact, I believe more people recognize the Eiffel Tower than any other famous structure in the whole world. That long, long capital A is easy to remember.
The Eiffel Tower is the famous symbol of the city of Paris. It also stands for France just as the Statue of Liberty stands for the United States.
The Eiffel Tower was not very well liked at first, even though the design had been chosen out of seven hundred designs. A contest had been held to find a design for a tower to be built in Paris by 1889.That year would be one hundred years after the war known as the French Revolution. The French Revolution marked the time when the French people broke away from the rule of kings. It was a very important thing to all Frenchmen, and they wanted a special tower to be built to mark the 100 years.
When his design was chosen, Eiffel was fifty-four, rich, and well-known for his fine work. He had already designed dams, churches, railroad stations, bridges, harbors and, of course, the framework of the Statue of Liberty. But it was the Eiffel Tower that made him really famous. At first, the French hated the tower. When it was begun in 1887, people called it ugly and useless. They also said that it couldn't be built safely, and that it would fall down. As the tower gets close to her nineties, she is still in great shape. And the French people have changed their minds. Now they are very proud of their Eiffel Tower. They even think she is beautiful! | high20753.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Something unpleasant."
},
"options": [
"Something fantastic.",
"Something unpleasant.",
"Something valuable.",
"Something useful."
],
"question": "What did Peter remember doing in middle school?",
"question_... | The day before yesterday, when Peter's family were having dinner, Father raised an interesting question, "Was there anything in our past that we feel ashamed of, guilty about, or regretted? Maybe we can find ways to say sorry, or take some action to right any wrong doing." This seemed like a very private matter, but Peter thought about it carefully the whole night.
Peter remembered an incident from middle school. In his school, there was a worker, Neil Stone, who none of the kids liked. One night, Peter and two of his classmates decided to play a trick on him. They found a can of red paint, and wrote on the school main road in bright red: Neil Stone is a fool! The next day, the whole school saw these words. Within two hours, Neil had Peter and his two classmates in his office. His classmates said that they had done it but Peter lied, denying the truth. No one ever talked about it.
This morning, Peter went back to his middle school. Neil Stone is still working there. "Sorry, Neil. Do you still remember what happened ten years ago? I want you to know that I did it." "I knew it!' Neil laughed. They had a good laugh and a lively discussion. Neil's closing words were: "Peter, I always felt bad for you because your classmates got it off their mind, and I knew you were carrying it around all these years. I want to thank you for visiting me... for your sake."
Peter knows that no matter how difficult the situation is, it is never too late to clear up the past and make a fresh start. | high12087.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "chemicals around the Earth"
},
"options": [
"the hot sunlight",
"chemicals around the Earth",
"the plastic bag",
"human activities"
],
"question": "According to the text, the greenhouse effect appears mainly bec... | Everyone talks about the greenhouse effect and how our Earth and its climate are being affected. We can do a science experiment designed by some kids to show this effect and what is happening to the Earth.
First prepare the following items:
*2 glass containers that need to be the same size and shape
*1 gallon plastic bag
*4 cups of very cold water
*Ice cubes
Fill each container with two cups of cold water. Add the same amount of ice cubes to each container. Then put one of the containers in the plastic bag and close it tight. Put both containers in the sun together and keep them there for at least an hour.
At the end of one hour remove the container from the plastic bag and immediately check the temperature of the water. After you record this, find out the temperature of the water that is not covered.
When you place the containers in direct sunlight, the air inside the bag becomes very warm. The heat filters in but cannot escape so it stays in the closed plastic bag and increases the temperature. What if you leave that for two, three or four hours?
Think about what is happening to the Earth. There are chemicals that are creating a type of plastic bag around the Earth. It causes our air to get warmer because of the heat from the sun being kept in this closed area.
Think about your car in the hot summer. This is what happens when you leave your car outside all day. This greenhouse effect has caused your car to be so hot that you sometimes cannot even touch the steering wheel.
This science project goes to show what affects our planet. | high22144.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Set to know more people"
},
"options": [
"get more books to read",
"buy goods for their daily life",
"Set to know more people",
"post their book recommendations"
],
"question": "People who go to the site Twitter... | Many times when people hear the words social networking, their brains automatically go to sites such as Twitter or Facebook.However, there are sites for those into social networking and into reading. Sound crazy? It's really not.
If you' ve ever wanted a site where you can receive book recommendations, follow your favorite authors, and keep up with what your friends are reading.then look no further than Goodreads, com.
Goodreads provides useful services for those in the reading world, It is a site where you can win books by going to giveaways and simply entering your information.Some giveaways are even signed by the author.And the books aren't boring, old or torn copies - many of them are ARC's (Advanced Readers Copies), for which you can write a short review on the site.Anyone can post reviews of their favorite books or series so that others may _ to read them as well.
Another function of the site is offering book clubs and interest groups.You can have interactive discussions with groups of people reading the same things, sort of like a blog.You can also make friends with people and post statuses similar to Facebook.Your friends can send you hook recommendations and you can add them to your shelf if you choose.
Shelves are by far one of the best features on the site.You can categorize your entire library and put hooks you want to read on your "to - read" shelf.These virtual shelves allow you to see what you' ve read and also let you keep track of the number of books you' ve read in a year.
You can even read original writing for free because many people post their own writing on the site to gain feedback and advice on how to improve.Anyone can join this site for free and fall in love with not just a hook, but a book site as well. | high1806.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "beautiful ocean views"
},
"options": [
"a welcome party",
"beautiful ocean views",
"different indoor activities",
"free membership of the golf club"
],
"question": "Choosing the Tropical Paradise Holiday, travel... | The Tropical Paradise Holiday
Welcome to St Anna, our tropical paradise just off the coast of Latin America. You can spend two weeks in our luxury four-star hotel. The cost of your flight is included in the holiday, and you can be picked up from your home by our special airport bus. On your arriving, our coach will be waiting to take you to the hotel. All flights leave from Heathrow on a Monday morning.
The Cowrie Hotel is built right on the beachfront, and many rooms have wonderful ocean views. If swimming and surfing are not enough for you, the hotel also offers horse rides on the island, and a discount membership of the golf club.
The Rain Forest Adventure Holiday
Every year Broughton holidays offer twelve days of unforgettable adventure in a tropical rain forest. You may have a choice of Borneo, Malaysia, Indonesia, or even to the greatest rain forest of them all, the mighty Amazonian forest.
You will fly to our special base camps at the edge of the forest, where you will be given five days of survival training, and talks on the local wildlife.
Then you take a bus into the forest. You will have to walk the final five miles to the camp sites to avoid disturbing the local ecology. All of the camp sites have been carefully built to cause the minimal amount of disturbance to the local wildlife.
Remember that these adventure holidays take you deep into the wilderness,and they are not suitable for families with young children. Also remember that no more than two dozen guests can stay at any camp at one time, so if you want to go on one of these very special holidays, you will need to book early ![: _ | high9282.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Kathryn Sullivan."
},
"options": [
"Valentina Tereshkova.",
"Sally Ride.",
"Kathryn Sullivan.",
"Mae Jemison"
],
"question": "Who collected important information about air pollution?",
"question_type": "fact... | Since 1936, many female space explorers have followed Russian astronaut Valentina Tereshkova. Let's look at the missions of four important female astronauts to find out what astronauts do in space.
In 1983, Sally Ride became the first American women in space. Her team carried out scientific experiments in space and put two communications satellites in space. Satellites make it possible for us to communicate instantly with each other across the world through TV, radio, and telephones.
In 1984, Kathryn Sullivan became the first American women to walk in space. During her mission, she discovered important information about the sun's energy and how it affects the climate in very hot and very cold places on Earth. She also took photographs of Earth and measured air pollution.
In 1992, Mae Jemison became the first African-American in space. During her mission, she did scientific experiments using the weightless atmosphere. In space, there is no gravity, so everything floats! Dr. Jemison's experiments gave important information about the human body to produce better medicines and healthcare.
In 2012, Liu Yang became the first Chinese women in space. She did experiments in space medicine, which look at how astronauts can survive and stay healthy in space. The conditions in space are very hard on the body and space medicine helps astronauts work safely. | high13399.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Dr No"
},
"options": [
"American Beauty",
"Quantum of Solace",
"Dr No",
"Skyfall"
],
"question": "The first film of the 007 series is _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
... | The title of next James bond film is Skyfall, which has already started filming. The film will be on in the UK on 26 October 2012 and in the United States on 9 November 2012. It has been 50 years since Sean Connery was announced as the first man to play Bond in the film named Dr No. Do you expect Skyfall which is the 23rdfilm in the 007 series?
At London's Corinthi a Hotel, the official gave a little information about the storyline: Bond's loyal attitude toward his boss Miss M will be tested when one of her past staff comes back to hurt her. As MI6 is in danger, 007 needs to solve problems and protect MI6 whatever it costs.
Mendes, who won a best director Oscar for 1999's American Beauty, told fans that Skyfall would have all the features of a classic Bond movie, such as a lot of action. "Daniel Craig is back for a third time as 007 along with Dame Judi Dench as his boss Miss M." said Mendes. Many famous actors and actresses who have Oscar wins and nominations are included, but the filmmakers remain keeping their roles in the film secret.
Producers are showing no signs of cutting off the cost of Skyfall. "It is at the same level as the 2008's Quantum of Solace, which cost about $200m. The film will be made in the Whitehall, Scotland, China and Turkey, as well as Pinewood Studios." Said a producer.
Why has 007 been popular for so long? Professor James Chapman of Leicester University, the author of the book A Cultural History of the James Bond Films, said, "They manage to let each new film meet the changes not just in society but in the popular taste of film culture. That lets each generation get their own Bond." | high3976.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "When the first heavy rain comes in spring."
},
"options": [
"Before the ground is warm.",
"When the first heavy rain comes in spring.",
"After it is cool in sunny summer time.",
"When it is early April."
],
"que... | Entire populations of American toads breed within the same few days at the same time each year, usually late April or early May. The toads hop to their breeding ponds after the ground has warmed and the first hard spring rain falls. To get there, many of the toads will cross roads that cut through their habitat. It will be a grand view of hopping toads as well as a disastrous killing by cars!
The toads are "slow in moving at that time of year--it's still cool, they've been inactive--and they get killed" by cars when crossing roads, said Serrao, a naturalist. An April night five years ago, when Serrao went out to a country road to watch the moving of the toads, he counted 100 toads; 95 were hit by cars.
A similar story can be told for several other species of toads, frogs, crocodiles and turtles around the world.
The world's amphibians are reducing, and road-killing is just one factor behind it. Other better-known causes of the decline include global warming, insecticides , and the loss of wetlands.
Serrao says unless these animals get help crossing the road, their local populations will disappear.
Jackson, a biologist, said one way to help amphibians survive road crossings is to construct "amphibian tunnels" beneath the road. Jackson says tunnels should be a 0.6-meter-by-0.6-meter box, open at the top, and fitted with an iron grate to allow enough air and light into the tunnel. In addition, fences or walls should extend out from either side of a tunnel for about 30 meters, which guide amphibians toward the tunnels.
European countries have built amphibian tunnels for decades. Jackson led a team that installed the first such tunnel in prefix = st1 /Americain 1987, which helped over 3/4 of the local amphibian population safely cross the road.
Jackson says that there are about a hundred amphibian tunnels in the UStoday, but many of them were not carefully designed and probably not working well because land developers wanted to save money. | high17698.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Needing an answer? --- asking Question Box"
},
"options": [
"Question Box --- taking the place of the Internet",
"Needing an answer? --- asking Question Box",
"Question Box --- a great invention in the world",
"Rose Shu... | When you have a question about something, where do you go? For many people the answer is simple as they can go online to a search engine like Google or Yahoo. But what about people in rural or underdeveloped areas who may have no way to get on the Internet?
A business and international development professor in California, Rose Shuman, found an answer for them: Question Box. Question Box is a service that provides answers---free of charge---for people who cannot search the Internet directly. The users of Questions Box might be those who might not be able to read, or simply have no access to the Internet.
Question Box began three years ago in India. People used a metal call box with a push-to-talk button to connect a live operator. Rose Schuman explained," You just need to push a big green button on the box which will connect you directly to our operators who are sitting in front of computers, and speak your language. You can ask them any sort of question you want, and they'll look it up in English or in Hindi, or whatever the main language is, and translate the answer back for you."
The service is currently offered in two villages. The latest version of the box uses mobile phone technology, and solar panels in case the electrical power fails. Rose Shuman says the aim was to make the box as easy as possible for users, "It is very efficient . Rather than try to bring a lot of difficulties to them and expect them to spend a lot of time to learn how to use the Internet, the idea was to make a technology that even Grandma could use."
In April 2009, Question Box was introduced to Uganda. Forty community workers with mobile phones connected villagers to call center operators in Kampala. The community workers went around telling people about the service. They wore T-shirts that said "Ask me." But Internet service in Uganda proved slow and undependable. So Question Box teamed up with a local technology company to store information on a local server. That way, the researchers in Kampala could quickly search the database for answers. | high16586.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "He intends to call on people to do exercise."
},
"options": [
"He wants to ask people to respect the disabled.",
"He intends to call on people to do exercise.",
"He wants people to know the importance of exercise for the disa... | At the recent O&P Extremity Games, I had the opportunity to observe a new generation of athletes with disabilities who were skateboarding and rock climbing. These young people really showed the promise of how rewarding physical activities are! We disabled can - and should be -- as active as anyone else. When we get and stay active, we will feel better, be able to do more, have healthier bodies, and look better. It is a fact that exercise actually produces energy and builds on itself. The more we exercise, the fitter our bodies are, and thus the more energy we have to enjoy recreation and the pleasure of life.
Not everyone is cut out to be a competitive athlete, but there are things that we can do to strengthen our physical well-being. Experts recommend that spending as little as 30 minutes each day on physical activities provides benefits including lower risk of heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes and other serious diseases. Taking steps to become physically fit does not have to mean acquiring expensive training equipment or a gym membership. Exercise can include simple walking and running, gardening, cleaning the house, swimming, tennis, bicycling (stationary or on the road) and so on. The key is to do it on a regular basis.
Healthy lifestyles also require good nutritional habits. When choosing foods, nutritionists advise whole grains, flesh fruits and vegetables, fish, and lean cuts of poultry and meat. The benefits of drinking eight full glasses of water a day are also _ . Water provides the means for nutrients to travel to all our organs, improves skin tone , regulates body temperature and contributes to muscle strength and control, which is confirmed by scientists.
Fitness results in completing the tasks of daily living, working a full day, and still having energy to participate in recreational activities. By being fit, you'll find that you enjoy recreational activities even more because you won't be tired or suffer from gore muscles.
It is time, folks, to get moving. So let's all get out there and do some exercise! | high22623.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "find out other reasons why she should talk less"
},
"options": [
"look into the future in order to succeed in practicing the power of quiet",
"try harder to prevent herself from talking too much",
"survey people in other area... | My mom takes pride in the fact that I was talking in three and four word sentences before I was ten months old. Some say it's a gift while others simply think I talk too much.
As my thirties came to a close, I found myself reflecting on my life. I'm very happy and have no significant regrets. However, when I looked back on those times of difficulty, I saw a clear common denominator ; I didn't seem to know when to stop talking. Whether it was hurting someone's feelings, or having carelessly told a secret, the incident could have been avoided had I closed my mouth sooner. So I decided to practice the power of quiet.
To take this step, I needed to understand how people could sit comfortably in a group and not talk. Why does my husband feel completely content to say nothing in a conversation? He's highly intelligent and has wonderful opinions but he'll sit quietly and just listen. Even when he's asked a pointed question, he'll answer with few words while still communicating effectively. What a talent!
Can you imagine being happy just listening? In surveying those I know who talk less than I do, I got two answers--they either didn't feel confident enough to speak up, or they just didn't feel the need to participate in the conversation. Of course there were other reasons for not talking, but these were the two most popular answers.
The first one didn't work for me. I'm just fine letting people know what I think about them, and hopefully it will make the conversation much more interesting. The second one didn't work either. I do feel the need to participate. I feel it physically like an electrical pulse through my body; sometimes it's so strong that it causes me to behave badly in the form of interrupting or speaking in an unusually loud voice. _
An interesting thing happened on this journey to the power of quiet. During my weekly yoga class, it came to me like an answer so clear that the words rang in my head like soft, heavenly bells.
I talked too much so people would know I cared about them. It was my way of taking care of those I love. I decided before my fortieth birthday, that from that day forward, those around me would know I loved them, and cared what they thought and felt, but I was going to practice the power of quiet.
As my forty-second birthday approaches, I can say that deciding to talk less has been more about focusing on quality rather than quantity. I've found that listening more shows those who I care about that I really do care how they feel. Now when I break in, it means more to them. Oh, sure, I still have my short periods of talking too much, but for the most part this has been one resolution that I can call a success. | high14391.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "At present, Didi holds the largest market of China's private car hailing business."
},
"options": [
"The users of Didi can pay cab fare in cash.",
"At present, Didi holds the largest market of China's private car hailing business."... | China Merchants Bank Co Ltd has teamed up with ride-hailing major Didi Kuaidi to provide automobile financing and expand its reach in China's booming mobile payment industry.
The two have inked a comprehensive partnership, which includes a strategic investment by the former in the latter. Under the partnership, CMB will become the first bricks-and-mortar bank that can offer in-app credit card payments to Didi users. At present, users of Didi can only choose third-party payment solutions like WeChat Payment and Alipay to pay cab fares.
Zhao Ju, vice-president of CMB, said the cooperation with Didi was an important step in its mobile Internet finance strategy. "CMB's mobile payment is going to enter a new chapter by leveraging Didi Kuaidi's vast user base," he said.
According to a report by China Internet Network Information Center earlier this month, Didi holds 87.2 percent of China's private car hailing market. The company said it has received 1.43 billion car-hailing requests on its platforms in 2015, which means 1.43 billion payments were made via smartphones.
CMB is expected to use Didi to reach the core users of China's mobile payment market. Jean Liu, president of Didi, said many of the expats prefer payment by credit card rather than Alipay or WeChat. "The new partnership will help improve service quality and customer loyalty," she said. The investment makes CMB part of Didi's existing investors, including Tencent Holdings Ltd, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and China Investment Corporation. Both of the companies declined to reveal the actual amount of the investment.
Liu, who showed up on Tuesday for the first time in public after her treatment for breast cancer, said the cooperation with CMB is for the long run and "the capital investment is only part of it".
Under the partnership, CMB and Didi will cooperate on a wide range of initiatives on financial services and online-to-offline cooperation. Apart from the in-app credit card payments, the two companies are going to launch joint credit cards in late February and automobile financing services for Didi's car owners. CMB's branches across China are expected to help Didi recruit more drivers.
"There is a lot of room for imagination in our partnership," Li said, adding in future people may use their CMB credit card reward points to pay for the ride on Didi.
Li Chao, an analyst with iResearch Consulting Group, said the partnership may not significantly boost CMB's mobile payment business. "Didi has educated the market for three years and its customers have formed the habit of paying by WeChat or Alipay. So I think CMB can only turn a very smart proportion of Didi users into its payment customer," he said. "But the move shows that China's traditional banking industry is finally thinking out of the box and looking for outside partners in Internet finance competition," he said.
Statistics from Big-Data Research showed that more than 90 percent of China's 9.3 trillion yuan ($1.41 trillion) worth of third party mobile payment market is donated by Alibaba and Tencent. | high12938.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "It cannot dive into water."
},
"options": [
"It is capable of diving into water.",
"It cannot dive into water.",
"It can float using its fins.",
"It is difficult to detect."
],
"question": "Which is NOT true abo... | A Robot Fish has been developed by National University of Singapore's researchers from the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering.This robot fish has movements which have been inspired by the movements of the carp .
There are various purposes that it can be used for.It can help in underwater archaeology ( ).For example, it can enter a sunken city where human divers cannot enter.Just like a fish , it can also look at all the comers of particular wreckage.This robot can also be used for general purposes such as detection of leakages in a pipeline or for laying down communication cables across oceans.It also has possible military uses.
In order to copy carp movements, Mr.Fan studied the movements of the fish for around 3 months.He studied all the different movements of carp using different cameras and then converted these movements mathematically to transfer this data to the robot using many actuators .
Professor Xu commented on the robot that the current models that copy fish movements are capable only of 2D movements which limits their capability as they are not able to dive into water.He said that his model is the first model with 3D movements which allows it to dive as well as float with the help of its fins, just as a normal fish would do.Hence, this fish model robot has much greater movement capability.It would be much harder for enemies to detect as compared to traditional ones when used for military purposes.
The researches want to make their robot fish even smaller, more realistic while adding more sensors such as GPS and video camera to it.This will improve its autonomous 3D movement.They are also planning to test the fish by giving it more difficult tasks such as detecting various objects. | high8823.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "It's the first study to look at all-baby groups."
},
"options": [
"It's the first study to look at all-baby groups.",
"It divides babies according to their personalities.",
"Its aim is to change the way of child care.",
... | It's not just adults who have a thing or two to discuss with other people, babies too have their own social lives and enjoy group interaction, according to a world-first study.
The breakthrough study conducted by psychologist Professor Ben Bradley, at Charles Sturt University, could completely transform the way child-care centres are set up. In their study, the researchers examined groups of nine-month-old babies in New South Wales and Britain.
And they came across astounding results. It was found that infants had "social brains" and focused not just on their mothers but on social life in groups as well.
"They communicate with more than one baby at once, and show jealousy and generousness," said Professor Bradley.
He added, "They develop their own meanings through group interaction, they notice if a group member is behaving differently and they take on roles, such as leaders and followers."
"A baby who has a depressed mother tends to be withdrawn ( ), but put that same baby in a group of its peers and they behave and interact like any other baby."
It was the first all-baby group study ever to be conducted. "Most studies of babies concentrate on the infant-mother relationship, assuming that is the single foundation for mental health, but babies are constantly involved with groups of people other than their mothers, fathers, siblings, grandparents and those taking care. Therefore, the mother-baby approach needs to be combined with a group approach," said Bradley.
Phoebe Christison, a child-care worker at Camperdown Sunshine Bubs in Sydney's inner west, said she often noticed what appeared to be emotional attachments developed between toddlers.
She said, "Joel ( 10 months ) and Isabella ( 11 months ) always like to hold hands when they sit in their high chairs and eat. And babies definitely show jealousy. They push and touch each other, and copy what the other is doing." | high24252.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "the stars may share the audience's attention with the story"
},
"options": [
"stars usually stick to their own acting styles",
"the stars may not be able to speak the local dialect",
"the stars may share the audience's attent... | Gu Changwei was the first Chinese cinematographer to be nominated for an Oscar, he is regarded by Zhang Yimou as the best cinematographer in China. Gu was behind the camera for many of Zhang Yimou's famous films including the one that rocketed Zhang to fame: "Red Sorghum ". And now this master of the visual has taken on his first directing role with the film "Peacock". So Gu Changwei has come out from behind the camera into the spotlight .
Gu Changwei is very serious about his directing "Peacock". To get the authentic atmosphere, Gu took his film crew to the city of Anyang in central China's Henan province where the story takes place, to shoot the film. He chose all new actors because he didn't want "star" appeal to weaken the power of the story, and he also had his actors trained in the local dialect. For this film Gu has been able to get out from behind the camera to manage every aspect of the film, and to realize his own ideals in movie-making.
"Peacock" is about the life of an average family in a small town in Henan province in the late 70s and early 80s. Gu chose this story for his first movie because he grew up during this same period and it struck a chord with him.
"Peacock" wrapped up production in June, 2004. It's aimed at the foreign film market and will be entered in February's Berlin Film Festival, and released in China at the same time. But at the end of last October, Gu took "Peacock" to his Alma Mater, the Beijing Film Academy, one of the most famous film colleges in China, to hold a preview. The film was warmly received by both teachers and students. | high15931.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Watch TV comfortably at home."
},
"options": [
"Visit Aunt Loretta.",
"Travel with his family.",
"Look after his little brother.",
"Watch TV comfortably at home."
],
"question": "What did the author prefer to do... | If there's one thing I' ve learned from my years of being a kid, it' s that you have ZERO control over your own life.
Ever since school ended, I haven' t had anything I' ve needed to do or anywhere I' ve needed to be. As long as the air-conditioning was working and the TV remote had batteries in it, I was ready for a relaxing summer holiday.
But then, out of the blue, this happened - " Pack your bags. We' re going on a road trip ! " Mom said excitedly.
This isn't the first time Mom has sprung a trip on us without any warming. Last year on the first day of summer, she said we were going .to visit Aunt Loretta at the nursing home.
It wasn't exactly my idea of a fun way to kick off the summer. One time when we visited Aunt Loretta, her roommate grasped me and wouldn't let me go until someone gave her a chocolate cookie !
Mom kept talking about going to the nursing home for a whole day, which made me worry a lot. But at breakfast the next morning, she told us where we were really going - Disney World.
I was very happy, because I was really worried about spending the whole week at the nursing home. So was Dad.
But when my little brother, Danny, heard about the change he became very angry. Mom had talked up the Aunt Loretta trip so much that Danny was actually excited about going there.
We ended up putting off our trip to Disney so we could visit Aunt Loretta.
I tried to talk Mom into letting us do something normal, like going to a water park for the day, but she didn't want to hear it. She said that spending a lot of time together in the car would be a " bonding" experience for the whole family. | high9283.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Louise"
},
"options": [
"Ann",
"Adolphine",
"Allene",
"Louise"
],
"question": "J.Paul Getty's marriage that lasted for the longest time was with _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answ... | As you probably know, J.Paul Getty was one of the richest and moat successful American industrialists in history.Quite ambitious from an early age, Getty made his first million at age 23 in 1916.He later went on to found the Getty oil company, In 1957, Fortune magazine named him the richest living American and in 1966, the Guinness Book of Records named him as the world's richest private citizen.
Although he is highly regarded by vast numbers of people for his financial success, as a younger man, his drive to acquire power and money had a _ l impact on other aspects of his life, particularly in his relationships with women.He was, at one point quoted assaying "A lasting relationship with a woman is only possible if you are a business failure." He married five times, having children with four of these wives.He couldn't seem to keep a marriage going for very long.His obsession with having a fortune and power alienated each of his wives, eventually driving them away. His marriage with his first wife Jeanette lasted for only three years, with Allene for two years, Adolphine, four years, Ann, four years, and finally Louise, nineteen years.
Perhaps as a young man, Getty was willing to pay whatever price for financial success.Yet Paul came to feel some regret in regard to his life priorities as he approached his later years when he Wrote: "I hate and regret the failure of my marriages.I would gladly give all of my millions for just one lasting marriage success."
At the end of Getty's life, all of the wealth that he had got meant very little to him.It was only then that he became wise enough to understand what really mattered most.Despite all of his accomplishments, he died with great regret.
It' s a sad story and a cautionary tale for those of us who may have chosen to make career building our highest priority , thereby ignoring our relationships.Like any other living organism, relationships require care and attention in order to grow.Even the strongest relationships will he damaged, if there is not enough care. | high1807.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "had no right to forbid her from using her mobile phone"
},
"options": [
"lacked the knowledge of checkout manners",
"played with a mobile phone while at work",
"had no right to forbid her from using her mobile phone",
"... | A supermarket checkout operator was praised for striking a blow for modern manners and a return to the age of politeness after refusing to serve a shopper who was talking on her mobile phone.
The supermarket manager was forced to apologize to the customer who complained she was told her goods would not be scanned unless she hung up her phone. Jo Clark, 46, said, "I don't know what she was playing at. I couldn't believe how rude she was. When did she have the right to give me a lecture on checkout manners? I won't be shopping there again!"
But users of social media sites and Internet forums were very angry that store gave in and the public appeared to be supporting the angry checkout worker. "Perhaps this is a turning point for mobile phone users everywhere. When chatting, keep your eyes on people around you. That includes people trying to serve you, other road users and especially people behind you in the stairs," said a typical post.
"It's time checkout staff fought back against these people constantly chatting on their phones. They can drive anyone crazy. It's rude and annoying. I often want to grab someone's phone and throw it as far as I can, even though I am not a checkout girl, just a passer-by," said another.
Siobhan Freegard, founder of parenting site www. Netmums.com said, "While this checkout operator doesn't have the authority to order customers to switch off their phones, you can see clearly how frustrated and angry she felt. No matter how busy you are, life is nicer when you and those around you have good manners." | high12086.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "the history of jeans"
},
"options": [
"the life story of Levi Strauss",
"jeans and American culture",
"why jeans are popular.",
"the history of jeans"
],
"question": "This passage is mainly about _ .",
"q... | Jeans are trousers made of a kind of clothe called denim. For many people, blue jeans represent American culture.
The history of blue jeans usually begins with a man named Levi Strauss. Although he did not invent the jeans, he is considered the first person to produce and sell this kind of clothing in large amounts.
Levi Strauss was born in Bavaria, Germany. In 1847, he and his family moved to the US. He opened a store, first in New York, and then in San Francisco, California. Among the products he sold were jeans. These trousers were especially useful for miners in California who needed clothing made of a strong material.
Levi Strauss partnered with a clothing maker named Jacob Davis, who had invented a process for making rivets for jeans. These metal things helped strengthen the blue jean cloth to make the trousers stronger. In 1873, Strauss and Davis received a patent to officially own this invention. They began producing " copper-riveted waist overalls ". In 1928 the Levi Strauss company used the word "Levi's" as the trademark for their products.
The 19th-century workers would probably be surprised to know that their trousers would one day become a fashion object. Today, jeans are worn by people of all ages, incomes and lifestyles. Jeans come in many colors other than blue and in many styles and at many prices.
A national museum in Washington, D.C. has one of the oldest known pairs of Levi's jeans in its collection. Jeans have come to express different ideas about American culture based on the people who wear them. These include the heroes of the Wild West and famous Hollywood actors like James Dean and Marlon Brando in the 1950s. Writer James Sullivan published a book called Jean: A Cultural History of an American Icon. In the book, he says jeans serve as a sign for two American values, creativity and rebellion . | high10849.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "be heard by people around"
},
"options": [
"get the sweater at a lower price",
"be heard by people around",
"be praised by other shoppers",
"decide on buying the sweater"
],
"question": "The two attractive young... | You're in a department store and you see a couple of attractive young women looking at a sweater. You listen to their dialogue:
"I can't believe it -- Lorenzo Bertolla! They are almost impossible to find. Isn't it beautiful? And it's a lot cheaper than the one Sara bought in Rome."
They leave and you go over to see this unbelievable sweater. It's nice and the price is right. You've never heard of Lorenzo Bertolla, but those girls looked really stylish . They must know. So, you buy it. You never realize that those young women are employees of an advertising agency. They are actually paid to go from store to store, talking loudly about Lorenzo Bertolla clothes.
Every day we notice what people are wearing, driving and eating. If the person looks cool, the product seems cool, too. This is the secret of undercover marketing. Companies from Ford to Nike are starting to use it.
Undercover marketing is important because it reaches people that don't pay attention to traditional advertising. This is particularly true of the MTV generation -- consumers between the age of 18 and 34. It's a golden group. They have a lot of money to spend, but they don't believe in ads.
So advertising agencies hire young actors to "perform" in bars and other places where young adults go. Some people might call this practice misleading, but marketing executive Jonathan Ressler calls it creative. "Look at traditional advertising. Its effectiveness is decreasing." It is true, because everyone knows an ad is trying to persuade you to buy something. However, you don't know when a dialogue you overhear is just a performance. | high20752.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "can choose to learn cursive writing"
},
"options": [
"must learn cursive writing",
"are interested in cursive writing",
"can choose to learn cursive writing",
"learn cursive writing every day"
],
"question": "In... | Cursive writing is about to become extinct.Do we raise the red flag? To teach or not to teach cursive writing is a question that several state education departments are meeting with.
Before you read this text, do a simple exercise.Pick a pen and paper and start writing in cursive.Yes, that fancy handwriting that you learned in grade school.You may not have forgotten the good times you had while writing curly Ms and Ns.However, the chances are that you won't be able to write it as excellently as you used to.Some people are good at making the perfect curls, while some are bad.I am still terrible at it.
Cursive writing is hardly used by kids anymore as even adults don't write in this style, unless they are using it for their signature.Learning it was a usual practice in school for several decades.However, in 2011, the Indiana Department of Education made it optional for schools to teach cursive writing to the students.In fact, there are 46 more states that have also done the same.
There are some who believe that it is high time for cursive writing to retire from school curriculum.After all, if we don't leave the past behind, we cannot make way for new things.If you walk into any classroom, you would find children using keyboards to communicate in the written form.On the other hand, fans of cursive writing insist on its usefulness.They remind us that if we stop teaching and learning cursive writing in school, very soon most of our historical documents will become hard to us.Where do we stand on this subject? Is it the right time to erase an almost forgotten writing style and live in the keyboarding world? Or can we do both without compromising on our school curriculum? Let me know your thoughts on this matter by leaving a comment in the section below. | high10691.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Reactions of some Chinese to the appointments."
},
"options": [
"The appointment of a ChineseAmerican.",
"Trade relations between China and the U.S.",
"ChineseAmericans' recent achievement.",
"Reactions of some Chinese ... | In late February, US President Obama appointed Gary Locke (Luo Jiahui) as the US secretary of commerce. The appointment has caused an excitement in China. The reasons are simple. First, the US and China are two of the world's biggest economies. In recent years they have enjoyed close trade relations. Now, with the global economic crisis, the Chinese are anxious to know who will be filling such an important management role in America's trade efforts. Then, there's an even more obvious reason: the 59yearold Gary Locke is a thirdgeneration ChineseAmerican. He served two terms, between 1997 and 2005, as governor of the state of Washington.
Along with Locke, Steven Chu (Zhu Diwen), the 1997 Nobel Prizewinning physicist was named secretary of energy. The two men are the most wellknown ChineseAmericans among Chinese people. Both will be dealing closely with China. Many Chinese are wondering whether the men's family and cultural backgrounds will affect US policies toward China. Among the most asked questions are: "will they be 'nicer' to China?" and "does their appointment mean that Obama will prioritize China relations?"
They represent many firsts and unusual honours for the 3.6 million ChineseAmericans. People in the motherland are naturally proud of the achievements of these people who share their blood, skin color1 and family names. Both Chu and Locke have had experience working with the Chinese. This will probably help improve communication and understanding in the two countries' relations.
However, some experts say that it may not be realistic to expect Chu and Locke to be more "Chinafriendly" than others in the Obama administration. They are, after all, American officials serving the American people. Especially on matters of national interest, they will most likely not hesitate to play the hard line and put pressure on China. | high21458.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Because the number of food wasted by us is growing fast."
},
"options": [
"Because there's enough food for Chinese people.",
"Because Chinese consumers like to try delicious food.",
"Because the number of food wasted by us is... | We all waste food, you and me, every day, millions of tons of it.In China, enough food is wasted in restaurants every year to feed 200 million people.And the amount of food wasted by Chinese consumers is increasing fast.So our nation is being encouraged to stop wasting food.
So what should Chinese consumers do to prevent food waste?
Keep a kitchen diary
All of us should keep a kitchen diary, and we can know that how much food we waste at home.The first thing for us to do is to stop throwing away food that we can still eat.We should eat everything we buy and if we cannot, we should buy less.
Buy only what we need
We should ask for smaller portions in stores.We should also check how much food we have before buying more.We shouldn't bring much food we don't need home even if large posters ask us to do so.
Develop the habit of packing food
Chinese consumers are generous and friendly.In restaurants, often too much food is ordered and served.So when ordering out, we are supposed to exclude the food in the order if we don't plan to eat it.And order smaller servings in restaurants and take home what we cannot finish.
Don't put it off! Let's stop food waste today! | high10685.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "showing favoritism is common in many families"
},
"options": [
"showing favoritism is common in many families",
"most mothers like their sons better than their daughters",
"only two-thirds of the women interviewed have more t... | In any family with more than one child, chidren seem to naturally compete for their parents' love and attention. Parents say they love every child equally. But is that true?
Susan, founder of a consulting firm in Chicago, interviewed 216 women and found that even though none of her questions asked directly about a parent favoring one child over another, about two-thirds of the women said there was a favored child. And they also remembered their experience when they were young. One of the women said, "My mother always liked my brother better, and he got to go to summer camp in 1968 and I didn't."
Plumez, who interviewed parents with both biological children and adoptive children for an adoption book in 2008, found that what matters most is whether your temperaments are pleasing. "In some cases, parents would say they felt closer to their adopted children," she says, "Some parents like the children with characters similar to theirs. Two people who are shy and withdrawn might get along well, unless the shy parent doesn't like that aspect of themselves and they try to push the naturally withdrawn child to be more
."
It could be a result of gender, birth order or how easy or difficult a child's temperament may be, but a parent's different treatment has far-reaching effects. Students have found that less-favored children may suffer emotionally, with decreased self-esteem and behavioral problems in childhood. Favoritism is a reason for the next generation not to like each other.
Experts say it is not realistic to say everyone should be treated equally, because no two people are the same and they relate differently to others.
"It does not mean that parent loves or likes one child more. It has to do with which one of them is independent," says psychologist Laurie Kramer of the University of Illinois. | high15925.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "verse 69 & 71"
},
"options": [
"verse 248 &69",
"verse 71 & 100",
"verse 69 & 71",
"verse 100& 52"
],
"question": "Which of the verses sing praise for those who are ready to sacrifice themselves without asking ... | Rabindranath Tagore was an Indian writer and poet, who was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. Composed of 326 short verses, Stray Birds is a collection of short verses translated from Bengali into English by the poet himself, where Tagore spiritualizes nature into the experiences of human existence while demonstrating his love for nature and simplicity through poetic words.
Now read the following verses taken from Stray Birds(1916) and try to answer the questions.
*Man does not reveal himself in his history, he struggles up through it. (verse 52)
*The cloud stood humbly in a corner of the sky.
The Morning crowned it with splendour . (verse 100)
*Man is worse than an animal when he is an animal. (verse 248)
*Bees sip honey from flowers and hum their thanks when they leave.
The gaudy butterfly is sure that the flowers owe thanks to him. (verse 127)
*The stream of truth flows through its channels of mistakes. (verse 243)
*Let him only see the thorns who has eyes to see the rose. (verse 230)
*Set bird's wings with gold and it will never again soar in the sky. (verse 231)
*Men are cruel, but Man is kind. (verse 219)
*Let me not put myself wrongly to my world and set it against me. (verse 206)
*Wrong cannot afford defeat but right can. (verse 68)
*"I give my whole water in joy," sings the waterfall. "though little of it is enough for the thirsty." (verse 69)
*The woodcutter's axe begged for its handle from the tree.
The tree gave it. (verse 71)
*Thank the flame for its light, but do not forget the lampholder standing in the shade with constancy of patience. (verse 64) | high9297.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "snowfalls are kept in certain patterns"
},
"options": [
"the lowest temperature there is - 40degC",
"the depth of ice is 3,000 meters",
"the ice has existed for 15,000 years",
"snowfalls are kept in certain patterns"
... | 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. | high8189.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "He was happy and smart."
},
"options": [
"He was serious.",
"He was helpful.",
"He was allergic.",
"He was happy and smart."
],
"question": "What kind of person was Jerry?",
"question_type": "factiod_questio... | Jerry was a manager in a restaurant.He was always in a good mood and always had something positive to say.This really made me _ so one day I asked him,"It's hard to be a positive person all of the time.How do you do it?'' Jerry replied ,"Each morning I wake up and sayto myself,"Jerry, you can choose to be in a good mood or a bad mood," and I choose to be in a good mood. Life is all about what you choose.And what you choose leads your life."Several years later,I heard that Jerry left the back door open one morning and was robbed .While trying to stop the thief ,he was shot. I went to see him in the hospital.When I asked him how he was,he replied,"If I were any better,I'd be twins." "Weren't you scared when you were in danger?"I asked."Yes. The doctors kept telling me that I was going to be fine, but in their eyes,I read."He's dead."I knew I needed to take action." "What did you do?" "Well.there was a big nurse asking me if I was allergic to anything."Yes,'I replied ."Bullets !Everyone laughed and I told them: I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive." Jerry lived thanks to the great doctors ,and also because of his amazing attitude .Attitude ,after all ,is everything. | high1813.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "By combining letter writing with the Internet."
},
"options": [
"By providing real paper for letter writers.",
"By making room for people to write letters.",
"By supplying writing desks to letter writers.",
"By combinin... | Miss sending letters? Try Lettrs! This new service brings back the art of letter writing by marrying it to the Internet.
Lettrs, a new site, is attempting to bring back the old-fashioned idea of letter writing by providing a space that feels a little bit like a writing desk.
Of course, there'll be purists who say that to truly enjoy letter writing you must do it on fancy letter paper and envelope in the mail is part of the fun. And if you're into that sort of thing, go for it. But I can't be the only one who is now so much faster at typing that writing by hand is painfully slow. Nor can I be the only one who likes to write on a whim when I'm going to be on a crowded train or airplane, both of which are situations where writing on the computer is far easier.
The site tries, pretty seriously, to approximate what it's like to have your very own writing desk and paper to choose from (which comes in various prints and colors) as well as corresponding types of prints and cursive writing that come out on your screen as you write. There's also a "desk drawer" for letters you've already sent, a "fridge" to post letters publicly, a "kitchen counter" for letters you have just received, and "shoebox" to store your letters in.
And if you need inspiration there are even old-style letters that are great examples of the kind of correspondence people used to send. Lettrs is such a great idea, because you get the best parts of communicating online (typing rather than writing, the speed, no lost mail, and it's free! ) with the nice parts of a letter-the sense of sitting down to write, quietly, to one person in a meaningful way.
Who would you write to? | high12092.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "reliable, independent, responsible and enthusiastic"
},
"options": [
"reliable, independent, responsible and enthusiastic",
"Good - looking, responsible, enthusiastic and reliable",
"independent, reliable, aggressive and resp... | The words "winner" and "loser" have many meanings. When we refer to a person as a winner, we do not mean one makes someone else lose. To us , a winner is one who responds authentically by being credible ,trustworthy, responsive , and genuine, both as an individual and as a member of a society.
Winners are not afraid to do their own thinking and to use their own knowledge! They can separate facts from opinons and don't pretend to have all the answers. They listen to others. evaluate what they say, but come to their own conclusion. Although winners can admire and respect other people, they are not totally defined, demolished, bound, or awed by them.
Winners do not play "helpness", nor do they the blaming game. Instead, they assume responsibility for their own lives! They do not give others a false authority over them. Winners are their own bosses and know it.
A winner's timing is right. Winners respond appropriately to the situation. Their responses are related to the message sent. They know the importance and the value of the people involved. Winners know that for every thing there is a season and for every activity a time.
Although winners can freely enjoy themselves, they can also postpone enjoyment, can discipline themselves in the present to enhance their enjoyment in the future. Winners are not afraid to go after what they want, but they do so in appropriate ways. Winners do not get their security by controlling others. They do not set themselves up to lose.
A winner cares about the world and its peoples. A winner is not _ from the general problems of society ,but is concerned, compassionate, and committed to improving the quality of life. Even in the face of national and international adversity, a winner's self-image is not one of a powerless individual. A winner works to make the world a better place. | high22637.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "he can't express himself well with American students."
},
"options": [
"he is willing to help Koreans with their English",
"he prefers to stay home rather than meet Americans",
"he can't express himself well with American stu... | Although international students want to dive into American culture, it is easier to stay close to the families.
"Most international students told me that they want to meet and make friends with as many Americans as they can," said Mark Galloway, Institute for International Studies (IIS) student adviser at prefix = st1 /StateUniversity.
"But in reality, they are comfortable with being around people from their own country, if possible. "
Testing of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is an admission test for international students enrolling in American universities. Galloway said students' scores decreased when they spend less time with American students.
More than 450 international students are on campus at MurrayStateUniversity. Thailand, Japan,South Korea,ChinaandGermanyare countries with the most students this semester, according to an IIS report.
Wichien Eampromate, Thai Student Association President, said poor English ability and cultural differences make it difficult for Thai students to spend time with Americans.
"We eat different things; we do different kinds of things," said Eampromate.
On the other hand, Joon-Seong Bae, an exchange student from KoreaUniversity, said he tried to avoid hanging around other Koreans.
But it is not easy for him. He said he is less comfortable with Americans because he cannot say everything he wants to say, and not all Americans are patient with his limited English.
"There were two or three Americans and me," Bae said. "We talked about something. As time went by, I was kind of excluded because they talked to each other.
While international students venture outside their comfort zones, American students also have the opportunity to be exposed to other cultures.
"I know there are a lot ( of American students) who want to get to know international students," said Philip Lee, senior from Boonville,Indiana. "They are just uncomfortable. "
Lee said he has learned about life from his international friends, although it is sometimes a challenge.
" I can't live a comfortable life all the time," Lee said. " I realized there is a great benefit of stepping out of my comfort zone to meet people. " | high23529.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "was interested in the tooth fairy"
},
"options": [
"was afraid of the tooth fairy",
"was interested in the tooth fairy",
"knew where the tooth fairy lived",
"doubted if the tooth fairy existed"
],
"question": "A... | Every time I lost a tooth I would put it under my pillow at night. The next morning I would wake up to find two coins replacing my tooth. Then I'd wonder about the tooth fairy all day.
"Mom, where do you think the tooth fairy lives? What does she do with the teeth she collects?"
My mom said she didn't know. She only knew that the tooth fairy took the tooth away while we were sleeping and left us some money under our pillow. But I wanted to find out. So I think it was a good thing that I would lose another tooth. The plan was to stay up all night and ask the tooth fairy when she showed up.
That night I lay quietly in my bed, growing sleepy as the night went on. Moments later, I felt that someone was close to me. Through my half-opened eyes, I didn't see any feet, but I knew it was the tooth fairy. I watched her run around and fly right out of my room. She was wearing a shiny green dress. After she left, I immediately felt under my pillow. There were two coins. I had never even felt my pillow move. I wondered if she used magic.
As I got older, I learned from my teachers that the tooth fairy didn't exist. It was just a mythical figure of early childhood. I kind of thought it was, but how could I see the tooth fairy fly that night?
Then one night my mom came into my room to check on me. The moonlight was bright that night and it shone through my window right on her shiny green nightdress. Right then I knew deep down that my mom was the tooth fairy. | high14385.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "people can afford books or get books easily in libraries"
},
"options": [
"the educational system has not changed by now",
"people can afford books or get books easily in libraries",
"different economic challenges happen acro... | Why Rent Textbooks?
Renting textbooks is a relatively new idea for everyone. Back in the old days, the idea of renting one never existed since the books are affordable or readily available in libraries. But the time has changed and with the changes in educational system and various economic challenges happening across the globe, the price of textbooks increased.
Given such fact, textbook renting is now a new fashion among college students. Research was made to find out if renting helps one save money and time rather than buying new textbooks and realized that it really is. Let's examine carefully further and see why renting books is a cost-effective way to still get to have your textbooks without _ too much money from your pocket.
Gives value for your money
You don't have to buy all of your textbooks. Those non-major subjects, are better acquired through renting. It saves one money and helps you give out the money you save on some other personal possessions you need in college.
Renting textbooks allows you to save at least 50% off the standard retail price for each item. You can tell, with a little research, that renting is a lot cheaper compared to buying used books aside from looking way better than the former.
Saves time
You can save a great deal of time when renting a textbook. Instead of browsing your way for hours trying to look for better deals online, you can simply go to a popular book renting marketplace online and just order away. There is literally no need to skimming for hours and see where you can find a great deal. Often, the rental company gives you prepaid postage slip just to get you going and do the same when you decide to return the book.
This process not only saves you time, it also saves other resources like gas if you decide to go to the nearest bookstore to buy books or spend hours using electricity just to find a good deal.
User Friendly
Aside from being able to save money and time, renting textbooks brings convenience to all users. Imagine trying to scan the virtual bookshelf and checking on comments of previous users and figuring out which ones got bad comments and which had great ones. It could be fun at first but if you are short of time, the process can become annoying.
If you rent books, you will only be needing the book's ISBN number and find it right away. No more time-wasting site search. Type in the ISBN number, order the book, and wait for it to get shipped to your home. | high439.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "he was too young to play with his older siblings and too old to sleep with his baby brothers"
},
"options": [
"he both wanted to sleep inside and play around the corner",
"he was too young to sleep with his baby brothers and too ol... | I know now that the man who sat with me on the old wooden stairs that hot summer night over thirty-five years ago was not a tall man. But to a five-year old, he was a giant.
Once again, I was caught in the middle of circumstances. The fourth born of six children, it was not uncommon that I was either too young or too old for something. This night I was both. While my two baby brothers slept inside the house, my three older siblings played with friends around the corner, where I was not allowed to go. I stayed with Grandpa, and that was okay with me. I was where I wanted to be.
"Thirsty?" Grandpa asked. "Yes" was my reply.
"Would you like to run over to the gas station there and get yourself a bottle of Coke?" I couldn't believe my ears. On my family's modest income, Coke was not a part of our budge or diet. A few sips were all I had ever had, and certainly never my own bottle.
"Okay," I replied shyly.
Opening his fist, Grandpa instructed me to pick out a dime.
"Okay," he said, " I'm going to stay here and I'll tell you when It's safe to cross. You go over to the Coke machine, get your Coke and come back out. Wait for me to tell you when it's safe to cross back."
My heart pounded. Grandpa held my hand tightly. When he told me it was safe to cross, I ran faster than I had ever run before.
Reaching the other side, I turned to find Grandpa. There he was, standing exactly where I had left him, smiling proudly. I waved. "Go on, hurry up," he yelled.
Coke in hand, I proudly marched back out into the early evening dusk. Grandpa was waiting patiently. He smiled. "Come on, now," he said, "run." I did."
"Don't ever do that alone, he warned. I held the Coke bottle tightly, fearful he would make me pour it into a cup, ruining my dream. He didn't. One lone swallow of the cold drink cooled my sweating body. I don't think I ever felt so proud. | high24246.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Popular and simple."
},
"options": [
"Popular and simple.",
"Creative but undesirable.",
"Random and crazy.",
"Inspiring but unsuccessful."
],
"question": "Which words can best describe the event held in Brookly... | Imagine a picnic dinner held at a location only made known hours before the meal, where guests are invited to decorate tables and chairs, bring their favorite dishes and wear white to reflect the simplicity of the event.
This was the scene at a PopUp dinner held on June 13 in Brooklyn, New York's Prospect Park. PopUp dinners are popping up nationwide -- not just in Brooklyn. Garrett Sathre and his wife and business partner, Nicole Benjamin-Sathre are the team behind Hand Made Events and the creators and hosts of PopUp dinners. Sathre, a former restaurateur and head chef with Bubba's Diner and Kitchen 39, both located in the Bay Area, came up with the concept of the flash dinner after he was inspired by the annual Diner en Blanc held in Paris.
In 2011, Hand Made Events used the power of social media to get the word out and soon, enough interest was attracted. In October 2011, it held its first flash dinner, calling the evening Le Diner a San Francisco at Golden Gate Park's outdoor Music Pavilion. He described it as a picnic dinner for 3,500 people."I thought we would have anywhere between 300-500 people to attend. Two articles ran a week later about my crazy idea and we got 15,000 emails within three days,"Sathre said.
After the success of the San Francisco dinner, Sathre decided to expand his"crazy idea"and hold dinners across the country in major markets such as Brooklyn, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Sathre says their Brooklyn PopUp on June 13 sold 5,000 tickets in just four days with 5,000 on the waiting list raising over $160,000 in ticket sales. Those are some big numbers. Hand Made Events partners with the Prospect Park Alliance and gives all of their proceeds to the non-profit group. In total, the Brooklyn PopUp dinner raised over $60,000 for the Prospect Park Alliance. Hand Made Events sees the same interest in their smaller city locations."We have seen a 30 percent increase in our smaller markets -- Minneapolis, San Diego, Charleston, and Miami every year,"Sathre said.
Hand Made Events has eight more dinners planned nationwide this year, and six already scheduled for next year. The popularity is not just here in the states. Sathre says he sees photos of other groups holding similar events everywhere through social media. Just last year, Hand Made Events helped a woman in Kenya plan her own flash dinner via Skype."This event crosses and appeals to all cultures. There are not many events, if any, that bring all people together like the PopUp,"he said. | high19879.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "That a new generation of Americans are responsible for their government."
},
"options": [
"That the United States is powerful.",
"That a new generation of Americans are responsible for their government.",
"That the United Sta... | We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom, symbolizing an end as well as a beginning, signifying renewal as well as change for I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forbears (ancestors) prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.
The world is very different now, for man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forbears fought are still at issue around the globe, the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God. We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution.
Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe (enemy) alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage and unwilling to disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage and unwilling to disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
Let every nation know whether it wishes us well or ill that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty. This much we pledge (promise solemny) and more.
In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility. I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the Freedom of Man.
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own. | high3962.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "scientific society"
},
"options": [
"scientific society",
"technical groups",
"complex situation",
"knowledge system"
],
"question": "According to the passage, 'scientific subculture' means _ .",
"questio... | Science is a major topic in our culture. Since it touches almost every field of our life, educated people need at least some knowledge with its structure and operation. They should also have an understanding of the scientific subculture in which scientists live and the kinds of people they are. An understanding of general characteristics of science as well as specific scientific ideas is easier to obtain if one knows something about the things that excite and discourage the scientist.
This book is written for the person whose knowledge with science is not complete; for the person who has been presented with science as a musty storehouse of dried facts; for the person who sees the chief objective of science as the production of tricks; and for the person who views the scientists as some sort of magician. The book can be used to add to a course in any science, to come with any course that attempts to give an understanding of the modern world, or simply to provide a better understanding of science. We hope this book will lead readers to a broader view on scientific attitudes and a more realistic view of what science is, who scientists are, and what they do. It will give them an idea and understanding of the relationship between science and our culture and an appreciation of the roles science may play in our culture. Besides, readers may learn to appreciate the relationship between scientific views and some of the values and philosophies that are deep in our culture.
We have tried to present in this book a correct and up-to-date picture of the scientific world and the people who populate it. That population has in recent years come to include more and more women. This increasing role of women is not just the only event but, rather, part of the trend obvious in all parts of society, as more women enter traditionally male-controlled fields and make influential contributions.
We have also tried to make the book entertaining as well as informative. Our method is usually informal. We feel, as do many other scientists, that we shouldn't take ourselves too seriously. As the reader may observe, we see science as a delightful pastime rather than as a cruel and unpleasant way to earn a living. | high20020.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Some words have very funny origins."
},
"options": [
"Captain Cook's guide had a sense of humor.",
"Local Australians could speak English in Cook's time.",
"Some words have very funny origins.",
"Captain Cook loved wild... | How "Kangaroo" Became an Animal's Name
Early in the 18th century, Captain Cook, a famous explorer of Australia, unexpectedly saw an unusual animal during his first visit to Australia. The animal had a large mouth-like head and jumped along on its large legs. To his surprise, the unusual animal carried its baby in a special pocket of flesh. Captain Cook pointed to the animal which was eating grass in the distance and asked his local guide what that animal was. The guide seemed not to know what he was pointing at and finally said Kang-a-roo. Cook carefully wrote down Kang-a-roo as the animal's name in his word book. The Europeans who later got to Australia were anxious to see the unusual animal "Kang-a-roo", but their requests met with puzzled looks of the local people. Before long they got to discover that the local guide who made the answer to Cook's question really meant, "I don't know what you are pointing at." Funny enough, the name "Kang-a-roo" stuck and it is still in use today. | high16592.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "They are not equally distributed"
},
"options": [
"They are adequate",
"They have not been updated.",
"They are not equally distributed",
"They have benefited most of the blind"
],
"question": "What do we learn ... | Close your eyes for a minute and imagine what life would be like if you had a hundred dollars less. Also imagine what it would be like spending the rest of your life with you eyes closed. Imagine having to read this page, not with your eyes but with your finger-tips.
With existing medical knowledge and skills, two-thirds of the world's 42 million blind should not have to suffer. Unfortunately, rich countries posses most of this knowledge, while developing countries do not.
ORBIS is an international non-profit organization which operates the world's only flying teaching eye hospital. ORBIS intends to help fight blindness worldwide. Inside a DC-8 aircraft, there is a fully-equipped teaching hospital with television studio and classroom. Doctors are taught the latest techniques of bringing sight back to people there. Project ORBIS also aims at promoting peaceful cooperation among countries.
ORBIS tries to help developing countries by providing training during three-week medical programs. ORBIS has taught sight-saving techniques to over 35,000 doctors and nurses, who continue to cure tens of thousands of blind people every year. ORBIS has conducted 17 plane programs is China so far. For the seven to ten million blind in China ORBIS is planning to do more for them. At the moment an ORBIS is working on a long-term plan to develop a training center and to provide eye care service to Shanxi Province. ORBIS needs your help to continue their work and free people from blindness.
For just US$38,you can help one person see; for $380 you can bring sight to 10 people; $1,300 helps teach a doctor new skills; and for $13,000 you can provide a training programme for a group of doctors who can make thousands of blind people see again. Your money can open their eyes to the world. Please help ORBIS improve the quality of life for so many people less fortunate than ourselves. | high6832.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "the season of a person's birthday may affect their personality"
},
"options": [
"a person's birth season might affect their monoamine neurotransmitters",
"monoamine neurotransmitters might be connected to our emotions",
"peop... | "You get excited about everything because you were born in the summer!" Does that sound like something your grandparents used to say to you?
Of course, you're a learned person who doesn't believe in such things. But scientists now say that it might not all be superstition .
Researchers from Semmelweis University in Hungary recently asked 366 university students to fill out a questionnaire. The answers given included things like "My mood often changes for no reason", "I love to deal with new projects, even if they're risky ", and "I complain a lot". They then compared students' answers to their birthdays. They found that the season of your birth may have some effect on who you are.
Researchers found that people born in the summer were more likely to quickly change between sad and happy emotions. People born in the winter, however, were less likely to become angry. Spring birthdays were more likely to make people overly positive, while people born in autumn were less likely to be depressive .
So, why could the seasons cause such differences?
"Biochemical studies have shown that the season in which you are born affects some monoamine neurotransmitters ," lead researcher Xenia Gonda said in a written statement. "This led us to believe that birth season may have a longer-lasting effect."
Monoamine neurotransmitters are given off from neurones . They affect our emotions. So the researchers believe they might have an effect on the development of our personalities.
Different seasons also have different food and nutrients to offer. In addition, mothers usually get more physical exercise and enjoy more sunlight in warm seasons than in cold seasons. All these are "environmental factors " which may influence a person's personality, said Gonda.
But the research only included a survey and didn't follow participants over time. More research is needed before a final answer can be given on the connection between season and personality.
Don't worry, though. Even if the connection is proven, it won't mean that your birth month completely decides who you are. Being happy or sad is up to you. | high12904.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "ribbon"
},
"options": [
"looks",
"ribbon",
"attitude",
"cloths"
],
"question": "The young man joked about the middle-aged man's _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"ans... | A handsome middle-age man walked quietly into the cafe and sat down. Before he ordered, he couldn't help but noticed a group of younger men at the table next to him. It was obvious they were making fun of something about him and it isn't until he remembered he was wearing a small pink - on the lapel of his suit that he became aware of what joke was all about.
The man pretend not to notice it, but the whisper and laughter began to get to him. He looked one of the rude young men straight into the eye, placed his hand beneath the ribbon and asked. "This?"
With that the young men all began to laugh out loud. The man he spoke to said, "Hey, sorry, man, but we were just commenting on how pretty your little pink ribbon looks against your blue jacket!"
The middle-aged man calmly invited the joker to come to his table, and politely seated him. As uncomfortable as he was, the young guy had to, not really sure why. In a soft voice, the middle-aged man said," I wear this ribbon to bring awareness about breast cancer. I wear it in my mother's honor."
"Oh, sorry. She died of breast cancer?"
"No, she didn't." "She's alive and well. But her breasts nourished me as a baby, and were a soft testing place for my head when I was scared or lonely as a little boy. I' m very grateful for my mother's breasts, and her health."
"Umm." The young replied, "Yeah."
"And I wear this ribbon to honor my life," the man continued.
"And she's okay, too0?" the young guy asked.
"Oh, yes. She's fine. Her breasts have been a great source of loving pleasure for both of us, and with them she nurtured and nourished our daughter 23 years ago. I'm grateful for my wife's breasts, and her health."
"Uh, huh, and I guess you wear it to honor your daughter, also?"
"No. it's too late to honor my daughter by wearing it now..."
Shaken and ashamed, the young guy said, "Oh, I'm so sorry, mister."
"So, in my daughter's memory, too, I proudly wear this little ribbon, which allows me the opportunity to enlighten others. And here..." with this he reached in his pocket and handed the young man a little pink ribbon. The young guy looked at it, slowly raised his head and asked, "...?" | high23501.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Water shortage and water quality."
},
"options": [
"The development of shipping industry and over-fishing of native people.",
"Overfishing of native people and increasing population.",
"Water shortage and water quality.",
... | For the people living in the Nile Basin,the river is their life. This 6,825 km waterway,whose watershed covers three million square kilometers,flows through mountains,woodlands,lakes and deserts. Its potential for fishing,tourism and shipping is great-but so are its challenges.
Water shortage,already serious in Egypt and Sudan,will soon influence several other countries in the watershed as well. Today,about 160 million people depend on the Nile River for their living. Within the next 25 years,the district's population is expected to double,adding to the demand brought about by growth in industry and agriculture. The frequent drought adds to the urgency.
Water quality is also a problem. Precious soil is washed out to sea. Wastes from industry and agriculture create pollution. Higher concentrations of salt influence irrigated soils. Water-borne diseases remain unchecked. In areas where it's hot and damp, _ grow so fast that they choke off lakes,dams and other sections of the river,making it difficult for fishing and other businesses to move forward.
Native people along the narrow area of farmland have watched the sand move closer day by day. They've seen the river change course,and their only source of water thickened with mud. They're very poor and have few choices.
But a new program,the Nile Basin Initiative(NBI),is offering very practical assistance. The program is more than just a water-management project. It's a plan for the social and economic development of a vast district: it concentrates on the needs of the poorest of the poor and the environment that supports them.
These are whole ecosystem problems,calling for united solutions .Half the Nile Basin's countries are among the world's poorest nations; yet,somehow,they must find the resources,skills and political will to overcome these challenges. | high1185.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Its tire blew out."
},
"options": [
"It couldn't get started.",
"Its oil ran out.",
"It was out of control.",
"Its tire blew out."
],
"question": "What's the matter with the author's car?",
"question_type": ... | I was in Houston a few weeks ago,and needed to be back home in Austin by midmorning the next day.Though I usually left in the evening,for some reason last time I had to choose to set off after midnight.
I was on my way back to Austin when I realized I left an important file,and knew I had to return to get it.I took the first exit I could,but when I rounded the corner,an 18-wheeler was stopped dead in the exit lane.I swerved to avoid it,and then I realized that there was something wrong with my car.So I pulled into a small parking lot and unsurprisingly found the area deserted at 3:15am.I've lived in urban areas most of my life.I'm fairly street-wise and don't become frightened easily,but I knew I was in a pretty tough neighborhood.
There was no one in Houston to pick me up.I immediately locked the doors and picked up my phone to call a tow truck.Soon a young man knocked on my driver's side window and asked if he could help me.Judging from his appearance,he was far from a mad man,but I knew he was far more likely to rob than help me.So I lied to him.After a while,he asked again,but this time I politely refused and told him the tow truck was due any minute.He finally said,"Madam,you need help.A tow truck in Houston will arrive anywhere between 45minutes and approximately never (which I knew was true),and you aren't going anywhere until you change your flat tire."
After considering thoroughly,I got out.He looked surprised,but got right to work.He changed the tire,returned the seat to its place and said,"Thank you for letting me help you.You gave me a chance when most people would never open the door to someone like me.Would it be okay if I gave you a hug?"When I recovered,I gave him a giant hug.I left with a new tire and a renewed faith in human nature. | high19851.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "blueish light"
},
"options": [
"Screens",
"blueish light",
"Melatonin",
"Orange or red light"
],
"question": "What is it that stops users getting a good night's sleep?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
... | Using tablet computers like Apple's iPad and Samsung's Galaxy Note just before bed can lead to a poor night's sleep, according to research.
More and more people are taking their tablets to bed with them to surf the web, check Facebook or email before switching off the light. But researchers are warning that the blueish light their screens emit can stop users getting a good night's sleep. That is because this type of light mimics daylight, convincing the brain that it is still daytime. Blue light suppresses production of a brain chemical called melatonin, which helps us fall sleep. This is because our brains have evolved to be wakeful during daylight hours. By contrast, light which is more orange or red in tone does not reduce melatonin production, perhaps because our brains recognize it as a cue that the day is ending.
Neurologists have known for years that staring at screens late in the evening can disrupt sleep. Researchers at the Lighting Research Centre, at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, are warning that looking at tablet displays for more than two hours "leads to a suppression of our natural melatonin levels as the devices emit optical radiation at short wavelengths" - in other words, they emit bluer light.
They say: "Although turning off devices at night is the ultimate solution, it is recommended that if these devices are used at night displays are dimmed as much as possible and that the time spent on them before bed should be limited."
They drew their conclusions after measuring melatonin levels in 13 volunteers, after they had spent time viewing iPads at full brightness at a distance of 10 inches, for two hours. Melatonin levels were significantly lower after they had done this, than they were after the volunteers had viewed their iPads for the same time, but while wearing orange glass goggles, which cut out the blue light.
They wrote in the journal Applied Ergonomics that tablet makers could "tune the spectral power distribution of self-luminous devices " so that they disrupted the sleep patterns of users less.
It is not just a good night's sleep that could be jeopardized by too much late night screen time. Researchers know that persistent disruption to sleep patterns can lead to an increased risk of obesity, and even breast cancer. However, these studies tend to be comparisons of those with chronic sleep disruption, such as long term shift workers, with those who have normal sleep patterns. | high18597.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "An introduction to Elvis' life and his achievements."
},
"options": [
"Elvis' great contribution to music.",
"How Elvis became the king of rock and roll.",
"Famous records that Elvis released in his lifetime.",
"An intr... | The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Aron Presley was born on 8 January 1935 in Tupelo. His talent in singing did not come up as a surprise, as he had a good voice right from his childhood. When Elvis was ten years old, he participated in a Talent Contest at Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show and won a prize for the song he sang.
When Elvis was 13 years old, his family moved to Tennessee. To support himself and his father, Elvis took on a job as a truck driver. A disc containing two ballads that Elvis had recorded for his mother as a birthday gift was first heard by Sun Studio's president Sam Phillips. After listening to Elvis, Sam made Elvis an offer and that was the birth of a new singing sensation ; a new superstar was born. In 1954 his first record was released from Sun Studio.
In 1955, Elvis singed a $35,000 recording contract with RCA Victor (through Thomas Parker), who promised to help in projecting Elvis Presley (a Local Star) as a National Level Star. As promised, Elvis was shown in newspapers, television appearances, photographs where he was claimed to be the next superstar of the music world.
In 1956, his first performance with "Heartbreak Hotel" on The Milton Berle Show successfully put Elvis on the top list of the superstars and the nationwide "Elvis Craze" was started. Elvis became the prince who ruled hearts of his millions of fans.
In 1960, he quit performing in concerts and concentrated in making movies. As his first movie Love Me Tender was a big hit, he had no problem in marking his comeback in movies.
After making several very successful and hit movies, Elvis returned to the world of music. In 1968, Elvis once again started working with his old band and gave some more smashing hits to the world. In 1972, he released his last top-ten single Burning Love.
It's nearly impossible to measure the level of popularity he had reached in his career. Elvis Presley had more than 100 records on the billboard charts and out of which, about 18 records were on number one position on the charts. During his lifetime, he worked in about 31 movies; all of them were huge success. | high21316.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "A waitress."
},
"options": [
"A car saleswoman.",
"A waitress.",
"A cook.",
"A driver."
],
"question": "What did Mary probably do?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"answe... | Seated in a convertible with the top down at 60 miles an hour,Mary looked at the flies that sat on top of Mark's hair.How could they stay there?She wondered.
Mary had not seen Mark in years,until the other day when he came into the cafe where she worked.His appearance was different from when he was in high school.Now,he was a bit fat and thick glasses covered his eyes.However,that didn't change Mary's feelings for him at all.He had just bought a brand new red sports car and asked her if she would like to go for a ride and then have dinner with him.Her heart beat with excitement as he opened the door for her.She noticed something very strange as Mark got into the car started to drive away.On the hair was a group of flies just sitting there.
Mary stared in amazement.It seemed the faster they drove,the more determined the flies were to stick to his hair.
Mary remained silent.She leaned forward and turned the radio on,to try to divert her attention away from the flies,but she couldn't help thinking about them.She looked up at Mark,who was completely devoted to what was going on and continued to sing to the music while driving merrily along.
Finally,Mark pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road beside a diner and looked in the mirror and said,"May,I would like to comb my hair before we get something to cat.Could you reach under the seat and give me my hair cream?"
Mary reached under the seat and pulled cut a camping backpack,which contained a round jar and started to laugh wildly as she pointed to the label .
"That's not hair cream on your hair,Mark!It says it's Fly Trap Glue !" | high19689.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Because they want to protect their kids from difficulties."
},
"options": [
"Because they want to protect their kids from difficulties.",
"Because they think they can protect them from being hurt.",
"Because their kids are to... | Most recently, it's very common in students who need a parent present for job interviews.
Naturally, it's easy to blame the students in these situations, but the bigger problem is us. We--as parents--are so eager to protect our kids that we fail to realize that this in itself is harming them. As the mother of two young sons, I have to remind myself all the time that the biggest responsibility I have as a parent is to help them develop the skills needed to live in, to live without me. So, I'll let them fail.
I'll let them fail because as long as they are safe and warm inside their comfort zones, they will never grow. And failure--along with loss, heartbreak, disappointment, etc.--will be part of growth for them. Call me the anti-tiger mom, but leaving them alone is my way of helping them become equipped to fit in this world as we know it today. From terrorism and seemingly endless natural disasters, to our national debt and beyond, if we expect the next generation to stand up to the very real problems of our time, we need to stop feeding them and start teaching them how to fish.
My children are faced with hard situations in their own life almost each day, but they try to negotiate everything now. It's a small price to help them learn a skill they'll use for the rest of their lives, including when I don't come with them on job interviews. | high3792.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "The parents whose children cried."
},
"options": [
"The teacher who was fired.",
"The pupils who were in tears.",
"The parents whose children cried.",
"Santa Claus the teacher talked about."
],
"question": "Who ... | A primary school teacher who left a class of 25 pupils in tears after she told them Santa Claus did not exist has been fired. When excited youngsters became _ as they talked about Santa,the supply teacher said out suddenly,"It's your parents who leave out presents on Christmas Day."
The class of sevenyearolds at Blackshaw Lane Primary School,Royton,Greater Manchester burst into tears and told their parents when they arrived home. Mothers and fathers then complained about the incident and were sent a letter by the school saying the teacher,who only worked at the school for one day last week,has been disciplined .
The school has now said it will not hire her again.
One father said,"My son came home and said that his teacher had told the class that Santa doesn't exist and it's their mum and dad that put out presents for them. Obviously,they were all talking about Christmas and being a bit rowdy. She just came straight out with it."
"My son was in tears and so was everyone else in the class--especially as it was so close to Christmas. I thought it was wrong. He was crazy about it. He's only seven years old and it's part of the magic of Christmas to him."
"We told him that she did not believe in Father Christmas because of her religion and he's fine now."
"The father described the incident as 'shocking' and believed it was done with malicious intent .A lot of parents were angry and complained to the school. The teacher,who was supplied by Rochdale and Oldham Supply Agency,is still listed and will work with other schools,"the agency said.
However,the head teacher in Angela McCormick refused to comment on the incident. | high21470.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Man's Brain"
},
"options": [
"Animal's Language",
"Man and Ape",
"Brain and language",
"Man's Brain"
],
"question": "The best title for this passage is_.",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"an... | Man has a big brain. He can think, learn and speak. Scientists thought that men are different from animals because they can think and learn. They know now that dogs, cats and birds can learn too. They are beginning to understand that. They make noises when they are afraid, or angry or unhappy. Apes can understand some things more quickly than human, one or two of them have learnt a few words. But they can not join words to make sentences. They can not think like us because they have no language. Language is a wonderful thing. Man has been able to build a modern world because he has language. Every child can speak his own language very well when he is four or five, --but no animal learns to speak. How do children learn it ? Scientists do not really know. What happens inside our body when we speak? They do not know. They only know that man can speak because he has a brain. | high10875.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "convenient location"
},
"options": [
"Low rent",
"Large space",
"Quality facilities",
"convenient location"
],
"question": "Poster 1 mainly focuses on the apartment's _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questio... | Poster 1
I am a journalist living in Barcelona and I would like to travel exchanging my apartment. I have an apartment in the city center with 2 bedrooms. You can get to the airport by bus or taxi in 20 minutes. And there is a metro station really close to the apartment. The area has many shops , theatres , bars and restaurants.
Poster 2
I am looking forward to exchanging my apartment in Madrid for yours in a nice location in Beijing. It's a really nice apartment in the centre of Madrid, within walking distance of the main attractions. You can walk to the Puertadel Sol, Royal Palace, Opera, Plaza Mayor, etc. in a few minutes ;everything is so close!The apartment has all the facilities and it is very modern.
Poster 3
Hello, I am a Canadian IT professional and accounting student looking for a room in Wudaokou or other areas near Shang Di ( my office location). I want to pay 1,400 RMB to 2,500 RMB depending on the room and location. I can sign a contract for at least three months. My email address: vhjvm-3584098242@hous.craigslist.org.
Poster 4
My 21-year-old son Matthew would like to visit China in the spring for three to four weeks. If you can offer him a safe, clean, cost-free place to stay, I will offer you or your family a stay at my second home 28miles outside of Reno, Nevada, USA . This is a single -story home on the edge of the desert. You have access to 70 acres of land, clean air and clean water. Fishing and golfing are available nearby. I will provide transportation to the home, and pick you up when you have finished. My son Matthew is honest, safe and clean-living.
Reply to :hbxdd-3537187673@hous. Craigslist.org. | high5485.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Your bad habits for the environment are a valuable contribution."
},
"options": [
"The more people do their part, the greener the environment will be.",
"Selling what you don't want any more is a kind of recycling.",
"To prot... | Our environment isn't as green and beautiful as it should be. There are steel monsters blocking out the sun, blowing out dangerous smoke, and letting out poisonous chemicals into rivers, cars producing harmful waste gas, people throwing out waste in a wrong way and all other kinds of sources that ruin the planet. Facing current environmental problems, people need to do their best to save the Earth.
You can see many big garbage dustbins in the streets. They're not there for a show, but for you to drop your waste. We should realize that what a little we do does count. So next time you get that urge to throw gum or a chocolate package out of the car window, or " accidentally" drop as you walk down the street, ask yourself how much waste you've been contributing to the environment with that bad habit going on for years.
At home, the first thing we can do to protect the environment is avoid letting water run continuously and make sure that taps are not leaky ,which would help greatly in _ Another is to use energy-saving lights, and turn them off before you leave the rooms. It's not only energy-saving, but also cuts down electricity costs.
Recycling is a method to make items reusable. Many things you want to throw out can be made into new products through the reproducing process. Use your imagination to come up with ways on things that you can use again.
Pass the message of simple ways to save the environment on to kids. Starting with kids is a good way of teaching the message early in their lives, in the hope that they can carry it forward as they grow older.
With environmental protection awareness in mind, we can do what we can, for the results are to have a big effect on the planet. As long as we do our part, the world is one small step closer to being saved. | high4943.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "all tricks performed by the cat are not amusing"
},
"options": [
"the goldfish likes to keep company with the cat",
"all tricks performed by the cat are not amusing",
"Sally has to clean up the house before her mother comes b... | Children's Storybooks and Tales: This site is dedicated to Children's Story Books and how to tell Children's Stories. If you enjoy a child's story or have kids of your own then please browse this site to find some great stories and how to read them.
The Cat in the Hat---Dr. Seuss
In the first book featuring the character (The Cat in the Hat, 1957), the Cat brings chaos to a household of two young children on one rainy day while their mother is out. Bringing with him two creatures appropriately named Thing One and Thing Two, the Cat performs all sorts of tricks to amuse the children, with mixed results. The Cat's tricks are vainly opposed by the family pet, who is a conscious goldfish. The children (Sally and her older brother) finally prove good ones, capturing the Things and bringing the Cat under control. He cleans up the house on his way out, disappearing seconds before the mother comes back.
The Famous Fire---Enid Blyton
The Famous Fire is Enid Blyton's most popular and celebrated series of children's books. The sequence began life in 1942, when the first book, Fire on a Treasure Island was published and it has won great praise from both fans and critics. The series has gone on to become amongst the best-loved stories ever to have been written for children.
Tom and Pippo in the Garden---Helen Oxenbury
In 1988 Helen Oxenbury created a series of books featuring Tom, a naughty young boy, and his beloved stuffed monkey, Pippo. Ms. Oxenbury remarked that Tom was very much like her son "when he was a little boy". Like Tom, her son would often blame his misdeeds on his trusted buddy, the friendly family dog.
The BFG---Roald Dahl
The story is about an orphan girl named Sophie. One night when Sophie cannot sleep during the "witching hour" and sees a giant blowing something into bedroom windows down the street. The giant sees her, and although she tries to hide in the bed, he reaches through the window and carries her away to his home. | high377.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "he thought he would not meet any policemen"
},
"options": [
"he thought he hadn't drunk too much",
"it was too late at night for him to take a taxi",
"he thought he would not meet any policemen",
"he had promised to tak... | In most cases, drivers lose their driving licenses because they drink and drive. I have always promised myself that I will never drive if I have drunk alcohol .
Still, half a year ago, I made a terrible mistake and drove after having drunk two beers at my friend's while watching a football match. I then drove my car to take another friend to his place. I thought there would be no problem because it was night and there would be no policemen on my way. But to my surprise, a policeman stopped me. I was not allowed to drive for three months and I also had to pay a fine. I told my parents nothing at the beginning, but then I had to invent a lie because I did not have the courage to tell them that I had driven after drinking and _ was the real reason why my driving license was taken away.
Those three months seemed to pass very slowly for me because I was used to driving almost daily and I really needed my car quite often. I had to take a taxi and it cost me a lot of money. Then there were times when I had to ask a friend to take me to some place or another, especially if I wanted to go out of town. It was indeed a punishment for me not to have my driving license and I promised myself not to repeat this mistake again.
Apart from this, being drunk while driving represents a real danger not only for the driver, but also for people in the car and for people on the street or in other cars. Therefore, I advise people to avoid drinking alcohol before driving. | high23267.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "By forcing your body to work harder."
},
"options": [
"By pushing your body.",
"By wetting your clothes and shoes.",
"By forcing you to run faster.",
"By forcing your body to work harder."
],
"question": "How ca... | Ways to Burn More Calories
Run through water
Running in water is one of the toughest activities you can perform because the wet stuff is about 12 to 15 times as resistant as air. Try your hardest to run and you can burn about 17 calories per minute.
Start fast
Don't be fooled -- slow and steady won't win the race. A recent study found that after a short warm-up, cyclists who rode hard during the first half of their workouts and then slowed for the second half burned about 10 percent more calories than those who started slow and finished fast.
Take to the sand
Here is some easy-to-remember advice on burning calories: the softer the surface, the more you burn. By walking or running on the beach, you can use up 20 to 50 percent more calories than you do going at the same pace on a hard trail.
Shut up and dance
Here's the perfect excuse to sign up for that hip-hop dance class you've been eager to try. Surprising your body with new activities -- dance, a new sport, you name it -- forces it to work harder because it's doing unfamiliar movements and using muscle groups in different ways.
Use your arms
Getting both your upper and lower body involved can provide a big calorie-burning advantage. So if you're short of time or want to get everything you can out of your usual 45-minute workout, try total-body activities such as rowing ormming. You can evenng your arms as hard as you can while you walk. | high7292.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "when money is used up, we can make it again, but we can't do it with time"
},
"options": [
"when money is used up, we can make it again, but we can't do it with time",
"when the time is gone, we can get it back, but we can't do it ... | A proverb says "Time is money." But in my opinion , time is even more precious than money. Why? Because when money is spent, we can earn it back. However, when time is gone, it will never return. This is the reason why we must value time.
The time we can use is limited . Therefore, even an hour is extremely precious. We should _ our time to do useful things. As students we must put more efforts into our lessons so as to serve society and our nation in the future.
But it is a pity that there are a lot of people who do not know the importance of time. They spend their precious time smoking, drinking and chatting. They do not realize that wasting time is equal , we should form the good habit of saving time. Do not put off what can be done today until tomorrow. | high22179.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "It is a tiring trip"
},
"options": [
"the sights may not be so good.",
"It is a tiring trip",
"you may not be used to the food there",
"it is an expensive trip"
],
"question": "If you take on the Everest Adventu... | In the hit film
, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman meet in hospital in California after they have been diagnosed with cancer. Between them they cook up a "bucket list" - a to-do list of all they want to do before they
. The movie makes you wonder what would be on your bucket list. So let's pack up some and see what it would cost to go out and have a little fun.
THE PYRAMIDS, GIZA, EGYPT
On to the pyramids, surely on anyone's bucket list. Exotik Tours can take you there on a variety of trips, including their popular Egypt Express which includes three nights in Cairo and a three-night Nile Cruise . From $1,384, including four-and five-star accommodation, 12 meals and a ton of sightseeing.
416-646-3347
TAJ MAHAL, AGRA, INDIA
One of the world's most fascinating images, India's Taj Mahal makes even Nicholson and Freeman look calm. Toronto's Goway Travel has many suggestions for India, including a three-day independent visit to Agra. Stay at the attractive Oberoi AmarVilas overlooking the Taj. Include two breakfasts, touring and airport transfer from $1,420.
416-322-1034
THE GREAT WALL, CHINA
If the Great Wall of China is on your bucket list, check into Tour East Holiday's four-day Amazing Beijing Tour for $580 per person, four-star accommodation, sightseeing including the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, breakfasts and two lunches, transportation and guide.
416-929-0888
THE HIMALAYAS, NEPAL
And on to the Himalayas. Talk about "something truly majestic . See the top of the world on GAP Adventures' Everest Adventure tour, a 15-day exploration including Everest Base Camp, teahouse lodge stays, and walking through Sherpa villages. Incredibly affordable at just $665 plus local payment of $250. GAP Adventures warns that this is a physically demanding trip.
416-260-0999 | high15919.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "earning money directly from the products"
},
"options": [
"letting customers know about the products",
"earning money directly from the products",
"helping create brand identities for the products",
"helping the brand h... | A good brand agency can create for you a brand identity of your products. Having the best agency to help with your business, no matter how small, can be one of the biggest steps you can take in letting the world know and get familiar with your products and brands.
Brand agencies work hand in hand with the company in advertising the brand and its products. The company has to tell the agency how they would like the public to see their products. The agency then talks with the company about the progress of the brand in the market.
Working with brand agencies is a two-way street. When the company is happy and satisfied with how the agency has advertised the brand, the trust the company has in the agency grows. Similarly, when the agency does well in its work, the company's brand and products get good ideas from buyers and the market.
Regarding the identity of the brand, agencies can help a lot in this aspect. For a brand to have a lasting influence on the buyers, an identity of the brand needs to be formed. If the brand is good, then buyers will feel at ease buying the products of this brand. | high363.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Going Green"
},
"options": [
"Going Green",
"Protecting the Planet",
"Keeping OpenMinded",
"Celebrating Our Green Year"
],
"question": "What might be the best title for the passage?",
"question_type": null
... | Going green seems to be a fad for a lot of people these days.Whether that is good or bad,we can't really say,but for the two of us,going green is not a fad but a lifestyle.
On April 22,2011,we decided to go green every single day for an entire year.This meant doing 365 different green things,and it also meant challenging ourselves to go green beyond the easy things.Rather than recycle and reduce our energy,we had to think of 365 different green things to do and this was no easy task.
With the idea of going green every single day for a year,Our Green Year started.My wife and I decided to educate people about how they could go green in their lives and hoped we could show people all the green things that could be done to help the environment.We wanted to push the message that every little bit helps.
Over the course of Our Green Year,we completely changed our lifestyles.We now shop at organic stores.We consume less meat,choosing green food.We have greatly reduced our buying we don't need.We have given away half of what we owned through websites.Our home is kept clean by vinegar and lemon juice,with no chemical cleaners.We make our own butter,enjoying the smell of homemade fresh bread.In our home office anyone caught doing something ungreen might be punished.
Our minds have been changed by Our Green Year.We are grateful for the chance to have been able to go green and educate others.We believe that we do have the power to change things and help our planet. (2013*,B) | high6198.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "positive"
},
"options": [
"positive",
"negative",
"immediate",
"unobvious"
],
"question": "According to what Chuck said, Mo's winning Nobel Prize has a/an _ effect on Chinese Literature.",
"question_type... | Elshijh, an Egyptian doctoral candidate at Beijing Language and Cultural University, said he felt fairly excited when he learned that Mo Yan had won the literary prize. "Mo's winning of the prize is pushing Egypt to translate more of his works into Arabic," Elshijh said, adding that there is already an Arabic edition of "Red Sorghum," but Egypt's Ministry of Culture recently announced that it will translate another of Mo's works from Chinese to Arabic.
Although Chinese literature is getting more attention around the world, translated versions of Chinese works remain in small supply in places like the United States and Europe.
Jonathan Chuck, an American who has been working in social media for three years in China, has read some ancient Chinese classics in Englishand can name several ancient poets such as Li Bai.
Chuck said works of Chinese literature are hard to get in the United States, as bookstores simply don't carry many English translations. "Besides, China is considered a mysterious country and far away from our daily life."
Chuck said when he was in school, pupils mostly studied Western literature translated from French, German and Portuguese, not literature translated from Asian languages. "China's Nobel prize will inspire more Westerners to notice Chinese literature, and I may read some of Mo's works," he added.
Li Ling, a professor at Beijing Language and Cultural University, said Chinese literature has less of a market than English-language literature because Western culture is the dominant culture.
Moreover, it is difficult to fully express some Chinese words in English, which can limit Chinese literature to a Chinese-literate audience, Li added.
"Western readers are more picky about what they read," he said, explaining that if a Chinese book is not translated well, it would be " _ " to recommend it to Western readers.
Li expects China's Nobel laureate to expand foreign readership. | high23273.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "the storm would arrive at any time"
},
"options": [
"the motor didn't work well",
"they couldn't catch more herrings",
"the storm would arrive at any time",
"it was too cold for them to stay any longer"
],
"ques... | By the time we finished, herring covered the bottom of the boat as deep as my calves . For the first time in days, my father seemed happy as a herring choker . Then he looked at the western sky, and his smile faded. The storms were sweeping out of Canada hard and fast. No one could predict their arrival. All fishermen feared them.
"We're going back," my father said. He pulled the cord and started the motor.
We were only two miles out, but the shoreline looked to me as far away as the moon. Over the distant hills, black clouds ran toward us like wild horses. We made it only halfway home before we met the storm.
The wind came first. It lifted the lake in whitecaps. The weight of the herring made us ride low in the water, and the waves broke over our bow. My father struggled to hold us on course. I'd put on my raincoat, but I had no life jacket.
Then the rain fell so hard we couldn't see the land. The boat was filling with water. I was scared, but I saw my father sitting straight, holding the boat steady into the wind, and I felt hopeful. He didn't look hurt at all.
I was starting to think we were going to make it. That's when the motor died. My father pulled the cord hard, but the motor wouldn't catch. We would go down in no time.
"Grab an oar ," he cried above the wind. He always carried two oars for just such a moment. We began to pull hard. My father grunted, from pain or effort I couldn't tell. He dug his oar into the violent lake and bowed into the wind again. With all my strength, I pulled on my own oar.
_ I was tired. My arms felt heavy and on fire. I didn't know how much longer I could push that oar through the water.
As if he heard my thinking, my father called to me, "I need you, Karl. Only a little longer."
So I kept rowing.
Just when I thought I had no more strength, I heard it. The sound of waves breaking against the shore. We moved into the shelter of our small cove and rode the swells toward the landing.
My mother rushed through the rain to greet us. "I've been so worried," she said. She hugged me and then my father.
"Nothing to worry about," he assured her. He put his hand on my shoulder. "You did well, son. How do you feel?"
Tired as I was, I managed a smile. "I feel like a herring choker." | high10861.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "on a snowy night"
},
"options": [
"on New-year Day",
"on Christmas",
"on a rainy evening",
"on a snowy night"
],
"question": "The story happened _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answ... | It was terribly cold and nearly dark on the last evening of the old year, and the snow was falling fast. In the cold and the darkness, a poor little girl, with bare head and naked feet, wandered through the streets. It is true she had on a pair of slippers when she left home, but they were not of much use. They were very large, so large, indeed, that they had belonged to her mother, and the poor girl had lost them in running across the street to avoid two carriages that were rolling along at a terrible rate. One of the slippers she could not find, and a boy seized upon the other and ran away with it. So the little girl went on with her little naked feet, which were quite red and blue with the cold. In an old apron she carried a number of matches, and had a bunch of them in her hands. No one had bought anything of her the whole day, nor had any one given her even a penny.
Lights were shining from every window, and there was a delicious smell of roast goose, for it was New-year's eve--yes, she remembered that. In a corner, between two houses, one of which projected beyond the other, she sank down and huddled herself together. She had drawn her little feet under her, but she could not keep off the cold; and she dared not go home, for she had sold no matches, and could not take home even a penny of money. Her father would certainly beat her; besides, it was almost as cold at home as here. | high5491.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "wrote an email to him"
},
"options": [
"gave him some money",
"wrote an email to him",
"went to visit him",
"went for a journey with him"
],
"question": "When the author learnt her friend had lost his mother, sh... | One day I heard that one of my dear friends had lost his mother. This made me sad, for my friend was very close to his mother. He had been by her side as she traveled through her long and hard journey with cancer. At this time, many memories about my loved ones that had passed away came flooding to me. Finally these memories passed, but it was really sad to think that my friend would have to go through the pain.
Three times I tried to write an email to my friend and three times words failed me. I am a person who is not often lost for words and I decided to have a sleep. Upon waking up I could hardly wait for my computer to work, the words I needed were there. I was still left with a heavy heart although I had sent an email.
They say that everything in this universe is balanced and indeed it is. Three days later, I received his reply letter. I was happy to hear that he'd been admitted to Cambridge University. It served as a gentle reminder for me that my friend would be okay and that life would go on.
Everything in life is balanced; the lowest feelings change places with the highest feelings. Without the lows, we would never appreciate the highs. No matter how dark the clouds seem to be, the sunshine is always there and just waiting for the opportunity to shine through. | high2498.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Tang's work is more about the lives of the upper class"
},
"options": [
"Shakespeare's works are much more popular among students than people of other age groups",
"The difference in their writing styles is rooted in their living e... | They lived thousands of miles apart, and both died in 1616. This has led to a lot of studies comparing their works,which are still important to this day.
To mark the 400th anniversary of Tang Xianzu and William Shakespeare's deaths, an exhibition called Dialogue Across Time and Space: Homage to Tang Xianzu and William Shakespeare is being held across 26 Chinese Cultural Centers in different countries from Sept 1 to December.
Shakespeare's plays are always found in the British school curriculum, while Tang's best-known opera, The Peony Pavilion , continues to be performed worldwide.
Both were "great men in the circle of world drama', according to Aoki Masaru, who put the work of Shakespeare and Tang together in his 1943 book A History of Chinese Literary Thought.
Both shared a love for a journey of self-discovery. The difference is that Shakespeare's work shows people of all backgrounds and classes, while Tang's dramas come form a more aristocratic background. Tang's lines were sung mostly in family theaters. Shakespeare, however, had to sell tickets to whoever would buy them.
That probably affected their writing styles. Though few can touch Shakespeare's range and richness of work, there is one area in which Tang's work may have been better. That's in the use of dreams, not only to tell a story, but also to explore ideas.
The Peony Pavilion is set in the world of the characters' dreams, especially Du Liniang, the young lady who has not seen or gotten to know Liu Mengmei when she falls in love with him. After Liu has dreamed of her, he finds her portrait three years after her death and can't stop thinking about her.
But for Du, a dream is a path to the freedom that young women of ancient China normally didn't have - the freedom to love someone without their families getting in the way.
Shakespeare also famously used the stage to look at Philosophy in A Midsummer Night's Dream . But in a sense, the dream was Tang's stage. | high19845.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Color of the rock"
},
"options": [
"The forming of arches",
"Arches National Park",
"Color of the rock",
"Famous places E.Natural parks in the prefix = st1 /USA"
],
"question": "The rocks in Arches... | . A--E. . 57.More than three hundred fifty national parks can be found in the United States.These parks include huge color1ed rock formations,rivers,waterfalls,beautiful trees,other plants and many different kinds of wild animals. | high18583.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "an ad."
},
"options": [
"an ad.",
"a letter",
"a story",
"a report"
],
"question": "Alan saw _ in a news paper.",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
... | Alan worked in an office in the city. He worked very hard and really looked forward to his holiday. He usually went to the seaside, but one year he saw an ad. in a newspaper "Enjoy country life. Spend a few weeks at William Farm. Good food, fresh air, horse riding, walking, fishing..."
"This sounds like a good idea." he thought, I'll spend a month at William Farm. I'll go horse riding, walking and fishing. It'll be different from the seaside." Four days later, he returned home.
"What's wrong with William Farm?" his friend Jack asked him, "Didn't you enjoy country life?"
"Country life was fine," Alan said, "But there was another problem."
"Oh, what problem?"
"Well, the first day I was there, a sheep died, and we had roast mutton for dinner."
"Fresh meat is the best."
"I know, but on the second day a cow died, and we had roast beef for dinner."
"Lucky you!"
"You don't understand," Alan said, "On the third day a pig died and we had roast pork for dinner."
"A different roast every day." Jack said.
"Let me finish." Alan said, "On the fourth day a farmer died and I didn't want to stay there for dinner." | high21302.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Life often gives us surprises."
},
"options": [
"Things in life happen for a reason.",
"Life is like a ball game.",
"Life is filled with regrets.",
"Life often gives us surprises."
],
"question": "What does the ... | Please excuse me if I'm a little quiet today. Mark is leaving, and I'm kind of sad. You probably don't know Mark, but you might know someone like him. He has been the heart and soul of the office for years. He has never been interested in getting praise for the wonderful work he does. He just does his job - very well.
We're pleased that he is moving on to new, better things. But this doesn't make it any easier to say goodbye.
Life has a way of throwing curve balls at us. Just when we start to get comfortable with a person, a place or a situation, something comes along to change things. A nice neighbor moves away. Someone in the family graduates. A child finds new love through marriage.
Our ability to deal with change and disruption decides to a great degree, our peace, happiness and satisfaction in life.
But how do we do that? Chris the California surfer, once told me that the answer to life's problems can be summed up in four words: "Go with the flow."
"It's like surfing," Chris explained. "You can't organize the ocean. Waves just happen. You ride them where they take you, then you paddle back out there and catch the next one. You're always hoping for the perfect wave where you can get it. But mostly you just take them the way they come."
I think Chris was saying that life is a series of events -- both good and bad. There will always be things over which you have no control. The truly successful person expects the unexpected and is prepared to make adjustments .
Don't stop trying to make all your dreams come true. But when things come up that aren't exactly in your plan, work around them -- and then move on.
We're going to miss Mark. But rather than dwell on the sadness of our parting , we'll focus on our hopes for a brighter future -- for him, and for us. We'll go out and do everything that we can to make that future happen. | high17868.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "They draw readers' attention and help make self-examination."
},
"options": [
"They set off far less electrical activity in the brain.",
"They light up the mind shorter than the initial electrical spark.",
"They shift physica... | The works of Shakespeare and Wordsworth are "rocket-boosters" to the brain and better therapy than self-help books, researchers will say this week.
Scientists, psychologists and English academics at Liverpool University have found that reading the works of the Bard and other classical writers has a beneficial effect on the mind, catches the reader's attention and cause moments of self-reflection.
Using scanners, they monitored the brain activity of volunteers as they read works by William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth, T.S Eliot and others.
They then "translated" the texts into more "straightforward", modern language and again monitored the readers' brains as they read the words.
Scans showed that the more "challenging" prose and poetry set off far more electrical activity in the brain than the more pedestrian versions.
Scientists were able to study the brain activity as it responded to each word and record how it "lit up" as the readers encountered unusual words, surprising phrases or difficult sentence structure.
This "lighting up" of the mind lasts longer than the initial electrical spark, shifting the brain to a higher gear, encouraging further reading.
The research also found that reading poetry, in particular, increases activity in the right hemisphere of the brain, an area concerned with "autobiographical memory", helping the reader to reflect on and reappraise their own experiences in light of what they have read. The academics said this meant the classics were more useful than self-help books.
Philip Davis, an English professor who has worked on the study with the university's magnetic resonance centre, will tell a conference this week: "Serious literature acts like a rocket-booster to the brain.
"The research shows the power of literature to shift mental pathways, to create new thoughts, shapes and connections in the young and the elderly alike." | high3786.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "answer their homework questions orally"
},
"options": [
"recite their homework together",
"grade their homework themselves",
"answer their homework questions orally",
"check the answers to their homework questions"
... | In the mid-1950s, I was a somewhat bored early-adolescent male student who believed that _ . One day, this approach threw me into embarrassment
In Mrs. Totten's eighth-grade math class at Central Avenue School in Anderson, Indiana, we were learning to add and subtract decimals .
Our teacher typically assigned daily homework, which would be recited in class the following day. On most days, our grades were based on our oral answer to homework questions.
Mrs. Totten usually walked up and down the rows of desks requesting answers from student after student in the order the questions had appeared on our homework sheets. She would start either at the front or the back of the classroom and work toward the other end.
Since I was seated near the middle of about 35 students, it was easy to figure out which questions I might have to answer. This particular time, I had completed my usual two or three problems according to my calculations.
What I failed to expect was that several students were absent, which threw off my estimate. As Mrs. Totten made her way from the beginning of the class,I desperately tried to determine which math problem I would get. I tried to work it out before she got to me, but I had brain freeze and couldn't function.
When Mrs. Totten reached my desk,she asked what answer I'd got for problem No. 14. "I...I didn't get anything," I answered,and my face felt warm.
"Correct," she said.
It turned out that the correct answer was zero.
What did I learn that day? First, always do all your homework. Second, in real life it isn't always what you say but how you say it that matters. Third,I would never make it as a mathematician.
If I could choose one school day that taught me the most, it would be that one. | high6826.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador"
},
"options": [
"Lang Lang and His Music",
"UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador",
"An Unforgettable Visit to Africa",
"Lang Lang's Fundraising Concerts"
],
"question": "The best title of the p... | He is not just a classical music superstar. He is a global superstar. Only 27 years old, the Chinese pianist Lang Lang has become an inspiration to tens of millions around the world.
Among his dazzling long list of titles, Lang considered UNICEF goodwill ambassador the most special one.
"Being a UNICEF goodwill ambassador is the best decision I have made and will definitely be the best experience in my life," Lang said in a recent interview with Xinhua at the UN headquarters in New York. "I love children very much, and playing piano for them is my favorite," Lang said, beaming with delight.
Named this year by Time magazine as one of the 100 World's Most Influential People, the pianist said he hoped music could "bring children happiness and enlighten their life."
Three months after his nomination , Lang went to Tanzania with the UNICEF team to visit children threatened by malaria and AIDS.
Although the southeastern African country's underdevelopment and harsh living conditions surprised Lang who landed the continent for the first time, he was touched by local children's passion for music.
"Most of the kids had never seen a piano before," Lang said. "When I played Chopin's nocturne or waltz to them, those who were too shy to talk to me suddenly became active and began to share with me about their dreams. How amazing it is!" "Music can bring hopes to the kids and open their mind," he said.
Following his visit to Africa, Lang began to organize fundraising concerts for children. Now it has become his routine to do 15 to 20 fundraising concerts every year.
Except for his efforts on fundraising, Lang also established his own international music foundation last year to assist young talents to play piano.
So far Lang has chosen five children from the United States and Germany, providing them with scholarships and opportunities to perform at world-class music halls, he said.
In December, he will start the selection in China where he would like to "focus more on physically challenged kids, like blind kids." | high12910.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Because the country wants to honor Lincolnon his 200th birthday."
},
"options": [
"Because the design is out of date.",
"Because the design doesn't match Lincoln's life.",
"Because the old coin is hard to be released into cir... | The penny is getting a change. The United States Mint revealed four new designs for the 1-cent piece, to celebrate the coming 200th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's birth. United States Mint Director Ed Moy announced the new looks for the penny today in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. "These coins are a tribute to one of our greatest Presidents, whose legacy has had a lasting impact on our country," Moy said.
The heads side of the new pennies will continue to bear the profile likeness of President Lincoln and the motto "In God We Trust." The back sides will pay tribute to four major parts of prefix = st1 /Lincoln's life.
The first redesigned penny will feature a log cabin that represents Lincoln's birthplace, near Hodgenville,Kentucky. The second design showsLincolnreading a book while sitting on a log with his ax beside him. It shows how young Lincoln educated himself while working as a rail-splitter inIndiana. The third design shows Lincoln as a young man in front of the Capitol in Illinois. The fourth and final design shows a half-finished United States Capitol dome, which was completed in 1863 despite the violent Civil War. The writing, on the back sides of the coins will remain "United States of America," "E Pluribus Unum" and "One Cent."
The first penny will be released into circulation on February 12, 2009, Lincoln's 200th birthday. This day is also the 100th anniversary of the release of the first penny, on February 12, 1909. One new coin will be released into circulation every three months in 2009.
"This is an important occasion in the history of our nation's coin-age because these designs represent the first change in the Lincolncent in half a century," said Director Moy. A commemorative Lincoln silver dollar will also be released in 2009. | high23515.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "school address"
},
"options": [
"phone number",
"school address",
"English teacher's name",
"time of birth"
],
"question": "All of the following must be submitted EXCEPT _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_ques... | 1.Your NAME, YEAR of birth, HOME ADDRESS/CITY/STATE/PHONE NUMBER, SCHOOL NAME (and English teacher) and EMAIL ADDRESS, so we can email you if you've published.
For photos, place the information on the back of each envelope: PLEASE DON'T FOLD.
2.This statement MUST BE WRITTEN on each work: "I promise the above work is completely original." and sign your name.
SEND IT ALL SUMMER!
By mail--Teen Ink, Box 30
Newton, MA 02461
On the web--TeenInk.com / Submissions
By email--Submissions@TeenInk.com
THE FINE PRINT
1. Type print carefully in ink. Keep a copy.
2. Writing may be edited; we reserve the right to publish it without your permission.
3. If due to the personal nature of a piece you don't want your name published,we will respect your request, but you MUST include your name and address for our records.
4. Include a self-addressed envelope, and we'll send a coupon for any Pepsi product and an announcement to let you know we've got your work.
5. If published, you will receive a copy of Teen Ink, and a wooden pen.
6. All works submitted will not be returned and all copyrights belong to Teen Ink. We keep the rights to publish all such works in any forms. All material in Teen Ink is copyrighted to protect us and prevent others from republishing your work. | high405.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "develop their own interests"
},
"options": [
"grow as the educated",
"be responsible for their life",
"discover subjects outside class",
"develop their own interests"
],
"question": "Open education allows the st... | Roughly speaking, teachers in traditional education may feel that students are too young to know much about the world, and have to be told what to do most of the time. By contrast, open education offers teachers quite different feelings. Students are expected to be responsible for their own education--to discover subjects by themselves instead of being made to study them. This way of teaching allows the students to grow independently and to develop their own interests in many subjects. Some students who do badly in a traditional classroom will be happier in an open classroom and enjoy learning. They will not have to worry about grades or rules at all.
However, many students won't do well in an open classroom. For these students, they will do little in school if there are too few rules. They will not make good use of open education, which is so different from traditional class, because they may have a problem getting used to making so many choices on their own. For them it is important to have some rules to direct them. They may worry about the rules even when there are no rules. In addition to that, some traditional teachers do not believe in open education and do not like it either.
Since both of some good points and bad points of the open education have been explained clearly, you may have your own opinion on the issue. Personally, I think that the concept of open education is good only in theory. In actual fact, it may not work very well in a real class or school. I believe, most students, but of course not all students, need some structure in their classes. They may want and need to have rules.
In some cases, they must be made to study some subjects. Many students are pleased to find subjects they have to study interesting. They would not study those subjects if they did not have to. | high1191.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "it is late to make a friend when you need one"
},
"options": [
"a friend in need is a friend indeed",
"it is never too late to make a friend",
"it is late to make a friend when you need one",
"everyone needs a friend in... | We all long for friendship, but how to make a friend? "The best time to make a friend is before you need one." Joy Steven said. The following are some tips for you.
People equal friends
Friends usually begin with strangers. Getting in touch with other people is the first step to make a friend. Friends can't be made in empty air. Best friends take time to make.
Friends understand friends
Friends understand each other when talking. Many unpleasant personal quarrels can be avoided if you will take the time to understand others' feelings and points of view.
Friends touch friends
Touching is a warm from of communication between friends. When you see best friends communicating, you will notice them stand close together, touch each other comfortably and listen to each other. Sometimes a friendly touch is more powerful than words.
Friends praise friends
Praise is a powerful tool to make a friend. Honest praise can affect your friends' lives. So try to praise your friends, including your general ones.
Friends can loyal and trustworthy
Trust and loyalty go hand in hand for friends. Friends can share secrets with you, because good friends never break confidence and are loyal forever. | high9526.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "television"
},
"options": [
"storybook",
"perfect canvas",
"musical instrument",
"television"
],
"question": "The Kidget probably can't serve as a _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"an... | Technology and the present generation of kids go hand in hand. Taking advantage of this factor, Lim Hojoon, the designer from South Korea, has come up with an educational gadget especially for children.
Kidget, as the name suggests, is a combination of two words - kid and gadget. This kid-friendly gadget has various uses. When your child is in a mood to read, it takes the form of a storybook. When the mood is to draw and color this wonder gadget turns into a perfect canvas . Your child can freely give color to all his/her imaginations. Should he or she wish to have some fun, see this device change into a musical instrument. You too would enjoy doing activities with your loved one using this gadget. This touch screen device will definitely prove to be an ideal friend.
As many parents agree, in this age of technological advancements it is much easier to introduce children to new gadgets than adults. While many adults refrain from trying out something new, kids are more than prepared to take the leap. Keeping this fact in mind, Kidget is the perfect gift for the child of the 21st century. You will be surprised to see how fast your little one gets acquainted with the device. You might even find yourself lagging behind at times.
Kidget has another hidden advantage. It helps take the load off young shoulders. With three things rolled into one, a child has much less books, stationary items and related goods to carry. It comes with a promise to make life simpler for kids. Not only is it simple to use but also easy to carry along. The stylish protective case comes with a belt attached to it. Children up to 14 years of age, the targeted audience, enjoy the freedom that comes with it. | high6615.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "They help visitors see the city by both on land and at sea."
},
"options": [
"They help visitors see the city by both on land and at sea.",
"Visitors can take one of them for free",
"They can carry visitors to the city's attr... | One of the most popular ways to explore Boston is on a Boston Duck Tour or a Super Duck Tour. Every spring, these vehicles take visitors to the streets and waterways of downtown and have proven to be a popular way to visit many of this city's historical sights.
What
Each of the two tours provides history and information about some of the city's most popular attractions, including the Prudential Tower, Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Science, the Charles River, and Boston Harbor.
Where
Boston Duck Tour leaves at two locations in Boston. Eighty-minute tours depart from the Prudential Center and the Museum of Science, while evening tours, lasting 50 minutes, depart from the New England Aquarium. Super Duck Tour leaves a Gate 1, the main entrance to the Charlestown Navy Yard.
When
Boston Duck Tour operates from late March to late November and tours depart every 30-60 minutes depending upon the season. Tours begin at 9 a.m. daily. The last tour from the Museum of Science and the Prudential Center leaves an hour before sunset. Super Duck Tour operates from late March to late December.
Boston Duck Tour
Adults:$32
Students/Seniors:$27
Children ages3-11:$22
Children under 3:$10
Super Duck Tour
Adults:$35
Students/Seniors:$31
Children ages3-11:$23
Children under 3:$12
Super Duck Tour also offers a pair of combination packages that include next-day trolley rides and a Charles River Beat Cruise. See our web site for details. More information: To contact Boston Duck Tour,call 617-267DUCK(3825),email Info@bostonducktours.com, or visit www.bostonducktours,com. To contact Super Duck Tour, call 877-34 DUCK (343-8257), email info@ superducktours.com, or visit www.superducktours,com. | high22838.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "School students."
},
"options": [
"School students.",
"Bird lovers.",
"Driving learners.",
"Trouble makers."
],
"question": "Who is this passage mainly intended for?",
"question_type": null
},
{
"ans... | To begin your expedition of wonder, get yourself a driver's license at your local department of motor vehicles, then rent a car and take off for New Hampshire's Crawford Notch State Park. This beautiful park is abundant in wildlife, natural vegetation and running rivers falling from high cliffs. It is a place of spectacular mountain views, hiking trails, waterfalls and fishing locations. All you need to do is jump in your rented car or SUV and head for the sunset!
Okay, so you've just finished those crazy summer final exams and you're exhausted from all of the stress. That's okay because New Hampshire's State Park also offers a perfect way to recover at Coney's Flume Park where visitors can ride all the rapids in a hollowed out log, eat hotdogs and play on the amusement tides. Good times will be had no matter what your preference at Dry River Campground, which offers wood cabins, showers, electricity, flush toilets, laundry and fire rings. It's like a home away from home, so gather your camping gear and head for the journey!
Lake Winnipesaukee
If you're stuck on figuring out how to access your own wheels, how about finding a bus to take you to Weirs Beach? There are fall leaves tours running in the fall through the end of October. Let the captain do the driving while you enjoy the colors along the shoreline and the mountainsides.
If you can't find some peace of mind from those nasty final exams while relaxing in your lakeside cottage, take a cruise and go fishing, go bird sightseeing, or just kick back in a rented boat and let the coo of the birds wash your troubles away.
No matter where you go in New Hampshire, you'll meet the most friendly people you can imagine. Do dive into that rental car or SUV, take off for a vacation to New Hampshire and treat yourself to one of America's most beautiful states. Enjoy! | high8638.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Mr. Walker didn't know the author was his student"
},
"options": [
"Mr. Walker didn't know the author was his student",
"the author knew Mr. Walker was right behind him",
"the author decided to invite Mr. Walker to lunch",
... | My first day of high school was like any other first day: registering, finding new classmates, meeting new teachers, and seeking new friends.
During lunch, I ran into my first snag of the day. At the dining hall, as the checkout lady asked for my money, I realized that I had forgotten my money. When I told her about it, I heard a voice behind me. I turned around and there stood a teacher telling her he will pay for my lunch. He told me his name was Mr. Peter Walker, and said, "If you get a chance, you should take my history class." I recognize his name, and told him I was in his class later that day. Mr. Walker befriended me on the very first day of school at a very crucial time of the day---lunch!
He always told us we should do more than we ever thought. He pushed us to do all things better. He coached many sports, and sponsored many after class activities. If we were interested in something, he would find a way to expose us to it, say, inviting speakers, taking us on field trips, or obtaining information for us.
Two years later, my junior year in school was clicking along nicely when one day I was riding my motorcycle and I was hit by a car. I spent six days in hospital and was at home in bed for two weeks before returning to school. Mr. Walker stopped by the hospital each day with my work from my teachers. Once I was at home, he would bring my work too.
After high school, I attended the United States Army Airborne School in Georgia. I knew my parents would be there the day I graduated, but they brought an unexpected guest. They came across Mr. Walker at lunch several days before and told him I was about to graduate. His visit, however, was not a surprise to me. | high19676.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "The Characteristics of Cats."
},
"options": [
"The Difference Between Dogs and Cats.",
"The Characteristics of Cats.",
"Loyal Animals.",
"How to Keep Cats?"
],
"question": "What is the best title for this passag... | Cats are very smart. They are one of the smartest animals. The brain of a cat is large. It is highly developed. This may be why cats have good memories. Cats remember kindness and cruelty. It is a good idea to treat a cat well. Cats can "speak" too. They meow for attention. Often they stand by a door. Then they meow. Then they look over their shoulders. They want to see if their owners are coming. Cats make other noises also. They purr when they are happy. They hiss when they are angry.
Cats have a lot of pride. They don't usually do silly tricks. Almost all cats want to have their own way. They are mostly true to only one person. They don't switch loyalty easily. Cats were free in the wild. They want to stay that way. They like to be their own masters. When a cat is left alone, it can go back to caring for itself. It can live in the wild again. This is different from dogs. Dogs will switch their loyalty. At one time dogs were loyal to the leaders of their packs. Now, they will transfer allegiance to their owner. They do not like to be alone.
With kindness, a cat can be trained. Cats can learn to do many things. Some cats can learn to open doors. Some can ring doorbells. Some can even turn on water tap. Then they take a drink. Cats are very smart. Before drinking, they put a paw in the water. They test whether the water is hot or cold. | high4002.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Increase Your Brain Power Through Writing"
},
"options": [
"A Way on How to Write",
"Increase Your Brain Power Through Writing",
"Brain Power Helps Improve Your Writing",
"How to Start Your Writing"
],
"question... | Have you ever noticed what happens to an idea once you express it ? Just talking about it or writing it down causes you to make it clear in your own mind. How can you use this to increase your brain power? Start writing.
By putting thoughts into words, you are telling yourself the logic behind what you think, feel,or only partly understand. Often,explaining a thought is the process of understanding.In other words, you increase your brain power by exercising your"explain power".
Another benefit of writing is that it helps you remember. Many,if not most,highly productive people are always taking notes.You can try keeping it all in your head,but if you keep a journal of your ideas the next time you're working on a big project, you'11 probably have more success.
Want to understand a topic? Write a book about it.That's an extreme example, but if you are learning something new,write a letter to a friend about it,and you will understand it better. Want to invent something? Write an explanation of the problem---why you want to solve it,and why it is worth solving, and you're half-way there.
Writers don't always write because they clearly understand something beforehand. Often,they write about something because they want to understand it. You can do the same. Writing will help bring you to all understanding. Give it a try. | high17883.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "June 17"
},
"options": [
"June 13",
"June 15",
"June 17",
"June 19"
],
"question": "When was the writer's birthday?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
... | It was June 15, and in two days I would be turning thirty. I was not sure about entering a new decade of my life and feared that my best years were now behind me.
My daily routine included going to the gym for a workout( ) before going to work. Every morning I would see my friend Nicholas at the gym. He was seventy nine years old and in terrific shape. As I greeted Nicholas on that particular day, he noticed I wasn't full of my usual vitality and asked if there was anything wrong. I told him I was feeling anxious about turning thirty. I wondered how I would look back on( )my life once I reached Nicholas's age, so I asked him, "What was the best time of your life?"
Without hesitation, Nicholas replied, "Well, Joe, this is my philosophical answer to your philosophical question:
When I was a child in Austria and everything was taken care of for me and I was _ by my parents, that was the best time of my life.
When I was going to school and learning the things I know today, that was the best time of my life.
When I got my first job and had responsibilities and got paid for my efforts, that was the best time of my life.
When I met my wife and fell in love, that was the best time of my life.
The Second World War came, and my wife and I had to flee Austria to save our lives. When we were together and safe on a ship bound for North America, that was the best time of my life.
When we came to Canada and started a family, that was the best time of my life.
When I was a young father, watching my children grow up, that was the best time of my life."
"And now, Joe, I am seventy nine years old. I have my health, I feel good and I am in love with my wife just as I was when we first met. This is the best time of my life." | high2473.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "One."
},
"options": [
"One.",
"None.",
"Six.",
"There."
],
"question": "How many meals did the English traveler eat during his two-day voyage?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
... | An English traveler spent a few weeks in Sweden. When he was about to return home,he found that he had only enough money left to get a ticket to England. Thinking the matter over, he decided that as it was only a two days' voyage he could get home without eating anything. So he bought a ticket with that little money he had and went on board the ship.
He closed his ears to the sound of the lunch bell,and when dinner came,he refused to go down to the place where people had their dinner, saying that he did not feel well.
The following day he did not get up until breakfast was over, pretending that he had overslept himself. At lunch time, too, he kept out of the way. By the time of dinner,however,he became so hungry that he could even eat paper.
"I can't stand this any longer, " he said to himself."I must have something to eat." At the dinner table he ate everything put in front of him.When he was quite full, he felt stronger and at once went to see the waiter.
"Bring the bill, " he said to the waiter.
"The bill?" said the waiter in surprise.
"Yes, " answered the traveler.
"There isn't any bill here," said the waiter,"On this ship meals are already included in the ticket." | high18568.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Growth in manufacturing in developing nations."
},
"options": [
"The growth of gold prices.",
"The speculators' seeking higher profits.",
"Growth of demands in developed economics.",
"Growth in manufacturing in developi... | Commodities are basic materials that are used and traded worldwide. The price of commodities helps determine how much a business can charge for a product and the profit it can make. Commodity prices have reached a two-year high since falling sharply during the world financial crisis.
Hard commodities are materials like iron ore, oil and gold. Agricultural products are soft commodities. These include wheat, cotton and rice.
Economic measures show the world economy is recovering. China and India, for example, have reported strong growth in manufacturing . Developed nations have had slower growth. John James, a business professor at Pace University, says demand in developing economics can push up prices for commodities like oil and iron are used for making steel. But, he says, changing currency values can also influence prices.
Gold prices have reached record levels in recent months. That means gold dealers must pay more for the commodity now than they did only a year ago. That affects current prices.
Not surprisingly, manufacturers want some control over the prices they pay for commodities. Futures contracts are agreements between a buyer and a seller to exchange something at a set price at some time in the future. These contracts let buyers lock in a price for basic materials. But some traders in futures markets only want to make a profit. They buy or sell contracts depending on the direction they believe prices will go. These speculators get _ when prices rise, or fall, too quickly. The United States, Germany and France are looking into ways to limit this kind of trading.
Some experts say exporting commodities is not a good path to long-term economic growth. The United Nations recently reported that the least developed countries must change their economics to provide good incomes for their citizens. A UN official says the least developed countries need to cut dependence on commodities and manufacture products for export. He says only this will let them gain from world trade. | high20791.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "a black school teacher"
},
"options": [
"a European officer",
"an African servant",
"a drugstore assistant",
"a black school teacher"
],
"question": "The writer was ,at the time of the story , _ .",
"quest... | There was one shop in the town of Mufulira which was widely known for its racial discrimination. It was a drugstore .While Europeans were served at the counter ,a long line of Africans queued at the window and often not only were kept waiting but were treated rudely by the shop assistants .One day I was determined to make a public protest against this kind of thing ,and many of the schoolboys in my class followed me to the store.
I simply went into the shop and asked the manager politely for some medicine. As soon as he saw me standing in the place where only European customers were allowed to stand ,he shouted at me in a bastard language which is only used by a boss when speaking to his servants .I stood at the counter and politely requested in proper English that I should be served .The manager became angry and said , "Even if you stand till Christmas ,I will never serve you ."
I went to the District Commissioner's office .Fortunately ,he was out ,for _ however ,I saw a young District Officer who was a friend of mine .He was very concerned to hear my story and told me that all I had to do was come to him personally and he would buy my medicine for me .I protested that that was not good enough .I asked him to accompany me back to the store and to make a protest to the manager .This he did ,and I well remember him saying to the manager , "Here is Mr. Kaunda who is a responsible member of the Urban Advisory Council, and you treat him like a common servant ." The manager of the drugstore apologized and said , "If only he had introduced himself and explained who he was ,then ,of course ,I should have given him proper service."
I had to explain once again that he had missed my point .Why should I have to introduce myself every time I went into a store...any more than I should have to buy my medicine by going to a European friend ? I want to prove that any man of any color ,whatever his position ,should have the right to go into any shop and buy what he wanted .After all, the money which I paid across the counter was exactly the same money as was paid by a European customer. | high10652.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Desert"
},
"options": [
"The Interrogation",
"Desert",
"Un Long voyage",
"Oradi noir"
],
"question": "Which of Le Clezio's works won him the 2008 Nobel Prize in Literature?",
"question_type": "factiod_questi... | French writer Le Clezio won the 2008 Nobel Prize in Literature, the Swedish Academy announced Thursday.
The Academy _ Le Clezio as "author of new departures and poetic adventure, explorer of humanity beyond civilization."
Le Clezio, 48, received much attention with his first novel The Interrogationin 1963 and made the breakthrough as a novelist withDesertin 1980, for which he was rewarded a prize from the French Academy.
This novel Desertcontains magnificent images of a lost culture in the North African desert, contrast with a description of Europe seen through the eyes of unwanted immigrants, the Swedish Academy said in the statement.
The emphasis in Le Clezio's work has increasingly moved in the direction of an exploration of the world of childhood and of his own family history, the academy added.
Le Clezio was born 1940 in Nice of France, but both parents had strong family connections with the former French colony Mauritius.At the age of eight, he moved to Nigeria with his family. During the month-long voyage to Nigeria, he began his literary career with two books Un long voyageandOradi noir.
He has taught at universities in Bangkok, Mexico City, Boston, Austin and Albuquerque among other places. Since the 1990s, Le Clezio and his wife share their time between Albuquerque in New Mexico, the island of Mauritius and Nice.
This was the fourth of the prestigious Nobel Prizes handed out this year, with awards in chemistry, physics and medicine made in the past three days.
The Nobel Prizes have been awarded annually since 1901 to those who "conferred the greatest benefit on mankind during the preceding year."
The annual Nobel Prizes are usually announced in October and are handed out on Dec. 10, the anniversary of the 1896 death of Alfred Nobel, a Swedish industrialist and the inventor of dynamite .
Each prize consists of a medal, a personal diploma and a cash award of 10 million Swedish kronor (1.4 million U.S. dollars). | high20949.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "She couldn't afford her daughter's college fees."
},
"options": [
"She thought highly of community college.",
"She got along very well with her daughter.",
"She couldn't afford her daughter's college fees.",
"She wanted... | Walking home from work with a family friend, I found myself in a discussion about her daughter's going to college.
It started with the mother telling me that she had no money to help her daughter go through college, which led the mother to push community college fiercely. She then started to say how she had been pushing "high-paying" fields on her daughter--doctor, engineer, lawyer, etc. When I asked her if that was what her daughter had interest in, she said no. I asked her what the point was to push her daughter into something that she didn't like, and she responded with, "I just want her to make a good fortune."
After hearing her words, I would like to state that money is not everything. A high-paying job means nothing if you are miserable. I used to do a high-paid job, but it was very tiring and I had no time of my own. I didn't like it at all. Though the pay was good, I was not happy.
So I'd like to tell parents, please do not force your children into a major or a career just because you think they are going to make a lot of money. They would feel terrible for taking that major or job just to comfort you. The worst part is the feeling of guilty when they decide to change that major to something they actually want or when they quit that job.
Being a member of a generation who are willing to give ly everything to our kids, we know we just hope our children could live happy lives. Please do not force a career path on our children just because we think it is good for them. Give our children advice, but don't force them. | high19110.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "he was reminded how it was as a stutterer on such occasions"
},
"options": [
"he desired to release his secret to his wife",
"he was reminded how it was as a stutterer on such occasions",
"he thought Colin Firth had a wonderf... | The opening scene of The King's Speech was, in a word, terrifying. The moment King George VI--wonderfully played by Colin Firth--stepped up to the microphone at Wembley Stadium, a rush of nervousness came over me. It took me back to my school days, standing at my desk, having to read aloud to the class. I whispered to my wife, Jill, "A stutterer wrote this screenplay .
I grew up with a stutter, really afraid of trying to get through simple sentences--knowing that I would then, or later, be laughed at. I still remember the reading when I was in 7thgrade at St. Helena's: "Sir Walter Raleigh was a gentlemen..." I remember reciting, "Sir Walter Raleigh was a gentlemen." The school teacher said, "Master B-B-B-Biden! What's that word?" She wanted me to say gentlemen. But by then, I had learned to put my sentences into bite-size pieces and I was reading it: "gentle"|breath|"man".
Ninety-nine percent of the time, the teachers were great. I never had professional treatment but a couple of teachers taught me to put a regular rise and fall in my tone of speaking, and that's why I spent so much time reading poetry. But even in my small, boys' prep school, I got _ in my class with the nickname Joe Stutterer. You get so desperate, you're so embarrassed. I actually went and stood by the side of my house once, with a small round stone in my mouth, and tried to talk. Jill always thought I was kidding until she saw the movie and saw King George did the same thing.
King George relied on the support his wife and the help of Lionel Longue, who, in describing working with other stutterers, said, "My job was to give them confidence in their voices and let them know that a friend was listening." I was lucky enough to have more than a couple of Lionels in my life. Nobody in my family ever--ever--made fun of me or tried to finish my sentences. My mother would say, " _ ." And because of her and others, I made sure it didn't.
Through hard work and determination, I beat my stutter in high school. I even spoke briefly at my graduation ceremony in 1961--the most difficult speech of my life. My fight against shyness and embarrassment at my early age has developed my ability to understand others' feelings as Vice President of the country in public life. I still mark up all of my speeches the say way Firth's character does in the movie, pencil-marking every line to remind myself to stop, to breathe, to pause--to beat back my stuttering as best as I can. I don't stutter anymore, and most people who know me only late in my life are shocked that I ever did.
By capturing exactly how a stutter feels, The King's Speech has shown millions of people how much courage it takes for a stutterer to stand up and speak. Equally important, it has shown millions who suffer from the pain that it can be overcome, we are not alone, and with the support of those around us, our deepest fears can be conquered. | high4764.txt |
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