questions list | article stringlengths 9 6.44k | id stringlengths 9 14 |
|---|---|---|
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "they were frightened by what they had heard in the house"
},
"options": [
"they were found out",
"they were frightened by what they had heard in the house",
"they didn't work together well with each other",
"mice stoppe... | Two thieves came to a house to steal something. They dug a hole in the wall of the house. There lived many mice in the house. The woman in the moonlight saw a mouse crawl into the house."Look!In comes one,"she said to the man in the house. The thief was so frightened that he hurriedly crawled out of the house and said to the one waiting outside,"She found me when I was just in." But the thief outside didn't believe him,so he said,"Let us two try to crawl into the house together."At that time two mice happened to crawl into the house,too. The woman saw the mice and shouted,"In come two,catch them!" The two thieves were terribly frightened. The man in the house said,"You saw them come in but where are they? I will catch them tonight."The two thieves started running away at once.
The two thieves wanted to make it clear whether they had been found or not the night before. The next day they acted as men selling sweet potatoes and came before the house. The man and the womanwere ploughing in their fields.
The rein broke and the woman came home for a rope. She saw two men selling sweet potatoesand wanted to buy some. She picked out two which looked like mice. At the time the man couldn't wait for her any longer in the fields and he ran back from the fields to hurry her up. The woman showed the sweet potatoes to the man and said,"How they look like the two of last night."The man said,"I asked you to fetch a rope,why don't you hurry for it?"The two thieves ran away quickly without their sweet potatoes. | high14578.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "They can tell whether people are lying."
},
"options": [
"They can fool other people.",
"They can find out the hidden drugs.",
"They can tell whether people are lying.",
"They can understand language better."
],
... | People who have lost the ability to understand or use words due to brain damage are called aphasics . Such patients can be extremely good at something else. From the changing expressions on speakers' faces and the tones of their voices, they can tell lies from truths.
Doctors studying the human brain have given a number of examples of this amazing power of aphasics. Some have even compared this power to that of a dog with an ability to find out the drugs hidden in the baggage.
Recently, scientists carried out tests to see if all that was said about aphasics was true. They studied a mixed group of people. Some were normal; others were aphasics. It was proved that the aphasics were far ahead of the normal people in recognizing false speeches -- in most cases, the normal people were fooled by words, but the aphasics were not.
Some years ago, Dr. Oliver Sacks wrote in his book about his experiences with aphasics. He mentioned a particular case in a hospital. Some aphasics were watching the president giving a speech on TV. Since the president had been an actor earlier, making a good speech was no problem for him. He was trying to put his feelings into every word of his speech.
But his way of speaking had the opposite effect on the patients. They didn't seem to believe him. Instead, they burst into laughter. The aphasics knew that the president did not mean a word of what he was saying. He was lying!
Many doctors see aphasics as people who are not completely normal because they lack the ability to understand words. However, according to Dr. Sacks, they are more gifted than normal people. Normal people may get carried away by words. Aphasics seem to understand human expressions better, though they cannot understand words. | high1750.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Where the Wild Things Are and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz"
},
"options": [
"Charlotte's Web and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz",
"Where the Wild Things Are and Winnie-the-Pooh",
"Where the Wild Things Are and The Wonderful Wizard ... | Winnie-the-Pooh
By A. A. Milne
Winnie-the-Pooh has been introduced and reintroduced to generation after generation as a model of a child's best friend. However, not everyone has found Pooh is lovely. This classic has been banned in a variety of countries at one point. So why would anyone ever want to keep children from the joy of Milne's classic? In the case of Russia, Winnie-the-Pooh was banned in 2009 because of alleged Nazi ties.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
By Frank Baum
Originally published in the year 1900, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is one of the foundations of the fairytale genre. Who, then, would seek to ban a book that has become so important to the American experience?
America is that who. The Detroit Library banned The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1957 for having no value for children.
Charlotte's Web
By E. B. White
White's tale of the relationship between two unexpected creatures, a spider and a pig, has been drawing children in for over half a century. Published in 1952, this classic has been readily available on most library shelves for children to read. However, some people would like to make this book never see the light of day.
In one extreme case, a school in England banned Charlotte's Web for fear that the pig Wilbur might be offensive to Muslim students. Fortunately, the Muslim Council of Britain saw the foolishness of this ban, so the book was quickly restored to its right place on the shelves.
Where the Wild Things Are
By Maurice Sendak
Though its first copy was published fifty years ago, this book hasn't always been readily available in libraries and in stores. After its release, Where the Wild Things Are was banned in libraries all across the U.S. for its dark tone and unruly leading characters. Nowadays, you'll find far fewer libraries that still hold this ban. | high13217.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "he was full of different ideas and dreams"
},
"options": [
"he slept and dreamed a lot",
"he was full of different ideas and dreams",
"he invented the first roller skates",
"he always made people's dreams come true"
... | At present time, roller skating is easy and fun. But many years ago, it wasn't easy at all. Before 1750, people never tried skating on wheels. That changed because of a man named Joseph Merlin. Merlin's work was making instruments . In his free time he liked to play the violin. Merlin was a man with many ideas and many dreams. People called him a dreamer.
One day Merlin received an invitation to go to an important party. He was very pleased and a little excited. As the day of the party came near, Merlin began to think. He wanted to find a way to make a wonderful entrance at the party. Merlin had an idea. He thought that he would attract a lot of attention if he could skate into the room.
Merlin tried different ways to make himself roll . Finally, he decided to put two wheels under each shoe. These were the first roller skate shoes. Merlin was very proud of them. He dreamed of arriving at the party and skating into the room while playing the violin. He was sure that everyone would be very surprised.
On the night of the party Merlin rolled into the room, playing his violin. Everyone was really surprised to see him. There was just one problem. Merlin had no way to stop his roller skating. He rolled on, playing the violin. Then, with all eyes on him, Merlin hit into a huge mirror on the wall. The mirror broke into many pieces with a very loud noise.
Nobody forgot Merlin's wonderful entrance after that. | high1036.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "organizations"
},
"options": [
"branch offices",
"churches",
"hospitals",
"organizations"
],
"question": "Hungry for Change and Oxfam are two_.",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
... | Hungry for Change is part of a growing movement of people who want to stop _ throughout the world . They want to make certain that people in famine areas can protect themselves from the effects of future droughts . They also want to make certain that enough help is quickly available for emergencies in all parts of the world .
Hungry for Change has helped to raise millions of pounds for famine relief . It has attracted a great deal of newspaper publicity for its relief work . It has also been successful in persuading the government in prefix = st1 /Britainto increase its aid budget by several million pounds and carry out new research into improved crops . While Hungry for Change works in Britain for an end to poverty and famine in the world , Oxfam is helping to get over the fear of famine in such countries as Ethiopia and Sudan with long-term development projects .
In North West Darfur , Sudan , Oxfam is helping to increase food production .
In Nile Province,Sudan, Oxfam is planting trees in order to provide fuel and shelter , and to protect the soil . It is a faraway area , where rainfall is poor and conditions for agriculture and the forests are difficult .
In Arba Minch,Ethiopia, Oxfam is supporting a project to supply clean water to villages . Clean water will reduce the risk of diseases, especially among children . | high22974.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "a person who plays music"
},
"options": [
"sounds floating on water",
"a paintbrush painting sounds in the sky",
"one friend of nature",
"a person who plays music"
],
"question": "The writer associates music wit... | Music notes fly through my ears.
Soft sounds float in the air,
as if they are floating on water.
Music is like a paintbrush,
painting sounds in the sky.
A warm sun shining bright,
clouds drifting far away in the night,
to the sounds of music.
Music is nature's friend,
as one paints our earth,
and the other fills our hearts. | high13571.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "the admission to Palace of Versailles"
},
"options": [
"the continental breakfast",
"the tour of Montmartre",
"the admission to Palace of Versailles",
"the services of an experienced tour guide"
],
"question": "... | Paris in springtime was, is and always will be, something rather special. Why not experience it for yourself with this excellent break for four days? This attractive city has something to offer everyone with prices at just PS 129. It's of great value too.
Your break begins with executive coach transfer from a regional pick-up point and you travel to Paris via cross-channel ferry and arrive at your hotel in the evening. The Ibis is an excellent quality hotel with private facilities in all rooms: a satellite TV, a radio, a telephone and ban alarm clock.
The following day, after a continental breakfast (included), the coach takes you on a comprehensive sightseeing tour of the city, during which you will see the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, L'Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, in fact almost every famous landmark you have ever heard of. You then leave Paris and take a short drive to the magnificent Palace of Versailles, the home of Louis XIV. The tour ends mid-afternoon back in Paris where you will have the remainder of the day for your leisure. In the evening there is a "Paris By Night" tour that shows you the beautiful buildings with bright lights.
Day three takes you to Montmartre, perhaps the most charming quarter of Paris and home of the Sacre Coeur and the Moulin Rouge. In the afternoon you are free to explore this beautiful city as you wish, perhaps a pleasure voyage on the River Seine. In the evening you will have the opportunity to visit the best nightclub in the city. On the final day it's time to go back to the UK via channel ferry.
Included in the price of PS129 per person are the following:
*Return executive coach travel to Paris
* Return ferry crossings
* 3 nights accommodation in a two-bed room in a Central Paris hotel with private facilities
* Continental breakfast during your stay
* Guided sightseeing tour of "Paris By Day" and "Paris By Night"
* Visit to Palace of Versailles (admission not included)
* Tour on Montmartre
* Services of an experienced tour guide at all times | high6759.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Environmentally-friendly"
},
"options": [
"Tiny",
"Round",
"Exotic",
"Environmentally-friendly"
],
"question": "Which of the following words can be used to describe the China Pavilion?",
"question_type": nul... | World Expo 2010 Shanghai China is to be staged in Shanghai from May1 to October 31, 2010. If you plan to visit the Shanghai Expo this summer, China Pavilion is a must-see area for you.
China Pavilion, which is called Oriental Crown , is located at the center of the Expo site. Standing 63 meters tall, the China Pavilion takes the shape of an emperor's crown, with the upper layers larger than the lower ones. Covering 160,000 square meters in floor space, the pavilion consists of a national hall and a regional hall. Construction on the China Pavilion began on December 18, 2007. The design of the China Pavilion was picked from a total of 344 designs put forward by Chinese from around the world. The pavilion possesses both traditional and modern features, which helps develop the theme of the 2010 Expo: " Better City, Better Life". For example, it is red in appearance, which contains the elements of traditional Chinese culture, and it is green indoors, with the use of energy-saving techniques. The Shanghai World Expo is expected to attract 70 million visitors from across the globe. It is estimated that 400,000 people will visit the Expo and its 140 pavilions every day during the period, but the China Pavilion is only able to receive about one tenth of the total. How to accommodate so many people in the pavilion remains a tough task. Luckily, the China Pavilion is built as a permanent landmark.
During the Expo, the main structure will be used for an exhibition based on the theme of " Chinese wisdom in urban development" by explaining the values of harmony, nature and spirit. The three-story pavilion has three sections. The top floor's "Footprint of the East" will show some of the changes in Chinese cities. There, you can see a film which shows how Chinese cities have changed, especially in the past 30 years. According to Lu Chuan, director of the film, the scenery is like something from Lord of the Rings. On the second floor, "Journey of Wisdom" will explain China's four great inventions. And the ground's "Blossoming City" will display scenes from cities of the future. | high15100.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "strongly against boxing for children"
},
"options": [
"approved by Pat Russo",
"focused on professional boxing",
"based on Dr. Hans Forstl's research",
"strongly against boxing for children"
],
"question": "The ... | The nation's largest group of pediatricians on Monday urged its members to "firmly oppose boxing for any child or adolescent."
In a statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) said thousands of boys and girls take part in the sport in North America, despite risks of serious brain and facial injuries. The group's position was approved by some experts.
"There is very little one can do in order to increase the chance of having a healthy brain when you get old," said Dr. Hans Forstl, who has studied boxing injuries.
" One of the best things you can do is avoid boxing." He said.
According to the new statement, published in the journal Pediatrics, information from Canada shows a rise in boxing injuries over the past decade.
Pat Russo, a retired police officer who runs a boxing gym in Brooklyn, New York, said injuries are rare in amateur boxing. After 26 years and training thousands of kids, he has seen just one split lip among his students.
" If the gym is run properly, injuries are at an absolute minimum," Russo said. "Football is ten times more dangerous. While tennis or football might also help kids gain confidence, boxing holds a special attraction for children in poor neighborhoods, because it allows them to act tough while in trouble."
Dr. Robert Cantu, a surgeon at Emerson Hospital in Concord, Massachusetts, said AAP's attitude makes sense for upper-class and middle-class kids.
" Clearly boxing is safer today than it was 20 or 30 years ago, but it is still a very risky activity," he said.
"For kids in poor areas, however, the situation is different," said Cantu. " The most dangerous thing for the majority of people in boxing is just where they live. They are far safer in the ring , even taking blows to the head, than they are out in the neighborhood." | high8774.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "illustrate possible reactions when pets meet a newborn baby"
},
"options": [
"illustrate possible reactions when pets meet a newborn baby",
"show that pets don't like a newborn baby",
"prove how friendly a pet is when it meet... | When your pet meets your infant ,it might not be love at first sniff. When Jennifer brought her baby home from the hospital, her cherished dogs had very different reactions. Her Boxer, Sonya, was immediately gentle and protective. But Tiger, the Pomeranian, was less welcoming. "If any diapers or toys were on the floor, he peed on them," says the Greenbrier, mom. In the eyes of a pet, there's a new star in home who's stealing his spotlight. Even the gentlest animal will probably act up if he doesn't get his usual attention. These simple steps will help your pet adjust and keep your baby safe.
Introduce Them with Care
Your newborn and per's first encounter can set the tone for their relationship. To make it as smooth as possible, try this trick from Caryn Ruiz:"Before we left the hospital, my husband took blankets home to our dog, Daisy, so she'd know our newborn Devon's smell." When you get home, have your husband carry the baby so you can greet your pet without worrying about her jumping on you. A cat will likely walk away at first, while a dog probably wants to investigate right away.
To introduce your baby, get down on your pet's level and let her have a hello sniff. Don't panic and pull your baby away unless your pet is barking or hissing, because it'll send the message that the baby is a threat.
Learn the Safety Basics
No matter how smoothly the introduction goes, there are certain safety rules you should follow. Never leave your baby alone with the pet. Even the gentlest animal can react unpredictably. Your baby's crying could frighten your cat, or your dog could suddenly become territorial. Consider setting up baby gates to limit your pet's access. To keep your cat from jumping into the bassinet , try putting mosquito netting over the top. Cats hate sticky paws, so keep the crib and changing table off-limits by lining the edges with sticky strips made for furniture. You can also train your dog to sleep in a crate . | high7447.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "something had happened to him"
},
"options": [
"there were no baseball matches",
"the club didn't pay him enough money",
"other players had accidents",
"something had happened to him"
],
"question": "Hank Snydde... | It's baseball season again,and Hank Snydder is back on the field.He has been back from the accident that kept him out of the game for the season last year,and that cost the Muggers last year's championship.Baseball fans in the city of Midvale are happy and George Brenner,the Muggers' owner,is happy too, because when Hank plays the team wins and the games sell out."Last year's attendance was all time low when Hank was out,"said Brenner."We're glad to have him back in uniform."
Needless to say,the Muggers pay Hank well.But other teams have offered him a million dollars.Still,Hank has been faithful to the Muggers up to now.But there is a rumor that Hank might play for the Suffers of Sun City next year.A newspaper reporter asked Hank if there was any truth in it.He said."Nothing has been decided,but I have to admit that I could be leaving Midvale after this season."What about another rumor that Hank might be getting married? "That's true." Hank replied,"and I'm very happy about it."
There is no need to ask how Midvale or George Brenner would feel about losing Hank.But is Hank completely happy about the changes that may be taking place in his life? "Only one thing troubles me,"he said."I've always loved the Muggers' blue uniforms.It will take me some time to get used to the Suffers' green and gold uniforms." | high6981.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "told in order not to hurt someone's feelings"
},
"options": [
"that other people believew.w.^w.k.&s.5*u.c.#om....",
"that other people don't believe",
"told in order not to hurt someone's feelings",
"told in order to ta... | What exactly is a lie ?Is it anything we say which we know is untrue ?Or is it something more than that ?For example, suppose a friend wants to borrow some money from you. You say "I wish I could help you, but I am short of money myself." In fact , you are not short of money but your friend is in the habit of not paying his debts and you don't want to hurt his feelings by reminding him of this. Is this really a lie ?
Professor Jerald Jellison of the University of southern California has made a scientific study of lying. According to him, women are better liars than men, particularly when telling a "white lie", such as when a woman at a party tells another woman that she likes her dress when she really thinks it's terrible. However, this is only one side of the story. Other researchers say that men are more likely to tell more serious lies, such as making a promise that they have no intention of carrying out. This is the kind of lie politicians and businessmen are supposed to be particularly skilled at :the lie from which the liar hopes to profit or gain in some way.
Research has been done into the way people's behavior changes in a number of small, unimportant ways when they lie. It has been found that if they are sitting down at the time, they tend to move about in their chairs more than usual. To the trained observer they are saying "I wish I were somewhere else now". They also tend to touch certain parts of the face, particularly the nose. One explanation of this may be that lying causes a slight increase in blood pressure. The tip of the nose is very sensitive to changes and the increased pressure makes it itch.
Another gesture that gives liars away is what the writer Decmond Morris in his bookMan Watching calls the "mouth cover". He says that there are several typical forms of this ,such as covering part of the mouth with the fingers, touching the upper lip or putting a finger of the hand at one side off the mouth. Such a gesture can be understood as an unconscious attempt on the part of the liar to stop himself from lying.
Of course, such gestures as rubbing the nose or covering the mouth , moving about in a chair can not be taken as proof that the speaker is lying. They simply tend to happen more often in this situation. It is one gesture alone that gives the liar away but a whole number of things , and in particular the context which the lie is told. | high11366.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "A story-writer."
},
"options": [
"A journalist.",
"A story-writer.",
"An interviewer.",
"An interviewee."
],
"question": "Based on the questions in this interview, what do you think Ms Tan' s profession is?",
... | *Ms Tan, you've referred to your new novel as your eighth book.
That's because it took me six or seven attempts at a second novel before I started and completed this one.
*Why do you think you had so many false starts?
I would say that my reasons were wrong. I was trying to prove that I wasn't just a mother-daughter storyteller, or I was trying to prove that I didn't just have to write about things that were strictly Chinese or Chinese-American. Those were never the right reasons for writing those early stories. And I could never come up with other better reasons for continuing them.
*What kept you going on this book?
This book was different because it was based on my mother's real life. The reason for writing it became more personal and emotional. AfterThe Joy Luck Clubcame out, my mother was always explaining to people that she wasn't any of the mothers in that book. And at one point she said to me, "Next book tells my true story." And then she started telling me things I never knew before. She also told me many, many stories, because my mother doesn't generalize . The book really grew out of that.
*Have you ever visited China?
Yes. I've been there twice: about three years ago and then again last November, both times with my mother and my husband.
*Was it difficult to understand the Chinese-American dialect without sounding like a parody ?
No, because it's the language I've heard all my life from my mother. She speaks English as it's direct translation from Chinese. But it's more than that. Her language also has more imagery than English.
*Can you think of an example?
Somebody might say to me, "Don't work so hard. You'll kill yourself." My mother will say to me,"Why do you press all your brains out on this page for someone else?" So it's very vivid. That's the way she talks.
*Have many readers told you that the Chinese mother in your book reminded them of the typical Jewish mother?
Many people have told me that. I think the mother-daughter relationship is very intense in both cases. Culturally there is an acceptance that mothers have the power to tell their children, especially their daughters, how to conduct their lives --- not simply up until the time they are 18, but for the rest of their lives. However, when children grow up in a different culture from their parents',they tend to keep more secrets from their parents. The children think, "They just wouldn't understand that I had to do this." And that can really create a gap, and it can grow as the number of secrets grows. | high3621.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "expressing your thanks to the host before you eat"
},
"options": [
"eating heartily and enjoying your time there",
"expressing your thanks to the host before you eat",
"taking some flowers or something else to the host",
... | Iceland is a popular European tourist destination. Before you go there, it is good to learn some of the basic Iceland customs first.
Just like other countries in Europe, it is one of the customs in Iceland to shake hands and say "Hello". Kissing each other's cheeks is acceptable along with wishing each other a happy day.
Another custom is to take off your shoes in the hallway when you enter someone's home. Also, don't be surprised if someone invites you to their house, since Icelanders love to have guests. Just make sure you take flowers or a similar token of thanks to give them.
If you have been invited to eat, keep in mind that you don't need to express thanks before meals like the French or the Japanese. Rather, eat heartily and then thank your host afterwards by shaking his hand.
Keep in mind that believing in mysterious beings is part of the tradition in Iceland. Indeed, most of the unique and sometimes strange rock formations in Iceland are due to elves , according to the people of Iceland.
Are you planning to spend Christmas in Iceland? If so, make sure you practice saying "Gleileg jol got tog fars!" first, which is the local Christmas greeting. It is part of the tradition in Iceland to have long Christmas holidays--26 days--longer than in any other European country. There are 13 Santa Clauses in Iceland, too!
There may not be a law requiring you to follow the customs, but there is no harm in doing so. Following them, you might be rewarded with a rich cultural experience and a more meaningful trip. | high5250.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "a great love showed to mothers"
},
"options": [
"a large family get-together",
"a big annual holiday purchase",
"a great love showed to mothers",
"a celebration among Americans"
],
"question": "According to the ... | Los Angeles: Love for Mom is necessary, but buying flowers on her big day may not be.
A slump in flower sales since late last year was likely to continue through Mother's Day, another example of Americans cutting back on spending due to recession fears, which is a period of reduced trade and business activity, and increasing food and gasoline prices.
"If you look at what has happened on Valentine's Day and Christmas, the market for flowers has cooled," said Eric Beder, an analyst at Brean Murray. "Growth has slowed in the past two quarters. Mother's Day will probably be a slow quarter, too."
US floral sales for Mother's Day, celebrated yesterday, will fall thirteen percent this year to $2 billion, with consumers spending an average of $17.65, according to the National Federation estimates.
Mother's Day, which accounts for a one-quarter of annual holiday purchases, according to the Society of American Florists, is traditionally the day when flowers are delivered to the doorsteps of many mothers.
But this year, the shop-owners are concerned. Gabriel Soto, who owns a flower shop beneath an office high-rise in the Los financial district, is expecting lower sales -- and has ordered 30 percent fewer flowers than normal this Mother's Day. Last month, Soto, who also operates website downtown-flowers.net, closed another store in a nearby building that was headquarters to a mortgage company. After workers lost their jobs due to the housing crisis, orders decreased. | high18424.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "it offers kids chances to learn through working"
},
"options": [
"it has no entertainment facilities",
"it includes lots of localized activities",
"it offers kids chances to learn through working",
"it employs many seni... | Parents all struggle to get children to understand that money doesn't grow on trees, wanting them to be responsible, work hard and learn to save a few bucks. But these lessons are among the most difficult to teach.
Enter KidZania, an internationally praised and truly unique children's theme park, that makes life a little easier for parents.
KidZania is not a traditional theme park in almost any sense of the word -- there are no roller coasters or merry-go-rounds in sight. There are, however, plenty of attractions and activities that will keep children busy, active, engaged and excited all day.
What makes it so much fun is that it's a kid-sized city -- complete with restaurants, banks, grocery stores and hospitals -- where the kids get to be adults, doing the things most of us do on any normal day.
They start by picking one of nearly 100 "careers" and learning about it. Then, they put on their uniform and are ready to work and earn KidZania dollars ("Kidzos").
Most activities are universal but some are localized to reflect the distinct flavors and personality of the country and region where the park is located and to keep it real for the kids.
Kids get paid for every job they do, which helps them explore the mysteries of managing money. Kidzos in hand, they can spend it or save it. If they run short of money, they'll have to find a way to earn some.
Each KidZania city is planned in amazing detail, even including real world brands that help sponsor the city and keep it running. I was a little wary of all the popular corporate logos, but the brands weren't pushed at all. They are there to reinforce the "real city" feeling by mixing it with things kids recognize.
KidZania employs senior citizens who give the park a homey feel and help put children at ease. Management also employs the disabled, whether blind, deaf or wheelchair-bound. Besides making for a more realistic city, this teaches children about those with different abilities and gives them an opportunity to spend time with people they might otherwise have stared at or treated less than kindly.
Socialization is an important part of KidZania, just as it is throughout childhood. The KidZania experience empowers kids, giving them the confidence to be their best selves, and the inspiration to be great global citizens. And it's part of what makes KidZania such an amazing place for families and children. | high17717.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "To fight common misunderstandings about the UK."
},
"options": [
"To list common stereotypes about the UK.",
"To fight common misunderstandings about the UK.",
"To analyze what makes British people grumpy and negative.",
... | BAD weather, bad food and grumpy people - that's what some people think of first when they think about Britain. Many online commentators even joke that Britons are so grumpy precisely because it constantly rains and they are always hungry.
In fact, many believe that Britons are inherently negative, in contrast to their neighbors across the Atlantic Ocean.
"Americans are more optimistic, due to the fact that they are told they can become the next president of the United States," Ricky Gervais, a British comedian, told online forum Big Think. "British people are told, it won't happen to you. And they carry that. They carry that with them. We champion the underdog ."
It's no wonder that Britons hold the reputation of having a "stiff upper lip" - being cold and not showing any emotion.
Britain's reputation as a grumpy country may, however, simply be the result of a cultural misunderstanding. According to the BBC, British actor Michael Caine once said: "I think what is British about me is my feelings and awareness of others and their situations. English people are always known to be well-mannered and cold, but we are not cold - we don't _ your situation. If we are heartbroken, we don't scream in your face with tears - we go home and cry on our own. It's completely to do with your comfort - we don't intrude on your space. That's very English."
A BBC reader noted that the perceived coldness of British people is actually their way of dealing with hardship. Remembering the terrorist attacks in London on July 7, 2005, Stuart Colley, who lived in the capital at the time, said: "It seemed to me that most people's response was a 'cruel' determination to carry on and not to 'fall' into an over-emotional outpouring of grief or anger - despite what many of us felt inside. Our stiff upper lip seems to be something that gives us strength as a society when we most need it." | high10078.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Parents share more interests with their children."
},
"options": [
"Parents help their children develop interests in more activities.",
"Parents put more trust in their children's abilities.",
"Parents and children talk more ... | Parents and kids today dress alike, listen to the same music, and are friends. Is this a good thing? Sometimes, when Mr. Ballmer and his 16-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, listen to rock music together and talk about interests they both enjoy, such as pop culture, he remembers his more distant relationship with his parents when he was a teenager.
"I would never have said to my mom, 'Hey, the new Weezer album is really great. How do you like it?'" says Ballmer. "There was just a complete gap in taste."
Music was not the only _ . From clothing and hairstyles to activities and expectations, earlier generations of parents and children often appeared to move in separate orbits.
Today, the generation gap has not disappeared, but it is getting narrow in many families. Conversations on subjects such as sex and drugs would not have taken place a generation ago. Now they are comfortable and common. And parent--child activities, from shopping to sports, involve a feeling of trust and friendship that can continue into adulthood.
No wonder greeting cards today carry the message, "To my mother, my best friend."
But family experts warn that the new equality can also result in less respect for parents. "There's still a lot of strictness and authority on the part of parents out there, but there is a change happening," says Kerrie, a psychology professor at Lebanon Valley College. "In the middle of that change, there is a lot of confusion among parents."
Family researchers offer a variety of reasons for these evolving roles and attitudes. They see the 1960s as a turning point. Great cultural changes led to more open communication and a more democratic process that encourages everyone to have a say.
"My parents were on the 'before' side of that change, but today's parents, the 40-year-olds, were on the 'after' side," explains Mr. Ballmer. "It's not something easily done by parents these days, because life is more difficult to understand or deal with, but sharing interests does make it more fun to be a parent now." | high3812.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Migrant workers in Shanghai."
},
"options": [
"Chongqing clothing company.",
"Migrant workers in Jiangsu.",
"Guangdong workers' union.",
"Migrant workers in Shanghai."
],
"question": "Who or what does Zhu Xueqin... | Zhu Xueqin is from Jiangsu Province, Kang Houming from the Municipality of Chongqing and Hu Xiaoyan from Guangdong Province. They are the first migrant workers to have been elected deputies to the National People's Congress. And they will be the focus of almost 3,000 deputies.
31-year-old Zhu works in a clothing company. She started out sewing garments and is now deputy chief of the workers' union.
Migrant worker deputy Zhu Xueqin said, "I am the representative of 4 million migrant workers in Shanghai. I feel a lot of pressure to do well and I will certainly do my best."
Zhu was elected to the post a month ago. She spent all her free time collecting requests and suggestions from fellow migrant workers.
Zhu Xueqin said, "We've held at least ten meetings to discuss the problems of restaurant staff and construction and factory workers."
Since her election to be an NPC deputy, Zhu has received numerous requests from other migrant workers, who want her to help solve their problems. She is aiming for a paid holiday system so migrant workers can decide for themselves when they go back home to see their families. And she is also calling for maternity insurance for the migrants.
China's workers from rural areas are estimated to a number around 200 million. And these migrants have become a main part of the country's work force.
In March last year, the NPC annual session approved a draft resolution on the elections. The draft stated that provinces and municipalities with a large population of rural migrant workers should have a quota for NPC deputies. | high20150.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "they concentrate more on their job at hand"
},
"options": [
"it completely controls people's mind",
"it directly explains people's behavior",
"they concentrate more on their job at hand",
"they reduce their pressure fro... | Most of us have gone away from "mad men" in the street, only to realize that they are in fact using a Bluetooth headset. Now a new University of Pennsylvania study shows that muttering can actually help people find lost objects--in other words, saying the name of an object helps you find it more quickly.
Previous work has suggested that speaking aloud while performing step-by-step tasks, like tying shoelaces ,can help kids guide their behavior and let them focus on the job in hand. However, scientists were not sure if speaking aloud when performing tasks could help adults in the same way, especially when looking for particular objects. Professor Gary Lupan and Daniel Swingley, writing for the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, carried out some experiments. They hoped to give the fact that next time you lose your keys, muttering " keys,keys,keys"can in fact help you find them.
Inspired by viewing people muttering to themselves as they try to find things like peanut butter in a supermarket, the researchers conducted two experiments to see if this actually worked. In the first, participants were shown 20 pictures of various objects and were asked to find a certain one, with some seeing a text label telling them what they were looking for. These participants were then asked to search for the object again while saying the word to themselves, with results showing that saying it aloud helped people find the object more quickly.
The second experiment saw participants performing a shopping task, where they were shown photographs of items commonly found on supermarket shelves. They were asked to find all examples of a particular item, so if they were asked for apples they had to find all the bags of apples, as quickly as possible. The researchers found that there was also an advantage in saying the name of the product aloud when they were searching for something familiar.
The University of Pennsylvania study shows that muttering can actually help people reach the target object--in other words, muttering to oneself helps to focus the mind on something. It works more effectively than seeing a written description. Repeating the word over and over again helps even more. | high19909.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "financial situation is the first to consider"
},
"options": [
"financial situation is the first to consider",
"students are unwilling to leave their home",
"students will become homesick",
"students are eager to attend ... | Many people in high school cannot wait to go to college and leave their hometown behind. Questions arise, though, when it comes to all of the decisions involved in choosing a college.
One of the first considerations may be finance. State and public colleges are often the least expensive. Often, though, the better colleges are private and more expensive. It is sad when gifted students cannot attend a college of their choice just for financial reasons.
Another major factor is location. Whether the college is in a small town or large city can have a major impact on its activities. A water lover probably will be more comfortable spending four years near an ocean or a lake. Those who cannot tolerate heat will probably be more comfortable at a northern college. Distance from home may also come into consideration. If family is a top priority, that person should stay close to home; on the other hand, if independence is desired, a campus farther from home would be more appropriate.
School size also plays a major role in the decision process. If you want to get to know your teachers, a small college is suitable. For those of you who consider yourself a " _ " and want a wide range of activities, a large college is more fitting. Your area of interest is another factor to consider in the decision-making process if you want to get the most from your education. The whole point of college is to learn what is of interest to you.
Crucially , one must take into consideration the colleges by which you can realistically be accepted. An Ivy League school for an average student would probably not be a good match. Similarly, an average school for an above-average student would not work well. The college should provide enough of a challenge for the student to work hard. Although there may not be the perfect college out there, there probably will be one that is close. Those who cannot find a suitable college are probably not looking hard enough. | high10093.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "share poems and stories with her friend"
},
"options": [
"become serious about her study",
"go to her friend's house regularly",
"learn from her classmates at school",
"share poems and stories with her friend"
],
... | When discussing about friends, I desire those who will share my happiness, who possess wings of their own and who will fly with me. I seek friends whose qualities illuminate me and train me up for love. It is for these people that I reserve the glowing hours, too good not to share.
When I was in the eighth grade, I had a friend. We were shy and "too serious" about our studies when it was becoming fashionable with our classmates to learn acceptable social behaviors. We said little at school, but she would come to my house and we would sit down with pencils and paper, and one of us would say:" Let's start with a train whistle today." We would sit quietly together and write separate poems or stories that grew out of a train whistle. Then we would read them aloud. At the end of that school year, we, too, were changing into social creatures and the stories and poems stopped.
When I lived for a time in London, I had a friend. He was in despair and I was in despair. But our friendship was based on the idea in each of us that we would be sorry later if we did not explore this great city because we had felt bad at the time. We met every Sunday for five weeks and found many excellent things. We walked until our despairs disappeared and then we parted . We gave London to each other.
For almost four years I have had a remarkable friend whose imagination illuminates mine. We write long letters in which we often discover our strangest selves. Each of us appears, sometimes in a funny way, in the other's dreams. She and I agree that, at certain times, we seem to be parts of the same mind. In my most interesting moments, I often think: "Yes, I must tell...." We have never met.
It is such comforting companions I wish to keep. One bright hour with their kind is worth more to me than the lifetime services of a psychologist , who will only fill up the healing silence necessary to those darkest moments in which I would rather be my own best friend. | high17924.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Water would be used as a kind of weapon."
},
"options": [
"People would suffer from more floods.",
"Water would be used as a kind of weapon.",
"Water problems would lead to war in the future.",
"Floods would make water ... | A new American report says water-related problems will likely increase tensions around the world in the next ten years. These problems include water shortages, poor water quality and floods. The problems will increase the risk of failure of governments. However, countries are unlikely to go to war over water. But the real question is that some governments may use water as a weapon to pressure others ten years later.
The report looks at possible effects of water problems on the United States national security interests over the next thirty years. It says the areas that will be most affected by water problems are North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. The United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says, "Reliable water resources are essential for feeding the hungry, running industries and creating energy. Certainly they are central when we think about how climate changes will affect future generations."
The report also predicts an increased demand for American assistance and expert help to solve those problems. That demand for help could create opportunities for leadership and influence.
Water shortages, poor water quality, and floods are unlikely to result in state failure. But these could combine with poverty, social tensions, environmental problems, poor leadership and weak governments to produce social disorder. And that combination could cause state failure.
The report predicts that from now through 2040 water shortages and pollution probably will harm the economic performance of important trading partners. During the next ten years the loss of groundwater supplies in some agricultural areas will create a risk to national and global food markets. These shortages will be a result of poor management.
Agriculture uses about seventy percent of the world's freshwater. The report says technology that reduces the amount of water needed to grow crops will offer the best way to fight against water shortages. | high22747.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "In the southwest of Beijing."
},
"options": [
"In the south of Beijing.",
"To the east of Beijing.",
"In the southwest of Changxindian.",
"In the southwest of Beijing."
],
"question": "Where is the hospital the ... | The following is the story of a SARS patient named Wang and his fight with the disease.
I woke up around 6 : 30 this morning, on my ninth day in hospital since I caught SARS. Glancing over at my roommate, Xiao Huang, a 27-year-old employee of a Beijing software company, I saw he was also awake.
After a light breakfast, a nurse came in and took my temperature. It was 36.6 centigrade. We're at Changxindian Hospital in southwestern Beijing, a newly named SARS patient hospital. It seems I am now recovering as my fever has gone down in recent days. When I first got the disease , I spent four days with a temperature above 39.5 centigrade--at one point it reached 40. 1 centigrade.
At 8 : 30 am, a nurse took a blood sample and X-ray of my chest. Then my daily treatment began with the help of the experts from Guangdong and WHO.
Before the first bottle finished, my wife rang me. I talked with her on my mobile phone. It has become a major connection with the outside world. Several friends also called me in the morning.
I am feeling great these days--no fever, no headache and no pain in the chest, which are all symptoms of SARS. My slight cough is gone since I began taking a new round of medicines yesterday. The doctor told me that I may be set free from hospital in two weeks and a half. | high12684.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "The children took the test at four."
},
"options": [
"The test was devised in the 1920's.",
"7,752 identical and non-identical twins took part in it.",
"The test was set to assess children's intelligence.",
"The childre... | LONDON, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- A four-year-old child's ability to draw could be an indicator of intelligence at age 14, according to a study published on Tuesday in the British journal Psychological Science.
The researchers from King's College London (KCL) studied 7,752 pairs of identical and non-identical twins, and found that the link between drawing and later intelligence was influenced by genes.
At the age of 4, children were asked by their parents to complete a 'Draw-a-Child' test. Their drawings were rated from 0 to 12, based on the presence and correct number of body-parts, like arms, legs, head, eyes and nose.
The children were also given verbal and non-verbal intelligence tests at ages 4 and 14. According to researchers, the test was devised in the 1920's to assess children's intelligence, so it's not surprising that the test correlated with intelligence at age 4.However, they found that higher scores on the test were also moderately associated with higher scores of intelligence at 14.
The researchers also measured the heritability of figure drawing. Identical twins share all their genes, whereas non-identical twins only share about 50 percent. Overall, at age 4, drawings from identical twin pairs were more similar to one another than drawings from non-identical twin pairs.
Therefore, the researchers concluded that differences in children's drawings have an important genetic link. They also found that drawing at age 4 and intelligence at age 14 had a strong genetic link.
"Drawing is an ancient behaviour, dating back beyond 15,000 years ago," Dr. Rosalind Arden, lead author of the paper from KCL, said that: "This capacity to reproduce figures is a uniquely human ability and a sign of cognitive ability, in a similar way to writing, which transformed the human species' ability to store information, and build a civilisation." | high8947.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "friends"
},
"options": [
"friends",
"teachers",
"brothers and sisters",
"classmates"
],
"question": "Many teenagers think their _ know them better than their parents do.",
"question_type": "cloze_questions... | Many teenagers feel that the most important people in their lives are their friends.They believe that their family members, especially their parents.Don't know them as well as their friends do.In large families.it is often for brothers and sisters to fight with each other and then they can only go to their friends for advice.
It is very important for teenagers to have one good friend or many friends.Even when they are not with their friends, they usually spend a lot of time talking among themselves on the phone.This communication is very important in children's growing up, because friends can discuss something difficult to say to their family members.
However, parents often try to choose their children's friends for them.Some parents may even stop their children from meeting their good friends. The question of "choice" is an interesting one.Have you ever thought of the following questions?
Who choose your friends?
Do you choose your friends or your friends choose you?
Have you got good friend your parents don't like? | high549.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "clothing fashion"
},
"options": [
"teenagers",
"clothing fashion",
"famous singers",
"campus life"
],
"question": "This passage is mainly about _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer... | My nephew, Adam, turned 19 on Monday. He's a good kid and makes the whole family laugh. He wears his baseball cap backward, his shorts baggy and his T-shirts loose. In short, I hate the way he looks. To me, it seems as if everything is about to fall off at any moment. He makes me nervous.
But he's still a teenager. I think that's the way he's supposed to look. Cooler than cool.
I was on the Harvard campus recently and was surprised how almost everyone looked like Adam, just as they did on the Georgetown campus the week before with baggy shorts far below the knees.
It's a uniform, of course, just as there was a uniform when I went to college. Fashion is a changeable thing. _ has made fools of us all over the years.
In my college years, everyone wore frayed bell-bottoms, tie-dye shirts and hair to the shoulders.
But I predict the "uniform" that's likely to cause the most shame for its wearers 30 years from now will be the exposed-tummy look brought to us by Britney Spears.
I'll admit. Britney's exposed-mid-waist looks pretty good in those short jeans. Just a piece of skin. Firm, flat, brown.
Unfortunately, the look has been picked up by young women from Malibu to Maine, young women who do not have Britney Spears' firm, flat, brown skin.
As my mother has asked a thousand times: Don't these girls have mirrors? | high23459.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Train her body to the fullest."
},
"options": [
"Build up her confidence.",
". Keep encouraged and cheerful.",
"Train her body to the fullest.",
"Understand the music."
],
"question": "What does the author's dan... | "Now stretch over your right leg!" my dance teacher yells over the music. "If it doesn't hurt, you're not trying hard enough. Hold that stretch for 30 seconds!" My dance teacher works hard to form us into the dancers we desire to be. In order for this to occur, we stretch hard a lot!
Dancing is a real passion of many people, including me. I work hard to make myself better, and prove that I am good enough. Performing a dance routine is more than just a performance. Dancers tell stories when they dance. It is a way for us to express our personal feelings. Just letting go and letting your body move with the music can create your emotions. Dance tells us things that our mind secretly hides.
"Get up and do it again! You need to keep your spirits up!" Even though I am completely worn out after my dances, I love to hear those words. It gives me a sense of relief knowing that I can again express my feelings out on the floor.
"Practice makes perfect! Come on. We have a competition this weekend, and we need to work harder!" Competitions are the best possible example of fun. For a dancer, life cannot get better than competitions. The thrill of losing yourself onstage is a rush of energy rushing through your body! The feeling is unexplainable. As you sit there putting on your makeup, fixing your hair, and putting on your costume, the rush just gradually grows until it is ready to be released onstage.
Finally the time comes to tell your story. Standing backstage waiting for your name to be called is one of the scariest moments. You are ready to show the world what you are capable of and what you have been perfecting for a while. Once your number is called, you walk out onstage. The applause at the end tells each dancer that their story has been received, and that the dance has been brought to life. | high14593.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "a book for language learners"
},
"options": [
"a newspaper for general readers",
"a magazine for language teachers",
"a book for language learners",
"an advertisement for a new book"
],
"question": "This passage... | Good readers know that reading isn't just about knowing words--it's a way of thinking. Some readers think before, during and after reading. Here are some suggestions that may be of some help.
Think before you read. Before you read the text, ask yourself the questions that why you are reading it and what you want to get from it. Answering the questions will help you choose what words you need to know and what words you can skip or scan.
Think while you are reading. Can you get the meaning of the text without looking up new words in a dictionary? Are there any clues in the text? A text will often give examples that may help you understand what some of the words mean, let's take the following sentence for example.
Many large Russian cities such as Chelayabinsk and Irkutsk, have taken steps to protect their culture.
The words "Chelyabinsk"and"Irkutsk" may be new to us, but the sentence tells us that they are examples of _
Think after you read. Do you understand the text? What is the main idea of the text? Can you guess the meaning of the new words? Which words do you need to look up? Is the text too easy or too hard for you?
If you practice reading and thinking in this way, you will become a smarter reader and you will learn more, faster and better. | high15855.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "her heart beat very fast."
},
"options": [
"she could see nothing but her own shaking hands.",
"her parents encouraged her, saying, \"Good job!\"",
"she missed up the whole piece.",
"her heart beat very fast."
],
... | My first performance in front of an audience was coming up soon.
I tried as hard as I could to keep calm, but my heart was racing. I stared down at my sweat-covered, shaking hands.
I looked up again at the audience, realizing that these were real people. They were not just my mum and dad, who would say, "Good job!" even if I missed up the whole piece.
What if I had the wrong music? What if I played the wrong notes?
As it turned out, I was never able to answer these questions because the spotlight was waiting for me. I grasped my hands tightly together, drying off the sweat.
Slowly I walked to the mud-brown piano in the centre of the room. It had 88 _ keys, which were waiting impatiently to be played. _ in my throat and sat down. Slowly, I opened the music. Next, I rested my still shaking hands on the keys.
As my fingers played across the keys, I was becoming more unsure of my preparation for this moment. But the memory of my year of training came flooding back. I knew that I had practised this piece so many times that I could play it backwards if asked.
Although at one point I accidently played two keys instead of the intended one, I continued to move my fingers automatically .
My eyes burned holes into the page in front of me.
There was no way that I was going to lose my concentration. To keep this promise to myself, I leaned forward and concentrated carefully on the music.
When I came to the end of the page, a warning went off inside my head: don't make a mistake when you turn the page!
Needless to say, I obeyed myself with all my heart and mind, and was proud of my "page-turning" feat . I finished the rest of the piece without making a single mistake.
I had finished. I had mastered the impossible. | high22021.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "About a century ago."
},
"options": [
"About 20 years ago",
"About 50 years ago.",
"About 70 years ago",
"About a century ago."
],
"question": "How long ago was Machu Picchu discovered?",
"question_type": "f... | We are going to see the ruins of Machu Picchu in the mountains of the Andes.Machu Picchu was forgotten for centuries but discovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, a professor from Yale.It is said to be one of the most beautiful ancient sites in the world.
The Incas built the ancient civilization of Machu Picchu between the 12th century and the early 16th century.They spoke a language called Quechua but had no writing system at all.They kept records on various coloured strings with knots called quipu.
The Incas proved to be wonderful architects.They built most of their buildings with huge stones but without using any cement to stick them together.However, the huge stones fit together so perfectly that you cannot force a sharp knife between two blocks.They also built bridges, tunnels through mountains and channels to bring water to their cities--just as the Romans did.The Incas turned the mountains into farmlands and planted corn and potatoes, and raised animals like llama and alpaca for food.
Now Machu Piccu has become a major tourist site in Peru, attracting people from all over the world. | high1963.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "good health"
},
"options": [
"time",
"work",
"friendship",
"good health"
],
"question": "In the writer's view, the most precious thing in the world is _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
... | Good health is the most precious thing in the world .When you have got it, you never think about it. When you haven't got it , you think about it all the time. Our biggest enemies are not terrible diseases. We are our own biggest enemies because we sometimes destroy our own good health. Some of us eat too much, drink too much and smoke too much. And though our reason tells us we should control ourselves, we find it difficult. The fact is that most human beings need stimulation. Who doesn't enjoy a drink after a busy day? Only a smoker knows the pleasure of a cigarette with a cup of coffee.
The danger is when these innocent pleasures run our lives and so destroy our health. When you find yourself eating between meals or eating too much rich food, when you can only keep yourself going by taking frequent drinks or by smoking one cigarette after another, then it's time to stop and think what you might be doing to yourself. The funny thing is that when we don't control ourselves, simple pleasures are no longer simple pleasures.
All right, I know what you're thinking. You're probably saying: "It's all very well for him to talk, but I can't help myself. I need that extra bit of food, that extra drink, that extra cigarette. Life has so many pressures that I can't manage without them." But I'm saying you can help yourself. Not only that you must help yourself. Because if you don't help yourself, no one else can. So be your own best friend . | high21528.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "encourage young people to care about the environment"
},
"options": [
"help the Houston Rockets win the NBA championship",
"ask the United Nations to protect sharks in China",
"encourage young people to care about the environ... | Going green is something that affects every single one of us. Whether by recycling those plastic water bottles, or by cutting down on electricity in your home, the importance of going green on a personal level is extremely important. But, when you're a millionaire NBA basketball star, how do you help out the environment?
Yao Ming is a basketball player that plays for the Houston Rockets and has spoken out against hunting of sharks for fins, a delicious food in his native China. He is also the United Nations' Environmental champion. His goal is to raise awareness of climate change and energy-saving. "I will work with young people across the world and try to inspire them to plant trees, harvest rainwater and to become environmental champions in their own communities."
The Philadelphia Eagles, a professional American football team, are really doing their part to give back to the community. The Eagles Go Green page has a "Green Energy Calculator" and according to the web site fans have saved $ 73,674.90 a year and saved 666,320 pounds of CO
per year. Also, the Eagles have set up a "Stop global warming virtual march on Washington", a march across America for one year, through the Internet with a goal to bring fans together and to urge leaders to deal with the serious problem of global warming now.
Bob Burnquist, a Brazilian skateboarder, is a member of Action Sports Environmental Coalition and founder of a program that gets organic foods and farming into schools for healthy lunch programs. Bob also has a huge homegrown organic farm where he hosted a gathering in celebration of Earth Day.
Kelly Slater is a surfer and eight-time champion, but he also supports saving the coral reefs world wide. He has founded the Kelly Slater Invitational Competition which raises funds and awareness for Reef Check, which is able to get its message out to a large group of guests including professional surfers, film and music stars, and other famous people. | high16384.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "working women who must travel on their own"
},
"options": [
"working women who have no time for cooking",
"husbands and children of working women",
"working women who must travel on their own",
"hotel managers who shoul... | As more women in the United States move up the professional ladder, more are finding it necessary to made business trips alone. If you are married, it is a good idea to encourage your husband and children to learn to cook a few simple meals while you are away. They will be much happier and probably they will enjoy the experience. If you will be eating alone a good deal, choose good restaurants. In the end, they will be much better for your digestion. You may also find it useful to call the restaurant in advance and tell them that you will be eating alone. Finally, and most importantly, prepare your travel needs as a businesswoman; this starts with lightweight luggage which you can easily manage even when fully packed. Take a folding case inside your suitcase; it will come in extremely handy for dirty clothes, as well as for business papers you no longer need on the trip. And make sure you have a briefcase so that you can keep required papers separate. Obviously, experience helps, but you can make things easier on yourself from the first by careful planning, so that right from the start you really can have a good trip! | high20636.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "missed her friend although they lost contact"
},
"options": [
"lived next door to Rose in her childhood",
"was Rose's maid of honor when she was married",
"lost touch of Rose since she moved to Alaska",
"missed her frie... | I grew up in Jamaica Plain. My best friend Rose and I used to dream about raising a family of our own someday and living next door to one another.
Our dream remained alive through school and beyond. Rose was my maid of honor when I married Dick. Later, Dick was stationed in Alaska and we moved. Rose was sad to see me leave, but wished me the best of luck. We remained in touch for a few years before we lost track.
I thought of her several times over the years. All of my children now have families of their own, and Dick passed away a few years ago. Basically, a lifetime has passed. Then one day, near my 80th birthday, I received a phone call "Hi Natalie, it's Rose," the voice on the other end said, " I don't know if you remember me, but we used to be best friends in Jamaica Plain when we were kids."
We have spent hours on the phone catching up. Even after 52 years of separation our personalities and interests are still extremely similar. We both share a passion for several hobbies that we each picked up independently several years after we lost touch with one another. It almost feels like we are picking up right where we left off.
Her husband died a few years ago as well, but she mailed me several photographs of her family that were taken over the years. It's so crazy, just looking at the photos and listening to her description of her family reminds me of my own: a reasonably large, healthy family. Part of me feels like we led fairly similar lives.
I don't think the similarities between our two lives are a coincidence either. I think
shows that we didn't just call each other best friend; we truly were best friends and even now we can be best friends again. Real friends have two things in common: a compatible personality and a strong-willed character. The compatible personality is what starts the connection between two people. A strong-willed character at both ends is what maintains the connection. If those two ingredients are present in a friendship, the friendship is for real, It can pass the tests of time and long distance between one another and will never disappear | high16390.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Parents and pupils are under too much pressure."
},
"options": [
"Pupils are not well protected in school.",
"Parents can't help their children in learning.",
"Parents and pupils are under too much pressure.",
"The rela... | School Counseling
In our grandparents' time, it was unthinkable.In our parents' time, it was unusual and nobody spoke openly about counseling.These days, more and more schools are asking for this service and it is considered a necessity for most.Why is it? What has changed in the last fifty years to have made counseling at schools so important?
"One reason is that we expect schools to do more to protect their pupils than we did in the past," says school counselor, Mike Hudson." Also, our society doesn't work as well as it should.Many parents are either under pressure of work or face the economic problems of unemployment, while children are under more and more pressure to do well at school.Many pupils feel they are pushed to their limits by their parents and teachers."
Most school children face some kind of relationship problem at some stage with family members, teachers or other pupils, so.it helps to have somebody to talk to.
From the pupil' s point of view, it is easier to talk to a counselor in confidence rather than a family member or teacher.This solution is less embarrassing to pupils, who are not forced to face the person that they had problems with in the first place.They can calmly talk things through without arguments.
School counselors advise not only students but also their teachers and parents, and offer other services as well, such as deciding learning disabilities or assisting parents and guardians to make the correct decisions about their children' s education.
Counselors can help students with problems ranging from the most serious, like a death in the family, to what an adult would consider really trivial, like an argument with a friend.
In a society that is becoming more and more stressful, this service is providing children with a supportive way to express their fear and worries. | high10939.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Imagination."
},
"options": [
"Imagination.",
"Intelligence.",
"Background.",
"Communication ability."
],
"question": "In which category did Obama win his best place?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
... | President Obama ranks 15th out of 44 in a poll of the best and worst Presidents while former President George W. Bush earns a place in the bottom five, according to the Siena College Research Institute's recent survey released Thursday
Obama won a top ten place in two skill set categories, communication ability (7th) and ability to compromise (10th), and in two personality trait categories, imagination (6th) and intelligence (8th). Background, described as family, education, and experience, proved his lowest score at 32nd.
This is the 5th time the institute has conducted the survey of U.S. presidents, which is done a year after a new president takes office. The first survey was done in 1982. "Obviously, there's not great _ to the poll since the Presidents have only been in office for one year," says the survey's co-director and statistician Douglas Lonnstrom. "But it's a benchmark for us to see how they move."
Presidents tend to rank around 20th while they are in office, and Obama is no exception. His actions over the next few years will decide if he stays roughly the same like Reagan--who moved from 16th to 20th, 22nd, 16th again, and finally to 18th this year--or like Bush, who fell from 23rd to 39th.
Franklin D. Roosevelt has held his title as top president since 1982 with the same four following as top five: Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson.
The survey, which ranks Presidents using 20 different factors, shows Jefferson was the most intelligent president, Richard Nixon was the worst at honesty and avoiding serious mistakes, Lincoln had the best overall ability, and Washington was the best leader. | high20622.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "lived a hard life as a child"
},
"options": [
"lived a hard life as a child",
"often went hunting with her family",
"joined the army during World War One",
"trained women soldiers during the war"
],
"question": ... | Annie Oakley was born in 1860 in Darke County, Ohio. Her family was very poor. She decided to help her family even when she was very young, so she learned to use a gun, and began hunting animals for food. She could shoot them without losing the important parts of the meat.
Soon her shooting ability became well known. When she was sixteen, she was invited to a competition with a famous marksman , Frank Butler. Annie surprised everyone by winning the competition. Later that year she and Frank married.
In 1882, Annie Oakley and Frank Butler started putting on shows together. Frank Butler was the star of the show and she was his assistant. The famous Native American leader, Sitting Bull, thought so highly of her shooting ability that he called her "Little Sure Shot". Later Annie Oakley became the star of the show and Frank Butler was her assistant. Posters for the show called her the "Champion Markswoman".
During World War One, Annie Oakley wanted to train a group of women volunteers for the army, but the United States did not accept it. She gave American soldiers shooting lessons, and traveled across the country visiting many training camps. She gave shooting performances and raised money to support the American soldiers.
Annie Oakley died on November 3, 1926. Eighteen days later, Frank Butler died too. | high14587.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "a homeless dog"
},
"options": [
"a lucky dog",
"a homeless dog",
"a clever dog",
"a tamed dog"
],
"question": "The correct statement about the dog in the expression\"to 1ead a dog's life\"is _ .",
"que... | Americans use many expressions with the word dog.People in the United States love their dogs and treat them well.They take their dogs for walks,let them play outside and give them good food and medical care.However, dogs without owners to care for them lead a different kind of 1ife.The expression,to lead a dog's life,describes a person who has an unhappy existence.
Some people say we live in a dog-eat-dog world.That means many people are competing for the same things,like good jobs.To be successful,a person has to work like a dog.Such hard work can make people dog-tired,or sick as a dog.
Still,people say every dog has its day.This means that every person enjoys a successful period during his or her life.To be successful, people often have to learn new skills.Yet.some people say that you can never teach all old dog new tricks.They believe that older people do not like to learn new things and wilt not change the way they do things.
Husbands and wives use this doghouse term when they are angry at each other.For example,a woman might get angry at her husband for coming home late or forgetting their wedding anniversary.She might tell him that he is in the doghouse.She may not treat him nicely until he apologizes.However,the husband may decide that it is best to 1eave things alone and not create more problems.He might decide to let sleeping dogs lie.
Dog expressions are also used to describe the weather.The dog days of summer are the hottest days of the year.A rainstorm may cool the weather.But we do not want it to rain too hard.We do not want it to rain cats and dogs. | high15841.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Women were believed too weak to finish it."
},
"options": [
"Training was only provided for men .",
"Women could not work as messengers.",
"Women were believed too weak to finish it.",
"It was a race held only for profe... | In 490 B.C. the Greek messenger, Pheidippides , ran about 40 kilometers from the town of "Marathon"to Athens to announce the victory of Athens over Macedon . Since then ,the 42-kilometer "Marathon"race has become a great test for athletes. However, for many years , only men were allowed to run this race , because the distance was said to be unbearable for women. In 1966, an American women named Roberta Gibb proved that idea wrong.
Gibb had always enjoyed running .One day in 1964 , she saw the Boston Marathon happening as she was running in the woods. Since running meant a lot to her, she began training harder , hoping to join the marathon some day.
Gibb finally applied to run in the 1966 Boston Marathon, but she was not given entrance because the Boston Marathon Association considered that women were not strong enough to run 42 kilometers . Yet, this was no obstacle to Gibb, for she knew she had the physical and mental strength to complete the race .On the day the 1966 Boston Marathon was held , Gibb hid in the bushes and jumped into the race when it began. She finished the race in 3 hours and 21 minutes, defeating two thirds of the men in the race and proving that women could run the marathon.
Although what Gibb did was only to realize her dream, in doing so she showed the world that women could accomplish greater things than many people believed they could. | high1977.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "getting enough sleep"
},
"options": [
"dieting to lose weight",
"releasing emotions",
"getting enough sleep",
"exercising the mind"
],
"question": "Playing outside is just as important as _ .",
"question... | Let Children Roam Free
Everyone agrees that playing outside keeps children thinner. The loss of opportunities for outdoor play is one of the main causes of childhood obesity. What is more remarkable is the growing evidence that children's mental health and emotional well-being are enhanced by contact with the outdoors, and that the restorative effect appears to be strongest in natural settings. Researchers are convinced of the depth of the connection between children's well-being and the environment, claiming that contact with nature may be as important to children as good nutrition and adequate sleep.
But now children seem to get less touch with outdoor activities. The root causes of the dramatic loss of children's freedom lie in changes to the very fabric of their lives over the last 30 years or so. The growth in road traffic, alongside poor town planning and shifts in the make-up and daily rhythms of families and communities, have left children with fewer outdoor places to go. These changes coincided with the "culture of fear": a generalized anxiety about all imaginary kinds of threats, even though children are statistically safer from harm now than at any point in human history.
These physical, economic and social changes and fears have been made use of by manufactures and advertisers, whose products and messages both reinforce the logic of keeping children virtual prisoners, and force us to compensate them in the only way our cash-rich, time-poor society seems to know: by spending money on them.
Government must bear some of the blame for keeping children prisoners indoor, through their promotion of planning policies that favour cars over communities and profit over people. The real planning crimes lie in housing companies occupying attractive parks and green spaces, and in town plans that force families to depend largely on their cars. There is no doubt that traffic danger, unlike stranger danger, is a real threat to children and a constant worry for parents.
Around 100 child pedestrians are killed every year, a figure that puts the UK near the bottom of Europe's child road safety league. It is no surprise that figures show a steady fall in children walking or cycling over the last twenty years, to the extent that while over 90% of children own a bicycle, just 2% cycle to school. Also, 30% of children aged eight to ten never play outside without an adult watching over them.
In a single generation, the "home habitat" of a typical eight-year-old----the area in which children are able to travel on their own- has shrunk to one-ninth of its former size. Health experts have even created a new word, "obesogenic", to describe those aspects of our lives that make us fat, and top of the list is the design of streets, towns and cities. | high22035.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Agassi began to play tennis before he was fifteen"
},
"options": [
"after 1997 Agassi began to take up marathon besides tennis",
"Agassi began to play tennis before he was fifteen",
"Agassi decided to quit his sports career",... | Twenty years are just a blink in time. But 20 years is also long enough for a man to grow up. It is always painful. For Andre Agassi, maturing in the spotlight of international tennis competition was even harder.
On September 3, the American tennis player said a tearful goodbye to his 21-year career after a third-round defeat in the US Open. The 36-year-old tried his best, but was unable to keep up with German Benjamin Becker, _ years his _
"The scoreboard said I lost today, but what the scoreboard doesn't say is what I've found," Agassi said to the fans. "I have found inspiration and you willed me to succeed." It was an emotional speech at the end of a long career.
Agassi hated tennis as a teenager as much as he loves it now. His father made him play when he was a child. He got bored, and became a rebel . The strict training that his father pushed upon him got in the way of his wild lifestyle. He grew hair long, wore colourful clothes and spat at a judge. Over the years, he has made bad jokes during news conferences Asked what he would say to his 17-year-old self, Agassi answered, "I would say, I understand you a lot more than I want to be you."
The turning point in Agassi's career came in 1992 when he unexpectedly won his first Grand Slam at Wimbledon. It was the first time Agassi understood what real champions finally understand: winning is a test of courage and not just power, it's a marathon, not a sprint .
And what a marathon Agassi was about to begin. He cut his long hair, got fitter and tightened up emotionally. On the court, he was ranked No. 1 for almost two years. His lowest point came in 1997 when his ranking dropped to No. 141. He didn't quit though. "I knew that I would try to get the most out of myself every day from that day forward. That was my promise," he said. "That never stopped." | high22753.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "a child feel nervous continuously"
},
"options": [
"no scientist",
"a well-behaved child",
"a bad parent-child relationship",
"a child feel nervous continuously"
],
"question": "From the passage we can know that... | Children who are spanked have lower IQs worldwide, including in the United States. All parents want smart children. Avoiding spanking and correcting misbehavior in other ways can help that happen.
A new research by Professor Murray Straus found that children in the United States who were spanked had lower IQs four years later than those who weren't spanked. Straus and Mallie Paschall, a senior research scientist, studied nationally examples of 806 children aged 2 to 4, and 704 aged 5 to 9. Both groups were retested four years later.
The IQs of children IQs aged 2 to 4 who weren't spanked were 5 points higher four year later than the IQs of those who were spanked. The IQs of children aged 5 to 9 who weren't spanked were 2.8 points higher four years later than the IQs of children at the same age who were spanked. How often parents spanked made a difference. The more spanking, the slower the development of children's mental ability. But even small amounts of spanking made a difference.
Straus also found a lower national average IQ in nations in which spanking was more popular. His analysis shows the strongest link between physical punishment and IQ is for those whose parents continue to use physical punishment even when they are teenagers.
Straus also found a lower national average IQ in nations in which spanking was more popular. His analysis shows the strongest link between physical punishment and IQ is for those whose parents continue to use physical punishment even when they are teenagers.
Straus and colleagues in 32 nations used data on physical punishment experienced by 17,404 university students when they were children. According to Straus, there're two explanations for the relation of physical punishment to lower IQ.
First, physical punishment is extremely stressful and can become a long-lasting stressor for young children, who typically experience punishment three or more times a week. For many it continues for years. The stress of physical punishment often leads to being fearful that terrible things are about to happen and being easily shocked. They're associated with lower IQ. Second, a higher national level of economic development leads to both fewer parents using physical punishment and a higher national IQ.
The good news is that the use of physical punishment has been decreasing worldwide, which may signal future gains in IQ across the globe. The United Nations has called on all member nations to forbid physical punishment by parents. Nevertheless, there's evidence that attitude favoring physical punishment and actual use of physical punishment have been declining even in nations which haven't forbidden physical punishment. | high12690.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "It could make people relax a lot."
},
"options": [
"It featured the traditional style of Korean music.",
"It was difficult for people to follow.",
"It was named after a new virus.",
"It could make people relax a lot."
... | Move over Psy. There's a new viral music video on the Internet that's getting millions of people dancing and laughing. Psy is a singer who created Gagnam Style, a music video which featured a catchy tune and interesting dance.
The new music video called The Fox (What does the fox say?) has recently gone viral. At 123 000 000 views, it may even catch up to Gagnam Style. The video asks the question, "What does the fox say?" It's a good question. And it seems, at least according to the music video, there is no good answer.
Actors in the video dress up like the animals they're singing about. One of the brothers dresses up like a fox. There is a surprising and silly dance in the video that takes the viewer a bit _ . The video's appeal is the song's simple rhythm and catchy chorus .
The makers of the video never expected the video to do well or even to be taken seriously. In fact, it started out as a joke. The song was written by two brothers from Norway, Vegard and Bard Ylvis ker. The brothers have their own late-night talk show in Norway. They thought the video would be so bad that it would give them something to talk about on their show.
On their website, they say the video was "supposed to entertain a few Norwegians for three minutes -- and that's all." But people started loving it. Some people say that once you listen to the delightfully silly song, you want to listen to it again and again.
The brothers have been guests on some major North American talk shows. They say they're happy about the success of their video, but they know that tomorrow something else could come along and be even bigger. | high12848.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "the owner of a chocolate factory."
},
"options": [
"the workers in the chocolate factory",
"the Spaniards",
"the people in England",
"the owner of a chocolate factory."
],
"question": "It was _ that discovere... | We now think of chocolate as sweet, but once it was bitter. We think of it as a candy, but once it was a medicine. Today, chocolate can be a hot drink, a frozen dessert, or just a snack. Sometimes it is an ingredient in the main course of a meal. Mexicans make a hot chocolate sauce called mole and pour it over chicken. The Mexicans also eat chocolate with spices like chili peppers.
Chocolate is a product of the tropical cacao tree. The beans taste so bitter that even the monkeys say "Ugh!" and run away. Workers must first dry and then roast the beans. This removes the bitter taste.
The word "chocolate" comes from a Mayan word. The Mayas were an ancient people who once lived in Mexico. They valued the cacao tree. Some used the beans for money, while others crushed them to make a drink.
When the Spaniards came to Mexico in the sixteenth century, they started drinking cacao too. Because the drink was strong and bitter, they thought it was a medicine. No one had the idea of adding sugar. The Spaniards took some beans back to Europe and opened cafes. Wealthy people drank cacao and said it was good for the digestion.
In the 1800s, the owner of a chocolate factory in England discovered that sugar removed the bitter taste of cacao. It quickly became a cheap and popular drink. Soon afterwards, a factory made the first solid block of sweetened chocolate. Later on, another factory mixed milk and chocolate together. People liked the taste of milk chocolate even better.
Besides the chocolate candy bar, one of the most popular American snacks is the chocolate chip cookie. Favorite desserts are chocolate cream pie and of course an ice cream sundae with hot fudge sauce. | high20144.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "went through an obvious effect of music on his recovery"
},
"options": [
"went through an obvious effect of music on his recovery",
"was asked to play the piano with the background music",
"felt no pain in his surgery because... | Throughout time, people have loved music for its ability to transport them into a world of rhythm and melody. Recently more and more hospitals and clinics have been _ the power of music -not only to comfort patients, but to help cure them as well. Welcome to the world of music therapy .
After each of the two world wars, musicians visited hospitals and played instruments for injured soldiers suffering from emotional and physical pain. Today's music therapists continue this practice, playing instruments such as guitars and harps to bring comfort to their audiences.
Therapist Eric Mammen encourages his patients at a children's hospital to participate with him as he plays. During visits with 13-year-old cancer patient Lawrence Garcia, Mammen encourages Garcia to beat on electric drums while he plays the guitar. The therapy won't cure his cancer, but it does, according to Garcia's mom, take away much of the boy's depression .
Music therapy can put patients in better moods and ease the symptoms of depression according to the American Music Therapy Association. Other benefits include relieving pain, calming tension, aiding sleep, reducing worry or fear, and easing muscle tension.
Jose Haro personally experienced the benefits of music therapy when he was recovering from heart surgery. During his recovery, he played a piano whose keys lit up, indicating which keys to touch to play along with the background music. Soon he was playing tunes and noticing something strange. "I was searching for my pain." He says of his experience, "but it was gone."
While Haro's experience provides an evidence of the power of music to relieve pain, scientific research has proven music also helps patients with Alzheimer's disease and arthritis.
In addition, music therapy helps premature babies. Doctors are tapping into a powerful way to teach premature babies that haven't yet learned how to suck. Doctors use a device that comforts the babies by playing music when they suck on a pacifier . Soon the babies learn to suck in return for music, gaining weight faster and going home earlier than those who do not use the device.
Even perfectly healthy people are discovering the power of music to calm and heal. Drum circles attract people who find stress relief in beating out rhythms. While music is not a cure-all, it does make life a little easier. | high3806.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "making an appointment with a good dentist"
},
"options": [
"making an appointment with a good dentist",
"learning something about dental health",
"admitting your dental fear",
"asking advice from other people"
],
... | Having a dental fear is a common problem. Learning to overcome your fear of the dentist is possible with a little determination and guidance. It is worthwhile to overcome the issue as healthy teeth might help you be healthy physically and spiritually.
Admission
Admitting you have a fear is the first step in overcoming dental fear. When you acknowledge your fear, you can start the process. Dentistry has come a long way over the years. The anesthetics are improved, the techniques are of higher quality and dental offices have a better understanding of these issues you are concerned and all these can help you overcome it.
Research
Speak to family and friends about your fear. Be open and honest about your issues and get feedback from them regarding their dental experiences. You can contact your local Dental Society and express your concerns. Another good approach is to simply call dental offices and get useful information from the front office staff.
First visit
Most dental offices schedule your first visit by a dental assistant. This gives you a chance to ease into the situation. Do not hesitate to express your fear and hesitation. Pay attention to what the assistant says. It can be very useful and it can gently guide you to a new attitude towards dentists.
Relaxation techniques
There are many things you can do to relax yourself. Slow, steady, deep breathes are keys to relax properly. Another aid in relaxation is to bring your iPod to play some relaxing music while you are in the dental chair. Music is a wonderful tool to use and is a helpful distraction .
Facing your fear and making the first dental appointment are necessary for your health. Ignoring your dental health because of your fear will only worsen the issues and cause you to have serious dental problems. | high17930.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "The reporter tended to think the bomb had something to do with World War II"
},
"options": [
"The news report didn't mention the loss caused by the fire.",
"After reading the report we know how the fire broke out.",
"The repo... | XI'AN---Seven people died in a fire early on Wednesday morning in Xi'an, capital of Shanxi Province. A restaurant with a karaoke hall in the southern suburbs caught fire around 2 a. m. and seven waitresses who were sleeping on the second floor of the restaurant were killed. The restaurant was completely destroyed and the waitresses, the local police said, were killed by _ smoke from burning decorations.
MANILA---Four people were killed yesterday in the central Philippine island of Tacloban when a bomb they had dug up exploded, local police were quoted as saying. The four people were digging to set up a septic(poisonous)tank in their house when they dug up the bomb. It went off, killing all four people, local police were quoted by radio station DZBB as saying. The police did not say where the bomb came from. Unexploded bombs from World War II are still discovered around the Philippines once in a while.
TEL AVIV---An Israeli couple kissed for 30 hours and 45 minutes which, a spokeswoman said yesterday, was a world record. The couple, both in their twenties, started kissing on Monday at 8:30 p.m. along with 250 other couples in a contest. "For nearly 31 hours they didn't eat, drink, talk or even go to the bathroom. And the whole time, they were standing up", said Arielle Goldman, who handled public relations for the event. She said a representative of the Guinness Book of World Records was on hang to witness the event, recorded on video. The previous record was 29 hour and 37 minutes, Goldman said. The winning couple received two round-the-world plane tickets and $ _ . (277 words) | high11399.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "play an important role in caring for patients"
},
"options": [
"are central to the medical staff",
"play an important role in caring for patients",
"can work effectively without physicians",
"are always in close contact... | The physicians in a hospital form the center of medical staff. But they could not provide effective medical care to their patients without the help of numerous other medical employees. From the viewpoint of the patients, the nursing staff is particularly important. Nurses are usually in close contact with patients as long as they are in the hospital.
A nurse does not study for as many years as a doctor. however, each must be equally dedicated. Caring for sick persons requires a great deal of patience and concern. Most nurses work long days, and they often must work at odd hours or during the night.
Under the supervision of the head nurse, the nursing staff must provide nursing services on a 24-hour basis and attend to patients' needs. This responsibility continues around the clock, and so nurses must work in shifts. A shift is a period of duty, usually eight in length. The nurses on the ward rotate their shifts. Some take turns working night duty; others work odd shifts.
A nurse must always be alert. She can never afford to be careless. This is true in all nursing situation, but it is especially true in the intensive care unit. Patients under intensive care are critically ill, and they must be monitored at all times. The nurses who do intensive care duty have one of the most demanding jobs in the hospital.
Serving as a nurse can be a very rewarding job. But it is not an easy one. Not every person is suited to become a nurse. Only very dedicated people have chosen nursing as a profession. | high7490.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "help students understand the dangers of distracted driving"
},
"options": [
"teach students how to drive",
"help students understand the dangers of distracted driving",
"let students have fun between classes",
"test the... | TWO deer jumped out in front of 16-year-old Amanda Floyd's car. She stepped on the brakes . and stopped just in time.
But then she started texting. Distracted , Amanda turned left and right, then crashed into another car.
Luckily she wasn't in a real car. She was in a driving simulator at Roosevelt High School, Ohio, US."I never really realized you swerve that much," Amanda, a junior, said. She added that she doesn't text while driving any more. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and State Highway Patrol brought the simulator to the school. They said they wanted to help students learn about the dangers of driving drunk, while texting, or while talking on the phone.
Last year, state authorities reported 39 fatalities , 454 serious injuries and 12,410 crashes caused by distracted driving. Experts said that real numbers are probably higher.
The simulator is basically a computer game. Like many computer games, it was a hit with the students. They lined up and crowded around to watch each other take turns. The simulator has a steering wheel , brake and gas pedals . It is made up of three large computer screens on a table.
Students choose a distraction, for example driving drunk or driving while texting. They always crash, of course. Then they are pulled over by police, and learn the bad results of their driving: how much damage they've caused, what their fine is, if anyone died in the accident, and if they're going to go to prison.
"It teaches how to drive without being on the road," said Shante Thompson, 16. She had just crashed into a deer.
ODOT spokesman Justin Chesnic said hundreds of kids have gone behind the wheel so far. He said even more have benefited from watching their classmates.
"Driving is such a major responsibility, so take it seriously," he said. "Put away your cell phone. Don't put your makeup on. Don't be eating or playing with the radio.
"A lot of the accidents out there are because of distracted driving. It cannot only change your life, but it can change someone else's life forever. The results are serious."MCT | high23465.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "share his discoveries online"
},
"options": [
"share his discoveries online",
"introduce jobs for teenagers",
"advertise a website for teenagers",
"talk about his summer work experience"
],
"question": "The auth... | Finding summer jobs for teenagers has not always been easy, but now you no longer have to worry about what your kid can do to earn their own money.Recently I found some different sites online that offer information about what kids can do.Below is some of that information, along with questions to think about to help you come up with your own ideas.
Ideas for summer work
*Parks and Recreation Programs.
*Babysitting during the day of school.
*Working part-time at a day care for the summer.
*Car washing.
*Working at local vegetable stands.
The easiest way for you to find ways for your child to make money is to think about others' inconveniences .Think of things you need done, or would like to have done, and what you would consider paying for these things to get done.Once you have some ideas, you can sit down with your child and talk to them about what they would be interested in doing.Then once you have an idea of what they want to do you can help them come up with fair prices.
Preferably you would want to only have your child working with people you know and trust, or in the least bit you could have your child pick a partner.That way with each of them carrying cell phones, even those without service can call 911, they will be much safer.
You can find out more information and many more ideas for kids to use to make money during their summer holidays by visiting http//www.kidswantmoney.com. | high12860.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "It is economical and provides people with more choices."
},
"options": [
"It is economical and provides people with more choices.",
"Foreign food is of higher quality than native food.",
"Americans need more and more food rec... | New rules will let millions of Americans know where more of their food comes from. The law is known as COOL -- Country of Origin Labeling .
American congress first passed the law in 2002. Stores have had to label seafood by country of origin since 2005. But industry pressure delayed other requirements until last week.
Products that must now be labeled include fresh fruits and vegetables, muscle meats and some kinds of nuts. But the rules are complex, and many foods are not included. For example, organ meats are free to be labeled. So are processed foods, including cooked or smoked foods.
The same food may sometimes have to be labeled and other times not. Fresh or frozen peas, for example, have to be labeled but not canned peas. Foods that are mixed with other foods are also excluded. Mixed nuts, for example, do not need to be labeled. The same is true of a salad mix that contains different things like lettuce and carrots. Or a fruit cup that combines different fruits. Also, the law doesn't include restaurants and other food service organizations. Department of Agriculture officials say the law is really meant for larger grocery stores.
The United States has imported more and more food in recent years to save money and expand choices. Country-of-origin labeling has become more common lately but has still been limited in many stores.
Food safety is one reason why some shoppers pay close attention to where foods came from. For example, when a large number of people recently got sick from salmonella , officials blamed peppers from Mexico. Yet the last big food scare involved spinach grown in California. But labeling is also a way for people to know they are getting what they want. Some want to buy local foods or foods from a particular country.
The country-of-origin labeling law gives stores 30 days to correct any violations that are found. Stores and suppliers that are found to be deliberately violating the law could be fined 1,000 dollars per violation. Federal inspectors are not to take action to enforce the law for six months to give time for an education campaign.
Some food safety activists say they are generally pleased with the law. They call it a good step that will give people more useful information. | high5287.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "it's improper to test these drugs on children"
},
"options": [
"there are some technical problems",
"only a few children take these drugs",
"few researchers are interested in the issue",
"it's improper to test these dru... | Many children in foster care are being over medicated with antipsychotic drugs they may not really need, or the drugs are being given incorrectly, according to a government review obtained by CBS News.
The report by an Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services looked at concerns surrounding the use of these powerful drugs in children on Medicaid. Many children on Medicaid are in the foster care system.
"Psychotropic drugs are being used in these children, and we don't really know what the side effects are in these young children," said CBS News reporter Anna Werner. "There's not a lot of research because you can't really test these drugs on children."
More than half the time, the review found children on these powerful drugs were not being monitored adequately. A quarter of them were given the wrong amount of drugs. Many were given too many drugs or took them for too long.
"What the experts tell us is that not enough resources are needed to take care of these kids and give them the treatment that they need -- not drugs," Werner said. "It takes a lot of time and a lot of people to do that, and that of course all costs money." Therefore, states are choosing to just put kids on drugs instead.
Dr. Fernando Siles, a child psychiatrist who treats children on Medicaid in Texas and has written thousands of prescriptions for such drugs, told Werner he doesn't have a lot of other options. He said children from troubled homes often have anger and aggression issues and he often prescribes drugs to "contain" their behavior so they won't get bounced from foster home to foster home.
Werner's reporting also turned up the troubling case of a four-year-old boy who was put on four different psychiatric medications in the foster care system. When his grandmother gained custody a year later, she said the boy seemed like a completely different child since he has taken all the drugs. But he still has frightening dreams at the age of 10.
Werner reports a number of states, including Texas, have taken steps to reduce the use of these drugs in foster children. But experts say more progress is needed, along with greater oversight of the system. | high19935.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Because she didn't know how to comfort her daughter."
},
"options": [
"Because she knew her daughter liked coffee very much.",
"Because her daughter asked for comfort.",
"Because she didn't know how to comfort her daughter.",... | Carrie had had enough. She placed a note on the kitchen table, picked up her bags, and then made her way to the bus stop.
"Hi, mum," she said after arriving at her house. "What have you done?" she asked, noticing Carrie's luggage in the hallway. "Oh, mum, I've left him. I couldn't bear any more." Shocked, her mum didn't know what to say, so she went to make some coffee.
Next day, Carrie had a visitor. "Carrie, please don't do this to me. Come back home?" Tom begged. But was she listening? She ignored him and stepped back inside the house.
The weeks went by and Tom became very depressed. There seemed little point in carrying on without her. Then one night he got into his car and drove to a nearby seaside town. After abandoning the car, he walked towards a big stone by the sea. Looking over the edge he saw the waves crashing into the bottom of the rock. His body was shaking -- then he jumped.
Carrie was mad when she found out. She paced up and down smoking a cigarette. Her eyes were full of tears. It wasn't all his fault that he had become so bad tempered. He had been finding it difficult looking for another job.
She then threw the cigarette to the ground, wiped away the tears and made her way up the long passage and into a room. "Don't you ever, ever do anything like that again,"she said in a temper to the person in the room. "I won't,"Tom said, looking up at her from his hospital bed. Luckily for him, someone had seen him jump and dived in to save him. | high17918.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "started its business 70 years ago."
},
"options": [
"changed a lot in the past",
"had only a couple of tables",
"started its business 70 years ago.",
"had only women shoppers."
],
"question": "From the passage w... | It was blazing hot, just like most July days. I stepped into a tiny ice-cream shop to cool off with a
chocolate ice-cream. It was an old woman bent over a table near the door. Her back was so badly twisted that her face nearly touched the tabletop. I sat down facing her a couple of tables away.
"Poor woman," I thought, "What does she get out of life? Why God let people live so long past their _ ?"
As I thought, another aged lady entered the shop and sat down with her. Soon the two of them were talking about childhood days. They talked of how little the shop had changed in 70 years... In minutes, the two of them were trembling with laughter.
I looked again at the first woman, then in the mirror on a nearby wall, catching a picture of myself. I was wearing a dirty shirt. She was well dressed in white, her hands sparking with gold rings. I was sad. She was laughing, smiling. I was putting the pieces of my life together. She had millions of wonderful memories to recall. I sat alone. She was sharing the day with a good friend. I was secretly worried about getting old. She was old, but it wasn't hurting her.
As I left the shop, I thought of my foolish question about God letting people live past their prime. Why, that woman was more alive, more sensitive to life than I was. Age has not bent her spirit. | high4199.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "meets many strange creatures"
},
"options": [
"is a student in Oxford's Jordan College",
"is a kitchen boy",
"hears a conversation of Roger's",
"meets many strange creatures"
],
"question": "In the film The Gold... | The Golden Compass is the first movie based on the Philip Pullman's bestselling novel, His Dark Materials. It is a work of imagination that tells us about a young girl who travels to the far north to save her best friend. Along the way she meets strange creatures, like witches and so on. Finally , she saves not only her world, but also ours as well.
Lyra is a young girl among scholars in Oxford's Jordan College. She spends most of her time with her friend Roger, a kitchen boy. Together, they share a life with no worries. However, when Lyra hears a conversation about a very tiny particle , she is thrown into a dangerous adventure. This particle is said to unite different worlds, and is feared by many people who want to destroy it. At the same time , children began to disappear without a trace, including Lyra's good friend, Roger. As Lyra starts this horrible struggle, and begins to search for Roger, she meets strange creatures both big and small, and bad people who are not what they seem to be. Gobblers that kidnap children appear in the most unexpected places. And a magical compass made of gold will answer any question if one is skilled enough to read it. In unbelievable danger, Lyra doesn't know that she is doomed to win, or to lose, this battle...
With the movie The Lord of the Ringsmaking New Line cinema over a billion dollars, it's easy to see why they got the rights to Pullman'sHis Dark Materials quickly. The books, sold more than nine million copies in the world, have a different idea from the Harry Potter series. Pullman's imagination may look suitable for children, but it works far better for adults. | high21272.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Andre was about to touch the shark"
},
"options": [
"Andre was about to fall into the water",
"Andre was about to touch the shark",
"Andre was followed by the shark",
"Andre was bitten by the shark"
],
"question... | Shark on the bait !" shouted Andre Harman, pointing to a spot a few yards behind the outboard motors. His voice gave no indication of panic, but the crew suddenly became tense and fixed their eyes on the water. Slowly, smoothly, Andre drew in the bait.The shark followed. No one asked what kind of shark it was. Everything about it, from its color to its shape, tells that it was a great white shark.
Andre lifted the bait aboard. Placing himself between the two motors, he dropped his right hand into the water just as the great head reached the first motor. "My goodness Andre!" I said. His hand seized the big nose, moving it away from the tube of the motor, guiding the shark's head up as it rose out of the water. Andre's hand held the nose, touching it gently. No one spoke. No one breathed. The moment seemed endless. In fact, it lasted less than five seconds before Andre pulled his hand back.
Still nobody spoke. Then Andre smiled and said: "The first time was an accident. I was just trying to move the shark away from the motor. Sharks are attracted to motors by their electrical signals and have a habit of biting them to see if they are eatable. " Andre has worked with great white sharks for years. "My hand landed on its nose, and it sort of paused, so I kept it there, and when I did let go, the shark bit and bit as if it was searching for whatever it was that had attracted it."
Nearly every encounter we had had with the great whites had been totally illogical. The more we learned, the more we realized how little was really known about them in the past years. Back then, it was generally accepted that great whites ate people by choice. Now we know that almost every attack on a human is an accident in which the shark mistakes a human for its normal food. Back then, we thought that once a great white smelt blood, it would lead to death. Now we know that nearly three-quarters of bite victims survive, perhaps because the shark recognizes that is has made a mistake and doesn't return for a second bite. | high10911.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "the postal service has over the years become slower"
},
"options": [
"email is less popular than the fax service",
"the postal service has over the years become faster",
"the postal service has over the years become slower",
... | For centuries ,the only form of written correspondence was the letter .Letters were ,and are ,sent by some form of postal service ,the history of which goes back a long way. Indeed ,the Egyptians began sending letters from about 2000 BC, as did the Chinese a thousand years later.
Of course ,modern postal services now are much more developed and faster ,depending as they do on cars and planes for delivery .Yet they are still too slow for some people to send urgent documents and letters.
The invention of the fax machine increased the speed of delivering documents even more .When you send a fax ,you are sending a copy of a piece of correspondence to someone by telephone service .It was not until the early 1980s that such a service was developed enough for businesses to be able to fax documents to each other.
The fax service is still very much in use when copies of documents require to be sent ,but ,as a way of fast correspondence, it has been largely taken the place of by email. Email is used to describe messages sent from one computer user to another.
There are advantages and disadvantages with emails. If you send someone and email, then he will receive it extremely quickly. Normal postal services are rather slow as far as speed of delivery is concerned.
However ,if you write something by email ,which you might later regret ,and send it immediately ,there is no chance for second thoughts. At least ,if you are posting a letter you have to address and seal the envelope and take it to the post box .There is plenty of time to change your mind. The message is think before you email! | high21514.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "deal with problems rather than blame others"
},
"options": [
"meet with fewer difficulties in their lives",
"have responsible and able colleagues",
"blame themselves rather than others",
"deal with problems rather than ... | When something goes wrong, it can be very satisfying to say, "Well, it's soandso's fault."or "I know I'm late, but it's not my fault; the car broke down."It is probably not your fault, but once you form the habit of blaming somebody or something else for a bad situation, you are a loser. You have no power and could do nothing that helps change the situation. However, you can have great power over what happens to you if you stop focusing on whom to blame and start focusing on how to _ the situation.This is the winner's key to success.
Winners are great at overcoming problems. For example, if you were late because your car broke down, maybe you need to have your car examined more regularly. Or,you might start to carry along with you the useful phone numbers, so you could call for help when in need. For another example, if your colleague causes you problems on the job for lack of responsibility or ability, find ways of dealing with his irresponsibility or inability rather than simply blame the person. Ask to work with a different person, or don't rely on this person. You should accept that the person is not reliable and find creative ways to work successfully regardless of how your colleague fails to do his job well.
This is what being a winner is all about--creatively using your skills and talents so that you are successful no matter what happens. Winners don't have fewer problems in their lives; they have just as many difficult situations to face as anybody else. They are just better at seeing those problems as challenges and opportunities to develop their own talents. So,stop focusing on "whose fault it is."Once you are confident about your power over bad situations, problems are just stepping stone for success. | high3190.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "reduce the pressure of the flight"
},
"options": [
"get on the airplane immediately",
"reduce the pressure of the flight",
"have a good rest in the airplane",
"buy what he wants in the airport"
],
"question": "B... | General Airport Tips
Plan to get to the airport at least an hour early,or two during holidays and other busy times;this will reduce the stress of the flight,If all goes well, you will have time to relax,shop for last-minute items,or have a meal before the flight.
Flight Delays
Find out why your flight is delayed.Gall the free call numbers. Find out if other airlines are experiencing similar delays.If you believe the delay is due to something other than weather or air traffic problems, then mention your suspicion and ask the airline agent to book you on the next available flight,either on the same air-line or a competing one. This is called "Rule 240",and all airlines are required to do it. Use the lingo ;ask,"Can you 240 me?"when speaking with an agent. They will know what you mean.
Flight Cancellations
If your flight is canceled,then make a reservation on the next flight to your destination .Usually, air-line officials will try to book everyone on their next flight out. Often they will put you on a competitor's next flight only if you request it. If on-time arrival is important to you, when you check flights through our reservation system yon can make your choices based on their on-time arrival records. Be sure to also check the weather conditions,as they often affect flight schedules.
Getting bumped
To avoid getting bumped, you must be at the loading gate at least 10 minutes ahead of scheduled departure for a U.S. Flight,20 minutes to/from Bahamas,Canada,and Mexico and 30 to/from all other international points. You must be at the loading gate,not the airport entrance. | high18395.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "it is too expensive for people to buy"
},
"options": [
"it looks and feels better",
"it has a faster network",
"it is easy to locate a place",
"it is too expensive for people to buy"
],
"question": ". The new iP... | The new iPhone 3G should please everyone . Its look and feel are only slightly improved, but a faster network loads Web pages more quickly , true GPS functionality allows it to easily find places nearby , and the new $199 price(down from $400) makes it an affordable luxury.
Before deciding whether to buy, however , make sure you can actually take advantage of the iPhone 3G's high-speed data network. 3G stands for third-generation , which in non-geek speak translates to Web pages and mail messages that, ideally, load about three times faster than on the original iPhone. Even better, 3G coverage enables you to make a phone call and surf the Web at the same time . That's great, if you live or work in a place where the 3G network of AT&T (the sole wireless carrier of the iPhone) is active. That's not so great in cities like New York where AT&T's cellular coverage is awful. As one of my colleagues in New York City, who bought the original iPhone , commented , "It's just a toy . You can't make phone calls on it, so I carry my Verizon phone with me all the time."
The real fun begins when you tap on the icon called "Apple Store" and start browsing the hundreds of add-on applications that have been developed just for the iPhone. You will find tons of games (I like JirboBreak , a free game inspired by the Atari classic Breakout ) and mobile version of popular websites like Pandora , Facebook , MySpace and the New York Times . Most apps will cost you , but the vast majority are $9.99 or less. The apps work on the old iPhone too, but you'll enjoy them a lot more on the iPhone 3G because many of the programs , including Yelp(local business reviews ), Whrrl (mobile social networking) and UrbanSpoon(restaurant reviews), use you exact location --- provided by the iPhone 3G's GPS chip --- to make recommendations. The apps also load much faster over the 3G network. | high15869.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "The cause of the \"Occupy Wall Street\" movement."
},
"options": [
"The cause of the \"Occupy Wall Street\" movement.",
"The demand of the protesters of the \"Occupy Wall Street\" movement.",
"The popularity of the \"Occupy W... | The "Occupy Wall Street" movement gained more support on Wednesday as unions and students joined in. With the protests developing from a group of young people's camping out near the New York Stock Exchange on September 17 to large-scale movements across the country and around the world, people can't help asking: What has led to "Occupy Wall Street?"
Three years after the severe economic crisis, the U.S. economy now is stuck again. Protesters are not satisfied with the present economic situation since unemployment rate is above 9 percent and economic growth has slowed. The housing market is still struggling for a recovery three years after the bubble burst. People are losing their houses even after they have paid a large amount of mortgage . It is getting difficult for young people to find jobs. People feared that a similar crisis like the one in 2008 may be already on its way.
It is Wall Street that possessed the most riches. It is Wall Street greed that, at least partly, led to the financial crisis in 2008. It was Wall Street's "fat cats" who take taxpayers' aid money as their own big bonus . With the growing economic crisis around the world, people realize that Wall Street is responsible for it. So they try to target people who created the crisis.
The majority of the protesters are young people under 30. Many of them are unemployed. Some are students with mountains of loans . Some are hard-working people about to lose their houses even if they have paid a large amount of mortgage. They are complaining that the hard-working middle class is getting poor, yet Wall Street stays wealthy.
William Cohan, author ofMoney and Power: How Goldman Sachs Came to Rule the world, wrote recently that Wall Street not only learned nothing from the 2008 crisis, they are also trying to kill all reforms that might "break this dangerous cycle in which bankers get very rich while the rest of working people suffer from their mistakes." | high1787.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Actually bananas are good in general because they produce less CO\n2."
},
"options": [
"Everything produces carbon dioxide equally.",
"The imported beer is much better than the local beer in quality.",
"Actually bananas are g... | These days everyone is worried about the size of their carbon footprint. In order to reduce global warming we need to make our carbon footprints smaller. But how much CO2are we responsible for?
A new book by Mike Berners Lee, an expert, might be able to help. The carbon footprint looks at the different things we do and buy, and calculates the amount of CO2all of the following created: the ingredients, the electricity, the equipment, the travel and commuting of the beer, and the packaging. It's amazing how many different things need to be included in each calculation. And it's frightening how much carbon dioxide everything produces.
This can help us decide which beer to drink. From Berners Lee's calculations, it's clear that a pint (568ml) of locally _ beer has a smaller carbon footprint than a bottle of imported beer. This is because the imported beer has been transported from far away, and it uses more packaging. The local beer only produces 300g of CO2, but the imported beer produces 900g! So, one pint of local beer is better for the environment.
Berners Lee has even calculated the carbon footprint of cycling to work. Nothing is more environmentally friendly than riding a bike, surely? Well, it depends on what you've had to eat before. To ride a bike we need energy and for energy we need food. So if we eat a banana and then ride a kilometer, our footprint is 65g of CO2. However, if we eat bacon before the ride, it's 200g. In fact, bananas are good because they don't need packaging, they can be transported by boat and they grow in natural sunlight.
So, does this mean that cycling is bad for the environment? Absolutely not, for a start, if you cycle, you don't use your car, and the fewer cars on the road, the fewer traffic jams. And cars in traffic jams produce three times more CO2than cars traveling at speed. Cycling also makes you healthy and less likely to go to hospital. So maybe it's time for us all to start making some changes. Pass me a banana and a pint of local beer, please. | high213.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "made designs of flying machines"
},
"options": [
"said that man would fly in the sky one day",
"built a kind of machine which never flew",
"drew many beautiful pictures of the birds",
"made designs of flying machines"
... | Man has always wanted to fly. Some of the greatest men in history have thought about the problem. One of these, for example, was the great Italian artist, Leonardo da Vinci. In the sixteenth century he made designs for machines that could fly. But they were never built.,
Throughout history, other less famous men have wanted to fly. An example was a man in England 800years ago. He made a pair of wings from chicken feathers. Then he fixed them to his body and jumped into the air from a tall building. He did not fly very far. He fell to the ground and broke every bone in his body.
The first real step took place in France in 1783. Two brothers, the Mongolfiers, made a very large "hot air balloon". They knew that hot air rises. Why not fill a balloon with it? The balloon was made of cloth and paper. In September of that year, the King and Queen of France came to see the balloon. They watched it carry the very first air passengers into the sky. The passengers were a sheep and a chicken. We do not know how they felt about the trip. But we do know that the trip lasted 8 minutes and that the animals landed safely. Two months later, two men did the same thing. They rose above Paris in a balloon of the same kind. Their trip lasted twenty-five minutes and they traveled about 8 kilometers. | high207.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "the success of many non-MBAs"
},
"options": [
"the complaints from various employers",
"the success of many non-MBAs",
"the criticism from the scientists of purer disciplines",
"the poor performance of MBAs at work"
... | Bill Gates, the billionaire Microsoft chairman without a single earned university degree, is by his success raising new doubts about the worth of the business world's favorite academic title: the MBA (Master of Business Administration).
The MBA, a 20thcentury product, always has borne the mark of lowly commerce and greed on the tree-lined campuses ruled by purer disciplines such as philosophy and literature.
But even with the recession apparently cutting down the hiring of business school graduates, about 79,000 people are expected to receive MBAs in 1993. This is nearly 16 times the number of business graduates in 1960.
"If you are going into the corporate world it is still a disadvantage not to have one," said Donald Morrison, professor of marketing and management science. "But in the last five years or so, when someone says, 'Should I attempt to get an MBA?' the answer a lot more is: It depends."
The success of Bill Gates and other non-MBAs, such as the late Sam Walton of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., has helped inspire self-conscious debates on business school campuses over the worth of a business degree and whether management skills can be taught.
The Harvard Business Review printed a lively, fictional exchange of letters to dramatize complaints about business degree holders. The article called MBA hires "extremely disappointing" and said "MBAs want to move up too fast, they don't understand politics and people, and they aren't able to function as part of a team until their third year. But by then, they're out looking for other jobs."
The problem, most participants in the debate acknowledge, is that the MBA has acquired an aura of future riches and power far beyond its actual importance and usefulness.
Business people who have hired or worked with MBAs say those with the degrees of ten know how to analyze systems but are not so skillful at motivating people. "They don't get a lot of grounding in the people side of the business", said James Shaffer, vice-president and principal of the Towers Perrin management consulting firm. | high1793.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "a website where people can buy different things"
},
"options": [
"a website where people can buy different things",
"an Internet store where we can buy whatever we want",
"a website where people can make friends all over the ... | Shi Fang spends more than 4,000 yuan a month shopping, but she rarely goes to the shopping mall."Why need a shopping mall if you have Taobao? I am a Taobaoer," says Shi, 28, a writer in Beijing.
A growing number of Chinese Internet users like Shi have discovered the joys of online shopping.The China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) announced in December that more than 87 million Chinese made purchases on the Internet in the first half year, which means one out of four Chinese netizens have online shopping experience.
It is estimated that the consumption from online shopping will reach more than 250 billion yuan this year, and 80 percent of this is carried out through Taobao.com, China's fast-growing e-commerce hub set up in 2003.
The biggest attraction for Shi Fang is the ly low price for online goods, compared with those in stores in bricks.Her favorite facial cream costs 1,680 yuan for a 30ml bottle in the local shop, but a 10ml sample of the same brand only costs 68 yuan online.
The Taobao instant messenger, a communication channel for buyers and sellers, also makes onlrne shopping easier and ensures the overall experience for both parties Shi Fang regards it as a platform to promote trust and keep contact.
"You can check the information easily.It is sweet that the owner will remember you once you have regular chat with him or her through the messenger.You may receive some personalized service such as getting more samples or certain discount," said Shi While some may question the security of online purchases, Yang Fei, another Taobaoer, gave a thumb-up for Alipay, the Taobao payment method started by Alibaba Group in 2004 in partnership with leading banks in China.It enabled her to make a lot of purchases online.
"It's very safe and convenient.Unless you confirm the arrival and satisfaction about the purchase, the shop owner will not get the money.You can also get the refund
if you want to return the purchase," she added. | high22009.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Tom"
},
"options": [
"Tom",
"Old Ed.",
"The author.",
"The driver's grandchild."
],
"question": "Who wrote the letter?",
"question_type": null
},
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_... | I had to knock on the taxi to get his attention.Finally,the driver,a man about 60,looked up from behind the wheel and apologized,"I'm sorry,but I was reading a letter." He sounded as if he had a cold or a cough.
Since I was in no hurry,I told him to finish his letter.He shook his head,explaining that he had already read it several times and almost knew it by heart.Curious,I asked whether it was from a child or maybe a grandchild."This isn't family,"he replied."though he might just as well have been a regular member of the family.Old Ed and I grew up together."
They were always friends.But since he moved away from the neighborhood 30 years ago,it'd generally just been postcards at Christmas time between them.A couple of weeks ago,Ed died."I should have kept in touch." He repeated this,more to himself than to me.To comfort him,I said sometimes we just didn't seem to find the time."But we used to find the time," he said."Take a look." He handed the letter over to me.
The first sentence "I've been meaning to write for some time,but I've always delayed it." reminded me of myself.It went on to say that he often thought about the good times they had had together.When I read the part where it said "Your friendship really means a lot to me,more than I can say because I'm not good at saying things like that",I found myself nodding in agreement.
We had gone several kilometers and were almost at my hotel, so I read the last paragraph: "So I thought you'd like to know that I was thinking of you." And it was ended with "Your Old Friend, Tom."
"I thought your friend's name was Ed," I said.
"I'm Tom," he explained. "It's a letter I wrote to Ed before I knew he'd died. I never put it in the mailbox. I guess I should have written it sooner." His face was pale as he wiped his eyes with a handkerchief.
When I got to my hotel room I didn't unpack right away.I had to write a letter and post it. | high10905.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "He made the first Christmas special."
},
"options": [
"He made the first Christmas special.",
"He is the producer of the\"Ice Age\"films.",
"He is one character in the\"lce Age\"series.",
"He began to make cartoons in 1... | Every year,there have been the Christmas specials for almost every sitcom and cartoon,which nod in sincerity towards the holiday season.Since Charles Schultz,the American cartoonist who created Charlie Brown and Snoopy,first got his hit on the holiday with A Charlie Brown Christmas in 1965.characters from television and comic books have tried on the Christmas clothes.
This year,Fox has brought out its new"lce Age":A Mammoth Christmas,which was first shown on Thanksgiving day.The "Ice Age"films,which began in 2002,with a fourth feature for 2012,have been successful.one thing many fans would love the film is that they can have a chance to spend more time with the memorable animal characters from the series:Manny,Diego,and Sid.The film.tells the story of the birth of the Christmas tree,Santa'S deer,his sleigh and other things.
It is also a"Christmas Must Be Saved" story and a"You Must Believe"story.Like the other"Ice Age" films,it involves a dangerous journey and time is found to cause sufferings to the poor little squirrel,Scrat.
Christmas has been tied on to"Ice Age"like antlers on to a dog.In fact,the film-makers behind A Mammoth Christmas have spent most of their time working on the film itself rath--er than its Christmas special.It feels as if someone had merely made a list of tllings associated with the holiday.
However,Sid,the series'most likable character,is a high point of the film.In the film,he's still got his silliness,enthusiasm and useful amusing shape.Whatever else is happening,the filmmakers make Sid reliably funny. | high21500.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "The Battle of the Brains"
},
"options": [
"The Best Top Contest",
"The Battle of the Brains",
"The Difficult Competition",
"Courage and Wisdom Needed"
],
"question": "What is the best title of this passage?",
... | Last month, students from one hundred and three universities in eighty-eight countries took part in an international computer programming contest, which took place in Harbin, China. Three-person teams from each school had five hours to solve eleven real world problems.
The students first listed the problems in order of difficulty. Then they figured out the requirements of each. They designed ways to test their solutions. And they wrote the needed software systems. Even the winning team from Shanghai Jiaotong University in China was not able to solve all the problems within the given limit. Stanford's team solved five problems and finished in fourteenth place. Stanford was one of twenty-one American universities that took part in the contest this year.
The official name of the Battle of the Brains is the ACM International Collegiate Contest. The first final competition was held in 1977 at the Association for Computer Machinery Computer Science Conference. Today, a network of universities holds area competitions that send the winners to the world finals, now organized by IBM.
Contest spokesman Dong Heintzman says the world champions receive prizes and scholarships. They are also guaranteed an offer of employment or internship with IBM. He said, "We have had past world champions that IBM has gone and employed in our Zurich research laboratory and are now working on some of the leading edge materials in science and physics. We have a world finalist from China who's been working on the Watson Supercomputer that in the near future will be playing Jeopardy against the best Jeopardy players in the world. So this competition is an opportunity to be recognized and to be recruited by some of the top technology and research firms around the world." | high3184.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "he wanted to keep in good health"
},
"options": [
"he couldn't afford the buses",
"he wanted to save money",
"he wanted to keep in good health",
"he could do some work on the way"
],
"question": "Mr. Grey liked ... | Mr. Grey was the manager of a small office in London. He lived in the country, and came up to work by train. He liked walking from the station to his office unless it was raining, because it gave him some exercise.
One morning he was walking along the street when a stranger stopped him and said to him, "You may not remember me, sir, but seven years ago I came to London without a penny in my pockets, I stopped you in this street and asked you to lend me some money, and you lent me PS 5, because you said you were willing to _ so as to give a man a start on the way to success."
Mr. Grey thought for a few minutes and then said, "Yes, I remember you. Go on with your story!" "Well," answered the stranger, "are you still willing to take a chance?" | high4833.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Greenland Expedition Specialists"
},
"options": [
"Panoramic Journey",
"VICAAR",
"Alaska Dog Sledding",
"Greenland Expedition Specialists"
],
"question": "If you want to participate in a kiting trip, you should ... | Back in time, dog sledding was the only method of transportation in frozen parts of the world. You, too, can participate in this time-honored tradition after looking into dog sledding adventures and tours.
Alaska Dog Sledding
It offers two dog sledding tours in Alaska, the Golsovia Dog Trip and the Iditarod Dog Trip. On both trips, you will learn how to drive your own dog team. The Golsovia Dog Trip lasts six days. The Iditarod Dog Trip is held just before the internationally famous Iditarod race so that participants will be able to attend the Iditarod events. For more information, please see: Alaska Dog Sledding
Greenland Expedition Specialists
Travel through the shining ice and snow on the land of East Greenland via dog sledding. During this dog sledding vacation, you will be camping during the cold of winter and will take part in caring for the dogs and the camps. They also organize and guide kiting trips, sea kayaking trips and mountaineering vacations. For more information, please email: info@ expedition-greeland. com
VICAAR
Have you ever really wanted to see the North Pole? You can do it by dog sled. VICAAR offers two types of dog sledding trips to the North Pole. You should pay for clothing on the trip, permit of your North Pole visit, travel to the center of VICAAR, and more. But the cost of equipment is offered free. This trip is not for those who do not care for challenging conditions and exercise. VICAAR also offers other types of trips to both the North and South Poles. For more information, please see: VICAAR
Panoramic Journey
Travel to the Terelj National Park in Central Mongolia and live with local people during your dog sledding adventure. Along the way, see wolf, deer and other wildlife of the area. Panoramic Journey also offers an extreme dog sledding adventure that will take you to the outside of Siberia. Panoramic Journey offers horseback trips as well as dog sledding adventures to exotic locations in Mongolia and tours of Bhutan. For more information, please see: Panoramic Journey | high18381.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Fable"
},
"options": [
"fairy tale",
"Fable",
"science fiction",
"news report"
],
"question": "We may infer that the passage is most probably a _ .",
"question_type": "summarization_questions"
},
{
... | A mouse looked through a crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife opening a package: What food might it contain? He was astonished to discover that it was a mouse trap!
Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse declared the warning, "There is a mouse trap in the house, there is a mouse trap in the house."
The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Mr Mouse, I can tell you this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me, I cannot be bothered by it."
The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mouse trap in the house." "I am so sorry, Mr Mouse," sympathized the pig, "but there is nothing I can do about it but pray; be assured that you are in my prayers."
The mouse turned to the cow, who replied, "A mouse trap, am I in grave danger, huh?"
So the mouse returned to the house, head down and depressed to face the farmer's mouse trap alone.
That very night a sound was heard throughout the house, like the sound of a mouse trap catching its prey. The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see that it was an evil snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital. She returned home with a fever. Now everyone knew to treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main _ . His wife's sickness continued so that friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig. The farmer's wife did not get well, in fact, she died, and so many people came for her funeral. The farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide meat for all of them to eat.
So the next time you hear that someone is facing a problem and think that it does not concern you, remember that when the least of us is threatened, we are all at risk. | high5293.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "nearly 800,000."
},
"options": [
"nearly 800,000.",
"24,000.",
"100,000.",
"92,000."
],
"question": "How many heart attacks will occur in the US every year?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
},
{
... | Even a small reduction in salt in the diet can be a big help to the heart. A new study used a computer model to predict how just three grams less a day would affect heart disease in the United States.
The result: thirteen percent fewer heart attacks. Eight percent fewer strokes. Four percent fewer deaths. Eleven percent fewer new cases of heart disease. And two hundred forty billion dollars in health care savings.
Researchers found it could prevent one hundred thousand heart attacks and ninety-two thousand deaths every year.
The study is in the New England Journal of Medicine. Kirsten, at the University of California, was the lead author. She says people would not even notice a difference in taste with three grams, or one-half teaspoon, less salt per day. The team also included researchers at Stanford and Columbia University.
Each gram of salt contains four hundred milligrams of sodium, which is how foods may list their salt content.
The government says the average American man eats ten grams of salt a day. The American Heart Association advises no more than three grams for healthy people. It says salt in the American diet has increased fifty percent since the nineteen seventies, while blood pressures have also risen. Less salt can mean a lower blood pressure.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is leading an effort called the National Salt Reduction Initiative. The idea is to put pressure on food companies and restaurants.
Mayor Bloomberg has already succeeded in other areas, like requiring fast food places in the city to list calorie information. Now a study by the Seattle Children's Research Institute shows how that idea can influence what parents order for their children.
Ninety-nine parents of three to six year olds took part. Half had McDonald's menus clearly showing how many calories were in each food. The other half got menus without the calorie information. | high20178.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "bring love forward by helping those in need"
},
"options": [
"impress the waitress with her generosity",
"show pity to the woman expecting a baby",
"bring love forward by helping those in need",
"express thanks for the ... | He was driving home one evening, on a country road. Work, in this small community, was as slow as his broken Pontiac.
But he never quit looking. Since the factory closed, he'd been unemployed. And with winter approaching, the cold days had finally hit home. It was a lonely road. Very few people had a reason to be on it, unless they were leaving. Most of his friends had left. But he stayed on. After all, he had his root here.
It was getting dark, and snow was coming down. He'd better get a move on. Suddenly he saw an old lady on the roadside and obviously needed help.
So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. She was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He looked poor, hungry, and ... dangerous.
He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He said, "I'm here to help you, Ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way, my name is Joe." The car had a flat tire. Joe crawled under the car and soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt.
As he was turning the screws ,she rolled down her window and began talking to him and said she couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid.
She asked him how much she owed him. Any amount would have been alright with her. She had already imagined all the terrible things that could have happened had he not stopped. Joe never thought twice about the money. This was simply helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty who had lent him a hand before.
He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way. He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed, and Joe added "... and think of me."
A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off. It was a dirty-looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair.
She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn't erase. The lady noticed that the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude.
The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Joe. After the lady finished her meal, she handed the waitress a $100 bill. When the waitress came back with the change, she found the lady was gone and something written on a napkin.
Reading the note, there were tears in her eyes. It said, "You owe me nothing. I've been there too. Someone once helped me out, like I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, don't let the chain of love end with you.
That night when she got home from work, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written.
With the baby due soon, life would be harder. She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft, "Everything's gonna be alright; I love you, Joe." | high19921.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "you will find another more easily if you stick to a job"
},
"options": [
"a poor quality job in hand is worse than no jobs at all",
"long-term unemployment got him a mental score of 75",
"you will find another more easily if ... | It's believed that a bad job is worse than no job at all. I'm not convinced, but here's the argument anyway. Researchers at the Australian National University in Canberra compared the mental health of more than 7,000 working age Australians. They found that those with jobs had an average score of 75 in a test of mental well-being. Jobless people averaged 68.5. If you remained unemployed a long term it lowered your mental health score by 1.1 points. But getting a poor quality job lowered your score ever further - by 5.6 points.
The results suggest that having a bad job may be worse for your mental health than having no job at all.
So what is a bad job? According to the study it's one where you have little control over decision-making; the job makes heavy demands on you; there's no job security; and you feel underpaid.
My advice would be that if a reasonable offer of employment comes along, seize it. If you discover that you don't like the work, that's OK. You've given it your best shot and discovered that this type of work isn't for you.
In my own case my first job was as a trainee social worker. I very quickly learned that I was too young, too inexperienced and innocent to become a social worker. I cut my losses and tried something else. I worked as an economic researcher - and was miserable.
These experiences taught me that I was a person. But from my short time as a trainee social worker I had discovered an ability for interviewing people and writing reports. That led finally to journalism. So take up that first job offer and find out about the world of work. If you realize the job isn't what you expected, that's OK. Look around for something else.
So I disagree that a bad job is worse than no work at all. Remember, it's always easier to find a job if you are already in work. | high21266.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "She was regarded as the most-awarded female actress of all time."
},
"options": [
"She was born in a very wealthy family in New Jersey.",
"Her last film Sparkle was released before her death.",
"She was regarded as the most-a... | Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963--February 11, 2012)was an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Often referred to as the "Queen of Pop"or simply "the Voice". Houston was the most awarded female actress of all time. According to Guinness World Record 22American Music Awards, among a total of 415 career award as of 2010. Houston was also one of the world's best-selling music artists, artists, having sold over 170 million albums and singles worldwide.
Born in what was then a middle-income neighborhood in New Jersey, Houston began singing in a junior gospel choir at age 11.After she began performing alongside in night clubs in New York City, she was discovered by Arista Records head Clive Davis, who had an impact on her as a singer and performer.
Houston was the only artist to chart seven consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits. She was the second artist behind Elton John and the only female artist to nave two number-one Billboard 200 Album awards on the Billboard magazine year-end charts. How Will I Know _ her fans and audience and even several African-American female artists to follow in her footsteps. Houston's first acting role was as the star of the feature film The Bodyguard (1992). The film's original soundtrack won the 1994 Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Its lead single, I Will Always Love You became the best-selling single by a female artist in music history. Three years after the release of her fourth studio album. My Love Is Your Love (1998), she renewed her recording contract with Arista Records. She released her fifth studio album. Just Whitney, in 2002, and the Christmas-themed One Wish: The Holiday Album in 2003. In 2009. Houston released her seventh and final studio album. I Look to You.
Houston died of causes yet to be determined on February 11,2012. Later this year her film Sparkle will be released into theaters. | high6942.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "seldom"
},
"options": [
"impossible",
"seldom",
"common",
"no chance"
],
"question": "It is _ to see a black flower.",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,... | Most of the flowers in nature are red, orange and yellow. If we have seen a black flower, it's a chance in million. People have made a census ( ) to colors of more than four thousand kinds of flowers and discovered that only eight of them are black. As we know, sunlight is formed by seven different colored lights. The wave length of each light is different, so the quantity of heat in each light is also different. Flowers, especially their petals ( ) , are easy to be harmed by high temperature. Black flowers can take in all the light waves which cause the flowers to dry up in a high temperature. So black flowers can rarely survive sunlight. But red flowers, orange flowers and yellow flowers can protect themselves from sunlight by reflecting the red light, orange light and yellow light, each of which has a large quantity of heat. | high561.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "introduce a new positioning system Locata"
},
"options": [
"encourage people to buy the Locata",
"tell us the disadvantages of the GPS",
"introduce a new positioning system Locata",
"tell us that Locata will replace GPS... | A ground-based system that uses much stronger signals than GPS can find your location in cities and indoors. It is a new positioning system that could compete with GPS to make sure you never lose your directions again.
Instead of satellites, Locata uses ground-based equipment to send a radio signal over a localized area that is a million times stronger on arrival than GPS. It can work indoors as well as outdoors, and the makers claim that the receivers can be shrunk to fit inside a regular cell phone. Even the US armies, which invented GPS technology, signed a file last month agreeing to a test of Locata at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
"This is one of the most important technology developments for the future of the positioning industry," says Nunzio Gambale, CEO and co-founder of the firm Locata, based in Griffith, Australia.
As for the Locata's correctness, Christopher Morin of the US Air Force tested it recently at White Sands, and it worked to within 18cm along any axis . Morin said it should be possible to get the _ down to 5cm.
The tests were performed in an open desert where GPS also worked beautifully, but its signal was weak--like a car headlight from 20,000 kilometers away--and easily cut off by solid objects . Locata's signal was far stronger, though not guaranteed to work in a complex urban environment, said David, speaker of the UK' s General Lighthouse Authorities.
Locata's technology will face competition in the race to transform indoor navigation. But it could shine in specific areas, Gambale said. Robots with Locata could easily navigate inside buildings without the complex optical systems they need at the moment. And the process that handles correct location data could not only guide you around a mall, railway station or airport, but also take you to the exact shelf in a shop for the product you want. It would be small and cheap enough for smart phones and it should be available within five years--a similar path to the one GPS took on its way towards the world, he said. | high12874.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Removing the destructive species for ever."
},
"options": [
"Changing the Zika virus permanently.",
"Removing the destructive species for ever.",
"Having changed genes in their next generations.",
"Making all the specie... | Scientists are debating how to limit their newly-discovered power to change genetic structure. Scientists already modify the genes of farm animals and agricultural plants to make them more productive or stronger. But now they can also change genes in wild animals and plants. These genes would continue into later generations. For example, it may be possible for scientists to remove from existence the kind of mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus. They might also be able to permanently remove species of plants and animals that are destructive to other species.
In a report published last week, the U. S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NAS) said it supports continued research on this kind of gene control. But it warned that it is not possible to know what will happen when these changed plants and animals are released into the wild.
Sixteen biologists, ethicists and policymakers are on an NAS committee that is examining the issue. They say that there is value to the new technology. But, they say, there is not enough evidence to support the release of modified organisms from the laboratory into nature.
Many people would support stopping mosquitoes and rats from carrying diseases. But scientists say we must understand the possible scientific, ethical, legal and social results of such action before we decide whether to take it. Gene modification is spread through reproduction .
Changed genes will continue to spread as long as an animal or plant continues to reproduce. They cannot be limited to a farm or kept within a country's borders. Scientists are wondering what may happen if a modified organism mates with another species. They are not yet sure how the modified genes would affect the other species. It is possible that those genes could harm those creatures or even lead to their disappearance from our planet. | high14752.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Great investment."
},
"options": [
"Large imagination.",
"Quick action.",
"Great ambition.",
"Great investment."
],
"question": "According to the passage,which of the following is NOT an important factor for bei... | Alex Taw,a 21yearold student from Wiltshire,England.He spent last summer like any other high school graduate--hanging out with friends,preparing for college,worrying about his university fees.While most of his peers gave up on their pipe dreams,he sat down with a notebook at home,and jotted down the question:How can I become a millionaire?
The result was the MillionDollarHomepage.com.Alex's initial investment was 50 pounds to buy web space and a domain name.He divided the blank homepage into one million pixels ,10,000 blocks of 100 pixels each.Each pixel was worth $1 with minimum purchase 100 pixels.Within a month Alex had earned some $37,000,enough for him to cover the entire cost of his forthcoming three years at university.In just a few months,he became a real millionaire.
How did he come up with the idea of the Million Dollar Homepage?
"Well,I was trying to think of a way to make some money before I started university,as I was about to take on a huge debt and I was already overdrawn .Swift action was necessary!"He said.
He also added,"The important thing is that anything is possible--we are only limited by our imagination.I always had this belief that a good idea can be successful on its own.I think I've learnt that if we think deeper there are magical solutions hiding away for us to find."
His personal philosophy around money is:Money is not everything,but it's an essential part of the way we live. _
He also said,"I still want to go to university.Aside from gaining knowledge about business,there are other reasons--exploring your interests,meeting new people,and being in a creative environment."
Besides making contributions to society,he would try to encourage and inspire people to think of creative solutions to problems,whatever they are. | high6215.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "To teach his son to ride in traffic."
},
"options": [
"To build up his strength.",
"To teach his son to ride in traffic.",
"To tell his son the way to school.",
"To communicate more with his son."
],
"question":... | My 11-year-old son and I rides bikes to and from his school every day. I accompany him on the 20-minute ride through Manhattan, drop him off and return at the end of day to pick him up. We always ride together; sometimes he leads; sometimes I do. And as we ride, we communicate the ways to minimize the dangers: Don't go too fast, and watch out for doors suddenly swinging out from parked cars and jaywalking pedestrians, etc. Some friends worry about the risk of riding in traffic, but is there a better way to let my son know how to deal with traffic dangers?
But recently he requested me to start hanging back a half block or so. This way he could enjoy the feeling of riding on his own, with the security of knowing that I was nearby in case he needed me. This is healthy, of course, as my son needs space to develop independence in preparation for his inevitable (,) departure from home. However, that means soon he will want to ride to school on his own, and I will no longer have this wonderful routine. "Let your children go if you want to keep them." I understand this and am trying to let my son go in age-appropriate phases, but I still suffer. It's one of the most troubling experiences of parenthood -- recognizing that your presence is becoming less welcome.
My dilemma as a husband mirrors the concern I feel as a parent. My wife has just left on a six-month mission to cover the situation in Libya. In the days leading up to her departure, we spoke openly about the possibility, however unlikely, that she might be killed. But while I influence her decisions, I do not control them. Finally, it was her decision. I know that letting go is the wisest path in this case too.
As we travel through life's phases, we must let go of so much. And I don't think it gets easier with practice. But maybe just accepting that eventually we will have to let go is the secret to living a full life. | high12323.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "they were waiting for a victim"
},
"options": [
"they had nothing to do",
"they were homeless",
"they were waiting for a victim",
"they were guarding the shop"
],
"question": "The two young men were standing in ... | One night Mrs. Riley, an elderly woman, was walking along a dark prefix = st1 /Londonstreet. She was carrying her handbag in one hand and a plastic carrier bag in the other. There was nobody else in the street except two young men. They were standing in a dark shop doorway. One of them was very tall with fair hair, the other was short and fat with a beard.
The two young men waited for a few moments, and then ran quickly and quietly towards Mrs. Riley. The tall one held her from behind while the other one tried to seize her handbag.
Suddenly Mrs. Riley threw the tall one over her shoulder. He crashed into the other one and they both landed on the ground. Without speaking, Mrs. Riley struck both of them on the head with her handbag and walked calmly away.
The two surprised young men were still sitting on the ground when Mrs. Riley crossed the street towards a door with a lighted sign above it. Mrs. Riley paused, turned round, smiled at them and walked into the South West London Judo Club. | high19276.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Southward."
},
"options": [
"Northward.",
"Southward.",
"Eastward.",
"Westward."
],
"question": "In which direction did the passenger train travel?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
},
{
"answer... | Guangzhou (Xinhua)----12 people were killed and 20 injured early yesterday morning when they jumped from a burning train car into the path of an oncoming goods train in Southern China. When No. 247 Wuchang----Guangzhou passenger train was passing the Dayaoshan Tunnel in Guangdong Province, South China at 00 :17 hours yesterday, a fire caused by passengers' smoking broke out on No. 17 car. They wanted to extinguish fire. As the train stopped some frightened passengers jumped from windows. 12 people were crushed to death and 20 others injured by a northward passing goods train(No. 1766). | high16145.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "is attended mainly by the people in the Sahara."
},
"options": [
"has a very long history in North Africa.",
"is held in the same place on the same day.",
"is attended mainly by the people in the Sahara.",
"is celebrate... | The Sahara Festival is a celebration of the very recent past. The three-day event is not fixed to the same dates each year, but generally takes place in November or December. It is well attended by tourists, but even better attended by locals.
During the opening ceremonies , after the official greetings from the government leaders, people who attend the festival begin to march smartly before the viewing stands, and white camels transport their riders across the sands. Horsemen from different nations display their beautiful clothes and their fine horsemanship. One following another, groups of musicians and dancers from all over the Sahara take their turn to show off their wonderful traditional culture. Groups of men in blue and yellow play horns and beat drums as they dance in different designs. On their knees in the sand, a group of women in long dark dresses dance with their hair, their long, dark, shiny hair is thrown back and forth in the wind to the rhythm of their dance.
The local and visiting Italian dogs are anxious to run after hares. The crowd is on its feet for the camel races. Camels and riders run far into the distance, and then return to the Finish Line in front of the cheering people.
Towards the evening, there comes the grand finale of the opening day, an extremely exciting horserace. All the riders run very fast on horseback. Some riders hang off the side of their saddles. Some even ride upside down -- their legs and feet straight up in the air -- all at full speed. Others rush down the course together, men arm in arm, on different horses. On and on they went. So fast and so wonderful! | high18168.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "introduce the benefits of reading books"
},
"options": [
"inform us of a woman who loved reading",
"show a new way of gaining information",
"find differences between books and travels",
"introduce the benefits of readin... | Did you know that reading can keep your mind active and engaged well into old age?
Several years ago when I was working as a newspaper reporter, I interviewed a woman who was a resident at a local nursing home. She was 100 years old. She read at least one book per week, mostly novels. She was bright, intelligent and fun to talk with.
"I love to read. It helps me keep up with what's going on in the world," she said. "A friend of mine brings me a new book every week. I look forward to her visits and I look forward to the books."
"I can't get around much any more," said the 100-year-old woman, "but when I read, I can go anywhere, anytime I want. And no one has to help me!"
Reading also sets a good example for younger generations. I have observed that the best readers are those students who see their parents reading. And I'm not talking about only reading novels. Newspapers and magazines are important too. Your actions will communicate a great deal to your children and grandchildren about what you value.
But why is reading so important? In this day and age, with television to give us news, and movies and videos to keep us entertained, who needs to read?
The answer is everyone.
Developing good reading skills does not only mean that you can read a novel or a magazine, it also means being able to read and understand things like a credit card contract or an insurance policy, or the instructions for how to put a new printer to use with your computer. In addition, developing good reading skills means that you can think for yourself. You can read about the advantages and disadvantages of anything from homeschooling to taking a vacation to Ireland. And then you can make up your own mind about what's best for you and your family. | high10534.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "The colour of its package."
},
"options": [
"The cost of its package.",
"The price of the product.",
"The colour of its package.",
"The brand name of the product."
],
"question": "Which of the following may tric... | Shopping is not as simple as you may think! There are all sorts of tricks at play each time we reach out for that particular brand of product on the shelf.
Colouring, for example, varies according to what the producers are trying to sell. Health foods are packaged in greens, yellows or browns because we think of these as healthy colours. Ice cream packets are often blue and expensive goods, like chocolates, are gold or silver.
When some kind of pain killer was brought out recently, researchers found that _ because they made the product look weak and ineffective. Eventually, it came on the market in a dark blue and white package--blue because we think of it as safe, and white as calm.
The size of a product can attract a shopper. But quite often a bottle doesn't contain as much as it appears to.
It is believed that the better-known companies spend, on average, 70 percent of the total cost of the product itself on packaging!
The most successful producers know that it's not enough to have a good product. The founder of Pears soap, who for 25 years has used pretty little girls to promote their goods, came to the conclusion: "Any fool can make soap, but it takes a genius to sell it." | high2073.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "she saw the old man had some difficulty moving and taking a seat"
},
"options": [
"the old man was the boss of the restaurant",
"She was worried that the old man might cause trouble to the restaurant",
"the old man had asked ... | The old man walked with a cane slowly into the restaurant. His poor jacket, patched trousers, and worn-out shoes made him stand out from the usual Saturday morning breakfast crowd. Unforgettable were his pale blue eyes that shone like diamonds, large rosy cheeks, and thin lips held in a steady smile.
He walked toward a table by the window. A young waitress watched him and ran over to him, saying, "Here, Sir. Let me give you a hand with that chair."
Without a word, he smiled and nodded a thank you. She pulled the chair away from the table. Supporting him with one arm, she helped him move in front of the chair, and get comfortably seated. Then she pushed the table up close to him, and leaned his cane against the table where he could reach it.
In a soft, clear voice he said, "Thank you, Miss."
"You are welcome, Sir." She replied. "My name is Mary. I'll be back in a moment. If you need anything, just wave at me!"
After he had finished a hearty meal of pancakes, bacon, and lemon tea, Mary brought him the change, helping him up from his chair and out from behind the table. She handed him his cane, and walked with him to the front door. Holding the door open for him, she said, "Come back and see us, Sir!"
He nodded a thank you and said softly with a smile, "You are very kind!"
When Mary went to clean his table, she was shocked. Under his plate she found a business card and a note written on the napkin , under which was a $100 bill.
The note on the napkin read, "Dear Mary, I respect you very much, and you respect yourself, too. It shows by the way you treat others. You have found the secret of happiness. Your kind gestures will shine though those who meet you."
The man she had served was the owner of the restaurant. This was the first time that she, or any of his workers, had seen him in person. | high21931.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "persuade"
},
"options": [
"entertain",
"advertise",
"instruct",
"persuade"
],
"question": "The purpose of the text is to _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"answer_inde... | The production of coffee beans is a huge, profitable business, but, unfortunately, full-sun production is taking over the industry and bringing about a lot of damage. The change in how coffee is grown from shade-grown production to full-sun production endangers the very existence of, certain animals and birds, and even disturbs the world's ecological balance.
On a local level, the damage of the forest required by full-sun fields affects the area's birds and animals. The shade of the forest trees provides a home for birds and other special that depend on the trees' flowers and fruits. Full-sun coffee growers destroy this forest home. As a result, many special are quickly dying out.
On a more global level, the destruction of the rainforest for full-sun coffee fields also threatens human life. Medical research often makes use of the forests' plant and animal life, and the destruction of such species could prevent researchers from finding cures for certain diseases. In addition, new coffee-growing techniques are poisoning the water locally, and eventually the world's groundwater.
Both locally and globally, the continued spread of full-sun coffee plantations could mean the destruction of the rainforest ecology. The loss of shade trees is already causing a slight change in the world's climate, and studies show that loss of oxygen-giving trees also leads to air pollution and global warming. Moreover, the new growing techniques are contributing to acidic soil conditions.
It is obvious that the way much coffee is grown affects many aspects many aspects of life, from the local environment to the global ecology. But consumers do have a choice. They can purchase shade-grown coffee whenever possible, although at a higher cost. The future health of the planet and mankind is surely worth more than an inexpensive cup of coffee. | high10252.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "A teacher"
},
"options": [
"A student",
"A teacher",
"A parent",
"A boss"
],
"question": "What do you conclude from the text the writer might be?",
"question_type": null
},
{
"answer": {
"answe... | Talking behind someone's back is considered to be rude and mean. Such a conversation can cover all kinds of criticism, from their looks to their work and personality.
The other day at lunch I was with a group of colleagues, and we were talking about our boss. She is the new headmaster of our middle school.
We talked about how kind she is to us. She handwrites notes to wish us happy holidays or to thank us for jobs well done. She checks on us when she knows we're facing difficulties outside school with our health or with our families. We talked about the good role model that she is for the young women in our school and the fair but firm way she treats students and parents.
I thought about this after lunch. Sometimes we have the good fortune to be part of another kind of "talking behind someone's back". And too often when we say something good about someone behind their backs, they never know about it! That night, I sent her an email to report the conversation. She replied by saying how much she appreciated hearing about this, and how it made a bright spot in a tough week of testing.
Watch for your next opportunity to be the reporter! Make sure you tell them about the nice things said behind their backs! Because how will they know unless we tell them? | high2715.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "some salt"
},
"options": [
"fridge",
"some food",
"a table",
"some salt"
],
"question": "We must use _ when we carry out this experiment.",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
... | Put an ice cube from your fridge into a glass of water. You have a piece of string 10 centimeters long. The problem is to take out that piece of ice with the help of the string. But you must not touch the ice with your fingers.
You may ask your friends to try to do that when you are having dinner together. There is a saltcellar on the table. You must use salt when you carry out this experiment.
First you put the string across the piece of ice. Then put some salt on the ice. Salt makes ice melt . The ice round the string will begin to melt. But when it melts, it will lose heat. The cold ice cube will make the salt water freeze again.
After a minute or two you may raise the piece of string and with it you will raise your piece of ice!
This experiment can be very useful to you. If, for example, there is ice near the door of your house, you must use very much salt to melt all the ice. If you don't put enough salt, the water will freeze again. | high20391.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "she has no sense of fear"
},
"options": [
"she is a superhero",
"she has experienced such conditions a lot",
"she is a mental patient",
"she has no sense of fear"
],
"question": "SM dares to walk alone in the da... | She's not afraid of anything. Snakes? No problem. Walking alone in the dark? Easy. We're not talking about a superhero here -- SM is a 44-year-old mother. And she's fearless because she happens to be missing part of her brain: the amygdala .
Shaped like a pair of almonds sitting in the middle of your brain, the amygdala helps control fear and anxiety. A rare condition called Urbach-Wiethe disease left SM without her amygdala, and seems to have completely erased her sense of fear.
To try to understand how the amygdala works, a team of researchers made their efforts to scare SM. They showed her horror movies and took her to the Waverly Hills Sanatorium Haunted House in Kentucky. She pushed out one of the monsters and laughed. SM said she didn't like snakes, but at a pet store full of poisonous creatures, she kept asking to touch them. When asked to rate her feelings, SM reported feeling surprised or disgusted, but never fearful.
"She tends to approach everything she should be avoiding," says Justin Feinstein of the University of Iowa. This means the amygdala could control deeper urges to approach or avoid danger. Other scientists have a different opinion, though. "I don't believe you can make a general statement about what the amygdala does by a single case study," Elizabeth Phelps said. In 2002, Phelps published a study on a similar patient with amygdala damage who still showed fear.
It may sound like fun to be totally fearless, but we get scared for a good reason. "The nature of fear is survival and the amygdala helps us stay alive by avoiding situations, people, or objects that put our life in danger," Feinstein said. SM was once followed in a park after dark by a man with a knife, and she simply walked away. "It is quite remarkable that she is still alive," said Feinstein. | high4364.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "feet"
},
"options": [
"head",
"hands",
"legs",
"feet"
],
"question": "Which part of the body is difficult to hide?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
... | Call out. Call loud: "I'm ready! Come and find me!"
The snacks in the tool shed smell like the seaside.
They'll never find you in the salty dark,
But be careful that your feet aren't sticking out.
Wisher not to risk another shout.
The floor is cold. They'll probably be searching
The bushes near the swing. Whatever happens,
You mustn't sneeze when they come prowling in.
And here they are, whispering at the door;
You've never heard them so hushed before,
Don't breathe. Don't move. Stay dumb. Hide in your blindness.
They're moving closer, someone stumbles, mutters;
Their words and laughter scuffle, and they're gone.
But don't come out just yet; they'll try the lane
And then the greenhouse and back here again.
They must be thinking that you've very clever,
Getting more puzzled as they went away.
You legs are stiff, the cold bites through your coat;
The dark damp smell of sand moves in your throat.
It's time to let them know that you're the winner.
Push off the snacks. Uncurl and stretch. That's better!
Out of the shed and call to them: "I've caught you!"
The darkening garden watches. Nothing stirs.
The bushes hold their breath; the sun is gone.
Yes, here you are. But where are they who sought you?
---Vernon Scannell | high19510.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Soft drinks may not to be blame for eating problems."
},
"options": [
"Soft drink remains a problem in schools.",
"Girls tend to consume less soda at school.",
"Soft drinks may not to be blame for eating problems.",
"Ve... | Schools have been blamed for giving kids access to soda in vending machines . But new data suggest that school soft drink sales may not be an important factor in how much soda kids drink.
In the current issue of The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, researchers compared soda consumption among nearly 500 students inprefix = st1 /Mainewho attended seven schools over two school years. Four of the schools cut back on soft drink availability at the schools, while three of the schools made no changes.
All the students were drinking less soda by the end of the study period, but there were no meaningful differences in overall soft drink consumption among the different schools. The data suggest that limiting soft drink availability at school doesn't result in meaningful changes in drink consumption patterns. While there were no changes in overall soda consumption, there was a notable shift in diet soda drinking among girls. If the school cut back on soda availability, girls were less likely to drink diet soda, compared to girls in schools that made no changes.
The data are the latest to suggest that schools may not play as big of a role in kids' poor eating habits as widely believed. Last year, The American Journal of Public Healthpublished a provocative study showing that childhood weight problems often get worse in the summer, when kids are out of school.
Data from kindergarteners and first graders found that body mass index increased two to three times as fast in summer as during the regular school year. Minority children were especially at risk, as were children who were already overweight.
Even children who were too thin and needed to gain weight appeared to have better eating habits during the school year. They actually gained more weight while in school and less in the summer.
Even so, much of the focus on childhood nutrition and obesity remains in the nation's schools. Today, The Timesreported that even the school bake sale is disappearing as districts impose strict standards on the food served on school grounds. | high16623.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Micro Blogger Strikes Gold"
},
"options": [
"Micro Blogger Strikes Gold",
"The powerful Micro Blog",
"Zhao Cheng--- a Post-90s",
"How to Run a Popular Micro Blog"
],
"question": "The best title of the passage is... | Zhao Cheng is a typical member of the post-90s generation. And like many of his peers, he spends a lot of time staring at his computer screen, looking for amusing passages to share on his micro blog. He also writes his own amusing comments and observations.
It may seem that Zhao,19, a fresh high school grade, is simply wasting time with his micro blogging exploits. His parents certainly thought so. And then Zhao amazed them by turning his hobby into a profitable career.
Enterprises, especially those targeting young customers, have realized the value of marketing on micro blogs. Ads, if forwarded by popular bloggers, will enjoy widespread Internet coverage. Therefore, it appears that running a popular micro blog and forwarding several ads per day is a financial rewarding career choice nowadays. However, in order to be successful, you need to ensure that your micro blog has a large number of followers. Launching a micro blogging sensation can be tough for rookies .
In Zhao's opinion, it's not necessary to come up with a totally original micro blog. " You can publish a popular post you have found in other online communities on your micro blog. But to become a sensation, you have to be the first one to publish the post," said Zhao.
Therefore, a micro blogger needs to be aware enough to sense a post's potential to become an online sensation. He or she also needs to be daring enough to publish potentially controversial posts or launch activities which could be risky.
Running a popular micro blog is an exhausting job, both physically and mentally. Publishing ads also requires energy and commitment. In order to hunt for the most up-to-date, hot topics online, Zhao has to spend almost all of his spare time surfing the Internet. He often stays up late. | high23840.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "for reasons unknown from this passage"
},
"options": [
"because he had lost interest in music",
"because he thought medicine was more important than music",
"to find out new use of music in hospital",
"for reasons unkno... | Eddie liked music very much when he was at school, but when he went to the university he decided to study medicine instead of music. When he passed his examinations and became a doctor, he had to work in a hospital for some time. There he discovered that a lot of patients were happier and caused less trouble if pleasant music was played to them When Eddie got an office and began to work for himself, he decided to keep his patients happy by having a tape recorder in his waiting-room play beautiful music for them.
But soon after the tape recorder had been put in, Eddie's nurse heard a woman, who was sitting in the crowded waiting-room one morning, complained, "Here we're all waiting to see the doctor, and he's just playing the violin in his office instead of doing his work." | high9898.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "an advertisement"
},
"options": [
"a warning",
"a notice",
"an advertisement",
"an announcement"
],
"question": "The passage is most probably _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer":... | How many coins have you got in your pocket right now? Three? Two? or One?
With a phonecard you can make up to 200 calls without any change at all.
1. _
Go to a telephone box marked "Phonecard". Put in your card to start, make your call and when you have finished, a screen tells you how much is left on your card.
It costs no extra for the cards, and the calls cost 10p per unit, the same as any other pay-phone call.
You can buy them in units of 10, 20, 40, 100 or 200.
2. _
Near each phonecard place you will find a shop where you can buy one. They're at bus, train and city tube stations.
At many universities, hospitals and clubs, restaurants and gas stations on the highway and shopping centers.
At airports and seaports.
3. _
Most broken payphones are like that because they've been damaged. There are no coins in a cardphone to excite thieves' interest in it. So you're not probably to find a broken one.
Get a phonecard yourself and try it out. Or get a bigger wallet. | high12445.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "30 years."
},
"options": [
"9 years.",
"10 years.",
"20 years.",
"30 years."
],
"question": "How long did Johnson work in the company?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"a... | For thirty years, Johnson arrived at work at 9A.M. exactly. He never missed a day and was never late.
However, on one particular day, 9A.M. passed without Johnson's arrival, it caused a sensation . All workers stopped and wait, and the boss himself looked at his watch and complained.
Finally, exactly at ten, Johnson turned up, clothes dusty and torn, his face hurt and bruised , his glasses bent. He limped painfully to the time clock, struck in with a strong fist, and said, knowing that all eyes were upon him, "I fell and rolled down two flights of stairs in the subway and nearly killed myself."
But the boss said, "And to roll down two flights of stairs took you a whole hour?" | high950.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "could speak five kinds of languages"
},
"options": [
"was working in a multi-community",
"could speak five kinds of languages",
"was learning some different languages",
"could talk with many people at the same time"
... | You cannot say that it's entirely true that kids learn a second language easily, but it's still the best time to learn. Babies are basically equipped to hear and distinguish every possible language and dialect, but once they reach 6 months old, they begin to focus on the particular sounds that exist in the languages that they're exposed to. In this way, kids will naturally and automatically be bilingual if they hear multiple languages on a daily basis when they are still babies.
One lady told me of her son who grew up in a very multi-cultural community working at a resort. He would naturally and easily switch from Dutch, to French, to Italian, German and English depending on who he was talking to. Of course that's an extreme case, but it's completely possible and easy.
It's not true that they will get mixed up by learning multiple languages. They may mix them up purposely simply because certain words or expressions are easier, but they won't develop any permanent language disabilities. Quite the contrary, bilingual children have been shown to be as much as a year more advanced in learning ability development for 2 and 3 years olds.
Some kids who simply aren't gifted at learning languages, just as some aren't gifted at sports or music, will find it difficult to continue schooling in a foreign language. In that case, it may be better not to continue with the foreign language school. Perhaps for Grade Two you could try a bilingual school.
In any case, learning even a small amount of a foreign language, maintaining the ability to hear and pronounce it by listening to music and movies will keep a foundation for later learning. Knowing a second language can be a great benefit for gaining employment. | high22586.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "The brake couldn't work because of the lost bolt."
},
"options": [
"The car hit a rock and its tires were broken.",
"The car pulled over because of the steep road.",
"The brake couldn't work because of the lost bolt.",
... | We started out in a great morning and were heading over the mountain range to Ellensburg. We stopped at Snoqualmie summit for a quick rest. About a mile from there, we heard a loud sound and thought we might hit a rock. However, we were wrong.
As we were turning into the rest area, we heard a loud banging sound again, and all I could do was get this car pulled over and stopped. Once we got stopped, and tire pulled off, we found that the bolt ,which is necessary for the brake to work, had been missing. Had I hit the brake with any more speed, I am sure the car would have turned over and we could have all been killed.
The first thing we needed to do was get a new bolt, so my husband went to get a cup of coffee and to ask whether there would be an auto parts store. They told him where, and then he came back to find we had no way to get there. _ One of the coffee volunteers was getting off her shift and offered to take him to the auto parts store. So this angel took him to Ellensburg to get the part, only to find out that it was the wrong part. So she came back to see if everything fit and sure enough, she offered to take him to the hardware store in town to see if they could find this bolt!
She spent well over 4 hours with us, driving us around to help fix our car and protect us until we were safe. She even followed us for a short time on the freeway until she knew we were well on our way safely. We were blessed that day, and when I told her she was an angel she just said we would do the same thing, and she was right, I would and I will again! | high13983.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "the speaker was too moved to say anything to the mother"
},
"options": [
"the speaker was too moved to say anything to the mother",
"the speaker waited for the mother to finish speaking",
"the speaker didn't want the mother t... | My teenage son Karl became withdrawn after his father died . As a single parent . I tried to do my best to talk to him . But the more I tried , the more he pulled away . When his report card arrived during his junior year , it said that he had been absent 95 times from classes and had six falling grades for the year . At this rate he would never graduate . I sent him to the school adviser , and I even begged him . Nothing worked .
One night I felt so powerless that I got down on my knees and pleaded for help . "Please God ,I can't do anything more for my son . I'm at the end of my rope . I'm giving the whole thing up to you ."
I was at work when I got a phone call . A man introduced himself as the headmaster . "I want to talk to you about Karl's absences ." Before he could say another word , I choked up and all my disappointment and sadness over Karl came pouring out into the ears of this stranger . "I love my son but I just don't know what to do . I've tried everything to get Karl to go back to school and nothing has worked . It's out of my hands . "For a moment there was silence on the other end of the line . The headmaster seriously said , "Thank you for your time", and hung up .
Karl's next report card showed a marked improvement in his grades . Finally , he even made the honor roll .In his fourth year , I attended a parent-teacher meeting with Karl . I noticed that his teachers were astonished at the way he had turned himself around . On our way home , he said , "Mum, remember that call from the headmaster last year ?" I nodded . "That was me . I thought I'd play a joke but when I heard what you said , it really hit me how much I was hurting you . That's when I knew I had to make you proud ." | high23698.txt |
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