questions list | article stringlengths 9 6.44k | id stringlengths 9 14 |
|---|---|---|
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "it is our duty to change for the better"
},
"options": [
"it is our duty to change for the better",
"we complain a lot about our past choices",
"sometimes we have to face the fate",
"we should believe in ourselves in li... | Any day we wish;we can discipline ourselves to change it a11.Any day we wish;we can open the book that will open our mind to new knowledge.Any day we wish;we can start a new activity.Any day we wish;we can start the process of life change.We can do it immediately,or next week,or next month,or next year.
We can also do nothing.We can pretend rather than perform.And if the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable,we can remain as we are.We can choose rest over labor,entertainment over education,delusion over truth,and doubt over confidence.The choices are ours to make.But while we complain about the effect,we continue to nourish the cause.
As Shakespeare uniquely observed,"The fault is not in the stars,but in ourselves.''We created our circumstances by our past choices.We have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning today.
Those who are in search of the good life do not need more answers or more time to think things over to reach better conclusions. They need the truth .They need the whole truth .And the responsibility to ks5unothing but the truth.
We cannot allow our errors in judgment,repeated every day,to lead us down the wrong path.
We must keep coming back to those basics that make the biggest difference in how our life works out.And then we must make the very choices that will bring life,happiness and joy into our daily lives .
And if I may be so bold to offer my last piece of advice for someone seeking and needing to make changes in their life--If you don't like how things are,change it !You're not a tree.You have the ability to totally transform every area in your life -- and it all begins with your very own power of choice. | high6001.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "The life and works of Fitzgerald."
},
"options": [
"The \"Lost Generation\" of the 1920s.",
"How Fitzgerald got his name.",
"The life and works of Fitzgerald.",
"Fitzgerald and the Jazz Age."
],
"question": "Wha... | Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald was born on September 24, 1896. He was an American writer of novels and short stories, whose works are the typical writings of the Jazz Age, a term he created himself.
Born into an upper middle-class Irish Catholic family, Fitzgerald was named after his famous second cousin, Francis Scott Key. He was also named after his deceased sister Louise Scott, one of two sisters who died shortly before his birth. He spent 1898-1901 in Syracuse and 1903-1908 in Buffalo, New York, where he attended Nardin Academy. When his father was fired from his company, the family returned to Minnesota, where Fitzgerald attended St. Paul Academy from 1908 to1911.
He is widely regarded as one of the 20th century's greatest writers. Fitzgerald is considered to be a member of the "Lost Generation" of the 1920s. He finished four novels, This Side of Paradise, The Beautiful and Damned, Tender Is the Night and his most famous classic novel, The Great Gatsby. A fifth, unfinished novel, The Love of the Last Tycoon was published after his death. Fitzgerald also wrote many short stories that dealt with themes of youth.
His first literary work, a detective story, was published in a school newspaper when he was 12. When he was 16, he was forced to leave St. Paul Academy for neglecting his studies. He attended Newman School, a prep school in Hackensack, New Jersey, in 1911-1912, and entered Princeton University in 1913 as a member of the Class of 1917. There he became friends with future critics and writers Edmund Wilson (Class of 1916) and John Peale Bishop (Class of 1917), and wrote for the Princeton Triangle Club. He was also a member of the University Cottage Club, which still displays Fitzgerald's desk and writing materials in its library. A poor student, Fitzgerald left Princeton to enlist in the US Army during World War I; however, the war ended shortly after Fitzgerald's enlistment.
Fitzgerald had been an alcoholic since his college days, leaving him in poor health by the late 1930s. Fitzgerald suffered a mild attack of tuberculosis in 1919, and died of a heart attack in 1940. | high14546.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "It mainly surveyed fathers' living with young kids."
},
"options": [
"It aimed to study fathers' influence on kids.",
"It showed most fathers often helped kids learn.",
"It found most fathers played with kids every day.",
... | The uninvolved dad, turning up his nose at diapering and too busy to bathe, dress and play with his kids, is mostly a myth , a big government survey suggests. Most American fathers say they are heavily involved in hands-on parenting, the researchers found.
The results are encouraging and important " because others have found the more involved dads are, the better the outcomes for their children. " said researcher Jo Jones of the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the Centers for Disease Control Prevention. She co-authored the report released Friday.
"Times have changed," said Robert Loftus, 34, of Yonkers, NY. He quit a six-figure sales job a year ago to care for his two young children while his wife works full time. "We are trying to rethink our priorities and family seem to be N0 1 priority while in the past maybe people were more focused on career. "
The study involved nearly 4.000 fathers who were interviewed in person between 2009 and 2013.
*Key findings among fathers living with children younger than 5 :
*9 in 10 bathed, diapered, helped them use the toilet or get dressed at least several times weekly .
* Even higher numbers played with them and ate meals with them that often
* Almost 2 0ut of 3 read to them at least several times weekly.
*Among dads living with kids aged 5-18.
* More than 9 0ut of 10 ate meals with them at least several times weekly and talked with them about what happened during the kids' day that often.
* Almost 2 0ut of 3 helped with homework several times weekly.
* About half took their kids to or from activities that often.
Dr. David Hill, a Wilmington, N. C. pediatrician said the survey reflects what he's seen among his patients' fathers. Increasingly, fathers rather than mothers take their kids to the doctor. Some "are anxious about changing a diaper, " he said.
Census numbers show that there were almost 190,000 stay-at-home dads nationwide last year versus 93,000 in 2010. Loftus, the New York stay-at-home dad, said, "I feel fortunate to be able to be such a hands-on father. I'm doing the most significant occupation in the world. " | high9332.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "advertisement"
},
"options": [
"story",
"novel",
"letter",
"advertisement"
],
"question": "This passage is a (n) _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
}
] | The decision to further all or part of your studies outside your country is a serious one, and one which for most students will have a special life-long benefit. If you realize English will help you in your career and enrich your personal life, you will find that coming to England to study English is a very special experience that you will never forget. I am very pleased to have this opportunity to invite you to join our English Language courses.
London is one of the world's outstanding cultural and trade center. You will live in one of the world's great cities. It provides the perfect arrangements in which to learn and develop English language skills. The international body of the students attending courses at English language Institutes in London provides an attraction because it is a good chance for you to enjoy other cultures in surroundings to develop personal character. As we prepare for the 21st Century, international communication has never been more important. To master a foreign language is becoming a useful tool for trade, industrial and professional success. Our aim at the English language Institutes is to develop students' English language skills in friendly and helpful conditions.
Supported by computer, video and audio equipment, and using sound classroom, our team of teachers will guide you through your chosen course of study, you will receive excellent service and advice at every stage. Our out-of-class support staff will help you settle in and make the most of your stay in London. Truly, you will enjoy yourself in London and make friendships that will last a lifetime. I hope we can welcome you to this exciting world of London. Come and see us ! Visit a class in any of the English Language Institutes. See for yourself why we encourage you to study in London. | high7306.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "the English bias in Saudi Arabia"
},
"options": [
"English is the world's business language",
"the English bias in Saudi Arabia",
"the school education in Saudi Arabia",
"the bilingual balance in China"
],
"ques... | English is fast becoming the only language of a new generation of educated Arabs.
This isn't a good thing for the region or the rest of the world. The journalism school at the AUD is the only modern program in the Middle East that allows students to study in Arabic. Still, many students arrive with poorly written Arabic and the formal spoken language and require refresher Arabic language courses.
Literacy in the Gulf States is 98%, according to UNESCO. But that literacy is increasingly in English, not Arabic.
This English bias starts early, with children in private "model" schools in the United Arab Emirates studying all their subjects, including math and science, in English. But the trend appears to be taking hold regionwide. In Saudi Arabia, many upper-middle-class families speak English at home -- not just at work .
One Arabic official told me his own children do not speak Arabic fluently. He said he put them in English schools to help ensure they'd have great career prospects. But now he says he regrets that his children don't feel comfortable speaking the language of their forefathers.
Why is there the anxiety among these elites? I am continually told that what I've experienced anecdotally is true: The wealthier the family, the less likely its members speak Arabic at home. If people in the same country don't speak the same language, how can they work across class lines to solve the problems of high unemployment that affect even oil-rich Saudi Arabia?
For executives trying to build local businesses, the English bias is a challenge. The dean of the AUD's school of journalism, Ali Al Jaber, told me, "If you can't address your own people, then you can't be successful."
Sure, English is the world's business language. More Chinese are learning English right now than there are Americans in the U.S. But China has struck a bilingual balance. Its research universities teach some of the world's brightest minds in Chinese. Professor Wardeh finds much for Arab nations to admire in _ . | high8035.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "describe what it is like to live in a tower"
},
"options": [
"describe how to turn an old tower into a house",
"recommend a particular builder",
"describe what it is like to live in a tower",
"explain how to win prizes... | John Fisher, a builder, and his wife Elizabeth wanted more living space, so they left their small flat for an old 40-meter-high castle tower. They have spent five years turning it into a beautiful home with six floors, winning three architectural prizes.
"I love the space, and being private," Elizabeth says. "You feel separated from the world. If I am in the kitchen, which is 25 meters above the ground floor, and the doorbell rings, I don't have to answer it because visitors can't see I am in!"
There are 142 steps to the top so if I go up and down five or six times a day, it's very good exercise! But having to carry heavy things to the top is terrible, so I never buy more than two bags of shopping from the supermarket at a time. Except for that, it's a brilliant place to live.
"When we first saw the place, I asked my father's advice about buying it, because we couldn't decide. After paying for it, we were a bit worried because it looked awful. But we really loved it, and knew how we wanted it to look."
"Living here can be difficult--yesterday I climbed a four-meter ladder to clean the windows. But when you stand on the roof you can see all the way out to the sea on a clear day, and that's a wonderful experience. I am really glad we moved. " | high15641.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "his family wanted to eat it."
},
"options": [
"his family wanted to eat it.",
"he wanted to sell its meat at the fair.",
"his family wanted to celebrate a headless chicken festival.",
"he wanted to make money by showing... | Crazy Festivals
Mike the Headless Chicken Festival
In 1945, farmer Lloyd Olsen attempted to cut off the head of Mike, a chicken, so his wife could cook it up for dinner. However, the bird didn't die and lived another year and a half, making regular trips to the fair, where people paid a quarter to see the amazing headless chicken bird.
Today, the spirit of Mike the headless Chicken is celebrated with a two-day May festival in Fruita, Colorado, which includes live music, a golf tournament , and lots of tasty chicken.
Roswell UFO Festival
In the summer of 1947, a flying saucer crashed on a large farm outside the town of Roswell, New Mexico. The government says it didn't come from outer space, but many top UFO researchers believe it did.
Knowing a good thing when it crashes in their backyard, the citizens of Roswell celebrate the even every July with a three-day festival that features a costume contest, a parade and other activities. Be careful, though ---- that _ little person next to you could be from another planet.
World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup
The rattlesnake, a poisonous American snake, severs an important function in nature by keeping small pets under control, but when their numbers grow too large, they can cause serious problems for farmers. That's why every March the residents of Sweetwater, Texas, host a three-day festival to connect with the town's annual rattlesnake hunt.
Visitors can learn about rattlesnakes, take a bus tour of their natural habitat, participate in a rattlesnake eating contest and so on.
BugFest
Every September, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh sponsors a daylong festival that focuses on something most people try to avoid: insects.
Visitors can hold bugs that are not native, cheer on racing insects and learn about beekeeping. But the highlight for many is Cafe Insecta, where bugs are the main ingredient in a variety of tasty dishes. | high13230.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "the divers may injure their heads if the vines aren't measured properly"
},
"options": [
"the divers may fall onto the ground if the thin vines break",
"the divers may bump into (...)the wooden tower on the way down",
"the di... | March, April and May are months full of festivals and events all over the world. Here are some wonderful festivals around the world that happen in spring.
SongKran--Thailand
Dates: 13th-15th, April
In Thailand, it's time to celebrate the coming monsoon season, which will bring the rain many people have been looking forward to. They celebrate it with a festival called Songkran, when people head out to the streets with water guns to spray(,)everyone who walks past. If you walk on the streets where the festival is celebrated, prepare to get _ !
Naghol--Vanuatu
Dates: Every Saturday from April to May
Every year, villagers come together to celebrate the harvest of yams, an important part in the peopls's diet in Vanuatu. The festival is most famous for its "land diving ceremony". During the ceremony men and boys dive to the ground from high wooden towers with only two thin vines attached to their ankles . The divers' heads have to lightly touch the ground when they jump---something very dangerous if the vines are not measured properly.
Cherry Blossom Viewing ---Japan
Dates: The cherry blossom season is different from year to year depending on the weather forecast.
The cherry blossom season has huge importance to the people of Japan, who celebrate the days when the flowers finally blossom. Only a few days later, the petals fall to the ground, like pink snowflakes. This is one of the most beautiful things to see. In Japan, almost everyone has picnics in the parks to view the flowers.
Sinhalese New Year--Sri Lanka
Dates: 13thor 14th, April
Just like in many other countries in South an South East Asia, this is the time when the Sinhalese celebrate the traditional New Year, an ancient celebration which marks the end of the harvest season and is one of two times of the year when the sun is straight above Sri Lanka. There are a lot of delicious foods during the celebration. | high1777.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "To rescue the little girl, her grandma died in the fire."
},
"options": [
"The grandma was too old to rush out of the room.",
"The little girl and her grandpa lived on the second floor.",
"To rescue the little girl, her grand... | One night, the first floor of the house suddenly caught fire. The fire was big, and soon became a sea of fire. On the second floor lived a little girl and her grandmother; the little girl's parents had died, and she lived together with her grandma. In order to rescue the little girl, the grandmother was burned to death, leaving the little girl crying for help loudly.
How could people enter the house? At the very moment, a man carrying a ladder rushed to the flames and got into the window. When he appeared again in the eyes of the people, the little girl was in his arms. He gave the child to the crowd, and then disappeared into the night.
This little girl had no family. Two months later a meeting was held to find a person to adopt the girl. A teacher was willing to adopt this child, and said she could give her the best education; a farmer wanted to adopt this child, saying that village life would let the child grow up healthily and happily; a rich man said, "I can give the child everything that others can do."
A lot of people who wanted to adopt this child said about many benefits of their adopting the child. But the little girl's face had no expression. At this time, a man, through the crowd, walked straight in front of the little girl, and opened his arms for the little girl. People were puzzled, and they found that the man had terrible scars on his arms. The little girl let out a cry, "This is the man who saved me!" She suddenly jumped up, and buried her face in his arms and sobbed. Naturally the man adopted the girl. | high15899.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "the writer's life"
},
"options": [
"Harry Potter's life",
"the writer's life",
"how the book became a movie",
"why Harry Potter is popular"
],
"question": "This reading is about _ .",
"question_type": "cl... | The idea for the book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone came to Joanne Kathleen Rowling in 1990. It took her seven years to finish writing it. During those seven years she had a number of jobs, including one job as an English teacher in Portugal.
Rowling sent the book to four publishers before one of them bought it. She was very happy to sell her book because it was her life's dream to be a published writer. Before she sold her book, Rowling was living in a small apartment with her daughter and was so poor that she could not afford heat in the winter.
Harry Potter became very successful with children and adults in England. The book also really took off in the United States. After her second and third books were published, the three Harry Potter books filled the top three places on many newspapers' lists of best-sellers. Then the books were made into popular movies. Without question, Rowling's life had completely changed, in just three years.
Harry Potter books have now sold more than 30 million books around the world and have been translated into more than thirty-five languages. In 1997, Rowling was earning PS70 (about US$110) a week. By the end of 2001, she had earned over PS150 million ($250 million), making her one of the most successful female writers of all time. | high6018.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "the public"
},
"options": [
"George Bush",
"Congress",
"President Truman",
"the public"
],
"question": "That the turkey Courage was pardoned was decided by _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
... | A turkey named Courage gave thanks to President Obama for saving his life on the day before Thanksgiving. Honouring a 62-year-old tradition, the President pardoned the bird on Thanksgiving eve.
The tradition of a turkey pardon at Thanksgiving began with President Truman in 1947. Courage comes from Ellsworth, Iowa. The name Courage was chosen by voters who took part in a survey posted on the White House website. The lucky turkey walked on the lawn of the Rose Garden and posed for the cameras at the presidential podium .
The dinner that has become known as the First Thanksgiving was actually a harvest festival celebrated in December of 1621. That's when English settlers in Plymouth, Massachusetts, gave thanks for the progress they had made after a hard winter in their new country. As America grew, Thanksgiving customs also spread and got bigger. George Washington declared that the first national Thanksgiving would be on November 26, 1789. In the decades to follow, however, people celebrated Thanksgiving locally, with no official date. President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November 1863 a national day of Thanksgiving. It stayed that way until 1939, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved it one week earlier. He wanted to lengthen the shopping period before Christmas to encourage gift-buyers and to help businesses. So Congress ruled that, after 1941, Thanksgiving would be an official federal holiday falling on the fourth Thursday of November.
This year we celebrated Thanksgiving on Thursday, November. Millions of Americans got together to give thanks with friends and family. The lucky turkey, Courage, was one of them. After his pardon, Courage would be sent to Disneyland Resort in California, where he would be the grand assemble of Disney's Thanksgiving Day Parade. | high10739.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "influencing and fixing the nature of our civilization"
},
"options": [
"helping to bring about a revolution",
"changing the process of our society",
"making our nation more stable",
"influencing and fixing the nature of... | The very great success in science just before and after the midpoint of the twentieth century has caused educators in the United States to realize that science teaching in the future must differ from science teaching in the past. During the past twenty years, science has played an important part in shaping the character of our civilization. The welfare, stability, and security of our nation and the continuation of a free society are closely related to the discoveries of science and the applications of these discoveries. The scientific revolution we are beginning to experience, together with the trend toward world industrialization, demands a program of science education with new emphasis, purpose, and content. Simply knowing about the existence of the scientific enterprise is not enough for effective citizenship.
Young people need to understand how our society depends upon scientific and technological advancement and to realize that science is a basic part of modern living. The scientific process and the knowledge produced cannot be considered to be _ in themselves, except for the classic scientists. A student should understand the relation of basic research to applied research, and the connection between technological developments and human affairs. More of technology than science will be involved in social decisions, but both are important in public policy.
The knowledge and methods of science are of little importance if there is no inclination(,) to use them properly. An open mind, a desire for accurate knowledge, confidence in the procedures for seeking knowledge, and the expectation that the solution of problems will come from the use of tested and proven knowledge are among the "scientific attitudes".
Science instruction should acquaint students with career possibilities in technical fields and in science teaching. A continuous effort should be made to identify and encourage those who develop special interests. They should be given opportunities for some direct experience of a professional nature; they should also learn about the extent of the various science fields and how these fields are related to each other. But it is even more important for young people to acquire those skills and abilities that will enable them to take the responsibilities for expanding their own learning. | high20822.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "about 5 hours"
},
"options": [
"12 hours",
"7 hours",
"only 1 hour",
"about 5 hours"
],
"question": "From the story we know it took Dr Johnson _ to get to the hospital.",
"question_type": "cloze_question... | One night, a little before nine o'clock, Dr Johnson was answering a telephone call. He was asked to go and give an operation to a very sick boy at once. The boy was in a small hospital in Glens Falls, sixty miles away from Dr Johnson's city - Albany. The boy had hurt himself in a traffic accident. His wife was in danger, but his family was so poor that they could not pay the doctor anything. After he heard all this, Dr Johnson was driving carefully. He thought that he could get to the hospital before 12 o'clock. A few minutes later, the doctor's car had to stop for a red light at a crossing. Suddenly a man in an old black coat opened the door of the car and got in.
"Drive on", he said. "I've got a gun ."
"I'm a doctor," said Johnson, "I'm on my way to a hospital to operate on a very sick..."
"Don't talk," said the man in the old black coat, "Just drive."
A mile out of the town he ordered the doctor to stop the car and get out. Then the man drove on down the road. The doctor stood for a moment in the snow. After half an hour, Dr Johnson found a telephone and called a taxi. At the railway station he learned that the next train to Glens Falls would not leave until 12 o'clock.
It was after two o'clock in the morning when the doctor arrived at the hospital in Glens Falls. Miss Clarke, a nurse, was waiting for him.
"I did my best," said Dr Johnson. Miss Clarke said, "The boy died an hour ago."
They walked into the waiting room. There sat the man in the old black coat, with his head in his hands.
"Mr. Shute," said Miss Clarke to the man, "this is Dr Johnson. He had come all the way from Albany to try to save your boy." | high3160.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "tell us the family is very important to children"
},
"options": [
"show us why your child needs you .",
"express us the good family relationship",
"tell us the family is very important to children",
"Parents and childre... | Teenagers need family love and support at a time when lots of other things in their lives are changing . You can keep family relationships with your child strong through ordinary , everyday activities .
Adolescence can be a difficult time ---your child is going through rapid physical changes as well as emotional ups and downs . Young people aren't sure where they fit , and they are still trying to work it out . Adolescence can also be a time when peer influences and relationships can cause stress for teenagers and their families , and family support can be vital (=very important) to getting through these challenges.
During this time , your family can be a secure emotional base where your child feels loved and accepted , no matter what's going on in the rest of her life . Your family can build and support your child's self-belief , confidence and optimism .When your family set rules , boundaries and standard behaviour, you give your child a sense of consistency and predictability . And believe it or not , your life experiences and knowledge can be really useful to your child ---she just might not always want to know that .
Supportive and close family relationships can reduce risky teenage behaviour, such as alcohol and drug abuse , and problems such as depression . They can also increase your child's feeling of being connected to school , and his desire to do well academically .
Strong family relationships can go a long way toward helping your teenager grow into a well-adjusted , considerate and caring adult .
Research suggests that just being around family is associated with fewer behaviour problems in teenagers. This could be as simple as being in the kitchen when your child's in her room , so she knows she could come and talk to you if she wanted to . Teenagers benefit from knowing that support is available , even though they might not be using it . | high21282.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Patients without many days left."
},
"options": [
"Patients with a lot of money.",
"Patients suffering from cancer.",
"Patients without many days left.",
"Patients living alone."
],
"question": "If you're a volu... | A girl became a volunteer in the activities of Deathbed Care, which meant visiting and taking care of a patient suffering from an incurable disease with days numbered.
The girl was assigned to look after an old man suffering from cancer whose children lived abroad. Their living conditions were not satisfactory while the old man had a lot of savings. She was expected to comfort him and keep up his spirits.
Every Saturday the girl came on time to keep him company, telling him stories. When he was having an intravenous drip , she would help massage his arms. The doctor found the patient much improved mentally. The old man began to involve himself actively in the medical treatment and he seldom shouted at others.
But something that happened made the doctor uneasy and puzzled. Each time the girl left, the old man would give her some money. The doctor did nothing to interfere , unwilling to offend the old man. A month later the old man showed evident signs of decline after suffering coma a few times.
When rescued from the latest coma, the old man told the doctor his last wish, "I have deep sympathy for the girl. Will you be kind enough to help her finish her studies?"
But the doctor knew that her family was welloff and she had no difficulty pursuing her studies. Sometimes she even came to the hospital in her father's car.
When the girl came at the weekend after the death of the old man, the doctor told her the bad news. She was very sad and burst into tears. Then she handed $ 500 to the doctor, saying, "The old man had all along thought I came to do the job because of poverty. He gave me money so that I could continue my schooling." Now he got the answer to the puzzle. In the last period of his life, the old man found it a real pleasure to be able to help a girl badly in need. | high4169.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "they hoped to get supplies of food and water"
},
"options": [
"they wanted to meet the Indians there",
"they hoped to get supplies of food and water",
"they had never been on the island before",
"they had planned to vis... | It was 1504,and Columbus was making another trip to the New World. Columbus and his men needed fresh water and food after three months at sea. They saw an island and went on shore. On the island there were unfriendly Indians who refused to give food to them. Columbus' men were afraid of the Indians, but he had a clever plan. He used sign language to tell the Indians about his mysterious power to turn off the light in the sky. He knew about a lunar eclipse the next night because the information was in his almanac . Columbus told the Indians, " Tomorrow night I'll turn off the light in the sky." But they didn't believe him . When the eclipse began the next night ,the Indians became very frightened . They begged Columbus to turn on the light again , and they quickly gave him all the food and water he wanted. Immediately Columbus and his men hurried back to the ship and sailed away in the moonless night. | high11341.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Whenever hunger strikes, we will reach for a junk snack"
},
"options": [
"Whenever hunger strikes, we will reach for a junk snack",
"Every choice, however big or small, has an influence on us.",
"Even small choices affect how... | Four Simple Keys to Transform Your Life
The Power of Choice.Every one of us makes countless choices every day.Every choice we make has an impact on our lives.Even insignificant choices can affect what we experience and how we feel.When hunger strikes, we can reach for a healthy, nutritious snack, or we can choose the sugar high of junk food.The more important the decision, the greater its effect.For instance, how do I act towards that person who treated me badly? Do I generally choose to be passive, or do I actively set clear intentions and create what I want in my life? Every choice we make, however big or small, affects us in some way.
How Do You Make Choices? If you are interested in living a richer, fuller life, there is a foundation upon which you can base all of your decisions which can make life better not only for you, but also for those around you.This foundation is to choose based on what's best for all.Imagine a world where every parent, spouse , friend, teacher, business person, and politician truly did their best to choose what's best for all involved in every decision they made. We would certainly live in a more caring, supportive world.
It's the Intention."But how do I know what is really best?" you might ask.The answer is simple.It doesn't matter.What matters is not the choice you make, but rather the intention beind your choice.What matters is that whatever decision you make, you are clear in your intention of choosing based on what's best for all.If it later turns out that you made what appears to have been a bad choice, there's no need for guilt.Knowing that you did your best to choose with a sincere desire for what's best for all, your conscience stays clear and open.This then allows you to more easily learn from your mistakes, and to live with a clear heart and mind.
What's Best for Me, Too! Choosing what's best does not mean you have to always sacrifice yourself for others.An overly exhausted mother can lose her temper easily.Some time off for this mother might seem selfish, yet in the long run, it can help her to be a better mother to her children.So as we move through each day of our lives, let us remember to include ourselves as we do our best to choose what's best for all. | high2518.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "85"
},
"options": [
"20",
"80",
"85",
"905"
],
"question": "How many of 905 people surveyed suffer tumor ?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answ... | The use of mobile phones over a long period of time can raise the risk for brain tumors , a new Swedish study said on Friday , contradicting (......) the conclusions of other researchers .
The Dutch Health Council , in an overview of research from around the world , last year found no evidence radiation from mobile phones and TV towers was harmful . A four-year British survey released in January showed no link between regular . long-term use of cell phones and the most common type of tumor .
However , researchers at the Swedish National Institute for Working Life said they looked at the mobile phone use of 905 people between the age of 20 and 80 who had been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and found a link
" A total 80 of these 905 cases were so-called high users of mobile phones , that is they began early to use mobile and or wireless telephones and used them a lot , " the study said .
" The study also shows that the rise in risk is noticeable for tumors on the sided of the head where the phone was said to be used , " it added .
Kjell Mild , who led the study , said the figures meant that heavy users of mobile phones , for instance of who make mobile phone calls for 2 , 000 hours or more in their life , had a 240 percent increased risk for a malignant tumor on the side of the head the phone is used .
" The way to the risk down is to use handsfree , " he told Reuters .
He said his study was the biggest yet to look at long-term users of the wireless phone has been around inprefix = st1 /Swedenin a portable form since 1984 , longer than in many other countries . | high17730.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Labels on bottled water are used to mislead consumers."
},
"options": [
"Most bottled water drinkers buy it for the taste.",
"Labels on bottled water are used to mislead consumers.",
"The FDA sets high standards for bottled w... | About 1 in 15 households drink bottled water today, spending about $ 4 billion a year on it. Although the reasons for the trend are many, bottled water's health benefits fall near the top of the list. Surveys have found that about 25 percent of bottled water drinkers choose the beverage for health and safety reasons; another quarter believe it is pure and free of contaminants .
Regardless of its pristine image, bottled water is not necessarily any purer or more healthful than what flows right out of the tap. Consider that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the bottled water industry watchdog, does not require that bottled water meet higher standards for quality, such as the maximum level of contaminants, than public water supplies regulated by the EPA. For the most part, the FDA simply follows EPA's regulatory lead. Granted, bottled water is often filtered to remove chemicals such as chlorine that may impart a certain taste. But that doesn't make it any safer. In fact, about 25 to 40 percent of bottled water comes from the same municipal water supplies as tap water. Furthermore, some bottled waters do not contain any or enough of the fluoride needed to fight cavities. The only way to determine whether a certain water contains the mineral is to check with the company that bottles it.
This is not to say that bottled water is necessarily any better or worse, from a health standpoint, than tap water. It's certainly preferable to tap water for those who like its taste. The problem is that many consumers pay 300 to 1,200 times more per gallon for bottled water than for tap water because they think bottled water is the more healthful of the two. Bottlers add to the confusion by sprinkling terms such as "pure", "crystal pure" and "premium" on labels illustrated with pictures of glaciers, mountain streams, and waterfalls, even when the water inside comes from a public reservoir. However, the FDA has set forth regulations requiring clear labeling of bottled waters. The mini glossary of bottled waters explains what some of the terms used on bottles really mean. | high18403.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "fatness was considered something good at one time"
},
"options": [
"beauty should be overweight",
"a fat man is usually a cheerful character",
"fatness was considered something good at one time",
"fatness leads to an in... | Doctors in Britain are warning of an obesity time bomb, when children who are already overweight grow up. So, what should we do? Exercise more? Eat less? Or both? The government feels it has to take responsibility for this expanding problem.
The cheerful Mr. Pickwick, the hero of the novel by Charles Dickens, is seen in illustrations as someone who is plump and happy. In 18th century paintings, beauty is equated (...) with rounded bodies and soft curves. But nowadays being overweight is seen as indicating neither a cheerful character nor beauty but an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
So what do you do? Diet? Not according to England's chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson. He says that physical activity is the key for reducing the risks of obesity, cancer and heart disease. And the Health Secretary John Reid even said that being inactive is as serious a risk factor in heart disease as smoking.
So, having bought some _ , how much exercise should you do? According to Sir Liam Donaldson, at least 30 minutes of moderate activity five days a week. Is going to the gym the answer? Luckily for those who think that running machines are boring, the Health Development Agency believes that physical activity that fits into people's lives may be more effective. They suggest taking the stairs rather than the lift, walking up escalators, playing active games with your children, dancing or gardening. And according to a sports psychologist, Professor Biddle, gyms "are not making the nation fit", and may even cause harm.
There's new scientific evidence that too much exercise may actually be bad for you. Scientists at the University of Ulster have found that unsuitable exercise releases dangerous free radicals that can adversely (oppositely) affect normal function in unfit people. The only people who should push their bodies to that level of exercise on a regular basis are trained athletes.
So, should we forget about gyms and follow some expert's advice to reduce sedentary activities and increase exercise in our daily life? After all, getting off the bus a stop early and walking the rest of the way can't do any harm! One final thought. How come past generations lacked gym facilities but were leaner and fitter than people today? | high5277.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "introduce the characteristics of the time-travel TV dramas in China"
},
"options": [
"analyze why the time-travel TV dramas are banned in China",
"show the difference between time travel in China and in other cultures",
"intr... | The news that China bans time-travel TV dramas and movies got a lot of attention on the Internet. Yet, time travel in China is a bit different from time travel in common sense. It is anything but science fiction and always goes backwards in time. There is minimum imagination involved--no ever-ending circles that mess up present and future, no advanced technology, no new social orders or new human forms from the twenty--whatever century, everything is a known historical fact when you travel through in China.
It is not even called time travel; rather the Chinese people refer to it as time crossover. Time crossover has been an extremely popular theme for online novels for years (in fact, it is an indispensable part of China's online culture), and didn't get picked up by TV and the big screen until recent two years. Most of time-travel dramas and movies are adapted from popular online novels and like in other cases adaptations are never better than the original books.
The main plot of time-travel novels or TV dramas can be very well summarized in one sentence: from nobody to somebody. Time travel in China is more about escaping from the reality than about realizing wild dreams.
In China, there is no need of time machine either. People travel backwards in time via the possession of antiques presence at historical places of interest encounter of life-threatening accidents or simple a look into the mirror. Some time-travel novels even start with ''I wanted togo back to history so much that one morning when I opened my eyes I was back.'' Technology is not relevant at all.
Though China is not short of histories to go back to, people have their own preferences and it is pretty much a gender thing.If the main character is male then he usually goes back to special times in history when he is able to help build up or tear up a dynasty. A typical example is A Step Into the Past , the first time-travel TV drama in China, which tells the story of how a SWAT member helps to unite China and build up Qin Dynasty.
On the other hand, female characters primarily go back to Qing Dynasty partly because Qing Dynasty has the most number of princes to fall in love with. YongZheng Emperor is the favorite. As can be seen in Startling by Each Step , a Qing time crossover classic, a girl goes back to Qing Dynasty and falls in love with YongZheng Emperor and his brothers. | high12890.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "two news agencies"
},
"options": [
"two news reporters",
"a newspaper and a news reporter",
"a news agency and a newspaper",
"two news agencies"
],
"question": "CBS/AP are most probably _ .",
"question_ty... | (CBS/AP)Lawyers for the stepfather of an 11-year-old girl tried to convince Massachusetts' highest court on Tuesday that he should have a say on whether his stepdaughter is removed from life support. If the girl dies, Jason Strickland could face a murder charge for illegally taking part in the beating that left her comatose .
Jason Strickland is asking the court to overturn a juvenile court judge's decision allowing the state to remove Haleigh Poutre from her ventilator and feeding tube.
Haleigh Poutre was hospitalized in September after her stepfather and adoptive mother kicked her and beat her nearly to death with a baseball bat.
Within two weeks of being charged, the adoptive mother, who was also Haleigh's aunt, was found dead.
Strickland is free on bail while awaiting trial.
Sharyn Alfonsi from CBS reports that the girl's biological mother, Allison Avrett, gave up her parental right years ago and now she has no say in what happens to Halleigh--but she wants life support to be relieved.
"I want her to rest," Avrett told Alfonsi."Being kept alive like that, it's not a life."
The state Department of Social Services wants to remove her from life support, according to opinions from her doctors that the girl is in a permanent vegetative state.And Strickland could face a murder charge if she dies.
Both of Haleigh's doctors agree that she should be removed from the ventilator, but they can't decide whether her feeding tube should be disconnected.They have said that with her feeding tube alone, Haleigh could live as long as two months.
Haleigh was adopted by her aunt about five years ago her biological mother moved to Virginia with a new boyfriend.Jason Strickland never formally adopted the girl, but is arguing that as the stepfather, he should be a _ parent and allowed to have a say in whether she lives or dies. | high14239.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "make sales"
},
"options": [
"educate the pupils",
"welcome new pupils",
"advertise the bookshop",
"make sales"
],
"question": "The purpose of the notice is to _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},... | Sunnyside School Bookshop Sunnyside Secondary School
A Warm Welcome To All Secondary Pupils! Congratulations on getting into Singapore's premier school. To do well in English, you must have a good English dictionary. May we recommend that you buy any of these two, which have been specially selected by the English teachers in the school. Select the one that fits your needs!
Foster's Advanced Learners' Dictionary
The most authoritative and up-to-date dictionary for intermediate learners of English.
* Over 50,000 references, including new words created over the past ten years.
* 20 full-page colour illustrations.
* Grammar and spelling rules simply and completely explained.
* Lots of examples of how to use words in the correct context.
* l0-page appendix on "How To Write More Effectively".
Active Learners' English Dictionary
A most useful dictionary which not only helps you to learn new words but also shows you different ways of using them in your writing. Particularly useful for foreign students and non-native speakers of English!
* Over 48,000 references with explanations focusing on a speaker's attitude and intentions.
* Each definition together with tips on how to use the word or its synonyms in the correct context.
* Right margin gives a list of synonyms.
* Left margin gives information on grammar and spelling.
* Clear pronunciation guide. | high13556.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "are more likely to keep their temper under control"
},
"options": [
"generally have a poor sense of business",
"are not good at managing their company",
"seldom praise their staff members openly",
"are more likely to ke... | Two thirds of women prefer working for male bosses because they are better managers and less likely to lose their temper, a study has suggested.
Many female employees also like having a man in charge because they can "more authoritative " and "more straight-forward" than _ .
Women consider men "tougher", "better at delegation " and also more likely to regularly dish out praise.
And men were also rated as being better decision-makers and having more grasp of the business overall than women do.
It also shows that four out of ten women who have female bosses believe they could do a better job than their immediate superior.
The study of 2,000 women in full or part-time employment asked whether they would prefer to have a man or woman as their immediate line manager.
About 63 percent expressed a male preference, while only 37 percent choose a woman.
The results also revealed one in six women who currently work under a woman is experiencing "underlying tension" between themselves and their boss.
There are a number of reasons for the male preference including a feeling that female managers felt threatened by other women at work. A failure to leave personal problems at home was also cited . Other issues included a lack of flexibility over leaving early or starting late.
But despite the worries, female bosses did score highly on the more personal side of the manager-employee relationship. They were thought of as being approachable, more trustworthy and more compassionate in a member of staff's time of need. | high22953.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "explain the causes and effects of hypoxia"
},
"options": [
"warn people in airplanes of possible dangers",
"offer some advice on avoiding health problems",
"explain the causes and effects of hypoxia",
"advise people not... | Travel is exciting and summer is a busy period for holiday travel. Many people will travel great distances in airplanes, cars or other vehicles. Experts say people should know about other health problems that can strike when traveling by air.
One of these is a condition called hypoxia . It results from a lack of oxygen to the brain. Experts say the body begins losing oxygen minutes after an airplane leaves the ground. The air pressure in a plane during flight is lower than at sea level. This makes it more difficult for the body to effectively use the same amount of oxygen as it would on the ground. Fewer oxygen molecules cross the tissues in the lungs and reach the bloodstream.
The result is a five to twenty percent drop in the amount of oxygen in the blood. This reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the organs of the body.
One effect of this lack of oxygen to the brain is a headache. When this happens, the heart attempts to _ by beating harder and faster. This can make the traveler feel tired.
These signs of hypoxia are not dangerous in a healthy person. But a drop in oxygen level can cause a health emergency in people with heart or lung problems. They might lose consciousness or even suffer a heart attack.
Experts say that smoking cigarettes and drinking alcoholic liquids also reduce the body's ability to use oxygen. So they suggest that people not drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes either before or during a flight. They also say persons with heart or lung problems should seek advice from their doctors before flying. | high585.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "It is a program to help people do voluntary job."
},
"options": [
"It is a program to help people do voluntary job.",
"It is an orphanage in Costa Rica.",
"It is a school that needs English teachers.",
"It is a communit... | Miya volunteered abroad in Costa Rica with World Endeavors assisting at an orphanage and teaching English at a school.
As a freshman at Yale University, Miya had plans to go to medical school.Knowing that her next two summers would be occupied doing research, Miya decided to go abroad the summer after her freshman year."I wanted to improve my command of the Spanish language and learn about the culture and history of another country," she explained.In the summer of 2014, Miya volunteered for six weeks in the World Endeavors program in Atenas, Costa Rica, working in an orphanage and teaching English to children in grades one through six.
"A long time before I left, I had positive expectations for the trip," said Miya.But as the date grew closer she found herself getting more and more nervous."I thought, what if my host family doesn't like me? What if I get sick?"
Her fears, as fears often are, turned out to be unfounded."The people were so supportive and loving," said Miya."I felt like I was part of the family."
Miya's host family had a large network of cousins who all lived within shouting distance. The family would cook together, and at night would go dancing, talk or eat ice cream.She noted that the World Endeavors staff on location--Diego and Mercedes, and Mercedes' husband and daughter -were particularly helpful, taking her right to her neighborhood from the airport, and checking up periodically to make sure everything was going well.
While her nights were spent dancing, cooking, and talking with her host family, Miya's days were occupied with the children of her host city."I would teach in the morning, and work in the orphanage in the afternoon," said Miya, whose placements were within walking distance from her host family.While the children were a lot of work, Miya felt a strong connection to the kids in the orphanage.
Miya noted that Costa Rica is one of the more developed countries in Central America. A nearby Internet cafe, for example, helped her to stay in touch with her family while she was away.And now, back in the United States, the Internet helps her keep in touch with her host family.Their correspondence continues in Spanish.And her host parents, Rosario and Jorge, recently sent Miya a Christmas card through the mail.
Back at school, Miya continues to pursue her instinct to improve education through volunteering. She participates in a mentoring group and works on a community health education program for high school students.Her time in Costa Rica, she says, "fits right into my interests in global health." | high12648.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Rough untidy mass of white hair and hanging moustache , with an image of thinking ."
},
"options": [
"Funny and humorous, with an air of a musician.",
"Wearing very wide trousers and a moustache, with an image of an actor.",
... | He could have been president of Israel or played violin at Carnegie Hall, but he was too busy thinking. His thinking on God, love and the meaning of life graces our greeting cards and day-timers.
Fifty years after his death, his shock of white hair and hanging moustache still symbolize genius. Einstein remains the foremost scientist of the modern time. Looking back 2,400 years, only Newton ,Galileo and Aristotle were his equals.
Around the world , universities and academies are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Einstein's "miracle year" when he published five scientific papers in 1905 that basically changed our grasp of space, time ,light and matter. Only he could top himself about a decade later with his theory of relativity.
Born in the age of horse-drawn carriages, his ideas launched a technological revolution that has made more changes in a century than in the previous two thousand years. Computers, satellites, telecommunications, lasers, televisions and nuclear power all owe their invention to ways in which Einstein exposed a stranger and more complicated reality underneath the world.
He escaped Hitler's Germany and devoted the rest of his life to human rights and peace with an authority unmatched by any scientist today, or even most politicians and religious leaders. He spoke out against fascism and racial prejudice. His FBI file ran 1,400 pages.
His letters expose a disorderly personal life - married twice and indifferent toward his children while absorbed in physics. Yet he charmed lovers and admirers with poetry and sailboat outings. Friends and neighbors fiercely protected his privacy. | high7460.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "the eating habits in Britain"
},
"options": [
"the eating habits in Britain",
"British family eating together",
"the eating habits in Europe",
"British people give you a different answer about meals"
],
"questio... | In many European countries it is normal to have a long break in the middle of the day when all members of the family return to their houses to eat together. This is not very common in Britain because normally it is a long way from the place of work or school to the home. Consequently the British people tend to have a big breakfast before they go to work and the meal at midday is not spent with the members of the family but with workmates or schoolmates. Lunch is normally eaten between 12: 30 p.m. and 1: 30 p.m. Most people finish work at five thirty. It often takes at least an hour to get home from the school or workplace so people tend to eat their evening meal or "dinner" between 6: 30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
On Sundays people don't have to work, so they take the opportunity to eat together with their family. Sunday lunch is usually the best meal of the week and many of the meals which are considered typically British are eaten for Sunday lunch. For example roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.
This is a typical British family eating together on Sunday. After lunch the father will smoke his pipe and read the newspaper sitting on his favorite armchair while his wife washes the dishes. The children will play traditional English games such as hopscotch, skipping or doctors and nurses.
Although everyone in Britain understands that "breakfast" is the first meal of the day, there is a lot of confusion about the words for other meals such as "dinner, lunch, tea, high tea, brunch and supper" and if you ask a British person what these words mean, most of them will give you a different answer according to what part of the country they are from or what social class they are from. Another example of this is the pronunciation of the word "scones" (a type of cake eaten with Devonshire clotted cream, strawberry jam and cups of tea, known as a "cream tea") | high8753.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Nine"
},
"options": [
"Seven",
"Eight",
"Nine",
"Ten"
],
"question": "How many members are there in Rashida's family?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
... | Every evening, 15-year-old Rashida returns home from school, changes out of her uniform, and rushes to a neighboring farm to help her mother harvest vegetables. Her father is disabled, so the modest profit the two of them earn must cover food, clothing and other necessities for all seven children and their parents. Despite having precious little time to study, Rashida is one of the top students at her junior secondary school. But with so much responsibility on her small shoulders, she admits that it is sometimes hard for her to imagine a more promising future.
Last year, Rashida was invited to join 155 other girls at Camfed Ghana's first Girls' Career Camp, a program designed to inspire girls growing up in the country's Northern Region to dream big, and to support them to pursue those dreams. "We organized this camp because we wanted to let girls know that even if they are struggling with poverty, their lives will not be defined by limitations," says Dolores Dickson, Camfed Ghana's Executive Director.
Over the course of five days, the camp led the junior and secondary school students through a range of experiences and career opportunities that were entirely new to them. Dr. Agnes Apusiga, a lecturer from the University of Development Studies, ran the workshop on goal-setting and career choices, describing the universities and training colleges in Ghana that could help them achieve their dreams. Participants then visited the University for Development Studies, where they toured the medical school and science labs. Another highlight was a workshop at the computer lab at Tamale Secondary School. Many of the girls had studied information technology from a book but had never before seen a computer.
"When the girls arrived at camp, they were not ambitious, because they didn't have any idea what the world held for them," says Eugenia Ayagiba, Project Officer with Camfed Ghana. "Many had scarcely traveled beyond their own villages."
"I think the most important thing that happened at the camp is that we opened a window of hope for a group of girls coming from backgrounds of poverty," says Eugenia. For Rashida, who has been laughed at in the past by her schoolmates because of her father's disability, the experience was important. "She told one of the camp mentors that when she is at school, she often feels like a misfit, and she prefers to keep to herself," says Eugenia. "But at the camp, it was different. She made friends with girls who have similar struggles. She took part in every single activity, every single game. On the last day, she said to her mentor, "The camp has challenged me to study hard. Now I see that there is light at the end of the tunnel." | high15127.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "making good choices is the most important"
},
"options": [
"making good choices is the most important",
"education decides a person's future",
"upbringing makes a big difference",
"it is luck that leads to success"
... | In her outstanding book, "Choose the Happiness Habit", Pam Golden wrote, "Take the story of two twin brothers for example. One grew up and became an alcoholic , while the other became a successful businessman. When asked why he became an alcoholic, the alcoholic replied, "Because my father was a drunk." However, the successful businessman's answer was also "Because my father was a drunk." when asked why he succeeded. The same background. The same upbringing . However, the results were quite different. Why? The reason is that they had different choices. The brothers chose different thoughts which formed the situations they found themselves in at last, so they had different experiences.
There was a time in my life when I thought difficulty was due to "bad luck". Have you ever heard the saying "When it rains, it pours"? That was my answer when others asked me how things were going on when I was in trouble. So what do you think I got? "RAIN". More and more "RAIN". I couldn't understand why bad luck was always with me.
Pam Golden says, "You're either living in the problem or you're living in the solution." Now, when I'm faced with what I used to think was a negative situation, I use a different way to think about it. I force myself to replace those negative thoughts that make me lose heart in my mind with positive thoughts which encourage me to fight against the difficulty bravely. Sometimes I write down some ideas that may be a solution, which I combine with the lessons I have learned from the bad situations and the difficulties that troubled me in the past, and often, I find a solution to the problem soon. It seems that I should thank the difficulty I met with. The RAIN that poured in my world has become great experiences that provide me with valuable experience, from which I can benefit.
Now, it doesn't "rain" as much in my life as it used to. In fact, most days are beautiful, cloudless and sunny! Sometimes I do get a rain, but I think it makes me stronger just like the rain helps plants grow up. | high12884.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "he thought it was a chance to make some money"
},
"options": [
"he felt sorry for the author",
"he thought it was a chance to make some money",
"he knew the doctor was a very good one",
"he wanted the author to have a g... | (2014 ) I came to study in the United States a year ago. Yet I did not know the real American society until I was injured in a car accident because after the accident I had to see a doctor and go to court.
After the accident, my roommate called a doctor for me. I was very grateful and determined to repay him one day. But the next day, he asked me to pay him $200 for what he had done. I was astonished. He had good reason to charge me, he said. And if I wanted to collect money from the person who was responsible for my injury, I'd have to have a good lawyer. And only a good doctor can help me get a good lawyer. Now that he had helped me find a good doctor, it was only fair that I should pay him.
But every day I went to see the doctor, I had to wait about 50 minutes. He would see two or three patients at the same time, and often stop treating one so as to see another. Yet he charged me $115 each time. The final examination report consisted of ten lines, and it cost me $215.
My lawyer was all smiles the first time we met. But after that he avoided seeing me at all. He knew very well the other party was responsible for the accident, yet he hardly did anything. He simply waited to collect his money. He was so irresponsible that I decided to dismiss him. And he made me pay him $770.
Now I had to act as my own lawyer. Due to my inexperience, I told the insurance company the date I was leaving America. Knowing that, they played for time... and I left without getting a cent. | high9459.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "was started half a century ago"
},
"options": [
"was started half a century ago",
"was produced by Hillary Clinton",
"is broadcast across the US every week",
"is a TV show based on Guinness records"
],
"question... | Question: Which program is in Guinness World Records as the world's longest running TV quiz show? Answer: "It's Academic."
"It's Academic" is a Saturday morning program for high school students. The show has been broadcast in the Washington area for fifty years. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton competed on the show when she was a teenager. Teams from local schools are questioned about subjects like history, literature, math, science, religion, politics and sports.
Sophie was a TV producer in the 1950s. She started "It's Academic" after local school officials asked her to create a program that showed outstanding students.
The show's host, 84-year-old Mac McGarry, who has hosted "It's Academic" since the beginning, says, "When we first started, the young people from various countries were not evident so much. Now, each program presents young people from all over the world, at least descendants from people all over the world."
Mac McGarry said, "Every time I look up, I see people who are just seventeen years old. And I think, 'Well, _ . They are full of enthusiasm. I really have to become more active to keep up with them.'" More than 20,000 students have appeared on the show. Mac McGarry has asked more than 200,000 questions and gotten more than a few funny answers.
Kelly Reeder led the team from Rockville High School in Maryland last year. Her school has won the championship on "It's Academic" several times. She says, "We have put in a lot of effort over the years. It's a really huge honor to end up on the A Team. My friends who are on 'It's Academic' think it's cool that I'm the captain of the A Team, but my friends who are not on 'It's Academic' think it's kind of funny." | high13542.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "5"
},
"options": [
"4",
"5",
"6",
"7"
],
"question": "How many centenarians are mentioned in this passage?",
"question_type": null
},
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "old ... | Famous centenarians still active in arts, science are in no mood to retire. "Those who stand still, die," is one of Oliveira's favorite phrases. He knows from experience what it means, as the Portuguese film director has reached the age of 102 and is still active in his profession. Every year, Oliveira shoots a film and is currently working on his next project. "You have to work, work, work in order to forget that death is not far away," he said. When asked about his age, Oliveira said with some humility: "It's down to mother nature. It gave to me what it took from others."
Being both mentally and physically fit in old age is partly a matter of luck, but it also has something to do with character. Not every white-haired person is wise and social skills, openness and the ability to train the brain are essential for senior citizens.
Along with the architect Oscar Niemeyer (103), Nobel laureate Montalcini (101) and director Kurt Maetzig (100), Oliveira is one of those people of whom it would be very wrong to think as members of a listless elderly generation.
Another master in his profession is the architect Oscar Niemeyer. The 103-year-old Brazilian is best known for his futuristic-looking buildings in Brasilia, but he also speaks out on behalf of the poor. "The role of the architect is to struggle for a better world where we can develop a form of architecture that serves everyone and not just a privileged few," said Niemeyer recently. He spends almost every day working in his office in Copacabana, and even when he falls ill he keeps working on ideas: After a gallbladder operation he composed a samba tune in the clinic.
Another man who could sing a song about age is 107-year-old Heesters. The Dutch-born opera singer spent most of his life performing in Germany, where he still works. Recently Heesters said: "I want to be at least 108-years-old." He also plans to keep performing. " _ " Heesters has not given up trying to add to his tally of awards and is looking for a "good stage role".
Italian scientist Rita Levi-Montalcini, who is 101-year-old and is still active in medical science, has described the force that keeps driving her on: "Progress is created through imperfection." In 1986 she and her lab colleague were awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for their work on nerve growth factor. She's convinced that humans grow on challenges.
With so many brilliant examples given, we can see clearly that age is no barrier to some high achievers. | high591.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "the school is afraid of losing financial support"
},
"options": [
"the school committee pays no attention to them",
"the school is afraid of losing financial support",
"the students are not interested in both of them",
... | Music died here last spring, or rather, it was killed by members of the school committee who ignored the importance of music and drama as part of the high-school curriculum.
The committee decided that teaching students how to take a standardized test is more important than a curriculum in which students can explore their interests in the arts as well as academics. Because the school system is running out of funding, it needs to make sure that students pass the mastery test or even more money will be lost. If students fail the state standardized test, it is not the fault of drama and music classes-- they are failing because the " academic" classes are not sufficient.
It is painful to think of how many students will be discouraged from singing, acting, and playing instruments because school programs are no longer offered. Many families cannot afford private music lessons, and many potential musicians and artists may not find their calling if they are not exposed to it in school. The fact that the school committee thinks the arts are not worth the investment will certainly make some students believe the arts are not worth their time or support and the cycle will continue.
Teaching for a test does not shape students into complete, well rounded people. It blocks the natural sense to create and express feelings through art-- there is more to life than the analytical thinking that math and English provide. What happens after a test? Sure, a student might graduate, but they will have limited knowledge -- certainly not a good preparation for the real world. | high1005.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "It mainly tells us about Gorge Washington Carver, a great chemurgist."
},
"options": [
"It mainly tells us about Gorge Washington Carver, a great chemurgist.",
"It mainly tells us about chemurgy.",
"It mainly tells us about t... | George Washington Carver showed that plant life was more than just food for animals and humans. Carver's first step was to analyze plant parts to find out what they were made of. He then combined these simpler isolated substances with other substances to create new products.
The branch of chemistry that studies and finds ways to use raw materials from farm products to make industrial products is called chemurgy. Carver was one of the first and greatest chemurgists of all time. Today the science of chemurgy is better known as the science of synthetics . Each day people depend on and use synthetics made from raw materials. All his life Carver battled against the disposal of waste materials, and warned of the growing need to develop substitutes for the natural substances being used up by humans.
Carver never cared about getting credit for the new products he created. He never tried to patent his discoveries or get wealthy from them. He turned down many offers to leave Tuskegee Institute to become a scientist in private industry. Thomas Edison, inventor of the electric light, offered him a laboratory in Detroit to carry out food research. When the United States government made him a collaborator in the Mycology and Plant Disease Survey of the Department of Agriculture, he accepted the position with the understanding that he wouldn't leave Tuskegee. An authority on plant disease--especially of the fungus variety--Carver sent hundreds of specimens to the United States Department of Agriculture. At the peak of his career, Carver's fame and influence were known on every continent. | high7474.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "education takes many ways"
},
"options": [
"African children are very poor",
"some children are unlucky",
"education takes many ways",
"schools are of great importance"
],
"question": "The writer takes the Afric... | Imagine a boy from a small village in East Africa, He from a very early age has been looking after cattle. At twelve years old he knows more about cattle than most of you. However, he has never been to school. Has this boy ever had any education?
Education is discovering about ourselves and about the people and things around us. All the people who care about us -- our parents, brothers, sisters, friends -- are our teachers. In fact, we learn something from everyone we meet. We start learning on the day we are born, not on the first day" we go to school. Every day we have new experiences, like finding a bird's nest, discovering a new street in our neighborhood, making friends with someone we didn't like before. New experiences are even more fun when we share them with other people.
Encouragement from the people around us enables us to explore things as much as possible. As we grow up, we begin to find out what we are capable of doing. You may be good at cooking, or singing or playing football. You find this out by doing these things. Just thinking about cooking doesn't tell you if you are good at it.
We learn so much just living from day to day. So why is school important? Of course you can learn some things better at home than at school, like how to do the shopping, and how to help old or disabled people who can' t do everything for themselves. At school, teachers help us to read and write. With their guidance, we begin to see things in different ways. | high15133.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "is full of pressures and therefore bad for people's health"
},
"options": [
"is highly developed and beneficial to people",
"is a great advance in human history",
"is full of pressures and therefore bad for people's health",
... | In the Caucasus Mountains of Russia, nearly fifty out of every one hundred thousand people live to celebrate their hundredth birthday, and many don't stop at 100! By comparison, in America only three in one hundred thousand people reach 100. But these Russian old people aren't alone. The Pakistanis, who live in the Himalaya Mountains and the Ecuadorans of the Andes Mountains , seem to share the secret of long life, too. These people remain healthy in body and spirit in spite of the passage of time. While many persons in industrial societies become weak and ill in their 60s and 70s, some Caucasians, aged 110 to 140, work in the fields beside their great grandchildren. Even the idea of aging is foreign to them. When asked, "at what age does youth end?" most of these old people had no answer. Several replied, "well perhaps at the age of 80," and the very youngest estimate was at the age of 60.
What accounts for this ability to survive to such an old age, and to survive so well? First of all, hard physical work is a way of life for all these long - lived people. They begin their long days of physical labor as children and never seem to stop.
All these people get healthful rewards from the environment in which they work. They all come from mountainous regions. This reduced - oxygen environment makes the heart and blood vessel system stronger.
Another factor that may contribute to the good health of these people is their isolation. To a great extent, they are separated from the pressures and worries of industrial society. Inherited factors also play some role.
It is clear that isolation from urban pressures and pollution, clean mountain air, daily hard work, moderate diets, good genes, and a youthful approach to life all contribute to the health and long life of all these people. | high21296.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Shifting their centre of mass."
},
"options": [
"Flapping both wings constantly.",
"Flying slowly and stably.",
"Choosing suitable positions.",
"Shifting their centre of mass."
],
"question": "What's the key fac... | It is an aerial performance far beyond the capabilities of even the most complex modern aircraft: landing upside down on a ceiling. But it is routine business for bats, and now scientists have learned precisely how they do it.
Brown University scientists observed two species: Seba's short-tailed bat and the lesser dog-faced fruit bat. They tracked their motions using three high-speed video cameras taking images at 1,000 frames per second, and studied weight distribution in the bats' body and wings. They found that by flapping both wings while folding one of them just a bit toward their body, a bat can shift its centre of mass to perform a midair flip in order to land on a ceiling.
"Flying animals all move skillfully constantly as they fly through a three-dimensional environment," Brown biology and engineering professor Sharon Swartz said. "Bats employ this specific technique every time they land, because for a bat, landing requires reorienting from head forward, back up, belly down, to head down, toes up."
When approaching their touchdown spot, bats are not flying very quickly, making it difficult to gather the type of aerodynamic forces produced by pushing against the air that could help position them for an upside-down landing. But their heavy wings enable them instead to create inertial forces to adjust themselves in midair.
Swartz said bats, as nocturnal animals, are generally not fully appreciated as skilled pilots. "People have many opportunities to observe birds and insects flying, but the bat world is hidden in the night. The more we observe flight behavior in bats, the more we are impressed," Swartz said. | high19709.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Creative"
},
"options": [
"Kind-hearted",
"Curious",
"Creative",
"Mean"
],
"question": "Which of the following words best describes the young man in the story?",
"question_type": null
},
{
"answer": ... | Tomorrow was his girlfriend's birthday and the young man was having a difficult time deciding on a present for her. She already had more clothes than she knew what to do with them, so he couldn't get any kind of apparel. She never ate sweets, so candy was out of the question. What then? He had a very special reason for wanting to impress her with just the right gift,for tomorrow he was going to make an offer of marriage to her. He finally decided on perfume . All girls liked perfume. That raised another problem, however. What kind did she prefer? He couldn't ask her because that would ruin the surprise.
At last the young man hit upon a brilliant idea. That afternoon, pretending to take his girlfriend's fox terrier ,Fritz, for a walk, the young man and the dog went directly to the perfume counter of the town's biggest department store. Good! There was a large array of perfume. He beckoned a clerk, asking her to open a large number of bottles and wave the stoppers under the dog's nose. Nestled in the young man's arms, the terrier began to be restless and bored as this seemingly meaningless game went on. Then Fritz suddenly became _ wiggling in the young man's arms and barking excitedly, as the clerk waved one stopper under its nose.
"I'll take that one," said the young man to the clerk. The price was high, but it was worth it, he thought.
" My favorite perfume!" said the delighted girl the next evening as she unwrapped the package. " How did you know?" she asked, dabbing some perfume behind each ear.
" Intuition , I guess."said the young man, deciding that it wasn't exactly wrong to tell a lie at that time. One day, after they were married, he would admit that his intuition had really been the little dog named Fritz. | high3612.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "some hobbies don't cost anything"
},
"options": [
"all hobbies are very expensive",
"some hobbies don't cost anything",
"hobbies are worthless",
"hobbies are valuable to everybody"
],
"question": "In the writer'... | From Monday until Friday most people are busy working or studying, but in the evenings and on weekends they are free to relax and enjoy themselves. Some watch TV or go to the movies; others take part in sports. It depends on _ interests. There are many different ways to spend our spare time.
Almost everyone has some kinds of hobbies. It may be anything from collecting stamps to making model airplanes. Some hobbies are very expensive, but others don't cost anything at all. Some collections are worth a lot of money; others are valuable only to their owners.
I know a man who has a coin collection worth several thousand dollars. A short time ago he bought a rare fifty-cent piece worth $250! He was very happy about his buying and thought the price was reasonable . On the other hand, my youngest brother collects matchboxes. He has almost 600 of them but I doubt if they are worth any money. However, to my brother they are very valuable. Nothing makes him happier than to find a new matchbox for his collection.
That's what a hobby means, I guess. It is something we like to do in our spare time simply for the fun of it. The value in dollars is not important, but the pleasure it gives us is. | high11355.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "It has a history of over 30 years."
},
"options": [
"It has a history of over 30 years.",
"It has built up a large pen market.",
"It has its name printed on each pen.",
"It charges a low price for extra service."
],... | SmartWR PENS is your No. 1 source for promotional pens, advertising pens, and logo pens. We have been in business since 1976, so you can be confident that you're dealing with a trusted name in the industry.
Everyone loves a free pen, and by providing your customers with a pen featuring your company name, logo, or message, you can be sure that your company name will always be on their mind! Our custom imprinting service comes at no extra charge, so the price you see is the price you pay for the personalized pens.
Do you need pens fast? In a RUSH for trade shows or a company events? Try our 48 hour promotional pens rush service free of charge. We present you with many styles and types of printed pen. Let us know which promotional pen you like and within 48 hours you will have the pens.
Want to use the traditional method of promotional pens to reach out to customers, but don't want to cause more damage to the environment? SmartWR PENS now offers eco-friendly advertising pens to suit any company's promotional needs. SmartWR PENS can confidently offer products which are made from eco-friendly materials, including paper, cardboard, cornstarch, pine, bamboo and even recycled plastic water bottles. SmartWR PENS offers a selection of eco-friendly retractable and stick-type ballpoint pens, mechanical pencils and highlighters, all for less than $2.00 each. Imprinting of logos and company information is available in sixteen different color1s. Each pen has the universal recycling symbol printed on it, showing clients the company's commitment to the environment.
Feel free to call us at 8447367 or email us info@SmartWRPENS.com if you have any questions. | high17724.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "When it is a fine day"
},
"options": [
"When it is cloudy",
"When it is a fine day",
"When there is no wind",
"When there is a storm"
],
"question": "When does the sea look beautiful?",
"question_type": "fac... | The sea is very big. When you look at the map of the world, you will find there is more water than land. The sea covers three quarters of the world. It looks very pretty when the sun is shining on it. It can be very rough when there is a big wind.
The sea is also very deep in some places. Some parts of the sea are very shallow. But in some places the depth of the sea is very great. There is one spot, near Japan, where the sea is nearly 11 kilometers deep! The highest mountain in the world is about 9 kilometers high. If that mountain were put into the sea at that place, there would be 2 kilometers of water above it!
The sea is salty. Rivers, which flow into the sea, carry salt from the land into the sea. Some parts of the sea are more salty than other parts. There is one sea, called the Dead Sea, which is very salty. It is so salty that swimmers can't sink! Fish can't live in the Dead Sea!
The sea can be very cold. Divers, who go deep down in the sea, know this. On the top the water may be warm. When the diver goes downwards, the sea becomes colder and colder. Another thing happens. When the diver goes deeper, the water above presses down on him. It squeezes him. Then the diver has to wear clothes made of metal. But he cannot go very deep. Some people who wanted to go very deep used a very strong diving ship! They went down to a depth of eleven kilometers. | high20188.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "He felt ashamed to ask for forgiveness."
},
"options": [
"He doubted if his parents still lived in that house.",
"He had much news to tell his parents.",
"He felt ashamed to ask for forgiveness.",
"He was longing to ret... | The dirty, homeless man sat on the pavement, staring at the stones. He thought back more than twenty years to when he was a boy living in a small red brick house on this very street. He recalled the flower garden, the swing his dad made, and the bike he had saved up for months to buy.
_ , for the brightness of those pictures hurt him, and his memory traveled on another ten years. He had a job by then, plenty of friends and started to come home less. He did not really want to remember those years, nor the day when, because of debts, he had gone home planning to ask for money. He felt embarrassed, but he knew exactly where his dad kept the money. When his parents stepped out of the room, he took what he wanted and left.
That was the last time he had seen them. Ashamed, he went abroad, and his parents knew nothing about the years of wandering or time in prison. But locked in his cell he often thought of home. Once free, he would love to see his parents again, if they were still alive, and still wanted to see him.
When his prison time was up, he found a job, but couldn't settle. Something was drawing him home. He did not want to arrive penniless, so he hitchhiked most of the long journey back. But less than a mile from his destination he started to feel sick with doubt. Could they ever accept this man who had so bitterly disappointed them?
He spent most of that day sitting under a tree. That evening he posted a letter which, although short, had taken him hours to write. It ended with:
I know it is unreasonable of me to suppose you want to see me ... so it's up to you. I'll come early Thursday morning. If you want me home, hang a white handkerchief in the window of my old bedroom. If it's there, I'll come in; if not, I'll wave good-bye and go.
And now it was Thursday morning and he was sitting on the pavement at the end of the street. Finally he got up and walked slowly toward the old house. He drew a long breath and looked.
His parents were taking no risks. _
The man threw his head back, gave a cry of relief and ran straight through the open front door. | high5263.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "very difficult"
},
"options": [
"an easy thing",
"to make a face",
"to be humorous",
"very difficult"
],
"question": "According to the author, showing a sincere smile is _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_ques... | I was an introvert by nature. For as long as I remember, showing a sincere smile when meeting someone had never been easy. When meeting people, instead of being excited, I often felt upset or self-disturbed.
But we all know having friends is important. The more friends you have, the more opportunities you get, no matter whether it's a job opportunity, a romantic relationship, or a business partner. So a smile is important to making others feel comfortable. Mother Teresa said, "Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person and a beautiful thing."
The smile I'm talking about is not to make a face to someone. I'm talking about those wide smiles you make when meeting old friends. So I've discovered a trick. I call this technique "Oh, it's Jamie!" When I meet someone, I imagine him as an old friend of mine called Jamie. He was my first friend when we were still kids. It's no secret why my smile is as wide as I can possibly make.
And the best part, whenever you're friendly to others, they are friendly in return. You're not hearing this from me. A research which was done early by scientists actually backs this claim. So do remember to give it a try. | high18417.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "three months"
},
"options": [
"one month",
"two months",
"three months",
"four months"
],
"question": ". In Northern Norway, the tourist season may last _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
... | Winter is a very special time in Northern Norway. Winter also means skiing, and Narvik can offer some of the best skiing in Norway. The view and light change frequently and no two days are the same. For many people, the northern lights are an unforgettable sight, and in Narvik the sky is especially clear and great for watching at night.
The tourist season lasts from February to April, although May can be fascinating too, often with fantastic dry snow and an unbelievable light lasting well into the evening.
Ski hire
It is possible for adults and children to hire skiing equipment such as snowboards. All equipment is prepared for us. If you would like to book your equipment, please email Narvikfjellet.
Cross-country skiing
There are 12 kilometers of cross country ski run in Narvik. You need to bring your own skis as there is no cross-country hire. However, equipment can be bought at local sports shops in and around Narvik.
Off-piste skiing
In order to explore Narvik's off-piste opportunities you need to know the dangers when choosing routes. It is suggested that you bring necessary equipment such as a shovel and a GPS locator. Ask Narvikfjellet for an experienced guide. With a guide you can explore Narvik's special off-piste areas in a safe manner.
Sometimes it is nice to do something different and not everybody enjoys skiing. Then you can go horse-riding, or visit the local museums.
Price examples for the 2013--2014 season
Time Children(8-15 years old) Adults
1 day NOK 230 NOK 325
3 days NOK 590 NOK 835
5 days NOK 815 NOK 1,170
7 days NOK 970 NOK 1,375
Children 0-7 years can enjoy the service for free | high5505.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "plan for a travel"
},
"options": [
"introduction to Taoism",
"plan for a travel",
"lecture on Chinese culture",
"guidebook for foreigners"
],
"question": "The text is a(n) _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_q... | In this adventure tour .you will visit the China's four Taoism Mountains!.
Including: Guangzhou, Chengdu . Wuhan & Nanchang
Day l : Guangzhou
Take a bus to Mt. Luofu and visit the mountain. including the Chong Xu Guan. the Zhu Ming Cave. the Huang Long Guan. Jiu Tian Guan and Shu Miu Guan.
-Mt. Luofu: Luofu Mountain, one of the top ten most famous mountains of China ,is situated to the northwest of Boluo County . Guangdong Province. The mountain is actually part of a range of 432 peaks .and with over 900 waterfalls. 18 caves.and 72 cliffs.
Day 2 : Chengdu .
Take a morning flight from Guangzhou to Chengdu .and visit Mt. Qingcheng . including the Jian Fu Gong. Chauy; Dao Guan . Tian Shi Cave . Shang qin Gong. etc. in the late afternoon, drive back to Chengdu.
-Mt. Qingcheng : Located east to Chengdu and Dujiangyan, Mt. Qingcheng is one of the most famous Taoist holy lands in China and listed together with the neighboring; Dujiangyan as the World Heritage site. Mt. Qingcheng abounds with historic sites and cultural relics as well as natural beauties.
Day 3 : Wuhan
Take a morning flight from Chengdu to Wuhan to visit Mt. Wudang , including Zi Xia. Gong .Tai He Gong ,and the Colden Temple.
-Mt. Wudang : The Wudang Mountains are a small mountain range in Hubei Province of China .just to the south of the manufacturing; city of Shiyan. in years past ,the mountains of Wu- dang .were known as an academic centre for the research, teaching and practice of meditation. Chinese martial arts .traditional Chinese medicine .Taoist agriculture practices and related arts.
Day 4 : Yingtan
Take a morning flight from Wuhan to Nanchang to visit Yingtan. Visit Mt. Longhu .including the Tian Shi Fu.Shang Qin Gong and take a bamboo raft down the Luxi river to enjoy thepretty scenery of the Xian Shui Yan.
-Mt. Longhu: Originally called" Yunjin Mountain" . Longhushan Mountain is located in Yingtan City of Jiangxi Province. It is the birthplace of Chinese Taoism. | high18371.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Coursera, one of the two providers, leads the online courses in the US."
},
"options": [
"Coursera, one of the two providers, leads the online courses in the US.",
"Economics is the most popular subject among these online courses."... | Eleven top universities are joining the Open University to launch free Internet courses. King's College London, along with the Universities of Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, East Anglia, Exeter, Lancaster, Leeds, Southampton, St Andrews and Warwick, has partnered with FutureLearn, a company set up by the Open University that will offer free and non-credit bearing courses to Internet-users around the world.
The courses are modeled on the US phenomenon "Massive open online courses" ( Moocs ), which have attracted millions of users around the world and are especially popular in emerging economies.
FutureLearn will improve UK institutions for international students, said Prof Martin Bean, voice-chancellor of the Open University. "At the moment, foreign students' _ of UK Universities is: wonderful history, great tradition, really good teaching, but a bit boring."
Leeds University says the partnership will benefit students studying on campus. "Students will have access to a rich set of resources from both Leeds and our partners. They can also broaden their education beyond their main subject areas."
The UK higher education industry stands among the top five export earners for Britain Moocs have grown rapidly in the US over the past year, with two providers leading the field. Coursera offers courses from 33 Universities, including Princeton, Brown, Columbia and Duke, and has reached more than 1.7 million users, EdX, a nonprofit start-up from Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology courses this autumn.
Simon Nelson, one of the key architects of BBC Online, will head FutureLearn as launch CEO. "It's really meaningful for these universities to come together -we'll punch much harder collectively than any other university will individually," he said.
Partner Institutions will be responsible for their own content while the OU, which has been providing distance-learning courses since 1971, will assist with course delivery and infrastructure. Details of further universities will be revealed next year, as will the courses on offer. | high3174.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Disdainful ."
},
"options": [
"Excited.",
"Disappointed.",
"Appreciative.",
"Disdainful ."
],
"question": "What's the author's attitude toward the new teacher on the first day?",
"question_type": null
},... | The first day my new teacher walked into our school in Spanish Harlem, I burst out laughing. Ron Clark was a young white guy from North Carolina who talked with a funny Southern accent . He said he used to be a singing waiter. I thought, who is this guy? He's a complete joke.
It was 1999 and I was in the fifth grade at New York City's P.S. 83. _ . I'd always been a troublemaker. I'd get yelled at, and then the teachers would give up on me. I thought that's what would happen with Ron Clark.
I was wrong. That first week, I kept mocking him. He pulled me out to the hallway and said I'd better shape up. "Tamara," he said, "you're a smart kid. You can do better."
He told me I was a natural leader and that I'd go far in life if I started applying myself. I was mad at first, but then something happened: I began to respect him. There were 29 students in our class, and it didn't take long for us to realize that Ron Clark was no ordinary teacher.
He was only 27 and had the most unusual way of teaching. To help us learn the states and capitals, he changed the lyrics of a popular rap hit called "Thong Song" and had us sing and dance with him. When we read the Harry Potter books, he decorated our classroom like Hogwarts. And during the Presidential election, he put campaign posters on the walls and covered the room with 5,000 red, white and blue stars. | high20836.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "to let people know more about goats"
},
"options": [
"to tell people how to raise goats",
"to let people know more about goats",
"to explain how goats are domesticated",
"to describe goats of different uses"
],
... | Goats are amazing animals. They can survive just about anywhere. Altogether there are nine species of goats in the world.
Goats have more uses than you could ever imagine. Goat's meat can be eaten and goat's milk is becoming popular as a healthy choice to drink milk. Goat's milk is easier to take in than cow's milk and it is called universal milk as it can be used to bottle-feed most animals. In nutrition, it is also good. Goat's skins are still used today to make gloves and other items of clothing. The initial reasons for domesticating goats were to get goat's hair, meat and milk. Goat's skins were used up until the Middle Ages for making bottles to hold water and wine for people who were traveling or camping.
Just like sheep, goats are considered to be the first domesticated animal. The domestication process began over 10,000 years ago in a North Iranian town. A lot of people keep goats as pets nowadays.
Goats are easily trained and you can teach them to pull carts and walk on ropes. Goats are also known for escaping their pens . If you have unsecured fencing, your goats will be interested in it and test it out and soon you will know where the openings are. Goats are also widely known for their ability to climb trees, although the tree generally has to be at a slight angle .
If goats are raised correctly and trained from an early age, they never develop any bad habits. Goats will attack each other. However, if they're corrected from an early age they never attack humans or other animals. | high11433.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Their children are losing their identity."
},
"options": [
"They have lost their identity.",
"Their children are losing their identity.",
"Their children speak different languages.",
"They cannot speak their native lang... | Language is a way to communicate with each other. We started to learn language when we were born. However, people are used to speaking their native language, so immigrants are having many problems between the first generation and the second generation because they don't have the same native language. Also, the second generation is losing their identity. Especially in America, there are many immigrants that came from different countries to succeed in the States. Because they suffer in lots of areas such as getting a job and trying to speak English, they want their children to speak English, not only at school, but also at home in order to be more successful. Because of this situation, their children are losing their identity and, even more, they are ignoring their parents whose English is not very good.
I think most immigrants are trying to preserve their native language in their new country, but this doesn't help very much in getting a good job. My aunt taught Korean to her children not to help hem succeed in the U.S. she did so, hopefully, to help them establish a Korean identity. Though the second generation was born in the new country, they often get confused about their identity because they look different from others, and also, if they visit their parents' country, they will probably feel different from other people there too. My cousins told me that when they visited Korea a few years ago, they felt different from other Koreans. They could even feel it just strolling around the street because they wore different clothes and walked differently.
We must realize that language is important and valuable for many reasons. Immigrants should make an effort not to be ignored by their children understand their background by teaching them the parents' language. This is very important, not only for the harmony of the family, but also in helping the second generation establish their identity. | high7312.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Send an e-mail to info@fusefitness.com."
},
"options": [
"Call (760) 603-4000",
"Call (760) 434-7704",
"Visit",
"Send an e-mail to info@fusefitness.com."
],
"question": "How should you contact Fuse Fitness about... | Part-time Front Desk Position
Fuse Fitness is looking for a part-time front desk receptionist at our new Carlsbad location.
Job duties include:
l Welcoming and greeting members;
l Answering phone calls;
l Signing up new members;
l Cleaning and performing other various duties.
You should have great communication skills and be dependable. More importantly, you should have a positive spirit in stressful situations. You are expected to work five days a week (including weekends).
Tel: (760) 434-7704
E-mail: info@fusefitness.com
Apply in person at: 2502 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92008
_
The first impression you make in a job interview is very important. The first judgment an interviewer makes is based on how you look and what you are wearing. That's why it's always important to dress professionally for a job interview, even if the work environment is casual.
l Before you even think about going to an interview, make sure you have suitable interview clothes and that everything fits correctly.
l Get you clothes ready the night before, so you don't have to spend time getting them ready on the day of the interview.
l Polish your shoes.
l Bring a breath mint and use it before you enter the building.
For more information:
Visit:
Or Tel: (800) 421-7250 or (760) 603-4000 Carlsbad, California | high15655.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"
},
"options": [
"where there is a will, there is a way",
"all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy",
"hard work can make up for lack of intelligence",
"health is over wealth... | A young man approached the foreman of a logging crew and asked for a job. "That depends," replied the foreman. "Let's see you fell this tree." The young man stepped forward and skillfully felled a great tree. Impressed, the foreman said, "You can start Monday."
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday went by -- and on Thursday afternoon the foreman approached the young man and said, "You can pick up your wages on the way out today." Shocked, the young man replied, "I thought you would pay me on Friday."
"Normally we do," said the foreman. "But we're letting you go today because you've fallen behind. Our daily felling charts show that you've dropped from first place on Monday to the last place today."
"But I'm quite hardworking," the young man disagreed. "I am the first to arrive and the last to leave and even have worked through my coffee breaks!"
The foreman thought for a minute and then asked "Have you sharpened your axe?"
The young man replied, "No, sir. I've been working too hard to take time for that!"
Our lives are like that. We sometimes get so busy that we don't take time to "sharpen" the axe. In today's world it seems that everyone is busier than ever, but less happy than ever. Why is that? Could it be that we have forgotten how to stay sharp?
There's nothing wrong with hard work. But we shouldn't get so busy that we ignore the truly important things in life. We all need time to relax, to think, to learn and to grow. If we don't take time to sharpen the axe, we will become dull and lose our effectiveness. | high8021.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "He can express his feelings by body language."
},
"options": [
"He can use written language indirectly to express them.",
"He can directly speak out loudly.",
"He can take different steps depending on the facts.",
"He c... | Most of the females think that they understand their male mate very well when in fact it is not. He is just speaking with you and you are happy. Try to look behind his words and sneak into his mind. What would you find out if he is talking loving words in a boring tone? What if you are hugging him and he wants to sound to be uninterested. These are alarming situations and going to be serious if you do not take it into account. Men are more experienced to hide what they have in their minds. _
Male use their body language to express what they feel. They do not want to express in words. They just indicate and deliver signals to let you know whether they are interested, annoyed, bored,excited, happy or sad. When you are worried what to do when accepting a proposal from a man,just start observing his body language. This way would tell you a lot about his feelings and behavior. Men usually have reserved nature and do not want to expose their feelings. Male body would attract you as a man tends to face _ on the front end. Keep it remember that men usually upset more than women at last, so do not interpret it for something else.
Here we develop some tips for interested women to interpret or decode male body language. These tips are surely going to help you find the perfect match for you by understanding the male body language. Attention:A male tends to look leading male; Confident body language; Active listening; Eye Catching and Entering the personal bubble. | high13224.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "in the middle of England"
},
"options": [
"a church",
"in the middle of England",
"a very large city",
"a small village"
],
"question": "Stratfordis _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"... | Last year we visited prefix = st1 /Stratford, the place where Shakespeare was born on the 23rd of April, 1564.
Stratford is a very interesting town, right in the center of England. The countryside aroundStratfordis pleasant, with its beautiful woods, green fields and quiet rivers.
The first place we visited was the house in the center of Stratfordwhere Shakespeare was born. We saw the small desk that Shakespeare sat at when he went to school. One of the things we liked best was the garden behind the house, because we could see there many of the flowers, trees and plants that Shakespeare wrote about in his plays.
After we had visited Shakespeare's birthplace, we went to see the church where he was buried.
We had lunch in a very old hotel that was probably there in Shakespeare's time. Every room of the hotel had the name of one of Shakespeare's plays on the door--the "Hamlet" room, the "Romeo and Juliet" room, and so on.
After lunch we walked across the fields to the old cottage, about a mile out of Stratford, where Shakespeare spent most of his married life. The cottage is just as it was in Shakespeare's day. We saw the chairs where Shakespeare perhaps sat and thought about ideas for new plays, and we saw the plates from which he probably ate his dinner.
When we got back to our hotel that evening, we were tired, but we had enjoyed a wonderful day. | high18359.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Just to find scientific proof for a previous guess."
},
"options": [
"To find how better the bilingual students can react to sound than other students.",
"Just to find scientific proof for a previous guess.",
"To show the stu... | Learning a second language can improve brain power, scientists believe. US researchers from Northwestern University say bilingualism is a form of brain training -- a mental "work out" that adjusts the mind finely.
Speaking two languages well affects the brain and changes how the nervous system reacts to sound, lab tests showed. Experts say the experiment performed by the National Academy of Sciences provides "biological" evidence of this.
In an attempt to prove the guess that speaking two languages is good for one's mind, the team monitored how the brain of 48 healthy student volunteers reacted to different sounds. Twenty three of these volunteers were bilingual.
The scientists used special equipment to trace the pattern of brainwaves. Under quiet, laboratory conditions, the bilingual students responded in a similar way to the English-only-speaking students, who formed the control group. But the bilingual group were far superior at processing sounds even when there were a lot of people talking in the room. They were better able to focus on to the important information -- the speaker's voice -- and block out other _ noises.
Prof Nina Kraus, who led the research, said: "The bilingual's better experience with sound results in a hearing system that is highly efficient, flexible and focused in its automatic sound processing, especially in challenging or novel listening conditions."
Co-author Viorica Marian said: "People do crossword puzzles and other activities to keep their minds sharp. But the advantages we've discovered in double language speakers come automatically simply from knowing and using two languages.''
Musicians appear to gain a similar benefit when rehearsing , say the researchers. According to some theories, being bilingual might help avoid dementia . | high10705.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "He didn't want to be late."
},
"options": [
"He didn't want to be late.",
"He went crazy because of the bad weather.",
"He thought the fog was not serious.",
"He had rich experience."
],
"question": "Why didn't ... | Just a few hours ago,the Italian ship Andrea Doria was sailing through thick fog toward the city of New York. Captain Piero Calamai kept watch. He knew that many other ships were nearby. He should have slowed down because of the fog but he decided not to. He wanted to arrive on time the next morning.
At about 11:00 PM,another ship,the Stockholm,suddenly hit the Andrea Doria. It made a huge hole in the Italian ship. Some people were badly hurt. Others fell into the sea. But one girl was saved by the Stockholm.
Linda Morgan was fourteen. She lived in Spain with her mother and her little sister. She was going to visit her father in New York. She was excited about seeing her father.
Linda had loved the trip. She wanted to have dinner with the captain on the last night at sea. The captain did not sit at his table that night,though. He was busy guiding the ship through the fog. Linda did not get to talk to him.
When Linda went to bed,everything seemed fine. Her mother turned off the lights. Linda talked to her little sister. She thought about seeing her father the next morning.
What happened next was a terrible surprise. Linda woke up not knowing where she was. She was not in her bed. When she called to her family,no one answered. Both her knees were broken.
Linda had been saved by an amazing accident. When the Stockholm made a hole in the side of the Andrea Doria,it lifted Linda out of her bed. She landed on the deck of the Stockholm instead of falling into the ocean. A sailor heard her cries and found her.
Right now,the girl is in the hospital. She is expected to get better. Her father is at her side,glad that his little girl was saved. The Andrea Doria lies under the waves at the bottom of the sea. | high2242.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "fight for women's rights"
},
"options": [
"fight against the government",
"fight for women's rights",
"take part in political life",
"get support from the government"
],
"question": "Betty led a huge demonstrati... | Betty Friedan, born in 1921 in Peoria, Illinois, attended Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. She finished her studies in psychology in 1942. After college she attended the University of California at Berkeley to continue her studies. Later, she moved to New York City and worked as a reporter and editor for labor union newspapers.
In 1947, Betty married Carl Friedan. They had a child, the first of three. When Betty Friedan became pregnant for the second time, she was dismissed from her job at the newspaper. After that she worked as an independent reporter for magazines. But her editors often rejected her attempts to write about subjects outside the traditional interests of w omen.
In 1966, Betty Friedan helped found NOW, the National Organization for Women. She served as its first president. She led campaigns to end unfair treatment of women seeking jobs. She wanted women to take part in social and political change. Betty Friedan led a huge demonstration in New York City for women's rights. Demonstrations were also held in other cities.
In 1981, Betty Friedan wrote a book called "The Second Stage" about the condition of the women's movement. Friedan wrote that the time for huge demonstrations and other such events had passed. She urged the movement to try to increase its influence on American political life. Some younger members of the movement criticized her as too conservative.
Betty Friedan died on February 4, 2006. She was considered the mother of modern women's liberation movement. Betty Friedan once told a television reporter how she wanted to be remembered: "She helps make women feel better about being women." | high4633.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "What they wrote about."
},
"options": [
"When they wrote.",
"Where they wrote.",
"What they wrote about.",
"How often they wrote."
],
"question": "What was the difference between the two groups of participants i... | For anyone still doubting the belief that our emotions impact our physical health, a new study from New Zealand should be able to settle the matter. It reports that the physical wounds of healthy seniors healed more quickly if they wrote about their most upsetting experiences.
This confirms the results of a 2010 study, and extends those findings to cover older adults-a group that is likely to suffer wounds (as from surgery), and one with less access to other ways of lowering tension (such as exercise).
Reported in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, a research team led by the University of Auckland's Elizabeth Broadbent made a study featuring 50 healthy adults ranging in age from 64 to 97. They were assigned to write for 20 minutes per day for three consecutive days.
Half were asked to write about the most upsetting experience in their life, describing their deepest thoughts, feelings, and emotions about the events, ideally not previously shared with others. The others were asked to write about their daily activities without mentioning emotions, opinions or beliefs.
Two weeks after the third day of writing, all participants received a standard 4mm skin biopsy on their inner arm. The very tiny wounds caused by the biopsy were photographed regularly over the following days to determine the rate at which they healed.
On the 11th day after the biopsy, the wounds completely healed on 76.2 percent of those who had done the expressive writing. That was true of only 42.1 percent of those who had written about everyday activities.
"The biological and psychological mechanisms behind this effect remain unclear," the researchers wrote, noting that those who had done the expressive writing did not report lower stress levels or fewer depressive symptoms than the others in the control group. Even if they weren't consciously aware of feeling more relaxed or positive, the expressive writing appeared to have caused some sort of bodily reaction-probably involving their immune systems-that hastened their recovery. | high19047.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "A trip to Portugal is relatively cheap."
},
"options": [
"Lisbon is a small town in Portugal.",
"A trip to Portugal is relatively cheap.",
"The Hotel Teatro is in the suburbs of Lisbon.",
"Most houses in Portugal date b... | If you need to relax and want to head overseas, you can think of these four off-peak travel destinations to visit.
Portugal
With rich culture and history, Portugal continues to be one of the most affordable European destinations. Head to this beautiful capital city of Lisbon to attend the festivals and fairs, visit some 12th-century buildings, and stay at one of the newer hotels in the main city district. The Hotel Teatro is a four-star restaurant, and average nightly rates are under $ 150 a night.
Porto, Portugal
+351 220 409 620
Aruba
Set your sights on Aruba for an unforgettable Caribbean holiday. You can get special offers from one of the larger beach resorts here. Some of the chain hotels, including Marriott and Radisson, offer discounts on spa relaxations. The Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa is offering a Super Saver Spring Rate at just $309 per night.
Palm Beach, Aruba
800-967-9033
Oaxaca
Escape to southern Mexico to explore the historic colonial city and learn about the region's traditions, culture, and colorful history. Oaxaca plays host to several cultural festivals and is a great place to just relax. A seven-night stay at the Camino Real Oaxaca is just $207 per night for a deluxe single or double room.
Centro, 68000
01 951 501 6100
Turkey
Another place to have some local culture is Istanbul, Turkey. Stay at a destination that will put you within easy reach of famous sites like the Topkapi Palace. The Modern Sultan Hotel is a deluxe hotel located in the heart of the historic district. Average nightly rates for the bed and breakfast package are just under $ 120 per night.
Istanbul, Turkey
+90 212 520 00 53 | high16374.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Annoyed."
},
"options": [
"Annoyed.",
"Calm.",
"Surprised.",
"Not concerned."
],
"question": "Which of the following can best describe the feeling of the author?",
"question_type": null
},
{
"answer"... | Almost a decade ago, the federal government dropped $10 million for an Earth-monitoring satellite that never made it into space. Today it sits in a closet in Maryland. Cost to taxpayers for storing it: $1 million a year. And _ . Who knows what's in the rest of them?
Because we think the government should be held to at least the same standards as a publicly traded company, and because as taxpayers, we're America's shareholders, we performed an audit of sorts of the federal books. We're not economists, but we do have common sense. We tried to get help from Congressional staffers from both parties, as well as various watchdog groups and agencies. In the end, we found that the federal government wastes nearly $1 trillion every year.
That's roughly equal to the amount collected annually by the Internal Revenue Service in personal income taxes. Put another way, it's also equal to about one-third of the country's $2.9 trillion total annual budget. And reclaiming that lost trillion could help wipe out the country's annual budget deficit , improve education, and provide health insurance for those who don't have it.
So how do you define "waste"? David Walker of the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a federal watchdog agency, calls it "the government's failure to give taxpayers the most for their money." For our part, we used the kind of household test you would use on a piece of meat sitting in your refrigerator: If it smells rotten, it's waste. Our government regularly pays for products and services it never gets, wildly overpays companies to do things it could do more cheaply itself, loses money outright due to lax accounting and oversight, and spends money randomly on unnecessary programs.
How exactly does the federal government waste your hard-earned tax dollars? We've identified what we consider ten of the worst ways. | high1993.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "There are other ways to enjoy summer holidays"
},
"options": [
"People with \"bathing clothes\" could swim easily",
"The earlier swimsuits were very comfortable to wear",
"There are other ways to enjoy summer holidays",
... | The timing of school holidays has always had a lot to do with when a family goes on vacation. For many kids, summer holidays mean spending time outdoors and heading toward water- the local swimming pool, a lake, or the beach.
What people wear to go swimming or sunbathing has changed a great deal since the early 1990s. Do you know what early swimsuits looked like and what they were made of? The earliest swimsuits covered most of the body and were called "bathing clothes". They were often made of wool, which made them scratchy and very heavy when they got wet. Newer materials made it possible to make lighter swimsuits. Over time, swimsuits covered less and less of the body. In 1946, the bikini became popular among women.
Summer holidays don't just mean going to the water. They can also mean going for a bike ride, or a picnic. It all depends how you want to spend your summer days.
If you live or spend your holiday near the water, then fishing, diving and boating are all good possibilities. In summertime, lots of people enjoy playing, picnicking, and just going out with friends on a long summer day until the sun goes down.
A famous song called Summertime from the opera Porgy and Bess describes life's more relaxed pace in this season, "Summertime...and the living is easy. Fish are jumping..." Ask your parents and older relatives about their summertime memories. | high8009.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Lennon couldn't give any useful information about the driver and his cab"
},
"options": [
"Lennon couldn't give any useful information about the driver and his cab",
"Lennon gave the driver much more money than what was actually ne... | A classical guitarist was excited to hear from New York City police that his valuable guitar had been found. It disappeared almost a year ago when he got out of a cab and forgot to take the guitar with him. Laurence Lennon, 44, said he was running late that day. He was talking to his manager on his cell phone when he dashed out of the taxi. He said that he gave the driver $ 60 and told him to keep the change. He walked through the front doors of the concert hall still talking on the phone to his manager.
Upon discovering his loss, Lennon used his cell phone to call the police. The policewoman asked him for the name of the cab company, the number of the cab, and the name of the driver. He said that she had to be kidding.
She told Lennon that he could file a missing items report at the police station or online. Lennon asked for the online address. She told him that finding the guitar might take a couple of years--finding guitars was not as important as finding murderers and marijuana smokers. Then she told him to have a nice day.
"This year has been _ ," said Lennon. "I had to put off the recording of two new CDs. I've been using borrowed guitars. And I was losing hope of ever recovering my guitar."
Lennon was reunited with his $ 100,000 musical instrument yesterday. The case and the guitar had been discovered in the corner of a coffee house only two blocks from where Lennon had lost it in the first place. Lennon had offered a $ 10,000 reward for its return. He said he would give the reward to the coffee house owner, who had informed the police. | high12112.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Wandering about on the Tian'anmen Square."
},
"options": [
"The artistic architectural design of the Summer Palace.",
"Wandering about on the Tian'anmen Square.",
"The sunrise on the Badaling Great Wall.",
"Exercises of... | Top 5 Must See Places in Beijing
Beijing is an old capital city with a lot of tourists attractions. What is the most representative place in Beijing? The answers are various. Here are the Top 5 Must See Places in Beijing.
1. Forbidden City
The Forbidden City is the ideal place for you to begin your exploration of Beijing. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes as you have to walk a lot! A multilingual guide recorder is recommended, as it can tell you the stories behind the palace.
Opening Hour: 8:30-17:00
Entrance Fee: RMB 60
2. Tian'anmen Square
Lying in the heart of Beijing City, it is the place for massive parades and gathering. It boasts of the largest square of such kind in the world. At sunrise and sunset the raising and lowering ceremony of the Chinese National Flag is well worth seeing.
Ticket fees: Free
Opening Time: Whole Day
3. Great Wall
Most of the sections of the Great Wall in Beijing are well-preserved, and the most famous section is Badaling. For the Great Wall hiking, get ready for strong footwear. For hot weather, please also prepare sunblock, sunglasses and water.
Badaling Great Wall:
Ticket Fees: RMB40 (Nov. 01 to Mar. 31); RMB 45 (Apr. 01 to Oct. 31)
Open Hours: 6:40 to 18:30
4. Summer Palace
Regarded as the largest imperial garden in China, the Summer Palace is in fact a park-styled royal retreat. With masterly design and artistic architecture integrating the highlight of Chinese garden arts, it has earned a title of "Royal Garden Museum".
Open Time: 6:30-20:30
Ticket Fee: RMB 40 (low season) / RMB 50 (peak season during the holidays)
5. Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven worked as sacrificial compound buildings for the Ming and Qing emperors. What's the intriguing by-production of the temple is that if you enter the Temple of Heaven in the early morning, you can find many people doing all types of Kungfu, Taiji, dancing and other morning exercises.
Open Time: 6:00-21:00
Ticket Fee: RMB 35 | high14563.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "she had to feed themselves in a cheap way"
},
"options": [
"the food at the supermarket was unhealthy",
"she had to feed themselves in a cheap way",
"she was advised to do so by someone",
"her son preferred home-cooked ... | My 3-year-old son and I lived a very hard life because I had been out of work since two years ago. Being poor is a terrible feeling when your 3-year-old finishes his meal and says: "Can I have some more bread and jam please, Mummy?" And you break down in tears, because you don't know how to tell him that there is no more food. With PS6, I went to the supermarket, picked up some food and started to cook at home. It was time for me to make a change and get back on my feet. I began to write a series of articles for the website named Hunger Hurt in July 2011.
A few months later, local food bank gave me some help-- with some free vegetables every month, which made my life a little easier. I began to write recipes , posting them on my blog. To my surprise, families, students and those poor people told me how much it helped to see healthy recipes made from affordable supermarket vegetables.
My Life took unexpected turns. I was invited to give a speech on food , interviewed for an Oxfam report on food banks and asked to write a cookery book.
When I got the money from the book, for the first night in almost two years, I went to bed without worrying. Now, I have a well-paid job and a beautiful home, and I'll never forget the days when I worked hard for a good life. | high9317.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Because it shows both dangers and effects."
},
"options": [
"Because it is easier to understand.",
"Because it shows both dangers and effects.",
"Because it can be seen by the smokers' friends.",
"Because it is more pow... | A new weapon is on the way in the fight against smoking in Europe. Soon when smokers buy cigarettes they might see a shocking photo of a blackened lung or a cancer patient staring back at them from the packet.
Some boys may think of smoking as cool and sexy. Their friends won't agree when they see their packets of cigarettes lying on the table. The European Union announced on October 22, that it had chosen 42 photos that showed the damage cigarettes could do to the body. It called on member nations to put these pictures on packets to discourage smokers. To catch the attention of teenagers, the special packets warn of long-term medical dangers, like cancer. Short-term effects, like bad skin, are also on the list.
"The true face of smoking is disease, death and horror. That is the message we should send to the young," said David Byrne, an EU health official. "Hopefully these pictures will shock students out of their love for cigarettes."[:ZSSxxSSk.Com]
The EU head office hoped the pictures would work better than current written warnings on packs of cigarettes. The warnings included "smoking kills" and "smoking can lead to a slow and painful death."
So far, Ireland and Belgium have shown interest in the photos. Canada has used similar pictures and warnings on cigarette packs since 2000. The country has recently seen a fall in the number of smokers. According to studies, smoking is the single biggest cause of avoidable death in EU. Every year more than 650,000 smokers die, more than one person a minute. | high14205.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "has got used to her life in America"
},
"options": [
"doesn't like American culture",
"has got used to her life in America",
"received an American education as a child",
"thinks American and Chinese cultures are the sam... | After living in the United States for quite a long time, I do not think about the cultural differences any more. Last month, my parents came to visit me. Their observations on the American lifestyle reminded me that cultural differences between living in China and America are actually everywhere.
When my parents came to America, they praised my house. Everyone had his/her own bedroom; there was a front yard, a backyard and a garage; there were many bathrooms - all convenient and comfortable. However, they were not used to the glass doors at the first floor. My mom, from southern China, was worried that someone would break open the glass doors. Though I said that nobody would do that, she was still worried about it.
When I brought them to eat in fast food restaurants, whether it was in McDonald's or KFC, they saw that refilling drinks was for free. This concept of free refill was so new to them.
A Chinese friend told me a story. He and his American girlfriend ate at a restaurant. His girlfriend wanted to drink English tea. He was curious, so he tried some and found that it didn't taste bad with milk and sugar in it. Adding more water to tea is free of course, so he drank more cups. His girlfriend found it embarrassing and explained to him that what he was doing was not exactly fair. If he wanted to drink more tea, he should buy another cup. My friend thought that Americans could take advantage of the free refills, but only a few of them did that. After staying in America for some time, he changed his habit. | high6742.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "they have lots of caffeine"
},
"options": [
"they have beautiful colors and cool names",
"they have lots of caffeine",
"they can keep them awake and better at sports",
"they are said to be helpful to health"
],
... | The weather is getting hotter. You are thirsty playing basketball or riding home from school. A cold drink may be just the thing. But be careful what you are drinking. Something that looks cool may not be good for your health. There are plenty of "energy drinks" on the market. Most of them have beautiful colors and cool names. The lists on them tell you they are helpful to your health. Sounds great!
But after a careful check you may find that most energy drinks have lots of caffeine in them. These drinks are especially aimed at young people, students, busy people and sports players. Makers sometimes say their drinks make you better at sports and can keep you awake. But be careful not to drink too much. Caffeine makes your heart beat fast. Because of this, the International Olympic Committee(IOC) has limited its use. Caffeine in most energy drinks is at least as strong as that in a cup of coffee or tea. Possible health dangers have something to do with energy drinks. Just one box of energy drink can make you nervous, have difficulty sleeping and can even cause heart problems. Scientists say that teenagers should be _ from taking drinks with a lot of caffeine in them. | high4155.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Normal blood pressure doesn't mean a healthy body."
},
"options": [
"Normal blood pressure doesn't mean a healthy body.",
"The existing blood pressure treatment is useless.",
"High blood pressure is the first health killer.",... | People at risk of a heart attack or stroke could benefit from blood-pressure-lowering drugs even if their blood pressure is considered in the normal, healthy range. If such drugs were offered to people with cardiac risks regardless of their blood pressure at the beginning of treatment it could save millions of lives, researchers in Oxford University found.
For the study, the team analyzed more than 120 medical trials including around 600,000 people conducted over two decades, saying their findings are a call for an urgent review of existing blood pressure treatment guidelines. "Our findings clearly show that treating blood pressure to a lower level could greatly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, if widely conducted," said study lead author Kazem Rahimi.
High blood pressure has long been identified as a factor in higher risks of heart disease and strokes, and makes more than a billion people around the globe in torment -- including one out of three U.S. adults.
Blood pressure is recorded in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) as two numbers in a ratio: "systolic" pressure inside the arteries when the heart beats as the top number, and "diastolic " pressure between heartbeats, as the heart rests and is refilled with blood. "Normal" blood pressure is considered at 120/80 or below, and is considered "high" at 140/90 or above, according to the American Heart Association. The researchers said their study showed that for every reduction in systolic pressure of 10 mmHg, the risk of heart attacks was reduced by a fifth and that of a stroke around a quarter.
Some experts said they thought the study's findings were important but did offer some warnings. "One important warning is that not everyone will be able to tolerate having their blood pressure reduced to low levels, and there is a need to balance possible drug side effects and likely benefits," Smeeth said. | high19721.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "to have no work to do"
},
"options": [
"to keep the air clean",
"to have no work to do",
"to get a better life",
"to go to work by bike"
],
"question": "If the number of cars is cut down, the most serious proble... | Americans won't live without cars! Each year there is an increasing number of cars on roads and streets, as millions of new cars are produced. One out of every six Americans work at putting together the parts of cars, driving trucks, building roads or filling cars with gas.
Most Americans find it hard to think what life would be without a car. However, some have realized the serious problem of air pollution by cars. The polluted air is poisonous and dangerous to health.
One way to get rid of the polluted air is to design a new car that does not pollute. That's what several large car factories are trying to do. But to build the new car is easier said than done. Progress in this field has been slow.
Another way is to take place of the car engine by something else. Engineers are now working on some new cars. Many makers believe that it will take years to develop a practical model that pleases man.
To prevent the world from being polluted by cars, we'll have to make some changes in the way many of us live. Americans, for example, have to cut down the number of their cars they are encouraged to travel and go to work by bike. Riding a bike is thought to help keep the air clean.
But this change does not come easily, a large number of workers may find themselves with no jobs if a car factory closes down. And the problem of air pollution would become less important than that of unemployment. | high10063.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Earthquakes are impossible at depths over 460 miles."
},
"options": [
"The number of earthquakes is closely related to the depth.",
"Roughly the same number of earthquakes occur each year.",
"Earthquakes are impossible at dep... | Most earthquakes occur within the upper 15 miles of the earth's surface, but earthquakes can and do occur at all depths to about 460 miles. Their number decreases as the depth increases. At about 460 miles one earthquake occurs only every few years. Near the surface earthquakes may run as high as 100 in a month, but the yearly average does not vary much.
The extent of the disaster in an earthquake depends on many factors. If you carefully build a toy house with an erect set , it will still stand no matter how much you shake the table. But if you build a toy house with a pack of cards, a slight shake of the table will make it fall. An earthquake in Agadir was not strong, but it completely destroyed the city. Many stronger earthquakes have done comparatively little damage. If a building is well constructed and built on solid ground, it will resist an earthquake. Most deaths in earthquakes have been due to faulty building construction or poor building sites. A third and very serious factor is panic. When people rush out into narrow streets, more deaths will result.
There is one type of earthquake disaster that little can be done about. This is the disaster caused by seismic sea waves, or tsunamis . These are often called tidal waves, but the name is incorrect. They had nothing to do with tides. In certain areas, earthquakes take place beneath the sea. These submarine earthquakes sometimes give rise to seismic sea waves. The waves are not noticeable out at sea because of their long wave length. But when they roll into harbors, they pile up into walls of water 6 to 60 feet high. The Japanese call them "tsunamis" meaning "harbor waves", because they reach a sizable height only in harbors.
Tsunamis travel fairly slowly, at speeds up to 500 miles an hour. An earthquake warning system is in use to warn all shores likely to be reached by the waves. But this only enables people to leave the threatened shores for higher ground: There is no way to stop the oncoming wave. | high2524.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "The effect of the gravitational tug of sun and moon on Earth's crust."
},
"options": [
"The formation of the Earth, Sun and Moon.",
"The change of the sea levels of Earth.",
"The effect of the gravitational tug of sun and moo... | A new study revealed that the formation of the Earth, Sun and Moon that cause changes in Earth's tides can also trigger a special kind of Earthquake along the California's San Andreas Fault .
The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science,is based on previous researcher suggesting that the gravitational tug of sun and moon is not only affecting the sea levels of Earth, but can also stretch and compress that Earth's crust, producing tremors and quakes. Furthermore, the new study showed that small tremors deep underground were more likely to occur during certain periods of the tidal cycle.
For the study, the researchers looked at about 81,000 low-frequency earthquakes from 2008 to 2015 along the Parkfield section of the San Andreas Fault and compared it to the two-week tidal cycle known as the "fortnightly tide," Low-frequency earthquakes are named due to the rumbling sound they make and not by the rate of its occurrence. These kinds of earthquake only occur about 15 to 30 kilometers below ground and are no larger than magnitude 1 in the Richter scale.
The researchers discovered that low-frequency earthquakes tend to occur during the waxing period of the tidal cycle, when the tides are getting little by little. It is already known that the strongest Earth tides occur when the sun and moon are in a straight line, while the tide is at its weakest state when the sun and moon are 90 degrees apart.
According to the researchers, low-frequency earthquakes show that some part of the San Andreas Fault is creeping, or slowly moving, almost all the time. With the help of the tidal forces, low-frequency earthquakes could provide more information about the deeper part of the fault.
"They tell us that the fault continues down below where the regular or typical earthquakes stop on the San Andreas, about 10 or 12 km (about 6 to 7 miles)," said David Shelly, a seismologist at USGS and helped write the study, in a statement. "And they tell us a lot of things about that deep part of the fault that we had no idea existed at all before."
"It's almost like having a lot of little creep meters embedded in the fault,"Shelly said. "We can use these low-frequency earthquakes as measurements of, at least in a sense, how much slip is happening at each little spot on the deep part of the fault where we see these events. When we don't see them, we don't know what's happening; we don't know whether it,s slipping silently or not slipping at all."
The information is incredibly useful, he added. Whenever the deep part of the fault slips, the stress gets transferred to the shallow part of the fault.
"So if all of a sudden, we saw that the deep part of the fault was slipping a huge amount, it might be an indication that there was an increased chance of having an earthquake come at the shallower part of the fault" he said. | high19735.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "in 1973"
},
"options": [
"in 1957",
"in 1906",
"in 1973",
"in 1980"
],
"question": "The Sydney Opera House was completed _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"answer_inde... | While shell-like roofs, unlike anything else in the world, make the Sydney Opera House an image of timeless beauty. It is famous for being a symbol, not only of a city, but a whole country and condition too.
Its creator, Danish architect Jorn Utzon , turned 85 last Wednesday. And he was awarded the Prizker Prize, known as the Nobel Prize of Architecture, on April 6. But Utzon has never seen his Opera House.
The story began in 1957 when Utzon won an international competition to design an opera house in Sydney.
But not everyone was enthusiastic ( ) . Utzon left his Opera project in 1966 after an argument with the local government and a storm of public criticism over the building's design. It was not completed until seven years later and Utzon has never returned to Australia to see the result of his work.
"Utzon made a building well ahead of its time, and he persevered through criticism to build a building that changed the image of an entire country," said Frank Gehry, a Pritzer Architecture Prize judge.
Although the Sydney Opera House was Utzon's masterpiece, it damaged his career. Upon his return to Denmark, he found work hard to come by , so he become a teacher at a university in Hawaii.
Utzon said he once saw posters of the Opera House. The interiors were different from his design. But, he said, "There is no regret, for it gave me such a wonderful experience in Australia and towards which I only have love and appreciation ."
Britain's Queen Elizabeth opened the Opera House in 1973, and it now holds around 3000 events every year. It is recognized as one of the great symbolic buildings of the 20th century. | high4141.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "1,200."
},
"options": [
"1,968.",
"1,158.",
"1,200.",
"1,674."
],
"question": "How many of the office workers who are the respondents do the housework at weekends?",
"question_type": null
},
{
"answe... | During the week days, they are luckily busy office people; but on weekends, they are just a brood of stay-home animals. A recent survey shows that office workers in China prefer quiet and easy ways to spend their weekends.
In the survey, conducted by job seeking and offering website Zhaopin.com, 32.8 percent of the 6,000 respondents choose to stay home at weekends and have a good rest, the Beijing Morning Post reported.
Twenty percent use their days-off to do housework. And only 19.3 percent are willing to have fun during the break time from work. Their first choice of fun is shopping.
Other choices, though practiced by few, include meeting friends, accompanying the children, trips to the suburbs, and lessons for more skills.
When they. go shopping, 54.5 percent of the white-collars actually shop in supermarkets, while 27.9. percent attend other stores, especially when discounts are offered.
These activities don't seem to cost much, as 60 percent spend average less than 200 yuan (US$26) during weekends, and 30 percent no more than 500 yuan.
When asked whom they would spend the weekends with, about 40 percent mention their partners, and 30 percent prefer a weekend all by themselves. Less than 20 percent hang out with friends.
Only 5.8 percent would kill the time with their colleagues. This is because we tend to avoid too many personal contacts with our co-workers when we don't have to work with them, according to some experts. | high11369.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "She saw the author's shoes beneath her bed."
},
"options": [
"She couldn't find her books.",
"She heard the author shouting loud.",
"She got the news that her grandma was ill.",
"She saw the author's shoes beneath her b... | I was never very neat, while my roommate Kate was extremely organized. Each of her objects had its place, but mine always hid somewhere. She even labeled ( ) everything. I always looked for everything. Over time, Kate got neater and I got messier. She would push my dirty clothing over, and I would lay my books on her tidy desk. We both got tired of each other.
War broke out one evening. Kate came into the room. Soon, I heard her screaming, "Take your shoes away! Why under my bed!" Deafened, I saw my shoes flying at me. I jumped to my feet and started yelling. She yelled back louder.
The room was filled with anger. We could not have stayed together for a single minute but for a phone call. Kate answered it. From her end of the conversation, I could tell right away her grandma was seriously ill. When she hung up, she quickly crawled ( ) under her covers, sobbing. Obviously, that was something she should not go through alone. All of a sudden, a warm feeling of sympathy rose up in my heart.
Slowly, I collected the pencils, took back the books, made my bed, cleaned the socks and swept the floor, even on her side. I got so into my work that I even didn't notice Kate had sat up. She was watching, her tears dried and her expression one of disbelief. Then, she reached out her hands to grasp mine. I looked up into her eyes. She smiled at me. "Thanks."
Kate and I stayed roommates for the rest of the year. We didn't always agree, but we learned the key to living together: giving in cleaning up and holding on. | high10077.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "what young people should have"
},
"options": [
"a kind of drink young people enjoy",
"what young people should have",
"basic abilities young people need",
"young people's confidence and pride"
],
"question": "In... | Someone asked me, "what do you think of youth?" I showed him a can of COKE. See this?
"C" means "courage". There's a seed in everyone's heart. As long as you really keep watering it, it will grow and harvest. Courage gives us the power to follow our dreams. Believe in yourself and be prepared for anything in the future.
"O" stands for "optimism". When in trouble, some people feel disappointed but some people still keep their dreams. Be sure to choose the latter. Life is very much like a mirror. If you smile on it, it smiles back on you. If you frown, you will get a similar look in return. Throw away the sadness in your heart while filling it with brightness and hope.
"K" can be understood as "knowledge". In order to keep up with the times, we should use knowledge to enrich ourselves. Knowledge is the food of thought and, as long as it is put in our brain, we will grow wiser.
"E" is short for "enthusiasm ". Enthusiasm is the sign of youth. We use colourful paint-brushes in our hands to create the pictures of youth on our own. Let the sky and sea know we're young. Let out our enthusiasm wherever we go.
Drink a can of COKE. You will find your youth as refreshing as a can of coke. Enjoy and value your youth. | high2530.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "It can sometimes prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV."
},
"options": [
"It has become an effective tool in fighting HIV.",
"It was first found by Permar and her research group.",
"It can prevent transmission in a live... | For decades, public health officials have puzzled over a surprising fact about HIV: Only about 10-20 percent of infants who are breastfed by infected mothers catch the virus. Tests show, though, that HIV is indeed present in breast milk, so these children are exposed to the virus multiple times daily for the first several months of their lives.
Now, a group of scientists and doctors from Duke University has figured out why these babies don't get infected. Human breast milk naturally contains a protein called Tenascin C that neutralizes HIV and, in most cases, prevents it from being passed from mother to child. Eventually, they say, the protein could potentially be valuable as an HIV-fighting tool for both infants and adults that are either HIV-positive or at risk of contracting the infection.
The research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was inspired by previous work by other researchers showing that, both in tissue cultures and live mice, breast milk from HIV-negativemothers was naturally endowed with HIV-fighting properties. Scientists suggested that a few different proteins in the milk could potentially be responsible, but no one knew which one.
As part of the study, the researchers divided breast milk into smaller fractions made up of specific proteins via a number of filters -- separating the proteins by size, electrical charge and other characteristics--and tested which of these fractions, when added to a tissue culture, prevented the cells from being infected by HIV. Eventually, they found that one particular protein was present in all the HIV-resistant fractions but in none of the others: Tenascin C.
Tenascin C works by blocking a key protein on HIV's envelope that normally ties up to a receptor on a T cell's membrane called CCR5. In doing so, Tenascin C prevents HIV from mixing with the T cell and injecting its RNA inside.
Still, the researchers say that other natural elements in milk might play a role in fighting HIV as well. "It's clearly not the whole story, because we do have samples that have low amounts of this protein but still have HIV-neutralizing activity," the study's lead author Permar says. "So it may be acting in concert with other antiviral and antimicrobial factors in the milk."
Whatever those other factors are, though, the finding vindicates (......) recent changes to UN guidelines that recommend even HIV-positive mothers in resource-poor countries should breastfeed, if they're taking anti-retroviral drugs to combat their own infection.
The next steps, Permar says, are determining which area of Tenascin C is active and whether it can effectively prevent transmission in a live animal. If it works, it could potentially be incorporated into an HIV drug with broader applications. It's even possible that it could someday be adapted to reduce the risk of HIV transmission in adults as well as infants. | high17718.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "test children's self-control and later success"
},
"options": [
"test children's self-control and later success",
"test children's intelligence of ringing the bell",
"find good ways of training children to learn",
"prov... | Recently, a scientist did some experiments. He left a group of 4-year-olds in a room with a bell and a candy. If they rang the bell, he would come back and they could eat the candy. If, however, they didn't ring the bell and waited for him to come back on his own, they could then have two candies.
In videos of the experiment, he can see the children kicking, hiding their eyes--trying to exercise self-control so they can wait and get two candies. The results are different. Some broke down and rang the bell within a minute. Others lasted 15 minutes.
The children who waited longer went on to get higher SAT scores. They got into better colleges and had better adult success. The children who rang the bell quickest were more likely to have received worse teacher and parental evaluations 10 years later and were more likely to have drug problems at age 32.
The experiments are worth noting because people spend a lot of time thinking about how to improve education, how to become rich. But when the result is not good, they will come back to ask " how do we get people to get the sort of self-control that leads to success? " This is to enter the world of human nature.
So these experiments along with everyday experience, tell us that self-control is most important. Young people who can sit through sometimes boring classes to get a degree can work hard in order to learn a language well. They can avoid drugs and alcohol. For people without self-control skills, however, school is a series of failed ordeals . No wonder they drop out and their later life is a group of foolish ideas, such as drug use, stealing and so on. | high9465.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "The Carrot or the Stick?"
},
"options": [
"The Carrot or the Stick?",
"The Introduction to the Carrot and the Stick",
"Tips in the Daily Life",
"The Advantages of the Carrot and the Stick"
],
"question": "What i... | To be successful in any aspect of life, you need to know when to use the carrot or the stick.
Here are a few tips to help you decide whether it's better to use the carrot or the stick.
With the kids
The carrot
When it comes to raising a kid, the carrot or the stick dilemma is quicklydisappearing as too many parents take the carrot approach to the extreme. In child raising, the carrot should never be materialistic things. If you want to ask for good behavior with a reward, it should be with something that can't be bought, say, trust. The stick Nowadays, no one likes to use the stick any more, or in my father's case, the belt. I'm not overlooking child abuse, if you ever want to call it that, but I am encouraging parents to toughen up a bit. You don't want your kid to test your limits only to find out he can get away with it. If you want to raise a kid, raise the hand and let him know it comes down on the second offense.
At the office
The carrot
People need encouragement and motivation to perform well. However, the carrot only really works well with employees who have already proved themselves. Ifyou've got someone who can't show up at the office before noon, the promise of a raise isn't going to do much. On the contrary, if there's a guy with a good work moral, he'll thrive (grow stronger) when you add a promotion to the picture.
The stick
When considering the carrot or the stick in the office, remember that, overall, the stick is the more practical method in the office. A wise man, who just happened to be an Italian, once said "It's best to be both loved and feared." It's nice to have everyone love you, but running a business isn't like running a family. You need to have the stick constantly raised.
With the wife
The carrot
When it comes to marriage, always use the carrot. I've had a lovely marriage for many years, and I've always stuck to the carrot approach.
Sometimes you catch more flies with honey, and sometimes it's the crack of a whip that gets the horse moving. Try not to use too many sticks at home; the carrot is much more fun. | high14211.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "you should provide some personal information"
},
"options": [
"should create your project first",
"you needn't follow the official rules",
"you should provide some personal information",
"your should start your project ... | Google has kicked off Google Science Fair (GSF) _ , its annual online competition for
bright, creative and ambitious teenagers who want to change the world with science. While the project is led by Google, it also has the backing of the Lego Group and world-famous publications National Geographic and Scientific American. The competition is open for students aged 13 to 18, who can sign-up now, form a team and begin working on a submission.
The winner will be rewarded with a ten-day exploration to the Galapagos Islands aboard the National Geographic Endeavor, as well as a VIP tour of 'Spaceport America' in New Mexico. Google is also throwing in a $50,000 scholarship and $10,000 for the winner's school to purchase cutting-edge science lab equipment.
Google suggests that each project should be "an in-depth investigation of a science question or engineering problem" but otherwise, it's up to students to pick and develop an idea that follows the competition rules.
Completed projects need to be submitted by May 12, 2014 at 11:59 PDT. Google will announce the regional competitors in June, ahead of global finalists in August and the competition winners in September.
Interested? Here are the _ .
If you want to enter the competition as an individual , you should register first. Complete requested information about yourself and your project in the registration section before creating your project. You may edit this later. Click the box stating that you have read, accept, and agree to be bound by these Official Rules and Terms.
Upon completion of registration you may begin working on your project. The project must follow the technical, creative, and legal entry requirements set out in these Official Rules and the Googlesciencefair.com Site. You will be required to complete all sections of the Project Site.
You may begin working on your project after completing the registration process, however, you may not submit it for judging until you have requested and received parental consent . Once you have done this, your parent or guardian will receive an email from Google with instructions on how they can give their consent for you to participate. The project will not be judged unless this consent is received. | high6756.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "a tennis player"
},
"options": [
"a basketball player",
"a table tennis player",
"a tennis player",
"a soccer player"
],
"question": "Li Na is _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer"... | "TODAY is a dream comes true. I have always wanted to be a Grand Slam champion."
These are the words of Chinese tennis player Li Na after she became the first Asian woman to win a Grand Slam final in the French Open on June 4.
"People were saying I'm getting old. So this is a great success for such an old woman," the 29-year-old joked.
This is the way that Li usually fights doubts- by being humorous and sharp. "China's number one sister" is never a pushover .
She has a tattoo . She has dyed her hair many different colors. And, at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she told her fans to "shut up" when they got too noisy in their support.
Li started to play tennis at the age of 6. She once recalled: "As a child, I felt sad because every day I had to wake up early to practice. After school I had to practice more. I didn't have time to play."
Luckily, the tough girl didn't give up, thus making history for Chinese tennis time after time.
Now the new champion is already thinking about winning another Grand Slam title. Her next stop is Wimbledon - the European grass court championship that starts later this month.
"When you have one title, naturally you will think about another," she says, not hiding her ambition.
"Chinese people are so lacking in confidence on the tennis court. If there is a person like me who can prove we can do it, the other young players in China will feel the same," she said. | high1039.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Advanced technology and global warming."
},
"options": [
"Advanced technology and global warming.",
"Medicine that fights aging and genetic engineering.",
"The Internet and artificial intelligence.",
"The cold weather a... | Have you ever imagined what human beings will look like in the future? Well, now you don't have to.
According to AsapScience, a Canada-based video channel that touches on many different science topics, humans will be very different creatures 1,000 years from now.
Artificial intelligence, genetic engineering and climate change will work together to change our bodies greatly, according to a video recently published by the channel.
We could, for instance, develop red eyes as our DNA changes, and have darker skin because of global warming.
The video painted a picture of a future world in which our bodies are part human, part machine. Nanobots, or tiny robots, will be put into our bodies, improving our abilities.
"No longer will we be limited by our own physiology. We will truly become a mixture of biology and machine on the inside," says the video.
Meanwhile, designer babies will cause future generations to grow into intelligent, attractive people. As global warming takes hold, humans will also be skinnier and taller, as this body shape deals with heat better.
In fact, Cadell Last, a researcher at the Global Brain Institute located in Belgium, believes change may happen even faster than this.
As he said in a paper recently published in Current Aging Science, mankind is already going through a major evolutionary change. In less than four decades, Last claims, we will live longer, have children in old age and need artificial intelligence to finish daily tasks.
"Your 80 or 100 is going to be so radically different than your grandparents," Last said. Instead of living fast and dying young, he believes humans will live slow and die old.
"The biological clock isn't going to be around forever," he added, and said that people could pause it for some time using future technology.
Just a few hundred years ago, most humans were working in the fields, while nowadays more and more are getting an education. These are just predictions, and no one can be sure how human beings will evolve in the future. But with such large changes in our environments, it seems likely that we will all look very different one day. | high12660.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Difference between US English and UK English"
},
"options": [
"Similarity between US English and UK English",
"Difference between US English and UK English",
"The future of US English and UK English",
"The history of US... | English, as we all know, is considered as the universal language. It is spoken all over the world. However, you will also notice that people all over the world are using different types of English. Let's take a closer look at these two popular types: UK and US English. Even if both types of English are wildly used, there are some differences that will be worth knowing to find out the type of English that you are using.
US English is what we know as the American English which is wildly used in the United States. UK English, on the other hand, is known as the British English. Some also call _ the BBC English since it is the English used by British reporters, and another name for it is the Queen's English.
In terms of vocabulary, some words in US English may mean something different in the UK English. For example, the word biscuit for the British means baked sweet or salty cake that is hard when baked and softened over time; while in the US it is a quick bread served with salty foods.
With regards to pronunciation, American English is more nasal . Stress is also another difference to consider. Just like in the word princess, British stress the second syllable while Americans stress the first.
Spelling is another area of difference. American English spelling is more simple. Example of which includes, color for the US and colour for the UK, same goes with honor and honour. The doubling of letters in words is another good example. It will be traveler in the US and traveller in the UK. The use of "-og" instead of "-ogue" in word such as dialog and dialogue or catalog and catalogue. | high7448.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "stay still until the crowd has passed."
},
"options": [
"run with the others.",
"call for help as loudly as you can.",
"hurry at once to an exit.",
"stay still until the crowd has passed."
],
"question": "If you... | In England a woman fell down a stair. Panic followed--178 persons lost their lives. In Michigan a woman fell ill. There was a call for water. Someone thought it meant fire---71 were killed. In Oklahoma an old man's hair caught fire---36 died.
What should you do to be out of danger?
1. As you sit in any crowd, pick out an exit which is not the one where most persons enter and plan to use if necessary.
2. If a rush stairs, do not get into it . Stay still. Let it pass. Then go to the exit you have chosen.
3. Do not cry out. Speak quietly. Act calmly.
4.Do not stop for your hat and coat unless they are at hand.
5. If there is smoke, crouch. The best air is about three feet above the floor.
6. When you are outside the building, stay out. Many dead would be alive if they had not returned for something.
7. When you get out, move far from the door so that others can get out. | high15669.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "be able to work independently"
},
"options": [
"get higher marks",
"pass exams easier",
"be able to work independently",
"get in close touch with each other"
],
"question": "Teachers want foreign students to do ... | Things you need to know about studying there
Study style
Since the 1950s, the Netherlands has had courses in English especially for foreign students. Students are expected to be critical of what they read and hear, and to be able of working independently. Foreign students will soon notice that at Dutch institutions for higher learning people are expected to do a lot of talking. The most common form of teaching is the seminar or working group, where a small group of students work under a teacher's supervision to analyze a certain problem. On exams, they have to show that they know the material, and that they have formed well-founded opinions on the subject.
Accommodations
If you are in an exchange programme or an international course, it is quite possible that a room will be arranged for you. Accept it immediately, or you will regret it later. That's because finding a place to live in a country as crowded as the Netherlands is not easy.
Before you leave China, ask your host institution whether or not housing will indeed be arranged in advance. If you are in the Netherlands and still looking for a place, ask the international relations office or the student dean for advice.
Expences
Tuition:
Bachelor's degree:about 2,500 euros a year
Master's degree: 5,000-12,000 euros a year
Living expenses:
Experience has shown that a year in the Netherlands costs a Chinese
Student about 450-700 euros a month.
Here is a breakdown of average prices of supermarket goods:
Litre of milk: 0.5--0.8 euro
Kilo of apples: 1.5 euros
Shampoo, 400ml: 4 euros
Tube of toothpaste: 1 euro
Bed sheet: 20 euros
Other expenses:
Haircut: 15 euros
Air ticket to China: 600-800 euros
Mobile phone call(one minute): 0.1-0.3 euro
Phone call to China (with IP card): 7 euros(one minute)
Postage stamp in the Netherlands: 0.39 euro
Stamp for China: 0.78 euro
(1 euro-about 10 yuan)
Transportation
Trains, buses and trams run throughout the country.
If you really want to sample Dutch life, and get around quickly and easily, buy yourself a bicycle. Most students buy second-hand bicycles. A reasonable one will cost you 70-120 euros.
You can find them at second-hand bicycle shops or at the bicycle parking facilities near railway stations. | high1987.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "An impressive experience"
},
"options": [
"My cousin",
"How to learn to climb a tree",
"An impressive experience",
"How to avoid being hurt when climbing"
],
"question": "The text is mainly about _ .",
"qu... | You always have to understand what you are good at, and what you are not good at. Or if you are interested in something you always have to master it first.
When I was ten, I came over to my cousin's house, and that was pain because he lived in New York and I lived in Miami. So I came over every summer break by myself, of course I had my parents' permission to go that far.
One day, We decided to head to the forest. I was looking forward to this trip because I knew that my cousin was an expert on tree climbing while I was not. So, as we walked closer and closer to the forest, I became _ because I did not possess the ability to climb trees. When he started climbing a tree I was upset but I joined him hoping not to break my neck. Last Summer break he invited me to his house. I was afraid of climbing to the tree so I gave up. But this time I tried climbing the tree. While I was climbing I was so scared like I was about to die at any moment. But when I was about to climb on the other branch I lost my balance. Luckily I got hold on one of the bottom branches. My cousin suddenly started climbing down and tried to help me. After he put me on the ground, he ran to get some help. The pain was just killing me, I lost a lot of blood and I knew that I have to be awake to survive.
Finally, my cousin brought the help. When I waked up I was happy that I did not die. It was pretty insane what happened to me. ( 295 words ) | high12106.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Because these colors are all shades of yellow in his eyes."
},
"options": [
"Because he wants to show how keen his nose is.",
"Because his nose is keener than his eyes in the open air.",
"Because he can't tell the difference ... | There are four main areas when it comes to your dog's body language -- his ears and face, eyes, nose and tail. If you pay attention to those things, you'll find you are able to easily understand how your dog is feeling.
Ears and face
The head of a dog is more expressive than you think. If you say a word that he recognizes, like his name or something you say often, his ears will get up. His mouth is another good instruction. A mouth that is wide open to pant with some sound suggests that the dog is happy -- some people even say when a dog is panting, he is laughing as he cools himself. A tongue sticking out suggests that the dog is in a good mood.
Eyes
To a dog, purple and blue are both seen as shades of blue. Red is seen as black or dark grey. Orange, yellow and green are seen as various shades of yellow. This means that, to a dog, bright orange toys are the same yellow shade. If you want your dog to clearly see his toys in the green grass you'd better give the dog blue toys; if you have orange, yellow or green toys, the dog will be able to find them with his nose.
Nose
A dog can both sniff and breathe through his nose. Breathing is for air, but when dogs sniff with short breaths they are actually following some scents with his keen nose. When a dog is overheated, his sense of smell is reduced by as much as 40 percent and he uses the air to cool himself rather than for smelling. Puppies' noses can help find their mother when their eyes and ears are closed. The function will disappear by the time they are adults.
Tail
Lastly, you need to pay attention to your dog's tail, because it shows what he is thinking and feeling. A dog that is in a good mood will have a tail that seems to be going a mile a minute -- wagging, and excited. However, an angry or frightened dog will have his tail between his legs. | high13218.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "their ice cubes are different"
},
"options": [
"ice cubes are healthy for people to use",
"their ice cubes add tastes to drinks",
"all ice cubes are created the same",
"their ice cubes are different"
],
"questio... | Many people believe that all ice cubes are created equal, but they are not. At least that's what the folks at California's Glace Luxury Ice Company would like us to believe. The Davisbased company says that the ice cubes they make are healthier and last longer than the ones that we throw into our drinks on a daily basis. What's more, the company also says that their ice cubes do mot leave behind an aftertaste in drinks, like regular ones do.
In order to create these unique ice cubes, Glace Luxury begins with water that has been rid of the _ impurities that the company says can lead to cancer and exist in regular ice. They then freeze it in large blocks. Once ready, the ice is carved into perfect cubes and each cube measures 2.5 inches across. Besides being healthier, these ice cubes apparently also take longer to melt. The company says that each ice cube can last up to 30 minutes.
Of course, those ice cubes do not come cheap. Those that wish to have a taste of this "tasteless" frozen perfection will have to pay $325USD for a bag of 50 ice cubes. That comes to $6.50USD for a single cube of ice!
The unique product is the brainchild of Robert Sequeira, a former business school lecturer who said that he wanted to establish a profitable business that could be easily scaled. Given that he can make as mush Glace Luxury ice as he needs for as little as $0.12USD per cube, he thinks that the idea certainly meets the standard. Now, if he can find that the few people can afford to buy this Glace Luxury ice, life would be great! | high9303.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "the development of rock and roll music"
},
"options": [
"the history of American music",
"the famous rock and roll groups",
"the new forms of rock and roll music",
"the development of rock and roll music"
],
"qu... | Rock and roll music developed in the United States in the early nineteen-fifties. It was based on the music called rhythm and blues that was performed by African American musicians.
Early rock and roll singers developed their own kinds of music. Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, the Beach Boys, and Bob Dylan were the most popular rock and roll musicians in the early 1960's. All were American. Then, in 1964, a new rock and roll group from England invaded America: the Beatles.
Some people say the Beatles' music shook America like an earthquake. The Beatles changed rock and roll forever. Their early songs were influenced by American rock and roll musicians, including Chuck Berry. But the Beatles looked different and sounded different from any musical group before them.
The Beatles released their first album in the United States in 1964, when all of the top five records in America were by the Beatles. In 1967, they released an album called "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." It was one of the first "concept" albums. That is, all the songs were linked by a common story or idea.
The popularity of the Beatles led the way for more rock and roll bands from England to become popular in America. The Rolling Stones was the most important of these bands. The Rolling Stones is one of the few groups from the 1960's that is still performing and recording today. In 1965, the group recorded one of its most famous songs, "Satisfaction".
The musical instrument most linked to rock and roll is the guitar. Experts say Jimi Hendrix was one of the most influential guitar players in rock and roll during the late 1960's. His "Purple Haze" was liked by many people.
By the 1970's, rock and roll music became known as rock music. It expanded into many new forms. For example, there was country rock, hard rock, acid rock, and heavy metal rock. Punk rock, jazz rock, and glitter rock.
In the middle 1970's, experts say rock music regained some of the energy of early rock and roll. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band became popular with their album "Born to Run". Springsteen's music was like the lively rock and roll music of the early nineteen-sixties. Many of his songs were about social issues. He sang about the effects of unemployment and the war in Vietnam. | high5539.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Many netizens think that President Xi Jingping and his wife are the model couple."
},
"options": [
"The video \"Xi Dada loves Peng Mama\" has been watched 4 million times.",
"It took Song just an hour to finish the lyrics and the c... | With his strong interest in national affairs, 37-year-old Song Zhigang was glued to the TV news during the 2014 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. He not only learned all the latest information about the event, he was also inspired to write a song for Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan. Titled Xi Dada Loves Peng Mama, the song tells of the love between the couple, which goes "Xi Dada loves Peng Mama. Their love is like a myth. Peng Mama loves Xi Dada. A nation with love is the strongest".
When the song was released in an online video on Nov 18, it became an instant viral _ , which has been viewed over 40 million times and stirred hot discussion. Many netizens said it's sweet to listen to the song while seeing such photos, and some believe that the couple sets a good example for China's young couples.
Born in Zhengzhou, Henan province, Song works as an independent songwriter along with his team there, including singer-songwriters Yu Runze, Xu An and Wu Bai. Song says that he finished the lyrics within an hour and sent it to his team via cellphone. The team finished composing that night. They also made the music video by themselves, which was the first time that they had ever produced a music video and uploaded it online. The video of the song contains 33 photos and 2 cartoon illustrations of the couple, displaying small interactive moments, including tacit eye contact between the couple and hand touching when the couple played a swing. Nine children between 4 and 12 years old were invited to rap and sing along with the team. "When I watched the couple appearing on TV, they seemed just like any other ordinary couple and I felt close to them. With some small sweet moments, I could feel the love between the couple," says Song.
"Xi Dada" and "Peng Mama" have both become Internet buzz words, referring to the Chinese president and his popular wife. Song notes that the couple has attracted worldwide attention and even what Peng wears becomes headlines.
Yu Runze, 32, is one of the singers and also comes from Zhengzhou. She says the team started to release songs online around four years ago, mostly pop love ballads(,). Though they could make ends meet by making music, they remained unknown before this song. "We didn't expect that the song would gain so much popularity online. People share the same feeling we have about the couple, which is warm and sincere," says Yu, who is a graduate of the Qilu Conservatory of Music, Shandong province, and has released five albums since 2006.
"We want to sing the song at 2015's CCTV Spring Festival Gala." | high10711.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "an educator"
},
"options": [
"a poet",
"an educator",
"a novelist",
"an engineer"
],
"question": "From the passage,we know that the author is probably _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
... | My students often tell me that they don't have "enough time" to do all their schoolwork.
My reply is often a brief "You have as much time as the president."I usually carry on a bit about there being twenty-four hours in the day for everyone, and suggest that "not enough time" is not an acceptable explanation of not getting something done.
Once in graduate school,I tried to prove to one of my professors by saying that I was working hard.His answer to me was. "That's irrelevant .What's important is the quality of your work. " Since then I have had time to think carefully about the "hard worker" dodge ,and I have come to some conclusions--all relevant to the problem of how much time we have.
If you analyze the matter, you can identify two parts of the prob1em:There is, of course,the matter of "time", which we call think of as fixed. Then there is the problem of "work" during that time. But, as my professor suggested, it's not how hard one works but the quality of the product that's important.
That led me to a new idea: the quality of the work.That concept is perhaps best explained by a sign I once saw on the wall in someone s office: "Don't work harder. Work smarter." There is a lot of sense in that idea.
If you can't get more time,and few of US can,the only solution is to improve the quality of the work.That means thinking of ways to get more out of the same time than we might otherwise get.That should lead us to an analysis of our work habits.Since "work" for students usually means "homework", the expression "work habits' should be read as "study habits".
Then, as a smart student,you will seek to improve those skills that you use in study, chiefly reading and writing. If you learn to read better and write better,there are big advantages that pay off in all your studies. | high2256.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Gardeners can buy tools there."
},
"options": [
"They are in the centre of the town.",
"Each town has a garden center.",
"Gardeners can buy tools there.",
"They have gardens for rent."
],
"question": "What do we... | Most British people prefer to live in a house rather than a flat and one of the reasons is that houses usually have gardens. The garden is a place where people can be outside and yet private.
If a house has a front and back garden, the front is likely to be formal and decorative , with a lawn (an area of grass) or fancy flower borders. The back garden usually also has a lawn and flower beds, and sometimes a vegetable plot fruit trees. There's often a bird table, on which food is put for birds, and a small simple house in which garden tools are kept.
Many British people spend quite a lot of money on their gardens and even the smallest may contain different kinds of flowers and plants. For them gardening is a hobby and they take pride in their gardens. Some towns and villages have competitions for the best-kept small garden. People with a small garden, or no garden at all, can rent a piece of land, on which most grow vegetables.
There are garden centers near most towns, selling everything a gardener might need, from flower pots to fish ponds as well as many types of plants.
The British interest in gardening affects the appearance of whole towns. Public parks and some roads often have bright displays of flowers in summer and public buildings have windows boxes and hanging baskets. Towns and villages enter for the Britain in Bloom competition every year. | high3148.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "English"
},
"options": [
"French",
"English",
"Chinese",
"German"
],
"question": "One who gets the job will teach _ .[",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0... | Job Chances in Top Schools
Throughout China
Interested in teaching in a foreign country? Schools all over China are looking for skilled teachers interested in teaching English. There are chances all over the country. Apply today!
Necessary conditions
Native speaker of English
BA Degree or higher (English and Education major preferred)
Teaching experience is preferred, but not required.
Must be a citizen of one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, the United States, or the United Kingdom.
Pay to be offered
From $1,800 to $2,300 a month depending on conditions and experience
Pays differ depending on schools. Benefits differ between employers, but the following benefits must be offered:
FREE apartment with furniture
Overtime pay
10---14 days paid vacation
Medical insurance---generally half provided
Round-trip ticket
How to apply
To apply, only send us the following information:
Resume/Date of Birth/Recent picture
Once we receive your information, we will get you into our job matching lists, when a match is recorded, we will get in touch with you for an interview. Click on the following apply.
Now button to offer your resume and required documentation.
Any questions send us an e-mail at primejobs@teachers.com. | high19053.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "15 years."
},
"options": [
"30 years.",
"25 years.",
"20 years.",
"15 years."
],
"question": "For how long was Benin an independent state before it became a People's Republic?",
"question_type": "factiod_que... | Benin is one of the smallest African states. It lies in West Africa on the Gulf of Guinea, to the south of Burkina Faso and Niger, between Togo on the west and Nigeria on the east.
Benin used to be called Dahomey and was controlled and ruled by France from 1893 to 1960, when it became independent. In 1963 the army general Soglo overthrew the first president Maga. Soglo set up an army government and called himself head of state in 1965, but was overthrown and replaced by a civilian government in 1967. In December 1969 Benin had another change of power with the army again taking over. In May 1970, Maga and two other men set up a new government, with each of them acting as president in turn for two years. However, half a year after Maga turned over power to the second man Ahomadegbe, the three-man government was overthrown by the army once more and General Kerekou became president. In November 1975 Kerekou changed the name of the nation from Dahomey to Benin, Benin being the name of a 17th century kingdom covering the same place. Kerekou also announced that Benin would be a People's Republic based on Marxism-Leninism. | high4627.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "do more volunteering than ever before"
},
"options": [
"study harder than before",
"do more volunteering than ever before",
"don't care much about others",
"like to find jobs in their communities"
],
"question":... | Harvard student Julie Zauzmer turned 20 on January 22, and her birthday couldn't have been better: She got to working the overnight shift at the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter.
That might seem an extraordinary act of selflessness for someone turning 20. But there's increasing evidence that commitment to community service is becoming much more ordinary to today's young adults.
"Young adults are doing more volunteer service than in any point in history,'' said Scott Seider, an assistant professor of education at Boston University who studies the civic development of young adults.
At Harvard, the Winthrop Street Homeless Shelter is one of 86 social service programs associated with the Phillips Brooks House Association, which is a student-run nonprofit organization. Students can work with deaf children, bring pets to nursing homes, and prepare Chinese students to become US citizens, and so on.
Volunteerism develops well outside of colleges, too. Applications to AmeriCorps have risen to a very high level, jumping from 91,399 in 2008 to 258,829 in 2010. City Year, which puts young people in high-poverty schools as tutors and mentors for at-risk students, has had a 140 percent increase in applications since its 2007-2008 service year. Citizen Schools, which uses volunteers to work with students in middle schools, has had a 28 percent jump in applicants between 2008 and 2009.
"Most of my friends know it's their duty to give back before they settle down,'' said Samantha Wolf, a 23-year-old Boston University graduate serving with City Year in a Mattapan school.
City Year corps member Antonio Gutierrez, 22, graduated last year from Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., and is applying for admission to law schools, but this year he is tutoring and mentoring students at the Blackstone Elementary School in the South End.
"I grew up in similar circumstances,'' said Gutierrez, who said he was a weak student until enrichment programs changed his academic trajectory . Raised by a single mother in low-income housing across the street from City Year's South End Headquarters, he used to watch the red-jacketed corps members come and go, and decided to become one someday. | high16360.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "The students read the list on the next page"
},
"options": [
"Pro. Klammer announces them in class",
"The students read the list on the next page",
"Pro. Klammer gives a list every week",
"The students go to the profess... | COURSE: History 101 "Instruction to American History"
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Jane Klammer
OFFICE: 305 Marshall Hall
OFFICE HOURS: 11:15 -12:30 M, W, F, (Monday Wednesday Friday)
CLASS: 363 Marshall Hall 3:35 -5:00 T, Th (Tuesday Thursday)
10:00-11:00 M, W, F,
other times by appointment
TELEPHONE: 255---4786
TEXTBOOK: Green, Robert P. ,The American Tradition;
Charles E. A History of the United States, Merrill Publishing Co. Columbus, Ohio 1984 which is available (that can be obtained) at the College Bookstore.
COURSE REQUIREMENT: (something needed)
mid-term exam: October 10 20% of the final grade
final exam: December 10 40% of the final grade
Term paper due: December 15 40% of the final grade
Attendance is not required, but you are responsible for all the information given in the class lectures. In the lectures I will talk about the chapters in the textbook and other material that I choose to supplement the course. The exams will cover all the information. Therefore, I advise you to come to the classroom as much as possible. If you have to miss a class, be sure to get the class notes from another student.
Your homework assignments are listed on the next page. You are supposed to read the chapter about which I will be lecturing before you come to class. This is to make sure that you understand as much as possible while taking notes in my lectures. Be prepared when you come to class. If there are any changes in the assigned homework, I will announce in class.
The term paper is 40% of your final grade. It should not exceed15 pages. (Anyone thinking of majoring in history may write 25 pages). Before the mid-term exam you will choose the topic for your paper.
Have a good term! | high21527.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "The discouraging economy and unemployment"
},
"options": [
"A lack of confidence in themselves",
"Fierce competition in the job market",
"Their dissatisfaction with the government",
"The discouraging economy and unemplo... | You may have heard of the American Dream, an ideal that has powered the hopes of Americans for generations.
It began as a belief that the US was a land of opportunity, and that anyone could achieve success through hard work. At times, the dream has referred to home ownership, a good job, retirement security or each generation doing better than the last.
Yet today, this concept seems to have greatly changed. As Time magazine pointed out, quite different from the older generation, many Millennials (the generation born after 1980) redefine the American Dream as "day-to-day control of your life". They "prize job mobility, flexible schedules, any work that is more interesting than typing, and the ability to travel", said the magazine.
Home ownership, once the _ of the American Dream, is becoming a smaller priority for this generation. Meanwhile, nearly 40% of them choose travel as part of their dream. And entrepreneurship is a rising favorite, as nearly 26% of Millennials consider self-employment as part of their dream.
So what has led to this huge change?
Many point fingers at the poor economy. "Modern young Americans seem bound to face a world stamped by ever narrowing opportunity and social stagnation ,"noted The Daily Beast.
"The rate of 16-to 24-year-olds out of school and out of work is unusually high at 15%. Many college graduates have taken jobs that don't require a degree," Time reported.
The magazine worries that these difficulties may lead to a lost generation who are "unable to ever truly find their feet on the corporation's ladder".
Dan Kadlec, a reporter of Time, sees Millennials as resetting their expectations."This situation is different for young adults today," he wrote. "A true American dream has to feel attainable, and many Millennias are feeling they can only attain a day-today lifestyle that suits them." | high10922.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "is in New York City"
},
"options": [
"hasn't been finished",
"is in New York City",
"is the tallest skyscraper in the world now",
"had fewer floors than the New World Trade Center"
],
"question": "The writer say... | For almost forty years the Empire State Building in New York City was the world's tallest skyscraper . The building reaches a height of 1, 250 feet. It has 102 floors. The use of steel frames made its height possible. Steel walls can rise height without needing to be thick. Steel frame construction is strong. All plates are fixed firmly together by metal bolts called rivets . When set in place, rivets are usuall red- hot. One end is already rounded. A riveter uses a special hammer to shape the other end. Then the rivet cools. It holds the plates firmly. High winds can move this strong building. A wind of a hundred miles an hour has caused it to move almost one and a half inches. | high17095.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "show love and respect to his customers"
},
"options": [
"always introduce the cheap guitars to customers",
"show love and respect to his customers",
"work out how much he would make before each sale",
"learn from the to... | My son Paul got a job in a large chain of guitar stores. It was the first time for him to do such a job. The pay was based on a small salary and his sales. They offered him some training on how to get close to a customer, introduce the product and make the sale. However, he wasn't doing well. He was very _ .
One morning Paul said to me, "Mum, you used to be a sales trainer. Can you tell me why I'm not doing well?" I said, "The key is that you must love the people you are selling your product to, not count the money you will make in your mind. Do what is best for them even though they are just buying something small or a cheap guitar."
He promised he would try it. After some time, his sales began to increase. He became the top salesman in the store and his salary was increased. Within six months, he was one of the top ten salespeople in the whole chains of guitar stores around the country.
His company held a big party to honor the top ten salespeople. New cars, great hotels and delicious dinners were the prizes. Paul was of course included. After the dinner, the boss of the company asked, "Paul, how did you make it?"
Paul answered, " I don't want to tell you. You won't believe me."
"Of course I'll believe you. Tell me."
"I started loving the people who came in," Paul told him.
The boss replied, "Okay Paul, now tell me how you REALLY make it." | high20639.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "He praises most Chinese people a lot."
},
"options": [
"He thinks most Chinese people hardly work.",
"He thinks most Chinese people are proud.",
"He praises most Chinese people a lot.",
"He dislikes most Chinese people.... | I wish there would be a way to describe China in simple terms but that's impossible. For the most part Chinese people are friendly, easy-going and optimistic. They are curious and unusually patient and they are also the hardest-working people I have ever met.
In China, family is everything. In my English classes when the students were asked what they would do if they only had a few hours to live, most students told me how they would spend their last few hours with their families and parents. Many times the subjects in the classes center on families and friends. I teach many students a year, talking to them freely.
The cost of living here is very low compared with that of the US. The city of Xiang Fan I live in isn't large and I live better. Non-imported foods are very cheap, so are clothing and articles of everyday use. The cost of public transportation is very low, too. Chinese value education. However, it is reported that many children can't afford the expenses of schooling and are forced to leave school in some poor area in China. But they organized Project Hope many years age. It creates conditions for the poor children to go back to school. In my opinion, Project Hope is of great importance to the development of the rural education.
When we read news of China in the west, rarely, if ever, will we see anything mentioned of the positive changes China has gone through. While it is true that economic miracles have not reached many areas of China, but we also have the same problems.
When I am asked which country I consider better. China or the US, my answer has always been the same, "We are not worse or better than each other, we are only different." | high4814.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "protect her from possible danger"
},
"options": [
"improve her behavior",
"develop her independence",
"be in memory of her dead brother",
"protect her from possible danger"
],
"question": "In the writer's childh... | After my brother died in an accident, my mother was in deep sadness. I was only a four-year-old girl at the time, but I still understood the sudden shift in my mom's attitude towards safety. Suddenly everything around us was potentially dangerous. Overnight, the world had gone from a playground to a dangerous zone. I grew up with a lot of limits and rules. I couldn't walk home from school by myself, even though everyone I knew already did. I couldn't go to summer camp because what if something happened to me?
As I got older, the list of things of fear got longer. My whole life was divided into "things you should avoid", and "things you needed to do in order to have a good, long life." I became a natural worrier. I worry about things like getting cancer, losing my wallet, car accidents, earthquakes, and losing my job -- disasters big and small, real and imagined.
The funny part is that you'd never know it by looking at my life. In fact, I've developed a rule for myself: If it scares me, then I have to do it at least once. I've done lots of things that my mom would have worried about: I've ridden a motorcycle; I've traveled --a lot. I've performed stand-up comedy, and I'm planning my second wedding.
There's something else I don't usually talk about, but it's a cornerstone in my belief: When I was 14, my mother died suddenly in a car accident. At my mom's funeral I remember making a choice. I could either live out the rest of my life trying to be "safe" or I could be brave enough to live out a fulfilling, exciting and, yes, sometimes dangerous life.
I worry that I may have betrayed my mother by writing her in this light, but she has been a driving force in my life and, in the end I think she would have been proud of me. Courage isn't a natural character of human beings. I believe that using courage is like developing a muscle. The more often I do things that scare me or that make me uncomfortable, the more I realize that I can do a lot more than I originally thought I could do.
Even though I inherited my mother's cautious nature. I've also come to believe that fear can be a good thing, if we face it. Believing that has made my world a less scary place. | high220.txt |
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