questions list | article stringlengths 9 6.44k | id stringlengths 9 14 |
|---|---|---|
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "The Jamala Wildlife Lodge lies in the heart of Canberra."
},
"options": [
"The Jamala Wildlife Lodge lies in the heart of Canberra.",
"The Jamala Wildlife Lodge has a very long history.",
"The Jamala Wildlife Lodge is outside... | Imagine being given the opportunity to wake up to lions, eat your meals with monkeys, and even share your bath with bears, all from the comfort of a unique new lodging experience.
The Jamala Wildlife Lodge opened its doors in January 2015, which was set up in an effort to educate visitors about aiding the survival of many of the world's endangered species.
"It's great for the animals; they're going to get more space. It's great for the viewing public; they're going to get more things to see. It will be great for tourism and just for the local community," Said Richard Tindale, the owner and operator.
Spreading across three locations in the National Zoo, the 18 rooms, which range from giraffe tree houses to jungle bungalows, offer a fantastic experience with wildlife
The Giraffe Treehouse
The Giraffe Treehouse is set among the giraffe enclosures , and the Jungle Bungalows are luxurious individual suites which are next to either lion, cheetah , brown bear, or Malaysian sun bear enclosures.
The Ushaka House
Housing up to 26 people, the Ushaka House is built around the monkey enclosure and has a built-in aquarium which offers private views of some of the zoo's sharks.
The Burley Griffin House
Only meters from the edge of Lake Burley Griffin, the indoor and outdoor entertaining areas have splendid views across the lake to Black Mountain.
The Shark House
The Shark House has its own little jetty and it comes out over the shark tank here and so the people who stay in the room will be able to go to their bedroom and pat the shark.
Location
Located in the heart of Australia's political capital, the Jamala Wildlife Lodge at the National Zoo and Aquarium is just ten minutes from Canberra's central Business District. | high11150.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Appear on comic TV shows."
},
"options": [
"Appear on comic TV shows.",
"Donate large sums of money.",
"Donate expensive clothes to charity shops.",
"Play in a music video with the Prime Minister."
],
"question"... | If you watch British television on Friday March 15, you might be surprised to see celebrities wearing funny red noses and joking around. But don't worry, they're not mad, it's all part of a biennial fund-raising event called Red Nose Day.
Organized by the charity Comic Relief, founded in 1985 by two British comedians, the aim of the event is to raise money to fight poverty and injustice in the UK and Africa.
Celebrities and public figures support the event by making appearances on comic TV shows broadcast by the BBC. This year, for example, UK Prime Minister David Cameron appeared in a music video by One Direction, which the band produced for the event.
But Britons don't just raise money for charitable causes on one day a year, they do it all year round. One way of doing so is by shopping in charity shops.
These small, inconspicuous shops sell clothes, books and household goods just like any other shop. But there's one big difference--it's all secondhand.
There are nearly 10,000 charity shops in the UK, according to the Charity Retail Association. Their business model is simple: Anybody who has things they don't want anymore can donate them to a charity shop, where they are checked for damage, cleaned and priced. Most items go back on sale at a small part of their original price and the money that is made by selling them is used for a charitable cause.
The idea of buying used clothes may sound off-putting, but for shoppers who have less spending money, such as the elderly or those in low-paying jobs, it has been a welcome option for years.
Now, "thrifting"--shopping at charity shops-- is also becoming popular with young people looking for alternative fashion.
"I love shopping at thrift stores. You can find very unique clothes for a very cheap price. It doesn't bother me that other people may have worn them, I simply wash them before I wear them," said Anne Marie, a 19-year-old Internet user from the US, in a comment on a Yahoo forum.
So next time you spot a charity shop, why not go inside? Who knows, you might find a lovely dress for just a few pounds. Even better, you can enjoy wearing it in the knowledge that your money helped a good cause. | high3417.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Liu Xiang's resumption to the racetrack"
},
"options": [
"victory of Liu Xiang",
"Liu Xiang's resumption to the racetrack",
"dream of Liu Xiang",
"Liu Xiang's high aim"
],
"question": "This passage mainly talks ... | Liu Xiang Will Resume Training
prefix = st1 /Athens Olympic 110m hurdle champion Liu Xiang felt so _ to return to racetrack after getting out of the great number of social activities.
Liu arrived in hometown ShanghaiWednesday night and was about toresumetraining shortly after.
"I am so exhausted from so many social activities, which made me even more tired than training," said the 21-year-old Liu, who wrote a new chapter in China's Olympic history by winning the country's first ever athletics short-distance running title in the men's 110m hurdles in Athens in August.
"I am happy that I will resume my training soon back in Shanghai," said the Shanghainative. He turned into an instant national hero with the Olympicglory(,)and one of the most popular Olympic gold medalists, taking part in scores of celebration activities since he returned to China early September.
"My regular training has been interrupted for such a long time that I think I can only run at about 13.5 seconds now," said Liu, who clocked a world record-tying time of 12.91 to clinch the title.
"I would rather forget what I have achieved in the past and try my best to realize a higher goal," he said.
Liu already missed the Berlin Golden League Series on Sunday and won't be able to catch the IAAF Grand Prix final slated for September 18-19 in Monaco.
He plans on attending an IAAF all-star tournament in Japanat the end of this month. | high18612.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "to tell us some basic information on City Lit"
},
"options": [
"to teach people how to learn well in City Lit",
"to introduce the development of City Lit",
"to tell us some basic information on City Lit",
"to show us so... | Welcome to City Lit
About us
City Lit is London's influential destination for inspiring evening,daytime and weekend courses for adults.Each year we offer thousands of part-time courses,always trying to follow new trends and the passions and interests of our learners.Most of our classes take place in our bright,modern building in Covent Garden and are taught by inspiring tutors,all of whom are leading experts and elites in their field.
Our courses
City Lit offers you the biggest choice of part-time courses for adults in London.Our courses range from complete beginners to university level to meet your needs.Many lead to a nationally recognized qualification.Our courses run for about 12 weeks.Our courses regularly receive five-star reviews from our learners.
How to enroll
It's easy to book a place on a City Lit course.Just follow the steps below or ring our enrollment line on 020 783 1 7831 if you have any enrollment questions.
1.Select a course
Choose a course from over 4,000 that suits your needs.
The information and advice team are on hand to help you with information about courses, careers and financial support.
Opening times:Term time:Weekdays 12:00-19:00
Non-term time:Weekdays 12:00-17:00
2.Check dates &availability
Book in advance to avoid disappointment.Dates,days,times and availability are shown next to each course.
3.Choose enrollment method
By phone:Phone 020 7831 7831;Mon.to Fri.09:00-19:00&Sat.10:00-16:00
In person:Term time:Mon.to Fri.11:00-19:00&Sat.10:00-14:00
Non-term time:Mon.to Fri.12.00-17.00
By post or fax:Some courses require an interview before your enrollment.
You can also visit http:[?]www.citylit.ac.uk/enrol to know about the information.
4.Payment&confirmation
You can pay by credit card,debit card,cheque or with cash(in person only).
Please ring enrollments on 020 7831 7831 or visit our enrollment counter for more information.
http:[?]www.citylit.ac.uk/enrol | high5066.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Some lives are worth saving and others are not."
},
"options": [
"We act sometimes as if the people suffering don't exist.",
"They can't solve these problems alone.",
"Some lives are worth saving and others are not.",
"... | "Some of the worst human tragedies happening in the world today go on because we don't really see them.We rarely make eye communication with people who are suffering,so we act sometimes as if the people don't exist."
The speaker is Bill Gates,the world's richest man.At a gathering in Seattle,he is talking not as the Microsoft chairman but as a partner in a strong personal duty.For Gates and his wife,Melinda,making less inequality in global health and domestic education has become a life's goal.
Having set up their foundation with close to $29 billion,the Gateses are on track to become history's greatest philanthropists .But they do more than just give money out.Experts praise the couple for their wisdom and their ability to gather others:"Even with this great contribution,"says Susan Schwab,president and CEO of the University System of Maryland Foundation,"they know they can't solve these problems alone."
Their devotion came from different sources.For Melinda,it was a vacation to Zaire.Where she was struck by meeting women in being extremely poor.For Bill,it was reading that millions of children die every year from preventable diseases."Melinda and I had assumed that if there were medicines and treatments that could save lives,government would be doing everything they could to get them to...people,"Bill said at the World Health Assembly in Geneva."We couldn't escape the cruel conclusion that...some lives are seen as worth saving and others are not."
From shock came action.They focused on the simple message that one life is worth no more or less than another.Frances Hesselbein,chairman of the non-profit Leader to Leader Institute, says:"Sometimes people give in a very fair way,but there is something about what they are doing...that is the opposite of that.It is very difficult to understand and very personal."
Both Gateses read scientific books and travel extensively in developing countries.So far, the Gateses have devoted $9 billion to global health.They share a sense of urgency."We're not doing enough in developing countries to give out the treatments and practices we know are effective in fighting diseases such as malaria,tuberculosis and HIV,"the couple told U.S.News. | high17521.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "a prisoner"
},
"options": [
"an animal protector",
"the cat owner",
"a prison officer",
"a prisoner"
],
"question": "From the passage,we can learn that the author was _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_question... | When a dirty and untidy orange cat showed up in the prison yard,I was one of the first to go out there and pet it.I hadn't touched a cat or a dog in over 20 years.I spent at least 20 minutes,knelt down behind the kitchen as the cat rolled around,relaxed.What he was expressing outwardly, I was feeling inwardly.It was an amazing bit of grace to feel him under my hand and note that I was reaching a life or another creature with something as simple as my care.
Over the next few days,there were other prisoners responding to the cat.Every yard period,a group of prisoners gathered there.They stood around talking and taking turns petting the cat.These were guys you wouldn't usually find talking to each other.Several times I saw an officer in the group,not chasing people away, but just watching and seeming to enjoy along with the prisoners.Bowls of milk and water appeared along with bread, wisely placed under the edge of the dustbin to keep the birds from getting it.
The cat was obviously homeless and in pretty bad shape.People said that the cat came to the right place.He's getting treated like a king.This was true.but as 1 watched 1 was also thinking about what the cat was doing for us.There was a lot of talk about what's wrong with prisons in America.We need more programs.We need more psychologists or treatment of various kinds.Some may even talk about making prisons more kind.But I think what we really need is a chance to practise our own kindness.Not receive it,but give it.After more than two decades here,I know kindness is not a value that's encouraged.It's often seen as a weakness.
Instead,the culture encourages keeping your head down,minding your own business,and never letting yourself be weak.
The cat did my heart good to see the effect he had on me and the men here.By simply saying,"I need some help here",he did something important for us.He needed us.And we needed to be needed.I believe we all do. | high2709.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "teach a life lesson"
},
"options": [
"teach a life lesson",
"make an experiment",
"show the large jar",
"recognize the jar"
],
"question": "The professor filled an empty jar with rocks to _ .",
"question_... | A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty jar and started to fill it with rocks. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of _ and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with "Yes."
"Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things - your family, your partner, your health, your children - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter - like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else. The small stuff." "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued "there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, and give a dinner party. Take care of the rocks first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities . The rest is just sand." | high7881.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Heather's contribution to the world"
},
"options": [
"Heather's miserable life",
"Heather's contribution to the world",
"Heather's success in her work",
"Heather's belief in life"
],
"question": "This passage is... | Heather Mills McCartney lives an admirable life, attending celebrity parties, meeting regularly with the rich and famous and doing meaningful work for charity. All who work with her admire and respect her. But Heather's life hasn't always been so easy. When Heather was only 9 years old, her mother abandoned her and her two brothers. At the age of 13, she ran away from home and ended up living on the streets in London. Eventually, however, her exceptional beauty led to a career in modeling. At that time, Heather also began helping with the war relief efforts in former Yugoslavia. Through her modeling and relief work, she soon became famous.
But in August 1993, at age 25 her life changed once again. She was crossing the street in London when a motorcycle crashed into her. She was so badly injured that the doctors had to cut off her left leg. After that, she discovered she frequently needed to change her artificial limbs. It was expensive and she felt it was a waste to just throw away the old one. It occurred to her to set up an organization that could deliver used artificial limbs to Yugoslavia and other war-torn countries. It was through her charity work that she met her husband Paul McCartney.
Throughout her life, Heather has risen above problems and focused on helping others. Her work with artificial limbs even earned her a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996. Heather's persistence and determination are what impresses anyone who knows her. Heather believes anyone can make a positive difference in the world. | high1228.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Positive."
},
"options": [
"Unsatisfied.",
"Doubtful.",
"Positive.",
"Negative."
],
"question": "What is the author's attitude toward Byron Robinson's theory of two human brains?",
"question_type": null
},... | Back in the early 1900s, American physician Byron Robinson wrote a book proposing an interesting theory: humans actually have two brains --- one in our heads and the other in our stomachs, and the two "communicate" all the time. Interestingly, in Chinese culture, thoughts are also related to the belly in phrases and idioms like fugao (, a draft), manfu jinglun (, a bellyful of ideas), and yiduzi weiqu (, a bellyful of complaints).
This may sound a little ridiculous at first. But try to think of a time when you were extremely nervous. Chances are that you also felt uncomfortable in your stomach, didn't you? This is probably why people use the idiom "butterflies in one's stomach" to refer to being nervous.
Now scientists from Canada and the US have found that our guts , if not as bright as our actual brains, are much more than just where we digest the food we eat. They also affect our emotions and even behavior, all thanks to the bacteria in them, reported Scientific American.
In the study, scientists fed timid mice stomach bacteria from mice that were more active and daring. After eating the bacteria, the timid mice grew more energetic and fearless. Sure enough, when _ mice got the bacteria from timid ones, they became more anxious. The mice's behavior also changed when scientists disturbed the bacteria in their guts by changing their diets and feeding them antibiotics .
"If something goes wrong in the gut, that change is reflected in the brain," Emeran Mayer, a professor at University of California, Los Angeles, told The Huffington Post.
The brain-and-gut connection also works in the opposite way. Scientists studied children with autism --- a mental illness that makes people unable to socialize with others --- and found that they also have a lot of stomach problems. They have fewer types of stomach bacteria and lower totals of a few key bacteria than healthy children.
This research raises the possibility that scientists could treat patients with brain problems simply by feeding them the right food, which would be much more efficient than providing psychological therapy .
According to CBC News, you can get "good" bacteria that lift your spirits from food like yogurt while "bad" bacteria are usually in high fat and high sugar foods. | high6547.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "he wanted to take the woman's things"
},
"options": [
"he didn't know how to cure her",
"he wanted to get a lot of money",
"he wanted to take the woman's things",
"the woman refused to pay him"
],
"question": "T... | An old woman went suddenly blind. She promised a doctor a lot of money if he could make her see again. "If you fail", she said , " you will get nothing," The doctor agreed with her.
The doctor soon discovered what was wrong with her, but he decided not to cure her right away. Instead, each time he visited, he secretly took some of her things. When he had taken everything that he wanted, he cured her blindness and sent her a large bill. Now when the old woman could see again she noticed that all her things had gone and she refused to pay the bill. So the doctor took her before a judge.
"What the doctor says is true." she said to the judge. "But I say I'm not cured, because I still can't see any of the things in my house."
The old woman won her case and the doctor went away unhappily without getting his pay. | high9674.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "gather clean water efficiently"
},
"options": [
"gather clean water efficiently",
"reduce water supply costs",
"simplify maintenance",
"preserve water supplies"
],
"question": "Warka Water is designed mainly to ... | If you go to Ethiopia,you'll find a strange palm-like structure,which is called Warka Water.It gathers water from fog and condensation and is invented by an Italian firm.
When Italian designer Arturo Vittori and Swiss architect Andreas Vogler first visited Ethiopia in 2012,they were shocked to see women and children forced to walk miles to access what,for them,had always been within easy reach,water.
Only 34 percent of Ethiopians have access to a reliable water supply.Some travel for up to six hours a day to fetch some or,even worse,have to use pond water polluted by human waste, _ the spread of disease.
Worldwide,about 768 million people--two and a half times the U.S.population--don't have access to safe drinking water.So just imagine if we could just pull water out of thin air?That's what Vittori and Vogler asked once they saw the severe problem and promised to take action.Their firm,Architecture and Vision,has since come up with Warka Water,a grand palm-like structure that may look like something you'd see in a modern art museum,but it's been designed to harvest water from the air.
Warka Water,which is named after an Ethiopian fig tree,is composed of a 30-foot bamboo frame containing a fog-harvesting nylon net that can catch water easily,can be easily lowered for repairs and allow communities to measure the water level.Collecting water through condensation is hardly a new technique,but the creators of Warka Water say their tree-inspired design is more effective,maximizing surface and perfecting every angle to produce up to 26 gallons of drinkable water a day--enough for a family of seven.
Western organizations have been working to provide clean water access in Africa for decades,so Warka Water joins a very long list of earlier attempts.So far,high-tech solutions,like the once promising Playpump,have failed,mostly due to high costs and maintenance issues.
This is where Warka Water stands apart--a lower-tech solution that is easy to repair and far more affordable than digging wells in the rocky Ethiopian plateau. | high14000.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "To learn about the process of decision-making."
},
"options": [
"To think about happy times.",
"To make many decisions at a time.",
"To stop feeling regretful about the past.",
"To learn about the process of decision-ma... | Decisions, decisions! Our lives are full of them, from the small ones to the life-changing. The right to choose is central to everyone. Yet sometimes we make bad decisions that leave us unhappy or full of regret. Can science help?
Most of us know little about the mental processes that lie behind our decisions. Luckily, what psychologists are finding may help us all make better choices. Here are some of their amazing discoveries to help you make up your mind.
Consider your emotions. You might think that emotions are the enemy of decision making, but in fact they're a part of it. Whenever you make up your mind, your brain's emotional center is active. University of Southern California scientist, Antonio Damasio, has studied people with damage to only the emotional parts of their brains, and found that they were unable to make basic choices about what to wear or eat. Damasio thinks this may be because our brains store emotional memories of past choices, which we use to help the present decision making.
However, making choices under the influence of an emotion can greatly affect the result. Take anger, for example. A study by Nitika Garg of the University of Mississippi and other scientists found the angry shoppers were more likely to choose the first thing they were offered rather than considering other choices. It seems anger can lead us to make quick decisions without much thinking.
All emotions affect our thinking and motivation , so it may be best to avoid making important decisions under their influence. Yet strangely there's one emotion that seems to help us make good choices. The American researchers found that sad people took time to consider the various choices on offer, and ended up making the best choices. In fact many studies show that people who feel unhappy have the most reasonable view of the world. | high964.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "throw light on a special benefit of working"
},
"options": [
"describe her own experience in raising children",
"advise us to mix work and family",
"throw light on a special benefit of working",
"argue for working mothe... | What do working mothers worry about the most? It's the kids of course. Whatever the setting, the question I get asked the most is "Will the kids be alright?" It has made me realize that we tend to look at the glass half-empty rather than half-filled when it comes to mixing work and family. We forget about all the benefits that we bring to our children when we work - and I'm not talking about the obvious financial benefits, although these of course shouldn't be taken for granted.
About a year ago I remember getting a call from the school just as I was pulling up to the house after having driven 20 minutes to the school and 20 minutes back. "Mrs. Brown Quinn, your son asked us to call. He forgot his sports clothes. Can you come back to the school and drop them off?" I was exasperated ! I had already spent 40 minutes in aggressive weekday morning traffic. I replied, "Sorry, I'm working at the moment. I'm afraid my son needs to learn to be organized."
Being a good parent requires delivering tough love sometimes. Kids need to learn to be independent. It can be a cruel and competitive world out there. Seeking interests, including business, outside of your kids, can give you that extra idea that you need not care for your kids with attention. This benefit of working isn't always immediately evident.
It wasn't until our daughter went away to college that she realized why we had raised her in the way that we did. "Mom, I can't believe how so many of my friends struggle to manage things on their own. They are constantly calling their parents for help." You'll love that moment! After all those years of complaining about why you don't do this or why you don't give them that, your kids realize that tough love has made them better people. | high12471.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "News Item 4"
},
"options": [
"News Item 1",
"News Item 2",
"News Item 3",
"News Item 4"
],
"question": "\"Excessive Apology\" may be a good title for_.",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answ... | Four pieces of News
News Item 1
ChongQing--A man has received compensation of more than 130,000 yuan(US&15,662)for being wrongly convicted of murder and serving nearly seven years in jail.Tong Liqing,who is now 41,was jailed for killing his brother's maid.At his trial,Tong said he had admitted to the crime to escape further police beatings.His case attracted the attention of a local lawyer who spent six years finding evidence to prove Tong's innocence.
News Item 2
Tokyo--An earthquake shook Tokyo on Wednesday but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.National broadcaster NHK said there was no danger of tidal waves.The earthquake measured a moderate 6.5 on the Richter scale.NHK said the epicenter was off the coast of the Kii peninsula in western Japan.
News Item 3
Hong Kong--More women from the Chinese mainland intend to visit Hong Kong in search of Mr. Right after restrictions on travel to Hong Kong were eased.In the first seven months of this year,some 18,000 couples registered for marriage in Horn Kong.For one third of these newly married couples,husbands or wives were from Chinese mainland.According to the China News Service,local matchmaking agencies have recently received more inquiries from women who are from the mainland,wanting to meet well-educated men with a ly good income.
News Item 4
Nanjing--A report that three kindergarten teachers knelt down before a South Korean couple to apologize,in Nanjing,of East China's Jiangsu Province,has triggered wide criticism.
At a local kindergarten,a Chinese teacher frightened a South Korean child by saying she would cut off his fingers if he continued to make mischief.Although the kindergarten had apologized to the couple and dismissed the teacher surnamed Yang,the mother insisted that Yang should kneel down before her.
Sheng Dalin,a columnist,wrote in the XINXI SHIBAO that it was enough to fire the teacher and make an apology to the couple,but the mother's request was beyond all reason. | high23874.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Europe"
},
"options": [
"Asia",
"Africa",
"Latin America",
"Europe"
],
"question": "Before 1924, all the winter sports competitions were held in_.",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": ... | The history of the Winter Games, however, has been even more troubled than that of the Summer Games. Until 1924 all the winter sports competitions, held every four years from 1901 to 1917 and again in 1922, had been in the Scandinavian countries - Sweden, Norway and Finland. The sportsmen of these countries believed that the Winter Games could only be held in the Scandinavian way. Coubertin, himself, was against a separate Winter Olympics as he felt that they would cause trouble within the Olympic movement.
However, as winter holidays in the Alps became more and more popular, so did the idea of a truly international Winter Games. The first Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix in 1924, though they were only recognized by the International Olympic Committee as "Olympic" two years later in 1926. Although there were many arguments before them, the first Games were a success, but the problems did not end there. In 1935, it was decided by the IOC that ski teachers could not compete in the Olympics because they were professionals. This caused a big argument between the IOC and the International Ski Federation, who agreed with the ski teachers. However, war came and with it an end to the discussions. When the war was finally over, the Winter Games were started up again, as before, in St Moritz in 1948 and the crisis had passed. | high16617.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "The environment in Abdet is getting better."
},
"options": [
"Climbing Sierra de Aitana is the most exciting.",
"Ancient trails have changed into highways.",
"The environment in Abdet is getting better.",
"Traders live ... | Guided Walking Week April 2016
Dates: April 30th-May 7th 2016
Location: Abdet, Costa Blanca
A week of guided walking in the mountains around Abdet. Highlights include the climbing of Valencia's highest summit (Sierra de Aitana), traveling completely around the impressive Puig Campana, and several explorations in the Sierra de Serrella. Ancient trails lead through spectacular canyons to abandoned settlements situated high in the mountains. You will discover the snow trader routes which lead from the incredible snow holes high in the mountains down to the villages and towns on the coast. These years, golden eagles have made a return to this area, and you may also see other animals -- wild goats (Cabra), foxes, wild pigs and red squirrels.
As part of the week you are invited to help clear some local walking paths. This involves clearing collapsed walls and rocks, cutting back fallen trees. This is of course optional and is just for half a day, it's actually great fun!
Price: PS499
Includes
*Accommodation in the beautiful mountain village of Abdet
*All food -- good home cooking
*Beer, wine, soft drinks
*Snacks and post walk treats
*Packed lunches&drinks (except cafe/bar visits)
*Expert guiding
*Photos/Videos of your days in the mountains
*Airport pick-up/return PS25 each way (fly to Alicante)
*Single room supplement PS75
To book or get further information, please contactinfo@abdet.com. | high19524.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "One who plays with great passion."
},
"options": [
"One who plays with great passion.",
"One who plays unique music.",
"One who plays creatively.",
"One who has a sense of vision."
],
"question": "According to t... | A research found that people shown silent videos of piano competitions could pick out the winners more often than those who could also hear the music. It underlines the importance of our sense of vision, say scientists. Their study concludes that the best predictor of a winner's musical performance was the visible passion they displayed, followed closely by their uniqueness and creativity.
Chia-Jung Tsay, from University College London, UK, is the study's author and herself a concert pianist. She was interested in how music was judged and found that even professional musicians were unaware of how much they were using visual information over sound. "For the last two decades, I've taken part in various competitions. Through this experience, I found that depending on what type of evaluations were used, the results might vary widely. This led me to wonder about how much visual information really affects these important decisions," she explained.
More than 1,000 participants in the study were given samples of either audio, silent video or video with sound, and asked to rate the top three finalists from 10 international classical music competitions. The actual competition winners were only correctly identified by those who were randomly assigned the silent videos.
Dr Tasy said the findings were quite surprising, especially because both trained musicians and those without training had stated that sound was most important for their evaluation. "Regardless of levels of expertise, we still seem to be led primarily by visual information, even in this field of music," she said. "Classical music training is often focused on improving the quality of the sound, but this research is about getting to the bottom of what is really being evaluated at the highest levels of competitive performance. She added, "We must be more mindful of our inclination to depend on visual information at the expense of the content that we actually value as more relevant to our decisions." | high4350.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "In a website."
},
"options": [
"In a textbook.",
"In a magazine.",
"In a paper.",
"In a website."
],
"question": "Where would this passage most probably appear?",
"question_type": null
},
{
"answer":... | Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods can often come at the least expected time.Others, such as hurricanes are increasing in severity and destruction.Typically, those poor countries are the worst hit for they have the least resources to deal with the destruction and rebuild their home.This part of the globalissues.org website looks at some of these issues.
Japan Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Crisis
The earthquake off the coast of Japan on March 11, 2011 was one of the biggest recorded, measuring 9 on the Richter scale .
It was the resulting tsunami, however, that caused the most destruction.It _ the northeast of Japan, leaving many thousands dead or missing, and -hundreds of thousands homeless or leaving the area.In addition, various power generators failed.Some older nuclear power stations risked meltdown and suffered explosions and radioactive leaks.Workers battled for weeks to try and bring the situation under control.Radioactive material was detected in various places.
It is thought that the cost of the earthquake and tsunami could be over $ 300 billion-the world's most expensive natural disaster on record.
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina was a destroyed category 4 hurricane, the highest category, that hit the Gulf of Mexico and various Southern regions of the United States at the end of August, 2005, causing the worst damage in that country's history, estimated at $ 100 billion.The famous New Orleans city and surrounding areas were worst hit as much of it sits some 6 feet below sea level.City defenses, such as banks, only designed for categary 3 type hurricanes, gave way, leading to enormous flooding and associated damage, death and displacement of around 100, 000 people who either chose to say the course, or could not afford to flee. | high2721.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Choose the holiday in Devon."
},
"options": [
"Go to the Snowdonia Centre.",
"Choose the holiday in Devon.",
"Join the World Sea Trip of 2008.",
"Visit Acapulco and Hawaii."
],
"question": "What can you do if yo... | Holidays
Holiday News
Vacancies now and in the school holidays at a country hotel in Devon. This comfortable, friendly home-from-home lies near the beautiful quiet countryside, but just a drive away from the sea. The food is simple but good. Children and pets are welcome. Reduced prices for low season.
The Snowdonia Centre
The Snowdonia Centre for young mountain climbers has a mountain climbing lesson. The beginners' costs are PS57 for a week, including food and rooms. Equipment is included except walking shoes, which can be hired at a low cost. You must be in good health and prepared to go through a period of body exercises. This could be the beginning of a lifetime of mountain climbing adventure.
The World Sea Trip of a Lifetime
Our World Sea Trip of 2008 will be unlike any holiday you have ever been on before. Instead of one hotel after another, with all its packing and unpacking, waiting and traveling, you just go to bed in one country and wake up in another. On board the ship, you will be well taken care of. Every meal will be first-class and every cabin like your home. During the trip, you can rest on deck , enjoy yourself in the games rooms and in the evening dance to our musical team and watch our wonderful play. You will visit all the places most people only dream about -- from Acapulco and Hawaii to Tokyo and Hong Kong. For a few thousand pounds, all you've ever hoped for can be yours. | high10266.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Clarence Holiday spent too much time in working"
},
"options": [
"Sadie Fagan wanted to move to New York City",
"the family couldn't support itself",
"Clarence Holiday spent too much time in working",
"Clerence Holiday ... | Billie Holiday was one of the greatest jazz singers in America. Her life was just a mixture of success and tragedy. Her singing expressed her experiences and feelings.
Billie Holiday was born Eleanora Fagan in 1915 in Baltimore, Maryland. Her parents were Sadie Fagan and Clarence Holiday. They were young when their daughter was born. Their marriage failed because Clarence Holiday was often out. He traveled as a musician with some of the earliest jazz bands and inspired his daughter.
Sadie Fagan cleaned people's houses to make a living. But she could not support her family with the money she earned. So she moved to New York City where the pay was higher. She left her daughter in Baltimore with one of her distant relatives.
The young girl Eleanora Fagan changed her name to Billie, because she liked a movie star, Billie Dove. The talented Billie Holiday loved singing. She sang and listened to music whenever she could. In one place near her home there was a machine that played records. The building was a theater where many famous singers also performed their newly-made songs for free.
Billie cleaned floors and did other jobs for the theater so that she could listen to the records. It was there that young Billie first heard the records of some famous black American blues artists of the 1920s. she heard Bessie Smith sing the blues. And she heard Louis Armstrong play the horn. Both musicians had a great influence on her.
Billie Holiday once said, "I do not think I'm singing. I feel like I am playing a horn. _ I hate straight singing. I have to change a tune to my own way of doing it. That is all I know." | high2047.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Whether the companies should pay for it."
},
"options": [
"Whether the companies should pay for it.",
"Whether taxpayers could get profit from it.",
"Who have the ability to change it.",
"How much should be paid for it.... | When policy experts debate climate change solutions, they often talk about "a price on carbon." They are arguing about whether companies should pay when they put carbon pollution in the air. Proponents say that it's simple economics -- if it's free to pollute, you'll get a lot of pollution. Opponents claim it will raise the cost of energy that's produced from high carbon sources, like coal. But here's the secret that most people seem to be missing: There already is a price on carbon, and it's paid by the taxpayers.
Carbon pollution, like every other form of pollution, has an impact on the environment. Throwing waste into a river will cause the fish to die and the people who drink the water to get sick. And when you produce carbon pollution, you get climate change -- sea level rise, stronger storms, severe droughts, damage to agriculture, and more.
All of those impacts cost money. Insurance rates go up when storms get more destructive. Taxes increase when cities have to rebuild bridges and roads. Military budgets go up when droughts and population changes cause conflicts. Not to mention impacts on agriculture and health care costs.
In other words, the price on carbon is what we all pay when there is no market force to limit the pollution that causes climate change. So the debate is really about who will pay that price -- the companies who are making a profit from the fossil fuels, or the taxpayers who pick up the cost now?
Right now, we have private profit and public cost. It's just like if we allowed every business to throw its garbage in the street because it's too expensive to have it moved away properly. Does it add a little bit to your dinner check to require that restaurants dispose of their trash properly? Sure. But it would be more expensive for you if the city had to clean the streets of their garbage every day. So just like we put a "price on garbage" we need a "price on carbon pollution."
Now, a "price on carbon pollution" can mean a lot of things. You could tax companies based on the amount of carbon pollution they produce, and return the money to taxpayers. You could put a limit on how much they can produce, thereby requiring them to invest in ways to conduct business in a less polluting way. | high10500.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "They think that computers cannot grade writing as well as people."
},
"options": [
"They think highly of the computer systems.",
"They think that computers cannot grade writing as well as people.",
"They believe that computer... | Last year, a report by a committee of education experts said that a lot of American students cannot write well. The report noted the concerns of business leaders and teachers. The experts said that more students should have to pass a writing test before they can finish high school. They pointed out that major college entrance tests are changing now to include a writing part.
Educators know that teaching students to write well is not easy. One problem is the amount of time needed to read through large amounts of work. So some companies have developed computer programs. These can grade student writing much more quickly than a person can. Writing tests can also cost less to carry out by computer than paper-and-pencil. These computer systems are known as e-readers. They use artificial intelligence to think in a way like teachers. In the state of Indiana, computer grading of a statewide writing test began with a test of the system itself. For two years, both a computer and humans graded the student writing. Officials say there was almost no difference between the computer grades and those given by the human readers.
The entrance test commonly used by business schools, the GMAT, already uses e-readers. The GRE and TOEFL tests might start; officials are deciding. The GRE is the Graduate Record Examination. TOEFL is the Test of English as a Foreign Language.
Systems are also being used to grade writing in college classes. The computers read a few hundred examples of student writing already graded by humans. Then the systems compare new writings against those already examined.
How do teachers feel all about this? Many say machines can never do the job as well as people can. A computer can find spelling and grammar mistakes. But these teachers say it can never really understand what a writer is trying to say. Critics say a program cannot follow a thought or judge humor or understand a beautifully expressed idea.
But inventors of the programs say computer grading guarantees that each piece of writing is graded in the same way. They also say the systems are meant to judge knowledge more than creativity. | high16171.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "improve their bone mineral density"
},
"options": [
"recover from spinal cord injury",
"improve their bone mineral density",
"walk as fast as normal people",
"monitor their waist's movement"
],
"question": "With... | With the press of a button, a person with severe spinal cord injuiy is able to walk again, thanks to the Walking Assistive Exoskeleton Robot (WAER).
Powered suits that could help paralyzed people walk and others lift and carry heavy loads with ease have been a dream since late 19th century. But they can realize their dreams in the 21st century.
The 20-kilogram robot has four battery-powered motors that can run for up to three hours. Inventor Wu Chenghua, from Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute, says it has successfully been in tests on 12 patients. "We have learned from our research process that patients whose injuries are below the fourth chest joint are able to use our robot to stand, walk and sit down," he said.
Since walking contributes to muscle exercise, Wu says patients receive some additional benefits. "In the clinical process, we would check their bone mineral density ,and we found that the bone mineral densities of these patients had been improved." he said. Wu says his exoskeleton may be available for consumers by 2018.
Meanwhile, baggage handlers at Tokyo's Haneda Airport will soon start testing a similar robot, developed by the Japanese firm Cyberdyne. The battery-powered robot weighs only 3
lift a heavy object, the machine monitors the movemen",says Yoshiyuki Sankai, the developer and CEO of Cyberdyne.
"This robot suit monitors the signal from the human nerve system to support the waist's movement," Sankai said, "It self-adjusts the level support to reduce the load on the human waist, light and smart. We believe that it will change the life of paralyzed people in many ways and have a promising future." | high19242.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "go to the Box Office on Sundays"
},
"options": [
"use the Internet",
"go to the Box Office on Sundays",
"ring the booking number and pay for the tickets by credit card",
"complete a booking form and post it to the Box O... | The booking notes of the play " the Age of Innocence" .
Price: $ 10
BOOKING:
There are four ways to book seats for performance :
---In person
The Box Office is open from Monday to Saturday , 10 a.m. --- 8 p.m.
---By telephone _
Ring 01324976 to reserve your tickets or to pay by credit card (Visa , MasterCard and Amex accepted )
---By post
Simply complete the booking form and return it to Global Theatre Box Office .
---On line
Complete the on-line booking form at www.Satanfiedtheatre.com
DISCOUNTS:
Saver : $ 2 of any seat booked any time in advance for performances from Monday to Thursday . Savers are available for children who are below the age of 16 years old , over 60s and full-time students.
Supersaver: half-price seats are available for people with disabilities and one companion . It is advisable to book in advance . There is a maximum of eight wheelchair spaces available and one wheelchair space will be held until an hour before the show .
Standby: best available seats are on sale for $ 6 from one hour before the performance for people eligible (suitable ) for Saver and Supersaver discounts and thirty minutes before for all other customers .
Group Bookings : there is a ten percent discount for parties of twelve or more .
School : school parties of ten or more can book $ 6 standby tickets in advance and will get every tenth ticket free .
Please note : we are unable to exchange tickets or refund money unless a performance is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances . | high4436.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "It is plant and animal matter used to provide power."
},
"options": [
"It is a useful way of burning crops.",
"It is plant and animal matter used to provide power.",
"It is a new alternative to be used widely.",
"It is ... | Across countryside, non-food crops are growing alongside wheat.Some are used in new alternatives to plastics and other materials, but others will simply be burned.
Burning crops is becoming more popular because it is good for the planet.Doing so is also cheaper than burning fossil fuels.As more land is devoted to non-food crop production, the economics of crops for fuel are likely to become even more favorable.
Humans have been burning such biomass--organic materials from plants or animals-- since they discovered fire.But that burning fossil fuels could have catastrophic consequences has brought biomass back into fashion.
Even allowing for emissions of carbon dioxide from fuel used in planting, harvesting, processing and transporting biomass fuel, replacing fossil fuel with biomass can typically reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 90 percent.
Power stations around the world are experimenting with forms of biomass to add to their coal or oil, with encouraging results.Indeed, power companies could profit by turning to biomass, especially when the subsidies many governments offer for using renewable energy are taken into account.
Farmers can benefit from growing biomass.In Europe, the reduction of subsidies for certain crops is exposing farmers to market forces.Instead of being paid for whatever they produce, farmers must seek a clear demand for their product.Many believe that the demand for alternatives to fossil fuels could be just such a driver.
But while biomass offers a variety of potential alternatives, the world's infrastructure has developed around burning fossil fuels to such a stage that switching to biomass involves a change in conception that many companies have not accepted.
Also, there are problems with using biomass.Although most coal-fired power stations could take a small amount of their fuel from biomass without significant adjustment, few are built to run on biomass alone.Burning some forms of biomass also causes environmental problems.Oils and waste can be smelly, while wood produces smoke unless burned properly.
The supply chains for fossil fuels are set up well, but those for biomass are just the beginning. Sources of supply for biomass rely on farm production and can therefore be less reliable. They are necessarily limited and it wouldn't make sense to turn a very large amount of valuable agricultural land away from food crops.But as the world adjusts to the need to control greenhouse gas emissions, these problems may receive more attention. | high3359.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Because it shows that you are not a person around here."
},
"options": [
"Because it shows that you are not a person around here.",
"Because it is not convenient.",
"Because it can't be hidden under your jacket.",
"Beca... | Here are some tips on how to keep you,your belongings and your money safe during traveling. After all,it'd be a shame to spend all that time finding the best price for your trip,only to lose your cash and credit cards to a thief.
Don't let others know that you are new here.
You're a tourist. You know that,but you don't want anybody else to know that. Don't unfold your big map on a busy corner. Don't ask strangers on the street for directions. Learn your route ahead of time,and step into a business for directions whenever possible. Avoid flashing your Lonely Planet guidebook around,or publicly referring to your language dictionary when traveling abroad.
Keep your friends close and your money closer.
A lone traveler equals easy pickings for a seasoned criminal. If you are traveling alone,try to hide that fact. Stick with groups whenever possible and keep information sharing with chatty cab drivers and the like to a minimum.
Another thing you don't want to advertise:where you keep your money. A fanny pack may be convenient,but it means "I'm not from around here!" If you have a purse,keep it close to your body,preferably under an item of clothing like a jacket or a sweater so that thieves can't steal it. Be sure that your wallet is in a securely fastened pocket. Or go like 007 with a hidden money belt. How cool is that?
Be careful,even in your hotel room.
Never blindly answer a knock at your door. If the knocker identifies himself as a hotel employee,call the front desk to confirm. Always make sure your hotel door completely closes when entering or exiting.
Don't leave your valuables lying around when you leave for the day. That hotel safe is there for a reason! | high14766.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Local performers challenge bands from all over the world."
},
"options": [
"The festival is economically important for Scotland.",
"Many people in Scotland rely on the festival for their jobs.",
"Local performers challenge ba... | B Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, and has long been a favorite destination of tourists from all over the world, as well as an important cultural and political center.
With its museums, shops, wonderful historic castle, and many pubs and restaurants, there are many things for visitors to enjoy all year round.And of course, as it is in Scotland, there are a wide range of whiskies to try!
However, there is more to Edinburgh than historic monuments and tourism.Each year, the Edinburgh Festival takes place in the city.In late summer, for three weeks, the festival presents classical music, theater, opera and dance at six major theaters and concert halls--and several smaller ones--throughout the city.Whatever your cultural tastes, you are sure to find something to enjoy.,
Local talent is always represented at the Edinburgh Festival giving Scottish composers and playwrights the opportunity to showcase their work and gain recognition from a wider audience.
In addition, orchestras and theater companies come from all over the world to perform at the prestigious festival.Last year saw the arrival of orchestras from the United States and Germany.
The festival has now become an important part of Scotland's economy as well as its culture.Last year's festival generated over PS130 million expenditure in Edinburgh alone, and across Scotland nearly 2,900 jobs exist as a direct result of the festival.
The festival is so popular that it has become, in some ways, _ .The huge interest in performing there led to the setting up of a rival festival, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.Fortunately, demand for live entertainment during the summer is so great that both festivals continue to thrive .
The Fringe tends to feature mostly comedy and experimental works.Yet it can lead to great things ---- many famous and successful comedians and artists, such as Rowan Atkinson, better known as TV's Mr.Bean, started their careers in small venues at the Fringe. | high13009.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "tell you the truth"
},
"options": [
"answer \"fine\"",
"tell you the truth",
"make no answer",
"get angry and walk away"
],
"question": "When you ask a Russian \"how are you\" the Russian will _ .",
"ques... | "When an American asks me this question, it's like a wall of ice crashing down between us." my Moscow-born friend Galina said. The question is "How are you?".
The answer Americans give, of course is, "Fine." But when Russians hear this they think one of two things: you are experiencing a rare moment of fineness or you are lying.
Ask a Russian, "How are you?" and you will hear, for better or worse, the truth. I have experienced many painful minutes of silence after my grandmother made her stock response: "Terrible," to which she might add, "Why? Because being old is terrible and I am very old."
"'Fine' makes Russians think that Americans have no soul," I explained recently to an American-born friend. "That they just want to go home, eat a frozen dinner in front of the TV, and wait out the hours before going to work to make money again." He laughed, "You know, there's something to that."
The thing most Russians don't realize is that, in English, "How are you?" isn't a question at all, but a form of "hi", like the Russian "privyet!"
Psychologists at the University of Michigan have shown that, while Russians are, indeed, easier to be depressed than Americans, their open acceptance of bad experiences might be healthier.
Recently, when I looked through a few American guides on traveling to Russia, I was disappointed to find that they all suggested that tourists adopt the American approach to "How are you". | high8218.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Firms are urged to cut carbon emissions by shoppers' environmental awareness."
},
"options": [
"Businesses are finding ways to send their message to the shoppers.",
"Companies will soon get information about cutting carbon emission... | Businesses are witnessing a difficult time,which has in turn produced influence on consumers' desire to go green.However,shoppers are still laying stress on environmental concerns.
Two thirds of customers say that environmental considerations _ their purchases to the same degree as they did a year ago,while more than a quarter say that they are now even better aware of the environmental effect on what they buy.
This may help to influence how shops store goods on their shelves.And the companies should still make efforts to become more environmentally friendly.Two out of three people think it is important to buy from environmentally responsible companies,with about one in seven saying that they had even decided to take their custom elsewhere if they felt a company's environmental reputation was not good enough.
Harry Morrison,chief executive of the Carbon Trust,sympathizes:"I understand this situation where survival is very important now.But from environmental considerations,the clock is ticking--we don't have much time.In addition,cutting carbon has an immediate effect as costs drop and a mediumterm benefit for the brand."
Larger companies have an extra motivation to look at reducing their carbon footprint,as new rules next year will require businesses to buy carbon allowances to make up for their emissions .Those that have taken early action will have a head start.More than two thirds of consumers are not clear about which companies are environmentally responsible.This suggests that firms that are able to relay clearly their message to the public will be in a pole position to attract shoppers.
The Carbon Trust believes that it can help by informing customers about the good work companies are doing."When companies are granted the standard,they can use a logo in all their marketing which makes it clear that they are working towards cutting emissions," Mr.Morrison said. (2010*,C) | high6235.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "the mother spent more time on housework"
},
"options": [
"the two children wore the then clothes for school",
"they prepared their meals together on a stove",
"they ate simple foods they had never seen",
"the mother spe... | The Bowler family had a very unusual experience this year. It was one of more than 400 families who applied to 1900 house, a reality TV show which took a typical family back a hundred years to see how people lived in the days before the internet, computer games and even electricity.
The Bowler family spent three months in a London home without a telephone, computers, TV, or fast food. The bowlers wore clothes from 1900, ate only food available in England at that time, and cooked their meals on a single stove. Paul Bowler still went to work every day in a then uniform. The children changed their clothes on the way to and from school and their classmates didn't know about their unusual home life. Joyce stayed at home, cooking and cleaning like a typical housewife of the time, though everything took three times as long.
So does Joyce think that people's lives were better in the old days?
"I think people in the old days had just as many troubles and worries," Joyce said. "And I don't think their life was better or worse, there were lots of things back then that I'm happy I don't have to deal with nowadays, but on the other hand life was simpler." "We had a lot more time with our family, and it was hard being nice to each other all the time," eleven-year-old Hilary said.
So what did the Bowler family miss most about modern life while living in the 1900 house?
Paul, 39: "telephone and a hot shower"
Joyce, 44: "a quick cup of tea from a kettle you could just turn on"
Hilary, 11: "rock CD"
Joseph, 9: "hamburger and computer games" | high14772.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "go skating"
},
"options": [
"make a snowman",
"throw snowballs",
"go skating",
"go skiing"
],
"question": "The kids liked to _ at the local ponds in winter.",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
... | Years ago there was a group of kids who would hang around at some local ponds in the woods near their houses in Warwick, Rhode Island. In summer they caught frogs and fish. When winter arrived they couldn't wait to go skating. Time passed, and the ponds became the only open space for the kids to enjoy themselves in that neighborhood.
One day a thirteen-year-old boy from this group of kids read in the local newspaper that a developer wanted to fill in the ponds and build over a hundred small houses called apartments. So the boy went door to door and gathered more than two hundred signatures to stop the development. A group of citizens met and decided to support him.
At the meeting of the town planning organization,the boy was quite nervous at first and spoke very softly. But when he saw the faces of his friends and neighbors in the crowd and thought about what was happening to their favorite ponds,his voice grew louder. He told the town officials that they should speak for the citizens. He also insisted that they should leave enough space for children. A few days later,the developer stopped his plan.
Nine years later, when that teen was a senior in college, he was informed that the developer was back with his proposal to build apartments. Now twenty-two years old, he was studying wetlands ecology. He again appeared before the town planning organization. This time as an expert, he used environmental protection laws to explain _ on development in and around wetlands and the knowledge of wetlands ecology to help to improve the development. Finally some apartments were built, but less than half the number the developer wanted. The ponds where those kids used to hang around were protected by a piece of natural land, and are still there today. | high9106.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "had a load on his head"
},
"options": [
"was too weak to stand still",
"fell down on the road",
"had a load on his head",
"didn't know how to cross the road"
],
"question": "The old man that the author noticed ... | Just two weeks ago, I was about to cross a busy road when I noticed an old grandpa with a heavy load on his head just a few meters from me. He looked very weak. A few minutes later, I realized I'd forgotten to cross the road. And he'd seen me looking at him.
I love my grandparents so much that whenever I see any old people I won't forget to smile at them. I couldn't let go of this grandpa, either. He came near me and handed me a note on which there was an address. I showed him the directions and said he would need a taxi as it was 3 pm on a hot summer's day. Anybody would faint dead in this weather and I didn't want him to walk all the way. But he looked disappointed.
I asked where he had come from. He replied weakly that he was from Chidambaram, about 240 kilometers from where we were. I was shocked because he looked like he could not even take 2 steps without falling. I called a taxi immediately and asked the driver to drop him at his place. The grandpa wasn't ready because he had no money. I paid for his journey and asked the driver to drop him off safely.
When I turned to look at the grandpa, who was leaving, tears filled my eyes and I didn't want to leave. Memories of my grandparents flashed in my mind, making me feel like crying. I said goodbye to the grandpa, and some happy tears dropped from his eyes. | high21911.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "he had a lot of work to do"
},
"options": [
"he was a driver",
"he worked in a factory",
"he had worked there for a long time",
"he had a lot of work to do"
],
"question": "Mr. Lang was paid much because _ ."... | Son's Help
Mr. Lang worked in a factory. As a driver, he was busy but he was paid much. His wife was an able woman and did all the housework. When he came back, she took good care of him and he never did anything at home. So he had enough time when he had a holiday. A few friends of his liked gambling and he learned it soon. So he was interested in it and hardly forgot anything except gambling. He lost all his money and later he began to sell the television, watches and so on. His wife told him not to do it but he didn't listen to her. She had to tell the police. He and his friends were punished for it. And he was hardly sent away. After he came out of lockup , he hated her very much and the woman had to leave him.
It was New Year's Day. Mr. Lang didn't go to work. He felt lonely and wanted to gamble again. He called his friends and they came soon. But they were afraid the police would come. He told his five-year-old son to go to find out if there were the policemen outside. They waited for a long time and didn't think the police would come and began to gamble. Suddenly opened the door and in came a few policemen.
"I saw there weren't any policemen outside, daddy," said the boy, "so I went to the crossing and asked some to come." | high2053.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Emotions Affect Our Bodies"
},
"options": [
"What Happens to An Excited Person",
"What Happens to A Frightened Cat",
"Emotions Affect Our Bodies",
"Feelings That People Have"
],
"question": "The best title for t... | Sometimes people call each other " scared cat" , but have you ever thought about this expression? When a cat is frightened, its heart starts beating faster, its muscles get tense, and there are changes in the chemicals in its blood-stream. If the danger continues, this animal will do one of the two things. It will defend itself, or it will run away as fast as it can.
Something like this also happens to people. When we are excited, angry, scared, or aroused by other emotions, our bodies go through many physical changes. Our hearts beat faster, and our muscles get tense. All of these changes make us more alert and ready to react. We, too, get ready to defend ourselves or run. Human beings, however, have a problem. If we give way to our feelings and let them take over, we can get into trouble. Have you ever said something in anger - and regretted later? Have you ever shouted at a teacher or told somebody you were lonely and then wished later you had kept your mouth shut? It isn't always wise to express your feelings freely.
Does this mean that it's always smarter to hide our feelings? No! If you keep feelings like anger hidden away or bottled up inside, your body stays tense. Physical illnesses can develop, and you can feel disturbed badly inside. _ can actually be bad for your health. Feelings that you keep all bottled up inside don't just go away. It's as if you bought some bananas and stuck them in a cupboard. You might not be able to see them, but before long you'd smell them. And if you opened the cupboard, chances are you'd see little fruit flies hovering all over them. They'd be rotten. You can try to treat emotions as if they were bananas in the cupboard. You can hide them and you can pretend they don't exit, but they'll still be around. And at last you'll have to deal with them, just like those bananas. | high10514.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Individual efforts"
},
"options": [
"Short history",
"Individual efforts",
"Political influences",
"Language translation"
],
"question": "Which of the following is NOT the reason for Chinese contemporary literat... | BEIJING --- Since Mo Yan won the Nobel Prize in Literature, the public has started to consider the way to improve Chinese literature's global presence.
The prize indicates that Chinese contemporary authors and their works are getting the world's attention, which inspires writers and amateurs to continue their work, according to Wang Meng, a famous Chinese writer. But "the prize came a little late," said Xue Yongwu, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Journalism and Communication with Ocean University of China (OUC). There have been many accomplished writers of modern and contemporary literature in China, including Lu Xun, Ba Jin and Mao Dun, who should have won the prize earlier, he noted. China's splendid ancient literature, which extends thousands of years, has been widely acknowledged across the world. However, the contemporary literature failed to get enough recognition from outside the country due to its short history and complex political influences, he explained. Language has also been a barrier. Only a small proportion of Chinese literature has been translated into foreign languages, mainly English. The quality of some translated editions needs improvement, said Xue.
In addition to language skills, translation requires high-level comprehension and explanation of culture and art. It's hard for people without any literature background to produce a translation that fully reserves the aesthetic sense of the original version, according to Ren Dongsheng, professor with the College of Foreign Languages of OUC. The 57-year-old writer is known for his description of Chinese rural life. The settings for his works range from the 1911 revolution, Japan's invasion to Cultural Revolution. Mo combines hallucinatory realism with folk tales, which is more appealing to the taste of Western readers than the styles adopted by many of his peers, such as Yu Hua, Su Tong and Wang Shuo, said Zhang Hongsheng, dean of the Literature Department of the Communication University of China.
However, "Nobel Prize is not the unique standard to judge the achievements of a writer. Prizes presented by different organizations adopt various evaluation criteria," said Xu Yan, a literature critic. The quality of a literary work is always judged by the topic, language, structure, the way of story-telling, imagination and some other significant elements. People's tastes vary from different social background and cultural mechanism, she added.
Chinese contemporary literature, which appeared in 1949, has seen a trend of diversification since the country adopted the market economy in 1992. "The prize is a positive sign that the West begins to recognize Chinese literature. But it's an acknowledgement of individual efforts, and Chinese literature revival still has a long way to go," said Zhang. Xue called upon Chinese writers to produce quality works with international perspectives. Good literature should reveal social problems and people's concerns while create the beauty of art. "The society should provide favorable environment for the growth of Chinese writers," he stressed. Seeking increasing world attention requires Chinese writers to maintain the national characteristics and uniqueness. "Chinese elements are the last to lose in successful writings," Zhang said.
China's book market has witnessed booming sales of Mo's masterpieces over the past days. Zhicheng Classic Bookstore, registered at T-Mall of China's largest online retailer Taobao.com, said 1,500 volumes of Mo's latest novel Frog were sold out in six hours after Mo won the prize. The store has received 1,200 reservation orders by 3:30 pm Friday. The book, about China's family-planning policy, also moved up to 14th from 560th on the list of the most populous book at the Amazon.cn withinin two days. Cao Yuanyong, deputy editor-in-chief of Shanghai Literature and Art Publishing Group, said the company is producing the new edition of a collection of Mo's 16 works, which is expected to refill the empty shelves of many book retailers in a week. | high18148.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "the speed at which it spends money"
},
"options": [
"the salary it pays to its staff",
"the interest it pays to the bank",
"the way in which it raises capital",
"the speed at which it spends money"
],
"question"... | Bum rate is the speed at which a startup business consumes money. My rate would be $ 50,000 a month when my new media company started. So, I began looking around for individuals who would be my first investors. "Angel money" it was called. But when I reviewed my list of acquaintances to find those who might be able to help, I found the number got small.
With no other choices, I began meeting with the venture-capital companies. But I was warned they took a huge share of your company for the money they put in. And if you struggled, they could drop you cold.
As I was searching for "angel money", I started to build a team who trusted me even though I didn't have money for paychecks yet.
Bill Becker was an expert in computer programming and image processing at a very famous Media Lab at M. I.T. With his arrival, my company suddenly had a major technology "guy" in-house.
Katherine Henderson, a filmmaker and a former real-estate dealer, joined us as our director of market research. Steve White came on as operating officer. He had worked for the developer of a home-finance software, Quicken. We grabbed him.
We had some really good people, but we still didn't have enough money. One night, my neighbor, Louise Johnson, came for a visit. She and I were only nodding acquaintances, but her boys and ours were constant companions. She ran a very good business at the time.
Louise was brilliant and missed nothing. She had been watching my progress closely. She knew I was dying for money and I had prospects but could offer no guarantees of success.
She told me that her attorney had talked to mine and the terms had been agreed upon. She handed me an envelope. Inside was a check for $ 500,000.
I almost fell down. I heard her voice as if from heaven.
"I have confidence in your plan," she said. "You' 11 do well. You're going to work hard for it, but it' s satisfying when you build your own company."
Who would have thought I'd find an angel so close to home? There were no words sufficient for the moment. We just said good night. She left and I just stood there, completely humbled and completely committed. | high4422.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "the oldest man to father children"
},
"options": [
"giving birth to the most children",
"the healthiest and happiest father",
"the oldest man to father children",
"improving life expectancy of Indians."
],
"ques... | Most people can only dream of living for 100 years, let alone fathering a child nearly a century after being born themselves. But that is apparently a reality today, as a 96-year-old Indian man claims to have fathered a child, his second in recent years.
Ramajit Raghav and his 52-year-old wife, Shakuntala Devi, reportedly gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Ranjeet, on Oct. 5, according to the Times of India. Just two years ago, Raghav set the world record when he and Devi gave birth to their first son, Vikramajeet.
"I didn't take any medicine. ... I just prayed to God to complete my family, either a boy or a girl," Raghav told the paper.
India is often the source of unusual stories about a person's age. However, the life expectancy of the average Indian actually falls into the lower-third of UN global statistics (139 out of 194 counties), at 64.7 years. The average Indian man lives 63.2 years. By comparison, Japan has the longest worldwide life expectancy, with its residents living an average of 82.7 years. The US comes in at No. 38, with Americans living an average of 79.2 years.
While male fertility rates are not as directly correlated to age as are women's, male fertility rates do decline with age, according to a study published in the 2004 issue of Human Reproduction Update.
Raghav says that he credits his diet of butter, milk and almonds for his longevity, along with abstaining from drugs and alcohol.
"I feel lucky to have two healthy sons. It will be tough, but I'm a happy man," he said.
Interestingly, the previous record holder for world's oldest dad was also Indian: Nanu Ram Jog, who reportedly fathered his 21st at the age of 90. For his part, Raghav doesn't plan to set any more paternal records. He said. "I don't want more children, we can't afford it." | high16603.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "An Amazing Moment"
},
"options": [
"An Amazing Moment",
"A Pitiful Fetus",
"An Honorable Job as a Photographer",
"An Impressive Surgeon"
],
"question": "What may be the best title for the passage?",
"questio... | As an experienced photojournalist in Nashville, Tennessee, I was hired by USA Today newspaper to photograph a spinal bifida corrective surgical procedure. It was to be performed on a twenty-one week old fetus in uterus at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. At that time, in 1999, twenty-one weeks in uterus was the earliest that the surgical team would consider for surgery. The worst possible outcome would be that the surgery would cause premature delivery, and no child born earlier than twenty-three weeks had survived.
The tension could be felt in the operating room as the surgery began. A typical C-section cut was made to access the uterus, which was then lifted out and laid at the junction of the mother's thighs . The entire procedure would take place within the uterus, and no part of the child was to breach the surgical opening. During the procedure, the position of the fetus was adjusted by gently moving the outside of the uterus. The entire surgical procedure on the child was completed in one hour and thirteen minutes. When it was over, the surgical team breathed a sigh of relief, as did I.
As a doctor asked me what speed of film I was using, out of the corner of my eye I saw the uterus shake, but no one's hands were near it. _ was shaking from within. Suddenly, an entire arm thrust out of the opening, then pulled back until just a little hand was showing. The doctor reached over and lifted the hand, which reacted and squeezed the doctor's finger. As if testing for strength, the doctor shook the tiny fist. Samuel held firm. I took the picture! Wow! It happened so fast that the nurse standing next to me asked, "What happened?" "The child reached out," I said. "Oh. They do that all the time," she responded.
The surgical opening to the uterus was closed and the uterus was then put back into the mother and the C-section opening was closed.
It was ten days before I knew if the picture was even in focus . To ensure no digital manipulation of images before they see them, USA Today requires that film be submitted unprocessed. When the photo editor finally phoned me he said, "It's the most incredible picture I've ever seen." | high4344.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "surprised at the news"
},
"options": [
"surprised at the news",
"to take a make-up test",
"informed of the reasons by letter",
"aware of the reasons in their own heart"
],
"question": "Students whose results wer... | Some students who took the International English Language Testing System(IELTS) exam in August and September, 2015 have had their results"withheld permanently", sending a strong signal that the examiners intend to stamp out cheating, some senior language tutors said.
Yang Yuting, chief language training tutor at Amber Education, an overseas education consulting agency, said there have been a few cases in which candidates' IELTS results were canceled in recent years, leaving the students with no qualification but this is the first time he has heard that results, including those of some of his students, were"withheld permanently", meaning IELTS will not give the students their results, nor will they give them to others.
Wang Xin, a senior student at the Communication University of China in Beijing, took an IELTS test on August 1 and the results were due within 10 working days. But she was then informed that her results were undergoing routine checks. Soon after that, she received an e-mail telling her that"a decision has been made to withhold this result permanently"and stating that Wang had"breached IELTS test rules and regulations".
A number of students who took the test during the past two months in cities including Nanjing, Changsha and Guangzhou, have had the same experience. Many test takers said they were confused because they didn't know how they had breached the rules and regulations.
IELTS authorities said in an e-mail toChinaDailythat IELTS takes the responsibility of providing test results very seriously. Results are only withheld in cases where there is strong evidence to suggest that the candidates have not observed IELTS regulations."In these cases, we are unable to guarantee that their result is a true reflection of their English language skills,"they said in the e-mail, although they gave no figures of how many students were involved."We regret any inconvenience this may cause, but these measures are essential to protect the value of the results for more than 2.5 million test takers every year. Hundreds of thousands of people take IELTS in China every year and the number of results which are permanently withheld is a tiny proportion ,"they said.
Hu Min, president ofNew Channel International Education Group, an English-language tutorial agency in China, said a major cause of results being withheld might be an extreme imbalance in performance levels in the four sections of the test."For example, if a student scores very high in the reading and listening sections while performing poorly in writing and speaking, IELTS authorities may suspect that the test taker has memorized the reading and listening questions -- a practice that is very popular among Chinese test takers,"he said."IELTS authorities discourage such a practice and would determine that the scores can't reflect the real English level if test takers do so." | high19530.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "To protect wild plants from extinction."
},
"options": [
"To collect enough money for the project.",
"To safeguard food crops.",
"To protect wild plants from extinction.",
"To help scientists study wild plants."
],
... | Britain's seed bank, the only one in the world aiming to collect all of the planet's wild plant species, has reached its goal of banking 10 percent by 2010.
The Millennium Seed Bank Project, run by Kew Gardens--one of the oldest botanical gardens--will officially place the 24,200th species on Thursday, a pink, wild banana from China.
More than 50 countries are now on board with Kew's giant task but vast places of the globe, including India and Brazil, still need to join in and donate seeds, director Paul Smith said.
The seed bank is one of the largest and most diverse in the world with more than 1.5 billion seeds. Its goal is to help protect the planet's bio-diversity during a time of climate change.
The wild banana seed is under threat of extinction in southwest China from agricultural development. It is a vital food source for Asian elephants and important for growing bananas for human eating.
Stored at minus-20 degrees centigrade, so they can last for thousands of years, the seeds await the day that scientists hope never comes--when the species no longer exist in the wild.
It is a race against time, Smith said, because in the last ten years alone, 20 plants held in the bank have already been wiped out in the wild. He estimates that between a third and a quarter will become extinct this century.
"It is pressing and it is happening now. An area, the size of England, is cleared of primary vegetation every year." Smith said.
Because most of the world's food and medicines come from nature, protecting wild plant species is quite important, scientists say. There are already many other seed banks safeguarding food crops, which only account for 0.6 percent of plant diversity.
For Kew's next goal--to collect a quarter of wild varieties by 2020--the botanists need 10 million pounds a year, or a further 100 million pounds on top of the 40 million they have already been granted. | high2735.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "the school bus would arrive in a while"
},
"options": [
"the author's son was still at school",
"the school bus would arrive in a while",
"the author's son was at his friend's home",
"there might be something wrong with... | My son was a second-grader. He went to school by bus every day. He was the first student on in the morning, as we were farthest from school, and the last student off in the evening. I was a teacher myself and it was a comfort to realize the school staff were all working as hard as I was to provide a safe learning environment.
One day I came home from work and waited for my son to get home for a long time. Then I called the school. "Perhaps he's just a bit late," said the secretary. "I will call the driver to see if those children are home." A few minutes later, I answered the phone to hear that the other students were home. Then I called his friends' parents, to see if perhaps he had gotten off at their stop to play. The answers were all "No."
By that time, it was dark and I was scared. My home was in the mountain areas, and it was said that a wolf had come up somewhere. My husband wasn't at home, so I forced myself to calm down and decided to go out to look for him. I was about to go out when the telephone rang; it was from the driver. "He's okay," I heard. "He was asleep on the seats in the back, under a couple of jackets. Since it's dark, can he spend the night with my family?"
I was relieved and agreed. Since my son had a great adventure, the school started giving a copy of the list to the driver, so he could check off the children's names when they got off the bus. I think highly of the school for taking the cautionary step ahead; it is a sign of their concern for students, parents, and staff. | high7895.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "the Chinese History Museum"
},
"options": [
"a typical Suzhou garden",
"the stone lions",
"the Chinese History Museum",
"red lanterns"
],
"question": "In Vancouver's Chinatown you can see all the things EXCEPT ... | Vancouver's Chinatown--Canada's largest Chinatown
Vancouver's Chinatown is North America's second biggest Chinatown, after San Francisco's. Mandarin and Cantonese are the mother tongues in 30% of Vancouver homes, which makes Chinese the largest "minority" ethnic group .
Vancouver's Chinatown is the place to visit for a taste of Chinese culture.
In Chinatown, there are a lot of traditional products and buildings, such as the stone lions which represent for the prestige(;),many red lanterns which stands for the happiness. What's more interesting, in Chinatown, a typical Suzhou garden can be found. Chinatown not only expresses the culture of China to the other cultures, but also one part shows that Vancouver is the multicultural society. Chinatown which carries many Chinese cultures is built by Chinese in Vancouver. In the beginning, Chinatown was the community only for Chinese people, but nowadays, more and more other people from different countries are willing to know the Chinatown. It is the part of the Vancouver's society, and Chinatown is also changing gradually in order to adjust to Vancouver.
There are lots of interesting markets with many varieties of fresh and dried seafood and mushrooms in the Chinatown. You'll also find cheap and fine house ware and traditional Chinese medicine. During the summer, on weekend evenings, Keefer and Pender Streets become a busy open-air night market. If you have enough time for a meal, try at one of the many small restaurants. It is not an expensive, multi-course culinary adventure. Relax in the peaceful Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, or just steps on Pender Street. Visit the Chinese Cultural Centre Museum, or participate in one of its many activities. | high14014.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "They made their websites."
},
"options": [
"They went out of business.",
"They made their websites.",
"They bought Internet companies.",
"They sold their companies."
],
"question": "What did many traditional com... | In the mid 1990's, people started doing business on the Internet. At that time, there were two kinds of companies. First, there were traditional companies. They sold things in stores. Then there were Internet companies. They didn't have a store, and they only sold things on the Net.
Traditional companies didn't want to lose any business. Quickly they made their own websites and began selling things on the Net. These are the so-called "brick and click" companies. Many stores are made of brick. And you click on your mouse to buy things with your computer. That's where the name "brick and click" comes from.
By the late 1990's, e-business like amazon com , buy com. and etoys com. were in trouble. Their profits were not very high. Competition was great. Many of these businesses were losing lots of money. In 2000, many e-business went out of business.
Why are "brick and click" companies, like Barnes and Noble, Toys RVs and Walmart so successful? First, many customers know and trust their names. Their websites like walmart.com. are easy to remember. These companies also have lots of experience. They know how to run a successful business.
In the world of e-commerce, companies are fighting for every dollar and every customer. Will "brick and click" companies win the war? Only time will tell. | high970.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Listen first if you have trouble reading."
},
"options": [
"Listen as much as possible.",
"Try to use your imagination.",
"Great works need to be read out loud.",
"Listen first if you have trouble reading."
],
"... | What is most likely to affect your success at school or at a job? The ability to read. And that goes for your kids too. The declining literacy of our society has been a main concern of educators for a while now, and yet things are not getting better.
In most cases, how well we learn to read will depend largely on our exposure to language as children. If we hear people around us talking about all kinds of subjects as children, we naturally pick up the words and phrases they use. If we pick up a lot of words, we will learn to read better.
Much of the traditional advice to struggling readers, theses days, seems to include developing "cognitive strategies" . In this way, readers are asked to centre more, to think, to be interested and ask questions, to analyze, to predict, to reason, and to check their understanding, or worse still to answer questions of what they have read. In other words they are asked to become self-conscious readers. I do not agree with this approach.
Here are my several strategies for reading improvement.
Read about things that interest you. If you are interested in what you are reading about, the words will come alive, and you will understand better. The more you read, the better you will become at reading. Just get started and it will become a habit, as long as you are interested in what you are reading.
Read material that is at your level or just a little difficult for you. Read material that you find easy to read, or just a little challenging. Looking up many unknown words in a dictionary is dull, and the results of the dictionary search are quickly forgotten.
_ If you can hear the new words and phrases that you are reading, you will have an easier time understanding and remembering them. Hearing the rhythm of someone reading a text will help your own reading.
Don't worry about what you don't understand. Most of your reading should be for pleasure. You can still enjoy reading without understanding all of what you read. You may even understand some things in your own personal way.
Unfortunately not all reading is just for pleasure. When you are reading a textbook or report or other material for school, you may need to underline, take notes and read some parts over again. However, if you have developed the habit of reading for pleasure, you will find that the skills you need will come naturally, and that you will understand a lot better than before. | high12465.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "can be used for free"
},
"options": [
"can be used for free",
"is written by experts",
"full of mistakes",
"is a set of books"
],
"question": "According to this passage, we can know that Wikipedia _ .",
"q... | We often use an Internet search engine to find a website that will provide information. For example, if we want to learn something about the Pepsi Cola Company, its website provides information about the history of the company. We can also find articles in newspapers and magazines. We confirm information with second and third sources to make sure the information is correct. Sometimes we also use an encyclopedia --- a set of books containing information on almost any subject. Encyclopedias are written by experts and have been a trust --- worthy source of information for years.
Now there is also a free online encyclopedia called Wikipedia, which is written by people around the world. Anyone can edit or add to an article, but this has caused problems. Last year, a former editor of the paper USA Today discovered wrong information about him on Wikipedia. Someone had written an article that falsely linked him to a political assassination . This wrong information was quickly corrected.
According to a recent study by the publication Nature, Wikipedia has more mistakes, compared with Britannica --- a well-known printed encyclopedia. It found an average of four mistakes in a Wikipedia article, and three in an article of Britannica's. But Wikipedia supporters note that they are able to correct information when they find a mistake while written publications are not able to do this.
Wikipedia started in 2001. The word "wiki" comes from "wiki wiki", which means "quickly" in the Hawaiian language. It is said that it is the largest single source of information in history. It is also one of the fastest growing sites on the Internet.
It offers more than three million articles in more than two hundred languages. Each month, it records more than two billion page visits. Jimmy Wales, who helped start Wikipedia, says that its purpose is to provide everyone with a free encyclopedia written in their native language. You can find information on nearly every subject on Wikipedia. However, some experts warn people not to believe everything they read online, no matter where they read it. | high23860.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "doctors in Deleville were not sure about the cause of her illness"
},
"options": [
"her parents were living in London then",
"the hospitals in Deleville were full at that time",
"she was the daughter of a famous doctor in Lon... | Everybody may have seen the film "Death on the Nile (n. )", but nobody can imagine that the writer of the story, Agatha Christie, saved a baby in a most unusual way.
In June 1977, a baby girl became seriously ill in Deleville. Doctors there were unable to find out the cause of her illness, so she was sent to a famous hospital in London, where there were many excellent doctors. The baby was so seriously ill that a team of doctors hurried to examine the baby without delay. The doctors, too, were puzzled by the baby's illness and they also became discouraged. Just then a nurse asked to speak to them.
"I think the baby is suffering from thallium (n. ) poisoning. " said the nurse. "A few days ago, I read a story 'A Pale Horse' written by Agatha Christie. Someone uses thallium poison, and all the symptoms are written in the book. They are exactly the same as the baby's."
"You're very good at observing things," said a doctor, "and you may be right. We'll carry out some tests and find out whether the cause is thallium poisoning or not."
The tests proved that the baby had indeed been poisoned by thallium. Once they knew the cause, the doctors were able to give her correct treatment. The baby soon got well and was sent back to Deleville A week later, it was reported that the poison might have come from an insecticide (n. ) used in Deleville. | high15685.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "inactive"
},
"options": [
"unimaginable",
"unfaithful",
"inactive",
"endangered"
],
"question": "Which of the following word best describes a sloth?",
"question_type": null
},
{
"answer": {
"an... | It's about the size of a small slim upside down goat, if you can imagine such a thing.The sloth really is not only one of the laziest, but one of the strangest of the strangest of mammals.It spends most of its life asleep.But even when it's awake, it only moves very slowly.
There are two main kinds defined by the number of toes that they have on their font legs.It's the three-toed which has really slothful habits, and the one that interests me most.You're not likely to have seen it in zoos, for unlike the two-toed which will rat all kinds of vegetables and fruits,, the three-toed is really picky and will only accept leaves and fruits of a few particular kinds, which few zoos can supply.And in any case, it doesn't make an exactly fascinating exhibit, since it spends most of its tile sleeping.
When the skins and skeletons of this extraordinary beast reaches Europe, artists given the task of illustrating the species in natural history books, showed it standing upright on its four thin legs, even though thee hooks on its feet and the fur on its body all pointed very obviously in what you might call the wrong way.After all, the artists must have said to themselves, it would be too ridiculous to show it as animal that spent all its life upside down.
Sloths are only capable of a faint wheeze and occasional whistle.These sounds are probably only made to deter a meat-eater like a lion, and certainly not to communicate with one another, for sloths are virtually stone deaf.It's said that an enthusiastic zoologist investigating the hearing ability of sloths fired his gun close to _ .It slowly raised its head, blinked at the scientist, and then went back to sleep again. | high22029.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "peace"
},
"options": [
"peace",
"enjoyment",
"respect",
"friendship"
],
"question": "People with good manners bring society _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"answer_... | Good manners play an important part in maintaining peace in society. A man with good manners doesn't hurt others' feelings, and therefore he's on good terms with everyone. In this way he helps to keep the peace in society.
But a man with bad manners has no respect for others. He uses words carelessly and behaves rudely towards others and causes a lot of unpleasantness. In the end, he himself will suffer the most. Everyone avoids him and he is forced to live alone.
To live well in society, money alone is not enough. Even the richest man cannot afford to have bad manners. He may have enough money to buy all things he wants; but if his manners are bad, he will have no friends, and no one can live happily without friends.
We should have good manners, for it's human nature to try to get friendship; and friendship has to be earned through our own attitude towards others. If we are kind to others, they will be kind to us, and kindness is the most basic quality of good manners. Bad manners drive away friends as well as our own family members.
On the other hand, a man with good manners has many friends. He commands the respect of all those who come into contact with him. He doesn't talk ill about others. Even when he's _ , he tries his best not to upset others. He also feels sorry about the weak and the disabled.
There are, however, many people who behave so well outside their homes that they are respected by everyone outside. But in their own homes they are worse than the devil . Such people cannot be said to have good manners. Their behavior will soon be discovered by others.
If one's manners are good, one behaves well everywhere, even when one is away from the critical eyes of others. Only such a person can live well in society. | high227.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "is weakened by stressful cognitive or emotional tasks"
},
"options": [
"can be exercised through muscle movement",
"can regulate itself to resist temptations",
"is weakened by stressful cognitive or emotional tasks",
"i... | Canadian scientists have found that the more emotional or mental challenges a person faces in a day, the less determined they become to work out physically.
However, the findings should not stop us from keeping fit. Experts believe that willpower is like a muscle, and needs to be exercised to help one avoid the temptation spending a night on the couch instead.
Kathleen Martin-Ginis, a professor of kinesiology-the science of movement--who led the study, says everyone has a limited amount of willpower, and that it will be reduced by stress. Miss Martin-Ginis, of Canada's McMaster University, explains," Cognitive tasks, as well as tasks such as regulating one's emotions, can reduce one's capacity to force oneself to exercise. "
Her team of scientists performed a so-called "Stroop" test on volunteers to reach their conclusions. The experiment involved showing participants words associated with color1s but printed in different color1s-for example, the word "blue" written in red ink Participants were divided into two groups. One group was asked to name the color1 of the ink, instead to say the printed word, while the other wasn't Martin-Girus says, "After we used this cognitive task to use up their self-regulatory capacity, the participants didn't exercise as hard as those who had not performed the task " The more people concentrated on the cognitive task, the more likely they were to skip exercise sessions over the next eight week You only have so much willpower.
However, there are ways to strengthen willpower. The study found the listening to music before going to the gym can help, as well as making a commitment to work out with friends. It also concluded that willpower can be stretched by constant cake, or forcing oneself to study an extra hour each night
Martin- Ginis adds," There are strategies people can use to help revitalize themselves after they've used up their self-regulation Willpower is like a muscle: it needs to be used to stay strong. " | high23337.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "a protest"
},
"options": [
"a protest",
"gratitude",
"obedience",
"an explanation"
],
"question": "While talking to Julia, the wrier expected from her _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
... | A few days ago I asked my sons' governess Julia to come into my study. "Be seated, Julia, "I said, "Let's settle our accounts. I guess you most likely need some money, but maybe you're too polite to mention it. Now then, we agreed on thirty dollars a month..."
"Forty."
"No, thirty. I made a note of it. I always pay our governess thirty. Well, um, you've been here two months, so..."
"Two months and five days."
"Exactly two months. I made a special note of it. That means you have sixty dollars coming to you. Take off nine Sundays... you know you didn't work with Tom on Sundays, you only took walks. And three holidays... "Julia was biting her finger nail nervously, her face red, but - not a word.
"Three holidays, therefore take off twelve dollars. Four days Tom was sick and there were no lessons, as you were occupied only with Dick. Three days you had a toothache and my wife gave you permission not to work after lunch. Twelve and seven - nineteen. Take nineteen off ... that leaves. hmm.... forty one dollars. Correct?"
Julia's left eye reddened with tears welling up. Her chin trembled; she coughed nervously and blew her nose, but - still not a word.
"Around New Year's Day you broke a teacup and a saucer; take off two dollars. The cup cost more, it was a treasure of the family, but- forget it. When didn't I take a loss! Then, due to your neglect , Tom climbed a tree and tore his jacket; take away ten. Also due to your carelessness the maid stole Dick's shoes. You ought to watch everything! You get paid for it. So, that means five more dollars off. The tenth of January I gave ten dollars."
"You didn't. "sobbed Julia.
"But I made a note of it."
"Well... if you say so."
"Take twenty seven from forty one -that leaves fourteen."
Both her eyes were filled with tears. Beads of sweat stood on the thin pretty little nose. Poor girl!
"Only once was I given any money," she whispered, her voice trembling, "and that was by your wife. Three dollars, nothing more."
"Really? You see now, and I didn't know that! Take three from fourteen.. leaves eleven. Here's your money, my dear. Three, three, three, one and one. Here it is !"
I handed her eleven dollars. She took them and pocketed them.
"Merci(: ),"she whispered.
I jumped to my feet and started pacing the room. I was overcome with anger. "For what, this - 'merci'?" I asked.
"For the money. "
"But you know I've cheated you - robbed you ! I have actually stolen from you ! Why this'merci'?"
"In my other places they didn't give me anything at all."
"They didn't give you anything? No wonder! I played a little joke on you, a cruel lesson, just to teach you... I m going to give you all the eighty dollars! Here they are in the envelope all ready for you... Is it really possible to be so spineless ?Why didn't you protest? Why were you silent? Is it possible in this world to be without teeth and claws --to be such a fool?"
Embarrassed, she smiled. And I could read her expression,"It is possible."
I asked her pardon for the cruel lesson and, to her great surprise, gave her the eighty dollars. She murmured her little"merci"several times and went out. I looked after her and thought,"How easy it is to crush the weak in this world !" | high17092.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "help you to do your work better"
},
"options": [
"help you to do your work better",
"make you have a rich life",
"make you pleased with your work",
"help you to make more friends"
],
"question": "Most people thi... | A survey by an international temporary service agency found that U. S. managers believe that people with a sense of humour do better at their jobs, compared with those who have little or no sense of humour. In fact, about 96 percent of those surveyed said people with a sense of humour do better.
The survey went on to point out that the results suggest that a sense of humour may help light-hearted employees keep their jobs during tough times. And, what's more, it may push them up the corporate ladder past their humourless colleagues. Why? It seems that those with a sense of humour are better communicators and better team players.
Studies have shown that happy workers are more productive. In fact, a researcher at California State University found that humour could help the employees to release tension.
Research done by psychologist Dr. Ashton Trice at Mary Baldwin College in Virginia showed that humour helps us think. When people feel stuck on important projects, they tend to feel angry or depressed. According to Dr. Trice's research, taking time out to laugh can help us to get rid of negative feelings and allow us to return to a task or move on to another project unaffected by past defeat.
If humour is really this important, then why don't we use it more often on the job? Most likely, the main reason is that many people are unaware of the positive effects of humour in the workplace. However, it is important to realize that some humour is not suitable for the workplace, and that it is often used at wrong times. | high10925.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "he was so excited that he couldn't hold his tears back."
},
"options": [
"he found something more encouraging .",
"he was so excited that he couldn't hold his tears back.",
"he was happy and sad at the same time.",
"he ... | What could make Michael Jordon, one of the greatest basketball players in history, shed tears? It was when he became a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame on September 11. The hall is in Springfield, Massachusetts and honors the best basketball players, greatest coaches and other contributors to the game. "The game of basketball has been everything to me ," said Jordan, 46. "It is the place I have always gone when I needed to find comfort and peace."
Jordan retired twice in his 15-year career, finishing with 32292 points, the third highest total points in NBA history behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone. His average of 30.12 points a game is the best in the League.
"One day you might look up and see me playing the game at 50," Jordan said. "Because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion." In other words, it was motivation that made Jordan such a success..
A great career did not mean a smooth one. His high school coach cut him from the team in favor of a taller player when Jordan was in 10thgrade. His college coach wouldn't allow him on the cover of Sports Illustration in 1981 with North Carolina's four other players because Jordan was a freshman. In his first NBA All-Star game, older NBA stars wouldn't throw him the ball because of jealousy.
"That burned me up," Jordan said. "But _ don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it." | high11385.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "you can see things better"
},
"options": [
"you will have a strange feeling",
"you will learn how to reach out",
"you can see things better",
"you can tell what colors they are"
],
"question": "By touching thing... | "If you want to see something well, reach out and touch it!"
That may seem a strange thing to say.But touching things can help you to see them better.
Your eyes can tell you that a glass ball is round.But by holding it in your hands, you can feel how smooth and cool the ball is.You can feel how heavy the glass is.When you feel all these about the ball, you really see it.
With your skin, you can feel better.For example, your fingers can tell the difference between two coins in your pockets.You can feel a little drop of water on the back of your hand, too.
You can even feel sounds against your skin.Have you ever wanted to know why some people like very loud music? They must like to feel the sounds of music.
All children soon learn what "Don't touch!" means.They hear it often.Yet most of us keep on touching things as we grow up.In shops, we often have to touch things before we buy them.
The bottoms of our feet can feel things, too.You know this when you walk on warm sand, cool grass or a hard floor.All feel different under your feet.
There are ways of learning to see well by feeling.One way is to close your eyes and try to feel everything that is touching your skin.Feel the shoes on your feet, the clothes on your body, the air on your skin......
Most museums are just for looking.But today some museums have some things to touch.Their signs say, "Do touch!" There you can feel everything on show. | high12854.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Because they are stuck in the work"
},
"options": [
"Because they work too hard",
"Because they have no time to dream again.",
"Because they are stuck in the work",
"Because they have to work hard to make a living"
... | Successful people always have a dream. They dream big dreams and then show great courage to do things that others say cannot be done.
Your dreams form the foundation of success. Many people have long forgotten the dreams they used to have when they were kids. As they grow older, they are simply too caught up with their work activities that they fail to discover what they really want to pursue in life.
To get you back on track to pursue your dreams, follow these steps:
Learn to dream again; We are born to dream. But we hear of teachers calling in school: "Stop dreaming and pay attention in class!" Parents , too, have shouted, "Stop dreaming and go on with your homework!" In the end, many do get "realistic" and give up their dreams in time.
Dream big dreams; Never set mental boundaries on what you are able to achieve. Dreams are free anyway so as long as you are dreaming, you might as well dream big. Many people cannot realize their dreams and achieve greater success because they limit their own beliefs.
Flee from dream killers; Dream killers are destructive to your success. Your friends, colleagues and even loved ones can be one of your dream killers. There are people who will try to change, confuse or persuade you to build the life they want, not the life that you want.
Stop listening to the people who tell you why you will not achieve your dreams. You just need to believe you can do whatever it is you want to do.
You should stop giving reasons why you cannot achieve your dreams. Many so-called reasons are merely excuse.
Take action immediately; Once you have big and clear dreams, take immediate action to work toward making them come true.
Weeks later, the passion will grow cold and months later, that passion may be gone forever. Think about this; Five birds are resting on the fence and minutes later, three birds decide to fly off to search for food. How many birds are left on the fence?
Two? Wrong! There should still be five birds on the fence because deciding to fly off is not the same as the actual act of flying off. | high23451.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "to cut off American supplies to Britain"
},
"options": [
"to sink the Hood",
"to gain control of France",
"to cut off American supplies to Britain",
"to stop British warships reaching Germany"
],
"question": "Th... | The report came to the British on May 21, 1941. The German battleship Bismarck, the most powerful warship in the world, was moving out into the Atlantic Ocean. Her task: to destroy the ships carrying supplies from the United States to war-torn England.
The British had feared such a task. No warship they had could match the Bismarck in speed or in firepower. The Bismarck had eight 15-inch guns and 81 smaller guns. She could move at 30 nautical miles an hour. She was believed to be unsinkable.
However, the British had to sink her. They sent out a task force headed by their best battleship Hood to hunt down the Bismarck. On May 24, the Hood found the Bismarck.
It was a meeting that the German commander Luetjens did not want to see. His orders were to destroy the British ships that were carrying supplies, but to stay away from a fight with British warships.
The battle didn't last long. The Bismarck's first torpedo hit the Hood, which went down taking all but three of her 1,419 men with her.
But in the fight, the Bismarck was a bit damaged. Her commander decided to run for repairs to France, which had at that time been taken by the Germans. The British force followed her. However, because of the Bismarck's speed and the heavy fog, they lost sight of her.
For two days, every British ship in the Atlantic tried to find the Bismarck, but with no success. Finally, she was sighted by a plane from Ireland. Trying to slow the Bismarck down so that their ships could catch up with her, the British fired at her from the air. The Bismarck was hit.
On the morning of May 27, the last battle was fought. Four British ships fired on the Bismarck, and she was finally sunk. | high9489.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "their speed"
},
"options": [
"their content and size",
"their speed",
"their shape",
"their content and shape"
],
"question": "Paintballs may cause injuries mainly because of_.",
"question_type": "cloze_ques... | Eye injuries from paintball games have increased among children, even as the protective equipment for the sport has improved, according to a study released yesterday in the journal pediatrics.
The Federal Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated the number of emergency room visits for eye injuries caused by paintballs at 545 in 2001 and more than 1,200 in 2003. More than 40 percent of those injuries were believed to involve children, the study said.
Paintballs are fired at a speed of up to 300 feet a second, the study said. Being so small, they can fit inside the bones meant to protect the eye. The study's author, Dr. David A. Listman of St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, said paintball shopping centers had generally switched to full face masks ,which have become more effective at protecting the eyes than earlier _ . But most injuries now occur in backyard play, which is more likely to involve teenagers or children."The injuries being seen are mostly in people who did not wear the proper, or for that matter any, safety equipment,"Dr. Listman said.
Those injuries can involve permanent damage to sight, he said.
Dr. Listman said he believed that paintball guns should be restricted to regulated places. In the absence of such action, parents should limit children's access to the guns and insist on proper protection. Paintball guns"should be treated with the same respect as any other firearm,"he said"These are the only guns that are made to shoot at your friends." | high22997.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Learning grammar rules, new words and phrases is only part of English learning."
},
"options": [
"English learners should not spend time on grammar rules, new words and phrases.",
"Grammar rules, new words and phrases are the most ... | Every student wants to learn English well, but how can we learn it well? It's a good topic for English learners. Here are some good methods, which can help you improve your English quickly.
First of all, you must have correct attitude. Please love English, not hate it. And you don't feel shy when you say or speak English. Remember one sentence: _
Secondly, I think grammar rules, new words and phrases are important, but they are not enough. For example, some people are quite good at grammar and learned a lot of English words and phrases. But they can't speak English when they meet foreign friends.
The most effective way to learn English well is to often use English. Don't be afraid and don't laugh at others. We'd better listen, speak, read and write more. You can go to English corner, talk with foreigners or talk with your friends. If you have time, listen to the radio or English program. Listening to this good material can help you improve your listening and understanding. And then, you can read English books, newspapers or novels. They are wonderful. You can use the internet, chat with net-friends or write E-mails, dairies ...Through these ways, you can get more for your English.
English isn't so difficult that we can't learn it well. As long as we set our mind to learn English well, I'm sure everyone will be successful. | high8797.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "It might help some impulsive people with food addiction to lose weight."
},
"options": [
"It has been successfully carried out among overweight people.",
"It might help some impulsive people with food addiction to lose weight.",
... | People with an impulsive personality refer to those who tend to do things without considering the possible dangers or problems first. According to a new study by researchers at the University of Georgia, such people may be more likely to have food addiction. The study found that people exhibiting impulsive behavior weren't necessarily overweight, but impulsiveness was related to a direct relationship with food, and therefore, less healthy weight.
Food addiction has been compared to addictive drug use. Studies have linked the dopamine release that occurs after tasting delicious food to the dopamine release that happens when people consume other addictive substances.
Impulsive behavior involves several personality traits . Two of these traits, known as negative urgency and lack of perseverance, were particularly associated with food addiction and high BMI during the study.
Negative urgency is characterized by the tendency to behave impulsively when experiencing negative emotions. Some people might drink alcohol or take drugs. For others, it could mean eating to feel better. Lack of perseverance is when a person has a hard time finishing hard or boring tasks. People with a lack of perseverance might have difficulty attempting to change addictive eating behavior, which could also cause obesity.
"Impulsiveness might be one reason why some people eat in an addictive way despite motivation to lose weight," said Dr. Ashley Gearhardt, a clinical psychologist. He was involved in developing the Yale Food Addiction Scale in aid of those people. "We are theorizing that if food addiction is really a thing, then our measure, the Yale Food Addiction Scale, should be related to helping control impulsive action," said Gearhardt.
Clinical psychologist Dr. James MacKillop, whose lab was conducting the study, believes that therapies used to treat addictive drug behavior could help people who suffer from addictive eating habits.
"Most of the programs for weight loss at this point focus on the most obvious things, which are clearly diet and exercise," MacKillop said. "It seems that managing strong desires to eat would naturally fit in with the skills a person would need to eat healthily." | high12840.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "smells can help us remember"
},
"options": [
"how to remember things",
"how to make perfumes",
"a businessman with good smell",
"smells can help us remember"
],
"question": "The passage mainly tells us _ .",
... | Have you ever remembered something with your nose? Maybe the smell of hot dogs makes you think of being at a baseball game. Or the smell of barbequed meat reminds you of a night around a fire. Scientists know that smells can make people think of powerful memories. Wouldn't it be great to somehow save those memories?
_ is exactly what Mark Crames, a businessman making perfumes , is trying to do. His company, Demeter Fragrance, makes more than 200 kinds of perfumes. "Imagine every smell in the world as a musical note," Crames said. "We try to join those notes to make a piece of beautiful music." He has made many perfumes and he got the idea from plays, storms and even animals.
Everyday smells mean different things to different people. "A perfume called Poison Ivy might make you think of sadness or surprise," Crames says. "But it could make another person think of a great time at summer camp."
Crames produces perfumes using a high-tech method called headspace technology. This month, Crames is making scent for Tootsie Roll and Junior Mints. Not every smell can be easily copied. "One of our most needed perfumes is a little dog's breath," he says. "But it is so chemically complicated that it's very hard to get."
What scent would you like to bottle? A zoo? Or grandma's old house? Crames may be able to help you bring back your memories, so all you have to do is have a smell when you want to remember. | high23445.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "introduce the fourth edition of these pages"
},
"options": [
"introduce the fourth edition of these pages",
"make an apology to readers",
"show off these pages to readers",
"let Shakespeare researchers buy these pages"
... | Mr William Shakespeare and the Internet
Explanation of Contents
This is the fourth edition of these pages. It is hard to believe, but once again they are new and improved. My motive in publishing these pages remains to help and stimulate others in Shakespeare studies, and especially those who might contribute their work to the Internet. The spirit of altruism that originally built the Internet is not quite gone, though, sadly, through the pressure of time and profit has lessened.
A major new addition to the pages is a Shakespeare Timeline, which is an online biography mounted at this site. The problems with searching for Shakespeare resources using the available Search Engines are:
---- It is difficult to focus most searches so that you get a manageable number of relevant hits;
---- It is impossible by simply reading an abstract to make any distinction between the output of a Junior High School student and that of a professional researcher.
Another change in these pages over previous editions is the "What's News" page. If you come away from these pages with the feeling that they are very useful but slightly pedantic , I will have realized my goal.
An Apology
I am continually apologizing to the many who have written me requesting revisions of the pages. We are all too busy. I simply have not had the time to dedicate to these pages that I wish. But I love the material and so have, at long last, made some time to update them.
A Reminder to Young Students
These pages contain the best links I can find to Shakespeare on the Internet. As a reminder, I would say I very much enjoy hearing from people who view and use these pages. If you want to do Shakespeare research using the web, this page is a great starting point, and I keep it as current as I can. The web is in its infancy(in bringing good, scholarly content to students. Don't forget the best, if not quickest, resources are still in your library. | high13586.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "They met each other by chance."
},
"options": [
"They met each other by chance.",
"They were introduced to each other,",
"They once studied at the same university.",
"They both served in a special needs school."
],
... | Galaxy saw a man and a woman who communicated with the sign language at the train station when she was on the way home one evening. She noticed that the woman asked the mon for the direction. He told her that he did not know. Galaxy decided to help them. She had learned the sign language when she served as a volunteer in the deaf and mute school. Then she showed the woman the direction and left her email address to them in case they needed her help later.
She received an email from that man the next day. Kazrim was his name. Galaxy replied his mail sincerely. They both started chatting online soon after and began seeing each other. Although they only communicated with the sign language, it never bothered her.
Galaxy was fond of him gradually. Obviously, Kazrim was the same too. He presented Galaxy with a bunch of sunflowers and asked her sincerely, "Are you willing to be my girlfriend?" Galaxy was pleasantly surprised. She requested him to give her some time to persuade her parents.
As she had expected, her parents were very angry after they had learned of their love story. Galaxy explained, "Kazrim is an excellent and a very optimistic person. He has a very positive attitude towards life and work. He cares for others always. He is 100% better than the normal. Moreover, the mute is still a human. He should possess a perfect and wonderful love. "
Her parents asked to see him, then. The very worried Galaxy took Kazrim home a few days later. When they were on the train, Kazrim told her, ''I'm going to tell your parents I'll be looking after you well with all my life!" Galaxy was deeply moved.
As soon as they had entered the house, Galaxy introduced him to her parents. She said, ''This is Kazrim." Just right after her speech, an unbelievable thing happened. Kazrim threw the gift away and held her in his arms tightly.
He said, "YOU CAN TALK?" It was the same question that Galaxy wanted to ask, too.
The four people were shocked all of a sudden. As a matter of fact, Kazrim always believed that Galaxy was a mute and he still fell in love with her deeply. | high555.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Small costs for microfilms."
},
"options": [
"The profits from microfilms.",
"Aids from friends and family.",
"Supports from the public.",
"Small costs for microfilms."
],
"question": "According to the passage, ... | When it comes to movies, we usually think of big actors, big budgets, big screens, and, if lucky, big profits. Unfortunately, that puts up some big barriers for aspiring young filmmakers and their dreams. However, thanks to easy access to technology, that's all changing.
All one really needs nowadays is a camera, a computer, an Internet connection, and, of course, a good idea. With that, you can enter the microfilm world. Shooting a movie using friends and family as the cast has become a common class project for high school students. After a little editing on a laptop, some even decide their creation is worth sharing online.
Microfilms are shot within a short period of time and last only a few minutes or even shorter. Most are completed on an extremely small budget and offer a cheap way for grassroots directors to realize their dreams.
With a range of film festivals, they have taken off due to being perfectly suited to new media platforms such as mobile phones and notebook computers. They are also easily shared across social networks and microblogs.
But microfilms are far different from the shorts commonly found on YouTube. A microfilm must have a solid and thoughtful plot. Most importantly, the movies are easily distributed and there can be no concern about long-term box office profits. Most people who upload a microfilm simply see it as an easy way to share their fun with a few friends and family. Others may be curious about what sort of reaction their production may receive from the general public. | high6976.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "be more healthy"
},
"options": [
"be more relaxed",
"be more healthy",
"eat more every day",
"raise blood pressure"
],
"question": "Compared to the women who ate fried fish those who ate more baked fish could ... | On Tuesday,a new study published in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation:Heart Failure revealed that women who ate five or more dishes of baked fish a month had a thirty percent lower risk of heart failure in comparison to women who ate less than one dish a month.
Researchers examined the diets of 84,493 women,whose ages ranged from 50 to 79.The women who had eaten lots of baked fish like salmon ,were more healthy than those who mostly ate tuna or white fish. Eating baked fish also appeared to provide a protection against high blood pressure. The study also found that those women who ate more baked fish were likely to have a lower weight,exercise more and eat more fruits and vegetables in comparison to those who ate fried fish.
Researchers noted that past research had discovered the fatty acids in fish probably decreased the risk of high blood pressure by improving blood pressure along with heart and blood functioning. This study showed the link between eating fish and heart failure risk but it was not designed to show cause and effect.
This study also showed that just by eating one dish of fried fish a week led to a 49% greater risk of heart failure,and eating fried fish led to lower fiber intake and higher calorie intake.
The American Heart Association suggested eating a minimum of two dishes of fish especially fatty fish each week. | high8783.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Her name."
},
"options": [
"Her address.",
"Her birthday",
"Her name.",
"Her telephone number."
],
"question": "What did Nikki know about her sister before her searching?",
"question_type": null
},
{
... | Nikki was brought up from a very early age by her father while her sister was raised by her mother. Nikki spent a very small amount of time with her mum and sister when she was about 6 years old, but soon after contact stopped when communication broke down between her parents.
She never felt she wanted to find her family while she was growing up. But now with a husband and a son she decided it was the right time.
Nikki didn't know where to start, but her husband's mum had used 192.com for finding people before and recommended it to her . With the help of her son, she started by searching for her sister's full name on the electoral roll without a location, because she had no idea where she lived, even her date of birth. From that one search , the site returned two results listed in the area they used to live.
Nikki decided to call the first number. To her surprise, it was her long lost sister ! So after 20 years, it was one phone call that helped her contact her sister! Her sister then passed her number on to her mother, who called Nikki straight away, and it was like they had never been apart.
Her mum was so glad to find out Nikki was well that they arranged to meet everyone that Saturday (3 days after the phone call) where she was reunited with her sister and met her 2 nephews for the first time . Nikki also found out she had a half sister and brother.
When talking about the reunion , Nikki said , "192.com made finding my long lost family very easy. I was not on any social networking sites before and surprisingly neither was my sister or mum, so we would never have found each other that way. | high21252.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "none of their planes have row 13"
},
"options": [
"row 13 is replaced with 12 A",
"there is no gate 13",
"passengers complain that there is 13 dots on its logo",
"none of their planes have row 13"
],
"question":... | A failed plot to kill Barack Obama, uncovered by US federal agents recently, has reminded people of the ideas that some humans associate with simple numbers.
Two white American Neo-Nazi racists had planned to kill 88 African Americans, before finally assassinating Obama. The number "88" is equated with "HH", initials for the Nazi greeting, "Heil Hitler". "H" is the eighth letter of the alphabet .
Many people were not familiar with the Neo-Nazi importance of 88, but associations attached to other numbers are more well-known, if not always believed. The number 13, for instance, is considered deeply unlucky.
In the US, many buildings do not have a floor numbered 13. They instead label it 12A, or use the letter M, which is the 13th letter in the English alphabet. New York's John F. Kennedy International airport does not have a gate number 13. And the popular Irish flight carrier, Ryan Air, has banished row 13 from all its planes.
Last year when Brussels Airline put 13 dots in their new logo, the flood of complaints was so vast the airline was forced to change their "unlucky logo" and add an additional dot.
The fear comes from a Bible story, which states that Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th to sit at the table in the Last Supper.
But the most fascinating fear of the number relates to Friday the 13th. It's a day of double bad luck. In the US, many people would not schedule a wedding for Friday the 13th. According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in the US, an estimated 17 to 21 million Americans are affected by a fear of this day. | high17938.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "it makes your mother healthy"
},
"options": [
"it is very expensive",
"it doesn't cost you too much",
"it makes your mother healthy",
"you will be proud of it"
],
"question": "You would like to send the gift of ... | Do you know that a Mom deserves a special gift this year for Mother's Day? Sure, flowers can always brighten Mother's day and a dinner out is always appreciated. However, doesn't she deserve something more personal or something that lasts longer than an evening?
I'm talking about the gift of fitness. Improved fitness is a gift that is invaluable to everyone. When you give a woman the gift of fitness, you are helping her open a door to better health. I can't think of a more thoughtful gift that shows the recipient how much you care about their well-being. By giving the gift of fitness you are providing them with unlimited health benefits. And, its a gift that you can truly feel proud to give.
Of course, we all know that exercising can help people stay slim and fit. But, do you also know about all the other great benefits of exercising? Daily physical activity reduces stress and can help you sleep better. Fitness has been linked to reducing the risk of some diseases and to warding off depression. Researchers also believe that strength training can help prevent osteoporosis . Not to mention that exercising also improves self-esteem, increases energy and helps you be able to do continuous work for longer.
All Moms would find these fitness benefits extremely invaluable. If they are like most of us, they have probably even mentioned how they would like to drop a few pounds or just get in better shape. In fact, experts say that about 62% of Americans are currently on a diet. By giving the gift of fitness you are helping provide your mom with extra motivation. She may be more motivated to actually get fit because she doesn't want to feel guilty about ignoring such a thoughtful gift . | high11391.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "How their sleep is related to their brain"
},
"options": [
"How much their brain weighs.",
"How their sleep is related to their brain",
"Whether they can act on decisions they made.",
"How their brain is controlled by e... | New Scientist Event
Instant Expert-- How Your Brain Works
Saturday, 20 May 2017from 10:00 to 17:00
London, United Kingdom
Ever wondered how your brain works? How that stuff in your head enables you to see, hear and think about the world around you, make decisions and act on them? Join six leading scientists to explore what we know about 4fcthe most difficult kilo of matter in the universe".
The day will be chaired by psychologist and presenter of BBC Radio 4's All in the mirtd,Claudia Hammond. '
Overview:
The brain has long been a source of fascination. In 1819, the radical thinker and surgeon William Lawrence put it like this: "It's strongly suspected that a Newton or Shakespeare excels other men only ... by having an extra inch of brain in the right place."
Today, many such suspicions are certainties. This event will introduce you to the evolution of the brain. We'll study technique for controlling the brain using electric and magnetic fields, as well as the latest technologies that follow you to control the outside world using your mind alone.
*Topics covered will include:
*Evolution of the brain
*How memory makes us human
*Emotion
*Sleep and brain
Booking information:
*The event will be held in Brunei Auditorium at RCGP/30 Euston Square. And doors to the Auditorium will open at 9:15 am.
*We require the name of each person attending -- please ensure this is provided at the time of booking.
*The schedule for the day will be confirmed closer to the event, and will be emailed to all ticket holders.
*A minimum of 100 early bird discounted tickets are available priced at PS129 (saving PS20 on the full ticket price of PS149). | high19915.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "people may now worry about the food at their homes."
},
"options": [
"13 persons have died because of the poisoning",
"people may now worry about the food at their homes.",
"people can return the food to the supermarkets",
... | On Jan. 13th, 2009, the Peanut Corporation of prefix = st1 /Americaissued a recall for products it had made over the past six months, after five people had died and more than 400 had fallen ill with salmonella poisoning as a result of contamination. Two weeks later, the recall was extended to more than 400 consumer products made since Jan. 1, 2007, including Jenny Craig nutritional bars and Keebler Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, while the toll from the contamination had reached eight dead and more than 500 sickened in 43 states, half of them children.
The company's factory in Blakely,Ga., which was the source of the contamination, supplied some of the largest food makers in the nation. The outbreak showed the complexities of the industrial food chain, and left consumers to figure out if some food in their cabinets had a danger. The recall of peanut products is the latest in a series of increasingly severe food contamination scares involving tomatoes, spinach, cantaloupes and other foods.
TheGeorgiaplant, which is closed, packed peanut butter in bulk ranging from 5 to 1,700 pounds, much of which was shipped to institutions. Many school districts have pulled peanut butter from menus, with some substituting more commonly recognized supermarket brands. New York City school officials said they had not bought any peanut butter or products with ingredients that originated at theGeorgiaplant.
An F.D.A. inspection team that visited the plant on Jan. 9 discovered that on 12 occasions in 2007 and 2008 tests conducted by the company found salmonella contamination in its products but that it shipped the contaminated products to customers after a retest found no contamination and did nothing to clean the plant. | high17086.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "be unable to get money from any LEA"
},
"options": [
"get money if he is taking a first degree course",
"be unable to get money from any LEA",
"get money from any LEA when he has finished his course",
"have to open a ba... | Money Matters for Students
GETTING A GRANT
Who pays?
The Local Education Authority (LEA) for the area in which the student is living.
Who can get this money?
Anyone who gets a place on a first degree course, although a student who has already attended a course of advanced further education may not. Students must also have been resident in the UK for at least three years, which can exclude some students from overseas.
SPECIAL CASES
If a student has worked before going to college:
A student who is 26 or more before the course starts and who has worked for at least three of the previous six years will get extra money--PS155 a year if 26, increasing to a maximum of PS615 at 29 or more.
If a student is handicapped :
LEAs will give up to PS500 to help meet extra expenses--such as buying a tape recorder for a blind student, extra heating or special food.
Banking:
Most of the big banks offer special services to students who open accounts (in the hope that they will stay with the bank when they become rich officials). A student won't usually have to pay bank charges as long as the account stays in credit. Some banks allow students to overdraw by PS100 or so, and still don't make charges (though they do charge interest). | high16398.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "was a dream of an idea that was workable"
},
"options": [
"was designed well by a certain engineer",
"was going on",
"was a dream of an idea that was workable",
"was argued heatedly by the bridge-building experts"
]... | The miracle bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge that crosses the river between Manhattan and Brooklyn is simply an engineering miracle. In 1883, a creative engineer, John Roebling, was inspired by an idea for this spectacular bridge project. However, bridge-building experts told him to forget it. It just was not possible. Roebling convinced (persuade sb. to do sth. ) his son, Washington, an up-and-coming engineer, that the bridge could be built. The two of them formed an idea of how it could be finished successfully and how to overcome the difficulties. Somehow, they persuaded bankers to provide money for the project. Then, with great excitement and energy, they hired their crew and began to build their dream bridge.
The project was only a few months _ when a tragic on-site accident killed John Roebling and severely injured his son. Washington was severely brain-damaged, unable to talk or walk. Everyone thought the project would have to be thrown away, since the Roeblings were the only ones who understood how the bridge could be built.
Though Washington Roebling was unable to move or talk, his mind was as sharp as ever. One day as he lay in his hospital bed, an idea flashed in his mind as to how to develop a communication code. All he could move was one finger, so he touched the arm of his wife with that finger. He tapped out the code to communicate to her what she was to tell the engineers who continued building the bridge. For 13 years, Washington tapped out his instructions with one finger until the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge was finally completed. | high21534.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "London and Paris used to be separated"
},
"options": [
"Paris and London are the two biggest cities in the world",
"In the 19th century, Dickens told his stories in the two cities",
"London and Paris used to be separated",
... | London--A morning train rides away, across the channel. English kids discuss the Liverpool's football team in a Paris pub.
Some Parisians have started to travel to work in London.
In the 19th century, Charles Dickens compared the two cities, London and Paris, in A Tale of Two Cities. These days, it might be A tale of One City.
As there are few jobs at home over recent years, perhaps 250,000 Frenchmen moved across the channel. With an undersea tunnel, they could travel between cities in three hours. The European Union freed them from immigration and customs.
Paris, rich in beauty, is more stylish. But London feels more full of life, and more fun until the pubs shut down.
"For me, the difference is that London is real, alive," said Trevor Wheeler, a financial expert.
Chantal Jaouen, a professional designer, agrees. "I am French, but I'll stay in London," she said.
There is, of course, the other view. Julie Lenoux is a student who moved to London two years ago. "I think people laugh more in Paris," she said.
"Both cities have changed _ ," said Larry Collins, an author and sometimes a Londoner. Like most people who know both cities well, he finds the two now fit together comfortably. "I first fell in love with Paris in the 1950s. Things are so much more ordered, and life is better."
But certainly not cheaper. In some parts of London, rents can be twice those on Avenue Foch in Paris.
Deciding between London and Paris requires a lifestyle choice. Like Daphne Benoit, a French journalism student with perfect English, many young people are happy to be close enough so they don't have to choose. "I love Paris, my little neighborhood, the way I can walk around a centre, but life is too organized," she said. "In London, you can be whoever you want. No one cares." | high10931.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "inspire others to live positively"
},
"options": [
"show her love for life",
"rid herself of low spirits",
"earn money for her schooling",
"inspire others to live positively"
],
"question": "We can learn from Pa... | I was feeling a little blue because my mother had been laid off from her job and she had lots of bills to pay. It left me wondering what was going to happen to us now. But it reassured me some when my mother told me she was relieved to be leaving since her boss wasn't the nicest person to be around.
I got off the college shuttle bus and started walking. That's when I heard piano music and singing rising above the noise of the people and the traffic. I walked a little slower so I could find out where it was coming from. Through the crowd I saw a young lady sitting at a piano with a carriage next to her.
She was singing songs about love, keeping on trying, and not underestimating the power within yourself. The way she was singing comforted me a bit. I stood there watching her play for about fifteen minutes, thinking that it must take courage to perform on your own in the middle of a crowded New York ferry terminal.
So I stood there listening.
She must have felt my presence because she would occasionally look in my direction. By now I was telling myself that if she could perform in front of hundreds of people she didn't know then I could at least tell her how good she sounded. I walked over and put some money in her carriage and she said, "Thank you." Instead of continuing my way home, I said to her, "I have been going through a rough time lately, but you've made me hopeful again."
"I'm happy that I could help," she replied. "Why are you so sad?"
"Well, my mum told me she had got fired from her job, and that made me sad. I'm not so sure what to do ..."
"You see, here's the problem," she explained. "The way you were walking, your head was down. Don't look defeated, because opportunity comes in different ways and if your head is down you might never see it. You should smile more ... lift your head up."
I smiled faintly, amazed by how she was encouraging me. So, I asked her, "Why are you playing the piano in the middle of a crowded place? I've seen you do this more than once."
She explained to me that she sees a lot of negative people in the world and she tries to alleviate the pain and bring more positivity by sharing motivational music. She told me that when she wasn't making music she studied psychology. So, that was how she knew some of the things she was telling me.
I smiled a little wider because I knew that she was doing a good thing. So, after that we parted, my heart touched and lightened by a musical soul! | high15691.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "learns to live in a society"
},
"options": [
"learns to live in a society",
"travels from one country to another",
"learns to act independently",
"learns about their country"
],
"question": "The main idea of the... | Minh Pham was born in Vietnam. He left there when he was 21 years old. Minh has been in America for almost two years. There is still much he does not understand about America.
Once, Minh was in a supermarket. He saw an old man and an old woman. They wanted a box of cereal .The box was on a high shelf. The man and the woman couldn't reach it. Minh saw a stepladder. He got on the ladder and got the box. He handed it to the elderly couple. They thanked him.
"Where are your children?" asked Minh. "Why don't they help you buy food?" "Our children have their own lives," said the man and the woman. "We like to be independent." Minh doesn't think this is right. In his country, children help their parents. Minh gave the elderly couple his phone number. He told them to call him if they needed help. One night they asked Minh to dinner, but they never asked him for help.
One day, Minh was walking with a Vietnamese friend. The two men were going to a movie. Minh wanted to go to a restaurant first. Minh took his friend's hand. He pulled him towards the restaurant. People on the street stared at Minh. In Vietnam, friends often hold hands. Minh found that the people in America are not used to men holding hands.
Minh Pham is going through a process known as _ . Socialization is the process in which a person learns to live in a society. Everyone goes through this process. Minh went through it when he lived in Vietnam. But the Vietnamese way of life is rather different from the American way of life. When Minh came to America, he had to learn a new way of life. He had to learn how to live in a new society. Minh has learned a lot about American life in two years. He still has a lot to learn. The process of resocialization can take many years. | high233.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "with his family"
},
"options": [
"with his family",
"with Evelyn",
"alone",
"with his children"
],
"question": "From the story we may infer that Tom went to the beach cottage _ .",
"question_type": "sum... | I made a pledge to myself on the way down to the vacation beach cottage. For two weeks I would try to be a loving husband and father. Totally loving. No ifs, ands or buts.
The idea had come to me as I listened to a talk on my car radio. The speaker was quoting a Biblical passage about husbands being considerate towards their wives. Then he went on to say, "Love is an act of will. A person can choose to love." To myself, I had to admit that I had been a selfish husband. Well, for two weeks that would change.
And it did. Right from the moment I kissed Evelyn at the door and said, "That new yellow sweater looks great on you."
"Oh, Tom, you noticed," she said, surprised and pleased, maybe a little puzzled.
After the long drive, I wanted to sit and read. Evelyn suggested a walk on the beach. I started to refuse, but then I thought, "Evelyn's been alone here with the kids all the week and now she wants to stay with me." We walked on the beach when the children flew their kites.
So it went. Two weeks of not calling the Wall Street firm where I am a director; a visit to the shell museum though I usually hate museums. Relaxed and happy, that's how the whole vacation passed, I made a new pledge to keep on remembering to choose love. There was
that went wrong with my experiment, however. Evelyn and I still laugh about it today. Last night at our cottage, preparing for bed, Evelyn stared at me with the saddest expression.
"What's the matter?" I asked her.
"Tom," she said in a voice filled with sorrow, "do you know anything I don't?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well...that checkup I had several weeks ago...our doctor...Did he tell you anything about me? Tom, you've been so good to me... Am I dying?"
It took a moment for it all to sink in. Then I burst out laughing.
"No, honey," I said, wrapping her in my arms. "You're not dying;
." | high15849.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "painter"
},
"options": [
"singer",
"painter",
"play",
"painting"
],
"question": "From the text we know that the word Rembrand is most likely the name of a famous _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_question... | If you are looking for the place that has everything, there ' s only one place to visit, and that's New York. It's a whole world in a city.
The World Of Theatre: All of New York is. And it begins with Broadway. Where else can you find so many hit shows in one place? Only in New York!
The World Of Music: Spend an evening with Beethoven at Lincoln Center. Swing to the great
Jazz of Greenwich Village. Or rock yourself silly at the hottest dance spots found anywhere.
The World Of Art: From _ to Picasso. From Egyptian tombs to Indian Teepees. Whatever kind of art you like, you'11 find it in New York.
The World Of Fine Dining : Whether it' s roast Beijing duck in China-town, lasagna in little Italy, or the finest French coq au vin found anywhere, there's a world of great taste waiting for you in New York.
The World Of Sights: What other city has a statue of Liberty ? A Rocketfeiler center? Or a Bronx zoo? Where else can you take a horse drawing carriage through Central Park, only in New York! | high23323.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "expected to spend Christmas with her daughter"
},
"options": [
"didn't like living in the nursing home",
"was thrown out by her daughter",
"returned to her home after leaving the hospital",
"expected to spend Christmas ... | This year, a very sweet old lady that I cared for, Alice, had gone through a difficult time. She got _ and so she had been in the hospital twice. In November I was finally able to get her back to her "home".
Alice had thought her daughter was coming to visit her on Christmas day and that they were going to have the whole family together like the old days. When she finally realized that that happy moment was not going to happen, she was very sad. Knowing that her daughter was coming after Christmas was not enough to make her feel happy, I hated the idea of her being alone on the holiday!
On Christmas Eve, I gave her a surprise by asking if she would like to go to a candlelight service at church that night.
Instead of taking her to my church, I took her to her old neighborhood church where all her friends were. We got there early and I got her a seat where her friends could see her as they came in. God and his angels had a hand in the plan and it worked out perfectly. Then soon some of her friends came to the church and they rushed over to greet her and sit with her.
The candlelight service was beautiful and Alice got a lot of love from her old and new friends there.
The truth of the story is that I am the one who got the best gift: the smile on Alice's face. The smile on Alice's face shows that I made a difference. | high20602.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "their privacy has been violated"
},
"options": [
"their privacy has been violated",
"they are afraid of being assessed",
"their evaluations are unfair",
"the results are not satisfying"
],
"question": "Many teac... | There were times it was only schoolchildren who felt sick before they got their grades. But now teachers in Germany are scared, too, as they are being graded by their students.
Many teachers are opposed to it. They don't mind being evaluated . But they are upset because the results are then being posted on the Internet and accessible to millions of Internet users. On the websitewww.spickmich.deduring the past four months students have posted evaluation of 100,000 teachers.
The teachers are graded on categories such as "motivated", "good instruction", "easy examinations", or even "sexy". Many teachers think that their privacy has been violated.
The creators of the website say that the students are only being offered the chance to provide teachers with some feedback about their classroom instruction. Bernd Dicks, who founded the website with three friends, says that the students are largely quite satisfied with their teachers. On a grading scale of one to six, the teachers' average grade is 2.7 and it has been improving lately. He often says the impression is that students are bullying their teachers. But there is also bullying of the students by teachers.
"Teachers must also learn to live with criticism," he added. But still, the website is not totally immune from manipulation , as one teacher near the northern city of Hanover recently proved. He registered himself on the website as a student and then rated his own teaching colleagues highly. Within a few days, seven of his colleagues were listed in the top 10 ranking of Germany's best teachers. | high2286.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "each wants to have a good time in the country"
},
"options": [
"the weather is especially fine that day",
"everyone is afraid of being busy at home",
"he feels too crowded at home that day",
"each wants to have a good t... | Nobody likes staying at home in a public holiday, especially when the weather is fine. Last august we decided to spend the day in the country. The only difficulty was that millions of other people had exactly the same idea. We moved out of the city slowly behind a long line of cars. But at last we came to a quiet country road and after some time, stopped at a lonely farm. We had brought plenty of food with us and we got it out of the car. It was very peaceful in the cool grass until we heard ringing at the top of the hill. What we saw made us pick up our things and run back to the car as quickly as possible. There were about two hundred sheep coming towards us down the path. | high3198.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "The oil production there costs more."
},
"options": [
"Roughnecks there have lost their jobs.",
"The oil production there costs more.",
"Oil platform there has been closed.",
"Oil prices there have fallen more sharply."... | The sharp drop in world oil prices has led oil companies in the United States to dismiss thousands of workers. Some companies have also delay new oil drilling and exploration projects. The drop in oil prices has also affected small service companies and even stores that do business with oil companies in big producer states like Texas. But the drop in oil prices has not been bad for everyone.
Oil platform workers are often called roughnecks. In Texas, many roughnecks have lost their jobs because of the drop in oil prices. The effect of falling prices has been worse in states like Alaska and North Dakota. That is because production costs are higher there than they are in the Eagle Ford area of south-central Texas.
Adam Perdue is an economist at the University of Houston's Institute for Regional Forecasting. He has been studying the effect of falling oil prices in Texas. He says oil company exploration and production budgets are being cut between 10 and 50 percent, with most of them being cut by a third. He thinks the lower spending will affect the local economy.
The economic slowdown will affect companies that manufacture pipes and other equipment for oil exploration and production. It will also have an effect on trucking companies that supply sand and chemicals, and other small businesses that serve the energy industry.
But low oil prices are good for chemical companies. They use hydrocarbons found in oil to make fertilizer, plastic and other products. Adam Perdue says a new chemical plant project near Houston will provide jobs for many skilled workers "A lot of these roughnecks that are gonna lose their jobs out there in the field are gonna be able to come home and, and, and get a welding job or a construction job." he says. But some oil industry experts believe prices will rise again in about six months when the oversupply of oil is reduced. | high19083.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Three"
},
"options": [
"None",
"Two",
"Three",
"Four"
],
"question": "How many people in the story know the truth about the wet pants?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"a... | There is a nine-year-old kid sitting at his desk and all of a sudden, there is water between his feet and his pants are wet. He thinks his heart is going to stop. It's never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find out he will never hear the end of it. When the girls find out, they'll never speak to him again .
The boy puts his head down and prays, "Dear God, this is an emergency! I need help now! I'm dead meat ."He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered.
As the teacher is walking toward him, a classmate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is filled with water. Susie trips in front of the teacher and throws the bowl of water on the boy's legs.
The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is saying to himself, "Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!"
Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of _ , the boy is the object of sympathy. The teacher gives him gym shorts to put on while his pants are dried out. All the other children are on their hands and knees cleaning up around his desk. The sympathy is wonderful. But as life would have it, the ridicule that should have been his goes to someone else - Susie. She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. You've done enough, you klutz!'
Finally, at the end of the day, as they are waiting for the bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers, 'You did that on purpose, didn't you?' Susie whispers back, 'I wet my pants once too.' | high22015.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "was not capable enough to win the medal"
},
"options": [
"made his turn to start back pitifully",
"was skillful in freestyle in the game",
"swam faster than the average swimmer",
"was not capable enough to win the medal... | While watching the Olympics the other night, I came across an unbelievable sight. It was not a gold medal, or a world record broken, but a show of courage.
The event was swimming and started with only three men on the blocks. For one reason or another, two of them false started, so they were disqualified. That left only one to compete. It would have been difficult enough, not having anyone to race against, even though the time on the clock is important.
I watched the man dive off the block and knew right away that something was wrong. I'm not an expert swimmer, but I can tell a good dive from a poor one, and this was not exactly medal quality. When he resurfaced, it was evident that the man was not out for gold - his arms were waving in an attempt at freestyle. The crowd started to laugh. Clearly this man was not a medal competitor.
I listened to the crowd begin to laugh at this poor man who was clearly having a hard time. Finally he made his turn to start back. It was pitiful. He made a few desperate strokes and you could tell he was worn out.
But in those few awful strokes, the crowd had changed.
No longer were they laughing, but beginning to cheer. Some even began to stand and shout "Come on, you can do it!" and he did.
A clear minute past the average swimmer, this young man finally finished his race. The crowd went wild. You would have thought that he had won the gold, and he should have. Even though he recorded one of the slowest times in Olympic history, this man gave more heart than any of the other competitors.
Just a short year ago, he had never even swum, let alone race. His country had been invited to Sydney.
In a competition where athletes remove their silver medals feeling they have somehow been cheated out of gold, or when they act so proudly in front of their competitirs, _ . | high1957.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "the legal drinking age should be raised."
},
"options": [
"many drivers were not of legal age.",
"young drivers were often bad drivers.",
"the level of drinking increased in the 1960s.",
"the legal drinking age should b... | Drunken driving -sometimes called America's socially accepted form of murder--has become a national epidemic . Every hour of every day about three Americans on average are killed by drunken drivers,adding up to an incredible 250,000 over the past ten years. A drunken driver is usually referred to as one with 0.10-blood alcohol content or roughly three beer glasses of wine or shots of whisky drunk within two hours. Heavy drinking used to be an acceptable part of the American manly image and judges were
in most courts,but the drunken killing has recently caused so many well-publicized tragedies,especially concerning young children,that public opinion is no longer so tolerant.
Twenty states have raised the legal drinking age to 21,reversing a trend in the 1960s to reduce it to 18. After New Jersey lowered it to 18,the number of people killed by 18-20 years old drivers more than doubled,so the state recently upped it back to 21.
Reformers,however,fear raising the drinking age will have little effect unless accompanied by educational programs to help young people to develop 'responsible attitudes' about drinking and teach them to resist peer pressure to drink.
Though new laws have led to increased arrests and tests in many areas already,to a marked drop in accidents,some states are also punishing bars for serving customers too many drinks. A bar in Massachusetts was fined for serving six or more double brandies to a customer who was 'obviously drunk' and later drove off the road,killing a 9-year-old boy.
As the accidents continue to occur daily in every state,some Americans are even beginning to speak well of the 13 years national prohibition of alcohol that began in 1919,which President Hoover called the 'noble experiment'. They forgot that legal prohibition didn't stop drinking,but encouraged political corruption and organized crime. As with the booming drug trade generally,there is no easy solution. | high15861.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "parents are stuck in numerous choices"
},
"options": [
"a child's schedule is too complex",
"activities suitable for kids are limited",
"parents are stuck in numerous choices",
"children always say no to parents' advice... | Dear Mom, Clear My Calendar
September is around the corner, and some of us are already complaining about summer's end. But parents have a special reason to do so. The end of summer means the start of school. And these days, planning a young child's schedule is a big challenge. The challenge is no longer finding activities to fill a child's day; it is saying no to the hundreds of options available. Our mailbox is filled with brochures urging us to sign our kids up for classes from cooking to martial arts .
Educators are themselves discouraged by the number of special classes that many children attend. In the name of "enrichment," three-year-olds not only go to preschool in the morning but study French or gymnastics after lunch. One teacher tells of a four-year-old asking for help in the toilet before hurrying off to tennis. Another teacher says that children sometimes hold on to her at pickup time. What happened to unstructured time?
A generous explanation is that we enjoy giving children opportunities we never had. The truth however is that many parents have doubts about how much time they spend away from their families. And one way to reduce this guilt is to believe that time spent in these classes is somehow more beneficial to children than the time we know we should be giving them ourselves.
David Elkind, an expert on children, suggests that the 1960s gave birth to the belief that earlier is better. Parents hope that early music lessons, for example will build a child's confidence. The truth, however, is that any time children are asked to do too much, too soon, they are at greater risk for feelings of failure.
A child's time does not have to be planned to be meaningful. Remember the lazy days of summer? Some children sleep late and play with the kids across the street until it's time to come home for dinner. However, with the majority of mothers working, fewer children enjoy that idle time now.
Come September, children across the country will finish a full day of kindergarten, only to attend an after-school program until 6 P.M., when a working mom or dad comes to take them home. That's too much for a five-year old. Finances, of course, do limit some parents. But let's be honest with ourselves - our own busy schedules, whatever they involve, are no excuse for burdening a young child's. | high6786.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "follow the \"stand right, wail left\" etiquette."
},
"options": [
"stand still as the railway stations require.",
"ignore the \" stand right, walk left\" signs",
"use the stairs instead of escalators.",
"follow the \"st... | If you live in a big city, there are many thing to drive you crazy on your daily route, and it's not just overcrowded subway trains.
Vicky Zhao is a mainlander working in Hong Kong. For her, one thing she can't put up with is people standing on the wrong side of the escalator in subway stations. "Escalators help us move faster and save time. It isn't a place to rest," the 24-year-old says. "I often see tourists block the way with their suitcases or chatting on the escalators during rush hours. _ annoys me to no end."
Admitting she is not the patient type, Zhao says things are much better in Hong Kong than in cities on the mainland where "stand right, walk left" signs are often ignored.
The logic behind the "stand right, walk left" escalator etiquette seems obvious. Even though you may want to catch your breath while you're transported up or down, you should still consider others and leave enough space for people in a hurry, so that they can run and catch the train.
Many cities' escalators, including London's and Beijing's, use the "stand right, walk left" system to speed up the flow of people. (Australia is an exception and you should stand on the left side instead.) But some cities discourage people from moving on escalators out of safety reasons. In Hong Kong's subway stations there are regular announcements asking people to "stand still" on escalators. Even so, most people in thisfast-paced cityobserve the "stand right, walk left" etiquette.
But the people who stand on escalators defend themselves by telling the walkers not to be so impatient. The BBC quotes one stander as saying: "If the person is in such a rush, why not just take the stairs? Even when the escalator is packed and there's nowhere to move, I see these same people complaining about not being able to pass."
Whatever the escalator etiquette is in the place you live or visit, do what most people are doing and always be mindful of others: leave enough space between each other, don't stay at the end of the escalator, and if someone is blocking your way, a simple "excuse me" is enough. | high12868.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "On a Thursday"
},
"options": [
"On Tuesday",
"On a Wednesday",
"On a Thursday",
"On a Friday"
],
"question": "When will the final exam take place?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
},
{
"answer"... | Now I'd like to talk to you about your final exam. The exam will be held next Thursday, the last day of the exam week. Remember to bring two of three pens in case you run out of ink. And unlike the midterm exam, this test will not include multiple --- choice questions; it will consist entirely of essays . You'll have to answer three of the five essay questions. The exam will be comprehensive , which means you'll be responsible for all of the subject matters we covered in class this term, I would suggest you review your midterm exam as well as textbooks and your class notes. The final exam will count as 50 percent of your grade of the course. The research project will count as 20 percent and the midterm exam 30 percent. I'll be in my office almost all day next Tuesday. If you run into any problems, please drop in. Good luck to you and I'll see you on Tuesday. | high8973.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "An advertisement for selling goods"
},
"options": [
"an introduction to some products",
"An advertisement for selling goods",
"a direction of a kind of washing machine",
"A notice about a football game"
],
"ques... | Cars!!! Holidays! Thousands of prizes ! Hurry !
FREE with every packet of SPLASH! Your personal lucky number!
Will be among the 500,000 Winners!
Use SPLASH for the SOFTEST ...
QIUCKEST...WHITEST WASH!
DON'T DELAY ... BUY A PACKET TODAY! | high22773.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "How to end the global food shortage"
},
"options": [
"How to end the global food shortage",
"How to end the global disaster",
"How to help the farmers in the poor countries",
"How to subsidize the farmers to increase fo... | The world economy has run into a brick wall. Despite countless warnings in recent years about the need to address a looming hunger crisis in poor countries and a looming energy crisis worldwide, world leaders failed to think ahead. The result is a global food crisis. Wheat, corn and rice prices increases combined with soaring energy costs will slow if not stop economic growth in many parts of the world and will even undermine political stability, as evidenced by the protest riots that have erupted in places like Haiti, Bangladesh and Burkina Faso. Practical solutions to these growing woes do exist, but we'll have to start thinking ahead and acting globally.
So, what should be done?Here are three steps to ease the current crisis and avert(, ) the potential for a global disaster. The first is to scale-up(,) the dramatic success of Malawi, a famine-prone country in southern Africa, which three years ago established a special fund to help its farmers get fertilizer and high-yield seeds. Malawi's harvest doubled after just one year. An international fund based on the Malawi model would cost a mere $10 per person annually in the rich world, or $10 billion in all.
Second, the U.S. and Europe should abandon their policies of subsidizing the conversion of food into biofuels .
Third, we urgently need to weatherproof the world's crops as soon and as effectively as possible. For a poor farmer, sometimes something as simple as a farm pond--which collects rainwater to be used for emergency irrigation in a dry spell--can make the difference between a bountiful crop and a famine. The world has already committed to establishing a Climate Adaptation Fund to help poor regions climate-proof vital economic activities such as food production and health care but has not yet acted upon the promise.
The food crisis provides not only a warning but also an opportunity. We need to invest vastly more in sustainable development in order to achieve true global security and economic growth. | high7498.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Life"
},
"options": [
"Jobs",
"culture",
"Life",
"Entertainment"
],
"question": "In which column of a newspaper can we probably find the passage?",
"question_type": null
}
] | DEAR AMY: Last year I got a full-time job as a baby-sitter for a wonderful family with two amazing kids. They have come to treat me as one of their own. But my boyfriend and I are attempting to save much more money for the life we want to build, including marriage, a house and kids. Much as I love my "babies," I'm looking forward to beginning a challenging career in a big company. Should I tell the family that I am looking for a new job? I don't want to find one that requires me to begin work immediately, leaving them without child care, but I also don't want them to assume that I'm leaving right away.
Up-in-the-Air Au Pair
DEAR AU PAIR: Whatever your arrangement, it is reasonable for them to expect you to be honest and _ They see that you are making changes in your life, and surely they will also understand your desire to advance in a career. Tell them frankly and they should be happy to employ you as long as you are available.
Amy
DEAR AMY: I am a freshman in a high school. Last summer my best friend was diagnosed with skin cancer. It isn't very serious, but she seems to be becoming more and more depressed. How can I help her be happy again?
Best Friend
DEAR FRIEND: Your best role is to prop up and encourage your friend when she seems down, and to be supportive and kind to her. You're doing a great job with that, and your friend is lucky to have you in her life.
Amy | high4191.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "offer some drinks to the author"
},
"options": [
"offer some drinks to the author",
"offer some popcorn to the author",
"introduce pop music to the author",
"make fun of the author's English"
],
"question": "Whe... | I am a native of Bangladesh-a country in Southeast Asia,next to India.I came to Winona State University(USA)in the fall of 1986 and transferred to St.Cloud in 1989.During my first semester in Winona,I had a roommate named Mike.The day after I arrived,he asked me if I wanted a pop. Back home we refer to carbonated drinks as cold drinks. So, when he asked me to have a pop,I thought he was referring to popcorn. I said,very politely,"No,thank you.I am not hungry." He had a puzzled look on his face, one that I did not figure out for at least a week or so until somebody pointed out to me that pop meant soda and had nothing to do with corn.
Speaking of pop,my very first night at Winona State University,Bangladeshi students took me to a restaurant named Papa John's. I ordered my meal and finally asked for a Pepsi.The waitress handed me an aluminum can. Now,back home we have only bottled pop drinks,and the only time I was exposed to a can was on an airplane. However,those cans were a bit different because one could open it by pulling on the tab,which came off.Imagine my embarrassment as I tried to use the same technique at the restaurant.Obviously,the tab would not come off when I struggled with the can,and I spilled the pop all over the table. My fellow Bangladeshi students and a few others at the nearby tables got a good laugh out of this.Finally,one of them showed me how to use that device.
Bangladeshi cuisine is definitely spicier and usually hotter than Midwestern food.I conveyed this to my American friends whenever we talked about cuisine.Well,last fall,I was down in Orono,Minnesota,at my friend Steve Haack's house.He had told his mother all these horror stories about how I loved "hot" food.So,when it was time for Sunday brunch,I found out how Steve's mother had decided to whet my appetite.She baked some spicy enchiladas ,and she had used one full 16-ounce can of jalapeno peppers. Talking about hot--this thing was a burning.As I was swallowing platefuls of it in front of them,the Haack family were busy pouring milk,juice,or cold water down their throats to cool off the burning,Steve's dad said,"After this,I am going to need a big cork to plug the hole in my stomach."So saying,he went for a second helping.
We do not have any snow in Bangladesh,so my first encounter with snow was during the end of the year in 1986 in Winona.I came out of my dorm one morning,and it was snowing! It seemed like a shower of little white feathers.I tried to catch them,but they would melt away almost instantly--so light, so soft,and so white. I walked around the campus and it was hardly cold. Everything seemed quieter and softer. If I should ever go to heaven and have a chance to have a window with a view, this would probably be one of the scenes I would like to see.
For the past five years,Minnesota has been my home away from home.During this time I have had my share of laughs and tears,achievements and disappointments. But looking back on all these years,I can say today that if I had to do it all over again,I wouldn't change a thing. | high17910.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "are being applied in some different areas now"
},
"options": [
"require users to operate on the stomach",
"pick up the signals through wires and chips",
"are being applied in some different areas now",
"are smarter but ... | Gaudi Nanda sees a wearable computer as a handbag --- one that's built out of four-inch squares and triangles of fiber, with tiny computer chips embedded in it. It looks, feels and weighs like your typical leather purse.
That's where the similarities end: this bag can wirelessly keep track of your belongings and remind you, just as you're about to leave the house, to take your wallet. It can review the weather report and suggest that you take an umbrella. This purse can even upload your favorite songs onto your scarf.
Surely, a computing purse and scarf set may seem like the stuff of science fiction. But these devices, part of next generation of wearable computers, could become commonplace within a few years. Dupont created new super strong fibers that can conduct electricity and can be woven into ordinary-looking clothes. And the chipmaker developed chip packaging allowing wearable computers to be washed, even in the heavy-duty cycle.
As a result, these new wearable devices are different from the heavy and downright silly versions of the recent past, which often required users to be wrapped in wires and type on their stomachs. Unlike their predecessors, these new wearable computers also make economic sense. When her bag becomes commercially available in two to three years, Nanda expects it will cost around $ 150, which is the price of an average leather purse.
Here's how the bag works: You place a special radio-signal-transmitting chip onto your wallet. A similar radio in your purse picks up the signal and notifies you that you've forgotten to take your wallet. In turn, sensors on your purse's handles will notify the computer that you've picked up the purse and are ready to go.
Already, these new kinds of wearable devices are being adopted for use in markets like auto repair, emergency services, medical monitoring - and even, increasingly, for consumers at large. _ | high20164.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "the problems we are facing today about environment and the ways to solve them"
},
"options": [
"the problems we are facing today about environment and the ways to solve them",
"the unlimited natural resources in the world",
"... | In the past, man did not have to think about protection of the environment. There were very few people on the earth, and natural resources seemed to be unlimited.
Today things are different. The world has become too crowded. We are using up our natural resources too quickly, and at the same time we are polluting our environment with dangerous chemicals. If we continue to do this, human life on the earth will not survive.
Everyone realizes today that if too many fish are taken from the sea, there will soon be none left. Yet, with modern fishing methods, more and more fish are caught. We know that if too many trees are cut down, forests will disappear and nothing will grow on land. Yet, we continue to use more powerful machines to cut down more and more trees.
We realize that if rivers are polluted with waste products from factories, we will die. However, in most countries waste is still put into rivers, but there are few laws to stop this.
We also know that if the population of the countries in the world is to rise at the present rate in a few years, there will not be enough food.
What can we do to solve these problems?
If we eat more vegetables and less meat, there will be more food available for everyone. Land that is used to grow crops can feed five times more people than land where animals are kept.
Our natural resources will last longer if we learn to recycle them.
The world population will not rise so quickly if people use modern methods of birth control.
Finally, if all of us think about the problem, we will have a better and cleaner planet in the future. | high4185.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "he was not in the position to solve such problems"
},
"options": [
"nobody was so able as to solve the problems",
"he was not in the position to solve such problems",
"many people were too selfish to think about others",
... | Mark felt that it was time for him, to take part in his community, so he went to the neighborhood meeting after work. The area' s city councilwoman was leading a discussion about how the quality of life was decreasing. The neighborhood faced many problems.
Mark looked at the charts taped to the walls. There are charts for parking problems, crime, and for problems in vacant buildings. People were supposed to suggest solutions to the councilwoman.
It was too much for Mark. "The problems are too big," he thought. He turned to the man next to him and said, "I think this is a waste of my time. Nothing I could do would make a difference here."
Mark thought some more on his way to the bus stop. "People should just take care of themselves, "he decided. "That' s enough to do. I can' t take on all the problems of the world."
As he neared the bus stop, Mark saw a woman carrying a grocery bag and a baby. She was trying to unlock her car, but she didn't have a free hand. As Mark got closer, her other child, a little boy, suddenly _ into the street. The woman tried to reach for him, but as she moved, her bag shifted and the groceries started to fall out. Mark ran to take the boy's arm and led him back to his mother. Then he picked up the groceries while the woman smiled in relief. "Thanks! "she said. "You've got great timing!"
"Just being neighborly," Mark said. As he rode home, he glanced at the walls of the bus. On one of them was "Small acts of kindness add up. "Mark smiled and thought, "Maybe that's a good place to start." | high17904.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "All the 3 experiments proved the same result."
},
"options": [
"All the subjects went through all the 3 experiments.",
"Stellar carefully chose 300 college students according their personal income level.",
"The rich really la... | Now comes word from the University of California, Berkeley, a new study has confirmed that the richer you are the less compassionate you are
In a study just published in the journal Emotion, psychologist Jennifer Stellar sought to determine the empathic capacities of a group of 300 college students, who had been hand-selected for maximum economic diversity. As a rule, college students have just one income level: poor. Stellar thus chose her subjects based on the income of the people who respond to the requests and write the checks: the parents.
In the first of three experiments, she had 148 of her subjects fill out reports how often they experience emotions such as joy, love, compassion and horror. She also had them agree or disagree with statements like "I often notice people who need help." When the numbers on these lists were processed, Stellar found no meaningful personality differences among the students that could be attributable to income except one: across the board, the lower the subjects' family income, the higher their score on compassion.
The second study involved 64 subjects who watched two videos -- an emotionally neutral instructional video on construction techniques, and a far more charged one that involved real families coping with a cancer-stricken child. Again, the subjects filled out emotional lists and again they scored similarly. But the lower-income volunteers continued to come out higher on the compassion-and-empathy scale.
During this study, Stellar also used heartbeat monitors to determine their physical reactions to the two videos. There was, not surprisingly, no difference in heart rate when the instructional video was playing, but when the cancer stories began, the heartbeats of the lower-income volunteers slowed noticeably -- a counterintuitive sign of caring. An immediate threat to ourselves or another causes heart rate to jump, the better to snap into action to respond to the danger. An emotional crisis can have the opposite physical effect on observers -- helping them settle down to provide the quieter attention that simply listening and comforting requires.
In the final part of the study, 106 of the participants were paired off and told to interview each other as if they were applying for a position as lab manager. So that the subjects would have real skin in the game, the ones who performed best in the interviews -- as judged by Stellar-- would win a cash prize. All of the subjects reported feeling the same levels of stress or anxiety when they were being interviewed, but only the lower-income subjects were reliably able to detect the same feelings in their partner when the roles were reversed.
So does this mean the rich really can't feel the poor? A low score on the compassion scale doesn't mean a lack of capacity for the feeling, Stellar argues. It may just mean a lack of experience observing -- and tending to -- the hardship others. Perhaps that helps explain why so many wealthy college kids find their way into the Peace Corps and other volunteer groups. | high19929.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "size"
},
"options": [
"price",
"colour",
"shape",
"size"
],
"question": "According to the writer, the disadvantage about the iPod is mostly about its _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"... | The disadvantage you usually find about MP3 players like the iPod is that they are too big. But get ready for the MP3 player in your hand to get much smaller--the size of a Band-Aid .
It's called the Skinny Player, and it's being designed by industrial designers Chih-Wei Wang and Shou-His Fu. Unlike the current types of iPod Shuffles and iPod Nanos, the Skinny Player does not need to be fixed onto your clothes or put into your pocket. It could stick to your skin like you would attach a Band-Aid. But unlike Band-Aids, this tiny MP3 player will not lose its stickiness as you pull it off for the hundredth time.
The Skinny Player features flexible speakers allowing the user to enjoy music conveniently. When it gets dirty, the user can simply clean it using a damp cloth. No batteries either. The Skinny Player's designers say it will be powered by body heat, using a flexible battery charging device that is in contact with skin whenever the player is being used.
The design only include an on/off button and flexible speakers, no word yet on arranging the volume. Besides, the memory capacity won't be the best, as it is designed to only store one album.
The small size and the ability to stick it onto your skin like a Band-Aid should make the Skinny Player perfect for runners who now depend on their iPod to keep them energized on the running path. | high20170.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "it will help to make the world a good living place"
},
"options": [
"if we make the earth unlivable, we'll have to live in space",
"it can help our children live better",
"if we don't, the earth will become a garbage dump",
... | "Why should I care about the environment?" some people ask. There is a very simple reason: We live on the earth, and it is the only place we can live on right now, as we cannot live in space yet. If we treat the earth like a garbage dump, it will become dirty and unlivable. If we treat it well by being eco-conscious, the earth will stay clean and suitable for living, for ourselves and for our children.
What is "being eco-conscious"?
Being eco-conscious means being aware of your actions, and what you do to the environment. For example, you might think, "Using hairspray is great for fixing my hair." However, if you are eco-conscious, you would ask, "Does this hairspray have CFCs in it? Could I be destroying the earth by using hairspray?"
How can I be eco-conscious?
You can find many simple ways to help the environment in your everyday life.
When you go shopping, bring a bag or a basket with you. Please try not to use plastic bags as much as you can.
You can go to work by bike or on foot if it is not far from your home.
You can put your rubbish into different bags, which makes it convenient for recycling.
You can eat less chewing gum.
You can use your own chopsticks instead of the disposable ones in your company or in restaurants.
You can put batteries in a special box instead of in garbage bins.
You can use the water which has been used for washing vegetables or fruits to clean the floor and the toilet or to water your garden.
You can turn off the decorative lights in your room when watching TV.
You can turn down your air conditioner by one degree, as this will cause a 10% reduction in energy use.
You can use recycled paper. Every ton of recycled office paper saves 380 gallons of oil. You can also use recycled glass instead of glass made from raw materials. This will reduce the related air pollution by 20%, and the related water pollution by 50%.
Please believe that. If you do a little, it will make a big difference. | high3832.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Starbucks,tile Coffee Giant"
},
"options": [
"Starbucks,tile Coffee Giant",
"The World's Starbucks",
"Starbucks,Selling Ideas",
"Starbucks,In or Out"
],
"question": "Which of the following may be the best title ... | Starbucks coffee shops can be found all overprefix = st1 /Americaand in more than thirty countries around the world. Many people think they are great places. to enjoy a cup of hot coffee or tea. But others dislike the company.
If you are in any major city in America,the chances are great that you are not far from a Stalbucks. in fact, you might be very close to several of these coffee shops. The company started in the West Coast city of Seattle,Washington, in 1971. Starbucks was named after a character in the famous American novel Moby-Dick by Herman Melville. Today, there are more than 1 2. 000 Stalbucks around,the world. Sales in 2008 were almost eight billion dollars.
Starbucks sells more than just plain coffee. It started a whole coffee culture with its own special language and coffee workers called "baristas". It sells many kinds of hot and cold coffee drinks;like White Chocolate Mocha and Frappuccino. It also sells music recorders,coffee makers,food,and even books. But most of all,it sells the idea of being a warm and friendly place for people to sit,read or talk.
Starbucks is a great success story. Buyers ate willing to pay as much as five dollars for coffee drink. Many people say they go to Starbucks because they can depend on it to have exactly what they want and it is nearby. Some say Starbucks has helped to educate people about coffee from many countries.
However, some people do not like the company's expansion. Owners of independent coffee stores cannot compete with Starbucks. Some small coffee sellers even took the company to court,saying Starbucks controls the market and foxes out competition. | high23479.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "giving examples"
},
"options": [
"giving examples",
"making comparisons",
"raising questions",
"quoting famous remarks"
],
"question": "The author introduces the expressions mainly by _ .",
"question_type... | "Can't hold a candle to" is a popular expression.When there wasn't electricity, someone would have a servant light his way by holding a candle.The expression meant that the person who cannot hold a candle to you is not fit even to be your servant.Now,it means such a person cannot compare or compete.
Another expression is"hold your tongue."It means to be still and not talk."Hold your tongue"is not something you would tell a friend.But a parent or teacher might use the expression to quiet a noisy child.
"Hold out"is an expression one hears often in sports reports and labor news.It means to refuse to play or work.Professional football and baseball players"hold out" if their team refuses to pay them what they think they are worth.
The expression"hold up" has several different meanings.One is a robbery.A man with a gun may say,"This is a hold up.Give me your money."Another meaning is to delay.A driver who was held up by heavy traffic might be late for work.Another meaning is for a story to be considered true after an investigation.A story can hold up if it is proved true.
"Hold on"is another expression,which means wait or stop.As you leave for school,your brother may say,"Hold on,you forgot your book." It is used to ask a telephone caller to wait and not hang up his telephone.
Our final expression is"hold the line."That means to keep a problem or situation from getting worse--to hold steady.For example,the president may say he will"hold the line on taxes."He means there will be no increase in taxes. | high6792.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "recognition"
},
"options": [
"recognition",
"recall",
"memorization",
"relearning"
],
"question": "The way to pick out the items on the first list from the second is known as _ .",
"question_type": "cloz... | Memory is the ability to keep track of things that have happened in the past. Memory really is learning. One needs memory to ride a bicycle. A dog needs to remember if it is to come when called.
Memory is said to be stored in the brain as a "memory trace ." What makes up this trace is not known. Some scientists believe that certain chemical substances may carry certain memories. For example, one substance, when given to rats, causes them to fear the dark.
Other research into memory has to do with how the brain works. Psychologists use three means to find out how a person remembers. For example, give a person a grocery list. Let the person memorize the list, then put it away. The most natural way to find out how much a person remembers of the grocery list is to ask what he or she remembers. This is called the method of recall. Another method is called recognition. Give the person another grocery list. Ask him or her to choose items on the first list from the items that are on only the second list. Often a person will be able to recognize things that he or she cannot recall. A third method of finding how much a person remembers is called relearning. Here the person is asked to read over the first list. The person will probably learn the list the second time faster than he did the first time. The difference in the time it takes to relearn the list is thought of as a measure of how much a person has remembered.
One way of remembering something is to repeat it many times. Interest is very important. Boring lists of facts are much more difficult to remember than something that we understand and are interested in. Motivation, or wanting to do something, is also important. Motivation is linked with reward. For example, a hungry animal quickly learns how to do something if that action gets the animal food. In humans, wanting to learn is often motivation. The praise of a teacher or the knowledge that an answer is correct is rewarding. | high569.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "noise pollution"
},
"options": [
"air pollution",
"water pollution",
"noise pollution",
"world pollution"
],
"question": "The text is mainly about _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"an... | In today's world, almost everyone knows that air pollution and water pollution are harmful to people's health. However, not all people know that noise is also a kind of pollution, and this is harmful to people's health, too.
People who work and live under noisy conditions usually become deaf today. However, scientists believe that 10 percent of workers in Britain are being deafened by the noise where they work. Many of the workers who print newspapers and books, and who weave cloth become deaf. Quite a few people living near airports also become deaf. Recently it was discovered that many teenagers in America could hear no better than 65-year-old persons, for these young people like to listen to pop music and pop music is a kind of noise. Besides, noise produced by jet planes or machines will make people ill or even drive them mad.
It is said a continuous noise of over 85 decibels can cause deafness. Now the government in many countries have made laws to control noise and make it less than 85 decibels.
In China, the government is trying to solve not only air and water pollution problems but also noise problems. | high22767.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "people are living longer due to better living conditions"
},
"options": [
"there are many rich valleys and large fields",
"farmers are producing more crops than before",
"people are living longer due to better living conditio... | As people slowly learn to cure diseases, control floods, prevent hunger, and stop wars, fewer people die every year. As a result, the population of the world is becoming larger. In 1925 there were about 2 billion people in the world; today there are over 6 billion.
When the number rises, extra mouths must be fed. New lands must be brought under development, or land already farmed must be made to produce more crops. In some areas the land is so over-developed that it will be difficult to make it provide more crops. In some areas the population is so large that the land is divided into too tiny units to make improvement possible with farming methods. If a large part of this farming population went into industrial work, the land might be farmed much more productively with modern methods.
There is now a race for science, technology, and industry to keep the output of food rising faster than the number of people to be fed. New types of crops, which will grow well in bad weather, are being developed, so there are now farms beyond the Arctic Circle in Siberia and North America. Irrigation and dry-farming methods bring poor lands under the plough. Dams hold back the waters of great rivers, which can provide water for the fields in all seasons and provide electric power for new industries. Industrial chemistry provides fertilizer to suit different soils. Every year, some new methods are made to increase or to protect the food of the world. | high1943.txt |
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