questions list | article stringlengths 9 6.44k | id stringlengths 9 14 |
|---|---|---|
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "How green plants make food."
},
"options": [
"How green plants make food.",
"How green plants make sugar.",
"How green plants get their energy.",
"How green plants change sugar into starch."
],
"question": "Whic... | Plants need green leaves to make food. A plant needs sunlight and carbon dioxide from the air for making food and it also needs water and salts from the soil to make food too. There are certain cells in the leaves which change carbon dioxide and water into sugar. To do this the cells needs energy, which they get from the sunlight.
Green leaves make food for the whole plant. A red leaf can make food too because under the red color1ing of the leaf there are food----making cells. There are no leaves which are completely yellow, for they can't make food.
The plant makes sugar for its food. In sunlight green leaves make a lot of sugar. The veins can't carry all this sugar away, so the leaves change the sugar into starch , which is kept and so stored in the leaves. At night, the starch changes back to sugar. It is then carried away from the leaves. Some of the sugar is used as food by the plant while the rest is stored as starch. In some plants, food is stored in the roots, in others it is stored in the stem and in leaves, fruits and seeds. | high21034.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "prevent illegal business"
},
"options": [
"develop a fingerprinting system",
"prevent illegal business",
"put them on pieces of clay",
"collect and study fingerprints"
],
"question": "Herschel had people record ... | There are records of fingerprints taken many centuries ago. The ancient Babylonians pressed the tips of their fingerprints into clay to record business trade. The Chinese used ink-on-paper finger impressions for business. However, fingerprinting wasn't used as a method for identifying criminals until the 19th century.
In 1858, Sir William Herschel was working as an official of the Hooghly district in Jungipoor, India.In order to reduce fraud , he had people living in the district record their fingerprints when signing business documents. A few years later, Scottish doctor Henry Faulds was working in Japan when he discovered fingerprints left by artists on ancient pieces of clay.This finding inspired him to begin investigating fingerprints.In 1880, Faulds wrote to his cousin, the famous naturalist Charles Darwin, and asked for help with developing a fingerprint classification system.Darwin refused, but sent the letter to his cousin, Sir Francis Gallon, who was an eugenicist . Gallon began collecting fingerprints and eventually gathered some 8, 000 different samples to analyze. In 1892, he published a book called "Fingerprints", in which he outlined a fingerprint classification system--the first existence.
Around the same time, Juan Vucetich, a police officer in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was developing his own version of a fingerprinting system.In 1892, Vucetich was called in to assist with the investigation of the two boys murdered in Necoche, a village near Buenos Aires. Their mother, Francisca Rojas, accused a neighbour named Velasquez. But when Vucetich compared the fingerprints found at the murder scene to those of both Velasquez and Rojas, _ matched Rojas' exactly.She admitted her crime. This was the first time fingerprints had been used in a criminal investigation.Vucetich called his system comparative dactyloscopy . It's still used in many Spanish-speaking countries.
Sir Edward Henry, in charge of the Metropolitan Police of London, soon became interested in using fingerprints to catch criminals. In 1896, he added to Gallon's technique, creating his own classification system, the Henry Classification System. It is the primary method of fingerprint classification throughout most of the world. | high2976.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Good universities can charge students more tuition fees."
},
"options": [
"Tuition fees for British students should reach #20,000.",
"Good universities can charge students more tuition fees.",
"Northampton University will cha... | Tuition fees for British students could reach as much as #20,000, a university vicc-president has warned.
Prof. Nick Pctfon warned that universities will face additional economic pressures as student numbers increase, which could force them to increase home students' fees.
Student tuition is presently upped at #9,000 for British students.
Speaking to the lines fligher Education, Prof. Petford, the vice-president of Northampton University,said that some universities with high brand value will be able to charge PS17,000, PS18,000 or PS20,000 in the future. "'I am sure of that.
The president of the National Union of Students Toni Pearce said: "The suggestion that tuition fees should be charged at this level shows just how astonishingly out of touch some university vice-presidents can be."
Prof. Petford argued there will be a change in how universities view home students - suggesting they will be treated more like international students. "If you look at international students, that's been a market not well-governed since we've been recruiting (tix) overseas students. Universities have always been used to this sort of behaviour." He said. "The big step change now is thinking about home students in this way."
Presently there is no cap on fees that universities can charge international students.
The president of Universities UK, Christopher Snowden, said that his report showed universities needed more money to maintain their current standards. "The rise in tuition fees in England did not give all universities extra money - it replaced the cuts in direct government funding , " he said. | high17586.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "How to rebuild friendship."
},
"options": [
"How to make new friends.",
"How to rebuild friendship.",
"How to develop healthy friendship.",
"How to keep in touch with friends."
],
"question": "What is the subjec... | Several years ago, I had a huge falling out with one of my best friends. So huge, in fact, that now I can't even remember what happened.
In the past nine years, I've seen her twice, and each time we've been polite but distant. And that troubles me because we were once inseparable. I'd like nothing more than to go back nine years, and continue our friendship. But how? How do you reconnect with friends you've lost throughout the years?
Linking to your past
The desire to reconnect with lost friends isn't unusual. Why? Because friends link us to the past. " _ ," says Sandy Sheehy.
Although you can share information about your past with friends you've met recently, you don't have a shared history with them. So you wind up only telling them about your past, rather than sharing it with them.
But many people never try to reconnect. Women especially have trouble taking the first step. Shyness or fear that the other person doesn't want to reconnect often stops many women. And that shouldn't be. Your friends probably want to be in touch with you as much as you want to be in touch with them.
Searching for friends
Fortunately, finding lost friends isn't as difficult as it once was, thanks to tools like the Internet. Our experts offer these suggestions for locating contact information:
Search Internet sites designed to locate people like classmates.com and switchboard.com.
Contact your high school or college alumni office to request current address information.
Surf online yellow pages. Check current phone records from your friend's hometown.
Network with other friends who might have known your friend.
Get in touch with any of her relatives, if you know where they live. If you know where she works, find the company's website and search the directory of personnel. | high733.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "the same chances in society"
},
"options": [
"a more enjoyable time at school",
"the same chances in society",
"the right to a better school",
"higher scores in intelligence tests"
],
"question": "It is hoped th... | One of the strongest arguments for the raising of the school leaving age(ROSLA)has been that it will bring us some way nearer to "equality of opportunity".
Many people like to think of our present system of schooling as providing plenty of steps up the ladder of success for clever children. It would be good to think that no one who is really bright can be missed out when the state system is obviously so complete. It is obvious, for instance, that many children from less wealthy homes reach university or do well in other ways.
Unfortunately we now have plenty of proofs that many children of every level of ability do much less well than they could. For instance, during the years of national military service it was possible to test the intelligence of all males 18 to 20 year old. Half of those soldiers who were placed in the two highest ability groups had left school at 15.
It has also been shown that the percentage of working class children going to university is almost the same now as it was in 1939. One study of 5,000 children from birth to 21 years old shows that up to half the bright pupils from working class homes left school when they reached 16 years old. Moreover, there is no difference in intelligence between the sexes, but far more boys than girls stay in education after 16.
It is clear from this and many other proofs that many children are still leaving school too early to benefit from the prizes--money, social respectability, and interesting jobs--which higher education gives. It is clear too that the reasons why such children leave have much to do with their social background. Their parents often need the extra money another money-earner would bring in; they don't value education for itself because their own was probably dull and unhappy. It is not so much that they force their sons and daughters to leave school, rather that they tend to say, "it's up to you". | high23623.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "suggest that we should not disrupt the natural food chain"
},
"options": [
"explain what the food chain is",
"tell us something interesting about nature",
"suggest that we stop eating meat to save animals",
"suggest tha... | Energy goes from one plant or animal to another.A food chain shows how this energy moves.Each time an animal gets eaten,its energy is passed onto the animal that eats it.The food chain is very important because it keeps the balance of nature.If one part of the food chain disappears,it can affect all the other plants and animals.Any threat to the food chain is a threat to the environment's biodiversity .The food chain helps keep animal populations in balance.However,if something happens to damage one of the links in the food chain,that balance is broken.If one animal becomes endangered,it puts all the animals above it at risk.
Some of the threats are natural,such as wildfires,hurricanes,tornados,floods and so on.But the biggest threats to the food chain come from you and me.These threats include overfishing,logging,farming,development,pollution,etc.The food chain is endangered anywhere humans have had an effect on the natural environment.
A recent study shows that the overfishing of large sharks is damaging the food chain along the US Atlantic coast.Canadian and American scientists say sharks are being killed in great numbers for their meat and fins .Now,not enough sharks are around to eat the cownose ray.The ray's population has increased and they have eaten up the shellfish to the point where it has hurt commercial fishing.
Many of us disturb the natural environment in our own backyards.It's up to us to take care of the environment and try not to disrupt the natural food chain.If we don't act responsibly,animals will start disappearing. | high13938.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Because they couldn't avoid accepting the Eiffel Tower."
},
"options": [
"Because they didn't like the design of the Eiffel Tower.",
"Because they couldn't avoid accepting the Eiffel Tower.",
"Because it was no use building t... | Most people hate change, which is sad since we often go through intense changes in life. And for some of us, even the smallest changes can upset our day. So the question is: Why do most of us find making adjustments to our lives so hard?
Fear of change is nothing new. Over a century ago, the Parisians were unhappy over a particular addition to their city: the Eiffel Tower. In fact, the citizens were so angry about the plans for the tower that they protested its construction. As strange as it may seem, their anger was completely natural. They were given no choice about the huge change that was going to be made, so they became angry.
But we get upset over changes even when we do have a say in the matter and think about them carefully. Changes are brought about every day by the decisions we make: which school to attend, which job to take, whom to marry. Voluntary changes also make most of us uneasy because we don't know how those changes will affect our future.
People have discovered that the key to overcoming the fear and anger associated with change is to be flexible . When they are flexible, people can adapt to new situations more easily. Being flexible is especially important in the 21st century as technology makes change occur faster than ever before. Those who oppose change, especially with technology in the workplace, may find themselves out of a job.
When change comes, and you have no choice but to face it, embrace it. A positive attitude helps a lot. In fact, the change may turn out to be the best thing for you. That new job you got may end up being much better than your old one. You may make the best friends of your life in the new city you moved to. Don't merely focus on how you feel about change; instead decide to accept the change. The change is the reality, and it's up to you whether the change will be a success or a failure. | high15391.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "He led his army to defeat them."
},
"options": [
"He asked the minister for advice.",
"He led his army to defeat them.",
"He found some monkeys to feed.",
"He looked for shelters in the forest."
],
"question": "... | The King received news one day that a group outlaws were committing some wrong and cruel acts on a distant border of the kingdom.
The news angered the King. He quickly gathered his army and started off for the distant border, leaving his kingdom unguarded and without a ruler.
On their long march, the King and his army made camp for the night wherever they could. One rainy day they stopped in a forest, seeking shelter under the trees. They unsaddled their horses and steamed some peas, which they fed to their steeds in long narrow containers.
A monkey in a tree nearby saw the horses being fed, and he came racing down, filled both paws with peas, then climbed quickly up to a branch and settled down to eat. But as he opened one paw, a single pea fell to the ground. Without hesitation, the monkey jumped from his branch to hunt for the lost pea, and in doing so,he dropped all the other peas in his paws.
The King observed this foolish monkey and was greatly amused. He timed to his minister and asked: "Friend, what do you think of this monkey who would give up so much to _ so little?"
"That is the way of the foolish," replied the minister, "they will give up much that is certain for a little that is uncertain."
Then he added, "And we, Great King, are we not like the monkey in the trees. To gain so little we neglect so much exactly like the monkey with its pea."
The King understood the blame and realized how very foolish he had been himself to leave his kingdom unguarded. He gave out orders to his men, and he and his army returned at once to their country. | high9823.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "To make a living."
},
"options": [
"To realize her childhood dream.",
"To free herself from trouble.",
"To spend her holiday.",
"To make a living."
],
"question": "Why did the writer go to Hawaii?",
"questio... | When I was eight, I saw a movie about an island that had an erupting volcano and jungles filled with wild animals. The island was ruled by a beautiful woman called Tondalaya, the Fire Goddess of the Volcano. It was a low-budget movie, but to me, it represented the perfect life. But through the years, Tondalaya was forgotten.
The week I turned 50, my marriage came to a sudden end. My house, furniture and everything I'd owned was sold to pay debts that I didn't even know existed. In a week I had lost my husband, my home and my parents who had refused to accept a divorce in the family. I'd lost everything except my four teenage children. I used every penny I had to buy five plane tickets from Missouri to Hawaii. Everyone said I was crazy to think I could just run off to an island and survive. I was afraid they were right.
I worked 18 hours a day and lost 30 pounds because I lived on one meal a day. One night as I walked alone on the beach, I saw the red orange lava pouring out of Kilauea Volcano in the distance. It was time to live my imagination!
The next day, I quit my job, bought some art supplies and began doing what I loved. I hadn't painted a picture in 15 years. I wondered if I could still paint. My hands trembled the first time I picked up a brush. But before an hour had passed, I was lost in the colors spreading across the canvas in front of me. And as soon as I started believing in myself, other people started believing in me, too. The first painting sold for $1,500.
The past six years have been filled with adventures. My children and I have gone swimming with dolphins, watched whales and hiked around the crater rim of the volcano. We wake up every morning with the ocean in front of us and the volcano behind us. The dream I had more than 40 years is now reality. I'm living freely and happily ever after. | high14931.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "rarely ruin trees"
},
"options": [
"rarely ruin trees",
"drink only every 3-4 days",
"search for food in large groups",
"protect food sources for their young"
],
"question": "Desert elephants are called careful ... | How can a creature weighing over 5 tons and normally taking 150 kilograms of food and 120 liters of water per day survive in a desert environment?
In the southwest African country of Namibia,and the Sahara lands of Mall further north,the desert elephant _ .
Although not regarded as a separate species from the African elephant,the desert cousin differs in many ways.Their bodies are smaller,to absorb less heat,and their feet are larger for easier walking across sandy surfaces.They are taller,to reach higher branches.They have shortertusks ,and most importantly,longer trunks to dig for water in riverbeds.
Desert elephants can travel over 70 kilometers in search for feeding grounds and water-holes,and have a larger group of families.They drink only every 3-4 days,and can store water in a "bag" at the back of their throat,which is only used when badly needed.Desert elephants are careful feeders--they seldom root up trees and break fewer branches,and thus maintain what little food sources are available.Young elephants may even eat thedung of the female leader of a group when facing food shortage.
During drought they are unlikely to give birth to their young but with good rains the birthrate will increase greatly.Desert elephants have sand baths,sometimes adding their ownurine to make them muddy!
As we continue to overheat our weak planet,it can only be hoped that other animal species will adapt as extraordinarily well to change as the desert elephant. | high8283.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "He decided to rescue stray dogs when young."
},
"options": [
"He is afraid of speaking out for dogs.",
"He decided to rescue stray dogs when young.",
"He is the director of a nursing home.",
"He is dissatisfied with St.... | Randy Grim brought home his first stray dog when he was only 5 years old. The fear that he saw in the eyes of that first dog-eventually replaced by gratitude and love-moved Grim so deeply that even at that young age he knew he had found his life's work. In 1998, Grim formed a nonprofit group called Stray Rescue. The group's goal: to save as many of St. Louis's stray dogs as possible.
Today, Grim heads up an organization with a $3 million annual budget, a staff of more than 50 paid workers, thousands of volunteers, and a well-equipped shelter that houses as many as 200 dogs. The money that supports Stray Rescue has been raised through donations and through the force of Grim's outspoken advocacy . A man who sees himself as shy is anything but that when it comes to speaking out for dogs.
The impact has been significant. While there are no good estimates as to the number of stray dogs on the streets of St. Louis, today 40% more dogs are being picked up off the streets than just two years ago, about 98% are now adopted into homes.
Stray Rescue also funds a massive education campaign. The group's bill-boards advocating adoption and neutering of dogs are everywhere, as are brochures informing the public of free medical care for dogs and volunteer opportunities at Stray Rescue.
"The whole landscape has changed,"says Pam Walker, St. Louis city health director. Since Grim's involvement, she says, St. Louis has become a model for good practices in the area.
Officials elsewhere sometimes ask how St. Louis deals with its dog problems. Walker says,"My answer is:We have Randy Grim."
Grim says he is delighted at the way the city has responded. Many St. Louis citizens"were already there,"he says, in terms of concern for dogs. "I'm really proud of my city." | high23145.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "He intends to talk about a contest."
},
"options": [
"He likes telling lies.",
"He intends to talk about a contest.",
"Lies can be detected by someone.",
"Nearly everyone has told lies."
],
"question": "Why does... | A terrible competition is going on in England, with billions of dollars and hundreds of lives at risk. OK, that's not true. But competitors from around the world gathered on Thursday for the annual competition to compete for the world's biggest person who tells lies.
Each participant is given up to five minutes to make up the best _ in the contest, which was founded in honor of 19th-century Bridge Inn landlord Will Ritson, who was reportedly famous for his lies. Competitors gather at the Bridge Inn every year for the competition, a small pub in northwestern England. Anyone but lawyers and politicians can take part in the competition.
A study found that nearly all lies are detectable through visible facial muscle reactions in the person telling a lie. "Thus, while interpersonal cheat often is highly successful, signs of hidden emotional states are communicated clearly to the informed observer," the study concluded.
A churchman of Carlisle reportedly holds what may be the greatest lie of all time in the competition, simply stating, "I have never told a lie in my life."
In 2003, Abrie Krueger from South Africa became the first one to win the competition. In 2006, comedian Sue Perkins became the first female to win the competition, telling a tale about people riding camels to work as a result of climate change. | high13086.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "a global mobile communication system"
},
"options": [
"a global-used mobile phone",
"a global mobile phone industry",
"a global mobile phone association",
"a global mobile communication system"
],
"question": "A... | "Any time! Any where! Decades ago there was no such thing" - "Communication".
Then, September 7th 1987, the global system for mobile communication or GSM was born. And international agreements that laid out the standards, regulations and practices gave rise to a global mobile phone industry.
To be honest, the world's first mobiles were not so attractive and the range of effectiveness wasn't very good. But they became a must-have among those wealthy people who could afford that. However, by advantage of GSM which has many different elements to it, we can all enjoy the ability to go around the world in 217 countries, land in that country and know that a phone would work.
There are other cell phone systems using different technology in the world. The majority of the United States and parts of South America have been using something called CDMA which is very rare in Europe. In some Asian countries like China, GSM and CDMA both exist at the same time. But the GSM Association claims 85% of the global mobile phone market. They estimated there are now about 2.5 billion different users who make more than 7 trillion minutes of calls everyday, and that's not all.
20 years later, the mobile phone is so much more than just a phone. You can use it to send text messages, take pictures, show video, even surf the internet.
"The phone itself is involved from just being a communication tool, to be a tool for round-the-clock connectivity, you can not live without it even in a minute." Mobile consultant Nick Lane also points out with so many customized styles and features, your mobile phone will become a symbol of you.
Where will the global mobile phone industry be in another 20 years? Certainly, there will be more connections than better coverage. As for where else technology will take us, one can only imagine. | high11849.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Royal Mail Stamp Calendar and Collectors Corner supplement."
},
"options": [
"One hundred used stamps and hinges and album pages.",
"The Collectors Club Guide to Collecting and badge and stickers.",
"The latest Collectors Clu... | Have fun with Stamp collecting...Join the Collectors Club today!If you enjoy learning all about stamps, then the Royal Mail's Collectors Club is for you.Join the club and discover the fascinating world of stamps.There are over 70,000 members and it is one of the biggest clubs of its kind in the country.
Become a member today and you will receive lots of wonderful stamp collecting goodies...
*A Starter pack...
And every two months...
*Collectors Club magazine
*Collectors Corner supplement
And every year...
*A new Stamp Calendar
*A set of Album Pages
Join today!
It won't cost you much to experience the fun of stamp collecting.
Collectors Club Starter Pack
1.100 used stamps and hinges
2.The Collectors Club Guide to Collecting
3.The latest Collectors Club magazine (packed with news and views about stamps, quizzes and competitions, all in colour)
4.Album pages
5.Badge and stickers
6.Membership card
7.Royal Mail Stamp Calendar.
Already Registered?
Sign In Here!
Learn More
View a Flash presentation about our club (3.51MB) | high11691.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "food stuck between your teeth may hurt your teeth"
},
"options": [
"food stuck between your teeth may hurt your teeth",
"all of the doctors agree that flossing is good for your heart",
"doctors' judgment about flossing is bas... | It is bad to have food stuck between your teeth for long periods of time. This is because food attracts germs; germs produce acid, and acid hurts your teeth and gums. Flossing helps to remove the food that gets stuck between your teeth. This explains why flossing helps to keep your mouth healthy, but some doctors say that flossing can also be good for your heart.
It may seem strange that something you do for your teeth can have any effect on your heart. Doctors have come up with a few ideas about how flossing works to keep your heart healthy. One idea is that the germs that hurt your teeth can leave the mouth and travel into your blood.Germs that get into the blood can then attack your heart. Another idea is based on the fact that when there are too many germs in your mouth, the body tries to fight against there germs. For some reason, the way the body fights these mouth germs may end up weakening the heart overtime.
_ . Some doctors think that the link between good flossing habits and good heart health is only a coincidence. The incidence of two or more events is completely random, as they do not admit of any reliable cause and effect relationship between them. For example, every time I wash my car, it rains. This does not mean that when I wash my car, I somehow change the weather. This is only a coincidence. Similarly, some doctors think that people who have bad flossing habits just happen to also have heart problems, and people who have good flossing habits just happen to have healthy hearts.
The theory that flossing your teeth helps to keep your heart healthy might not be true. But every doctor agrees that flossing is a great way to keep your teeth healthy. So even if flossing does not help your heart, it is true to help your teeth. This is enough of a reason for everyone to floss their teeth every day. | high14919.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "smoking-related disease"
},
"options": [
"traffic accidents",
"smoking-related disease",
"murder",
"all of these"
],
"question": "According to the author, the deaths among youth are mainly caused by _ .",
... | Today, as in every other day of the year, more than 3,000 U.S. adolescents will smoke their first cigarette on their way to becoming regular smokers as adults. During their lifetime, it can be expected that of these 3,000 about 23 will be murdered, 30 will die in traffic accidents, and nearly 750 will be killed by a smoking-related disease. The number of deaths due to cigarette smoking outweighs all other factors, whether voluntary or involuntary, as a cause of death.
Since the late 1970s, when daily smoking among high school seniors reached 30 percent, smoking rates among youth have declined. While the decline is impressive, several important issues must be raised.
First, in the past several years, smoking rates among youth have declined very little. Second, in the late 1970s, smoking among male high school seniors beat that among female by nearly 10 percent . The statistic is reversing . Third, several recent studies have indicate high school _ have excessively high smoking rates, as much as 75 percent .
Finally, though significant declines in adolescent smoking have occurred in the past decade, no definite reasons for the decline exist. Within this context, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) began its current effort to determine the most effective measures to reduce smoking level among youth. | high7198.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "they are unwilling to be watched by parents"
},
"options": [
"they hide something from their parents",
"they are unwilling to be watched by parents",
"their parents tend to fall behind in technology",
"their parents mak... | To Friend or Not To Friend
We all love our parents and turn to them when we're in need, but would you like them to hear the conversations you have with your friends on the school playground or lunch queue? Social networking sites have become extensions of the school hallways, so would you add your parents as "friends" and allow them to view your online activities and conversations with friends?
In the past the generation gap included a technology gap, where children were up to date with latest technology and parents were left behind, content to continue their day to day lives as they always had because they had no need to know more about technology. However, more and more parents are beginning to realize just how important social networks are in their lives. This realization has given many parents the motivation to education themselves about social networking sites.
These days many people are attracted to social networking sites because they can choose who they have around them; there's also a certain amount of control over privacy that we don't get in real life. Sometimes we feel that privacy is violated when we must accept a "friend" request from a parent or family member.
It's a difficult choice whether or not to allow a parent to become a part of our online lives. On the one hand we don't want to "reject" their request because that might hurt their feelings or make them feel you have something to hide. On the other hand if you do accept, then you could have a sense of being watched and no longer feel free to comment or communicate the way you did before.
A recent survey suggested that parents shouldn't take it personally if their child ignores their request, "When a teen ignores a parent's friend request, it doesn't necessarily mean that they are hiding something, but it could mean that this is one part of their life where they want to be independent."
Perhaps talking with parents and giving explanations would help soften the blow if you do choose not to add them to your friends list. | high6286.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Cooking with Cathy Tonight"
},
"options": [
"Let's Talk!",
"Wall Street Today",
"Cooking with Cathy Tonight",
"Farm Report"
],
"question": "Which of the following programs is most likely intended for housewives?... | What's on TV?
6:00 Channel 3Let's Talk! Guest: Animal expert Jim Porter
Channel 5 Cartoons
Channel 8 News
Channel 9 News
7:00 Channel 3Cooking with Cathy Tonight: Chicken with mushrooms
Channel 5 MovieA laugh a Minute(1955) James Rayburn
Channel 8 Spin for Dollars!
Channel 9 Farm Report
7:30 Channel 3 Double Trouble (comedy)The twins disrupt the high school dance
Channel 9 Wall Street Today. Stock Market Report
8:00 Channel 3 NBA Basketball. Teams to be announced
Channel 8 Movie At Day's End (1981) Michael Collier, Julie Romer. Drama set in World War II
Channel 9 News Special "Saving Our Waterways: Pollution in the Mississippi" | high20464.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "he might come to a bad end"
},
"options": [
"he might come to a bad end",
"he would be considered clever",
"his life would become satisfying",
"he would gain power and knowledge"
],
"question": "If a person make... | Do you know the following expressions?
Faustian bargain
According to most stories, Faust was a German scholar who was rather unhappy with his life.The devil , Mephistopheles, promises him that in return for his soul.he will give Faust unlimited power and knowledge.Faust agrees and experiences all kinds of pleasures, but, in the end, his soul goes to the hell.A "Faustian bargain" therefore is a deal that finally results in one's ruin.It means a bargain made for temporary gain without taking future consequences into consideration.
A three-ring circus
When you refer to a situation as being a three-ring circus, you are saying that it is a situation of complete confusion.There are so many activities taking place all together that they leave you confused or annoyed.The expression comes from the world of entertainment--the circus.The area where the artists perform their acts is called the "ring".In the past, some of the circuses were so large that they had three acts taking place meanwhile in three different "rings".The audience had to decide which "ring" they wanted to focus on.
In the swim(of things)
When someone is in the swim of things, he is actively participating in the things happening around him, as in "I've been ill, but soon I'll be back in the swim of things." In the world of fishing, fishermen use the word "swim" to refer to the section of the lake/river where fish can be found in plenty.So, if you are a fish man and wish to catch a lot of fish, where would you be? You would be "in the swim"! | high4491.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "lack of communication"
},
"options": [
"different languages",
"technical misunderstanding",
"misunderstanding of the rules",
"lack of communication"
],
"question": "FAA found that some of the delay problems are ... | Have you ever had travel problems because your airplane was late? It is a common problem and it is getting worse. Airport delays make people angry and cost the country billions in lost work time.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the government agency that oversees air travel. They studied the problem of airline delays.
They found eleven major problems and suggested eleven ways to fix them. Some of the problems are caused because different regions of the country do things differently. The regions don't talk to each other enough. Some of them need new computers.
Also, more planes are flying. A strong economy has more people using airplanes to get around. Airplanes are a form of mass transportation now, like trains and buses were in the past. More planes in the airport cause delays.
The airport in San Francisco is a good example. It is growing fast. Many people go through San Francisco to get to other places around the world. Ron Wilson of the San Francisco International Airport says, "If you've got 18 flights that all want to take off at 8:00 am and you're on the 18thplane in line, you're going to be 40 minutes late."
Weather is another main reason for delays. Weather causes about 70% of delays. Fog or freezing rain can cause delays.
The first thing the FAA wants to do is take control away from the regions during heavy traffic times and bad weather. A national center would make decisions on things that affect the whole country. The FAA also wants to put more distance between planes in the sky when the weather is bad. This rule could cause even more delays.
The FAA knows that their solutions will not solve the problems with airport delays. But, they hope to make things better. There are just too many planes, too few traffic controllers, and not enough new technology. | high5957.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "The first ever Labor Day parade was held in 1882."
},
"options": [
"There were about 100,000 workers in New York City in 1872.",
"Labor Day became a national holiday in 1884.",
"The idea for Labor Day was first put forward by... | To many Americans,Labor Day marks the end of the summer,a day off from work and school,and one last chance to relax.But Labor Day is much more than just a day off . It represents a very important victory for laborers everywhere.The holiday is a celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers.
More than a century ago workers were forced to deal with harsh conditions.They were paid very little and they often worked 10-to l2-hour days.Men, women and even small children were forced to work even when they were sick.Tired of long hours and dangerous conditions,workers began organizing themselves into labor unions.On top of fighting for higher pay and shorter workdays,they also fought for the rights of children.The workers wanted employers to place limits on the age of their workers so that small children were not overworked or hurt in factories.
A New York City carpenter named Peter McGuire is credited for coming up with the idea for Labor Day.In 1872,after working many hours under poor conditions, McGuire _ 100,000 workers to go on strike.The workers marched through the streets of New York City,demanding a better work environment.McGuire spent a decade fighting for workers' rights.In 1882,he proposed the idea to create a special holiday for workers.On Tuesday,September 5,1882, more than 10,000 workers hit the streets of New York City for the first ever Labor Day parade.Two years later the celebration was moved to the first Monday in September.And in 1894,Congress passed a law making Labor Day a national holiday.Americans celebrated the first Labor Day holiday with a parade,picnics and fireworks.
Today,many people hit the road to enjoy the last of their summer vacation.Others enjoy the long weekend with picnics,backyard barbecues or just rest and relaxation.However you spend Labor Day,remember that the holiday is a time to pay tribute to the workers who have made America what it is today. | high3498.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "It is held for a whole day without a break."
},
"options": [
"It helps arouse patients' awareness of fighting cancer.",
"It is usually held in the high school playground.",
"It is held for a whole day without a break.",
... | The American Relay for Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or an open place and take turns in walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, it's an overnight event of up to 24 hours in length.
History of Relay for Life:
Relay began in 1985 when Dr. Klatt, a surgeon in Tacoma, Washington, ran and walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Since then, Relay has grown from a single man's passion for fighting cancer into the world's largest movement to end the disease. Each year, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the United States, along with additional communities in 19 other countries, gather to take part in this global event and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer.
Requirements for Relay for Life:
Anyone can participate in Relay for Life. Friends, families, neighbors, classmates, sports teams, etc., can form their own teams. No matter who you are, there's a place for you at Relay.
The only requirement to participate in Relay for Life is the $10 registration/commitment fee per person. After that, anything you can raise through individual, team, or online fundraising is accepted. It is recommended that each participant sets a personal goal to raise $100. If you raise more, that's even better. Even if you do not raise $100, you are still welcome to participate.
If you want to be part of Relay, you can start a team or join an existing team online. You can also make an online donation. By supporting Relay, you help the American Cancer Society save lives, and that helps us move closer to our ultimate goal of a world with less cancer and more birthdays.
Online Help:
Please check our Online Help&FAQ page for answers to commonly asked questions about online fundraising and about Bark For Life.
Local Help:
If you have questions that are not answered by the Online Help&FAQ page, or if you would like assistance from your local event representative, feel free to contact Jill Tetherow at (402) 310-2498, or jill.tetherow@cancer.org.
Cancer Information&Help:
For cancer information and support at any time, visit cancer.org or call 18002272345 to speak to one of our highly trained cancer information specialists. They can answer questions about all things related to cancer -- treatment, insurance, pain, nutrition, and many more. | high19583.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "luck"
},
"options": [
"the princess",
"luck",
"the judges",
"the viewers"
],
"question": "When a person was accused of a crime, his future would mainly depend on _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
... | Long ago there lived a powerful king. Some of his ideas were good, but others caused people to suffer. One of the king's ideas was to set up a public arena . When a person was accused of a crime, his future would be decided in this arena. It had two doors, side by side, exactly alike. The accused person was taken into the arena and asked to open one. Behind one door was a hungry tiger, while behind the other was a lady chosen especially for him. To this lady he would be immediately married, in honor of his innocence.
The king had a beautiful daughter whom he loved very much , and she secretly loved a young commoner . When the king discovered their relationship, the man was immediately put in prison, and a day was set for him to enter the arena.
The princess knew behind which door stood the tiger, and behind which a lady. She also knew that the lady was one of the loveliest in the kingdom. The princess hated the woman behind that silent door.
As he entered the arena and his eyes met the princess's, the young man knew that she knew behind which door waited the tiger, and behind which stood the lady. The princess raised her hand, and made a short, quick movement toward the right. No one but her lover saw it. Every eye was fixed on him. He turned, and with a firm, quick step he walked across the empty space to the door on the right and opened it.
Now, the point of the story is this: Did the tiger come out of that door, or did the lady? The more we think about this question, the harder it is to answer. It involves a study of the human heart. The soul of the princess loved the young man but also burned under the fires of sadness and jealousy .
The question of her decision cannot be easily answered. And so I leave it with all of you: which came out of the open door? The lady or the tiger? | high16868.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "To analyze why Jane Austen's novels have such a lasting appeal."
},
"options": [
"To describe the status of women in Jane Austen's time.",
"To promote Jane Austen's novels among teenagers.",
"To explore the characteristics of... | The fame of Jane
IN the 19th century the novel came into its own. Thousands upon thousands of novels were published. Of those novels, very few are remembered today. However, there are exceptions ; the works of Jane Austen - Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility - for example. They achieved only modest success at first but grew and grew in fame and reputation.
How did Jane Austen become so popular?
Of course, the novels are romantic. Everyone knows the love story of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett (in Pride and Prejudice), and how they overcome their own pride and prejudice to live happily ever after. The lovers are almost as famous today as Romeo and Juliet.
But there is more to Austen's popularity than the fact that she wrote about love. The books are very witty and ironic , and show a great understanding of society and of people. Pride and Prejudice opens with what must be the most famous sentence in the English novel: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."
The truth, of course, is the opposite: wealthy, unmarried young men are extremely attractive to young women. And women - especially penniless or near-penniless ones - are the subjects of Austen's tales.
Women nowadays may be more equal to men than they were in Jane Austen's day. However, a sense that women still basically live in a world dominated by men ensures that Austen still has many keen readers. | high24164.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Asian tsunami kills many people,and many more become homeless."
},
"options": [
"Asian tsunami kills many people,and many more become homeless.",
"An earthquake happens.",
"The tsunami was so powerful that it smashed boats an... | More than 12 300 people were killed and tens of thousands left homeless after a powerful undersea earthquake unleashed giant _ waves that crashed into the coasts of south and southeast Asia.
The 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck off the Indonesian island of Sumatra early on Sunday was the biggest in 40 years.It triggered waves that reared up into walls of water as high as 10 meters(30 feet) as they hit coastlines in Indonesia,Sri Lanka,India and Thailand.
Aid agencies rushed staff,equipment and money to the region,warning that bodies rotting in the water were already beginning to threaten the water supply for survivors.
Rescue workers also spoke of bodies still caught up on trees after being flung inland by the waves.
"I just couldn't believe what was happening before my eyes,"Boree Carlson said from a hotel in the Thai resort of Phuket.
"As I was standing there,a car actually floated into the lobby and overturned because the current was so strong,"said the 45-year-old Swede.
"I heard an eerie sound that I have never heard before.It was a high pitched sound followed by a deafening roar,"said a 55-year-old Indian fisherman who gave his name as Chellappa.
"I told everyone to run for their life."
In Indonesia,an archipelago of 17 000 islands,one official said nearly 4500 people had died.The worst affected area was Bands Aceh,the capital of Aceh Province,where 3000 were killed.More than 200 prisoners escaped from a jail when the tsunami knocked down its walls.In Sri Lanka ,the death toll also reached 4500 and 1 million people,or 5 percent of its population,were affected.It was the worst natural disaster to hit Sri Lanka.Hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans sheltered in schools and temples overnight,and officials expected the death toll to rise further once rescuers resumed searches after daybreak.In southern India,where at least 3000 were estimated to have died,beaches were littered with submerged cars and wrecked boats.Shanties on the coast were under water.
Thai government officials said at least 392 bodies had been retrieved and they expected the final toll to approach 1000.
The earthquake,of magnitude 8.9 as measured by the U.S. Geological Survery (news-web sites),struck at 7:59 a.m.(1959EST).It was the world's biggest since 1964,said Julie Martinez at the USGS(news-web sites).
The tsunami was so powerful it smashed boast and flooded areas along the east African coast,3728 miles away. | high7826.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "their not doing physical exercisgs"
},
"options": [
"their not joining in the competition",
"their losing the Olympres medal",
"their not doing physical exercisgs",
"their not practicing as athletes"
],
"questio... | Watching the Olympics probably made some people feel a little guilty about not exercising.The truth is that, if physical inactivity were a sport, a lot of us could give a gold-medal performance.Or should we say non performance?
Public health experts say physical inactivity is the world's fourth leading cause of death. They estimate that inactivity plays a major part in six to ten percent of deaths from non-communicable diseases. These include conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and colon and breast cancer.
Min Lee at the Harvard School of Public Health worked with a team that studied inactivity. She says the findings are conservative and may even underestimate the problem and that Physical inactivity is harmful to health, as harmful as far as deaths are concerned as smoking." So when we did our analysis, we looked at increased risk of disease after taking into account other health habits that might be associated with physical activity. For example, we know that if you are active, you probably smoke less. Additionally we factored out obesity, independent of the fact that active people also tend to weigh less.
The researchers compared data on physical inactivity with disease rates in one hundred twenty-two countries. They find high income countries are the most inactive around the world, but low to middle income countries are not going to be far behind as things change, as their economies improve and their people rely more on the improvements that basically engineer physical activity out of our daily lives.
It is not just telling someone to go out and be physically active, but how we rely on the transportation sector or how our cities or neighborhoods are designed, how crime can be minimized to help people become more physically active in their neighborhoods, simply walking to the store or walking down and being outside with friends and family and so on. These broader environmental issues are becoming much clearer in terms of their effects. | high22515.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Unbalanced patterns are found in prefrontal areas."
},
"options": [
"Balanced electrical activity can be spotted.",
"Unbalanced patterns are found in prefrontal areas.",
"Electrical activity corresponds to one's behaviour.",
... | Most damagingly, anger weakens a person's ability to think clearly and keep control over his behaviour. The angry person loses objectivity in evaluating the emotional significance of the person or situation that arouses his anger.
Not everyone experiences anger in the same way; what angers one person may amuse another. The specific expression of anger also differs from person to person based on biological and cultural forces. In contemporary culture, physical expressions of anger are generally considered too socially harmful to be tolerated. We no longer regard duels as an appropriate expression of anger resulting from one person's awareness of insulting behaviour on the part of another.
Anger can be identified in the brain, where the electrical activity changes. Under most conditions EEG measures of electrical activity show balanced activity between the right and left prefrontal areas. Behaviourally this corresponds to the general evenhanded disposition that most of us possess most of the time. But when we are angry the EEG of the right and left prefrontal areas aren't balanced and, as a result of this, we're likely to react. And our behavioural response to anger is different from our response to other emotions, whether positive or negative.
Most positive emotions are associated with approach behaviour: we move closer to people we like. Most negative emotions, in contrast, are associated with avoidance behaviour: we move away from people and things that we dislike or that make us anxious. But anger is an exception to this pattern. The angrier we are, the more likely we are to move towards the object of our anger. This corresponds to what psychologists refer to as offensiveanger: the angry person moves closer in order to influence and control the person or situation causing his anger. This approachandconfront behaviour is accompanied by a leftward prefrontal asymmetry of EEG activity. Interestingly, this asymmetry lessens if the angry person can experience empathy towards the individual who is bringing forth the angry response. In defensiveanger, in contrast, the EEG asymmetry is directed to the right and the angry person feels helpless in the face of the angerinspiring situation. | high13910.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Emotions Affect Our Bodies"
},
"options": [
"Emotions Affect Our Bodies",
"What Happens to a Frightened Cat",
"What Happens to An Excited Person",
"Feelings that People Have"
],
"question": "The best title for t... | Some time 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 bloodstream.Although the cat doesn't realize this,its body is getting ready for action.If the danger continues,the animal will do one of 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 (feelings),our bodied go through many physical changes.Out hearts beat faster,and our muscled 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 that animals never face.If we give way to our feelings and let them take over,we can get into trouble.Have you ever said something in anger--or hit somebody--and regretted it later? Have you ever shouted at a teacher,told somebody you were lonely,or said you were in love,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 smarter always to hide our feelings? No! If you keep feelings of anger,sadness,and bitterness hidden away or bottled up inside,your body stays tense.Physical illness can develop,and you can feel _ inside.It can actually be bad for your health.(It isn't good to keep pleasant feelings inside either;all feelings need to be expressed.)
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 exist,but they'll still be around.And at last you'll have to deal with them,just like those bananas. | high7832.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "the farmer's family was poor."
},
"options": [
"the farmer just wanted more help from other villages",
"the farmer was well educated and knowledgeable",
"the farmer's family was poor.",
"the farmer cared about anybody e... | Once upon a time, there was a farmer in central China. He didn't have money, so instead of a tractor , he used an old horse to plow his field .
One afternoon, while working in the field, the horse fell down, dead. Everyone in the village said, "Oh, what a horrible thing!" The farmer said simply, "We'll see." He was so peaceful and so calm that everyone in the village got together and, admiring his attitude, gave him a new horse as a gift.
Everyone's reaction now was, "What a lucky man!" And the farmer said, "We'll see."
A couple of days later, the new horse jumped over a fence and ran away. Everyone in the village shook their heads and said, "What a poor fellow!"
The farmer smiled and said, "We'll see."
Eventually, the horse found his way home, and everyone said, "What a fortunate man!"
The farmer said, "We'll see."
Later in the year, the farmer's young boy went out riding the horse and fell and broke his leg. Everyone in the village said, "What a poor boy!"
The farmer said, "We'll see."
Two days later, the army came into the village to draft new recruits .When they saw the farmer's son had a broken leg, they decided not to recruit him.
Everyone said, "What a fortunate young man!"
The farmer smiled again and said, "We'll see."
There's no use in overreacting to the events and circumstances of our everyday lives. When our hearts are in the right place, all events and circumstances are gifts that we can learn valuable lessons from. | high22501.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Information in short-term memory is different from that in long-term memory."
},
"options": [
"Information in short-term memory is different from that in long-term memory.",
"Long-term memory can be achieved only by training.",
... | There are two kinds of memory: short-term and long-term. Information in long-term memory can be remembered at a later time when it is needed. The information may be kept for days or weeks. However, information in short-term memory is kept for only a few seconds, usually by repeating the information over and over. The following experiment shows how short-term memory has been studied.
Henning studied how students who are learning English as a second language remember vocabulary. The subjects in his experiment were 75 college students. They represented all levels of ability in English: beginning, intermediate , and native speaking students.
To begin, the subjects listened to a recording of a native speaker reading a paragraph in English. Following the recording, the subjects took a 15-question test to see which words they remembered. Each question had four choices. The subjects had to circle the word they had heard in the recording, Some of the questions had four choices that sound alike. For example, weather, whether, wither, and wetter are four words that sound alike. Some of the questions had four choices that have the same meaning. Method, way, manner, and system would be four words with the same meaning. Finally the subjects took a language proficiency test.
Henning found that students with a lower proficiency in English made more of their mistakes on words that sound alike; students with a higher proficiency made more of their mistakes on words that have the same meaning. Henning's results suggest that beginning students hold the sound of words in their short-term memory, and advanced students hold the meaning of words in their short-term memory. | high13904.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Tidesreach Cottage"
},
"options": [
"Sandpiper",
"Driftwood",
"Tidesreach Cottage",
"Smugglers Cove Cottage"
],
"question": "If a family of four travel with their cat, the best place for them to stay at might be... | Sandpiper
Lounge area with colour TV/DVD and log fire --one welcome basket of logs on arrival. Fully fitted kitchen/dining area with cooker, microwave, dishwasher etc. Newly fitted shower unit with electric shower and WC. Four bedrooms with one twin bedded room and one bunk bedded room. There is a beautiful wooden divider between the kitchen and lounge. There are no steps in the cottage, which makes it suitable for anyone who has a little difficulty walking or managing stairs.
Smugglers Cove Cottage
Large ground floor cottage, attractive lounge with log fire, colour TV/ DVD and lovely views of the castle and lake. Four bedrooms and two twin bedded rooms plus double bed. Separate fitted kitchen with cooker, microwave, dishwasher and fridge etc.and big dining area.Basket of logs provided on arrival.Bathroom with electric shower and separate WC.Separate entrance passage with own yard and barbecue.
Smugglers Cove is perfect for larger families and groups or couples wishing to enjoy themselves!
Driftwood
Ground floor cottage.Lounge area with colour TV/DVD, with dining area complete with fully fitted kitchen, cooker, dishwasher, microwave, etc.Bathroom with electric MIRA shower and WC.Four bedrooms and one twin bedded room.People(and luggage)can be offloaded at the door itself.Pretty bay window overlooking garden with own yard and barbecue.
Tidesreach Cottage
One double bedroom and one bunk bedded room.
Tidesreach is a bright and airy, first floor cottage apartment fit for couples or small families Tidesreach is a comfortable, well-equipped holiday cottage apartment with woodland views towards Watennouth castle and over the courtyard.
Tidesreach Cottage is dog friendly.Well behaved pets are welcome. | high21008.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Delivering a quicker service."
},
"options": [
"Calling customers regularly.",
"Giving a \"thank you\" note.",
"Delivering a quicker service.",
"Promising more gifts."
],
"question": "What does the writer recomm... | In the more and more competitive service industry,it is no longer enough to promise customer satisfaction.Today,customer "delight" is what companies are trying to achieve in order to keep and increase market share.
It is accepted in the marketing industry,and confirmed by a number of researches,that customers receiving good service will promote business by telling up to 12 other people;those treated badly will tell their tales of woe to up to 20 people.Interestingly,80 percent of people who feel their complaints are handled fairly will stay loyal.
New challenges for customer care have come when people can obtain goods and services through telephone call centers and the Internet.For example,many companies now have to invest a lot of money in information technology and staff training in order to cope with the "phone rage"--caused by delays in answering calls,being cut off in mid-conversation or left waiting for long periods.
"Many people do not like talking to machines,"says Dr.Storey,Senior Lecturer in Marketing at City University Business School."Banks,for example,encourage staff at call centers to use customer data to establish instant and good relationship with them.The aim is to make the customer feel they know you and that you can trust them--the sort of comfortable feelings people have during face-to-face chats with their local branch manager."
Recommended ways of creating customer delight include:under-promising and over-delivering (saying that a repair will be carried out within five hours,but getting it done within two );replacing a faulty product immediately;throwing in a gift voucher as an unexpected "thank you" to regular customers;and always returning calls,even when they are complaints.
Aiming for customer delight is all very well,but if services do not reach the high level promised,disappointment or worse will be the result.This can be eased by offering an apology and an explanation of why the service did not meet usual standards with empathy (for example,"I know how you must feel"),and possible solutions (replacement,compensation or whatever fairness suggests best meets the case).
Airlines face some of the toughest challenges over customer care.Fierce competition has convinced them that delighting passengers is an important marketing tool,while there is great potential for customer anger over delays caused by weather,unclaimed luggage and technical problems.
For British Airways staff,a winning telephone style is considered vital in handling the large volume of calls about bookings and flight times.They are trained to answer quickly,with their name,job title and a "we are here to help" attitude.The company has invested heavily in information technology to make sure that infomation is available instantly on screen.
British Airways also says its customer care policies are applied within the company and staff are taught to regard each other as customers requiring the highest standards of service.
Customer care is obviously here to stay and it would be a foolish company that used slogans such as "we do as we please".On the other hand,the more customers are promised,the greater the risk of disappointment. | high18689.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Consumers' demands and top engineers' expectations"
},
"options": [
"Lack of private cars and crowded streets",
"Slow public vehicles and inexperienced drivers",
"High gas price and uncomfortable parking experience",
"C... | Not everyone can afford their own vehicle,and with the high demands of consumers and incredible expectations of today g leading engineers,public transportation needs all the improvement it can get.
Nowadays,there aren't many comfortable alternatives to owning your own car,unless you're happy with inaccessible and expensive rental Pars.To fight against this.the City Car appeared and it's stackable electric car with room for two.Saving the burden of paying for gas and spending times searching for parking in a crowded city, the City Car would be an ideal and inexpensive form of transportation with easy storage.
But for those of you that want to stick to trains on tracks,China's 3 D Express Coach is the answer.Unlike trains that must run far from shopping areas or even stay underground because there's simply no room for tracks,the Express Coach runs on rails positioned above the freeway.With more Express Coaches, public transportation would be more time-efficient and energy-efficient.
Have you heard of the Nano car? The Tata Nano from India is ten percent of the cost of most new cars.Because of its current lack of an airbag and difficult access to the trunk,the Nano does not meet certain safety standards in other countries but after improvements are made,you may be able to buy a new car for less than$3.000 and enjoys its fit in a motorcycle parking space.
The pioneer of hybrid cars,the Toyota Prius,is the shining model of the alternatively fueled vehicle.Due to the Prius' great success,the Lexus RX 450h,Honda Insight and Ford Fusion Hybrid quickly followed.A hybrid car alternates gas and electric power,but contains a complete electric motor.When you drive a hybrid,it's mostly run electrically,but some gasoline powers the generator .
Cars like these are no longer imaginary.They are being planned and built,making them not just a fantasy anymore. | high20316.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "his bittersweet memories"
},
"options": [
"his high school life",
"his university life",
"his bittersweet memories",
"his graduation ceremony"
],
"question": "The author writes the passage mainly to tell us _ ... | High school graduation -- the bittersweet feelings are as much a part of me now as they were twenty-one years ago.
As graduation day came near, excitement increased. Being out of high school meant I finally grew up. Soon I would be on my own, making my own decisions, doing what I was interested in without someone looking over my shoulder .
There was never any question in my mind that I would go to college. But which college I would attend seemed like a never-ending list of unknowns: What would college be like? Would I make friends easily? Would I miss my family so much that I wouldn't be able to stand it? What if the college I selected turned out to be a terrible mistake?
Then panic set in. My feelings took a 180-degree mm. I really didn't want to leave high school at all. It had been nice being respected as a Senior by the underclass students for the past year; I didn't enjoy the idea of being on the bottom of the ladder again.
Despite months of expectation, nothing Could have prepared me for the impact of the actual day. As the familiar tune of "Pomp and Circumstance" echoed in the background, tears welled up uncontrollably in my eyes, and I was consumed by a rush of sadness. I rose from my seat when I heard my name called and slowly crossed the stage to receive my diploma. As I reached out my hand, I knew that I was reaching not just for a piece of paper but for a new life. Exciting as the future of a new life seemed, it wasn't easy to say goodbye to the old _ -- the familiar faces, the' familiar routine. I would even miss that chemistry class I wasn't particularly fond of.
That September, I was lucky to attend a wonderful university. I needn't have worried about liking it. My years there turned out to be some of the best years of my life. And as for friends, some of the friendships I formed there I still value today. | high20470.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "is celebrated in a special way with its own activities."
},
"options": [
"is celebrated at the beginning of each year.",
"comes three months before that of each countries.",
"is celebrated in a special way with its own activi... | Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year that starts on April 13 annually. It's also callled the "Water Festival" because people believe that water will wash away bad luck and make people fresh.
On the day, we spinklesmall drops of water to bless monks and elders. Their hands are spinkled with perfumed water. In addition, this festival is for rain because it is the hottest season.
Nowadays, during the Songkran Festival, people always wet down everybody who walks past their houses or walks down the streets with cups or buckets of water. Everyone gets wet, but it is all in a spirit of friendliness, blessing and fun. People who get wet actually do not get angry because they know that it is traditional.
People will go to the temples to batheBuddha imagesand give special food to the monks. People do good things such as fish or birds and other animals releasedfrom their cages. On this day, everywhere in Thailand, people celebrate and enjoy the festival, especiallly in the northern part of Thailand.
We can see many foreigners join in the events and enjoyed this festival with Thais. Everybody also enjoys public events such as beauty contests, parades, and marching bands.
The Water Festival gives us freshness, happiness and fun because the weather is very hot. I hope everyone will travel to Thailand and enjoy this festival. | high4485.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "A farmer"
},
"options": [
"A driver",
"A doctor",
"A keeper",
"A farmer"
],
"question": "What was Mr. Baker?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"an... | Mr. Baker lived in an old and low house. His wife was blind in both eyes and the two children were very young. All his family often went hungry(.) He had nothing but a small piece of field. One autumn he grew some wheat in his field. He hoped it would do well because all family would depend on it. The whole winter it often snowed. And the next spring the wheat was doing well. Mr. Baker was happy. One day Mr. Baker went to watch his wheat. To his surprise, a lot of crops were eaten up by a horse. He became angry but could not find out whose horse had eaten them. He thought the horse would go there again. So he decided to stay in his field and tried to catch the horse.
A few days later a yellow horse came in his field again and began to eat the wheat. Mr. Baker ran after it quickly, with a stick in his hand. But the beast ran much faster than he. He tried his best, but could not catch up with it. The next morning, when Mr. Baker was working in his field, he saw the yellow horse pulling carriage on the road. He picked up a stick at once, ran closer to the horse and began to beat it up.
The driver was surprised and stopped him. He asked, "Why are you beating my horse?"
"It has nothing to do with you, " Mr. Baker said angrily. "The beast knows why I'm beating him!" | high5943.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "on the Internet"
},
"options": [
"in a newspaper",
"in a magazine",
"on the Internet",
"on television"
],
"question": "We can probably read this advertisement_.",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
... | Ordering from BookFirst is easy and safe.
SELECTING YOUR BOOKS
When you have found a book you would like to order, just click on Add to Basket and it will be added to your shopping basket. To make it easy to keep track of the books you've selected, My Shopping Basket will display your choices wherever you are on the site. When you're ready to place your order, select View Basket.
VIEW BASKET
This is where you select the postal destination for your order, indicate whether you would like Next Day Delivery in the prefix = st1 /UKand choose gift-wrapping. You can also modify. the contents of your basket by making any changes then selecting Update Basket.
Overseas customers ordering three or more books can also request reduced airmail charges here. When you're happy with the contents of your shopping basket, go to the Secure Checkout.
THE ORDER FORM
After you've completed the order form, you will receive an on-screen acknowledgement. This will be followed by an email confirming the details of your order.
We will then inform you when your order has been sent. If this is your first order, we will also inform you of your personal BookFirst account number.
RETURNING CUSTOMERS
If you have ordered from us before, online, by mail or telephone, you will have already owned a personal account number. You then only need to complete the full order form. Using your account number allows us to find your details from our records (they are not accessible online). | high22267.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "The Highlander Motor Inn"
},
"options": [
"Americana Hotel Crystal City",
"Days Inn Arlington",
"The Highlander Motor Inn",
"Hyatt Regency Crystal City"
],
"question": "Which hotel does not provide service to dr... | Convenient location 5 minutes from Washington ,D.C. and one block to Crystal City METRO ,Crystal City Underground. Alexandria. Free Parking, free Deluxe Continental Breakfast and complimentary Hotel Shuttle Service to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
14000 Jefferson Davis Hwy(endurance on S. Eads St.)
Phone (703) 979-3722
DAYS INN ARLINGTON
Days Inn Arlington is located two miles from the Pentagon ,Lincoln Memorial .There is a restaurant which serves American style food ,plus two meeting rooms and an outdoor pool. Complimentary shuttle service runs to the Rosslyn Metro Station. Complimentary parking is available on the property .An experienced staff welcomes our guests.
Phone(703)525-0300
THE HIGHLANDER MOTOR INN
Comfortable rooms at moderate rates . Convenient location only minutes away from Washington area attraction. Near VA Square METRO Station and Ballston Commons Shopping Mall. Free continental breakfast ,free parking.
Phone(703)524-4300
HYATT REGENCY CRYSTAL CITY
Conveniently located next to Washington National Airport and two miles from Washington D.C. Complimentary Shuttle to and from National Airport ,metro ,local restaurants and shopping .Experience a view to remember at out rooftop restaurants "Chesapeake Grill." Call for Reservations.
Phone(073)418-12341 | high23179.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "China's first moon rover,Yutu,touched the lunar surface."
},
"options": [
"China's first moon rover,Yutu,touched the lunar surface.",
"The rover and the lander took photos of each other successfully.",
"Chang'e-3 landed on th... | China's first moon rover,Yutu,or Jade Rabbit,separated from the lander early on Sunday,December l5,2013,several hours after the Chang'e-3 probe soft-landed on the lunar surface.The l 40 kg six-wheeled rover touched the lunar surface at 4:35 a.m.,leaving deep trace on the loose lunar soil. The process was recorded by the camera on the lander and the images were sent to the earth,according to the Beijing Aerospace Control Center.
After the separation,the rover and lander will take photos of each other and start their own scientific explorations. Engineers made final checks of the environment of the landing site,the situation of the probe and sent signals of separation to Chang'e-3.
Yutu, on the top of the probe,extended its solar panel and started to drive slowly to the transfer mechanism at 3:10.The transfer mechanism unlocked at 4:06 with one side reaching the moon's surface,allowing the rover to descend to the surface following a ladder mechanism.
Chang'e-3 landed on the moon's Sinus Iridum,or the Bay of Rainbows,at 9:11 p.m.Saturday,making China the third country in the world to carry out such a rover mission after the United States and former Soviet Union.
In ancient Chinese mythology,Yutu was the white pet rabbit of the lunar goddess Chang'e.The name for the rover was selected following an online poll that collected several million votes from people around the world.
The rover,1.5 meters long with its two wings folded,1 m in width and l.1 m in height,is a highly efficient robot controlled by the command center from the earth.It will face challenges including temperature differences of more than 300 degrees Celsius on the moon.
Yutu will survey the moon's geological structure and surface substances and look for natural resources for three months,while the lander will conduct in-situ exploration right at its landing site for one year. | high6292.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "A love for reading."
},
"options": [
"A love for reading.",
"Picture books.",
"Good health.",
"A lovable pastime."
],
"question": ". Among the gifts my parents have given me, which is the most valuable one?",
... | I'm a real book lover. Every time my friends visit me, my nose is buried in a book. Wherever I go, I always have a book with me. Novels, history books, stories about people, journals and news--I read them all and I've learnt a lot, too. For example, many things in life happen for the best even if we don't like or understand them.
Why is reading such an enjoyable pastime for me? I probably first learned about it from my parents. My mother read to me at night in my childhood and bought me picture books. The greatest gift she has given me is a love for reading. And it will be a life-long habit.
No one ever asked me why I liked to read. They just saw me and asked, "Oh? Is that for school work?" And I just shook my head, "No. It's just for fun." While reading a good book, I can totally forget myself and fly to another world. It's like exploring through someone's eyes, which is just as exciting as watching a movie.
Reading is also necessary in order to learn about writing, to improve my use of words and phrases and broaden my knowledge. What a pity to see our imagination disappear, for we don't exercise it often. Reading can even be good for one's health, I think. Everyone should read sad stories that make us cry and also books with humor that make us laugh out loud! | high7013.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "An unlikely place for a park."
},
"options": [
"Protection of cultural relics.",
"An unlikely place for a park.",
"Improving city transport.",
"Closing a train line."
],
"question": "What is the text mainly abou... | Most city parks are places where you can escape from big, ugly structures of metal and stone. The Manhattan High Line is different. Raised 25 feet above the ground, this large metal structure once supported a rail line. The line opened in 1934 to bring trains directly into factories. It was hardly used after the 1960s, and much of it was torn down. However, one part remained in a region of Manhattan called Chelsea. Chelsea was becoming high-class as restaurants, art galleries and apartments were built, but the ugly railway structure remained as _ . Everyone knew that at some time, it would have to be removed.
But the High Line was not destroyed. In fact, now the old rail line serves as one of the most peaceful places in the city. It holds an elevated park, with beautiful gardens and great views of the city. The idea to turn the rail line into a park came from Joshua David and Robert Hammond. In 1999, they attended a meeting to decide how to deal with the High Line. David and Hammond were the only people at the meeting interested in saving the historical structure. Later on, when they asked railway officials to take them up to look at the High Line, they saw a mile and a half of wild flowers growing in the middle of the city, and they realized that the High Line had potential to become a park. There was growing interest in improving city centers, and so the project quickly developed and money for construction was easily collected.
The first section of the High Line opened in 2009 and immediately became popular with tourists and locals alike. Each part of the park has a different atmosphere. Some areas are like balconies with wonderful city views. Where the rail line goes between buildings, trees are thickly planted. Other sections have wide lawns and walkways planted with wild flowers. Only the final section remains the way it has been for the last fifty years. | high8320.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "One string of the violin got broken."
},
"options": [
"There were too many audience.",
"He was late for the stage.",
"He had a quarrel with the audience.",
"One string of the violin got broken."
],
"question": "... | On Nov.18,1995,Itzhak Perlman,the violinist,came on stage to give a concert.If you have ever been to a Perlman concert,you know that getting on stage is no small achievement for him.He was stricken with polio as a child,and so he walks with the aid of two crutches.
The audience sat quietly while he makes his way across the stage to his chair and begins his play.But this time,something went wrong.Just as he finished the first few bars,one of the strings on his violin broke.We thought that he would have to stop the concert.But he didn't.Instead,he waited a moment,closed his eyes and then signaled the conductor to begin again.
Of course,anyone knows that it is impossible to play a pleasant work with just three strings.I know that,and you know that,but that night Itzhak Perlman refused to know that.
When he finished,there was a breathtaking silence in the room.And then people rose and cheered.There was an extraordinary outburst of applause from every corner of the auditorium.
He smiled,wiped the sweat from this brow and then he said-not proudly,but in a quiet,holy attitude-"You know,sometimes it is the artist's task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left."
This powerful line has stayed in my mind ever since I heard it.And who knows?Perhaps that is the meaning of life-not just for artists but for all of us.
So,perhaps our task in this fastchanging,puzzling world in which we live is to make music,at first with all that we have,and then,when that is no longer possible,to make music with what we have left. | high15554.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "curious"
},
"options": [
"proud",
"worried",
"curious",
"guilty"
],
"question": "Seeing John feeding the seagulls, the author might feel _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
... | John was part of my childhood growing up in the 1970s and a link to sunny, fun-filled days spent on the beach at Bangor in Northern Ireland where we went for our summer holidays. To many, he was a mystery. Every afternoon John would wander to the end of the pier where he fed the seagulls and delighted in the sound of their excited cries as they flew around his head.
Often I asked my family questions regarding John. Eventually I gave up as no one could tell me anything about him. As I grew up, my visits to the beach became less frequent, and my memories of John buried in a child's imagination.
Last year memories came flooding back as I walked along the coastline, where I noticed a lady feeding the seagulls on the pier, and I decided to introduce myself. Then I came to know that the lady was John's daughter, and after John left this world she carried out the ritual , which had held such importance for her father.
In some strange way I felt we shared a bond, each needing to remember. In return, Lucy told me of John's life, his days in the British Navy during World War I and how he almost lost hope when his ship was attacked by a German U-boat in the North Sea and he found himself in a lifeboat with five others.
Close to death, he thought he heard the sound of wings. He put up his hands, only to catch a seagull that had landed on the side of the boat. The seagull saved the lives of the six men as it was used to catch fish, which kept them alive until they reached land. This period of John's life was one he never talked about. But the ritual he first performed as a young man remained a part of him until he died.
Now I visit Lucy as often as I can, just to chat or very often walk along the beach to the pier end. We enjoy the comfortable silence, each lost in special memories. | high14892.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "To help raising money."
},
"options": [
"To earn a living.",
"To support the band.",
"To help raising money.",
"To entertain the audience."
],
"question": "Why did Cameron appear in One Direction's music video?"... | If you watch British television on 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 money raising event called Red Nose Day.
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. For example, UK Prime Minister David Cameron once appeared in a music video by One Direction, which the band produced for the event.
Britons don't just raise money for charitable causes on one day a year, but they do it all year round. One way of doing so is by shopping in charity shops. These small shops sell clothes, books and household goods just like any other shop except that it's all secondhand.
There are nearly 10,000 charity shops in the UK. 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. The money that is made by selling them is used for a charitable cause.
The idea of buying used clothes may sound unpleasant, but for shoppers who have less spending money, it has been a welcome option. Now, shopping at charity shops is also becoming popular with young people looking for alternative fashion. "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 from the US.
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 tha t your money helped a good cause. | high13125.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "introduce an interactive multimedia software for English learners, teachers and managers"
},
"options": [
"encourage more people to attend the Planet English course in time",
"promise everyone can learn English well without teacher... | Planet English is the world's leading interactive multimedia software package for English language teaching and learning.
For Students
Planet English uses the latest in multimedia and information technology to support students who wish to learn English for international communication.
Planet English is an exciting, high-tech, interactive way of learning English. It contains more than 40 hours of video and audio recordings, over 2,500 0riginal graphics, 3,000 interactive screens and 80 different activity types including real time student voice recordings.
For Teachers
Planet English is more than just a computer program. It includes a package of resources to complement any Eng-lish language teaching programme. Teachers can easily integrate Planet English with classroom activities using the detailed Teacher's Manual and Student Workbooks.
Teachers can also manage the learning experience for students using the unique Planet English Courseware Management System (CMS). The CMS allows teachers to tailor courses to their syllabus and to students' needs by "mapping" content for classes or individuals. Activities and exercises that are relevant to the center's syllabus are then delivered to students in the appropriate lesson, ensuring students "navigate" to the right area of the programme of each lesson.
For Educational Managers
Planet English is the world's leading Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) program. It allows English language teaching centers to enhance the educational quality of teaching programmes, improve learning outcomes and provide professional development for teaching staff. Implementing Planet English allows English language teaching centers to maximize the benefits of computor hardware because it provides teachers and learners with an easy-to-use and highly productive CALL resource. | high1462.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "people may get close to nature in a national park"
},
"options": [
"spas are offered in the tourist attractions all over the country",
"intensive courses of some organizations help people get away from home",
"helping others ... | A long weekend is a great opportunity to do something a little different. Many people use a long weekend for a getaway, a short trip to leave the stress of their everyday lives behind and explore, learn, or relax.
Hotel Romance
Many hotels and resorts feature something special to start the getaway, such as champagnes , flowers, or a fruit basket in the room on arrival. Getaway packages usually include a room with something special, a heart shaped bed, for example. Additional benefits could be room service meals or other private dining, plus tickets or discounts for local attractions.
Visit a Spa
Spa getaways can take place at a location that focuses only on spa services or at a hotel that offers a spa as one of its features. Some spas emphasize treatments fit for their geographic area or a local attraction. A spa in a grape growing region might provide grape juice masks, or a hotel near a hot spring could offer mineral baths. Most spas offer a range of massage , health and beauty treatments, so a spa getaway can be relaxing with other benefits.
Learn a Skill
A long weekend may not be enough time to become an expert at something new, but it provides a way for people to begin their explorations. Some organizations offer intensive courses that last two or three days. People with special interests can get away from their routines while learning such things as how to make beer, speak a new language, or take better photos.
Help Others
Some organizations cooperate with businesses to have accommodations and activities for short-term volunteers. Most volunteer vacations involve ecology friendly or charity activities. A volunteer getaway is a way to relieve stress and help others at the stone time.
Stay in a National Park
For those who want to relax in a rural environment, a national park fits the bill. Most national parks provide camping areas for tents and trailers. Several have cabins within the parks available to rent. A getaway to a national park provides privacy, stress relief, and the time to get to know some important natural resources. | high17343.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "It benefits one's abilities to socialize and create."
},
"options": [
"It's a game about losing and winning.",
"It creates everything in life.",
"It benefits one's abilities to socialize and create.",
"It's simply a pop... | Second Life is a 3D online world in which computer users can create a new life and live a different life. Second Life is one of the most popular new online games.
But unlike other games, Second Life is not about winning or losing. Second Life is technically a computer game. But people involved in it do not consider it a game because the players create everything. Second Life is more for socializing and creating communities.
Users of Second Life are called residents( ). To take part, they must create an avatar, or an electronic image of themselves. Some avatars look like humans, while others look like animals or imaginary creatures.
Inside the Second Life world, residents live in different versions of themselves. They build homes, run businesses, buy and sell things, work, play, and attend schools. They even have relationships and get married.
Second Life was created in 2003 by Linden Lab in San Francisco, California. Linden Lab controls the website where the ever-changing world is being created. There are now about one million people around the world who are active to Second Life. The number has grown quickly since the beginning of the year when there were about one hundred thousand users.
The average age of people involved with Second Life is about thirty. However, Linden Lab has recently created Teen Second Life for young users. Second Life has its own economy and its own money, called Linden dollars.
Millions of dollars are made and spent each month in Second Life. Users can enter Second Life for free. But they must pay for a membership if they want to own land or buy and sell goods and services.
Recently, several major companies have become involved with Second Life. They want to be part of the growing business world that exists within the made-up reality. | high18070.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "treated seriously"
},
"options": [
"left alone",
"treated seriously",
"taken for granted",
"taken lightly"
],
"question": "According to the text, nature should be _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
... | Zoology is the part of science that deals with the study of the animals' growth, home and behavior. It has nothing to do with people, so many students are left wondering why they have to learn it.
Our nature includes not just humans but plants and animals as well. Everything in our environment is connected in a complex cycle. If you have a better understanding of how animals would behave and work with us, then you would value nature better.
Some animals are actually misunderstood by people like sharks and snakes. These creatures are thought of as human killers, and this is mainly because we don't understand why they behave that way. In zoology you would be able to learn natural behavior as well as their homes so you would completely understand why they would behave in a defensive manner when they seem to be threatened. Studying zoology would help people achieve clearness over the common myths we have on different wild animals.
Studying zoology would help people know the real facts about animals. One of the negative facts is the decreasing numbers of some species of animals. It makes people realize that there is a need for nature to be always balanced. We need animals to keep the balance in our environment and for humans to survive as well. It would help us learn the needs that animals lack and we can respond by thinking of solutions we can give to the endangered species of animals.
Modern progress is needed for a country to grow in terms of its economy; however, it should not force us to destroy our rainforests and oceans. People should realize that our modern lives should include the lives of the animals that live with us. They should not be contained in zoos but in their natural homes as well. We will learn that every living creature on the earth has the right to own a home and we need to fight for them to have permanent homes. | high5604.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "The boy needed the help of a surgeon"
},
"options": [
"The boy needed the help of a surgeon",
"Dr. Eyck knew the boy was wounded by a shot",
"Dr. Eyck was the boy's father",
"Dr. Eyck was Haydon's friend"
],
"qu... | One night about nine o'clock, Dr. Eyck, a surgeon, had a phone call from Dr. Haydon at the hospital in Clens Falls. The surgeon was asked to go there at once to operate on a very sick boy who shot himself while playing with a gun.
The doctor was soon on his way to Clens Falls. It was 60 miles away. And it was snowing heavily in the city. The surgeon thought he could get there before 12 o'clock.
A few minutes later, the doctor was stopped by a man in an old black coat. Gun in hand, the man ordered the doctor to get out. Then the man drove the car down the road, leaving the doctor in the falling snow.
It was after 2 o'clock in the morning when the doctor arrived at the hospital in Clens Falls. Dr. Haydon told him that the boy had died an hour before.
The two doctors walked by the door of the hospital waiting room. There sat the man in the old black coat with his head in his hands.
"Mr. Cuninghan," said Dr. Haydon to the man, "This is Dr. Eyck. He is the surgeon who walked all the way from Albany to save your boy."
,(A, B, CD),. | high21829.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "the start and development of watercolour"
},
"options": [
"the gradual weakness of fresco painting",
"oils' power or influence over watercolour",
"the discovery of watercolour in England",
"the start and development of ... | Watercolour is the oldest paints known. It dates back to the early cave men who discovered they could add lifelike qualities to drawings of animals and other figures on the walls of caves by mixing the natural colours found in the earth with water.
Fresco , one of the greatest of all art forms, is done with watercolour. It is created by mixing paints and water and applying these to wet plaster . Of the thousands of people who stand under Michelangelo's heroic ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, very few know that they are looking at perhaps the greatest watercolour painting in the world.
The invention of oil painting by the Flemish masters in the fifteenth century made fresco painting go down-hill, and for the next several centuries watercolour was used mainly for doing sketches or as a tool for study. It was not until the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries that English painters put back watercolour as a serious art form. The English have a widely-known love for outdoors and also small private pictures. The softness of watercolour had a remarkably strong attraction for them.
The popularity of watercolour continued to grow until the twentieth century. The United States passed England as the center for watercolour, producing such well-known watercolour artists as Thomas Eakins and Andrew Wyeth. | high11732.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "The Mid-Autumn Festival has existed for a certain length of time."
},
"options": [
"The Mid-Autumn Festival has existed for a certain length of time.",
"The Mid-Autumn Festival existed on the rebellion day.",
"The Mid-Autumn ... | The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional festival in China. It's an occasion for family reunion. Chinese families like to get together to eat the moon cakes and watch the moon at the Mid-Autumn Festival night. There are some legends of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The Lady -- Chang E
In 2170 BC, the earth had ten suns circling over it, each taking its turn to brighten the earth. But one day all ten suns appeared together, making the earth too hot. The earth was saved by a hero called Hou Yi. He succeeded in shooting down nine of the suns. One day, Hou Yi stole the elixir of life from a goddess. However his beautiful wife Chang E drank it and found herself floating to the moon. Hou Yi loved his wife so much that he didn't shoot down the moon.
The Man -- Wu Gang
Wu Gang was a man who learned from his master. One day he asked if he could travel to some new and exciting place. The master was angry at Wu Gang's impatience , and took him to the moon, telling him that he must cut down a huge cassia tree before he could return to the earth. Though he _ day and night, the magical tree restored itself with each blow, and thus he is up there chopping still.
The cake -- moon cake
During the Yuan Dynasty China was ruled by the Mongolian people. Many people wanted to rebel without being discovered. The leaders of the rebellion, knowing that the Mid-Autumn Festival was drawing near, ordered people to make special cakes. Inside each moon cake was a message with the outline of the attack. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the rebels successfully attacked and overthrew the government.
What followed was the establishment of the Ming Dynasty. Today, moon cakes are eaten for family reunion. | high21197.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "prepare for bad weather and emergencies"
},
"options": [
"keep everything that you find there",
"bring some food for the wildlife there",
"prepare for bad weather and emergencies",
"avoid crowded periods and book a hote... | Guide to Hiking on the Appalachian Trail
How do I "Leave No Trace on the Appalachian Trail?"
At about 2,189 miles, the Appalachian Trail is the longest single unit of the National Park System. With the number of people visiting this place increasing each year, the chances are great that any of us may damage the natural environment along the Trail and affect the experience for others. So please do your part by following these hiking and camping practices, and encourage others to learn about and adopt these techniques.
1 Plan ahead and prepare.
Evaluate the risks associated with your outing, identify campsites and destinations in advance, and use maps and guides. Prepare for extreme weather, dangers, and emergencies - especially the cold - to avoid impacts from searches, rescues, and campfires. Learn when areas are most crowded and try to avoid those times.
2 Dispose of waste properly.
Pack out all trash and food waste, including that left behind by others. Don't bury trash or food, and don't try to burn packaging materials in campfires. Use the privy for human waste only. Do not add trash. If there is no privy, dispose of human waste by burying it in a hole, a hole at least 200 feet (80 steps) from campsites, water sources and shelters, and well away from trails.
3 Leave what you find.
Leave plants, cultural artifacts and other natural objects where you found them for others to enjoy. Do not damage live trees or plants; green wood burns poorly. Collect only firewood that is dead, down, and no larger than your wrist. Leave dead standing trees and dead limbs on standing trees for the wildlife.
4 Minimize campfire impacts.
Use stoves for cooking - if you need a fire, build one only where it's legal and in an existing fire ring. Keep fires small. Never leave your campfire unattended, and drown it when you leave. Do not try to burn trash, including plastic, glass, cans, tea bags, food, or anything with food on it. These items do not burn thoroughly. They create harmful fumes , and attract wildlife like skunks and bears. | high19408.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "tell if a certain source is reliable"
},
"options": [
"be available wherever you go",
"tell if a certain source is reliable",
"read the search results for you",
"offer different kinds of search results"
],
"ques... | It is now February 7, 2035. The search engine TalkTalk will be open to the public next week and this service will soon be something beyond your imagination. For the first time you can not only talk to the search engine, but you can discuss with it what you are looking for.
For example, if you want to know more about the oil price, TalkTalk asks if you want to know the current oil price, the development of the oil price, or news related to the oil price. You say that you want to read news about it and TalkTalk then directs you to your source, or lets you have the latest news related to the oil price in order from the most respectable sources.
Compared with other search services that use a certain algorithm to provide data from a search, the artificial intelligence behind TalkTalk is said to easily spot if a certain source is aiming to cheat the searcher. TalkTalk also judges and stores every given reply and discussion, to learn how to give correct answers. TalkTalk is also set to answer questions directly where there is a definite answer. How well this will work in the long run is yet to be seen, but thousands of people have tested TalkTalk and the quality is really good.
The first talking search engine saw the light of day more than 30 years ago and was called Speegle. It could read the results from a written search on the Internet, and was mostly for blind people.
So far, TalkTalk cannot read the information from a certain source to you by phone, if it is not freely available. There are currently talks to find an arrangement for this, but it would most likely be difficult because of copyright .
TalkTalk is available over the Internet and also by phone, even though it only speaks English. There are no plans to add other languages in the near future, most likely because it will cost a lot of money. When you are tired of asking TalkTalk all your questions, just ask, "Where is TalkTalk?" and you will get an answer that will make you leave it with a smile on your lips. | high11054.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "He helps you cheat in the exam."
},
"options": [
"He brings you some happiness.",
"He helps you feel less lonely.",
"He helps you get over the difficulties.",
"He helps you cheat in the exam."
],
"question": "Wh... | People seem to have a natural need for friends and with good reasons. Friends increase your enjoyment of life and relieve feelings of loneliness. They even can help reduce stress and improve your health. Having good friends is especially helpful when you are going through any kind of hard time such as when you are experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, or depression.
When you are with good friends you feel good about yourself, and you are glad to be with them. A fiend is someone who--
l you like, respect, and trust, and who likes, respects and trusts you
l doesn't always understand you, but accepts and likes you as you are, even as you grow and change
l allows you the space to change, grow, make decisions, and even make mistakes
l listens to you and shares with you both the good times and the bad times
l respects your need for secrets, so you can tell them anything
l lets you freely express your feelings and emotions without judging, teasing, or criticizing you
l accepts the limitations you have put on yourself and helps you to remove them
A person once said, "Friendship is a continuing source of bonding ,releasing, and creating in yourself and with the other person. There is an emotional bond between the two people."
A good friend or supporter may or may not be the same age or the same sex as you, and may not have the same educational, cultural, or religious background, or share interests that are similar to yours. Friendships also have different depths. Some are closer to the heart and some more superficial, but they're all useful and good. | high17425.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "He drank some medicine by mistake."
},
"options": [
"He was deadly ill.",
"His mother killed him.",
"He killed himself.",
"He drank some medicine by mistake."
],
"question": "Why was the two-year-old boy dead?",... | A boy was born to a couple after eleven years of marriage. They were a loving couple and the boy was the apple of their eyes. When the boy was around two years old, one morning the husband saw a medicine bottle open. He was late for work so he asked the wife to cap the bottle and keep it in the cupboard. The mother, preoccupied in the kitchen, totally forgot the matter.
The boy saw the bottle and playfully went to the bottle and, fascinated with its color1, drank it all. It happened to be a poisonous medicine meant for adults in small dosages. When the child collapsed, the mother hurried him to the hospital, where he died. The mother was stunned. She was terrified how to face her husband.
When the distraught father came to the hospital and saw the dead child, he looked at his wife and uttered just four words. "I Love You Darling"
The husband's totally unexpected reaction is proactive behavior. The child is dead. He can never be brought back to life. There is no point in finding fault with the mother. Besides, if only he have taken time to keep the bottle away, this will not have happened. No point in attaching blame. She had also lost her only child. What she needed at that moment was consolation and sympathy from the husband. That is what he gave her.
Sometimes we spend time asking who to blame, whether in a relationship, in a job or with the people we know. We miss out some warmth in human relationship in giving each other support. After all, shouldn't forgiving someone we love be the easiest thing in the world to do? Treasure what you have. Don't multiply pain, and suffering by holding on to forgiveness.
If everyone can look at life with this kind of perspective, there would be much fewer problems in the world. | high20289.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Doctors warn that premature cesarean section is a violation of the laws of nature."
},
"options": [
"Many more babies will be born before the Year of the Horse ends.",
"Traditionally it is believed \" Sheep babies \" lead a difficu... | Many more babies will be born before the Year of the Horse ends, because many couples in China try to avoid having babies in the Year of the Sheep, which starts on Feb 19, 2015. The reason: traditionally it is believed that "sheep babies" lead a difficult and suppressive life.
The truth is, there is no evidence to prove that people born with the zodiac sign of sheep are destined for a difficult life. Apple co-founder, the late Steve Jobs, and movie stars Chow Yunfat and Zhang Ziyi were all born in the Year of the Sheep.
Superstition, as its dictionary description says, is an unreasonable belief that an object, action or circumstance not logically related to a course of events influences its outcome. Many people regard black cats as unlucky when they are unlucky only for mice. The number 13 is considered unlucky in the West, but it was quite an lucky number in ancient China. The "rich" number " 8 " is viewed as lucky in China, yet it doesn't look different from any other number in the West.
But such is the influence of superstition on some people that they undergo cesarean section , even without going into labor, to give birth before the onset of a year they consider unlucky. Doctors warn that premature cesarean section is a violation of the laws of nature which could affect the baby's brains and health, but some people ignore their advice. On the social side, the sudden increase in the number of births in one year will make it even more difficult for children to get admission to schools and drastically raise the demand for jobs when they grow up.
Ironically, children born in a baby boom year can become a liability because they will be locked in a tougher competition for educational, natural and material resources. In more sense than one, their competition begins even before they are born, because their mothers have to wait longer for their regular medical check-ups and to secure a bed in a hospital for childbirth.
In China where more often than not parents guide (or even force) their children to choose the subjects to study and the vocations to compete for, zodiac signs are of least or no importance. The real important thing is to encourage children to let their imagination fly and develop their unique skills. | high18716.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Making the thread run smoothly around the needle."
},
"options": [
"Deciding the kind of thread to use for the machine.",
"Making the thread run smoothly around the needle.",
"Designing a needle which would not easily break."... | Early one morning, more than a hundred years ago, an American inventor called Elias Howe finally fell asleep. He had been working all night on the design of a sewing machine but he had run into a very difficult problem. It seemed impossible to get the thread to run smoothly around the needle.
Despite his exhaustion, Howe slept badly. He tossed and turned. Then he had a nightmare
He dreamt that he had been caught by terrible savages whose king wanted to kill him and eat him unless he could build a perfect sewing machine. When he tried to do so, Howe ran into the same problem as before. The thread kept getting caught around the needle. The king flew into the cage and ordered his soldiers to kill Howe. They came up towards him with their spears raised. But suddenly the inventor noticed something. There was a hole in the tip of each spear. The inventor awoke from the dream, realizing that he had just found the answer to the problem.
Instead of trying to get the thread to run around the needle, he should make a small hole in the center of the needle and have the thread run through it.
This was the simple idea that finally made Howe design and build the first really practical sewing machine. Thomas Edison, the inventor of the electric light, said his best ideas came into him in dreams. So did the great physicist Albert Einstein.
To appreciate the value of dreams, you have to understand what happens when you are asleep. Even then, a part of your mind is still working. This unconscious , but still active part
digests your experiences and goes to work on the problems you have had during the day.
However, the unconscious part expresses itself through its own logic and its own language.. It uses strange images which the conscious part may not understand at first. This is why dreams are sometimes called "secret messages to ourselves". | high5162.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "To kill pests feeding on crops."
},
"options": [
"To kill pests feeding on crops.",
"To help some natural insects survive.",
"To prevent the use of chemical sprays.",
"To prove that GM technology is helpful."
],
... | A British company has proposed releasing genetically modified(GM) diamondback moths, which would reduce the population of the vegetable-eating insects. Males carrying a deadly gene would be released, which would cause their young ones to die immediately. Then the fall in their numbers could help increase production for farmers.
Oxitec, the company which came up with the idea, hopes to begin trials next year, but some groups are saying no to them,, saying the untested technology could threaten wildlife and human health.
"Mass releases of GM insects into the British countryside would be impossible to recall if anything went wrong. Changing one part of an ecosystem can have knock-on-effects on others in ways that are poorly understood. This could include an increase in different types of pests. Wildlife that feeds on insects could be impaired if there are changes to their food supply," said Dr Helen Wallace, the director of Gene-Watch UK.
Hadyn Parry, Oxitec's chief executive, said that there was demand from farmers for the technology and that using GM insects to kill the pests that feed on food crops is better for the environment than chemical sprays. The firm is developing a number of GM insects that would be used in Britain and around the world to protect crops and fight disease in humans.
Oxitec has contacted the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to ask what controls should be put in place around GM moth trials. A spokesman said that while its officials and advisers have discussed Oxitec's plans, there has not been a formal application for a trial. As a result, the department has not reached a view on whether it should go ahead. | high23780.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Because weeds have strong ability to live."
},
"options": [
"Because the seeds and roots are bad in quality.",
"Because weeds have strong ability to live.",
"Because weeds take up too much space.",
"Because the seeds an... | When will a plant be considered a weed? Experts have a simple answer: when the undesirable qualities outweigh (,) the good qualities. Crops generally produce several hundred seeds from each plant. By comparison, each weed plant can produce tens or even hundreds of thousands of seeds. And some buried seeds can survive up to forty years or even longer. Eradicating weeds means that you have to remove all the seeds and roots so the weeds will die completely. But birds or the wind can reintroduce them to the land.
A common way to deal with weeds is to control them enough so that the land can be used for planting. Experts suggest using more methods to deal with weeds. Chemical weed killers or natural treatments like corn gluten can suppress weed growth. Bill Curran is a professor of weed science. He says the most efficient method for suppressing weeds is dense planting. Dense planting of a crop can also act as a natural control. A dense and competitive crop that quickly shades the soil will help suppress many weeds. The weed seeds need light to grow, so cutting off sunlight will reduce weed growth.
Other controls include turning over the soil, pulling the weeds or covering them with mulch made of wood, garden waste or other materials. But even mulch has its limits. Natural resource specialists point out that weeds can be transported in mulch. This is also true of soil, grain, hay and animals. Yet animals like sheep or goats eat weeds, so they can provide a biological control. Insects and other organisms can also act as biological controls.
Preventing the spread of weeds is an important part of weed management. Farm vehicles should be kept out of areas with weeds. If that is not possible, then clean off the equipment and your shoes when leaving. Some people bum weeds or bury them deep. Experts say the economical way is to make organically rich compost . On the one hand, the process produces heat which can kill many weed seeds. On the other hand, the compost can be added to the soil to help plants grow. | high9758.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "their actions conflict with their ideas"
},
"options": [
"they avoid doing things they dislike",
"their stress level is high",
"they know what they dislike doing",
"their actions conflict with their ideas"
],
"q... | How to avoid common life mistakes?
1. Don't do things you don't like
Whenever you do things you don't like, you will start to hate yourself a bit more. You will hate yourself for not being consistent. For doing things you know that you don't want to do, another stress is right there.
2. Do less
This is one of the hardest things, especially for me. I'm doing too many things at the same time. In itself, doing many different things to figure out what works and what doesn't isn't that had. It's actually quite good. But at some point you need to let go of the things that don't work and focus on the things that work. And that's the hardest part, at least for me. I always try to make everything work. And if you always try to make everything work, you'll usually end up with nothing working at all.
3. Get rid of complicated things
There are many complicated things in life. Complicated relationships, complicated jobs, complicated whatever. What all of these things do is that they steal our focus.
They add an additional stress layer to our lives and take over some of our brain's bandwidth(;). We desperately need to navigate bandwidth in this crazy and complex world.
4. Read books, not blogs
Blogs consist of too much information for our brains to process. Blogs usually leave out the story our brains need. Our brains need a story to remember things.
Don't believe me? Try it. What parts of this blog post do you remember? Probably none. All that blogs do is that they clutter our brains with useless information we forget immediately after we read them. A waste of time.
There are a number of personal traits which all of us should develop in our earlier life. | high13643.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "cares how well she does in lesson"
},
"options": [
"doesn't like doing homework",
"often tells lies to her teacher",
"cares how well she does in lesson",
"has trouble getting along with her classmates"
],
"quest... | It all started at the beginning of this term. At first, Carmen wasn't really sure what was happening. In class, she had tosquint to see the blackboard clearly. As it got worse, she became more and more worried. It was important for her to see the notes and homework the teacher wrote on the board.
In class, she asked for a desk that was closer to the blackboard. One day, her teacher said, "Carmen, I've noticed you squinting a lot. Are you having trouble seeing the board?" Carmen shook her head. "I'm fine, Mrs. Cruz."
At home, she had to sit closer and closer to the television. Her mother noticed her squinting as she watched her favorite shows.
"Tomorrow I will go to see a doctor," she said firmly. Three days later, Carmen had new glasses. She was told to wear them all the time. "All of the kids at school will think I am anerd ," she said. "You look just as beautiful with those glasses on as you do without them," her mother said. But Carmen didn't believe her.
The next day, Carmen kept the glasses in her pocket as she walked into the schoolyard. Suddenly, she heard her friend Theresa shout. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"My silver ring is gone!" Theresa cried. Carmen could tell that Theresa was very upset. They all looked for the ring in the grassy area of the playground.
Carmen realized that she could search better if she could see better. She took the glasses out of her pocket and put them on. Everything looked so different! So clear! And aglimmer of silver caught her eye.
"Here it is," she shouted. "Thanks Carmen," Theresa said. "I didn't know you wore glasses. They look great!" "Thanks," Carmen replied shyly.
As they walked back toward the school building, two more girls praised her glasses. Carmen smiled. "Maybe wearing glasses won't be so bad after all," she thought. | high690.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Pearlcorder S 702"
},
"options": [
"Pearlcorder S 702",
"Sony M9",
"Sony M400",
"Imperial OEM MC7"
],
"question": "The machine that produces the best recording with the least unwanted noise is _ .",
"ques... | The following are the results of the tests done by "Family and Home Magazine" on some Pocket Tape-Recorders on the market now.
Pearlcorder S702 $64
This simple model at the bottom of the Olympus range scored the most points for its excellent quality of recording. Background noise hardly affects the sound and recording from a pocket is perfectly possible, but it doesn't turn off automatically.
Tape length: 30minutes per side. Weight: 240g.
Sony M9 $49.95
Small and very good looking, Sony's latest offering scored most for its appearance. Sounds clear, but there is slight machine noise. The big control buttons are a great improvement on some of the complicated little controls on other tape-recorders. It doesn't switch off automatically, but a red light shows if the machine is still running.
Tape length: 60minutes per side. Weight: 195g.
Sony M400 $115
Lots of little control buttons that make a noise are difficult to use. Recording is good but machine noise loses points. Tape counter and automatic switch-off when tape has finished recording or rewinding are useful.
Tape length: 60 minutes per side. Weight: 230g.
Imperial OEM MC7 $ 29.95
Cheap and simple compared with the rest, but recording is good as long as there is no background noise. Use only its own-make of cassette. No light to show it is on; no fast-forward button and the record button makes a loud noise.
Tape length: 30 minutes per side. Weight: 285g.
Philips 585 $80
Handsome and simple to use, but recording is very poor at more than the recommended distance of 5 cm-designed for dictation. No recording light.
Tape length: 15 minutes per side. Weight: 220g. | high23958.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "the changes of the homeless in the late 20th century"
},
"options": [
"one homeless person's story",
"the history of the homeless",
"the changes of the homeless in the late 20th century",
"a way to provide homes for the... | People without homes have always been present in America. In the past,they were called hobos,bums,or drifters. It was not until the early 1980s that these people received a new name,when activists named them the homeless.
The types of people who were homeless also changed in the 1980s. No longer were they primarily older men. They were younger,with an average age of 35. Their numbers consisted of women,children,adolescents and entire families. They were of many races and cultures. No longer were they only in the inner city. They lived in rural areas and in large and small cities. No longer were they invisible to the people with homes and jobs. The homeless of the 1980s lived in packing crates and doorways. They slept on sidewalks and in public parks. They begged money from passersby.
Counting the numbers of homeless people is difficult. However,in 1984 the Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated the homeless population at between 250,000 and 350,000. In 1990 the Census Bureau counted about 459,000 people in shelters,in cheap hotels,and on the streets. In 1995 the National Alliance to End Homelessness estimated that there were 750,000 homeless Americans.
The homeless of the 1980s also began to speak out for themselves. Some spoke to Congress and to government committees controlling funding for social programs. Street newspapers,such as Chicago's Streetwise and Boston's Spare Change,had stories,poems,and essays that expressed the homeless viewpoint. The visible and vocal presence of the homeless prompted help from volunteers and government agencies. But what is still needed is a solution to the _ of America's homeless population. | high9980.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "kill enemies"
},
"options": [
"make bows and arrows",
"hunt animals",
"do drawings",
"kill enemies"
],
"question": "Good archers, were needed by countries in order to _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_question... | Archery may be the oldest sport in the world. There are prehistoric drawings which show that bows and arrows were used 20 000 years ago. In early times, animals were always hunted and killed with bows and arrows. Good archers were very important when country fought against country. One of the most famous legends(,) in European history is the story of Wilhelm Tell. He was a Swiss who refused to work for an Austrian, and was ordered to shoot an apple from the head of his son. He hit the apple, and then shot the Austrian. Switzerland has been free since then, so the story goes.
Archers shoot at targets at 30, 50, 70 or 90 meters' distance from them. The targets are round,80 centimeters across, and have 5 circles painted round the centre. Bows are made of steel, wood and strong plastic, and arrows of wood. The sport is enjoyed in the open air in summer and in a building in winter. Archery is good for the chest, the arms and the back. Men and women can shoot together since being strong is not so important. Women usually use lighter bows. People who can't walk or who have been ill can also enjoy it. For Zen Buddhists archery is not only a sport but also something deeper. It helps the individual to understand himself and the meaning of life. | high7775.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "a dog"
},
"options": [
"a dog",
"a doctor",
"a dog owner",
"a disabled boy"
],
"question": "According to the passage, Ricochet is _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"an... | An incredible dog has mastered more than just the doggy paddle -- the golden brown pet helps disabled children learn how to surf. Ricochet's owner Judy Fridono said, "I was working with her at balance and coordination . Her balance is so good that she can help to stabilize the board for the kids. And it makes them feel good to know that Ricochet is there with them, keeping them company."
After becoming an expert, two-year-old Ricochet helps the disabled children build up the confidence to get on the board themselves. Dressed in a yellow jacket, Ricochet helps to counter-balance the board and acts as a reassuring presence.
Ms. Fridono knows what an impact her beloved dog can have. She herself was severely disabled since her teens. Having Ricochet around lifts her spirits, and inspires her to conquer her pain to get on the board. "Ricochet has taught me to focus on what I can do, rather than what I can't," she said.
One of those who have benefited from Ricochet's skills is six-year-old Ian McFarland. In 2008 a car crash left him with brain damage. Although he had loved surfing before the accident, he was too nervous to go back into the water. His fear turned to excitement, when he was told he could try a tandem surf session with Ricochet. Their session was a success and by the end of it, Ian was smiling from ear to ear. As well as helping with treatments, Ricochet also raised PS5,000 to help continue Ian's recovery.
Over the last 10 months, Ricochet's excellent performances on the sea have raised more than PS30,000 for a number of charity causes. | high8446.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "persuade Stephen not to go into RAF"
},
"options": [
"take a walk with Stephen as usual",
"wait till his son graduated from Cambridge",
"persuade Stephen not to go into RAF",
"send Stephen to the Army instead of RAF"
... | ,A, B, CD,,. Roy wasn't the only one to receive his call-up papers.Stephen Napier's call-up came at the beginning of February and he was pleased to find that he would be going into the Royal Air Force (RAF).
His father was not so pleased and made his feelings known as he and Stephen were on their daily walk. It was the first step in his plans for Stephen to take over the estate when the time came, and although Stephen was well aware of this, he could think of no reason not to accompany him.
"Thought you'd forgotten that nonsense. Still, I dare say I could pull a few strings to get you to the Army..."
"No, Father! I have told you I want to learn to fly. What chance would I have to do that in the Army? I'd be better off in the Navy----at least they've got the Fleet Air Arm. But I have been put in the RAF and that's where I want to be, so let's leave it at that." His face went red. Sent to his father's school and then to Cambridge, much to his satisfaction, he had never had to defend his own desires and his father was a hard man to oppose.
The father glared at Stephen, "No, I won't leave it at that. I want to know what other ridiculous ideas are in your head. For a start, what's all this about America?"
"America?"
"Yes. All those books I saw in your room the other day. Brochures about emigration ."
The big, silvered head lowered, _ ."Don't trouble to deny it."
"I won't, Father. Some men at Cambridge have been talking about it. They want people like us here, mathematicians and scientists, for all kinds of research----the sort of research I could do.It would be a worthwhile life for me."
The father responded exactly as his son had known he would."You've got a worthwhile life here!You've got an estate to run!"
"No, Father. You've got an estate to run. I never asked for it. Why not ask Baden to do this stuff? He perhaps can make a good job of it, but I..."
"If he were here, I might think about this silly idea of yours----only think about it, mind you but..." | high15232.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "a dead fish"
},
"options": [
"a tool",
"its tail",
"a dead fish",
"its mouth"
],
"question": "To get a shy eel to come out of its hole , a dolphin would poke it with _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions... | Dolphins are interesting animals and researchers find them interesting to watch. They don't have hands, but can use tools to solve problems, just like us. Scientists have observed a dolphin trying to get a shy eel to come out of its hole by poking it with a dead fish. Many species of dolphin live in large societies. They have many different relationships and need a good communication system; they use a variety of sounds to communicate with each other.
There is currently no evidence that dolphins have a language of their own. But scientists still have a lot to find out about these animals and so there are certain to be a few surprises in the future.
At Kewalo Basin Marine Laboratory in Hawaii, the dolphin team have developed a sign langue to communicate with the dolphins, and the results are amazing. Not only do the dolphins understand the meaning of individual words, they also understand the significance of word order in a sentence. For example, when they were asked to 'touch the ball with your tail and then jump over it' they generally responded correctly and straight away, which showed that they understood the langue.
Most mammals seem to enjoy play--but dolphins seems to like making their games as challenging as possible. On a beautiful day in 1997, researchers working at a beach, off the southern coast of Brazil, observed a little dog going into the sea and swimming towards the dolphins. To their surprise, the dolphins approached the dog and then started throwing it into the air. The dog seemed to enjoy the 'game' and continued playing with the dolphins for more than an hour. From then on, different dogs were seem trying to interact with the dolphins.
Dolphins live in a very different world to ourselves, but they are very good at our 'intelligence tests'. For example, they will jump out of the water when they hear a whistle noise. They do this because they will get a fish as a reward. There is still much to learn about these flexible problem-solvers, but from the evidence so far, it would seem as though dolphins are very intelligent. | high848.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Stimulation on some parts of the brain causes no physical reaction."
},
"options": [
"The majority of the brain is sleeping.",
"Animals' legs and tails have some connection with their brain.",
"Stimulation on some parts of th... | Have you ever heard that we humans use only ten percent of our brains? This opinion holds a certain appeal because if it were true, then we could instantly become ten times more intelligent just by firing up that sleepy majority of the brain!
The idea that we use only a small part of the brain dates back to animal experiments in the 19th century. When scientists stimulated a specific part of the brain, the animal moved its leg or tail. If a tiny part of the brain could do something so great, what was the use of the rest of the brain? Some scientists assumed that large parts of the brain were simply useless.
Then, in the early 20th century, scientists observed that stimulating certain parts of the brain had no physical effects. They named these seemingly useless parts of the brain the "silent cortex." Today we know that in humans, much of the "silent cortex" is actually devoted to complex activities like language, learning, and imagining.
Brain scans have shown that different parts of the brain become much more active as we shift our attention and focus, but even as we sleep, many areas of the brain are extremely active. Would you be smarter if your entire brain constantly worked to maximum capacity ? Interestingly enough, the opposite is probably true. The less brain activity you need to perform a given task, the more the brain as a whole is able to do. | high13657.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "6416-0759"
},
"options": [
"6146-0759",
"6146-1077",
"6416-0759",
"133-2119-1731"
],
"question": "If you want to book tickets for Great Wall I in advance, you can phone _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_quest... | It seems that the Great Wall is the place to rock . There will be two parties held on the Great Wall this month.
Great Wall I
The latest Great Wall party is sponsored by the Club and Elektrobeat and held at Jinshanling. Local DJ Mark, as well as guests Slab from Australia, Usami and Bobby from Hong Kong will sing at the party. All drinks are priced at 20 yuan($ 2.4).
Tickets: 200yuan($ 24), including bus ride there and back plus entrance fee to the Great Wall. T/D: 8p.m. to 2 a.m., Sept. 20.
Pre-sale tickets are to be booked at: Public Space: 6416-0759; Neo Lounge: 6416-1077.
Buses: Leave at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20 from Neo Lounge, 99 Xinfuncun Zhonglu,
Sanlitun, Chaoyang District.
For more info: www. elektrobeat. com
Great wall II
The other party at the end of this month at Jinshanling will be started with live performances by Askar, Brain Failure, Longkuan, Supermarket, Mr. Zhou, Beijing Talking and the Yi band.
Dance till dawn to the wonderful sounds of DJs Ben, Mickey Zhang, Will, Cheese, Gao Hu and Huang Weiwei.
T/D: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., Sept. 27.
Tickets: 350 yuan ($ 42) or 300 yuan ($ 36) for groups of 10 or more, 500 yuan ($ 60) at the door and VIP tickets 800 yuan ($ 72), transportation included.
Buses: Depart from the north gate of Wbrkers' Stadium at noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., Sept. 27.
For more info: contact Li Zhenhua at lah@msgp. Org or call 133-2119-1731. | high684.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "He mixed his style with the elegance of the essay."
},
"options": [
"He adapted the story in the novel as he wished.",
"He made the film more powerful than the book.",
"He mixed his style with the elegance of the essay.",
... | If you never read the classic F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby, now is your chance to catch up -- by watching the latest film adaptation. Because if there's one sentence to sum up the film, it would be, as Fox News says in its review, "It's just like the book"
Director Baz Luhrmann's main challenge was "either to find a visual equivalent for Fitzgerald's elegant essay--the open secret of the book's staying power-- or to bend the material to his own exotic strengths,a Time magazine review says. He tries it both ways, with varying degrees of success.
Considered to be Fitzgerald's representative work, The Great Gatsby explores themes of idealism, resistance to change, social change, and excess, creating a portrait of the Jazz Age or the Roaring Twenties that has been described as a cautionary tale regarding the American Dream.
Nick, the narrator, moves to New York for the summer to visit his cousin Daisy. His next-door neighbor is Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), who rarely contacts with others and is rumored to be a hero of the Great War. Gatsby claims to have attended Oxford University, but the evidence is suspect. As Nick learns more about Gatsby, every detail about him seems questionable, except his love for the Daisy. Though Daisy is married, Gatsby still adores her as his --golden girl.They first met when she was a young lady from a wealthy family and he was a working-class military officer. Daisy promised to wait for his return from the war. However, she married Tom, a classmate of Nick's. Having obtained a great fortune, Gatsby sets out to win her back again.
"All of Fitzgerald's original creation finds its way into this film, even going as far to include quite a bit of the original dialogue,US film critic Justin Taroli writes in his review. "The cast is beautiful as is the script, and the scenes are a visual feast.Taroli adds.
DiCaprio does a good and professional job as the socialite by re-creating Fitzgerald's description of Gatsby's charm. "He can look at someone for an instant and understand how, perfectly, he or she wants to be seen,David Denby, a film critic for The New Yorker, says in his review.
The use of music is almost reason enough to see the film. "Luhrmann is at his best mixing visual and musical styles together to create something wholly original, the Fox News review said.
For example, in one of the most outstanding scenes in the film, the first party scene, Nick walks quickly from one party guest to another party guest trying to explain all the gossip about Gatsby until he is finally introduced to the man himself, while the most stirring version of Rhapsody in Blue (composed by American musician George Gershwin in 1924) is played in the background. | high12549.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "On her own, but not alone"
},
"options": [
"On her own, but not alone",
"A friend in need is a friend indeed",
"A new practice of American government",
"A phenomenal advantage of the Internet"
],
"question": "Th... | Marjorie Baer used to joke about her retirement plans.She wasn't married and had no kids, but she didn't intend to be alone--she and all her single friends would move into a fictional home she called Casa de Biddies.Instead, Baer developed terminal brain cancer when she was 52.But just as she'd hoped, her friends and family provided her with love and care to the end.
Ballance was only the first of Baer's friends who became her unofficial caregivers.With her brother Phil Baer from Los Angeles, they worked out a system to watch over their friend and allow her to keep some of the privacy and independence she cherished.
Baer's good friend Ruth Henrich took Baer to doctors' appointments and helped her deal with all the aspects of life --answering machines, TV controls, and even phone numbers.After Henrich sent out an e-mail request, a group of volunteers signed up to ferry Baer back and forth to radiation therapy .Others in Baer's circle offered up particular talents: A nurse friend helped Baer figure out how to get what she was due from Social Security and her disability insurance; a lawyer pal helped Baer with her will; a partner who was an accountant took over her bills when she could no longer manage them."There was this odd sense that the right person always showed up," says Ballance.Their arrangement worked remarkably well.
Unmarried women are one of the fastest-growing groups in America; experts are concerned about how care-giving will be managed for them as they age.If the experience of Baer's friends is a guide, _ .It's already making it possible to create communities of caregivers who may have only one thing in common: the person who needs their help.On personal "care pages" set up through services such as Lotsa Helping Hands, friends and family members can post a list of tasks that need to be done, volunteer to do them, and keep updated on the person's condition.As Baer's cancer progressed, for example, her friends set up a page on Yahoo! where people could sign up to deliver meals or do errands .
Catherine Fox, one of the friends who were present when Baer died, was deeply affected."It was so comforting to know that if you're willing to ask for help, the generosity of family and friends can be phenomenal .It makes me feel secure and hopeful to know that help is there when you need it." | high9994.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "After attending the Olympic Games opening ceremony."
},
"options": [
"As soon as he ran the torch.",
"As soon as he was diagnosed with cancer.",
"As soon as he felt uncomfortable.",
"After attending the Olympic Games op... | CCTV anchorman Luo Jing died of cancer on June 5 ,2009 at the age of 48.
In 1983 ,graduating from Beijing Broadcasting Institute, he began his career as a prime time newscaster for CCTV .Over the past decades , as an icon of China's broadcasting industry,Luo Jing's modest image and clear voice left unforgettable memories with his audience.
Last year when he was diagnosed as having lymph cancer ,he felt it too awful,for two weeks later he was to run the torch ,He asked doctors to keep the secret in order for him to complete the task of the Olympic torch. Finally, not only did he complete the task, but he participated in a series of voice - over work in the Olympic Games opening ceremony . After that ,he frankly said to the leader the next day,"I have completed the task and I am going to hospital today."
Broadcast sowing rate of the News Network used to be 180words a minute, but increases to 300 words a minute, which is beyond most people's ability. What's more terror is the strict limit of time .Sometimes after a piece of news is broadcast, there is a few seconds left, when staff hand a message press release. The host must strictly control the time to broadcast the unexpected news. As soon as his voice _ , the program turns into the following images without one more second or less. In such high - intensity work environment, with the perfect professional he worked for 26 years without any error.
In life , we seldom mention comedy without tragedy, laughter without tears ,and joy without sorrow.Though the passing of Luo Jings brings us pain, it's only fitting to remember his smiles with happiness. He's been taken from us much too soon , but he leaves us what he's been working for. | high7761.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "show how Pip recalls Mr Jaggers"
},
"options": [
"show how Pip recalls Mr Jaggers",
"provide a description of Mr. Jaggers to the readers only",
"indicate that Mr. Jaggers remains indoors a lot and doesn't get much sun",
... | The months and years went by. I had been Joe's _ for four years.
One evening, Joe and I were sitting in the village inn. A stranger came in, a big, tall man, with heavy eyebrows. The man had large, very clean white hands. To my surprise, I recognized the man. I had seen him at Miss Havisham's many years before. He had frightened me then. He frightened me a little now.
'I think there is a blacksmith here----name of Joe Gargery,' the man said in his loud voice.
'That's me!' Joe answered. He stood up.
'You have an apprentice, known as Pip,' the stranger went on. 'Where is he? '
'Here!' I cried, standing beside Joe.
'I wish to speak to you both. I wish to speak to you privately, not here,' the man said. 'Perhaps I could go home with you.'
We walked back to the workshop in silence. When we were in the sitting room, the man began to speak.
'My name is Jaggers,' he said. 'I am a lawyer in London, where I am well-known. I have some unusual business with young Pip here. I am speaking for someone else, you understand. A client who doesn't want to be named. Is that clear?'
Joe and I nodded.
'I have come to take your apprentice to London,' the lawyer said to Joe. 'You won't stop him from coming I hope?'
'Stop him? Never! ' Joe cried.
'Listen, then. I have this message for Pip. He has ---- great expectations!'
Joe and I looked at each other, too surprised to speak.
'Yes, great expectations' Mr. Jaggers repeated. 'Pip will one day be rich, very rich. Pip is to change his way of life at once. He will no longer be a blacksmith. He is to come with me to London. He is to be educated as a gentleman. He will be a man of property.'
And so, at last, my dream had come true. Miss Havisham----because Mr. Jaggers' client must be Miss Havisham----had plans for me after all. I would be rich and Estella would love me!
Mr. Jaggers was speaking again. 'There are two conditions,' he said, looking at me. 'First, you will always be known as Pip. Secondly,' Mr. Jaggers continued, 'the name of your benefactor is to be kept secret. One day, that person will speak to you, face to face. Until then, you must not ask any questions. You must never try to find out this person's name. Do you understand? Speak out!'
'Yes, I understand,' I answered. 'My benefactor's name is to remain a secret.'
'Good,' Mr. Jaggers said. 'Now, Pip, you will come into your property when you come of age----when you are twenty-one. Until then, I am your guardian. I have money to pay for your education and to allow you to live as a gentleman. You will have a private teacher. His name is Mr. Matthew Pocket and you will stay at his house.'
I gave a cry of surprise. Some of Miss Havisham's relations were called Pocket. Mr. Jaggers raised his eyebrows.
'Do you not want to live with Mr. Pocket? Have you any objection to this arrangement?' he said severely.
'No, no, none at all,' I answered quickly.
'Good. Then I will arrange everything,' Mr. Jaggers went on. 'Mr. Pocket's son has rooms in London. I suggest you go there. Now when can you come to London?'
I looked at Joe.
'At once, if Joe has no objection,' I said.
'No objection, Pip old chap,' Joe answered.
'Then you will come in one week's time,' Mr. Jaggers said, standing up. 'You will need new clothes. Here is some money to pay for them. Twenty guineas.'
He counted the money and put it on the table.
'Well, Joe Gargery, you are saying nothing,' Mr. Jaggers said to Joe firmly. 'I have money to give to you too.' | high15226.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Retired workers."
},
"options": [
"Retired workers.",
"Talented teenagers.",
"Curious kids.",
"Learned experts."
],
"question": "For whom are these clubs probably designed for?",
"question_type": "factiod_qu... | Welcome to Our Clubs in Masonic Village
Art Club
The Art Club provides a place for aged people to paint, improve their artistic talents and show their works of art. Members can also sell items that they painted. The money raised goes toward providing painting supplies for club members. Anyone may join the Art Club, whether you already know how to paint or you want to learn how to better express your creativity. Painting supplies are provided by the club for free.
Time: Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Freemasons Cultural Center Art Studio.
Cost: $12 per year
Computer Club
This club is meant for aged people with little knowledge of computers. Various topics are discussed at each meeting about computers (such as the Internet, software and email) as well as related technologies. The club has a computer lab with high-speed Internet connection. Members of the club have free access to the computer lab.
Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Computer Resource Room on Level 2 of Smith North. Open general lab sessions are available for free.
Cost: $35 per year
Tai Chi for Arthritis
Arthritis is a common disease for old people. The joints in the patients' body often hurt badly. Tai Chi for Arthritis is designed to improve the quality of life of those people who are suffering from arthritis using Sun-style Tai Chi. This style includes quick-moving steps and exercises that may improve mobility, breathing and relaxation. The movements don't require deep bending.
Time: Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Irem Clubhouse.
Cost: $65 per year | high8452.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Sydney"
},
"options": [
"Sydney",
"Los Angeles",
"Greece",
"Paris"
],
"question": "The 27th Olympic Games were held in.",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0... | Every four years athletes from the world take part in the Olympic Games. Both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games are held every four years. The Winter Olympic Games are usually held two years before the Summer Olympic Games.
The ancient Olympic Games began around the year 776 BC in Greece. Many of the sports were the same as they are now. Some of the games in which the young men competed were: running, jumping, and wrestling. Women were not allowed to take part in the games. After about the year 393 AD the Olympic Games stopped. For centuries there were no Olympic Games. But they were not forgotten.
The first Olympic Games in modern times happened in 1896. They were held in Greece--the country in which the Games were born. in the Games there were 311 competitors from 13 countries. After that more and more countries joined in the Games. In 2000, over 10,000 athletes from 227 countries went to Sydney; Australia, for the 27th Olympic Games! There are 300 different events in the Games. Horse riding, hammer throw and shooting are some of the more unusual events. | high21183.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "A cosmetologist gets paid at least $3,600 a month."
},
"options": [
"A cosmetologist gets paid at least $3,600 a month.",
"Beauty schools are not popular with young people.",
"Graduates can easily be offered jobs by universit... | There are plenty of beauty schools throughout the country that can help you to start a career in cosmetology . Nowadays, young people may not be able to afford a four-year college. Students can look forward to attending a beauty school program which will only take a few months to complete and start their career right away to earn money.
There can be many benefits of going to beauty school. The expense is much less than attending a four-year university. Besides, attending beauty school is mostly a hands-on experience which appeals to many people. Some students don't like sitting all day listening to lectures and then having to study at night. What's more, most beauty school programs keep up with the changing trends and fashion. So you will always be working on different hair types which can be fun and will give you a lot of experience throughout the years of your career.
If you are worried about finding a job after graduation, many beauty schools will offer assistance for immediate job placement and give you peace of mind that you will not be _ looking for a job. Most colleges and universities are not equipped to do that because of the large number of graduates each year.
Cosmetologists will also make a good salary. The average salary will depend on your location, but you may earn a salary around $3,000 -- $3,500 a month. This is not including tips which could be $600 or more a month.
Not only can young people go to cosmetology school, but people of all ages can start this career. As you can see, there are many benefits of beauty schools that can be the perfect opportunity for anyone to become a great cosmetologist. | high4268.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "aliens would bring disasters to the human race."
},
"options": [
"intelligent aliens would probably land in America.",
"the plans will be in vain and nothing will happen.",
"none of the civilizations would reply.",
"ali... | Wikipedia is a free-access, free content Internet encyclopedia , supported and hosted by the non-profit Wikipedia Foundation. Wikipedia is ranked among the ten most popular websites and is considered the Internet's largest and most popular general reference book. Now, Wikipedia is becoming Wookiepedia as scientists hope the informative website will help us reach out to intelligent life forms. So aliens can learn about the human race.
Astronomers would like to beam the entire contents of Wikipedia into space in the hope of contacting aliens. They want to send messages to hundreds of star systems and planets 20 light years away using radio telescopes. The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute, in California, wants to use powerful radio telescopes to try to reach Chewbacca and his mates in a galaxy far away.
The plans will be discussed by astronomers at the weekend as some scientists fear the reply from ET might not turn out to be friendly. Institute scientist David Black said, "One question is if there are dangerous creatures we might be drawing their attention to ourselves. Another is if we go ahead, what message should be sent? There could be many civilizations out there,but if they are all listening and no one is broadcasting or responding, then nothing will happen."
Professor Stephen Hawking, who has warned that intelligent aliens probably exist and we should keep a safe distance from them, is among _ . "If aliens visit us, the outcome would be much as when Columbus landed in America which didn't turn out well for the Native Americans," he said.
Signals from Earth's radio and TV broadcasts have been heading out in space for some 60 years reaching around 5,000 stars. | high11040.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "They were very popular with Americans."
},
"options": [
"They were very popular with Americans.",
"Their appearance remained unchangeable.",
"They showed blackandwhite pictures.",
"Their pictures were of poor quality."
... | Television will turn 86 years old on September 7, 2013, and it has never looked better. In its youth, television was a piece of furniture with a tiny, round screen showing unclear pictures of lowbudget programs. In spite of its shortcomings, it became well-received. Between 1950 and 1963, the number of American families with a television jumped from 9% to 92% of the population.
As the audience got larger, the technology got better. Television sets became more reliable through the 1960s. Both of the reception and the picture improved. The major networks started broadcasting programs in color.
Even greater improvements were coming according to Sanford Brown, who wrote an article forthe Postin 1967. Surprisingly, just about every prediction he made in the article became a reality. For example: All sets in the notdistant future will be color instruments. He also predicted that TV sets would become smaller, simpler, more reliable and less expensive and may forever put the TV repairman out of work. Smaller sets do not, of course, mean smaller screens. TV engineers expect screens to get much bigger. However, today's 3D TV is even farther away, if it's coming at all. There is some doubt whether the public would be eager to pay for it, in view of people's cold reception given to 3D movies.
But the technology with the greatest potential, according to Brown, was cable television , which was still in its early stages then. As he predicted, the future of cable television was highly interactive. It wasn't cable television that gave Americans their electronic connection to the world, however. It was the Internet. He even foresaw the future office: using picture phones, bigscreen televisions for conferences, and computers providing information, at the touch of a button.
Brown ever said, "The future of television is no longer a question of what we can invent. It's a question of what we want." | high2619.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "there'll be less space on the ground"
},
"options": [
"it's neither hot nor cold there",
"they'll be afraid of the war",
"there'll be less space on the ground",
"they'll make their life comfortable"
],
"question... | Many people in the world live in big cities, which are often dirty and difficult places to live. So, some cities will get bigger. They will also get higher, and lower, because people will begin to live under the ground as well as in tall buildings. Scientists also say that men can begin to live in cities under the sea, when there is not enough space on the land. Of course, these new cities will be very expensive, and difficult to build, but they are not impossible. Already, some countries are building places to live under the ground so their people can go there if there is a new war. There are underground cities in Switzerland and China, built by the government to help some of the people live during a great war.
But will people change if they live under the ground for a long time?For example some fish go blind if they live in the dark sea for a long time. People will not go blind, because there will be light underground, but they may change in some way. Scientists say that people who live in cities today are losing their senses of smell, touch and taste. They can't smell the dirty air, they can't taste the chemicals in their food. These senses are not as strong as before, when people lived in the country and grew their own food. The city has changed that. What will the underground city change in everyone? | high5176.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Because he drew inspiration from Steve Jobs."
},
"options": [
"Because eight adults were ready to help.",
"Because it was easy to establish web companies.",
"Because his parents wanted him to have a try.",
"Because he d... | He has vowed that he will not stop building his business until it is worth PS100 million.But hard-working Owens can stop for at least a moment's celebration after making his first PS1 million at the age of 16.Owens,who has used a computer since the age of seven,began teaching himself basic web design at the age of ten when he was given his first Mac computer.He used his pocket money to fund his first business project,website Mac Box Bundle at just 14 which has made PS700 000 since its establishment in 2008.Mac Box Bundle sells a combination of popular Mac applications which are worth up to $400 together for under just $100 and donates 10 percent of the money to charities.
He then established an advertising company Branchr a year later and worked on the business after school and at weekends.Branchr made a surprising PS500 000 in its first year.Branchr works as a platform for website owners to sell advertising.
Owens,from Northampton,currently employs eight staff--all adults--around the UK and America as sales and technical assistants.The young man lives with his parents.His mother who is a company secretary said he was inspired to go into business after observing the huge success achieved by Apple's chief executive officers Steve Jobs.
Owens said,"I think everyone has business sense in them,and they just need to gain experience and be determined to make it.There is no magical formula for business.It takes hard work,determination and the drive to do something great.My aim is to become a leading name in the world of Internet and mobile advertising and push myself right to the top of the game.
The teenager insists his professional success has not affected his personal life,and says his interests include photography and playing the guitar."My friends and I don't really talk about my success.To them I'm just a normal teenager and it doesn't change anything between us." | high18702.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "13.05 seconds."
},
"options": [
"12.97 seconds.",
"13.36 seconds.",
"13.21 seconds.",
"13.05 seconds."
],
"question": "What is Liu Xiang's top time this year?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
},
{
... | (1) Liu Xiang got another gold medal in the 110m hurdles at the East Asian Games (EAG) in Macao last Wednesday.
The 22-year-old Liu defended his EAG title in 13.21 seconds, beating Shi Dongpeng (13.36) and Japan's Kota Kumamoto (13.89).
His winning time was 0.16 seconds behind his top time this year and a further 0.08 behind this season's best: 12.97 set by Frenchman Ladji Doucoure, who beat Liu into second place in the world championships.
(2) Over 30,000 people were killed in the huge earthquake that took place in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan on October 8. Millions were left homeless after the quake destroyed houses, cutting off power and water.
The international community has responded to the countries' call for help. China has sent a rescue team, along with money and relief materials . But because of bad weather, it is difficult for them to reach those in remote areas. The United Nations warned of a possible outbreak of infectious diseases . | high17357.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "When people don't have to take it away."
},
"options": [
"When people drive in it.",
"When people don't have to take it away.",
"When it has snowed heavily.",
"When people sing in the snow."
],
"question": "When... | It is winter in many parts of the world. For some areas, that means snow. Maybe even lots of snow. If you don't have to drive in it or remove it, snow can be very beautiful. When snow covers everything around you, the world looks like a "winter wonderland". That is the name of a very popular song about winter. Richard Smith and Felix Bernard wrote the song back in 1934. There are hundreds of recordings of this happy song.
But winter is not always such a beautiful and happy time. It's cold outside. You try hard to keep warm. The days are darker and shorter. The sun rarely shines. The leaves on the trees are brown. It isn't surprising that some people are sad in winter. And some people dream about being somewhere else where it's warm and pretty--like the state of California. The Mamas and the Papas recorded this famous song "California Dreaming".
During the 1960s, many other famous rock groups released songs about winter. Here is a poetic song by Simon and Garfunkel called "A Hazy Shade of Winter". They sing about life and hope and possibilities.
In 1968, the group Blood, Sweat and Tears recorded this gentle, sad song about winter. They sing about a lost love and forgotten memories in "Sometimes in Winter".
In the early 1990s, Tori Amos wrote and recorded the beautiful song called "Winter". She enjoyed singing about winter when she was a child.
Finally, on a happier note comes this song written and recorded by Fountains of Wayne in 2003. They sing about a snowstorm in a New England town. Nothing unusual there. But instead of being sad or tense about the snow, they write a song about it. | high5610.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "compete for limited school resources for their children"
},
"options": [
"spend much on their own language learning",
"usually attend a language center with their children",
"compete for limited school resources for their chi... | Ryo Desmidt is in his first year at a kindergarten in Hong Kong and seems like an especially gifted child.He is three years old.Since he was ten months old,his mother,Momoe,has been taking him to a language center five times a week where he is taught to listen, speak and interact in English, Mandarin and Japanese.He attends a language school in the city that offers courses for children as young as a few months old.
Some parents will even pay a tutor to speak in a particular language for an hour in the belief their baby will absorb this.This is just one of the many examples of how parents in Hong Kong are trying to get ahead of the game by giving their children a competitive edge in the race for limited school places.
With a large expatriate community and an increase in mainland Chinese parents wishing to send their kids across the homer to school.Hong Kong's world class educational system is undere siege with applications.And this pressure is being felt by parents,many of whom are starting early and going to extraordinary lengths to outshine thousands of other applicants for limited pre--school opportunities,believing it will give them an advantage when it comes to securing a primary school place.
At this time of the year,parents go into a crazy queuing for application forms at schools acroos Hong Kong.According to Fung Kai Kindergarten in the city's Sheung Shui district,around 2,000 people camped out overnight to apply for only 240 available spaces on October 7--police were even called in to deal with complaints about people cutting the queue.
In Hong Kong,where formal pre--school education begins at the age of three,many prospective parents begin mapping out education plans before their children are born.Desmidt,an expat mother living in Hong Kong,revealed she started looking for potential kindergartens and playgroups during her pregnancy. | high18064.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Rickey has been involved with acting most of his life"
},
"options": [
"it's very complex to become a cartoon film voice-over actor",
"Rickey has been involved with acting most of his life",
"Rickey's mother helped him a lot ... | Would you like to be an actor, but aren't the right age or physical type for the part? Don't give up: there may be a place for you in the world of voice-acting.
_ . In addition to many appearances on television and in movies, Rickey is a voice-over actor, someone we hear but don't see. Rickey has acted since he was 6, both on and off camera. After school, his grandmother-- a manager and acting coach--helped him develop his skills by doing voice exercises and reading aloud.
Voice-over actors do many kinds of acting. They are the voices of cartoon characters on television, in movies and video games, and for communicating toys. In films, they replace the foreign language conversation with English version. They create crowd noises, make commercials, act in radio plays, and record telephone instructions and public announcements. They read books on tape and even record museum tours.
Like other actors, voice-over actors need to understand scripts, interpret characters, and breathe correctly. They have to master voice techniques, such as pacing, volume, and range. Sometimes they use their normal voices; other times they change their voices to create different characters or noises. Rickey receives his Danny Phantom scripts only a few days before he tapes each episode . He writes helpful notes on the script to guide himself on speaking his part.
Rickey practices, then tapes at the recording studio. He and the other cast members sit in a soundproof booth, acting out their characters as they read their lines into the microphones. "The cartoon gets created after we record the words, so we have to imagine everything in our mind," says Rickey. Later, the recorded words, music, and sound effects are combined with the cartoon art to create the cartoon we enjoy on TV. Sound interesting? Maybe you can have a "voice" in acting after all! | high10438.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "was thankful to Mr. Potts"
},
"options": [
"won a scholarship to George Washington University",
"was unsuccessful as a businesswoman",
"was thankful to Mr. Potts",
"disliked teaching, and gave up the job"
],
"qu... | Growing up on a tobacco farm, Emma Avery was used to hard times. When she was seven, her family's farmhouse burned to the ground. Her father made a temporary shelter, where eight people had to sleep in two beds. As soon as Emma and her four brothers and two sisters were big enough, they were out in the fields.
Emma would find her comfort in school, even as a C student, thanks to one teacher. When she moved on to middle school, Emma was alarmingly far behind her classmates. She kept her head down, trying not to be noticed, struggling to catch up, and feeling like an outsider.
Then one day, when Emma was 16, a teacher named Mr. Potts changed everything. Looking his students in the eye, Mr. Potts said, "Being a C student does not mean you do not have a valuable contribution to make. Some of you have to work in the fields in the evening and do not have time to study. But if you do your best, you have a gift to give."
The teacher's words made Emma believe she could do well, and she worked harder. In the end she won a scholarship to St. Paul's College, graduated with a degree in elementary education in 1967, and got a job in the public-school system. Then, at George Washington University, she received a master's in education in 1970, and afterwards in the same year she married Ron Smothers.
Over the next six years, Emma taught in public schools in Miami. In 1976, after saving $10,000, she opened her first restaurant in Los Angeles. Eventually Emma stopped teaching, and her business expanded to six restaurants.
In gratitude for what she has been able to achieve, Emma donates a lot. She has no idea how much money she's given away. She says, "Those I want to help are the C students who just need help, direction and confidence." | high3261.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Humanity has not placed enough value on water resources."
},
"options": [
"Only half of the world's water can be used.",
"The world population is increasing faster and faster.",
"Half of the world's water resources have been ... | Humanity uses a little less than half the water available worldwide. Yet occurrences of shortages and droughts are causing famine and distress in some areas, and industrial and agricultural by-products are polluting water supplies. Since the world's population is expected to double in the next 50 years, many experts think we are on the edge of a widespread water crisis.
But that doesn't have to be the outcome. Water shortages do not have to trouble the world---if we start valuing water more than we did in the past. Just as we began to appreciate petroleum more after the 1970s oil crises, today we must start looking at water from a fresh economic perspective. We can no longer afford to consider water a virtually free resource of which we can use as much as we like in any way we want.
Instead, for all uses except the domestic demand of the poor, governments should price water to reflect its actual value. This means charging a fee for the water itself as well as for the supply costs.
Governments should also protect this resource by providing water in more economically and environmentally sound ways. For example, often the cheapest way to provide irrigation water in the dry tropics is through small-scale projects, such as gathering rainfall in depressions and pumping it to nearby cropland.
No matter what steps governments take to provide water more efficiently, they must change their institutional and legal approaches to water use. Rather than spread control among hundreds or even thousands of local, regional, and national agencies that watch various aspects of water use, countries should set up central authorities to coordinate water policy. | high11726.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Put forward an idea."
},
"options": [
"Argue against an idea.",
"Put forward an idea.",
"Introduce some famous sayings.",
"Explain some famous sayings."
],
"question": "What does the author mainly want to do by ... | "To be or not to be".Outside the Bible, these six words are the most famous in all the literature of the world.They were spoken by Hamlet when he was thinking aloud, and they are the most famous words in Shakespeare because Hamlet was speaking not only for himself but for every thinking man and woman.To be or not to be----to live or not to live, to live richly and abundantly and eagerly, or to live dully and meanly and scarcely.A philosopher once wanted to know whether he was alive or not, which is a good question for everyone to put to himself occasionally.He answered it by saying, "I think, therefore I am."
But the best definition of existence I ever saw was one written by another philosopher who said, "To be is to be in relations." If this is true, then the more relations a living thing has, the more it is alive.To live abundantly means simply to increase the range and intensity of our relations.Unfortunately, we are so constituted that we get to love our routine.But other than our regular occupation, how much are we alive? If you are interested only in your regular occupation, you are alive only to that extent.So far as other things are concerned----poetry and prose, music, pictures, sports unselfish friendships, politics, international affairs----you are dead.
On the contrary, it is true that every time you acquire a new interest----even more, a new accomplishment----you increase your power of life.No one who is deeply interested in different kinds of subjects can remain unhappy.The real
is the person who has lost interest.
Bacon said that a man dies as often as he loses a friend.But we gain new life by contacts with new friends, and new ideas and thoughts, too.Where your thoughts are, there will be your life also.If your thoughts are limited only to your business, only to your physical welfare, only to your narrow circle of the town in which you live, then you live in a narrow restricted life.But if you are interested in the characters of a good novel, then you are living with those highly interested people; if you listen intently to fine music, you are always away from immediate surroundings and living in a world of passion and imagination.
To be or not to be ---- to live intensely and richly, or merely to exist, that depends on ourselves.Let us widen and intensify our relations.While we live, let us live. | high16049.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "the quality of South Korea's products is high"
},
"options": [
"languages in Asia are similar to each other",
"the culture is the most fashionable in the world",
"South Korea's products are the cheapest in Asia",
"the q... | From Japan to Indonesia, a certain kind of pop culture is very hot. But it doesn't come from Hollywood--it's Hallyu , the wave of Korean pop culture that has washed over Asia. It has influenced everything from music to television. And thanks to the Internet and social media, it's now spreading worldwide.
South Korea produces all types of entertainment, the most popular being music, soap operas and films. What makes Hallyu so hot in Asia? One reason is that its products are of high quality and much cheaper than western products. Another reason is that eastern cultures are similar to each other, although there are language differences.
Korean pop music, or "K-pop", ranks the first everywhere. Fans love the songs and the attractive stars. Companies like SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment help many K-pop stars, such as Super Junior, Big Bang and Rain, to succeed. They are not only popular in Asia but also enjoy popularity in the West. In 2011, Big Bang's mini-album Tonight reached the top 10 on U.S. Tunes Top Pop Albums. When SM Entertainment took their 2010 world tour to Los Angeles, only 30 percent of the 15,000 fans were Korean. Half of the audience wasn't even Asian!
One important reason for the success of Hallyu is simply the Internet. A little more than 10 years ago, Korean soap operas, movies and music reached the outside world quite slowly. They began in Korea, and then gradually spread outward, appearing in its neighboring countries where local TV and radio companies would play them. Now they are played around the world online at the same time.
YouTube is another major way to get Korean entertainment to fans everywhere. It is an inexpensive and _ way for artists to introduce their work to a larger audience. In 2010 the YouTube channels for the top three Korean entertainment groups together had nearly 800 million views from 225 different countries. | high7007.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "most children spend more time on TV or tile Internet than on playing outside"
},
"options": [
"most parents pay no attention to their children's playing",
"most schools and kindergartens have no playgrounds",
"most parents en... | Dr. Julie Coulton, a British psychologist, focuses her research on the extraordinary function of the play in the physical and spiritual development of children and Martti Bergson from the University of Helsinki shows that playing outside, in the open air, contributes to a better development of the brain.
Thus parents must encourage their children to spend as much time as possible in the open air, and at the same time, to ask schools and kindergartens to assure the small a playground outside. Recent statistics and studies show an alarming increase of the number of hours spent by children in front of the TV and the computer and a decrease of the time spent outside.
As a consequence more and more children suffer from eye problems and have to wear glasses. Also the problem of fatness among children concerns many parents who don't know what to do anymore to make their children eat healthy and balanced.
Children need a space where to develop their creativity mid parents should encourage them all the time. Too many rules hold back the child's personality and creativity and prevent them to develop the desire to know, to find out, to learn.
If you tell your child so many times: "Don't do that, don't mess the room, don't go there ...", he will lose the desire to do something, anything. Parents must watch their children without suffocating them. Should you consider they mustn't do that or this, you have to logically explain them your reasons and they will understand.
Through playing a child learns how to communicate, how to take decisions. Playing is connected to the intellectual, emotional and social progress of the child. Playing lets your children learn how to express his feelings. | high15540.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "the bigger brain the birds have, the abler they are to deal with environment"
},
"options": [
"the smaller brain the birds have, the longer they live",
"the smaller brain the birds have, the cleverer they are",
"the bigger br... | Bigger-brained birds survive better than their feathered friends with smaller brains, according to a study published on Tuesday.
Scientists have suspected that birds with large brains in relation to their body size lived longer because they were able to adapt their behavior to environmental challenges.
Now they have provided evidence that it does.
"We have tested the hypothesis that the brain can buffer animals against the environment and help them to survive when they face environmental challenges," said Daniel Sol of the Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications in Barcelona, Spain.
After comparing death rates, brain size and body mass of 236 species of birds from different regions of the world, Sol and scientists in Britain, Hungary and Canada discovered that the bigger the brain the better. Crows and parrots have the largest brains, while pheasants have a relatively small brain.
Earlier studies have shown there is a relationship between the size of the brain and an animal's capacity to create new behavior and adapt more easily.
"The idea is that if you have a big brain, you are more capable of adjusting behavior and responding to environmental changes. This can help you to survive," said Sol, who reported the finding in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.
Tamas Szekely of the University of Bath in England and a co-author of the report, said birds were ideal to test the hypothesis because they are the only species in which brain size and behavioral response to environmental challenges such as climate and habitat destruction is understood. | high8334.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "The type of tea and coffee."
},
"options": [
"Health histories.",
"Height and weight.",
"Waist circumference.",
"The type of tea and coffee."
],
"question": "Which of the following variables haven't been conside... | If drinking coffee or tea has become part of your daily routine, you might wonder what it's doing to your long-term heart health. New research from Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, a journal of the American Heart Association, found that high tea consumption and proper coffee consumption may be associated with decreased rates of death from coronary heart disease ( CHD) .
The study followed more than 37,000 tea and coffee drinkers over 13 years. Participants completed food recalls to document their typical intake of tea and coffee, and were divided into groups that ranged from light to heavy consumption. Researchers accounted for variables such as health histories, height, weight, and waist circumference and recorded the number of deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke during the study period.
Overall results showed that consuming more than six cups of tea per day was associated with a 36% lower risk of death from heart disease compared to consuming less than one cup of tea per day. There appeared to be no such protective effect of tea-drinking at any amount for risk of death from stroke. Among coffee drinkers, more proper consumption levels (2-3 cups per day) were associated with the greatest risk reduction for death from heart disease (21% ) compared to drinking less than one cup of coffee per day.
Researchers acknowledged certain inconclusive variables within their findings. For example, the difference between decaffeinated and regular coffee could not be accurately accounted for, nor could specific recommendations be made for type of tea, though due to its popularity in the Netherlands where the study took place, researchers assumed most tea consumption to be black tea.
Furthermore, researchers found that tea and coffee drinkers had opposite lifestyles, with tea drinkers tending to engage in healthy lifestyle habits and coffee drinkers being more likely to eat less healthy and smoke. It was difficult to say with certainty what impact these other lifestyle variables may have contributed to the overall results. | high13131.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "an advertisement"
},
"options": [
"a report",
"a letter",
"an announcement",
"an advertisement"
],
"question": "The above is most probably _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
... | Suppose a key man in your firm had just met with a terrible accident. The doctor tell you that this man upon whom you depend for directing sales, checking your books or for performing some other important roles, will be laid up for months, You'd have to replace him, wouldn't you? And probably at a pay about equal to his ?
Then you'd be faced with double paying for one job because stopping the pay of an injured man would simply be out of the question.
You can prevent this kind of unproductive outgo on your payroll by providing your key man with the protection of Travelers Business Accident Insurance!
This insurance provides total medical expense and a weekly income in case a key man is disabled for some time. Should the disability prove everlasting, an income for life is certainty. Why not make out a list of your key men now? Then get together with Travelers Insurance Company, and let us tell you how little it costs to apply this much needed protection to your business.
Write and we'll serve you! | high1476.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "density and efficiency"
},
"options": [
"buildings and trees",
"density and efficiency",
"sunlight and nature",
"transport and population"
],
"question": "Manhattan is considered as the greenest place in America... | What's the greenest place in America? If you answered something like the warm sunlight of Santa Barbara, you'd be wrong. The greenest place in America has almost no sign of nature-- the buildings outnumber the trees-- and the air isn't all that great. What it has is density and efficiency-- the twin qualities that finally define green in the global warming time. Applying those standards,the greenest place in America is New York City-- particularly,the overcrowded,overpriced island of Manhattan, which produces 30% less per-capita greenhouse gas than that of the nation.
It's that density that makes Manhattan so green. Manhattan's population density is 800 times the national average. Density comes with negatives,certainly-- small living spaces,air pollution-- but it also enables amazing efficiencies.Over 80% of Manhattanites travel to work by public transport, by bike or on foot-- compared to an average of about 8% everywhere else in the country. Manhattan's apartment buildings are far more energy-efficient than the houses in the suburbs.
What's true of New York City is more or less true of other American urban areas, which explains why a growing part of the environmental movement now focuses on greening cities, hoping to attract more Americans back downtown. There's an effort to make cities more sustainable ,by improving public transport,reducing air pollution and upgrading energy efficiency. But even more important, it is quite urgent to change decades of government policies that have been in favor of the suburbs,with disastrous consequences for energy,the environment and the climate.
That's exactly the difficult point. For all the high efficiency and convenience and richness of living in a city,there are disadvantages too.New York,for example,has some of the highest childhood asthma rates in the U.S.
So it's welcome news that New York has continued to push its P1aNYC scheme, a long-term program to make the city greener and more sustainable over the next decades. Recently _ announced an update to the plan that includes _ heavy heating oils in New York City apartment buildings by 2030,to be replaced with cleaner natural gas. | high6319.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Ways for future shopping"
},
"options": [
"Ways for future shopping",
"Influence of new technology",
"Inventions to change habits",
"A new time-traveling machine"
],
"question": "What's the best title for this t... | You don't need to get in a time-traveling machine to see how technology will reshape our lives, such as the way we shop.Several new technologies that are to change your buying habits already exist.Let's see what's in store for your future shopping.
Try it on, virtually .Want to shop online for a new pair of eyeglasses? You don't need to guess which pair looks best on you. Go and see the eBay Fashion iPhone app to try a pair of eyewear you're checking out on a picture of your face.But what if you want to buy something bigger? Thanks to Microsoft Kinect's motion tracking camera, you can cover clothes on your screen body.You can even choose the background of your virtual fitting room to enrich your shopping experience.
Get a perfect, custom fit.Everyone's body is shaped differently.To get a perfect fit, you sometimes have to get your clothes changed.But by using 3D scanning technology, all the clothes you buy will fit your body perfectly.Some companies scan your body using High-tech to get the most accurate measurements, so they can make special clothes just for you.
High-tech shopping carts and checkout counters.High-tech shopping carts could, in time, be a common sight in malls and supermarkets.Microsoft Kinect-enabled carts are currently under test.The cart can follow you along the aisles , controlled merely by your movement and your voice.In China, a supermarket chain introduced tablet-equipped carts that guide shoppers around the stores' aisles.
In the United States, several supermarkets use a device called Scan It that gives buyers the freedom to scan purchases on their own while they shop.While it's great not having to line up at a checkout counter, we wouldn't mind it if the store used Toshiba's new Object Recognition Scanner.The machine identifies a product as soon as it's placed in front of a camera just by its shape and color, even if it has no bar code. | high5638.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "The risk to a popular banana shows need to grow other kinds."
},
"options": [
"Bananas are the world's most important food crops.",
"There are five hundred different kinds of bananas.",
"The risk to a popular banana shows nee... | Recently, some concerns have been raised about the health of the world's banana plants. Many media reports have said that bananas may completely disappear in the coming ten years.
Bananas are one of the world's most important food crops. They are also the fourth most valuable export. Bananas do not grow from seeds. Instead, they grow from existing plants. Bananas are threatened by disease because all the plants on a farm are copies of each other. They all share the same genetic weaknesses.
For example, the Cavendish banana is most popular in American markets. It is an important export crop. However, some kinds of fungus organisms easily infect the Cavendish. Black Sigatoka disease affects the leaves of Cavendish banana plants. The disease is controlled on large farms by putting chemicals on the plant's leaves. Farmers put anti-fungal chemicals on their crops up to once a week.
Another fungal disease is more serious. Panama disease attacks the roots of the banana plant. There is no chemical treatment for this disease. Infected plants must be destroyed. Panama disease has affected crops in Southeast Asia, Australia and South Africa. There is concern that it may spread to bananas grown in the Americas. This could threaten an important export product for Central and South America.
The International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain, whose headquarter lies in France, supports research on bananas. The group says that more research must be done to develop improved kinds of bananas.
The group says that fungal diseases mainly affect only one kind of banana. In fact, there are five-hundred different kinds of bananas. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization says the Cavendish banana represents only ten percent of world production.
The UN agency says farmers should grow different kinds of bananas. This protects against diseases that affect only one kind. Experts warn that disease may cause the Cavendish banana to disappear. This has already happened to one popular banana because of its genetic weakness against disease. (words: 335) | high2157.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Later classes,fewer sleepy teens"
},
"options": [
"Later classes,fewer sleepy teens",
"Early birds have good food",
"Early to bed and early to rise",
"Fewer classes,more happiness"
],
"question": "What's the bes... | About half American teenagers do not get enough sleep on school nights.They get an average of sixty to ninety minutes less than experts say they need.
One reason for _ is biology.Experts say teens are biologically programmed to go to sleep later and wake up later than other age groups.Yet many schools start classes as early as seven in the morning.As a result,many students go to class feeling like sixteenyearold Danny.He is an active teen-- except in the morning."Getting up in the morning is pretty terrible.I'm just very out of it and tired.Through the first and second period I can hardly stay awake," he said.
Michael Breus is a psychologist.Teens,he says,need to sleep eight to nine hours or even nine to ten hours a night.He says sleepy teens can experience a form of depression that could have big influence on their general well being.It can affect not just their ability in the classroom but also on the sports field and on the road.So what can schools do about sleepy students?The psychologist says one thing they can do is to start classes later in the morning.Studies show that students can improve by a full letter grade in their first and second period classes.
Eric Peterson is the head of St.George's School in the northeastern state of Rhode Island.He wanted to see if a thirtyminute delay would make a difference.It did.He says visits to the health center by tired students decreased by half.Late arrivals to the first period fell by a third.And students reported that they were less sleepy during the day.Eric Peterson knows that changing start times is easier at a small school like his.But he is hopeful that other schools will find a way. | high3249.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "She lost her direction."
},
"options": [
"She lost her direction.",
"The altimeter went out of order.",
"Her engine went wrong.",
"She was caught in a storm."
],
"question": "Which of the following statements is... | The year was 1932. Amelia Earhart was flying alone from North America to England in a small single-engined aeroplane. At midnight, several hours after she had left Newfoundland, she ran into bad weather. To make things worse, her altimeter failed and she didn't know how high she was flying. At night, and in a storm, a pilot is in great difficulty without an altimeter. At times, her plane nearly plunged into the sea.
Just before dawn, there was further trouble. Amelia noticed flames coming from the engine. Would she be able to reach land? There was nothing to do except to keep going and to hope.
In the end, Amelia Earhart did reach Ireland, and for the courage she had shown, she was warmly welcomed in England and Europe. When she returned to the United States, she was honored by President Hoover at a special dinner in the White House. From that time on, Amelia Earhart was famous.
What was so important about her flight? Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly the Atlantic Ocean alone, and she had set a record of fourteen hours and fifty-six minutes.
In the years that followed, Amelia Earhart made several flights across the United States, and on each occasion she set a new record for flying time. Amelia Earhart made these flights to show that women had a place in aviation and that air travel was useful. | high4526.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "the author was the youngest child in his family"
},
"options": [
"Jackie worked in the hospice as a volunteer.",
"the author's mother left him when he was two",
"the author was the youngest child in his family",
"the au... | I asked Jackie a lot of questions. I asked if she became close to her patients. She said, "Some I do, especially if I have become their close friends and they tell me things they wouldn't tell anyone else. I've found it harder for the patient's family to accept what's happening. In most cases, the dying person has accepted the truth."
I asked her how she could do this work for so long. She said, "I have taken care of 3,000people over 37years. I consider dying to be a very important part of life. I feel good because I can make these people's journey easier."
Jackie was the mother I have never had. My own mother, Helen, was taken away from me right after I was born. I never knew her. And I had a strange relationship with my father. He was a Sunday father. Since my sister and I lived in foster homes, he came to visit only on Sundays.
But at the hospice , nurse Jackie gave me hope, love and encouragement. She listened to all my stories, and I listened to hers. It was a comfort. The nurses had told my family that death was coming near. As time went on, I became the star patient at the hospice, because I didn't go according to plans. My kidneys started working again and could function without dialysis . It was a mystery to my doctors. My friends said It was a _ . But I knew what actually cured me.
The employees showed me off to other patients and being the ham I was, I enjoyed. | high19352.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "How you live."
},
"options": [
"How you die.",
"When you die.",
"How you live.",
"When you succeed."
],
"question": "57.According to the author, what can you decide?",
"question_type": null
},
{
"ans... | One day my teacher said, "
." From that moment, I knew I had to enjoy my life.Do not waste time, because, you know, time will not come back.You cannot buy it.It is one of those things in life that you must really, really value.
When you see an opportunity, take it.You might not get it back.Never let an opportunity pass.And if it is too hard, remember that in the middle of every difficulty lies an opportunity.
Remember, you cannot choose how you' re going to die, or when.You can only decide how you' re going to live.Study as if you were going to live forever; live as if you were going to die tomorrow.Don' t just think of the present, but also think of your future. Your future is yet another chapter in your life and another way to live it.
Every single living thing has a purpose in life."The purpose of life is a life of purpose," said Robert Byre.
Learn to use time wisely, take opportunities, and enjoy life.We can discover the meaning of life in three different ways: (1) by doing a deed; (2) by experiencing a value; (3) by suffering.Life. | high16061.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "be realized in the years"
},
"options": [
"be carried out in the major areas of illiteracy like Africa.",
"be realized in the years",
"be drawn up by Parisian experts",
"be discussed at an international conference"
... | It is estimated that some seven hundred million people, about half the world's adult population, are unable to read or write, and there are probably two hundred and fifty million more whose level is so slight that it is hardly called literacy .
Recently the attack on illiteracy had been stepped up. A world plan has been drawn up by a committee of UNESCO experts in Paris, as part of the United Nations Development Decade ,and an international conference of the subject has also been held. UNESCO stresses that functional literacy is the aim. People must learn the basic skills of responsible citizenship, the ability of reading notices, newspapers, timetables, letters, price-lists to keep simple records and accounts, to select the importance of the information gathered, and to fill in the forms.
The major areas of illiteracy are in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. In Africa there are at least one hundred million illiterate people, which is eighty to eighty-five percent of the total population. In Europe the figure is about twenty-four million; most of them are in Sothern Europe, with Spain, Italy, Portugal, Yugoslavia heading the list (the United Kingdom has about seven hundred thousand).
UNESGO is eager for each country in the world, poor or rich, to wipe out illiteracy. | high15568.txt |
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