questions list | article stringlengths 9 6.44k | id stringlengths 9 14 |
|---|---|---|
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "always a hot topic in people's lives"
},
"options": [
"not important to most people",
"sometimes the only comfort to sick people",
"a matter of life and death to the rich",
"always a hot topic in people's lives"
],
... | Hardly a day goes by without the subject of money being raised in most people's lives. However, it is highly debatable whether money is more important than other things, such as health and happiness, which some people consider to be of greater significance.
To begin with, it is often argued that having money enables people to exert their influence over others. Wealthy businessmen, for example, are often the most highly respected members of society, and business tycoons are often referred to by world leaders, who then make policies that affect the whole population. As a result, money can be seen as the single most important factor in everyday life.
Secondly, from the point of view of the individual, money is vital for survival. Western society is structured in such a way that, without money, people cannot get proper nutrition and health care. Furthermore, in some cases, the inability to pay heating bills can indeed become a matter of life and death.
On the other hand, many people say that one of the factors in life, which is undoubtedly of greater importance than money, is health. As Izaak Walton said, health is, "a blessing that money cannot buy". What is more, money is sometimes of little comfort to those who are suffering from health problems. Despite the fact that money can buy the best medical care available, it is not a guarantee of a longer life.
In addition, most people would agree that personal happiness easily outweighs money in importance. Even if an individual is extremely rich, this does not necessarily lead to happiness. In some cases, the contrary is true, and vast wealth brings a whole range of problems. Genuine happiness cannot be bought and it is usually independent of financial status.
On the whole, although there are those who would rank money as the single most important thing in life, we, the vast majority, would disagree. | high22105.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "introduce you to a job"
},
"options": [
"introduce you to a job",
"enrich your knowledge about pets",
"advertise for a business",
"tell you more about life in New York"
],
"question": "By writing the passage the... | Dog walkers provide a 20-to-60-minute daily walk for a client's dog,making sure the dog answers the call of nature and gets proper exercise.They often walk more than one dog at a time.Some walkers work for dog-walking services,especially when starting out.Others have their own businesses,and build by word of mouth and advertising.Dog walkers often work part-time,and some provide other services like pet sitting or transporting.
In N.Y.City,dog walkers usually earn about $25 an hour.If you work for a dog-walking business,you may earn less-if you are on your own dealing with several dogs at the same time,it may be more.
What do you have to do to be a dog walker?
First,have a real love of dogs,and have a good knowledge of how to get on with dogs.Try calling dog-walking services to find out about openings.If you're on your own,you'll need to network and market yourself.You might advertise your services in pet offices,grooming businesses,or neighborhood papers.You will need business cards and a mobile phone,and have good references and a clean background.You'll also have to deal with taxes and insurance.You should be physically fit,friendly,neatly dressed and extremely dependable.Many dog walkers are bonded and insured,and this is a definite selling point to clients.
Of course,you will be cleaning up dog waste!You will also be outside in all kinds of weather.You may have to deal with dogs that don't like each other,and difficult owners.It's also an up and down kind of business-clients can come and go.
For pet lovers,spending the workday with dogs instead of navigating office politics is its own reward!You are your own boss-you can dress casually,your doggy clients will love you unconditionally,and you'll get some great exercise! | high22111.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "a serious illness"
},
"options": [
"a barrier to personal contact",
"fewer friends",
"an escape from reality",
"a serious illness"
],
"question": "Cell phone addiction has caused the following effects EXCEPT _ ... | When you get in your car, you reach for it. When you're at work, you take a break to have a moment alone with it. When you get into a lift, you play with it.
Cigarette? Cup of coffee? No, it's the third most addictive thing in modem life, the cell phone. And experts say it is becoming more difficult for many people to _ their longing to hug it more tightly than most of their personal relationships.
The costs are becoming more and more evident, and I don't mean just the monthly bill. Dr. Chris Knippers, a counselor at the Betty ford Center in Southern California, reports that the overuse of cell phones has become a social problem not much different from other harmful addictions: a barrier to one-on-one personal contact, and an escape from reality. Sounds extreme, but we' ve all witnessed the evidence: The person at a restaurant who talks on the phone through an entire meal, ignoring his kids around the table; the woman who talks on the phone in the car, ignoring her husband; the teen who texts messages all the way home from school, avoiding contact with kids all around him. Jim Williams, an industrial sociologist based in Massachusetts, notes that cell - phone addiction is part of a set of symptoms in a widening gulf of personal separation. He points to a study by Duke University researchers that found one-quarter of Americans say they have no one to discuss their most important personal business with. Despite the growing use of phones, e - mail and instant messaging, in other words, Williams says studies show that we don't have as many friends as our parents. " Just as more information has led to less wisdom, more acquaintances via the Internet and cell phones have produced fewer friends," he says.
If the cell phone has truly had these effects, it's because it has become very widespread. Consider that in 1987, there were only l million cell phones in use. Today, something like 300 million Americans carry them. They far outnumber wired phones in the United States. | high1853.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Having a cigarette before going to bed every day."
},
"options": [
"Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.",
"Do proper exercise in the morning every day.",
"Drinking alcohol in the proper amount every day.",
... | To get an extra 14 years of life, don't smoke, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly and drink alcohol in a proper amount.That is according to a study published this Monday in the Public Library of Science Medicine Journal.
After tracking more than 20,000 people aged 45 to 79 years in the United Kingdom from about 1993 to 2007, Kay-Tee Khaw of the University of Cambridge and his colleagues found that people who adopted these four healthy habits lived all average of 14 years longer than those who didn't.
"We've known for a long time that these behaviors are good things to do, but we've not seen this benefit before, "said Susan Jebb, head of Nutrition and Health at Britain's Medical Research Council."The benefit was also seen regardless of whether or not people were fat and what social class they came from."
Study participants scored a point each for not smoking, regular physical activity, eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day and moderate alcohol intake.
Public health experts said they hoped the study would inspire governments to introduce policies helping people to adopt these changes.But because the study only observed people rather than testing specific changes, it would be impossible to conclude that people who suddenly adopted these healthy behaviors would surely gain 14 years.
"We can't say that any person could gain 14 years by doing these things, "said Dr.Tim Armstrong, a physical activity expert at the World Health Organization."The 14 years is an average across the population of what's theoretically possible."
"Most people know that things like a good diet matter and that smoking isn't good for them, "Susan Jebb said."We need to work on providing people with much more practical support to help them change." | high2382.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "in Rome"
},
"options": [
"in Rome",
"by the eighteen century",
"in Greece",
"during the Middle Ages"
],
"question": "In Europe, the umbrella was first used against the rain _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_q... | Nobody knows who first invented it, but the umbrella was used in very ancient times. Probably the first to use it were the Chinese, back in the eleventh century B.C. To use it seems so natural to put up an umbrella to keep the water off when it rains. But actually the umbrella was not invented as protection against rain. It was first used as a shade against the sun.
We know it was used in ancient Egypt and Babylon as a sunshade. And there was a strange thing connected with its use; it became a symbol of honor and _ . In the Far East in ancient times, the umbrella was allowed to be used only by royal people or by those in high office.
In Europe, the Greeks were the first to use the umbrella as a sunshade. And the umbrella was in common use in ancient Greece. But it is believed that the first persons in Europe to use the umbrellas as protection against the rain were the ancient Romans.
During the Middle Ages, the use of the umbrella practically disappeared. Then it appeared again in Italy in the late 16thcentury. And again it became a symbol of power and authority. By 1680, the umbrella appeared in France, and later on in England.
By the eighteenth century, the umbrella was used against rain throughout most of Europe. Umbrellas have not changed much in style during all this time, though they have become much lighter in weight. It wasn't until the twentieth century that women's umbrellas began to be made in a variety of color1s. | high20706.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "live longer than those in the wild"
},
"options": [
"have difficulty in finding food",
"often struggle with each other",
"live longer than those in the wild",
"will often fight with their enemies"
],
"question":... | Most people think zoos are safe for animals, where struggles such as difficulty in finding food and avoiding natural enemies don't exist. Without such problems, animals in zoos should live to an old age. But that may not be true for the largest land animals on earth. Scientists have known that elephants in zoos often suffer from poor health. They develop diseases and behaviour changes. Sometimes, they even become infertile, or unable to have babies.
To learn more about how elephants are affected, a team of international scientists compared the life spans of elephants born in zoos with those living outdoors in their native lands. Zoos keep detailed records of all the animals, such as birth dates, illnesses, weight and death. These records made it possible for the researchers to analyse 40 years of data on 800 African and Asian elephants in zoos across Europe. The team found that female African elephants born in zoos lived an average of 16.9 years while those in the wild lived an average of 56 years. Scientists don't yet know why wild elephants seem to be so much better than their zooraised elephants. Georgia Mason, a biologist who led the study, thinks stress and obesity may be to blame. Zoo elephants don't get the same kind of exercise they would in the wild, and most are fat.
Another finding from the study showed that Asian elephants born in zoos were more likely to die early than Asian elephants caught in the wild and brought to zoos. Mason suggests stress in the mothers in zoos might cause them to have babies that are less likely to survive. | high18299.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "He had an attention disorder"
},
"options": [
"He was new to the class",
"He was tired of literature",
"He had an attention disorder",
"He wanted to take the task home"
],
"question": "The author didn't finish t... | At thirteen, I was diagnosed with kind of attention disorder. It made school difficult for me. When everyone else in the class was focusing on tasks, I could not.
In my first literature class, Mrs.Smith asked us to read a story and then write on it, all within 45 minutes. I raised my hand right away and said,"Mrs.Smith, you see, the doctor said I have attention problems. I might not be able to do it."
She glanced down at me through her glasses, "you are no different from your classmates, young man."
I tried, but I didn't finish the reading when the bell rang. I had to take it home.
In the quietness of my bedroom, the story suddenly all became clear to me. It was about a blind person, Louis Braille. He lived in a time when the blind couldn't get much education. But Louis didn't give up. Instead, he invented a reading system of raised dots , which opened up a whole new world of knowledge to the blind.
Wasn't I the "blind" in my class, being made to learn like the "sighted" students? My thoughts spilled out and my pen started to dance. I completed the task within 40 minutes. Indeed, I was no different from others; I just needed a quieter place. If Louis could find his way out of his problems, why should I ever give up?
I didn't expect anything when I handed in my paper to Mrs.Smith, so it was quite a surprise when it came back to me the next day- with an"A" on it. At the bottom of the paper were these words:" See what you can do when you keep trying?" | high19187.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "the experience of buying a car"
},
"options": [
"saving money charging",
"quarrelling with the dealers",
"the experience of buying a car",
"regretting buying a new Civic"
],
"question": "This text mainly tells a... | In 1996 I wanted to buy a Honda Civic. I went to the local dealer. "Oh, you want a Civic, do you?" said the fellow. "And I suppose you'd also like us to throw in a couple of front-row Superbowl tickets? Haw! Haw! Haw! Haw!"
When his laughter ended, he explained that the Civic was such a hit in Europe that Honda was getting an extra $ 2,000 per car there, making Civic practically unavailable in the States. But he did offer to let me add my name to the waiting list--if I agreed to pay $1,000 over the sticker price.
When Honda dealerships No. 2 and No. 3 gave me the same story, I was ready to try anything. I carefully looked over to www.autobytel.com. For a _ like me, Auto-By-Tel's scheme is nearly irresistible. You indicate the car you want to buy, compete with the freedom to choose. The nearest participating car dealer mails you back with a cut rate offer. There's no charge for any of this -- and no obligation to accept the offer. It surely seemed no less to me.
Sure enough, two days later, a dealer 30 minutes away wrote me. "Unfortunately, 96 Civics are in very short supply," his message said, "The best we can offer you is $1,200 under sticker price. "I was in happiness. Ah! Bliss! Ah, saving! Ah, revenge!
When I picked up the car, it got better. Since there was no haggling , the dealership fellow was friendly and congratulatory instead of everything. Now this, I thought, is the way to buy a car.
Auto-By-Tel makes money by charging a fee to each participating dealer. The dealers make money by receiving hundreds of ready-to-buy customer names off the Web. And you save money because your price doesn't reflect advertising, test drives, sales commissions, and so on.
My only regret is that I didn't think up Auto-By-Tel first. | high17814.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "changes have taken place in both the appearance and the concept of banks"
},
"options": [
"money is not as valuable as it was in the past",
"changes have taken place in both the appearance and the concept of banks",
"the arch... | My father' s response to the bank building at 43rd Street and Fifth Avenue in New York city was immediate and definite: "You won' t catch me putting my money in there!" he declared, "Not in that glass box. "
Of course, my father is a gentleman of the old school, a member of the generation to whom a good deal of modern architecture is upsetting, but I believe that his negative response was not so much to the architecture as to a violation of his concept of the nature of money.
In his generation money was thought of as a real commodity that could be carried, or stolen. Therefore, to attract the custom of a sensible man, a bank had to have heavy walls, barred windows, and bronze doors, to make sure of the fact, however, untrue, that money would be safe inside. If a building' s design made it appear strong, the institution was necessarily reliable, and the meaning of the heavy wall as an architecture symbol showed the general attitude toward money.
But the attitude toward money has, of course, changed. Except pocket money, cash of any kind is now rarely used; money as a tangible commodity has largely been replaced by credit. The banker no longer offers us a safe: he offers us a service in which the most valuable factor is the creativity for the invention of large numbers. It is in no way surprising, in view of this change in attitude, that we are witnessing the disappearance of the heavy-walled bank.
Just as the older bank emphasized its strength, this bank by its architecture is proud of imaginative powers. | high20060.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "The time you need for sleep is related to your state of mind."
},
"options": [
"Experts' guideline for sleeping time applies to all the people.",
"The time you need for sleep is related to your state of mind.",
"The less you ... | There's nothing like a good night's sleep -- but what does that really mean? It turns out that the answer depends not only on your age, but also on your lifestyle. Some people are productive and happy with fewer hours of sleep, while others need more. Still, experts can determine guidelines that work for most people. The National Sleep Foundation researched the topic and gave new recommendations this week. The foundation acknowledges that sleep needs will vary -- lifestyle and stress should be taken into consideration -- but their recommendations offer a general guideline. For example, teenagers (14 --17 years old) need 8--10 hours' sleep every day.
To create the recommendations, some sleep and medical experts reviewed 312 articles from journals published during the last decade. This is the first time that any professional organization has developed age-specific recommended sleep durations based on a systematic review of the world scientific literature.
A lack of sleep can be linked to weight gain, because that causes an increase in appetite, according to the foundation. It can also have serious consequences on the brain. People who do not get enough sleep are at increased risk for depression, and can endanger others. Those that become sleepy while driving, for example, risk both their lives and the lives of those around them.
Researchers also have found in the past that too much sleep can have negative effects. Low socioeconomic status and depression reportedly are significantly associated with longer sleep. However, experts nowadays find that research on oversleeping is still unconvincing and needs more attention. Currently, there is no strong evidence that sleeping too much has health consequences. There is, however, laboratory evidence that short sleep durations of four to five hours have negative consequences. We need similar laboratory studies to determine whether long sleep durations result in physiological changes that could lead to disease before we make any recommendations against sleep extension. | high19839.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "was a separate country before the 18th century"
},
"options": [
"had been an independent country by the 19th century",
"had been a dependent country by the 18th century",
"was a separate country before the 18th century",
... | A lot of people think Scotland is a part of England , but, as any Scotsman will tell you , it certainly is not. In fact, until the eighteenth century Scotland was an independent country, with a parliament of its own. The English had tried many times over many centuries to bring Scotland under their rule. They succeeded at last in 1707, and some Scots have never forgiven them.
Scotland is now governed from London, but in some ways it is still a separate nation. It has its own capital city(Edinburgh),its own law, and its own stamps, it even has a language of its own, spoken now by only a few people in the islands.
In some ways Southern Scotland is like England, with his good farmland and low green hills. Central and Northern (the Highlands) have high mountains and deep valleys, fast rivers and cold lakes. These days, of course, there are good roads and railways all through Scotland. Aberdeen, the northeast city where the oil from the North Sea comes to land, is especially easy to reach. But it can still be quite different to travel in the winter when the hills are covered with snow. It always takes a long time to visit the beautiful but far-off islands on the west coast. One reason why Scotland has stayed so different from England is the wildness of the land. It has always been difficult to get around there. | high24206.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "her baby was born imperfect"
},
"options": [
"her baby was born without hair",
"her baby had a tiny face",
"her baby was born imperfect",
"the doctor turned to look out of the window"
],
"question": "The mother ... | When she moved the covering cloth to look upon his tiny face, she was shocked. The doctor turned quickly and looked out the tall hospital window. The baby had been born without ears.
Time proved that the baby's hearing was perfect. When he rushed home from school one day and threw himself into his mother's arms, she sighed, knowing that his life was to be full of heart- breaks for his imperfect appearance.
He grew up, handsome for his misfortune and popular with his fellow students. He might have been class monitor,but for that. He developed a gift, a talent for literature and music.
Two years went by. One day, his father said to the son, "You're going to the hospital, son. Mother and I have someone who will donate the ears you need. But it's a secret." The operation was a brilliant success, and a new person turned up. His talents blossomed into genius, and his school and college became a series of success. Later he married and entered the diplomatic service.
One day ,he urged his father, "Who gave so much for me?I must know! I could never do enough for him."
"I do not believe you could, " said the father, "but the agreement was that you are not to know... not yet."
The years kept their secret, but the day did come--- one of the darkest days that a son must endure. He stood with his father over his mother's casket . Slowly, tenderly, the father reached out a hand and raised the thick, reddish-brown hair to show that the mother had no outer ears.
"Mother said she was glad she never let her hair be cut, " he whispered gently, "and nobody ever thought Mother less beautiful, did they?"
Real beauty lies not in the physical appearance,but in the heart. Real treasure lies not in what can be seen,but in what cannot be seen. Real love lies not in what is done and known, but in what is done and not known. | high8877.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "They showed strong disbelief."
},
"options": [
"They lost balance in excitement.",
"They expressed little interest.",
"They showed strong disbelief.",
"They burst into cheers."
],
"question": "How did the archit... | Clay Wanner began to gather a group of architects in Las Vegas a few years ago,to ask them what it would take to design a public school that used 50 percent less energy, cost much less to build and obviously improved student learning. "I think half of them fell off their chairs, " Wanner says.
Wanner manages school facilities for Clark County, Nevada,a district roughly the size of Massachusetts. By 2018,143,000 additional students will enter the already crowded public education system. Wanner needs 73 new schools to house them. Four architecture teams have nearly finished designing primary school prototypes ;they plan to construct their schools starting in 2009. The district will then assess how well the schools perform, and three winners will copy those designs in 50 to 70 new buildings.
Green schools are appearing all over, but in Clark County,which stands out for its vastness, such aggressive targets are difficult because design requirements like more natural light for students go against the realities of a desert climate. "One of the biggest challenges is getting the right site orientation ," Mark McGinty, a director at SH Architecture, says. His firm recently completed a high school in Las Vegas. "You have the same building, same set of windows, but if its orientation is incorrect and it faces the sun, it will be really expensive to cool."
Surprisingly, the man who is responsible for one of the most progressive green-design competitions has doubts about ideas of eco-friendly buildings. "I don't believe in the new green religion," Wanner says."Some of the building technologies that you get are impractical. I'm interested in those that work. "But he wouldn't mind if some green features inspire students. He says he hopes to set up green energy systems that allow them to learn about the process of harvesting wind and solar power. "You never know what's going to start the interest of a child to study math and science,"he says. | high6682.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Changes to the American lifestyle."
},
"options": [
"The interpretation of \"the American dream\".",
"The significance of the current economic crisis.",
"The traditional American way of life.",
"Changes to the American ... | Many people would interpret "the American dream" as "living like an American" --- a two-story house with a white picket fence ; a family with two cars; and two children.
However, the current economic situation is affecting the American way of life for 4.4 million people living in the US, according to a new census data. "It's going to have a long-term impact and to say it's going to end is optimitic," says Cheryl Russell, former editor-in-chief of American Demographics magazine. "We're just in the middle of a big transition."
So what is the new normal?
*Marrying later. The average age of the first marriage has increased to 28.7 for men and 26.7 for women, up from 27.5 and 25.9 respectively in 2006.
*Fewer babies. There were 200,000 fewer births among women aged 20 to 34 in 2010 compared with two years before. This was despite the fact that the number of women of child bearing age had gone up by more than 1 million.
*Breaking up is harder. The number of divorces has been falling for 25 years as people wait longer or choose to live together before tying the knot. There were about 65,000 fewer divorces in 2010 than in 2008, a 7 percent decrease.
*Crowded living. Unemployment is forcing more people to live together. Ther number of households where people lived with "other s" climbed from 6.7 percent in 2006 to 7.2 percent in 2010.
*Going public. Private school enrollment decreased from 13.6 percent in 2006 to 12.8 percent in 2010.
*Fewer cars. The percentage of households without a car rose again to 9.1 percent against 8.8 percent in 2006. The percentage of households with two or more cars fell from 58 percent to 57.1 percent. | high23569.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "gun control"
},
"options": [
"personal possessions",
"American culture",
"personal rights",
"gun control"
],
"question": "The writer's purpose is to give his opinion about _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_que... | As a foreigner,I don' t know the situation in the US well. Seeing all kinds of recent shooting incidents,I think it should be controlled more strictly than now. Somebody said that the person who has it in mind to kill another can do it without a gun,so the causes of murders are not guns but the trend of despising life in the US. And they also insist that there is no clear evidence that the increasing number of murders is connected with possession of guns,so the personal rights should not be restricted by the reason that there is not enough evidence.
Several months ago,I agreed with that partly. But as we know,the private groups like NRA have used the public opinion and persuaded the government to protect their profit. Other weapons such as knives,razors ,bats are made for their own usage. But guns are made for only one reason--to kill someone. Of course,there are people who have guns to protect themselves from the criminals. But crime is getting more cruel and severe nowadays,so actually even if someone has a gun,it is impossible to guard himself completely.
As a substitute ,I think,if the possession of guns is controlled more strictly,people can live safer lives than now. There are other reasons to oppose the gun control (e.g.the possession of guns is historical inheritance and represents that people's resistance will be against tyrannical government),but none of them can justify and explain today's serious situation in the US. | high22677.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "He had been searched."
},
"options": [
"He had lost contact with his family.",
"He had been forbidden to smoke.",
"He had been searched.",
"He had killed someone."
],
"question": "What do we know about the man f... | I was sure that I was to be killed. I became terribly nervous. I fumbled in my pockets to see if there were any cigarettes, which had escaped their search. I found one and because of my shaking hands, I could barely get it to my lips. But I had no matches, they had taken those. I looked through the bars at the guard. He did not make eye contact with me. I called out to him "Have you got a light?" He looked at me, shrugged and came over to light my cigarette. As he came close and lit the match, his eyes unconsciously locked with mine. At that moment, I smiled. I don't know why I did that. Perhaps it was nervousness, perhaps it was because, when you get very close, one to another, it is very hard not to smile. In any case, I smiled. In that instant, it was as though a spark jumped across the gap between our two hearts, our two human souls. I know he didn't want to, but my smile leaped through the bars and caused a smile on his lips, too. He lit my cigarette but stayed near, looking at me directly in the eyes and continuing to smile.
I kept smiling at him, now thinking of him as a person and not just a guard. "Do you have kids?" he asked. "Yes, here, here." I took out my wallet and nervously fumbled for the pictures of my family. He, too, took out the pictures of his family and began to talk about his plans and hopes for them. My eyes were filled with tears. I said that I feared that I'd never see my family again, never have the chance to see them grow up. Tears came to his eyes, too. Suddenly, without another word, he unlocked my cell and silently led me out. Out of the prison, quietly and by back routes, out of the town. There, at the edge of town, he released me. And without another word, he turned back toward the town. | high19186.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "biting nails"
},
"options": [
"sucking thumbs",
"biting nails",
"smoking",
"eating too much"
],
"question": "Generally speaking, a child likes _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer... | Can you remember any of the bad habits you used to have when you were very young? Perhaps, as a baby, you used to suck your thumb . Of course, you do not do that any more, but you can surely remember your mother's efforts to train you. The good habits you now have in such matters as personal cleanliness were part of this early training.
We may not suck our thumbs any more, but as we get older we get other bad habits. We can't give them up easily, either.(Anyone who has tried to give up smoking knows this very well!) Each period brings its own problems. In babyhood, it's thumb-sucking; in childhood, it's nail-biting; in our teens, it's smoking; in middle-age, it's over-eating, and so on. And if anyone tells you that he has no bad habits, you can be sure that he must have the worst habit of all. | high21419.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "study subjects and attend social activities"
},
"options": [
"only learn some subjects at school",
"study subjects and attend social activities",
"must study and have meals at school",
"should go home at 3 p.m. every da... | Life in an American high school is an interesting and exciting learning experience. High school in America is not just a place for studying some subjects. It is also an important social centre, where students can develop other interests and talents.
The high school course is divided into four years. School usually starts at about 8:00 am, and ends at about 3 pm. There's no class on Saturday.
Students have lunch at the school cafeteria , where they can choose from a variety of good things to eat and drink. After lunch they can play sports, talk to friends or simply relax. The lunch break lasts about an hour.
When the school day ends, some students go home, but many still stay at school for after-school activities. There are many activities to take part in and clubs to join. With the headmaster's agreement, students can start any kind of club that is educational and fun!
American high school students like to be "popular". This means being a good student, being active in the community and being well-liked by others. Popular students are elected to take part in Student Union. Every year in June there are prizes for the best athletes.
Most American high school students have a part-time job during the school year and a full-time job during the summer. Parents encourage their children to work because it's part of growing up and becoming responsible and independent.
Most high schools have a job list to help students find work. Teenagers are fond of their jobs! | high20707.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Christopher Columbus Museum"
},
"options": [
"Wisconsin Historical Museum",
"Swiss Historical Village",
"Artisan Gallery & Creamery Cafe`",
"Christopher Columbus Museum"
],
"question": "Where can you go for a vi... | Attractions in Wisconsin
_
30 N. Carroll Street on Madison's Capital Square
Discover Wisconsin's history and culture on four floors of exhibits. Open for public program.
Admission is free.
Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00am---4:00pm.
( 608 ) 264-6555 www.wisconsinhistory.org/museum
_
612 Seventh Ave., New Glares
The Swiss Historical Village offers a delightful look at pioneer life in America's heartland.14 buildings in the village give a full picture of every day life in the nineteenth-century Midwest.
Tue.---Fri., May 1st---October 31st, 10:00am---4:00pm. Admission is $20
( 608 ) 527-2317 www.swisshistoricalvillage.com
_
6858 Paoli Rd., Paoli WI
One of the largest collections of fine arts and crafts in Wisconsin. Over 5000 sq. ft. of exhibition space in a historical creamery. While visiting enjoy a wonderful prepared lunch at our cafe` overlooking the Sugar River. Just minutes from Madison!
Gallery open Tue.--Sun.,10:00am--5:00 pm
Cafe` open Wed.--Sat, 11:00 am--3:00 pm
Sun. brunch with wine, 10:00---3:00 pm
( 608 ) 845-6600 www.artisangal.com
_
239 Whitney St., Columbus
World-class exhibit ---2000 quality souvenirs marking Chicago's 1893 World Columbus Exhibition. Tour buses are always welcome.
Open daily, 8:15 am--4:00 pm
( 608 ) 623-1992 www.columbusantiquemall.com | high2383.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Mumtaz"
},
"options": [
"Mumtaz",
"Shah",
"Mumtaz or Shah",
"Mumtaz and Shah"
],
"question": "The Taj Mahal was built for _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"answer_... | Few buildings on earth can compete with the legendary beauty of the Taj Mahal. Towering over the ancient Indian city of Agra, the Taj Mahal is the grandest monument to love ever created.
The lovers in this story are the 17th century Indian emperor Shah Jehan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal. She took a leading role in advising him, which is something unusual for a woman to do for a husband who's an emperor. Over the course of their nineteen-year marriage she gave birth to 14 children. But in 1631 while trying to deliver their fifteenth -- she tragically died. He was heartbroken when she died. And after her death, he decided to build the world's greatest monument ever built, for love.
He ordered the royal architects to design the most beautiful building the world had known and decided to name it after his beloved, Mumtaz Mahal. He called on twenty thousand workers and sent many more people to all corners of his country in search of valuable metals and jewels. And after seventeen years of hard work, Shah Jehan's monument was completed and his beloved empress was moved to her final resting place.
Everything had gone according to plan, but Shah Jehan's luck was about to change ... In 1658, just four years after the completion of the Taj Mahal, he was thrown out of power. Unfortunately, his son, Aran Azibe imprisoned him, his own father. And he spent the last seven years of his life in prison. And he was allowed to look at the Taj Mahal through a window. His life was in ruins, but when he died his last wish was promised. He was buried beside his beloved wife in the Taj Mahal. | high15964.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "To lead into the topic."
},
"options": [
"To give example.",
"To lead into the topic.",
"To make prediction.",
"To provide the evidence."
],
"question": "Why does the author talk about the movie 2012 in the pass... | Not long ago the movie 2012 came into screen. The people were threatened by those scenes of destroying flood, severe earthquake, terrifying hurricane and constructions representing human civilization being destroyed and even swallowed by disaster. Luckily, they are just the director' s imagination, but the present situation is not heading a positive direction, either.
Take my own experience in Alaska as an example. Once I took a trip to the glacier. Along the way there stood signposts marking the snow lines of different years. They started from the foot of the mountain, but it was at the top when I finally saw melting glaciers . My heart ached seeing the beautiful blue ice melting at every second.
Sad but true, they are the effects of global warming and the result of our human impact. Furthermore, each year the rising sea level will kill 56 million people, and that's about the population of the entire Italy. According to studies, if the temperature keeps on rising like this, by the year 2050, some islands and coastal cities including New York, Shanghai, Tokyo and Sydney will be drowned in water.
Our fortune is in our own hands. It depends on us to shape our future, to reduce future human impact and find ways to form a peaceful relationship with our environment. Therefore, it's time for actions to be taken right now. Contribute a little to energy saving by using more efficient light bulbs and less hot water. Let recycle become our habit by thinking twice before throwing something away. Let us take public transportation as our first choice when going to a certain place. It might cost more time for now, but it' s to the benefit of a permanent future. Take care of every tree and grass around us by watering them or simply just avoid destroying them.
In a word, _ The earth does not belong to us. On the contrary, we belong to the earth. Please bear in mind that the earth is our home. It is our responsibility to build a brighter and better future of our planet and prevent what happened in the movie 2012 from becoming reality. | high1852.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "don't fully understand the pressures of being a teenager now"
},
"options": [
"didn't have to overcome difficulties when in their teens.",
"don't fully understand the pressures of being a teenager now",
"can easily deal with ... | Dear Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul,
Mostpeopledon'treallyknowwhatpressuresatypicalteenager has to go through.Sure, our parents and grandparents were once teens, but things are so different now.It has never been tougher to a teenager.
It had never been more important to be in the "right group" or to have the "right brand" of shoes.And those are the easy things to deal with.We also face problems with family, friends, relationships and school pressures.
When it gets to be too much, I turn to my friends.One friend I could not live without is Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul.Your books have been so inspiring to me and have helped me to deal with and understand the problems I go through.
For example, I went through aconfusing time with my friends when we got to junior high.I had known these friends since kindergarten, and when we began junior high it seemed like some of them began to change.We started hanging out with different groups, and we slowly grew so far apart that it seemed as if we had never been friends.I felt confused and hurt.
Sometime during this period I read the story Friends Forever in Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II.I felt so much better after reading it.It was like aweight had been lifted from me when I realized that many friendships went through changes and that we weren'tthe only friends to experience _ .
Peoplechange, but that doesn'tmean we have to lose the friendships we once shared.My friends and I still spend time together when we can and care about each other alot.That things are different doesn'tmean I have to forget about all the good times we had.I will always keep the memories in asafe place in my heart.
Sincerely,
Peter | high22110.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "A place which gives supportive services and assistance."
},
"options": [
"A hotel that serves meals.",
"A place for children to be taken care of.",
"An entertainment place for adults.",
"A place which gives supportive s... | While assisted living centers have been available in the United States for many years, the growth and availability of assisted living has had a dramatic increase since the early 1990s. An assisted living center is a residential alternative that promotes maximum independence for each resident through a combination of supportive services and assistance. The definition of assisted living from one state to another may vary and so will the cost and types of services.
Assisted living centers vary in size, style and the optional services they may offer. Small family style living or the larger complex of units can be found in the United States. Some facilities are operated by nonprofit organizations, while others are _ . In addition, some facilities may be co-located or affiliated with a hospital or nursing facility.
An assisted living center is any institution, rest home, boarding home, place, building or agency that is maintained and operated to provide personal care and services which meet some need beyond basic provision of food, shelter and laundry in a free standing, physically separate facility which is not otherwise required to be licensed.
In general terms, an assisted living center is required to provide assistance with daily living activities, including eating, bathing, dressing and personal hygiene; three meals a day; supervision (,) of self-administration of medications; laundry service including personal laundry, housekeeping, and 24-hour staffing. | high22676.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "a school"
},
"options": [
"a child",
"a school",
"a teacher",
"a disease"
],
"question": "The passage is mainly about _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"answer_index"... | If a child has a learning problem before he leaves the Second or Third Grade, it's difficult for him to study well. ADHD is one of the most common learning disabilities. Even with parents and doctors working together without schools' help, it is very hard to get rid of the disability. Sadly, even today, there are many schools that don't know how to deal with the children with these disabilities.
Fairfield Primary School is a good place for children that have been diagnosed with ADHD. The teachers really care about all of their students and they are willing to work with parents and doctors in order to help these children. When they see the child want to act up in class, they usually give the child something physical to do in order to get rid of the excess energy. They never punish the child for something that is beyond the child's control.
Overall, Fairfield Primary School has all of things that a child with ADHD needs. They provide interesting class games for the child's excess energy. They also provide the school rules the child needs. They give the child a caring environment where they are not kept apart because they are different. This is a very good school for a child who is suffering from one or more of these problems.
We believe your child with ADHD can learn, change and succeed if they come to study in Fairfield Primary School. | high23568.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "it was religiously unacceptable"
},
"options": [
"it made Christians evil.",
"it was the apple of Eden",
"it came from a forbidden land",
"it was religiously unacceptable"
],
"question": "The tomato was shut out... | To take the apple as a forbidden fruit is the most unlikely story the Christians ever cooked up. For them, the forbidden fruit from Eden is evil . So when Columbus brought the tomato back from South America, a land mistakenly considered to be Eden, everyone jumped to be the obvious conclusion. Wrongly taken as the apple of Eden, the tomato was shut out of the door of Europeans.
What made it particularly terrifying was its similarity to the mandrake, a plant that was thought to have come from Hell .What earned the plant its awful reputation was its roots which looked like a dried-up human body occupied by evil spirits. Tough the tomato and the mandrake were quite different except that both had bright red or yellow fruit, the general population considered them one and the same, too terrible to touch.
Cautious Europeans long ignored the tomato, and until the early 1700s _ . In the 1880s, the daughter of a well-known plant expert wrote that the most interesting part of an afternoon tea at her father's house had been the "introduction of this wonderful new fruit--or is it a vegetable?" As late as the twentieth century some writers still classed tomatoes with mandrakes as an "evil fruit".
But in the end tomatoes carried the day. The hero of the tomato was an American named Robert Johnson, and when he was publicly going to eat the tomato in 1820, people journeyed for hundreds of miles to watch him drop dead. "What are you afraid of?" he shouted. "I'll show you fools that these things are good to eat!" Then he bit into the tomato. Some people fainted. But he survived and, according to a local story, set up a tomato-canning factory. | high478.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "It plays an important role in ending violence."
},
"options": [
"It thinks violence is bad and wrong.",
"It plays an important role in ending violence.",
"It is a knee-jerk judgment of people.",
"It thinks violent peopl... | The moral view of violence, labeling it as bad and wrong, has done little to end it. The alternative view is to release our judgments and see violence for what it is: a form of suffering. This is a difficult change for many people. Not only are they in the habit of making knee-jerk judgments, but violent people cause harm, and therefore their suffering seems to deserve less sympathy.
You hurt me, so why should I have sympathy for you? It should be the other way around. Does it take a saint to make the change from strong anger to sympathy?
Turning points arrive when we can make a choice not to suffer in silence. We then strike a soul bargain that is fearful but necessary. The bargain is that redemption is possible through love.The absence of love is absolutely the problem, and love is absolutely the solution. We don't have to reach into another area to locate the magic power of love that is available to us here and now.
_ The rule is constant work on the spiritual path to clear away the obstacles that prevent love from coming through us. The work is much more like working on blocked pipe system than it is like copying a saint.
Hope is the emotion that keeps this dogged work even when results seem to be slow or impossible. Can I love the terrorist who harms my country? Can I love the criminal who wants to harm me? At the level of the soul I already do, and the spiritual path is a means to arrive at that level.
No one is required to leap into sudden sympathy for terrorists, or even to announce publicly that our enemies deserve love. But in our souls each of us harbors the knowledge that only love is going to bring violence to an end. No matter how you and I live our outward lives, our spiritual lives must remain devoted to that vision. | high8876.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "so careless that they make some spelling mistakes in their resume"
},
"options": [
"too limitedly educated to write a perfect resume",
"so careless that they make some spelling mistakes in their resume",
"so careless that the... | Attention to detail is something everyone can and should do-especially in tight job market.
Bob Crossley,a human-resources expert notices this in the job applications that come across his desk every day."It's amazing how many candidates eliminate themselves,"he says."Resumes arrive with faults.Some candidates don't bother to spell the company's name correctly.Once I see a mistake,I refuse the candidates,"Crossley concludes,"If they cannot take care of these details,why should we trust them with a job?"
Can we pay too much attention to details?Absolutely not.
Perfectionists struggle over little things instead of something larger they work toward."To keep from losing the forest for the trees,"says Charles Garfield,the professor at the University of California,San Francisco,"We must constantly ask ourselves how the details we're working will influence the larger picture.If they don't,we should drop them and move to something else."
Garfield compares this process to his work as a computer scientist at NASA."The Apollo II moon launch was slightly off-course 90percent of the time,"says Garfield."But a successful landing was still likely because we knew the exact position of our goal.This allowed us to make adjustments as necessary."Knowing where to go helps us judge the importance of every task we undertake.
Again and again,we see that by doing little things within our grasp well,large rewards follow. | high19838.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "animals"
},
"options": [
"scenery",
"plan ts",
"stories",
"animals"
],
"question": "Daniele' s paintings are mainly about _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"answer_in... | When you think of an artist, you probably think of someone painting on canvas . But Guido Daniele creates fantastic paintings of birds, elephants, tigers, and giraffes by painting on skin. Born in Soverato, Italy, Guido Daniele has been called"Ha nd Gogh" (after artist Vincent van Gogh) since he began creating works of art on people' s hands in 1990.
Painting on the hands can be a challenge because, unlike canvas, the skin moves when rubbed. Daniele' s models must remain perfectly still for hours as he paints. He often uses his daughter and his son as his "canvases".
Before he can begin to create his "manimals" ( the artist' s name for his hand animals), Daniele studies photographs of the animal that he will be painting in order to be able to understand its character and give it life. "Next," he says, "I look at the hand from different perspectives ,and I begin to imagine what is the best way to position the hand for me to paint the animal. "He also studies the skin of the model, preferring it to have little hair and few blemishes .
Daniele starts by drawing on the model' s hand with a pencil. He next paints the skin using watercolor1s made specifically for body art. The eyes of Daniele' s painted animals look amazingly real, and they are the most difficult part to paint.
Paintings on hands must eventually be washed away. Guido Daniele says that he's gotten used to this part and that he doesn' t really mind seeing his work washed down the drain . " Tomorrow, I will paint the next one. The important thing is to take many good photo- graphs before washing the hand!" | high20061.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Sense of humor"
},
"options": [
"Writing themes",
"Sense of humor",
"Life experiences",
"Approaches in writing"
],
"question": "Which of the following is NOT mentioned as the similarity between Mo Yan and Shen C... | When talking with young Swedish students, Mo Yan showed respect for Chinese authors that he learned writing from, particularly Shen Congwen, who was twice nominated for the Nobel Prize.
"Lu Xun, Lao She, Mao Dun and Shen Congwen, they are more qualified for the Nobel Prize than me," he said,. Among the writers he learned from, he said he especially felt close to Shen Congwen, as they have similar life experiences.
Both of them left school early and did not get formal education. Shen quit after high school and Mo only finished the fifth grade. They both joined the army after school. " We both learned from the book of life," said Mo.
The themes of their writing are also similar. Both writers have their hometown as the theme and root of their writings. Shen'works are mostly about his hometown, Xiangxi, and most of Mo's stories are set in his hometown, Gaomi, in Shandong Province.
Mo said he also learned from Shen how to deal with characters in a fiction. Unlike most Chinese writers, Shen has a humanistic touch towards all of his characters. Said Mo, "In his works, there are no particularly bad person or good person. Even gangsters and thieves have their humane side," he said.
"I try to use the same approach in my writing. It shows the ability of a novelist when he treats all the characters as humans," he said.
Mo said he also learned Lu Xun's depth and Lao She's humor. "They are all my teachers, and I am the student," he said. "I feel ashamed from my heart that teachers did not get the prize, but the student got it." | high3923.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "the number of objects."
},
"options": [
"the size of cards.",
"the colour of pictures.",
"the shape of patterns.",
"the number of objects."
],
"question": "Babies are sensitive to the change in _ .",
"que... | The baby is just one day old and has not yet left hospital. She is quiet but alert . Twenty centimeters from her face researchers have placed a white card with two black spots on it. She stares at it carefully. A researcher removes the card and replaces it by another, this time with the spots differently spaced. As the cards change from one to the other, her gaze starts to lose its focus - until a third, with three black spots, is presented. Her gaze returns; she looks at it for twice as long as she did at the previous card. Can she tell that the number two is different from three, just 24 hours after coming into the world?
Or do newborns simply prefer more to fewer? The same experiment, but with three spots shown before two, shows the same return of interest when the number of spots changes. Perhaps it is just the newness? When slightly older babies were shown cards with pictures of objects(a comb, a key, an orange and so on), changing the number of objects had an effect separate from changing the objects themselves. Could it be the pattern that two things make, as opposed to three? No again. Babies paid more attention to squares moving randomly on a screen when their number changed from two to three, or three to two. The effect even crosses between senses. Babies who were repeatedly shown two spots became more excited when they then heard three drumbeats than when they heard just two; likewise when the researchers started with drumbeats and moved to spots. | high4094.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Drivers at all ages will be expected to provide their medical condition."
},
"options": [
"The new motoring law will come into effect by the summer.",
"Drivers over the age of 75 must renew their licenses every three years.",
... | Motorists over the age of 75 face compulsory tests of their eyesight and ability to drive under proposals being considered by ministers.
The biggest _ of motoring law in a generation could also lead to all drivers having to give assurances of their fitness to get behind the wheel every 10 years.
Other changes under consideration include issuing daylight driving licenses for motorists with night blindness, together with stricter checks on all drivers whose medical condition brought a threat to other road users.
It is understood that the proposals will be part of a review of the law governing the medical fitness of drivers that will be announced publicly by the summer.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is dealing with a rising number of motorists who are concerned that they have conditions---from failing eyesight to epilepsy---that could affect their driving.
In 2006, the DVLA dealt with 600,000 motorists whose physical ability to drive needed to be recertified , a 20 per cent rise on the previous year. With an ageing population, the biggest challenge is dealing with the rising number of elderly motorists. By 2021, there will be an estimated three million drivers over the age of 70 on Britain's roads.
Drivers must renew their licenses at the age of 70 and every three years thereafter. The applicant is legally required to tell the DVLA of any conditions that could weaken their ability behind the wheel.
Ministers have ruled out a compulsory maximum age for driving but will instead rely on tightening up the checks on motorists over the age of 75. The most likely option would be tests to ensure motorists were fit to drive. They would include an eyesight test and a cognitive test that would prove a driver's ability to react to road signs, driving conditions, pedestrians and vehicles.
However, checks are likely to be tightened at all ages. The strictest controls are expected to be imposed on motorists of any age who have had a heart attack or stroke. They could have to produce a doctor's approval to resume driving. Anyone making a false declaration would be guilty of a criminal offence. | high3937.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Ellington took the responsibility for a band for a long time."
},
"options": [
"Ellington was very popular at parties in the Washington area.",
"Ellington took the responsibility for a band for a long time.",
"Ellington did l... | Duke Ellington is known as one of the most important composers of his time, and his work has been enjoyed for more than 80 years by music lovers all over the world. During his lifetime Ellington turned musical sounds into many compositions, mostly in the style known as jazz.
The Early Years
Edward Kennedy Ellington was born in 1899 in Washington, D. C. It wasn't until Ellington was a teenager that his interest in music grew. He taught himself to play the piano by listening to local piano players. Sometime around 1916 Ellington began playing the piano at high school parties. Ellington realized that he enjoyed entertaining people with his music. He soon became a very popular musician, playing at parties and other events in the Washington area. Young adults seemed especially delighted by the modern pieces he composed.
Success in New York
In 1923, when Ellington was almost 24 years old, he joined The Washingtonians, a five-piece group of musicians in Washington, and became the group's leader in early 1924. In 1927 Ellington and his orchestra won an engagement at Harlem's famous Cotton Club. For the next three years, his orchestra played at the Cotton Club nearly every night.
The Influence of the Cotton Club
Working at the Cotton Club encouraged Ellington's creativity. Since the shows changed every six months, he was challenged by the need to continually develop new material. He had to compose a wide variety of music to accompany the various acts in the Cotton Club shows and to adapt that music to the strengths and weaknesses of the players in his orchestra.
By 1928 the popular nightspot began radio broadcasts. From the broadcasts Ellington and his orchestra gained a national reputation.
On the Road
As Ellington's popularity increased, he realized that his orchestra could do well on concert tours. They left the Cotton Club in 1931 and toured America and Europe almost continually for the next 43 years. In addition to touring, Ellington made recordings and continued to compose music.
Duke Ellington played the piano, composed music, and led his famous orchestra for more than 50 years, until his death in 1974. Music lovers all over the world agree that the large quantity of music he created will be enjoyed for many years to come. | high20075.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Listening to music is far from enjoyable for them."
},
"options": [
"Listening to music is far from enjoyable for them.",
"They love places where they are likely to hear music.",
"They can easily tell two different songs apar... | For some people, music is no fun at all. About four percent of the population is what scientists call "amusic." People who are amusic are born without the ability to recognize or reproduce musical notes . Amusic people often cannot tell the difference between two songs. Amusics can only hear the difference between two notes if they are very far apart on the musical scale.
As a result, songs sound like noise to an amusic. Many amusics compare the sound of music to pieces of metal hitting each other. Life can be hard for amusics. Their inability to enjoy music set them apart from others. It can be difficult for other people to identify with their condition. In fact, most people cannot begin to grasp what it feels like to be amusic. Just going to a restaurant or a shopping mall can be uncomfortable or even painful. That is why many amusics intentionally stay away from places where there is music. However, this can result in withdrawal and social isolation. "I used to hate parties," says Margaret, a seventy-year-old woman who only recently discovered that she was amusic. By studying people like Margaret, scientists are finally learning how to identify this unusual condition.
Scientists say that the brains of amusics are different from the brains of people who can appreciate music. The difference is complex, and it doesn't involve defective hearing. Amusics can understand other nonmusical sounds well. They also have no problems understanding ordinary speech. Scientists compare amusics to people who just can't see certain colors.
Many amusics are happy when their condition is finally diagnosed . For years, Margaret felt embarrassed about her problem with music. Now she knows that she is not alone. There is a name for her condition. That makes it easier for her to explain. "When people invite me to a concert, I just say, 'No thanks, I'm amusic,'" says Margaret. "I just wish I had learned to say that when I was seventeen and not seventy." (335 words) | high4080.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Taking pictures."
},
"options": [
"Taking pictures.",
"Using a kind of alphabet-based input system.",
"Spelling out the sounds of the characters.",
"Using their fingers as pens to write."
],
"question": "Which w... | As young Chinese increasingly forget how to write characters because they don't have to, using keyboards and touch screen technology on mobile phones is changing the trend.
For Yin Liang, a 26-year-old purchasing agent at a company, his embarrassment over forgetting how to write characters has gradually disappeared since he started to use the handwriting input method on his iPhone 4 a month ago.
"When you write on the touch screen, you use your finger, instead of a mouse or keyboard," Yin says.
"Actually, your finger is like a pen, writing the complicated characters that have long been spelled by pinyin, an alphabet-based input system. Whether typing on computers or texting on phones, most users in China type by phonetically spelling out the sounds of the characters and the software then gives a menu of characters that fit the pronunciation, so users only need to recognize the character.
Handwriting technology on a mobile phone touch screen has been around for years and became popular with the iPhone, which recognizes the input and offers a wide selection of characters.
"It's efficient and accurate," Yin says.
Chinese characters are the oldest continuously used system of writing in the world, but as pinyin-based typing has become more widespread, youths have started forgetting how to write out characters. This was one of the main topics for debate at the first Cross-Straits Chinese Character Art Festival, held recently in Beijing, which attracted experts from Taiwan and the mainland.
According to Zhang Zikang, president of the Culture and Art Publishing House, writing with a pen on the touch screen brings handwriting into the digital age. It is even better when you write with your finger, feeling the flow of the cursive script and the grace and art of Chinese characters, he says.
"Smart gadgets don't take life from the square-shaped characters, instead they offer a new and advanced platform to show the charm of Chinese characters, which are always evolving," Zhang says. | high17801.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "You can buy what you like more conveniently."
},
"options": [
"You can buy what you like at a lower price.",
"You can buy what you like without paying at all.",
"You can buy what you like more conveniently.",
"You can b... | Passing a store, you might just step in and see if the store has received any new CDs. Once in the store, you're delighted to discover some new CDs that you must have. You could buy them later, of course, but you're already here, so why not now? In the checkout line you wonder whether to write a check or pay with a credit card. Either way would be OK, you suppose. The trouble with writing a check, though, is that you don't have much money left in your checking account. Using the credit card you won't have to pay at once, and when you do pay, you will only have to pay a little a month. So you hand the salesperson your plastic card, and that's the deal!
There are a few good things about credit cards. For one thing, it's almost impossible to rent a car without a credit card. For another, they are helpful if you are in a situation where you don't have your checkbook or you have little cash with you.
What are the disadvantages? One is that few people have the discipline to use their credit cards wisely. Instead, many fall into the buy-now-pay-later trap. Many become "addicted to plastic." Another disadvantage is that credit cards are more abstract than money or checks and thus contribute to our having less control over our money. Bank notes are physical things, and you have to _ your checking account every month when you pay with a check. This takes a bit of work, and although it's painful, it's more realistic. Credit cards represent the abstract, lending a certain air of unreality to the stage of managing your finances. All you do is sign your name; someone else does the math for you. | high22662.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "a piece of sports news broadcast over radio"
},
"options": [
"a piece of sports news broadcast over radio",
"a piece of sports news in a newspaper",
"an advertisement about sports",
"an essay about sports"
],
"q... | This is John Roberts reporting from Cardiff. The result of the match which finished at four this afternoon between France and Wales was a _ . Neither side scored. The Dutch referee did not allow the one goal which France managed to kick. The reason for this was that a French player was unfortunately off side. So both teams went home disappointed with the game. They particularly admired the French forwards, who were always fast and often threatened the Welsh defense. Once it looked as if the Welsh goalkeeper was in serious trouble. He dived to his right to save a shot from the French centre forward and crashed his head against the goal post. A doctor examined him and he soon began to play again. Of course the large, friendly crowd cheered for him. Wales will certainly welcome another visit from this splendid team. | high7589.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "It would make him look like an old man"
},
"options": [
"It would make him look like an old man",
"He did not get the nerve to wear one",
"It looked old-styled.",
"It was too costly"
],
"question": "Why did the ... | Crystal Ear
One day a friend asked my wife Jill if I wanted a hearing aid. "He certainly does,"replied Jill. After hearing about a remarkable new product, Jill finally got up the nerve to ask me if I'd ever thought about getting a hearing aid. "No way,"I said. "It would make me look 20 years older.""No, no"she replied. "This is entirely different. It's Crystal Ear!"
Jill was right. Crystal Ear is different ---- not the old-styled body worn or over-the-ear aid, but an advanced personal sound system so small it's like contacts for your ears. And Crystal Ear is super-sensitive and powerful, too. You will hear sounds your ears have been missing for years. Crystal Ear will make speech louder, and the sound is pure and natural.
I couldn't believe how tiny it is. It is smaller than the tip of my little finger and it's almost invisible when worn. There are no wires, no behind-the-ear device. Put it in your ear and its-ready-to-wear mold fits comfortable. Since it's not too loud or too light, you may even forget that you're wearing it! Use it at work or at play. And if your hearing problem is worse in certain situation, use Crystal Ear only when you need it.
Hearing loss, which is typically prior to teenage years, progresses throughout one's lifetime. Although hearing loss is now the world's number-one health problem, nearly 90 percent of people suffering hearing loss choose to leave the problem untreated. For many millions, treating hearing loss in a conventional way can involve numerous office visits, expensive testing and adjustments to fit your ear. Thanks to Crystal Ear, the "sound solution"is now convenient. Almost 90 percent of people with mild hearing loss, and millions more with just a little hearing dropoff, can be dramatically helped with Crystal Ear. Moreover, its superior design is energy-efficient, so batteries can last months. Crystal Ear is now available to help these people treat their hearing loss with a small hearing amplifier . | high6697.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "To tell how to comfort an upset child."
},
"options": [
"To show an upset child is very tough.",
"To share his experience of keeping a child.",
"To tell how to comfort an upset child.",
"To get advice on how to raise a ... | Nobody likes having to deal with an upset child. If your little one is hurt, scared or sad, your heart breaks for her. If she's mad, it can make you mad. You want to be there for her and comfort her, but the best way to do that will depend mainly on two things: why she's upset and how old she is. Be calm and open-minded when trying to comfort your upset child.
Try to find out why your child is upset, because that affects how you should respond and what will be most effective in trying to comfort her. Take her aside and sit down to talk on her level, physically and emotionally. Be sure she knows she has your complete attention while she's telling you about the friend who wouldn't share her new toy and so on. Even if you've got 20 other things you need to get done, make yourself take a break and focus on her for a few minutes.
Listen carefully to what your child says, and also pay attention to what she's not saying. If she says she's upset because "she hates her stupid school", you must "choose to accept it" -- to read between the lines. Maybe she's struggling with her studies, or the teacher scolded her in front of everybody. Patiently listen and try to _ so you know what kind of problem you're dealing with.
Sometimes just knowing someone hears her pain goes a long way toward comforting an upset child. Don't make excuses or blame others, just let her know her feelings are natural and understandable. Give her permission to feel sad for a little bit or even cry a little, and give her a big hug. Then help her think of ways to get over the hurt and refocus her attention on another activity or friend. | high12979.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "children"
},
"options": [
"teachers",
"adults",
"children",
"women"
],
"question": "According to the advertisements, the four books are all intended for _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
... | *Basic Study Manual Hardcover: $ 37.50
Future success depends on the ability to learn. Here are the answers to the questions most often asked by parents, teachers, business trainers and by students themselves. Read this book and learn:
* What the three barriers to study are - and what to do about them
* What to do if you get tired of a subject you are studying
* Twenty-six simple drills to help you learn how to study easily, rapidly and with full understanding
* Buy and read the Basic Study Manual and use it to dramatically improve your ability to study.
*Study Skills for Life Hardcover: $31.99
L. Ron Hubbard's study technology for teenagers opens the door to their future success by giving them the ability to study and learn. Fully illustrated for easy comprehension.
* Learning How to Learn Hardcover: $24.99
The basics of effective study for 8-to 12-year olds, fully illustrated. Children who read and apply the materials in this book regain their liking for study and their ability to apply this knowledge in life. Get this book for a child you want to see win at his studies!
* How to Use a Dictionary Picture Book for Children Hardcover: $34.90
In spite of billions of dollars spent on "educational research," children are not taught the most basic skills of learning, even the most basic of these: how to use a dictionary. In fact, a search of educational books for children found not one that told them how to use a dictionary -or that one should. Written for children 8 to 12-year old, this fully illustrated book will teach your child:
* How to find words in a dictionary
* The different ways that words are used
* What the different marks and symbols that are used in a dictionary mean
* How to use a dictionary to correctly pronounce words
Includes a section for parents and teachers showing you how to use this book with children. Buy this book and give it to your children to unlock their education. What's more, you'll just pay 50% for it before May 1, 2008. | high24213.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "She got the flu."
},
"options": [
"She was late for work.",
"She was caught in the rain.",
"She met Nicky Jonathan.",
"She got the flu."
],
"question": "What did NOT happen to the author on her first day at work... | On my first day of work at Moro Assurance, I arrived nervously, totally wet and nearly half an hour late. I had forgotten to take an umbrella, had missed the bus and was mow ready for a good scolding . It was then that I met Nicky Jonathan, the Managing Director.
She was a small, birdlike woman. Her appearance gave others the impression of a nervous, easily-flustered person. I soon learnt, however, that her true character was calm, warm and kind, yet very professional. After reminding me that lateness would not be tolerated in the office, she laughingly admitted to me that she had been over an hour late in her first morning because she had lost her way, which was typical of her. After a wet, awful morning, this kind office manager led me to my seat; yet her kindness and super ability didn't stop surprising me there.
During the years I worked with her, my admiration for Nicky steadily increased. Her ability to deal with several matters at once seemed almost miraculous . I remembered one occasion when nearly everyone in the office had gone down with the flu, yet Nicky managed to keep the office running smoothly without seeming stressed. The most striking thing about Nicky was her understanding towards others. _ If she sensed that something was wrong, she would call you into her office and encourage you to talk. Not only was she a good listener, but the advice she offered was always sound as well.
All in all, Nicky is the most admirable person I've ever mer. I will always remember her as the "guiding light" in my working life. | high22104.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "The shortage of outdoor light."
},
"options": [
"Genetic faults of the people.",
"Elongation of the eyeball.",
"The shortage of outdoor light.",
"Lack of research into the problem."
],
"question": "As is mention... | Up to 90% of school leavers in major Asian cities are suffering from myopia ---short-sightedness, a study suggests. Researchers say the "extraordinary rise" in the problem is being caused by students working very hard in school and missing out on outdoor light.
Eye experts say that you are short-sighted if your vision is blurred beyond 2m. It is often caused by an elongation of the eyeball that happens when people are young. According to the research, the problem is being caused by a combination of factors - a commitment to education and lack of outdoor light.
Professor Morgan who led this study argues that many children in South East Asia spend long hours studying at school and doing their homework. This in itself puts pressure on the eyes, but exposure to between two and three hours of daylight helps maintain healthy eyes.
Cultural factors also seem to play a part. Across many parts of South East Asia, children often have a lunchtime nap. According to Professor Morgan they are missing out on natural light to prevent short-sightedness.
A big concern is the numbers of the students suffering from "high" myopia. One in five of these students could experience severe visual impairment and even blindness. These people are at considerable risk--sometimes people are not told about it and are just given more powerful glasses--they need to be warned about the risk and given some self-testing measures so they can get to an ophthalmologist and get some help.
For decades, researchers believed there was a strong genetic component to the condition. But this study strongly suggests an alternative view. "Any type of simple genetic explanation just doesn't fit with that speed of change; gene pools just don't change in two generations. Whether it's a purely environmental effect or an environmental effect playing a sensitive genome, it really doesn't matter, the thing that's changed is not the gene pool---it's the environment." | high3089.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "To serve and help his king-- Lear."
},
"options": [
"To find a chance to meet Goneril.",
"To share some of the king's wealth.",
"To find a job in the court.",
"To serve and help his king-- Lear."
],
"question": ... | Part 3
NARRATOR: As soon as Goneril has got all she can from her father, she begins treating _ disrespectfully. When Lear wants to speak to her, Goneril tells her servant, Oswald, to say she is sick. She encourages her staff to be disrespectful towards Lear and begins complaining about the hundred soldiers Lear has brought with him. However, King Lear soon has a friend by his side. The Duke of Kent, who Lear ordered to leave Britain, cannot abandon his king. He therefore comes to Lear disguised as a servant called Caius and asks for a job.
(Enter Lear, several of Lear's soldiers and Kent disguised as a servant.)
LEAR: OK, Caius. I'll give you a trial. And if you prove to be good at your job, I'll keep you on as my servant. (Oswald enters.) Hey, you there. Where's my daughter? (Oswald ignores the king and hurries out of the room.) Hey. What's going on? Call him back. Is he deaf? (A Soldier rushes out after Oswald.) It's as though the whole world has gone to sleep. (Soldier reenters.) Where's that servant? Why didn't he come back when I called?
SOLDIER: Sir, he answered me very rudely and said he would not come back.
LEAR: I don't believe it!
SOLDIER: Sir, I am sorry, to tell you this, but it seems to me that you are not being treated with the respect due to a king. Everyone here, including your daughter, is behaving very coldly towards you.
LEAR: Mmm. I suspected the same, but I kept telling myself it was my imagination. Please tell my daughter I wish to speak with her. (Soldier bows and leaves. Oswald enters.) Ah, come here my man and answer me. Who am I?
OSWALD: My lady's father.
LEAR: Your lady's father? Is that all I am to you, you dog, you slave! (Lear raises his arm as though to strike Oswald.)
OSWALD: I'll not be hit, my Lord.
KENT: (Kent kicks Oswald's feet out from under him.) And you won't be laid flat on your back either, I suppose. Now get up and get out of here. (Oswald leaves.)
LEAR: My thanks, Caius. I can see you will be a most valuable servant.
(Enter Goneril.) What's up, daughter? You always seem to be frowning lately.
GONERIL: Is it any wonder that I frown when your soldiers are continually drinking and fighting? I thought when I told you about their behavior you would make them behave, but now I hear you have insulted Oswald. I do believe you are encouraging your soldiers in their bad behavior.
LEAR: Is this my daughter scolding me?
GONERIL: I have had enough of your soldiers. They are expensive to keep and you don't need them. Besides, their drunken behavior and bad manners are disgusting. You will send half of them away. And unless you want me to get rid of the rest of them too, I suggest you teach them how to behave properly.
LEAR: That's a lie. My soldiers are good men who know how to behave properly. I won't stay here to be insulted. I still have one more daughter. She'll scratch out your eyes when she hears how you've treated me. Men! Get my horses ready and collect my baggage. I'll leave immediately. I won't stay where I'm not welcome. (Lear and companions leave.)
NARRATOR: Lear sends Kent on ahead to the castle of his other daughter, Regan, to tell her that he will soon be arriving. Goneril sends her servant Oswald to Regan to tell her side of the story. | high10808.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "youth crime was too complex for ordinary citizens to solve"
},
"options": [
"the city's problems were too serious for local people to solve",
"youth crime was too complex for ordinary citizens to solve",
"local people would s... | When officials in Richmond, B. C., Canada, told Stephen Covey about plans to participate in local citizens in their fight against youth crime, the leadership consultant was doubtful. He was sure the city's problems would prove "too complex" for ordinary people to make a difference.
But Covey forgot about the trim-tabbers-people who solve scaring problems through small acts. By arranging safe and fun places for youths to go, residents have lowered Richmond's under-18 crime rate 32% in the last year. Police in 53 countries are now studying the Richmond model.
What impresses Covey is that the people in Richmond chose to do something rather than sit back and complain. And that, he says, is how everyday people can exhibit "everyday greatness".
A man going through a painful divorce chose to look outside himself and found a meaningful project where he could make a difference. Working with local businesses, he launched a program that helps disabled soldiers. Muriel Thomas Summers, the principal of A. B. Combs Elementary School in Raleigh, North Carolina, told parents and teachers on the concept of "character" education, stressing that academic achievement can't be separated from principles of responsibility and purpose. In recent tests, 94% of her students performed at or above grade level, compared to 67% eight years ago.
To Covey, these everyday people are models because they weren't afraid to take on scaring challenges. No matter how difficult it was, they chose to act. | high20713.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "He exchanged all his coppers for it from another boy."
},
"options": [
"He bought it in a toy shop for children.",
"He got it as a birthday present.",
"He exchanged all his coppers for it from another boy.",
"He got it ... | When I was a child of seven years old, my friends, on a holiday, filled my pocket with coppers. I went at once to a shop where they sold toys for children. Being charmed with the sound of a whistle that I had seen by the way, in the hands of another boy, I handed over all my money for one. I then came home, and went whistling all over the house, much pleased with my whistle, but disturbing all the family. My brothers and sisters and cousins, when I told of the bargain I had made, said I had given four times as much as the whistle was worth. They put me in mind of what good things I might have bought with the rest of the money, and laughed at me so much for my folly that I cried with vexation . Thinking about the matter gave me more chargrin than the whistle gave me pleasure.
This, however, was afterwards of use to me, for the impression continued on my mind, so that often, when I was tempted to buy something I did not need, I said to myself, "Don't give too much for the whistle, " and I saved my money. As I grew up, came into the world, and observed the actions of men, I thought I met with many, very many, who "gave too much for the whistle." When I saw some men too eager for court favor, wasting his time at court gatherings, giving up his rest, his liberty, his virtue, and perhaps his friends, for royal favor, I said to myself---"This man gives too much for the whistle." When I saw another fond of popularity, constantly taking part in political affairs, neglecting his own business, and ruining it by neglect, "He says, indeed," said I, "too dear for his whistle."
If I knew a miser who gave up every kind of comfortable living, all the pleasure of doing good to others, all the esteem of his fellow citizens and the joys of friendship, for the sake of gathering and keeping wealth--- "Poor man," said I, " you pay too dear for your whistle." When I met a man of pleasure, who did not try to improve his mind or his fortune but merely devoted himself to having a good time, perhaps neglecting his health, " Mistaken man, you are providing pain for yourself, instead of pleasure; you are paying too dear for your whistle." If I saw someone fond of appearance who has fine clothes, fine houses, fine furniture, fine earrings, all above his fortune, and for which he had run into debt, and ends his career in a prison. "Alas," said I, "he has paid dear, very dear, for his whistle." In short the miseries of mankind are largely due to their puffing a false value on things --- to giving "too much for their whistle." | high322.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "human communication means information exchange"
},
"options": [
"human communication means information exchange",
"human communication involves people's participation",
"information is now experiencing a revolution",
"i... | Information has always been at the center of human communication. You may ask why. Well, communication between people contains giving and receiving information. The way we give and receive information today has experienced a revolution in the development of the mass media in the 20th century.
The first truly mass communication medium was the newspaper. For the first time in history, people could read about events in their country and from around the world every day. However, there were two problems with newspapers of that time. Firstly, newspapers were available only in large cities, for getting newspapers to the countryside was a difficult and time-consuming task. Secondly, newspapers weren't always reliable, as there was a limited range of opinions.
Nowadays, we can choose from a wide variety of sources to get information. Television and the Internet have given us the chance to be informed about everything the minute it happens. Large numbers of radio and TV stations, satellite channels and millions of websites help people keep up with the latest news. People live in history and are part of it.
The media have come a long way in the last century and there is no doubt that we now live in the information age. Whatever type of media we choose, it all comes down to the need for information. This will always be a basic need as long as communication is part of human nature. | high15958.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "serious depression"
},
"options": [
"poor memory",
"serious depression",
"little exercise",
"unhealthy eating"
],
"question": "The real cause of the inability to focus is _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_que... | Have you ever noticed that some people are able to effortlessly remember even the most boring details, and quickly understand new things, and wished that you too could be like that? To unlock the full potential of your brain, you need to keep it active and acute. But how? Check out these tips:
* Exercise & get your body moving
Exercising doesn't just exercise the body; it also helps to exercise your brain. Without regular exercise your blood vessels begin to lose the ability to effectively pump blood and it also reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients that your blood carries to your brain. When the nutrients don't make it there, the brain's ability to function is compromised. To prevent this from happening, make sure you get moving every day. Walking, swimming and dancing are all excellent activities.
* Get rid of stressors and seek help for depression
Among the most brain-damaging stressors is severe depression, which is actually often mistaken for a memory problem since one of its primary symptoms is the inability to concentrate. If you can't concentrate, you might feel like you are constantly forgetting things. Depression increases the levels of cortisol in your brain, which affects your memory. Seek professional help to get rid of your depression -- your brain will thank you.
* Feed your brain
50 to 60 percent of the brain's overall weight is pure fat, which is used to insulate its billions of nerve cells. The better insulated a cell is, the quicker you will be thinking. This is exactly why parents are advised to feed their young children whole milk. Thus, eating foods that contain a healthy mix of fats is vital for long-term memory. Some excellent food choices include fish and dark leafy green vegetables. | high23232.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "helps connect Chinese classics with modern world"
},
"options": [
"connects traditional Chinese culture and wisdom",
"helps connect Chinese classics with modern world",
"uses a wiser and acceptable way to draw cartoons",
... | For many of us, cartoon strips are simply one of our pastimes. The popular Japanese manga provides us with an escape from reality into a world of fantasy, adventure and romance.With much less text and pictures running for pages, it fits perfectly into today's fast, throwing away city lifestyle.
But Tsai Chih-chung,a famous Taiwanese illustrator , doesn't agree.He believes cartoons can be a bridge connecting traditional Chinese culture and wisdom with the modern world in a much wittier and more acceptable way.
He has interpreted Lao Zi, Confucius, Mencius,Zhuang Zi and Sun Zi and made their works accessible to a global audience. He has also produced two books about Zen , introducing oriental philosophy. His cartoons are humorous yet full of wisdom and are admired as an easy way to learn Chinese classics.
After avoiding the public for ten years, Tsai made a comeback in late April with seven new works. But does his age, 61, work as a gap between him and his young readers? Tsai doesn't think so. The topics he has covered range from philosophy in a time of individuality to the learning and memorizing techniques used at school. "Every child is a genius and has the potential beyond his own imagination, " he said.
If popular Japanese manga is purely for entertainment, Tsai's work, to a large extent, is to light the power of thinking in a light-hearted way. Tsai uses differenr forms of water to refer to people. In his eyes some people are like an ocean, some are like vapor, while others may be ice or
rain. But in essence they share a similarity-human being's forever chasing for the true and the good. "The person who thinks over life issues is not necessarily a scholar or a philosopher," he said. "I've dedicated my whole life to thinking and individual freedom, not making a living." | high16289.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "It first came into being in the 1990."
},
"options": [
"It has a simple but entertaining plot.",
"It is about friendship between college students.",
"It was criticized by Entertainment Weekly.",
"It first came into bein... | No one not even its creators-thought that the world would care about the interwoven lives, loves and sufferings of a group of attractive and witty New Yorkers. But there's no doubt that Friends has become more than just a successful situation comedy--it has established itself as one of the last great television phenomena of the last century. Along the way, it has made its half-dozen lead actors famous.
Looking back the strong friendship between the group of three men and three women who frequently gather at each other's apartments and at Greenwich Village's Central Perk coffee house, Friends was created by television producers, David Crane and Marta Kauffman. In 1993, the pair met producer Kevin S. Bright. Then the three became partners and got a deal to produce a new comedy for Warner Brothers. What they came up with was based on Crane and Kauffman's after-college years, when they hung out at the local coffee house and involved themselves in every aspect of each other's lives.
It didn't take long for viewers to make friends with Friends. The sitcom quickly became a top ten hit. Critics loved it as well. Entertainment Weekly said the show operate like a Broadway show, with twisty plots and unique jokes. The television theme song has also been a success with the public. The song's success helped save the television theme song. An ABC executive was ready to order very short music intros on his network's shows, thinking that viewers would hit the remote control as soon as the opening started. But the success of the Friends theme song led the ABC executive to change his mind---remote controls or not, the TV theme song would stay.
Years have gone by, but Friends remains and will remain an example of a modern day US sitcom that is both hugely entertaining television and nothing short o a genuine latter-day social phenomenon. | high10820.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "listen to the speech"
},
"options": [
"dress up in different clothes",
"listen to the speech",
"have the wacky walk",
"throw Frisbees or beach balls"
],
"question": "The students went into the stadium to _ ."... | The students were not exactly overjoyed that Steve Jobs was going to be the speaker. Everyone wanted Bill Clinton. After all, his daughter Chelsea had gone to school at Stanford. So every year that Clinton was not named speaker was a disappointment no matter who it was.
Graduation is not in order. It wasn't until we started walking into the stadium that I even realized that I'm actually graduating right now. Stanford has this tradition, the wacky walk, where everyone dresses up in different clothes or throws Frisbees or beach balls. I'm from the South so I had a seersucker suit shipped in from back home in Georgia. Some other guys dressed up as iPods.
It was good fun. That was an interesting contrast to Job's speech. He started talking about being fired from Apple and then having cancer, how doctors told him he was going to die and how he was adopted as a baby into a family with parents who never went to college --- an unusual experience that played out over his life. His speech was very raw and very open.
He told us that he gets up every morning and looks in the mirror and asks "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" "If the answer is not for too many days in a row", he said, "it's time to make a change. That has really driven a lot of my decisions since then. When I've reached certain points in my job where I'm not very excited to get to work early or stay late or work on something over the weekend or all night. When I lose that excitement then it's probably not the right thing for me anymore".
He said, "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life." Exactly. Death is a great motivator. You have to get out there and do something because some day you won't be there. Of all the advice I've received I rely on that the most. | high17197.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Its negative effects have long been ignored."
},
"options": [
"Its role has been largely underestimated.",
"The goal increase people's work efficiency.",
"Its negative effects have long been ignored.",
"The goal most pe... | As anyone who has tried to lose weight knows, realistic goal-setting generally produces the best results. That's partially because it appears people who set realistic goals actually work more efficiently, and exert more effort, to achieve those goals.
What are far less understood by scientists, however, are the potentially harmful effects of goal-setting. There has been surprisingly little research on how the practice may have contributed to the current economic crisis and unethical behavior in general.
"Goals are widely used and promoted as having really beneficial effects. And yet, the same motivation that can push people to exert more effort in a constructive way could also motivate people to be more likely to engage in unethical behaviors," says Maurice Schweitzer, an associate professor of operations and information management at Penn's Wharton School. His paper, titled "Goals Gone Wild: The Systematic Side Effects of Over-Prescribing Goal Setting," appears in the February issue of the Academy of Management Perspectives.
"It turns out there's no economic benefit to just having a goal-you just get a psychological benefit and that's quite motivating in itself," Schweitzer says. "But in many cases, goals have economic rewards that make them more powerful."
A prime example Schweitzer and his colleagues give is the 2004 closing down of energy-trading titan Enron, where managers used financial rewards to motivate salesmen to meet specific sales goals. The problem, Schweitzer says, is the actual trades were not earning money. Other studies have shown that pressing employees with unrealistic goals can force them to lie, cheat or steal. Such was the case, Schweitzer says, in the early 1990s when Sears imposed a sales target on its auto repair staff. It resulted in employees overcharging for work and completing unnecessary repairs on a companywide basis.
Schweitzer admits his research run against a very large body of literature that praises the many benefits of goal-setting. Edwin A. Locke, from the University of Maryland, College Park, and Gary P. Latham, from the University of Toronto, write: "Goal setting is not going away. Organizations cannot develop without being focused on their desired results any more than an individual can develop without goals to provide a sense of purpose."
The debate is likely to be popular on in future papers, and the practice of setting goals no doubt will continue. For now, though, the lesson seems to be to put more thought into setting goals. "They really do help to coordinate and motivate people. My idea would be to combine that with careful observation, a strong organizational culture, and make sure the goals that you use are going to be constructive and not significantly harm the organization," Schweitzer says. | high21343.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Via the Internet."
},
"options": [
"By letter.",
"By phone.",
"Via the Internet.",
"In person."
],
"question": "How can students apply for the job?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
},
{
"answer... | Sichuan University's Work-Study Program gives overseas students a chance to teach English to Chinese students on campus. If you need more money to cover all of your education-related costs, you may be eligible for this program.
Advantages
From the program, you can earn some valuable working experience during your study as well as some extra money. The program offers about 100 job positions for those students who speak English as their first language.
How to apply for it?
It's very easy to apply for the program. There is no need for face-to-face interview. All the forms you need are online (www.scu.edu.cn); just fill in the forms and email us; we accept no letter or phone application!
What are the criteria for the Study-Teaching Program?
The applicants will meet the following requirements: Students who are or will be registered at Sichuan University for at least one semester, English as first language, Clear pronunciation, Good communication skills, Good command of the English language, Good knowledge of western culture, A satisfactory academic standing, Responsible, positive attitude and Ability to provide quality work.
How much can you earn?
You will receive payment in person from the International Office on the 10th of every month; the fee is 100 RMB per class. (45 minutes)
How do you extend the contract?
The supervisors of the International Office receives and evaluates applications in addition to answering applicants' questions. After a satisfactory evaluation, you can renew your contract.
Regular Office Hours: Monday to Friday
September to June: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
July to August: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. | high17829.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "their social position"
},
"options": [
"their social position",
"the monitors",
"other passengers",
"others' position"
],
"question": "According to the study, where people stand in a lift is decided by _ .",
... | Most people know the feeling when you walk into a lift with other people. A study has found that where people stand is based on their social position on entering the lift.
Rebekah Rousi, a Ph.D. student, did a study of lift behavior in two of the tallest office buildings in Adelaide, Australia. As part of her research, she took a total of 30 lift rides in the two buildings, and discovered there was a fixed order about where people chose to stand.
In her research paper, she wrote that more senior men seemed to walk straight towards the back of the lift. She said , "in front of them were younger men, and in front of them were women of all ages." She also noticed there was a difference in the direction where people look during the ride. "Men watched the monitors, looked in the side mirrors (in one building) to see themselves, and in the door mirrors (in the other building) to watch others. Women would watch the monitors and avoid looking into others' eyes (unless in conversations) and the mirrors."
Rebekah Rousi concluded that shyer people stand toward the front, where they can't see other passengers, while fearless people stand in the back, where they have a good view of everyone else. | high11280.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "the biodiversity of our earth"
},
"options": [
"the environment for plants",
"the biodiversity of our earth",
"the waste of natural resources",
"the importance of human values"
],
"question": "We learn from the ... | Edward Wilson is America's, if not the world's, leading naturalist. In The Future of Life, he takes us on a tour of the world's natural resources. How are they used? What has been lost? What remains and is it able to continue with the present speed of use? Wilson also points out the need to understand fully the biodiversity of our earth.
Wilson begins with an open letter to the pioneer in environment protection, Henry David Thoreau. He compares today's Walden Pond with that of Thoreau's day. Wilson will use such comparisons for the rest of the book. The problem is clear: man has done great damage to his home over the years. Can the earth, with human help, be made to return to biodiversity levels that will be able to support us in the future?
Biodiversity, Wilson argues, is the key to settling many problems the earth faces today. Even our agricultural crops can gain advantages from it. A mere hundred species are the basis of our food supply, of which but twenty carry the load. Wilson suggests changing this situation by looking into ten thousand species that could be made use of, which will be a way to reduce the clearing of the natural homes of plants and animals to enlarge farming areas.
At the end of the book, Wilson discusses the importance of human values in considering the environment. If you are to continue to live on the earth, you may as well read and act on the ideas in this book. | high6867.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "The order of time"
},
"options": [
"The order of importance",
"The order of time",
"The order of place or direction",
"The order of advantages and disadvantages"
],
"question": "In what order is the article writ... | The earliest historical record of the Diaoyu Islands can date back to China's Ming Dynasty about 650 years ago in a book titled "Voyage With a Tail Wind," published in 1403. The book records the first usage of "Diaoyu Islet" and "Chiwei Islet". The names refer to the current Diaoyu Islands and Chiwei Islet. Hu Zongxian, the Zhejiang governor of the Ming Dynasty, placed the Diaoyu Islands and surrounding islets within China's maritime defense system. It demonstrates that the islands have been within China's _ defense region since the Ming Dynasty.
Japan claimed sovereignty during the Sino-Japanese War of 1895, seizing the islands by illegal means.
The Cairo Declaration issued after World War II stipulated that all territory taken by Japan illegally, including China's northeast, Taiwan and Penghu islets, must be returned to China.
In August 1945, Japan announced its unconditional surrender under the terms of the Potsdam Declaration. The declaration laid out that Japan must return Taiwan, the Diaoyu Islands and surrounding islets to China.
But the islands came under US control after 1945. In 1951, Japan and the US signed an illegal treaty in San Francisco without inviting China. The islands were then "entrusted" to Japan according to the treaty.
On September 18th, 1951, then Chinese Premier and Foreign Minister Zhou Enlai made a solemn statement on behalf of the Chinese government that the Treaty of Peace with Japan signed in San Francisco was illegal , and would not be recognized without the participation and signing of the People's Republic of China.
In June 1971, Japan and the United States signed an agreement to hand over Okinawa to Japan. The Diaoyu Islands were mapped into the handover area.
China's Foreign Ministry announced on December 30th 1971 that such a move was "totally illegal" and reiterated that the Diaoyu Islands and surrounding islets were "an integral part of the Chinese territory". | high8692.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "the stronger they become"
},
"options": [
"the weaker they become",
"the stronger they become",
"they will be useless",
"the more helpless they are"
],
"question": "It is true that the more you use your arms or ... | If you do not use your arms or your legs some time, they become weak; when you start using them again, they slowly become strong again. Everybody knows this and nobody would think of questioning this fact. Yet there are many people who do not seem to know that memory works in the same way. When someone says that he has a good memory, he really means that he keeps his memory in practice by exercising it frequently either consciously or unconsciously. When someone else says that his memory is poor, he really means that he doesn't give it enough chances to become strong.
If a friend complains that his arms and legs are weak, we know that it is his own fault. But if he tells us that he has a poor memory, many of us think his parents are to blame and that he is just unlucky, and few of us realize that it is just as much as his own fault as if it is his arms or legs that were weak. | high23554.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Its function as a freezer."
},
"options": [
"Its large mountains.",
"Its function as a freezer.",
"The abundant ice samples there.",
"The absence of global warming."
],
"question": "What makes Antarctica a safe ... | Where do you keep ice? In die freezer, of course. That's what scientists might have thought when they were looking for a safe place to store ice from mountain glaciers from around the world. They've decided to store ice in Antarctica because global warming is causing some of the glaciers in places like the Alps to melt.
Jerome Chappellaz of the French National Centre for Scientific Research is involved in creating an ice vault there. He says: "We are probably the only scientific community whose sample is in danger of disappearing from the face of the planet. If you work on rocks or on tree rings, the raw material is still here and will be for many centuries."
And why do scientists need to study ice from the Alps, for example? Ice formed on the top of a mountain is made of snow accumulated over thousands of years. Trapped air bubbles contain samples of the atmosphere that existed when that ice was formed. Ice is a record of climate By examining ice. we know carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is higher now than in the last three million years. Researchers use this kind of data to build computer models and try to predict what might happen in the future.
The ice vault will be housed in a snow cave at the Concordia Research Station, which is operated by scientists from France and Italy. The ice samples will be sealed in bags and placed 10 meters below the surface. at a constant temperature of -50*C. This will put the scientists' minds at rest. Losing the ice samples would be a disaster, and nobody wants to see a mine of scientific knowledge lost forever in a giant pool. | high13497.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "invite students to a meeting"
},
"options": [
"explain meeting programs",
"invite students to a meeting",
"call for papers for a meeting",
"introduce meeting organizers"
],
"question": "The main purpose of this ... | The League of High Schools is pleased to invite student freethinkers to our 2007 Student Leadership Meeting July 15 -17 at our office building in Manhattan, New York.
This yearly meeting has been successfully held for the past three years. The event brings together student activists from around North America for a busy weekend of workshops, networking, lectures, and a lot of fun.
We encourage every school to send at least one representative (if not more) and we are keeping the costs down to help make this possible. Any individual * student activists who are interested are also welcome to attend. Registration ,rd5m and food for the entire three day event will cost only $ 39 for each student. We' ve booked you single rooms at Travelodge, New York. For any information about the hotel, please call 88643911.
This time we are making a special offer providing some money for travelling to make sure each group can send a representative even if it lacks the money to do so. Email Anna Porter at apor- ter@ leaguehighschool. net or call 46935040 to get more information about this travel support.
The registration form can be found at http://www. freethought. org/SLM2007. pdf. For more information about registration you may call Lucy Becker at 36904560 or email her at lbecker @ IeaguehighschooL net.
So don't wait! Send in your registration.' | high22892.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "the woman was willing to help others."
},
"options": [
"the woman had much sight-seeing around the world.",
"the woman was willing to help others.",
"the woman made great wealth by selling crafts.",
"the woman talked a ... | I have had the privilege of meeting some very interesting people over the years. Some of these people made a great impact on my life, my views and personal philosophy. Others I met had the opposite effect because they represented attitudes, behavior and beliefs that were directly opposed to my views on life and my feelings about the value of all people.
One such person I met was a woman in her late seventies. She had been an active woman, raised a family and had engaged in helping others, and developed her own crafts to sell at selected craft shows throughout the year.
When I met her for the first time, I couldn't believe that she was in her late seventies -- I would have placed her age more in her early sixties. After speaking with her for a short period, it was only then that the conversation seemed to turn to age. And, it wasn't a conversation about thefrailty of age, or the aches and pains, or about pleasures lost.
The conversation, instead, focused on her _ for life and all the things that she was in the planning stages of doing. And, what she was planning to do wasn't about going to a seniors group so she and her husband could go on a bus tour. What she was planning was an excursion to Europe, unaccompanied by any tour operator or taken around the usual sights by a local guide.
She really impressed me a lot because of her zest for life; for an uncompromising view of the future not in the least affected by her age; for the undying faith in knowing that there was a great deal of life yet to be discovered and experienced and yearning for each new image, discussion, smell, cultural uniqueness or experience. | high444.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "To share wonderful things with the king."
},
"options": [
"To get some help from the king.",
"To invite the king to visit his beautiful village.",
"To share wonderful things with the king.",
"To ask the king to play wit... | There once was a little boy who wanted to meet the king. He set off, walking towards the king's castle. After many years of walking, the king's castle came into his view. However, as the boy drew closer to the outside of the castle, the guards noticed him.
"Get out of here!" ordered the guards.
Well, _ . He turned...and ran. All he wanted to do was to tell the king wonderful things, and see all the beautiful things in the king's house. But he couldn't even get near the castle! The boy finally stopped running, sat down and cried.
A young man happened to be coming down the path at the very moment. He saw the little boy and stopped. "What's wrong, young man?" he asked.
"Sir, I walked and walked just to see the king. But these guards made me scared. I wanted to tell the king how lovely everything is and just tell the king that I just wanted to see him.!"
The man looked at the little boy thoughtfully. "Look, why don't you try again. I'll come with you this time."
The little boy got up and took the man's hand. The king's guards spotted them.
"Look, mister, we don't have to do this...I don't want you to get hurt. We can just turn around now."
The man held the little boy's hand and went on. The boy really thought the man might be crazy until he looked back up at the guards. They were all smiling now. The little boy was amazed.
"Who are you?" asked the little boy in astonishment.
"Why, I'm the king's son. You can enter the castle and be with the king." Said the man.
The little boy broke into a huge smile. | high6873.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "the social skills than Chinese parents"
},
"options": [
"the social skills than Chinese parents",
"their children's studying hard and well",
"what their children want but they can't",
"extra activities than schoolwork"
... | In America, parents tend to encourage their children to develop their potential to the fullest extent. Fathers and mothers frequently teach their children both ambition and the confidence necessary to work toward their goals. American parents are always active in concentrating on what their kids can do, not what they can't. As a result, millions of American boys and girls grow up hoping to become actors and athletes, diplomats and doctors. Many of them even want to become president.
American parents often encourage their children to become involved in extra activities of all types at school, such as student government, sports and music. They believe that only through taking part in these activities can their children become mature young adults.
As we all know, schoolwork is important. But parents should realize that the social skills their children learn form natural conversations with each other are as important as schoolwork and the skills they will need in the future work. What's more important in their work is that their children should have a sound knowledge of physics or the ability to communicate effectively.
As a rule, Chinese parents don't educate their children about the same kind of ambition and confidence as Americans do, nor do they encourage the same level of participation in extra activities. Children are typically advised to study hard and pass exams. They have to spend a lot of time in doing much schoolwork every day. It is a great waste of time to do so.
Now more and more Chinese parents have recognized that they should pay attention to developing the potential of their children. I hope that leaders in Chinese educational circles should take some measures to develop the potential of their children. I am very confident about it. | high12945.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "warn people of the higher level of CO2"
},
"options": [
"show people the findings of a research team",
"warn people of the higher level of CO2",
"inform people of how acid the ocean is now",
"introduce Dr Caldeira and h... | The world's oceans are slowly getting more acidic, say scientists.
The researchers from California say the change is taking place in response to higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
The lowering of the waters' pH value is not great at the moment but could pose a serious threat to current marine life if it continues, they warn.
Ken Caldeira and Michael Wickett, from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, report their concerns in the journal Nature.
Increasing use of fossil fuels means more carbon dioxide is going into the air, and most of it will eventually be absorbed by seawater. Once in the water, it reacts to form carbonic acid.
Scientists believe that the oceans have already become slightly more acidic over the last century.
But these researchers have tried to predict what will happen in the future by combining what we know about the history of the oceans with computer models of climate change.
"This level of acidity will get much more extreme in the future if we continue releasing CO2 into the atmosphere," said Dr Caldeira.
"And we predict amounts of future acidity will exceed anything we have seen over the last several hundred million years, let alone perhaps after rare catastrophic events such as asteroid impacts ."
If carbon dioxide release continues unabated , ocean pH could be reduced by as much as 0.77 units, the authors warn.
It is not ly clear what that means for marine life, however.
Most organisms live near the surface, where the greatest pH change would be expected to occur, but deep-ocean lifeforms may be more sensitive to pH changes.
Coral reefs and other organisms whose skeletons or shells contain calcium carbonate may be particularly affected, the team speculate. They could find it much more difficult to build these structures in water with a lower pH.
In recent years some people have suggested deliberately storing carbon dioxide from power stations in the deep ocean as a way of curbing global warming. But Dr Caldeira said that such a strategy should now be re-considered.
"Previously, most experts had looked at ocean absorption of carbon dioxide as a good thing - because in releasing CO2 into the atmosphere we warm the planet; and when CO2 is absorbed by the ocean, it reduces the amount of greenhouse warming. | high23540.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "they haven't reached their own standards"
},
"options": [
"their life is busy and miserable",
"they haven't reached their own standards",
"they set their goals at too low a level",
"they are not rich in material possess... | There are many ways of defining success. It is accurate to say that each of us has our own ideas of success to the extent that each of us is responsible for setting our own goals and determining whether we have met these goals satisfactorily. Because each of us possesses unique differences in genetic ability and favorable environments in which to express these abilities, it is necessarily true that we must define success broadly.
For some people,simply being able to live their life with the least misery and sufferings is considered a success. Think of the peace of mind of the poor shepherd who tends his sheep, enjoys his simple life with his family in the beauty of nature, and who is respected because he does a good job of achieving the goals expected of him and accepted by his family and his society. On the other hand, it seems that even though some people appear to be rich in material possessions, many of them seem to be miserable and consider themselves unsuccessful when judged by their own standards of success. Because not all ventures can be successful, one should not set unrealistic goals for achieving success, but if one has self-confidence it would be unfortunate to set one's goals at too low a level of achievement.
A wise man once said to a young man who was experiencing frustration with his own professional success, "You do not have to set your goal to reach the moon in order to have success in traveling. Sometimes one can be very successful merely by taking a walk in the park or riding the subway downtown," The man added, "You have not really failed and spoiled your chances for success until you have been unsuccessful at something you really like,and to which you have given your best effort. " | high9598.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "parents at present spend less time playing with their children than with the older generation."
},
"options": [
"parents at present spend less time playing with their children than with the older generation.",
"some parents do not ... | China news, Beijing, June 5 -- The Horizon Research Group conducted a survey about Chinese parents and their children in May last year and this year. Based on a random sampling method, the survey, done in May last year, investigated about 1,095 people living in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xinjiang, Jinzhong, and Luzhou. All these people were aged between 18 and 60. The survey shows that 55.5% of the parents did not know who their children's best friends were. Fathers, in particular, knew even less about their children than mothers, as the survey shows only 33.8% of fathers knew who their children's best friends were while 50.8% of mothers did so, China Youth Daily reported.
Parents with little education were less concerned with their children's life, or whom their children played with. The survey shows that among parents that graduated from primary schools or without any educational background, only 33.1% knew who their children's best friends were. Among parents that had received middle school education, the related proportion reached 45.5%.
This year's survey was also based on random sampling. In May 2007, the Horizon Research Group investigated some 1,456 families in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Changsha, Xi'an, Chengdu and Harbin. The survey shows that children under the age of 12 play for less time with their playmates than their parents did when they were young.
The survey also shows that most children at present spend only 21.9% of their time playing with their friends, while their parents spent 36.8% of their time with their playmates when they were young. Nowadays, most children spend more time with their grandparents or babysitters than with their parents. | high13483.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "natural foods are still popular today"
},
"options": [
"many married women began to work in the 1960s",
"natural foods are still popular today",
"fast food is not part of the diet of all Americans",
"divorce causes pe... | In 1955, a man named Raymond Kroc together with two brothers named McDonald opened a popular restaurant in California which sold food that was easy to prepare and serve quickly. Hamburgers, French fries, and cold drinks were the main food there. Kroc opened similar eating places under the same name, "McDonald's", and they were an instant success. He later took over the company, and today it is one of the most famous and successful "fast-food" in America and around the world.
Why was his idea successful? Probably the most important reason was that his timing was right. In the 1950s, most married women stayed home to keep house and take care of their children. In the 1960s, many women returned to the workplace. This meant that they had less time or energy to prepare meals, so they spent more on " TV dinners " and fast-food restaurants. Single parents also have little time to spend in the kitchen. People living alone also depend on this type of food, since _
Fast-food is not part of the diet of all Americans. Another trend of the 1960s, sometimes called the back-to-nature movement influenced many people to avoid food that was packaged or processed . This preference for natural food continued to this day.
From the success of Raymond Kroc's fast-food business, we can say that social economic trends influence where and what we eat. | high450.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "to prepare for the foundation of a space station"
},
"options": [
"to send the first female astronaut in space",
"to prepare for the foundation of a space station",
"to carry out a manual docking with the Tiangong-1",
"... | A Chinese space capsule carrying three crew members has returned to Earth following a 13-day mission . Images of the capsule landing in Inner Mongolia at 10:05 local time were shown live on television.
The astronauts, including China's first woman in space, carried out a successful manual docking with the Tiangong-1 laboratory module. This is a key step towards China's goal of building a space station by 2020. Premier Wen Jiabao praised it as a "complete success". "This is another outstanding contribution by the Chinese people to humanity's efforts to explore and use space," Mr Wen said in Beijing.
"It feels so good to stand on Earth, and it feels even better to be home," astronaut Liu Wang was quoted by national broadcaster CCTV as saying. "Tiangong-1, our home in space, was comfortable and pleasant. We're very proud of our nation, " female astronaut Liu Yang said.
The crew of the Shenzhou-9 craft successfully carried out the country's manual docking operation earlier in the week. The delicate procedure, which involved bringing together two orbiting objects travelling at thousands of miles an hour, was mastered by USSR and US space teams in the 1960s. The crew also carried out automatic docking of the two crafts in the process.
The three astronauts returned to the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft on Thursday and performed a manual separation from the space laboratory. They touched down in Inner Mongolia's Siziwang county on Friday, with the capsule equipped with a parachute to slow its approach.
Ms Liu, 33, is a major in China's air force from the central province of Henan. On China's Tencent QQ messaging service, she goes by the name "little Flying knight". She was selected into China's space programme only two years ago, but she did particularly well, the official news agency Xinhua says. The Shenzhou-9 spacecraft was launched on 16 June. | high22886.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "The nature of human olfactory system."
},
"options": [
"The category of food smells.",
"The logical part of human brain.",
"The nature of human olfactory system.",
"The relationship between food and feelings."
],
... | Researchers continue to show the power behind our sense of smell.Recent studies have found,among other things,that the smell of foods like pizza can cause uncontrollable anger in drivers on roads.
The review explains that smell is unique in its effects on the brain.According to Conrad King,the researcher who carried out the review,"more than any other senses,the sense of smell goes through the logical part of the brain and acts on the systems concerned with feelings.This is why the smell of baking bread can destroy the best intentions of a dieter."
Smell,which dictates the unbelievable complexity of food tastes,has always been the least understood of our senses.Our noses are able to detect up to 10,000distinct smells.Our ability to smell and taste this extremely large range of smells is controlled by something like 1,000genes ,which make up an amazing 3% of the human genome.Researchers Richard Axel and Linda Buck were together awarded a Nobel Prize in 2004for their ground-breaking research on the nature of this extraordinary sense.These two scientists were the first to describe the family of 1,000olfactory genes and to explain how our olfactory system works.
According to one study in the research review,smelling fresh pizza or even the packaging of fast foods can be enough to make drivers feel impatient with other road users.They are then more likely to speed and experience uncontrollable anger on roads.The most reasonable explanation is that these can all make drivers feel hungry,and therefore desperate to satisfy their appetites.
In contrast,the smells of peppermint and cinnamon were shown to improve concentration levels as well as reduce drivers'impatience.Similarly,the smells of lemon and coffee appeared to promote clear thinking and mental focus.
However,the way genes regulate smell differs from person to person.A study by researchers in Israel has identified at least 50olfactory genes which are switched on in some people and not in others.They believe this may explain why some of us love some smells and tastes while others hate them.The Israel researchers say their study shows that nearly every human being shows a different pattern of active and inactive smell-detecting receptors. | high19810.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "The Man on the Moon"
},
"options": [
"The Moon",
"The Man on the Moon",
"Research on the Moon",
"What Is It Like on the Moon?"
],
"question": "Which of the following is the best title of the passage?",
"ques... | Did you ever look up at the moon and think you saw a man's face there?When the moon is round and full,the shadows of the moon mountains and the lines of the moon valleys sometimes seem to show a giant nose and mouth and eyes. At least,some people think so.
If there were a man on the moon -- instead of mountains and valleys that just look like the face of a man -- what would he be like?
He would not be like anyone you know. He would not be like anyone anybody knows.
If the man on the moon were bothered by too much heat or cold the way Earth people are,he could not stay on the moon.
The moon becomes very,very hot. It becomes as hot as boiling water. And the moon becomes very,very cold. It becomes colder than ice.
Whatever part of the moon the sun shines on is hot and bright. The rest of the moon is cold and dark.
If the man on the moon had to breathe to stay alive,he couldn't live on the moon because there's no air there.(He'd have to carry an oxygen tank,as astronauts do.) There's no food on the moon,either. Nothing grows -- not even weeds.
If the man on the moon liked to climb mountains,he would be very happy. There are many high places there,such as the raised land around the holes,or craters,of the moon. Some of these _ are as tall as Earth's highest mountains.
But if the man on the moon liked to swim,he would be unhappy. There is no water on the moon -- just dust and rock.
When you think of what it's like on the moon,you may wonder why it interests our scientists. One reason is that the moon is Earth's nearest neighbor -- it is the easiest place in space to get to.
Going back and forth between the moon and Earth,astronauts will get a lot of practice in space travel. Things learned on moon trips will be of great help to astronauts who later take long,long trips to some of the planets.
Scientists are also interested in the moon because it has no air. The air that surrounds Earth cuts down the view of the scientists who look at the stars through telescopes. A telescope on the moon would give them a clearer,closer view of the stars. | high21357.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "The\"Host Family Program\"in the U.S."
},
"options": [
"Studying in the U.S.",
"The\"Host Family Program\"in the U.S.",
"The\"Student Exchange Program\"in the U.S.",
"Activities in American Schools"
],
"question... | Many American schools have a student exchange program with foreign countries. Along with this program,there is usually another one called the"American Host Family"program.As its name suggests,the program gets American families involved in foreign students' lives in America and offers homes for them.
Foreign students generally welcome such an opportunity to have a"family"here,but there are also those who prefer to stay"homeless".
Many American families volunteer to host foreign students.However,if there is a shortage of host families,schools also get in touch with local people and introduced foreign students to them.
The"American Host Family"program changes in lengths of time.It can go from a few days to a few years,depending on each individual school.After the first year is over,it is up to foreign students and their"families"to decide if they want to stay together as a"family".American families can host as many foreign students as they like.They can either have several students or just one at a time.Many families start with new students each year while still keeping in touch with the old ones.Schools usually leave it to foreign students and their host families to decide their activities after both sides meet.
My school, however, holds activities every year. On major holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas,foreign students are usually invited to their thomes for dinner.Even schools that do not have host family programs often arrange students to get together with American families on these special holiday occasions.
It is typical that a host family invites its foreign daughter or son over,and they cook the student's home food together,Undoubtedly,Chinese students are usually considered good cooks,whether or not they are really qualified for such praise at home.Although many Chinese students rarely cooked at home,they often have a hard time making their American friends believe that they cannot cook.It often happens when a Chinese student promises to cook a Chinese meal for his host family,he usually sees a little crowd expecting him:friends or relatives are also invited over for the"special"Chinese food! | high11294.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "The lizard's."
},
"options": [
"The hawks'.",
"The moon's.",
"The lizard's.",
"The butterflies'."
],
"question": "Whose attitude to the cactus is the worst?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
},
{
... | A cactus stood all alone in the desert, wondering why it was stuck in the middle of nowhere."I do nothing but stand here all day," it sighed."What use am I? I'm the ugliest plant in the desert.My spines are thick and prickly , my leaves are rubbery and tough, I can't offer shade or juicy fruit to any passing traveler.I don't see that I'm any use at all." All it did was stand in the sun day after day, growing taller and fatter.Its spines grew longer and its leaves tougher...It truly was strange-looking.
"I wish I could do something useful," it sighed.By day, hawks circled high overhead."What can I do with my life?" the cactus called.Whether they heard or not, the hawks sailed away.At night, the moon floated into the sky and cast its pale glow on the desert floor."What good can 1 do with my life?" the cactus Called: The moon only stared coldly as it goes on its way.A lizard crawled by, leaving a little trail in the sand with its tail."What worthy thing can I do?" the cactus called."You?" the lizard laughed, pausing a moment."Worthy deed? Why, you can't do anything! The hawks circle ways overhead, tracing delicate patterns for us all to admire.The moon hangs high like a lantern at night, so we can see our way home.Even I, the lowly lizard can decorate the sands with these beautiful brush-drawings as I pull my tail
along.But you do nothing but get uglier every day."
And so it went on year after year.At last the cactus grew old, and it knew its time was short."Oh, God" it cried out, "I've wondered so long, and I've tried so hard.Forgive me if I've failed to find something worthy to do." But just then the cactus felt a strange stirring and unfolding.At its very tip, like a sudden crown, a glorious flower suddenly opened in bloom.
Never had the desert known such a blossom.Its fragrance perfumed the air far and wide and brought happiness to all passing by.
The butterflies paused to admire its beauty, and even the moon smiled when it rose to find such a treasure.The cactus heard a voice."You have waited long," the God said."the heart that seeks to do good reflects My glory, and will always bring something worthwhile to the world, something in which all can rejoice --even if for only a moment." | high21431.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "The Australian man created by chance when he got drunk and shared his photo online."
},
"options": [
"The Australian man created it to celebrate his friend's 21\nstbirthday.",
"The Australian man created by chance when he got drunk... | "Selfie" joins ranks of dictionary words.
In 2002, an Australian man went to his friend's 21st birthday party. He got drunk, _ on some steps and cut his lip. He took a picture of his injuries and shared it with his friends on an online forum. "And sorry about the focus," he wrote, "it was a selfie." That was the first recorded use of the word "selfie", according to linguistic experts at Oxford Dictionaries.
On Nov 19, Oxford Dictionaries declared "selfie" Word of the Year for 2013, in honor of the term having taken over the world thanks to millions of smart phone self-portraits and the resulting shares on social media.
So what does the choice of the word say about our culture? Mary Elizabeth Williams, writing in Salon magazine, says the word reminds us that contemporary culture is defined by our narcissism .Megan Jackson from a local newspaper points out a selfie may only focus on appearance.
Selfies invite judgment based on appearance alone. What kind of cultural influence does this have on women? Erin Gloria Ryan on Jezebel says selfies teach young woman to obsess over their appearance and judge themselves on the basis of beauty rather than accomplishments. "They're a reflection of the warped way we teach girls to see themselves as decorative," said Ryan.
In Slate magazine, Rachel Simmons has the opposite view. She argues that selfies are an example of young women promoting themselves and taking control of their own self-presentation. Think of each one, she says, as "a tiny pulse of girl pride --a shout-out to the self". | high10834.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "family arrangements has changed a great deal"
},
"options": [
"nowadays all people spend their lives in familiar communities",
"in the past a person could hardly get in touch with s",
"family arrangements has changed a great... | Although they may not die from lack of love ,adults also need a great amount of affection and companionship . In the past , many people spent their entire lives in the communities in which they were born and raised .Many more people continued to live with their parents ,brothers and sisters after they were married and had children of their own . By remaining in familiar communities with s nearby, families had enough opportunities for friendly contact and for support in time of trouble.
Recent studies suggest that family arrangements in Western societies have not changed as much in the last few centuries as is generally believed .Yet most sociologists agree that in modern societies ,there are fewer opportunities for friendship and support from s outside the immediate family .Parents and children often live apart from other s ,and seldom visit them .Also ,the family moves when a parent accepts a job in another place or when it decides to live in a better neighborhood. Together , loneliness and mobility force immediate family members to depend heavily on one another for affection and companionship.
Because the family is one of the few ongoing sources of affection and companionship in modern societies, a high percentage of people continue to marry ,even though it is possible for a single man and woman to live together without marrying. On the other hand, because affection and companionship have become so important, families are more likely to break up if the husband's or wife's emotional needs are not met within the family circle--even if all other family functions are being satisfactorily performed ,and in this sense ,affection and companionship have become the touchstone of the modern family. | high17183.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "A good reading habit can benefit your child at school."
},
"options": [
"A good reading habit can benefit your child at school.",
"Computer games help children develop reading skills.",
"You should be careful as for what book... | Encouraging early reading skills can build a path to a lifelong love of reading and can help your child get a head start in school. While reading to your child is still the most important thing you can do to build reading skills, there are many techniques that can help.
Make reading fun. Play games with your child as you read. Many traditional children's games can be adapted to encourage reading skills.
While reading or during play, tell your child, "I spy with my little eye, something that begins with the letter "b". Help the child find something on the page or in the room that begins with that letter. For example, "I see a barn." This can also be used to teach beginning letter sounds.Ispy with my little eye something that begins with the sound "s". Help the child find a word that begins with the "s" sound.
In this variation on the popular game, instruct the child that, "Simon says, point to something that starts with the letter "n". The child can then find an object in the room or a body part, such as the nose, that starts with the letter presented. This can also be used to teach beginning sounds.
Make a game out of rhyming words by making up silly words to rhyme with the child's name or favorite toys. This sets the stage for rhyming real words by showing the child the similarities of sounds. As the child masters making up the words, begin rhyming real words to one another.
Tips to raise a successful reader:
Put books in places where the child plays. If books are easily _ , children are more likely to pick them up.
Let children "read to you" by looking at pictures. Making up stories to go along with illustrations helps children discover how words relate to pictures.
Take books along on trips or even short visits to the doctor's office or grocery store.
Have children help you shop. Reading grocery lists and looking for specific items helps build vocabulary. | high4902.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "offer original research"
},
"options": [
"have high academic achievement",
"be excellent in all areas of science",
"offer original research",
"do many experiments in a university lab"
],
"question": "According t... | The Intel Science Talent Search is the top science competition for high school students in the US. The 40 finalists were honored in Washington last week. They met with scientists and politicians. President Obama welcomed them to the White House.
These 40 students were selected from almost 2,000 contestants nationwide. They had to present original research to be judged by professional scientists. The students showed their research projects on large posters. The winners were announced on March 15th, 2011.
Wendy Hawkins is executive director of the Intel Foundation, who says the 40 finalists represented excellence across many areas of science.
Selena Li is from Fair Oaks, California. She wanted to find a more effective treatment for liver cancer. She began her research four years ago. A scientist at the University of California, Davis, taught her how to design and do experimental work in the laboratory. Ms. Li placed 5th in the Intel Science Talent Search and was awarded 30,000 dollars.
Scott Boisvert lives near Phoenix, Arizona. He began using a laboratory at the University of Arizona at the age of 14. Over four years, he completed a project studying a fungus linked to the decrease in amphibians around the world. He was trying to find out if different chemicals and substances in the water could kill the fungus. He collected and tested water samples across Arizona. He says, "My results were able to identify a list of chemicals that were significant in the growth and in the movement of the fungus." He placed10th in the Intel competition and was awarded 20,000 dollars.
Evan O'Dorney of Danville, California, won the top award of 100,000 dollars in this year's Intel Science Talent Search. For his mathematical project, he compared two ways to estimate the square root of an integer , a number with no fractional parts.
Wendy Hawkins at the Intel Foundation says these young people represent the next generation of scientists who will help shape America's future. | high336.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "To prevent products from being copied."
},
"options": [
"To make companies pay for naming service.",
"To help people choose the best products.",
"To present good images of the products.",
"To prevent products from being... | The right name is important in the business world. All you have to do is think of the names for some of the products you buy every day and you'll agree that the name and the product are connected in everyone's mind.
In many countries, successful trade or brand names are protected by law. This is so that other companies cannot make a product that looks like another. People might think that they were buying one product and, in fact, be buying something different. Businesses register a company or a product name with the government. In fact, more than 1,000 product and company names are registered every hour. Many companies spend a lot of money to find the right name for their products. A good example of this is in the car industry. Some successful names for cars have powerful associations. The Ford Mustang and the Jaguar are only two examples of choosing the names of animals that are fast and strong.
When a U.S. company decides to sell its product in another country, it has to make sure that the product name translates properly. When Coca-Cola introduced its soft drink to China, it looked for the right name. It wanted a name that would do two things. One was to present its image in Chinese and the second was to be close to its first brand name -Coke. It took some efforts before finding the right word - which sounds similar and translates as "happiness in the mouth". Asian company names are not new to the United States. The brand names of Samsung and Sony have been successful. Finding the right brand name is a big business. Asian companies that sell to foreign markets pay to find a name that will connect with its customers. There are even naming companies that specialize in inventing product names. These companies can charge up to $ 100,000 a word for their creations. But it's worth it. Successful companies know how important the right brand names are for their development. | high23226.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "the dating industry is popular now"
},
"options": [
"most of the marriages result from the Internet.",
"the dating industry is popular now",
"women won't spend money when dating",
"single people like love at the first s... | Searching for love is no longer just a favorite subject for songs. It has also become a huge industry. Researchers say the online dating industry in the US earned 649 million dollars in 2006. They expect this number to increase to more than 9 million dollars by 2011.
Experts say that the industry has grown because traditional social ties have weakened. Many young people leave behind a close community of friends and family to find work in bigger cities. People work longer hours, so they have less time to meet new people.
This helps explain the popularity of online dating. Some estimates say120 thousand marriages a year result from matches made on the Internet.
The dating industry has also been expanding in new ways. Many companies offer personalized services for finding the perfect mate. These companies are answering a large demand by single people. They are willing to invest their time and money to find love with carefully planned methods, instead of leaving love to chance.
AskRomeo is a company in Virginia. It provides single people with advice on how to meet a person for the first time.
Also in Virginia, the company True Life Partners provides a more costly and detailed dating service. The company hires a team of professional persons who help couples meet. But this level of service comes at a high price. Men pay thousands of dollars for the service. But women get to take part at no cost.
There are lots of other costs linked to dating. And we wonder how the economic recession has affected dating in the US. | high15794.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Tiger Woods did very well in golf as a child."
},
"options": [
"Tiger Woods is too perfect to be one of us.",
"Tiger Woods wasn't allowed to play golf after class.",
"Tiger Woods did very well in golf as a child.",
"Tig... | It's easy to observe an athlete like Tiger Woods and feel like he's from another planet. He has won 14 major tournament titles and about $122 million in prize money and ads. He also has a happy family. It seems that he is too perfect to be one of us. But Woods has more in common with you than you might think.
Woods' parents -- particularly his father -- set high expectations for him when he was a child. Before Earl Woods' death in 2006, he told Golf magazine, "My purpose in raising Tiger was not to raise a golfer. I wanted to raise a good person."
By age two, Woods was already swinging a golf club. But once he entered school, Woods' father was careful to send the message that school work came first. Woods wasn't allowed to practice until his homework was done.
When Woods finally reached the professional tour, his father continued to expect a lot of him. "Tiger will do more than any other man in history to change the course of human. The world is just getting a taste of his power," he said in 1996. Clearly, Earl Woods had great expectations of his son.
In this way, Tiger Woods is actually like a lot of us. Many of us feel a similar pressure to make our parents proud. When this happens, it's easy to let that pressure overwhelm us.
In a perfect world, we would all grow up to be Tiger Woods-like successes in our own fields. But that isn't possible. There are many things that we can't control in this life, despite our best efforts.
There is, however, one thing that we can do: we can try to be a "good person", as Earl Woods asked his son to do. | high22138.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "it costs the company less money to survive"
},
"options": [
"it's helpful to the economy recovery",
"it can form a team working harder and more loyally",
"it will keep the experienced and skilled workers",
"it costs the... | From bankers to factory staff, employees in the West face a cold _ of losing their jobs as a global recession starts to bite. For colleagues in the East, the pain is more likely to come through a pay cut.
Human resource experts say cultural differences explain why Asian companies try harder to preserve jobs in difficult times, which will prevent unemployment and may help Asian economies survive at a time of slowing exports. The East Asian attitude may also make it easier for companies to recover quickly from the economic downturn since they will not need to rehire or train new staff, but build up a more loyal and devoted group.
"In the Confucian mindset , the right thing to do is to share the burden , which is the sense of collective responsibility. While in the West, it's more about individual survival," said Michael Benoliel, associate professor of organizational behavior at Singapore Management University (SMU).
In contrast, local Western companies from General Motors to Goldman Sachs plan to lay off workers by the thousands, but at the Asian units of Western multinationals or western units of Asian groups, job cuts will probably be less severe.
Japan's jobless rate was 4 percent in September, up from 3.8 percent in January, while Hong Kong's was flat at 3.4 percent. But US unemployment is expected to have jumped to 6.3 percent last month from below 5 percent in January.
Experts say that while there are noticeable differences in labor practices in East and West, the gap will narrow as more firms become more multinational and competition forces firms to adopt the best practices of rivals from abroad. | high7238.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "the city's lights affected the meteor watching"
},
"options": [
"the city's lights affected the meteor watching",
"the meteors flew past before being noticed",
"the city light show attracted many people",
"the meteor wa... | Last night's meteor shower left many people in the community dissatisfied and demanding answers.According to Gabe Rothschild,Emerald Valley's mayor,people gathered in the suburbs of the city,carrying heavy telescopes,expecting to watch the brightly burning meteors passing through the sky.What they found instead was a sky so brightened by the city's lights that it darkened the light of the meteors passing overheaD.
"My family was so frustrated,"admitted town resident Duane Cosby."We wanted to make this an unforgettable family outing,but it turned out to be a huge disappointment."
Astronomers--scientists who study stars and planets--have been complaining about this problem for decades.They say that light pollution prevents them from seeing objects in the sky that they could see quite easily in the past.They call on people and the government to take measures to fight against it.
There is yet a population besides professional and amateur star observers that suffers even more from light pollution.This population consists of birds,bats,frogs,snakes,etC. For example,outdoor lighting severely affects migrating birds.According to the International Dark-Sky Association."100 million birds a year throughout North America die in crashes with lighted buildings and towers."
Countless more animal casualties result from the use of artificial lighting.Clearly,people enjoy the benefits of lighting their evenings,but some scientists think it can be harmful for humans,too.They worry that exposure to light while sleeping can increase a person's chances of getting cancer.
Emerald Valley is only one community that is becoming aware of the negative effects of light pollution.For years,Flagstaff,Arizona,has enforced lighting regulations in its city in order to assist astronomers at the Lowell Observatory.Similar efforts have been made worldwide,and a movement is underway to remind us to turn off lights when we are not using them,so that other creatures can share the night. | high12010.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "He can expect what will happen next with his sixth sense."
},
"options": [
"He can easily call everyone in the world.",
"He can expect what will happen next with his sixth sense.",
"He can control a powerful Wall Street compa... | Have you ever wished you could solve complex math problems without thinking? What about learning to play the piano in just three days? Or mastering several foreign languages within a month?
Eddie Morra, the main character in the movieLimitlesscan do all these things. But he isn't Superman or Harry Potter. Eddie has taken pills called NZT.
ThrillerLimitless came out in China on October 13. In the movie, Eddie is faced with "writer's block". He hasn't written a single word of a novel, and his deadline has passed. And there's more bad news: his girlfriend breaks up with him. By chance, Eddie runs into a relative who is a drug dealer. He gives Eddie some pills called NZT that allow people to make use of 100 percent of their brains. With the magic pills, Eddie's life changes completely. He can recall everything he has ever read, seen or heard. He gains a sixth sense that allows him to predict future events. He even becomes a kungfu master by simply memorizing actions in Bruce Lee's movie.
Before long he has finished his novel, won back his girlfriend and stepped into the financial world. He becomes rich incredibly quickly and is soon employed by a powerful Wall Street company. However, bad side effects are just around the corner. The effects of the pill last for only one or two days, and Eddie has to find more supplies of the pills. Meanwhile, the pills start to have other effects on him. Eddies' mind loses the ability to control the actions of his body. What does destiny hold for him? Will he be able to go back to his normal life?
"Eddie's fate turns out to be a barbed joke... a sharp-eyed comic fable for an age of greed and speed." writes A. O. Scott, a movie critic with the New York Times.
The drug isn't real-----yet, some researchers say such memory-enhancing drugs might not be far off. Would you take such a pill despite its side effects? Is the ability to remember everything a blessing or a curse? | high1649.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "It showed that genetics greatly affect children's eating habits."
},
"options": [
"It paid more attention to the environmental effects on children's eating habits.",
"It followed the eating habits of 5,390 children aged between 8 a... | Picky eaters may have good reasons for their behaviour. No matter why your child has become picky, how you handle the situation can affect his or her future. Therefore, you should know the following reasons for picky children first of all.
_ is common in children; it often happens at the dinner table. Some children just refuse to try new food because they don't know what it will taste like, while others dislike new food before even smelling it. Some children take it to the extreme and will only eat a few foods that they like. Psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Capaldi says that, by the time children reach the age of two, they have formed their own eating habits that they don't want to be disturbed by new offerings at the table.
A newly published study led by Dr. Lucy Cooke of University College London showed that picky eating in children results from genetic and environmental causes. The research, which followed the eating habits of 5,390 pairs of twins between the ages of 8 and 11, found that about 75% of the neophobia in the children was from their parents, while 25% was due to the influence of environment.
Children grow at a high speed during their first year, but that fast-paced growth tends to slow down by their second year. When children are not experiencing one of those fast growth periods, their body needs less energy; and that results in a smaller appetite . When children are not hungry, they tend to enjoy only food they like. They refuse new food and food that is not their favourite. Some children will limit the amount of food to only one kind, like hamburgers or pancakes, leaving all the other foods untouched.
In some cases, many real reasons why a child behaves as a picky eater exist. About 5% of children who are 10 years of age or younger have some type of neurological dysfunction that influences their eating habits. These children may be easily hurt by some special smells, or their brain may not be able to process such sensory information properly. | high9215.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "have poorer academic performances"
},
"options": [
"have poorer academic performances",
"be more likely to hurl others",
"enjoy better school lives",
"are less likely to use alcohol and tobacco"
],
"question": "... | Students who date in middle school have significantly worse study skills. They are four times more likely to drop out of school and report twice as much alcohol and tobacco use as their single classmates, according to new research from the University of Georgia.
"Romantic relationships are a trademark of adolescence, but very few studies have examined how adolescents differ in the development of these relationships," said Pamela Orpinas, study author and professor in the College of Public Health and head of the Department of Health Promotion and Behavior.[: _ Z _ X _ X _ K]
Orpinas followed a group of 624 students over a seven-year period from 6th to 12th grade.
Each year, the group of students completed a survey indicating whether they had dated and reported the frequency of different behaviors, including the use of drugs and alcohol. Their teachers completed questionnaires about the students' academic efforts. He found some students never or hardly ever reported dating from middle to high school, and these students had consistently the best study skills according to their teachers. Other students dated infrequently in middle school but increased the frequency of dating in high school.
"At all points in time, teachers rated the students who reported the lowest frequency of dating as having the best study skills and the students with the highest dating as having the worst study skills," according to the journal article. Study skills refer to behaviors that lead to academic success such as doing work for extra credit being well organized, finishing homework, working hard and reading assigned chapters.
"Dating a classmate may have the same emotional complications of dating a co-worker," Orpinas said, "When the couple break up, they have to continue to see each other in class and perhaps witness the ex-partner dating someone else. It is reasonable to think this could be linked to depression and divert attention from studying."
"Dating should not be considered a ceremony of growth in middle school," Orpinas concluded. | high6126.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "people are still not sure if GM foods will do harm to human health"
},
"options": [
"people have discovered that GM foods will do harm to human health",
"millions ofZambiapeople die of eating too much GM foods",
"people are s... | Millions of people die of hunger in Southern Africa every year, but when prefix = st1 /Zambiawas offered thousands of tons of free maize by theUS, the government politely said no.
"We don't know whether the food is safe," said Zambia's Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Dipak Patel.
His worries are shared by countries around the world that are _ aboutAmerica's genetically modified (GM) crops. Just last week, EU member nations were discussing whether or not to import GM sweet corn from theUS.
Ever since people started farming, they have tried to crossbreed plants to make them stronger or better tasting. At one time, only related plants could be crossed with each other.
But when GM techniques were developed in the 1970s, scientists were able to put a single gene from a living creature into an unrelated creature.
This means they can make crops more productive and resistant to disease by adding genes from other species. They can also create food with special characteristics, such as "golden rice", which is enriched with vitamin A. But many people believe GM foods are a health risk.
"If left to me, I would certainly not eat GM foods," said Scottish scientist Arpad Pusztai. "We are putting new things into food which haven't been eaten before. The effects on the immune system are not easy to predict."
At the moment, the official argument is that GM foods "are not likely to present risks for human health". But there are still many questions to be answered as the foods are produced in different ways.
Some experts believe the genetic material added to plants can transfer to humans and give damage to our bodies. Further harm could be caused by the genes from GM plants crossbreeding with naturally produced crops. | high17168.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "look for newly laid turtle eggs"
},
"options": [
"release small turtles",
"bury turtle eggs deeper",
"look for newly laid turtle eggs",
"clear away trash from the seaside"
],
"question": "Dequina walks along the... | It's 4 am, and Danilo C. Dequina is already awake. Holding a flashlight and a bucket, he is walking in the pre-dawn darkness along the shore of Old Poblacion Beach in the town of Maitum, Sarangani, in the far south of the Philippines.
A few minutes later, he spots a patch of sand that appears to have been disturbed by a turtle. Dequina studies the area carefully, figuring out where the eggs have been buried, and then starts digging slowly. After clearing away several centimeters of sand, he uncovers a large group of eggs, roughly the size of ping-pong balls. He picks them up and puts them in the bucket.
Dequina carries the eggs to his hatchery , some 50 meters away from the seashore. The hatchery is really just a sandy patch of land under the coconut trees enclosed by a black fence. It is here that he buries the turtle eggs he has collected. Today, Dequina scoops a hole, puts the eggs in it, and covers them with sand. After 45 to 70 days, the eggs will hatch. Dequina will then carry the hatchlings to the shore, and release them into the sea. He admits to feeling sorrow as he sets the hatchlings free -- most are hunted down by natural predators, and just one percent survive to adulthood.
According to the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), eight species of sea turtles face extinction, including four that come to the shores of Sarangani to lay their eggs -- the Hawksbill, Olive Ridley, Loggerhead and Green Turtles.
After learning about their plight , Dequina attended a DENR training session on turtle conservation and decided to take action. He helped the local government to set up the Pawikan Nesting Sanctuary next to his house in 2003.
The hatchery drew the attention of the locals. "They started to change their attitudes towards sea turtles," 52-year-old Dequina says. "If they see turtle eggs, they will either bring them to me or inform me of the nesting places." Over the past ten years, more than 3,000 hatchlings have been released to the ocean. | high10607.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "He began to swim under the deep water."
},
"options": [
"He dreamed about undersea exploration.",
"He began to swim under the deep water.",
"He surfed on big waves for the first time.",
"He learned to dive off the cliff... | Unlike many surfers who sought the perfect wave, my interests always lay beneath the sea' s surface in a world I could only imagine and dream of.When I was twelve, I made my first adventures in the deep.Later I would learn how to dive, expanding my world of exploration many times over.
Perhaps the greatest turning point in my life came when I was in high school and I wrote a letter to the famous Scripps Oceanographic Institution, asking how I might learn more about the sea.A kind scientist answered my letter and told me how to apply to Scripps for a summer scholarship, which I received.During one of their courses that summer, I met Dr.Robert Norris, a marine geologist.He loved the sea almost as much as I did.Soon he suggested I consider his school, the University of California, for my study.One year later I became a member of the freshman class.
Now my love affair with the sea became a serious endeavor .If I wanted to be an undersea explorer, I needed to learn as much as I could about the laws of the physical world that controlled the environment I wanted to enter.The undersea world is not our natural world.It is unforgiving to those who make mistakes.At its greatest depths the water temperature is near freezing, the pressure is eight tons per square inch, and it is totally dark.It is easy to get lost in such a world.I needed to learn a lot about geography, navigation, geology, biology, and many other things.
I decided another important thing for me to do was to join the U.S.Navy.If I was going to be an undersea explorer, I would have to lead men and women on dangerous adventures where they might get hurt, and I didn't want that to happen.
In the Navy I learned discipline, organization, and how to motivate and lead people on adventures so that we could explore the wonders of the deep.
Finally, the time came to put all that I had learned to use, to go forth with a team of men and women and explore an adventure I am still on and hope to be on for many years to come. | high2340.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "was a role model to teach hearts and change minds"
},
"options": [
"was extremely knowledgeable and hard-working",
"was a role model to teach hearts and change minds",
"spent much time helping the author with his homework",
... | My mother has always instilled in me the importance of education. Education is essential. It will help me get accepted to college if I perform well academically and advance my opportunities for success in the future. Most jobs now require at least a high school diploma, and for many jobs, a college degree is preferred. It is important that all students have excellent educators in their life to help them achieve and have the opportunity to go to college, get a job, support themselves and their family, and impact the community.
As we celebrate and honor all teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week, I've reflected on the impact my teachers have had, and will continue to have, in my life. From Mr. Bowker, who challenged me in math, to Mr. Bernsteen, my health teacher who taught me the value of hard work, my teachers have helped shape the student I am today. But one of the teachers who left a lasting impression on me was my summer school teacher, Mr. Davis, who impacted me beyond the classroom. He found time to connect with me on a personal level and talk to me after class. I felt like Mr. Davis cared about my academic success and was committed to setting an example of what's possible.
Mr. Davis could relate to what it was like to be a rising ninth-grade black male in today's society. He taught me how to speak up confidently and share my ideas with others. He told me that I was brilliant and that when I spoke, the world should listen. And when I would put my hand down because I was unsure of my answer, Mr. Davis would immediately say, "No _ , no glory." He never made me feel inadequate; he encouraged me to always pursue knowledge because he, too, was learning every day. Mr. Davis helped me navigate the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities.
I think having more black male teachers like Mr. Davis in the classroom could increase student success. They would share the background and experiences of many of their students and help build long-lasting teacher/student relationships. But, unfortunately, the likelihood that students of color in Nevada will have a teacher that looks like them is one of the lowest in the country.
As the student population becomes more ethnically diverse, teachers in Nevada still are predominantly white. According to a 2012 Education Week report, in the Clark County School District, nearly 70 percent of students identified as students of color, but 76 percent of teachers were white. The numbers for black male teachers are more discouraging. Just 2 percent of teachers nationwide are black men.
But you can help change the numbers. Whether you decide to study education in college or graduate school, or apply to programs in Las Vegas such as Teach For America, I hope more black males will consider teaching as a career.
My peers and I need more examples of excellence and success in classrooms--examples who look like us. You can be the model to impact our life and push us to achieve. You can ensure that, when we look to the front of the room, we can see a little bit of ourselves reflected back. | high11519.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "grows crops instead of cows"
},
"options": [
"was set up by Lib Crum and Judy",
"has a history of over 100 years",
"got its name thanks to Denny",
"grows crops instead of cows"
],
"question": "According to the t... | Welcome to Crumland Farms
In 1940, John and Lib Crum bought some land on Opossumtown Pike in Frederick, Maryland. They called their new home "Crumland Farms", and started milking a dozen cows by hand. By the time their son, Denny, and his wife Judy sold off the animals 60 years later, over 600 cows were being milked 3 times a day! The dairy operation may be gone, but Crumland is still a working farm. The family grows corn, wheat, soy beans and hay , but their main product is fun!
Corn Maze
Come and challenge yourself at this 8-acre Corn Maze!
September 26th-November 1st
Monday -Friday 10:00 am-6:00pm
Last ticket sold at 4:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday 10:00am-10:00pm
Last ticket sold at 9:30 pm
Admission: $8.50 per person
Pumpkin Patch
Monday through Sunday from 10:00am to 6:00 pm, September 26th through November 1st. Admission to Pumpkin Patch is free. Pumpkins are $0.50 per pound. Plenty of pre-picked pumpkins are also available.
The Nighttime Party
On October 25th we are hosting a special party from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Our two-story air slide and hayrides will be open, as well as campfires in the zoo. Our pumpkin patch and bakery will be open all the evening. Come and have some fun and be sure to enjoy a piece of our famous fresh-baked pie! It is $11.50 per person for admission.
The Pizza Farm
Season: May, June &July
Available :To groups of 20+
Admission: $5per person
The Pizza Farm at Crumland is an interactive way to help children understand that all food-- including pizza --originates on a farm. Here we've planted a one-acre circle and divided it into 8 parts. Inside each is a pizza ingredient. It's a great way for kids to see, touch and learn how their favorite food begins on the farm.
Special Pricing!
Receive a 10% discount when you buy tickets online! No admission needed if interested in just purchasing pumpkins Monday-- Friday. Children 2 years and younger are admitted free! | high19145.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "The reasons for researching undersea tourism."
},
"options": [
"The sea is the biggest unknown part of our world.",
"The sea covers 71% of the earth.",
"Some information about the sea floor.",
"The reasons for researchi... | The unknown world's mystry
The sea is the biggest unknown part of our world. It covers seventy-one percent of the earth. There is still much to be discovered about this vast blanket of water. If the waters of the ocean could be removed, the sea floor with its wide valleys, irregular mountains and rivers in the sea would be an unbelievable sight.
Tourism under the deep blue sea
Tourists can now explore the world beneath the waves without ever getting wet. From tourist submarines to underwater dining, undersea tourism is making a big splash.
Tourist submarines
The popularity of submarine tours has grown rapidly in the last decade. Now, tourist submarines operate in more than 20 locations worldwide, including the waters around Okinawa and Taiwan's Green Island. The submarines carry nearly 2 million tourists each year. Large windows offer passengers spectacular views as the submarines explore colorful coral reefs and sunken ships. Most one-hour tours cost about US $80.
Under water dinning
For a more upscale experience, tourists can enjoy fine dining under the sea. Last summer the Hilton Maldives Resort opened the world's first underwater restaurant, Ithaa. Diners walk down a staircase into the restaurant, which rests 35 feet beneath the waves of the Indian Ocean. Transparent walls surround the dining area, and you can treat guests to a panoramic ocean view.
But this excellent view doesn't come cheap. The tasting menu costs US $200 per person. Be sure to make reservations early, too. The restaurant seats only 14 people. | high16276.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "To satisfy their curiosity."
},
"options": [
"To frighten them.",
"To satisfy their curiosity.",
"To warn them of the danger of the place.",
"To persuade them to camp in the swamp."
],
"question": "Why did Jack ... | The light from the campfire brightened the darkness, but it could not prevent the damp cold of Dennis's Swamp creeping into their bones. It was a strange place. Martin and Tom wished that they had not accepted Jack's _ . They liked camping, but not near this swamp.
"So," Martin asked as they sat watching the hot coals. "How did this place get its name?"
"Are you sure you want to hear it ? It's a scary story," warned Jack.
"Of course!" cried out Tom. "If there were anything to be scared of, you wouldn't have chosen this place!"
"Ok, but don't say I didn't warn you," said Jack, and he began this tale.
"Way back in time, a man called Dennis tried to start a farm here. He built that cottage over there to live in. In those days, the area looked quite different ---- it was covered with tall trees and the swamp was a crystal-clear river. After three hard years, Dennis had cleared several fields and planted crops. He was so proud of his success that he refused to listen to advice.
"'You are clearing too much land,' warned one old man. ' The land is a living thing. It will hit back at you if you abuse it. '
"'Silly fool,' said Dennis to himself. 'If I clear more land, I can grow more crops. I'll become wealthier. He's just jealous!'"
"Dennis continued to chop down trees. Small animals that relied on them for food and shelter were destroyed. He was so eager to expand his farm that he did not notice the river flowing slowly towards his door. He did not notice salt seeping to the surface of the land. He did not notice swamp plants choking all the native plants."
"What happened?" Martin asked. It was growing colder. He trembled, twisting his body closer to the fire.
"The land hit back ---- just as the old man warned," Jack shrugged. "Dennis disappeared. Old folks around here believe that swamp plants moved up from the river and dragged him underwater. His body was never found."
"What a stupid story," laughed Tom. "Plants can't ..." Before he had finished speaking, he screamed and fainted . The other two boys jumped up with fright, staring at Tom. Suddenly, they burst out laughing. Some green swamp ivy had covered Tom's face. It was a while before Tom could appreciate the joke. | high4057.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "have succeeded in popularizing the use of plastic bags"
},
"options": [
"are now worried that the earth will become a victim of plastic bags",
"don't think they have done enough to popularize plastic bags",
"have not realized... | I will tell you the truth about plastic bags-the positive and the negative sides and provide a solution to this problem. Whether it is a shopping bag, a food bag or a trash bag, they are all made of plastic bags. Grocery store owners are very generous in using plastic bags. They place the fruit in one bag and drop the box of milk in another. Ever wonder why?
The positive side of plastic bags
Grocery stores, shopping centres, and restaurants are not thrifty in using and giving out plastic bags because they cost no more than a cent each, while a paper bag costs four cents. Plastic bags are produced so cheaply and massively that they are used by 80% of store owners. In addition, they are light and very easy to carry and store.
The production of plastic bags has increased greatly over the last 20 years and producers of plastic bags are making large profits. However, the negative side of plastic bags is becoming well-known. More people are now getting worried that the earth is becoming a victim of the plastic bag success story.
The negative side of plastic bags
While production and consumption of plastic bags is good for business, it is not so for our Mother Earth. They have resulted in an increase in the amount of litter found floating in water or in the streets where we live.
Plastic storage bags, after usage, usually go to landfills as trash bags. They make the oceans poison sea animals. They give off toxins when burned. They simply pollute the ground, air and water.
That is the true cost of plastic bags, and it looks like it is more than a cent. These are very alarming concerns and proper action needs to be taken. | high16510.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Everything new can be patented."
},
"options": [
"A patent can last for around 20 years.",
"Everything new can be patented.",
"Your invention is protected after you have applied for a patent.",
"Some patents are on the ... | Maybe you've just invented something better than the iPhone or a solar-powered car. You don't want anyone to steal your design. What should you do? Patent it! Patents are the best way to get credit for your work and help others continue advancing in that field. Here's what you need to know.
A patent gives you the right to an invention. The patent protects its owner, which means the invention can't be copied or sold without their agreement. In exchange, the owner must reveal information about the invention. This contributes knowledge that helps other inventors improve on their own research. A patent usually lasts about 20 years.
The first step to getting a patent is the application. The person applying must name the invention, explain its use and describe it clearly. The invention must be practical and contain some new characteristic -- something that hasn't been seen or used before. But not everything "new" can be patented. Many countries don't allow patents on things like new concepts, scientific theories, medical procedures or substances already found in nature.
You may not be able to see patents, but they're connected to nearly everything. There are patents on things you use every day, like plastic, medicine and your computer. There are patents on things that are unavailable on the market, too. Apple is well-known for its patents on potential products, such as the "iBike" or the "iKey".
Of course there are also patents on inventions like this. Take the anti-eating face mask for example. This _ locks around your head with a metal cage covering your mouth. You can breathe and speak, but you can't eat!
Although many patented inventions can be failures, there's plenty of room for success. So if you have a cool invention, try to patent it. | high3738.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "smokers will carry all the tax increase on tobacco."
},
"options": [
"Cigarettes as well as other tobacco products are affected by the tax increase.",
"More and more smokers have to stop smoking as a result of tax increase on tobac... | Many smokers aren't finding the cost of cigarettes a laughing matter. The federal tax on a pack jumped Wednesday -- April Fools' Day -- from 39 cents to $1.01. The tax increase is so big, it's being called "historic."Higher federal taxes apply to other tobacco products, so even those smokers who have taken to rolling their own to save money can't escape them. The tax is expected to cause about 1 million smokers to quit.
New York leads the pack, so to speak, with a combined $3.76. Any smokers planning to visit New York City should bring cigarettes from home. A pack there now costs more than $9.
Some tobacco companies raised their prices several weeks ago. For example, the price of a pack of _ jumped 71 cents. Where the price settles depends on the company. Some may absorb part of the tax and others will make smokers carry the entire weightand more.
However, some people think the tax unfair. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only one in five Americans smokes, and over half of all smokers are low income, and one of four is officially classified as poor.
What do you think? Is the tax unfair? We think cancer sticks should have been taxed into disappearance years ago, combined with a very strong public and private effort to help smokers quit. | high10161.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "the young man had prepared for the storm before it came"
},
"options": [
"at first the farmer understood his words well",
"the young man was awakened in the night by a violent storm",
"the young man had prepared for the storm... | A young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications , he said, "I can sleep when the wind blows."
This puzzled the farmer. But he liked the young man, and hired him.
A few days later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the night by a violent storm. They quickly began to check things to see if all was safe from damage. They found that the doors of the farmhouse had been safely fastened, and a lot of wood had been set next to the fireplace.
The young man slept soundly.
The farmer and his wife then looked at their property carefully. They found that the farm tools had been placed in the storage room, safe from the bad weather. The tractor had been moved into the garage. The barn was properly locked. Even the animals were calm. All was well.
The farmer then understood the meaning of the young man's words, " I can sleep when the wind blows."
The farmhand did his work loyally. When the sky was clear, he had prepared for the storm in case it broke. So when the wind blew, there was no need for him to be afraid. He could sleep in peace. | high2426.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "He is responsible for his teaching and students."
},
"options": [
"He usually treats his students in a hard way.",
"He is responsible for his teaching and students.",
"He is a person who isn't particular about what he wears."... | I believe you can do your best. Not being the best but toughing the limits of what you're capable of. I gained this belief from my third grade teacher, the most special, honored, trustworthy, and loved person in my life.
Mr. Myrus was always perfectly dressed and spoke with the belief that talking to eight-year-olds didn't mean he had to sacrifice proper statements or grammars. And he was demanding but he wasn't unreasonable or cruel. He simply felt that no matter what your best was, you should achieve it.
As luck would have it, I met him again as my eighth grade math teacher. I was not, nor ever will be, gifted in math. I remember my struggles in class. "I don't know the answer," I would say, "I can't do it!" "Perhaps you don't know the answer," he would say quietly. "Do you think we might figure it out together? How do you know what you can do until you try?"
Mr. Myrus lived around the corner, and I would often stop by to talk while he worked in his garden. I knew there was someone who let me know that if I had really tried, that was enough.
"Don't be so hard on yourself," he'd say. "Stop blaming yourself. Did you try your best? Well, then you're not a failure," he often told me these words.
Mr. Myrus died in 1978. I had never thought about his death. He was too young. I felt sorry. But when I think about him now, I don't feel so sorry. He taught me to be kind, not only to others, but to myself. He taught me my own value. He taught me about honor, about truth, and about doing my best--and that all feelings and beliefs have dignity and deserve respect. And of all the things I know, this I believe: We can't all be "the best", but we can, each of us, be our best, and I know that's true because Mr. Myrus told me that. | high14307.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "public figures know hugging functions well in public"
},
"options": [
"Americans hold a \"medium touch \"culture",
"public figures know hugging functions well in public",
"she is much liked by American people",
"hugs ar... | We Chinese are not big huggers. A handshake or a pat on the shoulder is enough to convey our friendship or affection to one another.So when our newly-acquainted Western friends reach out in preparation for a hug, some of us feel awkward.
Many questions go through our head. Where should I put my arms? Under their armpits or around their neck? What distance should I maintain? Should our chests touch?
It's even more difficult with friends from some European countries. Should I kiss them on the cheek while hugging? Which side? Or is it both cheeks? Which side should I start on?
But it isn't just people from cultures that emphasize a reservedness in expressing physical intimacy who find hugging confusing. Hugs can cause discomfort or even distress in people who value their personal space.
In a recent article for The Wall Street Journal, US psychologist Peggy Drexler said that although the US remains a "medium touch" culture -- "more physically demonstrative than Japan, where a bow is the all-purpose hello and goodbye, but less demonstrative than Latin or Eastern European cultures, where hugs are strong and can include a kiss on both cheeks", Americans do seem to be hugging more.
From politicians to celebrities, hugs are given willy-nilly to friends, strangers and enemies alike; and the public has been quick to pick up the practice. Public figures know that nothing projects like the ability as a good hug. US First Lady Michelle Obama has put her arms around icy foreign leaders like Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and the Queen of England, on the latter occasion actually breaking the rule of royal manners.
But not all are grateful to be embraced, even by the most influential and famous. To them, any hug is offensive if it's not sincere.
Amanda Hess, writing for US magazine Slate, says public figures should stop imposing hugs on everyone they meet. For them, a hug is rarely a gesture of sincere fellowship, compassion or affection. It's all part of a show. Hugs are falsely intimate power plays used by public figures to establish their social dominance over those in their grasp.
Cecilia Walden, a British journalist writing for The Telegraph who lives in New York, holds the same opinion. _ , as she calls it, is "an offender dressed up as kindness". It has become a fashion in the US where "bosses are already embracing their staff (either shortly before or after firing them), men and women ,their friends or enemies, in a thousand cheating displays of unity". | high9573.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "They are forced to reduce their spending on food because of the high cost of heating in winter."
},
"options": [
"They tend to believe that energy-efficiency upgrades to their homes are most costly than they really are.",
"They are... | Home improvements such as using insulation and energy-efficient windows to lower heating and air-conditioning bills can greatly affect quality of life for low-income families. In 2014, researchers at New York's Columbia University interviewed 20 renters and homeowners in a low-income community in New York City before and after helping those people make energy-efficiency upgrades to their homes. The researchers found cold and heat caused not only extreme physical discomfort but health problems as well. Increased heating costs in winter months also used up so much of people's budgets they were forced to reduce their calorie intake. Additionally, poor air quality due to reduced air-conditioner use can increase the risk of illness. People whose homes were upgraded reported greater physical and mental ease, as well as energy savings of around 30 percent, averaging $20-$60 per month.
Despite these benefits, a study by University of Chicago economists was critical of the cost-effectiveness of government programs that provide money for energy-efficiency upgrades for low-income households. Around 7,500 households in Michigan were given an average of $5,000 worth of free upgrades as part of a larger energy-efficiency program. The researchers found that the measures reduced the households' energy consumption by about 10-20 percent each month. However, these savings would amount to an average of just $2,400 over the lifetime of the upgrades--in other words, less than half the amount of the initial investment.
The study also highlighted another issue regarding energy-efficiency programs. It had long been believed that low-income earners tended not to participate because they were unaware of the programs' existence. In the University of Chicago study, however, an intensive marketing campaign consisting of thousands of telephone calls and home visits raised the Michigan program's participation rate by only a few percentage points. The great expense and effort required for such a tiny effect indicates that it may be time to look for a new approach to improving living conditions among low-income earners. | high13468.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "homeownership could shape a country"
},
"options": [
"owning a home was undoubtedly good",
"homeownership was unconquerable",
"houses could save families and America",
"homeownership could shape a country"
],
"q... | Homeownership has let us down. For generations, Americans believed that owning a home was undoubtedly good. Our political leaders hammered home the point. Franklin Roosevelt held that a country of homeowners was "unconquerable." Homeownership could even save babies, save children, save families and save America. A house with a lawn and a fence wasn't just a nice place to live in or a risk-free investment; it was a way to transform a nation. No wonder leaders of all political types wanted to spend more than $100 billion a year on subsidies and tax breaks to encourage people to buy.
But the dark side of homeownership is now all too apparent: Indeed, easy lending stimulated by the cult of homeownership may have caused the financial crisis. Housing remains a drag on the economy. Existing-home sales in April dropped 27% from the prior month, worsening fears of a double-drop. And all that is just the obvious tale of a housing bubble and what happened when it popped. _
For the better part of a century, politics, industry and culture lined up to create a fetish of the idea of buying a house. Homeownership has done plenty of good over the decades; it has provided stability to tens of millions of families. Yet by idealizing the act of buying a home, we have ignored the downsides. In the bubble years, lending standards slipped dramatically, allowing many Americans to put far too much of their income into paying for their housing. And we ignored longer-term phenomena too. Homeownership contributed to the hollowing out of cities and kept renters out of the best neighborhoods. It fed America's overuse of energy and oil. It made it more difficult for those who had lost a job to find another. Perhaps worst of all, it helped us become casually self-deceiving: By telling ourselves that homeownership was a pathway to wealth and stable communities and better test scores, we avoided dealing with these frightening issues head-on.
Now, as the U.S. recovers from the biggest housing bust since the Great Depression, it is time to rethink how realistic our expectations of homeownership are--and how much money we want to spend chasing them. Many argue that homeownership should not be a goal pursued at all costs. | high6898.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Some other countries besides Indonesia have been affected by the fires."
},
"options": [
"El Nino might help relieve the dry conditions in Indonesia.",
"Many animals have become sick and died because of the fires.",
"25,000 p... | The president of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, is asking for foreign help to fight forest and agricultural fires in his country. According to Mr Widodo, Indonesian helicopters are only able to carry a small amount of the water needed to put out the fires. " _ " the Associated Press reported his comment.
The Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space says more than 1,300 fires are burning across the country. The government has sent about 25,000 soldiers, police and firefighters in six provinces to battle the fires.
Indonesian farmers and some businesses often burn rainforest to clear land at this time of year. The burning usually takes place during the country's dry season. But a large rise in palm oil production on peat lands is blamed for the many fires this year. Peat is made partly of dead plants, which burns easily and is often used as cooking fuel.
The resulting thick, black smoke has polluted skies over Indonesia and four other countries. The burning has worsened air quality, closed schools and caused any outdoor activities to stop. The smoke is not only affecting people; it is affecting wildlife. In Indonesian Borneo, an animal rescue center says some of its animals have developed breathing problems. If the fires continue, a lot more could become sick and some could die.
Scientists have warned that the fires this year could be worst ever because of a weather system called El Nino. They say the weather system has created extremely dry conditions in Indonesia. | high12776.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "it was not easy for her to drive there"
},
"options": [
"she cared more about the children",
"they were on a remote mountain top",
"the weather was not good enough",
"it was not easy for her to drive there"
],
"... | Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mum, you must come and see the daffodils before they are over."
I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Lake Arrowhead. "I will go next Tuesday," I promised, a little unwillingly, on her third call.
The next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and so I drove there. When I finally walked
into Carolyn's house and hugged and greeted my grandchildren, I said, "Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! Theroad is invisible in the cloud and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and thesechildren that I want to see!"
My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this weather all the time, Mum. You will never forgive
yourself if you miss this experience."
After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church, I saw a hand-lettered sign that read "Daffodil Garden"?We got out of the car and each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, we turned a comer of the path, and I looked up amazed. Before me lay the most beautiful sight. Flows of flowers of different colors seemed poured down the peak and slopes. There were five acres of flowers! A seas of daffodil! It was like a fairyland all beyond description.
"But who has done this?" I asked Carolyn. "It's just one woman," Carolyn answered. That's her home, "Carolyn pointed to a well-kept A-frame house that looked small and modest in the midst of all that glory. We walked up to the house. On the patio , we saw a poster." Answers to the Questions I KnowYou Are Asking" was the headline.
The first answer was a simple one. "50,000 bulbs " it read. The second answer was, "One at a time,by one woman." The third answer was, "Began in 1958."
I thought of this woman whom I Had never met, who, more than fifty years before, had begun-one bulb
at a time-to bring the beauty and joy to the mountain top. Just planting one bulb at a time, year after year, had changed the world where she lived and created something of magnificence, beauty, and inspiration.
When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small amounts of daily effort, we too can accomplish great things. Everyone can do something to change the world. | high15019.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "It's a charged particle."
},
"options": [
"It's a charged particle.",
"It's basically static electricity indoors.",
"It's a balance between the positive and negative charged.",
"It's an ill effect on people's physical a... | Recent research has claimed that an excess of positive ions in the air can have an ill effect on people's physical or psychological health. What are positive ions? Well, the air is full of ions, electrically charged particles, and generally there is a rough balance between the positive and the negative charged. But sometimes this balance becomes disturbed and a larger proportion of positive ions are found. This happens naturally before thunderstorm, earthquakes when winds are blowing in certain countries. Or it can be caused by a build-up of static electricity indoors from carpets or clothing, or from TV sets, duplicators or computer display screens.
When a large number of positive ions are present in the air many people experience unpleasant effects such as headaches, fatigue , excessive anger, and some particularly sensitive people feel sick or even suffer mental disturbance. Animals are also affected, particularly before earthquakes, snakes have been observed to come out, rats to flee from their burrows, dogs howl and cats jump about unaccountably. This has led the US Geographical Survey to fund a network of volunteers to watch animals in an effort to foresee such disasters before they hit vulnerable areas such as California.
Conversely, when large numbers of negative ions are present, then people have a feeling of well-being. Natural conditions that produce these large amounts are near the sea, close to waterfalls or fountains, or in any place where water is sprayed, or forms a spray. This probably accounts for the beneficial effect of a holiday by the sea, or in the mountains with streams or waterfalls.
To increase the supply of negative ions indoors, some scientists recommend the use of ionisers. They claim that ionisers not only clean and refresh the air but also improve the health of people sensitive to excess positive ions. Of course, there are the detractors, other scientists, who dismiss such claims and are skeptical about negative/positive ion research. Therefore people can only make up their own minds by observing the effects on themselves, or on others, of a negative rich or poor environment. After all it is debatable whether depending on seismic readings to anticipate earthquakes is more effective than watching the cat. | high6654.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "The reasons why people go hiking."
},
"options": [
"The popularity of hiking in the world today.",
"The reasons why people go hiking.",
"Hiking's benefits for health.",
"Making your hiking plan before going outdoors."
... | Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain . People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. It is considered one of the recreational activities.
Many people say they go hiking because they love to walk outdoor, without necessarily having a destination ahead of them. This makes hiking much more different than walking down the street to the store or to some other places that we need to go. People who like hiking say, "We enjoy ourselves along the way whether we arrive somewhere important or not."
Some people add another reason for hiking to the basic one of loving to be outdoors. These folks see hiking as not only mentally healthy for clearing the mind but also physically healthy as great exercise for the body. Unlike some other exercise programs, hiking can be an activity for almost anyone in reasonably good health. Hiking on a smooth, level path is even good exercise. Trudging over rougher terrain can be a workout and a time of enjoyment at the same time.
Some people who hike on a regular basis give little thought to the exercise part of the activity. These people are more likely to go hiking because they are exploring nature. They may be interested in the trees or the rocks. Perhaps they are interested in looking at the birds or the various animals that lodge in the forest or the park. Certainly park land is ideal for hiking. Many of these sites have marked for hiking. This leads many to take part in hiking specifically for the exercise and enjoyment of being outdoors, when they may not do this otherwise.
Some people look at hiking as having two major benefits. When asked why they go hiking in their spare time many people will combine these reasons: It helps me relax; it doesn't take a great investment of money for equipment. For them, a good pair of shoes and some comfortable clothes can help them get away from work or other stressful situations that may arise in life. In many cases, these hikers can enjoy their favorite pastime all year long. They may be able to take those outdoor walks in almost any weather. It's safe to say that hiking can heal and please the human being in many ways. | high22879.txt |
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