questions list | article stringlengths 9 6.44k | id stringlengths 9 14 |
|---|---|---|
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "stop the car and ask people for help"
},
"options": [
"tell the man next to her to shut up",
"stop the car and ask people for help",
"take the wrong turns at a high speed",
"drive aimlessly for hours without stopping"
... | Women make better drivers than men for many reasons. Why is that, do you suppose? Wouldn't you think that competing at who has better driving abilities is pointless? If you ask me, I'd like to say, men know that women are better drivers but do not have the courage to admit the truth -- women are queens of the road.
Unlike men, women stop for directions when they have no idea as to where they are going. We don't drive around for hours pointlessly wasting a tank of gas only to find ourselves heading in the wrong direction. Have you ever in a car with a man who is lost? He tells you to shut up when you begin to open your mouth. And every five minutes or so he takes a turn going forty-five miles per hour only to find out he's made another wrong turn.
Speeding is what men do best on the road. Traffic is not a race. There is a reason why men get more speeding tickets than women. Not because we trick to get out of tickets but only because we don't get pulled over as frequently. We don't speed. We have more intelligence than senselessly to put our own lives as well as the lives of others in danger.
My largest issue with male drivers is how a majority of them drive with one hand on the wheel and the other hand doing only God knows what. The seat is backed as far as possible, and they're totally lost into loud music beyond a necessary level. You don't ever see women driving like that.
I feel that the above evidence more than proves my points that women are not only better drivers but also safer drivers than men. We women rule the road. Oh, and men, if you want to continue criticizing women for being bad drivers, bring it on. We know you lack confidence, or else you wouldn't be wasting your valuable time making jokes about the ones you may choose to spend the rest of your days with. | high19019.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "increased slowly"
},
"options": [
"didn't increase",
"became less",
"increased slowly",
"still increased very fast"
],
"question": "The population _ because of disease, famine and war.",
"question_type":... | It is believed that it took about 800 thousand to 1 million years for the earth's population to reach the 250 million total which existed at the end of the first century AD. For some time after that, disease, famine and war kept the population increase down to a rate of 1 percent a year so that more than 15 centuries passed before the population reached 500 million. But in the next 250 years, up to 1850, the population of the world shot to 1 billion and today it has reached 3.5 billion. Scientists say that in the next 35 years the population of the world will double, reaching almost 7 billion by the year 2010.
When experts are asked what are the most effective measures that can stop over population, they reply that at least three measures can be considered.
(A) Increasing sources and supply of food for under-developed countries.
(B) Increasing the industrialization of under- developed countries.
(C) Controlling birth.
The experts add, however, that none of the above measures can be effective by itself, and that all must be combined into one whole program. They also agree that without controlling of births, any other measures are doomed to failure. | high10983.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "For ten years, people in Hong Kong haven't seen a worse typhoon than Typhoon Rose."
},
"options": [
"Typhoons all over the world have girls' names.",
"Typhoons with pretty names are usually beautiful.",
"Typhoon Rose only hit... | Typhoons in the northern part of the world have girls' names.Sometimes they have very beautiful names.Rose is a pretty name but there was nothing pretty about Typhoon Rose.It was the worst typhoon to hit Hong Kong in ten years.
It began to rain in the morning of Monday, August 16th, 1971.At ten o'clock in the morning, Typhoon Rose was still 130 miles away but already the wind was blowing people's umbrella away.The wind became stronger and stronger.The typhoon shelters were soon full of boats.Ships that were too big to go inside the shelters put down more anchors .Some very big ships went out to sea.It is safer for a big ship to be at sea in a typhoon because it cannot be blown onto rocks.Kai Tak Airport closed.No planes were able to take off or land.At 9:00 in the evening, all the lights went out.
No one slept well that night.It is difficult to sleep in such bad weather.
In Typhoon Rose, more than one hundred people died.229 people were hurt and 66 of these had to go to hospital.1500 lost their homes.The people of Hong Kong will not quickly forget Typhoon Rose! | high11445.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "more of Americans,as compared with Europeans,prefer marriage and they accept it at a younger age"
},
"options": [
"than in Europe",
"Americans expect more out of marriage than Europeans",
"there are more married couples in U.... | More surprising,perhaps,than the present difficulties of traditional marriage is the fact that marriage itself is alive and thriving.As Skolnick notes,Americans are a marrying people: to Europeans,more of us marry and we marry at a younger age.Moreover, after a drop in the early l950s,the rate of marriage in the United States is now increasing.Even the divorce rate needs to be taken in this pro-marriage context:some 30 percent of divorced individuals remarry. Thus,marriage remains by far the preferred way of life for the vast majority of people in our society.
What has changed more than marriage is the nuclear family.Twenty five years ago,the typical American family was made up of a husband,a wife,and two or three children. Now there are many marriages in which couples have decided not to have any children.And there are many marriages where at least some of the children are from the wife's former marriage,or the husband's,or both.Sometimes these children spend all of their time with one parent from the former marriage;sometimes they are shared between the two former spouses .
Thus,one can find every type of family arrangement.There are marriages without children;Marriages with children from only the present marriage;Marriages with "full time" children from both the present and former marriages;Marriages with "full time" children from the present marriage and "part time",children from former marriages.There are stepfathers,stepmothers,half brothers, and half sisters.It is not all that unusual for a child to have four parents and eight grandparents! These are great changes from the traditional nuclear family.But even so,even in the midst of all this,there remains one constant:Most Americans spend most of their adult lives married. | high17034.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "he wasn't sure if Bruce was right and was anxious to go home"
},
"options": [
"he was sure there would be nothing to happen",
"he wasn't sure if Bruce was right and was anxious to go home",
"he didn't hear his friend's warnin... | Hiring a self-drive car really adds to the enjoyment of your holiday. There are so many interesting places to visit, and if you enjoy seeing more than just the city center, there's no better way to explore than by car.
HIRE CHARGES:
What's included
(a)Unlimited mileage.
(b)Expenses on oil, maintenance and repairs, which will be repaid on production of receipts.
(c)Full insurance cover but exclusive of personal accident(see below)and contents.
What's not included
(a)Personal accident insurance.
(b)Garaging, petrol, parking
One bitterly cold day, a snowstorm blew into our area. Needing firewood, quickly set out with my best friend, Bruce, to look for a tree to cut down. I was glad to have Bruce along. Cutting down a tree in a snowstorm can be dangerous. So it was important to have a friend who could warn me of dangers.
When I chose a big 23-meter-tall tree and prepared to cut it down, my best friend suddenly warned me,"Don't cut down that tree! It's too close to the power line!"I wasn't sure about it. So I becided to _ his warning. I wanted to finish the job quickly and go home. So I began cutting down the tree. When the tree fell, there was no longer any doubt whether my friend was right.
The tree caught the power line, bringing it to the ground. I considered cutting the tree off the line. After all, electricity can't travel through wood, so I could safely remove the tree. As I reached out my finger to touch the tree, pain ran up my arm and through my head. I had been shocked!
After I returned home and told my mother what happened, she quickly called the power company. Workers from the power company soon arrived on the scene. One of them asked if I had touched the tree, and when I told him I had, his face turned pale.
"You should have been killed,"he said.
So why am I still alive? It was my boots that saved my life.
Within two hours, the workers removed the tree. Soon _ --but not my mother.
Even though she was glad I wasn't hurt, my mother was still serious with me. After all, I shouldn't have brushed off my friend's warning.
Through this experience, I learned it's important to listen to people who offer a different perspective. Taking the time to listen might actually save a lot of time and trouble. It certainly would have kept me from getting the"shock of my life." | high20698.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "a literature novel"
},
"options": [
"a fashion magazine",
"a literature novel",
"a science fiction",
"a newspaper report"
],
"question": "This passage might be taken from _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_que... | A moment later I heard my uncle calling me, and found the two men on the road together. The captain then addressed me as if I was his equal, which was very pleasing to a young fellow like me.
"Sir," said he, "Mr. Balfour tells me great things of you, and I like your looks. I wish I was staying here longer so that we might become friends. But we'll make the most of the short time that we have. You must come on board my brig for half an hour and have a drink with me."
Now, I cannot describe how eager I was to see the inside of a ship. But I was not going to put myself in danger, and I told him my uncle and I had an appointment with a lawyer.
"Yes," said he, "he told me of that. But, you see, the boat will set you on shore farther along, near Rankeillor's house." And here he suddenly leaned down and whispered in my ear: "Take care; the old devil has evil plans. Come on board till I can have a word with you."
Then, passing his arm through mine, he continued aloud, as he set off towards his boat: "Now what can I bring you from Carolina? Any friend of Mr. Balfour can ask for what he likes. A roll of tobacco? Indian feather work? A wild beast's skin? A stone pipe? A mocking-bird that cries just like a cat? Make your choice and give your order."
By this time we were beside his boat and he was helping me in. I did not dream of refusing. I thought (like a fool) that I had found a friend and helper, and I was looking forward to seeing the ship. As soon as we were all in our places the boat was pushed off and began to move over the water. I was so delighted with this new experience that I hardly understood what the captain said, and must have answered him without thinking.
As soon as we were alongside, Hoseason ordered a rope and chair to be sent down, declaring that he and I must be the first to go on board. I was lifted into the air and set down again on the deck , where the captain stood waiting for me and immediately slipped his arm under mine. I stood there, rather confused and perhaps a little afraid, but delighted with the strange things all around me, while the captain pointed out some of the strangest and told me their names and uses.
And then I saw that my uncle was not with us.
I felt I was lost. With all my strength, I tore myself out of the captain's grasp and ran to the side of the ship. Yes, there was the boat being rowed back to the shore, with my uncle sitting in it. I gave a wild cry-so loud that it rang out over the harbor, and my uncle turned around and showed me a face full of cruelty and terror.
That was the last thing I saw. Already strong hands had been pulling me back from the ship's side, and now lightning seemed to strike me. I saw a great flash of fire, and fell unconscious. | high18307.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "People can use it as a way to do mental exercise."
},
"options": [
"It has intuitive interface.",
"It is easy to operate.",
"Beginners can use it without similar experiences.",
"People can use it as a way to do mental e... | Yasuda is 95 years old. Looking for easier ways to search the Web and send email, he bought Apple's iPad. The company has sold 3.27 million iPads since they entered the market in April. Although it's impossible to know with certainty how many seniors are buying them, evidence suggests that it's a hit with seniors.
The iPad's intuitive interface makes it attractive to seniors around the world, says Takahiro Miura, a researcher at the University of Tokyou. "The iPad is a good tool for seniors because it's very easy to use," he says. "Unlike the PC, it doesn't require former knowledge."
James Cordwell, a researcher in London, says the iPad's popularity with seniors is helping Apple reach beyond its traditional base of young customers. "The world's population, especially in developed markets, is getting older. It's probably a market where Apple has least entered, " Cordwell says. Senior users are "a key source of growth for them in the future."
Seniors make up about 22 percent of the population in Japan. They may prove that seniors are willing to accept the iPad. Besides the customer group under 30, they spend more than any other group in the country, according to a report. Motoo Kitamura, 78, a former gas salesman, bought an iPad to help him communicate with his 2-year-old grandson and prevent him from experiencing some of the mental problems that sometimes come with getting older. "Trying new things like that is good mental exercise," he says. | high5573.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Deep and one-on-one."
},
"options": [
"Deep and one-on-one.",
"Sensitive and mad.",
"Instant and inspiring.",
"Ordinary and encouraging."
],
"question": "What can the \"conversations\" be best described as?",
... | Twenty-first century humanity has mapped oceans and mountains, visited the moon, and surveyed the planets. But for all the progress, people still don't know one another very well.
That brings about Theodore Zeldin's "feast of conversation"-events where individuals pair with persons they don't know for three hours of guided talk designed to get the past "Where are you from?"
Mr. Zeldin, an Oxford University professor, heads Oxford Muse, a 10-year-old foundation based on the idea that what people need is not more information, but more inspiration and encouragement.
The "feast" in London looks not at politics or events, but at how people have felt about work, relations among the sexes, hopes and fears, enemies and authority, the shape of their lives. The "menu of conversation" includes topics like "How have your priorities changed over the years?" Or, "What have you rebelled against the past?"
As participants gathered, Zeldin opened with a speech: that despite instant communications in a globalized age, issues of human heart remain. Many people are lonely, or in routines that discourage knowing the depth of one another. "We are trapped in shallow conversations and the whole point now is to think, which is sometimes painful," he says. "But thinking interaction is what separates us from other species, except maybe dogs...who do have generations of human interactions."
The main rules of the "feast": Don't pair with someone you know or ask questions you would not answer. The only awkward moment came when the multi-racial crowd of young adults to seniors, in sun hats, ties and dresses, looked to see whom they would be 'intimate' with for hours. But 15 minutes later, everyone was seated and talking, continuing full force until organizers interrupted them 180 minutes later.
"It's encouraging to see the world is not just a place of oppression and distance from each other," Zeldin summed up. "What we did is not ordinary, but it can't be madder than the world already is."
Some said they felt "liberated" to talk on sensitive topics. Thirty-something Peter, from East London, said that "it might take weeks or months to get to the level of interaction we suddenly opened up." | high3672.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "get the big reward."
},
"options": [
"make the king happy.",
"keep it for himself.",
"get the big reward.",
"sell it at a high price."
],
"question": "The clerk tried to get the diamond necklace to _ .",
... | There was a king who gave his daughter a beautiful diamond necklace. The necklace was stolen and his people in the kingdom searched everywhere but could not find it. So the king asked to search for it and put a reward for$50,000 for anyone who found it.
One day, a clerk was walking home along a river when he saw something shinning in the river and when he looked, he saw the diamond necklace. He decided to try and catch it to get the $50,000 reward.
He put his hand in the river and tried to catch the necklace, but somehow missed it and didn't catch it. He took his hand out and looked again and the necklace was still there. He tried again.
But strangely, he still missed the necklace! He came out and started walking away, feeling sad. Just then, an old man walking by saw him, and asked him what was the matter. The clerk didn't want to share the secret with him, thinking he might take the necklace for himself, so he refused to tell him anything.
The old man could see this man was troubled. He again asked the clerk to tell him the problem and promised that he would not tell anyone about it. The clerk told him about the necklace and how he tried and tried to catch it, but kept failing.
The old man then told him that perhaps he should try looking upward, toward the branches of the tree, instead of in the river. The clerk looked up and true enough, the necklace was hanging on the branch of a tree. He had been trying to take a reflection of the real necklace all this time. | high11335.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "polluted the soil and other things"
},
"options": [
"caused many deaths",
"caused few problems",
"was caused by the U.S.",
"polluted the soil and other things"
],
"question": "The radiation_.",
"question_typ... | In the year 1986 there was a terrible explosion. The explosion was at a nuclear power plant in another country called Ukraine. The radiation caused a lot of damage. It polluted the soil and other things. People lived in the area when the explosion happened. Twenty years later those people are still suffering. Effects from the explosion will go on for a long time.
Over two million people still live in the polluted areas. Only 56 people died from the explosion but many other problems have been caused because of it. Some types of cancer are more than 200 times above world average. Many children have cancer now and birth defects have doubled since the accident.
Some people in the United States are worried about the children living there. One group has been trying to raise money. They are called the Chernobyl Children's Project. They want to bring children from the Ukraine to the U.S. each summer.
A spokesperson for the group says that radiation is the highest in the summertime, so it is a good time to get the children out of the country. They want to help the children get away for a little while. The Project wants them to be safe from radiation.
It costs $1,500 to bring each child to the United States for six weeks. The group raised enough money to bring 28 children to the United States. The children were able to do lots of fun things. They enjoyed clean air, healthy food, and plenty of outdoor fun. One little nine-year-old girl who got to come to the United States said that she likes America.
A spokesperson for the Project said that the children that come to America during the summer miss less school when they return home. | high17744.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "The writer had difficulty keeping track of the tossers' movements."
},
"options": [
"Like everyone else, the writer was counting carefully.",
"The writer had difficulty keeping track of the tossers' movements.",
"The writer s... | Five or six years ago, I attended a lecture on the science of attention. A professor who conducts research over in the medical school was talking about attention blindness, the basic feature of the human brain that, when we concentrate on one task, causes us to miss just about everything else. Because we can't see what we can't see, our lecturer was determined to catch us in the act. He had us watch a video of six people tossing basketballs back and forth, three in white shirts and three in black, and our task was to keep track only of the tosses among the people in white. The tape rolled, and everyone began counting.
Everyone except me. I'm dyslexic , and the moment I saw that tape with the confusing basketball tossers, I knew I wouldn't be able to keep track of their movements, so I let my mind wander. I became curious, though, when about 30 seconds into the tape, a gorilla walked in among the players. She (we later learned a female student was in the gorilla suit) stared at the camera, beat her chest with her fist, and then went away while they continued passing the balls.
When the tape stopped, the professor asked how many people had counted at least a dozen basketball tosses. Hands went up all over. He then asked who had counted 13, 14, and congratulated those who'd scored the perfect 15. Then he asked, "And who saw the gorilla?"
I raised my hand and was surprised to discover I was the only person at my table and one of only three or four in the large room to do so. He'd set us up, trapping us in our own attention blindness. Yes, there had been a trick, but he wasn't the one who had played it on us. By concentrating so hard on counting, we had managed to miss the gorilla in the midst.
Attention blindness is the fundamental organizing principle of the brain, and I believe that it presents us with a great opportunity. My take is different from that of many neuroscientists: Where they see the shortcomings of the individual, I sense an opportunity for cooperation. Fortunately, given the interactive nature of most of our lives in the digital age, we have the tools to control our different forms of attention and take advantage of them.
It's not easy to admit that everything we've learned about how to pay attention means that we've been missing everything else. It's not easy for us logical, intelligent, confident types to admit that the very key to our success -- our ability to discover a problem and solve it, an achievement obtained in all those years in school and beyond -- may be exactly what limits us. No one ever told us that our way of seeing left out everything else. | high18477.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "safe drinking water should be a primary concern"
},
"options": [
"poverty can result in water-borne diseases",
"people have no access to clean drinking water",
"women's rights are denied in some developing countries",
"... | Each day water-related diseases kill 3,900 of the world's children.
Across the world, 1.1 billion people have no access to clean drinking water. More than 2.6 billion people lack basic sanitation .
The combination proves deadly. Each year, diseases related to inadequate water and sanitation kill between 2 and 5 million people and cause an estimated 80 percent of all sicknesses in the developing world. Safe drinking water is a precondition for health and the fight against child death rate, inequality between men and women, and poverty.
Consider these facts:
* The average distance that women in Africa and Asia walk to collect water is 6 kilometres.
* Only 58 percent of children in sub-Sharan Africa are drinking safe water, and only 37 percent of children in South Asia have access to even a basic toilet.
* Each year in India alone, 73 million working days are lost to water-borne diseases.
Here are three ways you can help:
1) Write Congress
Current U.S. foreign aid for drinking water and sanitation budgets only one dollar per year per American citizen. Few members of Congress have ever received a letter from voters about clean drinking water abroad.
2) Sponsor a project with a faith-based organization
Many U.S. religious groups already sponsor water and sanitation projects, working with partner organizations can make safe water a reality for thousands of people.
3) Support nonprofit water organizations
Numerous U.S. based nonprofits work skillfully abroad in community led projects related to drinking water and sanitation. Like the sample of non-profits noted as follows, some organizations are large, others small-scale, some operate world-wide, others are devoted to certain areas in Africa, Asia, Latin America. Support them generously. | high5203.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "is different from that of all others"
},
"options": [
"is similar to his mother's",
"is valuable to himself only",
"is like that of others with the same type of blood.",
"is different from that of all others"
],
... | Every human being has a unique arrangement of the skin on his fingers and this arrangement is unchangeable. Scientists and experts have proved the uniqueness of finger-prints and discovered that no exactly similar pattern is passed on from parents to children, though nobody knows why this is the case.
The ridge structure on a person's fingers does not change with growth and is not affected by surface injuries. Burns, cuts and other damage to the outer part of the skin will be replaced in time by new one which bears a reproduction of the original pattern. It is only when the inner skin is injured that the arrangement will be destroyed. Some criminals make use of this fact to remove their own finger-prints but this is a dangerous and rare step to take.
Finger-prints can be made very easily with printer's ink. They can be recorded easily. With special methods, identification can be achieved successfully within a short time. Because of the simplicity and economy of this system, finger-prints have often been used as a method of solving criminal case. A suspected man may deny a charge but this may be in vain. His finger-prints can prove who he is even if his appearance has been changed by age or accident.
When a suspect leaves finger-prints behind at the scene of a crime, they are difficult to detect with the naked eye. Special techniques are used to "develop" them. Some of the marks found are incomplete but identification is possible if a print of a quarter of an inch square can be obtained. | high9439.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "answering some questions"
},
"options": [
"reading some stories",
"asking some questions",
"answering some questions",
"accepting some suggestions"
],
"question": "Building the Best You helps you achieve persona... | Here are some books published this year. The following introductions of these books may help you choose a book to your own taste.
Life Simplified
If you are looking for a book that will transform your life for good, Life Simplified is that book. If you are looking for a guide to inspire and lead you back to your inherent self, Life simplified will act as your compass. Life Simplified provides readers with a carefully mapped approach to create life changes. The reader will develop a sense of personal pride in their progress as each chapter is completed, motivating them further. The book is an absolute must read if you would like an uncomplicated method in positively improving your life.
Building the Best You
How can you become the person you've always dreamed of being? Personal transformation begins when you take stock of where you are and what you are doing right now...and work to change it. All you have to do is to answer some basic questions and take five minutes of "focus time" daily to get there. You are responding to questions like "What am I grateful for today?", "What challenged me?" and "How can I overcome that challenge?"
The Gifts of Imperfection
In this latest book, the writer Brown emphasizes that above all other ingredients of living an emotionally healthy life is the importance of loving ourselves. The point is to embrace life and oneself with all the imperfections, releasing the stress of overdoing and overworking. Brown offers exercises for readers to understand their own emotions and begin to develop the kind of resilience needed to refuse unrealistic expectations of others and ourselves.
The Strengths Book
You are remarkable. But do you always realize it? Realize your strengths and you will be realizing the best of you. Do you want to be confident, successful, and sustainably happy? Do you want to achieve your goals and enjoy better relationships? The Strengths Book reveals the sixty strengths that make us who we are. If you are a manager, a parent, a career changer, or even just you, remarkable as you are, The Strengths Book is for you. Discover your strengths--what you do best and love to do--and transform your life by realizing the best of you. | high13522.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "the longevity of people like Mrs.Groeger"
},
"options": [
"the complaints of people in apartment houses",
"the cause of Mrs Groeger's death",
"the longevity of people like Mrs.Groeger",
"the image of cities in general"
... | When Mrs.Joseph Groeger died recently in Vienna,Austria,people asked the obvious question,"Why did she live to be 107?" .Answers were provided by a survey conducted among 148 Viennese men and women who had reached the age of 100.Somewhat surprising was the fact that the majority had lived most of their lives in cities.In spite of the city's image as an unhealthy place,city living often provides benefits that country living can lack.One factor seems to be important to the longevity of those interviewed.
This factor is exercise.In the cities it is often faster to walk short distances than to wait for a bus.Even taking public transportation often requires some walking.Smaller apartment houses have no elevators ,and so people must climb stairs.City people can usually walk to local supermarkets. Since parking spaces are hard to find,there is often no alternative to walking.
On the other hand,those who live in the country and suburbs do not have to walk every day.In fact,the opposite is often true.To go to school,work,or almost anywhere else,they must ride in cars. | high1065.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "an adviser"
},
"options": [
"an advertiser",
"a lawyer",
"a teacher",
"an adviser"
],
"question": "The writer is probably _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"answer_i... | Monday - 9:00 p.m. PT (11:00 p.m. CT) (Midnight ET)
I love to answer questions about children's health. Some questions and their answers become articles, FAQ's, Updates, Fast Facts, Top Tips, or Guidelines here on the site. I answer others in real time during chat. Either way, here is how to submit a question -
I am available live, for one hour, every weekday. No appointments are necessary! All you have to do is log on to Chat and ask your question. In most cases, you'll get your answer right there! Some of the questions from chat are selected for me to write about in greater depth. Even if you don't have time to stay at chat, come for a moment, and send your question to the chat host to be considered for a future article.
Please join me in chat, Monday - November 22, 2004 at 9:00 p.m. PT(11:00 p.m. CT) (Midnight ET)
I will be in the chat room for one hour to answer your children's health questions.
To ask your question please type a " ?" mark on the screen
A host will call upon you when it is your turn to ask a question.
Click here to chat
Click here to learn more about chat
Click here for a complete chat schedule | high22927.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "the science and math teaching is influenced by the present tests"
},
"options": [
"the tests don't affect teaching in most elementary and high schools",
"the science and math teaching is influenced by the present tests",
"no ... | Tests administered to most elementary and high-school students in the United States exert an unfavorable influence on science and math teaching, according to a new $1 million study performed for the National Science Foundation.And because schools with high minority enrollments generally place a greater reliance on scores from these tests, the study finds,there tends to be "a gap in instructional emphases between high and low minority classrooms that differs from our national concern for the quality of education."
George F.Madaus and his colleagues at Boston College analyzed not only the six most widely used national standardized tests, but also the tests designed to accompany(go with)the four most commonly used science and math texts in fourth-grade,eighth-grade,and high-school classrooms.Though curriculum(teaching program)experts argue that schools should place greater emphasis on problem solving and reasoning, the new study shows that the tests focus on lower-level skills--primarily mechanical memorization of routine formulas .
Researchers surveyed more than 2,200 math and science instructors,interviewing in depth some 300 teachers and administrators.Especially in schools with high minority enrollments,teachers reported feeling pressured to help students perform well on these tests.Some states judge schools and some schools determine teacher assignments based on students' test scores.
"With so much worry,"Madaus says,"teachers feel forced to focus their instruction on drilling what the tests will measure--at the expense of the more valuable,higher-level skills." | high7414.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "It is done outside."
},
"options": [
"It is very safe.",
"It is done alone.",
"It is done outside.",
"It needs no equipment."
],
"question": "What's the feature of traditional rock climbing?",
"question_type... | About nine million people like rock climbing in America. Millions more take part in the activity around the world. Some do it just for fun. Others compete.
Climbing takes strength, control and good balance. Climbers have to pull themselves straight up the face of very high rocks or walls. So they have to be strong enough to carry their own weight. And climbers sometimes have to hold onto rocks by only their fingers or toes.
There are several kinds of rock climbing. Traditional rock climbing is done outside. Climbers wear ropes and tie equipment to the rocks as they climb many hundreds of meters up. They also connect their ropes to the equipment. If a climber slips, a rope can stop him from falling.
Sport climbing is similar. However, in it the protective equipment is placed in the rock all the time. There is also indoor climbing. Rock walls made of wood have places for the climber's hands and feet.
Ice climbing is exactly as it sounds. People climb glaciers or frozen waterfalls instead of rocks. They use special equipment for the ice.
And then there is bouldering-climbing rocks between three and seven meters high. It is quicker and stronger climbing. Many climbers like bouldering because they can use less equipment. Climbers often need only special shoes and chalk . All climbers use chalk to keep their hands dry.
Most rocks have cracks and holes and parts that stick out. Climbers use these for foot-holds and handholds. Climbers use their legs to climb. They try not to pull themselves up with their hands or arms. Arms and hands are for position and balance.
People almost always climb in groups of two or more. Climbing alone is very dangerous. Expert rock climbers say only the very best in the sport should do it. | high8727.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Jefferson and the Jockey"
},
"options": [
"Jefferson and the Jockey",
"Jefferson's Interest",
"Be Polite to Everyone",
"No Pain, No Gain"
],
"question": "Which is the best title for the passage?",
"question_... | Riding was the favourite activity of Thomas Jefferson, who was the third President of the United States. He usually rode good horses.
One day, he was riding outside Washington, when a jockey came near. He did not know the President, but his professional eye was attracted by Mr. Jefferson's horse. He stopped and said that he wanted to buy the horse, but Mr. Jefferson politely refused his offer.
The jockey offered more money for the horse, because the closer he looked at the horse, the more he liked it. All of his offers were refused, which made him angry. He then became rude, but his rudeness left as little an impression as his money, for Jefferson had a very good temper. At last, he hit Mr. Jefferson's horse with his whip, getting it to run suddenly. This would have thrown a less skillful rider to the ground, but Jefferson stayed on his seat, and controlled his horse well.
The jockey then gave up. He rode with Mr. Jefferson side by side and began to talk with him about politics. Jefferson joined in the conversation. When they got into the city and came close to the gate of the presidential mansion , Mr. Jefferson stopped, and politely invited the man to enter.
The jockey was surprised and asked, "Why? Do you live here?"
"Yes" was the simple reply.
"Why, stranger, what's your name?"
"My name is Thomas Jefferson."
Embarrassed, the man quickly left, while the President looked at him with a smile and then rode through the gate. | high15153.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Austria"
},
"options": [
"Australia",
"Germany",
"Austria",
"Russia"
],
"question": "Four years ago at the Athens Olympics Steiner represented _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer... | One kilogram----that was all it took to crown(......) the world's strongest man.
German weightlifter Matthias Steiner pulled ahead of Russian rival Evgeny Chigishev to win the Olympic men's +105 kg weightlifting gold medal on Tuesday.
Steiner lifted a total of 461kg, 203kg in the snatch and 258kg in the clean and jerk , to beat Chigishev by a single kilogram. The German won the battle of giants in his last lift, winning his country's first gold medal in the event at this year's Games.
Steiner's winning lift was also the last effort of the sport for this Olympics at which China earned eight of the 15 golds.
Steiner was born in Austria and represented his country of birth at the Athens Olympics four years ago, placing seventh in the lower 105kg category, but had a falling out with Austria's weightlifting federation afterwards.
He applied for German citizenship in 2005 and got married, but his career went into deep freeze as he could not compete without a passport. He finally obtained the document last January.
The German, who turns 26 on Monday, had come to these Games on a mission to win the title for his wife Susann, who died in a car accident in July last year. The German team said he used the personal tragedy to motivate himself to win the gold medal.
Chigishev was the strongest in the snatch session Tuesday. He kissed his fists after a 210-kg lift that gave him a 7-kg advantage over fourth-placed Steiner going into the second event -- the clean and jerk. He let out a victorious roar after clearing 250 kg in his last lift, but the glory was short-lived as Steiner stunned everyone with his final, winning clean and jerk effort.
Steiner had finished seventh in the 2004 Olympics in the 105kg weight category, and took the gold in the 2008 European Championship +105kg snatch competition, bronze in the clean and jerk and silver overall, with a total weight of 446kg.
World champion Viktors Scerbatihs of Latvia settled for bronze. | high7372.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Just ignore it."
},
"options": [
"Just ignore it.",
"Talk to friends.",
"Go to see a doctor.",
"Ask your teachers for guidance."
],
"question": "How would you treat temporary loneliness according to the passage?... | Most people feel lonely sometimes, but it usually lasts only a few minutes or a few hours.This kind of loneliness is not serious.In fact, it is quite normal.For some people, though, loneliness can last for years.Now researchers say there are three different kinds of loneliness.
The first kind of loneliness is temporary.This is the most common type.It usually disappears quickly and does not need any special attention.
The second kind, situational loneliness, is a natural result of a certain situation, for example, a family problem, the death of a loved one, or moving to a new place.Although this kind of loneliness can cause physical problems, such as headaches and sleeplessness, _ usually does not last for more than a year.
The third kind of loneliness is the most severe.Unlike the second type, chronic loneliness usually lasts more than two years and has no specific cause.People who experience habitual loneliness have problems socializing and being close to others.Unfortunately, many chronically lonely people think there is little or nothing they can do to improve their condition.
Psychologists agree that one important factor in loneliness is a person's social contacts, such as friends, family members, co-workers, etc.We depend on various people for different reasons.For instance, our families give us emotional support, our parents and teachers give us guidance, and our friends share interests and activities.However, psychologists have found that, though lonely people have many social contacts, they sometimes feel they should have more.They question then" own popularity.
Psychologists are trying to find ways to help habitually lonely people for two reasons: they are unhappy and unable to socialize and there is a connection between chronic loneliness and serious illness such as heart disease.While temporary and situational loneliness can be a normal and healthy part of life, chronic loneliness can be a very sad and sometimes dangerous condition. | high8041.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "brothers and sisters don't get along well with each other"
},
"options": [
"brothers and sisters will have to get away from their home",
"no competition will be made by brothers and sisters",
"no one can stop brothers and sis... | In a house with more than one kid, there are bound to be some problems. Brothers and sisters borrow stuff, and don't always return it in top condition. Younger kids sometimes feel the older kids get to do whatever they want. Older brothers and sisters think that the baby of the family gets more attention. These are typical problems found throughout the ages, everywhere in the world.
When brothers and sisters don't get along well, it's called sibling rivalry. A sibling is a brother or sister and rivalry means competition. It's normal, but too much competition can make for an unhappy home life.
A little competition isn't a bad thing. Sometimes it can keep you working hard--when you and your brother spend time shooting hoops. If he's good at it, it may make you want to improve, too. But some sibling rivalry involves arguments--when you think your brother is hogging the ball. People who love each other might argue sometimes, but too much fighting is unpleasant for everyone.
Have you ever heard of the green-eyed monster called jealousy ? Sometimes brothers and sisters are jealous of one another. For instance, if your sister always does well at school, it may be frustrating for you, especially if your grades are lower. Although you are probably proud of your brothers and sisters, it's normal to be a little jealous, too. It may make you feel better to focus more on doing your own personal things, rather than comparing yourself with a brother or sister.
All kids want attention from their parents, but sometimes you need to take turns. It you are feeling ignored or your brother or sister is always in the spotlight, talk to your mom or dad. If a parent knows you're feeling left out, he or she can figure out ways to help you feel better again. | high22099.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "to ask him for some food"
},
"options": [
"to show he was thirsty",
"to tell him bring a cup of tea",
"to refuse the coffee",
"to ask him for some food"
],
"question": "The Frenchman signed to the waiter _ ... | A Frenchman was once traveling in England. He could not speak English at all. One day he went into a restaurant and sat down at a table. When the waiter came up, he opened his mouth, put his finger in his mouth and took it out. He wanted to showed, "Bring me something to eat."
The waiter soon brought him a cup of tea. The man shook his head and put his finger in and out of his mouth again. The waiter understood him and took the tea away. In a moment he came back with a cup of coffee. But the man refused it. He shook his head again and again whenever the waiter brought him something to drink, for drinks were not food.
When the Frenchman was going away, he saw another foreigner came in. This new comer saw the waiter, and put his hand on his stomach(,). That was enough. In a few minutes there was a large plate meat and vegetables on the table in front of him. | high13244.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "in Australia"
},
"options": [
"from Australia",
"in America",
"in Australia",
"from America"
],
"question": "There are many kangaroos _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
... | You can see lots of kangaroos in Australia, and not only in zoos but also outside the cities and towns. You can see them everywhere. Kangaroos are very popular in Australia. They have very strong legs, so they are very good at jumping. Their tails are very strong, too, so when they want to have a rest, they rest on their tails. Kangaroos are also good at looking after their babies. Mother kangaroos keep their babies safe in their pockets. | high1703.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "The beautiful view he saw."
},
"options": [
"His parents' help.",
"His hard work.",
"His parents' training.",
"The beautiful view he saw."
],
"question": "Which of the following is the main reason which made Kie... | Kieron Williamson, a seven-year-old British boy, is being recognized as an art genius after selling 16 paintings for 18, 000 pounds in just 14 minutes. This boy has artistic skills that would be the envy of any serious painter and drawn comparisons(,) to Pablo Picasso, a child prodigy who became one of the most recognized artists of the 20th century.
It all began on a family holiday to Cornwall on the southwest English coast when Kieron was five. Inspired by the beautiful view, he asked his parents for his first sketch-pad . From that moment on, he became deeply interested. While supportive, Kieron's parents are careful not to push their son. He only paints when and what he wants.
He has a waiting list of hundreds and requests for his works have been flooding in. His father said a sale of Kieron's works held in November even drew a buyer from Japan. "We had people driving down that night, there were people on the door waiting to come in the morning who had been standing outside, the phones were going mad as soon as the door opened at nine o'clock and within 14 minutes all the 16 pictures had gone, " he said.
All this talent, money and high praise could so easily go to a young boy's head, but Kieron said his friends keep him grounded. "Some of them want to be as good as me and some of them think. . . Umn, 'you are not too special'." he said.
Kieron's favourite painter is British artist Edward Seago and he has spent some of his earnings buying a work by his hero. The rest is being invested by his parents until he reaches 25. Kieron's parents and his younger sister Billi-Jo don't see him as anything but a average seven-year-old boy who likes to tear around the house and who's mad about football. But for now, with so much still to learn, there's only one thing he wants to be when he grows up. He said, "I think I'll be an artist." | high17022.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "She is disabled but leads an active life."
},
"options": [
"She is disabled but leads an active life.",
"She has a deep understanding of life.",
"She finds it difficult to achieve her goals.",
"She finds herself always ... | As we all know, getting benched in sports is usually a bad thing. But at one school in Florida, a girl has taken a bench and turned it into something entirely different - a place to find friends. It's called the Friendship Bench. And it's the brainchild of a sixth grader at Palm Bay Elementary - a girl named Acacia Woodley.
Acacia's attitude toward life might be summed up best by a question she recently asked members of the Brevard County School Board - "what if we spend as much time putting the spotlight on kindness as we do on cruelty?" It's a philosophy Acacias has learned to live her own life -despite having a lot of people would consider a handicap. She was born without a right hand. And her left hand did not form properly. But Acacia says that she has not stopped her from achieving her goals. "You need to believe in your dreams. If you don't believe in you dreams, I can definitely tell you that they are not going to come true." She said.
Acacia came up with the idea for the Friendship Bench after seeing kids getting bullied at school. She says she has also experienced bullying herself - kids whispering about her or picking on her because she is different. "Some people say they feel sorry for me. I tell them not to," she said. "I don't care that I'm different. I like being different."
The Friendship Bench looks like a lot of other benches. It has arm sets and a place to lean on. But there are also words painted on it - words such as "hope", "respect", "listen" and "dream". Acacia put the benches together with the help from her mother and brother.
Any time a kid feels he or she needs a friend, all that kid needs to do is sit on the bench. It is then up to the other kids - or grown-ups - to fill that need. "It's a perfect idea," Palm Bay Elementary Principal Lori said. "It's something we've needed so badly."
The Friendship Bench has been such a success at Palm Bay Elementary that other schools are now interested in installing one too. "There's a saying in my teacher's classroom," Acacia said. "It says, 'it you can dream it, you can achieve it.'" | high5565.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "those who are expecting their love"
},
"options": [
"those who are expecting their love",
"passengers who need help",
"young passengers",
"special couples"
],
"question": "Love seats put on each bus are intended... | Some strange,wi1d and wonderful stories color1ed the news in 2011:
A Copenhagen bus company has put "love seats" on its vehicles for people looking for a partner." Even love at first sight is possible on the bus",said a spokesman to explain the two seats on each bus that are covered in red cloth and a "love seat "sign .
Shoppers at an international fair in Verona,Italy,found a cellphone-equipped golden coffin among the items on display.The phone will help" the dead" contact s if they have been buried alive by mistake.
A man in New York came up with a disarming way to set off his latest bank heist ,approaching the clerks window with a large bunch of flowers and handing over a hold-up note saying "give me the money"!
An Englishman who lost all his legs and arms in an electrical accident successfully swam across the Channel, a challenge he had been preparing for two years.The whole cost is 400 dollars.
A set of artificial teeth made for British war-time prime minister Winston Churchill known as "the teeth that saved the world "sold for nearly 18,OOO pounds(21,500 euros,24,OOO dollars)at auction.
A British woman caused an Internet hate campaign after she was caught on camera dumping a cat in a rubbish bin.She was fined 250
pounds(280 euros,400 dollars) after admitting guilty.
The BBC apologized completely and without any doubts after a radio presenter jokingly announced that Queen Elizabeth II had died.
TWO Australian men who needed surgery after shooting each other in the bottoms during drinking to see if it would hurt were charged 400 dollars separately. | high20856.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "about whatever they want to"
},
"options": [
"in the hope of learning something new",
"in the hope of getting on well",
"about whatever they want to",
"about whatever they have prepared"
],
"question": "Accordin... | Silence is unnatural to man.He begins life with a cry and ends it in stillness.In between he does all he can to make a noise in the world, and he fears silence more than anything else.Even his conversation is an attempt to prevent a fearful silence.If he is introduced to another person, and a number of pauses occur in the conversation, he regards himself as a failure, a worthless person, and is full of envy of the emptiest headed chatterbox .He knows that ninety-nine percent of human conversation means no more than _ , but he is anxious to join in the buzz and to prove that he is a man and not a waxwork figure .
The aim of conversation is not, for the most part, to communicate ideas; it is to keep up the buzzing sound. There are, it must be admitted, different qualities of buzz; there is even a buzz that is as annoying as the continuous noise made by a mosquito .But at a dinner party one would rather be a mosquito than a quiet person. Most buzzing, fortunately, is pleasant to the ear, and some of it is pleasant even to the mind. He would be a foolish man if he waited until he had a wise thought to take part in the buzzing -with his neighbors.
Those who hate to pick up the weather as a conversational opening seem to me not to know the reason why human beings wish to talk. Very few human beings join in a conversation in the hope of learning anything new. Some of them are content if they are merely allowed to go on making a noise into other people's ears, though they have nothing to tell them except that they have seen two or three new plays or that they had food in a Swiss hotel. At the end of an evening during which they have said nothing meaningful for a long time, they just prove themselves to be successful conservationists. | high3114.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Rainfall and wind."
},
"options": [
"Sunlight and rainfall.",
"Rainfall and longitude.",
"Rainfall and altitude.",
"Rainfall and wind."
],
"question": "According to the passage, which factors will you refer to i... | The average temperature around the world is rising. People living in the US Midwest might find this fact hard to believe, though. Two new studies show that in America's heartland, summers are now cooler and wetter than they were in years past. The scientists suggest that the change in the Midwest climate may have happened because of farming.
The first study was led by David Changnon, a climatologist at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. A climatologist studies the climate of an area, which includes measuring rainfall, temperature and wind. Climatologists want to know how these factors have changed in the past, and how they'll change in the future.
Changnon and his team studied temperature records from Chicago and 13 other sites in the Midwest. "These two changes--lower temperatures and more rainfall--may be connected by humidity," Changnon says. Humidity is the measure of how much moisture is in the air. Humid air, which contains a lot of moisture, takes longer to heat up than dry air.
So where did the extra _ in the air come from? Changnon points to farms in the region. As plants grow, they pull moisture from the ground and release it into the air. And among plants, soybean and corn plants release a lot of moisture. Midwestern farms now plant more soybeans and corn than in the past, with 97 percent of farmland today planted with these two crops. He also notes that the plants are planted closer together now than they used to be, so there are more plants per acre than in the past.
The second study was led by famous scientists from the US. The researchers studied a vast area of the United States that stretches from South DaKota to Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle. They found that in 1930, farmers in that region irrigated only about 1.8 million acres of farmland, an amount roughly half the size of Connecticut. In 1980, however, farmers irrigated nearly 15 million acres--more land than Vermont and New Hampshire combined. | high21590.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "everyone seemed to be free for others"
},
"options": [
"everyone was paying a visit to some relatives far away",
"everyone seemed to be free for others",
"Dad was not at work while Mom was busy cleaning the house",
"nea... | Last Sunday I made a visit to some new neighbors down the block. No specific in mind, just an opportunity to sit at the kitchen table, have some tea and chat. As I did so, it occurred to me how rare the Sunday visit has become.
When I was a kid in New Jersey of the 1960s, Sunday visits were routine. Most stores were closed, almost nobody worked, and the highways, as a result, were not desperate steeplechases they have become today. My family normally traveled eight city blocks to the home of my grandmother, where adults would sit on the front porch and chat while we children played hide-and-seek.
The Sunday visit was something to desire strongly. It was the repetition to church, our reward for an hour of devotion, an opportunity to take advantage of the fact that Dad was not at work, we were not in school, and there was no housework that couldn't wait until Monday. Sunday was, indeed, different from the other days of the week, because everyone seemed to be on the same schedule, which means that there was one day when everyone seemed to have time for everybody else.
Sunday as a day of rest is, or was, so deeply rooted in the culture that it's surprising to find that, in a short span of time, it has almost entirely lost this association. In my childhood, it was assumed that everyone would either be home or visiting someone else's home on Sunday. But now the question is, "What do you plan to DO this Sunday?" The answer can range from going to the mall, to participating in a road race, to Montreal for lunch. If one were to respond, "I'm making a Sunday visit to family," such an answer would feel strange, which sounds like an echo from another era.
I suppose I should be grateful to live in Maine, a state of small towns, abundant land and tight relationships. Even though folks work as hard here as they do anywhere else, the state's powerfully rural feature still keeps at least remnants of the moral of yesterday's America, where people had to depend on one another in the face of economic vagaries and a challenging environment. ks5u | high17036.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Because his son would graduate from high school."
},
"options": [
"Because his son would graduate from high school.",
"Because he felt sorry for never watching his son play.",
"Because it was a final his son played a key role... | It was the end of the school term and my son Tom had less than three months left before he would finish his six years at high school. During this time he had developed a love for basketball. Sadly, because of my work over the last twelve months, I had only been able to attend a few of his games; however, I was determined to get to his last game for the school term.
Tom's team came out in the first 10 minutes with a burst of goals that saw them leading by just over 20 points at the end of the first half. The second half changed as the other team quickly played themselves back into the game. Tom's team started to miss an increasing number of shots. It was at that point that the coach called his first time out.
The noise of the spectators became quiet as the coach spoke to them. He had the team standing in a half circle, but he squatted down, looking up at them and fiving some very calm and clear instructions on what they needed to do in the last couple of minutes. As he stood up to allow the team to return to the court, I saw him give some further words of encouragement to all of them.
You could see that he knew that the team was fighting to save the game and that he needed to lift them up. By squatting down he placed himself in a position where he was talking up to them, rather than down or at them, and as the players went back onto the court his words of encouragement served to lift their energy and spirits.
Well, Tom's team went on to win the final by 5 points. As I drove away I thought about what can happen to us all in our everyday life. One of my favourite quotes is about the half filled glass of water --- "Is it half full or is it half empty?" Like the coach, the answer to this quote all depends on how you look at things. | high5571.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "the Greeks"
},
"options": [
"the Romans",
"the Greeks",
"the Americans",
"the Europeans"
],
"question": "A water system for baths was built by _ over 3,000 years ago.",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"... | Baths and bathing have long been considered of medical importance to man. In Greece there are the ruins of a water system for baths built over 3,000 years ago. The Romans had warm public baths. In some baths, as many 3,000 persons could bathe at the same time.
Treating disease by taking bathing has been popular for centuries. Modern medical bathing first became popular in Europe and by the late 1700's has also become popular in the United States.
For many years frequent bathing was believed to be bad for one's health. Ordinary bathing just to keep clean was avoided , and _ was often used to cover up body smells!
By the 1700's doctors began to say that soap and water were good for health. They believed that it was good for people to be clean. Slowly, people began to bathe more frequently. During the Victorian Age of the late 19th century, taking a bath on Saturday night became common.
In the United States ordinary bathing was slow to become popular. During the 18th and early 19th centuries, many Americans were known as "The Great Unwashed!" In one American city , for example, a person was only allowed to take a bath every thirty days! That was a law!
Frequency of bathing today is partly a matter of habit. People know that bathing for cleanliness is important to health, Doctors know that dirty bodies increase the chance of diseases. As a result, in the United States, people generally bathe often. Some people bathe once a day at least. They consider a daily bath essential to good health. | high10759.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "a computer and a printer"
},
"options": [
"floppy discs",
"a computer and a printer",
"pictures and drawings on paper",
"a computer connected to the museum by telephone line"
],
"question": "To see the art in FI... | There are many famous museums throughout the world where people can enjoy art, Washington, D.C. has the National Gallery of Art ; Paris has the Louvre; London, the British Museum. Florida International University(FIU) in Miami also shows art for people to see. And it does so without a building, or even a wall for its drawings and paintings.
FIU has opened what it says is the first computer art museum in the United States. You don't have to visit the University to see the art. You just need a computer linked to a telephone.
You can call the telephone number of a University computer and connect your own computer to it. All of the art is stored in the school computer. It is computer art, produced electronically by artists on their own computers. In only a few minutes, your computer can receive and copy all the pictures and drawings.,
Robert Shostak is director of the new computer museum. He says he started the museum because computer artists had no place to show their works.
A computer artist could only record his pictures electronically and send the records, or floppy discs , to others to see on their computers. He could also put his pictures on paper. But to print good pictures on paper, the computer artist needed an expensive laser printer.
Robert Shostak says the electronic museum is mostly for art or computer students at schools and universities. Many of the pictures in the museum are made by students. Mr Shostak said the FIU museum will make computer art more fun for computer artists because more people can see it. He says artists enjoy their work much more if they have an audience. And the great number of home computers in America could mean a huge audience for the electronic museum. | high3100.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "explain the influence of sleep on memory"
},
"options": [
"encourage students to nod off in class",
"explain the influence of sleep on memory",
"show students ways to improve memory",
"introduce students two types of me... | It turns out that nodding off in class may not be such a bad idea after all, as a new study has shown that going to sleep shortly after learning new material is the best way to remember it.
According to US lead author Jessica Payne, a psychologist at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, nodding off after learning something new is like "telling" the sleeping brain what to remember.
Along with colleagues, she studied 207 students who habitually slept for at least six hours per night.Participants were casually selected to study declarative , semantically related or unrelated word pairs at 9am or 9pm, and returned for testing 30 minutes, 12 hours or 24 ours later.
Declarative memory refers to the ability to remember facts and events with awareness, and can be broken down into episodic memory (memory for events) and semantic memory (memory for facts about the world).People routinely use both types of memory every day--recalling where we parked today or learning how a colleague prefers to be addressed.
At the 12-hour retest, memory overall was better following a night of sleep compared to a day of wakefulness.
At the 24-hour retest, with all subjects having received both a full night of sleep and a full day of wakefulness, subjects' memories were better when sleep occurred shortly after learning, rather than following a full day of wakefulness.
"Our study confirms that sleeping directly after learning something new is beneficial for memory.What's new about this study is that we tried to shine light on sleep's influence on both types of declarative memory by studying semantically unrelated and related word pairs," Payne said.
"Since we found that sleeping soon after learning benefited both types of memory, this means that it would be a good thing to practise any information you need to remember just before going to bed.In some sense, you may be 'telling' the sleeping brain what to remember." | high20842.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Exhibitions - Shanghai Museum"
},
"options": [
"Live Music - Late Night Jazz",
"Exhibitions - Shanghai Museum",
"Scottish dancing",
"Dining - Sushi chef in town"
],
"question": "Suppose you are going to attend a... | This March is a busy month in Shanghai.There's a lot to do.Here are the highlights.
Live Music - Late Night Jazz
Enjoy real American jazz from Herbie Davis, the famous trumpet player.He's coming with his new 7-piece band, Herbie's Heroes.Herbie is known to play well into the early hours, so don't expect to get much sleep.This is Herbie's third visit to Shanghai.The first two were sold out, so get your tickets quickly.
PLACE: The Jazz Club DATES: 15---23 March
PRICE: Y=80,120 TIME: 10:00p.m.till late!
TEL: 6466--8736
Scottish dancing
Take your partners and get ready to dance till you drop.Scottish dancing is fun and easy to learn.Instructors will demonstrate the dances.The live band, Gordon Stroppie and the Weefrees, are also excellent.
PLACE: Jack Stein's DATES: every Monday
PRICE: Y60 including one drink TIME: 7:00 ---0:00 p.m.
TEL: 6402-1877
Exhibitions - Shanghai Museum
There are 120,000 pieces on show here.You can see the whole of Chinese history under one roof.It's always interesting to visit, but doubly so at the moment with the Egyptian Tombs exhibition.There are lots of mummies and more gold than you've ever seen before.Let us know if you see a mummy move!
PLACE: Shanghai Museum PRICE: Y=30 (Y= 15 for students)
TEL: 6888-6888 DATES: daily
TIME: Monday - Friday 9:00a.m.- 5:00p.m., Weekends 9:00a.m.--- 9:00p.m.
Dining - Sushi chef in town
Sushi is getting really big in Shanghai.In Japan, it's become an art form.The most famous Sushi 'artist' is Yuki Kamura.She's also one of the few female chefs in Japan.She'll be at Sushi Scene all of this month.
PLACE: Sushi Scene in the Shanghai Hotel DATES: all month
PRICE: Y=200 TIME: lunchtime
TEL: 6690-3211
For a full listing of events, see our website. | high11447.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "warm,wet and sunny"
},
"options": [
"mild,wet and windy",
"hot,rainy and foggy",
"hot,wet and cloudy",
"warm,wet and sunny"
],
"question": "The climate of the rain forests near the equator is _ .",
"que... | Most rain forests lie close to the equator ,where the climate is often mild and there are long hours of sunshine.The warmth of the land heats the air above,causing it to rise and tiny drops of water to fall as rain.The rainfall can reach at least 98 inches a year.This wet,warm world with plenty of sunlight is perfect for plants to grow,so the trees grow fast with green leaves all the year round.The trees themselves also have an effect on the climate.They gather water from the soil and pass it out into the air through their leaves.The wet air then forms clouds,which hang over the treetops like smoke.These clouds protect the forest from the daytime heat and night-time cold of nearby deserts,keeping temperatures fit for plant growth.
Rain forests slightly farther away from the equator remain just as warm,but they have a dry season of three months or more when little rain falls.Tree leaves fall during this dry season and new leaves grow when the wet season or monsoon begins.Thus these areas are known as the "monsoon forest".
Another type of rain forest grows on tropical mountains.It is often called the "cloud forest" because clouds often hang over the trees like fog.
The rain forest is the ideal place for the growth of many different trees.Most of them depend on animals to eat their fruits and spread their seeds.When the fruits are eaten,the seeds inside them go undamaged through animals' stomachs and are passed out in their droppings.The seeds lying on the forest floor then grow into new trees. | high16328.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "lose weight"
},
"options": [
"build up his strength",
"prepare for a marathon race",
"lose weight",
"train for a sport meet"
],
"question": "The author first began running in order to _ .",
"question_type... | My life as a 'runner' began by running in a playground near my home in order to lose weight about 2 years ago. As time went by, I found myself so good at running that sometimes, I even forgot how many rounds I ran around the playground.
Thanks to all this practice, I was able to win the 5thplace in short course marathon game at 'BASF Yeosu Site Athletic Competition' held in October 2002. This event inspired me to take part in public short-course marathon games such as 10km, 20km and half-course competitions. Finally, in May 2003, I was able to complete a full course marathon for the first time of my life. My next challenge was the Boston Marathon race, which is the world's oldest and most famous marathon races. To qualify for the Boston Marathon, one should meet the designated time standard of their age group at a certified marathon. So I took part in ChunCheon Marathon in Korea. I had to finish the full coursewithin 3 hours and 30 minutes to meet the time standard for my age group (45 to 49 years old). But to my pleasant surprise, I recorded 3 hours 22 minutes, which is 25 minute faster than my previous best record!
In April 2004, I was finally able to go to Boston. I was very pleased and proud because I could play a role to promote BASF all across the world through this sport. And it really happened! When I ran in the Boston Marathon wearing BASF logo , people along the streets rooted for me shouting 'BASF! BASF!'. I was very touched and so proud of my company. Of course I completed the full course successfully. After the game, I was interviewed by Korean local newspapers and had an opportunity to appear on several TV shows, which helped me to promote BASF in the community. | high10981.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "The efforts of the American Red Cross at Yale to help tsunami victims."
},
"options": [
"A charity concert to help tsunami victims.",
"The efforts of the American Red Cross at Yale to help tsunami victims.",
"The worldwide ef... | The whole world is helping tsunami victims. Students in the U.S. are also taking part. A friend of mine suggested that we organize a relief effort for the victims. We are officers of the American Red Cross at Yale (I'm the chairperson). After sending a letter to the other members of the Red Cross, I received a large number of responses from students interested in helping.
We decided to organize a charity concert to raise money for tsunami-ravaged areas. All ticket earnings will go directly to our parent organization, the American Red Cross. Currently, we're in the process of inviting Yale's numerous song, dance, and chamber music groups to perform at the concert.
So far, we've had a great response from these groups and volunteers have continued to pour in with their ideas and feedback. When I checked my inbox this morning, I had 56 tsunami fundraiser-related emails waiting for me. Although, everyone is still on winter vacation and away from school, we have the Internet to link up Yalies from around the globe. We share ideas not on the latest video games, but on how best to provide help.
The Red Cross at Yale is not alone in its aid effort. Student organizations across campus are working hard to raise funds and provide help to those who need it.
Yale's South Asian Society (SAS) and the Asian American Students Alliance (AASA), which is an umbrella organization for many other groups including the Sri Lankan Students Association, are organizing charity dinners.
The food will be donated by restaurants from around campus. Every last penny of the earnings will be donated to a non-profit organization providing aid to South Asia.
After some discussion with the SAS and AASA, our groups have decided to plan our two events together. Students can attend the benefit dinner then go to the charity concert. There is no doubt in my mind that both events will have a fantastic turnout. | high7366.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "how to make a good first impression"
},
"options": [
"what a good first impression is",
"how to make a good first impression",
"how long it takes to make a first impression",
"the importance of making a good first impre... | As soon as you meet, or even see, a person, you form an impression of him based on his posture, gesture and facial expressions. This is why it is important to make a good first impression on the person who will be interviewing you. Within the first 60 seconds of meeting you, the interviewer will have formed an impression about what type of person you are and what kind of employee you would become, and 55% of this will be based only on your body language. Here are some tips to make you that impression a good one.
First of all, relax. Think positive thoughts and you are more likely to come across as a positive, confident person during the interview. Dress smartly, as your appearance is one of the first things an interviewer will notice you. Stand up straight, and walk in with your shoulders back and your head up. Try to avoid slowing down as you walk into the room because this suggests fear and uncertainty. Shake hands with the interviewer firmly. You should have a positive handshake and a warm smile. Open your coat or jacket as you sit down shows that you, too, are open.
Posture is important. You should be sitting well back in your seat. Sit up straight and lean forward slightly, but not too much. Sitting at too much of an angel expresses discomfort and distrust. Two of the most common
signals are crossing your arms and legs, so try to avoid them.
Another important issue is eye contact. Looking someone in the eye shows confidence in yourself and trust in the other person. However, don't overdo it, as too much eye contact or starring will make the other person uncomfortable. Use more eye contact when listening than when talking, and when you look away, look down. Looking up at the ceiling will make you seem bored and rude. | high15621.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "surprising"
},
"options": [
"horrible",
"surprising",
"funny",
"encouraging"
],
"question": "The findings of the research can be described as _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer"... | Scientists fear rising energy bills may lead to an increase in obesity after discovering a link between poorly-heated homes and higher body -fat.
Researchers from the University of Stirling's Behavioural Science Centre set out to explore claims that warm indoor temperatures have contributed to rising obesity levels in winter.Instead, the team found that people who live in well-heated homes are more likely to have low body mass index levels while those who keep their heating turned down or off tend to be heavier.
Dr Michael Daly, behavioral scientist and senior lecturer, said: "We set out to investigate the scientific claims that cooler indoor temperatures help us maintain a healthy weight by pushing our bodies to use up more energy. In fact, the research suggests people may eat less and burn more energy when in a warmer indoor environment.
The 13-year study, published in the journal Obesity, involved more than 100,000 adults across England.
Researchers found reduced weight levels among people living in homes heated to above 23degC(73F), which involved about 15,000 of the households studied.
Dr Daly said: "As national gas bills continue to rise faster than the rate of inflation, this research suggests the obesity could worsen where heating is turned down below comfortable levels or off for long periods to cut costs."
This is not just about people who live in well-heated homes being in the financial position to afford more expensive low-calorie foods, exercise classes and sporting activities, and therefore finding it easier to maintain a low BMI level.The study took age, sex, social class and other factors into account.
"The comfortable temperature of 20degC -23degC is where we feel comfortable in our clothes and are neither hot nor cold.At temperatures above this, we use more energy and we eat less because our appetite is affected." | high8055.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Woman wants dog back more than stolen car"
},
"options": [
"A car with a dog was stolen",
"Lucky dog was returned to his owner",
"Stealing cars: a most important social problem",
"Woman wants dog back more than stolen c... | A woman whose sports car was stolen with her dog in it put up notices all over the area that made it clear getting back her pet was more important than her car.
"Whoever did this can keep my car. Please let Benjerman come home," the notice said.
It is not known whether the thief showed any pity, but almost 30 hours after the 1 pm theft Friday, Kimberly Atkins of Dover and Benjerman, a 12-year-old black retriever , were reunited after police located them in Barrington.
"He's hungry, he's dirty, but he's very happy to be home," Atkins said.
The car was found at about 5 pm Saturday off Route 125 in a swampy area frequented by off-the-road cars and dirt bikes. However, the police couldn't control Benjerman, and they had to call Atkins to come and get him.
Atkins said the thief cared for Benjerman a little by providing him with some dry cat food. She believed Benjerman ended up drinking some muddy water in the area. She said they have been together for nearly 11 years after she took him back from a society shelter in Dallas, Texas.
Before Benjelman was found, Atkins and several friends put up notices all over the city and in Somersworth. They also contacted animal shelters,throughout southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
The notice stated there was a reward, and also that the dog needed medication. Any caller could remain anonymous .
Atkins had parked the car outside a hardware store with the keys inside and gone in to rent a carpet cleaner. "It was l0 minutes and I came out and my car was gone along with Benjerman in broad daylight," Atkins said. The car thief threw Atkins' wallet and other personal items out of the car before escaping from the scene. | high283.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "does not make children more intelligent"
},
"options": [
"makes children smarter",
"helps a child express creativity",
"does not make children more intelligent",
"improve children's ability to learn in school"
],
... | Many people believe that teaching children music makes them smarter, better able to learn new things. But the organizers of a new study say there's no scientific evidence that early musical training affects the intelligence of young people.
An estimated 80 percent of American adults think music lessons improve children's abilily to learn or their performance in school. They say that the satisfaction for learning to play a new song helps a child express creativity.
Researchers at Harvard University, however, have found that there's one thing musical training does not do. They say it does not make children more intelligent. Samuel Mehr is a graduate student at Harvard's School of Education. He said it is wrong to think that learning to play a musical instrument improves a child's intellectual development. He says the evidence comes from studies that measured the mental ability of two groups of 4-year-olds and their parents. One group attended music class, the other went to a class that places importance on the visual arts--arts that can be seen.
"The evidence there is 'no'. We found no evidence for any advantage on any of these tests for the kids participating in these music clases," said Mehr.Samuel Mehr says researchers have carried out many studies in an effort to learn whether musical training can make children smarter. He says the results have been mixed. He says only one study seems to show a small percentage increase in IQ, intellectual scores among students after one year of music lessons. He does not believe that IQ is a good measure of child's intelligence. He says researchers in his study compared how well children in the musical training group did on mental processing tasks or projects, then the results were compared to those of children who did not take lessons. There was no evidence that the musical training group did much better on the mental tasks than the other group.
The researchers comfirmed the results with a larger group of children and their parents.Mr Mehr says music lessons may not offer children a fast easy way to gain entry to the best schools later of their life. But he says the training is still important for cultural reasons. In his words, "We teach music because music is important for us." | high6078.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "six tablets a day."
},
"options": [
"twenty-four tablets a day.",
"eight tablets a day.",
"six tablets a day.",
"three tablets a day."
],
"question": "The directions on this medicine bottle clearly warn the pati... | Read the following directions on a bottle of medicine:
"Take two tablets with water, followed by one tablet every eight hours, as required, For maximum night-time and early morning relief, take two tablets at bed - time, Do not take more than six tablets in twenty-four hours.
For children six to twelve years old, give half the amount for a grownup. For children under six years old, ask for your doctor's advice.
Reduce the amount if nervousness, _ , or sleeplessness occurs," | high23393.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "PS60."
},
"options": [
"PS40.",
"PS50.",
"PS60.",
"PS120."
],
"question": "How much would you pay if you wanted to learn to take better pictures?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
},
{
"answer":... | Cambridge University Botanic Garden
We run a lively programme of family events, life-long learning courses and much more throughout the year.
Improve your Digital Photography
This course led by award-winning photographer, Pete Murray, will show you how to take control of your camera. Using a proven "step by step approach" you will gain confidence in using your camera.
Date:29/09
Time:10 am--4 pm
Price:PS60
Event Category: Garden Photography
'Handbag' Baskets
New to the Botanic Garden, this course will give you the opportunity to make your very own beautiful 'handbag basket'from a design that local basketry maker, Debbie Hall, developed herself. They have proved very popular since she started teaching the technique.
Date: 07/10
Time: 10 am --4:30 pm
Price: PS120
Event Category: Weaving & Basketry
Trees and Shrubs for Autumn Color
Join Mark Crouch, a specialist in the care of trees, for this course on choosing trees and shrubs to create beautiful autumn displays for your garden. The day will include a talk in our classroom and a tour of the Botanic Garden to look at autumn color and interest across our tree and shrub collection.
Date: 17/10
Time: 10 am --4 pm
Price: PS50
Event Category: Gardens and Plants
Introduction to Botanical Subjects in Colored Pencil
If you are interested in beginning to use colored pencils to draw botanical subjects, then this is the course for you. Janie Pirie is one of the country's leading pencil artists and on this one-day course she will show you the basic techniques used when working with colored pencils.
Date: 16/10
Time: 10 am --4 pm
Price: PS40
Event Category: Botanical Art | high14259.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "A travel brochure."
},
"options": [
"A science report.",
"A news article.",
"A travel brochure.",
"A book review."
],
"question": "Where is the text probably from?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
},... | Plan on traveling around the USA? There are a number of outstanding websites that can make your American dream come true.
www.101 usaholidays.co.uk
This is the latest offering that features 101 holiday ideas to the USA.It's a diverse selection,ranging from touring in the footsteps of Martin Luther King to a golfing break inArizona and a cycling and wine--tasting trip in California's Napa Valley.Narrow down what you're looking for--whether by price,region,theme and who will be traveling--and then just the photos of the relevant holidays remain on view.It's a really clever design.
http://byways.Org
The National Scenic Byways Program covers 150 memorable roads.Some are natural scenic routes,such as Route l along the California coast.Others focus on history(such as Route 66)or man-made attractions(the Las Vegas Strip).For each,you're provided with a map telling the route's length and how long is allowed.
www.oyster.com
This is the best website for reviews of hotels in US cities and tourist sites.There are photos of each hotel.Importantly,these are not promotional photos provided by the hotels,but more honest and revealing ones taken by inspectors.From the 243 hotels reviewed in New York,you can narrow down what you are looking for by locations,facilities and styles,or just pick out a selection of the best.
http://seaworldparks.com.
SeaWorld in San Diego can make dreams come true,but the price is not affordable for the majority of people.So turn to long--established,giving big discounts on tickets,hotel and dining at SeaWorld. | high13536.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "generally has a good reputation"
},
"options": [
"generally has a good reputation",
"focuses more on speed than safety.",
"doesn't provide international service",
"mainly sells mobile phones overseas"
],
"questi... | Today, I will tell you a story about AbdulRahman, a friend of mine, who was the victim of the big name DHL. I am sure that 90% of you have at least heard of it. It is known for being the best company when it comes to shipping. It is thought to be fast ,reliable and safe.
AbdulRahman's brother bought him a mobile phone while he was in the United Kingdom. He wanted to send it to him here in Kuwait . AbdulRahman specifically asked him to send it through DHL. He trusted the company that much, as most people do.
But in the end, even though the company told him that it would take up to 5 days for the phone to arrive at AbdulRahman's door, he never received it. And after two weeks of him calling them and hearing the same response "We will investigate the matter, and let you know of our decision by next week. We might pay you back up to 50% of the item's cost."
So they are not paying him the full price of the thing they have lost, or as we think, they have stolen. We have reason to think that way, because according to the records, the mobile phone went "missing" while it was in a "sorting facility" of the company.
Last Tuesday, they stopped telling him "We are investigating the matter" and officially said, "We ended the investigation. Your shipment is missing." We are still waiting to hear their "decision" about whether they will try to make it up to him, by "maybe" paying him up to 50% , and nothing more. | high22933.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "JK Rowling's first book for adults will be published later this year."
},
"options": [
"JK Rowling has signed a deal with a new publisher.",
"JK Rowling's new book will be more successful than her Harry Potter series.",
"JK R... | JK Rowling, the Harry Potter author, has signed a deal with Little, Brown and Company, to publish her first ever novel for adults, which is set to become one of the most anticipated book in years.
The deal means that Rowling's long-standing relationship with Bloomsbury, the London-based publisher that launched the Harry Potter books, has come to an end, at least in terms of new works by the author.
Rowling is keeping her fans guessing about the characters and plot of her new book. She only said that the new novel will be nothing like the Harry Potter series, which was sold over 30 million copies in the UK alone. She thought that with the move from children's to adult fiction, a switch to a new publisher seemed like a natural and reasonable step.
She said, "Although I've enjoyed writing it every bit as much, this book will be very different from the Harry Potter series. The freedom to explore a new field is a gift that Harry's success has brought me."
Ian Rankin, the Edinburgh-based author whose highly-successful detective novels are also set in the city, suggested Rowling's book will be a crime novel.
"Wouldn't it be funny if JK Rowling's first novel for adults turned out to be a crime story set in Edinburgh?" he said.
Industry insiders guessed that the deal is worth more than PS5 million and the new book is expected to come out later this year.
A spokesman said, "JK Rowling's audience is vast and her position is unique. Harry Potter books were a global success and her fans are very loyal. Children that were eight, nine, or ten when the books first came out in the 1990s are now in their 20s. Plenty of adults, loved the books regardless of whether they had children, so the potential market for her is huge." | high1071.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "They planned to do different things until lunch time."
},
"options": [
"they could not see each other because of the fog.",
"Joan had not seen Crown Jewels.",
"They planned to do different things until lunch time.",
"Th... | Our plan was to drive into Cambridge, catch the 7:34 train to Liverpool Street Station, then to separate and meet again for lunch. We should have arrived at Liverpool at 9:19, but due to a typical London fog, the train had to move along so slowly that it was not until 10:30 that it got there. In spite of our late arrival, Joan, my wife's sister, decided that she would go to see the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London while we went shopping. It was only after her sister had disappeared into the fog that my wife realized that we hadn't decided where we should meet for lunch. Since I had our three tickets for the concert in my pocket, this was indeed a problem. There seemed to be nothing we could do except taking a taxi to the Tower of London, and try to find her there. Needless to say, we didn't find her.
It was now one o'clock, and the concert began at 2:30. "Perhaps she will think of waiting outside the concert hall," suggested my wife hopefully. By this time the fog was so thick that road traffic had to stop, and the only way to get there was by underground railway. Hand in hand we felt our way along the road to where we thought the nearest station should be. An hour later we were still trying to find it. Just as I was about to lose my temper completely when we met a blind man tapping his way confidently through the fog. With his help we found Tower Hill tube station just fifty yards down the road.
By now it was far too late even to try to get to the concert hall before the performance began at 2:30, so we decided to return to Cambridge. It took seven long hours instead of the usual two to make that journey. Nor were we able to get any food and drink on the train. Tired and hungry we finally reached home at ten, opening the door to the sound of the telephone bell. It was Joan; she had seen the Crown Jewels, had managed to get another ticket for concert, and had had a wonderful dinner at a restaurant near the hotel where she decided to stay for the night. Now she was ringing to discover whether we had had an equally successful day. | high12628.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "with them"
},
"options": [
"at the cinema",
"at home",
"behind them",
"with them"
],
"question": "When President Lincoln and President Kennedy were killed, their wives were _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_qu... | Don't you think it interesting that there were strange coincidences in the deaths of President Kennedy and President Lincoln? For example, John Kennedy was elected president in 1960 while Abraham Lincoln in 1860, between which was a hundred years. Both men were killed from behind, on black Friday , and with their wives on the spot. The two men were born exactly one hundred years away, as were their murderers, Lee Oawald and John Booth. Perhaps the strangest coincidence is that President Kennedy's secretary , whose name was Lincoln, advised the president not to go to Dallas, where the president was shot. President Lincoln's secretary, named Kennedy, advised the president not to go to the Ford Theatre, where the president met his death. | high15147.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "a combination of two things"
},
"options": [
"a high tech discovery",
"energy saving",
"a new invention",
"a combination of two things"
],
"question": "According to the passage, the word \"hybrid\" refers to _... | After years of research and testing, the hybrid car was developed and put on the market. It's an interesting and exciting new improvement in today's world as we look for better ways to protect the quality of the air we breathe and conserve our natural resources.
The quality of our air is affected by many different things. But one of the largest sources of air pollution is the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and gasoline which are used to power a car's engine. The EPA has set national standards to help control the level of harmful pollutants sent off into the air, and the automobile industry has acted by producing a hybrid car that uses less gas and therefore causes less pollution.
A hybrid car is a combination of a regular car that runs on gasoline and an electric car that is battery powered. Some people tend to think that since the hybrid car is partially electric, you have to plug it in to charge it. But that's not how it works. The 144 volt battery pack is actually recharged( ) through the energy that is produced when the car's brakes are used. This is referred to as "regenerative braking", because it generates electricity.
Although the hybrid car still runs on gasoline most of the time, this helps it use less gas than a regular car. When the driver stops at a traffic light, the engine automatically ( ; )shuts off to save fuel. Then, as soon as the driver puts the car in gear and touches the gas pedal, the engine starts back up.
Have you ever ridden in a car with someone who ran out of gas? That probably wouldn't happen if you were riding in a hybrid car. It flashes a warning on its computer screen that says, "I am low on gas". When it completely runs out, the warning reads, "YOU ARE NOW OUT OF GAS!" Then the electric power supply kicks in to let the driver travel a few more miles to a gas station. | high8733.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "April 20,2013"
},
"options": [
"April 22,2008",
"April 20,2013",
"May 12,2008",
"May.22 2013"
],
"question": "When did Ya'an earthquake occur?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
... | On April 20,2013, a big and powerful earthquake attacked Ya'an, Sichuan Province. A great many buildings and houses _ a lot of people were killed and even more people lost their homes in the earthquake .
Death toll from the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit Ya'an in southwestern China's Sichuan Province has risen to 188 (as of 18:00 pm, April 22, ), according to latest calculations by local Civil Affairs Bureau. At least 11,826 were reportedly injured in the quake while 25 are still missing, the bureau said.
Experts are anticipating much less casualties in the quake than that from the 8.0 magnitude quake hit Wenchuan on May 12, 2008, also in Sichuan Province, which killed more than 80,000 and injured over 300,000.
Energy released from Wenchuan earthquake would be 30 times of that from Ya'an quake, according to Zhang Xiaonan, an expert with China's Geophysical Union. Dai Junwu with Harbin-based seismological bureau expects the death toll at less than 1,000, and economic losses from the quake could reach up to 100 billion yuan.
Police and expert teams have already rushed for rescue in the quick stricken areas, and the State Council has banned unauthorized rescue efforts and individual vehicles from going to the quake zone to avoid congestion .
Rescue efforts were carried "timely and orderly", said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang who flew to the quicken-stricken area on Sunday, the second day of the quake. He was quoted as saying that "the current priority is to save lives". | high4109.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Roosevelt and Churchill had much in common."
},
"options": [
"Roosevelt and Churchill had much in common.",
"Roosevelt and Churchill had nothing in common.",
"Roosevelt and Churchill had no difference but cooperation.",
... | History is full of examples of leaders joining together to meet common goals. But rarely have two leaders worked together with such friendship and cooperation as American President Franklin Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. They both were born in wealthy families and were active in politics for many years. Both men loved the sea and the navy,history and nature.
Roosevelt and Churchill first met when they were lowerlevel officials in World War One. But neither man remembered much about that meeting. However,as they worked together during the Second World War they came to like and trust each other. Roosevelt and Churchill exchanged more than one thousand seven hundred letters and messages during five and a half years. They met many times,at large national gatherings and in private talks. But the closeness of their friendship might be seen best in a story told by one of Roosevelt's close advisors,Harry Hopkins. Hopkins remembered how Churchill was visiting Roosevelt at the White House one day. Roosevelt went into Churchill's room in the morning to say hello. But the president was shocked to see Churchill coming from the washing room with no clothes at all. Roosevelt immediately apologized to the British leader for seeing him naked. But Churchill reportedly said: "The Prime Minister of Great Britain has nothing to hide from the president of the United States." And then both men laughed.
The United States and Great Britain were only two of several nations that joined together in the war to resist Hitler and his Allies. In January,1942,twentysix of these nations signed an agreement promising to fight for peace,religious freedom,human rights,and justice. The three major Allies,however,were the most important for the war effort: the United States,Britain,and the Soviet Union. Yet,Churchill and Roosevelt disagreed about when to attack Hitler in western Europe. And Churchill resisted Roosevelt's suggestions that Britain give up some of its colonies. But in general,the friendship between Roosevelt and Churchill,and between the United States and Britain led the two nations to cooperate closely. | high3666.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "are of different shapes"
},
"options": [
"are easy to break",
"are of different shapes",
"come from his hometown river",
"can change into different color1s"
],
"question": "Fan Yang's bubbles _ .",
"quest... | As a kid, Fan Yang was crazy about the beauty of bubbles . A waterfall at a river near his childhood home in Vietnam created hundreds of tiny bubbles. "I saw another world in bubbles, and I imagined how nice it would be if I could create a big bubble and be inside it," he says.
Many years later, Fan realized that dream. He has formed bubbles around hundreds of people, made large bubbles that his daughter can walk through, and even made square bubbles. Fan calls himself a "bubble artist" and "bubble scientist." "So far, I haven't met any other bubble scientist!" he says.
To achieve what he wanted, Fan worked hard for years. "After many years of failure, I finally came out with a bubble solution that made big bubbles with beautiful color1s." Five years later, after lots of more practice and experiments, he created the world's largest bubble which was 156 feet long.
Fan designed a program called the Gazillion Bubble Show. He has many performance tips to offer. He says it's good to make the audience feel tension so that they are surprised at the end of a trick. He also suggests doing performances that are fun to watch, so that the audience will stay interested the whole time
To perform his tricks, Fan uses bubbles equipment that he created himself. He wants to know that they're not limited by anything except their imaginations, and they can create whatever they want to help them follow their interests.
"To make art, you need time, love and hard work, which guided my life and made me successful. I am proud to say that I used something simple--- bubbles---and brought it to a completely new world." | high17988.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "There was no girl character in the game."
},
"options": [
"There was no girl character in the game.",
"The characters were not real at all.",
"No girls would like to play the game.",
"It was not like playing real hockey... | Lexi Peters, a 14-year-old girl in New York, loves hockey. She's not only good at playing on her after-school team, but also at playing hockey video games. But when Peters played the popular NHL (National Hockey League) games made by Electronic Arts, something really bothered her. The virtual character in the game could only be a boy -- not a girl.
She didn't think that was reasonable. There must be many girls playing hockey in the US. So she wrote a letter to Electronic Arts.
"Being represented by a man is unfair to women and girl hockey players," Peters wrote. "Women's hockey is a fast-growing sport. I am confident that I'm not the only woman interested in the opportunity to create herself in the game."
Several weeks later, Peters received an unexpected e-mail from the senior producer for EA Sports' NHL games, David Littman. "Hi, Lexi," the e-mail began. "We agree with you!"
Electronic Arts said it would create a female player in the game. "I was thinking you could be the model," Littman wrote. Peters almost couldn't believe it. Later, she sent photos of herself taken at all different angles .
And so, when Electronic Arts released the newest version of their game, NHL 12, this fall, Peters was the face of the female player. She can now skate with the NHL's great players. "It's strange at first, but you get used to it," said Peters. "It's really funny and cool."
For Peters, there is also an important lesson that she will take with her the rest of her life. "If you have something to say, and you think it's important, go for it!" she said. | high2578.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "She was a good singer, but she could not sing the high tones well."
},
"options": [
"She sang well, but she didn't practise singing hard.",
"She enjoyed singing, but she had a terrible voice.",
"She was a good singer, but she... | Mrs. Janes gave music lessons at a school.She had a good voice and enjoyed singing, except that some of her high tones sound like a gate that had forgotten to oil.Mrs. Janes knew her weakness well, and took every chance she could find to practise these high notes. As she lived in a small house, where she could not practise without disturbing the rest of the family, she usually went for long walks along the country roads whenever she had time and practised her high notes there.Whenever she heard a car or a person coming along the road, she stopped and waited until she could no longer be heard before she started practicing again, because she was a shy person.
One afternoon, a fast, opened car came up behind her so silently and so fast that she didn't hear it until it was only a few yards from her.She was singing some of her highest and most difficult tones at that time and as the car passed, she saw an anxious expression came over the driver's face.He stopped his car suddenly, jumped out and began to examine all his tyres carefully.
Mrs. Janes didn't dare to tell him what the noise he had heard really was, so he got back into the car and drove off. | high5217.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "hard breathing"
},
"options": [
"hard breathing",
"anxiety",
"sweating",
"blooding"
],
"question": "People infected with the influenza A(H7N9) virus may suffer from _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"... | About influenza A(H7N9) virus
What is the influenza A(H7N9) virus?
Influenza A H7 viruses are a group of influenza viruses that normally spread among birds. The influenza A(H7N9) virus is one smaller group among the larger group of H7 viruses. Although some H7 viruses (H7N2, H7N3 and H7N7) have sometimes been found to infect humans, no human infections with H7N9 viruses have been reported until recent reports from China.
What are the main signs of human infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus?
So far, most patients with this infection have had severe pneumonia . Signs include fever, cough and shortness of breath. However, information is still limited about the full area of disease that infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus might cause.
How did people become infected with the influenza A(H7N9) virus?
Some of the confirmed cases had connections with animals or with an animal environment. The virus has been found in a pigeon in a market in Shanghai. It is not yet known how persons became infected. The possibility of animal-to-human spread is being looked into.
Is it safe to eat meat like chicken and pork products?
Influenza viruses are not spread through eating well-cooked food. Because influenza viruses are made inactive by normal temperatures used for cooking (so that food reaches 70degC in all parts), it is safe to eat properly prepared and cooked meat. Diseased animals and animals that have died of diseases should not be eaten. In areas experiencing outbreaks, meat products can be safely eaten only if they are properly cooked and properly handled during food preparation. The eating of raw meat and uncooked blood-based dishes is a high-risk practice and should be discouraged.
Is it safe to travel to China?
The number of confirmed cases in China is very low. WHO does not advise the application of any travel measures with respect to visitors to China, nor to persons leaving China.
Are Chinese products safe?
There is no evidence to link the present cases with any Chinese products. WHO advises that people should not fear to trade them at this time. | high18463.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "The cries of children in pain."
},
"options": [
"Her daughter's serious illness.",
"The cries of children in pain.",
"The tiredness from sewing the cape.",
"The illness of children in her daughter's room."
],
"q... | Amy Pankratz spent a few nights in the hospital with her daughter, Isabella, who caught a bad flu. "Lying in bed beside Isabella, I could hear the cries of children in pain, "says Amy. "It completely broke my heart."
When Isabella was getting well and could leave her room, she wore her prized possession--a "superhero cape " Amy had sewn to encourage her--and walked into the hallway. The pink cape was an instant hit with the other young patients, who were doing exercise around the nursing station. "Then, all the kidswere taking turns wearing the cape, giggling, "Amy says. "These were some of the same children I had heard crying the night before, and here they were playing and having fun--kids just being kids!"
From that moment on, Amy began making Comfort Capes for little ones battling with serious illnesses. "I felt God presenting an opportunity, "she says. "I hoped Comfort Capes can help these kids feel brave, to lift some of the fear away. "
Since then, Amy has made and donated more than 5, 000 capes in the United States. Amy usually pays for materials herself, although she accepts donations.
The capes she makes for kids in treatment are different from those her own children have. Before Amy starts to sew she learns what image or character the little boy or girl connects with. "I choose the pattern, color and theme specially for each child," explains Amy.
When she is not sewing, Amy is raising awareness of childhood cancers and looking into ways to get Comfort Capes to more kids who need them, "If a cape can help a child, even only for a moment, forget his illness, it's worth the time spent sewing," she says. | high14271.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "a friendly atmosphere"
},
"options": [
"a friendly atmosphere",
"dormitory beds for sale",
"reviews by previous guests",
"beds and bathrooms as well"
],
"question": "Hostels are popular among budget travelers be... | One of the main decisions you must make when traveling is deciding where to stay. A good place to stay can often make a holiday. Whether you are looking for a classy hotel or a night under the stars, we can guide you through your different options.
Bed and Breakfast
An English invention, bed and breakfasts offer exactly what they suggest, a bed for the night and breakfast in the morning. People who hate the anonymity of hotels but want more luxury than a hostel often choose to stay at bed and breakfasts. "B&B's", usually someone's private home, are often found in the countryside.
Hostels
For those traveling on a tight budget, hostels are the best accommodation option. Informal places usually with a friendly youthful vibe , they offer dormitory beds for rent. Bathrooms are usually down the hall.
Remember to check reviews by previous guests online before you book your hostel.
Couch Surfing
An unusual but interesting option, couch surfing is a growing trend among young internationals. The idea is that you become a member of the online couch-surfing community (www. couchsurfing. com) and then when you travel, look up other members in that country and ask to stay on their couch . Most hosts will suggest sightseeing trips and take you out in the evening, making it a great way to see things that aren't in your guidebook. And remember, it may be free but don't forget to offer to buy your host a drink or dinner.
Camping
Sleeping under the stars! For budget travelers staying at camping grounds is the cheapest way to travel. The drawback is that you have to carry a tent with you. Camping grounds can be found across Europe, America and Australia. However, if you intend on camping in busy cities, check first where the nearest campsite is. More often than not, they are on the outskirts, which can mean lengthy bus rides into town when you want to eat or see the sights. | high9405.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "dreams can help improve skills"
},
"options": [
"games are useful for memory",
"dreams can help improve skills",
"players stop learning in dreams",
"tasks can only be settled through dreams"
],
"question": "Robe... | When you tidy your messy bedroom,it gets a lot easier to find things.Dreams may work the same way for a messy brain,helping you learn by organizing memories and ideas.
To test how much dreams can help learning,Robert Stickgold had some students play a shapefitting game called Tetris for a few hours and then go to sleep.Soon they were dreaming of falling Tetris shapes.Interestingly,the worst Tetris players had the most Tetris dreams and improved their game the most.Similar tests have shown the same results for all kinds of skills.
As we dream,many important tasks are getting done.The brain decides what to keep and what to forget.It is connecting new experiences to older learning.In fact,the brain is learning all night long.
Another important task of dreams may be to help us deal with emotions .At night,emotions are in the driver's seat.People who have had an upsetting experience often dream about it afterward.Often the dream event changes somehow--another way the brain tries to make the memory less upset.So if your best friend moves away,you might dream that you're the one who's moving.In fact,dreams have a proven power to improve mood,and people who dream about what's bothering them usually feel better sooner than those who don't.
Everybody dreams for a couple of hours every night--in the course of your life,you'll spend about 25 years asleep and 6 years dreaming.There's probably no single answer to the question why we dream,but there doesn't have to be.One dream might help you remember your math facts,while another might lead to a new invention,or give you a fun,crazy story to tell your friends.It's all in a night's work for our busy,mysterious brains. | high6736.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "www.chinadaily.com.cn/culuture/language.html"
},
"options": [
"www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/China.html",
"www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/university.html",
"www.chinadaily.com.cn/culuture/language.html",
"www.chinadaily.com... | Some expressions in English can be really puzzling. Have a look at the following to see how it challenges your brainpower.
Homeric laughter
The "Homer" in this expression is the Greek poet. People laugh differently. Some laugh silently, while others tend to laugh loudly. "Homeric laughter" refers to laughter of the latter kind. It is at times uncontrollable, and the entire body shakes during the process. This kind of laughter is called Homeric laughter because this is how the gods laughed in Homer's classics.
A three-ring circus
When you refer to a situation as being a three-ring circus, you are saying that it is a situation of complete confusion. There are so many activities taking place all together that they leave you confused or annoyed. The expression comes from the world of entertainment -- the circus. The area where the artists perform their acts is called the "ring". In the past, some of the circuses were so grand that they had three acts taking place _ in three different "rings". The audience had to decide which "ring" they wanted to focus on.
In the swim (of things)
When someone is in the swim of things, the individual is actively participating in the things happening around him, as in "I've been ill, but soon I'll be back in the swim of thing." In the world of fishing, fishermen use the word "swim" to refer to the section of the lake/river where fish can be found in plenty. So, if you are a fisherman and wish to catch a lot offish, where would you be? You would be "in the swim".
Chickens have come home to roost
The word "roost" refers to the place where birds rest. It could be anything -- the branch of a tree, a henhouse, etc. The expression is normally used to mean that the bad things that someone did in the past have come back to bite or upset the individual. In other words, one has to face the consequences of the deeds done in the past. The original form of this 700-year-old expression was "curses are like chickens; they always come home to roost". | high1059.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "children have lost touch with good old songs"
},
"options": [
"driving a car requires high concentration",
"children are learning pop songs from tapes",
"children have lost touch with good old songs",
"high - tech syste... | Technology today has stolen away our voices and robbed our children of memories. I've been keeping count of how often people sing around the house these days. The fact is, they don't.
My earliest memories are of my mother crooning lullabies in a gentle low voice as she rocked each infant in turn. She said she "didn't have a singing voice," but her low, wavering alto will always mean comfort to me. Every time I have sat through the night with a feverish body or held a pre - schooler through a nightmare, the melodies returned, words appearing and disappearing like fragments of a dream but held together by the hum of love.
Today, young mothers are routinely presented with lullaby tapes at the baby shower. When baby cries, the idea goes, they will be able to switch on the high-tech audio system and _ with the voices of strangers in his ears, perfectly on pitch. If I had my way, new parents would learn the songs themselves, throw out their stereos, and give their child the gift of their own sleepy voices through the midnight hours.
These days, when we go on a trip, my daughters take along tiny personal stereos and headphones. They are lost in their private worlds, and I can't help wishing that at least here, in the car my girls would be forced to listen to their mother's voice again, sure I'm out-of-tune songs that they might then pass down to another generation. Those sophisticated earphones have robbed them of something I think every kid should carry from childhood car trips into adulthood.
I drove away from that party humming, and all the way home the good old songs kept tumbling out. Damm it , I thought, why did I ever stop singing in the car and start turning on the radio ? Why don't I sing anymore while I'm doing the dishes? I'm going to pull those stereo wires right out of the wall when I get home. We're going to sing grace before meals, sing carols around the piano, sing in the shower instead of switching on that waterproof radio that stole away our voices and our souls. | high12600.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "he was afraid to be late for class"
},
"options": [
"he had no bike",
"he hoped to win some medals",
"his village was a little far from the school",
"he was afraid to be late for class"
],
"question": "Ruben had... | Ruben lived in a small village. There was no school there and he had to study in a school in the town. It was nearly five kilometres away from his village. His father couldn't buy a bike for him and he had to go to school on foot. He got up early in the morning. Usually he had to run there in order not to miss the first class. He kept running every day and it was helpful to him. He's strong and tall now and he ran faster than any other man in his village. He took part in several sports meetings and won some medals. The young man is proud of(......)it and always wants to have a race with others.
One day his mother was ill and his father told him to buy some medicine for headache in the town. The young man got there soon. There were many people in the chemist's shop while he was waiting there. And when his turn came, he could't find his money. An old woman hinted a young man had stolen it. He saw the thief had already left the shop. He ran towards him quickly. The thief found it and began to run. He was happy and tried to catch up with him.
"Let's have a race and see who will run faster, "Ruben called out behind.
Soon after that he caught up with the thief. But he didn't stop and went on running. At a crossing one of his friends asked, "What are you running for, Ruben? "
"I'm running after a thief. "
"Where's the thief, then? "
"He wants to show that he'll run faster than me, but he's fallen behind!" | high7428.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "proud and grateful"
},
"options": [
"painful and fearful",
"regretful and panic",
"proud and grateful",
"excited and thankful"
],
"question": "When the boy told the newspaper reporter about the scars on his arms... | Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.
His father working in the yard saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could.
Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U - turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug - of - war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too _ to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, took aim and shot the alligator.
Remarkably, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his fresh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved.
The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy asked if he would show his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my dad wouldn't let go."
You and I can identify with that boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because someone has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, someone has been there holding on to you.
If you have the scars of someone's love on your arms, be very, very grateful. Someone in your life did not and will not ever let you go.
Never judge another person's scars, because you don't know how they got them. | high4121.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "communicate with their babies"
},
"options": [
"communicate with their babies",
"make their babies learn English fast",
"make their babies clever",
"make their babies interested in language"
],
"question": "Many... | Baby sign language is a growing movement. Pointing to a color1ful flower, Campbell lifts her baby's soft hand, and rapidly moves it from one side of his nose to the other as she sniffs ."Flower!" she says loudly. Gregory smiles and looks carefully. It could be a year before Gregory, 4 months old, can speak, but now his mother hopes to communicate with her baby through sign language.
Like others around the world, Campbell is part of a growing movement of parents teaching hearing babies simple signs to communicate before they can talk. The baby sign language has been more popular in recent years. The movie,"Meet the Fockers",where the main character teaches his young grandson to sign, makes it well developed.
Babies generally begin to talk between 12 and 15 months, but babies can use sign language to communicate before they learn how to speak.
"We know they are learning language faster than they are able to show you with their speech production because that system takes a long time to develop." says McRoberts, director of developmental research at the Haskins Laboratories.
"They are understanding words before they are able to say them. From around 16 to 18 months, they might say 50 words but understand 200.They understand short sentences well." says McRoberts.
Studies have shown deaf children learn to use sign language earlier than hearing children learn to speak meaningfully. As to whether hearing babies can communicate earlier with sign language, McRoberts says,"I think that's still unknown. It may not. I'm very interested in that very question." | high19755.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "In 1940."
},
"options": [
"In 1940.",
"In 1939.",
"In 1941.",
"In 1942"
],
"question": "When did the couple first meet?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2... | There's no danger of 88-year-old Harry Ward forgetting his wife Doris's Valentine's Day card - the couple still use the same one he bought her 70 years ago.
When 17-year-old Harry Ward presented Doris with a Valentine's Day card as he boarded a train to join the wartime effort on February 14, 1941, he must have been fairly confident about his affections . After all the couple had been dating since they met in a cafe three months earlier.
But little can he have imagined that 70 years on, not only would he still be happy about having married Doris, but that every year she would present him with the very same card he gave her that Valentine's Day. "I bring it out of the cupboard and put it on our mantelpiece every Valentine's Day," she said. "It's a special to me now as it was 70 years ago. Harry has never bought me one since, because I have this one every year."
They first met in a cafe. "Harry was in the cafe drinking and he said hello. He asked me my name and we got talking happily. He offered to walk me to the bus stop but when we got outside, a bombing raid had started and we had to run to a nearby air-raid shelter ," Doris said.
Mr. Ward said,"I knew Doris was the one for me the moment I met her. I gave her the Valentine's card then and she is still my Valentine now." Mrs. Ward's card is not the only thing that has endured the passing of time.
"Harry is quite romantic and we are as still in love as the day he first gave me this card,"Dorris said. | high16466.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "the author is trying to show what he or she says is true"
},
"options": [
"it is not important",
"the author is trying to show what he or she says is true",
"readers will consider other important information",
"readers ... | This is a dangerous world we live in. The number of murders goes up every year, people are dying of cancer, more people contract HIV, more teens are using drugs, ect. You know this because you've heard all the statistics on the news and in the paper. But do you really have an accurate idea what they mean? The numbers are going up, but how do they compare to the growth in population? Are more cases of these diseases being reported because of better testing techniques, or are the diseases more common? The fact is that without knowing the background statistics mean very little.
This growing trend of reporting only part of the information is becoming dangerous. For example, several years ago a high school student reported the dangers of the chemical known as dihydrogen monoxide. This chemical, found in most cancerous tumors, is often found in the blood of people drunk on alcohol, and causes complete physical and mental dependence for those who take the chemical even once. After reading his report, more than 75% of his Advanced Placement Chemistry class voted to forbid this dangerous chemical! Every one of the above statement is true, yet this chemical is necessary to all life on earth. The students made a mistake because they voted knowing only a few statements and statistics, rather than the chemical's full background.
The point of this article is that one should be aware of what is and is not being said. When one finds a new fact or number, one should try to consider other important information before forming an opinion with only half-truths. Always remember that the author is trying to convince you of his or her own view, and will leave our information that is different from his view. For example, look again at the statistics that suggest skiing is safe. Only 32 people die each year when skiing, while 897 die from lightening strikes, but which is really more dangerous? If you think more about it, you will realize far fewer people go skiing each year than the number of people in danger of a lightning strike. When you think about it again, skiing is more dangerous than you might at first think when looking at the statistics. If we teenagers are to be left in this world, we had better be able to think critically, and form our own views, rather than be easily persuaded by another's. To be warned is just to be prepared. | high11309.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "she can write several books at the same time"
},
"options": [
"she is one of the most popular American women writers",
"she often does some research before writing a book",
"she can write several books at the same time",
... | Danielle Steel, America's sweetheart, is one of the hardest working women in the book business. Unlike other productive authors who write one book at a time, she can work on up to five. Her research before writing takes at least three years. Once she has fully studied her subjects, ready to divide into a book, she can spend twenty hours nonstop at her desk.
Danielle Steel comes from New York and was sent to France for her education. After graduation, he worked in the public relations and advertising, industries. Later she started a job as a writer which she was best fit for. Her achievements are unbelievable: 390 million copies of books in print, nearly fifty New York Times best-selling novels, and a series of "Max and Martha" picture books for children to help them. Deal with the real-life problem of death, new babies and new schools. Her l998 book about the death of her was shot to the top of the New York Times best-selling list as soon as it came out. Twenty-eight of her books have been made into film. She is listed in the Guinness Books of World Records for one of her books being the Times best-seller for 381 weeks straight.
Not content with a big house, a loving family, and a view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Danielle Steel considers her readers to be the most important resource and has kept in touch with them by e-mail. While she is often compared to the heroines of her own invention. Her life is undoubtedly much quieter. But if she does have anything in common with them, it is her strength of will and her inimitable style. There is only one Danielle Steel. | high10017.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "be the first one to catch the cheese rolling downhill"
},
"options": [
"roll as much cheese down the hill as possible",
"find the largest piece of cheese rolling downhill",
"perform the best grimace when chasing the cheese",
... | Around the world there are some festivals that for some of us may sound _ .
In England they celebrate the rolling cheese race, which occurs every year during the last Monday in May. This festival's characteristic is a contest where an official rolls cheese down a steep hill and festival- goers go chasing after it. The winner is the first one to reach and catch the cheese.
Another festival celebrated in England is the world championship of grimaces . It is a celebration that dates back to 1297 and is celebrated during the month of September. The task is to perform the best grimace using anything you can to win.
The worldwide championship of wife lifting is celebrated in Finland. The game is based on Viking traditions where a man should carry away his neighbor's wife. According to the rules, any woman above 17 is considered as a wife, so if you are within this age, take care while visiting this country during the month of July.
Many of you have watched Pirates of the Caribbean and have known something about pirates. The 19thof September has been declared worldwide as the day to talk like a pirate. Plenty of people have celebrated it thanks to the publicity on the Internet.
First staged in 1998, the Boryeong Mud Festival is an attraction that pulls more than a million visitors to the South Korean City. As you all know, the town is said to be rich in minerals, so there is no shortage of mud. Mud is trucked onto Daecheon Beach for tourists and locals to enjoy the festival to their best.
The Monkey Buffet Festival is held in Thailand to develop tourism. It's an unusual feast held for about 600 monkeys. The Monkey Buffet Festival is held in honor of the Hindu gods Ram and Hanuman and involves 3,000 kilograms of vegetables and fruits being laid out for monkeys to stuff themselves. | high2550.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "he observed some rules"
},
"options": [
"he finished his homework",
"he liked the sport",
"he observed some rules",
"he won a bet"
],
"question": "Jason's grandmother agreed to let him try skateboarding unless ... | Jason had been watching the X Games on TV. Athletes from all over the world were competing in the most amazing sports. Just then his grandmother walked into the room. "I want to be extreme. Would you really let me do that? You always worry about my safety!" said Jason.
"You will have to follow some rules," said his grandmother. "You can only ride in the park -- never on the streets. You have to promise to wear a helmet . If you hurt yourself too much, I have the right to take your skateboard away. Is it a deal?"
"You bet!" Jason was so excited that he jumped off the sofa. A week later he had a board and a helmet.
On Saturday, his grandmother dropped him off near the park. He was happy to have a grandmother who let him try new things.
Kids in the park were moving quickly up and down the ramps . They flew into the air and landed as easily as birds. When he watched the X games, Jason felt like he was doing the tricks himself. But watching these kids up close, he knew that none of it was going to be easy. He felt a little bit scared.
Very slowly he carried his board to the ramp. Taking a deep breath, he put his right foot on the board. He kicked off with his left foot. For a few seconds he glided along, just waiting to fall. Then he came to a stop. Kicking off again, he waited for the worst to happen. Again, he stayed up. The third time he kicked, lost his balance, and fell hard on his left knee.
It hurt, but it was no big deal! Why had he been so scared? Now he felt calm because things had gone wrong, and he was fine!
Next time he kicked off harder and went fast and farther. "Excellent!" said a girl as she passed him. "Extreme!" laughed Jason to himself. "Not quite." | high3896.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "report on the findings of a study"
},
"options": [
"show the relationship between parents and children",
"teach parents ways to keep order at the dinner table",
"report on the findings of a study",
"give information abo... | As any housewives who has tried to keep order at the dinner table knows, there is far more to a family meal than food. Sociologist Michael Lewis has been studying 50 families to find out just how much more.
Lewis carried out his study by videotaping the families while they ate ordinary meals in their own homes. They found that parents with small families talk actively with each other and their children. But as the number of children gets larger, conversation gives way to the parents' efforts to control the loud noise they make. That can have an important effect on the children. "In general the more question-asking the parents do, the higher the children's IQ scores," Lewis says. "And the more children there are, the less question-asking there is."
The study also provides an explanation for why middle children often seem to have a harder time in life than their siblings. Lewis found that in families with three or four children, dinner conversation is likely to center on the oldest child, who has the most to talk about, and the youngest, who needs the most attention. " _ ," says Lewis. "When you see someone get up from the table and walk around during dinner, chances are it's the middle child." There is, however, one thing that stops all conversation and prevents anyone from having attention: "When the TV is on," Lewis says, "dinner is nothing." | high2236.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "environmental factors play an important role in long-living"
},
"options": [
"most people living extremely long benefit from not smoking",
"living longer just depends on certain genetic recipes",
"environmental factors play a... | How long you live has a lot to do with your environment and lifestyle, but exceptional long life may have even more to do with your genes. For the first time, researchers have discovered a genetic recipe that accurately predicts who may live to 100 and beyond.
Analysis shows that 90% of the participants who lived to 100 had at least one of the signature genetic clusters . Dr. Thomas Perls at the Boston University School of Medicine said, "We realize this is a complex genetic puzzle. There is a long way for us to go to understand how the integration of these genes--not just with themselves but with environmental factors--is playing a role in this long life puzzle."
Perls has studied many factors that contribute to long life, and he is the first to acknowledge that living longer isn't likely to be simply a matter of genes. His previous work has shown, for example, that among most elderly people who live into their 70s and 80s, about 70% can owe their long life to environmental factors such as not smoking; eating a healthy, low-fat, low-calorie diet; and remaining socially engaged and mentally active throughout life.
It seems clear that those who live extremely long are benefiting from a special DNA. In fact, Perls believes that the older a person gets, the more likely it is that his or her genes are contributing to those extended years. | high4647.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "ask her about them without making her feel uncomfortable"
},
"options": [
"ask her about the problems directly",
"wait until she told him about them",
"ask her parents about the problems without letting her know",
"ask ... | Mr. Templat was a teacher that I will never forget. I truly believe the teen years were the hardest time of my life. At that time, as a girl, I hated it when my parents asked me directly about my problems, making me more comfortable. I also remember many times when Mr. Templat would take me aside and talk to me. He had a special way of drawing out what the problem was. Every time he talked with me, I felt better
He had a way of making his classes enjoyable. We always got the highest marks in math in our grade with his teaching. If there was a big world ball game on the radio, we would drop everything and he would put the name on so we could all enjoy it. That's just the way he is.
Teens often hear things on TV or from adults about world problems that can frighten them. Now it is terrorism. Back in my teen years, it was the cold war. It worried me so much that I thought each day would be my last. Mr. Templat knew how much it troubled his students. He opened the subject up to discussion. He gave us a way to express our greatest fears and helped us understand war and politics. "One can feel afraid however brave he is." We were told.
When I think back to those special days, I appreciate that he helped me through such a difficult time in my life. | high19033.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Because it brings much confidence to them."
},
"options": [
"Because it brings much confidence to them.",
"Because it makes them more beautiful.",
"Because it tells whether they are clean or not.",
"Because it helps the... | People like to look in the mirror often when they have a young and beautiful face. However, when one grows old, nobody wants to see their wrinkled old face in the mirror any more. So, many old people seldom look at their faces in the mirror. This is completely wrong.
According to Wu Zhenyun, a professor from the Psychological Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a person's willingness to look in the mirror can reflect his or her mentality. When people don't care too much about their age, they will try to carry themselves with ease and natural poise . They don't mind looking in the mirror to see their own faces. Some people even love to look in the mirror from time to time to see whether they keep a good appearance. In this way, mirror becomes their best friend that help them to look confident.
On the other hand, some people are afraid of being old. They don't want to see the wrinkles on their face and their hair turning grey. So they don't want to look in the mirror. This actually reflects a negative attitude they hold towards life. In the long term, they might suffer from psychological pressure or some sort of depression, which is actually not a wise act.
" Everyone can make themselves look charming at every age stage. If one is confident, one will always look beautiful, it shows that they accept themselves." professor Wu said.
Mirror cannot only give confidence to one. By looking in the mirror, one can even find the traces of some diseases from one's own face. | high16300.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "people's I-don't-care attitude"
},
"options": [
"people's lack of education",
"people's I-don't-care attitude",
"people's wait-and-see attitude",
"people's over-dependence on the government"
],
"question": "The ... | Keeping our water pure is by no means an easy task but it is something that must be done.
Hong Kong once prided herself on being the "Fragrant Harbour". However, these days, it is not certain if Hong Kong's harbour could still be called "fragrant". For, like many other places, Hong Kong has not been spared water pollution. A visit to Tolo and Victoria Harbour, or any of the beaches in Hong Kong is enough to make one aware of the ugly truth that Hong Kong waters are indeed polluted.
The great threat to our water is bacteria pollution. Another great source of water pollution is poisonous chemicals. These substances, which are found in industrial waste and agricultural pesticides, make up unseen dangers that enter biological food chains.
Pollution control is a continuing problem for the government. It is believed that the most effective form of control is legislation . Most importantly, the present laws on pollution should be given more force. On the other hand, no amount of legislation can effectively control pollution unless those concerned are properly educated about the danger posed by pollution.
While a great majority of Hong Kong citizens and residents seem to be greatly concerned about ways to control water pollution, it is discouraging to note that there are, in our midst, some people who remain apathetic about the problem. In a recent radio programme conducted on what people in the streets thought about the water pollution problem, one apparently unconcerned person said, "What do I care about water pollution? I don't drink polluted water. As long as the water I drink is not polluted, I'm not bothered. Water pollution is too big a problem and let's leave it to the government."
If all residents in Hong Kong will take such an indifferent attitude, all the government's attempts to control pollution, let alone the anti-pollution legislation, will prove useless. The best form of pollution control each citizen can employ is to be aware of his surroundings. We hope that someday, the problem of water pollution in Hong Kong will cease to alarm us. | high15609.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Interest is the best teacher in learning."
},
"options": [
"Famous people are selfish to start work for themselves.",
"Doing meaningful work requires our interest in it.",
"Interest is the best teacher in learning.",
"H... | I was working with a client who was completely burned out on her career and life and then ready for a career change. As we were talking, she said, "I just wish I had meaningful work. I don't feel like I am making a difference. I am just wasting my life." This is the theme I hear most often from clients who have been in the workforce awhile.All of us want to feel like we are making a difference. We want to believe our work means something. The problem comes in defining "meaningful work". What is it? That answer is different for everyone. For some meaningful work might be helping others organize their office. For others it may mean making a million dollars.
What really matters is how you see it. What is meaningful work to you? Take out a piece of paper and answer these questions. How do you define meaningful work? When do you feel like you are really making a difference? What work have you done so far that feels the most meaningful? Write down whatever comes to mind.
What you want to do is meaningful. It is very easy to start judging yourself as being selfish. Stop! Allow yourself to be honest. The fact is when Picasso painted; he was doing it because he liked to paint. He was not thinking, "Oh, I hope this brings joy to others' lives." He painted because he wanted to. When Beethoven composed, he did it because he loved music. Even scientists searching for a cure for cancer are immersed in their work because it fascinates them.
Don't look down on your work. It is easy to _ the importance of work that feels meaningful. I remember Tony Robbins told a story of talking with the owner of a major company. The man said to Tony, "I wish I could do what you do because it makes such adifference in people's lives". Tony said, "You have got to be kidding! Look at what adifference you make. You provide work, health insurance and security for thousands ofpeople!" Don't underestimate the value you provide.
Take a look at what you have written about meaningful work. Do you see any themes? How do you wish to contribute to this world? Whatever you choose, remember that the greatest gift you can give is to find work that makes you feel fulfilled and delighted. Respect your preference because giving your gifts to the world, whatever they look like, is the most meaningful action you can ever take. | high12166.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Halifax Playhouse"
},
"options": [
"Halifax Playhouse",
"York Theatre Royal",
"Grand Theatre",
"City Varieties"
],
"question": "Where can you see the play On Golden Pond?",
"question_type": "factiod_question... | City Varieties
The Headrow, Leeds. Tel. 430808
Oct. 10 - 11 only A Night at the Varieties. All the fun of an old music hall with Barry Cryer, Duggle Brown, 6 dancers, Mystina, Jon Barker, Anne Duval and the Tony Harrison Trio. Laugh again at the old jokes and listen to your favourite songs.
Performances: 8 pm nightly.
Admission L5; under 16 or over 60: L4
York Theatre Royal
St. Leonard's Place, York. Tel. 223568
Sept. 23-Oct. 17 Groping for Words-a comedy by Sue Townsend. Best known for her Adrian Mole Diaries, Townsend now writes about an evening class which two men and a woman attend. A gentle comedy.
Performances: 8pm
Admission: First night, Mon.: L2; Tues-Fri: L3.25-5.50; Sat.: L3.35 -5.75.
Halifax Playhouse
King's Cross Street, Halifax. Tel. 365998
Oct. 10 - 17 On Golden Pond by Ernest Thompson. This is a magical comedy about real people. A beautifully produced, well-acted play for everyone. Don't miss it.
Performances: 7:30 p. m.
Admission: L2. Mon.: 2 seats for the price of one.
Grand Theatre
Oxford Street, Leeds. Tel. 502116
Oct. 1 - 17 The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13. Sue Townsend's musical play, based on the best-selling book.
Performances: Evenings 7:45pm. Oct. 10 - 17, at 2:30 pm. No Monday performances.
Admission: Tues-Thurs: L2 - 5; Fri. & Sat. : L2 - 6 | high13278.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "got the right treatment"
},
"options": [
"got the right treatment",
"were taught to read and understand",
"could speak several languages",
"got relief of their symptoms"
],
"question": "Glenn Doman discovered in... | An American psychotherapist Glenn Doman wrote a best-selling book calledHow to Teach Your Baby to Readin 1963. Now translated into 17 languages, this book arose from his work with brain-damaged children in Pennsylvania. Doman and his team of specialists had wondered why brain-injured children didn't improve with treatment. Then they realized that orthodox methods of treatment only relieved the symptoms, not the problem, which of course was the brain itself. So they develop a new approach. "All we do for all the children here is to give them visual, auditory and tactile stimulation with increased frequency, intensity and duration, in recognition of the orderly way in which the brain grows," says Doman. "The result was that by 1960 we had hundreds of severely brain-injured two-year-olds who could read and understand." The team had discovered that even children who had half their brains removed could, by stimulation, achieve higher IQs than the average normal child.
Then the team began to think if such amazing results could be achieved with brain-damaged children, what would happen if the same treatment were given to normal children? So eight years ago the Better Baby Institute was opened for the benefit of normal children. The same stimulating environment was provided, and by the time the children left, around seven years old, they could generally speak and read three foreign languages, play a musical instrument, read three full-length books a week and do all the other things that a so-called "normal" child could do.
In Doman's view, the child's passion to learn during the years up to six must be fed. He believes that, like muscles, the brain develops with use, especially so in those first few years.
Nowadays, parents come from all over the world to Pennsylvania to see and learn from the workof Doman and his team; they want to discover how they can fulfill their roles as nature's teachers, by using their love, understanding and instincts for the benefit of the children. For in the words of Doman, "every child born has a greater potential intelligence than Leonardo da Vinci used". | high14517.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "you \"break you heart\""
},
"options": [
"you \"have a heart of stone\"",
"you have to \"take heart\"",
"you \"break you heart\"",
"you \"speak from the bottom of the heart\""
],
"question": "If you are not so h... | Each week, this program explains the many meanings of English expressions. Today's expressions include a very important word--"heart". We will try to "get to the heart of the matter" to better understand the most important thing about words and their stories. So "take heart." Have no fear about learning new expressions. Besides, popular English words can be fun. There is no need for a "heavy heart." Such feelings of sadness would only "break my heart," or make me feel unhappy and hopeless.
Now, let us suppose you and I were speaking freely about something private. We would be having a "heart to heart" discussion. I might speak from "the bottom of my heart, " or say things honestly and truthfully. I might even "open up my heart" to you and tell you a secret. I would speak with "all my heart".
When a person shares her feelings freely and openly like this, you might say she "wears her heart on her sleeve". Her emotions are not protected.
If we had an honest discussion, both of us would know that the other person's "heart is in the right place." For example, I would know that you are a "kind-hearted" and well-meaning person. And, if you are a very good person, I would even say that you have "a heart of gold." However, you might have a "change of heart" based on what I tell you. Our discussion might cause you to change the way you feel about something.
But, let us suppose you get angry over what I tell you. Or worse, you feel no sympathy or understanding for me or my situation. If this happens, I might think that you have a "heart of stone." And, if you say something to make me frightened or worried, my "heart might stand still". | high9363.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "easily makes teenagers lead to insomnia"
},
"options": [
"easily makes teenagers lead to insomnia",
"is the origin of their insomnia",
"provides them with plenty of time at night",
"is helpful to improve their concentra... | It is not unusual to see your desk-mate yawn as he complains that he didn't have a good sleep the night before. Many teens don't get enough sleep because they have too much homework, which keeps them up at night. Some teens cannot sleep at night even when they want to.
Studies show that during your teenage years, the body's biological clock is reset, telling you to sleep later at night and wake up later in the morning.
But changes in the body clock aren't the only reason teens lose sleep. Lots of people have insomnia . The most common cause of insomnia is stress. But all sorts of things can lead to insomnia. These include physical discomfort, emotional troubles and even sleeping environment. It's common for everyone to have insomnia from time to time. But if it lasts for a month or more go and see a doctor.
Some people have a condition that causes stomach acid to move backward towards the chest. This produces the uncomfortable, burning feeling called heartburn. So even if the person doesn't notice the feelings of heartburn because he is sleeping, he may feel tired the next day.
Most teens have nightmares sometimes. But, if they are frequent, a person's sleep pattern can be seriously affected. The most common cause of nightmares is emotional problems, such as stress or anxiety. If you have them a lot, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor.
Doctors encourage teens to make lifestyle changes to develop good sleeping habits. You probably know that coffee can keep you awake, but did you know that playing video games or watching TV does the same? | high6050.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "The writer's father really listening to him."
},
"options": [
"The writer's father offering him a free ride.",
"The writer's father really listening to him.",
"The writer's father agreeing to drive him to his destination.",
... | This is a story from 28 years ago. My dad was a used car salesman. Every Thursday night, he would head off to Shreveport, LA for an auction . Most of the time, I drove a car over there for him so he could sell it at the auction.
One day I was riding with my dad when he noticed a hitch-hiker with a backpack. Without hesitation, he pulled the car over and offered him a ride. Dad asked him his name, and proceeded to talk to him about all sorts of things. Dad asked him where he was going. The hitch-hiker told him that he was heading for the west. I can't recall why but he told Dad a lot of things that had occurred to him and that persuaded him to make _ . He talked about the tragic events that occurred to him several years before. He was low in spirits, but t could see that the hitch-hiker's attitude was changing as someone was really listening to him.
We drove 45 minutes before the hitch-hiker got off. We pulled over and Dad told him to keep his head up and things would start looking up for him soon. He reached into his pocket and handed the hitch-hiker a twenty-dollar bill. The guy smiled. He nearly lit up right there on the cold, dark highway.
We drove on and my dad did not say a single thing. I was still completely amazed by what I had just witnessed. I was always told by everyone never to pick up a hitch-hiker and yet my dad did it every single time he saw one. While reflecting upon that story I came to understand that just one single kind act could change someone's life, and I am sure that my father's deed made that poor man's day. | high8069.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "has never really existed in the world"
},
"options": [
"is a handsome and eagle-like bird living in Arab",
"used to be seen when the Egyptians held religious activities",
"has never really existed in the world",
"is the... | The idea about the phoenix goes back to Ancient Egypt, where we find the phoenix described as a handsome, eagle-like bird, with part-golden, part-red plumage, that spent most of its life in the Arabian deserts. It was rarely seen and according to one version of the story, only appeared in Egypt once every five hundred years, when it flew to Heliopolis, "city of the sun", and deliberately burnt itself to ashes by settling on the altar flame there! However, it seems it did not really die because from those same ashes a young, fully formed phoenix was born and flew away, apparently back to Arabia.
It is pretty obvious that no one has ever seen or will see a living phoenix. The interesting thing is that we can find certain clues which may explain one aspect of the Egyptians' idea. It may sound unbelievable, but some birds are apparently quite charmed by flames and small fires, especially members of the crow family. One zoologist actually proved this by setting fire to some straw near to a tame rook, a large black bird like a crow. Far from becoming nervous and backing away, the bird deliberately stood over the flames, with raised and vibrating wings. It didn't get burnt, but the image it presented by its strange behavior was almost exactly like that shown in illustrations of the mythical phoenix!
Why birds should occasionally behave in this strange way is not clear. One idea is that they carefully use the heat of the flames to relieve the annoyance caused by their feather mites which all birds have. Whatever the reason, it is quite possible that the Ancient Egyptians saw birds behaving in this way, from time to time, and used it as the basis of their phoenix myth, adding fanciful details which closely linked it to their worship of the sun and their belief in _ .
Nowadays, the phoenix is much less important to us than it was to the Egyptians. But the logo of modern fire insurance companies, which employ the phoenix as one of their symbols, refers that in one sense the idea of it remains. | high12172.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Adults over 18."
},
"options": [
"Teenagers.",
"Adults over 18.",
"College students.",
"English teachers."
],
"question": "Who can take part in the courses offered by DCU*LS ?",
"question_type": "factiod_que... | DCU*LS is the English Language Training Center of Dublin City University. Our courses are designed for adults (18+). We offer a lot of English language courses throughout the year in addition to special programmes in summer. Our school proudly has the same high standards which have gained Dublin City University a national and international reputation for the excellence of its courses. Recognized by Department of Education as an English language school for the teaching of English as a foreign language. DCU*LS offers you a friendly atmosphere in which you can improve your English skills. Because we are a university based company, we also offer our students ways to university facilities .
For more information please contact :
DCU Language Services, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland
Tel: +353 1 705552
Fax: +353 1 70511
Email: Is.elt @ dcu.ie
Web: www.dculs.dcu.ie | high9377.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "was once an optimistic mom"
},
"options": [
"was once an optimistic mom",
"was always a very busy mom",
"was living a life to the fullest",
"got drunk with half a glass of beer"
],
"question": "Saying a \"glass ... | To the mom I used to be:
Two years ago, you were happy and whole. You had a plan for life -- start a new business, get involved in the Parent-teacher Association, teach your sons how to ride bicycles, spend as much time with your friends and parents as possible, watch your children mature and grow old with your husband. You were a " _ " person who often felt so much joy. You always looked forward, smiled and danced.
Two years ago, on December 14, 2012, the world changed and you changed with it. Disturbed young men with access to high-powered guns went to your sons' school and killed six educators and twenty first-graders. Your eldest son Jake survived, but was changed by the day he discovered some monsters are real. He describes it as the day "when evils came to my school." Your youngest son, Dylan, whom you thought of as a pure love, with his charming eyes and infectious giggle ,was killed. Shot multiple times, he died instantly in the arms of his special-education assistant who also died while trying to protect him.
The tragedy changed all your life, not only because of losing your child, but because of the hole inside you that can never be filled. Your eldest son has been forced to grow up too fast because of the loss of his brother. The pain has altered the lines on your husband's face. The way you look at the world has changed. Your interactions with friends and family seem foreign.
... ...
But the things have moved on with hopefulness. You are now someone far more realistic. You control your feelings because you fear if you really let it out, you would never recover. It would destroy you. You know what you should do is try everything to protect more children. You're fighting a good fight, what the whole society really needs.
With love,
Nicole Hockley, Dylan's mom | high14503.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "To protect himself from danger."
},
"options": [
"To dive into the deep water.",
"To protect himself from danger.",
"To admire the underwater view.",
"To take photo more conveniently."
],
"question": "Why did La... | Larry was on another of his underwater adventures but this time, it was different. He decided to take his daughter along with him. She was only ten years old. This would be her first trip with her father on what he had always been famous for.
Larry first began diving when he was his daughter's age. Similarly, his father had taken him along on one of his adventures. Since then, he had never looked back. Larry started out by renting diving suits from the small diving shop just along the shore. He had hated them. They were either too big or too small. Then, there was the instructor. He gave him a short lesson before allowing him into the water with his father. He had made an exception. Larry would never have been able to go down without at least five hours of theory and another similar number of hours on practical lessons with a guide. Children his age were not even allowed to dive.
After the first adventure, Larry's later diving adventures only got better and better. There was never a dull moment. In his black and blue suit and with an oxygen tank fastened on his back, Larry dived from boats into the middle of the ocean. Dangerous areas did not prevent him from continuing his search. Sometimes, his was limited to a cage underwater but that did not bother him. At least, he was still able to take photographs of the underwater creatures.
Larry's first adventure without his father was in the Cayman Islands. There were numerous diving spots in the area and Larry was determined to visit all of them .Fortunately for him, a man offered to take him around the different spots for free. _ The diving spots afforded such a wide array of fish and sea creatures that Larry saw more than thirty varieties of creatures.
Larry looked at his daughter. She looked as excited as he had been when he was her age. He hoped she would be able to continue the family tradition. Already, she looked like she was much braver than had been then. This was the key to a successful underwater adventure. | high10765.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "From 2000 to 2004."
},
"options": [
"From 1997 to 2000.",
"From 2000 to 2004.",
"From 1997 to 2004.",
"From 2000 to 2006."
],
"question": "When did Angela Brown act as an understudy at the Met?",
"question_t... | "Angie, I know you like to sing," her father, a worker, told Angela Brown, "but you must have something to fall back on ."
Brown took her father's advice. She got a degree in secretarial science before entering Oakwood College, in Huntsville, Alabama. However, her aim was to become a singer at religious meetings. So after graduation she headed for Indiana University to study with the famous soprano Virginia Zeani.
Once, when Brown was troubled by self-doubt, Zeani said to her, "If you want to be the next Aretha Franklin, you need no more lessons," Brown remembers her saying. "But if you want to be the best Verdian soprano this world has ever seen, you must work."
Work she did. Three times she competed in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions . Three times she failed to make the final round in New York. Then, in 1997 at age 33, the age limit for sopranos to audition, she gave it one more try. She signed up at the last minute and didn't even practice, thinking, "All they could do was to tell me no, and that didn't hurt my feelings anymore." She had the strength she needed to fall back on if she failed.
She won. But making it in New York was just the beginning. It took her three more years to become an understudy at the Met. But waiting in the wings was fine with her. Finally, her time came. When the featured singer fell ill, Brown earned the chance to sing the lead role in Aida. And The New York Times described her performance as a great success. Angela Brown, who had prepared for 20 years, was an "overnight" successful singer at age 40. | high19741.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "They don't look very nice."
},
"options": [
"They are very expensive.",
"The inventor is a student.",
"The glasses are fragile.",
"They don't look very nice."
],
"question": "What can we learn about Adaptable gl... | Have you dreamed of building your own machine? Do you wish you could invent something new? Here we look at a few British inventions of recent times.
Adaptable glasses
Do you wear glasses? If so, can you imagine life without them? In 1985, Joshua Silver, a professor at Oxford University, asked himself, "Can I invent a pair of glasses that could be changed by the wearer?" He designed two plastic lenses that are filled with a special liquid. Using syringes you change the liquid between the lenses until you can see clearly. The glasses are not beautiful but they are easy to use and cheap to make.
The wind-up radio
When you switch your TV on tonight, think about all those people without electricity. Thinking about this, Trevor Baylis came up with the idea of designing a radio that could be powered by hand. In common with Joshua Silver he wanted his invention to be cheap and easy to use. He wanted even the poorest people in developing countries, who don't have electricity and cannot afford batteries, to use it. The radio has a generator which is powered by turning a handle. In 1996 it won a BBC Design Award for Best Protect and Best Design.
The Dyson cleaner
In many homes around the world you can see a cleaner that looks like a spaceship. This is the Dyson vacuum cleaner which uses something called "cyclonic separation" to separate the dirt. You do not need a bag for your cleaner and it does not get blocked so it is very practical. The idea came to Sir James Dyson after he kept having problems with his vacuum cleaner. He decided he could design a better one and in 1993 he opened his own factory. The Dyson is now one of the best-selling cleaners in the UK and Dyson is believed to have earned over a billion pounds.
The Zapata fly-board
Ever dreamed of zooming through the water and leaping in the air like a dolphin? Now you can thanks to a fly-board, built by water sports enthusiast Frank Zapata. With it you can dive back in the water and out again. It's possible to jump to incredible heights out of the water -- over 30 feet. The basic fly-board model comes in at PS4,200.
So keep dreaming and inventing. One day you might get it right. | high16472.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "in a taxi"
},
"options": [
"at a bus stop",
"in a taxi",
"in Marseilles",
"in a railway station"
],
"question": "The conversation between the two people took place _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
... | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who wrote the story of the detective Sherlock Holmes, was having a trip in Europe. One day he got out of the railway station and climbed into a taxi. Before he could say a word, the driver turned to him and asked, "Where can I take you, Mr. Doyle?"
Doyle was rather surprised. He asked the driver if he had ever seen him before. "No, sir," the driver replied, "I have never seen you before." Then he explained, "This morning's newspaper had a story about your being on vacation in Marseilles. This is the taxi stop where people who return from Marseilles always come. Your skin color tells me you have been on vacation. The ink spot on your right fingers suggests to me that you are a writer. Your clothes are very English, not French. Adding up all those pieces of information, I conclude that you are Sir Arthur Conan Doyle."
"This is truly surprising!" the writer cried out. "You are a real-life copy to my fictional story, Sherlock Holmes!"
"And there is one other thing," the driver added, with a smile on his face.
"What's that?"
"Your name is on the front of your suitcase." | high10003.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "treating good friends"
},
"options": [
"spending it alone",
"treating good friends",
"travelling for fun",
"buying ice creams"
],
"question": "The writer thinks he can get greatest fun from pocket money by _ ... | I have always really loved receiving my monthly pocket money form my dad. After getting the money I would be very excited and would rush off to my friend's place where after much consideration we would decide what to do with it and where to spend it. Mostly it would go for the ice cream treats(;) or jam sessions with our favorite people around. Girls will manage to find some way of budgeting so the money we save can be used for other purposes.
I think that the best way to enjoy your pocket money would be to enjoy those treats that come occasionally. Since just mere pocket money would be not enough, many girls are doing a part time job of some form so that a larger amount of money can be collected. The best use of pocket money is to spend it in such a way that it involves lots of fun with your closest friends. Those treats are no fun if done alone. Company, especially good company can work wonders for providing you the best relaxation that you need. It is also best to spend your pocket money on things that otherwise parents end up refusing. When you use your pocket money to get this sense of achievement you will just feel so crazily happy.
I remember the time when a friend and I were just so tired of our everyday _ life that we decided to go out, have some great food and then head out to the beach and have those lovely grape and mango ice-creams. And we did exactly that. That day has just been one of the most refreshing days of my life. I think the true meaning of pocket money is to be able to maximize your fun at a minimal cost! | high2544.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "her charm"
},
"options": [
"her clothes",
"her charm",
"her personality",
"her appearance"
],
"question": "Betty is popular because of _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
... | Betty is not traditional American beauty. She is unfashionable, has thick red glasses, untidy hair and large metal braces on her teeth. But this hasn't stopped her from becoming one of American's favorite TV characters. So how did she manage to do it?
The answer is that charm can be more attractive than beauty. Betty is the main character in a TV show Ugly Betty. The show is about her life as a n office worker at a fashion magazine in New York.
The TV show has just started. Betty has many exciting experiences and romantic stories. Betty is often looked down on and laughed at by the people around. But she manages to do better than others with her hard work, charm and wisdom. The show tells us about how a girl goes from an ugly young duck into a beautiful swan.
Though you may know the ending of the show from the beginning and the story is familiar to many of us, it has still been a big success in the USA. It has attracted a large number of viewers and won two Golden Globes awards, one of the highest honors for a television program in the USA." I think you can see a bit of Betty in all of us, and I mean men as well, because it's about the underdog ",says Ashley Jensen, who plays one of the characters on the show.
The program is so popular because of the performance of the 23-year-old actress America Ferrera who plays the role of Betty. She brings the character alive on the screen. | high9411.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Money spent on food."
},
"options": [
"Distance covered.",
"Calories consumed.",
"Tons of waste let out.",
"Money spent on food."
],
"question": "Which aspect does the writer NOT include in her analyses about re... | Ever wonder how this season's celebrations affect the environment? Guest blogger Krista Fairles takes an amusing look at this very topic:
The holidays are a wonderful, cheerful time when most people wait for Santa to bring them presents. But I'm not like most people. I spend my time wondering just what the environmental impacts of Santa Claus and his reindeer are, and more importantly, how I can calculate those impacts.
Lately I've been particularly curious as to whether Santa's old sled is a clean green flying machine, or if he should be replacing his 8 reindeer with an environmentally-friendly car.
I should mention that, surprisingly, I was unable to find statistics specific to Santa's magical flying reindeer, so these calculations use numbers from various sources and may not represent actual pollution caused by Santa and his animals. In other words, don't complain to the government about the damage Santa is causing the environment based on this article.
Santa's yearly trip around the globe is 44,000km long, twice the average of a North American driver. If we assume that the magic provides the altitude for this trip, then reindeer power only needs to push Santa's sled forward. To complete the trip in 12 hours, I estimate they must travel at a speed of about 3100km/h. To travel at this speed, for this length of time, the reindeer need to eat an incredible 980 million calories each!!
So the next question is: how much food is in 980 million calories? Well, if they're eating corn, they'd need to eat 16,500 lbs each -- or 1.6 acres of food. Growing 12.8 acres of corn has its own implications for the environment that we'll leave for another calculation.
We now need to consider that during the global trip the reindeer are "letting out" some of that corn in the form of methane (,). A resting cow produces 110 kg of methane per year, so flying reindeer would each let out about 4.8 tons. With methane causing 20 times the global warming damage of CO2, and the altitude increasing that damage by 1000% that another 20 times, we can put Santa's round-trip emissions at 15,488 tons. This is much more than the 100 tons an environmentally-friendly car would release on the same trip!
Bad Santa. | high14265.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "a movie review"
},
"options": [
"a book review",
"a movie review",
"a movie poster",
"an advertisement"
],
"question": "The passage is most probably _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"... | A mathematician who goes mad is not a subject most directors consider commercially attractive, but then Ron Howard isn't among most directors, despite an impressive list of credits, a Beautiful Mind is his most successful work to date, combining psychological drama with a moving love story to produce a film that is as interesting as it is entertaining.
The Oscar winning Russel Crowe has put himself in line for further honors with his acting John Nash, the Nobel Prize-winning mathematician troubled by schizophrenia . A Beautiful Mind pictures Nash as an unusual hero, not just because of his academic achievements, but also because of the courage he displays while battling his illness.
In 1947, Nash was one of many great young minds at Princeton. "To find a truly original idea is the only way to distinguish myself." The proud and determined student declared. His exploration of such an idea afforded him little time for the normal socializing. His shyness and straightforward approach brought him few friends.
After finally _ a revolutionary new idea, Nash's career took off and his reputation was secured. He balanced research work with teaching, which is where he met the bright and beautiful student Alicia (Jennifer Connelly). Things in his life were going well when his talent for code breaking brought him to the attention of the military who employed him during the early stages of the cold war with Russia. However, the stress of his work made Nash's illness develop.
Crowe's performance is perfect. He and Connelly ignite (make something exciting) the film's passionate love story and Connelly's wonderful performance makes the audience moved by Alicia, whose courage, strength and faith in her husband are the primary reasons for his recovery. | high6911.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "It is making much of the continent colder."
},
"options": [
"It is making much of the continent colder.",
"It is causing the ice to melt faster.",
"It is making the effects of global warming in the region worse.",
"It i... | The hole in the Earth's ozone layer has until now protected Antarctica from the worst effects of global warming. But scientists have warned that as the hole closes up in the next few decades, temperatures on the continent could rise by around 3oC on average, with melting ice contributing to a global sea level increase of up to 1.4 metres.
In the past decades the western Antarctic has seen rapid ice loss as the world has warmed, but the other parts of the continent have, _ , been cooling, resulting in a 10% increase in ice in the seas around the region. This is because the hole in the ozone layer has increased cold winds in Antarctica, making much of the continent surface colder than usual.
But now that the gasses that cause the ozone hole have been banned, scientists expect the hole to repair itself within the next 50 to 60 years. By then the cooling effect will have faded out and the Antarctic will face the full impact of global warming. This means an increase in average air temperatures of around 3OC and a reduction in sea ice by around a third.
The biggest threat to the continent comes from warming seas. Robert Johnson, a scientist who monitors Antarctica ice sheets, said, "The ice sheets in Antarctica are hundreds of metres thick. But once warm ocean waters start flowing underneath, the ice will begin thinning and could break up very quickly. "Thinning ice sheets cause ice to break away from the continent and to melt even faster. Escaping ice from western Antarctica has already resulted in a 10% rise in global sea level in recent decades.
Johnson believes that international action to reduce global warming is required immediately or it may be too late. "Everything is connected - Antarctica may be a long way away but it is an important part of the Earth's system," said Johnson. "It contains 90% of the world's ice, 70% of the world's fresh water and that is enough, if it melts completely, to raise sea levels by 63 metres."
Even in a worse-case situation scientists don't expect the ice to entirely disappear, but predict that, because of the melting ice sheets, average sea level rise will be around 1.4 metres higher by the end of the century. | high15190.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "tell us the importance of positive thinking"
},
"options": [
"explain how to be a reverse paranoid",
"share his personal experience in success",
"tell us the importance of positive thinking",
"advise us how to improve o... | "Success begins with belief and ends with doubt."--Larina Kase
I remember reading through a book and the author was writing about being a reverse paranoid. In that particular section he mentions how he has a belief that the world he's living in is out to give him everything he absolutely wants and desires.
There are times when I think to myself,"Wow,the world is out to get me and make me miserable." Then I thought,why can't I believe that the world is out to make me a better conversationalist. Then I started adapting to the belief of the reverse paranoia.
When I started talking to people,I truly believed that I was the most interesting person in the room. I believed that everything I said added value to the conversation. I believed that people stayed behind and chatted with me because they found me _ .
As a matter of fact, for about five months I wrote down on my bathroom mirror the following affirmation:"People love me and respect me. It is a privilege to talk to me. People find me interesting and charming and always want to get to know me better!"
I would say the affirmation after I brushed my teeth. And I would continue to say it until I felt completely great about myself. There were days that I just wouldn't feel like saying it,because it would feel like a lie to me. But that's the trouble,like the quote says,success ends when there's doubt. And that's why I continued until I had no doubt in my mind.
Then strange things happened,I noticed that people did find me more interesting,and that I gained more confidence in talking with people. I was more assertive at work. I was able to control politics and gossip at work to minimal levels,and became a much better manager,and developed better customer relations to the point that sales were up by 20% compared to the year before,on my best month sales were up by 39%,and this was a year that a recession was happening. | high12827.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "I'm aware you're upset, but I'm not to blame"
},
"options": [
"You have good reason to get upset",
"I'm aware you're upset, but I'm not to blame",
"I apologize for hurting your feelings",
"I'm at fault for making you up... | If you want to teach your children how to say sorry, you must be good at saying it yourself, especially to your own children. But how you say it can be quite tricky.
If you say to your children "I'm sorry I got angry with you, but ..." what follows that "but" can render the apology ineffective: "I had a bad day" or "your noise was giving me a headache " leaves the person who has been injured feeling that he should be apologizing for his bad behavior in expecting an apology.
Another method by which people appear to apologize without actually doing so is to say "I'm sorry you're upset"; this suggests that you are somehow at fault for allowing yourself to get upset by what the other person has done.
Then there is the general, all covering apology, which avoids the necessity of identifying a specific act that was particularly hurtful or insulting, and which the person who is apologizing should promise never to do again. Saying "I'm useless as a parent" does not commit a person to any specific improvement.
These pseudo-apologies are used by people who believe saying sorry shows weakness. Parents who wish to teach their children to apologize should see it as a sign of strength, and therefore not resort to these pseudo-apologies.
But even when presented with examples of genuine contrition, children still need help to become aware of the complexities of saying sorry. A three-year-old might need help in understanding that other children feel pain just as he does, and that hitting a playmate over the head with a heavy toy requires an apology. A six-year-old might need reminding that spoiling other children's expectations can require an apology. A 12-year-old might need to be shown that raiding the biscuit tin without asking permission is acceptable, but that borrowing a parent's clothes without permission is not. | high532.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "went into the store through the broken window"
},
"options": [
"used hammers to fight the police",
"used a red car to get into the jewellery store",
"robbed the same shop for the second time in a year",
"went into the s... | Ram-raiders armed with hammers smashed their way into an exclusive jewellery store in central Sydney. The thieves used a white four-wheel drive (4WD) to smash through the back window of the Mondial Neuman store in the historic Queen Victoria Building just before 9 a.m. on January 19.
Detective Sergeant Paul Dunstan said three or four people were believed to have been in the 4WD. He said two or three people armed with what were thought to be hammers entered the shop through the smashed window, which fronts York St, before taking jewellery and driving away in a red Audi car. It's too early to say how much was taken, police said, but luckily, none of the store's workers was injured in the attack.
A woman was working next door to the jewellery store. She saw the drama unfold and called the police.
"I was just going to go upstairs when I saw the car stop," she said, "It mounted the kerb and at first Ijust thought it was a bad driver. Then I saw a person who was masked jump out of the back seat and move a cafe table out of the way.The truck just rammed into the window."
She said the man then went back to the car and got a bag out of the back seat before going into the store. "I was shaking. I was scared they would see me. I heard screaming from the next door," she said, "you know, this is the second time in several months the store has been robbed." A police spokesman said detectives were still talking to witnesses and the owners of the store. | high19972.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "the organs stop to perform appropriately"
},
"options": [
"they suffer the effects of their diet and lifestyle",
"the organs stop to perform appropriately",
"their cells continue to renew themselves",
"they develop arth... | Even if we have an extremely healthy diet and lifestyle, the human body is programmed to wear out at a maximum of about 120 years, and usually less. We all have a biological clock inside us which determines the moment when our organs cease to function properly. This is because our cells have stopped renewing themselves and our body can no longer repair itself. This is also the moment when we are more likely to begin to suffer from the diseases of old age such as arthritis and Alzheimer's. However, rapid advances in DNA research are beginning to throw light on the secrets of the ageing process. By the end of this century we could literally have the power of life over death.
Although it has long been accepted that humans have a fixed lifespan, it is also a fact that certain other organisms, such as reptiles and amphibians, appear to _ . The only reason we do not see 500-year-old alligators is because in the wild their lives are always in danger, from man, from pollution and from other animals. When they are kept in zoos they do not seem to age at all after they are fully grown. The same is true of some species of fish, which grow indefinitely and show no signs of ageing. The existence of animals with no fixed lifespan seems to indicate that an age gene really does exist. It is this gene which scientists are searching for, which may delay or repair damage to the body caused by ageing.
Another new area of research involves the oxidation theory, which says that ageing is caused by the same process that makes iron rust. In controlled experiments, the lifespans of certain animals were shown to be lengthened with anti-oxidants; for example, the lifespan of mice can be increased by 30%. Antioxidants are already being used in face creams and other cosmetics, and they are likely to play an important part in keeping people physically young.
Perhaps the most immediate advance we are likely to see in the battle to halt the ageing process will be organ replacement. By the year 2020 it is likely that we will be replacing injured bones or even organs like livers and kidneys with ones "grown" in laboratories. By 2050 perhaps every organ in the body, except the brain, will have become commercially available. Recent experiments also show that it may one day be possible to "grow" new organs inside our body to replace worn-out ones, something which lizards and alligators already do.
Suddenly immortality(,) seems within reach. We can begin to imagine a future where we are born, we grow to maturity, but we never grow old and die. But do we really want to live forever? | high3869.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Great demand from the buyers."
},
"options": [
"Science and technology.",
"Rapid development of companies.",
"Effective marketing means.",
"Great demand from the buyers."
],
"question": "Which plays a more impor... | It's a safe bet that a robot made your car and made your computer. Pretty soon, they could be making your bed and breakfast too.
Increasingly, engineers are saying that robots are going to move out of research departments and into your home. Companies including General Electric are working on designs for small robots. Products like the Roomba, a robot that can clean floors, are flying off the shelves.
What's behind this new robot revolution? It's partly a matter of technology. Devices that can recognize and respond to a human voice have been developed. There are now a few different ways for robots to move around. They can walk, crawl or ride on wheels. Robots are being made smaller and smaller. They are also becoming more and more able.
A bigger part of the story is on the demand side. From the day the television remote control was invented, people around the world have searched for new ways to be lazy. Take into consideration that more and more people can afford robots, and the time seems ripe to introduce robots to the ordinary family.
To be sure, robots that walk on two legs and talk like people are still a long way off. However, robots that do basic housework such as cleaning or gardening are sure to come out soon. One thing is certain--when these robots do come into our homes, it will change things forever. | high17787.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "his middle finger on his right hand"
},
"options": [
"his middle finger on his right hand",
"his middle finger on his left hand",
"his thumb on his right hand",
"his thumb on his left hand"
],
"question": "Accor... | My name is Ralph and I am 42 years old. I work in a factory that I enjoy very much. On May 27, 1999, I was working on an automatic machine. While working my hand was pulled into the machine and my middle finger on my right hand was ripped off. I had surgery to replace what was left of the finger and now I have a finger that is almost as long as my index finger.
Over the years I have been very blessed for a full and healthy life. Most of all, blessed for having my wife. We have grown together and grown in our faith. Life is going to go on with or without my finger. I was not going to let this take over my life and I pushed to go back to work and got light duty.
This was where my lesson began. When I returned to work, I started getting comments and some teasing from people asking me if it was worth losing my finger over a pack of cigarettes. Someone started a rumor that I had dropped a pack of cigarettes and reached down to pick them up and that is how I lost my finger. This is not true. This rumor hurt more than losing my finger in that machine. Everyone was called in to a meeting to resolve this matter and get the story straight. I had to share my lesson.
We can ruin a person's life by just a few bad words. There is an old saying that I will never forget:
So please remember to watch what you say. | high16499.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Kanika Sahi is the youngest meaner."
},
"options": [
"Kanika Sahi is the youngest meaner.",
"Lizzie Culberston likes playing the violin.",
"Michelle Bui is the conductor of the orchestra",
"Matt Martz is learning differ... | The Student symphonic orchestra of Fairfax,Virginia recently celebrated its first anniversary.A young man named Matthew Martz(Matt) started the group in his last year of high school with twelve friends from the school orchestra.Michelle Bui was one of them. She said."Matt is one of my very good friends,so I did it as a friend,but also because I love playing the violin." Michelle,who is now in college.says she likes the idea that the students run the orchestra themselves.
Orchestra member Lizzie Culbertson plays the French horn.She said,"It has a versatile sound,first of all.I can do so just strings . We don't have a complete orchestra or anything." Thirteen-year-old oboe player Kanika Sahi is the youngest member. He said, "They just show me how to be better. I am learning different techniques of playing."
Matt Martz leads the orchestra as the conductor. Matt is now in college, studying music education. The orchestra's rehearsals bring him back to his hometown every weekend. The orchestra gives him the chance to improve his teaching skills.
The orchestra performs for free but receives donations that help pay for necessities like sheet music.Matt Martz said."In our first concert.we made l,100 dollars,which helped pay for a lot of music that we had bought."Then this last concert in January,we made over l,500 dollars which is just incredible. | high21235.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "show their love for the aged"
},
"options": [
"pay a visit to the aged",
"talk to the aged",
"help the aged out",
"show their love for the aged"
],
"question": "Youth volunteers from Beijing University went to S... | Youth volunteers from Beijing University visited Song tang Hospital, a care clinic for the aged and dying patients, during the second Global Youth Service Day on April 21.
Thirty student volunteers from the university's School of International Studies sat at the beds of the patients in their specially - decorated" care huts". They talked with them and gave massages to patients kept in their beds.
I felt sorry that I could not offer more to these people than talking with them and trying to cheer them up. said Deng Yetao, 20, a third - year student. "But it occurred to me that they need more care and love than babies. They are afraid of the coming death. Their loneliness is worse than physical pains."
"Even though they are suffering a lot, the majority of the elderly people want to talk to us. Each of them has a lot of life experiences and philosophies to share. _ Said Mao Xiaohua, another third - year student.
Mao talked with two elderly patients for a whole afternoon. The fact that most of the patients in the 80 - room clinic are aged people with diseases which will lead to death soon made the volunteers' hearts heavy.
Ninety - one percent of the patients will spend the last days of their lives in the clinic, according to a survey by the hospital.
Daily visits and services by social workers and youth volunteers are a very important part of their programmer. A total of 330, 000 Beijing students from 119 universities and colleges have visited the hospital. Many continue to offer services in their spare time. Some of them volunteer to hold the hands of dying patients during the last minutes of their lives.
Yin Hang, a student from Beijing Medical College, said he felt" the glory of life" as he saw the fading smile on the face of the old man who passed into a deep unconsciousness while he was holding his hands. | high20895.txt |
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