questions list | article stringlengths 9 6.44k | id stringlengths 9 14 |
|---|---|---|
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Religious beliefs."
},
"options": [
"Political ideas.",
"Religious beliefs.",
"Hard life.",
"Hopes for fortune."
],
"question": "What's the main reason for the English Pilgrims to leave their home country?",
... | The American tradition of Thanksgiving dates back to colonial times, to the Pilgrims of Plymouth rock Colony. To escape religious persecution in England, the Pilgrims journeyed to the New World on their ship, the Mayflower. After a long journey, they finally arrived at Plymouth Rock in autumn of 1620. They could not finish building the settlement before winter, so many froze to death. They ate most of their food on the journey over, so many also starved. However, the Pilgrims met a Native American named Tisquantum, or Squanto as he was better known, who taught them how to plant corn and catch eel . By the same time next year, the Pilgrims had built a steady settlement, and had a bountiful harvest. To thank the Native Americans for their help and to celebrate the harvest, the Pilgrims held a grand banquet . Together, they feasted on corn, yams, fish, and most importantly: roast turkey, which became the highlight of the modern Thanksgiving feast.
Schools always make a big deal about Thanksgiving, because they feel that it teaches children how to be thankful and to treat others with kindness. I spent the many years of elementary school making paper turkeys, fake cornucopias(a shell filled with food, a symbol of the holiday), and writing lists of what I'm thankful for. When I grew older, I watched movies and read books about the First Thanksgiving, and completed crossword puzzles and word searches filled with holiday themed words. While the idea for Thanksgiving is great, and it is a wonderful opportunity to instill certain values in children, I don't think we should name a special holiday for being thankful. We should be thankful for what we have every day, not just Thanksgiving. | high17231.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "introduce the subject of the passage"
},
"options": [
"show that the father is very knowledgeable",
"say something interesting about apples",
"introduce the subject of the passage",
"show that children nowadays ask more... | A young boy was sitting in the back seat of the car eating an apple. He asked his father, "Why does my apple turn brown?" his father answered, "When the skin is removed, air reaches the flesh of the apple and causes oxidation. This changes the apple's molecular structure and results in a brownish color." The boy asked, " Daddy, what are you talking about?"
I know how that boy feels. Sometimes I want answers to some of those confusing questions that we all meet with, such as how to get through difficult times or what to do in a tough situation. I just want to get it right.
The problem is that I don't always have the answer I need. Nobody else seems to have them, either. So I go on making mistakes and think that I'll never get it right.
Often I didn't know what to do. I often made poor choices, but I gradually improved. Then I realized that I don't HAVE TO always get it right. I don't have to always know what to do all the time. All I really need to do is try my best, learn from my mistakes and go on.
Dr. Leo Buscaglia once said, " No one gets out of this world alive, so the time to live, learn, care, share, celebrate and love is now. That would be pretty hard to do when you're waiting for all the answers first."
So you got it wrong. You made a mistake. So what should you do next? Forgive yourself and try again. You may not get out of this world alive, but you can get plenty of life out of this world if you are not too worried about always getting it right. | high2019.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "It was made around 40 years ago."
},
"options": [
"It was made around 40 years ago.",
"It had game boards in different sizes.",
"It was kept in a plastic bag with a seal.",
"It had little pieces of wood in different col... | Peter loved to shop used articles. Almost a month ago, he bought popular word game that used little pieces of wood with different letters on them. As he was purchasing it, the salesgirl said, "Uh, look, the game box haven't even been opened yet. That might be worth some money. "
Peter examined the box, and, sure enough, it was completely covered in factory-sealed plastic. And he saw a date of 1973 on the back of the box.
"You should put that up for auction on the Internet, and see what happens."the salesgirl said.
"Yes, you're right. People like something rare." Peter agreed, "I can't imagine there being very many unopened boxes of this game still around 40 years later."
"Don't forget to tell me if you sell it." the salesgirl smiled.
"No problem." Peter said.
After he got home, Peter went online to several auction websites looking for his game. But he couldn't find it. Then he typed in the name of the word game and hit Search. The search result was 543 websites containing information about the changes of the game. Over the years, the game had been produced using letters in different sizes and game boards in different colors. He also found some lists of game fans looking for various versions of the game. Peter emailed some of them, telling them what he had.
Two weeks later, Peter went back to the shop.
"Hello. Do you still remember the unopened word game?"
The salesgirl looked at him for a second, then recognized him and said, "Oh, hi!"
"I've got something for you," Peter said. "I sold the game and made $1,000. Thank you for your suggestion." He handed her three $ 100 bills.
"Wow!" the salesgirl cried out. "Thank you, I never expected it." | high10238.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Her husband decided to work on a newspaper."
},
"options": [
"She loved taking photos.",
"Her husband decided to work on a newspaper.",
"She wanted to learn interview.",
"She liked the rocky mountain town."
],
"... | I had never given a thought to working on a newspaper. But when my husband decided to start one in our small rocky mountain town, I went along with the idea. I didn't know how to interview anyone, take interesting photos, or even put a newspaper article together. So I took my camera and just started carrying it with me everywhere.
One Saturday morning, I went on a children's hayride to get some shots of the local kids. I arrived early, so I could talk to the adults in charge, I needed to get some information to go with any picture I took.
After the kids were seated on the hay , I had plenty of pictures of their smiling faces. I just stopped to chat with a lady who had her horse with her. She planned to ride alongside the wagon and keep an eye on things.
While I chatted with her, her horse turned to fully face me and gave me a big horse smile. He opened his mouth wide, showing all of his teeth. We all laughed and I asked the lady to make him do it again so I could take a picture. She said she hadn't made him do it the first time and didn't know how to get him smile again. ks5u
I stepped back, positioned my camera, and said to the horse, "Smile again for the camera," and he did! He looked right at the camera and gave me a huge horse smile. In fact, I got two shots of him and he was willing to keep smiling at the camera.
Later on, we published the pictures of the kids and their hayride in the paper but the picture of the horse got the most attention. I have kept that picture in my photo album to this day. And proudly show it off every chance I get.
After that, I was always ready to go and get the story. I had learned how exciting and rewarding interviews and news photography could be. You may think you know your community pretty well. But wonderful surprises are waiting around you. | high16891.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "these young men were willing to cooperate in face of difficulties"
},
"options": [
"an angry massive revolution was probably on its way",
"the author's activities were strictly monitored",
"many were concerned about the influ... | These young men were a different kind of prisoner from those we had seen before. They were brave, and hostile; they would not take orders, and shouted "Amandla!" at every opportunity. Their instinct was to confront rather than cooperate.
The authorities did not know how to handle them, and they turned the island upside down.
During the Rivonia Trial, I remarked to a security policeman that if the government did not reform itself, the freedom fighters who would take our place would some-day make the authorities miss us. That day had indeed come on Robben Island.
In these young men we saw the angry revolutionary spirit of the times. I had had some warning. On a visit with Winnie a few months before, she had managed to tell me through our coded conversation that there was a rising class of discontented youths who were violent and Africanist in beliefs. She said I should be aware of them.
The new prisoners were shocked by what they considered the inhuman conditions of the island, and said that they could not understand how we could live in such a way. We told them that they should have seen the island in 1964. But they were almost as sceptical of us as they were of the authorities. They chose to ignore our calls for discipline and thought our advice weak and unassertive .
It was obvious that they regarded us, the Rivonia Trialists, as moderates .After so many years of being branded a radical revolutionary, to be seen as a moderate was a novel and not altogether pleasant feeling. I knew that I could react in one of two ways: I could scold them for their disrespect or I could listen to what they were saying. I chose the latter.
Then some of these men, came into our section. I asked them to tell us about their movement and beliefs.
Shortly after their arrival on the island, the commanding officer came and asked me as a favour to address the young men. He wanted me to tell them to behave themselves, to recognize the fact that they were in prison and to accept the discipline of prison life.I told him that I was not prepared to do that. Under the circumstances, they would have regarded me as a follower of the authorities.
(-adapted from "Long walk to freedom: The autobiography of Nelson Mandela") | high17557.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "remind people of the real sense of folk music"
},
"options": [
"gather people with different musical tastes",
"collect old stories of folk music",
"exhibitive good voices of great talents in folk music",
"remind people ... | Edmonton's Downtown Park is transformed into one huge stage for five days where artists are able to share their talents, and where people are able to celebrate and enjoy themselves. Since its beginning in 1980, the Edmonton Folk Music Festival has been commemorating the true feeling of what folk music is all about and that's the traditional togetherness that is felt when people gather to share stories and feelings through song.
This year will be the sixth year when volunteer Riedel will be offering up her time to the festival. "People coming off a busy spring and summer have a moment of relaxation," Riedel said. "It's really easy to relax, and it's great seeing family and friends have fun together." These families and friends come from all different kinds of musical tastes. People who take pleasure in Blues are there, so are people who love Bluegrass. This festival does its best to develop everyone's musical interests.
With so many years of experience, the festival has become a well-oiled machine, and does whatever it can to make attendees feel as comfortable as possible. There are free water stations throughout the venue for people to fill up their travel cups. When people buy food, reusable dishes are given a $2 plate fee, but that is returned when the plate is brought back.
The festival has completely sold out of tickets, and in record time. But with big names such as Van Morrison and Jakob Dylan, it's easy to see how that was going to happen. There is no parking area during the festival, so using the Park & Ride system or Edmonton Transit is highly recommended. A bike lock-up area is provided and will be available Thursday until Sunday one hour before the gates open until 45 minutes after the gates close.
The Edmonton Folk Music Festival begins on Wednesday, Aug.4 with Van Morrison playing the special donation fund concert, and will finish up on Sunday, Aug.8. | high11126.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "basketball was invented in America"
},
"options": [
"basketball was invented in America",
"sports change with the season",
"games and sports often grow out of people's work and everyday activities",
"football is played ... | All over the world people enjoy sports.Sports help to keep people healthy,happy and help them to live longer.
Sports change with the season. People play different games in winter and summer.
Games and sports often grow out of people's work and everyday activities.The Arabs use horses or camels in much of their everyday life;they use them in their sports,too.
Some sports are so interesting that people everywhere go in for them.Football,for example,has spread around the world.Swimming is popular in all countries near the sea or in those with many rivers.
Some sports or games go back to thousands of years,like running or jumping.Chinese boxing,for example,has a very long history.But basketball and volleyball are rather new.Neither one is a hundred years old yet.People are inventing new sports or games all the time.
People from different countries may not be able to understand each other but after a game they often become good friends.Sports help to train a person's character .One learns to fight hard but fight fair,to win without pride and to lose with grace | high3461.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "The author benefited a lot from talking on the phone with Suzie."
},
"options": [
"Suzie was the only person helping the author with difficulties.",
"The author feared that she might also get the same disease as Suzie.",
"The... | It was a hot summer day. My dad and I were getting ready to go out for a ride on the boat with my friend Katie and the dog when the phone call came, the call that made that bright, beautiful day a cold, dark, gloomy one.
I had just put on my suit, shorts, and tank top, and packed my bag with sunscreen and everything else I would need for the day. I ran into my parents' room to find Dad. When I saw him on the phone, he was crying. I'd never seen my dad cry before. My heart sank. What possibly could have happened?
"Max, I'm so sorry," I heard him say. That's when it hit me. I knew that Suzie had died. Max has been my dad's best friend for years. Suzie, his daughter, had a rare disease that mainly affected her body. Her brain was OK. She knew what was going on; she knew that she had problems and was different from other kids. Once she told her dad that she wished she could die and be born in a different body. Yet although she couldn't live a normal life ,she was still happy.
When Suzie and I were little, we spent quite a bit of time together. As we grew up, we grew apart. She lived in New York, and I lived in the Midwest. When Suzie was ten she had to live in a hospital in Virginia. About eight months before she died, Max gave us her number at the hospital and we talked at least twice a week until the end. Suzie was always so excited to talk to us and wanted to know every detail about my life. She wanted to know everything I did and every thing I ate. _
After we found out about her death, we made our plans to go to New York for the funeral. When she was alive, I sent her a Beanie Baby and she sent one back to me. I had bought her another one but never had the chance to send it to her, so I took it to put in her casket .
Her funeral was very different from any funeral I'd ever been to. After they lowered her casket, each one of us put a shovelful of dirt over her. I remember crying so hard, I felt weak. My cheeks burned from the tears. My whole body was shaking as I picked up the shovel, but I'm glad I did it.
When Suzie and I first started calling one another, I thought it would be more of a burden on me, but I was completely wrong. I learned so much from her. She gave me more than I could ever give to her. I will never forget her or the talks we had. I now know that I must never take anything for granted especially my health and the gift of life. | high15340.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Satisfied."
},
"options": [
"Worried.",
"Surprised.",
"Disappointed",
"Satisfied."
],
"question": "How did most council members feel about the plan?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
},
{
"answe... | The Rockford police chief and some city officials want to install video cameras in all 100 police cars. They think this will reduce the number of lawsuits against the city. In the last five years, Rockford has paid out more than five million dollars to settle about 40 lawsuits.
The chief said, "If cameras had been in those cars, we wouldn't have had to pay one penny. We're always pulling over drunks or drug users who try to fight the policemen or shoot them. Then they always say that the police started beating them first or started shooting at them first. What nonsense!"
The cost of installing cameras will be about $500 per car. The city council will vote on the plan next Monday. Ten of the 13 council members, when asked about the plan, said that they liked the idea. One member said that it made good financial sense and common sense. If the cameras are supported, they can be installed in all the cars within six weeks.
The police officers gladly support camera use. One officer said that too many people thought the police were _ ; cameras would show citizens that the police told the truth.
Citizen reaction to the idea of police car cameras is mixed. One person said that the police should have started doing this years ago when video cameras were invented. But an elderly man said that cameras were against privacy. "These police are trying to stick their nose into everything," he said. He was going to attend the council meeting to fight the plan. He hoped that other citizens would join him. | high8534.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "He enjoyed his career and marriage."
},
"options": [
"He enjoyed his career and marriage.",
"He had few childhood playmates.",
"He received little love from his family.",
"He was envied by others in his childhood."
... | When John was growing up, other kids felt sorry for him. His parents always had him weeding the garden, carrying out the garbage and delivering newspapers. But when John reached adulthood, he was better off than his childhood playmates. He had more job satisfaction, a better marriage and was healthier. Most of all, he was happier. Far happier.
These are the findings of a 40-year study that followed the lives of 456 teenage boys from Boston. The study showed that those who had worked as boys enjoyed happier and more productive lives than those who had not. "Boys who worked in the home or community gained competence and came to feel they were worthwhile members of society," said George Vaillant, the psychologist who made the discovery. "And because they felt good about themselves, others felt good about them."
Vaillant's study followed these males in great detail. Interviews were repeated at ages 25, 31 and 47. Under Vaillant, the researchers compared the men's mental-health scores with their boyhood-activity scores with their boyhood-activity scores. Points were awarded for part-time jobs, housework, effort in school, and ability to deal with problems.
The link between what the men had done as boys and how they turned out as adults was surprisingly _ . Those who had done the most boyhood activities were twice as likely to have warm relations with a wide variety of people, five times as likely to be well paid and 16 times less likely to have been unemployed. The researchers also found that IQ and family social and economic class made no real difference in how the boys turned out. Working----at any age----is important. Childhood activities help a child develop responsibility, independence, confidence and competence---the underpinnings of emotional health. They also help him understand that people must cooperate and work toward common goals. The most competent adults are those who know how to do this. Yet work isn't everything. As Tolstoy once said, "One can live magnificently in this world if one knows how to work and how to love, to work for the person one loves and to love one's work." | high13731.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "the surprising exactness of space artists"
},
"options": [
"the surprising exactness of space artists",
"the popular success of Lucien Rudaux",
"the imaginations of great artists",
"the likeness between the Moon and Mar... | For nearly a century before there was such a thing as a space program,a view of space was possible.People could see full views of the Moon,explore Mars ,and study the outer space beauty.All of this was made possible by a small group of artist-astronomers who worked to show people how other worlds in space might look.
Lucien Rudaux,a French artist,was the first to use his artistic ability and his knowledge of astronomy in art.His paintings show a mixture of skilled observations,brilliant imagination and careful attention.As a result,many of his works have come surprisingly close to actual conditions on distant planets.His painting of Mars included moonlike craters that were first photographed by the astronauts in 1965.His 1930 painting of a dust storm looks remarkably like a photograph of a storm taken by the astronauts in 1976.
The artist-astronomers,including Rudaux,made people interested in outer space by painting what turned out to be exact portraits of the planets. | high7834.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "the endless food supply"
},
"options": [
"the shocking athletic performances",
"the endless food supply",
"the people's great enthusiasm",
"the perfect sports facilities"
],
"question": "During the last Paralymp... | What a great Paralympic Games this has been. An outstanding Opening Ceremony, splendid athletic performances in perfect stadiums, the best-ever Paralympic Villages, amazing high definition television coverage, a never ending and self-generating supply of passion and emotion, superb organization, wonderful volunteers, millions of new Paralympic sports lovers both here in China and around the world. These are the greatest Paralympic Games ever.
--Philip Craven, president of the International Paralympic Committee
It was another spectacular show. Perhaps it's not quite as sublimely beautiful as the opening, but a fitting end to what has been a memorable 12 days in the Chinese capital.
The Paralympics were inspiring. Not only the Paralympians themselves, but also the warmth of people in Beijing and the sense of self-respect among the disabled in China that these Games seem to have inspired, as well as a new attitude in general from the government and form Chinese society as a whole.
-- Jeff Z. prefix = st1 /Klein,New YorkTimes
It doesn't get any better for disabled persons living in Beijingthan September 2008, with increased access for them in public areas.
But there are still problems. Some taxi drivers are not willing to pick up wheelchair users. Some companies deliberately break employment laws that ask them to employ a percentage of disabled persons. Many schools haven't opened their door to disabled students.
During the past Paralympics, Chinese society has witnessed firsthand the abilities of disabled persons in sporting. And the next step will be for the abilities of disabled people on the Paralympics to be translated into a realization of their abilities to study, work and go about daily life in a barrier-free society.
-- Eric Roeder, China Daily | high24176.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "not understandable"
},
"options": [
"unreal",
"unbearable",
"misleading",
"not understandable"
],
"question": "Compared to the clear words of her boyfriend on screen, his accent becomes _ .",
"question_typ... | After too long on the Net, even a phone call can be a shock. My boyfriend's Liverpudlian accent suddenly becomes too difficult to understand after his clear words on screen; a secretary's tone seems more rejecting than I'd imagined it would be. Time itself becomes fluid--hours become minutes, and alternately seconds stretch into days. Weekends, once a highlight of my week, are now just two ordinary days.
For the last three years, since I stopped working as a producer for Charlie Rose, I have done much of my work as a tele-commuter. I submit articles and edit them by E-mail and communicate with colleagues on Internet mailing lists. My boyfriend lives in England; so much of our relationship is computer-mediated.
If I desired, I could stay inside for weeks without wanting anything. I can order food, and manage my money, love and work. In fact, at times I have spent as long as three weeks alone at home, going out only to get mail and buy newspapers and groceries. I watched most of the blizzard of '96 on TV.
But after a while, life itself begins to feel unreal. I start to feel as though I've merged with my machines, taking data in, spitting them back out, just another node on the Net. Others on line report the same symptoms. We start to strongly dislike the outside forms of socializing. It's like attending an A. A. meeting in a bar with everyone holding a half-sipped drink. We have become the Net opponents' worst nightmare.
What first seemed like a luxury, crawling from bed to computer, not worrying about hair, and clothes and face, has become an avoidance ,a lack of discipline. And once you start replacing real human contact with cyber interaction, _ can be quite difficult.
At times, I turn on the television and just leave it to chatter in the background, something that I'd never done previously. The voices of the programs relax me, but then I'm jarred by the commercials. I find myself sucked in by soap operas, or needing to keep up with the latest news and the weather. "Dateline", "Frontline" , "Nightline," CNN, every possible angle of every story over and over and over, even when they are of no possible use to me. Work moves from foreground to background. | high709.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Their pet dog Reckless went missing."
},
"options": [
"Their house lay in ruins after the storm.",
"Their pet dog Reckless went missing.",
"Their pet dog Reckless was adopted by another family.",
"They found their pet d... | Many pets got separated from their families almost two years ago, when Superstorm Sandy hit the East Coast. A New Jersey family was one of them. They lost their dog. He got away from their backyard during the storm.
Chuck James said that his family searched for the brown-and-white dog named Reckless for months after the October 2012 storm. Reckless was a cute dog which brought much pleasure to the whole family, and the youngest daughter Tiffany loved him most. They played together, watched TV together, ate popcorn together and Reckless even saw Tiffany off when she headed for the kindergarten every morning. Chuck James kept searching for the lovely dog in every possible way, but no luck
"We reported him missing and called the shelters from time to time, just hoping they had him," James said. "We always kept our hopes up, but finally it was time to move on."
James said the family had planned to get a new dog. The dog was to be a tenth birthday surprise for their eldest daughter, Ally. The family of five went to the Monmouth County SPCA( Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) to adopt a new animal. When James and his wife walked close to the first cage, they saw a familiar face inside.
"He was a little bigger than I remembered because they had fed him well," James joked. "But then he was lying on my wife's feet and I knew it was him. It was unbelievable. I know this dog is meant to be with our family."
When SPCA officials asked if they could prove the animal was their dog, a friend sent a _ showing the family, with their dog before Sandy hit the East Coast.
"We're all so happy to have him back." James said. The family is living in hotel while their home is being repaired. This weekend, the James went on camping trip with Reckless to celebrate the dog's return | high9819.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "An important exhibition."
},
"options": [
"Artworks from China.",
"Museums in London.",
"An important exhibition.",
"Ming Dynasty in China."
],
"question": "What does the passage mainly talk about?",
"questi... | London will host a major exhibition of 15th-century Chinese artwork, including paintings, sculptures and porcelain, which are all from Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
The exhibition will be open from Sept 18 to Jan 5. On display will be 108 cultural relics from 10 museums in China, as well as collections from the British Museum and museums in Japan, the United States and Europe. The exhibition will be in five parts to give an overview of the society.
"This was a time when the political and social system of the dynasty became stable , and the country also experienced huge changes. China was in frequent contact with the rest of the world at that time, and its artists and scholars also influenced other cultures," said Yao Yu, the director of this activity. During this time, Beijing became the capital of China, and Zheng He (1371-1433) set sail and reached the shores of eastern Africa.
Jessica from the British Museum, said _ an artwork may differ in different cultures. "When a Chinese audience sees a painting you see figures and stories. But we see beautiful views. " However, she added that the British public had a basic knowledge of the dynasty and many British people probably knew more about the later period of the Ming Dynasty after the Portuguese and Spanish came to China to trade. Their houses and dining tables have Chinese blue and white vases but they don't know much about the earlier period, which in China was a more culturally important period.
"We'd like to take away people from the idea that China became international after the Europeans arrived. China in the early Ming Dynasty was very international. " | high13902.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "The bridegroom's parents were not that joyful."
},
"options": [
"The bride's mother shared their joy.",
"The bride's father felt uncomfortable about the wedding.",
"The bridegroom's parents were quite delighted.",
"The ... | Birmingham----The wedding took place in aprefix = st1 /Birminghamhotel. The bride and her father arrived in a new black American sports car. Her father looked nervous and uncomfortable in front of the cameras. The bride wore a silk wedding dress. She smiled nervously at the waiting photographers and went to a room on the first floor where she met her future husband for the very first time.
Carla Germaine and Greg Cordell were the winners of a radio station's competition. The aim of the competition was to find two strangers prepared to marry without having met each other. Miss Germaine,23, is a model. Mr. Cordell, 27, is a TV salesman. They were among the two hundred people who entered for a peculiar "experiment" organized by BMRB radio in Birmingham,England. Greg and Carla were among eight finalists who were interviewed live on radio. They took a lie detector test and the station also spoke to their friends and family about their personalities. The competition judges included an astrologer who declared that they were suited.
The couple celebrated their wedding with a wedding breakfast and a party for 100 guests in the evening, but not everyone shared their joy. Miss Germaine's mother looked anxious throughout the wedding and Mr. Cordell's parents are reported to be less than delighted.
Organizations, including the marriage guidance service Relate, have criticized the marriage. As one person put it, "We have enough problems getting young people to take marriage seriously without this. Marriage should always be about love."
The couple are now on a Caribbean honeymoon followed by journalists. Their other prizes include a year's free use of a wonderful apartment in the centre ofBirmingham, and a car. But will it last? | high22507.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "It aims to offer English lessons."
},
"options": [
"It only operates in China.",
"It was founded in the 19th century.",
"It targets at kids and teens.",
"It aims to offer English lessons."
],
"question": "What c... | EF (English First) is the world's leading privately owned education company. Founded in 1965, EF operates in over 50 countries around the world. We have vacancies for teaching positions across China so if you prefer the fast-paced city life like Shanghai, we probably have the position for you. We have both Kids&Teens schools and Adult schools in over 60 cities in China.
Teaching at English First
At English First, you'll be provided the resources to become the best teacher you can be. Our new and color1ful classrooms offer state-of-the-art technology including Internet-connected computers, interactive whiteboards and iPads. We also offer a world-class teacher development program with certification courses to our teachers to help them move into more senior positions within EF.
Join the EF Teacher Network today
Join a supportive community of EF staff and teachers from day one. We're here to provide the support you need every step of the way, from preparing your legal work visa to airport pickup. Learn how to order food in Chinese with our free language classes or attend a weekly teacher social sponsored by the company. There's so much to experience living abroad and you'll experience it to the fullest with EF.
Requirements
A bachelor's degree
A TEFL Certificate (EF TEFL sponsorship available)
Passport holders from the UK, the USA, Canada, Ireland, Australia, South Africa or New Zealand
The ability to obtain a clear background check
The ability to live abroad for at least one year
Your benefits package
12,000-13,500 RMB monthly, based on qualifications
10 paid annual leave days plus 11 national holidays
Airport pickup upon arrival
Free hotel accommodation during your first two weeks at EF
Free Mandarin Chinese lessons | high19591.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "was proud of being a fifth - year student"
},
"options": [
"was very beautiful",
"was a new student",
"looked far younger than her real age",
"was proud of being a fifth - year student"
],
"question": "The headm... | "I'm here to give you the letter, Sir." Anna Pavlova said.
"Thank you," replied the headmaster.
She walked over to his desk. Looking up, he found her quite nervous, "Oh, little Pavlova , you aren't a new students , are you ? " he asked .
Anna held her head high, which still made her look far younger than her fifteen years. "I've been at this ballet school for almost five years," she said proudly. The headmaster liked the way she talked.
A pair of red ballet shoes set all alone on the table caught her eye.
"That is Taglioni's shoes, I'm very sorry that there's nobody who can wear it today. Her feet were small and perfect," he said.
Toglioni ! The greatest dancer of all the time! The name sent an unusual feeling through her.
He looked at her shining eyes, and then he asked, "How would you like to try it on?"
As in a dream, she pulled on the red shoes.
"Why? They fit perfectly! " He said happily. " Little Pavlova , I've seen your dance . You are very good. "
And she had won Toglioni's shoes.
She, little Anna Pavloa , was going to be a great dancer . She had known this in her heart since she was a little girl, dancing as soon as she could walk, always dancing.
Dancing was Anna's life. One day, she would show the beauty of ballet to all the world. And this was the dream for which she worked so hard and lived her life. After graduation from the ballet school, she soon became the best dancer in Russia. But her greatest contribution to ballet came later, when she began to dance outside of Russia. Her great dancing took her all over the world and produced a love of ballet everywhere she went. | high18857.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "the 15 -year -olds who have tried cannabis"
},
"options": [
"the teenagers who have used cocaine",
"the 15 -year -olds who have tried cannabis",
"the girls who have been addicted to drinking",
"the boys who have tried i... | (BBC World Service) Two separate surveys suggest that Britain s teenagers are amongst the heaviest drug - users and drinkers in Europe.The British government has introduced a number of measures to deal with the use and supply of drugs, particularly among young people.
The European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs infervt6wed 15 and 16 - year olds in 35 countries.26% of boys and 29% of girls in the UK had been addicted to uncontrolled drinking at least three times in the previous month.In the same survey, 42% of boys and 35% of girls admitted they had tried illegal drugs at least once.
According to another survey, by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, two in five 15 - year - olds in the UK have tried cannabis .This number is higher than anywhere else in Europe.The UK has also the common highest number of young cocaine users, together with Spain.
The British government has recently made new plans to fight the problem of drug abuse in the United Kingdom, also among teenagers.According to the new proposals, young offenders will have to attend drug treatment as part of community service.British police will be able to give people blood tests for drugs when they arrest them, not just when they charge them with an offence.Drug sellers working near a school or using children to help sell drugs will face tougher penalties .
But schools also try to fight the problem of drug use themselves.At the beginning of 2005 a British state school has introduced for the first time _ .Students from a school in Kent will have mouth swabs taken to discover drug use.Each week 20 names will be selected by computer and the swabs sent off to a drug testing laboratory.Results will be available three days later.The school' s head teacher says that no child will be tested against his or her wishes.Children who test positive will not be forced to leave the school, but those who sell drugs will. | high20310.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "They can help control sleep if canned."
},
"options": [
"They can help control sleep if canned.",
"They can help slow the process of aging",
"They lower the blood sugar level.",
"They help relieve the pain of some disea... | like many other fruit,Cherries are packed with antioxidants that may help to prevent cancer and heart disease,as well as slow the aging process.Perhaps you've heare about the controversy between the FD(Food and Drug Administration)and the cherry industry and wondered what it was all about.Are cherries not as healthy to eat as you thought they were?Should you stop eating cherries?The answer is no.
The controversy is over certain health claims made by the cherry industry and those who sell products made from cherries,such as pills,capsules and juice,not the health benefits of cherries themselves. While many scientific studies have demonstrated the health benefits of cherries, the FDA says that makers of products containing cherries cannot claim that their products prevent, treat or cure a specific disease such as cancer.
For the general population, however, the bottom line is that there is no reason not to eat cherries. There are two types of cherry: sweet and sour . Sweet cherries are often sold fresh in grocery stores. Sour cherries are canned and used in pies, and dried to be made into fruit snacks and juice. Like most other fruit,cherries are fat-free, low in calories and high in certain minerals and vitamins. They can be eaten raw, cooked or juiced; if you want year-round cherry enjoyment, they are also easy to can and enjoy at your convience.
Most scientific research has centered on the health benefits of sour cherries. Sour cherries are among the top fruit as far as antioxidant levels go. According to one study, eating 20 sour cherries a day could provide the same pain relief that aspirin does.
Researchers in Texas recently discovered that sour cherries contain high levels of melatonin , something produced by the body that is thought to help slow the aging process as. well as control sleep. Cherries may lower blood sugar levels and help to significantly reduce pain due to muscle damage. | high21768.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "children are stressful and over expected"
},
"options": [
"residents take little notice of education",
"children are stressful and over expected",
"parents are concerned about children's safety",
"children lead a life o... | Ridgewood is a small, quiet town 20 miles from Manhattan. It is a typical suburban town, perfect for raising children away from the fast pace of the city. However, some Ridgewood kids feel as upset as if they were on the city's busy streets. In addition to hours of homework, Ridgewood's children are occupied with afterschool activities -- from swimming to piano to religious classes.
Out of desperation one day, the town decided to schedule another activity. This one was called "Ridgewood Family Night -- Ready, Set, Relax!" Instead of schedules filled with sports, music, or overtime at the office, some of the town's 25,000 residents decided to take the night off and stay home. For a few months before Family Night, a committee of volunteers worked hard to spread the word. Younger students took "Save the Date for Me" leaflets home to their parents. The mayor issued a statement, and schools and clubs agreed to cancel homework and meetings so families could relax and be together.
The tension between a hope for a more relaxed lifestyle and the knowledge that the benchmark for success has been raised in recent years weighs heavily on the minds of the townspeople. Some parents like to recall a different kind of childhood, one without so many scheduled afterschool activities. However, these same parents feel obliged to make sure their children are prepared to survive in today's high-pressure work environment. They are afraid that any gap in their children's physical or intellectual development might mean they won't be admitted to the "right" universities and won't succeed in a more and more competitive world.
Nevertheless, it seems that Family Night worked, at least to a point. Cars moved easily around Ridgewood's normally busy downtown streets, and stores and restaurants saw a drop in business. Some families ate supper together for the first time in months.
Initially, there was great hope of taking back their lives. But sadly, few families believe that one night will change their lives. Many are sure that they will fall back into the habit of over-scheduling their children to be overachieving adults. | high4483.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "He was against the war and tried to improve economy."
},
"options": [
"He was African-American.",
"He wanted to solve race relations.",
"He could set an example for blacks.",
"He was against the war and tried to improve... | The election is over. The celebrations have ended. And the work for prefix = st1 /USpresident-elect Barack Obama has begun. The 47-year-old politician rose to the highest place because he was against the war inIraqand he planned to fix the difficult economy. But what will the first African-American president do for race relations?
Obama's victory appears to have given blacks and other minorities a true national role model. For years, many looked to athletes, musicians and pop stars for inspiration. As Darius Turner, an African-American high school student in Los Angeles, told the Los Angeles Times, "Kobe (the basketball player) doesn't have to be everyone's role model anymore." A USA Today survey found that two-thirds of Americans believe relations between blacks and whites "will eventually be worked out". This is the most hopeful answer since the question was first asked in 1963.
However, it's still too early to tell whether Obama's presidency will solve many of the social problems facing low-income black families.
It's unlikely that Obama will be able to _ such trends overnight.
However, Bil Banks, an expert of African-American Studies, says that young blacks need to find role models to follow. "That's not Martin Luther King, and not Barack Obama," he told the Los Angeles Times. "It's actually the people closest to them. Barack only has so much influence."
In the opinion of black British politician Trevor Phillips, Obama's rise will contribute more to multiculturalism than to race relations in the US. | high22261.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "to play in the NBA"
},
"options": [
"to play in the NBA",
"be as tall as Yao Ming",
"watch Yao Ming playing on TV",
"visit Huston Rocket's center"
],
"question": "The same dream of the group of senior high schoo... | A group of senior high school students are playing outside on a basketball court. They are shouting with excitement. And they all have the same dream. They wish to play in the NBA, just like Huston Rocket's Yao Ming. "Someday, there will be more Chinese players like Yao in the NBA," said 15-year-old Xie Tao, a senior 1 boy at Shanghai No. 2 Middle School. Xie always watches Yao playing on TV. "He is a great player. He makes me proud to be Chinese," he said.
Like Xie, 17-year-old Liu Yan at Beijing No. 22 Middle School is also a big NBA fan. "Since early May, I've not missed one game in the NBA," said the senior 3 student.
Basketball is becoming popular in middle schools across the country. And more young players are starting to like the sport. More students are playing the game.
Jiang Hui, a basketball teacher at Beijing No. 2 Middle School, said that 85 percent of the students at this school like the sport. "Students are full of passion for the game," Jiang's team won the regional first prize in the 2004 National High School Boy's Basketball League in march. The league is the first national basketball competition for high school students.
Playing basketball is a good way to exercise. But students also enjoy it for other reasons. For Li Yan, a Senior 2 at Shanghai No. 12 Middle School, basketball teaches him lessons in life. "When I am in a game, I feel more confident about my studies, " he said. " It also teaches me to have a good team spirit and to enjoy friendship." | high6294.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "bring new means to learn something new"
},
"options": [
"introduce new websites to netizens",
"say how to learn new courses by Internet",
"bring new means to learn something new",
"help you to solve any difficulty you m... | Let us say there is something you don't know how to do. In the past if you were determined to learn, you might have called friends or s, taken a night class or walked down to the local library for a research term. But now a host of websites are springing up to provide free practical advice on these subjects and actually anything else you can think of. In one sense, these" how - to" sites represent a part of the growing world of online learning. These FAQs(Frequent Answers and Questions), many of which still circulate(go round continuously), took a special subject and explained it to complete _ . But, "how - to" sites take the FAQ idea in a somewhat different direction by addressing subjects that aren't necessarily associated with discussion forums .These sites take the style of a written tutorial and a tone of friendly advice. Possibly the biggest and best known of these sites is learn 2.com(www. learn2. com)It offers nearly 1, 000 free tutorials and adds new ones frequently for a job interview. At ehow. com(www. ehow.)you can learn how to train for your first marathon, how to buy a vacation home, or how to make a movie in eight steps. | high22275.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "his helpful inventions"
},
"options": [
"his teaching experience",
"his new physical research",
"his vast knowledge",
"his helpful inventions"
],
"question": "Gadgil was given Lemelson-MIT Award for _ .",
... | Ashok Gadgil has spent the past three decades helping people in need--and he has no plans to stop .On May 2, Gadgil won the$100.000 Lemelson-MIT Award for Global Innovation. Each year,the honor is given to an inventor who has improved the lives of people in developing countries. Gadgil's inventions have helped more than 100 million people around the world.
Gadgil is a professor and physicist at the University of California. When he's not teaching,he works to find solutions to global problems such as energy efficiency and water safety. "I chose to focus on problems where my knowledge of science could help,"he said
In the 1980s he came up with a program to make energy-efficient light bulbs more affordable for people in developing countries. Then in the 1990s,Gadgil designed his first life--saving invention,UV Waterworks .The device kills deadly disease --carrying germs from drinking water. It costs just one cent to clean five liters of water .Gadgil was inspired to find an inexpensive solution to the clean water crisis after more than 10,000 people in his home country of India died from an outbreak of Bengal cholera,in 1993 The disease is spread through _ food and drinking water .So far,the invention has provided safe drinking water to more than five million people in poor areas.
As a professor,Gadgil encourages his students to stay positive about finding solutions to hard problems."Be optimistic when you try a hard problem."he says. "It's when you solve a large problem that you can have a big impact on the world" | high6280.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "The first family of country music."
},
"options": [
"A family born for music.",
"A family singing differently.",
"The first family of country music.",
"A family singing in a group."
],
"question": "What does thi... | It was August 2nd,1927.The news had spread fast.A man named Ralph Peer was coming to the city of Bristol.He wanted to make recordings of local people singing and playing musical instruments.And he said he would pay fifty dollars for each song recorded.That was a lot of money in those days.Many people came to Bristol that day to play for Mr.Peer.But one group seemed to have just the sound that he was looking for.They were a man named A.P.Carter,his wife Sara,and her cousin Maybelle.They called themselves the Carter Family.
Their first recordings were sent to radio stations throughout the United States.Many listeners were surprised at what they heard.Instead of classical or jazz songs that radio stations usually played,a new sound was born.The Carter Family sounded different.They did not sound as if they had taken music lessons.But it did not matter.The people in poor rural areas thought they sounded just like their neighbors.
The Carters sang songs about living in the mountains of Virginia,Tennessee,and North Carolina.They sang about the love of a young man for a special girl.They sang about the beauty of nature.They sang about death and sadness.And they sang religious songs that told of the hope for a better life after death.
A.P.Carter sang in the group and also searched for new songs.He often traveled long distances to small towns in the southeastern United States.He wanted to hear the songs that local people sang in their communities.He wrote down the words but kept the music in his memory.When he returned home,he helped Sara and Maybelle fit them to the Carter Family musical style.
The Carter Family soon became famous.They recorded more songs.They traveled to many cities and towns in the eastern United States to perform.Thousands of people heard them sing and bought their recordings.Some people estimate that within three years,the Carter Family sold three hundred thousand recordings. | high5789.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "diseases and aging"
},
"options": [
"diseases and aging",
"accidents and war",
"accidents and aging",
"heart diseases and war"
],
"question": "According to the passage, human death is now mainly caused by _ .... | What will people die of 100 years from now? If you think that is a simple question, you have not been paying attention to the revolution that is taking place in bio-technology . With the help of new medicine, the human body will last a very long time. Death will come mainly from accidents, murder and war. Today's leading killers, such as heart diseases, cancer, and aging itself, will become distant memory.
In discussion of technological changes, the Internet gets most of the attention these days. But the change in medicine can be the real technological event of our times. How long can humans live? Human brains were known to decide the final death. Cells are the basic units of all living things, and until recently, scientists were sure that the life of cells could not go much beyond 120 years because the basic materials of cells, such as those of brain cells, would not last forever. But the upper limits will be broken by new medicine. Sometime between 2050 and 2100, medicine will have advanced to the point at which every 10 years or so, people will be able to take medicine to repair their organs . The medicine, made up of the basic building materials of life, will build new brain cells, heart cells, and so on---in much the same way our bodies make new skin cells to take the place of old ones.
It is exciting to imagine that the advance in technology may be changing the most basic conditional human existence, but many technical problems still must be cleared up on the way to this wonderful future. | high4497.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "It can be used to reduce fever and pain and prevent blood clotting."
},
"options": [
"It only comes in the form of regular tablets.",
"It should not be taken for more than 5 days for children.",
"It can be used to reduce feve... | Generic Name: ASPIRIN
Pronunciation: ['aesp@rin]
Why it is prescribed :
1. Aspirin relieves mild to moderate pain.
2. It reduces fever, redness, and swelling.
3. It prevents blood from clotting .
When it is to be taken:
1. Aspirin is often taken without a prescription.
2. Follow the instructions on the label and package.
3. If your doctor prescribes aspirin for you, you will receive specific instructions for how often you should take it.
4. Keep in touch with your doctor.
How it should be taken:
1. Aspirin comes in the form of suppositories , capsules, and regular, coated, extended-release, and chewable tablets.
2. Regular, coated, and extended-release aspirin tablets and capsules should be swallowed with a full glass of water or milk after meals to avoid stomach upset.
3. Chewable aspirin tablets may be chewed, crushed, dissolved in a liquid, or swallowed whole; a full glass of water, milk, or fruit juice should be drunk immediately after taking these tablets.
Special Instruction:
1. Children should not take aspirin for fevers associated with flu or chickenpox because such use has been linked with a serious illness known as Reye's syndrome.
2. Adults should not take aspirin for pain for more than 10 days (five days for children) without consulting a doctor.
3. Aspirin should not be taken by adults or children for high fever, fever lasting longer than three days without a doctor's supervision .
4. Do not give more than five doses to a child in a 24-hour period unless directed to do so by a doctor.
5. If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and _ the prescribed schedule.
Side Effects:
1. Although side effects from aspirin are not common, they can occur.
2. Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, indigestion and heartburn are common. Take aspirin after meals, with a full glass of water or milk. If these effects continue, contact your doctor.
3. Ringing in the ears, bloody or black stools , difficulty breathing, dizziness, mental confusion and sleepiness are rare. Stop taking the drug and contact your doctor.
Other Precautions:
1. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding women, inform your doctor before taking aspirin.
2. Do not take aspirin if you are within three months of delivery.
3. Do not take aspirin if you are allergic to it.
4. If you have diabetes , regular use of eight or more regular strength aspirin tablets a day may affect test result.
5. If you are taking large doses of aspirin on a long-term basis, avoid having alcoholic drinks because alcohol can increase stomach problems.
6. To prevent an overdose of aspirin, read the labels before taking other pain relievers and cold products to be sure that they do not contain aspirin.
Storage Conditions:
1. Store aspirin in a cool place or in a refrigerator.
2. Throw away aspirin that smells strongly of vinegar.
3. Keep this aspirin out of the reach of children. | high2958.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "One's race or gender has nothing to do with his weight."
},
"options": [
"9.5 hours of sleep a night is enough for children.",
"The more a child sleeps, the healthier he will be.",
"Six graders need much more sleep than third... | Weighing too much can damage your health, and obesity is a growing problem for both kids and adults around the world. Sleep might be one answer to the problem. A new study has found that elementary school students who slept too little were more likely to gain pounds.
Past studies have shown a link between sleeping less and weighing more, but scientists have had a tough time determining"which came first, the chicken or the egg,"says Julie C. Lumeng of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. In other words, it hasn't been clear whether kids who weigh too much have trouble sleeping, or whether sleeping less leads to weight gain. Both scenarios seemed equally possible.
To get a better idea of which causes which, Lumeng and her colleagues interviewed the parents of 785 third graders from around the United States. The parents answered questions about how well their kids slept that year. Three years later, the parents answered the same questions. By sixth grade, 18 percent of kids involved in the study were obese.
The scientists found no relationship between weight and the students' race or gender. It also didn't matter how strict their parents were, or whether they were boys or girls. Obesity struck all of these groups equally. Instead, sleep seemed to be the key factor. Over the 3 years of the study, the children averaged a healthy 9.5 hours of sleep a night. Some kids, however, slept a lot more -- or less -- than others.
For the sixth graders, every hour of sleep above the 9.5-hour average was linked to a 20 percent lower risk of being obese. Sleep appeared doubly important for the third graders. Every extra hour of sleep they got was linked to a 40 percent drop in obesity. | high19585.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "silence"
},
"options": [
"silence",
"beautiful",
"deep impression",
"attractiveness"
],
"question": "The first picture gives us a feeling of _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer":... | There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked and he had to choose between them.
One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror, for peaceful towering mountains were all around it. Over head was a blue sky with white clouds. All who saw this picture thought it was a perfect picture of peace.
The other picture has mountains too. But these were rough and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell and in which lightening played. Down the side of mountain ran a waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all. But when the king looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a _ in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest... perfect peace.
Which picture do you think won prize?
The king chose the second picture. Do you know why? " Because ," explained the king, " peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace. | high18843.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "England"
},
"options": [
"Britain",
"England",
"Great Britain",
"Ireland"
],
"question": "English was first spoken in _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"answer_index"... | As you are students of English, it's very possible that you'll be interested in England. That's where the language was first spoken. But England is often called by other names. This often confuses people and I wonder if you know what these names mean. So, now I would like to tell you about this matter of names. I believe that you have heard people use the names--England, Britain or Great Britain. Let's see what each of these names means.
If you look at a map of Europe, you'll see a group of islands--one larger island off the northwest coast, one smaller and many tiny ones. These make up what is called the British Isles. The largest island of the British Isles is Britain. It is also called Great Britain. The smaller island is Ireland.
Britain is divided into three parts: Scotland, Wales and England. But sometimes the word "England" is used instead of "Britain". Why so?
In ancient times, what is Britain now used to be three different countries. People in these different countries spoke different languages. Over many years the three countries became one. England is the largest and richest of the three and it has the most people. So the English people take it for granted that their own name stands for the whole island.
There's another thing that confuses people: sometimes you may hear people say "the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". That is the official name of the country. Northern Ireland is only one sixth of the island of Ireland. The rest of the island is an independent state, called the Republic of Ireland. So we have the names of "England", "Britain", "Great Britain", and "the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". Now do you know what each of them means? | high2780.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "got two degrees in two different fields"
},
"options": [
"could draw and paint beautifullly",
"was good at math and chemistry",
"got two degrees in two different fields",
"was a student in a key university"
],
"... | About twenty years ago I had the pleasure of teaching a disabled young woman. Not only was she good at math and science, but she was also extremely talented in art. She could draw and paint beautifully. When Audrey graduated from university she got two degrees, one in fine arts and one in chemistry. Not too many people do well in two such different areas of study.
Just before her high school graduation, Audrey gave me a wonderful gift. It was a watercolor1 painting of a mother and her baby. A tear fell from the mother's eye as she looked lovingly at her child. Beneath the painting Audrey had written these words: "The deep love from Mother, through me, touches another." What a beautiful gift! I had the piece of art framed(...) and hung in my office.
Years passed with many moves from one office to another and I lost the painting. Last year, after about eight years of not knowing where it was, I received a phone from a former colleague who said she had something of mine. It was the picture Audrey had painted for me 18 years ealier. When cleaning out a storage room she had discovered my gift.
I was struck that the precious gift came back. I knew Audrey very well. When she was four years old Audrey had a serious disease. What's worse, her father left the house. It was her mother who brought her up with much trouble. She survived the disease but was disabled.
To any other it is just a painting, but to me it shows how a mother's love has helped develop a talent and how its power pushes me ahead. | high20304.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "To call on people to join a cultural event."
},
"options": [
"To call on people to join a cultural event.",
"To describe the history of drawing.",
"To advise us to take drawing lessons.",
"To explain how children develo... | Drawing is a universal language. It was probably our first form of self-expression when we were babies: long before we start writing, we're painting and scribbling , both in order to make sense of the world and because we enjoy it.
In the history of human culture, too, painting and image making came before writing or even simple mathematics: 30,000 years ago compared to 5,000. Yet after we leave school most of us never pick up a pencil again--willingly. If asked to draw something, most adults and many older children will shake their heads and say, " Not me! I can't draw. I'm hopeless at it."
When you think about it, this is very strange. Drawing involves coordinating the hand and the eye with the pencil. It's a basic skill, no more difficult to learn than other amazing things that humans do, such as hitting a tennis ball over the net or writing our own name. there's no special talent involved. Anybody who can learn to write can learn to draw.
So, there you are - no excuse not to get out your pencil, pencil sharpener and rubber and take part in the Big Draw, a nationwide series of free art events taking place all over Britain next October. Everyone's welcome: all you need is a willingness to express yourself through drawing.
The Big Draw, now in its fifth year, has already achieved two world records: one for the longest drawing in the world (1km) and the other for the greatest number of people drawing at the same time (7,000). This year, there will be an attempt to create a new Guinness World Record for the longest visitors'book: people will be invited to leave their name and a drawing on a three-kilometer piece of paper.
The theme this year is Inside\Outside--People, Structure( ) and Spaces, and other events planned include drawing on a three-kilometer piece of paper.
The Big Draw is not about turning the nation into artists, it is about helping people to acquire this universal language of communication. Its greatest achievement next October will be to bring hundreds of thousands of people together to look, imagine, draw and have fun. | high24162.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "can use any of the above means"
},
"options": [
"must drive across a bridge",
"must take a Metro train",
"have to go through a tunnel",
"can use any of the above means"
],
"question": "If you want to go to Princ... | Manhattan Island is surrounded on the east by the East and Harlem Rivers and on the west by the North and Hudson Rivers.It links with the other four towns which make up New York City and with New Jersey are by means of subways,underground tunnels and bridges which lead into Manhanttan from the surrounding area.
The Brooklyn Bridge was the first suspension bridge to link Brooklyn to Manhanttan.It is also the second oldest bridge in New York.The architect was John Augustus Roebling,who was the chief engineer of the suspended Railroad Bridge at Niagara Falls.
Misfortune accompanied the building of the bridge,which took place from 1869 to 1883.The architect died as a result of an accident early during the construction.His son,Washington Roebling,carried on his father's work,using the most advanced engineering techniques of the day.He also fell ill during the construction of the bridge and was obliged to direct the work on it from an apartment window overlooking the site.
Since its construction the Brooklyn Bridge has remained a busy and important passage in New York.
The Brooklyn Bridge is 6775 feet long and 1595 feet wide.The suspended part is 3450 feet long and 85 feet wide.It has a clearance of 133 feet above water level.Four huge cables extend across the bridge,supported by two towers,each 272 feet high.Each of these cables is made up of 5700 wires. | high7820.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "a day when people honour those who died in wars"
},
"options": [
"the day when the United States was founded",
"the day when people honour their ancestors",
"a day when people honour those who died in wars",
"a day when... | When the Japanese attacked America's ships at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941,they did it secretly.The makers of the movie Pearl Harbor have behaved differently.
The noise about Pearl Harbor,made by Disney,has reached its highest point with its premiere before the movie opens in cinemas across the US at the start of the Memorial Day holiday weekend,a time to recall national heroes who sacrificed their lives on the battlefield.
As Ben Affleck is the main star,the movie seems sure to become a success in the United States at least.
At almost three hours in length,it promises to be a good old Hollywood movie.There is a love story.Affleck and his co-star,Josh Hartnett,both fall in love with the navy nurse,Kate Beckinsale and,of course,there is much human courage and love of country.
It's certain that Disney will be accused of "changing" history.The showing of actual events in a movie always causes arguments.
Bits of the story are deliberately not mentioned in the movie.It does not address the theory held by some historians that President Franklin Roosevelt knew about Japan's intention to attack the ships in Pearl Harbor.It is said he did nothing,as he was aware that such a blow would allow him to take America into the Second World War.
Japan remains sensitive about being accused of wartime atrocities .And Disney is sensitive about its business in Japan,where it has a theme park.
Not all the reviews of the movie have been full of praise.A reviewer for Newsweek,who was given an early preview,acknowledged that the 40-minute sequence showing the attack itself was powerful.The attack comes quite late in the movie,however,and the reviewer was less impressed with the characters and the love story.
"Almost every line of the dialogue sounds like it comes from an old movie," the reviewer wrote. | high13916.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "It is usually not easy for a killer bee to catch up with a healthy adult."
},
"options": [
"It's a better way to jump into water to escape the attack of killer bees.",
"The Africanized bees did actually increase honey production th... | Most people are afraid of bees. Anyone who's been stung by one quickly learns to avoid bees whenever possible. I learned that lesson when, as a child, I ran into a beehive. Dozens of bees attacked, stinging me all over my body. It was a painful incident, but I was lucky. Those bees weren't Africanized, or "killer" bees.
Killer bees are extremely aggressive . When they become upset, they attack. And just about anything like noises, shiny objects, dark clothes can all cause killer bees to attack. When one killer bee stings a victim, it gives off a chemical. Other bees smell this and go into attack mode. The whole hive will aggressively attack the unfortunate victim. Killer bees will also run their victims for up to a quarter of a mile. Some victims have tried to keep away from the bees by jumping into water. But killer bees will wait for them to come up and then continue their attack.
Killer bees can be found in South America and the southern prefix = st1 /United States. They were created when, in 1956, scientists brought African bees toBrazil. African bees were known to increase coffee production. Some scientists thought that these bees might increase honey production, too. So inBrazil, they tried crossbreeding the African bees with European honeybees. The results were _
The new Africanized bees actually decreased honey production and were very aggressive. Scientists tried to separate the bees, but some of them escaped and began rapidly spreading north. Since then, killer bees have been causing damage to humans, animals and the American honey industry. Over the years, these aggressive killer bees have caused nearly 10,000 people to die.
What's the best thing to do if you are attacked by killer bees? Fortunately, killer bees don't fly very fast. Most healthy adults can outrun them. Experts advise you to cover your face and run! | high22513.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "The school called off courses."
},
"options": [
"The school called off courses.",
"The school handed out masks to every student.",
"The school planned another trip to Cancun.",
"The infected students were required to st... | New York City was dealing with a growing public health threat Sunday after tests confirmed that eight students at a private Catholic high school had contracted the same strain( type ) of the swine flu that has ravaged Mexico. Some of the school's students had visited Cancun on a spring break trip two weeks ago.
Officials reported 68 U.S. cases of swine flu in five states so far, with the latest in Ohio and New York. Unlike in Mexico, cases in the United State have been mild and U.S. health authorities can't yet explain why.
In New York City, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that there were 45 cases, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.
About 100 students at St. Francis Preparatory School complained of flu-like symptoms; further tests will determine how many of those cases are swine flu. St. Francis is the largest private Catholic high school in the nation, with 2,700 students. The school canceled classes on Monday and Tuesday in response to the outbreak.
Bloomberg stressed that the New York cases were mild and many are recovering, but said that some family members of students also had flu symptoms.
In Mexico, health officials say a strain of swine flu has killed up to 160 people and sickened over 2,000. New York officials said the flu strain discovered in the patients here is the same strain as in Mexico, though all the New York cases are mild.
Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A flu viruses. Human cases are uncommon but can occur in people who are around pigs. It also can be spread from person to person. Symptoms include a high fever, body aches, coughing, sore throat and respiratory congestion . | high21032.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Time travel wins fans"
},
"options": [
"Time travel is universal",
"Time travel TV series",
"A introduction to Startling by Each Step",
"Time travel wins fans"
],
"question": "Which might be the best title for t... | Stephen Hawking, one of the world's smartest physicists, once said: "I'm obsessed by time."Many of us are, and the popularity of time travel TV series has just proved that.
After Palace and Startling by Each Step <<>> achieved startling ratings last year, Palace 2 aired on January 20, attracting time travel fans back to TV."It's fun to watch characters travel back in time and deal with the conflicts between modernity and ancient times," Xia Xiaoyan, who works for a foreign-owned enterprise in Shanghai, told China Daily. "Time travel series connect both today and the past, thus offering room for imagination," said Cai Yinong, the producer of Startling by Each Step.
"I'm _ by the shows because they are characterized by dramatic and poetic love and have eye-pleasing actors," Xia explained her love for time travel TV series.Her comment echoes a 2011 survey by Great Marketing Research Co Ltd in China. When asked about what's so appealing about time travel TV series, 21 percent of respondents answered: "Those attractive characters."
A bigger reason behind the popularity of time travel stories, however, is the relaxation they offer, according to the survey.Cai Yinong agrees. "Many people are facing tremendous pressures in their fast-paced lives, so this genre is more relaxing than other shows as it provides people with a terrific outlet to escape reality," Cai told China Daily.
The love for time traveling is universal.Woody Allen's latest movie Midnight in Paris, which has been nominated for Best Picture, Directing, Original Screenplay and Art Direction for the 2012 Academy Awards, features modernity versus cultural nostalgia. | high2970.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "breaking the shells of the almonds with hands"
},
"options": [
"picking lemons off the lemon trees",
"shaking almonds off the almond tree",
"breaking the shells of the almonds with hands",
"drinking fresh lemonade and e... | I am Greek,and my family go to Greece every summer.Uncle Spyro and my God-mother Aunt Aspa lived about 45 minutes outside of Athens.Every summer when we traveled to Greece.we would spend a couple of days with them.
I remember all then things we would do there..We would shake almonds off the branches of Uncle Spyro's almond tree.Using his strong hands,he would break the shells off.and present us with the shiny white nut.With Aunt Aspa we would pick lemons off her lemon trees and carry them inside the small house with the help of Uncle Spyro.Drinking the fresh lemonade and eating the delicious almonds,we would sit on the porch and talk.Uncle Spyro and Aunt Aspa didn't speak English,and my Greek wasn't and still isn't perfect.But those peacefully quiet times on the porch were the times that I miss the most.
Uncle Spyro developed cancer from smoking for most of his life and he became very sick. We didn't go to Greece in 2000,but we planned on going again in 2001.We found out that Uncle Spyro was in the hospital shortly before we left for Greece.My mother,Alethea,and I wanted to see him.But we waited until the day after we arrived.Now,I wish that we had gone the first daywe had arrived and that we had seen him for the last time. But my uncle didn't wait for us to go.
We still Visit Aunt Aspa,and we still pick almonds and lemons.We still drink the fresh lemonade and eat the delicious almonds on the porch.But somehow the lemonade isn't as fresh and the almonds aren't as delicious as before.
I thank God that I'm still here to comfort Aunt Aspa and that I'm still here to finish my life.I'm not afraid of death anymore like some people.And I know that when I do die,I'll just be going up to Uncle Spyro,and we'll eat almonds and drink lemonade,just like before. | high16846.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Depression brings great problems to its sufferers in their life and work"
},
"options": [
"It is widely believed that everyone may suffer from depression.",
"Depression brings great problems to its sufferers in their life and work"... | Depression is a serious problem today.Depression causes workers to be unproductive,causing companies and countries to lose billions of dollars.One expert says that depression is like cancer because it is "widespread,costly and deadly".Depression hits one person in five around the world.
Although people have believed depression to be a problem among the rich and educated,studies show that depression is a problem among everyone. Over any six-month period,between five to seven percent of the world's population will be suffering from a serious depression.
suicide rates among people suffering from the disease in its extreme,or clinical form were 80 percent higher than in the population at large,and sufferers were four times more likely to have heart attacks. People who suffer from depression often have problems sleeping,getting up on time,and doing work productively.
Depression,which researchers agree has its origin in the genes ,brings loss of confidence and ability to concentrate-making it impossible for employees and managers to work efficiently.
Depression is made more serious in China by Chinese's inability to face it.Many people believe that depressed people are either weak or lazy. Besides,there is no good treatment,with few specialists available.
"Most patients in China just don't get help,"a Chinese doctor says."In my hospital.I have to see 30 or 40 patients in a morning,just have time to say "Hello how do you feel?"
In Western countries,people are not afraid to admit that they have depression,but most do not tell it to their boss,because they fear that their boss would fire them.
"In my experience,aging bosses are the most willing to admit they have it. Because they feel the most secure about themselves,"an American doctor says.
Hopefully,in the near future,people around the world will be able to admit that they have depression so that they can get the right treatment. | high735.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "would use new medicine"
},
"options": [
"would rebuild her jaw",
"would continue the treatment",
"would use new medicine",
"could do nothing else"
],
"question": "If Betty's jawbone didn't regenerate, the doctor... | From the very beginning, Martin felt that he was bound up with(......)his lovely little patient. One day, following some tests , Betty gave the doctor a big hug .
A few months later the doctor removed not only the tumour , but also the entire lower left side of Betty's gum and jawbone. Because Betty was so young, Martin was hopeful that her jawbone might regenerate.
Within three months, Betty's tumour grew as large as an orange, changing the natural appearance of the left side of her small, delicate ( =" thin;" not strong)face. Soon she couldn't even close her mouth, and as her eating problems worsened, Betty 's weight dropped from 20 kilos to 15. Martin knew from experience that it might invade the brain.
The only other possibility was thorough radiation therapy . Night after night, Betty's father gave her injection, but the tumour remained as big as ever. Then one evening. Morgan noticed that the tumour had begun to change. It was actually becoming smaller! For two months her tumour appeared to be going away for ever. In the coming months, Betty's tumour continued to appear. She was able to eat solid food once again. Her jawbone was regenerating. The tumour was gone. | high7808.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "It contains lower calories."
},
"options": [
"It makes no noise.",
"It contains lower calories.",
"It has a good taste.",
"It contains many active ingredients."
],
"question": "Compared with an energy drink or a... | Many people rely on a cup of coffee or two to wake them up in the morning or refresh them during the working day, but now a chemist has come up with a speedy alternative to drinking coffee.
U.S. biochemist Ben Yu has created 'Sprayable Energy', which claims to be the world's first caffeine - based topical energy spray.
He said tired workers can spray a 'shot' of caffeine onto their skin without experiencing a strong noise, taking in unnecessary calories or being stuck with a nasty aftertaste like they might get from drinking energy drinks or coffee.
The tasteless caffeine spray is absorbed through the skin and spread through the body over a number of hours to deliver a caffeine hit that lasts longer than drinking a cup of coffee. The only active ingredient in the spray is caffeine, which is very similar to nicotine in structure. Each spray 'Sprayable Energy' contains around a quarter of the amount of caffeine found in a cup of coffee, but apparently has the same effect as a full cup.
The website said: "The reason for this is our product isn't entirely metabolized by the liver before entering your system and becoming available to your body." Sprayable Energy's website recommends that users apply the spray in places where they normally spritz perfume, such as wrists, the neck or behind the ears, but warns users not to exceed 20 times a day.
It claims that after spraying the product on the skin, users will feel awake and focus without being over-excited, which is common with coffee and energy drinks. | high9825.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "be less healthy both physically and mentally"
},
"options": [
"keep a high sense of wonder",
"be over-protected by their parents",
"be less healthy both physically and mentally",
"change wild places and creatures for th... | One of our biggest fears nowadays is that our kids might some day get lost in a "sea of technology"rather than experiencing the natural world.Fear-producing TV and computer games are leading to a serious disconnect between kids and the great outdoors,which will change the wild places of the world,its creatures and human health for the worse,unless adults get working on child's play.
Each of us has a place in nature we go sometimes,even if it was torn down.We cannot be the last generation to have that place.At this rate,kids who miss the sense of wonder outdoors will not grow up to be protectors of natural landscapes."If the decline in parks use continues across North America,who will defend parks against encroachment ?"asks Richard Louv,author ofLast Child in the Woods.
Without having a nature experience,kids can turn out just fine,but they are missing out a huge enrichment of their lives.That applies to everything from their physical health and mental health,to stress levels,creativity and cognitive skills.Experts predict modern kids will have poorer health than their parents--and they say a lack of outside play is surely part of it:research suggests that kids do better academically in schools with a nature component and that play in nature fosters leadership by the smartest,not by the toughest.Even a tiny outdoor experience can create wonder in a child.The three-year-old turning over his first rock realizes he is not alone in the world.A clump of trees on the roadside can be the whole universe in his eyes.We really need to value that more.
Kids are not to blame.They are over-protected and frightened.It is dangerous out there from time to time,but repetitive stress from computers is replacing breaking an arm as a childhood rite of passage.
Everyone from developers,to schools and outdoors' citizens,should help regain for our kids some of the freedom and joy of exploring,taking friendship in fields and woods that cement love,respect and need for the landscape.As parents,we should devote some of our energies to taking our kids into nature.This could yet be our greatest cause. | high8285.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Peer Tutoring."
},
"options": [
"Peer Tutoring.",
"Environmental Club.",
"Young Idea.",
"Scout Buddies."
],
"question": "Which club provides help for students poor in study?",
"question_type": "factiod_quest... | Lake Forest High School Clubs
Environmental Club
Club members are provided opportunities to realize their goals of environmental service. The majority of projects are student-initiated. Last year's activities included: the LFHS Courtyard Garden upkeep, Bike to School Day with free cocoa and snacks, an "eat local" 100-mile dinner, recycling solutions for LFHS, beach cleanup through the Great Lakes Alliance, and Earth Week celebrations.
Meetings: First Friday of the month in Room 5 at 7:00 a.m.
Advisor: Ms Mary Beth Nawor, _
Peer Tutoring
Students volunteer to help fellow students in improving their academic and organizational skills. Students tutor LFHS and middle school students on an individually scheduled basis. LFHS tutors must have proficiency in the academic area in which they wish to tutor, but middle school tutors only need general academic proficiency.
Meetings: All tutoring is done on an individually scheduled basis.
Advisor: Ms Kathy O'Hara, _
Young Idea
Young Idea is LFHS's art and literary magazine. Students of all ages who love writing and art are encouraged to become part of the staff of this award-winning magazine. Young Idea encourages all students to submit art and literature works to the magazine, whether they are a part of the staff or not. From September to February, Young Idea meets on Thursdays after school in the Public Room to discuss the pieces that have been submitted to the magazine and provide feedback for the authors.
Meetings: See above explanation.
Advisor: Ms Debbie Zare, _
Scout Buddies
Scout Buddies is a friendship club which helps build friendship among individuals with and without disabilities. Club members participate in a variety of social activities both within the school and in the community. Activities include organizing holiday parties in the school, bowling, going to the movies, and eating out in local restaurants.
Meetings: Monthly meeting dates vary, but in Room 134.
Advisor: Ms Donna Lovitsch, _ | high14937.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "changing the local weather"
},
"options": [
"changing the local weather",
"prolonging the roof's life",
"keeping the house cool",
"reducing the house's air conditioning costs"
],
"question": "The advantages of g... | Several years ago, the mayor of Chicago, Illinois, visited Germany, a leader in green roof design. Later he decided to have vegetation planted on Chicago City Hall. Today, the tops of many other buildings also look like parks. In Canada, the Coast Plaza Hotel in Vancouver has a forest on its roof. New York City has an unusual example farm for hydroponics. The farm is on a boat called the Science Barge. Rainwater and river water are used to grow lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. The farm shows the possibilities for designing rooftop systems.
Green roofs are designed to save energy and capture rainwater. Rooftops covered with plants help keep buildings cool. They can extend the life of a roof. And they can reduce water running off into streets and storming water systems.
Experts say green roofs usually do not get much above 27degC. So temperatures might not be a problem for growing. But rooftop gardeners have to be careful not to put too much weight on the roof. This is true whether plants are grown in soil or water.
Earlier in 2008, researchers in Texas reported that green roofs can reduce a building's air conditioning costs by about onefifth compared to blacktop roofs. But they also reported that not all green roofs perform equally well. They found that designs differ in their ability to keep buildings cool and to capture rainwater. The researchers put experimental roofs on top of metal insulated boxes, to recreate green roof conditions. The study compared products from six companies to help businesses understand how to improve their designs. Each rooftop had sixteen different kinds of plants native to Texas. The researchers say the presence of native plants likely helped all the green roofs capture water better compared to sedums. Sedums are plants that need little water and often are used on green roofs. The native plants could take in more water and release more of it to the atmosphere. | high13080.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "a European company is going to dig for nickel"
},
"options": [
"the dam project has been prevented",
"the first three activists are all from Asia",
"a European company is going to dig for nickel",
"Ma June is trying to ... | The Goldman Environmental Foundation recently recognized a group of individuals for their efforts to protect the environment. Each year, the American-based group honors environmental activists from six different areas.
The first three winners of the 2012 Goldman Prize are from Kenya, the Philippines and China.
The Goldman Environmental Foundation says Ikal Angelei is a hero to those who live around Lake Turkana. The Kenyan woman received the award because of her efforts to stop a dam project on a river in Ethiopia. Critics say the dam will harm the lake and restrict the flow of water for people who live nearby.
The Philippine island of Mindoro is home to those who depend on the area's natural resources for food and jobs. Edwin Gariguez became concerned when a European company announced plans to mine for nickel on the island. The Roman Catholic minister said waste materials from the mining project would pollute the water and destroy the forests. So he started a campaign to stop the project.
In China, Ma June is working with businesses to clean up their pollution. He formed a group that collects information about pollution, and publishes it on the Internet.
The Goldman Prize was also awarded to activists from Argentina, Russia and the United States.
Sofia Gatica of Argentina is from a town where farmers commonly use pesticide products to protect soybean crops from insects. The town also has a high rate of cancer. Miz Gatica believed that pesticide use was responsible for the death of her baby. She worked with other mothers to get government officials to ban the use of chemicals near populated areas.
Evgenia Chirikova objects to the plans to build a road through a protected forest just outside Moscow. She has demanded that Russian officials redirect the road away from the forest. She and her followers have been arrested for their activities. However, their campaign has gained widespread public support.
The sixth winner is American Caroline Cannon -- a community leader in Point Hope, Alaska. Miz Cannon is fighting to keep Arctic waters safe from oil and gas exploration. | high23143.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "develop critical relationships"
},
"options": [
"have a good public image",
"keep themselves informed",
"look back on their own lives",
"develop critical relationships"
],
"question": "According to the passage, ... | Ask a group of elderly people what it was about their lives that made them happiest overall, and they'll probably mention some warm relationships with family and friends. If you're satisfied with your social life, according to psychologists, you tend to be satisfied with life in general.
From the point of my 50s, I'd say that sounds about right. Some of my happiest moments are the ones I spend with my husband, a few close relatives, and a handful of very good friends who know me well and like me anyway. But the more I read about how social media are interfering with good old-fashioned friendship, creating virtual bonds that can't quite take the place of real ones, the more I wonder just how today's 20-somethings will look back on their own lives when they're my age.
After all, much crucial relationship building work is done in the 20s. According to research by the late Bernice Neugarten of the University of Chicago, who helped launch the academic study of human development, people choose most of their adult relationships, both friends and lovers, between the ages of 22 and 28. The friends we make in our 20s are not only best friends forever; they're also our first truly chosen friends. And choosing how to commit to these friendships is an essential psychological task of the 20s.
But with so much of friendship in this age group now being developed online, an essential question is what the effect of that interaction is. A study, conducted in 2010 by Craig Watkins and Erin Lee of the University of Texas at Austin, investigated the Facebook habits of 776 young people between the ages of 18 and 35. "Whether it is a wall post, a comment, or a photo," they wrote, "young people's engagement with Facebook is driven, primarily, by a desire to stay connected to and involved in the lives of friends who live close by, far away, or have just entered into their lives."
This kind of constant contact can be efficient, but it can also be upsetting. For one thing, it adds a new layer of concern to a young person's already-heightened awareness of social ranking, giving appearance-conscious young people yet another thing to worry about. "I see other 20-somethings feeling pressured to constantly keep up a public image, especially a public image online," wrote Ariana Allensworth on the group blog. "Folks are always keeping the world informed one way or another about what they're up to, where they're at, what projects they're working on. It can be a bit much at times." Not the most fertile ground for real-world friendship. | high10589.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "discuss the risks of the digital world and suggest ways to protect yourself"
},
"options": [
"explain the growth of the digital world from the view of privacy",
"discuss the risks of the digital world and suggest ways to protect yo... | Although websites such as Facebook and MySpace experienced rapid growth during the middle of the first decade of the 21st century, some users remain unaware of the fact that the information they post online can come back to haunt them. First, employers can monitor employees who maintain a blog, photo diary, or website. Employers can look for controversial employee opinions, sensitive information disclosures, or wildly inappropriate conduct. For example, a North Carolina newspaper fired one of its features writers after she created a blog on which she wrote about the strange things of her job and coworkers without signing her real name.
The second unintended use of information from social networking websites is employers who check on prospective employees. A June 11, 2006 New York Times article reported that many companies use search engines and social networking websites such as MySpace, Xanga, and Facebook to conduct background checks on college campuses. Although the use of MySpace or Google to check a student's background is somewhat unsettling to many undergraduates, the Times noted that the use of Facebook is especially shocking to students who believe that Facebook is limited to current students and recent alum .
Corporate employers are not the only people interested in college students' lives. The third unintended use of social networking websites is college administrators who monitor the Internet -- especially Facebook -- for student bad behavior. For example, a college in Boston's Back Bay expelled its student Government Association President for joining a Facebook group highly critical of a campus police sergeant. In addition, fifteen students at a state university in North Carolina faced charges in court for underage drinking because of photos that appeared on Facebook.
Although more users of websites such as Facebook are becoming aware of the potential dangers of online identities, many regular users still fail to take there basic security precautions . First, only make your information available to a specific list of individuals whom you approve. Second , regularly search for potentially harmful information about yourself that may have been posted by mistake or by a disgruntled
former associate. Thrid, never post obviously offensive material will likely make its way to the wider world. By taking these simple steps, members of the digital world can realize the many benefits of e-community without experiencing some of the damaging unintended consequences. | high5979.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "were likely to develop canter"
},
"options": [
"were likely to suffer brain injuries",
"wouldn't have normal mental activity",
"would lose consciousness now and then",
"were likely to develop canter"
],
"questio... | A Concussion happens when the brain is shaken, often in a car crash or a fall or a strike on; the head in sports.Concussions can be mild, but doctors may order a CT scan to look for a more serious injury.But a recent study warned that more children than necessary are being exposed to radiation this way.
A national team led by two doctors at the University of California, Davis, studied hospital records from thousands of children with head injuries. They found that in many cases, the risk of developing cancer from the radiation outweighed the risk of a serious brain injury.
The study found that one in five children over age two had a low risk of serious injury but received CT scans anyway. The same was true of almost one in four children under two years of age.
The researchers have developed rules to predict if a head injury is serious enough for a scan. For children under two, doctors are advised against it if there is:
*Normal mental activity.
*No swelling in the back of the head.
*No feeling of a broken bone in the skull.
*And no loss of consciousness for more than five seconds.
Doctors should also consider how the child was injured and whether the parents say the child is acting normally.
For patients from two to eighteen, the guidelines are similar ---- except there should be no l vomiting and no severe headache.
Earlier this year, the British Journal of Sports Medicine published new guidelines for concussions in children and teens. International experts said they should not return to sports or school until fully recovered. The brain also needs a "cognitive rest," they say, by restricting activities like video games, texting and watching TV.
It often take longer than adults to recover from a concussion than adults. The experts say individual progress and not a set time period should always guide a decision to return to play. | high11697.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "does not speak out his own ideas"
},
"options": [
"does not speak out his own ideas",
"is not devoted to the job",
"laughs too much over work",
"can not finish his work on time"
],
"question": "Kim is the sort o... | "Come in . Kim . Have a seat , please ." said Bill Williams , the manager . This was Kim's first experience with an assessment . After only six months he was due for a raise if this assessment was satisfactory
"Kim," began Bill Williams . "I am very pleased with the quality of your work . I have nothing but praise for your devotion and your hard work . My only concern is that you are not active enough in putting forward your suggestions ."
"But." Replied Kim. "I have always completed every assignment you have given me . Mr. Williams."
"I know that , Kim . And please, call me Bill .But what I expect is for you to think independently and introduce new ideas . I need more input from you --more feedback on how things are going I don't need a "yes man". You never tell me what you think . You just smile as though everything is fine ."
"But," said Kim," " I feel that since you are my superior , it would he presumptuous of me to tell you what to do ."
"I'm not asking you to tell me what to do, but what you think we could do .To make suggestions . I employed you because I respect your experience in this field, but you are not communicating your thoughts to me ."
"Yes . I see I'm not accustomed to this , but I will try to do as you say ..., Bill"
"Good, then , I expect to hear more from you at staff meetings or at any other time you want to discuss an idea with me ."
"Yes , of course . Thank you Mr. Will...Bill ." | high21754.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "To show people how to avoid buying needless things."
},
"options": [
"To show people how to avoid buying needless things.",
"To explain what are useful things for one's life.",
"To compare good habits with bad habits.",
... | You can't resist that shirt on sale. And those cute red shoes also end up in your shopping bag. Or you buy a new computer that you can't live without.
We've all bought things we wanted but really didn't need on impulse. US statistics show that in 2009 a surprising 60 percent of all-store purchases were made without thinking first. And the latest reported statistics for e-purchases say that forty percent are impulsive. So why do we do this? It feels good. This feeling comes from a chemical called dopamine , which is released when we do something we enjoy. How can we resist the temptation to spend?
l Window-shop without your wallet. This way, when you see something you want, you can't buy it. If you really need the item, you can go back to the store to buy it. But it's likely you won't.
l Pay in cash-don't use credit cards. They can trick you into thinking you're not spending money because the bill doesn't come until later. Using cash will make you think twice before spending.
l Research the product first----then buy it. This will keep you from being talked into buying expensive hi-tech items like computers.
l Make a shopping list----and stick to it. Buy only what is on the list.
l Carry the exciting item around the store for 15 minutes. You will be surprised how that purple shirt loses its appeal after the initial "Wow, isn't that cool?" feeling wears off.
It's hard to give up a bad habit. But if you replace it with a healthy habit, you will have more success. Consider going to the library instead of the bookstore. Explore new parks and learn about nature, or join a church or club. Exercise with friends or join a sports team. | high21998.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "the author is trying to show what he or she says is true."
},
"options": [
"Relative information is not that important.",
"too much information will make readers feel confused.",
"the author is trying to show what he or she s... | 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, etc.You know this because you have 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 growing 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 statements is true, yet this chemical is necessary to all life on earth.The students made the 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 out information that is different to his view.For example, look again at the statistics that suggest skiing is safe.Only 32 people may die each year when skiing, while 897 die from lightning strikes, but which is really the most dangerous? If you think about it, you realize far fewer people go skiing each year than the number of people who are in danger of a lightning strike.When you think about it, skiing is more dangerous than you might at first think when looking at 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 to be prepared. | high11683.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "are full of envy"
},
"options": [
"are stupid",
"are poor",
"are full of envy",
"have more power"
],
"question": "Bullies are usually those who _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answe... | What do Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson and Phil Collins all have in common? They were all bullied at school.
If you're being bullied, it doesn't mean there is something wrong with you. You have a right to feel safe. If you are being bullied at school, it is the school's responsibility to stop it. If you are being attacked outside of school, the police have the responsibility to help you.
The bully is the one with the problem.
A lot of bullies are already being bullied themselves. They feel powerless and so they look for ways to feel tough at school or in the street.
Often, the bully is envious of other kids, so he picks on those who are cleverer, or those kids who have cool dress or more money. Usually bullies don't like themselves, so they take out their frustrations on someone else, e.g. you.
What can you do?
* Look calm and confident even when you are not! You can practice this in the bathroom mirror.
* If possible, ignore the bully. Bullies want a reaction --if you don't seem upset, or angry, they'll often leave you alone.
* Walk away. Just because a bully starts an argument doesn't mean you have to hang around and finish it.
* Avoid being alone. Bullies are cowards who only pick a fight when they know they can win. If you are with friends, they are more likely to leave you alone.
Get help!
Tell an adult you can trust. This doesn't mean you are weak. In life you often need to get help from other people. When you have a broken leg, you get help from a doctor--it doesn't mean you are weak. If you are being bullied you also get help. Bullies want you to keep quiet. When you speak up, you refuse to play the bully's game. Telling others about the problem is a brave move. | high21740.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "She was a strong-willed woman."
},
"options": [
"She becomes disabled after a car accident.",
"She was a strong-willed woman.",
"She lives on a farm with her parents.",
"She has a fierce and loyal love for Gaspard Ullie... | Over three years ago, the French director Jean--Pierre Jeunet and actress Audery Tautou won people's hearts with their popular comedy "Amelie". The fairytale-like film tells the story of a single waitress who helps lonely people find love.
Now, _ are back with another film. "A Very Long Engagement" is a film about World War I. It received 12 nominations from France's Cesar Awards last week, including best film, best director and best actress.
Mathilde (Audrey Tautou) is a young woman who becomes disabled after suffering from a disease as a chilD.She lives on a farm with her aunt Benedicte (Chantal Neuwith) and uncle Sylvain (Dominique Pinon). She receives a regular income from the wealth left to her by parents. She has a fierce and loyal love for Manech (Gaspard Ulliel), her childhood boyfriend and fiance' . He is the son of a lighthouse keeper. When he goes off to the battle fields of World War I, she is lonely, but confident he will return. Early on in the film, five French soldiers are sentenced to death because of intentionally hurting themselves to escape duty. They are pushed into the German's line of fire. They are made to protect themselves without guns. One of them is Manech. Mathilde firmly believes that Manech is alive. She is determined to find him. She hires a private detective to find out what really happened to those French soldiers. Through letters, photographs, interviews with people who remain alive after the war, and wartime papers, Mathilde discovers how cruel the war is. She also sees the heroism of ordinary men, trying to stay alive on the battle field.
It's funny, sweet and sometimes sad to watch. Jeunet gives a realistic portrait of warfare. Tautou remains the emotional center of the film. She shines as Mathilde, a woman who suffers one failure after another, but refuses to give up her seek for her lover. It's a film for all romantic people who are in search of true love. | high8291.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "had been used for some French puppets"
},
"options": [
"were offered by his fellowmen",
"had been used for some French puppets",
"contained the idea of good luck",
"expressed a good wish for French Children"
],
... | On 15 September 1918 Lee Duncan, an American soldier, rescued a half-starved shepherd and her five puppies from a bombed dog's kennel on the battle fields ofprefix = st1 /France.Duncanchose two of the dogs, a male and female, while members of his group took the mother and the others back to camp. The only survivors over the next few months were the two pups Duncan had claimed, naming them 'Rin Tin Tin' and 'Nannette' after tiny French puppets the French children would give to the American soldiers for good luck.
When the war ended, Duncan made special arrangements to take his pups back to his home in Los Angeles, but during the Atlantic crossing, Nannette became ill and died, shortly after arriving inAmerica. In 1922, Duncan and Rin Tin Tin attended an LA dog show, his dog performing for the crowd with an impressive high jump. After the show,Duncanreceived $350 for Rin's performance. That was the beginning of Rin Tin Tin's later involvement in many films and television series
It happened that Warners had difficulty shooting an exterior scene with a wolf as they got into a low budget. Duncanquickly approached the director and told them that his dog could do the scene in one take. True to his word, Rin did the scene in one take. As a result, he and his dog were hired for the entire shoot of "Man From Hells River". The film was a hit and Rin Tin Tin became a box-office star. It was the first American dog movie star. It made 26 pictures for Warners while starring in his own live 1930s radio show "The Wonder Dog". At the peak of his popularity, Warners kept 18 trained stand-ins to reduce any stress on their dog star. The star dog was worthy of the honor of having its private _ to prepare daily lunches for him. As a band was playing classical music it slowly consumed a lunch of tenderloin steak. | high22249.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "these DVDs can share their participation in children's education"
},
"options": [
"their children have great interest in these DVDs",
"they are sure that these DVDs are beneficial to children",
"these DVDs can share their par... | With an overwhelming variety of educational toys and learning tools in the market, you really wonder if these educational products are really beneficial to children. There have been many educational DVDs in the market that promise to stimulate a child's learning and enhance his or her cognitive skills. Parents feel good about buying these products for their children. After all, these educational tools try to do a parent's job of participating in the child's education, especially when the parent can't be present due to his or her busy schedule.
Moreover, children seem to love these DVDs that contain pictures, words, and loads of stories. Some DVDs contain fun, sing-along songs or read-aloud words to help the children learn different concepts and words. Although these are fun for the parents and the children, the question that needs to be asked is whether these DVDs are actually beneficial to the child, as they claim to be.
Although parents expected "educational" products to give their child some educational advantage, research has shown otherwise. Researchers in a recent study concluded that there was indeed no difference between the language and cognitive ability of the infants who were repeatedly exposed to educational DVDs and those who were not exposed to the DVDs. In fact, contrary to expectations, it was found that babies who were exposed to the DVDs at an earlier age had lower overall language scores at a later age. This suggested a damaging effect of such DVDs on younger children.
For several years the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that toddlers under age of 24 months or 2 years should not watch videos or television. However, there are many parents who believe these DVDs really help in stimulating the child and keep him or her entertained.
While it may work as a great babysitter, it is important to limit activities like video games, computer games, DVDs or TV programs. To promote their children's development and cognitive skills, parents are advised to spend time with their children and increase interaction with them. For example, if you want to enhance language development, converse with the child, listen, and respond to whatever the child is trying to communicate. Children learn more by interacting with parents, rather than by watching DVDs. | high14923.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "He told his parents what he had done in school."
},
"options": [
"He missed them very much for they hadn't seen each other for a long time.",
"He thought he was old enough to help them do something.",
"He was tired of studyin... | Dear Mom and Dad,
I'm afraid I have some very bad news for you. I have been very naughty and the school master is very angry with me. She is going to write to you. You must come and take me away from here. She does not want me in the school any longer. The trouble started last night when I was smoking a cigarette in bed. As I was smoking, I heard footsteps coming towards the room .I did not want a teacher to catch me smoking, so I threw the cigarette away. Unfortunately, the cigarette fell into the waste--paper basket. It caught fire.
There was a curtain near the waste --paper basket. It caught fire too. Soon the whole room was burning. The master phoned the fire brigade . The school is a long way from the town and before the fire brigade arrived, the whole school was on fire. The master said that the fire was all my fault and I must pay for the damage. She will send you a bill for about a million dollars.
I'm very sorry for this.
Much love
Sarah | high13094.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "The importance of nonverbal communication"
},
"options": [
"Nonverbal communication and first impression",
"Nonverbal communication is culture-related",
"Nonverbal and verbal communication",
"The importance of nonverbal... | Have you ever wondered why you sometimes take an almost immediate liking to a person you have just met? We often get the first impression of a person based on the color1 of a person's skin or the manner in which he or she dressed. Meaning is conveyed not only by words or verbal languages but also by nonverbal communication systems, such as body behaviors.
Nonverbal communication is important because we use the actions of others to learn about their affective emotional states .Our emotions are reflected in our posture, face, and eyes--be it fear, joy, anger, or sadness--so we can express them without ever saying a word .For this reason, most of us rely heavily on what we learn through our eyes.
Nonverbal communication is significant in human interaction because it is usually responsible for the first impressions. More importantly, those first messages usually influence the perception of everything else that follows. Even how we select friends and sexual partners is grounded in first impressions with nonverbal communication.
Nonverbal communication is important because it is culture-related. It is based on different beliefs, religions, values and customs in different cultures. When, where, how, and to whom people display his or her specific nonverbal behaviors is greatly affected by culture and context. Culture determines what the appropriate nonverbal behavior is. For example, feelings of friendship exist everywhere but their expression varies. It may be appropriate in some countries for man to embrace each other and for women to hold hands; in other countries these displays of affection may be shocking. Each culture has its own specific interpretation on nonverbal communication. What is acceptable in one culture may be completely unacceptable in another. One culture may determine that snapping fingers to call a waiter is acceptable; another may consider this gesture rude. | high23157.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "It can be gained by slowing yourself down."
},
"options": [
"It makes our life easier.",
"It brings convenience to life.",
"It can be gained by slowing yourself down.",
"It is a common phenomenon in a \"now\" culture."
... | We live in a "now" culture. If it takes more than five seconds for a website to load, we won't view it. We want to call our friends now, even if we'll see them in 10 minutes. The "now" culture is one of convenience, and let's face it, convenience can make our lives easier.
Unfortunately, by gaining convenience, we've lost some of our patience. If you're like me, patience does not come naturally. Here are a few tips I've learned along the way to cultivate more patience in my life:
Ask yourself why you're in a hurry. If you feel rushed while going about your normal day, ask yourself why. Will the world end if you get home five minutes late? What if you stop to talk to the random people you meet each day? If you do stop to talk, you'll be amazed how much more connected you'll feel to your community.
Hang around people who have patience. I had a lot less patience before I met my husband. Being around him daily has certainly given me a greater appreciation for the art of waiting. He's not only a great example of someone who lives his life patiently, but he tells me if I'm getting too anxious or impatient. If you don't know someone who's patient in your immediate circle of friends, take a class like yoga where meditation is part of the art.
_ . Sometimes you can lose sight of long-term goals in the rush towards instant gratification. Most people trying to lose weight have a hard time cutting out sugary or carb-loaded foods completely. It helps to cut these lofty long-term goals into smaller chunks. To encourage weight loss, you can slowly cut back on your calorie intake or increase your exercise regimen each week. Whatever route you take, setting those little goals will help you achieve the big ones faster.
Think of the things you've gained by being patient. When all else fails, I think of the good things that have happened in my life because I waited. Passing up on a few "so-so" job offers last year paved the way for me to land a job I really wanted. When you can think of positive outcomes that have come from waiting, it puts into perspective why it's not always the best strategy to rush into things. | high23631.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "early Chinese sailors"
},
"options": [
"early Chinese sailors",
"restaurant workers",
"Hong Kong farmers",
"visitors to London"
],
"question": "From the passage, we can learn that the first members of \"Chinatow... | London's Chinese community dates back to the 18th century, when a small number of Chinese sailors moved to the city to work in Limehouse, east London. As time went by, other Chinese people came to this area and Limehouse began to be known as "Chinatown". At the start of the 20th century, there were just 545 Chinese people in Britain. However, this situation changed greatly after the Second World War. At this time, many farmers in Hong Kong lost their jobs, and decided to move to London. In the 1950s, a small Chinese restaurant opened in central London. Many British people visited it and said that Chinese food was wonderful! Suddenly, Chinese restaurants started opening in every part of the city. Instead of too little work, the new Chinese immigrants now found that they had too much! Most of the new immigrants enjoyed their lives and the chances they were offered. Many asked their friends and relatives to join them from their hometowns, and a lot of families were reunited again at this time.
As time went by, London's Chinese community became more and more successful. The sons and daughters of the first restaurant workers, encouraged by their parents, studied very hard at school and university. And most got highly-paid jobs. As a result, increasing numbers of Chinese families left Chinatown and moved to the more expensive places. Chinatown, however, is still as lively as ever, and a must-see for any visitor to London. | high9831.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "To save energy to develop economies."
},
"options": [
"To improve the people's health and happiness.",
"To do a certain experiment",
"To save energy to develop economies.",
"All of the above."
],
"question": "Wh... | British Summer Time runs from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. In the depths of winter the nights in the UK are anything from 15-19 hours long. Longer nights mean frost and fog are more likely to form.
Twice a year the clocks change, forward in the spring and then back again in the autumn. But why? It happens twice a year. We all change our clocks and watches by one hour. In the spring, we add an hour, and go onto what is called British Summer Time, while in the autumn, we do the reverse, and return to Greenwich Mean Time.
Why bother?
It's all to do with saving the hours of daylight, and was started by a guy called William Willett, a London builder, who lived in Petts Wood in Kent. Basically, he figured that you could improve the population's health and happiness by putting forward the clocks by twenty minutes every Sunday in April and do the opposite in September.
Economics
His idea was not taken up, even though a "Daylight Saving Bill" was introduced some five years before the outbreak of World War One. But once the war started, it was considered wise to economics, to promote greater efficiency in using daylight hours, and in the use of artificial lighting. And so in 1916, "Daylight Saving Time" was introduced. Even though most countries abandoned this after that war, some eventually decided that it was a good idea, and most of these nations began to keep it throughout the year.
Experiment
Since 1972, Britain has decided to go with Greenwich Mean Time in winter, and British Summer Time in Summer.
But back in 1968, Britain tried a four-year experiment by advancing time one hour ahead of GMT throughout the year.
But those living further north, particularly in Scotland, found it most unsatisfactory, with dark mornings for much of the year, and the experiment was dropped. | high15383.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "children's learning of the mother language"
},
"options": [
"differences between a child's language and an adult's",
"ways of teaching babies to talk",
"children's learning of the mother language",
"the importance of le... | When children learn a language, they learn the grammar as well as words or vocabulary. No one teaches them; children just " _ ".
Before babies begin to produce words, they produce sounds. Some of these sounds will remain if they occur in the language being learned, and others will disappear. This is called the "babbling stage".
A child does not learn the language "all at once". The child first speaks only one-word "sentences". After a few months, the two-word stage arises. During this stage, the child puts two words together. These two-word sentences have definite patterns and express grammatical and meaningful relationships. Still later, in the telegraphic stage, the child will produce longer sentences. These longer sentences are mainly made up of content words. The child's early grammar lacks many of the rules of the adult grammar, but gradually it will become perfect.
All normal children everywhere learn language. This ability is not dependent on race, social class, geography, or even intelligence . This ability is uniquely for human. | high2964.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "controversial"
},
"options": [
"justified",
"welcome",
"controversial",
"meaningless"
],
"question": "From the passage we can infer that the ban is_.",
"question_type": "summarization_questions"
},
{
... | The European Union announced plans on Tuesday to temporar-ily ban the use of animal cloning for food production, while allowing imports of food derived from the offspring of clones from the United States and elsewhere.
The report from the European Commission followed a call by EU lawmakers in July for a total ban on food derived from cloned animals and their traditionally bred offspring, citing ethical concerns over the industrial production of cloned meat.
The Commission said a temporary five-year EU ban on cloning for food production was justified on animal welfare grounds, but said banning imports of food from the offspring of clones was unnecessary and would disrupt global trade.
"Food from cloned animals is safe. In fact, the scientific opinion is that it cannot be differentiated in any way from food normally bred animals. The issue is animal welfare," EU Health and Consumer Commissioner John Dalli told reporters.
Food derived from the offspring of clones presents no such animal welfare issues, and banning its sale and import would be impossible because the origin is untraceable, Dalli said.
"Such a prohibition would lead to a ban of imports of any food of animal origin (meat, milk and processed products)from third countries allowing the cloning technique," the report said.
"We're not going to regulate for the world," Dalli added.
But animal welfare groups criticized the Commission's decision, saying it had bowed to pressure from third countries.
"We do not accept the Commission's position that it would be impossible to enforce a ban that includes the offspring of cloned animals, as (other) meat traceability systems are already in place," said Sonja Van Tichelen, director of the Eurogroup for Animals. | high21026.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "She worries about the effect of her neighbors on her son."
},
"options": [
"Her house isn't as big as her rich neighbors'",
"Her son is left alone without anyone in charge.",
"She worries about the effect of her neighbors on ... | You are from a middle- class family, and live in a normal-size home without any showy possessions, but you are surrounded by surprising consumption . This contrast is beginning to bother your 6-year-old son. You are worried that he will want to live as they do, and wonder if you should move.
Sometimes big pocket money, joyful birthday parties, special playrooms and super-big houses tell you that your neighbors probably have more money than you do, and that they're not as careful as you are with money, but you may find that they cook and dig in the garden with their children just as often as you do, talk with them as freely and read to them every night.
Or you may find that some of these parents stay in one wing of their big house while their child plays by himself, way off in a wing of his own. In that unfortunate case, he is basically growing up alone without being looked after properly, but this can happen to a child who lives in a normal-size house, too, if he has a TV, a computer and a few video games in his room. Even the most caring parent doesn't walk in and out of it to see what show her child is watching, what Internet site he has found and if he's still playing that video game.
Too much uncontrolled screen time may lead to a certain loss of innocence ,but mostly this child will lose the sense of unity and satisfaction, and if it doesn't , you might decide to move. Don't judge your neighborhood too harshly ,though. There are some things that are right with almost any neighborhood and some things that are wrong with the best of them--like those super-big houses.
The wealth of their owners--and the way they throw money around--may make your son feel sorry for himself, unless you help him understand that you and his dad save some of the money, give some to people who don't have enough and use the rest to pay for whatever the family needs.
Children want--should be provided with--explanations when their parents don't give them what they want. | high16852.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "In an orphanage."
},
"options": [
"In an orphanage.",
"In a big prison.",
"In the school dormitory.",
"In his home."
],
"question": "Where may the boy live according to the passage?",
"question_type": null
... | I remember my math teacher Mr.Young very well. He stood out because the kids made fun of him. He was missing one of his fingers, and always pointed at students with his middle finger.
I was not very good at English and math. No matter how hard I tried, I just could not figure out why I did not understand what all the other kids found so easy to learn.
One day, I was told that if I got one more E on my report card, I would be taken to the "big prison for kids".
I tried really hard for weeks. I just couldn't understand how to make different parts of members into whole things.
The day before report cards were to come out, I knew that Mr.Young would give me an E, just like he always did.
I went to Mr. Young and told him that the orphanage was going to send me to the big prison if I got another E on my report card. He told me there was nothing he could do; it would be unfair to the other kids if he gave me a better grade than I had actually earned.
I smiled at him and said, "Mr.Young, do you know how the kids make fun of you because you're missing your finger?" He looked at me, moved his mouth to one side and said nothing.
"They shouldn't do that to you because you can't help not having a finger, Mr.Young.Just like I can't help not being able to learn numbers and stuff like that." I said.
The next day, when I got my report card, I tucked it into one of my books. While on the school bus, I opened it: Geography, B+; Mechanical Drawing, C-; English, D-; History, C-; Gym, B+; Art, C; Math, D-.
That math grade was the most favorite one I ever received, because I knew that someone in the world finally understood what it was like for me to be missing a finger inside my head. | high17594.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "find possible effects of distraction on fullness"
},
"options": [
"show that all the people enjoy snacks",
"prove that playing computer games is harmful while dining",
"find possible effects of distraction on fullness",
... | A study now lends support to the idea that meal-time distractions can mask the clues that we really have eaten quite enough. Moreover, it finds, the caloric fallout of not paying attention to what we're eating doesn't necessarily end when a meal is over.
Rose Cooperfrom England, and her colleagues gathered 22 men and an equal number of women for an experiment. Each person dined alone, continuously receiving nine small shares of food items. These ranged from cheese twists and potato chips to carrots, cherry tomatoes and sandwiches or sausage rolls.
Because the goal was to test the potential impacts of distraction on fullness, the researchers randomly assigned half of the participants to eat in front of a computer--and to gain as many wins as possible at the "card" game. Everyone else was told to focus on the sensory qualities of their meal.
According to their instructions, the participants ate all of the food given to them. Yet people who played a computer game during lunch found their meal less filling than the mindful eaters had. Game players also swallow down twice as many cookies, almost an hour later, when they were allowed all the dessert they wanted (in the name of a taste test). The British scientists present their findings in the February American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
The real question is why distracted eating should impact snacking. It appears, the scientists say, that memory plays some tricky role in how we register what we eat and the degree to which it satisfies.
Interestingly, eight years ago, Britta Barkeling of Huddinge University in Stockholm and her colleaguesreportedsomewhat related findings. Their 18 overweight subjects had no choice other than to get rid of everything but lunch, on one day--because they were blindfolded. Compared to a day when they could view what they were dining on, these people consumed only three quarters as many calories. Yet even hours afterward, they reported being no less full than on the day they had been able to see their plates.
Of course dining in the dark isn't practical. And sometimes what we eat doesn't really invite our attention. But there is certainly a growing mountain of data indicating that mindless eating is a waste of resources, a risk to our waistlines--and a costly threat to health. | high20338.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "suggestions"
},
"options": [
"news",
"notices",
"suggestions",
"advertisements"
],
"question": "This passage is basically about some _ of foreign language learning.",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
... | Learning to communicate in another language may be challenging, but it is also a very rewarding and enriching experience. It is the best passport to discovering another culture. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of the experience.
Work at your own pace.
Make the most of the time you have available to study. You will find you can learn more effectively if you study for half an hour every day, rather than try to do a whole unit in one sitting.
Why not learn with someone else?
It helps if you can learn with someone else. If you can persuade a friend or family member to study with you, it will give you extra motivation to keep working.
Remember that you can go a long way with just a little language.
Even if you feel unsure about your ability to form right sentences, you'll find that it is possible to communicate with just a few words. Above all, don't worry about getting things wrong: people will still be able to understand you. The more confidence you gain in communicating, the more fluent you'll become.
Build up your vocabulary.
A wide vocabulary is the key to successful language learning but don't try to learn too much at once. It's best to study frequently. Put words into sentences to fix them in mind, and come back to them later. Learning vocabulary in this way is usually very effective.
And most of all, have fun! | high19426.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Working in the chemical industry is safer than traveling by air."
},
"options": [
"Working at the office is safer than staying at home.",
"Travelling to work on public transport is safer than working at the office.",
"Staying... | Which is safer --- staying at home, traveling to work on public transport, or working at the office? Surprisingly, each of these carries the same risk, which is very low.However, what about flying compared to working in the chemical industry? Unfortunately, the former is 65 times riskier than the latter! In fact the accident rate of workers in the chemical industry is less than that of almost any of human activity, and almost as safe as staying at home.
The trouble with the chemical industry is that when things go wrong they often cause death to those living nearby.It is this that makes chemical accidents so newsworthy.Fortunately, they are extremely rare.The most famous ones happened at Texas City (1947), Flixborough (1974), Seveso (1976), Pemex (1984) and Bhopal (1984).
Some of these are always in the minds of the people even though the loss of life was small.No one died at Seveso, and only 28 workers at Flixborough.The worst accident of all was Bhopal, where up to 3,000 were killed.The Texas City explosion of fertilizer killed 552.The Pemex fire at a storage plant for natural gas in the suburbs of Mexico City took 542 lives, just a month before the unfortunate event at Bhopal.
Some experts have discussed these accidents and used each accident to illustrate a particular danger.Thus the Texas City was caused by tons of ammonium nitrate, which is safe unless stored in a great quantity.The Flixborough fireball was the fault of management, which took risks to keep production going during essential repairs.The Seveso accident shows what happens if the local authorities lack knowledge of the danger on their doorstep.When the poisonous gas drifted over the town , local leaders were incapable of taking effective action.The Pemex fire was made worse by an overloaded site in an overcrowded suburb.The fire set off a chain reaction of exploding storage tanks.Yet, by a miracle, the two largest tanks did not explode.Had these caught fire, then 3,000 strong rescue team and fire fighters would all have died. | high4252.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "What the daughter did recently worried her mother."
},
"options": [
"The girl knew her mother would ask her the question about the boy.",
"What the daughter did recently worried her mother.",
"The mother was eager to read her... | She is a cute, quiet girl. As a daughter, she has no secrets from her mother, who is very pleased with her. But recently she has become somewhat mysterious, not so open as before. She has a diary that she keeps under lock and key. Her mother cannot help worrying about her: what if she falls in love, which is too early for a girl of her age. After all, she is reaching the "dangerous stage". These thoughts have caused trouble in the mother's mind.
One weekend the girl came to tell her mother that she was going to the cinema with her schoolmate and would return late. This was the first time her mother agreed, and she couldn't help worrying because her daughter had never been away at night before. The mother waited till nine and her uneasiness got the upper hand over her. She decided to go out to meet her daughter. Just at that moment the noise of a car pulling up drew her to the window and - there was her daughter, waving goodbye to a boy. Her heart missed a beat. When the girl came in, the mother was watching TV, pretending nothing had happened."Mum, I'm back." "Yeah." "Sorry to be late. Still sitting up?" "Yes, Oh, that... Who's that boy?" The daughter was stunned for a moment. "Ah. It's my monitor. He gave a lift on his way home. Mum, I'm going to bed." "All right. Go to sleep early."
Next morning when the mother went to the daughter's room to do some tidying, she found her diary left at her pillow. After a few minutes' hesitation she eventually opened it to the entry of the night before. It reads: Mum, it's love that made you ask, but it would show your understanding of me if you hadn't.
Holding the diary, the mother fell in thought. | high18738.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "watching TV"
},
"options": [
"eating fruits and vegetables",
"exercising regularly",
"lying as seldom as possible",
"watching TV"
],
"question": "According to the author, doing the following things is good for h... | For good health, be sure to eat fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly and lie as seldom as possible. A researcher is hoping this advice will someday take hold, based on results of a "science of honesty" study she completed.
Half of 110 participants were told to stop telling major or minor ("white") lies for 10 weeks, while the other half (the control group) was given no special instructions about lying.
The 110 people ranged from ages 18 to 71 and came from both sexes and all income levels. All came to a laboratory each week to complete health and relationship questionnaires and to take a test showing the number of major and minor lies they had told that week.
When those in the no-lie group told three fewer white lies than in other weeks, they complained less of headaches, tenseness, anxiety and other problems than those in the control group. In addition, they reported that their close personal relationships had improved and their social interactions had gone more smoothly.
"The link was that clear," said study author Anita Kelly, a professor of psychology at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. "Lying less was clearly associated with better health for those people."
Previous research indicates that Americans average 11 lies per week, from the little white lies to save face or falsely praise others to major lies about serious matters. Kelly said her study differs from former studies because it didn't focus on how to detect a liar, but on the potential health consequences of telling lies.
"People might recognize the more harmful effect lying can have on relationships, but probably don't recognize the extent to which it can cause a lot of stress," said Dr. Bryan Bruno at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
At the end of the study, some participants had created smart ways to avoid lying. Kelly noted that some realized they could simply tell the truth about their daily achievements rather than exaggerate , while others responded to a troubling question with another question to take the person's attention away. They also stopped making false excuses for running late or failing to finish tasks.
"People usually think white lies are acceptable. In fact, white lies are trouble, not just major lies," Kelly said. "As long as you like, you can find effective ways to avoid lying in many cases. It depends on you."
"But the goal doesn't have to be the absolute absence of lies ... the goal would be a reduction in lies," she added. | high10364.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "popular"
},
"options": [
"frightening",
"boring",
"popular",
"harmful"
],
"question": "The passage shows that the tomato fight this year is _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": ... | A youth lay in a bath of tomato juice during the "Tomatina" Tomato Fight in the town of Bunol, near Valencia, eastern Spain.
Tens of thousands of people took off their shorts and threw tons of juicy tomatoes at each other in the Tomatina food fight, creating knee-deep rivers of tomato sauce on the streets of this Spanish town.
Five trucks carried 130 tons of the fruit for the hour-long fight which attracted foreign tourists. Among them are British, French, Argentineans and Japanese, as well as locals.
On the bell of noon the signal was given and for the next 60 minutes participants _ tomatoes at each other until a gunshot signalled the end of the festival.
The clean-up followed, with fighters washing the signs of battle away in the local river or under hundreds of temporary showers. While the front of buildings were watered, they seemed brighter than ever after their bath.
The Tomatina, held on the last Wednesday in August, is said to be the world's largest tomato fight. In the past people have been hurt during the tomato fight but no one was killed or injured this year.
The origin of the festival is unknown, but everyone in Bunol seems to have a favorite story. However, most agree it started around 1940. | high7983.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "The music played on their CD player."
},
"options": [
"The phone calls from their friends.",
"The music played on their CD player.",
"The beautiful view along the road.",
"The desire to celebrate a nice birthday."
]... | Saturday was my husband's birthday, but we spent most of the time in the car. We were driving to Phoenix for the weekend to celebrate his birthday and see the Warriors play the Suns.
My husband is a lucky man. Not only has he lived to see another birthday, but he doesn't mind driving 200 miles to see an NBA basketball game.
In the car, his cellphone kept ringing with birthday greetings from family and friends. He put them all on the speakerphone so he could drive with both hands and I could listen in even though it wasn't my birthday.
Meanwhile, on the CD player, the Reverend AL Green began to singLove and Happiness. A little good music makes a bad road better.
Four hours later, we checked into hotel, got dinner and sat out a rooftop feeling glad to be alive.
We had a great weekend--we ate too much, slept too little and the Warriors, well, they lost. But still, it was worth the drive.
On the way home, I started thinking about birthdays. In our family, we celebrate four in January, four in February, and all the others throughout the year. Mine is next week.
I felt lucky, like my husband, I will get cards and calls and maybe a few videos. I don't need presents any more. When you've seen as many birthdays as I have seen, the only gift you truly want is to see one more.
Birthdays are the mile markers on the road of life. They tell us how far we have come, but not how far we have gone.
Life is a journey more than a destination. What matters is whom we choose as traveling companions, and how often we get to sit back and enjoy the ride. | high14102.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Tuzki is a college student born in January."
},
"options": [
"The latest product among teens is iPod.",
"Naruto is a character in a popular cartoon.",
"Some adults don't understand their children's words.",
"Tuzki is a ... | Were you born in the 1990s? Do you think you are different from older generations? As there has been considerable discussion about "the post1990s" in newspapers and on the Internet recently, people including the group themselves, have begun to look at some things that help shape their culture. Do you find them true?
1. Jay Chou He is not handsome. When he hums no one can understand him. But the 28yearold Taiwan singer has stolen the hearts of many boys and girls who were born in the 1990s. They are crazy about him. Huang Kaiqin, a 16yearold Shanghai student, said,"I love him! I love everything from his lyrics to his melody , and to his attitude toward the life. "
2. PSP Its full name is Play Station Portable and it's a Sony product for game fans. Teens love it because PSP is better than the Game Boy in terms of pictures, controls and choices of games. With a PSP you can also play MP3 or MP4, watch movies and so on.
3. Naruto Among all the popular cartoons and comic books, the Japanese manga series has been this generation's favorite read. Naruto, who was orphaned at birth, grows from being a naughty boy to a powerful ninja . Naruto teaches readers that honor is very important and not to give up, even if something is hard to achieve.
4. iPods MP3s are not in any way, shape or form. But the iPod is amazing because it is a complete library of music in your hand. Post90s are always excited about the latest product.
5. Tuzki Tuzki, the white and hairy baby rabbit, was not born until January this year. But Tuzki's popularity has been spreading quickly among post90s who like QQ and MSN. Wang Lin, a college student, created the cool little rabbit.
6. Chat lingo On the Internet, the chat lingo is cool and convenient. But one day, teachers notice a new generation of errors entering their students' essays. Words such as "3Q","ORZ" and "b4" confuse adults but are part of teens' everyday lives. | high866.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "An ice-cream taster."
},
"options": [
"An official.",
"An ice-cream taster.",
"A chemist.",
"An ice-cream manufacturer."
],
"question": "What is John Harrison's job?",
"question_type": "factiod_questions"
... | What do you want to be when you grow up? A teacher? A doctor? How about an ice-cream taster?
Yes, there really is a job where you can get paid to taste ice-cream. Just ask John Harrison, an"Official Taste Tester"for the past 21 years. Testing helps manufacturers to be sure of a product's quality. During his career Harrison has been responsible for approving large quantities of the sweet ice cream--as well as for developing over 75 flavors .
Some people think that it would be easy to do this job: after all, you just have to like ice cream, right? No--there's more to the job than that, says Harrison, who has a degree in chemistry. He points out that a dairy or food-science degree would be very useful to someone wanting a career in this"cool"field.
In a typical morning on the job, Harrison tastes and assesses 60 ice-cream samples. He lets the ice cream warm up to about 12degF. Harrison explains,"You get more flavor from warmer ice cream, which is why some kids like to stir it, creating ice-cream soup."
While the ice cream warms up, Harrison looks over the samples and grades each one on its appearance."Tasting begins with the eyes,"he explains. He checks to see if the ice cream is attractive and asks himself,"Does the product have the color expected from that flavor?"Next it's time to taste!
Continuing to think up new ideas, try out new flavors, and test samples from so many kinds of ice cream each day keeps Harrison busy but happy--working at one cool job. | high8468.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "How has Buffet handled hardships in his life."
},
"options": [
"What is Buffet's approach to investing.",
"How do other people view Buffet.",
"How has Buffet handled hardships in his life.",
"How did Buffet make a fortu... | When 7-year-old Warren Buffet said " I will be the richest man one day", his friends made fun of his "daydreaming". But ever since then the little boy has set about learning how to make money, selling drinks, delivering newspapers and buying stocks. He had already earned $ 9,000 ( equal to $ 90,000 today) by the time he graduated from high school and became a millionaire at 32.
And this month the 77-year- old, who earned his fortune by making a lot of great investment in the stock market, made his childhood dream come true. With a fortune of $ 62billion, Buffet has risen to be the world's richest man according toForbes Magazine.
Born in 1930, Buffet, the only son of a stockbroker, started on achieving his billion-dollar dream at an early age and was always ready to think outside the box to develop his business. At 8 he went to golf courses collecting and selling used balls.
At 11 when he sold soda pop door to door with a friend, the pair collected lids on the streets to judge which flavor was the most popular.
As a paper boy during high school, Buffet delivered two rival papers, so that even when customers canceled one of the subscriptions, he could still make a profit from the other. With his paper delivery savings, Buffet bought 162,000 square meters of farmland and collect rent.
Young Buffet stepped into the stock market at 11 but earned only $ 5. The experience taught him one of the virtues in investing: patience.
After graduating from university, Buffet started his venture with stocks with his childhood earnings and money from friends. He researched the stocks and just bought those of solid companies that were undervalued and inexpensive at the time. By sticking to companies such as American Express and Coca-cola, Buffet has become rich.
"Learning is important to Buffet's success. He is a learning machine who can spend his entire day reading. He keeps learning, from books, street smarts and investigation, from both success and failure. In this way, he finally over achieved his aptitude ( ) ," said Charlie Munger, his long-time business partner. | high12215.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Developing countries want rich nations to pay for climate change."
},
"options": [
"China plays an important role in The United Nations climate talks in Doha, Qatar.",
"The United Nations climate talks in Doha, Qatar, continued int... | The United Nations climate talks in Doha, Qatar, continued into their second week, Wednesday, as delegates from nearly 200 countries struggle to craft a replacement for the Kyoto Protocol, the global agreement on climate change that expires at the end of this month.
The negotiations are deadlocked over demands by poorer nations for financial help in coping with climate change.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on delegates at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change to speed up their work on an agreement to address a warming planet.
"Let us be under no illusion , this is a crisis, a threat to us all, our economies, our security and the well-being of our children and those who will come after," he said. "No one is immune to climate change, rich or poor."
Delegates from nearly 200 countries --- rich and poor --- are in Doha to extend the Kyoto Protocol, the 1997 global climate change agreement that expires at the end of this month, and to begin to _ a new agreement to replace it.
Two issues block the way forward. Developing countries are demanding that industrialized nations fulfill their pledges under Kyoto to reduce their climate-changing industrial emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, and to put new, larger emission curbs on the table.
The developing nations, led by China, are also insisting that rich nations provide more aid to poorer countries to help them cope with the effects of climate change, including rising sea levels and more violent storms.
In Doha Wednesday, Tim Gore, a climate change policy advisor for Oxfam International, a confederation of groups working on social justice issues, applauded efforts by England, Germany and Sweden to increase their climate aid and expects other nations to follow.
"Those announcements are truly welcome. And they shine a spotlight on those that have remained silent: the U.S., Canada, Japan, even Australia," Gore said. "But we need to be very clear as well that those types of announcements made in press conferences can be no substitute for clear commitments in the text that poor countries have come here to negotiate." | high6323.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "Keep the noise lower."
},
"options": [
"Go back to China.",
"Fight for their right.",
"Ask America to change its law.",
"Keep the noise lower."
],
"question": "What will the senior Chinese ladies most probably d... | Square dancing is a form of entertainment and physical exercise, which is a good thing. However, a group of senior Chinese ladies dancing in New York's Sunset Park were recently faced with noise complaints from nearby residents. The local court even served a summons related to a certain Ms. Wang.
The news soon caused heated discussion across China, with many believing the incident to involve a cultural conflict between the East and West,while others view it as a form of discrimination against Chinese in the United States.
The United States is a diverse society, and in many cases, Chinese dancers are tolerated and even appreciated. Meanwhile, the United States is a society based on the rule of law, and due to cultural differences, local regulations seem to be very different from those in China. As a result, some old Chinese ladies dancing in New York's Sunset Park found themselves caught in an embarrassing situation. Locals and immigrants from other nations view such noise as a violation of their right to enjoy _ . Calling the police is regarded as the most efficient way to solve such a problem.
Before, these ladies probably did not understand local customs and rules. However, since the incident took place, they should perhaps know a little better next time and keep the noise to a minimum. People from different nations are often supposed to reach compromises, respecting and tolerating each other.
Whatever your choice of entertainment, it is important not to affect other people's lives. Square dancing is only one of many activities during which people should mind their behavior.
As for U.S. police practice, there might still be some room for improvement. Some were said to be rather rude, leading to the so-called "racial discrimination," which is a sensitive topic in U.S. society.
If the involved parties could be more tolerant, and solve such problems without involving the court, perhaps immigrants would mix more. | high14664.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "hasn't stopped learning from practice"
},
"options": [
"has been unwilling to help others",
"hasn't stopped learning from practice",
"has been willing to follow others' advice",
"has stopped to invest in houses"
],
... | When Steve Maxwell graduated from college, he had an engineering degree and a high tech job -- but he couldn't balance his checkbook. "I took one finance class in college but dropped it to go on a ski trip," says the 45-year-old father of three, who lives in Windsor, Colorado. "I actually had to go to my bank and ask them to teach me how to read my statement."
One of the biggest obstacles to making money is not understanding it: Thousands of us avoid investing because we just don't get it. But to make money, you must be financially literate. "It bothered me that I didn't understand this stuff," says Steve, "so I read books and magazines about money management and investing, and I asked every financial whiz I knew to explain things to me."
He and his wife started applying the lessons: They made a point to _ . They never bought on impulse, always negotiated better deals (on their cars,cable bills, furniture) and stayed in their home long after they went for an expensive vacation. They also put 20 percent of their annual salary into investments.
Within ten years, they were millionaires, and people were coming to Steve for advice. "Someone would say, 'I need to refinance my house -- what should I do? 'A lot of times, I wouldn't know the answer, but I'd go to find it and learn something in the process," he says.
In 2003, Steve quit his job to become part owner of a company that holds personal finance seminars for employees of corporations like Wal Mart. He also started going to real estate investment seminars, and it's paid off: He now owns $ 30 million worth of investment properties, including apartment complexes, a shopping mall and a quarry.
"I was an engineer who never thought this life was possible, but all it truly takes is a little self education," says Steve. "You can do anything once you understand the basics." | high2145.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "It is thought that in Japan high school students use 3G the most."
},
"options": [
"If you are a China Mobile user, you must have a new phone number when you use 3G.",
"After 3G was introduced to Japan, it was widely used there alm... | "I love the music-player function of 3G cellphones, " Xiaomei, a Chinese senior high school girl living in Japan, said happily.
"Recently, I logged on to a website and downloaded some new Japanese songs with lyrics onto my 3G cellphone, "the girl said. "You know, it's amazing! Just like with KTV, _ 's voice can be switched-off leaving just the background music and lyrics. When no one is around, I practise singing songs like crazy. "
Xiaomei's 3G cellphone almost made her a super star among her classmates. 3G was first introduced into Japan in 2001. After a slow start, it's now widely used there. High school students top the list of user groups, according to a major service provider in Japan.
After years of effort, China is finally catching up. In January, China issued a 3G license to three operators--China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom. In 2009, the operators announced plans to expand the use of 3G cellphones.
What is 3G?
3G wireless networks give users faster Internet connections. The Internet connection speed of 3G can be up to 15 to 20 times faster. This allows music and games to be downloaded more easily. E-mail can also be accessed faster. It has made watching movies and video-conferencing possible on a mobile phone.
How do I use 3G?
First, you must have a 3G cellphone. This year, products made by different cellphone companies will gradually appear in the marketplace.
China Mobile and China Telecom users can continue using their old phone number and SIM card. China Unicom, however, has not yet decided on this matter.
How much does it cost?
The three operators have said that 3G fees will be similar, or slightly lower than today's 2G cellphones.
According to a 3G student package, calls within the China Mobile network will cost 0.13 yuan per minute, while the fees go up to 0.23yuan per minute for calls between China Mobile and other networks. | high21807.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "Fast diet"
},
"options": [
"Fast diet",
"How to stay thin",
"Eating to stay healthy",
"The magical cure-all"
],
"question": "Which is the best title of the passage?",
"question_type": null
}
] | It's the dieting fashion that is sweeping the world, and encourages fasting for two days of the week. But does it work?
People are starving themselves to lose weight, with a dieting trend known as the "fast diet" growing in popularity.
The method is also known as the 5:2 diet, and consists of eating normally for five days of a week and cutting calories to about 25 percent of normal intake during other two days. Men consume just 600 calories on the two fast days, while women are limited to 500 calories.
Notably, the two fasting days should not be _ . The dieter should have at least one normal eating day in between.
In the best-selling book The Fast Diet: Lose Weight, Stay Healthy, and Live Longer with the Simple Secret of Intermittent Fasting by Dr. Michael Mosley and Mimi Spencer, the two authors claim that the 5:2 diet not only promotes weight loss, but also benefits health, offering protection from disease, improved cognitive function and increased lifespan.
The diet originated in the United Kingdom and became popular in the United States. Now, it is gaining popularity among the Chinese middle-class.
Zhong Minghui, who is 178 cm tall and used to weigh 100 kilograms, finds fasting effective in weight control. He works in the sales department of a trade company and used to drink and eat a lot after work. After sticking to the fasting diet for five months, he managed to lose about 20 kilograms.
"Actually I did not exactly rely on the 5:2 diet to lose weight. My fasting was more extreme. I almost completely cut off my supper every day and only ate some fruit. I also used an app to calculate the calories in the food I ate and was cautious of not eating any high-calorie food. I did about an hour's aerobic exercise every day. Fasting is definitely effective, but I think sports also help," he says.
"I do not really believe that fasting is the magical cure-all , but my high blood sugar has improved," he adds.
The US Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that although there is evidence that intermittent fasting diets may help prevent chronic disease, more research is needed.
Han Ting, a clinic nutritionist of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, says that people who suffer diabetes or eating disorders, pregnant women, kids, teens and frail seniors should not try fasting. She recommends a regular low-calorie diet, which is safer and less risky for health. When on a fasting diet, on the weekly fasting days, Han recommends low-fat, low-sugar, and low-protein food, such as vegetables, yogurt, non-fat milk, shellfish and fruits with high dietary fiber . | high10402.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "spread love and culture with seeds."
},
"options": [
"earn money for their education fees.",
"spread love and culture with seeds.",
"see whether they can open a company.",
"collect money to open a Hope School."
],
... | What do you see from a handful of seeds? Some see green plants, some see blooming flowers, or just seeds. But one group of Shanghai students saw an opportunity to make money.
Eight students from No 2 Secondary School Attached to East China Normal University started a virtual company selling different seeds and seed products. They successfully sold 28 pictures pasted with different seeds at a campus auction a week ago. The company, which has recruited around 20 student staff members, has earned over 2000 yuan in the past three months.
"We donated part of the money to a poor school in the countryside of Anhui Province. It's great to realize our ideal of 'spreading love and culture with seeds' after many tests and lots of hard work," said Senior 2 Shi Chen, CEO of the company.
Just like any other company, Shi's didn't develop smoothly. Shi and her young colleagues used to sell fresh flowers and old books, and later found seeds might be something that their company could engage in. They bought seeds of various plants and flowers at low prices from a local farm and sold them in schools or on streets. The creative students also made accessories and pictures with different seeds.
With little business knowledge, the students had to learn new skills as the leaders of different departments, such as public relations (PR), sales and marketing. They persuaded a joint Sino-French company near their school to give them training in business management.
"They helped us overcome our shyness. We also learned quite a lot of business theory. I found communication skills and teamwork are very important for my job" said Senior 1 Qian Yifei.
The 16-year-old was elected as PR manager thanks to her talent for speaking. She is also in charge of after sales service, dealing with complaints and providing suggestions.
As the head of the company, CEO Shi has a lot more to think about. First of all, she has to learn how to make her colleagues work efficiently as the company only opens at weekends due to all their studies.
makes the company more formal," she said. | high16073.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "it described that the Mayas used to be an advanced civilization"
},
"options": [
"it was the first time people heard about Mayas",
"the Mayas were excellent builders and farmers",
"he had experienced so may difficulties to fi... | In 1841, a book was published which astonished the world. It was called"Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan". The author John Loud Stephens had just returned from a long, difficult and dangerous journey through the thick rain forest of southern prefix = st1 /MexicoandGuatemala. He had once been there with Frederick Catherwood, an architect and artist, to search for the remains of a lost civilization known as the Mayas .Very little was known about the Mayas at that time, but Catherwood's drawing in the book showed incredible cities with temples, pyramids and other buildings as impressive as those of their northern neighbors, the Aztecs. These cities, however, were deserted. The inhabitants had disappeared almost a thousand years before.
Since that time, far more has been learned about this remarkable civilization. The Mayas had a highly developed system of government and of agriculture, as well as an incredibly accurate system of measuring time. They were also wonderful engineers capable of moving huge blocks stone long distances and cutting them to accurate shapes and sizes.
And yet although the Mayas knew about the wheel, they never used it. Neither did they use metals other than copper. What is ever more surprising is that they suddenly abandoned many of their cities and built new ones in the jungle. Some time around AD900, Mayan civilization collapsed. By the year 1200, their last great capital,Chichen Itza, was deserted.
Who were these strange people and the even stranger gods they worshipped ? What brought about their sudden and mysterious collapse? Some writers have tried to prove that the Mayas had contact with visitors from space and even that they themselves came from another planet. Some people believe that their civilization came to an end because the Mayas never developed a proper resistance to local germs and diseases. All we really know is that when the first Europeans appeared off their coast in 1517, this great and mysterious culture was only a memory. | high19340.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "All above."
},
"options": [
"A pupil in a primary school.",
"A person who is disabled.",
"A family member.",
"All above."
],
"question": "Who can accompany you to go water skiing?",
"question_type": "factiod... | Water skiing is a sport with many social, economic and health benefits to society. It is unique in that it is a sport where able and disabled persons, and people as young as 5 years and as old as 80 years of age can participate alongside each other. It is a sport that involves more than one person, and is a wonderful family activity that gathers members together for a day of fun at a favorite waterway.
Anyone who has put on water skis can attest to its health benefits--it is a sport that demands and develops strength, agility and endurance. The sport includes several disciplines including slalom, tricks, cable, jump, ski racing, kneeboard, wakeboard, and barefoot, with each of these practiced for either recreational or competitive enjoyment.
Safety Tips for Water-Skiers
Don't take unnecessary risks while water-skiing. The following tips will help you safely enjoy this thrilling sport:
ALWAYS have an observer in the boat. This is a legal requirement in many states. The boat driver cannot watch the skier and operate the boat safely at the same time.
ALWAYS wear a Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) designed for water skiing. Ski belts are NOT recommended. Your approved PFD will help keep you afloat.
NEVER ski in rough water. High waves or a choppy sea will prevent the tow boat from maintaining a steady course and speed.
NEVER ski after dark. It is dangerous AND illegal. Any boat traveling fast enough to tow a skier is traveling too fast to navigate safely at night.
NEVER water-ski while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Such activity is extremely dangerous because of the impairment to your judgment and ability to respond. A recent study conducted with expert skiers who were purposely drunk indicated that even their ability to ski was dramatically reduced.
Use hand signals between the skier and observer. Agree before you start what each signal means so there is no confusion at a critical moment. | high21813.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Students planning their careers."
},
"options": [
"Government administrators.",
"Students planning their careers.",
"Foreign language learners.",
"Professors designing courses."
],
"question": "Who is this artic... | One of the biggest challenges facing students and their families is what career they should enter and what is the best path for them to take.
I was talking to someone the other day who told me he first studied accounting because that was what everyone was studying several years ago. It was and some say still is a reliable career. However, then he told me that he was now studying financial investment because again--- that's what everyone was studying now and it was needed if he wanted to get ahead in the company.
And I asked him what he was actually interested in and then-- well the conversation kind of died. So I asked why he had bothered studying accounting in the first place and he explained that it was his parents' idea. Finally I asked what his passion was and he wasn't too sure because he never thought about it.
And so it is-- lifelong learning-- or the continual need to make ourselves marketable in a world that appears to be more competitive as time goes by. Is there a secret to help us so we can live a life of quality?
Regardless or not at this stage in world history with increasing connection between people,
ideas and markets -- the ability to match the needs and desires of the day with your own skills and products is a tremendous and vigorous challenge.
Many have gone into English or foreign language study because it was encouraged at the time when China was entering the WTO. Or maybe they were interested in international affairs or working abroad. Upon graduation they then faced the reality that there was a limit to how many jobs they could apply for.
Perhaps some then studied further doing courses for work such as a tour guide or translator/ interpreter. Many may have decided that going into teaching was more rewarding or stable. Others would have gone into media or advertising or conference management and acquired new skills along the way.
This constant quest to remain ahead of the game makes many upset and exhausted. Some futurists who examine technology have even predicted that people should expect to change careers six or seven times during their lifetime!
So if you are concerned by the nature of change, why not start spending more time looking at the most modern leading economies, institutions and their publications. A whole lot of changes are starting to happen yet there is no reason why this cannot be enjoyable, exciting and also rewarding. Our attitude, approach and willingness to continually learn and update our skills must remain strong.
My tip is to track the work that our government is setting about to achieve. In particular, look at the people who have been chosen as the key support team and try to read behind the light surface news and look at their career development and examine the recent reports that they are now recommending the government move towards. Key industry development, new ways of dealing with information and new demands are creating opportunities for the students and workers of tomorrow -- if we stay prepared. | high2151.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "The Wal - Mart's biggest drop in sales."
},
"options": [
"The world's largest retailer.",
"The Wal - Mart's biggest drop in sales.",
"The Wal - Mart's biggest revenue in sales.",
"The world's largest profit making enter... | April sales figures show a disappointing month for Wal-Mart. The world's largest retailer reported a big drop in sales last month--its worst decline in nearly 30 years. As VOA's Mil Arcega reports, Wal-Mart is not alone.
A three and a half percent drop in sales does not seem like much. But for a company that sells more than $300 billion worth of goods every year, analysts say it is significant.
Alan Murray, the managing editor of the Wall Street Journal, says the drop represents Wal-Mart's biggest decline since 1979. "There are a number of things going on. Part of it is early Easter, so some of those sales got moved into March. Part of it is bad weather."
But it may also signal a trend. Across the board, retailers from Target to JC Penny and the Gap, reported weaker sales in April. Analysts say the decline suggests high gasoline prices and the slowing prefix = st1 /U.S.housing market are finally catching up with consumers.Murraysays there may be other factors at play.
"Wal-Mart is not doing what it used to do very well. It made an attempt last year to sell clothes to high scale retailers. That didn't work. It had to back off. It's remodeling its stores. That's not working very well," says Murray.
To bring customers back, some say Wal-Mart needs to go back to its marketing basics. Retail analyst Dana Telsey says that means low priced goods in a friendly retail environment. "I think Wal-Mart is working to enhance its image. It could always be better. Going back to its roots is a way, that hopefully, customers will become familiar with it again."
Wal-Mart is one of the biggest economic indicators in the retail industry. As the world's largest profit making enterprise, Wal-Mart's yearly revenues represents about 2.5 percent of total economic activity in the U.S. | high17379.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "with any of his soldiers, new or old."
},
"options": [
"because the soldiers were new.",
"with any of his soldiers, new or old.",
"because he was named Stone.",
"only when he was before soldiers."
],
"question":... | A very strict officer was talking to some new soldiers whom he had to train. He had never seen them before, so began, "My name is Stone, and I'm even harder than stone, so do what I tell you or there'll be trouble. Don't try any tricks with me, and then we'll get on well together."
Then he went to each soldier one after the other and asked him his name, "Speak loudly so that everyone can hear you clearly," he said, "and don't forget to call me 'sir'."
Each soldier told him name, until he came to the last one. This man remained silent, and so Captain Stone shouted at him, " when I ask you a question, answer it! I'll ask you again: What's your name, soldier?"
The soldier was very unhappy, but at last he replied, "My name's Stonebreaker, sir," he said nervously . | high16067.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "there are problems to solve in getting owners to trust the technology"
},
"options": [
"the automakers are proud of the new cars for their technology",
"there are problems to solve in getting owners to trust the technology",
... | That was one surprising finding when researchers put Stanford University students in a simulated self-driving car to study how they reacted when their robo-chauffer needed help. The experiment was one in a growing number that assesses how cars can safely hand control back to a person when their self-driving software is at a loss.
With some models already able to stay in their lane or keep a safe distance from other traffic, and automakers pushing for more automation, the car-to-driver handoff is a big open question. The elimination of distracted driving is a major selling point for the technology. But in the Stanford experiment, reading or watching a movie helped keep participants awake. The Stanford research suggests engaging people with media could help, while some automakers are marketing vehicles with limited self-driving features that will slow the car if they detect a person has stopped paving attention to the road. Though research is ongoing, it appears that people need at least 5 seconds to take over.
Meanwhile, traditional automakers are advancing with the technology. Mercedes and Toyota sell cars that can hit the brakes and stay in their lane. By adding new features each year, they might produce a truly self-driving car in about a decade. One potential risk of this gradualist approach became clear this fall, when Tesla Motors had to explain that its "auto pilot" feature did not mean drivers could stop paying attention. Starting late next year, the Cadillac CTS will get a Super Cruise system, which will allow semi-autonomous highway driving. If the driver's eyes are off the road, and they don't respond to repeated urging, the car slows.
"We are in no way selling this as a technology where the driver can check out," General Motors spokesman Dan Flores said, "You can relax, glance away, but you still have to be aware because you know the technology's not safe."
One riddle automakers must solve: How to get owners to trust the technology so they'll use it -- but not trust it so much that they'll fall into a false sense of security. Trust was on the mind of researchers who in August published an extensive report on self-driving cars. "Although this trust is essential for widespread adoption, participants were also observed prioritizing non-driving activities over the operation of the vehicle," the authors wrote. Another wide-open question: How to alert the person in the driver's seat of the need to take over. It appears that the car should appeal to several senses. Visual warnings alone may not be enough. | high19354.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "Three years after she began running."
},
"options": [
"At the age of 27.",
"When she was 15 years old.",
"Three years after she began running.",
"Nine years after she dropped her piano lessons."
],
"question": "... | Like lots of other girls and boys,when Lisa Cao was a kid,she used to watch the Olympics. "I always wanted to be good at sport and I found athletic potential in my body", the New York City citizen tells her friends. But there was no sport available so she took up piano lessons. Then,at the age of 15,she decided to drop the lessons and put her athletic potential to the test with running. At age 18,Lisa Cao ran her first-ever marathon in New York City. And now,the 27-year-old has 54 marathons (26. miles) and ultramarathons (100miles) under her belt.
What does it take to be an ultramarathoner? A lot of devotion,even when difficulties occur sometimes. "Making time for running is really hard when life is so busy," she says. "There's a big work-life balance that I have to keep. I have to wake up earlier on the weekends. And oh,the potential for excuses! With NYC's wild winters as of late,it's easy to blame the weather,roll over in bed and put off a solid run. I have a fix for this,though," she says. "Cute clothes. With the horrible weather, I bought cute clothes as motivation to run and actually wear them. "
While she's training during low season in the winter,Lisa Cao tries to run a "base" of 20 to 30 miles per week to stay prepared. During high season in the spring and summer,she'll run around 30 to 40 miles,but she also gets a lot of quality miles from her races. | high11708.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "nuclear radiation"
},
"options": [
"nuclear mystery",
"radiation detection",
"radiation level",
"nuclear radiation"
],
"question": "According to the passage, the danger of nuclear power lies in _ .",
"que... | Nuclear power's danger to health, safety, and even life itself can be described in one word; radiation . Nuclear radiation has a certain mystery about it, partly because it cannot be detected by human senses. It can't be seen or heard, or touched or tasted, even though it may be all around us. There are other things like that. For example, radio waves are all around us but we can't detect them, sense them, without a radio receiver. Similarly, we can't sense radioactivity without a radiation detector. But unlike common radio waves, nuclear radiation is not harmless to human beings and other living things. At very high levels, radiation can kill an animal or human being completely by killing masses of cells in important organs . But even the lowest levels can do serious damage. There is no level of radiation that is completely safe. If the radiation does not hit anything important, the damage may not be significant. This is the case when only a few cells are hit, and if they are killed completely. Your body will replace the dead cells with healthy ones. But if the few cells are only damaged, and if they reproduce themselves, you may be in trouble. They reproduce themselves in an unusual way. They can grow into cancer. Sometimes this does not show up for many years.
This is another reason for some of the mystery about nuclear radiation. Serious damage can be done without the knowledge of the person at the time that damage has occurred. A person can be irradiated and feel fine, then die of cancer five, ten, or twenty years later as a result. Or a child can be born weak or easy to get serious illness as a result of radiation absorbed by its grandparents. Radiation can hurt us. We must know the truth. | high12201.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "To carry heat down below the surface."
},
"options": [
"To absorb heat from the sun.",
"To store heat for future use.",
"To turn solar energy into heat energy.",
"To carry heat down below the surface."
],
"quest... | Sometimes, the simplest ideas are the best. For example, to absorb heat from the sun to heat water,you need large, flat, black surfaces. One way to do that is to build those surfaces specially, on the roofs of buildings. But why go to all that trouble when cities are full of black surfaces already, in the form of asphalt roads?
Ten years ago, this thought came into the mind of Arian de Bondt, a Dutch engineer. He finally persuaded his boss to follow it up. The result is that their building is now heated in winter and cooled in summer by a system that relies on the surface of the road outside.
The heat-collector is a system of connected water pipes. Most of them run from one side of the street to the other, just under the asphalt road. Some, however, dive deep into the groun.
When the street surface gets hot in summer, water pumped through the pipes picks up this heat and takes itunderground through one of the diving pipes. At a depth of 100 metres lies a natural aquifer into which heat several heat exchangers have been built. The hot water from the street runs through these exchangers, warming the ground-water, before returning to the surface through another pipe. The aquifer is thus used as a heat store.
In winter, the working system is changed slightly. Water is pumped through the heat exchangers to pick up the heat stored during summer. This water goes into the building and is used to warm the place up. After performing that task, it is pumped under the asphalt and its remaining heat keeps the road free of snow and ice. | high7029.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "increase drivers' safety"
},
"options": [
"increase drivers' safety",
"add to the pleasure of driving",
"change drivers' idea of safe driving",
"lower drivers' guard against danger"
],
"question": "In the resear... | Fumbling with the buttons to find a good song while driving has been linked to increased risk of crashes, but is listening to music risky? "It depends on the music," says a report published in the October issue of Accident Analysis & Prevention.
The study found teenage drivers who played their own music had significantly more traffic violations compared with background music designed by the researchers to minimize driving distractions, or no music.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University in Israel recruited 85 drivers about 18 years old; just over half were male. The _ were each assigned to drive six challenging road trips that were about 40 minutes long, accompanied by an experienced driving instructor. Music was played on four trips, two with selections from the drivers' playlists, mostly fast-paced vocals, and two with background music, which was a mixture of easy listening, soft rock and light jazz designed to increase driver safety. No music was played on two trips. Subjects rated their mood after each trip and in-car data recorders analyzed driver behavior and errors.
All 85 subjects committed at least three errors in one or more of the six trips; 27 received a warning and 17 required steering or braking by an instructor to prevent an accident. When the music was their own, 98% made errors; without the music, 92% made errors; and while listening to the safe-driving music, 77% made errors. Speeding, following too close, inappropriate lane use, one-handed driving and were the common violations.
The male subjects were more aggressive drivers and made more serious errors than female subjects. The teens played their own music at a very loud volume but significantly decreased the sound level when listening to the safe-driving music, researchers said. Mood ratings were highest on trips with driver-preferred music. | high6337.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 1,
"answer_text": "Modern technology"
},
"options": [
"The definition of technology",
"Modern technology",
"The application of technology",
"The development of technology"
],
"question": "What is the best title for the passage?",
... | Technology is the application of knowledge to production. Thanks to modern technology, we have been able to increase greatly the efficiency of our work force. New machines and new methods have helped cut down time and expense while increasing overall output. This has meant more production and a higher standard of living. For most of us in America, modern technology is thought of as the reason why we can have cars and television sets. However, technology has also increased the amount of food available to us, by means of modern farming machinery and animal breeding techniques, and has made our life span longer via medical technology.
Will mankind continue to live longer and have a higher quality of life? In large measure, the answer depends on technology and our ability to use it widely. If we keep making progress as we have over the past fifty years, the answer is definitely yes. The advancement of technology depends on research and development, and the latest surveys show that the united States is continuing to put billions of dollars annually into such efforts. So while we are running out of some limited resources, we may well find technological substitutes for many of them through our research programs.
Therefore, in the final analysis, the three major factors of production (land, labor and capital) are all influenced by technology. When we need new skills or techniques in medicine, people will start developing new technology to meet those needs. As equipment proves to be slow or inefficient, new machines will be invented. Technology responds to our needs in helping us improve our standard of living. | high14670.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "He had poems and rock music combined."
},
"options": [
"He had poems and rock music combined.",
"He surprised people with his beautiful style of writing.",
"He wrote beautiful music for some famous poems.",
"He invented... | A few years ago, pop poets such as Murray Lachlan Young began to set poetry to rock music with some surprising results. People thought that poetry was the new rock 'n' roll. However, despite the brief popularity of a few pop poets, poetry and pop music didn't seem to mix. But are they really so different?
If you look back at the origins of poetry, there is a strong connection between poems and popular music. In Greek mythology, for example, the muse Erato is pictured with a lyre in her hand, and looks just like the ancestor of the modern rock star with his electric guitar. In addition, the poets Shelley and Byron were as famous in the nineteenth century as the pop stars of today.
But despite their common origins, there are many differences between poetry and pop music. Pop songs are always written for a public performance, whereas poetry often isn't. And the lyrics in pop songs sometimes have less rhythm than those in poetry. This is because the music provides the rhythm rather than the words. Pop lyrics are also simpler and often keep on saying the same thing. This repetition works well in a performance and means that pop songs are easier for people to sing and learn by heart.
Both songs and poems tell a story or talk about feelings. Songs in particular deal with the different stages in a relationship, such as falling in love or breaking up. The words and ideas in songs are usually easier to understand than those in "serious" poetry. However, talented performers like Paul McCartney, or newer stars like Robbe Williams, often give simple songs more expression when they perform them. And some of the best lines from pop lyrics are as beautiful as poetry.
So although pop music and poetry have many differences, they do have one important thing in common: the power to make us think about how we feel. | high9004.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 3,
"answer_text": "the United States"
},
"options": [
"India",
"Mexico",
"Spain",
"the United States"
],
"question": "At present Santa Fe belongs to _ .",
"question_type": "cloze_questions"
},
{
"answer": {
"an... | Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, U.S.A.,is in the central part of the state, on the Santa Fe River, which flows into the Rio Grande 35 kilometres west of the city. More than two thousand metres above sea level, it lies in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains with the Ortiz Mountains to the southeast.
Santa Fe was founded in 1609 by the Spanish on an old Indian village.In 1680 the Indians seized the place but only held it for twelve years before the Spanish retook it. The city remained under Spanish rule until Mexico won its independence in 1821. From then on it was a Mexican city until 1846 when it was taken over by American troops.
With a population of 48,953, Santa Fe is now the second largest city in the state. Because of its sunny weather, rich history and surrounding mountains, it is a good place for holiday makers. Besides hunting and skating in the mountains people enjoy shopping in the Indian and Spanish shops, which brings a large income to the city every year. In summer there is an international opera season when operas are shown in a partly-roofed ,open-air theatre daily for people from all over the world. | high1458.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "are likely to increase in number"
},
"options": [
"are likely to increase in number",
"are mostly over 65 years old",
"will be trained to respond to sound triggers",
"will be able to live a relatively normal life"
]... | They already guide blind and disabled people; now dogs are to be trained to help people with dementia or Alzheimer's.Alzheimer's can make people confuse night and day or forget basic things such as washing or drinking enough water.
The dogs will be trained to respond to sound triggers in the home that cause them to perform tasks.The duties will include reminding their owners to take medicine, as well as encouraging them to eat, drink and sleep regularly.
The idea was developed by design students at the Glasgow School of Art and will now be put into practice by Alzheimer's Scotland and Dogs for the Disabled.The first dogs will be distributed to four Scottish couples, where one of the partners is in the early stages of dementia.Some 670,000 people in Britain have dementia and one in three over 65s will develop the condition.By 2021 this is expected to rise to one million.
Joyce Gray of Alzheimer's Scotland said, "People in the early stages of dementia are still able to live a relatively normal life, and dogs help to maintain routine." Another advantage of using the pets as companions is that dogs can give them a sense of silent support and companionship.Ms Gray said, "The evidence is that people may forget familiar faces but not pets.It's such a strong bond that people often remember _ longest.People don't need to communicate verbally but they can still interact.You can have a speechless bond."
Helen McCain, director of Dogs for the Disabled, said, "People with dementia often forget to take the medicine.If a dog presents them with a bag with pills in it there's a greater chance of them taking it.The dog would also encourage the owner to take them out for walks, ensuring they keep exercising and interacting with other people." | high6451.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "He places more emphasis on the characters' behavior in his stories."
},
"options": [
"He was the beloved child of his family.",
"Although he is successful, he isn't very happy.",
"He places more emphasis on the characters' be... | Anthony was sad. He was, as he put it, "not very bright" and couldn't win the attention of his very wealthy parents, who preferred his "clever" older brother. At age 8, Anthony was sent away to a boarding school in his native England, even though he screamed and pleaded with his parents year after year not to send
him. "The thought was ,it would be good for me," he recalled.
It was not. Anthony did badly in his studies, had few friends and was bullied for five years. "My teachers couldn't have had a lower opinion of me," he said. "I wasn't even smart enough to rebel. The one thing I remember from the very earliest age was the desire to write. When I was 10 years old, I remember asking my parents to get me a typewriter for my birthday because I wanted to be a writer."
Now, at 55, Anthony is one of the world's most successful children's book authors. His Alex Rider series has sold more than 5 million copies,and the eighth book featuring the young spy, Crocodile Tears, has come out.
The Alex Rider books tell the adventures of 14-year-old Alex Rider, an agent for the British intelligence agency M16.
Anthony says he doesn't try to write for kids; it just comes out that way." I have a feeling that it has something to do with purity and simplicity. I give as little information as is necessary to describe the room, the character in the room, and get on with the action," he said.
The style has also made Anthony a successful writer of television shows for adults in Britain because, he says, writing books for kids is a lot like writing television for grown-ups: In both cases, it's all about entertaining people with a good story.
Now, Anthony couldn't be happier with his life. He sums up his success:"...you can be anything you want to be if you just believe in yourself. I do believe it completely." | high32.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "She started a difficult recovery training."
},
"options": [
"Her right leg was cut off.",
"She gave up dancing soon afterwards.",
"She started a difficult recovery training.",
"She got well in three months."
],
... | Sudha Chandran, a classical dancer from India, had to have her right leg cut after a car accident.She was also cut off on her bright career road.
However, she didn't stop struggling. In the painful three months that followed, Sudha met a doctor who had an operation on her leg. So strongly she wanted to go back to dancing after she had been fitted with a man-made leg. Sudha knew that she believed in herself and could realize her dream,so she began her brave journey back to the world of dancing -- learning to balance, bend, stretch,walk, and turn.
After every public recital , she might ask her dad about her performance. "You stillhave a long way to go" was the answer she used to get in return. In January 1984, Sudha gained popularity again by giving a public recital in Bombay. She performed in such a great manner that it moved everyone to tears and this performance pushed her to the number one position again. That evening when she asked her dad the same question, he didn't say anything. He just touched her feet as a praise.
Sudha's comeback was so touching that a film producer decided to make the story into a film,which has moved more and more people.
When someone asked Sudha how she had managed to dance again, she said quite simply, "YOU DON'T NEED FEET TO DANCE." Nothing is impossible in this world. If you have the will to win,you can achieve anything. | high14116.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "low level of intelligence"
},
"options": [
"low level of intelligence",
"a delay in learning how to speak",
"understanding facial expressions",
"making eye contact"
],
"question": "Which is NOT the Common signs ... | Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disability. People with autism have trouble communicating and with social skills. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the person also might repeat some behaviors and not want change in their daily activities. Some people with the condition need a lot of help. Others need less.
CDC officials say autism affects one in every 68 children in the United States. More boys than girls are believed to have the condition. But the number of cases appears to be growing. It is unclear whether the growing number shows a real increase or comes from more knowledge about this disorder.
Symptoms of autism
Common signs of autism include trouble making eye contact and a delay in learning how to speak. Some people with severe autism never learn how to talk. Many people with autism also have difficulty understanding facial expressions and the feelings of others. They also have trouble making friends of the same age.
Doctors have learned how to recognize autism, but much is still unknown about its causes.
Researchers at Harvard University have come closer to finding answers. They found that women exposed to the highest levels of fine particulate air pollution late in their pregnancies are two times more likely to give birth to a child with autism. The findings appeared in Environmental Health Perspectives -- a publication of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
The study found that the women who were around high levels of fine particulate matter air pollution were at highest risk of having an autistic child. The increased risk of these women was two times that of women who lived in areas with low levels of fine particulate pollution.
The researchers found that the timing of exposure to pollution was important. They found no increased risk of autism in children whose mothers were around high levels of pollution before becoming pregnant. And the study found air pollution does not seem to increase the risk of children developing autism after they are born.
What can pregnant women do?
Mr. Weisskopf says pregnant women should avoid air pollution as much as possible. But he warns that other things may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder.
"You can avoid being in extremely polluted cities during pregnancy if possible. You can also choose to go running in a park rather than next to a street. But that said, I think also it's very important to recognize that autism spectrum disorders is a very multi-factorial disorder. And there are lots of reasons why risk could be increased."
Autism is believed to result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors.
For now, Marc Weisskopf says researchers are trying to identify the exact substances in air pollution that increase the risk of autism. | high9762.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 0,
"answer_text": "to introduce a practical method of making children eat vegetables"
},
"options": [
"to introduce a practical method of making children eat vegetables",
"to show the procedure of an experiment on children's diet",
"to explain ... | If your preschoolers turn up their noses at carrots or celery, a small reward like a sticker for taking even a taste may help get them to eat previously disliked foods, a UK study said.
Though it might seem obvious that a reward could encourage young children to eat their vegetables, the idea is actually controversial, researchers wrote in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. That's because some studies have shown that rewards can _ and cause children to lose interest in foods they already liked, said Jane Wardle, a researcher at University College London who worked on the study. Verbal praise, such as "Brilliant! You're a great vegetable taster," did not work as well.
The study found t hat when parents gave their small children a sticker each time they took a "tiny taste" of a disliked vegetable, it gradually changed their attitudes. The children were also willing to eat more of the vegetables-either carrots, celery, cucumber, red pepper, cabbage or sugar snap peas-in laboratory taste tests, the study said.
Researchers randomly assigned 173 families to one of these groups. In one, parents used stickers to reward their children each time they took a tiny sample of a disliked vegetable. A second group of parents used verbal praise. The third group, where parents used no special vegetable-promoting methods, served as a "control".
Parents in the reward groups offered their children a taste of the "target" vegetable every day of 12 days, Soon after, children in the sticker group were giving higher ratings to the vegetables-and were willing to eat more in the research lab, going from an average of 5 grams at the start to about 10 grams after the 12-day experience. The turnaround also seemed to last, with preschoolers in the sticker group still willing to eat more of the once disliked vegetable three months later.
Why didn't the verbal praise work? Wardle said the parents' words may have seemed "insincere" to their children. | high872.txt |
[
{
"answer": {
"answer_index": 2,
"answer_text": "get together with his family members"
},
"options": [
"enjoy the wonderful scene of a volcano",
"help those who suffer from the eruption",
"get together with his family members",
"work miracles during the disaster"
... | Of the several films Hirokazu has made about childhood and children, this one is the most modest, but no less pleasing for its delicate style and small setting. This wise and funny film works small miracles in describing such a moment when kids turn from the wishfulness of childhood into shaping the world for themselves.
The sweetly reflective hero, a sixth-grader named Koichi, starts out by wishing for a volcano to erupt. Not just any volcano, but the one that towers above his town, smoking heavily and giving off ash. An eruption would lead to a withdrawing, which would lead, at least in his mind, to a reunion with his father and kid brother, who've been living in Hakata while Koichi lives with his mother and retired grandparents in Kagoshima. The volcano, knowing nothing of this, refuses to erupt, but Koichi hears of another approach to realizing the desired miracle.
One of the pleasures of I Wish is watching how kids behave -- how Koichi attacks his dinner, for example. Another pleasure is rediscovering how kids think. These kids can be logical and ever so tricky. But children's thought processes can also be fancy. A boy wishes he could play baseball like one of baseball stars, who eats curry for breakfast; so he, too, starts eating curry for breakfast, instead of practicing on the field. Another boy tries to wish his dead dog, Marble, back to life. And what does Koichi finally wish for? I wish you'd see this delightful film to find out. | high12567.txt |
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